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Class  _£HJ^^ 

Book '^la 

GoEyDglit}!? 


CDFSRIGHT  DEPOSm 


Scanned  from  the  collections  of 
The  Library  of  Congress 


AUDIO-VISUAL  CONSER\^'\TION 
at  The  LIBRARY .«/"  CONGRESS 


Packard  Campus 

for  Audio  Visual  Conservation 

www.loc.gov/avconservation 

Motion  Picture  and  Television  Reading  Room 
www.loc.gov/rr/mopic 

Recorded  Sound  Reference  Center 
www.loc.gov/rr/record 


fm0 


EXHIBITOM 


]ohn  Gilbert  and  Renee 
Adoree  together  agam 
for  the  first  time  since 
"'The  Big  Parade." 


WEEK! 


LEO 

NOW 

ON 

WORLD'S 

TOUR! 


Tremendous  business  at  CapitoU  N*  Y* 
while  other  houses  hit  by  the  heat  — 


WHEN  you  ve  got 
THE  pictures 
YOU'VE  got  the  business! 
WHILE  others  are 
TALKING  pictures 
M-G-M  keeps  delivering! 
THE  dependable  outfit— 
YOU  said  it! 


METRO-GOLDWYN- 


,oIe  Vol.  92,  No.  1  (Vol.  34.  No.  4)     ^iT^'^^^/XTtS  T'^  i:T^^ht:  ^c^  "^c^^l^o  '!!ye^''A  %!^.  '^^cLL      July  7,  1928 


1 


,i|iii.:;i'iiii)::.;ii.iiii.i;iii]„,;iiii 


CORTELLAPHONE 


Perfect  Synchronizcction.^ 

and  ^^t-^^ 

Perfect  Tone  Qualities 

jITHOUT  ballyhoo  or  blare  of  trumpets  we  wish  to  announce  that  we  have  perfected 
a  synchronizing  device  that  will  prove  a  boon  to  exhibitors  throughout  the  world. 
Our  method  will  speak  for  itself  and  we  feel  no  need  to  crash  cymbals  or  talk  fasi 
to  prove  our  product.  ^  We  have  developed  a  combination  device,  using  both  the 
disc  and  film  incision.  The  incision  scoring  is  done  by  hairline  on  the  film  between  the  pic- 
ture and  sprocket  holes,  yet  does  not  reduce  the  size  of  the  picture.  There  is  absolutely  no 
mechanical  or  scratching  noise  witli  this  method  and  the  operation  is  so  simple  that  it  can  be 
handled  perfectly  by  any  projectionist  using  any  standard  projection  machine.  ^Non-syn- 
chronous music  may  be  played  on  CORTELLAPHONE  discs.  No  adjustment  is  necessary  and 
films  not  scored  therefor  may  have  suitable  accompaniments  by  making  a  selection  of  any 
standard  make  records  from  Thematic  Cue  sheets.  ^  The  volume  of  sound  can  be  regulated 
to  fill  the  Roxy  Theatre  or  a  small  projection  room.  Just  turn  the  dial.  CORIELLA  DISC 
method  is  interchangeable  with  other  leading  disc  methods  and  is  leased,  not  sold,  to  exhib- 
itors. ^  The  equipment  can  be  installed  for  less  than  $500.  The  fact  tliat  the  machine 
weighs  less  than  300  pounds  and  can  be  installed  within  three  hours'  time,  shows  its  advan- 
tage for  road  showing.  ^  There  are  being  established  branch  offices  of  CORTELLA 
SYNCHRONIC  PICTURES  CORPORATION  in  each  film  center.  ^We  are  prepared  to 
furnish  two  standard  short  subject  presentations  weekly  at  small  rental  charges  which  will 
prove  box-office  builders  for  any  theatre.  We  have  expended  more  than  a  million  dollars 
in  perfecting  our  product  and  we  are  equipped  to  install  2,000  CORTELLAPHONES  be- 
tween now  and  December  31st,  1928.  We  are  in  a  position  to  synchronize  pictures  NOW, 
and  in  New  York  City,  with  all  sound  effects,  such  as  airplanes,  firing,  street  sounds,  etc., 
to  pictures  already  made. 


A  TIP  FOR  EXHIBITORS! 

BUCK  JONES  chose  CORTELLAPHONE  because  he  wanted  the  best.     No  expense 
is  being  spared  in  putting  the  finest  scores  possible  to  his  pictures. 

THEYTL  GIVE  NEW  LIFE  TO  THE  INDUSTRY 


Cortella  oyncnronic  Pictures   Corporation 

ED.  D.  TURNER,  Distribution  Manager 

1776  Broadway  -   Suite    1111 
New    York,   N.    Y. 

CIRCLE  1997 

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YOUR 
WHOLE   SHOW 


IN 


l^jflOT*^ 


SOUND 

Paramount 

Pictures  1928-9 


SOt!^ 


Features,  Paramount  News,  One- 

and  Two- Reel   Novelties,  Stage 

Presentations,  etc. 

A  history -making  statement  by 
Paramount  Famous  Lasky  Corporation 


Paramount   Announces 
The  Coming  of  Quality 

I^OUND  Jr  ICTURES  Backed  by  the  one 
and  only  Paramount  guarantee  of  perfection,  not  only 
in  feature  productions  but  in  every  other  branch  of 
screen  and   stage   presentation  as  well,      ^p     •!*     .^     4- 

X  aramOllllt  S  piflnS  for  sound  and  synchronization  in 
all  phases  including  talking  pictures,  nearing  completion. 

1  Ills  COmpflliy  S  Hollywood  studios  are  fully  equipped 
with  sound  devices.  Our  splendid  production  organiza- 
tion has  many  Paramount  sound  pictures  actively  in  work. 

i  SramOUllt  S  Long  Island  studio  has  been  reopened  and  is 
rapidly  being  made  ready,  under  a  large  staflF  of  engineers 
and  technical  experts,  for  the  production  of  those  sound 
pictures  which  can  be  most  advantageously  filmed  in  the 
East.  Located  only  a  few  minutes  from  Broadway,  center 
of  the  world's  finest  speaking,  dancing  and  singing  talent, 
this  studio  offers  Paramount  facilities  for  production  in 
sound  that  no  other  company  possesses.       ^^     +     •!*     •!* 


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25  OR  More  Paramount  Feature 

Pictures  in  Sound  Paramount  wm  produce  I 
and  release  during  the  1928-9  season  between  25  and  30 
feature  productions  in  sound.  These  will  be  the  cream 
of  Paramount's  new  product  synchronized  with  music 
score  and  the  most  advanced  and  complete  sound  effects, 
most  of  them  with  talking  sequences.      They  include: 

▼  ▼   J.  1 1  \y  O  No  need  to  review  its  amazing  success  as  a  road  show.    Now 

coming  to  picture  houses  with  the  same  tremendous  sound  presentation 
that  has  enthralled  $2  audiences.  See  and  hear  it  for  yourself!  Hear  the 
thrilling  drone  of  the  propellers  and  the  zooming  of  the  'planes.  Hear  the 
stabbing  rat-tat-tat  of  the  machine  guns  as  they  spit  death  from  Allied 
and  German  cockpits.  The  explosion  of  the  bombs;  destruction  of  bal- 
loons. Sound  at  its  most  startling  best!  A  William  Wellman  production. 
With  the  screen's  most  popular  girl,  Clara  Bow.  The  great  coming  star, 
Charles  Rogers.     Richard  Arlen,  Gary  Cooper  and  others.     Hh       *i*       4' 


THE  WEDDING  MARCH"  ehch  on  st«.hew.  «„, 

geous  masterpiece.  Even  without  sound  it  would  be  one  of  the  finest 
money  pictures  ever  produced  by  Paramount.  With  sound — with  the  wed- 
ding music,  bells  and  ceremonial  trumpetings  in  the  world's  most  luxu- 
rious cathedral — with  its  heart-throb  bin  g  scenes  heard  as  well  as  seen — it 
is  incomparable!  Not  to  speak  of  its  dazzling  Technicolor  sequences  and  its 
mighty  cast,  which  includes  von  Stroheim  himself  and  adorable  Fay  Wray. 

AolJli   l5      11x115x1      KOI^lli  Anne  Nichols' great  piece  of  screen 

entertainment.  Soon  to  go  to  picture  theatres.  Synchronized  with  one  of  || 
the  finest  music  scores  ever  written,  plus  other  thrilling  sound  effects.  In 
addition  to  the  best  performance  of  Jean  Hersholt's  career,  and  Hersholt 
talking  in  many  scenes,  you  hear  Charles  Rogers  and  Nancy  Carroll,  musi- 
cal comedy  star,  singing  the  lovely  theme  songs  of  the  play.  Directed  by 
Victor  Fleming.     4'4-'i'Hh4*      +      *Hh      +      4-      +      4- 


X  Ml  WTj      X   a.  1  Jtvlv/  JL  Ernst  Lubitsch's  wonder-picture  starring  Emil 

Jannings.  With  Florence  Vidor,  Lewis  Stone  and  Neil  Hamilton.  By  far 
the  greatest  work  of  Lubitsch.  By  far  the  outstanding  role  for  Jannings. 
Hear  the  wild,  thunderous  Russian  marches.  Hear  the  charge  of  the  yell- 
ing Cossack  riders  as  they  terrorize  the  streets  of  Moscow.  Hear  the  pistol 
shots — and  see  the  innocents  mowed  down  at  the  whim  of  a  mad  but  fas- 
cinating Czar.  Hear  the  incomparable  Jannings  and  others  in  the  cast 
talking  in  the  climatic  scenes  !i^»J[«»{«^>{<»J*^>{<^ 


THE  CANARY  MURDER  CASE" 


Famous  detec- 


ff 


LOVES  OF  AN  ACTRESS" 


A  gorgeous  special  starring 
Pola  Negri  and  directed  by  Rowland  V.  Lee,  who  made  "Barbed  Wire".  With 
Nils  Asther  and  all-star  cast.  A  spectacular  love  story  of  the  Parisian  stage 
and  boulevards.     With  music  score  and  sound  effects.       ^"1**1**1* 


^^WARMING  UP" 


Starring  Richard  Dix  in  his  most  important  pic- 
ture in  years.  A  lavishly  produced  comedy-drama  of  love,  laughs  and'Big 
League  Baseball.  For' the  first  time,  a  crucial  World's  Series  game  on  the 
screen,  in  sound.  At  the  most  critical  moment  of  the  game,  with  Dix's 
career  and  love  depending  on  fanning  the  batter,  you  hear  the  umpire 
shout,  "Strike  One  I",  "Ball  One  I",  "Ball  Two  I",  "Ball  Three!",  "Strike  TwoT 
and  then— I  The  swish  of  the  ball;  the  crack  of  the  bat.  Fred  Newmeyer 
production.    With  the  new  find,  beautiful  Jean  Arthur,  as  the  girl,  t^    4* 

Just  a  tew  of  the  new  Paramount  Quality  Sound  Pictures  in 
work!  There  will  be  a  total  of  25  to  30  productions  in 
the  1928-9  program  filmed  in  sound  with  the  same  show- 
manship and  care.     Watch  for  further  announcements! 


tive  mystery -melodrama  that  sold  over  200,000  copies  as  a  novel.  One  hun- 
dred times  more  gripping  as  a  Paramount  picture  in  sound!  With  William 
Powell  (as  the  famous  "Philo  Vance"),  Louise  Brooks,  Ruth  Taylor,  James 
Hall  and  others  featured  in  the  real  all-star  Paramount  cast.  Directed  by 
Malcolm  St.  Clair.  Mystery  is  the  vogue  of  the  hour.  Paramount,  as  usual,  ',4i?^|| 
first  with  the  season's  greatest  mystery  picture,  enhanced  by  sound  and 
music.    With  sensational  talking  sequences,      sj^       »^       *p       *J*       *J«       i^ 


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Paramount  News  in  Sound  The  m. 

dustry  knows  how  Paramount  News,  in  one  short  year,  has 
leaped  into  unquestioned  leadership  of  the  news  reel  field. 
Nowcomes  its  next  mighty  development!  Paramount  News 
will  soon  rise  to  even  greater  heights  as  a  box  office 
attraction  by  presenting  a  large  portion  of  its  service  in 
sound.  ^  World  events,  epic-making  happenings,  scoops, 
special  stunts,  as  only  Paramount  News  can  give  them  to 
you — heard  as  well  as  seen!  The  world's  greatest  news 
reel — on  the  screen  in  sound!     ►{*     •!*     4-     4*     4«     ►}•     4* 

Paramount  Short  Features  in 
Sound* Christie  Comedies  in 
Sound* Stage  Shows  on  the 

»3v>4lVx!i-l!iii  Paramount  announces  new  and  startling  develop- 
ments in  one-  and  two-reel  short  features  that  will  mean 
big  money  to  exhibitors.  ^  Plans  are  completed  for  the 
introduction  of  sound  effects  in  the  famous  Christie 
Comedies,  released  by  Paramount.  The  class  two-reel 
comedy  product  of  the  screen.  Nationally  advertised  for 
years.  32  in  Paramount's  1928-9  program.  ^The  first 
five  Christies  synchronized  with  sound  in  all  its  phases  are: 


"CONFESSIONS  OF  A  CHORUS 
girl."  "Skating  Home."  With 
Frances  Lee  and  Christie  beauties. 

BILLY  DOOLEY.  In  "The  Dizzy 
Diver."  The  goofy  gob  on  a  roaring 
submarine. 


BOBBY  VERNON.  In  "Stop  Kid- 
ding." The  little  comedian  with  the 
Big  Noise. 

"SANDY  MacDUFF"  Comedy.  "Hot 
Scotch."  With  Jack  Duffy,  bagpipes 
and  all. 


BILLY  DOOLEY.  "Oriental  Hugs."  Fun  and  love  with  sound  accompaniment 

Startling  new  developments  in  Christie  Comedies.   Two  i 
big  special  sound  short  features  coming  and  more  to  be 
announced!    •^►f>^Hh'i*'^^4*4**f''l'Hh4' 


Paramount  stage  unit  productions—big  names— Wg 
time  acts  —  lavish  novelties  featuring  popular  acting, 
singing  and  dancing  stars.  The  pick  of  the  world's  stage 
and  screen  talent  presented  in  special  de  luxe  short 
reels,  with  sound,  in  the  quality  Paramount  style.  In- 
cluding the  cream  of  the  famous  Publix  stage  units  on 
the  screen  in  sound.  An  innovation  that  will  pack  all 
classes  of  houses,  first  run  and  otherwise,  by  offering  to 
the  smallest  theatres  the  same  luxurious  presentation 
units  and  surrounding  bills  that  Broadway  enjoys.  Hh    ^ 

A  Hint  of  the  Marvelous  Future 
IN  Paramount  Sound  Pictures 

'  Paramount,  leader  of  the  silent  drama  for  17  years,  will 
in  1928-9  prove  its  undisputed  leadership  in  sound.  The 
sound  pictures  outlined  in  this  announcement  are  but  a 
sample  of  what  are  to  come  from  Paramount.  Q  Soon  this 
company  will  reveal  important  affiliations  that  will  give 
you  the  masterpieces  of  Broadway's  leading  stage  pro- 
ducers on  the  screen  in  sound— productions  for  which  New 
York  is  now  eagerly  paying  $15  a  seat,  i^*    Hh     "i*    4*    •i' 


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Paramount  has  alreadyacquired  the  rights  to^^^Burlesque,"   )?^^ 


^ 


*«**♦, 


the  Broadway  comedy-drama  smash  that  has  run  nearly  a    ^  {| 
year  in  New  York  and  is  still  playing  to  capacity.  This  will    ^J&  "^""^ 
be  produced  on  a  spectacular  scale  as  a  Paramount  Sound    '-f'!^ 

■■'■'■  ^w 


Picture  of  the  future.     Other  choice    stage   properties   h 
will  be  bought  as  they  prove  their  tremendous  drawing  / 
power  and  filmed  by  this  company  with  all  the  distinctive 
qualities  that  make  them  prominent  behind  the  footlights. 


Only  Paramount  could  Be  The 
Logical  Leader  in  This  New 

^*i'-^l-'i'JJW.  Only  Paramount  has  the  background,  the  re- 
sources and  the  man  power  to  make  a  history -making 
announcement  like  this  come  true,     ►t*     "^     •I*     *{-     •^     Hh 


Paramount  with  its  established  reputation  for  quality. 
With  its  world-wide  organization,  mighty  resources  an*^^ 
superior  production  department.  With  the  public  firmly 
sold  on  its  trade -mark  by  years  of  fine  pictures  an< 
national  advertising,  which  will  now  be  placed  behind  its 
program  of  sound.  With  its  affiliation  with  the  unexcelled 
Publix  stage  presentation  units.  With  its  ownership  of 
the  Charles  Frohman  Company,  under  the  leadership  ipf 
Gilbert  Miller,  producer  of  an  unbroken  line  of  stage 
successes.  With  its  tie-ups  with  such  well  known  stage 
wizards  as  Arthur  Hopkins,  producer  of  ^^ Burlesque.' 
With  many  more  to  be  announced.     •{*    4*    •!•    4-    •{• 


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I  Backed  by  Paramount^  there  can  be  no  doubt  in  the 

mind  of  any  exhibitor  that  all  we  promise  here— and  more 
—  will  be  seen  and  heard  upon  your  screen.  We  believe 
the  greatest  days  this  industry  has  ever  seen  are  just  ahead. 
We  are  confident  box  office  receipts  beyond  the  dreams  of 
even  the  most  optimistic  showman  will  reward  Paramount 
exhibitors  this  year.  'i**p'^-^Hh'i*4*'i''^«^ 

As  last  as  tneatreS  are  equipped  with  sound,  Paramount 
will  keep  pace  with  the  one  Quality  Sound  Whole  Show 
Program  of  this  business.  ^  Make  sure  that  your  theatre 
shares  this  prosperity.  Be  ready  to  guarantee  this  New 
Era  of  Quality  Sound  Pictures  to  your  patrons.    ^    ^j-    ^j. 

^et  Aboard  the  Paramount 
Band  Wagon  for  the  big- 
gest and  best  Money  Ride 
in  Film  History. 

i 

ngn  for  PARAMOUNT'S 


Vhole  Show  Program  Today!  ^«| 


roX^^ives  You 


'^ 


William  Fox 

presents 


The  Ced  Dance 


6th  of  a  series 
for  release 
beginning  in  August 


Charles  Farrell 


"No  doubt  that  Charles  Farrell  has  It,  especially  in 
those  Russian  uniforms.  In  'The  Red  Dance',  sup- 
porting Dolores  Del  Rio,  he's  the  answer  to  many  a 
maiden's  prayer."  —Variety 


Dolores  Del  Rio 


"One  realizes  that  beauty  is  not  Senorita  Del  Rio's 
only  outstanding  screen  quality.  Her  fidelity  to  char- 
acterization, the  facile  changes  of  expression  and  her 
ability  to  catch  the  fleeting  mood  of  a  scene  prove  her 


to  be  a  real  actress."       


New  York  Evening  Graphic 


Ivan  Llnoifv 


"First  acting  honors  go  to  Ivan  Linow,  who  plays  a 
vulgarian  in  the  rough,  and  who  suddenly  finds  him- 
self a  general  in  the  Red  army.  Linow  is  sincere,  con- 
vincing and  entertaining.  He  even  plays  his  unpleasant 
moments  humanly."  —New  York  American 


<••—••> 


Raoul  Walsh 


"Raoul  Walsh,  remembered  lor  his  direction  of  the  film 
version  of  'What  Price  Glory'  and  the  more  recent 
starring  vehicle  for  Gloria  Swanson,  'Sadie  Thompson,' 
had  done  a  piece  of  work  that  is  superior  even  to  those 

^^°-"  —New  York  Evening  World 

'"The  Red  Dance'  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  things 
of  its  kind  which  I  have  ever  seen  on  any  screen." 

— Quinn  Martin  in  New  York  World 


Broad^vay 
Specials 

Sold  to  the  public 

Twice  Daily 

at  «2.00 

or 

Silent  Print§ 

Now  Ready 

for  Screening 

Street  Angel— Four  Sons— Fazil 
Sunrise  — Mother  Machree 


reserved' 


I-^^^_    only  producer  of  ^^  a««^«^^«.    ^.T^^mmv 
f^QI^^    seat  specials ...  only  actual  \^S\V 
^^^^^^   producer  of  Movietone  4  4  4-%-%^^  ^^  ▼  ▼ 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7, 1928 


-  -    150 


120  -       - 


-       -   110 


100  - 


80 


-    -  90 


-    -  70 


60  -    - 


40  -    - 


EG  - 


0 


20  -      - 


AO  - 


-    10 


-       -    10 


30 


-      -  50 


Outcall  the  outdoors 
■%nth.  tixeae  sparkling,  refresluii^ 

SHORT  FEATURES 

LUPINO  LANE  COMEDIES 
BIG  BOY-JUVENILE  COMEDIES 

HAMILTON  COMEDIES 
DOROTHY  DEVORE  COMEDIES 

LARRY  SEMON  COMEDIES 

MERMAID  COMEDIES 
(Jack.  White  Productions) 

TUXEDO  COMEDIES 

with  JOHNNY  ARTHUR 

BOW^ERS  COMEDIES 
KINOGRAMS 

The  Ne^vs  Reel  That  Tops  the  Field 

CAMEO  COMEDIES 
FELIX  THE  CAT  Cartoons 

by  Pat  Sullivan 

Lyman  H,  Howe's 
HODGE-PODGE 

OUTDOOR  SKETCHES 
hy  Rohert  C.  Bruce 

CURIOSITIES 
The  Movie  Side-Shotv 

Produced  by  Walter.  Futter 

CARTER  DeHAVEN 
in  CHARACTER  STUDIES 

McCALL  COLOUR  FASHION  NEWS 

HOPE  HAMPTON 

in 
"The  Call  of  the  Sea" 

and 

**L,ove's  Springtime" 

in  Technicolor 


a 


mr 


u 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc. 

President  ■ — 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


|^«^g-^v.-;--r 


malce  it  snappy 


Miotber  j^ave  yoit  snlpbtur  andL  molasses  in  the  aprhkg 
l»ecaitse^«raxmL^«reatker  calls  for  a  tonic — a  stinmilaitt.  And 
a  n&ental  stimulus  is  just  ajs  necessaxry  as  a  pKysical  tonic* 

Winter  is  tke  tinte  for  fhe  *1ieavy  stuHJ'  But  irKen 
tke  niLercary  is  sixjslin^  your  pro-am  skonld  l>e  spar- 
Uin^y  cool. 

As  **Roxy"  sayss  **Style,  color,  cKan;ge»  li^t»  Brevity, 
contrast.  TKese  are  tKe  tltings  tl&at  stimulate  people's 
minds — and  speed  is  lar^dly  a  matter  of  mental  stimulus." 

Yon  can  ontcall  tl&e  outdoors  if  you  put  tltat  stimu" 
latin^  style  and  punck  into  your  pro^an&  ^tritli  plenty 
of  the  hest  Sltort  Features.   And  tbat  means  plenty  of 

Educational  Pictures.  For  tkey  are  the  hest. 

For  ei^t  years  tkey've  dominated  tl&e  field. 

*         *        *         * 

EDUCATIONAE  is  tlie  world's  Neatest  producer* 
distributor  of  Sliort  Features. 

lember.  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc.,  Will  H.  Ifays,  President. 


i 


PROGRAM  OF  EVENTS! 

That  Began  Leo's  World  Tour 

JUNE  27 

12  NOON  — LEO'S  BANQUET  at  National  Press  Club, 
Washington.  Leo  appears  in  person.  Addresses  by  prom- 
inent Army  and  Navy  Officials.     Broadcast  over  WRC. 

1  P.  M. — Ceremonies   in   front   of  National  Press  Club 
transferring  Leo  to  his  palatial  car. 

1:30  P.  M. —  Ceremonies  at  Caravan  Post  in  rear 
of  White  House. 

2  P.  M. —  Presentation   of  replica  of  Leo, 
M-G-M  trade-mark. 

JUNE  28 
12  NOON— Leo's  parade  through  WasWngfon. 

2  P.  M. —  Leo's  banquet  to  the  jungle  beasts  at 
Washington  National  Zoo 

3  P.  M. — Leo  visits  and  stages  exhibition  in  front  of  lead- 
ing Washington  theatres. 

5  P.  M. — Leo  starts  on  World  Tour. 


Leo's  palatial  car  mil  be  preceded  by  one  of  tKc  lafgest  calliope's  manufacturedl 


LEO  IS 
WAY! 

the  greatest  hallyhoo  of  history  starts: 
j^msi^i^om  Washington,  D*  Q,  launching 
M'-Q-'M^s  hion  on  world-wide  tour 
and  M^Q^Ms  '28  ^'29  product  on 
year  of  greatest  prosperity! 


Below  is  Leo  with  travelling  compan- 
ion Captain  Phillips,  world's  youngest 
lion  trainer. 


Above  is  Advertisirxg  Advance 
Car  No.  2  for  newspapermen 
ahd  exhibitors,  equipped  as  trav- 
elling office  in  advance  of  Leo. 


Washington  newspapers  carry  big  daily  stor- 
ies on  Leo's  activities.  The  greatest  news- 
paper stunt  ever  conceived.     T'ney  love  it! 

-G-M  THE 
TALK  OF 
THE  WORLD! 

After  a  memorable  season  in  which  M^G'M 
gave  the  public  pictures  like  "Ben^Hur^^^Big 
Parade'^  etc*,  following  through  with  "The 
Cossacks''  (Qilhert),  "Telling  the  World'' 
{Haines)  and  many  more  big  ones,nowM-G'M 
commands  public  attention  for  its  '28 ''29 
product  with  the  most  sensational  stunt  of 
history! 


MEC^^JGOLDWYN  -  MAYER 

^^^ST...nn^v^  THE  COMPANY  THAT  DOES  THINGS 


3  SPECIALS  —  Show 
People  (Davies,  Hair.es) 
Carnival  of  Life  (Gilbert, 
Oarbo)  The  LovCi  of 
Casatiova 

4  CHANEY 
2  GILBERT 


THE  PUBLIC  WILL  LOOK  FOR 
M-G-M'S  BIG  STARS  IN  '28-'29 

3  COSMOPOLl. 

TAN  — Our  Dancing 
Daughters;  Breakers 
Ahead;  Mothers  and 
Sons 

3ELECTR1C 
LIGHT  HITS— The 
Bellamy  Trial;  Wonder 
of  Women;    Bridge   of 
San  Luis  Rey 
40  HAL  ROACH 
COMEDIES 
10  Our  Gang 
10  Laurel-Hardv 
10  Chase 
10  Roach  All  Sur 

104  M-G-M    NEWS 

(twice  weekly) 

6  GREAT  EVENTS 

(Tecknicolor) 


HAINES 

DAVIES 

GARBO 

NOVARRO 

SHEARER 

1  GISH 
4  DANE-ARTHUR 

2  KEATON 

3  CODY-PRINGLE 
6  McCOY 
2  FLASH  (dog  star) 
26  M-G-M  ODDI- 
TIES (UFA) 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Jo  Exhibitors 

EVERYWHERE 

Rumors  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding 


1. 


2. 


3. 


RCA  Photophone  is  in  quantity  production.  All  the  facili- 
ties of  the  manufacturing  plants  of  RCA,  General  Electric 
Company  and  Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manufacturing 
Company  are  being  worked  day  and  night  to  meet  the  nation- 
wide demand  for  this  revolutionary  sound  reproducing 
apparatus. 

As  a  result  of  the  vast  manufacturing  facilities  of  these  great 
organizations,  millions  of  dollars  worth  ofPhotophone  equip- 
ment will  be  delivered  during  the  remainder  of  1928. 

Plans  have  been  perfected  whereby  there  will  soon  be  a 
plentiful  supply  of  synchronized  and  other  type  sound  pic- 
tures made  by  the  Photophone  process. 

The  question  of  the  interchangeability  of  sound  films  made 
by  the  Photophone  process  with  those  made  by  other  proc- 
esses of  sound  recording  on  film,  is  settled. 

RCA  Photophone  films  can  be  run  on  existing  licensed 
sound  picture  machines  with  perfect  satisfaction,  and  recip- 
rocally, films  made  by  other  than  the  Photophone  process 
can  be  reproduced  on  Photophone  machines  with  the  ut- 
most effectiveness.  The  only  change  required  on  either 
Photophone  or  other  like  machines  to  play  sound  films  in- 
terchangeably, is  in  the  aperture  plate  which  requires  but 
a  few  seconds  to  carry  out. 


The   unparalleled   tone  quality  of  RCA   Photophone  apparatus 
is  the  sensation  of  the  industry. 

You  can  afford  to  wait! 

CCA  PH€T€l31i€NE,  INC 

411  FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK 
A  Subsidiary  of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


WILL  REVOLUTIONIZE 


"ftii 


''all-talking'' 

PICTURE 


YOU  CAN  HAVE 


WITH  AN  ALL-STAR  CAST 

STORY  BY 

HUGH  HERBERT«^MURRAYROTH 

Direcfed  bij 
BRYAN    FOY 


A   thrill-crammed,   hair-raising   melo- 
drama ! 

^No  Titles!  No  Suhtitles!  100%  Vita- 
phone  all  the  way  through! 

^  So  good  that  previews  in  California 
and  in  Chicago  convince  experts  it's 
the  cleanup  picture  of  the  year! 

^Available  for  you  now! 


Coming/ 


W 


NOAH'S  ARK" 

Made  to  top  any  picture  ever  made/ 


*J 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


THE  industry/ 

MOE  MARK  SAW  IT  — 

^nd  Booked  if  on  fhe  spof/ 

OPENING  MARK  STRAND  THEATRE 
NEW  YORK,  JULY  7— PRECEDED 
BY  GALA  MID-NIGHT  SHOW  AT 
ADVANCE  PRICES 


Also  Available  Nomt  ! 


"THEiioif.TMOIJSEl 

Abank-book. 


"GlOmOUS  BETSY 

SmaL^h-md  all 
record.^  / 


"TENDERLOIN 

Piauin^  to  lineup 


bu^ine^S  / 


WILIIAM  BOYD 

The  Idol  of 


I 


Boyd  achieved  new 
hei(^it8  of  popularity 
in    "Dress    Parade". 


"BILL"  BOYD 
scores  a  triumph 
as  the  ironworker 
in    "Skyscraper". 


jBi//  Boyd  has  struck  a  note  on  the  popu- 
larity scale  that  is  music  to  the  box-office. 


BIG,  he-man,  human  roles, 
that's  Bill's  meat.  Bill  gets 
his  clothes  soiled,  his  hands 
and  face  greasy — looks  licked, 
sometimes — but  they  love  him 
out  front.  Boyd  typifies  the 
worker,  labor,  industry,  pro- 
gress, as  does  no  other  star, 
and  that's  one  mighty  good 
reason  why  his  acting  and 
personality  tug  at  the  heart 
of  Americans,  builders, 

Boyd  is  a  sure  bet  today — and 
he's  gaining  new  legions  of  friends. 
They'd  walk  a  mile  to  see  Bill  smile. 

Keep  your  eye  on  this  Pa  the  star 
for  the  new  season — watch  him  as  the 
rookie  cop,  the  hard-boiled  leather- 
neck, the  telephone  linesman,  the 
construction  worker,  the  aviation  me- 
chanic. You'll  be  sitting  pretty  for  a 
clean-up  if  you  book  the  new  product 
with    Boyd   in    these  two-fisted   roles. 


^; 


You'll    be    an    set    for    a    clean-up    with    this    combination 


Millions 


(  tj 


">i 


'^^se 


'^  Sj 


^^^iao 


^^ith 


All   that   the 
title    implies 


II 


'-;P^ 


with    JACQUELINE 
LOGAN    and 
ALAN  HALE 

A  Ralph  Block  Pro- 
duction. Story  and 
Continuity  by  Tay 
Garnett.  Directed  by 
Howard    Higgin. 


A  love-drama  of  industry,  with  scenes  at 

a  great  dam  where   the  forces  of  nature 

are  harnessed  for  power. 


'^^^^  /•o;''j!:«'/i 


fy  Ga"  ""J. 


^  ^^^ 


^-r 


-3 


^i«i** 


u^^ 


t^^-^ 


by 


Eto«* 


itio^ 


that  tie'  "*  •^-"-<'^* 


beiii^.S 


icitH 


the 


^^';r«Se£f..c--'= 


jliers- 


tool" 


to 


trons- 


eft 


From  the  story 
"The  Trouble 
Shooter"  by  Tay 
Garnett. 

Ralph  Block 

Associate  Producer 


OITAOE 

A  big  exploitation  feat- 
ure built  around  the 
men  who  keep  clear 
the  silver  threads  of 
communication. 


xi 


With  the  Marines  in  Nicaragua 
in    a    story    of   international 
intrigue  and 
adventure. 


with 


THE 
L'CATHERNtCK 


UNA    BASQUETTE,    ROBERT    ARMSTRONG 
and  ALAN  HALE 

Directed  by  Howard  Higgin.  Ralph  Block,   Associate 
Producer.    From    original   story    by   Elliott    Clawson. 


■  I 


Note 


I    Watch  for   amazing    new   R.    C.    A.    PHOTOPHONE   musical 
r   and     effect     accompaniment     on     certain     forthcoming 


effect     accomp 
PATHE     FEATURE 


PRODUCTIONS 


fc 
Season 


1928-1929 


FBO 

DELIVERS  FIRST 
REAL  HIT 
OF  28-29 


A 

i^ 

>  m 

TV 

J 

Jj 

■r 

1 

m 

■■ 

Astounded  the  Critics 

With  its 

Uncanny  Perfection! 

PERFECT  Cast.' 
PERFECT  Direction! 
PERFECT  Story.' 
PERFECT  Suspense! 
PERFECT  Box  Office! 
PERFECT  UNANIMITY  OF 
PRAISE  FROM  EVERY 

CRITIC  • 

and  .  .  .  BACKED  BY  THE 


MOST  PERFECT 
EXPLOITATION 
ACCESSORIES 
THE  TRADE  HAS 
EVER  SEEN! 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


inning 


UNIVERSAL 


The  First  Ten  of  Which  Will  Be 


"UNCLE  TOM'S        "THE  MAN 
CABIN"  WHO  LAUGHS" 


"THE  COHENS  &  KELLYS 
IN  ATLANTIC  CITY" 


Laura  LaPlante 
in  "THAT  BLONDE" 


Glenn  Tryon  in 

"THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

PARTY" 


Reginald  Denny 
in  "RED  HOT  SPEED" 


Laura  LaPlante  in 
"THE  LAST  WARNING" 


Charles  Rogers  &  Marian  Nixon 

in  "RED  LIPS" 


Jean  Hersholt  &  Sally  O'Neil  in 

"THE  GIRL  ON  THE 
BARGE" 


Norman  Kerry  &  Pauline  Starke 


in 


"MAN,  WOMAN  and  WIFE" 


,  ,W.v.  Xi.  ■■!■*'>** 


July  7,  1928  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  15 

Inunedjatejii/// 

SYNCHRONIZE 


"UNCLE  TOM'S  CABIN" 

and 

"THE  MAN  WHO  LAUGHS" 

will  be  made  with 

MOVIETONE 

"UNCLE  TOM'S  CABIN"  WILL  HAVE  THE  WORLD  FAMOUS 

Dixie  Jubilee  Singers 

Also  Erno  Rapee's  Augmented  Symphonic  Orchestra  —  and  All  the  Other 
EfEects  Made  Possible  by  the  Extraordinary  Drama  of  This  Great  Production. 


u 


UNCLE  TOM'S  CABIN"— Ready  July  20 

Universal  will  also  synchronize  all  short  pro- 
duct   that    lends    itself    to    synchronization. 


'TT''^^^^  I  ^t%   /^       Universal  will  also  synchronize  all  short  pro- 


Watch  for  Further  Sensational  Announcements  by  UNIVERSAL 


^|^M^0^, 


.i 


%.  '/■ '?  ^'''^ 


3irAt 
national 
PicturGA 


summer/j 


studded  with  Tuntmy Laughs  and' 
titillating  titles.  Gauged  to  beat 
the  best  figures  you've  ever  shown 
with  a  Hines  hit !~  Presented  by  C. 
C.  Burr.  Story  by  Jack  Townley. 
Directed  by  Charles  Hines. 


i 


" 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

&i  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


Home 

Office: 

407  So.  Dearborn  Su 

Chicago 


IN  THIS   ISSUE 


Musicians  are  called  to  map  fight  as  use  of  synchronism  rapidly  grows;  Exhibitors  expect  climax  at 
salary  parleys  in  September;  St.  Louis  owners  propose  lower  scale  for  musicians  and  projectionists; 
Detroit  keeps  ear  to  ground  for  new  developments;  Serious  dispute  is  doubted  at  Kansas  City;  Or- 
chestra is  taken  out  of  McVickers  in  Chicago;  Same  policy  at  Roosevelt  is  expected. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Joseph  P.  Kennedy — and  Progress;  Outstanding  figure  in  indus- 
try divulges  his  plans  for  four  great  enterprises  he  heads,  in  ex- 
clusive interview. 

Report  of  apathy  in  exhibitor  units  brings  zone  plan  appeal; 
organization  need  greater  than  ever  before,  says  N.  L.  Royster. 

Herald- World  Readers'  big  time  makes  convention  annual  event; 
Three  pages  of  pictures  and  complete  story  of  gathering.  Pages 
23  to  26. 

Kansas-Missouri  M.  P.  T.  O.  convention  attacks  protection  plan, 
re-elects  Biechele — M.  P.  Club  members  gobble  up  bonds. 


FEATURES 


Service  Talks  by  T.  O.  Service 52 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges 40 

Pictorial  Section 31 

Letters  from  Readers 58 

Broadway    22 


DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized   Pictures    35 

The  Studio   39 

Short    Features    43 

Presentation  Acts 44 

The    Theatre 50 

New  Pictures   65 

Classified  Advertising 57 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 59 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 66 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— M  G  M,  Cortellaphone,  Paramount, 
Fox,  RCA  Photophone,  Warner  Brothers,  Pathe,  F  B  O,  Univer- 
sal, First  National,  Buck  Jones,  Victor  Schertzinger,  Maria  Corda, 
Excellent  Pictures,  Automatic  Ticket  Register,  Eastman  Kodak, 
National  Program  and  Printing  Company,  Sentry  Safety  Control. 

PRESENTATIONS— Jean  Anthony,  Milton  Slosser,  Bob  Bill- 
ings, Brooks  Costumes,  Lassiter  Brothers,  Maxwell  and  Lee, 
Ransley  Studios,  Don  Galvan,  Jack  Martin,  Murray  and  Alan, 
Ulderico  Marcelli,  McNeil  Smith,  Sunshine  Sammy. 


CHICAGO 

407  Sauth  Dearborn  St.  Telephones  Harriaon  0036-37-38 

Cable    Address :    Qnigpubco 

EDWIN    S.    CLIFFORD,    General    Manager 

JAY  M.  SHRECK,  Managing  Editor 

GEORGE   CLIFFORD,    Easiness    Manager 

ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,   Netes   Editor 

LOS  A\GELES 

5617    Hollywood    Blvd.  Telephone    Gladstone    3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 

West    Coast    Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


yEJF    YORK 

365    Fifth    Avenue  Telephones    Vanderbilt   3612-3613 

JAMES    BEECROFT,    Netv    York    Advertising    Manager 

PETER   VISCHER,   New    York   Editor 

LONDON 

THE    BIOSCOPE 

(J.    Cabonm,    Editor) 

Faraday    House 

S-IO    Charing    Cross    Rd.,    W.    C.    2 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES:     United   States  and  possessions— $3.00  per  year,  Canada — $4.30   per  year.      Other  points   of  the   world — -$6.00   per   year. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations  statements  furnished  upon  application. 


Single  copies,   25  cents. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

asi  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  6^  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  191S;  Moving  Pic- 
ture World,  founded  in  1907;   Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 
The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed   to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week,  and 
The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92.  No.  1  (Vol.  34,  No.  4)  July  7, 1928 


Mr.  Hays  Reports 

AN  interesting  account  of  the  present  state  of  the  indus- 
.  try  was  recently  given  by  Mr.  Will  H.  Hays  to  the  di- 
rectors of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  &  Distributors  of 
America,  Inc.,  who  are  representatives  of  the  member- 
companies  of  the  organization. 

Industry  Investment — Mr.  Hays  declared  that  invest- 
ments in  the  field  now  total  in  excess  of  two  billion  dollars. 
In  connection  with  the  feature  of  man-power  he  cited  the 
graphic  example  that  the  business  is  now  employing  a 
greater  nmnber  of  men  and  women  than  are  employed  by 
the  Ford  Motor  Company  and  the  General  Motors  Com- 
pany, combined. 

Studio  Economy — In  this  connection  it  was  pointed  out 
that  from  reports  being  issued  by  a  nationally-known  firm 
of  accountants  it  is  revealed  that  the  business  is  getting  "a 
dollar  in  value  for  every  dollar  spent."  Further  advance 
toward  stabilization  is  reflected  in  the  economic  saving  ef- 
fected through  the  adjustment  of  trade  disputes  by  the 
boards  of  arbitration  and  the  healthy  market  which  exists 
for  motion  picture  company  securities. 

Sound  Pictures — In  his  statement,  Mr.  Hays  made  formal 
acknowledgment  of  the  sound  picture  as  having  arrived  at 
the  stage  of  commercial  significance  and  characterized  the 
development  as  a  scientific  contribution  toward  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  business.  The  weight  of  Mr.  Hays'  opin- 
ion that  the  introduction  of  the  sound  picture  would  re- 
sult in  no  material  confusion  in  the  business  also  was 
recorded. 

"Foreign  Invitation" — With  the  use  of  this  effective 
phrase  Mr.  Hays  endeavored  to  depict  the  new  order  of 
affairs  in  connection  with  the  industry's  overseas  business. 
"Ours  is  not  a  foreign  invasion,  at  all,"  said  Mr.  Hays. 
"Our  pictures  go  abroad  by  invitation.  The  people  of  the 
world  want  them,  despite  the  activities  of  foreign  govern- 
ments to  lessen  the  effectiveness  of  the  American  industry 
by  practically  subsidizing  indigenous  film  production. 
However,  amicable  adjustments  are  being  effected." 

In  these  references  to  a  number  of  basic  conditions  Mr. 
Hays  succeeds  in  presenting  both  an  interesting  and  an 
encouraging  picture  of  the  present  state  of  the  industry. 


With  these  basic  conditions  in  their  present  flourishing 
condition,  there  is  every  reason  for  viewing  the  coming 
season  with  confidence — and  with  enthusiasm. 

«      »     » 

Shaw  Movietoned 

THE  Movietone  production  of  George  Bernard  Shaw, 
consisting  of  both  an  optical  and  an  audible  appear- 
ance of  the  celebrated  British  author,  which  was  presented 
last  week  in  New  York  in  connection  with  the  premiere  of 
"The  Red  Dance,"  was  an  impressive  demonstration  of  one 
of  the  finest  uses  of  the  synchronized  picture. 

This  subject  is  of  interest  and  importance  in  many  re- 
spects in  addition  to  the  fact  that  the  celebrity  recorded 
was  enabled  to  present  a  fine  bit  of  entertainment.  Mr. 
Shaw  either  in  recognition  of  one  of  his  long  list  of 
prejudices  or  for  some  other  reason  has  never  come  to  the 
United  States.  As  a  colorful  personality  of  the  day  there 
is  naturally  great  interest  in  seeing  him  and  in  hearing 
him,  so  great  in  fact  that  lecturers'  bureaus  are  under- 
stood to  have  offered  Mr.  Shaw  repeatedly  huge  sums  of 
money  for  a  series  of  appearances  in  this  country.  But 
the  author  has  repeatedly  declined  these  offers. 

Now,  however,  comes  the  synchronized  picture  making 
it  unimportant  that  these  offers  have  been  refused,  because 
the  picture  realistically  presents  Mr.  Shaw  in  form  and  in 
voice,  satisfying  the  great  public  curiosity  that  has  long 
existed. 

Coming  at  this  time  the  Shaw  picture  is  a  graphic  in- 
dication of  what  the  sound  picture  is  enabled  to  accom- 
plish. 

•      ♦      * 

The  Sound  Market 

THE  practical  aspects  of  the  synchronized  picture  are 
now  absorbing  a  great  deal  of  thought  and  study 
throughout  the  business.  According  to  announcements 
from  the  various  leading  producers  there  will  be  some- 
thing in  the  neighborhood  of  300  synchronized  pictures 
available  during  the  coming  season.  This  represents  a 
huge  volume  of  product  and  if  a  reasonable  degree  of 
quality  is  maintained  the  supply  should  be  quite  adequate 
to  the  requirements  of  the  year. 

Approximately  500  theatres  are  now  equipped  or  being 
equipped  with  sound  devices.  The  demand  greatly  ex- 
ceeds the  possibilities  of  rapid  installation.  Persons  close 
to  the  developments  report  that  700  theatres  will  be 
equipped  by  September  1  and  that  by  the  first  of  next  year 
there  will  be  1,000  theatres  presenting  sound  pictures. 

While  even  the  figure  of  1,000  theatres  equipped  with 
sound  devices,  alongside  of  the  14,500  theatres  in  the  coun- 
try, may  not  look  like  an  imposing  total,  still  it  may  be 
noted  that  included  within  these  1,000  theatres  will  be 
virtually  all  of  the  leading  houses  and  the  total  capacities 
will  be  such  as  to  accommodate  a  substantial  percentage 
of  the  theatregoing  public. 

»      *      » 

THE  Pathe  Rooster,  which  has  long  crowed  in  silence, 
will  soon  be  heard  in  the  conventional  paean  of  the 
barnyard  as  the  result  of  the  application  of  the  synchroni- 
zation principle  to  this  famous  trade  mark.  However  ef- 
fective this  trade  mark  has  been  in  the  past,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  it  will  now  carry  a  tremendously  greater  effec- 
tiveness— so  great,  in  fact,  that  the  timid  theatregoer  may 
look  to  a  future  of  crowing  roosters,  roaring  lions  and 
stampeding  elephants  with  some  trepidation. 

«      «      # 

WHILE  the  removal  of  the  admission  tax  on  tickets 
costing  75  cents  and  over,  to  $3.00,  does  not  affect 
many  theatres,  still  the  new  law  may  be  hailed  as  another 
step  in  the  return  to  normalcy,  bringing  substantial  advan- 
tages to  the  industry  at  large. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Musicians  Called  to  Map  Fight 
As  Synchronism  Rapidly  Grows 

Exhibitors  Expect  Climax  at 
Salary  Parleys  in  September 


How  Musicians 
Are  Lining  Up 
On  Sound  Film 

NEW  YORK. — Weber  calls  meet- 
ing of  musicians'  leaders;  protests 
sound  Blms  "debase  musical  art." 

CHICAGO. — Musicians'  action  de- 
pends on  results  of  New  York  con- 
ference. 

ST.  LOUIS. — Theatre  owners  pro- 
pose reduction  of  musicians'  salaries. 

D  E  T  R  O  I  T. — Musicians  are  ex- 
pected to  present  new  demands  Sep- 
tember 1,  when  wage  negotiations 
will   come  up. 

KANSAS  CITY.  — Serious  con- 
troversies doubted;  only  two  thea- 
tres have  sound  Blms,  but  two  others 
prepare  for  them. 


Lankford  Measure 
Target  of  Attack 
At  Rabbi  Conclave 

The  Lankford  bill  before  the  last  Con- 
gress and  expected  to  be  introduced  at  the 
next,  was  denounced  by  Jewish  rabbis  meet- 
ing in  Chicago  last  week,  at  the  39th  annual 
meeting  of  the  Central  Conference  of  Amer- 
ican Rabbis.  The  resolution  passed  to  that 
effect  endorsed  opposition  to  the  measure 
against  Sunday  amusements  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  previously  declared  by  the 
Synagogue   Council  of  America. 

The  stand  taken  by  the  rabbis  and  the 
council  is  that  the  use  of  the  phrase  "Lord's 
Day"  in  the  bill  is  in  exclusion  of  the 
Jewish  religion. 

"We  feel  the  use  of  the  phrase  is  un- 
constitutional, inasmuch  as  the  law  would 
establish  a  form  of  religion,"  said  Dr.  Solo- 
mon Foster  of  New  Jersey. 


Hays  Starts  West  for 

Semiannual  Coast  Trip 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Will  H.  Hays, 
head  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.,  left  New  York 
last  night  on  a  semiannual  visit  to  the  West 
Coast.  He  will  be  gone  for  a  month  and 
will  stop  off  in  Indiana  to  see  his  son  and 
namesake  at  the  Culver  Military  Academy. 


F  BO  Home  Office  Goes 
On  5-Day  Week  Saturday 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— F  B  O's  home 
office  force  will  go  on  a  five-day-week 
schedule  for  two  months,  starting  Satur- 
day. The  plan  was  inaugurated  by  Presi- 
dent Joseph  P.  Kennedy  last  year. 


St.  Louis  Owners  Propose  Lower  Scale — Detroit  Keeps 
Ear  to  Ground — Clash  Doubted  at  K,  C. 

Calling  of  a  nationw^ide  conference  of  leaders  of  organized  musicians  in  New 
York  the  end  of  this  week  is  expected  to  bring  to  a  head  the  entire  issue  of 
the  union's  plan  of  action  in  the  face  of  rapid  increase  in  the  use  of  sychro- 
nism  in  theatres. 

Lines  Drawn  All  Over  U.  S. 

All  over  the  country  the  lines  are  being  drawn  tightly  over  the  problem, 
reports  from  correspondents  of  the  Herald- World  show,  with  the  real  fight 
to  come  in  September,  when  new  wage  contracts  are  drawn.  In  some  sections 
there  have  been  definite  clashes,  notably  at  St.  Louis,  where  the  American 
Federation  of  Musicians  in  national  convention  voted  a  $10,000,000  defense 
fund,  and  in  the  Far  Northwest,  where  one  theatre  was  closed  directly  as  a 
result  of  the  union's  demands  for  retention  of  musicians.  At  St.  Louis  the 
exhibitors  are  proposing  lower  wages  for  musicians  and  projectionists. 

In  Detroit,  where  heated  discussions  re- 
garding the  effects  of  synchronized  pictures 
on  the  orchestra  pit  were  conducted  secret- 
ly at  the  convention  of  the  International 
Alliance  of  Theatrical  Employes  and  Mo- 
tion Picture  Operators,  theatre  owners  are 
watching   for   new   developments. 

Biechele  Doubts  Kansas  City  Tilt 

R.  R.  Biechele,  re-elected  head  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Kansas-Missouri,  doubts 
there  will  be  any  serious  controversies, 
though  some  exhibitors  attribute  the  ab- 
sence of  any  difficulties  thus  far  to  the  fact 
that  only  two  theatres  in  the  Kansas  City 
territory  to  date  have  installed  the  sound 
devices.  In  Chicago,  any  action  awaits  de- 
cision  of  the   New  York  conference. 

While  one  protest  of  the  musicians  is 
that  synchronism  will  "debase  the  art  of 
music,"  Arthur  Brisbane,  Hearst  editorial 
writer,  stated  Sunday  that  synchronized 
music  in  reality  "will  create  an  unheard  of 
demand  for  good  music  and  really  able 
musicians,  and  will  pay  them  better  than 
they  were  ever  paid  before,"  Brisbane  says: 

"What  the  musicians  mean,  and  should 
say,  is  that  they  fear  the  musical  film's 
competition.  It  will  compete  with  inferior 
music  and  wipe  out  a  lot  of  it.  Heaven  be 
praised.     .     .     . 

"Good  New   Idea  Never   Hurts" 

"Musicians  will  play  in  one  place  and  be 
heard  by  millions,  and  they,  if  they  reach 
the   top,   will   earn   accordingly. 

"No  good  new  idea  ever  hurt  anything 
or   anybody,   except   rank   incompetence." 

Joseph  N.  Weber,  president  of  the 
.\merican     Federation     of    Musicians,    who 


called  the  meeting  of  the  president  of  lo- 
cals in  a  dozen  key  cities,  declared  to  the 
Associated  Press  that  his  organization 
would  oppose  synchronization  as  a  substi- 
tute for  personal  appearances,  holding  that 
the  sound  devices  "threaten  the  art  of 
music  with   debasement." 

"We  are  not  opposed  to  talking  movies 
because  we  realize  that  synchronization  of 
words  with  actions  on  the  screen  is  a  scien- 
tific accomplishment  of  value,"  Weber  de- 
clared. "But  if  the  machines  are  used  as  a 
substitute  for  vocal  and  orchestral  music 
in  the  theatres  they  will  become  a  serious 
menace  to  our  cultural  growth,  and  just 
at  a  time  when  America  has  achieved  rank 
as   the  world  center  of  music. 

"Music  at  its  best  reflects  the  mood  of 
the  artist.    You  cannot  mechanize  an  art. 

"If  machine-made  music  displaces  thou- 
sands of  players  and  singers  the  individual's 
incentive  to  perfect  himself  will  be  mini- 
mized and  music  will  no  longer  have  the 
cultural  value  it  now  possesses.  Any  art 
is  dependent  upon  the  number  of  its  enthu- 
siastic executants,  and  if  their  activity  is 
restricted  by  competition  with  machine  pro- 
ductions in  time  their  number  will  be  great- 
ly reduced." 

A  survey  of  patrons'  reactions  is  to  be 
made  by  the  musicians. 

Use  Spreads  in  Kcinsas  City 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

KANSAS   CITY,   July   3.— Although   the 

use    of    synchronized    pictures     steadily    is 

spreading    among    theatres    in    the    Kansas 

City  territory  that  fact   is  no   signal  of  an 

(Continued    on    page    34) 


Fire  Destroys  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

CHARLOTTE,  N.  C,  July  3.— The  Vic- 
tory theatre  in  Salisbury,  N.  C,  owned  by 
the  Piedmont  Amusement  Company  of 
Winston-Salem,  was  destroyed  by  fire  last 
week. 


Stockholders  Consider  Court  Fight  On 

Naming  of  Receiver  for  Cooney  Chain 

Stockholders  of  National  Playhouses,  Inc.  (Cooney  Brothers),  Chicago  theatre 
circuit,  are  contemplating  a  move  to  fight  a  receivership  which  was  effected  last 
week. 

The  Chicago  Title  and  Trust  Company  was  appointed  receiver  last  week  by 
Federal  Judge  George  A.  Carpenter  following  the  £ling  of  foreclosure  proceed- 
ings on  behalf  of  the  Guaranty  Trust  Company  of  New  York,  holder  of  mortgage 
notes  against  the  company. 

When  Barret  &  Co.  and  Frederick  Peirce  &  Co.,  bankers,  took  over  the  circuit 
early  in  June  the  arrangement  was  that  the  stockholders  might  regain  control  by 
raising  $250,000  by  July  1  to  meet  obligations.  That  agreement  was  not  held  to 
by  the  bankers,  the  foreclosure  action  being  based  on  some  judgments  of  com- 
paratively small  sums,  according  to  M.  J.  Ahern  of  Nash  &  Ahern,  attorneys  for 
the  stockholders. 


201 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


J.  P.  Kennedy -and  Progress 

^    Outstanding  Figure  Who  Has  Sped  to  Directing  Head  of  Four  Great  En- 
j|    tcrprises  in  Tivo  Years  Tells  Industry  His  Plans  in  Exclusive  Interview 
for  the  "Herald-World."    The  facts  regarding  Mr.  Kennedy  are  revealed  in 
the  follozifinff  article! 


Joseph   P.  Kennedy 


By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  July  3. — As  the  directing  head  of  four  great  amusement 
enterprises,  a  position  achieved  with  startling  suddenness  in  recent 
months  as  the  result  of  one  of  the  most  remarkable  spurts  in  the  film 
industry,  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  stands  today  as  a  figure  of  commanding  interest 
and  importance. 

W.  Brown  in  direct  charge,  Pathe  expects  a 
progressive,  energetic  year.  If  any  detail 
could  testify  to  the  spirit  of  an  organization, 
it  might  be  found  in  the  fact  that  Pathe  has 
just  made  a  sound  strip  of  its  trademark — 
the  crowing  cock. 

Proceeding  Slowly  on  K  A  O 

For  the  K  A  O  circuit,  the  Kennedy  plans 
are  apparently  coming  into  maturity  slowly. 
Here  again  there  are  no  radical  changes  in 
contemplation,  the  first  idea  being  to  make 
a  successful  business-house  of  the  organiza- 
tion, beginning  on  the  inside. 

The  report  that  Mr.  Kennedy  has  started 
negotiations  with  the  Aaron  Sapiro  group 
of  independents  was  denied.  The  report  had 
it  that  Kennedy  was  seeking  an  agreement 
whereby  the  79  houses  of  the  Sapiro  group 
would  co-operate  with  the  Keith  circuit  in 
buying  film,  preferably  film  made  by  the  Ken- 
nedy companies  :  First  National,  F  B  O,  and 
Pathe. 

No  Negotiations  With  Sapiro 

"I  have  had  no  negotiations  with  anybody 
in  the  Sapiro  group,"  said  Mr.  Kennedy. 
"That  does  not  mean,  however,  that  I  am 
unwilling  to  have  negotiations  with  Sapiro  or 
anybody  else.  I  am  anxious  to  sell  film  at  a 
fair  price  to  anybody  who  wants  it  and  Sapiro 
is  as  welcome  as  the  next  one.  Furthermore, 
I  am  anxious  that  KAO  shall  have  the  op- 
portunity to  bu3'  at  advantageous  prices,  but 
I  have  not  had  any  negotiations  as  reported." 
Considers   RCA   Photophone 

Regarding  his  studies  of  synchronization, 
Kennedy  said  that  they  have  not  yet  been 
brought  to  a  conclusion.  The  contract  drawn 
up  for  use  between  First  National  and  West- 
ern Electric  before  Kennedy  entered  that 
film  organization  is  lying  around  unsigned, 
and  Kennedy  is  at  present  considering  the 
General  Electric  system,  R  C  A's  Photo- 
phone.  Robert  T.  Kane  recently  became 
affiliated  with  R  C  A  on  behalf  of  Kennedy. 

"No  contracts  have  as  yet  been  signed  with 
anybody.  We  are  making  our  first  First 
National  picture  by  the  General  Electric  sys- 
tem, by  Photophone,  but  we  have  not  yet  de- 
cided to  use  their  method  of  recording  and 
reproducing    exclusively    or    even    regularly." 

Wv.  Kennedy  hoped  to  get  away  from  New 
York  tonight,  for  he  has  pressing  engage- 
ments on  the  West  Coast.  His  various  works 
did  not  clear  up  in  time  for  him  to  leave, 
however,  and  he  is  now  hopeful  of  getting 
av\-ay  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  within 
■  the   next   two   weeks. 


A  LTHOUGH  working  more  than  fifteen 
■^  hours  a  day  in  an  effort  to  straighten 
out  the  New  York  affairs  of  his  various 
companies,  prepar- 
atory to  starting 
for.  the  coast  at 
the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment  to 
delve  "into  further 
details,  '  Kennedy 
paused -briefly  to 
report  progress  to 
the  industry 
through  the  Ex- 
hibitors Her.'\ld 
AND  Moving  Pic- 
ture World. 

What  is  he  plan- 
ning for  First 
National  ?  What 
will    he    do    with 

FBO?  How  about  Pathe?  What  are  his 
plans  for  the  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  circuit, 
of  which  he  is  now  chairman  of  the  board? 
W^hat  conclusions  has  he  reached  in  regard 
to  the  synchronization  of  pictures  for  his 
three    film    companies? 

"I  am  trying  to  make  each  one  of  these 
companies  as  good  an  outfit  as  it  can  be 
made,"  he  said,  dismissing  it  as  obvious  that 
he  is  only  in  the  midst  of  his  work  at  the 
present   time. 

Sweeping  Changes  Not  Planned 

"I  ha\e  no  plans  for  sweeping  changes  in 
any  of  the  companies.  For  instance,  in  First 
National  I  am  going  ahead  slowly.  We  have 
a  big  program  mapped  out  and  I  am  seeing 
to  it  that  this  program  shall  be  carried  out 
as  thoroughly  and   as  efficiently  as  possible. 

"I  wish  to  emphasize  that  I  have  no  in- 
tention of  making  radical  changes  all  at  once. 
If  any  changes  come  about,  then  they  will 
be  dictated  by  the  progress  of  the  work  I 
am  trying  to  do.  I  have  no  preconceived 
notions  as  to  just  what  must  be  done  to  make 
any  of  the  companies  with  which  I  am  associ- 
ated effective. 

Pathe  Stays  in  First  Class  Field 

"As  to  Pathe,  it  is  ridiculous  to  say  that 
I  am  planning  to  withdraw  this  company  from 
the  first-class  feature  field  to  make  room  for 
anybody,  not  even  First  National.  We  have 
written  more  first-run  business  to  date  than 
ever  before  in  the  history  of  F  B  O  and  this 
is  a  striking  tribute  to  the  merits  of  our  new 
productions.  Our  six  Special  Attractions,  the 
Tom  Mix  Series,  and  the  24  Gold  Bonds 
will  all  be  pictures  of  the  highest  grade  made 
for  first-run  theatres.  Sanity  and  practical 
showmanship  are  the  watchword  of  the  FBO 
studios  and  we  are  sparing  no  expense  to 
give  exhibitors  the  finest  product  ever  made 
by   FBO." 

Regarding  Pathe,  Mr.  Kennedy  made  it 
plain  some  time  ago  that  this  company  would 
continue   its   present   progress.     With    Colvin 


Robert  B.   Mantell  Dies 

(Stccial  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Robert  B.  Mantell, 
stage  tragedian,  died  Wednesday  at  his 
country  home  at  Atlantic  Highlands,  N.  J. 
Mantell  spent  52  years  before  the  footlights. 


U,  5.  Films  Nearly  Equal 
To  Domestic  as  German 
Renters  Start  Season 

(Washington  Bureau   of   The  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  3.— German  film 
renters  are  beginning  to  open  the  coming 
film  season,  it  is  reported  from  Berlin  to 
the  department  of  commerce.  According 
to  figures  at  the  present  time  there  will 
be  about  400  program  films  in  Germany 
during  the  next  season,  roughly  in  the  pro- 
portion of  50  German  to  50  foreign  films. 
To  be  exact,  366  feature  films  have  been 
announced,  of  which  181  are  German,  147 
American  and  38  from  other  countries.  This 
list  of  films  does  not  include  any  from 
several  firms  which  were  operating  in  for- 
mer years,  Phoebus,  Deutsch-Nordische 
Pantomim,  etc. 

The  fact  that  more  foreign  films  are  in- 
cluded in  this  list  than  would  be  allowed 
under  the  contingent  of  170,  is  accounted 
for  by  the  fact  that  several  firms  include 
in  their  list  films  held  over  from  the  last 
season. 


Hot  Politics,  Weather 

Keep  Customers  Away 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  3. — Broadcasting  of  the 
Democratic  national  convention  at  Houston, 
coupled  with  warm,  muggy  weather,  played 
havoc  with  the  theatres  of  Albany  and  Troy 
during  the  week.  It  was  the  first  really 
warm  weather  of  the  summer. 

Most  of  Albany,  as  well  as  New  York  as 
a  whole,  was  interested  in  Governor  Smith's 
chances  of  landing  the  nomination.  Each 
night,  while  the  convention  was  in  prog- 
ress, radios  could  be  heard  going  full  blast, 
and  in  many  cases  neighbors  had  been  in- 
vited in. 


Thugs  Bind  Manager, 

Take  $200  from.  Safe 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  July  3. — Two  unarmed  thugs 
overpowered  John  Lamont,  assistant  man- 
ager of  the  Strand  theatre  last  week  and 
forced  him  to  give  them  the  combination  of 
the  safe.  Then  they  bound  and  gagged 
him  and   obtained  $200  from  the  safe. 

Lamont  said  he  left  the  front  door  un- 
locked while  he  went  nearby  to  a  restau- 
rant and  when  he  returned  the  two  men 
were  at  the  safe  in  the  box  office.  Before 
he  could  run  out,  the  men  overpowered  him. 
It  took  Lamont  a  half  hour  to  free  himself. 


Leo  Ditrichstein,  Stage 

Star,  Dies  in  Austria 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
VIENNA,  July  3. — Leo  Ditrichstein,  actor 
long   well    known    on    the    American    stage, 
died    of    heart    disease    in    a    sanitarium    at 
Auersperg   last    Friday. 

Among  Ditrichstein's  greatest  successes 
in  America  were  "Trilby,"  "The  Business 
Widow,"  "Are  You  a  Mason"  and  "The 
Great  Lover,"  in  which  latter  he  probably 
scored  his  biggest  hit.  The  title  later  was 
often  associated  with  the  name  of  the  late 
Rudolph  Valentino. 


Somes  Joins  Netoco 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BOSTON,  July  3.— James   R.   Somes  has 
joined  the  Netoco  theatre  circuit  as  special 
representative  in  New  England. 


, 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Report  of  Apathy  in  Exhibitor 
Units  Brings  Zone  Plan  Appeal 

Need  of  Working  Organization 
Held  Greater  Than  Ever  Before 

North  Carolina  and  Missouri-Illinois  Meetings  Delayed 
— No  Announcement  of  M.  P,  T,  O.  A.  Plans 


Pathe  Rooster  to  Crow 
As  Picture  Starts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.—Pathe's 
familiar  trade  mark  is  going  to  make 
himself  heard.  Synchronization  will 
be  used  to  make  the  rooster  crow  at 
the  beginning  of  each  Pathe  picture. 
It  certainly  will  be  a  novelty  in  the 
line  of  trade  marks,  for  as  yet  even 
the  Smith  Brothers  have  not  been 
heard  to  cough.  But  although  the 
bird  is  more  than  likely  to  ballyhoo 
Pathe  successfully,  one  wonders  just 
what  the  effect  will  be  when  his 
crowing  comes  as  a  prologue  to 
heavy  drama.  However,  it  is  be- 
lieved that  the  rooster  will  not  prove 
disturbing,  inasmuch  as  he  will  not 
make  his  public  appearances  early  in 
the  morning,  while  patrons  who  fall 
asleep  are  generally  thought  out  of 
order  anyway.  Even  though  the  in- 
novation grows  in  favor,  it  is  pointed 
out,  synchronization  of  trade  marks 
will  always  present  a  considerable 
problem  to  M  G  M. 


$3,233,388,  Greatest  of 
All  the  Eastman  Wage 
Dividends,  Paid  to  17,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.,  July  3.— A  wage 
dividend  of  $3,233,388  was  paid  Monday  to 
17,042  employes  of  the  Eastman  Kodak 
Company.  It  is  the  largest  in  the  17  years 
that  the  company  has  shared  its  earnings. 
In  addition,  employes  received  their  divi- 
dend on  the  stock  they  hold  in  the  com- 
pany. 

Jury  Holds  "Contribution 
And  Refund"  System  at 
Dog  Track  Is  Gambling 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World} 
WAUKESHA,  Wis.,  July  3.— The  "con- 
tribution and  refund"  system  employed  by 
the  Mound  Kennel  Club,  operators  of  a  dog 
racing  track  near  here,  was  held  by  a  jury 
to  be  gambling  and  therefore  illegal.  Last 
year  a  jury  decided  the  system  was  not 
gambling. 


Avery  Hopwood,  Writer 
For  Stage,  Dies  Suddenly 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PARIS,  July  3. — Avery  Hopwood,  Ameri- 
can playwright,  died  at  Juan-les-Pins  on  the 
French  Riveria,  after  being  taken  suddenly 
ill  while  bathing  in  the  sea. 

Hopwood  was  one  of  the  most  prolific 
of  stage  writers  and  a  millionaire  as  the 
result  of  his  unique  ability  to  measure  pub- 
lic tastes.  One  of  his  most  successful 
farces,  "Ladies  Night  in  a  Turkish  Bath," 
was  recently  turned  into  a  motion  picture 
by    First   National. 


Censors  Elect  Officers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SEATTLE,  July  3.— Seattle's  new  board 
of  theatre  censors  have  elected  Dave  Himel- 
hoch,     temporary    president,    and     Mrs.     J. 
Henry   Robinson,   temporary   secretary. 


Is  interest  in  state  and  national  exhibitor  organizations  declining  as  a  whole? 
If  that  is  true,  is  the  establishment  of  a  zone  system  the  solution?  Under  the 
zone  system,  there  would  be  an  exhibitor  association  for  the  territory  taken  in 
by  the  exchanges  of  a  particular  key  city.  If  those  exchanges  serve  more 
than  one  state  all  exhibitors  in  those  states  would  be  sought  as  members  of 
the  zone  organization.  The  plan  is  not  new  but  the  question  of  decreased  ac- 
tivity in  at  least  some  of  the  present  associations  makes  the  proposal  doubly 
pertinent  now. 

Need  Greatest  Now,  Sayg  Royster 

The  need  of  exhibitor  organization  never  was  more  urgent  than  it  is  today, 
says  N.  L.  Royster,  secretary-treasurer  of  the.  Theatre  Owners  Association  of 
North  Carolina,  in  a  letter  to  the  Herald-World.  The  North  Carolina  body's 
midsummer  convention  was  postponed  when  only  17  of  126  questionnaires 
regarding  the  meeting  were  returned  by  theatre  owners  and  but  11  of  the  17 
promised  to  attend. 


The  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Eastern  Missouri  and 
Southern  Illinois  postponed  until  the  end  of 
July  the  meeting  which  usually  is  held  in  May. 
The  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  has  made  no  announce- 
ment as  yet  regarding  an  annual  convention. 
Offers  Prizes  for  Members 

Charles  W.  Picquet,  president  of  the  North 
Carolina  association,  is  personally  conducting 
a  prize  contest  for  paid-up  membership  before 
the  annual  meeting  in  December.  The  prizes 
are  $50,  $30  and  $20  in  gold. 

Courageous,  active  exhibitors  are  needed  to 
make  any  state  or  national  organization  func- 
tion smoothly,  says  Royster  in  his  letter,  which 
follows : 

"For  some  reason,  unknown  to  the  majority 
of  us,  there  seems  to  be  less  interest  in  state 
and  national  theatre  organizations  than  at  any 
time  in  their  existence.  Not  only  should  there 
be  a  state  and  national  theatre  owners  asso- 
ciation, but  there  is  a  crying  need  of  both, 
more  so  now  than  at  any  other  time  in  their 
history.  We,  of  the  North  Carolina  Theatre 
Owners  Association,  have  postponed  our  mid- 
summer convention  this  year,  for  the  main  rea- 
son that  not  enough  exhibitor  members  would 
pledge  themselves  to  attend  a  convention  which 
was  to  their  best  interests.  The  great  need  of  a 
theatre  organization  is  to  protect  the  theatre 
owners  before  the  various  state  legislatures, 
to  cooperate  in  all  arbitration  matters  relative 
to  the  contracts,  and  to  take  an  active  part  in 
fair  protection,  as  it  relates  to  the  theatre 
owners. 

Decries  Petty  Jealousies 

"The  exhibitors  should  awaken  to  their  con- 


dition, should  take  an  active  part  in  their  asso- 
ciations, and  should  not  bicker  over  petty 
'nothirtgs,'  as  most  of  them  do  at  times.  There 
are  more  petty  jealousies  among  the  theatre; 
owners  and  farmers,  than  any  other  class  who 
belong  to  and  constitute  organizations. 

"Some  years  ago,  I  advocated  the  establish-, 
ing  of  zone  organizations  for  theatre  men,  to 
wit :  Say  that  Charlotte,  N.  C,  exchanges  are 
serving  as  they  do.  North  and  South  Carolina 
territories,  then  there  should  be  the  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  the  Carolinas.  If  At- 
lanta, Ga.,  serves  four  states  as  it  does,  com- 
prising Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama  and 
Tennessee,  then  there  should  be  a  zone  organi- 
zation for  theatre  owners  taking  in  those  four 
states.  These  theatre  owners  associations 
should  be  divided  into  what  we  will  call 
"zones."  Each  zone  organization  would  en- 
list as  members  those  theatres  located  in  those 
states  served  by  the  exchanges  in  each  zone. 
Each  zone  organization  should  have  a  presi- 
dent, first  and  second  vice-president,  a  secre- 
tary-treasurer and  a  board  of  directors  as 
they  now  have. 

Would  Give   26   Zone   Units 

"This  zoning  plan  of  theatre  owners  organi- 
zations would  give  us  in  the  United  States  26 
zone  organizations  of  theatre  owners.  Each 
zone  should  pay  into  their  treasury  a  fixed  per- 
centage of  their  dues  which  should  go  to  the 
'apkeep  of  a  national  organization.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  national  organization  should  be 
elected  by  the  majority  of  votes  cast  by  the 
membersi '  of  each  individual  zone  organiza- 
tion,   and   the   delegates   are    so   instructed   to 

(Continued  on  page  58) 


Lightning  Ignites  One  Screen  Theatre, 

Threatens  Another;  Patrons  Remain  Calm 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

OTTAWA,  June  3. — Lightning  caused  a  £re  in  B.  F.  Keith's  theatre  and  almost 
simultaneously  struck  a  building  adjacent  to  the  Imperial  theatre,  half  a  mile 
away,  during  a  storm  here  last  Thursday  evening. 

Fire  started  in  the  basement  of  Keith's,  smoke  entering  the  auditorium  through 
the  cooling  system  and  putting  the  house  in  darkness.  Manager  J.  M.  Franklin 
threw  the  lighting  system  over  to  another  service  and,  entering  the  building 
through  a  side  entrance,  Bremen  extinguished  the  blaze  and  no  panic  resulted. 
Patrons  kept  their  seats  until  it  was  found  that  the  projection  machines  had  been 
put  out  of  commission. 

Meanwhile  other  fire  trucks  stopped  near  the  Imperial  and  the  staff  prepared 
for  emergencies,  but  the  audience  remained  calm. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


mm 

NEW  YORK. — You  never  saw  them 
loosen  up  with  quite  as  much  willingness 
as  they  did  the  other  night  when  the  Motion 
Picture  Club  started  its  bond-selling  act.  .  .  . 
There  wasn't  a  man  there  who  wasn't  willing 
to  yell  "One  Thousand !" — for  the  guy  on  his 
right.  .  .  .  Sol  Brill  took  the  prize.  .  .  .  He 
didn't  want  any  at  all  (his  words)  and  ended 
by  topping  the  list.  .  .  .  But  there  are  other 
counties  still  to  be  heard  from.  .  .  .  That 
thumping  heard  in  Tin  Pan  Alley  is  caused  by 
great  tears  of  gratitude  falling  on  weary 
pianos.  .  .  .  The  finger-and-ivory  boys  have 
struck  gold — in  pictures.  .  .  .  "Ramona"  has 
broken  all  records.  .  .  .  Irving  Berlin  has  been 
signed  to  write  for  the  screen.  .  .  .  Roxy  wants 
George  Gershwin  to  play  his  new  symphonic 
piece  first  for  the  films.  .  .  .  It's  called  "An 
American  in  Paris"  and  sounds  swell.  .  .  . 
The  Philharmonic?  .  .  .  Pfooey!  ...  In 
a  few  more  weeks  all  the  big  music  boys  will 
be  signed  by  the  pictures.  .  .  .  Which  recalls 
Jimmy  Hiissey's  explanation  why  he  isn't 
going  to  Holh^vood :  "I  don't  scream  well." 
.  .  .  King  Vidor  is  back  from  Europe,  on  his 
way  to  the  Coast.  .  .  .  Wonder  how  Fox 
missed  "The  Bridge  of  San  Luis  Rey,"  or 
maybe  he's  got  another  picture  for  the  Peru- 
vians. .  .  .  His  newest,  "The  Red  Dance," 
was  for  the  Russians ;  "Fazil,"  for  the  Ara- 
bians ;  "Four  Sons"  for  the  Germans ;  "Mother 
Machree"  for  the  Irish ;  "Street  Angel"  for 
the  Italians;  Al  Smith  at  Governor's  Island 
for  the  Democrats.  .  .  .  Agnes  George  de 
Mille,  daughter  of  William-  de  Mille  and 
granddaughter  of  Henry  George,  is  the  fea- 
tured dancer  of  the  week  at  Roxy's.  .  .  .  The 
Motion  Picture  Artists  League  of  America  is 
giving  its  first  exhibition  of  motion  picture 
advertising  art  at  the  Hotel  McAlpin,  and 
there  may  be  plenty  to  say  about  this  just  a 
little  later.  .  .  .  John  Monk  Smtnders  and 
Fay  Wray,  newh'weds,  stopped  in  the  Big 
City  on  their  way  from  Washington  to  the 
West  Coast.  .  .  .  "Dawn"  having  excited  the 
generally  imperturbable  British  public,  what 
about  the  filming  of  "The  Burgomaster  of 
Stilemonde"  now  going  on  in  Belgium  with 
actors  in  German  uniforms  and  all  that  sort 
of  thing  and  not  a  sign  of  approval  from 
Otto  Jyahu?  .  .  .  Johnnie  Semler  is  the  latest 
inventor  to  enter  the  sound  picture  division. 
His  machine  is  to  be  known  as  the  Semotone. 
Johnnie  is  a  man  of  many  parts  but  his  ma- 
chine, it  is  said,  has  less  than  any  on  the 
market.  .  .  .  Pat  Powers  is  still  testing  out 
the  Cinephone  and  he  may  yet  have  it  playing 
the  Anvil  Chorus.  .  .  .  Ben  Grimm  is  still 
at  the  Universal  office  but  he  gets  down 
town  pretty  seldom.  .  .  .  George  Harvey 
of  the  Pathe  company  leaves  a  week  from 
today  on  his  well  earned  vacation.  And  we 
wish  him  a  dandy  time.  George  is  one  of  the 
regulars,  both  on  the  job  and  off.  .  .  .  The 
A.  M.  P.  A.  held  its  regular  weekly  meeting 
for  the  first  time  at  the  Hotel  Lincoln,  which 
is  to  be  the  regular  place  of  meeting  from 
now  on.  There  was  a  good  sized  gathering 
of  the  clan  at  the  meeting  and  the  guests  of 
honor  were  George  Jessel  and  R.  H.  Burnside, 
one  the  actor  and  the  other  the  producer. 
Everyihing  that  Bruce  Gallup  tackles  seems 
to  run  off  with  a  swing  and  a  bang  but  not 
the  same  bang  as  is  often  heard  from  an 
auto  tire.  .  .  .  What  are  the  wild  waves 
saying?  They  are  calling  the  old  reliable  Si 
Seadler  to  the  shore  at  Sea  Cliff,  L.  I.,  that 
he  may  forget  for  a  short  time,  trackless 
trains,  flying  lions  and  advising  technique. 
.  .  .  Warren  Lewis,  scribe  and  advertising 
manager  of  the  Vitaphone  company,  is  brown- 
ing up,  down  on  the  sands  of  Long  Island 
on  the  South  Shore. 

PETER  VISCHER. 


With  Janet  Gaynor  at  Coney 

ULEASURE  bent  was  Janet  Gaynor  when  a  brief  period  ago  she  quit  the  picture 
■^  precincts  for  a  vacation  in  other  parts.  The  Fox  star,  whose  brightness  increases 
by  several  light  years  with  each  of  her  new  pictures,  has  had  an  active  season,  so  she 
went  East  to  rest  as  strenuously  as  possible  for  the  work  she's  got  to  do  during  the 
coining  months.  Naturally,  the  secluded  quiet  of  Coney  Island  proved  alluring.  And 
there  she  is — 


Ready,  it  would  seem,  to  purvey  tickets 

for  a  wild  west  show  to  the  masses.  And  of 

course    it    is    well    for    a    player    to    get 

acquainted   with    the   box   office. 


Above  is  Miss  Gaynor  with  her  mother  on 

that  lively  day  at  Coney,  and  at  left,  the 

star  ready  to  open  activities  at  Fox's  new 

Brooklyn  theatre. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


Democracy's  nominee  for  the  presidency 
of  the  United  States,  Al  Smith,  dons  a 
ten-gallon  hat  presented  him  by  Tom 
Mix.  Two  stars,  and  both  shining  bright- 
ly in  their  firmaments,  politics  and  pic- 
tures. Mix  is  starting  with  F  B  O. 

Hoover  and  Smith  Running 
Strong  in  U's  Straw  Vote 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Herbert  Hoover 
and  Governor  Al  Smith  both  are  drawing 
heavy  support  in  the  national  straw  vote 
which  Universal  Chain  Theatres  is  taking 
in  its  houses.     Early  returns  are: 

Granada,  Norfolk,  Neb.,  Hoover  546;  Smith,  432. 
RivoH,  Beatrice,  Neb.,  Hoover  86,  Smith  53; 
Capitol,  Grand  Island,  Neb.,  Hoover  582;  Smith 
378;  Granada  and  Rivoli,  Indianapolis,  Hoover  214, 
Smith  204;  Casino,  Marshalltown,  Iowa,  S.mith  260, 
Hoover  228;  Plant  City,  Fla.,  Hoover  590,  Smith 
377;  Star,  Arcadia,  Fla.,  Hoover  69,  Smith  6; 
Capitol,  Atlanta,  Smith  190,  Hoover  130;  Virginian, 
Charleston,  W.  Va.,  Smith  332,  Hoover  230;  Kenosha, 
Kenosha,  Wis.,  Smith  4110,  Hoover  940;  Venetian, 
Racine,  Wis.,  Hoover  763,  Smith  499;  Sheboygan, 
Sheboygan,  Wis.,  Smith  1,500;  Hoover  500;  Baby 
Grand,    Winter    Park,    Fla.,    Hoover    56,    Smith    6. 

42  Films  Will  Be  Shown 

At  Munich  Festivities 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  3.— Film  festivities 
are  planned  next  month  at  Munich, 
Germany,  according  to  advices  to  the 
Department  of  Commerce  from  Trade  Com- 
missioner George  R.  Canty  at  Paris.  Ex- 
hibitions will  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
Bavarian  organization,  Landesfilmbuhne, 
with  the  cooperation  of  Ufa. 

Superfilms  of  German,  Russian,  Ameri- 
can and  Northern  European  production  and 
the  best  educational  films  will  be  exhibited 
at  the  Munich  exhibition.  The  program 
comprises  a  new  superfilm  for  every  day; 
these  films  will  be  shown  three  times  on 
each  working  day  and  four  times  on  Sun- 
days.    In  all,  42  films  will  be  exhibited. 


Signs  20  Seattle  First-Runs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Twenty  first-runs 
have  been  signed  in  Seattle  in  13  weeks 
by  L.  O.  Lukan,  First  National's  manager. 
Seattle  stood  first  in  the  billing  drive  at  the 
end  of  the  third  week. 


Herald- World  Fans'  Big  Time 
Makes  Gathering  Annual  Event 

Andy  Anderson  and  Detroit  Lakes,  Minn.,  Will  Entertain  Readers 

and  Their  Fish  Yarns  Next  Summer — Pike  and  Bass 

Fry  Winds  Up  Week  of  Whoopee 

By   WILL  WHITMORE 

Such  a  rip-roarin'  success  was  the  Herald-World  Readers  Convention  at 
Alexandria  last  week  that  this  most  remarkable  gathering  ever  held  by  peo- 
ple of  the  motion  picture  industry  is  now  an  annual  event.  Detroit  Lakes, 
Minn.,  and  Andy  Anderson  will  be  hosts  of  the  1929  conclave,  by  unanimous 
decision  of  the  exhibitors,  who  closed  their  chinfest  with  a  luscious  fish  dinner 
Friday  night. 

Anderson  Heads  '29  Program  Committee 

The  motion  to  meet  at  Detroit  Lakes  was  made  by  B.  J.  Benfield  of  Morris, 
Minnesota,  and  seconded  by  Frank  O'Hara  of  Elgin,  Nebraska.  Andy  Ander- 
son of  Detroit  Lakes  was  named  as  chairman  of  the  program  committee  for 
next  year's  convention  to  serve  with  the  following  committeemen :  William 
Tragsdorf,  Wisconsin ;  Phil  Rand,  Idaho ;  P.  G.  Estee,  South  Dakota ;  John 
Filler,  North  Dakota;  Claud  Hanson,  South  Dakota;  E.  C.  Potter  New  Hamp- 
ton, Iowa ;  Frank  O'Hara,  Nebraska,  and  Sam  Blair,  Kansas.  Each  com^- 
mitteeman  will  be  held  responsible  for  interesting  the  exhibitors  of  his  state 
to  attend  next  year's  convention. 


This  first  convention  just  ended  at  Alex- 
andria began  with  a  lying  contest  between 
Old  J.  C.  Jenkins  and  Frank  O'Hara  and 
ended  with  the  big  fish  fry  on  Friday  at 
which  everybody  lied  about  the  fish,  they 
caught  during  the  week.  And  before  I  go 
any  farther  with  this  report  of  the  happen- 
ings at  the  convention,  I  want  to  say  that 
I  was  the  only  one  who  did  not  tell  a  single 
lie  during  the  entire  week.  It  was  evident 
at  once  that  I  wouldn't  have  a  chance  keep- 
ing up.  with  these  old  Master  Liars  who 
have  had  years  of  experience. 

J.  C.  Is  M.  L.  of  Them  All 

J.  C.  claims  he  is  around  70  years  old,  but 
no  one  would  believe  it  by  the  way  he  goes 
fishing,  plays  golf  and  cavorts  around  in 
general  like  a  two  year  colt,  but  when  you 
hear  him  lie,  you  know  he  must  be  that 
old,  for  it  takes  at  least  70  years  of  practice 
to  lie  like  he  does. 

But  what  a  time  these  fellows  had  at 
Alexandria!  The  town  is  almost  sur- 
rounded by  water  and  there  are  so  many 
lakes  they  ran  out  of  names  for  them.  The 
country  looks  like  a  big  Swiss  cheese.  And 
it  seems  that  the  lakes  specialize  in  differ- 
ent kinds  of  fish.  When  you  go  fishing, 
you  row  out  in  one  lake  and  catch  a  nice 
string  of  bass;  then  you  just  toss  your  line 
over   in   another   lake   and   pull   out   a  mess 


Buys  Chesterfield  Rights 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.  —  Chesterfield  has 
added  Film  De  Luxe,  Ltd.,  Toronto  and 
Montreal,  to  its  list  of  distributors.  This 
firm  bought  th-e-rights  for  Canada. 


Hats  Off  to  Thompson; 
Exhibitor  Turns  Author 

Theatre  owners,  hats  off  to  your 
fellow-exhibitor,  Charles  H.  Thomp- 
son, author.  We  are  in  receipt  of 
a  complimentary  copy  of  "Byzantine 
Love,"  by  Mr.  Thompson,  operating 
the  Opera  House  at  Plattsburg,  Mo. 
Just  how  an  exhibitor  finds  time  to 
be  an  author  might  be  a  mystery  in 
itself,  but  Thompson  demonstrates 
also  that  a  good  exhibitor  can  be  a 
good  author  as  well. 

Exhibitors  will  concur  in  the  com- 
ment of  O.  O.  Mclntyre,  Hearst 
Syndicate  writer,  who  says: 

"My  native  town,  Plattsburg,  Mo., 
has  gone  literary.  Charles  H. 
Thompson  has  written  a  brochure 
called  'Byzantine  Love — A  Love 
Narrative  of  the  Fifth  Century' — and 
has  done  a  good  job." 


of  croppies;  when  croppies  begin  to  boi'e 
you,  you  simply  turn  around  in  your  boat, 
throw  your  line  over  in  another  lake  and 
pull  out  wall-eyed  pike  to  your  heart's  con- 
tent. You  can  sit  in  your  boat  and  fish  in 
a  half  dozen  lakes  and  catch  that  many 
different  kinds  of  fish. 

Besides  lying,  fishing  was  the  most  popu- 
lar sport  with  golf  and  swimming  claiming 
a  good  share  of  attention.  Elmer  Gailey 
of  Wayne,  Nebraska,  probably  did  more 
fishing  than  anyone  else.  He  never  took  of): 
his  rubber  hip-boots  all  the  time  he  was  in 
Alexandria,  and  he  was  always  either  com- 
ing or  going  fishing.  One  morning  Rabbi 
Frank  O'Hara  from  Elgin,  Nebraska,  re- 
ported seeing  a  huge  fish  out  in  the  lake 
feeding  on  three-pound  bass.  Elmer  tore 
down  three  saplings  trying  to  get  down  to 
the  lake  to  catch  him. 

Rabbi'll  Never  Be  the  Same 

Tragsdorf  went  out  one  morning  and 
came  back  with  the  biggest  fish  caught  dur- 
ing the  week.  It  was  an  eight  pound  wall- 
eyed pike.  Of  course  Trags  will  be  mad 
when  he  reads  this-  for  he  claims  the  fish 
weighed  at  least  eleven  pounds.  The  rabbi 
went  out  another  morning  and  caught  a 
string  of  bass,  and  now  the  doctors  are 
wagging  their  heads  and  saying  that  poor 
old  Frank  will  never  be  the  same  again. 
And  about  that  big  fish,  O'Hara  claims  to 
have  seen.  According  to  Frank  the  waves 
made  by  the  fish  when  he  flashed  by  almost 
tipped  his  boat  over.  "I  just  saw  his  head 
and  a  little  of  his  body,  and  that  much  was 
this  long,"  said  Frank,  holding  his  hands 
about  two  feet  apart,  and  all  out  of  breath 
from  running  up  to  the  cottage.  "His  fins 
were  as  big  as  my  hand  and  his  head  was 
so  big  it  wouldn't  go  in  a  lard  barrel." 

Fish  Too  Long  for  Camera 

By  the  time  Frank  had  described  him  a 
few  more  times,  the  fins  were  bigger  than 
his  two  hands  and  he  spread  his  arms 
wide  open  to  describe  his  length.  Before 
next  year's  convention,  Frank's  fish  will  be 
as  long  as  a  sail  boat  and  his  head  as  big 
as  a  bass  drum.  It's  too  bad  he  didn't 
catch  him  with  his  moving  picture  camera. 
Frank  shot  60  feet  of  film  which  every  ex- 
hibitor will  show  in  his  theatre.  The  only 
fish  I  snagged  was  a  dog  fish  that  towed 
me  at  a  sixty  mile  an  hour  gait  through 
five  lakes  before  the  line  broke.  Ask  J.  C. 
(Continued   on  page  28) 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


The  Herald-World  Family  Holds  First  Party 


Gosh,  but  those  Herald-Worlds  sent  especially  to  the  conven- 

tioners,  were  a  treat  to  the  boys.    And  of  course  each   one 

looked  for  his  reports  in  W.  T.  P.  D.  F.  M.  right  away. 


A  fish  fibbing  session,  with  Mae  Godkin  and  Mrs.  Walt  Brad- 
ley tuning  in.     Frank  O'Hara,  Bill  Tragsdorf,  Jaysee,  Elmer 
Galley  and  Cliff  Carlson  are  the  others. 


In    the    front   yard    of   J.    C.   Jenkins'   Herald-World   cottage, 

which  served  as  convention  headquarters.    In  picking  a  place 

to  hang  his  hat,  Jaysee  knows  his  domiciles! 


^:•f-'^^•i1:  1 

^.■:Ji^a 

t^'^m  M  s   . 

^mMt 

HR|i'l  1  #  1 

iS^^^*^-,.  '-'^^  ^"^^. 

■','"1  '•'■ 

Waiting  for  chow.  Front  row:  Frank  O'Hara,  Jaysee,  J.  F. 
Fitzgerald,  Elmer  Gailey  and  J.  Perlman.  Rear:  BiH  Bowker, 
Mickey  Larson,  H.  J.  Longaker,  Nels  Benson  and  P.  G.  Estee. 


The  big  fish  dinner  Friday  afternoon,  which  proved  a  grand 

and  glorious  climax  to  several  days  of  real  pleasure.    (The  fish 

tasted  much  better  than  the  stories.) 


Every     evening     the     gang     "deadheaded"     into     Longaker's 

charming  State  theatre,  which  is  a  model  small  town  house. 

Longaker  says  the  conventioners  helped  the  box  office. 


(Herald- World  Photos) 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


Bass  and  Pike  Co-star  in  Alexandria  ^^Meller 


yy 


A  lakeside  gathering  featuring  Geraldine  Scofield  and  May 
Godkin  of  Neligh,  Neb.;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Tragsdorf, 
Neillsville,  Wis.,  and  Will  Whitmore  of  the  Herald-World. 


No  studio   bass  here — No,  sir,  they're  fresh  from  the  lake. 

Jaysee,  O'Hara,  Longaker  and  his  son,  Chet,  will  boast  long 

and  loudly  of  this  catch. 


"We'll  round  up  those  exhibs  at  Detroit 

Lakes  next  year  if  we  have  to  do  it  on 

bicycles,"  declare  Bonnie  Benfield  and 

Andy  Anderson. 


J.   C.   Jenkins,  the  world's  greatest 
"on    paper"     bass    fisherman,     pre- 
pares for  a  big  haul.    But  the  bass 
should  worry! 


Golfers   in    every   sense   of   the   word, 

from  the  first  to  the  nineteenth  hole — 

Andy  Anderson  of  Detroit  Lakes,  and 

Bonnie  Benfield. 


There's  bass  in  them  there  waters,  and  if  you  rise  at  4  a.  m., 

as  Frank  O'Hara,   Longaker  and  his  son,   Chet,  did,   you'll 

get  'em — and  how! 


Returning  after  a  morning's  catch.   Chet  Longaker  is  running 

the  boat,  while  his  dad  and  Frank  O'Hara  ^splay  the  bass, 

and  Jaysee  complacently  smokes  his  weed  burner. 


(Herald-World  Photos) 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


''Why  Care  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me?" 


Mrs.  H.  J.  Longaker  and  daughter,  Flora,  who  entertained  the 

women   with   a   delightful  afternoon  tea;   and  H.  J.,   himself, 

who  entertained  everyone  at  his  State  theatre. 


The  inseparable  Swedes  from   Oakland,   Neb. — Nels  Benson 

and  Mickey  Larson,  regular  fellows  who  fished  and  slept  and 

enjoyed  life  every  minute  of  the  meet. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Bowker  of  Ta- 

camah,  la.,   who  made  the  convention 

a  part  of  a  Summer's  automobile  tour 

of  the  North  country. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  F.  Bender  motored 

over  from  New  York  Mills,  Minn., 

for  the  big  fish  dinner  and  a   chat 

with  the  conventioners. 


H.  J.  Longaker  and  P.  H.  Unumb,  sec- 
retary of  Alexandria's  chamber  of  com- 
merce— the  men  who  did  the  real  con- 
vention work. 


The    Rune   stone,    the   pride   of   everyone   in   Alexandria.     It 

seems  to  prove  that  a  boatload  of  Norwegians  discovered  the 

American  continent  in  1362. 


The  swimming  beach  at  the  city  park,  of  which  Alexandria  is 

justly   proud.     This   was   the   scene   of   Friday's   fish   dinner, 

confab  and  general  get-together. 


(Hcrald-Wnrlcl    Thntns) 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

STRAND— "The  Wheel  of  Chance,"'  a  First  Na- 
tional picture  starring  Richard  Barthelmess,  directed 
by  Alfred  Santell. 

ROXY — "The  Michigan  Kid,"  a  Universal  produc- 
tion starring  Renee  Adoree  and  Conrad  Nagel,  direct- 
ed  by    Irvin    Willat. 

PARAMOUNT— "The  Big  Killing,"  a  Paramount 
comedy  featuring  Wallace  Beery  and  Raymond  Hat- 
ton,   directed  by  F.   Richard  Jones. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE  —  "The  City 
Without  Jews,"  a  German  film  directed  by  Karl  von 
Santer. 

55th  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "Love  Is  a  Lie,"  a 
German  production  starring  Harry  Leidtke  and  Lee 
Parry,  directed  by  Erich  Waschneck,  revived  for  an- 
other  week. 

CAMEO — "Potemkin,"  and  "The  Last  Laugh,"  re- 
vived for  another  week. 

HELD  OVER 

"Wings,"       Paramount,       opened 


Metro-Gold  wyn- 


presented     by     Arch 


End     of     St. 
Hammerstein, 


Peters- 
opened 


CRITERION    - 

August    12,    1927. 

ASTOR— "The      Trail      of      '98 
Mayer,  opened  February  13,  1928. 

CENTRAI^-"The  Man  Who  Laughs,"  Universal, 
opened  April  27. 

EMBASSY— "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May   17. 

TIMES     SQUARE— "Dawn,^ 
Selwyn,    opened    May    28. 

HAMMERSTEIN  S— "The 
burg,"  presented  by  Arthur 
May  29. 

GAIETY — "Fazil,"  Fox,  opened  June  5. 

WARNERS — "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers  film  with  Lionel  Barrymore,  May  McAvoy 
and  Vitaphone.     Opened  June  15. 

RIALTO — "The  Drag  Net,"  Paramount,  opened 
June   16. 

GLOBE — "The  Red   Dance,"   Fox,   opened  June  25. 

CAPITOL — -"The  Cossacks,"  Metro-Goldviryn-Mayer, 
opened   June   23. 

RIVOLI — "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  Universal,  opened 
June  23. 

"Steamboat  Bill,  Jr."  Is 
First  on  Release  List  of 
19  United  Artists  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— "Steamboat  Bill, 
Jr.,"  Keaton-Torrence  production,  out  this 
month,  heads  the  tentative  release  schedule 
of  United  Artists'  19  pictures.  National 
selling  started  yesterday.  The  other  release 
dates  are:  August,  "Two  Lovers"  (Col- 
man-Banky)  and  "Tempest"  (John  Barry- 
more);  September:  "The  Woman  Disputed" 
(Norma  Talmadge)  and  "The  Battle  of  the 
Sexes"  (D.  W.  Griffith);  October;  "Re- 
venge" (Dolores  del  Rio)  and  "The  Awak- 
ening" (Vilma  Banky);  November:  "The 
Love  Song"  (William  Boyd  and  Lupe 
Velez)  and  "The  Rescue"  (Ronald  Colman). 
November:  (roadshow)  "Hell's  Angels"; 
December:  "Nightstick,"  (Roland  West 
Production)  and  "Lummox"  (Herbert  Bren- 
on    Production);    January:    "The    Swamp" 

(Gloria  Swanson — Erich  von  Stroheim),  "The 
Man  With  the  Iron  Mask"  (Douglas  Fair- 
banks) and  a  Mary  Pickford  Production; 
February:  "City  Lights"  (Charlie  Chaplin) 
and  "Conquest"  (John  Barrymore — Ernest 
Lubitsch);   March:   "Three   Passions"    (Rex 

Ingram),  "She  Goes  to  War"   (Henry  King). 


Herrmann  Joins  Brill  to 
Sell  52  Ufa  Productions 
Third  of  U.  5.  Territory 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— William  C.  Herr- 
mann has  joined  with  Dave  Brill  in  selling 
Ufa  productions  in  the  East  under  the  new 
name  of  Ufa-Eastern  Division  Distribution, 
Inc.  Brill  and  Herrmann  will  have  entire 
distribution  in  3714  per  cent  of  the  United 
States,  with  26  features  and  26  single  reels, 
all  completed. 

Headquarters  will  be  at  729  Seventh  Avenue. 
Branches  will  be  maintained  in  Philadelphia, 
Pittsburgh,  Boston  and  Buffalo. 


K-M  Exhibitors  Attack  Zoning; 
Elect  Biechele  for  Fifth  Term 

Protection  Situation  Can  Be  Handled  Only  by  Letting  Distributor 

and  Exhibitor  Continue  to  Barter  for  Terms,  Says 

President,  Opposing  Film  Board  Proposal 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  3.— For  the  fifth  consecutive  year  R.  R.  Biechele, 
owner  of  the  Osage  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  was  elected  president  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri  at  the  tenth  annual  convention  of  that  organiza- 
tion Tuesday  and  Wednesday  at  the  Broadview  hotel,  Wichita.  A  resolution, 
expressing  a  vote  of  confidence  and  approval  of  Biechele's  policies,  was  adopted 
unanimously.     With  Biechele  was  re-elected  his  entire  board  of  directors. 

Zoning  Plan  Opposed 

The  convention  was  not  all  harmony,  however,  as  the  meeting  had  not  been 
in  progress  long  before  a  resolution  was  adopted,  opposing  the  newly  inaugu- 
rated protection  zoning  plan  of  the  Kansas  City  Film  Board  of  Trade.  The- 
atre owners  had  looked  forward  to  the  convention  as  a  factor  which  would 
determine  the  attitude  of  exhibitors  towards  the  zoning  plan.  The  contention 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri  delegates  was  that  no  zoning  plan  could 
be  arranged  to  have  equal  bearing  upon  all  exhibitors.  The  resolution  made 
it  plain  that  no  zoning  plan  at  all  was  desired  by  exhibitors. 

"No  plan  for  zoning  favors  protection  can  sion  price,  should  be  made  to  concede  an  ad- 
vantage to  a  competitor  which  is  unfair.  It 
is  not  what  an  exhibitor  charges  at  the  box 
office,  but  the  net  profit  he  is  able  to  make  and 
the  amount  he  is  able  to  pay  for  pictures." 
Nontheatricals  on  Carpet 

Nontheatrical  enterprises  also  were  pulled 
upon  the  carpet  for  inspection,  but,  after 
lengthy  discussion,  it  was  decided  to  leave  ac- 
tion on  that  matter  to  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  K-M 
directors. 

Then  there  was  the  golf  tournament  in 
which  Lawrence  Bruenninger  of  the  Cozy  the- 
atre, Topeka,  Kan.,  won  first  prize.  The  con- 
vention, in  most  respects,  was  among  the  best 
arranged  meetings  of  the  organization,  there 
being  no  delay  in  the  program  wh'atever. 
Various  legislative  problems  were  discussed, 
but  those  matters,  also,  were  left  for  the  dis- 
position  of   the   legislative   committee. 


be  arranged,  based  upon  the  admission  prices, 

seating    capacity    or    anvthing    else,"    Biechele 

said.      "Although   the 

plan   adopted   by   the  . 

Kansas      City      Film 

Board  of  Trade  was 

not  presumably  based 

upon    admission 

prices,  it  amounted  to 

that,  nothing  more  or 

less. 

"For  instance  I 
know  of  a  theatre  in 
a  certain  neighbor- 
hood which  charges 
ten  cents  admission. 
Another  theatre  about 
five  blocks  from  that 
theatre  charges  15 
cents.  Under  the  zon- 
ing plan  adopted,  the  15  cent  house  gets 
prior  rights  over  the  10  cent  house,  but  the 
10  cent  house  pays  more  for  films,  advertises 
more  in  newspapers  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  is 
entitled  to   priority  over  the   15   cent  theatre. 

"There  is  only  one  way  the  protection  situa- 
tion can  be  handled.  That  is  by  allowing  ex- 
hibitor and  distributor  to  continue  to  barter 
for  terms.  No  theatre  which  pays  more  for 
films  than  another  house,  regardless  of  admis- 


R.  R.   Biechele 


Columbia's  New  Branches 
Busy  in  Buffalo,  Albany 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BUFFALO,  July  3.— Joe  Miller  is  man- 
aging Columbia's  new  branch  here,  while 
Austin  Interrante  covers  the  Syracuse  ter- 
ritory and  Walter  Foster  the  Rochester 
area.  C.  R.  Halligan  is  covering  the  Albany 
territory  through   the   new  exchange   there. 


Nine  Counsel  Engaged  in  Marks  Trade 

Battle;  Sound  Films  Extend  Rivalry 

The  list  of  attorneys  as  now  completed  in  the  suit  of  Marks  Brothers,  Chicago 
circuit,  against  Publix,  affiliated  parties  and  five  producer-distributors  now  num- 
bers nine  counsel  of  Chicago  and  New  York,  according  to  information  from  the 
latter  city.     They  are  as  follows: 

Publix,  Balaban  &  Katz  and  their  individual  defendants — Sonnenschein,  Berk- 
son,  Lautnam  &  Levinson;  Orpheum,  W.  V.  M.  A.,  Pathe  and  First  National — 
Trude  &  Kahane;  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Henry  J.  Darby;  Paramount,  Winston 
&  Shaw;  Universal,  Mayer,  Meyer,  Austrian  &  Piatt;  Great  States,  Morris  G. 
Leonard;  William  Morris,  Lowenthal  &  Munns;  Leo  Spitz,  representing  himself; 
Marks  Brothers,  Tenney,  Harding  &  Sherman,  and  Joseph  and  Benjamin  Rosen- 
berg. 

With  the  suit,  in  which  Marks  Brothers  seek  a  temporary  and  permanent  injunc- 
tion, charging  certain  illegal  trade  practices,  awaiting  its  first  battle  July  6,  Marks 
Brothers  and  Balaban  &  Katz  opposed  each  other  on  fresh  grounds  last  Friday, 
when  the  latter  inaugurated  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  at  McVickers  theatre.  Loop 
house.  B.  &  K.'s  Roosevelt  will  also  begin  sound  pictures  in  two  weeks.  Marks 
Brothers  has  been  presenting  sound  pictures  for  nearly  two  years  at  its  two  neigh- 
borhood houses. 

Marks  Brothers,  in  a  lengthy  trailer,  point  to  the  installation  of  sound-pictures 
by  others  at  this  time  as  a  tribute  to  Marks  Brothers'  foresight,  "other  theatres" 
being  readily  identified  as  the  rival  circuit.  Marks  Brothers  have  also  included 
in  their  trailer  a  reference  to  bad  parking  conditions  downtown  and  the  "dusty" 
Loop.   (Pictures  of  ads  appear  on  page  64.) 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


M*  P*  Club  Members  Qobble  Bonds 
At  Peppy  Complimentary  Dinner 

Income  When  500  Have  Signed  Will  Permit  Reducing  Dues  to  $125,  Says 
Lichtman- — All  Ready  But  Decorating 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— When  the  new  Motion  Picture  Club  of  New  York 
issued  invitations  to  its  200  charter  members  for  a  complimentary  din- 
ner at  the  Park  Central  Hotel  last  Friday,  exactly  80  of  the  group  for- 
got all  about  the  hot  weather  and  the  tough  week  to  be  on  deck  for  a  shore 
dinner  with  trimmings.  The  dinner  proved  to  be  an  enthusiastic  affair  with 
all  present  quite  delighted  at  the  prospective  opening  of  the  club  next  month. 


THE  broadside  that  announced  the  dinner 
promised  no  speeches.  Instead  there  were 
about  eighty,  perhaps  even  a  few  more,  for 
some  of  the  boys  present  spoke  two  and 
three  times.  It  all  came  about  when  Al 
Lichtman,  president  of  the  club,  informally 
reviewed  the  progress  of  the  new  organiza- 
tion, which  seems  to  be  thoroughly  on  the 
up   and   up. 

Virtually  Ready  for  Opening 

The  club  is  virtually  ready  for  the  open- 
ing, said  Lichtman.  Carpenters  and  plas- 
terers are  on  their  way  out  and  all  that 
remains  to  be  done  will  be  done  by 
decorators.  The  club,  in  the  opinion  of 
many  experts,  will  be  one  of  the  finest  in 
the  Metropolitan  District,  one  of  which  the 
film  industry  may  well  be  proud.  Every- 
thing— including  the  all-important  chef — 
will  be  of  the  best. 

Not  only  that,  said  Lichtman,  but  the 
finances  of  the  club  are  shaping  up  in  such 
a  manner  that  when  all  500  members  have 
been  signed,  the  income  of  the  club  will  be 
sufficient  to  permit  the  dues  to  be  set  at 
$125  a  year,  instead  of  the  previously  an- 
nounced $150. 

However — 

In  order  to  put  the  club  on  its  feet  as 
soon  as  possible,  without  skimping  and 
worrying  until  all  the  500  members  are 
signed,  Lichtman  said  the  club's  financial 
powers  had  decided  upon  a  bond  issue  of 
$100,000,  paying  5  per  cent  interest,  with  a 
certain  percentage  to  be  retired  every 
year  beginning  1931.  The  club  would  like 
to  have  every  member  of  the  club  a  bond- 
holder, but  there  will  be  no  attempt  to 
coerce  any  who  didn't  feel  they  could  afford 
a  bond  into  buying. 

And  How  They  Sign! 

Well — and  this  will  surprise  you — bids 
began  to  be  made.  And  before  the  meeting 
was  over  (and  don't  forget  it  was  a  very 
hot  evening  and  the  band  played  loud  in- 
stead of  well)  the  neat  little  total  of  $26,200 
had  been  raised.     Every  man  present  signed 


Maybe  He  Wanted  to  Help 
'Em  Out  by  Buying  a  Tag 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DBS  MOINES,  July  3.— This  gag 
was  pulled  in  the  crowd  waiting  to 
get  in  the  Capitol  theatre  here  one 
evening  last  week:  A  man  who 
looked  to  be  from  the  so-called  effete 
regions  East  turned  to  another  man 
who  looked  to  be  from  the  so-called 
oppressed  Corn  Belt  and  said,  "You 
know,  I  was  surprised  when  I  ar- 
rived in  Des  Moines  to  find  that  it 
wasn't  tag  day.  Why,  I  was  told  that 
every  day  in  Iowa  is  tag  day — for 
farm  relief,  you  know."  It  proved 
to  be  popular  with  the  waiting  pa- 
trons, even  though  it  wouldn't  have 
gone  so  well  with  Eastern  politicians. 


something  and  the  average  was  over  $300, 
despite  the  fact  that  the  socalled  money  men 
of  the  club  weren't  present. 

Among  those  who  dug  down  deep  for 
bonds  were  the  following: 

E.  W.  Hammons,  Arthur  W.  Stebbins, 
Jack  Alicoate,  Al  Lichtman,  Walter  Camp, 
Jr.,  Alfred  Gottesman,  Sol  Brill,  Lou 
Blumenthal,  Moe  Mark,  William  Brandt, 
Lee  Ochs,  Felix  Feist,  S.  H.  Fabian,  Ben 
Amsterdam,  Joe  Brandt,  Jack  Cohn,  D.  J. 
Chatkin,  Harold  Franklin,  Walter  Moore 
and  Joseph  Pollack. 

Al  Lichtman  announced  that  every  man  in 
the  club  would  be  given  an  opportunity  to 
sign  for  some  of  the  bonds — and  how — and 
that  if  the  issue  was  oversubscribed,  as  he 
anticipated  it  would  be,  then  the  bonds 
would  be  prorated.  The  club  knew  just 
how  much  it  needed  to  get  on  its  feet,  and 
had   no   intention   of  signing  up   any  more. 


Herald-World  Chinfest 

Is  Made  Annual  Event 

{Continued   from  page  23) 

about  that  dog  fish,  but  then  you  wouldn't 
believe   him   anyway. 

Jenkins  made  Elmer  Gailey  believe  that 
dog  fish  really  have  four  legs  and  that  on 
moonlight  nights  they  crawl  up  on  the 
shore  and  bark  like  dogs.  That's  the  sort 
of  fellow  Jenkins   is. 

Herald-World  Cottage  Filled 

During  most  of  the  day  and  night  when 
the  gang  was  just  loafing,  most  of  the  men 
could  be  found  at  Jenkins'  Herald-World 
cottage.  The  special  interest  was  the  cook- 
ing of  J.  C.'s  daughter,  Mrs.  Walt  Bradley, 
whose  husband  runs  the  theatre  at  Neligh, 
Nebraska,  Miss  Mae  Godkin  and  Miss 
Geraldine  Scofield  also  of  Neligh.  These 
three  young  ladies  fed  every  hungry  fisher- 
man at  the  convention  about  four  times  a 
day  and  contributed  much  more  than  their 
share  in  making  the  convention  a  success. 
And  to  show  you  what  all  around  girls  they 
are,  they  can  fish  and  swim  just  as  well  as 
they  can  cook. 

On  the  golf  course,  Bonnie  Benfield  of 
Morris,  Minnesota,  and  Andy  Anderson  of 
Detroit  Lakes  did  the  real  golfing.  Andy 
shoots  a  mean  42  with  maddening  non- 
chalance, and  Benfield  made  a  50  foot  and 
a  30  foot  putt  as  easily  as  George  Benson 
of  Minneota,  Minnesota,  drank — well  you 
know  what  a  big  Swede  usually  drinks. 

George  and  Mickey  Inseparable 

George  Benson — what  a  great  fellow  he 
is.  He  owns  the  theatre  at  Oakland,  Nebraska, 
and  Mickey  Larson  operates  it.  They  were  in- 
separable and  all  they  did  was  sleep,  fish 
and — .  If  I  ever  go  near  Minneota,  I'm 
surely  going  to  drop  in  on  those  two  birds. 
Their  cellar  is  said  to — . 

Bill  Bowker  and  his  wife  of  Tacamah, 
Iowa,  entertained  royally  at  their  place  on 
Lake  Mary  and  showed  many  of  the  fellows 
the    right    place    to    catch    croppies.      One 


Men  Use  Theatre  for 
Sunday  Bible  Class 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  S.—Skouras 
Brothers'  Missouri  theatre  is  used 
every  Sunday  morning  by  the  Agoga 
Bible  class  of  the  Third  Baptist 
church,  which  adjoins  the  theatre  on 
the  south.  This  class  is  composed 
of  300  men  and  was  organized  about 
22  years  ago.  At  that  time  a  men's 
Bible  class  was  something  unique, 
but  the  idea  spread  quickly,  and  to- 
day there  are  1,300  other  Baptist 
churches  in  this  country  with  similar 
classes. 


afternoon  all  the  ladies  of  the  convention 
were  entertained  in  a  very  charming  man- 
ner by  Mrs.  H.  J.  LongaKcr  and  her  daugh- 
ter, Flora,  at  their  lakeside  summer  cottage. 

Longaker  Theatre  Beauty 

And  H.  J.  entertained  the  whole  crew 
every  evening  at  his  theatre.  He  didn't 
seem  to  mind  all  the  deadheads  at  all,  and 
he  put  on  some  fine  shows  every  evening. 
You  really  ought  to  see  that  700-seat  house 
of  Longaker's.  It  is  a  beauty  and  far  ahead 
of  the  average  small  town  theatre.  His  pro- 
jection is  better  than  you  will  see  in  most 
city  deluxe  houses.  After  the  evening  show 
some  of  the  fellows  treked  up  to  the  hotel 
to  listen  to  a  lot  of  whoopee  coming  over 
the  radio  from  Houston.  You  couldn't  drag 
Crockett  Brown  of  Nashwauk,  Minnesota, 
away  from  that  loud  speaker  with  a  twelve 
mule  team. 

The  real  occasion  of  the  convention  came 
Friday  afternoon  when  a  fish  dinner  was 
held  at  the  City  Park.  What  a  red  letter 
day  that  will  be  in  the  memories  of  every- 
one there.  F.  J.  Fitzgerald,  mayor  of 
Alexandria,  acted  as  master  of  ceremonies 
and  the  high  school  band  added  pep  to  the 
dinner  with  its  good  music. 

All  Alexandria  Plays  Host 

The  convention  was  made  altogether  at 
home  the  entire  week  by  the  charming  hos- 
pitality of  the  entire  town  of  Alexandria, 
but  especial  thanks  should  be  given  H.  J. 
Longaker  and  P.  H.  Unumb,  secretary  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Alexandria, 
and  his  stafif.  These  two  men  worked  end- 
lessly to  make  the  convention  the  wonderful 
success  it  undoubtedly  was,  and  they  re- 
ceived the  thanks  and  appreciation  of  every 
person  who  attended. 

Those  of  us  who  were  there  have  many 
pleasant  memories  to  look  back  on  and 
many  more  pleasant  things  to  look  forward 
to  when  we  all  meet  at  Detroit  Lakes  next 
year.  Andy  Anderson  and  Bonnie  Benfield 
are  already  offering  many  inducements  to 
us  to  come  to  Detroit  Lakes  next  year. 
They  have  already  announced  that  they  will 
give  a  fine  trophy  for  the  lowest  medal 
score  for  18  holes  of  golf  at  next  year's 
Herald-World  Readers'  convention,  and 
that's  just  one  of  the  many  things  they  are 
planning.  Those  of  you  who  were  unable 
to  attend  do  not  know  what  a  wonderful 
time  you  missed,  but  there'll  be  no  excuse 
for  anyone  missing  the  second  annual  con- 
vention. 


Pathe  Family  Together 
Under  Same  Roof  Soon 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Pathe's  home 
office  family  soon  will  be  under  one  roof. 
Alterations  now  are  being  made  at  35  West 
45th  street  so  that  the  sales  force  and  execu- 
tive officials  can  move  their  offices  from 
1560  Broadway. 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


Glenn  Expands  Tieups 
For  Warners  on  Radio; 
Covering  Most  of  U.  S, 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Allen  S.  Glenn, 
who  is  traveling  for  Warner  Brothers  with 
the  objective  of  making  radio  hookups 
and  serializations  in 
newspapers,  is  ex- 
panding the  chain  of 
broadcasting  s  t  a  - 
tions  that  exploit 
Vitaphone  produc- 
tions. Glenn  is  now 
in  the  East,  but  his 
itinerary  calls  for 
the  covering  of  a 
large  part  of  the 
United  States.  A 
tieup  of  particular 
importance  is  that 
with  the  Crosley 
WLW  broadcasts. 
Following     are     the  „  ^     ,       , 

,         ■  °  ,  J  p.  Crosley,  Jr. 

hookups  already  ar- 
ranged:       KFWB,     Hollywood;     WRNY, 
New    York    City;    WOR,    Buffalo;    WLW, 
Cincinnati;    KOIL,    Council    Bluffs;    KOIN, 
Portland,  and  KOMO,  Seattle. 


First  Division  Will  Stay 
In  Business,  Says  Wells; 
Furst  Now  Owns  Control 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— First  Division  Dis- 
tributors will  continue  in  the  field,  accord- 
ing to  Raymond  Wells,  vice-president  and 
production  manager,  who  arrived  last  week 
from  the  coast  to  reorganize  distribution 
following  the  resignation  of  Jesse  J.  Gold- 
burg.  Robert  S.  Furst  is  the  new  presi- 
dent  and  he  owns  the  controlling  interest. 


French  Film  Exports 

Drop  in  First  Quarter 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  3.— Drop  is  shown 
in  French  exports  of  both  positive  and 
negative  motion  picture  film  the  first  quar- 
ter of  this  year,  according  to  a  report  from 
Trade  Commissioner  George  R.  Canty, 
Paris,  to  the  Department  of  Commerce. 

Quarterly  exports  of  film  totaled  555  and  350 
metric  quintals  of  positive  and  negative  compared 
with  780  and  481  quintals  the  same  period  last  year. 
They  were  valued  at  6,746,000  and  3,697,000  francs, 
against  9,396,000  and  5,349,000  francs  last  year. 
Quarterly  imports  of  motion  picture  film  into  France, 
however,  gained  over  last  year.  Negative  stock  dur- 
ing the  1928  period  showed  a  gain  of  127  metric 
quintals  to  358  quintals  valued  at  2,362,000  francs 
and  imports  of  positive  stock  a  gain  of  116  metric 
quintals   to   214  quintals  valued   at  3,360,000  francs. 


New  Weiss  Novelty  Reel 
From  Ideas  of  Audience 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Weiss  Brothers' 
Artclass  Pictures  Corporation  will  release 
a  series  of  26  one-reel  novelties  under  the 
title  of  "Embarrassing  Moments"  next  sea- 
son. Embarrassing  Moments  Pictures  Cor- 
poration^^will  produce  the  series  to  be  made 
from  ideas  provided  by  the  audiences,  $50 
being  paid  for  each  idea  filmed. 


Lusty  Aids  Jensen 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Louis  Lusty  has 
been  named  assistant  to  Emil  Jensen,  sales 
manager  for  Art   Cinema   Corporation,  dis- 
tributing through   United   Artists. 


Talking  Sequences  in  Big  Part 
of  Paramount's  25  Sound  Films 

Large  Share  of  Newsreel  and  Short  Product  Also  Will  Be  Synchro- 
nized, Likewise  Publix  Unit  Shows,  Opening  These 
Presentations  to  Small  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3. — Of  71  Paramount  feature  pictures  to  be  released 
next  year  beginning  August  1,  a  minimum  of  25  to  30  will  have  sound  accom- 
paniment, most  of  them  v^^ith  talking  sequences,  according  to  an  official  state- 
ment made  last  week. 

Paramount  News  will  present  a  large  part  of  its  service  in  sound,  and  the 
one  and  two-reel  short  features,  including  the  Christie  Comedies,  will  have 
sound  accompaniment.  In  addition,  the  company  will  sell  a  new  type  product, 
which  will  be  synchronized  pictures  of  stage  unit  productions  such  as  appear 
on  the  stage  of  the  Paramount  theatre  and  other  big  theatres  operated  by 
Publix. 


Smaller  theatres  of  the  country  thus  will 
have  an  opportunity  to  book  big  stage  shows 
that  are  now  featured  in  deluxe  houses  in  the 
larger  cities.  Lavish  novelties,  featuring  act- 
ing, singing,  and  dancing  stars,  the  pick  of 
the  world's  stage  and  screen  talent,  will  be 
presented  in  these  special  short  reels,  Para- 
mount stated. 

Production  on   Both   Coasts 

The  major  part  of  Paramount's  sound  ac- 
tivities will  be  centered  in  the  company's  studio 
at  Hollywood,  but  reconstruction  of  the  Para- 
mount Long  Island  studio  for  sound  produc- 
tions is  progressing  rapidly.  Adolph  Zukor, 
president,  said  that  those  sound  pictures  which 
can  be  advantageously  filmed  in  the  East  be- 
cause of  the  proximity  of  speaking  stage  talent 
will  be  made  at  the  Astoria  plant. 

Among  feature  length  productions  with 
sound  which  either  are  in  work  or  have  been 
completed  are:  "Wings,"  William  Wellman 
production  with  Charles  Rogers,  Clara  Bow, 
Richard  Arlen  and  Gary  Cooper  featured, 
which  had  a  long  run  at  the  Criterion,  New 
York,  and  at  every  other  big  city  played  thus 
far  this  year;  Von  Stroheim's  '"The  Wedding 
March,"  in  which  all  great  highlights  such 
as  the  wedding  music,  bells,  ceremonial 
trumpetings,  will  be  heard  as  well  as  seen. 
Featured  in  the  cast  are  Von  Stroheim,  also 
directing,  and  Fay  Wray.  Anne  Nichols' 
"Abie's  Irish  Rose"  will  have,  in  addition  to 
a  music  score,  other  sound  effects,  such  as 
singing  of  the  theme  song  by  Charles  Rogers 
and  Nancy  Carroll,  who  with  Jean  Hersholt 
are  featured. 

Sound  in  Russian  Picture 

"The  Patriot,"  Ernst  Lubitsch's  greatest 
work,  starring  Emil  Jannings,  will  have  sound 
reproduction  incorporated  in  the  thunderous 
Russian  marches,  the  charge  of  yelling  Cos- 
sacks, the  pistol  shots  as  innocents  are  shot 
down,  and  in  the  dialogue  of  members  of  the 


Films  in  Industrial  Show 

SPRINGFIELD,  Mass.,  July  3.— Motion 
picture  exhibits  will  be  part  of  the  Eastern 
States  Exposition  here  September  16  to  22. 


Want  New  Theatre — 
Ask  Wesco — Get  It 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
VISALIA,  CAL.,  July  S.—A  peti- 
tion circulated  by  the  Visalia  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  and  signed  by 
many  local  business  men  was  pre- 
sented recently  to  West  Coast  Thea- 
tres, Inc.,  asking  that  a  new  moving 
picture  house  be  erected.  Within  a 
few  days  after  the  petition  had  been 
presented  Howard  Sheehan,  vice- 
president  and  executive  manager  of 
West  Coast,  announced  that  con- 
struction work  would  be  started  in 
three  months  on  a  1,500-seat  house 
to   cost  $200,000. 


cast  in  climactic  scenes.  Featured  in  support 
of  Jannings  are  Florence  Vidor,  Lewis  Stone 
and  Neil  Hamilton. 

"The  Canary  Murder  Case,"  detective  mys- 
tery melodrama  with  William  Powell,  Louise 
Brooks,  Ruth  Taylor  and  James  Hall  featured 
under  direction  of  Malcolm  St.  Clair,  will 
have  in  addition  to  music  and  sound  effects 
a  number  of  talking  sequences. 

Music  Score  for  Negri  Film 

"Loves  of  an  Actress,"  starring  Pola  Negri, 
directed  by  Rowland  V.  Lee,  with  Nils  Asther 
and  an  all-star  cast  supporting  Miss  Negri, 
will  have  sound  accompaniment  in  the  form  of 
the  music  score  and  sound  effects  for  dramatic 
sequences.  In  "Warming  Up,"  a  newly-pro- 
duced comedy  drama  starring  Richard  Dix, 
the  sound  accompaniment  combines  sound  at- 
mosphere of  a  baseball  game,  the  singing  of 
the  theme  song,  and  music  score.  Jean  Ar- 
thur has  the  leading  female  role;  Fred  New- 
meyer  is  director. 

Paramount  as  announced,  has  acquired  the 
rights  to  "Burlesque,"  Broadway  comedy 
drama  which  has  run  nearly  a  year  in  New 
York.  This  will  be  produced  on  a  spectacular 
scale  as  a  synchronized  picture.  Paramount 
announced. 

Christie  Shorts  Synchronized 

Sound  effects  in  voice  and  music  score  will 
be  heard  in  the  Christie  series  of  short  fea- 
tures to  be  released  next  season  by  Para- 
mount. The  first  five  Christies  synchronized 
with  sound  in  all  phases  are  "Skating  Home," 
of  the  series,  "Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl," 
with  Frances  Lee  and  the  Christie  beauties; 
"The  Dizzy  Diver,"  and  "Oriental  Hugs,"  of 
the  Bill  Dooley  series ;  "Stop  Kidding,"  Bobby 
Vernon  comedy,  and  "Hot  Scotch,"  of  the 
Sandy  MacDuff  series  starring  Jack  Duffy. 
While  in  New  York  Charles  Christie  stated 
that  in  addition  to  the  foregoing  his  company 
will  produce  two  special  sound  short  features. 


Three  Foreign  Actors 

Signed  by  Paramount 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Three  foreign 
actors  added  to  Paramount's  forces  for  the 
coming  season  as  a  result  of  Jesse  L. 
Lasky's  trip  abroad  are  Maurice  Chevalier, 
Paris  light  comedian;  Paul  Guertzman,  15- 
year-old  Russian  refugee,  and  John  Loder, 
former   British   cavalry   officer. 


*Funny  Fix*  Judges  Picked 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— R.  F.  (Pete) 
Woodhull,  president  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A., 
Ned  E.  Depinet,  First  National's  general 
sales  manager,  and  Harry  Hershfield,  car- 
toonist, will  judge  the  "Funny  Fix"  contest 
for  Walter  F.  Eberhardt,  editor  of  First 
National   News. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


^^Meph^^  Satan  Was  First  Film  Star^ 
Visual  Educationist  Declares 

Industry  Might  Have  Arrived  Sooner  If  Such  Trick  Names  As  Zoopraxi- 
nographoscope  Had  Been  Avoided,  Conference  Is  Told 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald- World] 

DES  MOINES,  July  3. — In  this  day  of  "star"  exploitation,  with  the  glit- 
tering- signs  above  the  theatre  entrances  blazing  forth  the  names  we 
know  so  well,  it  is  hard  to  realize  that  the  first  motion  picture  star 
about  whom  we  have  definite  information  was  old  man  Devil  himself.  One 
advantage  in  this  will  occur  to  the  average  manager  at  once — the  star  could 
furnish  his  own  "blazing  forth"  and  his  own  hot  advertising  methods,  and  how ! 


WELL,  this  is  how!  Once  upon  a  time 
there  was  a  Jesuit  from  Geiss  whose 
name  was  Athanasius  Kircher.  He  had 
invented  a  sort  of  a  magic  lantern  by  means 
of  which  he  entertained  the  nobles  by  pro- 
jecting crude  handpainted  pictures  of  the 
Devil  on  the  wall  of  a  darkened  room  by 
means  of  a  smoky  lamp.  Satan  was  the 
star  performer  in  these  early  religious 
dramas  of  the  time.  All  this  happened  in 
Rome  about  1640.  At  least  that  is  what 
Dr.  Ellsworth  C.  Dent  of  the  University  of 
Kansas  told  his  listeners  at  a  visual  educa- 
tion conference  held  at  Drake  University  in 
Des   Moines   all   last   week. 

As  Will  Rogers  said  about  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  "At  the  time  Noah  founded  it 
they  had  two  courses  to  follow.  Right  and 
Wrong,  so  they  chose  the  right."  This 
Kircher  must  have  had  leanings  toward  the 
party  when  he  showed  the  wayward  nobles 
his  friend,  Pluto,  at  his  worst. 
And  the  Chinese — 

And  then  Edison,  it  was  learned  at  the 
sessions,  would  have  had  to  look  to  his 
laurels  had  he  lived  in  China  about  1,000 
B.  C.  because  the  Chinese  had  a  magic 
picture  box  which  gave  in  primitive  form 
the  same  effect  the  animated  cartoon  pic- 
tures give  with  the  modern  apparatus.  The 
old  Chinese  would  pay  a  few  grains  of 
rice  for  a  chance  to  look  into  the  peep  hole. 
Another  Chinese  would  pull  the  ribbon 
through  a  slot  at  the  other  end  of  the  box. 
On  this  ribbon  would  be  30  or  40  pictures, 
each  differing  a  little,  and  the  whole  series 
forming  an  act. 

There  is  nothing  so  new  after  all,  about 
the  business  when  one  considers  all  Dr. 
Dent  had  to  tell  about  the  history  of  mov- 
ing pictures.  He  told  how  one  of  the 
Ptolemies  of  Egypt  as  early  as  130  A.  D. 
operated  an  apparatus  with  revolving  discs 
which  produced  the  impression  of  motion. 
And  so  on  came  the  improvements  until 
Edison  entered  the  field,  and  here  we  are! 
What  About  the  Zoopraxinographoscope? 

Motion  pictures,  however,  might  have 
arrived  sooner  if  some  of  the  early  experi- 
menters had  known  enough  about  human 
beings  to  avoid  difficult  and  high  sound- 
ing names  for  their  discoveries.  Wouldn't 
it  be  fun  to  have  to  teach  patrons  how  to 
pronounce  phenaketoscope,  or  phasmatrope, 
or  zoopraxinographoscope,  as  some  of  the 
oldtimers  christened  their  machines?  The 
latter  named  device,  we  understand,  came 
into  existence  as  the  result  of  a  wager  be- 
tween Leland  Stanford  and  James  R.  Keen 
in  the  middle  70's.  They  argued  as  to 
whether  a  horse  lifted  all  four  feet  off  the 
ground  at  any  point  in  its  stride. 

First  Public  Shows  on  Prizefights 
Life  really  began  for  the  modern  picture 
house  manager,  it  seems,  with  the  arrival 
of  the  first  "story"  picture.  Edwin  S. 
Porter,  a  camera  man  employed  in  the  Edi- 
son studios,  had  long  observed  the  audience 
value  of  thrill  scenes  such  as  fire  engine 
runs,  rescues  and  the  like.  It  occurred  to 
him  that  he  could  string  some  of  these  to- 
gether and  make  a  new  excuse  for  repho- 
tographing   some   of   the   wornout    subjects. 


He  did  this  and  produced  the  melodramatic 
picture,    "Life    of    the    American    Fireman." 

The  plot  was  perfect.  It  showed  the 
sleeping  fire  chief  dreaming  of  home,  wife 
and  baby.  He  was  awakened  by  the  mid- 
night alarm,  raced  to  the  fire  only  to  rescue 
his  own  small  baby  from  the  flames.  This 
was  a  great  success. 

Another  early  story  picture  followed. 
This  was  "The  Great  Train  Robbery."  This 
was  a  whole  reel  in  length  and  created  a 
sensation  in  picture  circles. 

It  might  be  well  to  remember,  in  this 
day  of  interstate  transportation  laws,  that 
the  first  films  made  for  public  exhibition 
were  of  prizefights.  The  scenes  had  to  be 
arranged  in  front  of  the  camera.  No  one 
had  ever  heard  of  taking  the  big  cameras  to 
the  scene  of  the  action. 

Managers  aren't  having  such  a  hard  time 
nowadays  after  all,  considering  all  that  has 
gone  before.  At  any  rate  they  don't  have 
to  wait  until  the  undertaker  gets  through 
with  a  funeral  before  they  can  borrow  the 
chairs  to  seat  their  patrons  and  it  seems 
that  such  really  did  happen  away  back  in 
the  good  old  days. 


FBO  Exhibition  of 
Film  Art  Is  Given 
By  Artists  League 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— F  B  O  is  holding 
an  exhibition  of  motion  picture  art  this 
week  in  the  East  room  of  the  Hotel  Mc- 
Alpin  under  auspices  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Artists  League  of  America.  The  paintings, 
done  in  oil  by  eight  American  artists,  were 
used  originally  as  art  illustrations  in  F  B  O's 
announcement  of  its  1928-29  product.  The 
arrangement  for  the  exhibit  followed  praise 
for  their  conception  and  technique  by  such 
artists  as  Abel  Warshawsky,  Raymond 
Thayer  and  Robert  Phillips. 

In  the  exhibit  the  following  artists  are 
represented: 

Ralph  Illigan,  with  "The  Perfect  Crime," 
"The  Circus  Kid,"  "Blockade,"  "Gang  War" 
and  "The  Record  Run;"  Lew  Kennerly  with 
"Charge  of  the  Gauchos;"  George  Giguere 
with  "Singapore  Mutiny"  and  "Lest  We 
Forget;"  Frederic  Madan  with  "The  Yel- 
lowback" and  "The  Air  Legion;"  P.  J. 
Monaghan  with  "Hey,  Rube;"  Clinton 
Pettee  with  "His  Last  Haul"  and  "The  Con- 
vict's Son;"  David  Strumpf  with  "Voice  of 
the  Storm"  and  Paul  Stahr  with  "King  of 
the  Klondike." 


O. 
the 


Tattle  at  Charlotte 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CHARLOTTE,  N.  C,  July  3.— T 
Tuttle,  formerly  branch  manager  of 
Universal  exchange  in  Charleston,  W.  Va., 
.has  succeeded  E.  F.  Dardine  as  branch  man- 
ager of  the  Universal  office  in  Charlotte. 
Dardine  has  been  with  the  Universal  ex- 
change for  the  past  19  years. 


U  Florida  Circuit 
Going  to  Sparks; 
9  Cities  Affected 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  July  3.— Universal's  circuit 
of  Florida  theatres  is  passing  to  the  control 
of"  E.  J.  Sparks,  according  to  authentic  ad- 
vice, confirming  reports  current  two  weeks 
ago.  According  to  the  news  from  New 
York,  the  deal  will  not  involve  the  theatres 
in  Leesburg  and  Lake  City  nor  the  Capitol 
in   Miami. 

The  houses  involved  are  in  Orlando, 
Plant  City,  DeLand,  St.  Augustine,  Braden- 
ton,  Sarasota,  Arcadia,  Kissimmee  and  Fort 
Myers,  the  original  Sparks  circuit.  It  is 
not  unlikely  that  these  will  become  a  part 
of  the  Publix-Saenger-Sparks  chain.  It  _  is 
understood  that  the  Universal  theatres  dis- 
trict office  in  Atlanta  will  be  abolished. 
Rumors  are  that  Universal  is  negotiating 
for  sale  of  the  Capitol,  its  deluxe  house  in 
Atlanta,  and  is  dickering  for  disposal  of  its 
three  suburban  theatres  in  the  Atlanta  dis- 
trict— the  Ponce  de  Leon,  the  Madison  and 
the  Fairfax. 

Theatre  Changes 
Heavy   Past   Week 

Eaves  Theatres  lias  taken  over  the  Majestic  at 
Mebane,  N.  C;  Rivoli,  Columbia,  S.  C. ;  Imperial, 
Newberry,  S.  C,  and  Palace,  Chester  S.  C.  .  .  . 
Ray  V.  Powell  is  managing  the  new  Saenger  Tudor 
at  New  Orleans.  .  .  .  O.  K.  Mason  and  Myron 
Lehman  have  bought  the  Majestic  and  the  Ashland 
at  Wellington,  Kan.  .  .  .  The  Monroe  City  at 
Monroe  City,  Ind.,  has  reopened  with  a  two-a-week 
change.  .  .  .  The  Dream  at  Indianapolis  has  been 
remodeled.  .  .  .  Architects  are  drawing  plans  for 
a  new  Moon  theatre  to  be  built  at  Vincennes,  Ind,, 
for  Theodore  Charles.  .  .  .  The  new  Mishawaka, 
opened  by  O.  J.  Lambiotte  at  Mishawaka,  Ind.,  has 
a  Spanish  garden  motif  interior,  and  a  Moorish 
design    exterior. 

Arthur  F.  Perry,  Jr.,  has  been  given  the  contract 
for  the  new  Saenger  at  Biloxi,  Miss.  .  .  .  Contracts 
have  been  awarded  for  a  $50,000  house  for  H.  E. 
Clifton,  Circleville,  Ohio.  .  .  .  The  Anthony  Wayne 
has  been  opened  at  Wayne,  Pa.,  by  Harry  Fried. 
.  .  .  Douglas  Methodist  Church  in  Montreal  is  giving 
way  to  a  $165,000  United  Amusements  theatre.  .  .  . 
The  old  Royal  at  New  Westminster,  B.  C,  is  to  be 
remodeled.  .  .  .  The  $1,000,000  Mayflower  in 
Seattle  is  to  open  August  15.  .  .  .  Donald  Nease 
will  build  a  Spanish  type  theatre  at  Waitsburg,  Wash. 
,  ,  ,  The  United  Artists  theatre  is  now  open  again 
at  Seattle,  .  .  .  T  &  D  has  bought  the  Redding 
and   Market   Street   theatres   at   Redding,   Cal. 


Raymond  Shrock  Resigns 
As   Associate  Producer 
At  Tiffany-Stahl  Studio 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Raymond  L. 
Schrock,  who  for  the  past  six  months  has 
been  associated  with  Tiffany-Stahl  as  asso- 
ciate producer  with  John  Stahl,  has  severed 
connections  with   the   company. 

It  has  been  rumored  that  Schrock  is  con- 
cerned in  several  changes  which  have  taken 
place  at  Hollywood  studios.  Last  week 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  purchased  from 
Schrock  an  original  story  to  be  used  for 
William    Haines. 

During  the  past  six  months  Schrock  has 
produced  eight  pictures  for  Stahl. 

Zellner  Goes  to  Coast 
For  Pickford,  Fairbanks; 
Makes  2  Appointments 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Arthur  Zellner, 
for  several  years  Eastern  publicity  repre- 
sentative for  Mary  Pickford  and  Douglas 
Fairbanks,  has  been  transferred  to  the  West 
Coast  as  director  in  chief  of  their  adver- 
tising and  publicity  department.  Before 
leaving,  he  announced  appointments  of 
Louis  William  Smith  as  Eastern  publicity 
representative  for  Miss  Pickford,  and  S. 
Barrett  McCormick  for  Fairbanks. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


^e^ 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


Paul  Burger,  who  has 
been  appointed  assistant 
to  AI  Lichtman,  general 
sales  manager  of  United 
Artists.  Burger  will  now 
specialize  in  organization, 
co-operating  with  Cresson 
E.  Smith.  He  has  been 
on  M  G  M's  sales  staff 
eight  years. 


An  ingratiating  picture  from  Warner  Brothers  presenting  one  of 
the  beautiful  and  talented  sisters  Costello.  This,  as  doubtless  you've 
noted,  is  Helene,  whom  the  brothers  Warner  (to  speak  consistent- 
ently)  are  featuring  on  more  and  more  frequent  occasions.  One 
new  occasion  is  "Noah's  Ark,"  in  which  she  has  an  important  role 
in  support  of  Dolores,  while  another  is  "The  Lights  of  New  York," 
which  will  be  the  first  feature  to  have  speech  throughout.  It  is 
now  in  production. 


A  new  portrait  of  Alberta 
Vaughn,  whose  sense  of 
humor  has  been  a  very 
definite  asset  to  the  screen 
for  quite  some  time.  She 
has  been  selected  to  star 
in  F  B  O's  new  series  of 
H.  C.  Witwer's  Cosmo- 
politan stories,  "Racing 
Blood." 


How  it's  done  or  is  not  done.  We  confess  rather  complete  ignorance 
in  the  processes  involved  in  getting  a  picture  cued.  However,  D.  W. 
Griffith,  United  Artists  director,  is  shown  with  Hugo  Reisenfeld,  who 
cues  United  Artists  productions,  and  believe  it  or  not,  there's  an  organ 
between  them.  Reisenfeld,  who  is  also  director  of  all  United  Artists 
theatres,  is  scoring  Griffith's  latest  picture,  which  has  the  extremely 
interesting  title  of  "The  Battle  of  the  Sexes."  The  premiere  thereof 
is  expected  shortly. 


The  Beery  clan  at  Wallace's  Beverly  Hills  home.  The  occasion 
was  the  golden  wedding  anniversary  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noah  Beery, 
Sr.,  parents  of  the  Paramount  star  and  his  brother  screen  player, 
Noah.  Now  to  tell  you  which  is  who — Standing  are  Noah,  Wallace, 
Noah,  Sr.,  and  William  Beery,  while  seated  are  Mrs.  Wallace  Beery, 
Mrs.  Noah  Beery,  Sr.,  and  Mrs.  William  Beery.  Down  in  front 
are  Noah  the  third,  Charlotte,  daughter  of  William;  and  Burton, 
William's  son. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7, 1928 


ja^/ng  IT  h,asy 


Above:  One  way  to  take 
it  easy!  It's  difficult  to  slip 
a  card  under  the  table, 
but  that's  against  the  rules, 
anyway.  They  are  Dorothy 
Sebastian  and  Anita  Page, 
two  of  M  G  M's  "Our 
Dancing  Daughters,"  at 
Santa  Monica. 


Left:  Time  off  for  Fay 
Wray  and  Gary  Cooper 
on  Chesapeake  bay,  where 
they've  been  working  in 
sequences  for  Paramount's 
"The  First  Kiss."  And  so 
they  take  a  holiday  excur- 
sion on  and  among  the 
clutter  of  fishing  craft. 


Chester  Conklin,  Paramount  player,  presenting  the  per- 
petual Chester  Conklin  Cup  signifying  the  tennis 
championship  of  Hollywood,  to  Martin  Cornica,  film 
developer  (left)  and  William  Welhnan,  director,  both 
of  Paramount,  who  won  the  recent  tournament.  Pretty 
easy  to  take,  eh? 


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Waiting  for  something  to  happen?  Nope — they're  too  sure  of  that.  Just  taking 
it  easy  between  scenes  for  First  National's  picture  of  carnival  life,  "The  Barker." 
This  is  the  screen  version  of  the  1927  stage  play,  which  critic  and  public  thought 
uncommonly  good.  Shown  above  in  a  study  in  lassitude,  are  several  principals  of 
the  picture,  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  George  Cooper,  Dorothy  Mackaill,  who  is  fea- 
tured;  Milton  Sills,   the  star;   and   "One-Eyed"   Connolly. 


Hard  job  washing  the  ol'  bus?  Ask  the  man  who 
does  it!  Big  Boy  does  it.  But  he  uses  horse-sense 
around  his  car.  Same  way  with  his  Educational 
comedies.  No  use  over-working.  Acting  or  wash- 
ing your  car,  sometimes  you  gotta  take  it  easy.  (And 
it's  the  same  thinking  up  captions!) 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Y^idures  about  new  T^idures 


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Slippery  money — a  scene  from  "Danger  Street,"  F  B  O  melodrama 

telling  the  story  of  a  rich  young  man  who  finds  relief  from  boredom 

and  also  love  among  those  hardboiled.     Martha  Sleeper  and  Warner 

Baxter,  featured  players,  are  shown  above. 


In  Russia  before  their  migration  to  America,  Schmulka  and  Nickolai, 
twins  of  divergent  destinies,  with  their  family.  This  is  a  scene  from 
"The  Wheel  of  Chance,"  an  emotional  piece  produced  by  First 
National  as  a  vehicle  for  Richard  Barthelmess.   Alfred  Santell  directed. 


Noah  hailed  by  the  people  in  an  episode 
from  Warner  Brothers'  pretentious  ac- 
count of  the  Deluge,  "Noah's  Ark,"  now 
filming.  Dolores  Costello  has  the  star- 
ring role.    Paul  McAllister  portrays  Noah. 


Four  who  are  participating  prominently  in  the  prep- 
aration of  Pathe's  1928-29  program.  At  left  is 
Phyllis  Haver,  so  striking  as  the  star  of  "Chicago," 
who  will  have  three  pictures,  "Sal  of  Singapore," 
"The  Shady  Lady"  and  "The  Office  Scandal."  Next 
to  her  is  the  lesser  known  but  promising  Eddie 
Quinlan,  who  will  appear  in  "The  Godless  Girl," 
"Show  Folks"  and  "Listen,  Baby."  Then  comes 
the  busy,  busy  scenario  editor,  Carl  Hovey,  who  is 
directing  12  scenarists  and  continuity  writers.  And 
at  right  is  the  popular  star,  William  Boyd,  whose 
1928-29  pictures  are  "The  Cop,"  "High  Voltage," 
"The  Leatherneck"  and  "The  Flying  Fool." 


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Politics  in  its  more  farcical  aspects  (and  there 
are  plenty  of  them!)  is  the  theme  of  First 
National's  "The  Head  Man."  Shown  in  this 
scene  are  Charles  Murray,  the  star,  and  Sylvia 
Ashton. 


Three  is  a  company,  but  it  need  not  mat- 
ter, as  it  docs  not  in  this  love  chat  between 
Gladys  McConnell  and  Ken  Maynard,  the 
star,  in  First  National's  "Code  of  the 
Scarlet." 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


South  Opens  Drive  for  Summer 
Attendance  with  Novel  Ideas 

Twenty-Four  Sheets  in  Five  Colors  Have  Right  and  Left  Six-Sheets 

in  Stock  on  Cooling  Plant  and  Bargain  Matinee — 

Tieups  with  Forecaster  and  Ice  Company 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 
SAN  ANTONIO,  June  26. — The  theatre  is  your  best  friend  in  the  hot  sum- 
mer months,  the  Texas    exhibitors   are   telling  their  regular   and  prospective 
patrons,  and  how  they're  telling  them! 

Innumerable  Devices  Used 

Summer  exploitation — and  equipment — has  a  large  role  to  play  in  the  South, 
with  its  mild  winters  and  scorching  summer  months.  Besides  installation  of 
high-powered  cooling  plants  the  campaign  is  on  with  inviting  lobby  displays, 
trick  newspaper  ads,  billboards  atmospheric  of  the  North  Pole,  trailers  exuding 
the  spirit  of  mountain  coolness  and  dripping  with  icicles,  tackcards  flooding 
towns  with  descriptions  of  the  refrigerated  conditions. 

In    the    past    two    years — and    especially  "Despite  the  trouble  in  St.  Louis,  I  can- 

this   season — managers  and   operators   have      not  see  where  there  will  be  any  serious  con- 


been  pushing  their  cooling  plants  for  all 
they  are  worth.  For  example,  under  a  new 
policy  regarding  billboards  of  the  Publix 
theatres  in  Texas,  John  T.  Friedl,  district 
manager,  devised  a  24-sheet  in  five  colors, 
with  the  right  and  left  six  sheets  in  stock 
on  the  cooling  plant  and  the  bargain  mati- 
nee. A  four-sheet  spot  in  the  center  plugs 
the  weekly  picture  attraction,  and  a  seven- 
sheet  streamer  at  the  bottom  of  the  stand 
announces  the  stage  attraction.  This  paper 
is  institutionalizing  the  cooling  plant  and 
the  bargain  matinee.  The  cost  of  the  paper 
for  a  year  about  equals  the  cost  of  stock 
pictorial  24s  over  a  period  of  three  months 
— so  there  is  a  material  saving. 

Tieup  With  Forecaster 

The  San  Antonio  weather  forecaster  was 
taken  through  the  refrigeration  plant  of  the 
Texas  theatre  and  the  operation  explained 
in  detail  to  him.  A  picture  was  made  of 
him  at  the  huge  switchboard,  and  this  pic- 
ture, together  with  a  feature  story,  ran  in 
the  local  evening  paper,  to  the  effect  that 
the  weather  man  was  safe  in  predicting  a 
standard  cool  temperature  for  the  Texas 
throughout  the  season. 

A  tieup  was  made  with  a  Dallas  ice  com- 
pany, by  the  Palace  theatre  there  and  a  dish 
of  quarters  were  frozen  in  ten  300-pound 
blocks  of  ice,  together  with  a  card  saying 
that  those  estimating  correctly  the  amount 
of  quarters  in  the  plate  would  receive 
passes.  Newspaper  ads  were  run  by  the  ice 
company  to  the  effect  that  there  were  two 
ways  of  keepinpr  cool — with  their  ice,  and 
at  the  Palace.  Each  of  their  50  delivery 
trucks  carried  banners  on  the  stunt,  which 
lasted  a  week.  The  blocks  of  ice  were 
exhibited  in  big  downtown  windows,  and 
added  interest  was  created  with  awards  to 
those  best  estimating  the  length  of  time  it 
would  take  the  ice  to  melt. 


Musicians  Are  Called 
to  Prepare  Fight  as 
Synchronism  Spreads 

{Continued  from   page    19) 

approaching  labor  storm,  in  the  opinion  of 
R.  R.  Biechele,  head  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Kan- 
sas-Missouri. The  Globe  theatre,  a  down- 
town house  seating  2,000,  and  the  Palace, 
Wichita,  Kan.,  seating  1,400,  are  the  only 
theatres  using  synchronized  pictures  just 
now,  but  the  Madrid  new  suburban  of  Kan- 
sas City  and  the  new  Uptown  in  Wichita 
are  making  preparations  for  synchronism. 

Thus  far  there  has  been  no  evidence  of 
labor  trouble  from  the  musicians'  unions, 
although  some  theatre  owners  believe  this 
due  to  the  fact  that  use  of  synchronized 
music  has  not  progressed  sufficiently  yet. 


troversies  in  the  Kansas  City  territory," 
Mr.  Biechele  said.  "Frankly,  I  believe  the 
situation  will  be  self-adjusting  when  the 
proper  time  arrives.  When  the  safety  razor 
was  invented  there  was  an  awful  howl  on 
the  part  of  the  barbers,  but  I  don't  remem- 
ber of  any  barbers  starving  to  death. 
Synchronism,  quite  naturally,  represents  a 
move  of  economy  on  the  part  of  the  thea- 
tre owner,  just  the  same  as  previous  inven- 
tions have  been  of  economic  value  to  the 
world  in  general.  All  inventions  have  in- 
jured some  class  of  persons  temporarily, 
but  the  world  today  would  have  a  difficult 
time  in  remembering  who  opposed  the  in- 
vention of  the  cotton  gin  or  the  steam  en- 
gine. 

"There  are  liable  to  be  petty  squabbles 
here  and  there  which  will  not  amount  to 
much,  but  no  invention  can  be  held  back  by 
the  minority  of  people." 

Detroit  Sees  Demands 
On  Contract  Renewals 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  July  3.— Now  that  talking 
pictures  are  gaining  more  and  more  of  a 
hold  on  Detroit's  picture  going  public,  thea- 
tre managers  have  their  ears  to  the  ground 
for  the  first  rumblings  of  complaint  from 
musicians  and   projectionists. 

Heated  discussions  of  sound  pictures  were 
held  behind  locked  doors  at  the  biennial 
convention  of  the  International  Alliance  of 
Theatrical  Employes  and  Motion  Picture 
Operators,  held  here  recently.  What  took 
place  in  those  meetings  has  not,  as  yet, 
come  to  the  attention  of  theatre  owners 
here. 

The  John  H.  Kunsky  theatrical  interests 
are    the    only    ones    employing    sound    pic- 


Free  Circus  Brings  Crowd 
To  F  B  O  Lot  in  Filming 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Free  cir- 
cus! That  phrase,  sounded  through 
newspaper,  radio  stations,  hotels  and 
tourist  information,  brought  several 
thousand  to  the  F  B  O  studio  one 
day  last  week  during  the  Glming  of 
"The  Circus  Kid,"  being  directed  by 
George  B.  Seitz.  F  B  O  says  several 
hundred  paid  extras  were  given  their 
checks  and  released  for  the  day  to 
make  additional  room  for  the  visit- 
ors. Poodles  Hanneford  headlined 
the  performers'  part  of  the  entertain- 
ment, and  there  were  free  popcorn, 
peanuts  and  balloons  for  the  young- 
sters. 


tures.  The  State  has  been  turned  into  a 
sound  film  theatre,  but  the  symphony  or- 
chestra has  been  retained  for  the  overtures. 
Kunsky  officials  are  of  the  opinion  that 
no  trouble  will  develop  until  September  1, 
when  contracts  must  be  renewed.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  some  demands  will  be  made  on 
that  date. 

Orchestra  Taken  Out 
of  McVickers  in  Chicago 

Decision  of  the  Chicago  musicians'  union 
regarding  its  policy  on  synchronized  pro- 
ductions awaits  the  results  of  the  confer- 
ence in  New  York.  James  C.  Petrillo,  head 
of  the  Chicago  union,  pointed  out  that  the 
meeting  is  for  formulating  some  practicable 
plan  for  the  protection  of  members'  interests 
and  that  this  does  not  necessarily  mean 
the  launching  of  an  irreconcilable  fight  on 
talking  pictures.  B  &  K  opened  with 
Movietone  and  Vitaphone  last  Friday  at 
McVickers,  and  the  Roosevelt  starts  show- 
ing synchronized  film  July  14.  The  orches- 
tra has  been  taken  out  at  the  McVickers 
and  similar  action  is  expected  at  the  Roose- 
velt. 

Pay  Cut  for  Musicians 
Projectionists  Sought 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  3.— With  the  most  un- 
seasonable summer  weather  since  1873  and 
April  showers  in  June;  unemployment  wide- 
spread and  box  office  receipts  far  from  what 
they  should  be,  the  theatre  owners  of  St. 
Louis  have  taken  the  initiative  in  request- 
ing substantial  reductions  in  wages  from 
the  musicians  and  projectionists.  The 
wage  contracts  expire  August  31. 

Relief  has  been  sought,  in  preliminary 
discussion,  for  the  small  theatres,  employ- 
ing from  one  to  three  musicians.  The  pres- 
ent scale  provides  that  where  but  one 
musician  is  employed  he  shall  be  paid  $63 
a  week  for  three  hours  of  playing.  In  two- 
men  orchestras  the  leader  is  now  paid  $63 
and  the  second  musician  $48  and  in  three- 
men  orchestras  the  leader  is  paid  $63,  the 
others  $48.  In  the  scale  proposed  by  the 
theatre  owners  the  one-man  house  would 
pay  $53;  in  two-men  houses  the  leader's 
salary  would  be  reduced  to  $55.50  and  in 
three-men  houses  the  leader  would  be  paid 
$58.  The  wages  of  the  other  players  would 
continue   at  $48. 

Ask  Drop  for  Projectionists 

The  projectionists  have  been  requested 
to  accept  a  straight  10  per  cent  reduction. 
The  scale  now  ranges  from  $54  for  20-cent 
houses,  $62  for  25-cent  houses,  and  up  to 
about  $80  for  the  large  first  run  houses. 

It  is  probable  that  both  the  musicians  and 
projectionists  will  reject  the  proposals. 

The  musicians  and  projectionists  have 
been  quick  to  realize  that  Movietone,  Vita- 
phone  and  other  synchronized  pictures 
eventually  will  supplant  many  orchestras. 

Under  the  leadership  of  Stephen  Butler, 
business  agent,  the  St.  Louis  musicians'  or- 
ganization was  perhaps  the  first  to  take  a 
firm  stand.  When  the  Vitaphone  was  in- 
stalled in  the  Capitol  the  St.  Louis  musi- 
cians insisted  the  theatre  employ  a  regular 
orchestra.  At  Skouras  Brothers'  Grand 
Central  the  musicians  are  paid  the  full  union 
scale  for  playing  two  minutes  a  perform- 
ance. 

Use   Pickets   and   Trucks 

The  St.  Louis  musicians  also  have  opened 
a  determined  drive  against  use  of  mechani- 
cal organs,  phonographs  and  other  substi- 
tutes at  theatres.  Pickets  have  been  placed 
and  automobile  trucks  have  spread  propa- 
ganda. 

Butler  was  also  the  first  union  leader  to 
utilize  the  radio  to  work  up  public  senti- 
ment against  mechanical  music  and  regu- 
larly speaks  over  WIL.  The  St.  Louis 
musicians  were  also  among  the  first  to  raise 
a  special  fund  to  combat  mechanical  music 
and  1  per  cent  of  wages  are  contributed  by 
members  of  the  union. 


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July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


The  Pathe  rooster  crows  lustily  into  the 
microphone  of  the  RCA  Photophone  re- 
cording instruments.  The  rooster  has 
been  known  and  seen  for  a  quarter  of 
a  century;  now  his  voice  will  be  heard 
in  Pathe  synchronized  pictures  just  pre- 
ceding the  titles  of  Pathe  Pictures. 


Sound  Films  Revive 
2  Indiana  Houses 
from  Sure  Death 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  July  3.— With  the  out- 
standing success  of  the  Apollo  theatre  here 
in  the  realm  of  synchronized  pictures,  after 
having  opened  with  them  only  a  short  time 
ago,  more  and  more  interest  is  being  gener- 
ated throughout  the  central  section  of  Indiana 
in  this  new  form  of  amusement.  The  case  of 
the  Apollo  appears  to  be  indicative  of  the  gen- 
eral situation. 

Here  is  a  theatre  in  the  heart  of  the  down- 
town district  for  some  years  that  was  just 
about  making  the  grade  in  motion  pictures 
alone.  Bands  were  tried  with  only  indifferent 
success  insofar  as  the  box  office  was  con- 
cerned. And  all  the  time  the  seating  capacity 
in  the  downtown  section  was  being  increased 
and  more  money  was  being  spent  on  presen- 
tations, bands  and  what  not  in  an  effort  to 
draw  crowds.  The  seating  capacity  of  the 
Apollo  is  limited  to  about  800  and  toward  the 
last  it  was  virtually  impossible  to  draw  the 
crowds  with  motion  pictures.  Competition  be- 
came  even  more  fierce. 

Then  the  house  was  closed  and  equipped 
with  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  and  reopened. 
Business  picked  up  from  the  start,  and  has 
continued  to  pick  up  since  and  the  house  now 
is  making  money.  James  Kennedy,  manager 
of  the  house  during  both  eras,  is  a  firm  be- 
liever in  the  synchronized  picture  as  a  drawing 
card.     News  reels   are  particularly   appealing. 

Another  example  is  that  of  the  Grand  thea- 
tre in  Terre  Haute.  For  years  a  legitimate 
house  it  finally  became  a  part  time  picture 
theatre.  At  last  it  became  virtually  impossible 
to  draw  picture  patrons  to  the  house.  Then 
synchronization  was  tried  and  the  house  now  is 
playing  to  large  crouds. 


Ten  Pathe  Specials  for  1928-29 
to  Have  Photophone  Synchronism 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Ten  of  Pathe's  specials  on  the  1928-29  program,  in- 
cluding the  '"The  King  of  Kings"  and  "The  Godless  Girl"  will  be  synchronized 
through  the  new  RCA  Photophone  process,  according  to  announcements  from 
the  company. 

Magazine    story    by    Elsie    Janis    and    Gene 
Markey. 

The  premiere  of  "The  Godless  Girl"  at  the 
Gaiety  theatre  in  New  York  and  the  Biltmore 
theatre,  Los  Angeles,  in  August,  will  be  the 
first  demonstration  of  RCA  Photophone,  the 
organization  created  by  the  combined  engi- 
neering staffs  of  General  Electric,  Westing- 
house  and  Radio  Corporation  of  America. 


In  addition  to  "The  Godless  Girl"  and  "The 
King  of  Kings,"  Pathe  has  selected  the  follow- 
ing specials  and  features  which  lend  themselves 
to  the  new  entertainment  factors  introduced 
by  RCA  Photophone : 

"Show  Folks,"  with  Lina  Basquette,  Eddie 
Quillan  and  Robert  Armstrong.  "Show 
Folks"  will  be  adapted  from  the  original  story 
by  Philip  Dunning,  co-author  of  "Broadway," 
with  Ralph  Block  as  associate  producer.  "The 
Spieler,"  with  Jacqueline  Logan  and  Alan 
Hale.  The  adaptation  is  to  be  from  an  origi- 
nal story  by  Elliott  Clawson.  Ralph  Block  is 
to  be  associate  producer  of  this  special  also. 

"Annapolis,"  with  Jeanette  Loff  and  John 
Mack  Brown.  This  special  will  be  made  from 
an  original  story  by  F.  McGrew  Willis.  It  is 
now  in  production  at  Annapolis  under  the 
direction  of  W.  Christy  Cabanne.  "Ned 
McCobb's  Daughter,"  with  Anna  Q.  Nilsson 
and  Robert  Armstrong.  Adaptation  is  to  be 
by  Beulah  Marie  Dix  from  the  Theatre  Guild 
hit  by   Sidney  Howard. 

"Noisy  Neighbors,"  with  Eddie  Quillan  and 
the  famous  Quillan  family  of  eight.  "Noisy 
Neighbors"  is  an  original  story  by  George 
Dromgold  and  Sanford  Hewitt,  to  be  pro- 
duced by  Hector  Turnbull.  "The  Leather- 
neck," starring  William  Boyd,  with  Lina  Bas- 
quette, Robert  Armstrong  and  Alan  Hale. 
This  special,  with  a  Nicaragua  setting,  is  from 
an  original  story  by  Elliott  Clawson.  Direc- 
tion will  be  by  Howard  Higgin,  with  Ralph 
Block  the  associate  producer. 

"Square  Shoulders,"  with  Junior  Coghlan 
and  George  Duryea.  The  feature  is  to  be 
made  from  an  original  story  by  Beulah  Marie 
Dix.     Direction  is  by  Frank  Urson. 

"listen  Baby,"  with  Lina  Basquette  and 
Eddie  Quillan.     It  is  based  on  the  Red  Book 


Stage  Producer  Gives 
His  Actors  Screen  Tests 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Edward 
Sargent  Brown,  in  order  to  antici- 
pate the  possible  future  of  players 
in  his  productions,  has  arranged  to 
make  talking-film  screen  tests  of 
everyone  in  the  cast  of  "The  In- 
truder," a  drama  by  Paul  Eldridge, 
which  opens  late  in  July  at  the  Bilt- 
more theatre. 

He  is  one  of  the  £rst  Broadway 
producers  to  so  recognize  the  grow- 
ing importance  of  the  talking  films. 
He  feels  that  many  future  produc- 
tions will  be  transferred  direct  to 
the  talking  screen  with  the  original 
New  York  casts  intact. 


Report  All  First  Run 
Houses  in  St.  Louis  to 
Install  Equipment 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  3.— With  Vitaphone 
playing  the  Grand  Central  theatre  and  build- 
ing up  a  bigger  following  for  sound  pictures 
daily  it  is  reported  along  the  Picture  Rialto 
in  St.  Louis  that  every  first  run  picture  palace 
in  St.  Louis  and  its  immediate  vicinity  will 
install  the  equipment  needed  for  the  presen- 
tation  of    synchronized   pictures. 

The  new  William  Fox  theatre  on  which 
brick  work  is  now  being  placed  is  having 
Movietone  equipment  built  in  and  will  be  the 
St.  Louis  first  run  house  for  the  Fox  sound 
pictures  next  season.  This  house  will  prob- 
ably open  about  Christmas  Day  and  it  is  be- 
lieved "Four  A.  M."  will  be  the  initial  offer- 
ing on  its  screen. 

The  Missouri  and  Ambassador,  the  Skouras 
Brothers  first  run  houses,  will  be  equipped  be- 
fore Fall  with  sound  reproducing  devices, 
while  it  is  said  Loew's  State  theatre  will  be 
included  among  the  Loew  Circuit  houses  that 
are  to  get  sound  picture  equipment.  Harry 
Redmond  of  East  St.  Louis,  Illinois,  is  said 
to  have  placed  an  order  for  Vitaphoae  equip- 
ment for  his  new  theatre  recently  opened.  A 
number  of  the  leading  neighborhood  houses 
of  St.  Louis  are  also  considering  reproduc- 
tion devices.         

F.  N.  Gives  Sound 

to  '' Good-Bye  Kiss '' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  3.— "The  Good-Bye 
Kiss,"  the  Mack  Sennett  feature  production 
being  distributed  by  First  National  Pictures, 
will  be  the  second  of  the  specials  handled 
by  this  company  to  be  accompanied  by 
sound  effects,  according  to  an  announce- 
ment just  made  by  Richard  A.  Rowland, 
general  and  production  manager.  The  first 
picture  with  sound  synchronization  is  "Lilac 
Time,"  a  special  with  Collee  Moore  as  the 
star,  which  opens  for  a  run  at  the  Carthay 
Circle,  Los  Angeles,  July  12. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


George  Bernard  Shaw  has  for  many  years  refused  to  come  to  America,  but  now  he  will  be 
seen  and  heard  all  over  the  country  via  Movietone.  Notice  the  sound  track  of  Shatv's  voice 
at  the  left  side  of  the  film.   The  Movietone  picture  of  Shaw  is  being  shown  now  at  the  Globe 

theatre,  New  York. 

Universal  Will  Synchronize  18 
Films  with  Movietone  This  Year 

■  -  (Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3. — Eighteen  pictures  on  the  Universal  program  for  1928-29 
will  be  given  Movietone  synchronization,  according  to  an  announcement  made 
by  Carl  Laemmle.  In  addition,  it  is  announced  that  all  short  product  lending 
itself  to  sound  will  be  synchronized.  Furthermore,  a  contract  has  been  signed 
with  Joseph  Cherniavsky,  former  musical  director  at  the  Colony  theatre,  for 
the  production  of  52  musical  novelties  a  year. 

Cherniavsky  has  also  been  signed  as  Cabin,"  "The  Man  Who  Laughs,"  "The 
musical  advisor  to  Universal  in  any  of  the       Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Atlantic   City,"  "The 

Life  of  the  Party,"  starring  Glenn  Tryon; 
"The  Last  Warning,"  starring  Laura  La- 
Plante;  "Red  Hot  Speed,"  starring  Reginald 
Denny;  "The  Girl  on  the  Barge,"  with  Jean 
Hersholt  and  Sally  O'Neil;  "Red  Lips," 
with  Charles  Rogers  and  Marion  Nixon; 
"Man,  Woman  and  Wife,"  with  Norman 
Kerry  and  Pauline  Starke,  and  "That 
Blonde,"    starring   Laura   LaPlante. 


Tudor  Theatre  in 
New  Orleans  Scores 
Hit  with  Vitaphone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  July  3.^Without  special 
editions,  tieups  and  extravagant  advertising, 
Vitaphone  scored  immediate  success  at 
Saenger's  Tudor  theatre,  with  "Glorious 
Betsy"  last  Friday,  and  ushered  in  for  New 
Orleans  this  new  development  in  amusement. 

New  Orleans  is  a  trifle  behind  in  accepting 
innovations,  being  practically  six  months  after 
the  date  that  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  placed  its 
stamp  of  approval  on  synchronized  pictures. 
The  people  of  the  Crescent  City  gingerly 
ventured  into  the  Tudor  in  search  of  some- 
thing new  and  entertaining  and  they  found 
it. 

The  Saenger  company  through  its  organiza- 
tion ran  a  series  of  displays  in  the  different 
newspapers,  averaging  seventy  lines  single 
column  until  about  four  days  before  the  open- 
ing; then  spread  to  105  lines  across  three 
columns — 115  in  all.  The  layout  was  simple 
but  attractive  and  told  the  story  in  a  few 
words.  In  addition  to  this  newspaper  adver- 
tising three  and  one  sheets  were  used,  notably 
in  the  outskirts  supplemented  by  announce- 
ments on  the  various  screens  of  the  company's 
theatres. 


synchronization  plans  which  it  now  has  un- 
der consideration.  It  is  expected  that  he 
will  do  a  large  portion  of  the  scoring  of 
Universal   pictures. 

Ten  of  the  18  pictures  to  be  given 
Movietone  synchronization  have  already 
been    announced    and    are    "Uncle    Tom's 


JS  X  A  NEW  ERA  IN  ENTERTAINMENT  FOR  ALL 

•■^      ^  IT  STARTS 

TODAY 


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LORIOUS  BETSY"  Vitaphone 

WITH  WARINC'S    PE 


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win    your    family.  '0 

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"GLORIOUS  BETSY" 

WITH 

DOLORES  COSTELLO  and  I 
CONRAD  NAGEL         L 


Vitaphone  Vaudeville 

RING'S    PENNfiVLVA> 
BIARV    LEWIS 


Buck  Jones '  ''Big  Hop  " 
to  B    Synchroniz  d 

( special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Synchroniza- 
tion of  music  and  sound  effects  will  be  an 
added  feature  of  "The  Big  Hop,"  the  forth- 
coming special  production  starring  Buck 
Jones.  The  picture  is  now  in  production 
at  Universal  City  and  will  be  the  first  to 
be  made  under  Buck's  own  trade  mark  as 
an  independent  producer.  The  sound-on- 
film  method   of  recording  will  be  used. 


Christies  to  Equip 

2  Stages  for  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— It  is  expected 
that  two  stages  of  the  Metropolitan  studios 
will  be  equipped  for  sound  at  once  by  Al 
and  Charles  Christie,  owners  of  the  studios, 
and  apparatus  has  been  ordered  from  West- 
ern  Electric  for  recording. 

It  is  likely  that  part  of  Christie's  own 
product  will  be  filmed  in  the  Metropolitan 
Studios,  since  it  has  been  arranged  for  the 
entire  group  of  Paramount-Christie  Com- 
edies and  Douglas  MacLean  pictures  to  be 
produced  this  season  with  sound.  And  it 
is  also  probable  that  other  producing  units 
will  be  able  to  use  the  Metropolitan  stages 
when  making  synchronized  productions. 

Metropolitan  is  called  the  largest  studio 
in  California  w.hich  is  devoted  entirely  to 
unit  producers  on  a  leasing  basis,  there 
being  85,000  feet  of  stage  space  in  the  four 
existing  stages;  and  with  the  addition  of 
the  sound-stage  eqitipment  facilities  will  be 
available  for  the  most  advanced  of  the  com- 
ing sj'nchronized  and  talking  pictures. 


A     NAPOI.K'JIIC     ROMA^rE    OF    ^^*i 
I/)VEB3    WnO    DEFIED    COSV'ENTIOV.  I 

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8aHjza»j2ic?:<sz!.> 


Ad  used  by  Saenger's  Tudor  theatre.  New 
Orleans,  with  the  opening  of  Vitaphone. 
The  ad  has  a  note  of  sincerity;  is  modest 
in  its  claims  and  succeeds  in  creating  in- 
terest and  a  desire  to  see  the  performance. 


State  to  Play  "All-Talkie" 

(Special    to    the   Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  July  3.— The  State  theatre, 
which  opened  three  weeks'  ago  as  the  first 
mo  ion  picture  house  devoted  exclusively  to 
tallcing  pictures,  is  to  run  the  first  all  talking 
pic  ure,  "The  Lights  of  New  York,"  to  open 
al  out  August  1.  Preliminary  publicity  from 
the  State  sets  forth  that  try  as  you  may,  you 
will  not  be  able  to  find  a  single  written  sub- 
title in  the  film.  "When  the  players  talk  they 
talk,  and  there  are  no  silent  moments  in  the 
auditorium  once  the  film  is  under  way,"  was 
he  announcement  of  the  publicity  men. 


Here  Is  Good  Trailer  for 
Inaugural  Movietone  News 
Opening  in  Your  Theatre 

In  a  former  issue  of  the  Herald- World, 
this  department  presented  the  outline  of 
the  campaign  used  by  Marks  Brothers  in 
Chicago  to  put  over  Movietone  News  in 
the  Granada  and  Marbro  theatres.  Here- 
with is  the  trailer  copy  used  during  the  in- 
augural week  of  Movietone  News  in  these 
theatres. 

"Marks  Brothers  take  great  pleasure  in 
presenting  the  first  Movietone  news  reel  to 
be  given  at  this  theatre.  It  is  well  to  note 
that  each  week  will  see  different  subjects 
brought  from  the  four  comers  of  the  earth 
with  fidelity  of  sight  and  sound. 

"The  fascination  of  Movietone  is  that  it 
combines  educational  and  entertainment 
qualities.  We  feel  sure  that  you  will  not 
want  to  miss  any  Movietone  program." 

The  trailers  used  in  the  Marks  Brothers 
theatres  are  made  by  National  Screen 
Service. 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Y^ 


ABC 


CI  A  thorough,  accurate,  and  authoritative  explanation  of 
synchronized  pictures,  written  so  that  any  man,  woman, 
or  child  can  understand  it. 


^  By  Peter  Vischer,  New  York  Editor,  in  the  next  issue  of 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD  AND  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD. 


C|  Explains  to  you  in  simple,  untechnical  language,  the 
difference  between  the  various  systems  of  sound  record- 
ing and  sound  reproducing. 


C][  Who  is  using  what?   Why?   How  important  is  it?   How 
much  will  it  cost? 


C|  Done  in  A  B  C,  so  that  even  the  author  could  under- 
stand it. 


q  DON'T  MISS  THE  NEXT  ISSUE  IF  YOU  ARE  WON- 
DERING WHAT  IN  THE  WORLD  TO  DO  ABOUT 
SYNCHRONIZED  MOTION  PICTURES  IN  YOUR 
TOWN. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7, 1928 


SAMUEL  ZIERUR 


bvesents. 


An  ultra-modern 
story  of  life  as  r 
lived  by  girls  of  \ 
the  richer  classes 


A  step  apart  from 
a  conventional 
path  into  realms 
of  Bohemia.,  v^rith 
tragedy  and  the 
dominant  human 
note  of  triumph- 
ant love. 


V/^  PICTURES  CORPORATION 

SAMUEL  ZIERLEPv-    president 


Advertising  the  Sound  Picture 

By  DAN  ROCHE 

(Mr.  Roche  has  been  engaged  in  Chicago  for  many  years  in  motion  picture  advertising  and 
exploitation,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  best  publicity  men  throughout  the  Middle  West.) 


WITH  the  big  producing  organizations 
either  engaged  in  making  or  prepar- 
ing to  make  so-called  "talking  pictures" 
and  with  exhibitors  all  over  the  country  busily 
engaged  in  a  mad  scramble  to  secure  in- 
stallations of  equipment  for  showing  this 
product  it  would  appear  that  a  radical 
change  in  moving  picture  entertainment  is 
imminent.  This  radical  departure  from 
present  methods  of  entertainment  will  call 
for  a  radical  departure  from  present  meth- 
ods of  advertising  and  publicity  on  the  part 
of  the  exhibitor. 

An  analysis  of  the  situation  confronting 
the  exhibitor  may  be  of  value  at  this  time. 
The  initial  cost  of  an  installation  is  no 
small  item  of  expense  and  the  exhibitor 
finds  himself  in  the  situation  of  a  merchant 
who  has  made  extensive  alterations  in  his 
place  of  business  or  is  about  to  open  a  new 
department  for  the  convenience  of  the  pub- 
lic. Obviously  it  then  becomes  the  ex- 
hibitor's duty  to  realize  on  his  investment. 
The  only  way  in  which  he  can  do  this 
is  by  attracting  additional  patrons  to  his 
house  just  as  a  merchant  must  attract  ad- 
ditional cutsomers  to  his  place  of  business 
in  order  to  meet  the  additional  outlay  made. 
This  can  be  done  only  by  advertising  to  the 
world  just  what  changes  are  taking  place. 
No  exhibitor  can  expect  the  public  to  know 
what  he  is  doing  unless  he  tells  the  public 
what  he  is  doing.  That  is  how  a  merchant 
operates.  As  to  the  most  advantageous 
manner  of  advertising  this  new  and  novel 
form  of  entertainment  exhibitors  may,  and 
undoubtedly  will,   differ  in   their  ideas. 

Exhibitors  who  have  been  most  success- 
ful in  exploiting  their  "talking  pictures"  are 
those  who  have  laid  out  a  definite  plan 
and  stuck  to  it.  As  success  is  what  every 
exhibitor  desires,  it  might  be  well  to  fol- 
low the  lead  of  these  successful  ones. 
These  exhibitors  have,  immediately  on  con- 
tracting for  an  installation,  started  their 
advertising  campaign  in  order  to  familiarize 
their  public  with  this  new  form  of  enter- 
tainment. This  has  been  done  far  in  ad- 
vance of  the  opening  show.  Their  adver- 
tising copy  announced  the  advent  of  "The 
World's  Greatest  Invention"  and  empha- 
sized the  fact  that  the  public  would  "SEE 
AND  HEAR"  the  world's  greatest  artists  in 
grand  opera,  concert,  drama,  vaudeville  and 
musical  comedy.  Nor  did  they  spare  ad- 
jectives in  their  copy  using  such  words 
as  "Marvelous — Astounding — Great — Mag- 
nificent— Inconceivable" — etc.  At  no  time 
did  any  of  these  exhibitors  fail  to  use  the 
words  "SEE  AND  HEAR"  as  a  means  of 
impressing  on  the  minds  of  the  public  just 


what     this     new     form     of     entertainment 
meant. 

The  combination  of  words  "SEE  AND 
HEAR"  have  become  closely  identified 
with  the  presentation  of  synchronized  pic- 
tures. The  phrase  "LOOK  AND  LIS- 
TEN" has  been  used  to  advantage.  Others 
have  advertised  "EYE  AND  EAR  EN- 
TERTAINMENT." The  palm,  however, 
must  be  awarded  to  the  words  "SEE  AND 
HEAR"  as  best  describing  this  new  enter- 
tainment. 

With  the  vast  number  of  well-known 
artists  constantly  turning  to  the  talking  pic- 
tures and  registering  their  talents  on  the 
screen  and  "talkies,"  any  exhibitor  would 
be  lax  indeed  did  he  not  take  advantage  of 
these  names  in  this  advertising  and  play 
them  up  to  the  fullest  extent.  He  should 
impress  on  the  public  mind  the  outstand- 
ing fact  that  it  can  "SEE  AND  HEAR" 
wonderful  artists  who  have  been  but  a 
name  to  his  patrons  heretofore.  When  an 
exhibitor  stops  to  consider  that  he  is  bring- 
ing to  his  town  the  greatest  artists  the 
world  has  known  and  that  they  will  appear 
in  a  lifelike,  realistic  manner  on  his  screen 
then  he  will  begin  to  realize  what  marvel- 
ous form  of  entertainment  he  is  providing 
for  his  patrons  and  he  will  also  realize  that 
he  must  acquaint  them  with  this  fact  and 
"sell"  them  just  as  strongly  as  he  himself 
is  "sold"  on  this  new  entertainment. 
"Greater  than  the  Radio — greater  than  the 
Airplane — Greater  than  the  Wireless — 
Greater  than  the  Automobile — Greater  than 
the  Phonograph — -Greater  than  any  Other 
Invention  known  to  Man — The  Greatest  of 
Them  AH" — is  the  way  to  advertise  this 
new  entertainment  and  if  an  exhibitor  does 
this  he  will  find  that  the  public  will  slowly 
but  surely  desert  these  other  inventions, 
for  one  or  two  evenings  a  week  at  least, 
and  attend  his  "SEE  AND  HEAR"  shows. 


Series  of  Articles  on 
Advertising  Sound  Films 

This  article  on  "Advertising  the 
Sound  Picture"  by  Dan  Roche  marks 
the  first  of  a  series  of  articles  on  this 
important  subject.  Next  week  SYN- 
CHRONIZED PICTURES  will  pre- 
sent the  second  article.  It  has  been 
written  by  J.  S.  O'Connell,  who  has 
had  more  than  two  years'  experience 
with  synchronized  pictures  as  man- 
aging director  of  the  Vita-Temple 
theatre,  Toledo,  Ohio.  It  is  of  vital 
importance  to  every  theatreman  pre- 
senting synchronized  pictures.  Watch 
for  it  in  next  week's  issue  of  the 
HERALD-WORLD. 


Sound  Films  Take 
Detroit  by  Storm; 
House  Records  Fall 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  July  3. — Talking  pictures  have 
taken  Detroit  by  storm. 

All  house  records  at  the  State  theatre 
here  were  broken  during  the  first  week  that 
theatre  operated  under  its  new  policy  of  all 
talking  pictures.  Officials  of  the  John  H. 
Kunsky  Corporation,  owners  of  the  house, 
reported  that  more  than  50,000  persons  saw 
and  heard  "Glorious  Betsy"  during  the  first 
three  days  of  its  showing. 

This  is  considered  a  record  here  for  a 
3,500  seat  house.  Throughout  the,  entire 
first  week  of  the  showing,  the  crowds  con- 
tinued coming  and  the  audiences  for  the 
week  were  about  twice  as  large  as  the  usual 
week's  total  during  the  time  that  silent  pic- 
tures and  presentations  played  there,  the 
officials  said. 

In  its  first  program,  the  State  adhered 
to  its  policy  of  all  talking  pictures.  Every- 
thing shown,  right  down  to  the  trailers  ad- 
vertising the  next  attraction,  were  sound 
films. 

Over  at  the  Madison  theatre,  another 
talking  picture,  "Tenderloin,"  is  in  its  sixth 
week  and  has  played  to  more  than  400,000 
persons.  Its  record  has  been  exceeded  at 
that  house  only  by  "The  Jazz  Singer" 
which  played  for  nine  weeks  last  winter. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


Y^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department^ 

"Hollywood." 


ON  A  LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


HOLLYWOOD.— Frank  Roderick,  assist- 
ant casting  director  of  the  William  Fox 
Studios,  under  Joe  Egli,  is  convalescing  at 
the  Osteopathic  hospital,  after  an  operation 
for  appendicitis.  Jimmy  Townsend  is  pinch 
hitting  until   he   returns. 

Muriel  DeLacy,  ingenue,  has  completed  the 
lead  opposite  Buddy  Duncan  in  "So  Tired"  for 
Weiss  Brothers.  W.  T.  Lackey,  on  the  "meg." 
* 

Edmund  Lowe  has  been  making  weekly  trips 
to  the  mountains  to  practice  on  scaling  the 
peaks,  for  this  will  be  part  of  his  work  in 
Al  Green's  current  picture,  "Making  the 
Grade."  He  is  making  slow  progress,  but  is 
improving  each  trip,  according  to  reports. 

BoDiL  Rosing  will  be  featured  opposite  Far- 
RELL  MacDonald  in  his  next  starring  picture, 
entitled,  "The  Cop"  (temporary),  which  John 
Ford  will  direct  for  Fox.  This  is;  the  seventh 
screen  story  for  Miss  Rosing  this  year,  who 
has  had  more  engagements  than  time  to  fill 
them,  but  is  always  in  demand.  She  is  being 
considered  for  "Lummox,"  written  by  Fannie 
Hurst,  which  is  now  being  prepared  for  United 
Artists. 

Upon  completion  of  "The  Fleet's  In,"  which 
is  being  directed  by  Mal  St.  Clair,  for  Para- 
mount, James  Hall  will  start  on  his  seventh 
starring  feature,  with  Ruth  Taylor  breaking 
even  honors,  in  "The  Canary  Murder,"  a  deep 
mystery  story.  William  Powell  and  Louise 
Brooks  will  be  in  the  supporting  roles.  St. 
Clair  will  handle  the  megaphone. 

Arthur  Rosson,  Fox  director,  is  cutting  and 
titling  his  latest  vehicle,  "The  Farmer's  Daugh- 
ter,"' featuring  Marjorie  Beebe  and  Author 
Stone. 

"It  Can  Be  Done"  will  be  Glenn  Tryon's 
next  starring  vehicle,  according  to  announce- 
ment this  week.  The  story  written  by  Mann 
Page  and  Eddie  Montagne,  will  show  the  in- 
sight that  started  Universal  City.  "It  Can 
Be  Done"  has  always  been  the  Laemmle  slo- 
gan, saying  it  with  a  smile.  Many  of  the 
feats  responsible  in  the  building  of  this  or- 
ganization will  be  dramatized  in  the  picture. 
Fred  Newmeyer  will  direct.  Incidentally,  this 
epic  will  mark  the  beginning  of  Joseph 
Franklin  Poland's  career  as  a  supervisor. 
Poland  has  gained  the  reputation  as  Univer- 
sal's  right  hand  man. 

Keeping  together  several  members  of 
Princeton's  "Triangle  Club,"  is  no  easy  mat- 
ter, according  to  Frank  Tuttle,  who  is  di- 
recting Charlie  Rogers'  first  starring  picture 
for  Paramount,  with  Mary  Brian  and  Chester 
Conklin  in  the  supporting  roles. 

FRAZIER. 


13  Directors  Begin  Production; 
Many  of  Them  Are  Trying  Out 

Neilan  Begins  Direction  of  Bebe  Daniels'  Picture  for  Paramount; 

He  Is  the  Only  One  of  the  "13"  Known  West  of  Mojave; 

Six  Completed  by  Universal 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3. — An  interesting  list  of  pictures  went  into  produc- 
tion last  week.  Among  the  13  directors  who  began  work,  Marshall  Neilan 
is  perhaps  the  only  one  whose  name  is  known  West  of  Mojave. 

Two  or  three  have  become  known  in  the  trade  for  this  and  that  reason,  but 
Neilan  is  the  one  who  has  become  known  by  the  public  because  of  a  depend- 
able calibre  of  product. 


It  happens  that  the  players  are  people  of 
more  or  less  note.  Dorothy  Sebastian  be- 
gan work  in  "Morgan's  Last  Raid'  opposite 
Tim  McCoy.  It  is  an  M-G-M  picture. 
H.  B.  Warner  began  work  in  a  production 
being  made  at  the  Tec  Art  studios.  It  is 
named  "Romance  of  a  Rogue."  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller  began  in  "Beautiful  But  Dumb"  for 
Tiffany-Stahl.  James  Murray  and  George 
Fawcett  began  in  a  Warner  Brothers  pic- 
ture called  "The  Little  Wildcat."  Charles 
Delaney  is  in  a  big  role  of  "Show  Girl" 
with  Alice  White  and  Gwen  Lee  at  First 
National. 

The    stars    are    well    known,    at    least    far 
better  known  than  the  men  who  direct  them. 
A  legion   of   new  directors   are   being  tried 
out  and  the  old  ones  are  resting  up. 
Fox  Retains  Skilled  Directors 

It  is  largely  a  question  of  "studio  policy." 
There  are  lots  where  it  is  an  apparent 
policy  to  assure  themselves  of  efficient  pro- 
duction quality  by  employing  the  best  talent 
in  the  directorial  field.  Fox  has  a  great 
group  of  skilled  directors.  That  company's 
list  of  directors  now  at  work  or  preparing 
to  shoot  includes  William  K.  Howard,  J.  G. 
Blystone,  Alfred  E.  Green,  David  Butler, 
Raoul  Walsh,  H.  D'Arrast,  Frank  Borzage, 
Albert  Ray,  R.  Lee  Hough  and  Jack  Ford. 
Most  of  them  are  shooting  at  present. 
Six  Universals  Completed 

Among  the  16  pictures  completed  last 
week,  six  are  Universals.  Arthur  Lake  is 
in  "Hollywood  or  Bust."  Ted  Wells  is  in 
"The  Border  Wildcat."  Bill  Cody  is  in 
"Phantom  Fingers."  Bob  Curwood  is  in 
"Days  of  Daring."     Edmund  Cobb  is  in  "Be- 


Well,  One  Good  Place 
Deserves  Another 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Holly- 
wood cinema  celebrities  have  just 
added  another  rendezvous  to  their 
social  life  by  taking  over  the  Mad- 
rid Room  of  the  Roosevelt  hotel  on 
Saturday  afternoons. 


yond    the    Smoke."      Frank    Merrill    is    in 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty." 

Fay  Wray  and  Gary  Cooper  are  in  the 
featured  roles  of  "The  First  Kiss,"  a  Para- 
mount picture  directed  by  Roland  V.  Lee. 
Wallace  Beery  is  starred  in  "Beggars  of 
Life"  at  the  same  lot.  Louise  Brooks  adds 
pulchritude  to  the  cast  and  William  Well- 
man   directed. 

Two  big  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  pictures 
completed  last  week  are  "The  Cameraman," 
starring  Buster  Keaton,  and  "Tide  of  an 
Empire."  The  latter  was  directed  by  Allan 
Dwan  and  features  Renee  Adoree  and  Bus- 
ter  Collier. 

Henabery  Completes  Gotham  Film 

Joseph  Henabery  completed  the  direction 
thisi  week  of  a  special  made  by  Gotham. 
It  is  titled  "The  River  Woman."  Three  big 
names  are  in  the  cast,  Lionel  Barrymore, 
Jacqueline  Logan  and  Charles  Delaney. 
Another  picture  completed  by  the  same 
company  was  "The  Man  Higher  Up,"  di- 
rected by  Scott  Dunlap  and  featuring  Fran- 
cis X.  Bushman  and  Gertrude  Olmstead. 


Bebe  Daniels  in  Hospital 
After  Collapse  on  a  Set 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Bebe  Daniels 
was  taken  last  week  to  the  Hollywood  hos- 
pital, where  Dr.  Philip  Ayer  diagnosed  her 
case  as  intestinal  influenza.  Miss  Daniels 
collapsed  while  working  on  the  Paramount 
lot.  Paramount  officials  have  telegraphed 
Dr.  H.  J.  Strathearn,  consulting  surgeon  of 
tjie  studio,  who  is  in  the  East,  asking  him 
to  return   as   soon  as  possible. 


Arrest  Brings  $75,000 

Suit  Citing  Holt,  Others 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Jack  Holt,  his 
wife,  Peggy  Holt,  and  four  other  persons 
are  named  defendants  in  a  suit  for  $75,000 
brought  by  P.  W.  Smyley,  local  business 
man.  Smyley  charges  Holt  with  false  ar- 
rest and  imprisonment,  declaring  the  de- 
fendant caused  his  arrest  in  August  last 
year  on  a  charge  of  embezzlement. 


% 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Sills  Provides  Silver  Tongue  for 
Fox  Films^  Corner  Stone  Laying 

Press  Surprises  Dempseys  with  Supper — Howard  Green  to  Do  Film  with 

Sound  Scenes — Martell  Exhibits  2-Reel  Drama 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3. — Milton  Sills  was  the  principal  speaker  at  the  cor- 
ner stone  laying  of  the  Fox  laboratory   Friday.     Sills   emoted   on  the 
same  spot  in  the  first  feature  Fox  produced  or  fhe  West  Coast,  "The 
Honor  System." 


THERE  were  other  speakers  but  none  of 
them  held  a  candle  to  Milt.  Although  he 
had  worked  all  night  in  Eddie  Cline's  picture 
at  First  National,  Bob  Yost  was  able  to  get 
him  up  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  time 
for  the   noontime   ceremonies. 

His  speech  was  recorded  by  movietone.  It 
was  the  only  speech  that  was  voluminous 
enough  to  combat  the  outdoor  noises  of  the 
studio.  A  lot  of  fan  magazine  writers  (who 
ought  to  be  extras)  and  a  lot  of  extras  (who 
ought  to  be  fan  magazine  writers)  stood  be- 
hind me  and  did  their  vocal  best  to  keep  me 
from  hearing  anything  except  this  and  that 
about  prominent  Hollywoodians.  All  of  which 
would  be  deleted  from  this  very  public  press. 

Inside  the  cornerstone  was  sealed  many 
things :  One  was  a  strip  of  film  from  "The 
Honor  System,"  and  another  was  a  strip  of 
Movietone  film  of  the  famed  horned  toad  that 
recently  emerged  from  another  cornerstone  in 
Texas. 

*  *     * 

Jack   Wiggins  Gets 
Fox  Post  by  Promotion 

Jack  Wiggins,  who  was  formerly  a  member 
of  George  Marshall's  staff  at  Fox  Film  studios, 
has  been  put  in  charge  of  the  research  bureau 
in  the  comedy  department.  It  is  his  business 
to  chart,  catalogue  and  compile  gags,  situa- 
tions and  other  data  regarding  comedies.  He 
works  in  the  department  supervised  by  Chand- 
ler Sprague.  Sprague  presently  will  become 
an  executive  in  the  movietone  department,  in- 
cidentall}'. 

*  *     * 

A  Surprise  Party  We 
Gave  Estelle  and  Jack 

Estelle  Taylor  and  Jack  Dempsey  were 
honored  guests  Saturday  night.  Newspaper- 
men and  a  few  sob  sisters  got  together  what 
money  they  had  and  pulled  a  buffet  supper — 
surprise  on  'Stell  and  Jack.  The  motive  be- 
hind  it   was   the   wish   to   show   the   two   that 


their   past   behavior   has   been   darn   fine    and 
that    they     merit     feting    and     feeding — even 
though  they  neither  need  it  nor  want  it. 
^     ^     Hi 

Edna  May  signed  with  M  G  M  to  play  a 
role  in  "The  Single  Man,"  which  Lew  Cody 
is  making  for  M  G  M. 


A    Genius  Arrives 
with  a  Roll  of  Film 

I  saw  Alphonse  Martel's  drama,  "Hearts  of 
Romany,"  at  the  Filmarte  theatre  last  week, 
after  every  newspaper  in  town  had  lauded  the 
picture  to  the  skies.  Martel  is  a  European 
who  was  not  expected  to  turn  out  master- 
pieces when  he  came  to  Hollywood ;  he  has 
had  much  technical  experience  but  no  produc- 
ing experience.  He  has,  therefore,  surprised 
us  all.  He  is  probably  1928's  prodigy.  His 
picture  is  worthy  of  a  DeMille. 

It  is  a  complete  love  drama — menace,  plot, 
comedy  and  all — in  two  reels.  No  place  in 
it  for  wasted  action.  No  time  to  lose.  He 
has  struck  directly  at  the  plot  and  told  a  long 
story  quickly.  The  story  is  of  gypsy  bands 
in  France.  The  scenery  is  especially  beauti- 
ful. Characters  in  it  who  are  unknown  have 
been  selected  by  Martel  wisely  and  have  been 
directed  by  him  expertly. 

He  is  selling  the  picture  to  state  right 
markets,  but  while  he  sells  it,  I  predict,  he 
himself  will  be  purchased  by  an  enterprising 
producer  on  the  Coast,  who  knows  produc- 
tion genius  when  he  sees  it. 


Howard  Green  to   Write 
Story  with  Sound  Scenes 

Howard  J.  Green  will  probably  settle  down 
to  work  on  a  sound  scenario  soon.  When  his 
talents  are  put  at  rest  on  "Marked  Money," 
DeMille-Pathe  feature,  his  plans  call  for  an- 
other picture  at  the  same  studio. 


Plans  Announced  for 
Synchronization  of  All 
Roach-M  G  M  Comedies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Plans  for  the 
synchronization  of  all  Roach-M  G  M  com- 
edies were  announced  at  a  dinner  given 
last  week  by  Hal  Roach  and  attended  by 
35  players,  directors,  executives  and  de- 
partment  heads   of   the   Roach   studios. 


Laura  LaPlante  in  Five; 
Given  "Show  Boat"  Role 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Laura  La- 
Plante will  be  Magnolia  in  "Show  Boat," 
which  Harry  Pollard  will  direct  for  Uni- 
versal, it  was  definitely  decided  today.  La- 
Plante is  now  working  in  "Last  Warning," 
but  will  go  immediately  into  the  other  pic- 
ture July  16.  This  in  no  way  cancels  Uni- 
versal's  previous  announcement  of  four  La- 
Plantes,  but  actually  adds  an  extra  LaPlante 
picture  to  the  year's  schedule.  "Show 
Boat"  will  be  a  roadshow  of  great  propor- 
tions because  the  importance  of  the  picture 
interest  has  been  extraordinary. 


Jacqueline  Logan  and 

Alan  Hale  Costarred 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.  —  Jacqueline 
Logan  and  Alan  Hale  have  been  assigned 
the  co-starring  roles  in  "The  Spieler,"  a 
carnival  story  which  will  go  into  production 
at  the  De  Mille  studios  next  week.  Tay 
Garnet,  who  recently  completed  "Sky- 
scraper," will  direct. 


Luncheon  Held  to  Honor 
Women  in  Jewish  Drive 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— A  luncheon  in 
honor  of  the  women's  division  of  the  United 
Jewish  Appeal  to  raise  $200,000  for  the  re- 
lief and  reconstruction  of  numerous  national 
and  international  Jewish  institutions,  was 
held  last  week  at  Paulais. 


Charges  Building  Fraud 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Fritzie  Ridge- 
way  appeared  in  court  last  week  in  a  suit 
she  brought  against  Anthony  Miller,  whom 
she  accuses  of  defrauding  her  in  the  build- 
ing of  her  home. 


BUCK  JONES 

In  the  first  of  his  own  special  attractions 

THE  BIG  HOP 

the  romance  of  the  West  plus  the  perils  of  the  air 
with 

^^■H^^hhI  ^b 

JOBYNA  RALSTON 

and  a  cast  of  stars 
Directed  by 

JAMES  W.  HORNE 

for  remaining  territories  address 

Buck   Jones   Corporation 

489  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City 

Julv  7.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Howard  Dietz  (right),  director  of  adver- 
tising, exploitation  and  publicity,  of 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  gives  Trainer  Phil- 
lips his  final  instructions  as  Leo,  the 
M-G-M  lion,  embarks  upon  his  tour 

Leo    Gets   Off  to 
Rousing  Start  on 
MGM  World  Tour 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Leo  has  started 
his  five-year  tour  around  the  world  for 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  Whether  the  Lions 
of  the  world  are 
greeting  him  with 
their  familiar  "Roar, 
Lion,  Roar"  was  not 
stated,  but  certain  it 
is  that  Leo  had 
every  reason  to  put 
out  a  roar  or  two  of 
triumph  on  his  own 
account  because  of 
the  crowd  that  his 
start  in  Washington 
attracted. 

The  start  was 
made  from  the  Zero 
Mile  Stone  in  Wash- 
ington Wednesday 
following  a  luncheon 


Frank    W.    PhilUps 


and  reception  at  the  National  Press  Club, 
when  Army  and  Navy  representatives  and 
Government  officials  were  invited  guests. 
Miss  Hester  Ann  Lefever  christened  the 
lion  wagon. 

Thursday  Leo  was  host  to  the  inmates 
of  the  National  Zoological  Park  with  meat 
as  gifts.  Then  he  was  escorted  by  Frank 
W.  Phillips,  his  trainer,  to  Baltimore,  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York,  with  Broadway 
viewing  him  yesterday.  Next  he  goes  to 
New  England,  thence  to  the  Middlewest, 
with  a  year  and  a  half  of  traveling  in  this 
country  before  he  boards  a  boat  in  his  spe- 
cial cage.  Besides  Phillips,  four  men  are 
on  the  staff  for  the  tour. 


Al  Green's  Ade  Story 

To  Have  Sound  Feature 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— The  first  Fox 
feature-length  production  to  have  talking 
sequences  will  probably  be  "Making  the 
Grade,"  with  Edmund  Lowe  and  Lois 
Moran  in  the  leading  roles.  Al  Green  is 
directing.  "Mother  Knows  Best,"  starring 
Madge  Bellamy,  is  also  being  made  with 
Movietone,  but  "Making  the  Grade"  will  be 
released  first. 


New  England  is  having  its  peek  this  week  at  Leo,  the  globetrotting  lion,  after  which  the 

living  trademark  of  M  G  M  goes  through  the  Middlewest  in  a  year  and  a  half  circling  of 

the   United  States  preparatory  to  sailing  for  Europe.     The  world  tour  got  underway  last . 

Wednesday  with  a  banquet  at  the  National  Pes  Club  in  Washington. 


Name  Barrymore's  Next 

(Special    to    the   Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— "Conquest," 
tentative  title  of  an  original  story  by  Ernst 
Lubitsch,  will  be  John  Barrymore's  next 
picture  for  United  Artists.  Production  will 
start  early  in  the  fall,  with  Lubitsch  direct- 
ing.  

Taylor  Writing  Script 

(Special   to    the   Hcratd-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Sam  Taylor,  di- 
rector of  John  Barrymore's  "Tempest"  and 
Mary  Pickford's  "My  Best  Girl,"  is  writing 
the  script  for  "The  Love  Song,"  which  he 
will   direct  for  United  Artists. 


Buck  Jones  Films  Feast 

in  Color  to  Start  With 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Buck  Jones 
started  work  last  week  on  "The  Big  Hop," 
his  first  independent  production  at  Uni- 
versal City,  by  filming  an  elaborate  banquet 
scene  in  color.  Eight  giant  passenger 
planes,  representing  a  valuation  of  $100,000, 
were  used  Sunday,  when  shots  were  taken 
of  a  trans-Pacific  flight  take-off  at  the 
American   Airport. 

"The  Big  Hop"  is  being  directed  by 
James  Home  with  Jobyna  Ralston  playing 
opposite   Jones. 


MARIA 
CORDA 

has  returned 

to  this 

country 

to  resume 
her  work  in 

American 
Pictures 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Butler  Will  Leave  Soon 
For  Fox  European  Epic 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Dave  Butler, 
director,  will  leave  next  Monday  for  New 
York  to  sail  for  London  to  begin  produc- 
tion of  "Chasing  Through  Europe,"  his  next 
directorial  efiort  under  the  Fox  banner. 

Work  on  the  story  has  already  started, 
Butler  having  sent  Russell  Muth,  Fox 
Newsreel  cameraman,  over  to  pick  loca- 
tions. Muth,  who  has  been  with  Fox  ijiore 
than  five  years,  was  the  first  operator  to 
film  Vesuvius  while  in  action.  He  was  in- 
jured in  the  attempt,  his  plane  going  dead 
when  high  above  the  crater.  He  was  com- 
pelled to  make  a  forced  landing  in  the  hills, 
where  the  plane  crashed  and  was  com- 
pletely demolished.  Although  injured,  Muth 
saved  the  film,  which  was  later  shown  in 
a  Fox  newsreel. 

Butler  also  signed  Douglas  Doty  to  assist 
him  on  the  script,  and  Sid  Wagner  to  be 
at  the  camera.  Together  with  his  techni- 
cians and  players,  he  will  join  Harry  Brand 
and  Muth  in  London  July  23. 


Gloria  Swanson  to  Begin 
Her  New  Picture  Aug.  15 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— "The  Swamp," 
Gloria  Swanson's  third  independently  pro- 
duced production  for  United  Artists,  will 
go  into  actual  production  around  August 
15.  Eric  Von  Stroheim,  who  will  direct 
the  picture,  is  the  author  of  the  original 
story  and  is  now  writing  the  continuity. 


Fej 


ios  to  Direct  Veidt 
In  Laemmle,  Jr.'s  Next 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Dr.  Paul  Fejos, 
director  of  "Lonesome,"  has  been  selected 
to  wield  the  megaphone  for  Carl  Laemmle, 
Jr.,  in  his  next  supervising  vehicle,  "The 
Play  Goes  On."  This  is  an  original  by 
James  Creelman  and  will  star  Conrad  Veidt. 


To  Wed  on  July  30 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Jeanne  Vachon, 
screen  player,  and  Nate  Watt,  unit  produc- 
tion manager  of  the  Caddo  Company,  will 
be  married  July  30.  The  couple  will  sail 
for  Honolulu  on  a  two-weeks'  honeymoon. 


Old  Pathe  Plant  in 
N.  Y.  Remodeled  as 
Manhattan  Studio 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3. — Following  extensive 
remodeling  and  the  installation  of  much  new 
equipment,  the  Old  Pathe  studio  at  134th  street 
and  Park  avenue,  is  now  in  full  operation 
under  the  name  of  the  Manhattan  Studios. 
Benny  Berk,  who  is  well  known  in  production 
circles,  is  manager  of  the  plant. 

Two  serials  will  soon  be  put  under  way  at 
Manhattan  Studios.  John  L.  McCutcheon  has 
just  finished  shooting  "Where  Am  I"  in  which 
Natacha  Rambova  is  starred. 

The  Manhattan  Studios  is  equipped  with 
one  dozen  stock  sets  and,  according  to  Berk, 
is  complete  in  ever>'  respect  for  production 
of  any  kind  of  story.  The  studio  is  prepared 
to  offer  a  complete  architectural  and  contract- 
ing department  for  the  design  and  building 
of  all  studio  sets. 

Manhattan  Studios  provides  14,000  square 
feet  of  floor  space.  Included  in  the  new 
equipment  installed  are  a  modern  lighting  sys- 
tem and  new  scenery.  Adequate  dressing 
rooms  have  been  provided  for  large  casts.  Ac- 
cording to  Berk,  $25,000  has  been  spent  in 
thoroughly  modernizing  and  equipping  the 
studio  in  every  department. 


Sam  Sax  Signs  Dunlap 

to  Direct  Gotham  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

-  HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Scott  R.  Dun- 
lap  has  been  signed  by  Sam  Sax,  president 
of  Gotham,  to  direct  "The  Man  Higher 
Up,"  with  a  cast  which  will  include  Francis 
X.  IBushman,  Gertrude  Olmstead,  Eddie  Buz- 
zell,  Carlton  King  and  others.  Sax  recently 
went  to  a  preview  of  "Smoke  Bellew," 
which  Dunlap  had  just  finished  directing, 
and  after  the  first  few  reels,  it  is  said,  left 
the  theatre  and  called  Dunlap  for  an  ap- 
pointment, which  resulted  in  the  signing 
of  a   contract. 


Sound  in  DeMille  Playlet 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.--William  de 
Mille's  first  experience  in  making  a  talking 
picture  will  be  with  "The  Man  Higher  Up," 
a  playlet  written  by  himself  in  which  Theo- 
dore Roberts  has  appeared  in  vaudeville 
during  the  past  five  years.  Roberts  will 
star. 


Bess  Meredyth  Injured 
in  Vampire  Auto  Crash 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Bess  Meredyth 
is  in  the  hospital  today  as  a  result  of  an 
automobile  accident  Saturday  night.  She 
was  accompanied  by  her  maid  and  chauf- 
feur, but  neither  was  injured.  The  scena- 
rist's face  is  badly  cut  from  a  splinter  of 
glass  that  pierced  her  lip  and  made  several 
stitches    necessary. 

Her  chauffeur  saw  an  auto  approaching 
and  attempting  to  swerve  to  the  side,  was 
side-swiped.  The  offending  motorist  did 
not   stop. 


Rogers  to  Seek  a  New 

Feminine  Star  Abroad 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Charles  R. 
Rogers,  producer  of  features  for  First  Na- 
tional and  the  Reed  Howes  airplane  fea- 
turettes  for  Educational,  will  make  a  trip 
this  month  to  Europe.  Rogers  will  be  gone 
at  least  three  months  and  will  visit  the 
First  National  exchanges  in  Germany, 
France  and  England.  He  expects  to  return 
to  Hollywood  with  the  contract  of  a  femi- 
nine player  to  star  in  a  series  of  three 
special  productions  for  next  year's  program. 


Griffith,  Nazimova  Films 
on  Art  Theatre  Screen 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— The  attractions 
at  the  Filmarte  theatre  are  "Salome,"  with 
Alia  Nazimova,  and  "The  Battle  of  Elder- 
bush  Gulch,"  which  D.  W.  Griffith  made 
years  ago  with  Lillian  Gish  and  Mae  Marsh. 


Denny  Picture  May  Be 

U's  First  Talking  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Universal's 
debut  in  the  talking  picture  field  will  prob- 
ably be  Reginald  Denny's  next  picture. 
Denny  is  said  to  possess  one  of  the  finest 
stage  voices  of  any  actor  on  the  screen. 


Griffith  Makes  'Love  Song' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    July    3.— David    Wark 
Griffith,    not    Sam    Taylor,    will    direct    the 
Boyd-Velez    picture    "The    Love    Song"   for 
LTnited  Artists. 


^■^ 


Made  for  Your  Box  Office 

"  'The  Showdown'  Is  a  Darn  Good  Picture!" 

Directed  by  VICTOR  SCHERTZINGER  for 
Paramount  Famous  Lasky  and  starring  George 
Bancroft. 

THE  SHOWDOWN :  George  Bancroft— Plenty  of  action.  Well  staged 
and  well  directed.  Eight  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  Theatre,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  SHOWDOWN :  George  Bancroft— March  26-27.  Very  good  pic- 
ture, that  will  stand  exploitation. — B.  V.  McDougall,  Amuse-U  Theatre, 
Alonticello,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

Schertzinger's  Latest 
"The  Perfumed  Trap" 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is   the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK  OF  JULY   8 

EDUCATIONAI^— "Ladies    Preferred,"    Jerry    Drew, 
Mermaid,  two;   "Felix  the   Cat  in  Astronomeeous, 
one;   Hodge-Podge,  one.  ^-r       ,  a  -ki 

F  B  O— "Standing  Pat,"  Standard,  two;  Newslafi  No. 
23,  one.  .  ,  ,.t      j 

FOX— "Daisies  Won't  Yell,"  Imperial,  two;  Land 
of  the   Storks,"  Varieties,   one. 

M-G-M — "Cleopatra,"   Events.  ^,    .    . 

PARAMOUNT — "Slick  Slickers,"  Burns,  Christie, 
two;  "Koko's  Catch,"  Inkwell  Imps,  one. 

PATHE — "The  Yellow   Cameo,"   Chap.   6,   two;   "The 
Huntsman,"    Aesop    Fable,    one;    "A    Fair    Affair, 
Sportlight,  one;   Pathe  Review  No.  28,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day  No.  28,  one. 

UNIVERSAL — "Tall  Timber,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap  6,  two;  "Cash  Customers," 
Mike  and  Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Card  of 
Destiny,"   Western. 

WEEK  OF  JULY   IS 

EDUCATIONAI^"Wild  Wool-Night  Clouds,"  Out- 
door Sketches,  one;  "The  Lost  Laugh,"  Cameo, 
Wallace  Lupino,  one;  "Blondes  Beware,"  Tuxedo, 
Arthur,  two. 

M-G-M — "A  Happy  Omen,"   Oddities. 

PARAMOUNT — "Sea  Food,"  Dooley,  Christie,  two; 
"The  Companionate  Mirage,"   Krazy  Kat,   one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  7,  two;  "The 
Baby  Show,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;   Pathe  Review  No. 

29,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  one. 
UNIVERSAI^"Sandwiches  and  Tea,"  Snappy,  one; 

"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  7,  two;  "Big  Game  George," 
Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Gold  Claim,"  Western,  two. 
WEEK    OF   JULY    22 

EDUCATIONAI^-"Listen  Children,"  Hamilton,  two; 
"Felix  the  Cat  in  Jungle  Bungles,"  one. 

F  B  O — Newslaff  No.  24,  one. 

FOX — "His  Favorite  Wife,"  Van  Bibber,  two;  "Ore- 
gon— The  Trail's  End,"  Varieties,  one. 

PARAMOUNT— Novelty,  two;  "Baby  Phases,"  Ink- 
well Imps,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  8,  two;  Aesop 
Fable,  one;  "Bunker  Battlers,"  Sportlight,  one; 
Pathe  Review  No.  30,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No. 

30,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— 'Sleigh   Bells,"   Oswald,   Snappy,   one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  8,  two;   "Good   Scout  Bus- 
ter," Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Yukon  Gold,"  two. 
WEEK    OF    JULT    29 

EDUCATIONAI.^-"Leaping  Luck,"  Davis-Collins, 
Mermaid,  two;  "Roaming  Romeo,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  Curiosities,  one;  "Hard  Work,"  Wallace  Lu- 
pino,  Cameo,   one. 

M  G  M — "Nature's    Wizardry,"    Oddities. 

PATHE — "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  9,  two;  Aesop 
Fable,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  31,  one;  Topics  of 
the   Day   No.   31,   one. 

UNIVERSAL— "Off  His  Trolley,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Broke  Out,"  Mike 
and  Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Ropin'  Romance," 
Western,  Newton  House,  two. 

Our  Gang  Talent  Contest 

in  Loew  Chain  Opens  July  2 

Eighty-nine  theatres  and  25  newspapers 
have  been  enlisted  in  an  Our  Gang  talent 
contest  tieup  with  Loew  theatres,  starting 
July  12  and  extending  to  August  4.  On 
each  of  six  nights  in,  the  fifth  week  all 
aspirants  for  an  Our  Gang  role  will  appear 
on  the  theatre  stages,  with  the  audiences  to 
act  as  judges. 

Topics,  Fables  Rebooked 

Topics  of  the  Day  and  Aesop's  Film 
Fables  have  been  booked  for  another  year 
to  play  all  Orpheum  theatres.  This  is  the 
tenth  year  of  the  arrangement,  according  to 
Amedee  J.  Van  Beuren,  president  of  Van 
Beuren   Enterprises. 


Shorts  Get  Business^  Build  It^ 
Says  Hoffman^  and  He  Proves  It 

All-Short-Feature  Program   Grosses   More   Than   Some   Specials,   Kansas 

Exhibitor  Declares — Gives  One  to  Three  Reelers 

Space  in  Ads,  Heralds  and  Slides 

There's  many  a  real  story  hiding  behind  the  more  or  less  succinct  reports 
by  exhibitors  in  "What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me."  Such  is  the  case  in  an  all- 
short-feature  campaign  put  on  by  Paul  B.  Hoflfman,  of  the  Legion  theatre 
at    Holyrood,    Kan. 

Finds  Short  Feature  Vital  to  Bill 

But  more  important  even  than  the  detail  of  the  drive  by  which  Hofifman 
"built  a  program  of  short  subjects  and  grossed  more  than  on  some  of  the 
so-called  specials  we  have  bought,"  is  the  fact  that  his  creed  reflects  an 
abiding  faith  in  short  features  as  vital  to  the  makeup  of  a  successful  program. 


Short  features  are  business  getters  and  busi- 
ness builders.  That  is  Hoffman's  conviction. 
It  is  a  conviction  which  he  is  willing  to  back 
up  with  action,  and  that  is  the  only  kind  of 
conviction  that  amounts  to  anything. 

Space   in  Ads,   Heralds,   Slides 

Give  your  short  features  space — in  your 
newspaper  advertisements,  in  your  heralds,  in 
slides  on  your  screen.  .That  policy,  stated  and 
restated  by  this  department  as  a  progressive 
route  to  better  B.  0.,  is  supported  emphatically 
by  Hoffman. 

More  than  that,  this  exhibitor  believes  in 
allotting  to  short  product  even  more  than 
one-third  as  much  advertising  space  as  the 
long  feature.  Here  again  the  instance  fits 
closely  into  the  subject  of  granting  short  prod- 
uct its  merited  proportion  of  the  advertising 
budget  of  the  theatre  owner,  a  subject  which 
was  the  basis  of  a  survey  conducted  through 
this  department  among  exhibitors  in  a  number 
of  _  states. 

Produces   Real   Program 

When  Hoffman,  in  his  report  to  "What  the 
Picture  Did  for  Me,"  wrote  that  with  a  group 
of  short  features  he  produced  "a  real  pro- 
gram that  pleased  them  all,"  this  department 
asked  him  for  further  details.  Hoffman  re- 
plied as  follows : 

"We  built  a  seven-reel  program  around 
this  short  feature  ('40,000  Miles  with  Lind- 
bergh'), consisting  of  a  two-reel  Our  Gang 
comedy,  'The  Old  Wallop,'  and  two  of 
M-G-M's  Oddities. 

"Advertising  accessories  not  being  obtain- 
able we  got  a  cut  on  the  Lindbergh  picture  and 
had  a  number  of  heralds  printed,  and  which 
we  had  distributed  in  all  surrounding  territory. 
In  addition  to  this,  we  had  the  same  printed 
as  an  ad  in  the  local  newspaper.  The  pictures 
were  also  advertised  with  slides  on  our  screen. 
The  result  was  a  good  house  on  both  nights. 

"Short  features  are  very  essential  to  any 
program  and  deserve  space  in  your  ad  along 
with  your  feature.  They  are  business  getters 
and  business  builders.  We  give  them  space 
on  our  printed  heralds  and  in  our  regular 
newspaper   ads    and    also    with    slides    on   the 


screen.  I  should  judge  that  they  receive  bet- 
ter than  a  third  of  the  space  that  the  regular 
feature  does. 

"•i  am  sorrj^  that  I  do  not  have  any  of  the 
heralds  or  ads  used  on  this  program  and  so 
cannot  send  any  along  with  this  letter." 
What   Did  You  Do? 

Short  features,  for  Hoffman,  have  justified 
the  confidence  he  has  placed  in  them.  The  fact 
of  giving  a  complete  program  of  nothing  but 
short  product  is  an  emphatic  proof  of  that, 
but  it  is  rather  the  week-by-week  return  on 
this  investment  in  publicizing  short  features 
that  tells  the  bigger  story  of  the  effective  role 
they  play  in  the  all-around  program  that  brings 
all-around  good  business. 

Other  exhibitors  are  welcome  to  use  the 
columns  of  this  department  to  comment  on 
the  short  feature  as  a  factor  in  their  business, 
to  describe  methods  they  have  used  to  put 
over  short  productions,  to  give  detail  of  their 
outstanding  campaigns,  to  make  suggestions 
based  on  their  experiences. 


Newspictures 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  79 — Bobby  Jones  loses  open  title 
play-off  to  Johnny  Farrell — French  throng  sees 
grand  steeplechase  run  on  Auteuil  turf — Girls'  danc- 
in(?   class   frolics   outdoors   on    Jersey's   soft   grass. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  91 — Children  greet  President 
Coolidge  as  he  arrives  in  quarters  at  school  house — 
President  Doumergue  wins  grand  steeplechase  at 
Auteuil,  France — Leo,  M-G-M  news  lion,  on  tour 
of   world.  „ 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  92— Johnny  Farrell  wins  open 
golf  crown  in  sensational  victory  over  Bobby  Jones 
— ^Motorcyclists  thrill  in  daring  hill  climbing  at 
Washington — British  acclaim  brave  Miss  Earhart. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  97— Farrell  wins  open 
golf  crown  from  Bobby  Jones — Dutch  family  walks 
11,000  miles  in  2^4  years — Byrd  antarctic  plane  flies 
with  six-ton  load. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  55 — Alfred  E.  Smith  is  nomi- 
nated for  President — Grand  steeplechase  draws  huge 
throngs  at  Auteuil  track — John  Coolidge  plays  golf 
with   Governor  Trumbull. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  52— 480-mile 
marathon  ends  amid  gorgeous  settings — Governor 
Al  Smith  is  nominated  for  President — Huge  French 
throng  thrilled  by  speedy  grand   steeplechase. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  192fj 


Y^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is   the  Moving  Picture   World   Department, 


"btir'o  (iiK 


I  nr 


Stage  Presentations  to  Live  Forever 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July   1 

H.  Leopold  Spitalny,  conceived  and  conducted  a 
splendid  ovei-ture  entitled  "Gypsy  Melodies"  featuring 
Luella  Frietag,  soprano,  and  Raymond  Koch,  tenor. 
The  music  and  vocal  rendition  received  the  greatest 
reception  of  the  entire  program,  again  proving,  that 
this  house  has  sufficient  of  the  highbrow  element  left 
who   really   appreciate  the  better   class   music. 

The  stagehand  presentation  was  called  "Hey  Hey" 
with  a  cast  featuring  Jack  Powell,  Frank  Devoe  and 
the  Gibson  Sisters.  Although  it  had  some  clever 
talent  it  seemed  that  there  was  something  wrong 
with  the  entire  show  for  the  various  routines  did 
not  click.  The  opening  especially  was  very  weak  and 
one    of    the    poorest    seen    in    a    Publix    Unit. 

Eddie  Perry  who  conducted  last  week  also  con- 
ducted this  week  and  put  the  band  through  an'  ar- 
rangement of  "Happy  Go  Lucky  Lane"  accompanied 
by  a  male  singer. 

After  this  number  followed  the  Gibson  Sisters,  one 
doing  acrobatic  and  exceptionally  good  high  kicks 
while  the  other  gave  a  specialty  of  a  mechanical  doll 
tap  dancer  on  a  little  box  platform.  Both  girls  were 
clever    and   won    a    very    fine   hand    for   their    efforts. 

The  next  specialty  was  offered  by  the  Ballet  with 
Frank  Devoe  who  sang  special  lyrics  that  enabled  the 
girls  to  do  a  specialty  in  double.  It  seemed  rather  un- 
necessary to  keep  Frank  on  the  stage  all  through  this 
routine,  as  there  was  hardly  anything  for  him  to  do, 
but  to  look  on.  However,  the  girls  displayed  their 
versatility  not  only  as  good  specialty  dancers,  but 
as   a   singing   chorus. 

Jack  Powell,  the  blackface  drumming  fool,  was 
next  with  his  usual  drum  stick  tricks  and  foolish 
antics  that  walked  away  with  the  entire  honoi-s  of 
this  bill.  Of  course.  Jack  stopped  this  show  and 
gave   an   encore. 

The  ballet  came  on  again,  this  time  with  little  dolls 
which  almost  danced  like  humans  from  the  manner 
in  which  they  were  handled  by  the  girls.  A  good 
novelty    that    seemed    to    be    appreciated. 

Following  this,  Frank  Devoe  came  on  again  with 
his  own  accompanist,  and  offered  his  regular  standard 
routine  of  comedy  songs  and  smart  chatter,  he 
offered  "You  Have  No  Idea,"  "My  Mammy"  and 
"Mama's  Getting  Younger."  At  this  ijerformance, 
he  went  over  very  well  and  took  two  encores. 

The  Finale  came  on  next  with  the  ballet  assembled 
around  stagehand  as  the  background  was  decorated 
with  the  cast  all  doing  some  little  stunt  as  revolving 
mirrows  reflecting  varied  colored  lights  into  the  audi- 
ence. 

This  isn't  what  one  would  call  really  a  bad  show, 
for  we  have  seen  worse  and  we  have  seen  much 
better. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  6 

"Blue  Melodies,"  a  new  Boris  Petroff  stage  revue, 
is  a  mellifluent  and  melodious  musical  presentation 
of  rhythm  and  mirth.  Walt  Roesner  sang  "Blue 
Melodies,"  while  the  Capitolians  played  the  medly 
of   blue   songs   to  open   the   show. 

(Continued  on  page  4C>) 


What  a  smile!  whoever  composed  that  song  called 
"Way  Down  South  in  Heaven,"  sure  knew  his  notes 
— this  pretty  bobbed  hair  girl  looking  right  at  you 
with  her  Irish  smiling  eyes  is  Irene  Taylor  now 
making  a  second  tour  of  Publix — Irene  comes  from 
way  down  South — honest  she  does — if  you  don't  be- 
lieve us  listen  to  her  lonesome  ballads  sometime — 
Oh,   boy!   she   sure  does   warble   some   mean   blues. 


Hanson  Writes  Songs 

Milton  W^eil  Music  Company  of  Chicago  has  just 
published  a  new  song  called  "Will  You  Always  Call 
Me  Sweetheart."  composed  by  Eddie  Hanson,  popular 
featured  organist  of  the  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres, 
Chicago. 

Another  number  called  "The  Song  of  the  Chimes," 
also  written  by  Hanson,  was  just  placed  with  Harold 
Rossiter,   another   Chicago  publisher. 


Chain  Signs  White 

Through  an  announcement  made  by  the  executives 
of  the  National  Broadcasting  Company,  it  is  learned 
that  Lew  White,  chief  organist  at  the  Roxy  theatre. 
New  York,  and  head  of  the  White  Institute  of  Organ, 
has  been  signed  to  broadcast  a  series  of  recitals  from 
his   studio. 

These  recitals  will  be  given  over  WJZ  and  affiliated 
stations  of  the  National  chain  every  Saturday  evening 
at   9   P.   M.,   Eastern   Standard   time. 


Tabs  and  Plots 
Latest  Vogue  in 
Picture  Houses 

Talking  Films  Help  Rather  Thau 

Hurt  Acts  and  Stage 

Offerings 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

There  is  considerable  talk  going  on 
about  the  stagehand  policy.  Accord- 
ing to  these  rumors  which  are  be- 
ing published  by  various  theatrical 
sheets  that  class  themselves  as  mouth- 
pieces of  the  amusement  business,  one 
would  almost  believe  that  the  Presen- 
tation policy  is  about  done  for.  There 
is  no  cause  for  alarm,  for  what  was 
considered  as  a  fad  nearly  four  years 
ago,  is  today  a  very  strong  and  essen- 
tial part  of  the  show  business.  And 
Presentation,  whether  in  stagehand 
form  or  otherwise,  as  long  as  it  is  be- 
ing presented  in  picture  houses  is  a 
great  part  of  the  show  business. 

Of  course,  a  few  theatres  scattered  all 
over  the  country,  may  deem  it  advisable  to 
cut  down  on  their  overhead  and  by  trans- 
ferring their  band  from  the  stage  to  the  pit, 
it  saves  the  theatres  a  worthwhile  sum. 
However,  this  happens  only  in  cases  where 
there  may  be  more  than  one  theatre  in  the 
same  locality  offering  a  stageband  show 
policy.  It  is  doubted  if  every  deluxe  house 
will  eliminate  a  stageband  for  in  reality,  it 
was  this  very  novelty  that  placed  the  high 
class  motion  theatres  on  a  sound  paying 
basis  a  little  less  than  four  years  ago. 

Many  exhibitors  are  under  the  impres- 
sion that  talking  shoi-t  subjects  in  film 
form  will  substitute  for  actual  stage  enter- 
tainment. This  is  not  so.  For  no  matter  how 
many  times  a  good  film  subject  with  a 
talking  device  is  presented  to  the  public, 
they  are  always  ready  and  anxious  to  see 
the  original  and  there  is  nothing  more  con- 
vincing than  in  the  flesh.  Talking  films  are 
a  great  novelty  and  a  wonderful  help  to 
large  and  small  theatres  alike,  more  so,  to 
the  smaller  theatres,  who  cannot  afford 
to  book  acts  and  artists  in  person,  but  it 
does  not  necessarily  mean  that  they  will 
absolutely   do   away   with    the    present    sys- 


i^^^T^eAM  Amthonv 


MARK'S  BROs. 

CHICAGO 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


LOSAYi 

Sorneihins 
about 

Everyone 


Well,    boys,    it    won't    be    long    now!      Pretty    ioon 
we'll    be    grabbing-   ourselves    a    hook    'n    'line   and    go 
afishing  in  the   'ole  swimming  hole — of  course  we  can 
never    be   as    good    as   our   friend    J.    C.    Jenkins    (the 
Herald-World   man),    but   we'll    do   our   best — I    might 
say    that    Sid    Herman    will    supply    the    "line"    and 
Larry   Spier  will   supply   the   "hook"   and   I'll   be   com- 
pelled to   dig  up   my   own   date,    I   mean    "bait."   .    .    . 
H.    J.    Longaker    of    Alexandria,    Minn.,    sends    word 
that   I   should    try   a   hand   there   for   some   real   wall- 
eyed  pike    and   other    kinds    of    pikes.    .    .    .    Anyhow, 
when    July    21    arrives   I'll    bet   anyone   a    new    paper 
weight    that    they    have    never    seen    a    faster    runner 
than    yours    truly.    ...    It    will    be    a    relief    to    get 
away  from  stage  bandshows  and  organ   solos  and  the 
likes  of   all   things   Presentation.   .   .   .   Before  we  run 
out  of   space   let's   dish   out   some  scandal.   .   .   .   The 
fii-st   topic   on   the   program    is   the   marriage   of    Ben- 
jamin  MuUer,    manager   of    the    California    and    Cline 
theatres   in   Santa  Rosa  to  Ruth  Johnson,  also  of  the 
same   city.    .    .    .    Willard   C.    Patterson,   district   man- 
ager    of     Publix     Atlanta     theatres,     announces     that 
Ernest  Morrison  has  been  transferred  from  the  How- 
ard to  the  Palace   in   Dallas   as   manager.    .   .   .   Word 
is  also  received  that  James  A.  Carrier  replaces  Martin 
L.     Semens    as    manager    of    Universal's    Capitol    in 
Atlanta.   .  .  .  Carrier  is  also  in  charge  of  all  the  "U" 
houses  in  the  Southeast.   .   .   .   George   E.   Brown,   for- 
mer  manager   of   the   Carolina   in    Greensboro,   N.    C, 
and   his  wife   are   motoring   to   New   York   for   a   few 
weeks.   .    .   .   Roland   G.   Hill   has   taken   his   place   at 
the  theatre.   .  .   .  Terrj-  McDaniel  is  the  district  man- 
ager,  who   also   takes  charge  of   the   Publix   National, 
Imperial   and  Alamo  of  the  same  city.   .    .   .  Theodore 
Kosloff,   of  the   stage   and   screen   as   actor   and   ballet 
master,  is  in  Chicago  and  has  oi>ened  a  dancing  school 
to  teach   Russian   ballet.   .    .   .   M.   F.   Concannon,   for- 
merly  manager  of   the   Uptown  theatre,    Chicago,   has 
been    made    manager    of    the    Chicago.    .    .    .    O.    F. 
Knight   will    act   as   first   assistant   and    R.    L.    Kalver 
as   second   assistant   .    .    .   J.    L.    Lake   has   been    made 
treasurer.    .    .    .    C.    F.    Strode!,    formerly    manager   at 
the    Oriental,    Chicago,    has    been    transferred    to    the 
Michigan  in  South  Chicago.  .  .  .  Other  B  &  K  changes 
are   R.   C.   Bruder,   former   manager   of    McVickers    to 
the   Oriental   and   R.   L.    Davis  to  the  Tivoli   in   place 
of   N.   M.   Piatt,  who  has  been   made  manager  of   the 
Uptown.   ,   .   .   G  lu  Brandt,  former  first   assistant  of 
the    Chicago,    has   been    made   manager   of   McVickers. 
.   .   .  Al  Morey,  band   leader   at   the  Worth  theatre  in 
Fort   Worth,    is   to    spend    a   four   weeks'    vacation    in 
Chicago,  his  home.   .  .   .  Al   will   replace  Jack  Stanley 
at  Howard  in  Atlanta  next  month.   .   .   .  Preston   Sel- 
lers   and    family    are   back    on    the    organ    job    at   the 
Senate,    Chicago,   after   three  weeks'   rest.   .   .   .   Henry 
B.  Murtagh  is  playing  at  the  Metropolitan,  Boston,  as 
guest  organist.   .   .   .  Art  Kahn   completed  his  engage- 
ment at  the  Senate  and  Harding  last  week.  ...  He 
was  replacing  Mark  Fisher  while  away  on  a  vacation. 
.   .   .  Ulderico  Marcelli,  musical  conductor  of  the  Up- 
town and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chicago,  both  B  &  K  houses, 
is  spending  a  few  weeks  in  Frisco  visiting  his  family. 
.    .    .   Irene   Taylor   writes   that   Publix'   new   house  in 
Seattle  is  just  beautiful.   .   .   .  And   so  are  you,   Irene. 
.   .   .  Paul   Small   is  still   with   Paul  Ash  at  the  Para- 
mount in  New  York.   .  .   .  Mose  Gamble  paid  Chicago 
a    visit    last    week    and    selected    our    own    master    of 
ceremonies,  Willie  Horwitz,  as  his  Western  representa- 
tive for  the  firm  of  Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumble.  .  .  . 
Lang  &  Voelk  are  now  playing  their  fifth  return  en- 
gagement  for    Publix.    .    .    .    Bob    Hope    is    doing    the 
M.    C.    honors    at    the    Stratford,    Chicago,    where   Ted 
Leary  became  famous.  .  .  .   George  Givot  is  back  with 
Publix    and    is    filling    a    few    Western    dates    for    the 
Chicago  William  Morris  Agency.  .  .  .  Edward  Gilmar- 
tin,  manager  of  the  popular  Merry  Gardens  ballroom, 
is   also   managing  the  affairs   of   Miss   Universe    (Ella 
Van  Hueson),   a   Chicago  girl  who  won  the   Galveston 
Beauty    Contest.    .    .    .    Harry    (Dream    Daddy)    Davis, 
formerly    manager   for    several    music    publishers    and 
well    known    on   the   radio,    has    established    a   kennel 
farm  called  the  Clare-Dav  Kennel.  ...  He  will  breed 
Old   English    Shepherd   Bob   Tails.    .   .    .   Louis   MeDer- 
mott,    production    manager    of    the    Oriental    theatre, 
Chicago,    is    back    from    his    West    coast    trip.    .    .    . 


tern    of   stage    entertainment    and   presenta- 
tion units. 

Film  Houses  Need  Stage  Acts 
Every  motion  picture  theatre  may  not 
run  a  stagehand  policy  but  you  can  bet 
your  bottom  dollar  that  they  will  run  some 
sort  of  a  combination  film  and  stage  pro- 
gram which  can  be  classed  under  the  head- 
ing of  presentation.  In  order  to  offer  your 
patrons  a  presentation  policy  it  does  not 
necessarily  mean  you  are  compelled  to 
place  your  orchestra  on  the  stage.  Good 
musical  results  and  selections  can  also  be 
given  by  a  pit  orchestra  as  well  as  a  :tage 
band,  depending  entirely  upon  the  theatre 
and  the  class  of  people  who  patronize  it. 

Picture  house  policies  whether  in  Chi- 
cago, New  York  or  Los  Angeles  or  some 
place  in  Iowa,  need  not  necessarily  be  of 
a  stagehand  nature.  The  principles  of  any 
entertainment  policies  are  always  the  same, 
but  the  manner  in  which  they  are  presented 
can  be  quite  different  from  your  neighbor, 
or  competitor  as  you  like  it. 

For  quite  some  time,  we  have  tried  to 
convince  every  theatre  manager  through 
the  channels  of  this  publication  that  sooner 
or  later  some  change  would  be  made  so 
that  in  case  a  circuit  operating  two  or 
more  theatres  in  one  community  would  not 
conflict  with  a  similar  policy.  In  order  to 
overcome  this  confliction  which  later  would 
result  in  boring  the  public,  we  offered 
many  suggestions  among  which  one_  of 
them  was  the  plan  of  injecting  plots  into 
bandshows. 

Plots  Are  Coming  Into  Style 
It  seems  that  condensed  versions  of  musi- 
cal comedies  or  tabloids  with  original  plots, 
would  be  the  logical  thing  to  offer  in  place 
of  the  weekly  stagehand  show.  By  staging 
a  miniature  musical  comedy,  one  week  with 
pit  music  and  a  stagehand  show  another 
week,  or  miniature  operetta  alternating 
along  the  lines  of  a  film  prologue,  you  will 
not  only  please  your  audience,  hut  would 
actually  keep  them  satisfied  and  looking 
forward  to  the  new  offering  at  your  thea- 
tre each  week. 

Presentation  whether  it  is  in  specialty 
acts  form,  as  a  film  prologue,  musical  or 
tabloid  style,  is  a  policy  that  is  here  _  to 
stay  as  a  very  important  part  of  the  motion 
picture  theatre  business.  It  is  no  longer 
a  fad,  it  is  a  necessity  and  theatre  man- 
agers of  large  capacity  houses  have  found 
this  out  for  themselves  in  the  past  four 
years. 

Public  Demands  Stageshows 
Radio  was  termed  a  fad  at  one  time  and 
today  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
industries  in  the  world.  There  never  will 
he  the  day  when  a  motion  picture  theatre 
can  depend  entirely  upon  a  motion  picture 
to  draw  a  crowd  unless,  they  are  super- 
specials  or  have  some  form  of  high-class 
musical  offering  that  accompanies  the  silent 
program. 

We  all  know  there  are  not  enough  super- 
specials  produced  to  keep  the  thousands  of 
huge  motion  picture  theatres  all  over  the 
country  open  and  paying  off  their  tremen- 
dous overhead  with  just  a  program  picture. 
The  public  is  accustomed  to  extra  enter- 
tainment. Picture  houses  have  supplied  it, 
and  from  now  on,  they  will  always  demand 
it.  That's  the  reason  why  vaudeville  has 
been  on  the  decline  and  picture  houses  have 
flourished.  At  one  time,  motion  pictures 
were  a  novelty,  the  novelty  part  has  now 
worn  off.  It  represents  real  life  and  dis- 
penses education  and  like  the  proverbial 
saying,  you  can  always  draw  a  bunch  of 
bees  wherever  there  is  a  lot  of  honey,  let 
your  "theatre"  be  the  honey  and  train  your 
audience  to  be  the  "bees." 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discuss  important  matters  bearing 
upon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I  have 
your  letter  of  June  25th  regarding  the  Keates  article. 
You  are  entirely  welcome  to  use  this  article  with  my 
name  over  it.  I  would  like  to  talk  to  you  sometime 
at  the  theatre  or  at  my  office  regarding  the  exchange 
of  advertising.  I  am  usually  at  my  oflSee  between 
4  :30  and  7  :00  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday  and  from 
11  until  I  on'  Monday,  Wednesday,  Thursday  and 
Saturday.  Tbe  balance  of  the  time  I  can  be  found  at 
the  United  Artists  Theatre  wher-e  I  am  solo  organist. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  a  good  idea  for  you  to  drop 
over  to  the  theatre  and  I  will  make  you  acquainted 
with  Mr.  Bloom  and  Dr.  Riesenfeld,  if  he  is  in  town. 
This  would  be  of  advantage  and  benefit  to  you  all  the 
way  around. 

Sincerely  yours, — The  Aesthete  Magazine,  Henry 
Francis  Parks,  Editor,  Chicago,  111. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Certainly 
glad  that  you  could  use  my  article  on  "No  Surprises 
Now."     Also  to  see  my  solo  reported. 

This  week  I  am  using  the  set  called  "Mock  Wed- 
ding." The  songs  used  are  "In  My  Bouquet  of 
Memories,"  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  "Will  You  Be 
Sorry,"  "I  Told  Them  All  About  You,"  and  "Happy 
Go    Lucky    Lane." 

I  want  to  say  this  is  the  best  set  of  slides  I 
have  ever  used,  no  exceptions.  The  applause  con- 
tinued well  into  the  feature  picture,  something  which 
has  never  happened  before.  Any  organist  who  wants 
to  go  over  big  should  try  to  get  a  hold  of  this 
novelty.  A  series  of  German  slides  on  the  old  Ger- 
man Schnitzel  Bank  song  broke  the  ice  and  then 
there  was  no  holding  the  house  down  for  everybody 
sang.     A  great  stunt. 

Sincerely, — ^Mclvin  Peacock,  Organist,  Sheboygan 
theatre,    Sheboygan,    Wis. 


PRESENTATION    ACTS— To    the    Editor:      I    will 

very  much  appreciate  having  you  send  me  the  de- 
tails, etc.,  of  the  Bathing  Beauty  Contest  as  directed 
by   Sam   Herman. 

Thanking  you  in  advance,  I  am. — W.  H.  Gelling,  res- 
ident manager.  East  Texas  Theatres,  Inc.,  Nacog- 
doches,  Tex. 


K-A-O  Circuit  Installs 
New  Booking  Rules 

Since  taking  over  the  control  of  the  Keith-Albee- 
Orpheum  Circuit,  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  its  new  head, 
has  ordered  many  changes  made.  One  of  the  most 
important  changes  is  the  regulating  of  business  con- 
tact between  an  artist  representative  and  the  cir- 
cuit bookers.  In  the  future,  agents  will  have  to  con- 
duct their  business  transaction  over  railings  in  place 
of  the  usual  warm  seats  and  will  have  to  take  their 
turns  in  line,  as  one  of  the  new  rules  Vidll  not  allow 
more  than  one  agent  from  each  agency  at  a  time. 

As  stated  before  in  this  department,  there  have 
been  many  changes  made  in  the  executive  booking 
staff,  and  now  that  the  organization  has  been  put  on 
a  clean-cut  business  basis,  it  is  expected  that  the 
circuit  can  look  forward  to  a  very  prosperous  season. 
Ben  Piazza  in  charge  of  the  Western  Office,  and  C.  S. 
("Tink")  Himiphrey,  now  in  charge  of  the  Eastern 
Office,   are   responsible   for   many   of   the   changes. 


DON  GALVAN 


<t 


The  Spanish  Banjo  Boy'' 

Directing  Publix  Stage  Band 
TEXAS  Theatre,  SAN  ANTONIO 


Organists  Contesting 

The  WTMJ  radio  station  of  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  is 
featuring  a  contest  at  the  present  time  to  find  the 
best  organist  in  Milwaukee.  The  station  has  invited 
all   the  theatre  organists   in   the   city  to  participate. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7, 1928 


STAGE     SHOWS 


(Continued  from  page  44) 

A  special  adaptation  of  "My  Heart  Stood  Still" 
from  "The  Connecticut  Yankee"  is  next  played  by 
Walt  and  his  boys,  followed  by  the  current  feature 
"That's  My  Weakness  Now." 

Freddie  and  Eddie,  from  the  play  "Gay  Paree," 
are  unusual  dancers  of  exceptional  merit,  and  put 
over  a  clog,  buck  and  wing,  and  eccentric  routine 
to  good   returns. 

Kitty  O'Connor,  the  attractive  girl  with  a  deep 
man's  voice,  is  indeed  a  novelty,  but  it  must  be  said 
that  her  two  songs  were  very  inappropriate — two 
slow,  draggy  ballads  that  had  no  kick  behind  thera. 
This  girl,  lately  featured  with  "Take  the  Air,"  could 
do  much  better  with  another  retinue. 

The  Chester  Hale  Girls,  who  are  improving,  oflfer 
an  unique  dancing  "blue"  number,  and  costumed 
briefly,    but    cutely. 

The  hit  of  the  program  was  an  adagio  dancing 
combination,  billed  as  Howell,  Hager  and  Theodore — 
also  late  features  of  "Merry-Go-Round."  This  act 
puts  over  some  very  beautiful  artistic  dancing,  and 
etopped  the  show  Saturday  afternoon.  Two  boys 
and   a   girl. 


Chicago  Avalon 

Week  Ending  June  30 

The  Avalon  theatre  brought  back  the  memories 
of  the  good  old  minstrel  shows  with  their  presenta- 
tion this  week  called  "Minsti-el  Days."  The  entire 
show  was  cast  in  a  fine  manner. 

The  show  opened  with  the  orchestra  and  cast 
coming  through  the  audience  playing  and  singing 
an  old  time  favorite.  Dell  Lampe  appeared  on  the 
stage  and  led  the  orchestra  through  "Keep  on  Smil- 
ing." 

Toots  Novelle,  acrobatic  dancer  and  trick  artist 
gave  the  patrons  a  treat  with  his  original  tricks. 
His  act  was  short  but  received  considerable  applause. 

Lampe  inti-oduced  McKenzie  and  Bishop  who  sang 
their  first  number  a  collection  of  Southern  Songs. 
They  followed  with  "Four  Walls"  and  went  over  big. 
The  boys  have  fine  voices  and  harmonize  well  to- 
gether. 

Sonny  and  Eddie,  eccentric  tap  dancers  w^ere  given 
a  nice  hand  for  their  dancing  although  not  as  much 
as  they  were  entitled  too. 

Lampe  then  joked  with  a  couple  of  boys  whose 
names  were  not  given.  One  of  the  boys  played  a 
mean  harmonica  while  the  other  sang.  Their  act 
was  rather  long  and  a  bit  tiresome. 

The  Abbott  Girls  led  a  parade  around  the  stage 
with  the  entire  cast  singing.  The  show  was  different 
from  the  rest  and  the  people  liked  the  change  it 
seemed. 


Texas  Exhibitor  Stages 
Indian  Legend 

Wm.  C.  O'Hare,  manager  of  the  Texas,  San 
Antonio,  is  producing  an  All-San  Antonio 
stagcshow,  based  on  the  dance  rituals  of  the 
Montezuman  Indians,  at  their  sacrificial  cere- 
monies. The  show  is  called  "Children  of  Mon- 
tezuma," and  has  a  cast  of  twenty-five.  The 
love  affair  of  the  Indian  chief,  Montezuma, 
and  the  captured  slave,  Melinche,  is  the  theme 
of  plot.  Twenty-three  girls  from  a  local  danc- 
ing school,  and  three  men  singers  make  up 
the  cast. 

Costumes  for  the  show,  the  first  appearance 
of  which  will  be  made  at  a  midnight  frolic  at 
the  Texas  next  week,  are  loin  cloths  and  breast 
plates,  made  of  chamois,  handpainted  with  oils. 
Elaborate  head  dresses  of  feathers  are  worn 
by  the  principals.  Settings  for  the  show  in- 
clude a  drop  depicting  the  outer  wall  of  Mon- 
tezuma's city,  a  huge  sacrificial  block,  and  a 
practical  moon,  together  with  atmospheric 
place  pieces. 

After  its  appearance  at  the  midnight  show, 
"Children  of  Montezuma"  will  be  put  on  by  the 
Texas  for  one  week  as  an  orchestral  produc- 
tion, in  addition  to  the  regular  Publix  stage- 
show,  and  then  will  be  referred  to  production 
heads  of  Publix  as  the  basic  idea  for  a  new 
Publix  show. 

Exploitation  of  "Children  of  Montezuma"  in- 
clude newspaper  stories  and  cuts,  special 
stunts,  one  sheets,  window  cards,  ads,  heralds, 
double  trucks,  trailers,  and  lobby  displays. 
O'Hare  and  the  Texas  advertising  department 
are  going  after  the  show  for  all  it  is  worth 
to   the  box  office. 


New  Orleans  Saenger 

Week  Ending  June  22 

"Hands  Up,"  the  Publix  entertainment,  staged  in  a 
riot  of  color,  greeted  an  appreciative  audience  at  the 
Saenger  theatre  this  week,  being  one  of  the  few 
excellent  bills  presented  in  the  past  month.  The  cur- 
tain rises  on  an  exterior  which  proclaims  that  it  is 
"The  Studio  of  Ideas,"  with  practical  doors,  win- 
dows and  all  that  goes  to  carry  out  the  deception 
that  it  is  a  well  regulated  college  instead  of  a  mere 
stage   erection. 

However,  there  is  a  tall  dark  man  lurking  in  the 
shadows  who  boldly  announces  that  he  is  a  holdup 
man,  lying  in  wait  with  tha  avowed  intention  of 
sticking  up  Art  Landry  when  he  appears  and  robbing 
him  of  the  many  ideas  that  has  made  the  name  of 
Landry  synonymous  with  up-to-date  productions.     The 


LASSITER   BROS. 

The  ORIGINAL  BOYS  From 

"OLD  IRONSIDES" 

Cleancut  Comedy  and 
Acrobatic  Dancing 

Now  Featured  in  "ROMAN  NIGHTS" 
Touring  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

Direction Wm.    Morris  Agency 


Franc   &   Warren 


Max  Turner 
Chicago 


Harry  Lenetska 
New  York 


ULDERICO  MARCELLI 

A 

MUSICAL  CONDUCTOR 

^ 

BALABAN  &  KATZ 

Uptown  and  Tivoli  Theatres,  Chicago 

clock  in  the  steeple  is  running  on  airplane  schedule 
and  Landry  enters  center  door,  only  to  be  robbed  in 
the  most  approved  style  by  Jimmie  Dunn,  who  disap- 
pears with  one  of  those  dirty  little  laughs  which  puts 
a  spectator  in  mind  of  the  lurid  meller-dramas  of 
bygone  days  in  which  the  white-livered  villain  robbed 
the  poor   little  heroine  of  the  coveted  p-a-p-e-r-s. 

Jimmy  Dunn  is  the  life  of  the  party  and  tells  sev- 
eral jokes  that  are  actually  fresh,  and  sings  in  good 
voice. 

After  the  holdup,  and  not  a  policeman  In  sight, 
although  eight  appeared  after  the  dark  deed  was 
done,  the  drop  ascended,  disclosing  the  stagehand 
attired  in  tuxedos  with  a  background  of  huge  vol- 
umes supposed  to  contain   ideas  of  real  value. 

Marguerite  Richard  opened  the  bill  with  a  selection 
of  vocal  selections ;  she  has  a  sweet  voice,  but  the 
volume  was  lacking,  possibly  due  to  the  capacity  of 
the   Saenger. 

Jack  and  Kay  Spengler,  both  excellent  singers  and 
hoofers  received  several  encores,  which  despite  hot 
weather,   were  acknowledged   gracefully. 

Deszo  Retter,  "The  American  Prince  of  Wales," 
with  his  wrestling  act  in  which  he  secured  several 
strangle  holds  on  his  opponent,  which  was  himself, 
finally  won  a  decisive  victory  and  solo  wrestling  re- 
ceived its  premiere  on  the  Saenger  stage,  as  far  as 
New    Orleans    was    concerned. 

The  Eight  Gould  Girls,  the  chorus,  ranks  with  the 
performers  on  the  bill  and  presented  an  act  worthy 
of  the  name.  Their  first  appearance  was  as  police- 
men, bare  legged,  with  night  stick,  helmet  and  blouse 
which  made  many  a  male  patron  wish  he  could  vio- 
late the  law  and  be  arrested  by  one  of  the  ensemble. 

Their  second  appearance  was  a  treat,  when  with 
Hawaiian  guitars  several  haunting  tunes  were  ren- 
dered, closing  with  a  dance  in  which  trick  lighting 
effects   was  an   asset. 

A  special  attraction  was  the  singing  and  dancing 
of  Mildred  Smith,  a  local  young  lady,  who  after 
pledging  her  undying  affection  to  the  leader  in  "Good 
Night,"  accompanied  by  the  stage  band,  allowed  each 
and  every  one  of  the  orchestra  to  cut  in  on  the  "man 
of   her   choice." 

Castro  Carazo  with  his  orchestra  of  thirty-five 
pieces  rendered  selections  from  "The  Student  Prince," 
"My  Maryland,"  "Rose  Marie,"  and  other  popular 
and  operatic  music. 

John  and  Betty  Hammond,  as  usual,  presided  at 
the   giant  organ. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  June  30 

The  first  half  of  the  program  at  the  world's  most 
beautiful  theatre  this  week  was  their  usual  "Diver- 
tissements" opening  with 

"Valse  Bleu  De  Lune,"  an  elaborate  ballet  concep- 
tion featuring  Nicholas  Daks  and  Patricia  Bowra«n, 
assisted  by  the  Ballet  Corps.  Renee  and  Laura, 
adagio  dancers,  formerly  with  Fokine  and  the  New 
York  Symphony,  offer  a  conibination  of  acrobatic 
dancing  with  the  classical. 

"Just  a  Night  for  Meditation"  is  a  new  song  in- 
troduced by  Harold  Van  Duzce.  The  number  was 
written  by  Lew  Pollack. 

Russell  Markter's  32  Roxyettes  are  back  in  their 
full  strength,  having  been  but  16  for  a  few  weeks 
it  is  good  to  see  them  all  again.  Their  precision 
routine  is   excellent. 

The  second  half  of  the  program  is  called  "Scene 
Arable" — and  their  opening  set  in  full  stage  takes 
in  the  Roxy  Chorus  and  ballet  corps,  the  32  Roxyettes, 
Jose  Santiago,  Ben  Hamid's  Aralbian  Tumblers,  and 
the  orchestra  in  the  pit.  "Far  Across  the  Desert 
Siands,"  by  Amy  Woodforde  Finden,  is  offered  by 
Adelaide  De  Loca.  This  extravagant  scene  is  authen- 
tic in  costume  and  settings,  and  the  dances  and 
choral  numbers  are  absolutely  characteristic  of  the 
desert. 

Jose  Santiago,  Philipine  baritone,  has  been  pro- 
moted from  the  Ensemble,  and  is  good  as  a  soloist. 
The  modern  version  of  a  Nautch  dance,  staged  by 
Adslina    Rotti,    is   executed    by    the    Roxyettes. 


Portland  Portland 

Week  Ending  June  28 

Lena  Malena,  in  person  held  the  limelight,  ap- 
pearing four  times  daily  at  the  big  house  and  brought 
some  California  "pep." 

"Roman  Nights"  was  the  Publix  stageshow  -which 
included  Lassitcr  Brothers  styled  as  the  Roman 
soldiers  ;  Elsa  Greenwell  does  good  work  and  merits 
her  title  "Queen  of  the  Dance ;"  Frank  J.  Corbett 
proved  a  great  favorite,  the  bill  ending  with  the 
Roman  Imperial  Ballet,  which  were  not  hard  to  look 
at. 

The  Portland  Grand  orchestra  under  the  direction 
of  Harry  Linden,  who  is  an  accomplished  violinist, 
was  most  acceptable,  and  Phil  Lampkin  put  over 
some  stirring   numbers   in   his   usual   snappy   manner. 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'waj 
N.  Y.  City 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Los  Angeles  State 

Week  Ending  June  23 

"Spangles,"  as  presented  by  Fanchon  and  Marco, 
featuring  the  16  Pyramid  girls  completely  captivated 
the  audience  with  their  clever  dances  and  beautiful 
gowns.  They  did  a  dance  number  with  Muriel 
Gardner,  finishing  up  with  an  acrobatic  toe  dance 
specialty   which   took   a   big   hand. 

The  transparent  curtain  was  then  raised,  reveal- 
ing the  orchestra,  amid  a  wonderful  setting  of  black 
drapee,  with  large  marble  pillars  on  the  sides.  Next 
Don  Rose  and  Marion  Stadler  gave  their  impression 
of  a  varsity  drag,  mingled  with  an  acrobatic  dance 
number.  .   This   was   well   received. 

Ted  Marks,  billed  ae  the  master  of  ceremonies, 
appeared,  but  was  not  in  reality  an  M.  C,  but  a 
specialty.  He  gave  several  selections,  accompanied 
by  the  orchestra,  of  whistling  in  various  forms,  teeth, 
tongue,  and  finger  style.  He  was  well  liked  and  was 
deserving  of  his  applause. 

Edith  and  Evelyn,  two  of  the  Fanchon  girls,  offered 
a  special  in  acrobatic  turns,  assisted  by  the  orches- 
tra, following  which,  entered  Stanley  and  Birnes, 
who  doubled  in  dance  and  wise  cracks.  These  two 
boys  had  the  patrons  on  their  side  from  the  start, 
making  it  necessary  to  do  an  encore.  They  then  gave 
their  impression  of  a  classical  dance,  but  it  was  any- 
thing but  the  name  given.  They  had  the  audience  in 
such  an  uproar  after  they  sang  a  song  entitled,  "I'll 
Go  Home  to  Your  Wife,  and  You  Go  Home  to  Mine," 
that  they  were  too  weak  to  applaud.  Took  a  great 
hand    after   their    close. 

The  finale  was  an  elaborate  display  of  gowns,  the 
girls  were  dressed  in  beautiful  colors,  with  large 
plumes  in  their  hats,  shiny  "spangles"  reflecting 
from  the  stage,  and  with  the  aid  of  wonderful  light- 
ing effects,  the  spectacle  was  marvelous.  The  entire 
cast  appeared  in  the  closing,  each  sharing  honors 
with  others,  from  an  api>reciating  audience.  One  of 
the  best  shows  in   many  weeks  for  this  playhouse. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  June  30 

The  first  anniversary  week  program  at  the  Main- 
street  in  honor  of  Walter  Davidson  and  His  Louis- 
ville Loons,  who  came  back  to  Kansas  City  for  a 
return  engagement  after  an  unprecedented  run  of  one' 
year    at    the    Mainstreet,    was    a    pompous    affair. 

The  return  engagement  resulted  in  much  exploita- 
tion and  additional  newspaper  advertising,  as  well 
as  a  good  week's  attendance.  It  was  an  enthusiastic 
greeting  experienced  by  the  Loons  when  they  opened 
with  popular  selections  as  an  overture  on  the  open- 
ing  night. 

Then  there  was  Harlan  Christie,  that  unique  master 
of  ceremonies,  who  had  more  than  a  hand  in  every 
act.  The  return  of  Peter  Higgins,  whose  vocal  num- 
bers previously  proved  popular,  also  was  warmly 
irreeted.  Barto  and  Mann  are  a  couple  of  acrobatic 
dancers  in  an  act  titled  "The  Laugh  Kings."  The 
Hungarian  Troupe,  acrobats,  have  an  unusually  clever 
assortment  of  feats.  Will  Aubrey's  act  consists  of 
comedy  and  vocal  numbers. 


Philadelphia  Carman 

Week  Ending  June  23 

John  Stewart  and  his  Temple  University  Orchestra 

of  15  Collegians  provided  unusual  local  appeal  in  the 
miniature  revue  "Campus  Capers"  at  the  Carman  this 
w^eek. 

Rita  Bell  in  a  costume  of  rhinestones,  with  a  white 
evening  wrap  of  ostrich  plumes,  introduced  the  bill 
by  singing  "Je  t'aime"  and  a  second  number  in 
imitation  of  Irene  Bordoni,  "I'm  Head  Over  Heels 
in  Love,"  accompanying  herself  on  the  piano. 

Reynolds  and  White,  the  vagabond  musicians, 
entered  dressed  in  disreputable  old  uniforms  playing 
on  saxophones.  After  some  capers  and  dance  steps 
they  discarded  the  saxophones  for  violins,  one  of 
which  was  made  of  a  coffee  pot  with  strings  stretched 
across,  which  exploded  after  a  few  tunes  had  been 
played  on  it.  At  the  close  of  the  act,  the  smaller 
of  the  two  musicians  to  the  surprise  of  the  audience 
cast  aside  the  uniform  and  proved  to  be  a  beautiful 
girl   in   evening  dress. 

Contrary  to  the  usual  custom  John  Stewart  and 
his  Temple  University  Boys  did  not  appear  until  the 
entertainment  was  more  than  half  over.  The  Temple 
College  yell  was  given  with  a  vim  as  the  curtains 
parted  disclosing  the  boys  in  black  coats  and  white 
trousers.  The  stage  setting  was  particularly  strik- 
ing, consisting  of  golden  pillars  and  draperies  againfet 
a  background  of  deep  blue  with  lighted  lanterns 
swinging  between  the  arches. 

In  the  first  number  two  of  the  boys  looking  as 
stupid  as  it  is  possible  for  a  human  being  to  look 
dragged  themselves  on  to  the  stage  and  sang  in  a 
drawling  monotone  "We're  the  Personality  Boys," 
followed   by   another   song   "Stay   Out   of   the   South." 

Margaret  White,  in  green  silk  tights  wae  a  marvel 
of  grace  and  flexibility  as  she  turned  handsprings 
backwards   and   forwards,   bent   double   and,   lying  flat 


on  her  back,  lifted  her  feet  until  she  turned  com- 
pletely  over. 

Ann  Allison,  direct  from  Earl  Carroll's  "Vanities," 
a  dazzling  blonde  in  a  costume  of  rhinestones,  con- 
tributed some  more  dancing  that  was  out  of  the 
ordinary  and  received  a  good  hand. 

The  Dobbs  Sisters,  dressed  as  little  girls  in  white, 
sang  a  song  about  "Constantinople"  and  did  a  rou- 
tine   tap    dance. 

Harry  Burks,  Temple  University  dancer,  could  give 
the  professionals  points  on  how  to  shake  a  leg  and 
he   brought   down   the   house. 

For  the  final  number  the  orchestra  played  "Wobbly 
Walk"  and  all  of  the  entertainers  appeared  on  the 
stage  in   a  fast  dance. 


and  the  girls  climbed  into  it,  keeping  exact  time 
with  their  legs  and  bodies  as  they  climbed  and 
crawled  upwards.  It  wae  a  big  flash,  and  the  audi- 
ences  liked  it. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  June  22 

Frank  Fay  offered  "Broadway  Bits"  as  the  stage- 
show,  with  Mildred  Melrose,  dancer,  featured  in  a 
return  engagement.  "Jazz  Lips"  Richardson  and 
Kclo  Brothers  were  also  prominent  in  the  entertain- 
ing. 

Leonid  Leonardi  conducted  the  Missouri  Concert 
orchestra  in  selections  from  "Katinka,"  as  the  over- 
ture. 

Milton  Slosser  at  the  organ  offered  a  songfest, 
"Sing   and    Be   Beautiful." 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  June  22 

An  appropriate  and  beautiful  stage  setting  is  pro- 
vided for  "Cameos,"  the  Publix  stage  show  at  the 
Michigan  this  week,  the  beauty  of  which  is  enhanced 
by    skillful    lighting. 

To  say  nothing  of  the  fact  that  Publix  goes 
Ziegfeldian  and  uses  a  spider  web  dance  for  clos- 
ing which  would  do  justice  to  any  one  of  the 
"Follies." 

Tommy  Wonder,  that  amazing  little  dancer  who 
apparently  is  no  more  than  12  years  old,  was  the  hit 
of  the  show.  His  eccentric  dancing  was  sensational, 
and  he  made  a  big  hit  with  his  closing  number  in 
which  he  danced  with  a  doll,  fully  as  large  as  him- 
self. The  audience,  as  a  rule,  didn't  realize  at  first 
that  Tommy's  partner  was  not  alive,  and  always  gave 
him  a  big  hand  for  his  work  when  they  discovered 
the  supposed   partner  was   only   a   doll. 

The  Lett  Sisters  and  Louise  sang  syncopated  songs 
prettily,  the  numbers  getting  the  biggest  hand  being 
"Morning  Glories"  and  "I  Want  to  Go  Right  Where 
You   Are." 

Verdi,  the  nut  violinist,  appeared  with  a  partner, 
Coscia,  whom  he  did  not  have  with  him  when  he  ap- 
peared at  the  State  recently.  The  act  is  a  funny  one 
from  the  time  that  Verdi  opens  it  by  firing  a  shot 
to  wake  up  the  sleepers  in  the  audience.  Both  men 
then  prove  they  are  more  than  humorists  by  their 
playing    of    the   violin    and    the    violoncello. 

The  closing  act,  the  spider  web  dance  with  the 
16  Foster  Girls,  was  a  darb.  A  gigantic  rope  spider- 
web   reaching  to   the   proscenium   arch   was   let  down. 


Pittsburgh  Penn 

Week  Ending  June  23 

The  stage  presentation,  a  Loew-Publix  unit  show 
entitled  "Seeing  Things,"  was  the  most  diversified 
and  novel  seen  here  in  some  time.  The  feature  of 
the  offering  ie  Les  Klicks  billed  ae  "An  European 
Mystical  Novelty."  This  consists  of  large-sized 
marionettes,  electrically  lighted,  dancing  on  a  dark 
stage  to  the  accompaniment  of  the  stage  band.  The 
lighted  dancing  figures  of  grotesque  animals  are  a 
knockout   novelty,   and   caused  a   sensation. 

John  Maxwell,  the  half  and  half  man,  who  sings 
both  soprano  and  baritone,  was  a  big  hit.  One  half 
of  his  body  is  made  up  as  a  woman,  and  the  other 
half,  he  is  garbed  as  a  man.  His  offering  was  also 
a   big   success. 

Castleton  and  Mack,  soft  shoe  dancers,  were  a.bove 
the  ordinary,  and  their  burlesque  acrobatic  act  went 
over   in   big   style. 

Allan  Raymond,  baritone,  also  scored  with  two 
solos.  Teddy  Joyce,  master  of  ceremonies  at  the 
Penn,  gave  another  of  his  loose-jointed  dance  demon- 
strations which  the  patrons  here  have  begun  to 
clamor   for. 

The  Felicia  Sorel  Girls,  twelve  in  number,  did  three 
beautifully    gowned    and   drilled   dance  ensembles. 

The  organlogue  by  Dick  Leibert,  entitled  "Con- 
stantinople," was  a  decided  success.  AH  in  all,  the 
best  entertainment  Pittsburgh  has   had  in  some  time. 


St.  Louis  State 


Week  Ending  June  22 

On  the  stage  Nat  Nazzaro,  Jr.,  presented 
Frolic"  with  the  Williams  Sisters,  Karavieff, 
dancer  ;  Franklyn  D'Armore  and  company  in 
nastic    offering    were    featured. 

Kirk    Frederick    and    his    orchestra    had    a 
overture   and   Tom   Terry   at   the   organ   gave 
"Terry      Entertainment."        Edith      Wright 
pianist,    offered    Rachmaninoff's    Prelude    to 
companiment      of       Frederick's       overture 
Rhapsody. 


"Flying 
Russian 
a  gym- 
snapper 
another 
Gordon, 
the  ae- 
'Russian 


San  Francisco  Granada 

Week  Ending  June  28 

Following  an  absence  of  several  months,  Frank 
Jenks  returned  this  week  as  master  of  ceremonies  at 
the  Granada  and  found  an  audience  warm  in'  its 
welcome  for  his  funny  antics  and  clever  stories.  The 
stage  act  was  "Steps  and  Steppers,"  a  Jack  Parting- 
ton production,  but  interest  seemed  to  center  largely 
on    the    popular    band    leader    and    announcer. 

The  act  commenced  with  the  appearance  of  the  Ten 
Manhattan  Steppers,  five  girls  and  five  boys,  who 
were  in  full  action  in  a  lively  dance  when  the  curtain 
went  up.     Frank  Jenks  was   introduced  by  a  member 


DICK                                                 MARJORIE 

MAXWELL  and  LEE 

^IgMy 

"The  Most  Versatile  Dance  Team  of  the  Age" 

.   WKHt- 

SAILING  FOR  EUROPE 

i^wF%.  ■ 

AUGUST  FIRST 

■  ■  \% 

on  the 

S.  S.  AQUITANIA 

Direction 

WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 

New  York     —      Chicago      —      Los  Angeles 

MILTON  SLOSSER 

Solo  Organist 

Fifth  Year  at  the 

MISSOURI  THEATflE,  ST.  LOUIS 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


of  the  orchestra  and  led  the  orchestra  through  a 
novel  musical  description  of  the  famous  Demiwey- 
Tunney  bout,  commencing  with  the  signing-  of  the 
papers,  the  comment  of  the  pi-^ss,  and  ending  with 
the  combat  iteelf  and  the  "Hallelujah"  chorus  of  pro- 
moter   Tex    Rickard. 

Ilomay  Bailey,  possessed  of  much  beauty  and  a 
delightful  voice,  offered  "Without  You,  Sweetheart" 
and  "A  Shady  Tree."  The  Ten  Manhattan  Steppers 
presented  another  dance  and  the  band  played  "You 
Have  No  Idea,"  a  hot  number  in  which  Frank  Jenks 
had  a  trombone  solo.  The  number  was  brought  to  a 
close  with  the  master  of  ceremonies  singing  the  song. 

Charles  Hucy,  offered  a  couple  of  whistling  num- 
bers, one  of  which  was  the  usual  "Mocking  Bird," 
and  received  a  good  hand.  Glenn  and  Jenkins, 
blackface  funsters,  did  their  old-time  sweeping  act, 
with  a  modern  dialogue,  ending  with  a  harmonica 
and  guitar   duet  and   a  dance. 

The  Ten  Manhattan  Steppers  brought  the  act  to  a 
close  with  a  rendition  of  "The  Wobbly  Walk"  and  a 
novel  clog  up  and  down  a  wide  set  of  steps.  This 
offering  was  out  of  the  ordinary  and  the  precision 
with  which  it  was  executed  won  the  approval  of  the 
audience. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  June  30 

The  stageshow  last  week  was  entitled  "A  Night 
Like  This" — and  it  opened  just  like  that.  The  setting 
is  that  of  an  exterior  to  a  swell  home,  with  an 
elevated  promenade  against  the  back  drop,  which 
presents  a  cute  little  pool  in  an  arbor  of  trees, 
and  looking  down  on  all  this  i.s  a  moon  looking 
just  like  a  big  round  piece  of  American  cheese. 
(And  that,  after  all,  is  just  what  the  moon  does  look 
like.)  Naturally,  the  opening  number  is  the  song, 
"On  a  Night  Like  This,"  which  Tina  Tweedie,  mus- 
ing on  the  balcony,  sings  effectively.  Coming  front 
after  the  song.  Miss  Tweedie  sings  "Too  Busy"  and 
dances,  earning  a  round  of  applause. 

Johnson  and  Baker  follow  with  a  set  of  tricks 
featured  by  the  straw-hat-throwing  stunt,  which  took 
fairly  well  despite  its  age,  largely  through  efforts 
at  comedy  on  the  part  of  Johnson, 

Verne  Buck  and  his  band  perform  next,  presenting 
"When  You're  Smiling,"  Buck  blowing  his  saxohorn 
and  later,  with  two  from  the  band,  singing  a  chorus. 
This  is  very  well   liked. 

Faber  and  Wales  follow  with  a  song  or  two  and 
a  lot  of  patter,  which  the  engaging  personality  of 
the  feminine  half  helps  out  a  lot.  They  take  an 
encore,  whereupon'  arrives  the  hit  of  the  evening, 
the    band    with    Frank    Wilson,    one    of    its    members. 


Roxy  Features  De- 
Mille's  Daughter 

Agnes  George  de  Mille,  daughter  of  William 
de  Mille,  motion  picture  director  and  grand- 
daughter of  Henry  George,  famous  economist, 
has  been  engaged  by  S.  L.  Rothafel  as  the  fea- 
tured dancer  of  this  week's  stage  presentation 
at  the  Roxy  theatre.  Miss  de  Mille  has  given 
several  recitals  in  New  York,  at  which  she 
has  depicted  the  themes  in  the  works  of  mas- 
ter painters,  particularly  the  canvases  of 
Edgar  Degas,  the  greatest  painter  of  ballet 
subjects.  She  specializes  in  applying  ballet  to 
pantomimic  characterizations  of  dancers  behind 
the  scenes.  At  the  Roxy  theatre  this  week 
she  will  participate  in  a  number  called  "A 
Ballet  Class,"  a  composition  suggested  by  one 
of  Degas'  paintings.  Miss  de  Mille  will  por- 
tray the  part  of  a  ballet  girl,  with  Patricia 
Bowman  as  the  Ballerina,  and  Anthony  Nelle 
as  the  Ballet  Master.  The  academic  back- 
ground T^-ill  be  supplied  by  the  Roxy  Ballet 
Corps. 


singing.  The  song  is  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart," 
and  what  with  this  exceptionally  brilliant  orchestra. 
Buck's  conducting  and  stage  business,  and  Frank 
Wilson's  sweet  tenor  voice,  it  seems  as  though  the 
customers  would  like  to  have  this  sort  of  thing  go 
on  forever.  They  demand  three  or  four  or  five  en- 
cores, want  more,  and  are  noticeably  disappointed 
when  they  don't  get  it.  But  of  course  there  must 
be  an  end  to  all  things. 

The  College  Four,  quartette,  follow,  and  though 
working  in  a  hard  spot,  are  successful.  The  band 
brings  on  the  close,  playing  "My  Hero"  from 
"Chocolate   Soldier"    in   stirring   fashion. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  June  30 

This  week  the  Playboys  give  a  farewell  party  to 
Dave  Schooler.  The  setting  is  the  back  of  an  ob- 
servation  car,   decorated   quite  profusely. 

First  on  the  scene  are  Al  and  Jack  Rand,  dancing 
parsons.  These  boys  are  good  and  they  never  fail 
to  get  the  applause.  The  Milwaukee  crowd  always 
likes   clever  dancing. 

Bebi  Barri's  Rockets  then  come  on  and  dance 
cleverly.      They    have    lots    of    snap    and    get    lots    of 


MURRAY   and   ALAN 

"Jesters  of  3,000  Years  Ago" 

Playing  Return  Engagement  for  Publix 

Back  at  All  B  &  K  Chicago  Houses 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


McNEIL    SMITH 

Featured  Orgsuiist 

MARQUETTE  Theatre,  CHICAGO 

Photoplay  and  Solo  Specialties 


RAY    TURNER 

Featured  Organist 

Original  Organ  Novelties  That  Are  Different 

CORONADO  THEATRE,  ROCKFORD,  ILLINOIS 


Solos  and  Community  Sings 

BOB    BILLINGS 

Solo  Organist 
CRYSTAL  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


applause  for  their  work.  Then  come  the  Klein 
Brothers.  These  boys  have  a  lot  of  jokes  and  wise- 
cracks that  they  put  over  in  good  shape.  They  do 
their  work  quick  which  adds  a  lot  to  the  entertain- 
ment. 

The  next  is  "Reminiscences."  Schooler  plays  a 
number  of  pieces  among  which  are  "Rhapsody  in 
Blue,"  "Doll  Dance"  and  "Three  Trees,"  and  Jack 
Richmond,   tenor,   sings.      The   crowd   likes   this. 

Paul  Sydell  and  Spottie  then  come  on.  Spottie  is 
a  little  dog  that  Paul  makes  do  lots  of  tricks.  And 
how  he  does  them  !     He  even  stands  on  one  paw ! 

The  Playboys  do  a  little  stuff  themselves  this  week. 
Playing  "That's  My  Weakness  Now"  they  all  get  up, 
one  by  one,  and  chime  in  on  the  words.  It's  clever 
and  humorous.  The  finale  consists  of  the  observation 
car  leaving  the  stage  with  Jack  Richmond  singing 
"Goodbye"  to  Schooler.  Bebi  Barri's  Rockets  also 
come  in  on  the  scene  with  a  snappy  dance  to  help 
wind   up   a   successful    program. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  June  30 

"Russian  Revels"  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most 
colorful  and  enjoyable  presentations  oRered  by  the 
Howard  in  several  weeks. 

Topping  the  bill  in  dancing  were  Louis  and  Frieda 
Berkoff,  expert  in  the  art  of  Russian  dancers.  Eight 
Berkoff  girls  showed  careful  training.  They  executed 
several  difficult  numbers  and  drew  encores.  Their 
costumes  were  attractive  and  they,  themselves,  young 
and   good   to  look   at. 

Stella  StepanofE  and  Matthew  Vodnoy,  comedy  sing- 
ers and  dancers  were  liked.  Miss  Anton  Icero  closed 
the  act  with  the  "Rose  of  the  Volga,"  all  actors  en- 
semble and   donned  in   exquisite  costumes. 

Jack  Stanley  and  the  Howard  stage  orchestra 
secured    a   good   hand   for   their   special    number. 

Julia  Dawn,  Howard's  guest  organist  drew  well 
with   her  offering,   "The   Story   of  a  Rose." 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  6 

Paul  Ash,  and  the  stage  orchestra,  are  both  placed 
in  the  regular  orchestra  pit  this  week,  which  we 
regret  to  say  is  decidedly  detracting  from  the  enter- 
tainment value  of  the  show.  It  is  not  pleasant  to 
see  Ash  introducing  his  numbers  from  this  position, 
where  the  audience  has  to  crane  its  necks  to  even 
see  him. 

"Pagodaland"  played  by  the  Orchestra  with  Ash 
conducting,  is  a  very  appropriate  number  to  introduce 
the  stageshow.  The  orchestra  platform  rises  for  the 
selection,   then   lowers   for   the  rest  of   the  show. 

"The  Chinese  Maidens"  present  "In  Chinatown" 
which  is  a  singing-dancing  routine  of  costumed  effects 
and  scenery.  Two  little  singers,  Bemee  Ahi  and 
Kee  Kee  Lowe  put  over  a  couple  of  lovely  little 
Chinese  melodies.  Two  little  dancers,  Lowe  Lai  Oy, 
and  Ami  Fong  are  very  cute  and  do  an  excellent 
number. 

"In  the  Sacred  Temple"  with  the  Honorable  Mr. 
Wu,  is  a  scenic  effect,  enlisting  the  entire  company — 
and  for  beauty  and  atmosphere,  is  very  well  executed. 
Just  group  singing,  and  solo  by  Mr.  Wu. 

Mr.  Yip  Lai,  gives  a  bit  of  ancient  Chinese  melody, 
in  native  language,  which  probably  was  not  appre- 
ciated  by   many.      It  went   over   fair. 

An  old-fashioned  song  and  dance  offering  is  put 
over  by  six  couples,  executing  the  essence  dance, 
and  singing  the  standard  "It  Might  As  Well  Be 
You." 

"In  a  Bamboo  Garden"  is  sung  by  Mr.  Wu,  Miss 
Kee  Kee  Lowe  and  the  ensemble.  This  catchy  num- 
ber is  the  musical  theme  throughout  the  play. 

Mr.  Wu  gives  his  "correct  impersonation"  of  Al 
Jolson  and  Eddie  Cantor.  For  a  Chinaman  imitating 
a  Jewish  "mammy"  singer,  this  artist  clicks  with 
unusual  applause.  He  also  does  a  "Frisco"  dance, 
at  least  I  think  it  was  him — they  look  so  much  alike 
— and  it  was  very  good. 

The  Chinese  Sextette  with  girls  from  the  ensemble, 
offer  an  Oriental  conception  of  the  Varsity  Drag — 
which    is    exceptionally    entertaining. 

Nee  Wong  does  a  talking  song.  Another  Chinese 
marvel.  Darn  clever  people, — these  Chinese.  We 
don't  appreciate  their  talents,  until  some  one  like 
Nee  comes  along,  then  we're  surprised,  and  we 
wonder. 

Nell  Keller,  puts  over  a  snappy  song  called  "He's 
Tall,  Dark,  and  Handsome,"  referring  to  some  per- 
sonage from  San  Francisco  presumably.  However, 
Paul  Small,  does  a  dance  with  her,  and  the  Chinese 
atmosphere  is  blown  away.  This  was  the  hit  of  the 
show,  and  stopped  the  first  performance  last  Satur- 
day. 

"The  Land  of  Lanterns"  closes  the  presentation, 
which  is  a  large  scene  with  lanterns  everywhere. 
"In  a  Bamboo  Garden" — the  theme  song,  is  sung  by 
the  ensemble. 

Paul  Ash  wouldn't  have  had  much  room  on  the 
stage,  but  we  don't  like  him  in  the  pit  anyway,  so 
come  up  on  earth,  Paul. 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


Nat  Chaiken,  formerly  in  charge  of  the  B.  &  O. 
department  of  Irving  Berlin,  Inc.,  and  well  known 
to  orcheetra  leaders  all  over  the  country,  has  just 
taken  up  a  similar  poet  with  the  firm  of  Spier  and 
Coslow,   Inc. 

«     *     « 

There  are  quite  a  few  changes  these  days  along 
the  White  Way  among  the  various  orchestras.  Some 
of  Broadway's  mainstays  are  leaving  for  summer 
jobs  in  cooler  spots,  and  new  orchestras  are  taking 
their  places.  The  most  likely  looking  of  the  new 
outfits  are:  Ted  Bartell  at  Joe  Young's,  who  will 
become  a  daily  feature  on  the  WJZ  network  ;  Jimmy 
Carr,  the  doctor  of  melody  replaces  Tommy  Gott  at 
the  famed  "Silver  Slipjjer  ;"  Leo  Reisman  the  Boston 
idol  now  at  the  Waldorf-Astoria  Roof,  and  Van  and 
his  orchestra  who  replaced  B.  A.  Rolfe  for  the 
summer   at  the  Palais   D'Or   Restaurant. 

«        4        « 

The  entire  country  now  has  an  opportunity  to  hear 
one  of  New  York's  favorite  organists — Lew  White, 
the  head  organist  at  the  Roxy  theatre  who  has  just 
started  broadcasting  a  weekly  half  hour  on  the 
WJZ  chain,  direct  from  his  school  for  organists. 
Lew's  solos  at  the  Roxy  are  a  weekly  delight  to 
the  patrons  of  the  theatre,  and  will  be  eagerly  looked 
forward  to  by  his  multitude  of  admirers,  who  can 
now    listen    in    to    his    joyous    programs. 

*  #     * 

HINTS  FOR  SHEET  MUSIC  SALESMEN 
My  partner,  Sam  Coslow,  has  just  returned  from 
a  road  trip  and  submits  the  following  observations 
which  are  guaranteed  to  land  a  heavy  order  for  any 
salesman  working  for  a  music  publishing  house.  By 
using  the  following  instructions,  you  can't  go  wrong: 
Tony  Ransperger  (International  Music  Store,  Mon- 
treal) =tell  him  you  like  Pilsener.  .  .  .  Marion  Healy 
(Kresge's  Buffalo)  ^land  the  Watson  Sisters  on  your 
song.  .  .  .  Larry  Norett  (McCrory's  Cleveland)^ 
mention'  Philadelphia.  .  .  .  Mr.  Schermerhorn 
(Kresge's  Baltimore)^  just  say  you  are  a  music 
salesman.  .  .  .  Jerry  Vogel  (Plaza  Music  Co.  New 
York  City)=bring  along  your  photo.  .  .  .  Dora 
Alexander  (Richmond  Music  Supply,  New  York  City) 
=bring  a  hami  sandwich.  .  .  .  Mr.  Schoonover 
(Kresge's  Philadelphia)  =bring  letter  from  the  Pope. 
.  .  .  Gertrude  Heinmiller  (Kresge's  Albany)  =wTite 
song  with  her.  .  .  .  Sam  Braverman  (Neisner  Bros. 
Rochester)  ^take  him  to  a  5  &  10c  Store  gi-and  open- 
ing. .  .  .  Harry  Golby  (Song  Shop  Toronto)  =tell 
him  Gene  Austin  is  recording  your  song.  .  .  . 
Eleanor  Behrens  (Wieboldt,  Chicago)  ^eat  h^vy  meal 
first.  .  .  .  Any  music  counter  in  Buffalo,  dress  up  in 
green. 

«     »     » 

And  boys  just  breaking  into  the  business  should 
clip  this  out  and  use  it  as  a  handy  reference  guide, 
as  it  will  undoubtedly  "make"  them  as  salesmen. 

*  «     * 

Harold  Emerson  Yorke,  the  dapper  young  record- 
ing manager  for  Brunswick  and  Solita  Birdenia 
Palmer  are  now  throwing  loving  glances  at  each 
other  across  the  breakfast  table,  their  marriage  last 
Friday,  June  29  coming  as  a  complete  surprise  to 
their  many  friends  on  Tin  Pan  Alley.  May  all 
their  children  be  recording  managers. 

*  *     * 

One  of  the  most  unusual  and  effective  dance  com- 
binations we  have  heard  recently  is  that  of  Van 
Surdam  and  his  bunch  at  the  Hotel  Statler,  Buffalo. 
There  is  no  brass  in  this  orchestra  at  all,  all  reeds 
and  strings,  somewhat  on  the  order  of  Jack  Denny's 
in  Montreal.  Needless  to  say  this  new  style  of 
dance  music  is  an  unusual  treat  to  the  Statler 
patrons,  being  quite  a  pleasant  contrast  to  the  usual 
blare   and  hot   music   played  by   the   other   bands. 

*  *     # 

P.  S. — I  hear  that  my  neighbor  friend  across  the 
column  here  is  going  on  his  vacation  this  week. 
Well  lots  of  real  sport  to  you,  Sid  Berman.  and  make 
sure  you  don't  buy  music  through  the  mail.  We'll 
all  look  for  the  news  through  your  song  column. 


Presentation  Built 
'Our  Gang" 


on 


iit 


A  presentation  built  around  a  short  feature 
was  the  novel  achievement  of  the  Rex  theatre 
at  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  when  a  "gang"  of  high 
school  tumblers  appeared  on  the  same  bill  as 
Hal  Roach's  Rascals  in  "Edison-Marconi  & 
Co."  The  Spartanburg  Herald  linked  the  two 
entertainment  features  in  an  unusual  news- 
paper   story. 


ORGAN     SOLOS 


Arthur  Richter  (Milwaukee  Wisconsin)  at  the  or- 
gan this  week  offers  something  different.  He  has 
made  up  a  song  all  of  his  own  about  the  ways  of 
women'.  There's  lots  of  humor  in  it,  too,  and  every- 
body seems  to  like  it. 


Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Chicago)  offered  a  very 
entertaining  novelty  this  week  entitled  "It's  up  to 
You."  Lyrics  were  flashed  on  the  scrim  curtain 
while  Charles  played  operatic  tunes  appropriate  for 
the  woi-ds.  He  proved  to  this  audience  that  he  was 
worthy  of  the  title  of  "America's  Versatile  Organ- 
ist" for  he  played  everything  from  opera  to  jazz  and 
how !  His  finish  was  very  clever  and  played  opera 
with  his  left  hand  and  jazz  with  his  right  hand  and 
all   at  the  same  time. 


Bob  Mitchell  (Dallas  Palace,  Tex)  offered  a  novel 
tie-up  of  his  own  specialty  presented  on  the  first 
half  of  the  week,  last  Saturday  when  he  broadcast  an 
organ  recital  on  WJAX.  His  special  number  was 
"That's  My  Weakness,"  and  as  he  played  for  the 
radio,  four  new  Dodge  sedans  equipped  with  loud 
speakers  paraded  the  streets,  with  the  radio  music  en- 
tertaining the  crowds  that  collected  whenever  the 
cars  stopped. 


Al  Sather  May  Become 
Feist  Coast  Manager 

AI.  Sather,  for  the  past  two  and  a  half  years 
assistant  manager  of  the  Pacific  Coast  branch  of 
Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  'with  offices  in  the  Kress  Building,  is 
acting  as  manager,  pending  the  appointment  of  a 
successor  to  Harvey  C.  Johnston,  who  passed  away 
recently. 

Mr.  Sather  has  been  connected  with  the  San  Fran- 
cisco office  for  two  and  a  half  years  and  for  three 
years  was  manager  of  the  Los  Angeles  branch.  In 
between  these  connections  he  operated  moving  picture 
houses  of  his  own,  was  manager  of  houses  for  West 
Oiast  Theatres  and  filled  some  vaudeville  engage- 
ments. He  is  personally  acquainted  with  every 
orchestra   leader  of  note  in  the  Far   West, 


SUNSHINE 
SAMMY 

"OUR  GANG" 
Star  and  his 
little  brother 
CHARLEY 

Now  Featured 
over 

Marcus  Loew 
Circuit 


Direction — Abe 


Feinberg 


BEST  SELLERS 

"Raniona" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Laugh,  Clozvn,  Laugh"  —  (Remick 
Corp.) 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 

"Constantinople"  —  (DeSylva,  Brown 
&  Henderson). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"Too  Busy" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Together"  —  (DeSylva,  Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"Chlo-e"— (Villa  Moret). 

"Rosette"— (Milton  Weil). 

"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard" — 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"Sweet  Sue  Just  You"  —  (Shapiro- 
Bernstein). 

"That's  My  Weakness"  —  (Shapiro- 
Bernstein). 

TALKING  TO  MYSELF— (Joe  Morris)— Love  will 
make  one  do  anything.  It's  a  mild  form  of  insanity. 
Later  he  may  become  violent.  However,  at  present 
he  confines  himself  to  talking  to  himself.  Wish  we 
knew  this  girl's  address  as  we  might  try  'to  save  this 
fellow.  Well  written'  and  looks  like  it  should  sell. 
By    Nelson    Ingham    and    Chas.    Smith. 

UTTLE  MISS  OKEECHOBEE  (Oh  Be  Mine)— 
(Donaldson-Douglas  and  Gumble) — A  tropical  song 
by  the  famous  Walter  Donaldson.  With  a  name  like 
she  has  she  should  be  glad  to  change  it  and  with  the 
proper  coaxing  no  doubt  will.  A  song  that  reminds 
one  of  the  old   "Oh   By   Jingo." 

WHAT  ARE  WE  WAITING  FOR?— (Irving 
Berlin) — As  the  title  denotes  it's  a  proposal.  Every- 
thing is  ready,  the  ring,  the  bungalow,  etc.,  but  with- 
out the  girl  it  means  nothing.  However,  with  per- 
severance he  must  win  out.  One  of  the  writers  is 
well  known  as  a  recording  pianist  for  the  Q.  R.  S. 
piano  rolls.  Words  by  Ray  Klages,  music  by  Max 
Kastlander. 

SUPPOSE  NOBODY  CARED— (Milton  Weil)— A 
sob  fox  trot  ballad  with  a  very  good  tune.  It  looks 
commercial  and  with  the  boosters  this  popular 
Chicago  publisher  has  will  no  doubt  be  well  exploited 
in  this  section.     By  Walter  Hirsch  and  Charlie  Davis. 

PICKIN'  COTTON— (DeSylva,  Brown  &  Hender- 
son)— Another  of  the  hit  songs  from  the  new  Scandal 
show.  Is  on  the  order  of  "Black  Bottom"  and  should 
sell  big  in  this  vicinity.  These  'writers  need  no  intro- 
duction. Are  at  the  head  of  their  class.  Music  arid 
lyrics   by   DeSylva,    Brown    &   Henderson. 

SOMEBODY  SWEET  IS  SWEET  ON  ME— (Irving 
Berlin) — A  song  that  has  all  the  ear  marks  of  a 
hit.  Has  a  great  lyric  and  as  good  a  tune.  Can  be 
used  as  a  cute  song  and  also  as  a  comedy  song  on  ac- 
count of  extra  choruses  that  are  really  funny.  By 
Gus    Kahn    and    Walter    Donovan. 

DON'T  CRY  BABY  (Cry  Baby  Don't  Cry)— (Leo 
Feist) — These  two  writers  who  are  as  good  as  any, 
are  writing  a  lot  of  songs  together.  A  cute  little  fox 
trot  ballad  that  will  add  to  their  fame.  More  power  to 
them  as  they  deserve  success.  Lyric  by  Gus  Kahn, 
music    by   Ted   Fiorito. 

CHIQUITA  (Come  Back)— (Leo  Feist)— A  new 
waltz  song  by  the  writers  of  Ramona.  The  melody 
writer  is  also  known  as  having  written  Spanish  Town. 
These  writers  know  their  business  and  this  song 
should  click.  Lyric  by  L.  Wolfe  Gilbert,  music  by 
Mabel    Wayne. 

THAT  STOLEN  MELODY— (Empire  Music  Co.)  — 
Fred  Fisher  the  writer  of  the  famous  "Dardanella" 
and  also  "Dance  of  the  Blue  Danube"  has  a  very 
interesting  idea  with  a  good  melody.  A  new  firm 
that  will  probably  start  this  song  for  a  turn  over  to 
one  of  the  big  publishers.  Words  and  music  by 
Fred  Fisher. 

NOTE: — Will  be  away  for  two  weeks  rest  but  shall 
supply  you  with  the  latest  song  notes  while  on  my 
trip  east. 


,jtci^  /3> 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Y^ 


THE    THEATRE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public,"  and  "Better  Business  Builders." 


Horwitz  of  Houston  Cashed  in 

on  the  Democratic  Convention 

^  iU  Horwitz,  pre-eminent  in  the  ranks  of  showmen,  has  handed  out  a  new 
and  amazing  thrill  in  a  publicity  campaign  for  the  local  Horwitz  theatres  in 
Houston,  during  the  National  Democratic  Convention.  While  other  showmen 
contented  themselves  with  dusting  off  the  front  a  bit  and  hanging  out  a  few 
"Welcome,  Delegates"  signs  and  one-sheets,  the  Horwitz  organization  perfected 
and  put  over  an  extensive  campaign  of  newspaper,  outdoor  and  word-of-mouth 
publicity  that  resulted  not  only  in  a  great  deal  of  local  comment  but  several 
reams  of  national  recognition  through  various  press  association  wires  and  shots 
in  all  major  newsreels. 


The  big  feature  of  the  campaign  was  the 
purchase  and  importation  of  4S  regulation 
burros,  emblematic  of  the  Democratic  hordes 
which  swarmed  the  Texas  city.  The  donkeys 
made  their  appearance  in  Houston  several 
days  in  advance  of  the  convention's  opening 
and  were  paraded  through  the  streets  and 
about  the  convention  hall  by  members  of  the 
local  Boy  Scout  organization. 

Each  donkey  was  covered  with  a  white 
blanket  on  which  the  words,  "Welcome,  Demoi- 
crats,"  the  name  of  a  state  and  the  number 
of  its  electoral  votes  and  the  closing  line, 
"Courtesy  Horwitz  Theatres,"  was  imprinted 
in  blue. 

Everyone   Wanted  the   Donkeys 

So  favorable  was  the  city's  reaction  to 
the  donkeys  that  the  committee  in  charge 
of  convention  affairs  granted  the  showman 
right  to  parade  his  donkeys  with  all  political 
demonstrations  and  to  promenade  them 
about  the  convention  hall  grounds  at  all 
times.  Police  of  the  city  were  instructed 
not  to  interfere  with  the  more  or  less  un- 
wieldy movements  of  the  beasts  and  natives 
and  visitors  were  able  to  see  the  "Donkey 
Delegation"  on  the  principal  thoroughfares 
of  Convention  City  at  almost  any  reason- 
able hour  of  the  day  or  night. 

The  arrival,  during  the  Convention,  of  an 
unexpected  addition  to  the  herd,  resulted 
in  "Page  One"  mention  in  the  newspapers 
and  brought  on  a  great  deal  of  additional 
comment  from  the  assembled  thousands. 
The  donkeys  participated  in  practically 
every  parade  and  demonstration  of  the 
Convention  and  were  generally  sought  for 
by  those  staging  festivities. 

Following  closing  of  the  big  political 
circus,  it  is  the  intention  of  Horwitz  to 
turn  over  a  number  of  the  gentle  animals  to 
the  municipal  park  for  a  donkey  path  and 
which,  incidentally,  will  represent  a  per- 
petual advertisement  of  the  Horwitz  thea- 
tres as  donors  of  the  desert  canaries. 

In  addition  to  the  donkey  stunt,  the  Hor- 
witz theatres  placed  about  the  city  more 
than  10,000  red  cardboard  arrows  bearing 
the  legend,  "Follow  the  Horwitz  Theatres 
Arrow  to  the  Convention  Coliseum"  and 
also  the  names,  Texan,  Iris,  Isis,  Ritz,  the 


four    theatres    forming    the    Will    Horwitz 
interests   in  the  city. 

Horwitz   Originates  Many  Ideas 

Pursuant  to  this  idea,  postcard  size  guide- 
cards  were  placed  in  each  room  of  each 
local  hotel — one  side  of  the  card  bearing  a 
short  description  of  places  of  interest  and 
the  other  side  calling  attention  to  the  out- 
door arrows  and  carrying  a  miniature  re- 
print of  one  of  the  street  markers. 

Horwitz  is  generally  conceded  to  have 
originated  some  of  the  most  startling  stunts 
ever  attempted  in  tiie  show  business  in  re- 
cent years.  His  Iris  was  the  first  theatre 
in  the  country  to  be  equipped  with  a  full 
power  radio  station  and  his  "Country  Store 
Night"  affair  has  developed  into  the  "Hor- 
witz Theatres  Saveway  Store,"  a  complete 
grocery  and  drug  sundry  concern  which 
sells  only  to  patrons  of  his  theatres  and  to 
which  admittance  is  goined  only  through 
coupons  given  at  the  box  offices  of  his 
theatres  on  the  purchase  of  an  adult  ticket. 

The  store  is  centrally  located  and  carries 
a  complete  line  of  groceries  and  drug  sun- 
dries as  well  as  auto  tires  and  small  acces- 
sories. It  is  arranged  in  the  popular  self- 
serving,  cash  and  carry  style  and  its  big 
feature  of  selling  only  to  Horwitz  Theatre 
patrons  at  the  absolute  wholesale  cost  has 
given  it  a  wonderful  impetus  as  well  as  an 
unlimited  amount  of  publicity  in  having  the 
store  and  the  theatres  discussed  over  the 
dining  tables  of  thousands  of  homes. 


Wrecked  Car  Used 
with  "Walking  Back^' 

A  novel  exploitation  stunt  is  being  used 
by  the  New  York  Hippodrome  in  connec- 
tion with  the  showing  of  the  Pathe  picture, 
"Walking   Back." 

A  wrecked  automobile  has  been  placed 
upside  down  on  a  small  truck.  Decorated 
with  banners  announcing  the  showing  of 
the  picture,  the  truck  traverses  the  busiest 
streets  and  between  trips  is  parked  in  front 
of  the  theatre.  The  stunt  attracts  much 
attention  and  ties  up  with  the  automobile 
duel  in  the  picture,  which  ends  with 
wrecked  cars. 


Leave  It  to  Brock 
for  Putting    Over 
Shows  with  a  Bang 

Frank  Brock,  special  exploitation  man  for 
the  Tri-State  Theatre  Corporation,  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  sends  in  some  ideas  for 
putting  over  shows  and  gaining  the  co- 
operation of  local  organizations.  And  from 
what  Brock  has  to  say,  he  surely  knows 
how  to  do  it.  W  e  believe  you  agree  with 
use  when  you  read  his  letter  here: 

"It  has  been  some  two  or  three  years 
since  I  have  made  any  contributions  to  your 
magazine  though  it  has  been  seldom  that 
I  have  missed  a  copy.  I  feel  lost  without 
the  Herald. 

"At  present  the  Tri-State  Theatre  Cor- 
poration is  playing  Miss  Joan  Meredith,  a 
Wampas  Baby  Star,  over  the  circuit.  Here 
is  how  I  put  her  over  in  one  of  our  small- 
est towns,  Ashdown,  Arkansas. 

"First  I  started  a  welcome  page  in  the 
local  weekly.  This  paper  came  out  the 
afternoon  before  her  appearance  there  and, 
therefore,  gave  me  a  very  good  break.  I 
am  enclosing  copy  of  same.  We  made  up 
a  dummy  and  easily  sold  space  to  various 
business  houses.  This  gave  us  a  full  page 
ad  and  incidentally  wemade  a  few  dollars 
on  it. 

"Then  I  sold  the  idea  to  three  women's 
clubs  that  it  would  be  quite  an  honor  to 
them  to  have  a  little  tea  at  their  clubhouse 
after  the  matinee  and  have  Miss  Meredith 
over.  They  fell  for  this  like  a  ton  of  brick 
and  almost  every  lady  in  town  was  there. 
Of  course,  they  all  came  to  the  show  that 
evening  and  we  played  to  capacity. 

"Please  note  that  on  the  'Welcome'  page 
we  have  the  American  R.  R.  Express  Com- 
pany and  the  Kansas  City  Southern  R.  R., 
two  companies  that  seldom  advertise  that 
way. 

While  in  Ashdown  I  pulled  a  Merchants' 
Free  Matinee.  You  will  note  that  on  spe- 
cial herald  we  distributed  we  got  the  "post 
office  gang."  Did  you  ever  hear  of  the  post 
office  coming  in  on  anything  like  this  be- 
fore? 

We  sold  the  merchants  the  idea  that  a 
free  matinee  would  draw  a  good  many  peo- 
ple to  town.  We  then  sold  them  space  on 
the  herald  at  a  price  that  would  bring  us 
about  as  much  as  we  had  been  grossing  on 
the  day.  That  left  us  the  night  on  which  we 
ran  an  entire  change  of  program.  It  rained 
that  day  but  even  at  that  it  brought  a  good 
many  people  to  town  and  a  few  merchants 
said  that  they  equalled  their  Saturday  busi- 
ness of  the  week  before  by  five  o'clock  and 
by  closing  time  had  gone  considerable  above 
the  Saturday  before.  We  did  about  the 
usual  rainy   Saturday  night  business. 

I  hope  these  two  little  tricks  will  help 
someone   else. 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Let  s  Give  Thacker 
Credit  for  His  Fine 
Lobby  Display  Work 

"The  Theatre's"  M.  B.  I.  Club  is  especiallx- 
proud  of  one  of  its  members,  H.  J.  Thacker, 
manager  of  the  Hippodrome  and  Temple  the- 
atres, Newport,  Kentucky,  and  M.  B.  I.  Num- 
ber. 20. 

Thacker  became  an  M.  B.  I.  by  making  an 
imusually  attractive  animated  lobby  display. 
Since  then  he  has  sent  in  pictures  of  another 
display,  and  now  he  sends  in  another.  And 
this  one  is  a  knockout.  It  is  pictured  on  thi.> 
page.    Here's  what  Thacker  says  about  it. 

"For  our  run  on  Chaplin's  'The  Circus', 
wc  used  a  six  sheet  for  our  cutout.  We 
mounted  the  figure  of  Chaplin;  built  an  imi- 
tation tight-rope  as  shown  in  the  picture. 

"The  mounted  figure  of  Chaplin  was  then 
braced  and  counterweighted  with  window 
weights,  and  the  figure  placed  on  the  rope. 
This  permitted  the  figure  of  Chaplin  to  sway 
to  and  fro,  as  it  was  balanced  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  it  could  be  operated  by  a  small  black 
wire  from  the  ticket  booth,  or  any  little  gust  of 
wind  blowing  against  the  wind  paddle  at  the 
lK)ttom  would  compel  Chaplin  to  sway,  giving 
a  very  realistic  effect." 

It  doesn't  take  much  mechanical  ingenuity 
to  produce  such  mechanical  lobby  displays,  and 
the  results  at  the  box  ofiice  surely  pay  for  all 
the  effort  and  time  required  in  their  making. 
It  is  just  such  displays  as  this  one  which  show- 
patrons  that  the  theatre  and  its  manager  are 
alive,  and  people  like  to  patronize  such  the- 
atres. 


House  Organ 
Exchange 

R.  H.  Zerbel,  Delft  theatre,  Marquette, 
Mich. 

Albert  Sindlinger,  Majestic  theatre, 
Athens,  Ohio. 

L.  W.  Carroll,  Majestic  theatre,  Bur- 
lington, Vermont. 

Montague  Salmon,  Boulevard  theatre, 
Los  Angeles. 

Publix  News,  Riviera  theatre,  Omaha, 
Nebraska. 

H.  M.  Addison,  Great  Lakes  theatre, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

John  Goldstone,  Empire  Picture  House, 
Huddersfield,   Yorkshire,  England. 

Wener  &  Green,  Russell  theatre.  Glace 
Bay,  Nova  Scotia. 

Charles  P.  Gilmore,  Orpheum  theatre, 
Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Verner  Hicks,  Arcadia  theatre,  Olney, 
III. 

Kenneth  Tallmadge,  Temple  theatre, 
Saginaw,  Mich. 

Wally  Nordby,  Indiana  theatre,  Indi- 
ana, Pa. 

The  Lark  Tales,  Lark  theatre,  McMinn- 
ville.  Ore. 

L.  D.  Everett,  Saenger  theatre.  Mobile, 
Ala. 

Hal  D.  Neides.  Grauman's  Egyptian 
theatre,  Hollywood,  Cal. 

William  T.  Meeks,  Shorewood  theatre, 
1535  Oakland  Ave.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Reinhold  W'aUach.  Sheboygan  theatre, 
Sheboygnn,  JFis. 

L.  O.  Gardner,  Neptune  theatre,  39th 
and  Bell,  Kansas  City. 

Vic  Walker,  West  Coast-Walker,  Santa 
Ana.  Cal. 
•  O.  M.  Linn,   Y.  M.   C.  A.,   Coatesville, 
Pa. 


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People  chuckle  at  such  clever  animated  cutouts  as  this  one.  and  a  chuckling  patron  is  a 
valuable  asset  to  any  theatre.  H.  ].  Thacker,  M.  B.  I.  No.  20,  and  manager  of  the  Hippo- 
drome and  Temple  theatres.  Newport,  Ky.,  deserves  the  credit  for  making  it.  Notice  how 
the  window  weights  balance  it.  A  small  wire  running  to  the  cashier  in  the  box  office  enables 
it  to  be  kept  in  motion  continuously. 


Teaser  Ads,  Huge 
Sign  Put  Across 
"Telling  the  World'' 

A  unique  stunt  was  pulled  by  the  Texas, 
San  Antonio,  on  William  Haines'  new  picture, 
"Telling  the  World."  The  Milan  building,  a 
21  story  structure,  is  located  one  block  back 
of  the  theatre,  and  the  immense  height  of  this 
building  was  used  to  a  good  advantage.  A 
thin  piece  of  piano  wire  was  stretched  from 
the  top  of  the  theatre  building  to  the  topmost 
point   of   a  flagpole   on   the   Milan  building. 

On  this  wire,  midway  between  the  two 
buildings,  was  hung  a  huge  silk  star,  mounted 
on  a  wire  frame,  with  ribbon  streamers  blow- 
ing in  the  wind.  For  four  days  before  the 
star  was  put  out  on  the  opening  of  the  pic- 
ture, a  series  of  teaser  ads  was  run  in  the 
local  papers,  heralding  the  coming  of  a  new 
"comet."  Immense,  amount  of  comment  was 
aroused  Ijy  this  star  up  in  the  air,  seemingly 
floating  without  support,  especially  at  night, 
when  a  red  spot  light  was  focused  on  it.  The 
regular  advertising  of  the  Texas,  after  the 
opening,  carried  the  line,  that  Haines  was  no 
longer  a  mere  star,  but  a  sensational  comet 
in   the   constellation   of   film   celebrities. 

Indorsements  of  newspaper  editors  and 
staff  writers  were  obtained  by  the  Texas,  for 
ads  "Telling  the  World."  A  special  newspa- 
per preview  was  held  on  Wednesday  night 
preceding  the  opening  on  Saturday,  and  237 
newspaper  men  and  women  turned  out — set- 
ting a  record  for  attendance  at  newspaper 
previews  for  any  theatre  in  Texas,  it  is  be- 
lieved. Enthusiasm  was  the  keynote  of  all  in- 
dorsements by  the  editors  and  their  staffs,  and 
the  preview  was  resultant  of  a  lot  of  good 
publicity. 


Receives  Benefits 
from  Exchange  Says 
a  Saenger  Manager 

"I  have  already  received  many  benefits 
from  the  House  Organ  exchange  and  wish 
the  best  of  success  to  the  growth  of  the 
organization,"  says  L.  D.  Everett  of  the 
Saenger  theatre.  Mobile,  Alabama,  and  that 
is  the  expression  of  other  members  of  the 
exchange. 

This  week  we  are  pleased  to  enroll  four 
new  members:  Vic  Walker,  West  Coast- 
Walker  theatre,  Santa  Ana,  California; 
L.  O.  Gardner,  Neptune  theatte,  39th  and 
Bell,  Kansas  City;  Reinhold  Wallach,  She- 
boygan theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  and 
O.  M.  Linn,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Coatesville,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

If  you  are  publishing  a  theatre  house  or- 
gan, you  can  be  helped  by  'joining  the 
House  Organ  Exchange,  which  in  reality  is 
an  organization  for  the  exchange  of  ideas. 
Just  sign  the  coupon  below  and  send  it  to 
"Tlie  Theatre"  department. 


Exhibitors    Herald 

and 

Moving 

Picture 

World, 

407  S.  Dearborn  St. 

Chicago,  III. 

"The  Theatre": 

Please  enroll  me 

as  a 

member 

of  The 

House  Organ  Exchange. 

I  will  exchange       1 

house  organs  with  other  members 

Name 

Theatre 

Address 

52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


^^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window." 


N 


'LADIES  OF  THE  MOB' 


^.    O.   Service 


OW  let"s  get  it  \vritten  in  letters  of  fire 
and  upon  imperishable  tablets  that  Clara  Bow 
can  act.     "Clara  Bow  can  octT 

Is  that  clear?  If  it  is,  let  us  forget  it  and 
restore  Miss  Bow  to  the  type  of  assignment 
which  was  hers  in  "Red  Hair"  and  in  "It." 
(Who  wants  her  to  act,  anyway?) 

I  suppose  a  demonstration  of  her  acting 
ability  had  to  be  given.  There  were  those  who 
believed  she  couldn't,  that  she  was  a  freak  per- 
sonality, a  product  of  circumstances,  etc.,  and 
seemingly  there  was  a  disposition  on  the  part 
of  her  employers  to  correct  this  belief.  It  is 
completely  corrected  by  "Ladies  of  the  Mob" 
and  I  urge  that  she  has  done  enough  acting 
in  this  picture  to  last  the  remainder  of  her 
natural  life. 

"Ladies  of  the  Mob"  is  good.  It's  a  story 
about  a  gangster's  sweetie.  Richard  Arlen  is 
the  gangster.  He  isn't  a  very  good  one,  but 
good  enough.  Miss  Bow  is  the  gal  who  tries 
to  make  him  see  the  error  of  his  ways.  They 
disagree  about  this  for  six  or  seven  reels  and 
then  reach  an  understanding.  Some  of  the 
things  happening  in  between  are  interesting, 
others  are  not.  and  some  are  merely  things 
concocted  to  happen  in  between.  From  begin- 
ning to  end  Miss  Bow  acts,  however,  and  that's 
the  point.     Let  us  consider  it  made. 

I  do  not  believe  that  we  need  Miss  Bow 
as  an  actress.  There  are  too  many  actresses, 
already.  There  are  very  few  Clara  Bows.  One 
Clara  Bow  is  worth  a  gross  of  actresses.  Let's 
restore  her  to  the  light,  logical  little  pieces 
wherein  she  has  only  to  bring  forth  the  per- 
sonality and  let  it  sparkle.  Today's  people 
are   in   the  market   for  this. 

"STEAMBOAT  BILL.  JR." 

yj  PENING  night  of  "Ramona"  at  the 
United  Artists  theatre  in  this  man's  town  saw 
peasant  and  patrician  battling  for  entrance. 
Opening  night  of  "Steamboat  Bill,  Jr."  wasn't 
so  congested.  This  is  because  everybody  had 
read  "Ramona"  and  felt  they  had  to  see  it. 
Which  shows  plainly  enough  that  everybody 
is  crazy — for  one  Buster  Keaton  comedy  is  bet- 
ter picture  entertainment  than  all  the  historical 
dramas  in  all  the  world  placed  end  to  end 
and  multiplied  by  a  coon's  age.  Especially 
when  the  Buster  Keaton  comedy  is  divided 
equally  between  Buster  Keaton  and  Ern;'st 
Torrence. 

"Steamboat  Bill,  Jr."  is  a  gag  about  steam- 
boats   on    what    seems    to    be    the    Mississippi. 


(Do  they  have  them  on  other  rivers?)  The 
younger  Bill  is  Buster.  Torrence  is  his  Dad. 
There  are  some  other  folks  in  the  picture,  too. 
Buster  is  in  love  with  a  girl,  whose  father 
owns  a  better  boat.  Buster  and  his  Dad  don't 
get  along  so  well,  either.  The  action  is  a 
series  of  gags  for  the  typewritten  narration  of 
which  a  reporter  should  be  hung  to  the  star- 
board bow  (if  that's  what  I  think  it  is  but 
fear  it  isn't)  until  dead,  dead  and  a  couple 
more  deads.  The  final  section,  wherein  the 
Keaton  record  for  sustained  laughter  is  broken 
and  surpassed,  contains  a  windstorm.  Further 
than  that  you  shall  hear  nothing  at  all  from 
me   about    the   picture. 

''THE  MICHIGAN  KID" 

V V  OULD  you  believe  that  Conrad  Nagel 
could  get  away  with  a  great  big  he-man  Rob- 
ert W.  Service-Rex  Beach-Klondike  type  of 
hero?  Well,  believe  it  or  not,  he  does.  He's 
the  Michigan  Kid  in  "The  Michigan  Kid"  and 
the  yarn  is  by  Rex  Beach  and  the  place  is 
Alaska  and  the  time  is  just  after  everybody 
went  up  there  to  get  rich  or  something.  The 
Kid  is  one  of  the  ones  that  got  rich. 

I  feel  it  is  of  no  importance  that  I  think 
these  Klondike  things  are  a  dead  language. 
As  far  as  I'm  concerned,  Chaplin  finished  the 
subject  with  his  "Gold  Rush."  Since  then, 
evei-y  time  I  see  a  drink-dance-gamble  joint  I 
expect  to  see  Chaplin  walk  in  and  Mack  Swain 
to  bob  up  from  somewhere  with  blood  in  his 
eye.  Try  as  I  may — and,  for  that  matter,  do 
— I  can't  take  the  things  seriously.  I  sincerely 
trust   that   1   am   alone   in   my   difficulty. 

In  this  treatise  on  the  subject  of  how  to 
be  a  noble  gambler  and  get  the  gal  the  other 
guy  brought  in,  Mr.  Nagel  performs,  as  I 
have  intimated,  prodigiously.  I  didn't  think 
he  could  do  it,  but  he  does.  I  gather  the 
concluding  evidence  supporting  my  recently 
incipient  theory  that  Mr.  Nagel  is  a  first  rate 
actor  and,  therefore,  can  do  just  about  any- 
thing that  needs  doing  at  a  given  moment. 
Tliere  is  a  comfort  in  this  knowledge. 

"STREET  ANGEL" 

JL  WILL  write  very  little  about  "Street  Angel" 
because  if  I  should  write  what  is  in  my  mind 
the  present  volume  would  not  contain  it.  And 
what  is  in  my  mind  has  to  do  with  "Street 
Angel"    only   becatise   that   happens    to   be   the 


first  Movietone  subject  I  have  seen  after  the 
local  board  of  censorship  had  had  its  way 
with  the  print.  And  no  doubt  my  remarks 
in  that  connection  would  be  unduly  bitter, 
for  I  have  long  since  exhausted  my  supply  or 
polite  phrases  descriptive  of  censors  and  the 
language  I  have  left  at  my  disposal  would  not 
look   well   in   this   punctiliously  polite    page. 

I  shall  say  of  "Street  Angel"  only  that  it 
seems  to  contain  the  elements — as  well  as  the 
stars — that  were  contained  in  "Seventh  Heaven," 
adding  that  a  good  many  of  those  around 
me  in  the  theatre  seemed  to  consider  it  about 
as  good  as  that  picture  and  of  course  that  is 
good  enough.  And  I  shall  add  that  a  majority 
of  those  present  did  not  audibly  protest  when 
captions  substituted  by  the  censors  threw  great 
gaps  of  silence  into  the  musical  accompaniment 
nor  when  eliminations  jerked  the  orchestra 
instanter  from  a  legato  passage  into  something 
quite  else  again.  I  must  add,  too,  that  one  of 
two  things  must  be  done:  A  way  of  conceal- 
ing censor  marks  must  be  devised,  or  censors 
must  be  eliminated.  All  those  in  favor  of  the 
second  (and  on  the  basis  of  property  damage 
it  ought  not  to  be  difficult  of  accomplishment) 
say  "eye"  and  keep  right  on  saying  it  until 
the  last  remaining  censor  in  these  United  States 
has  gone  back  to  work  on  the  roadgang. 

"THE   COSSACKS" 

J_  J.  ERE,  boys  and  girls,  is  ripe,  red  meat. 
Here  is  blood,  thunder,  wine,  woman  and  song. 
Here  are  men  of  horse  and  sword,  women  of 
no  particular  importance,  wars  and  rumors  of 
wars.      And    here    is    entertainment! 

Here  is  John  Gilbert  astride  a  horse  and' 
smeared  with  the  blood  of  battle.  Here  is 
Ernest  Torrence  shaven  of  head  and  reeking 
of  the  road.  Here  is  Renee  Adoree  a  romantic 
if  foreign  factor  in  a  setting  where  wooing  was 
conducted  differently  than  it  must  be  done  for 
the  camera.  And  here  are  cossacks  (no  doubt 
Tartar  wouldn't  have  been  comprehensible  any- 
way) and  Turks  and  knives  and  guns  and  tor- 
tures and  rides  and  battles  and— well,  it's  a 
great   picture. 

Wlien  one  of  these  things  happens — -when- 
blood  is  spilled  all  over  the  nice  white  picture 
sheet,  when  scene  sweeps  upon  scene  with  re- 
gard for  nothing  at  all  save  full  speed  ahead 
— there  is  joy  in  the  picture  houses,  jingles 
in  the  box  office  and  renewed  hope  in  the 
breasts  of  exhibitors  and  those  who,  like  my- 
self, foolishly  try  to  write  about  pictures  for 
them. 

Wlio-o-o-opee ! 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


5S 


Y^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The    key    to    abbreviations    used    in    denoting    the    type    of    pictures 
C Comedy  F Farce 


D Drama 

R^— Romance 


M Melodrama 

W Western 


My^— Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures.     ■ 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Chesterfield 


1928 

5400     Adorable  Cheat.   The,  Irila  Lee-Mclntosh June  1 

5450     Below    the    Deadline ...Feb.  28 

5500     Campus    Knights    Aug.  15 

Circumstantial    Evidence   - Oct.  30 

House  of  Shame,  The June  30 

Roaring    Forties.   The Apr.  15 


1928 


5300 
6000 
6000 


5900     South    of    Panama. Dee.  15 


1927 

5831 
6843 
5432 
5628 
5513 
5645 
5750 
5524 
5569 
5892 
1000 
5996 
5435 
5054 
6108 
5357 
5426 
5791 


Columbia 


1927 


.Tan.  7 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  31 


Oct.  1 
.Tuly  23 


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 


Alias  the  Lone  Wolf  (D).  Lytell-Wilscn. Aug.  22 

Blood    Ship,    The    (M),    Bosworth-Logan Aug,  10 

By  Whose   Hand    (MyD),   Cortez-GUbert Sept.  15 

College   Hero.   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon.. Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes _ _...Dec.  8 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Women   (D),  Tearle-Sebastian..Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   Ljtell-WUson _ July  31 

Opening    Night,   The    (D),   Windsor-J.   Bowers....NoT.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson. ...._ May  14 

Sally  in  Our  Alley   (M),  Mason-Allen...- Sept.  3        Jan.  14       

Screen  Snapshots Aug.  28 

Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Revier _ Dec.  20       Jan.  21        Jan.  21 

Stage  Kisses  (D).  Harlan-Chadwick -...Nov.  2         Jan.  7         

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Eevier _ 

Sweet   Rosie   O'Grady   (CD),   Mason - Oct.  2 

Tigress,    The    (M),  Holt-Revier - _ Oct.  21        _ - 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Bevier-Agnew _ - 

Warning,  The  (M),  Holt-Bevier Nov.  26       Dec.  3 


-.52.72% 


1928 

5459  After   the    Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth _ 

5537  Broadway    Daddies,   Jacqueline  Logan. 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Reynolds-Ford - May  26 

5928  Desert   Bride,   The    (MD),   Betty  Compson _...Mar.  26       Apr.  14 

........  Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew Jan.  25        Feb.  25 

5925  Matinee   Idol,  The   (MD),  Lo.e-Walker Mar.  14       Apr.  7 

Modern    Mothers    (CD),  Helene  Chadwick Jime  9  

Name  the   Woman    (D),   Stewart-Gordon _ June  19 

5440  So  This    Is   Love,  Mason-Collier Feb.  6         Feb.  23 

5464  Sporting    Age,    The,    Bennett-Herbert Mar.  2         

6047  That  Certain   Thing.  Dana-Graves Jan.  1  Jan.  28 

5350  Wife's    Relations,   The,  Mason-Glass Jan.  13        Feb.  11 

5472  Woman's   Way,   A,  Baxter-Livingston Feb.  IS       Mar.  31 


1928 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


1927 

2000     Angelus,  The    (D) May  15 

2000     Real    Charleston,   Lesson  Novelt.v ^p^-  24 

Wooden  Shoes,  International ^lay  S 

1927  Emblem  Films 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings Dec.  3 


1927 


1927 


1927 


Excellent 


1927 


Back   to   Liberty    (D),    Walsh-Hall Nov.  15        

Bowery  Cinderella,  A  (D),  O'Malley-Hulette May  1  

Broadway   Drifter   (D),  Walsh-Hall Nov.  1         

Broadway  Madness   (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith Apr.  14 

His    Rise  to    Fame    (D),    Walsh-Shaw Feb.  13        

Kick-off,    The    (D),   Hyams-Amann Mar.  17 

7393     Nest,  The   (D),  Frederick-Herbert Aug.  1         

5337     Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Roberts Ian.  13        Mar.  3 


5912 
6645 
5792 


5750 
5867 


Winning  Oar,  The  (D),  Walsh-Hall June  1 

Your  Wife   and    Mine    (F).   Haver-Holmes Sept.  1 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Ticker' 


1928 


6400 
0536 
6600 


A   Bit  of   Heaven    (0),  Washburn-Lw Apr.  25 

Into  No   Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschi-J.  Norman_ 

Making  the   Varsity.   Ecx  Lease-Mildred  Harris. .June  SO 

Manhattan    Knights,   Barbara  Bedford July  15 

Speed   Classic,  The,  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris-...July  23 

Satan   and  the   Woman    (D).   Windsor- Keefe Jan.  20 

Stronger   Will,  The    (D),  Marmont-Carewe .Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),    Cliadwicl;-Delaney Mar.  30 

You're  in   the   Army    (D).. - May  25 


1928 


Feb.  25 
Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


4765 
4S5S 
4910 
4S37 
3701 
5U93 
4734 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5663 
5186 
6481 
6515 
5181 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
48SG 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5311 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame   in   the  Sky    (M),   Luden-Lynn. Dec.  18 

Bandit's    Son.    The    (W).    Bob    Steele Nov.  20 

Boy    Rider,    The    (W),   Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed    of  Courage    (D),    Ranger Aug.  7 

Cherokee    Kid,   The    (W),   T.vler-Lynn -Oct.  30 

Clancy's   Kosher  Wedding   (CD),  Geo.   Sidney Sept.  17 

Coward,   The   (D),   Warner  Baxter Aug.  21 

Desert    Pirate    (W),    Tom    Tyler Deo.  25 

Flying    U    Ranch.    The    (W),   Tom  Tyler Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,    The    (C),   Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail   Robbery.  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,    The    (D).    Orville   Caldwell Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder   No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne Nor.  13 

In   a   Moment  of  Temptation    (M),  Kit  Guard....Sept.  IS 

Jake  the  Plumber   (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-Valli Nov.  6 

Little    Mickey    Grogan    (D),    Frankie   Darro -Dec.  27 

Loves  of   Ricardo    (D),  Beban June  17 

Mojave   Kid,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon   of   Israel    (D),   Maria  Corda - 

Not  for  Publication    (M),   Ralph  Ince Aug.  31 

Racing    Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange 

Ranger  of  the  North   (D),  Ranger Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),   Ralph  Ince Oct.  19 

Slingshot   Kid,   The   (M).  Buzz  Barton Dec.  4 

South  Sea   Love    (D),  Patsy  Miller Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The    (D),  Ranger Dec.  11 


Dec.  10       

Dec.  10       

Dec.  3         Oct.  8 


192/ 


Dec.  24 


..Sept.  10 
..Sept.  10 


Nov.  26       July  30 

.July  2 

Nov.  19       Nov.  19 
Dec.  3         Nov.  26 

Dec.  10 

Dec.  3         

Nov.  12 
Dec.  17 
Dec.  31 


54.90% 


Aug.  20 


.Dec.  10 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  10 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  10 


5144 
4769 
5771 
4S01 
6424 
4785 
4781 
48S4 
6419 
4729 
6039 
5967 
4793 
4760 
6329 
4898 
4S03 


Alex  the    Great    (M),   Skeets  Gallagher -May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway.„.-Mar.  18 

Breed    of  the  Sunsets    (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago   After   Midnight   (M),   Ince-Mendez Mar.  4 

Coney    Island    (0),  Lois  Wilson Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis -May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve   (D).  Fairbanks,  Jr Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,   The   (D),   Belle  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog   Justice    (M),   Ranger June  10 

Driftin'  Sands   (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the   Wild   (D),  Ranger Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W).    Buzz  Barton .Tuly  1 

Freckles   (D).   Str,itton-Fox,   ,Tr Mar.  21 

Headin'  for    Danger   (MD),  Bob  Steele 

Her   Summer    Hero    (CD),   Blane-Trevor Feb,  12 

Law  of  Fear  (D).  Banger Apr.  8 

Legionnaires    in    Paris    (C),    Cooke-Guard _Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo.  The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The   (D),  On-ille  Caldwell.. May  28 

Man   in  the    Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range   (W),  Tom  Tyler Apr.  22 

Pinto    Kid.    The    (W),   Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red    Riders  of   Canada   (M),  P.  R.  Miller Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade    (W),   Bob  Steele -Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals   (M),  Bessie  Love July  13 

Skinner's    Big    Idea    (M),    Bryant   Washburn Apr.  24 

Texas   Tornado.   The    (W),   Tom  T.vler Feb.  26 

Trail   of  Courage,   The    (W),  Bob  Steele July  S 

Wallflowers   (D),   Trevor-Scott Feb.  16 

When  the   Law    Rides   (W),  Tom  Tyler June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle   (W),  Buzz  Barton. Jan.  22 


Feb. 
May 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Jan. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Dec. 
Mar. 
June 
Dec. 
Jan. 
Feb, 
Feb, 
-June 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Dec. 
Jan. 
June 
Feb. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Jan. 


Apr.  28 
Apr.  14 


192' 

3400 
3960 
5600 
5900 
3S00 
3700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5000 
5700 


First  Division 


Comrades.    Costello-Hughes    Jan.  1 

Death   Valley   (W),  Carroll  Nye Sept.  1 

Eager  Lips,  Garon Oct.  1 

Finnegan's    Ball    (C),    Mack  Swain Sept.  15 

Ladies  at   Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short Nov.  13 

Ladybird,   Compson  -Aug.  1 

Naughty,   Garon  .-..Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the    Movies,   Short-Robards Oct.  15 

Ragtime   (D),  De  La  Motte Sept.  1 

Return    of  Boston    Blackie    (D),   Glenn-Palmer....Aug.  1 

Say   It  with    Diamonds,  Betty  Compson -Aug.  13 

Temptations   of   a   Shop   Girl,   Compson Nov.  1 

1928 

5500     Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells Apr.  1 

630U     Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson -Mar.  1 

6200     Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells Mar,  15 


Jan,  7 
Nov.  26 


Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


..Aug.  6 
..,Tuly  9 
..July  23 


1928 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


1927 


Sept.  3 


1928 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


First  National 


1927 

6300 

6333 

0433 

0222 

6705 

S73rt 

7724 

G3S6 

0588 

0802 

5400 

5282 

7133 

6288 

6118 

6190 

6524 

6400 

6721) 

571S 

5550 

5255 

7388 

5521 

5542 

5434 

7846 

6520 

6040 

6431 

6734 

11414 

5982 

6897 

0400 

6210 

6477 

560ii 

5800 

054S 

7179 

5000 

7400 

7419 

5774 

5668 

7833 

6330 

6324 

6409 

1928 

7404 
6500 
5800 
5744 
6374 


All    Aboard    (C),   Hines-Murpliy May  8 

American    Beauty    (CD).  Dove-Hughes Oct.  9 

An   Affair  of  the    Follies   (D),  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise   (CD),   v..  Talmadge... Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D).    Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D).  X.  Talmadge-Roland Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D).    Shennan-Mackaill Apr.  24 

Crystal   Cup,    The   (D),   Mackaill-Mulhall Oct.  16 

Dance    Magic    (D).    Lyon-Starke June  12 

Drop    Kick.    The    (D),    Barthelniess-Revier Sept.  25 

Easy    Pickings    (MyM).   Nilsson-Harlan. Fell.  20 

Framed    (D).    Sills-Kingston -.Tune  19 

Gorilla,   The    (My),  Murray  Kelsey -Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W).    Maynard-Faire Nov.  6 

Her  Wild   Oat   (C).  Moore-Kent Dec.  25 

High    Hat    (CD).   Lyon-Brian Mar.  13 

Home  Made    (C),  Hines-Daw Nov.  20 

Lady  in   Ermine,  The   (D),  C.  Grifnth-Bushman.jan.  9 

Life   of    Riley,    The    (C).   Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladies    (CD),    Nilsson-Stoue juiy  3 

Long    Pants    (C),    I.an;;don-Bonner Apr.  10 

Lost    at   the    Front    (C).   Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love    Mart.  The    (D).  Dove-Koland Dec.  18 

Lunatic   at    Large,    The    (C).   Errol-Mackaill ,jan.  2 

Man   Cra^y    (CD),   Ma<;kaill-MulhaU Nov.  27 

Masked   Women,  The  (D).  Nilsson-Blinn-H'nsen.,jan.  23 

McFadden's    Flats    (C),    Murray-Conlilin peb.  0 

Naughty   But  Nice    (C),  Moore-Keed June  26 

Notorious   Lady.   The   (D).  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No   Place  to   Go    (C).   Hughes-Asfor Oct.  30 

Orchids  and   Ermine,  Miwre-Mulliall Mar.  6 

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The   (D).  Barflmess-O'Day.. 

Perfect   Sap.    The    (CD).    Lyon-Starke Ijan.  16 

Poor    Nut.   The    (C).  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7 

Prince  of   Head   Waiters   (D).  Stone-Tashman — 

Red    Raiders.    The    (W).   Maynard-Drew July  17 

Rose  of  the    Golden  West   (D),  Astor-Koland...._Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger.   The   (D).  Sills-Astor Oct.  2 

See   You  in   Jail    (C).  JIuUiall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile.    Brother,   Smile   (C).  Mulhall-Mackaill Apr.  17 

Stolen    Bride.  The   (D).  Huglies-Dove Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D).  Astor-CoUier Aug.  14 

Tender    Hour,    The    (D).   Dove-I<yon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A   (CD),  liogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three    Hours   (D),   Grilfith-Bowers Dec.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd    (C),   I.,angdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes,    Moore-Harlau   -Aug.  28 

Valley   of  the  Giants   (D).   Sills-Kenyon. Dec.  11 

Venus  of   Venice    (CD).   Xalmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White   Pants  Willie   (C).  Hines-Hyams July  24 


Nov.  19 
Nov.  12 


Apr.  2 

Oct.  22 

Mar.  5 

Nov.  26 

..May  21 

..May  2 

..May  21 

Oct.  29 

Aug.  13 


Dec.  17 
Dec.  3 


Feb.  26 
..July  9 
.Jan.  7 


..Mar.  19 
Oct.  29 
..Jan.  8 
..Oct.  1 
..Sept.  24 
..Apr.  9 
..June  25 


..Feb.  5 


..Jan.  22 
...Feb.  12 
...July  16 

May  14 
..Dec.  10 
..Apr.  9 
._Aug.  20 
...Jan.  22 
...Sept.  10 
...July  23 
...Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 
..May  14 
..Apr.  23 
...Sept.  17 
...Sept.  3 
...Tuly  2 
...May  28 

Apr.  16 
..  Jan.  1 
...Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 
...Aug.  6 
...Apr.  16 


6172 
6344 
7100 
7433 
7541 
6957 

7694 
6592 
0608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5485 
8188 
5827 
6212 
6874 
5087 
7187 

192' 

4665 
4777 
4556 
5425 
6078 
533:; 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8154 
5524 
4545 
5617 
5515 
498:; 
4851 
6940 
616^ 
5599 
5507 
8538 
5415 
5440 
5500 
7734 

5327 

6898 

.5870 

5893 

5480 

5870 

10720 

5107 


Big    Noise,    The    (CD).    Conklin-White Mar. 

Burning    Daylight   (M).   Sills-Kenyoni) Feb. 

Canyon    of    Adventure    (W),    Maynard Apr. 

Chaser,   The   (C),  I^angdon _. -Feb. 

Chinatown    Charlie    (C),    Hines-lK>rraine Apr. 

Code  of   the    Scarlet    (W),   Ken  Maynard 

Flying    Romeos    (C).    MuiTay-Sidney Feb. 

French    Dressing    (CD).   Warner- Wilson. Jan. 

Happiness    Ahead    (D).    Colleen-Moore-Lowe June 

Hawk's   Nest,   The    (M).   Milton  SUls May 

Harold   Teen    (CD).  Lake-Brian Apr. 

Heart  of  a   Follies  Girl    (D).  Dove-Kent- 

Shermari    Mar. 

Helen    of    Troy    (CD),    Stone-Corda-Cortez Jan. 

Ladies    Night    (CD),  Macliaill-Mulhall Apr. 

Lady    Be    Good    (CD),  JIulhall-Mackaill May 

Lilac    Time    (D),    Moiire-Cooper Apr. 

Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Dome    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     Apr. 

Mad    Hour    (D),    O'Neil-Kent-Slierman Mar. 

Noose.    The    (D),   Barthelmess-.To.vce Jan. 

Sailors'    Wives    (CD).   Huglies-Astor .Ian. 

Shepherd   of  the    Hills   (D),   Francis-O'Day -Tan. 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),   Hughes-Astor May 

Wagon    Show,    The    (W1,    Maynard Mar. 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip   Woman.   The   (D),  Ta.vlor-Moreno Feb. 

Yellow   Lily,   The   (D).   Dove-Brooks May 


Mar.  10       Apr.  7 


Peb.  11 
Feb.  18 
...Tune  23 
Apr.  7 
Deo.  10 
May  26 
May  26 
Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


Dec.  17 
June  16 


June  2 

Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Dec.  10 
Dec.  24 
Dec.  8 
Apr.  28 
-Mar.  17 
..June  2 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  28 


Fox 


Arizona   Wildcat,  The   (W),  Tom  Mix _-.Nov.  20 

Blackjack    (W).   Buck  .Tones Sept.  25 

Blood    Will    Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones Nov.  13 

Broncho  Twister   (W),  IVUx Mar.  13 

•Cameo    Kirby    (D).   .Tohn  Gilbert Aug.  28 

Chain    Lightning    (W),  Buck  Jones -Aug.  14 

Circus  Ace,  The.   .Mix —Tune  26 

Come  to    My    House    (CD),  Olive  Borden Dec.  25 

Cradle    Snatchers    (FC),    Fazenda June  5 

East   Side,    West  Side    (D),   O'Erien-A'alli Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,    The    (C),    Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W).    Jones -Tune  12 

Heart  of  Salame    (My),  Kubens May  8 

High   School   Hero   (C).  Phipps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril   (W),  Jones May  1 

•Honor  First   (D),  Jolin  Gilbert Sept.  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  (J'lJrien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl,    The    (CD),    Olive  Borden Sept.  18 

Ladies    Must    Dress   (CD),   Virginia  Valli -Nov.  20 

Love    Makes   'Em    Wild    (D),   Harron Mar.  6 

Loves    of   Carmen    (D).   .\liLaglen-Del  Rio Sept.  4 

Madam    Wants   No  Children.  Cordia Apr.  3 

Marriage     (D),     Aalli Feb.  20 

Monkey    Talks    (D),    Lerner Feb.  20 

Music  Master   (D),  A.   B.   Francis .Tan.  23 

One    Increasing    Purpose    (D).   Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of    Red    River    (W).   Mix 

Paid   to    Love    (D),    O'Brien-Valli Aug.  14 

Pajamas    (CD),    Jiordirj-Gray Oct.  23 

Publicity   Madness  (CD),  Moran-Lowc Oct.  2 

Rich    But   Honest    (CD),  licebe May  22 

Secret  Studio,   The   (CD),   Jiordcn, June  19 

Seventh    Heaven.    The   (R),  J'arrell-CJaynor Oct.  30 

'Shame   (M),  Jolin  Gilbert.... Nov.  27 


..Nov.  12 
..Apr.  2 


Jan.  ' 
Jan. 


..June  4 
Oct.  22 


..Tune  11 
-.May  9 
..O'ct.  29 
..May  14 


..May  21 
..Sept.  24 
Dec.  17 


..Oct.  8 
..Apr.  10 
..Feb.  20 
..Mar.  5 
..Jan.  22 
..Jan.  15 
..Ai)r.  23 
..Aug.  () 
..Dec.  10 


..June  4 
..June  25 
..May  28 
..Nov.  26 


1927 


56.10% 

48.00% 

65.00% 
61.54% 


54.81% 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.66% 

45.80% 

1928 


1927 


63.00% 


48.60% 
61.58% 


77.10% 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


5440 

5009 

5792 

5412 

5020 

4943 

41175 

4299 

6293 

5510 

5620 

4953 

11109 

5783 

5629 

5531 

1928 

4612 


Silk   Legs   (CD).  Madge  BeUamy Dec.  18 

Silver  Valley   (W).  Tom  Mix _Oct.  2 

Singed    (D).    Baxter-Sweet Aug.  21 

Slaves  of   Beauty    (D).   Herbert-Tell June  5 

Stage    Madness    (D).   Valli Jan.  9 

St.    Elmo   (M).   .tohn  Gilbert _Oct.  9 

Tumbling    River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn Aug.  21 

Truxton    King,    Gilbert Oct.  30 

Two  Girls  Wanted   (CD).  Janet  Gaynor -Sept.  11 

Upstream    (D),  Foxe Jan.  30 

Very    Confidential    (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Nov.  6 

War    Horse    (W),   Jones Feb.  0 

What    Price    Glory    (CD).    McLaglen-Lowe Aug.  28 

Whispering  Sage  (W).  .Tones -...Mar.  20 

Wizard.   The    (MyD).   Lowe-Hyam.s Dec.  11 

Wolf    Fangs    (D).   Thunder   (Dog) Nov.  27 


Deo.  31 
Dec.  17 


Oct.  29 
...Tuly  10 
..June  11 
..Jan.  29 


Aug.  27 


..Feb.  12 
-Nov.  12 
..ITeb.  19 


-Apr.  9 
Dec.  3 


4987 
5708 
0500 
5109 
5«)3S 
5882 
6430 
4018 
0188 
4399 
5782 
0679 
5071 
5260 
5380 
5629 
5355 
5937 
4921 
5030 
548(1 

1927 


Branded   Sombrero.  The   (W),  Buck  Jones Jan 

Chicken  a  la   King   (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

Daredevil's    Reward    (W),   Tom  Mix Jan 

Don't   Marry,    Moran-HamUton June 

Dressed   to    Kill,   Lowe-Astor Mar. 

Escape,  The  (D),  HusseU-Valli Apr. 

Gateway  of   the   Moon,  The    (D),   Del  Kio Jan. 

Girl  in    Every  Port.  A   (CD),  Victor  McLaglen....Jan. 

Hangman's    House.    McLaglen-CoUyer May 

Hello   Cheyenne,   Tom  Mix May 

Honor   Bound.  O'Brien -Taylor May 

Horseman   of  the   Plains   (W).  Tom  Mix Mar. 

Love    Hungry    (CD).   Moran-Gray Apr. 

News    Parade.    Stuart-Phillips 

No  Other  Woman    (D).  Dolores  Del  Rio...- June 

Play  Girl.  The,  Madge  Bellamy Apr. 

Sharp  Shooters    (CD),   O'Brien-Moran Jan. 

Soft    Living    (CD).    Bellamy-Brown Feb. 

Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan Mar. 

Thief    In  the   Dark,    A,   Meeker-Hill-Beebe May 

Wild    West    Romance    (W),  Bex   King June 

Why  Sailors   Go  Wrong,  I'liipps-McNamara Mar, 

Woman   Wise   (C),  Russiell-Coll.ver Jan. 


.Tan.  21 
-June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 
..May  26 
.Tune  23 


..May  S6 
May  19 


Feb.  4 
.Tune  23 


Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


May  19       June  2 


Gotham 


6987 
5800 
6000 
02IM) 
5950 
6500 
67110 
6750 

1928 

5208 


Blondes   by  Choice    (C),   Claire  Windsor Oct.  1 

Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  Graves-Olmstead Nov.  15 

Final    Extra   (M),  De  la  Motte 

'Frisco   Nights    (D),  Peix-y  Marmont Dec.  1 

Girl  from    Rio.    The    (D),   Carmel  Myers Sept.  1 

Heroes  of  the  Night  (M).  Landis-Nixon 

Rose  of    Kildare.   The    (D),  Helene  Chadwick Aug.  15 

Satin   Woman,   The   (D).   Mi-s.    Wallace  Reid Aug.  1 


Bare    Knees    (D).    Corbine Feb.  1 

Branded    Man,    The    (D),   Delaney-Marlowe May 

Chorus    Kid,   The    (D),   All   Star Apr.  1 

Danger    Patrol.    The    (D),    All    Star Apr. 

Devil's  Tower.   The   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Hell  Ship   Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid-Beery June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot,  The   (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landis-Murpliy May 

Mystery  Valley   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

Trail    Riders    (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt Apr. 

Trailin'    Back    (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Mar. 

Turn    Back  the    Hours   (M),  Myrna  Loy Mar.  1 


Dec.  31 


Feb.  19 

Dec.  10        

Nov.  26       Sept.  24 
Feb.  5 

Nov.  19       

Nov.  19        Aug.  13 


1927  Krelbar  Productions 

6199     Broadway    After    Midnight,    Betz Oct.  29 


1927 

6667 
4709 
0312 
8730 
6439 
12000 
12550 
5002 
5821 
6050 
6120 
7395 
6408 
4058 
0909 
-  S156 
6646 
6088 
5687 
0110 
5291 
6280 
595T 
7603 
7027 
6337 
0581 
6640 
6309 
7865 
0280 
0705 
6273 
5252 
6160 
7899 
6657 
5517 

1928 

0998 
0805 
5010 
0838 
6344 
5482 
5001 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


Adam   and  Evil   (CD).  Cody-Pringle Aug.  27 

Adventurer.   The   (W),   Tim  McCoy „.. 

After   Midnight   (D),   Shearer-Gray Aug.  20 

Annie    Laurie    (D),    Lillian  Gish Sept.  17 

Becky    (CD),    Sally   O'Neil Nov.  12 

Ben   Hur  (M),  Ramon  Novarro Oct.  8 

Big    Parade,    The    (M),    Gilbert-Adoree Sept.  10 

Body  and  Soul   (D),  L.  Barrymore Oct.  1 

Bugle   Call.   The   (D),  .Tackle  Coogan Aug.  6 

Buttons   (CD).   .Taclde  Coogan Dec.  24 

Callahans  and    Murphys   (CD).  Dressler-Moran.....Tune  18 

Captain  Salvation    (M).  Hanson May  14 

Fair   Co-ed,    The    (CD),    Marion   Davies Oct.  15 

Foreign    Devils   (W),  Tim  McCo.v Sept.  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Neil Apr.  2 

Garden   of   Allah.   The    (D).   Terry-Petrovitcli. Nov.  5 

In   Old    Kentucky    (D).  H.  CosteUo Oct.  29 

Little    Journey    (CD),    All    Star -Tan.  1 

London    After   Midnight    (D).  Lon  Chaney Dec.  3 

Lovelorn,    The.    Sally   O'Neil - Dec.  17 

Lovers    (D),   Xdvarvo-Terry Apr.  9 

Man,    Woman   and  Sin    (D),   John   Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery     (M),    Lon    Chaney Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu    (M).  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 

Quality   Street,    Davies-Nagel Dec.  31 

Red  Mill    (C).  Davies -Tan.  29 

Road  to   Romance,  The   (D),   Novarro-Day Sept.  24 

Rookies    (C).   Dane-Arthm- Apr.  30 

Show,   The   (M).  Gilbert-Adoree .Tan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,    Slide    (CD),   Haines-O'Neil Mar.  12 

Spoilers   of  the   West    (W).  McCoy-Daw Deo.  10 

Spring    Fever   (C).  William  Haines : Oct.  22 

Tea  for  Three    (C).    Cody-Pringle Dec.  10 

Thirteenth   Hour,   The   (D),  Lionel  Barrymore Nov.  20 

Tillie  the   Toiler    (C),    Davies May  21 

Twelve  Miles  Out  (M).  Gilbert .Tuly  9 

Understanding    Heart    (D),  Crawford Feb.  26 

Unknown.    The    (M),    Chaney .Tune  4 

Actress.    The,    Norma    Shearer-Forl)es Apr.  28 

Across  to   Singapore    (MD),   Novarro-Crawford....Apr.  7 

Baby    Mine,   Arlhur-Dane .Tan.  21 

Big    City,    The,    (^haney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

Bringing   Up   Father,  FaiTeU-Moran-Olmstead Mar.  17 

Certain  Young   Man,  A,  Novarro-Day May  19 

Circus  Rookies  (CD).  Dane-Arthur Mar.  31 

Cossacks,  The,   Adorw.-Gilbert-Torrence May  12 


..Aug.  13 


...Aug.  27 
..May  21 


Nov.  26 


7.93% 
50.61% 


1928 


1927 


1928 


1927 


1927 

52.61% 


50.31% 
45.63% 


....Nov.  12 

95.25% 
-      81.50% 

Nov.  26 

Nov.  19 

.      51.38% 

Dec.  31 

..  July  16 

Nov.  10 

....July  2 
Oct.  29 

48.09% 

.      51.50% 

Nov.  19 

...Apr.  23 
Sept.  10 
Dec.  3 

....Tan.  15 
Dec.  17 

61.41% 

Nov.  26 

Dec   17 

43.46% 

Dec.  31 

Dec.  3 

...May  2 
Dec.  17 
...Sept.  10 

39.20% 
39.50% 

66.83% 

Nov.  19 

...Feb.  19 

56.04% 

May  9 

70.55% 

...Mar.  19 
...Apr.  2 
...Dec.  24 
Dec.  10 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  3 
.Tune  11 

66.43% 

Nov.  12 
Dec.  24 
Dec.  3 

43.61% 

69.63% 
65.16% 
56.93% 

.Tuly  30 

...May  14 
...June  13 

..May  26 

63.25% 

1928 

Apr.  28 

.Tan.  28 

Feb.  11 
Apr.  7 

Feb.  25 

Mar   31 

.Tune  2 

.Tune  23 

July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


SMS 
5482 
WIS" 
7300 
8340 

4987 
7743 
7045 
5402 

5760 
5395 
73(i5 
7289 
5014 
7745 
0476 
9560 
5901 
8134 
5011 
4435 

1927 

6199 
6951 
9879 
5597 
587S 
7175 
0040 
6536 
6662 
540S 
7447 
6287 
6296 
5399 
6376 
6017 
5SS9 
5415 
7091 
5862 
6452 
8656 
7656 
6430 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
6258 
6877 
5798 
4551 
5599 
6187 
6680 
530fi 
6247 
5952 
9443 
5614 
6368 
6634 
5209 
6170 
5515 
G015 
5179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4926 
5319 
7643 
8486 
5869 
5935 
5866 


Crowd.   The.  Boardman-Miirray-Koach Mar.  3 

Detectives.    Dane-Artliur  June  9 

Diamond     Handcuffs,    Boardman-Nagel May  5 

Divine   Woman.    Garbo-Haii.son-Sherman .Tan.  14 

Enemy.    The.    Gish-Dane-Forbes _ Feb.  18 

Excess   Baggage    (D),  William  Haines — 

Forbidden    Hours    (D).   Novarro-Adoree .Tune  16 

Latest   from   Paris.   The,    Shearer- Forbes Feb.  4 

Laugh.  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murphy-Hisle Apr.  14 

Mademoiselle    from    Armentieres,    Estelle   Brody- 

.lulin  .Stuart   _ _ June  2 

Skirts.    Syd  Chaplin 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford .Tan.  21 

Love.  Giirbo-Gilbeit  Jan.  2 

Patsy.   The,   Davies-CaldweU-Gray Mar.  10 

Riders  of  the   Dark Apr.  28 

Rose    Marie,    CraH'ford-Murray Feb.  11 

Smart    Set.    Haines-Day-Holt-Bosworth Feb.  25 

Student   Prince.    The    (R).   Novarro-Shearer Jan.  30 

Under  the  Black   Eagle,  Forbes-Dop  Flash Mar.  24 

West  Point    (CD),   Haines-Crawford Jan.  7 

Wickedness   Preferred    (CD).   Cody-Pringle Jan.  28 

Wyoming,   McCoy-Sebastian  Mar.  24 


Mar.  10 
June  9 


Paramount 


5960 

1928 

5897 
6536 
5930 
5665 
7866 
5364 
5889 
6402 
5852 
6871 
6263 


Afraid  to  Love   (C).  A'idor Apr.  9 

Barbed    Wire    (D),    Iv'tKri-Brook Sept.  10 

Beau  Geste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery Aug.  1 

Blind   Alleys   (M),  Meighan Mar.  12 

Blende  or   Brunette?  (C),  Menjou Jan.  24 

Cabaret   (CD).  Gilda  Gray Mar.  26 

Casey   at  the    Bat    (C),   W.   BeeiT Mar.  5 

Chang   (D),  Siieojal  fast Sept.  3 

Children   of   Divorce   (D).  Bow Apr.  2 

City   Gone   Wild    (M).  Meiglian-Millner Nov.  12 

'Covered    Wagon,  The  (M).  Kerrigan-Wilson. Aug.  6 

Evening    Clothes    (C).   Mi-njou Mar.  19 

Fashions  for  Women    (CD).  Ralston Mar.  26 

Fireman    Save    My   Child    (C),   Beery-Hatton Aug.  1 

Gay   Defender.   The  (CD).  liirtiard  Di.\- Dec.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris.  A   (CD),  Meniou-0'Hara.....Oct.  15 

Get  Your    Man    (CD).    Clara  Bow Dec.  10 

Honeymoon    Hate    (CD).   Florence  Vidor Dec.  3 

Hotel    Imperial    (D),  Negri Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),    Bow-Brook Aug.  27 

It    (C),   Clara   Bow Feb.  19 

Jesse    James    (D),   Fred   Thomson C'rt.  22 

•Kid    Brother    (C),   Lloyi Oct.  4 

Kiss   in    a   Taxi    (C),   Daniels ■. Feb.  26 

Knockout    Reilly    (CD),    Dix Apr.  16 

Last  Waltz.   The   (D),   Special  ea.st - Nov.  26 

Let    It  Rain    (C).   MacLean .Tan.  3 

Love's    Greatest    Mistake    (CD),   Brent Feb.  12 

Man    Power    (D),    Dix .Tuly  9 

Metropolis    (D).    Special    cast Aug.  13 

Mme.    Pompadour   (D),  Moreno-D.  Gish Aug.  13 

Nevada    (W).   Cooper-Todd _ Sept.  10 

New    York    (M).    Coilez-Wilson Feb.  5 

Now   We're  in   the  Air    (C).   Beery-Hatton Oct.  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Yidor-Shotwell-Sept.  24 

Open    Range    (W).   Lane-Chandler Nov.  5 

Paradise   for   Two    (C),   Dix-Bronson ,Tan.  17 

Potters    (CD),   W.    C.    Fields Jan.  31 

Ritzy    (CD).   Bronson Apr.  9 

Rolled   Stockings    (CD).   Hall-Brook .Tune  18 

Rough    House    Rosie    (C),   Bow I.tay  14 

Rough   Riders.  The  (D),  Astflr-Farrell _ Oct.  1 

Rubber   Heels    (FC),  Ed.   Wynn. .Tune  11 

Running    Wild    (C),    Fields-Brian Aug.  20 

Senorita    (F),    Daniels...- Aug.  30 

Serenade    (D).    Menjou- Wray Dec.  24 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carver Aug.  6 

Shanghai    Bound    (D),    Dix-Brian _.  Oct.  15 

She's  a   Sheik    (C),   Bebe  Daniels Nov.  12 

Shootin'    Irons   (W),  Luden-BIane Oct.  8 

Soft    Cushions    (C),    MacJ^ean-Carol Aug.  27 

Special    Delivery    (C),   Eddie   Cantor Apr.  16 

Spotlight,    The    (CD),    Balsfon-Hamilton Nov.  19 

Stark   Love    (D),    Special  cast Sept.  17 

Swim.    Girl,    Swim    (CM),    Daniels-Hall Sept.  17 

Tell    It  to  Sweeney    (C).  Conklin-Bancroft Sept.  24 

Ten    Modern  Commandments  (CD).  Ralstoa .Tuly  2 

Time  to  Love    (FC),  Haymond  Griffith Jtine  18 

Two    Flaming   Youths    (C).   Fields-Conklin Dec.  17 

Underworld   (M).  Bancroft-Brent Oct.  29 

Way  of  All   Flesh,  The   (D),  Jannings-Bennett.Oct.  1 

Wedding   Bills    (F).   Kaymond   Griffith May  7 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meighan-Mlllner. Sept.  3 

Whirlwind   of   Youth    (D),    Lois  Moran Apr.  30 

Wings    (M),    Charles    Eogcrs Oct.  29 

Woman   on    Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri 


Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
..June  23 
Mar,  17 
Feh.  IS 
Apr.  21 

May  26 
..Tune  2 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  5 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  14 


Apr.  28 


-.June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  5 


Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  14 


Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 


..Apr.  23 
..Aug.  3 


..Mar.  5 
..Jan.  15 
..May  9 
..Apr.  16 
..May  2 
..May  2 
..Dec.  10 


Apr.  9 

Apr.  9 

Dec.  10 

Nov.  12 

Oct.  8 

Jan.  7  

Dec.  31       Dec.  17 

Tan,  8 

Sept.  10 

Feb.  12 

Oct.  22 

Jan.  29 

Apr.  2 

Apr.  23 

Nov.  19 

Mar.  12 

Feb.  26 

Aug.  6 

.Mar.  12 

Nov.  26        Aug.  6 


..Feb.  5 
..Dec.  17 
..Sept.  24 


.Tan.  29 

Jan.  22 

June  25 

July  30 

lune  4 

Mar.  19 

July  16 

.Tune  18 

-May  14 

Jan,  14        

Sept.  3 

Dec.  31        Nov.  12 
Jan.  21        Nov.  26 


Aug.  27 

May  9 

Deo.  3 

Mar.  19 

Sept,  17 

Jan.  7  Oct.  22 

.Tuly  23 

.Tuly  9 


Adventure    Mad     (M).    TjFA Mar.  31  Jan.  14 

Beau   Sabreur    (M),   Cooper-Brent Jan.  7  Jan.  7 

Big    Killing    (CD).   Beery-Hatton. May  19  

Doomsday,    Yidor-Cooper    Feb.  18  .Tan.  21 

Drag   Net.   The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-Powell May  26 

Easy   Come.    Easy    Go,   Richard  Dix ...  Apr.  21  May  19 

Feel   My  Pulse,  Daniels- Arlen Feb.  25  Feb.  25 

Fifty-Fifty    Girl.    The,    Daniels-Hall May  12  Mar.  31 

Fools  for  Luck    (CD),  Fields-Conklin May  7  Apr.  7 

Gentlemen    Prefer    Blondes    (C),    Taylor-Wliite....,Tan.  28  Dec.  10 

Half  a   Bride    (D),   Kalston-Cooper .Tune  16  

Hot    News.    Bebe   Daniels - 

5038     His  Tiger   Lady,  Menjou-Brent June  9 

Kit    Carson    (MD),    Fred   Thomson 

6792     Ladies  of   the    Mob.   Clara  Bow June  30 

8234     Last   Command.    The    (D),   Emil  .Tannings Jan.  21 

7415     Legion   of  the  Condemned,   Wray-(.'ooper Mar.  10 

5837     Love   and   Learn,   Ealston-Chandler Jan.  14 

Loves  of   an    Actress    (D),   I'ola  Negri 

5741     Night    of    Mystery     (D),    Menjou ,.,Apr.  7  

7910     Old    Ironsides    (D).    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17  Feb.  18 

6600     Partners   in   Crime    (C),   Beery-Hatton Mar.  3  Feb.  25 

5582     Peaks  of    Destiny _ Jan.  28  Jan.  7 

611S     Pioneer  Scout.  The   (W).  Ficd  Tliomson Jan.  21  Dec.  10 

7646     Racket,   The    (D),   Thomas  jMeiglian June  30  


.June  9 
Mar.  31 

..Tune  23 
May  26 
Jan.  28 


..Sept.  3 
..July  2 
-July  23 


June  16 


Mar.  10 
Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Feb.  IS 


Feb.  4 

Apr.  21 

Jan.  21        Feb.  25 
June  23       


Feb.  18 


June  11 

Aug.  20 

..Dec.  24       Oct.  1 


70.10% 


1927 


57.21% 
63.66% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

63.66% 
51.86% 
68.60% 


67.00% 

65.85% 
66.77% 

65.91% 
38.61% 
55.64% 

55.59% 

51.18% 


73.90? 
70.25? 


Length     Title  and  Players 


48.36% 
48.30% 


54.72% 


57.64% 


44.08% 
66.27% 


57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


New 
Pictures 


6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7fl'60 
5733 
5991 
5834 
6509 
5435 


Red    Hair    (CD).   Bow-Chandler Mar.  10 

Sawdust   Paradise,    The,   Esther  Halston Aug.  23 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D),  Negii-Hersholt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,    Bancroft Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Hamilton...  Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold    Lloyd Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods.    Dix-Olmstead Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D),   Jannings-Wray May  26 

Sunset   Legion    (W),    Fred  Thomson Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),    Negri-Ba.xter Apr.  14 

Tillie's    Punetured    Romance,    Fields-Conlslin Feb.  18 

Under    the    Tonto    Rim,    Arlen-Brian Feb.  4 

Vanishing   Pioneer,  The   (W),  .Tad;  Holt June  23 

Warming     Up,    Richard    Dix Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers    (C),   Beery-Hatton ■_ Jan.  7 

Woman   From   Moscow,  The   (D),  Negri-Kerry 


Apr.  7 
Feb.  25 


May  26 


Path( 


1927 

5596 

6555 

4335 

5326 

4S75 

4312 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

S5S6 

5804 

6599 

B22S 

8002 

7107 

6403 

656S 

685!) 

3303 

5867 

496S 

7913 

47311 

5990 

6563 

6035 

4620 

67S8 

4700 

4S90 

4076 

4S64 

5324 

135011 

4131 

4752 

6472 

5865 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4573 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

5880 

4362 

4546 

433S 

5397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

5610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 

5755 

4805 

5927 

6589 

4833 

540S 

45,30 

7996 

4526 

4480 

539S 

7056 

4155 

6650 

5888 

4600 

5659  ■ 

5954 

5494 

5626 

6902 

7040 

5423 

4520 

5035 

4000 

1927 

6089     Cruise  of  the    Helion    (D),   All   star 

5076     Heroes    in    Blue    (M),   Bowers-Hand  _ Nov. 

5916     Law  and  the  Man,   The   (D).  Saiitscbi-ltuc:kwi'll..Dec. 


Almost    Human    (CD),    Reynolds Dec.  26 

Angel   of    Broadway,    The    (D),  Leatrice  .Toy Oct.  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5 

Border  Blackbirds    (WD),  Maloney _.,Aug.  28 

Born    to    Battle    (W),    Bill   Cody Sept.  11 

Code  of  the   Cow   Country    (W).  Roosevelt June  19 

Combat    (D),    Walsli Oct.  23 

Country    Doctor.   The    (D),   Schildkraut Aug,  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The    (W),   Wally  Wales Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,    The    (W),  Leo  Maloney Dec.  11 

Discord    (D).    Dagover-Ekman Nov.  20 

Don    Desperado    (W).    Maloney May  8 

Dress    Parade    (D),    Boyd Nov.  11 

Eyes  of  the  Totem   (M).  Hawley May  15 

Fighting    Eagle.  The    (M).   La  Rocque-Haver Aug.  29 

Fighting    Love    (D).    (imidal 

Flying    Luck    (C).  iMonty  Hanks Dec.  4 

Forbidden   Woman.  The    (M).  Jetta  Goudal Nov.  7 

Getting   Gertie's  Garter   (F).  Prevost 

Girl    from    Everywhere    (C).    Pollard Dec.  11 

Girl  in  the   Pullman.  The  (C),  Prevost Oct.  31 

Gold  from    Weepah    (W),   Bill  Cody Nov.   20 

Golden    Clown.    The    (D),    Gosta-Ekman Dec.  18 

♦Grandma's  Boy   (C).  Harold  Lloyd Dec.  11 

Harp  in    Hock.   A    (D).   Schildkraut-Coghlan Oct,  10 

Heart  of   the    Yukon    (M),   Bowers-Cornwall May  29 

Heart   Thief    (D).    Sibildkraut-De  Putti 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison Aug,  7 

His    Dog    (D),   Schildkraut July  21 

His  First  Flame   (C),  Langdon May  8 

His    Foreign    Wife    (D),   MacDonald-Murphv Nov,  27 

Hoof   Marks    (W).    Jack  Donovan Nov.  13 

Interferin'    Gent.   The    (W),   Buffalo  Bill.   Jr Aug,  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Bo.vd-Faire 

King   of    Kings    (D).   All   Star 

Land   of  the  Lawless.  The   (W),  Jack  Padjan Dec.  25 

Little    Firebrand    (C).   Thornton .Tuly  3 

Main    Event.    The    (D).    Reynolds Nov.  21 

Man  Bait  (CD),  Prevost .Tan.  29 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales June  12 

My  Friend  from   India   (F),  Pangbom-Fair Dec.  19 

Night    Bride    (FC),    Prevost 

Nobody's   Widow    (FC),  .Toy-Ray-Haver 

No   Man's    Law    (W),   Rex May  1 

Obligin'   Buckaroo,  The   (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  .Tr Oct.  16 

Pals   In    Peril    (W).  Buffalo  Bill.  .Tr .Tune  26 

Phantom    BUster,   The    (W),   Roosevelt Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Travel) Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the   Sky    (M).   Hutchison May  22 

Rejuvenation   of  Aunt   Mary    (C),  Robson 

Ride  'Em   High    (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt Oct.  9 

Roarin'   Broncs.  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Nov.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Jjove 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prevost Dec.  12 

Skeedaddle   Gold    (W),   Wales .Tuly  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W).  Wally  Wales Sept.  25 

Trunk   Mystery  (M).  Hutchison lune  12 

Turkish    Delight.    ScljiltUiraut-Faye.. Nov.  11 

Two-Gun   of  Tumbleweed    (W).   Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    ( M ) ,    Joy 

White    Gold    (D).   Goudal 

White   Pebbles    (WD).   Wally  Wales Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife.  The   (C).  Haver Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the   Hesperus.   The    (M),   Bradford Oct,  31 

Yankee   Clipper    (M).   Boyd 


Dec.  24        

Nov.  19        Nov.  5 

Jtuie  4 

Sept.  10 


..June  17 
..Oct.  15 


Jan.  14 


..Dec.  10 


Nov.  19 


..May  9 
Nov.  5 
..May  14 
..Sept,  17 
,.June  4 


Nov.  12        Nov.  5 

Feb.  19 

Nov.  5 

Nov.  19       Nov.  5 


Nov.  5 
..May  21 
..May  21 
..Sept.  3 
...Tuly  24 
..May  9 


..Aug.  27 
..Jan.  1 
..Mar.  10 


Jan.  14 

Nov.  19 


...Tuly  2 
Nov.  5 
..Jan.  29 
..June  12 


..May  9 
.  Jan.  15 
..May  2 
.  Oct.  8 
.  June  25 
.  Aug.  211 


.May  21 
..Aug.  6 
..Oct.  8 


..Apr.  9 


..Aug.  6 
.  Oct.  1 
..June  11 


..July  17 
...Tune  18 
..Apr.  9 
..Aug.  20 
Nov.  5 


..,  May  14 


Alice   Through   a   Looking   Glass Feb.  12 

Apache    Raider,    The,   Leo  Maloney Feb.  12 

Ballyhoo    Buster    (W).  Buffalo  Bill.   .Tr ,Tan.  8 

Blomde  for  a  Night.  Prevost Feb.  27 

Blue   Danube.  Leatrice  .Toy Mar.  12 

Boss  of    Rustlers    Roost.   The.   Don  Coleman. Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Stomper,   The,  Don  Coleman Feb.  26 

Bullet    Mark.   The.    Jack  Donovan Mar.  25 

Chicago     (M).    IMiyllis    Haver Mar.  5 

Cowboy   Cavalier   (W).   Buddy  Roosevelt Jan.  29 

Crashing    Through.    Jack    Padjan „...Feb.  5 

Desperate   Courage    (W).    Wales Jan.  15 

Hold   'Em   Yale.  Rod  La  RocQue May  15 

Laddie    Be    Gcod    (W).   Bill  Cody Jan.  1 

Leopard   Lady.  The  (M).  Logan Jan.  23 

Let  'Er  Go.   Gallagher!  (M).  .Junior  C'oghlan Jan.  16 

Marlie.    the    Killer,    KlondU^e Mar.  4 

Midnight  Madness.  Logan May  26 

Night   Flyer.   The,  Wni.   Boyd Feb.  5 

On  to   Reno    (D),  Prevost-Landis Jan.  2 

Perfect    Gentleman,    A    (C).  Monty   Banks Jan.  15 

Ship    Comes    In,    A,    Rudolph   Schildkraut June  4 

Skyscraper,    Boyd. Apr.  9 

Stand   and    Deliver,  Rod  La  Rocciue Feb.  20 

Valley   of    Hunted    Men,    Buffalo  Bill.    Jr Feb.  19 

Walking    Back    (M).    Sue   Carol May  20 

What    Price    Beauty    (CD).    Nita  Naldi .Tan.  22 


May  12 


Mar.  3 
Feb.  IS 
May  12 
Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec.  24 
Feb.  4 


May  19        May  26 


Jan. 
Jan. 

28 
28 

Mar 

17        - 

Jan. 

28 

June 

16 

Mar.  3 

Mar.  17        

Feb   18 

Fell    IS 

Mar,  3 

Apr.  28 
Feb    18 

Apr.  21        „ 

Feb   IS       

Apr.  28 

Mav  26        

1927 


72.70% 


51.72% 

1928 


Jan.  2S 
Dec.  31 


Rayart 


1927 


..Sept.  24 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Smo  Liglit   in    ttie   Window,    A    (D).    Walthal Nov.  12 

5970  On  ttie  Stroke  of  Twelve    (M),   D.   Torrence Nov.  

5502  Silent    Hero    (M).    Bonaparte _ Aug.  29 

4200  Wanderer  of  tlie   West,  A    (W),  Tex  Maynard...  Dec.  


1928 

6673 


1928 


5971; 

5853 
560S 
4571 
5906 
549a 
5260 


Casey    Jones    (CD),    Price-Lewis -. _ Jan.  

Danger    Patrol.    The    (D).    Russell-Fair .Tan.  

Gypsy    of    the    North    (D).    Gordon-Hale Apr.  

Heart    of    Broadway.    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew....Mar.  

My    Home    Town     (D).    BrockweU-Glass Jan.  

Painted    Trail.    The    (W).    Buddy   Koosevelt. Mar.  

Phantom   of   the  Turf,   The   (D),  CosteUo-Lease-Feb.  

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard. Mar.  

You    Can't   Beat  the    Law,    Lee  Keete... .-Jan.  _ _... 

Sterling 

1927 

Burning    Up    Broadway    (D),    H.    Costello ,Tan.  30  Dec.  3  

5563     Closed    Gates    (IH),   Harron-Novak. ...May  28 

5400     Outcast  Souls    (D).   Lewis-Bonner. _ Dec.  15  Nov.  12       

5500     Pretty    Clothes    (D),    .L    Ealston-Walker.._ Oct.  15  Dec.  31        

- Stranded    (D).    Mason Aug.  15  Jan.  7  Sept.  10 

1928 

Mai-ry    the    Girl    (CD) _ 


1927 


1928 


1927 

5754 

5669 
53fHl 
6024 
7300 
4S87 
5500 
6482 
5233 
4732 
5600 
5800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


Backstage      (CD),     Bedford _ 

Beauty    Shoppe    (CD),    Busch _. 

Broken   Gate   (D),  Collier. 

Cheaters    (M),    O'Malley _ 

College    Days    (CD),    M.    Day 

Enchanted    Island    (D) _ _ 

First   Night.   The    (FC).   LyteU-Devore 

Fools   of    Fashion    (CD).   Busch..._ 

Girl    from    Gay   Paree,   The    (F),   Sherman 

Haunted   Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-IL   Love.. 


..Feb.  4 


-July  9 
..July  16 
..Jan.  15 
..Mar.  24 
..Nov.  6 
...Tune  25 
-Feb.  19 
..Oct.  9 


1927 


..Sept.  15 
..Dec.  1 


6448 
5614 

1928 

6147 
5209 

5510 


Husband    Hunters   (C),  Marsh Feb.  26 

Josselyn's    Wife    (D),    Frederict. _NoT.  2T 

Lightning    (W),   J.    Ralston _ Sept.  1        

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron Nov.  1         

Once  and    Forever   (D).  Patsy  Ruth  MUler- Oct.  15        

Sin   Cargo    (D),   Mason Dec.  11 

Snowbound     (FC),    Blythe July  30 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),   Starke-Harlan. Dec.  15      Mar.  10       

Tired  Business  Man    (C) _ 

Wild    Geese    (D),   Belle  Bennett _...Nov.  15       Dec.  24       Dec.  10 

Women's   Wares    (D),    Brent-LyteU Oct.  1  


5297 
6553 


5708 


5102 
5735 
5652 
5361 
5283 

1927 

9264 
5000 
7500 
7311 
8550 


Bachelor's    Paradise    (R).    Sally   O'Neil Mar.  15 

Clothes      Make     the      Woman      (R),     Southern- 

Pidgeon  _ May  1 

Devil's  Skipper,  The,  Bennett _ Feb.  1 

Grain    of    Dust,   The    (D),   Cortez-Windsor .July  10 

Green   Grass  Widows   (CD),  Walter  Hageu .Tune  10 

House  of  Scandal    (D),   Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club   (CD),  Cortez-Moran....May  15 

Lingerie   (CD),  White-McGregor. __ .Tuly  1 

Nameless    Men,   Moreno _ Feb.  15 

Prowlers   of  the  Sea    (D),   Cortez-Myers .Tune  20 

Scarlet   Dove,   The   (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters     (D),    Southern-McGregor. .Tune  1 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron. _ Mar.  1 

Tragedy    of    Youth,    MiUer-CoUier Jan.  15 

Woman    Against  the  World.   A Tan.  1 


1928 


Mar.  31 


United  Artists 


7440 
9120 
9000 
7456 
8250 
8000 


Beloved    Rogue    (M),    .T.    Barrymore 

College  (C),   Keaton-Cornwall Sept.   10 

General,   The    (C).   Koaton , _ _. 

Loves  of  Sonya   (D),  .Swanson 

Magic   Flame.   The    (M),   Colman-Banky Sept.  24 

My    Best    Girl    (M),    .Mary  Pickford Nov. 

Night  of    Love    (M),   Banl^-Colman 

Resurrection     (M),    La    Eocaue _ _ 

Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson. Nov. 

Topsy    and    Eva    (C).    Duncan   Sisters.. 


Two   Arabian    Knights    (CD),  Boyd-Wolheim 

Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (D).  Bauky-Cohnan... 

1928 

640O    Circus.    The    (C),    Charlie    Chaplin _ 

7000— Devil    Dancer,    The,   Gilda  Gray _  _ 

9358 
9100 
8350 
7300 


- Apr.  2 

Sept.  17 

_ Feb.  12 

- .Mar.  19 

— Sept.  24 

Apr.  7 

Tan.  29 

Apr.  16 

Nov.  19 

—Aug.  13 

Oct.  29 

Dec.  4 


1927 

45.90% 


.Mar.  3 


73.65% 

1928 


7650 
8600 


Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M)..._ .Tune  1 

Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge .Tan.  7 

Drums   of    Love    (D),   Mary  PliUbin. „...Mar.  31 

Garden    of  Eden,  The   (D),  C.   Grifflth-Eay. Feb.  4 

Two    Lovers.   Banky-Colman „ _ .\ug. 

Ramona    (D).    Del   Rio _...Feb.  1 

Sadie    Thompson    (D),    Gloria    Swanson. Jan.  7 

Tempe-st    (M),    John    Barrymore _ _ Aug,  11 


..Apr.  28 
..Nov.  26 
„Jan.  7 


..June  16 
..May  26 


1927 

.5751 
5777 
4427 
7319 
7190 
5623 
7304 
5252 
5292 
4349 
3910 
4293 
4167 
6863 
7828 
5503 
6929 
57U 
5378 
6958 
7713 
11000 


Universal 


Back    to    God's    Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier.... Sept.  4 

Beware  of   Widows    (FC),   La   Plante _ .Tune  19 

Border  Cavalier.    The    (W),   Humes-Pierce-.„ Sept.  18 

Butterflies   in  the   Rain    (D),  La  Plante Feb.  6 

Cat  and   Canary,   The    (My),  La  Plante _ Sept.  11 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-HarlaiL Oct.  9 

Chinese    Parrot,    The    (MyD),    Nixon-Turner Oct.  23 

Claw,    The    (D),   Windsor, _ _ June  12 

Denver    Dude    (W),    Gibson Feb.  13 

Desert    Dust    (W).   Ted   Wells Dec,  18 

Down   the   Stretch    (M),   Agnew May  29 

Fangs  of   Destiny   (W),   Dynamite „ Dec.  4 

Fighting  Three   (W).  Hoxie .Tuly  3 

Fourth  Commandment  (D),  Bennett .Mar.  20 

Foreign    Legion    (D),   Kerry-Stone. _ 

Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot  Gibson Nov.  20 

Held  by  the   Law   (M).  Lewis .\i)r,  10 

Hero  for  the   Night,    A,   Tryon-MlUer. Dc'c,  18 

Hey!  Hey!  Cowboy  (W),  Gibson. _ Apr.  3 

Irresistible    Lover.    The    (CD),    Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

Leu  Miscrables   (M).  Gabrio-ToulonL Oct.  30 

Le«    Miserable*    (M),    (Loan    Version) _ Oct.  30 


Aug.  6 
...May  9 


1927 

50.81% 
44.10% 


Jan.  1 

Dec.  17       May  14 

Nov.  26        

Nov.  26        

May  28 

Feb.  26 

Dec.  17        

May  2 


46.18% 
68.50% 


,  56.00% 
39.70% 


..May  21 
..Apr.  28 


Dec.  24 


.Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 


Dec.  17       Nov.  19 
Aug.  27 


42.00% 
54.84% 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Ticker 


603S 
6135 
6159 
5918 
6170 
5416 
6045 
6807 
4409 
7015 
6166 
4393 
6218 
4251 
7173 
5598 
4136 
5192 
6459 
4167 

1928 

4259 
6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
G081 
4426 
5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 
6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
53S9 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 

1927 

3453 

5803 
6330 
5901 
6281 
6631 
5897 
640S 
5003 
6972 
6767 
6639 
6284 
5390 
5978 


Lone   Eagle.  The.  Kent-Keane Sept.  18 

Love   Thrill    (FC),   La  Plante May  8 

Man's    Past,    A    (D),    Veidt-KenL Dec.  25 

Men    of    Daring     (W),    Hoxie June  5 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth Nov.  27 

Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-Nixon Sept.  4 

Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot    Gibson. Sept.  23 

Painting   the    Town    (FC),   Tryon _ Aug.  7 

Perch  of  the   Devil    (M),  Busch Mar.  6 

Rough   and    Ready    (W),   Hoxie Jan.  9 

Sensation    Seekers    (D),    Dove Mar.  20 

Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante Oct.  2 

Sky    High   Saunders,   Al  Wilson Nov.  6 

Small    Bachelor.    The    (C),    Beranger-Kent Nov.  6 

Straight   Shootin'     (W),    WeUs Oct.  16 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton Apr.  24 

Thirteenth   Juror,   The    (D),  Busliman-Nilsson...Nov.  13 

Three   Miles   Up,  Al  Wilson Sept.  4 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),    Rex Nov.  27 

Wrong    Mr.    Wright.    The    (F),    Hersholt Feb.  27 

Wolf's    Trail,    Dsnamlte.    the   dog Oct.  2 

Air    Patrol.    The    (W),    Al    Wilson. .Tan.  1 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe -Tan.  22 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes Jilay  6 

Buck    Privates,    de    Putti .Tune  3 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The   (W),  Dynamite .Tan.  29 

Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W).    Wells Feb.  12 

Cohens   and    Kellys   in    Paris    (C),    Sidney .Tan.  15 

Count   of    Ten,    The,    Ray-Ealston-Gleason June  6 

Fearless    Rider,   The    (W),    Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La   Plante Feb.  5 

Four   Footed    Rangers,   The    (W),  Dynamite Mar.  25 

Good    Morning   Judge _ _..Apr.  29 

Greased   Lightning   (W) July  29 

Grip   of  the   Yukon,    The,   AU  star...„ Aug.  30 

Hot  Heels,   Glen  Tryon. May  13 

Hound    of   Silver    Creek,    The    (W),    Dynamitc.May  20 
Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-Philbin.  Feb.  23 

Jazz    Mad,    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewis June  3 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    WeUs June  3 

Midnight    Rose,    de    Putti-Harian. Feb.  26 

Phantom   Flyer,   The  (W),  Wilson....- _ Feb.  26 

Put    'Em    Up    (W),    Humes Mar.  11 

Quick  Triggers   (W),  Humes. July  15 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),   Hoot   Gibson. Jan.  29 

Riding   for    Fame,   Hoot   Gibson Aug.  19 

Shield  of   Honor,  The,  All  star _ Feb.  19 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson July  8 

Stop  That    Man,   AU  star _Mar.  11 

Surrender,    Philbin-Mosiukine Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon...  Apr.  1 

That's   My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent Feb.  5 

Thunder    Riders.    The,    Wells Apr.  8 

13   Washington  Square,   All  star _ Apr.  8 

Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Gibson. .Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We  Americans,   All  star _ _ May  16 

Wild   West  Show,   Hoot   Gibson. _ -May  20 


Nov.  12        

May  21 

Dec.  17       Sept.  27 

Apr.  9 

.Tan.  14         

_ Oct.  1 

Nov.  19       July  23 

June  25 

_ _ Feb.  5 

Jan.  8 

Jan.  29 

Nov.  19       Aug.  20 

Feb.  4  

Dec.  3  


40.14% 


!.55% 
i.87% 


Dec.  3 

...Feb.  19 

44.70% 

Dec.  24 

...Mar.  5 

1928 


.Tune  16 
Mar.  10 


Apr.  21 


Apr.  28 


„Apr.  21 


Apr.  28 
May  26 
June  23 
Feb.  31 
May  19 


Mar.  17 
Mar.  17 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


Mar.  17 


May  5 

Apr.  21 


Warner  Brothers 


..Feb.  5 
-July  9 


-Mar.  12 


6302 
5613 

596S 

6271 

5200 

6230 

5397 

5569 

6352 

6310 

6485 

7961 

6357 

5492 

6295 

5685 

6124 

6218 

6412 

7647 

5813 

6281 

5567 

lOOSl 

6820 

7068 

1928 


Bitter   Apples    (M),   Blue - May  9 

Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue - .July  23 

Brass    Knuckles    (D),  Blue-Bronson. - Dee.  3 

Brute,    The    (D),    Blue. _ - _ May  2 

Bush    Leaguer,   The   (CD),   Monte   Blue. Aug.  20       

Climbers.    The    (D),    Rich. - May  28 

Dearest    (D),   Rich June  18 

Desired    Woman,  The    (M),  Irene  Rich _ Aug.  27        _ 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Rln-Tin-Tin. Oct.  29        

Don't  Tell   the   Wife   (C),  Rich — _ 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Miller Sept.  18 

Fortune    Hunter,   The   (0).   Syd  Chaplin.— Nov.  7 

Gay  Old   Bird    (FC),  Fazenda. — 

Ginsberg   the    Great    (C),   Jessel „..- - Nov.  26 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy. Nov.  5 

Glorious  Betsy  (CD),  Dolores  Costello. 

Good   Time   Charley   (D),   Oland-H.   Costello Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs    at   the    Front    (C),    Wilson-H. 

Conlclin   Dec.  24        - - 

Heart   of   Maryland    (M),   D.   Costello _ _ July  30 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),    Rin-Tiu-Tin _ _ Feb.  26 

Husbands  for   Rent,  AH  star - _ Dec.  31        

If    I    Were   Single,    McAvoy-Nagel Dec.  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy _. 

Jaws  of  Steel    (D),  Rln-Tiu-Tin _ Sept.  17 

Matinee   Ladies    (C),    McAvoy _ _. 

Mill    Bid.    A    (M),    D.    Costello _. 


1927 

50.20% 


Dec.  31 


Dec.  31 


May  26 
Nov.  26 


70.47% 


Apr.  28 

- June  11 

Oct.  1 

- Apr.  23 

- June  4 

- May  14 

- June  25 

- Oct.  8 

- Oct.  29 

Dec.  10 

- -Oct.  15 


Missing   Link,   The   (C),   Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7         

Old    San    Francisco    (M),   D.    Costello-Oland Sept.  4         

One    Round    Hogan    (M),   Monte    Blue Sept.  17       

Reno    Divorce,    A    (D),    May  AcAvoy Oct.  22         

Sailor   Izzy    Murphy   (F),   George  .Tessell Oct.  8  

Sailor's  Sweetheart,   A    (C),   Fazeuda-C.    Cook....Sept.  24       

Silver  Slave,   The   (D),  Rich-Ferris _ Nov.  9         

Simple    Sis     (M),    Fazenda _ June  11 

Slightly    Used,    McAvoy-Nagel Sept.  3         

Third    Degree    (M),    D.    Costello _ _ Jan.  8 

Tracked  by  the   Police   (M),  Rin-Tin-Tin _ _ _  May  21 

What    Every    Girl   Should    Know    (CD),    MUler. _ Mar.  19 

What    Happened    to    Father    (C).    Oland _ .Tuly  9 

When    a    Man    Loves    (R),    Barrj'more Aug.  21       Feb.  12 

White  Flannels  (M),  Dresser - Apt.  2 

Wolf's    Clothing    (M),    Blue-MiUer _ Ian.  29 


..Feb.  IS 


44.00% 
60.30% 


Across    the    Atlantic.    Bluo-Murpb.v Feb.  25        

Beware  of   Married    Men,   Irene  Rich _ .Tan.  14        Feb.  11        

City  of  Sin.   The,  Loy-Miljan-Wong _ 

Domestic  Trouble    (CD),  Cook-Fazenda .\pr.  14 

Jazz   Singer,    The,  Al  Jolson 

Lion    and    the    Mouse,    The,   L.   Barrymore 

Little   Snob.    The,   May   McAvoy Feb.  11        

Powder  My  Back   (C),   Rich-Ferris Mar.  10       M:iy  19 

Race    for    Life.    Rin-Tin-Tin. Jan.  28        Feb.  18        

Rinty  of   the  Desert,   Rln-Tin-Tin May  19        

Tenderloin,    Dolores   Costello _ .\pr.  28 


1928 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 


it 


Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The     Recognized    National     Classified     Advertising    Medium 


Theatre  for  Sale 


tirick  theatre,  32x70,  completely  equipped — two  motor 
driven  Powers,  player  piano,  fans.  Stage  and  scenery. 
New  living  rooms  at  rear.  Rice  farming  district. 
Good  show  town — good  business.  Must  sell.  Seven 
thousand  dollars.  Four  thousand  cash,  balance  small 
payments,  or  will  take  six  thousand  cash  for  complete 
outfit.  Cost  nine  thousand.  Paying  proposition.  Ma- 
jestic Theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. 


Theatre  Wanted 


Wanted  to  buy  or  lease  theatre  in  Denver  terri- 
tory, or  adjoining.  Address  Box  422,  Terre  Haute, 
Indiana. 


We  want  large  or  small  moving  picture  houses  and 
theatres  in  Ohio,  West  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania. 
Write  Box  283,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture 
World.  407  S.   Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANIST — Competent,  desires  change  of  city. 
Complete  library.  Union,  experienced.  Address  Box 
284,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407   S     Dearborn   St.,  Chicago,  111. 

EXPERIENCED  OPERATOR  on  Powers  and  Sim- 
plex  machines,  wishes  steady  job,  sober,  reliable,  will 
go  anywhere.  Address  O.  Dupree,  1433  Raynor  St., 
Detroit.  Michigan. 

ATTENTION,  THEATRE  MANAGER— Are  you 
looking  for  a  Female  Organist?  One  who  will  work 
for  a  fair  salary  to  begin  in  order  to  prove  worth. 
If  you  are,  do  not  overlook  this  opportunity.  Union, 
best  of  references,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
257,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.   Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  111. 

AT  LIBERTY — Female  Organist,  working  at  pres- 
ent, but  will  be_  free  in  a  week.  Can  work  on  any 
make  organ.  Union,  pood  references,  will  go  any- 
where. Address  Box  258.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Mov- 
ing  Picture  World.  407   S.   Dearborn  St..  Chicago.   111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Union  or  non-union.  Write  salary  and 
other  data.  Address  Chicago  Musical  College,  61  E. 
Van    Buren.    Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing.  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown.   Pa. 


Engagements  Wanted 

AT  LIBERTY— D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra  Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land  4669. 

Equipment  Wanted 

BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago.   111. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7); — "Deceit"  (6); — "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6); — "Temptation"  (7); — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
pictures,   729   Seventh  Ave.,   New   York  City. 

Buy  at  bargain  prices  Westerns,  Comedies,  Car- 
toons, Serials,  Special  Roadshows.  Allow  examination. 
Address   Lone   Star  Films  Corp.,  Dallas,  Texas. 


Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE:  Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamp  and 
accessories.  Best  prices.  Write  Joseph  Sp.ratler,  12-14 
E.    Ninth   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

FOR  SALE^Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Special:  3  G.  E. 
Mazda  reducers,  110-25  cycle— like  new— $35.00  each. 
2  Fort  Wayne  Compensarcs,  33  cycle — $25.00  each. 
Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chi- 
cago.  III. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

FOR  SALE — Used  Theatre  chairs,  always  a  stock 
on  hand,  also  veneer  seats,  write  your  requirements. 
Address  Theatre  Seating  Co.,  845  S.  State  St.,  Chi- 
cago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads— en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  SoUidays,  XH-124,  Knox,  Ind. 


Banners  and  Posters 

CLOTH  BANNERS— $1.40,  3x10,  3  feet,  colors, 
any  copy  up  to  10  words;  one  day  service;  sent  any- 
where; also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Associated 
Advertisers,   111   West   18th   St.,   Kansas   City,   Mo. 


For  Sale 


2  Peerless  Lamps,  complete  with  Stereopticon, 
Rheostats,  $385.00.  Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 

FOR  SALE — Posters,  Photos,  Slides,  Banners,  In- 
sert Cards,  and  other  Accessories.  Save  50  per  cent; 
write  for  order  blanks.  Theatre  Poster  Supply  Com- 
pany and  Sign  Exchange,  Theatre  Poster  Supply 
Building.   Cincinnati.   O. 


Organs  for  Sale 


MAY  1st  list  of  rebuilt  organs  ready.  Includes 
seven  rebuilt  Wurlitzer  Organs  one  and  two  cabinets 
with  rolls.  Prices  from  $950  to  $2,500.  Includes 
nine  Fotoplayers  all  styles,  rebuilt  guarantee,  priced 
from  $1,500  to  $3,500.  Welte  Mignon  Reproducing 
Piano  with  large  library  music  $750.  Eight  stop 
Moeller  organ.  Seeburgs  most  all  makes.  Terms,  10 
per  cent  cash  with  order,  balance  two  years.  Shipped 
any  place  U.  S.  A.,  installed  free.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  with  prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Robert 
Morton  Organ  Co.,  624  S.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago.  111. 

FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  111. 

Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 

Projector  Repairing 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished    20    years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler.    12-14   E.    Ninth   St..    Chicago.   111. 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel.   1018  Wabash  Ave..  Chicago,  111. 

Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered   Bull   Pups,   $15. 
Address   501    Rockwood,    Dallas,   Texas. 


Bulldogs. 


Wanted  to  Buy 


Wanted   used   Calliaphone   for  advertising  purposes. 
Address    Majestic    Theatre,    Refugio,    Texas. 


YOU  WANT  RESULTS ! 

H.erald'World  Classified  Ads  Bring  Them 

Let  u,s  advise  you  that  we  have  always  found  your  classified  columns  to  bring  results  and  expect  to  use  the  same  as  much 
as  we  possibly  can. 

Mr.  N.  Bertistein,  Mgr.,  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co, 
395  South  Second  St.  Memphis,  Tenn. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


You  Missed  a  Good  Time 

MASON,  MICH.— To  the  Editor:  I  hope 
tlie  boys  had  a  good  time  at  Alexandria  this  last 
week  but  if  the  weather  up  there  was  like 
what  we  were  getting,  the\-  didn't  do  much  but 
sit  around  and  swap  fish  stories.  It  rained  40 
days  and  40  nights  here  this  last  week. 

I'm  building  a  new  marquee  and  installing 
a  magnificent  new  popcorn  machine  in  the 
lobby  this  week,  so  I  couldn't  attend  the 
meeting. 

I  thought  the  printer  in  a  neighboring  town 
had  reached  ihe  height  of  something  or  other 
a  year  or  two  ago  when  he  mishandled  my 
ad  as  follows :  "Fred  Thomson,  Gink  of 
Western  Stars  and  his  wonder  horse.  Sliver 
King,"  but  he  outdid  himself  this  week  w'ith 
this :  "Coming  Next  Week,  Douglas  Fair- 
banks as   'The  Groucho.'  " 

I  think  that  caps  the  wellknown  climax. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 


Keep  Up  the  Good  Work 

GURDON,  ARK.,— To  the  Editor:  This 
being  my  first  letter  to  Exhiibitors  Herald 
AND  Moving  Picture  World,  also  a  new  sub- 
scriber, I  want  to  fall  in  line  and  be  a  booster 
like  all  the  rest  of  the  fellows. 

The  picture  enclosed  is  of  especial  interest 
to  all  exhibitors.  The  young  lady  on  the 
left  is  Miss  Joan  Meredith,  a  movie  star. 
Her  name  in  private  life  is  Miss  Catherine 
Jelks  of  Hot  Spring,  .^rk.  She  recendy  ap- 
peared at  the  Imperial  theatre  here  in  Gurdon, 
Ark.,  in  person.  The  Tri-State  Theatres 
Corporation     of     Memphis,     Tenn.,     a     chain 


theatre  organization,  having  secured  her  ap- 
pearance at  each  theatre  on  the  entire  circuit, 
of  19  theatres  in  all.  The  man  on  the  right 
is  myself,  R.  V.  McGinnis,  manager. 

I  feel  that  you  might  give  us  the  story  on 
account  of  its  being  out  of  the  ordinary  to 
have  a  real  movie  star's  personal  appearance 
in  a  small  town.  Also,  doing  capacity  busi- 
ness at  both  performances,  matinee  and  night. 

Hoping  you  will  do  us  this  favor  and  assur- 
ing you  of  our  fullest  cooperation,  with  best 
wishes,  I  am — R.  V.  McGinnis,  Imperial  thea- 
tre, Gurdcm,   Ark. 


Buys  Sales  Company 

(Special  to  the  Hcrald-World) 
SEATTLE,  July  3.— C.  M.  Dunn,  who 
formerly  operated  houses  at  Renton,  Clc- 
elum  and  Roslyn,  Wash.,  has  purchased  the 
controlling  stock  in  the  Northwestern  Film 
Corporation  here  and  announces  a  variety 
of  relea.ses,  which  includes  product  from 
Rayart,  Chesterfield  and  Sterling. 


Report  of  Apathy  in 
Exhibitor  Units  Brings 
Appeal  for  Zone  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  21) 

vote  when  they  attend  the  national  organiza- 
tion   convention. 

"In  this  manner  and  along  this  line,  there 
could  be  organized  and  projected,  a  positive 
and  thorough  organization,  and  each  individual 
zone  organization  would  constitute  a  solid, 
live,  active  bod^'  which  would  work  hand  in 
hand  wdth  the  various  film  boards  of  trade 
for  the  best  interests  of  everyone.  If  each 
individual  territory  were  organized  into  zones, 
each  -,tate  and  zone  organization  would  then 
have  a  voice  that  would  be  heard  in  all  formu- 
lating of  all  rules  governing  arbitration,  as 
well  as  the  drafting  of  new  contracts,  should 
the  occasion  arise,  and  other  matters  which 
affect  the  exhibitors  of  e\"ery  state,  who  now 
have  but  very  little  voice  in  these  matters,  all 
things  to  the  contrary. 

All  Must  Take   Part 

"There  can  never  be  a  well  organized,  and 
a  smooth  running  national  organization,  until 
the  majority  of  exhibitors  in  the  state  organi- 
zations take  an  active  part  in  them,  and  there 
can  never  be  a  smooth  running  state  organi- 
zation until  the  exhibitors  take  an  acti\e  part, 
and  either  attend  the  con-\-entions  in  person  or 
by  proxy.  What  we  need  in  national,  as  well 
as  state  organizations,  are  members  with  'guts' 
and  men  who  will  take  a  real,  active  part,  and 
I  say  this  with  no  thought  of  casting  any  re- 
flection whatever  on  any  person,  but  with  a 
desire  to  have  both  a  state  and  national  or- 
ganization working  hand  in  hand  for  not  only 
the  theatre  owners,  but  for  the  motion  picture 
industry  as  a  whole. 

"Exhibitors  as  a  whole  will  join  a  state  or- 
ganization, pay  their  dues,  sometimes  write  a 
nice  letter  about  how  they  think  an  organiza- 
tion should  function,  and  then  when  the  time 
comes  for  attending  a  meeting,  or  a  conven- 
tion, they  will  stay  at  home  and  claim  that 
they  were  too  busy  to  attend.  A  theatre 
owner,  or  manager,  no  matter  how  big  he  is, 
or  how  much  he  has  to  attend  to,  can,  and 
should  always  lay  aside  his  work  for  one  or 
two  days  to  attend  a  convention  of  his  state 
organization,  and  there  have  a  voice  in  af- 
fairs, meet  and  talk  with  his  brother  exhibi- 
tor, exchange  ideas,  and  give  a  little  thought 
to  the  industrj-  in  common  with  other  theatre 
owners. 

"This  plan  can  be  worked  out,  should  be 
worked  out,  and  I  believe  some  day  will  be 
worked  out,  and  God  knows  the  industry 
needs  working  on  from  many  angles,  not- 
withstanding the  progress  and  advances  we 
are  making  from  year  to  year.  Who  will  be 
the  first  man  to  start  it?" 

Missouri-Illinois  Meeting 
Is  Postponed  Two  Months 

(Special  to  the  Hcrald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  3. — The  annual  conven- 
tion of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Eastern  Missouri 
and  Southern  Illinois  has  been  delayed  until 
the  latter  part  of  July,  because  of  unsettled 
conditions.  Usually  the  meeting  takes  place  in 
May.  LInder  the  new  plan  the  members  will 
have  the  advantage  of  being  fully  informed 
concerning  every  situation  affecting  their  busi- 
ness before  the  actual  buying  season  gets  un- 
derway. Most  exhibitors  in  the  territory  have 
(lelaved   signing  contracts. 


He  Chooses  Not  to  Run 

(Special    to    the   Herald-World) 

TORONTO,  July  3.— Aid  H.  E.  Wilton 
of  Hamilton,  Ont.,  manager  of  the  Strand 
theatre  there,  has  decided  not  to  stand  as 
a  candidate  for  the  East  Hamilton  seat  in 
the   Ontario  parliament. 


Advances  Schedule 
To  Beat  New  Time 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

TORONTO,  June  3.— Another  Ca- 
nadian exhibitor  to  change  his  pro- 
gram schedule  in  an  effort  to  over- 
come loss  of  patronage  due  to 
daylight  saving  is  Charles  Querrie, 
manager  of  the  Palace  theatre,  To- 
ronto. The  summer  schedule  at  the 
Palace  now  calls  for  the  opening  of 
the  doors  at  7  o'clock,  a  half  hour 
later  than  at  other  seasons  of  the 
year.  The  pictures  are  started  at 
7:30,  which  means  that  the  last 
showing  of  the  feature  is  after  9:30. 
"The  patrons  seem  to  like  it,"  is  the 
comment  from  0'^^'^'''6.  Manager 
A.  E.  Cauley  of  the  Capitol  at  Co- 
bourg  reports  that  he  has  lost  out 
in  his  fight  against  daylight  saving 
at  Cobourg. 


Owner  Body  Votes 
Down  Percentages 
And  Block  Booking 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  3.— The  entire 
membership  of  the  Northwest  Independent 
Exhibitors  Association  at  the  regular 
monthly  meeting  here,  went  on  record  as 
strictly  opposed  to  block  booking  and  per- 
centages. There  are  now  about  130  mem- 
bers. 


Drive  Boosts  Size  of 
M.  P.  T.  O.;  Only  Ten  in 
Philadelphia  Remain  Out 

(Special    to    the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  3.--Membership 
in  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania, 
Southern  New  Jersey  and  Delaw-are,  has 
been  considerably  increased  by  the  drive 
just  ended.  Of  the  186  theatres  in  Phila- 
delphia, only  ten  are  not  in  the  organiza- 
tion. 

Prizes  for  securing  the  most  new  mem- 
bers in  the  drive,  which  started  April  15, 
have  been  distributed  to  William  Bethel  of 
the  Success  Exchange;  George  Schwartz, 
M  G  M;  Ed  Whaley,  United  Artists;  Wil- 
liam Mansell,  First  National;  M.  Fishman, 
Success  exchange;  George  Marks,  Liberty 
exchange;  M.  Katz,  Liberty  exchange. 
Seven  salesmen  tied  for  the  final  prize. 


Rembusch  Drops  W.  Baden 
Call  to  Join  Steffes  Parley 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  July  3.— Frank  Rem- 
busch has  abandoned  his  plan  to  call  a 
meeting  of  unaffiliated  exhibitors  at  West 
Baden  this  month  and  instead  will  attend 
the  July  10-12  session  called  by  Al  Steffes 
of  the  Northwest  Theatre  Owners'  Associa- 
tion at  w-hich  it  is  expected  that  a  move  to 
revive  the  Allied  States  organization  will 
be  made. 


British  Distributor  and 

Bride  Have  Church  Rite 

(Special    to    the   Hcrald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  3.— Maurice  Silver- 
stone,  managing  director  of  Allied  Artists, 
distributors  of  United  .'Artists  product  in 
England,  and  his  bride  arrived  here  from 
London,  where  they  were  married  a  month 
ago  in  a  civil  ceremony,  for  a  religious 
ceremony,  which  took  place  at  the  home 
of  the  bride's  parents  in  Brooklyn  last  week. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


1 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyrlgbl,    1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  ''Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


Columbia 


STAGE  KISSES:  S|)ecial  cast— 25%.  June  19. 
This  is  a  srilendid  program  picture.  Story  Rood,  star 
and  whole  cast  fine. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre.    Creenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. 


Excellent 


YOUR  WIFE  AND  MINE:  Special  eajst— June 
32-13.  This  is  a  -good  one.  Don't  mies  it  as  it 
should  please  any  place.  Six  reels. — H.  W.  Batch- 
elder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,   Cal. — Small  town  patronage. 

STRONGER  WILL:  Percy  Marmont— May  29-30. 
Pair  picture  to  poor  business.  Seven  reels. — H.  W. 
Batchelder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town 
patronage. 


F  B  0 


CHICAGO  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Ralph  Ince— A 
knockout  from  every  angle.  It  is  the  greatest  under- 
world picture  ever  produced.  There  are  places  in 
the  picture  that  actually  raise  you  right  out  of  your 
seat.  Ralph  Ince's  performance  wat-  way  up  at  the 
top.  Hiis  pal  was  also  there  with  the  goodt.  Don't 
be  afraid  to  play  this  up  big.  If  you  don't,  you  Avill 
be  sorry,  just  as  I  was  for  it  will  stand  every  boost 
you  can  give  it.  Seven  reels. — W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy 
theatre,   Winchester,    Ind. — General    patronage. 

BREED  OF  COURAGE:  Ranger— May  22-23.  Very 
good  dog  picture.  They  like  dog  pictures  and  I  had 
better  than  the  average  Tuesday- Wednesday  crowd. 
Five  reels.— H.  W.  Batchelder.  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

WHEN  A  DOG  LOVES:  Special  cast— This  did  not 
take  at  all  and  I  call  it  just  fair.  Five  reels. — Julius 
W.  Schmidt.  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

RED  HOT  HOOFS:  Tom  Tyler— A  very  nice 
Western. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
III. — General   patronage. 

THE  BANDIT'S  SON:  Bob  Steelc^June  5-fi. 
Good  Western  with  fair  action.  Five  reels. — H.  W. 
Batchelder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Special  cast— June  14-1.5. 
An  entertaining  picture  of  its  kind.  The  actual 
views  of  the  Gorilla  episode  was  the  poorest  part 
of  the  picture,  due  to  the  climatic  difficulties  under 
which  the  cameraman  labored.  Seven  reel.s. — Wrm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town   patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— If  you  want 
a  real  nice  picture,  try  this  one.  About  the  best 
of  the  Porter  books.  Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Smith, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — ^General  patronage. 

FRECKLES:  Special  east— 53%.  Gene  Stratton 
Porter's  .stories  always  go  across.  Good  action 
although  rather  slow.  Seven  reels. — C.  E.  Mallory, 
Liberty  theatre,  Brew.ster,  Kan. — General  patronage. 

FRECKLES:  Special  cast— June  15-16.  A  very  good 
picture.  The  star  plays  his  part  well.  Very  many 
thrilling  scenes  and  some  touching  love  scenes.  It 
pleased  the  people  and  did  a  good  business  at  the 
box    office.      Just  -a   little    above    the    average   show. 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report). 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence Picture  Chart." 


Play  it.  Seven  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre. 
Homer,  Mich. — ^Small   town  patronage. 

ARIZONA  NIGHTS:  Fred  Thomson— 25%.  June  9. 
Over  and  over  same  thing.  Thomson  did  at  the  box 
office  here.  Seven  reels. — D.  G.  Copeling,  Temple 
theatre,    Ubly,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

SHANGHAIED:  Ince-Miller— 64%.  March  26. 
E!xcellent  jpicture.  Not  as  much  fighting  as  one  would 
expect  from  this  type  of  sea  story.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  B.  Grice.  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C— General 
patronage. 

SPLITTING  THE  BREEZE:  Tom  Tyler— 92%. 
March  12.  This  star  led  our  group  of  money  makers 
in  the  last  canvass  for  the  ten  pictures  that  made 
the  most  money,  and  this  percentage  shows  he  hasn't 
lost  his  pulling  power. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills 
theatre,   Bath,    S.   C. — General   patronage. 

LEGIONNAIRES  IN  PARIS:  Cook-Guard— 48%. 
April  2.  Full  of  good  hearty  laughs.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C— General 
patronage. 

CLANCY'S  KOSHER  WEDDING:  George  Sidney— 
64%.  March  19.  Just  a  good  comedy  of  this  type, 
of  which  we  seem  to  be  getting  plenty.  Seven  reels. 
— H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Milks  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C— 
General  patronage. 


THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY:  Special  cast— 
50%.  May  12.  Very  good  picture  but  didn't  drav? 
them  in.  Seven  reelsi — D.  G.  Copeling,  Temple  thea- 
tre,   Ubly,    Mich. — ^General   patronage. 


First  National 


CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— 60%. 
June  16.  Fine  program.  Action,  comedy  and  all  that 
makes  a  great  entertainment  for  small  towns. — Bei't 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— 30%. 
Favorable  Western  star.  Excellent  action,  good  set- 
ting and  cast.  Ken  Maynard  never  fails  to  draw. 
Six  reels. — 'C.  E.  Mallory,  Liberty  theatre,  Brewster, 
Kan. — General   patronage. 

THE  LITTLE  SHEPHERD  OF  KINGDOM  COME: 
Richard  Barthelmess — 100%.  Score  another  one  for 
Dick.  Overheard  several  good  comments  on  this  one, 
and  what  I  saw  of  it  looked  good.  It's  produced 
on  a  big  scale.  Nothing  cheap  looking  about  it. 
Played  this  with  vaudeville  and  broke  my  Tuesday 
house  record.  JE)ight  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  S^n 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — ^Neighborhood    patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— 36%.  Heavy 
d]'ama.  The  last  is  drawn  out  a  little  too  much  but 
taken  as  a  whole,  it  is  a  very  good  show.  No  kickei'S. 
Seven  reels. — C.  E.  Mallory,  Liberty  theatre,  Brew.ster, 
Kan. — General   patronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLLIES:  Billie  Dove — 30%. 
June  20.  A  good  picture  but  too  slow.  Star  fine, 
story  good.  About  50  per  cent  satisfaction.  Only 
complaint,  too  slow. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,   Greenville,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLLIES  GIRL:  Billie  Dove 
— Played  this  on  a  double  bill  with  "Horseman  of 
the  Plains."  Everybody  slept  peacefully  until  Tom 
Mix  hit  the  screen.  Out  of  the  six  thousand  feet  of 
film,  two  thousand  feet  of  it  is  subtitles.  The  other 
four  thousand  feet  is  pretty  weak.  However,  I've 
played  worse  ones  at  that.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan, 
Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  pat- 
ronage. 

HARD  BOILED  HAGGERTY:  Milton  Sills— 82%. 
March  15.  A  little  rough,  maybe  patterned  after 
"What  Price  Glory,"  in  that  respect.  As  a  whole  a 
very  good  picture. — H.  B.  Grice.  Aiken  Mills  theatre, 
Bath,   S.   C. — General  patronage. 

THE  CHASER:  Harry  Langdon— 29%.  Not  up 
to  Harry  Langdon's  u.sual  standard.  AVould  have 
been  better  if  shorter  and  snapipier.  Six  reels. — C.  E. 
Mallory,  Liberty  theatre,  Brewster,  Kan. — General 
patronage. 

SAILORS'  WIVES:  Special  cast— 25%.  June  13. 
A  good  clean  program  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,   Greenville,   Mich. — General  patronage. 

AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES:  Stone-Dove— 
57%.  March  29.  An  interesting  enough  picture,  but 
not  the  type  to  please  our  people. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken 
Mills  theatre,   Bath,   S'.  C. — General  patronage 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines— 68%.  March  22. 
Not  the  best  comedy  in  the  w^orld,  but  is  fair  ente^'- 
tainment. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath. 
S.  C. — General  patronage. 

LOST     AT      THE      FRONT:       Special      cast— 40%. 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Anotlier  First  National  I  took  a  loss  on.  Only  a 
program  but  to  me  it's  a  si>ecial  price. — G.  Carey, 
Strand   theatre,   Paris,   Ark. — General   patronage. 

THE  TENDER  HOUR:  Billie  Dove— 30%.  June  14. 
This  is  a  very  fine  entertainment.  Not  strong  enough 
for  a  special  but  an  extra  good  program  picture. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 64%. 
April  5.  The  usual  Maynaixl  picture,  which  means  it 
v^as  good. — ^H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath, 
S.  C. — General  patronage. 

THE  UPLAND  RIDER:  Ken  Maynard— June  8-9. 
Equal  to  all  of  Ken  Maynard's  pictures.  Tarzan 
does  some  good  work.  It  pleased  the  children  and 
brought  good  applause.  Some  parts  were  a  little 
too  extreme  to  make  the  picture  seem  real.  Just 
an  average  Western.  Seven  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  YELLOW  LILY:  Billie  Dov(^-Another  box 
office  offering  from  First  National.  The  thing  is  un- 
usual and  thereby  it  is  interesting  but  just  what 
makes  it  such  a  good  box  office  bet  I  am  unable  to 
say  unless  it  is  Billie.  We  had  better  than  average 
business  with  "The  Gaucho"  as  opposition. — W.  H. 
Brenner,  Cozy  theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

HAROLD  TEEN:  Special  cast— This  would  please 
children  between  the  ages  of  2  and  5  years  but  for 
others  it's  about  the  worst  yet.  Tiresome,  and  when 
you  play  it  watch  them  walk  out  before  it's  over,  and 
still  to  make  it  boresome  they  had  to  make  it  in  8 
reels  and  5  reels  would  have  been  plenty  long.  Eight 
reels. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre.  Russellville,  Ky. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  SHEPHERD  OF  THE  HILLS:  Special  cast— 
This  one  will  get  you  the  money  and  please  them. — 
A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 

THE  PATENT  LEATHER  KID:  Richard  Barthel- 
mess— May  27-28-29.  Splendid.  Drew  well  and  liked 
by  those  who  saw  it.  Twelve  reels. — M.  W.  Matte- 
check,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

CHINATOWN  CHARLIE:  Johnny  Hines— This  is 
€asily  the  best  one  of  the  Hines  pictures  this  season. 
Everybody  seemed  to  enjoy  it  immensely.  Of  course 
it's  hokum  like  all  of  Johnnie's  pictures,  but  well 
photographed  and  well  produced.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan.  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood patronage. 

VAMPING  VENUS:  Charlie  Murray— If  First 
National  doesn't  quit  trying  to  put  Charlie  Murray 
through  eight  reels  of  funny  faces,  they  are  going 
to  put  us  all  out  of  business,  setting  as  I  do,  in  on 
the  management  of  a  small  town  house.  It  has  not 
taken  me  all  these  years  to  find  out  that  Charlie 
Murray  is  not  a  star.  He  is  a  wonderful  character 
actor  as  a  principal  but  should  not  be  forced  down 
our  throats  for  seven  or  eight  reels  in  the  star  part. 
— W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy  theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — 
General    patronage. 

PUPPETS:  Milton  SUIs— Very  good.  Eight  reels. 
— Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — • 
General  patronage. 

HER  WILD  OAT:  Colleen  Moore— Colleen  used  to 
mean  extra  money  for  us  but  she  doesn't  mean  an 
extra  dime  any  more.  Don't  dare  advance  prices  on 
her  pictures  in  our  town  any  more.  This  is  not  a 
bad  picture  by  any  means  but  we  have  all  been  feil 
up  with  the  idea  we  should  expect  something  better 
from  Colleen.  This  is  very  light  stuff  and  there  are 
lots  of  stars  that  could  have  put  it  over  better  than 
she  did  in  our  town.  Make  them  give  you  some- 
thing better.  Colleen,  or  you  are  not  going  to  be 
picked  as  the  best  draw  another  year  or  so.  Eight 
reels. — Crosby  &  Schwierske,  Rex  theatre,  Colby,  Wis. 
— Small   town   patronage. 

HER  WILD  OAT:  Colleen  Moore— June  9.  Some 
exhibitors  have  knocked  this.  I  don't  -see  why  as  it 
pleased  our  customers,  like  all  of  Colleen's  pictures. 
Had  the  biggest  Saturday  night  crowd  that  we  have 
had  for  months.  Would  like  to  have  a  photo,  please. 
Colleen.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny, 
theatre,   Mansfield,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Special  cast— Good  for  adults. 
Loud  but  no  smut.  Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Maynard 
— This  is  good.  Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand   theatre.   Breese,   111. — General   patronage. 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Maynard 
— June  16.  Another  good  Maynard.  They  are  all  good 
and  please.  He  is  the  most  popular  Western  star 
here  and  draws  a  good  crowd.  Seven  reels. — Robert 
K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield.  Mo. — Cfeneral 
patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore— It's  good.  Eight 
reek. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. 
— General   patronage. 


Fox 


SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Gaynor-Farrell^O%,  June 
4-5-6.  Excellent  production  and  Fox  doesn't  ask  a 
fortune  for  it.  Made  money  for  me  in  very  warm 
weather.  The  acting  of  Miss  Gaynor  and  Mr.  Farrell 
is  perfect.  It  is  so  natural  and  no  mugging.  Their 
love  scenes  have  youth  and  nothing  suggestive.  My 
thanks  to  all  concerned.  Twelve  reels. — S.  B. 
Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

DAREDEVIL'S  REWARD:  Tom  Mix— 7.5%.  June 
23.  A  regular  Tom  Mix  picture  that  gave  100  per 
cent  satisfaction  to  my  Satui-day  audience. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  JOY  GIRL:  Olive  Borden— 50%.  June  2. 
Not  a  special,  just  a  fair  picture.  Story  rather  weak. 
Seven  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre, 
Stapleton,  Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

WOLF  FANGS:  Thunder— 60%.  June  16.  As  fine 
a  picture  as  you'd  wish  to  see.  Our  patrons  liked 
this  one.  Scenery  good  and  the  dog  is  very  clever. 
Six  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre, 
Stapleton,   Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— 70%.  May  9.  A 
good  picture  but  five  reels  is  too  short.  Five  reels. — 
Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

HORSEMAN  OF  THE  PLAINS:  Tom  Mix— This  is 
a  slapstick  comedy  with  a  Western  :itmosphere,  and 
a  race  in  the  tail  end  that  gets  them  all  worked  up. 
Chester  Conklin  and  some  big  fat  gal  do  a  lot  of 
comedy  in  black  face.  It's  pure  hokum,  but  they 
seemed  to  like  it.  Especially  the  "apple  knockers." 
Five  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

SILK  LEGS:  Madge  Bellamy — Snapp.v  entertain- 
ment but  not  any  smut.  Six  reels. — Julius  W. 
Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  CIRCUS  AGE:  Tom  Mix— Good  picture  but  no 
Western. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General    patronage. 

GOOD  AS  GOLD:  Buck  Jones— Very  good.  Six 
reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. 
— General    patronage. 

CHAIN  LIGHTNING:  Buck  Jones— Buck  is  some 
rider  and  some  acrobat.  The  way  he  went  through 
a  window  from  his  horse  and  then  licked  the  villain 
was  remarkable,  even  if  impossible.  Six  reels. — 
Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — 
General   patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

SKIRTS:  Syd  Chaplin — 42%.  June  11.  A  very 
punk  picture.  Nothing  to  it  but  a  few  silly  titles  by 
Ralph  Spence.  Just  another  film  wasted  away.  Seven 
reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellin- 
wood,   Kan. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  PATSY:  Marion  Davies— 60%.  June  24-25. 
This  is  fine  entertainment.  Star  and  cast  extra  good. 
Lots  of  good  clean  comedy.  Gave  100  per  cent  satis- 
faction.— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre.  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  PATSY:  Marion  Davies— One  of  the  best 
things  Miss  Davies  ever  did,  in  our  estimation,  and 
for  us  we  wish  they  would  keep  her  in  these  kind 
of  parts  as  "Quality  Street"  sure  seemed  a  dud  after 
seeing  "The  Fair  Co-Ed"  but  this  sui'e  put  her  back 
in  our  town.  It  isn't  anything  wonderful  as  a  story, 
but  it's  real  entertainment.  We  are  for  you  100  per 
cent,  Marion,  keep  it  up.  Seven  reels. — Crosby  & 
Schwierske,  Ilex  theatre,  Colby,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  PATSY:  Marion  Davies— June  10-11.  Just 
one  fine  show.  Well  played  and  a  scream  through 
the  picture.  Sub  titles  are  extra  good.  This  picture 
did  not  draw  good.  Nothing  in  the  title  to  suggest 
what  the  picture  is  like.  This  picture  will  stand  lots 
of  advertising.  Eight  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic 
theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town   patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— 65%.  June  18-19. 
A  big  revival  on,  my  competitor  closed  down,  but 
I  figured  that  there  were  enough  sinners  left  in  the 
community  to  get  by,  especially  with  the  good  stuff 
I  have  for  the  next  two  weeks.  I  advertised  on  my 
one  sheet  boards  "Revival  at  school  gym — one  of  the 
Ten  Best  Shows  of  the  year  at  the  Joyland.  Let 
your  conscience  be  your  guide !"  Everyone  had  a 
good  laugh  and  I  had  a  very  fair  crowd  considering. 
The  picture?  Just  okay.  However,  personally,  I 
consider  it  a  good  ^picture  gone  wrong  in  the  last 
three  reels.  Metro  had  some  especially  good  news- 
reels  of  the  Army-Navy  football  game  and  they 
were  like  a  nickel  in  a  small  toy's  pocket — just  had 
to  be  used.  And  they  wished  them  off  on  this 
picture.  The  first  of  the  picture  intensely  interesting 
and  every  bit  as  funny  as  "Rookies"  but  the  football 
angle  sidetracked  thi?  interest  at  tha  last  and  made 
the    picture    seem    loo    long.      The    picture    is    excep- 


tionally good  anyhow.  Play  it.  Nine  reels. — .lohfl  W. 
Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— Another  white 
mark  for  Haines.  He  cannot  be  beat  for  these  smart 
aleck  parts  and  this  is  built  up  around  the  West 
Point  Academy  with  a  story  that  will  appeal  to  all. 
Class  it  with  "Tell  It  to  the  Marines"  and  guarantee 
your  patrons  a  real  show.  It  will  back  you  up. 
Nine  reels. — Crosby  &  Schwierske,  Rex  theatre,  Colby. 
Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— 43%.  June  10-11. 
An  excellent  picture,  no  less!  And  anyone  who 
doesn't  like  Haines  in  this  picture  is  too  durned  par- 
ticular. The  boy  fits  his  assumed  character  to  aa 
eyelash  which  is  the  aim  of  good  casting.  Not?  Our 
compliments  to  all  concerned  in  this  picture,  clear 
down  to  the  film  inspectors.  Nine  reels. — Tiveilan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O.^Small  town 
patronage. 

IN  OLD  KENTUCKY:  Special  cast— 45%.  June 
5-6.  A  very  exciting  racing  drama  that  should  please 
any  crowd.  The  race  in  the  rain  was  something  a 
little  different.  Play  it.  Seven  reels. — Warren  L. 
Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — General 
patronage. 

THE  DIVINE  WOMAN:  Greta  Garbo— 23%. 
June  17-18.  Unable  to  make  a  full  report  on  this 
picture.  We  paid  a  good  price,  so  doubtless  it  is 
good,  but  we  could  not  see  enough  of  it  to  determine. 
Stygian  darkness  reigned  on  our  screen  most  of  the 
time  and  since  few  persons  have  cat  eyes  the  show 
was  a  distinct  flop.  Many  walkouts.  Second  night 
practically  nil.  We  lost  jack,  our  tempers,  and  our 
patrons'  confidence.  Bah  ! ! !  Eight  reels. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  DIVINE  WOMAN:  Greta  Garbo— 20%.  June 
11-12-13.  Well  produced  and  acted  but  not  a  small 
town  picture.  Failed  to  draw  for  me  in  ideal  weather- 
Eight  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk, 
Man.,   Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— May  20-21.  Very 
disappointed  in  this  picture.  Too  long  and  draggy. 
No  acting,  no  drawing  power.  Nine  reels. — Warren 
L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — Gen- 
eral   patronage. 

LAUGH,  CLOWN,  LAUGH:  Lon  Chaney— June 
3-4.  Chaney's  acting  is  great  but  the  picture  failed 
to  pack  much  of  a  wallop.  Pleased  about  60  per  cent. 
Eight  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre. 
Ellinwood,    Kan. — General   patronage. 

BRINGING  UP  FATHER:  Special  cast— Despite 
the  fact  that  this  picture  doesn't  register  the  laughs 
like  you  would  naturally  expect  it  to  after  watching 
it  four  times,  really  believe  it's  as  clever  a  picturiza- 
tion  of  this  comic  strip  as  could  be  made  and  the 
characters  are  ideal  for  their  parts.  Outside  of  a 
couple  little  off  color  scenes  it's  clean. — P.  O. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

ACROSS  TO  SINGAPORE:  Ramon  Novarro— 
Pleased  a  good  house. — R.  H.  Hall,  Swan  theatre, 
Pocahontas,     Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  FAIR  CO-ED:  Marion  Davies— June  9.  Just 
fine.  Pleased  every  single  patron  and  that's  our 
ambition,  is  it  not? — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre. 
Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FAIR  CO-ED:  Marion  Davies— June  19-20. 
George  Ade's  tale  of  college  life.  Well  done.  Con- 
tains plenty  of  comedy.  Seemed  to  plea-se  everyone. 
Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre. 
Neillsville,    Wis. — Small   town    patronage. 

THE  STUDENT  PRINCE:  Special  cast— June  2-3. 
Not  as  big  as  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  think  it  is,  but 
of  course  they  spent  a  lot  of  money  to  make  it 
and  also  spent  lots  of  money  telling  us  in  advance  how 
great  it  was  going  to  be,  so  we  all  had  to  help  pay 
for  that  advance  cost  when  we  bought  it.  But,  it's 
a  good  picture  and  went  over  big  with  a  few  but  for 
the  majority,  especially  the  roughnecks,  it  was  the 
"blah."  Acting  by  Novarro  great  as  well  as  the 
supporting  cast  including  Norma.  Have  seen  lots 
of   knocks    on    her    in    this   but    she    looked    and   acted 


Ho  Losses  in  the  Box  Office 

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Register    Corp. 

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''^Mmmmiw iiiiimi 


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m 


July  7.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


as  well  as  she  could  and  thought  she  did  fine  but  will 
admit  that  it  was  not  the  vehicle  for  her  an  she  is 
another  one  of  those  clothes  horses  and  has  to  be 
dressed  to  kill  to  look  nice.  It's  a  good  picture 
though  and  if  you  only  paid  about  the  same  you 
do  for  a  poor  one  of  Marion  Davies.  it  will  do. 
Eleven  reels. — Crosby  &  Schwiereke,  Rex  theatre, 
Colby.  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROSE  MARIE:  Joan  Crawford— About  the  best 
thing  we  ever  saw  Miss  Crawford  do.  It's  a  wonder- 
ful story  of  the  Canadian  North  with  good  acting 
by  entire  cast,  but  we  have  one  very  strong  kick  to 
make  about  it  and  that  is  the  very  brutal  ending. 
It  went  over  big  with  our  crowd  and  especially  with 
the  ladies  up  until  the  last  reel  or  so.  Acting  was 
fine  and  the  music  played  properly  with  the  picture 
gives  it  a  great  punch  but  in  the  last  reel  or  so  they 
kill  off  the  entire  cast  with  the  exception  of  the  two 
stars  and  in  such  a  brutal  way  it  left  bad  taste  with' 
a  great  many.  Seven  reels.- — Crosby  &  Schwierske, 
Rex  theatre,  Colby,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane-Arthur— June  9-10. 
Another  bang-up  good  comedy  from  this  pair.  Went 
over  good  for  us  and  although  majority  said  not  as 
good  as  "Rookies"  it  is  our  opinion  that  if  this  had 
been  first  from  this  pair,  it  would  have  registered 
just  as  big  as  "Rookies"  but  the  public  has  been 
fed  up  with  this  brand  of  comedy  ever  since 
"Rookies"  knocked  'em  dead,  that  there  isn't  the 
wallop  iu  this  kind  any  more.  Don't  be  afraid  of 
this  one  though,  it's  good.  Seven  reels. — Crosby  & 
Schwierske,  Rex  theatre,  Colby,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SUDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— June 
17-18.  Good  baseball  picture  for  this  time  of  the  year. 
Metro  sureinell  makes  their  pictures  long  enough.  If 
they  added  on  a  few  more  reels  on  mo.st  of  their 
stuff  we  would  have  to  have  them  shipped  in  freight. 
Nine  reels. — iWm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville.    Wis. — Small    town'   patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies— 30%.  Lost 
money  for  me.  Not  what  my  patrons  want  to  see 
this  one-time  good  star  in.  Second  night  a  total 
flop.  Metro  asking  too  much  money. — G.  Carey, 
Strand   theatre,   Paris,   Ark. — General    patronage. 

BEN  HUR:  Special  ca.st — It  is  a  wonderful  picture. 
Thirteen  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt.  Grand  theatre, 
Breese,    Ell. — General   patronage. 

QUALITY  STREET:  Marion  Davies— May  22-23. 
A  very  good  program  picture  that  drew  an  average 
crowd.  Will  please  everyone  but  Western  fans. 
Seven  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre, 
Ellinwood,  Kan. — General  patronage. 

BUTTONS:  Jackie  Coogan— June  17-18.  The  com- 
edy part  of  this  picture  is  good.  The  star  is  not 
doing  impossible  things  for  a  boy.  Not  any  mushy 
love  scenes.  Just  a  real  good  picture.  Had  many 
comments  on  this  by  our  patrons.  Failed  to  get  the 
business.  Seven  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  thea- 
tre, Homer,   Mich. — Small  town   patronage. 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lillian  Gish— Lillian  was  excel- 
lent but  the  battle  of  the  clans  was  too  much.  Too 
much  bunk  and  too  much  in  length,  all  the  rest  was 
great.  Audience  got  a  great  kick  out  of  the  battle 
scene  because  it  actually  became  a  comedy.  Well, 
anyway,  Lillian  and  Norman  Kerry  were  worth  the 
money.  Nine  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

SPRING  FEVER:  William  Haines— Here  was  a 
good  comedy  but  where  do  they  get  such  a  name?  Cer- 
tainly the  action  was  too  fast  for  any  "spring  fever" 
stuff,  while  we  have  very  few  golf  fans  here  the 
crowd  seemed  to  enjoy  this  very  much.  Laugh  after 
laugh  followed  in  an  avalanche  of  mirth  produced 
by  the  odd  situations  that  developed  right  along. 
There  was  one  scene  that  made  .some  of  the  more 
easily  shocked  people  hold  their  breath  but  as  the 
scene  turned  out  to  be  clean  and  wholesome  it  but 
shows  that  people  are  looking  for  the  suggestive 
side  of  a  situation  the  minute  it  begins  to  develop  on 
the  screen.  In  this  instance,  it  was  a  bedroom  scene 
that  looked  pretty  suggestive  for  a  couple  of  minutes 
but  which  righted  itself  in  a  good  comedy  situation. 
We  saw  this  picture  knocked  in  many  managers' 
reports  which  cost  us  several  dollars,  because  we  did 
not  boost  it  as  we  would  have,  had  we  not  accepted 
the  reports  in  "What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me." 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone,  Ariz. — General   patronage. 

BODY  AND  SOUL:  Special  cast— Too  many  other 
good  programs  to  fool  with  this.  Pass  it  up. — ^G. 
Carey,  Strand  theatre,  Paris,  Ark. — General  patronage. 


Paramount 


SPEEDY:       Harold     Lloyd— 65%.       June      11-12-13. 

Lloyd's  best  to  date,  I  believe.  A  good  clean  comedy 
that  old  and  young  will  like.  Seven  reels. — Warren 
L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — 
General   patronage. 

SUNSET  LEGION:  Fred  Thompson— 20%.  June 
7-8-9.  This  is  an  excellent  Western.  The  first 
Thomson    I    have    run    and    it    will    not    be    the    la.st. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


First  Row:    Bass,  pickerel,  wall-eyed  pike,  crappies,  dog  fish  and 

trout.    The  other  fish  are  Tragsdorf,  Carlson,  J.  C.  Jenkins,  Rabbi 

O'Hara  and  Gailey. 


DEAR  HERALD- WORLD: 


CONVENTION  HEADQUARTERS, 
ALEXANDRIA,  MINN.,  June  28,  1928. 


The  convention  is  on.  The  Great  Unwashed  have  assembled,  the  wheels  of  industry  have 
ceased  to  turn,  Alexandria  is  decked  out  like  a  Fourth  of  July  celebration  and  Crocket 
Brown  arrived  yesterday  with  the  Minnesota  colors  flying  at  the  masthead.  It  looks  like  a 
great  event.  But  speaking  of  Crocket,  he  was  interviewed  on  arrival  by  many  as  to  why  he 
failed  to  bring  his  Bullfoundland  pup  and  he  said  he  left  him  at  home  to  guard  his  wife 
and  six  children  from  the  film  hounds.     Only  Crocket  isn't  married. 

The  whole  town  was  thrown  into  a  quiver  of  excitement  when  Trag  of  Neillsville,  Wis., 
drove  up  in  front  of  the  State  theatre  and  honked  his  horn.  We  don't  know  whether  it  was 
Trag  that  caused  the  excitement  or  the  little  lady  that  sat  beside  him  and  who  is  known  on 
the  marriage  records  as  Mrs.  Trag.  Boys,  you  have  no  doubt  all  seen  Billy  Dove.  Well, 
"You  hain't  seen  nuthin'  yet."    Just  you  wait. 

Trap  jumped  out  of  his  Rolls-Royce  and  waving  a  punctured  inner  tube  shouted,  "The 
old  guard  dies,  it  never  surrenders,"  thereupon  the  gang  shouted,  "Hurrah  for  Trag." 
Then  he  inquired  for  the  nearest  bass  lake. 

We  have  got  to  hand  it  to  the  Bullhead  Fisher  from  Wayne,  Neb.,  he  hasn't  caught  a 
bullhead  yet  but  has  landed  some  prize  bass  and  pike  and  has  theatened  this  scrivener 
with  prosecution  for  defamation  of  character  unless  we  tell  the  truth  ( a  thing  he  says 
is  foreign  to  our  nature),  and  coming  as  he  does  from  our  home  state  we  are  willing  to 
give  him  the  benefit  of  the  doubt  although  we  have  made  inquiry  as  to  the  whereabouts 
of  that  kid  with  a  willow  pole  that  he  found  somewhere  around  the  lake. 

P.  G.  Estee  of  Parker  is  here  with  that  smile  that  has  made  South  Dakota  the  envy 
of  all  nationalities  where  film  hounds  and  press  agents  are  not  known.  P.  G.  doesn't 
play  golf  nor  fish  but  says  he  will  challenge  any  exhibitor  on  earth  to  a  game  of  ping 
pong  or  croquet.  He  just  circulates  around  among  the  boys  and  spreads  good  cheer 
wherever  he  goes.  He  insists  that  South  Dakota  is  still  a  part  of  the  Union  in  spite  of  her 
going  Republican. 

Micky  Larson  and  Nels  Benson  are  here  from  Oakland,  Neb.,  and  when  we  say  "are 
here"  we  don't  stutter.  They  are  here  and  everybody  knows  they  are  here.  You  will 
remember  that  these  are  the  two  boys  whoi  are  the  "Piano  movers."  Nels  said  to  us  last 
night,  "Aye  tank.  Mister  Yenkins,  that  Yake  Valstead  yust  raised  hale,  when  he  upset  our 
constitution  mil  a  lot  of  monkeydoodle  business,  and  Yake  was  a  Dutchman  too.  Aye 
never  did  like  dos  Dutch  anyhow."  Then  he  said  something  in  Swede  that  went  over  our 
head.  Gailey  went  over  and  shook  his  hand  and  said,  "Thanks,  Nels,  you  have  expressed 
my  sentiments  exactly." 

Frank  O'Hara  has  become  proficient  in  three  languages  and  is  now  taking  lessons  in  Swede 
from  Nels  and  Micky.  Whenever  he  makes  a  cast  and  gets  a  back-lash  he  starts  out  in 
English,  then  switches  to  Gaelic  and  winds  up  with  Yiddish  and  we  presume  the  next  thing 
it  will  be  Swede.  If  Frank  could  talk  as  loud  as  he  can  snore  every  religious  denomination 
in  town  would  call  a  special  session  and  wire  for  Billy  Sunday.  Just  because  he  caught  more 
bass  yesterday  than  we  did  he  threatens  to  send  the  HERALD-WORLD  a  full  account  of  it, 
but  we  want  to  warn  the  readers  in  advance  not  to  believe  a  word  he  says. 

H.  J.  Longaker  of  the  State  theatre,  has  had  the  nightmare  every  night  for  two  weeks  and 
his  wife  says  that  one  more  convention  would  put  him  in  the  bughouse.  He  has  certainly  had 
a  job  on  his  hands  trying  to  arrange  matters  for  the  comfort  and  enjoyment  of  the  exhibi- 
tors and  every  exhibitor  on  the  ground  will  testify  that  he  has  made  a  huge  success  and 
will  vote  him  the  host  royal. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  arranged  for  a  big  fish  fry  dinner  for  Friday  evening 
and  this  will  be  the  "get-to-gether"  meeting  of  the  convention  at  which  time  it  may  be 
planned  to  make  this  an  annual  event  and  an  association  may  be  formed  and  commitees 
named  to  outline  plans  to  make  it  a  success.  The  people  of  Alexandria,  and  especially  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  have  done  everything  possible  for  the  enjoyment  of  their  guests  and 
everyone  present  is  highly  pleased  with  their  reception. 

Mr.  Brummond  of  Thief  River  Falls,  Minn.,  was  here  for  one  day  but  was  called  to  Min- 
neapolis on  business  but  promised  to  return  in  time  for  the  big  fish  feed  on  Friday. 

Bill  Bowker  of  Tekamah,  Neb.,  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  himself.  He  has  located  his 
tepee  on  a  lake  about  five  miles  out  and  we  can't  drag  him  away  with  a  freight  engine.   He 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

hasn't  showed  up  at  the  HERALD-WORLD  headquarters  yet.  Clif  Carlson  of  Elgin,  Neb., 
is  here  chaperoning  Elmer  Gailey  and  we  are  glad  of  it.  He  needs  someone  to  look  after 
him.  Elmer  is  the  hig  noise  of  the  Northwoods  and  Clif  makes  him  close  his  cutout  when- 
ever people  want  to  sleep. 

Mrs.  Marjorie  Bradley,  Miss  Geraldine  Scofield  and  Miss  May  Godkin  of  Neligh,  Neb.,  are 
the  kitchen  mechanics  at  the  0"Hara-Jenkins  cabin  which  has  been  designated  HERALD- 
WORLD  headquarters  for  all  exhibitors,  and  they  say  they  would  rather  fry  fish  for  exhibi- 
tors than  dance  with  Richard  Dix  or  Buddy  Rogers  (yes  they  would),  but  they  all  say, 
'"Bring  on  Dick  and  Buddy." 

There  is  a  general  feeling  of  disappointment  that  Bill  Weaver  and  Eagle  Eye  Joe  have 
failed  to  attend  the  convention.  They  were  expecting  both  of  them  to  attend,  and  we  hear 
many  expressions  of  disappointment  when  they  learned  that  they  would  not  be  here.  The 
same  is  true  of  "Fishy"  Phil  Rand  of  Salmon,  Idaho.  The  boys  were  all  in  hopes  he  could 
be  present  and  all  express  regrets  that  his  health  has  prevented  and  are  anxious  for  news  that 
he  is  on  the  road  to  recover^'.  They  were  all  expecting  Phil  to  be  the  life  of  the  party, 
which  we  can  assure  them  he  would  have  have  been. 
We  are  just  in  receipt  of  the  following  telegram: 

CHICAGO.  ILLINOIS,  June  26. 
J.  C.  Jenkins.  State  theatre,  Alexandria,  Minnesota. 

Martin  J.  Quigley  ivired  me  from  New  York  today  asking  me  to  convey  his  best  wishes' 
to  the  theatre  oivners  a.'isembled  at  Alexandria.  Minn.,  for  the  most  unique  and  undoubtedly 
the  most  enjoyable  gathering  in  the  history  of  the  motion  picture  industry.  Mr.  Quigley  re- 
grets that  his  being  in  New  York  nuikes  it  impossible  for  him  to  be  present  with  you.  It 
was  his  hope  to  luive  been  able  to  so  plan  his  time  that  he  could  be  there  to  personally  thank 
his  manv  friends  who  bv  their  contributions  to  '^JFhat  the  Picture  Did  for  Me"  and  other 
departments  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  have  made  it  possible  for  the  HERALD  to  absorb 
the  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  and  for  the  HERALDWORLD  to  become  the  one  great 
outstanding  paper  in  the  field.  For  myself,  if  you  think  it  is  fun  to  be  chained  down  to  a 
desk  here  in  Chicago  while  you  fellows  are  golfing,  fishing  and  gassing  up  there  in  Alexandria 
you  are  mistaken.  Permit  me  to  add  my  best  wishes  and  those  of  every  one  in  the  Chicago, 
New  York  and  Los  Angeles  office  of  the  HERALD-WORLD.     Sincerely. 

EDWIN  CLIFFORD,  General  Manager. 

How's  that,  boys?     Guess  that's  stepping  right  up  front  and  handing  us  the  glad  hand,  isn't 

it?     Its  just  as  we  have  told  you  all  along  that  the  HERALD-WORLD  is  for  you  and  anxious 

for  your  success  and  is  lending  every  aid  possible.     You  can  always  depend  upon  us  to  tell 

you  the  truth  unless  it  is  about  fishing.  Then  here  are  two  telegrams,  read  them  and  rejoice: 

LOS  ANGELES.  CAL.,  June  27. 
J.  C.  Jenkins,  Care  H.  J.  Longaker.  Exhibitors  Convention,  Alexandria,  Minn. 

Accept  my  best  wishes  for  a  successful  convention.  Regret  very  much  that  production  has 
prevented  my  personal  attendance  at  your  convention  but  expect  you  to  answer  for  me  by 
proxy.     If  YOU  fail  Fishy  Phil  Rand  will  make  a  good  substitute. 

JACQUELINE  LOGAN. 
LOS  ANGELES.  CAL.,  June  28. 
J.  C.  Jenkins.  Care  Henry  Longaker,  Alexander,  Minn. 

Best  wishes  and  congratulations  to  you  all  for  a  happy  session.  Regret  that  production 
plans  prevent  our  attendance. 

MARIE  PREVOST. 
Thanks,  Miss  Logan  and  Miss  Prevost,  for  your  expressions  of  good  will.     We  won't  need 
a   substitute,  we  will   answer  for  you   in  person.     Your  messages   so  far   are  the   only  ones 
from   Hollywood   showing   any   interest  whatever   in   the   exhibitors,   and  we  can   assure   you 
that  they  are  most  highly  appreciated. 

We  have  read  these  messages  to  a  great  many  of  the  boys  and  they  are  highly  pleased  that 
you  remember  them.  One  exhibitor  remarked.  "Well,  b'gosh,  I'm  for  those  two  gals  and 
the  rest  of  'em  can  go  jump  in  the  lake."  We  don't  feel  that  way  about  it  ourself  but  we 
do  feel  that  the  exhibitors  are  entitled  to  some  little  recognition  from  those  who  have  been 
dependent  in  no  small  degree  for  whatever  success  they  have  attained.  We  may  hear  from 
other  stars  but  up  to  this  writing  they  are  as  silent  as  a  clam,  which  silence  is  no  doubt  a 
correct  indication  of  their  feelings. 

When  Will  Whitmore  of  the  HERALD-WORLD  and  BETTER  THEATRES  staff  stepped 
off  the  train  in  Alexandria  Tuesday  there  was  a  general  stampede  for  the  beauty  parlors 
and  rouge  and  lipstick  counters.  Never  has  Alexandria  done  such  a  rushing  business  in 
cosmetics.  The  feminine  hearts  throughout  this  territory  have  been  set  in  such  a  flutter 
that  even  black  bass  are  getting  chunnny  with  walleyed  pike  and  bullheads  cast  a  scornful 
look  on  Galley's  hook  and  will  not  consider  anything  that  does  not  bear  a  Chicago  trade- 
mark. 

We  overheard  a  bunch  of  Alexandria's  fair  damsels  talking  in  the  lobby  of  the  State 
theatre  last  evening  and  one  of  them  inquired,  "Who  is  that  handsome  young  man  over 
there  by  the  door?"  and  another  replied,  "Oh,  don't  you  know  him,  I  met  him  yesterday, 
that  is  Mr.  Whitmore  from  Chicago,  he  is  the  editor  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  he's  coming 
out  to  our  house  for  dinner  tomorrow  evening,  come  over  and  I'll  present  you."  They  all 
went  over. 

We  had  Whit  out  fishing  yesterday  and  he  got  hooked  onto  a  dog  fish  as  long  as  a  sled 
tongue.  He  wrestled  with  him  for  about  10  minutes  and  finally  dragged  him  around  to  our 
end  of  the  boat  for  us  to  take  him  and  just  as  we  lifted  him  up  he  gave  a  flop  and  broke 
the  line  and  got  away.  We  looked  around  and  Whit  had  fainted  and  we  had  to  splash  water 
on  him  to  bring  him  to,  but  be  became  somewhat  reconciled  when  we  told  him  he  could 
no  more  eat  a  dogfish  than  he  could  an  alligator. 

In  conclusion,  while  the  attendance  is  not  as  large  as  we  hoped  for,  yet  the  convention  is  a 
grand  success  and  it  is  just  too  bad  for  those  fellows  who  stayed  at  home  and  have  to  be 
shown.  They  have  our  sympathy.  They  have  missed  a  grand  opportunity  to  have  a  royal 
time. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  Man. 


He  acts,  I  said,  ads,  something  that  no  other 
Western  etar  today  is  doing.  They  all  have  their 
trick  horeee  and  funny  heavies  but  Thomson  holdrt 
the  spectators'  eyes  on  himself  through  hin  clever  acl> 
jng.  Seven  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre, 
Selkirk,    Man.,    Canada. — Small    town    patronage. 

UNDERWORLD:  Special  cast— 3.5%.  June  13. 
Dreadfully  real,  unsatisfactory  ae  a  special  and  Para- 
mount afikfi  too  much  for  it.  "The  City  Gone  Wild" 
a  better  show  at  half  the  price.  Eight  reels. — O.  A. 
Foese,  Community  theatre,  Ridgeway,  la. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DOOMSDAY:  Florence  Vidor— 25%.  Jane  22.  A 
very  good  program  jiicture.  Good  story,  star  and  ca.-i: 
fine. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

FEEL  MY  PULSE:  Bebe  Daniels— 2.5%.  June 
14-15-16.  Excellent  program  picture.  Bebe  pleases 
when  most  of  the  so-called  big  stars  fall  down.  This 
one  sure  drew  the  laughs  and  it  has  plenty  of  action. 
Six  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk, 
Man..   Canada. — Small   town   patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Di.x— 55%.  A  good 
program  for  us.  Now  Paramount  needn't  think  this 
means  a  raise  in  prices. — G.  Carey,  Strand  theatre, 
Paris,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

OLD  IRONSIDES:  Special  cast —A  wonderful 
picture  that  was  a  flop  at  the  box  office.  Beery, 
Ralston  and  Parrell  should  draw  them  but  they  didn't 
Twelve  reels. — ^Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre^, 
Ellinwood.    Kan. — General    patronage. 

OLD  IRONSIDES:  Special  cast — Patriotic  pictu.c 
that  did  not  draw  and  which  only  pleased  in  part. 
Eight  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone. Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIFTY-FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— May 
27-28.  An  excellent  comedy  melodrama  with  Bebe 
and  James  Hall  at  their  best.  Play  it.  Seven  reels. 
— (Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre.  Ellinwood, 
Kan. — General   patronage. 

JESSE  JAMES:  Fred  Thomson— May  25-26.  A 
very  good  Western  picture  that  was  sold  a*s  a  special. 
Drew  fairly  well  and  pleased  generally.  Seven  reels. 
— Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood. 
Kan. — General  patronage. 

RED  HAIR :  Clara  Bow — Here  is  a  comedy  diama 
that  went  over  big.  Everybody  laughed  and  every- 
body pleased  with  the  plot,  cast,  photography  and 
the  charming  Clara.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros., 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TWO  FLAMING  YOUTHS:  Fields-Conklin- June 
20-21.  This  is  a  u'ood  comedy  from  this  pair.  It 
certainly  did  please  and  does  not  have  a  slow  or 
draggy  place  in  it.  I  believe  this  pair  are  better  than 
Beery  and  Hatton.  Not  much  of  a  story  but  plenty 
of  laughs  and  action.  Six  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
L/fgion  theatre,  Holyiood,  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

SHANGHAI  BOUND:  Richard  Dix— 100  per  cent 
good,  and  they  will  like  it. — ^Russell  C.  Dey,  Reed- 
ville  theatre,  Reedville,  Va. — General  patronage. 

BEAU  SABREUR:  Gary  Cooper— June  11-12. 
Good  picture.  Some  said  it  wasn't  as  good  as  "Beau 
Ge.ste"  and  some  liked  it  better.  Had  rain  again  and 
just  made  expenses.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K. 
Yancey.  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — General 
patrona5?e. 

WE'RE  ALL  GAMBLERS:  Thomas  Meighan— June 
19.  This  is  a  good  picture  and  Tommy  is  ixipular 
with  a  few  but  we  just  made  expenseu^.  Never  do 
make  anything  on  Tuesday  night. — Robert  K. 
Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WILD  HORSE  MESA:  Jack  Holt— Very  good. 
Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre, 
Breese.  111. — General  patronage. 

SERVICE  FOR  LADIES:  Adolphe  Menjou— The 
best  we  have  had  with  this  star.  Good  drawing 
power,  all  liked  it. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Reedville  theatre, 
Reedville,   Va. — General   patronage. 

THE  SONG  AND  DANCE  MAN:  Special  east- 
Good.  Si-x  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre, 
Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


CHICAGO:      Phyllis    Haver— 50%.       June     16-17-18. 

Well,  all  I  can  say  about  this  picture  is  the  salesman 
sold  it  to  me  V>etter  than  I  sold  it  to  the  public.  He 
said  it  was  Pathe's  best  picture  this  year.  If  so,  I'd 
hate  to  play  the  rest.  I  only  bought  one — the  best 
— but  lay  ofl:  it  in  a  small  town.  The  story  is  too 
true  for  the  small  town  critic.  Nine  reels. — D.  G. 
Copeling,  Temple  theatre,  Ubly,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

CHICAGO:  Phyllis  Haver— May  24-25.  This  is  a 
good  underworld  picture  if  it  could  be  called  that, 
but  did  not  pull  for  me.  Eight  reels. — H.  W.  Batch- 
elder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town   patronage. 

CHICAGO:     Phyllis   Haver — As    I    see    it,    this    pic- 


July  7.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


63 


ture  could  be  improved  at  lea^t  twenty-five  per  c'ent, 
by  eliminating  a  couple  of  sceneK.  Which  are  so 
ridiculous  and  untrue  to  life  that  they  are  silly. 
Namely,  the  jail  scene,  where  they  are  dressed  like 
uueens  and  u.-inpr  hip  reducini;  machines,  etc,  the 
other  where  two  pun  Rosie  kills  her  man  and  Roxie 
it-  on  top  of  the  table  with  the  gang  around  her 
after  the  acciuittal,  as  it  now  stands  it  is  not  the 
knockout  rpetial  they  try  to  make  you  believe  it  is. 
Eight  reelt. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City.   Mo. — Neighborhood   patronase. 

GETTING  GERTIE'S  GARTER:  Marie  Prevost— 
23%.  June  15-16.  Marie  has  been  with  us  often  of 
late,  but  somehow  we  don't  seem  to  get  fed  up  with 
her.  This  one  was  a  good  little  gloom  chaser.  And 
friend  Ray,  while  hardly  out  for  a  lawyer,  suited  us 
much  better  in  this  picture  than  in  "Nobody's 
Widow."  Our  compliments  to  the  rest  of  the  cast, 
also.  Physical  condition  not  so  good.  Lousy  with 
splices  and  some  were  bad.  Print  off  center  in  one 
reel.  Othei-wise  good  shape.  Seven  reels. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Scieenland  theatre.  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DRESS  PARADE:  William  Boyd— May  30-31.  Very 
fine  picture  and  drew  well.  Scenes  of  West  Point 
splendid. — M.  W.  Mattecheck.  Lark  theatre.  McMinn- 
ville.   Ore. — General   patronage. 

KING  OF  THE  SADDLE:  Special  cast— Cody  is 
suiuKjsed  to  be  the  star  of  this  picture,  but  for  me 
Joan  Meredith  was,  for  I  had  a  personal  appearance 
of  the  little  "Wampus  Baby  Star"  and  boy,  how  she 
did  draw.  Just  like  mustard  plaster.  Picture  please<i 
and  is  very  muchly  Western.  I  understand  this  little 
star  is  making  a  personal  appearance  in  the  smaller 
towTis  under  her  own  management.  If  any  ex- 
hibitors need  a  summer  stimulant  better  try  and  get 
her  for  the  appearance. — R.  H.  Hall.  Swan  theatre. 
Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

SKEDADDLE  GOLD:  Wally  Wales— June  IG. 
Nice  little  Western  for  Saturday  night.  Five  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


Tiffany 


STREETS  OF  SHANGHAI:  Special  cast — A  very 
good  picture  that  pleased  a  full  house.  Played  this 
with  Tiffany  Classic  technicolor  "Marchetta"  and  per- 
sonal appearance  of  Joan  Meredith.  Miss  Meredith 
hai5  a  very  pleasing  appearance  and  sure  can  talk. 
If  the  talkies  are  a  success  I  imagine  that's  where 
she  will  land. — R.  H.  Hall,  Swan  theatre,  Pocahontas, 
Ark. — General   patronage. 

LOST  AT  SEA:  Si>ecial  cast— Here  was  a  knock- 
out. That  is  the  audience  was  knocked  out  and 
never  came  to  life  again,  and  went  home  wondering 
w^hy  this  melodrama  was  so  mellow.  Most  people 
said  it  was  past  the  mellow  stage,  that  it  was  rotten. 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone,  Ariz. — General   patronage. 


United  Artists 


RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio— 100%.  June  2-3. 
Wonderful.  Made  more  money  than  any  iiicture  I 
ever  played  except  Tunney-Demiwey  fight  pictures. 
Played  it  with  Detroit  and  mopped  up.  Nine  reels. 
— D.  G.  Copeling,  Temple  theatre,  Ubiy,  Mich. — Gen- 
eral   patronage. 

MY  BEST  GIRL:  Mary  Pickford— 56%.  A  very 
good  story.  Everyone  well  plea-sed,  in  fact,  drew 
many  repeaters  at  second  showing.  Mary  Pickford 
is  well  supr>oi-ted  and  good  cast.  Charles  Rogers 
deserves  nearly  as  much  credit  as  the  star.  Eight 
reels. — ^C.  E.  Mallory,  Liberty  theatre,  Brewster,  Kan. 
— Genera!    patronage. 

MY  BEST  GIRL:  Mary  Pickford— 50%.  May  19. 
Many  favorable  comments  but  not  much  power  at  the 
box  office.  Not  worth,  the  money  I  paid.  Nine  reels. 
— D.  G.  Copeling,  Temple  theatre,  Ubly,  Mich. — ^Gen- 
eral    patronage. 

TOPSY  AND  EVA:  Duncan  SLsters— 47%.  Comedy 
with  a  touch  of  sadness.  Topsy  always  relieves  the 
tension.  Only  complaints  were  that  a  white  person 
cannot  take  a  negro's  part  and  carry  it  off  well.  Ten 
reels. — C.  E.  Mallory,  Liberty  theatre,  Brewster,  Kan. 
— General   patronage. 

THE  GAUCHO:  Dougla.s  Fairbanks— June  3-4-5. 
Very  good  picture  but  not  as  good  at  the  box  office. 
Price  asked  entirely  too  high.  Ten  reels. — M.  W. 
Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 


Universal 


become  a  drawing  card  in  time  if  they  keep  her  in 
pictures  like  the  last  two  or  three.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

13  WASINGTON  SQUARE:  Special  cast— 30%. 
June  21.  An  extra  good  program  picture. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General    patronage. 

A  HERO  ON  HORSEBACK:  Hoot  Gibson— 24%. 
June  13-14.  Nice  little  picture.  These  Hoot  Gibsons 
are  the  "happy  medium"  in  We.sterns.  They  are 
drawing  patronage  for  us.  Paper  very  good  on  this 
one,  too.  We  get  good  service  from  Universal,  except 
on  advertising.  Six  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screen- 
land   theatre,   Nevada,   O. — Small  town   patronage. 

ON  YOUR  TOES:  Reginald  Denny— June  9-10. 
This  is  a  very  good  Denny  picture  with  boxing  that 
is  fair.  Six  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre. 
Gait,    Cal. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  CHINES  PARROT:  Special  cast— June  16-17. 
Very  good  mystery  picture.  A  little  draggy  in  spot«. 
Those  that  came  liked  it.  Seven  reels. — ^H.  W.  Batch- 
elder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town  patronage. 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxi(^Good  Western. 
Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General  patronage. 

THE  LONE  EAGLE:  Special  cast— June  16.  Most 
of  the  folks  liked  it.  I  can't  say.  I  was  impressed 
with  Raymond  Keane's  work.  The  "Royal  Flying 
Coriw"  stole  the  picture.  I'd  like  to  see  him  more 
often.  Six  reels. — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre. 
Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 

MEN  OF  DARING:  Special  cast— June  2-3.  A 
good  Western  with  lots  of  action.  Six  reels. — H.  W. 
Batchelder.  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — ^Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— Not  much 
to  this  one.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,    Breese,   III. — General   iiatronage. 

PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM:  House  Peters— 
Not  much  to  this  one.  Your  patrons  will  forgec 
aboMt  it  ten  minutes  later.  Six  reels. — Julius  W. 
Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


FINDERS  KEEPERS:  Laura  LaPlant^30%, 
June  15.  An  extra  good  program  picture.  Story 
funny,  star  and  cast  good.  Pleased  thera  all. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

FINDERS  KEEPERS:  Laura  La  Plante— A  very, 
very  entertaining  picture  of  the  training  camps,  with 
Laura    ju.'it    a    little    bit    cuter    than    ever.      She    may 


DOG  OF  THE  REGIMENT:  Rin  Tin  Tin— S5%. 
May  26.  Fairly  good  but  just  a  dog  picture.  Same 
old  .stuff.  Six  reels. — D.  G.  Copeling,  Temple  theatre, 
Ubly,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

DOG  OF  THE  REGIMENT:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 50%. 
June  17-18.  One  of  the  best  dog  luctures  we  have 
played.  The  dog  great  and  he  had  splendid  support 
in  this  picture.  Gave  satisfaction  to  all. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
pj'tronage. 

A  RACE  FOR  LIFE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 51%.  June 
8-9.  Below  the  average  for  the  dog.  Warners  should 
put  a  few  real  players  with  Rinty,  not  a  bunch  of 
dubs  who  don't  know  what  it's  all  about.  Five  reels. 
— ^Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  EUinwood, 
Kan. — General  patronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Bluf^58%.  June  16.  Not 
an  outstanding  picture.  It  pleased  the  majority  pos- 
sibly, but  it  is  just  an  ordinai-y  program  picture. 
Seven  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre.  Holy- 
rood,   K.an. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  BETTER  'OLE:  Syd  Chaplin— 45%.  Excellent 
comedy  which  goes  across.  Fairly  good  box  office 
attraction.  Nine  reels. — C.  E.  Mallory,  Liberty  thea- 
tre,  Brewster,   Kan. — General  patronage. 

THE  BUSH  LEAGUER:  Monte  Blue— A  fair  pro- 
gram picture.  Interest  drags  terribly  in  fourth  and 
fifth  reels.  Seven  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellin- 
wood   theatre,   Ellinwood,    Kan. — General    patronage. 

AFTER  SIX  DAYS:  Special  cast— May  20.— Noth- 
ing but  a  newsreel  nearly  2,000  years  old.  Poor 
enough  to  make  a  preacher  swear.  Leave  it  alone. 
— M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  THIRD  DEGREE:  Dolores  Costello — June  16. 
Had  them  substitute  this  instead  of  "Ginsberg  the 
Great."  It  proved  to  be  a  good  switch,  nice  crook 
play. — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont.— 
Small    town   patronage. 

State  Rights 

BATTLING  BURKE:  Al  Hoxie— 60%.  June  15. 
Under  average  for  a  Western.  Not  enough  rough 
stuff  in  it  for  my  crowd.  The  plot  is  so  old  from 
usage  that  your  crowd  can  shut  their  eyes  and  tell 
you  what's  next.  Five  reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joy- 
land    theatre,    Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

GALLOPING  LOVER:  Tex  Lyons— 80%.  June  16. 
Supposed  to  be  a  Western  but  you'll  have  to  take  it 
and  name  it — I  can't.  Came  in  four  and  one-half 
reels,  the  half  reel  would  have  been  plenty.  The 
whole  mess  could  have  been  boiled  down  to  half  a 
reel  and  shown   as  an   "Oddity"    (apologies  to   MGM). 


Absolutely  the  most  absurd  senseless  plot  that  could 
be  conceived  and  is  an  insult  to  the  intelligence  of 
your  audience  and  a  disgrace  to  the  actors  that  have 
1u>  play  in  such.  In  other  words,  it's  strictly  N.  G. 
— John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Aik. 
— General  patronage. 

WESTWARD  WHOA:  A  really  good  comedy. 
Went  over  extra  good.  In  fact,  it  saved  a  program 
from  being  an  absolute  zero  for  entertainment. — 
John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — 
fieneral    patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 

FAT  AND  CANARY:  A  funny  kid  comedy.  Two 
reels. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

MAIDEN  VOYAGE:  A  very  funny  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BOY:  A  fine  comedy.  Keeps  the  r>eople 
laughing  most  of  the  time.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

OFF  BALANCE,  COUNT  ME  OUT:  Cameo  com- 
edies— Both  darn  good  laugh  provokers.  One  reel 
each. — P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
— Neighborhood   patronage. 

SHE'S  A  BOY:  Big  Boy— This  is  a  real  comedy. 
Two  reels. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General    patronage. 

SHE'S  A  BOY:  Big  Boy— See  no  reason  for  the 
title,  but  nevertheless  it's  a  very  funny,  exciting 
comedy.  Big  Boy  is  growing  up  and  beginning  to 
do  a  little  real  acting.  Kids  will  like  this  one. 
Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

SWORDS  POINTS:  Extra  fine  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

ZOOLOGIC:  Felix— Just  a  cartoon.  One  reel.— 
S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Can- 
ada.— Small  town  patronage. 

FBO 

THE  PERMANENT  RAVE:  Nothing  to  brag 
about.  Seen  lots  of  others  I  liked  a  lot  better.  Two 
reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. 
— Small  town   patronage. 

THE  WISECARCKERS:  Cooke-Guard— The  second 
chapter  of  this  series  and  it  is  good.  I  believe  these 
boys  make  the  best  two  reelers  on  the  market.  We 
find  they  draw  for  us.  Plenty  of  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre.  Holy- 
rood,  Kan. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

FOX 
KISS    DOCTOR:      Just    a    wrinkle.       Two    reels.— 
Bert    Silver,    Silver   Family   theatre,    Greenville,    Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

FIGHT  OF  THE  CENTURY:  Laurel-Hardy— This 
is  about  the  best  fx'om  this  pair  that  we  have  had. 
We  ran  it  with  "West  Point"  and  it  made  us  about 
the  best  show  we  have  had  this  year.  This  pair  are 
really  good  and  although  they  pull  the  old  pie  throw- 
ing gag  in  this,  the  situations  and  story  built  up 
around  it  put  it  over  big.  It  got  more  than  the 
average  laughs  from  our  gang.  Two  reels. — Crosby 
&  Schwierske,  Rex  theatre,  Colby,  Wis. — ^Small  town' 
patronage. 

FIGHT  PEST:  Charlie  Cha.se^— Another  excellent 
Chase  comedy.  Charlie  sure  has  them  howling  when 
he  takes  on  the  champ.  Two  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PRIMITIVE  HOUSEKEEPING:  Oddity— Fair  to 
middling.  Instructive — but  a  bit  slow.  Good  pho- 
tography. One  reel. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,    Nevada,    O. — Small    town    patronage. 

RAINY  DAYS:  Our  Gang— .A.nother  knockout  for 
Our  Gang.  This  is  as  good  as  they  ever  made.  We 
have  found  these  1927-28  Our  Gangs  about  the  best 
they  have  ever  made  and  we  have  run  most  of  them 
the  last  few  years.  Two  reels. — Crosby  &  Schwierske, 
Rex  theatre,   Colby,  Wis. — ^Small   town  patronage. 

SANCTUARY:  Oddity— Bird  life  in  the  North  Sea. 
Educational  but  not  interesting.  One  reel. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

STING  OF  STINGS:  Something  different  in  the 
comedy  line.  Fine  for  ehildi'en.  Both  young  and 
old  liked  it.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic 
theatre.   Homer,   Mich. — Small   town   patronage. 

US :  Charlie  Chase — Bah  Jove !  A  good  Chase 
comedy  !  WTiat's  gonna  happen  ?  ?  ?  Chase's  work  is 
usually  a  bit  too  rare  for  the  average  yokel  but  they 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


AAA 


m 


_D  CLO  sr 


DON'T  BE  VICTIMIZED 

"GLORIOUS  BETSY,"  that  comes  to  the  GRANADA  to- 
morrow  and  "THE  LION  AND  THE  MOUSE"  are  the 
ONLY  fall  length  motion  fnctures  playing  in  CMcago  in 
which  the  characters  in  the  story  SPEAK  their  pUfts. 

We  gave  our  p&trons  perfected  taJtoag  pictures  two  y««rs 

ago,  and  tke  entire  North  and  Wes  t  Sides  are  aware  of  it.  That  com- 
petitors sre  dcspcfstely  fotlomn^  oar  lead  ta  a  fact  8o  well  recosnizcd  that  it 
needs  no  fcerther  fttetma.  Tbc  poblic  b  am  iops  reaK»ad  that  Mark*  Broa.*  eqter- 
taimnent  has  become  the  staodard   that  othars  are  fractica&y  tryinc  to  bmtate. 

The  wii<^  scurry  tp  infitall  an  y  %iad  of  talking  iMcturea  does 
not  alter  the  fact  that  the  weB  plan  aad,  expensive  and  aeotutically  per- 
fect equipment  of  the  GRANADA  asd  MARBRO  are  unique  is  dtetr  pcrfeeSoa. 
When  these  theatres  were  bcnlt,  they  w  ere  ptonoed  for  frriilfigig  lactqres.  Older 
types  of  aodiioriums  cansot  rtepreduce  VrfAPHONE  and  MOVIETONE  mc- 
cessf idy.  That  is  why  they  were  ahan  dooed  after  a  abort  triaL 
Anrd  <(■  hcc<t«  nanti  l«r  Imp  pstUrtg  tpsss  sad  Irantpsrlslhii  d!f*nttl«s  by  ntmiH  ftw  nf*- 
dsd^sfl  Is  ynr  own  oqigtoflrlwsd. 

''610RI0US   BETSY*" 

The  VITAPHONE  triumph  in  tehich  Conrad  Nagel  and  Doloret  Cot- 
teRo  REALLY  TALK  comes  to  I  he  GRANADA  tomorrow. 


ra*«»?™»«*%, 


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1  ^ 


GQANADA  MAQBRO 

I  SHBHIDAN       at-       DEVON  |  MADISON         at:      CHAWFOR^^    I 

.^iMEROFFSl 


ERROL 


TODAY  9:30  A.  M. 

McVickers    Screen    Introduces    to   the 
World    the    First    Perfected 


VH^ 


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^ 

•f 


^      ^^g^^^_  L.A3  I      U^\^f\lJt,.  ^^ 

VilUam    Fox    Bup^r-protjaetion,    with 

J  <ET  GAYNOR  CHARLES  FARRELL 

he  gnat  stars  of  "Seventh  Hca-rn" 

*»       thiM  Neapolitan  love  lytic.    It 

U  move  every  mcther*s  son  and 

aaughter  to  love,  to  laugh  and  to 

sorrow^- 


Jso^ 


WOaSJp'S  CHAMPSON 
MARATHON  DANCERS 

First  TrtKe  monm  A  uo I] scum  rbirt««t 
Duore  Oi»«Ti   1 :30  F.  M. 

'SALLY  of  Tm\ 

iVITAPHONE^MOVIETOiyf 

Sntcrt        I  Sm  and   Hmt 

nd  I       BoQW  VoalBafio* 

^*"  I  «Bd  Otkcn 


IN     PER.SON 


hi  CSARLES  KALEY'S  There  It  Goes' 

DOOBS  OPEN   1:80    P.   M. 

-SALLY  OF  THt  SCANDALS" 
VITAPHONE   &   MOVIETONE 

"f?^°     WMUi.U  HoovCT     NqtoiojuJo, 

TOMORROW 


I 

fir 

\  world    the    Mrst    fertected  ^   i-  T 

MOVIETONE  and  VITAPHONE '% 

TODAY,  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME  YOU  WILL 
HEAR  VOICES  SPEAKING,  CLEARLY— DIS- 
TINCTLY — You  will  hear  music,  beautiful,  mellow, 
as  though  sung  or  played  by  real,  talented  humans, 
right  before  your  eyes. 

You  Will  Be  Amazed!  You  Will  Be  Startled! 
Every  Feature  of  McVickers   Screen   Will   Sing   or 
Speak  with  a  Quality  of  Tone  Never  Before 
Obtained  Anywhere 
i  NEW  ERA  IN  MOTION  PICTURE  ENTER- 
>(MENT    BEGINS    WITH    THE    MOST   OUT- 
VDING    SCREEN    ACHIEVEMENT    IN    THE 
LAST  DECADE 


An     Antil.lis    Trirlt     Starred     Bull 

fMARLOTTE  LANSING 

IN    PPRSON 

JAOC  OSTERMAN 

W  PBBSON 

CBAmON  HASATUON  DANCQtS 

sine  Prte*  Xnnam   ot   CoUaeon    Cvntot 
IN   PERSON 

Sow.— -MAME    THE    WOMAW 
WWi  ASrrA  STEWART 

vrrAPHOWE  *  MoviETora: 


These  advertisemenls  appeared  simultaneously  in  the  Chicago 
newspapers  Friday.  Above  is  the  one  announcing  the  debut 
of  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  at  Balaban  &  Katz's  McVickers 
theatre.  The  other  advertisement  is  of  Movietone  and  Vita- 
phone  at  Marks  Brothers'  Granada  and  Marbro  theatres.  The 
Marks  ad  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  "Glorious  Betsy"  and 
"The  Lion  and  the  Mouse"  are  the  only  Chicago  features  in 
which   the  characters  in   the  story  speak  their  parts. 


did  laugh  at  this  one.  Hope  you  do  it  some  more, 
Charlie.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Sereenland 
theatre,   Nevada,    O. — Small   town    patronage. 

WHAT  EVERY  ICEMAN  KNOWS:  This  one  is  a 
bearcat.  The  people  were  laughing  all  the  time. 
No  evil  suggestions.  They  are  talking  about  killing 
the  dog  and  the  old  man  thinks  they  mean  him.  Play 
it.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre.  Homer 
Mich. — Small   town   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

HORSE  SHY:  Edward  Horton— This  very  funny. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

OCEAN  BLUES:  A  very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
—Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

SCARED  PINK:  Good  comedy.  Two  reels.— Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — Gen- 
patronage. 

PATHE 

THE  COW'S  KIMONO:  Glenn  Tryon— Not  so 
funny,  Tryon  makes  better  stuff.  Two  reels. — F.  E. 
Sabin,  Majestic  theatre,  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  HONORABLE  MR.  BUGGS:  Not  so  bad. 
Better  than  the  title  would  indicate.  Two  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neigh- 
borhood patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  Gee,  we're  getting  lucky!  We 
drew  a  good  newereel  from  Pathe  at  the  same  time 
we  had  a  good  feature.  Good  items- good  photog- 
raphy— plenty  of  light.  Three  cheers!  One  reel. — 
Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Sereenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O.— 
Small    town    patronage. 

SHOULD  SECOND  HUSBANDS  COME  FIRST: 
Max  Davidson — This  is  an  extra  funny  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

SMILE  WINS:  Our  Gang— Not  a  good  Gang. 
There  is  too  much  pathos  and  the  comedy  is  too 
scattered    and    not   enough    of    it.      Two    reek. — S.    B. 


Kennedy,    Central    theatre,    Selkirk,    Man.,    Canada. — 
Small    town    patronage. 

WHISPERING  WHISKERS:  Silly  but  quite  funny 
in  spots.  Two  reels. — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre, 
Euieka,   Mont. — Small  town   patronage. 

TIFFANY 

MARCHETTA:  Tiffany  one  reel  color  classic  star- 
ring Joan  Meredith.  A  beautiful  picture  played  in 
connection  with  Miss  Meredith's  appearance. — R.  H. 
Hall,  Swan  theatre.  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

HUNGARY  HOBOES:  Oswald  the  Rabbit- The 
Oswald  Cartoons  are  even  funnier  than  "Aesops 
Fables."  Try  some'  of  them.  One  reel. — P.  G. 
Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood   patronage. 

ONE  MAN  SHOW:  Neely  Edwards— Very  ordinary 
single  reel. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk, 
Man.,   Canada. —  Small  town   patronage. 

RUSHING  BUSINESS:  A  good  funny  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,   Mich. — General    patronage. 

A  TOTAL  LOSS:  Gumps — No  sir,  this  one  was 
not  a  total  loss !  It  was  a  very  pleasant  surprise  for 
a  Gump  picture,  for  it  got  across  and  drew  many 
a  laugh  from  our  audience.  Okay  as  a  comedy,  but 
too  dark.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Sereenland 
theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

AT  IT  AGAIN:      Oh— zero— nothin' !     Whew!  The 

last   few   feet  that  says    "The   End"   is   the   only  good 

thing   about   it.      Two   reels. — John   W.    Crabtree,  Joy- 
land  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General  patronage. 


Educational  Changes 

Title  of  Air  Thrillers 

(Special   to    the   Herald-Wor]d) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Educational's 
new  series  of  six  two-reel  aviation  thrill  sub- 
jects, which  had  been  tentatively  titled  as 
"Russ  Farrell  Sky  Rider"  pictures,  will  be 
known  as  the  "Russ  Farrell  Aviator"  group. 
Russ  Farrell,  principal  character,  will  be 
played  by  Reed  Howes.  Thomson  Burtis,  the 
author,  is  now  on  the  West  Coast  preparing 
the   scenarios. 


45,000  Attend  Olympic 

Trials  in  Los  Angeles 

(Special   to   the  Hcrald-lVorld) 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  3.— More  than  45,- 
000  attended  the  Olympic  try-outs  here  last 
week.  The  trials  were  in  charge  of  a  com- 
mittee headed  by  Harold  B.  Franklin,  presi- 
dent of  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.  Because 
of  Franklin's  absence,  Jeff  Lazarus,  who 
headed  the  exploitation  committee,  acted  as 
vice-chairman. 


Directs  State  Art  Activities 

SAN  FRANCISCO. — Samuel  James  Hume,  former 
director  of  the  Greek  theatre.  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, has  been  appointed  director  of  avocational 
activities  of  California,  with  authority  over  drama, 
music   and   art   as   educational   influences. 


Fire  Damages  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

WINNIPEG,  July  3.— Fire  which  broke 
out  in  the  operating  room  of  the  Capitol 
theatre  at  Brandon,  Man.,  caused  consider- 
;ible  damage,  but  the  situation  was  kept  welT 
in  hand  bv  Manager  C.  S.  Ferguson. 


Ji.lv  7.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


Y^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 


BEGGARS  OF  LIFE:  Paramount  melodrama,  with 
Wallace  Beery.  Louiee  Brooks.  Richard  Arlen, 
Edgar  Blue  Washington.  H.  A.  Morgan,  Andy 
Clark,  Mike  Donlin.  Roscoe  Karns,  Robert  Perry, 
Johnnie  Morris,  George  Kotsonaroe,  Jacque  Chapin. 
Robert  Brower  and  Frank  Brownlee.  Directed 
by   William   Wellman.   Released   Length 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  An  uncommon  story. 
It's  of  hoboes,  from  beginning  to  end,  and  is  by 
Jim  TuUy,  who  was  one.  Nancy,  adopted  by  a 
farmer,  shoots  him  jrhen  he  attacks  her.  Jim, 
young  'bo,  discovers  the  murder,  and  getting  the 
girl  into  men's  clothes,  talces  her  with  him.  They 
meet  up  with  Oklahoma  Red  and  Arkansas  Snake, 
other  tramps.  Snakr  discovers  Nancy's  sex  and 
wants  her.  Jim  shoos  him  off.  But  Red  wants  her 
too.  They're  in  a  box  car.  Red  is  going  to  throve 
Jim  off.  Nancy  tells  him  she'd  go  only  to  Snake. 
Red  throws  Snake  off.  Then  Jim  gets  the  best  of 
Red.  But  Red's  a  good  guy.  He  likes  both  kids. 
Meanwhile,  of  course,  the  police  are  after  NancV 
for  murder.  .  .  .  On  a  siding,  Jim  is  nursing  a 
sick  buddy.  Red  gets  a  Ford  and  girl's  clothes  for 
Nancy.  The  kids  escape  in  the  auto.  The  sick 
tramp  dies.  Red  puts  Nancy's  discarded  male  at- 
tire on  him.  sets  fire  to  a  box  car  and  throws  the 
tramp  in  the  flames.  Later  detectives  find  the 
clothes.  The  farmer's  slayer  has  burned  to  death! 
.  .  .  Jim  and  Nancy  are  on  top  of  a  Pullman,  riding 
to  happiness. 

«     «     « 

GOODBYE  KISS,  THE:  First  National  comedy- 
drama,  with  Johnny  Burke,  Sally  Eilers,  Matty 
Kemp,  Wheeler  Oakman,  Irving  Bacon,  Lionel  Bel- 
more.  Alma  Bennett,  Carmelita  Geraghty  and  Jean 
Laverty.       Directed     by     Mack     Sennett.       Releated 

Length  8,030. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Mack  Sennett,  maker  of 
two-reel  comedies  of  the  pie-throtving,  one-piece- 
bathing  suit  variety,  produced  this  full-length  serio- 
comic of  a  fellow  and  a  girl  and  a  war.  The  war 
is  the  late  and  unlamented  one.  Sally  is  Bill's  girl, 
so  much  so  that  when  he  enlists  and  pushes  off 
for  France,  she  hides  herself  on  the  transport  and 
is  taken  across.  She  is  discovered,  and  General 
Pershing  or  somebody  puts  her  in  the  Salvation 
Army — to  ■work  out  her  boat  fare,  maybe.  As  a 
lassie  she  gets  a  chance  to  see  how  Bill  takes  to 
war.  He  doesn't.  She  is  stationed  in  the  same 
town  where  his  regiment  is  billeted.  And  plainly 
Bill  shoios  that  he  is  something  of  a  cotvard. 
Well,  she  works  with  him,  tries  to  rouse  his  man- 
hood, so  to  speak — even  taking  his  place  in  battle. 
That,  of  course,  is  serious  stuff.  But  the  antics  of 
Burke  and  other  sources  inject  considerable  relief. 
*     *     * 

GREASED  LIGHTNING:  Universal  Western,  with 
Ted  Wells,  Betty  Caldwell,  Walter  Shumway,  Lon 
Poff.    George    Dunning,    Myrtis    Crinley    and    Victor 


A  poignant  scene  from  "The  Red  Dance." 
Fox  production  of  revolutionary  Russia 
starring  Dolores  Del  Rio.  In  this  scene 
are  shown  Charles  Farrell,  Miss  Del  Rio 
and  Ivan  Linow.  Raoul  Walsh  directed 
the  picture. 


Allen.     Directed  by   Ray  Taylor.     Released  July   29. 
Length   4,294. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  City  girl  inherits  ranch 
and  falls  in  love  with  foreman.  Diana  takes  over 
the  ranch  she  has  inherited  from  her  wealthy 
father  and  accepts  the  courtship  of  Merrihcw,  a 
crooked  laivyer,  not  knowing  that  her  foreman,. 
Parker,  has  been  kept  busy  chasing  off  a  gang  of 
thieves  -icho  are  in  the  employ  of  Merrihcw.  While- 
Parker  and  his  men  are  in  the  mountains,  Merri- 
hew  calls  on  Diana  for  her  answer.  Loving  Parker, 
she  refuses  him.  Merrihew  threatens  to  raid  the 
ranch.  Diana  goes  after  Parker.  The  gancr 
catches  her  and  takes  her  to  Merriheiv's  cabin. 
From  her  escort,  Parker  learns  u'here  Diana  is, 
and  going  to  the  cabin,  rescues  her.  She  now 
frankly  tells  him  he  is  engaged  as  foreman  ■  and 
husband   for  life. 

4      *      * 

HEART  TO  HEART:  First  National  comery-drama, 
with  Mary  Astor,  Lloyd  Hughes,  Louise  Fazenda, 
Lucien  Littlefield,  Thelma  Todd,  Raymond  McKee, 
Eileen  Manning  and  Virginia  Gray.  Directed  by 
William    Bcaudine.      Released    Length 


of  coarse,  'to  come  in  royal  style.  So  when  there 
arrives  a  girl  of  usual  aspect,  except  that  she  is 
very  beautiful,  the  town  does  not  know  she  is  the 
princess.  And  her  girlhood  sweetheart,  Philip,  a 
window  washer,  renews  his  suit.  .  .  .  Then  she  goes 
away  to  return  officially  as  the  princess.  And  as 
the  princess,  she  marries  Philip,  and  they  go  back 
to   Italy. 

»     »     * 
PAINTED     POST:       Fox     Weetern,    with    Tom    Mix, 
Natalie    Kingston,    Philo    McCullough,    Al    St.    John 
and   Fred    Gamble.      Directed   by    Gene   Forde.      Re- 
leased       Length  

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Mix  in  the  role  of  sheriff. 
Painted  Post  is  a  town  gone  bankrupt.  Blake,  the 
sheriff,  is  pretty  busy  serving  attachments  on  the 
bus-iness  places,  including  a  hotel.  Barbara  Lane, 
young  and  pretty,  comes  to  town,  seeking  types 
for  magazine  drawings.  She  chooses  Tuttle,  local 
bad  man  much  to  Blake's  dissatisfaction,  for  he 
fancies  the  girl.  When  Tuttle  invites  her  for  a 
ride,  he  locks  her  up  on  a  fake  charge.  Tuttle 
demands  a  showdown.  Blake  gives  it.  Knowing 
the  gang  is  after  a  payroll,  Blake  substitutes  paper 
for  the  money.  Foiled,  the  gang  puts  Blake  in  his 
own  jail.  But  ivith  Tony's  help,  Blake  escapes, 
chases  the  gang,  licks  Tuttle,  and  wins  Miss 
Barbara  Lane  for  his  tvife. 


WHITE  SHADOWS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS:  Uebm^ 
Goldwyn-Mayer  melodrama,  with  Monte  BJne,- 
Ranjuel  Torres  and  Robert  Anderson.  Directfeij;  by 
W.    S.    Van    Dyke.      Released    Length' 


TYPE    AND    THEME:      Another    Astor-Hughes 

vehicle  of  the  romantic  type.  In  this  one.  Miss 
Astor  is  a  princes  of  Ainerican  birth  who  returns 
to    her    home    town    for    a    visit.      She    is    expected. 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  grim  sort  of  story,, 
laid  in  the  islands  of  the  South  Seas.  Ai  ffikuevo' 
is  a  lucrative  pearl  fishing  industry,  %vith  the  wftite 
traders  in  command  and  the  natives  in  virtual  en- 
slavement under  them.  Also  there  is  a  degenerate 
■white  man,  a  doctor,  Matthew  Lloyd,  whom  drink 
has  sunk  to  the  level  of  a  beachcomber.  But  Lloyd 
ran  still  be  decent  and  he  rises  against  Sebastian, 
an  important  trader,  to  protect  a  disabled  native 
diver.  In  revenge,  Sebastian  has  Lloyd  lured  to  a 
plague  ship  where  the  doctor  is  lashed  to  a  wheel 
and  set  adrift.  The  boat  grounds  on  a  reef,  but 
Lloyd  swims  to  shore.  There  he  is  feted  by  the 
natives  and  wins  the  "village  virgin."  Then  Sebas- 
tian lands  and  attempts  to  attack  Lloyd's  woman. 
They  battle.  Lloyd  is  killed.  And  life  resumes  its 
old  mean  tuay. 


WRIGHT  IDEA,  THE:  First  National  comedy,  with 
Johnny  Hines,  Louise  Lorraine,  Edmund  Breese, 
Charles  Giblyn,  Fred  Kelsey,  Henry  Hebert,  Walter 
James,  Betty  Egan  and  Blanche  Craig.  Directed 
by    Charles    Hines.      Released    Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  neiv  comedy  for  Hines. 
Briefly,  the  plot  is  this:  Johnny  invents  an  ink 
that  is  luminoiis.  The  invention  comes  in  hamdy. 
For  Johnny  gets  mixed  up  with  a  pretty  girl, 
lunatics,  bond  thieves  and  rum  runners — quite 
enough  for  one  young  fellow — and  when  he  and 
the  girl  are  prisoners  on  a  rum-running  vessel, 
Johnny  slips  over  the  side  and  paints  "Help"  on 
the  hull  with  the  luminous  ink.  As  a  result,  the 
government  ship  is  able  to  folloiv  the  rum-runner. 
The  smugglers  are  captured,  Johnny  praised  and 
the    girl    won. 


This  Week's  Press  Sheet 


WARMING  UP  (Paramount  comedy-drama) :  A  survey 
of  your  town  will  reveal  many  baseball  players  or  men  who 
boast  that  they  are.  If  among  this  group  are  nine  former  pro- 
fessional players  and  nine  amateur  players,  try  to  arrange 
formation  of  the  two  teams  for  a  series  of  twilight  baseball 
games.  The  sport  department  of  your  newspaper  will  help 
you  promote  this  tournament,  and  a  tie-up  with  sporting  goods 
stores  should  provide  the  awards.  The  older  the  players  are 
the  better,  and  if  some  of  them  have  mustaches  and  beards 
or  play  with  their  glasses  on,  the  idea  should  get  plenty  of 
space  in  the  paper  on  its  own  merits.  Tie  the  tournarnent  up 
with  the  picture  by  calling  it  the  "Warming  Over  Series,"  or 
some  such  name,  and  entertain  both  teams  at  the  showing  of 
the  Richard  Dix  picture  at  your  theatre. 

The  newspaper  and  many  individuals  in  your  town  have 
pictures  of  old-time  baseball  teams  which  will  furnish  plenty 


. 


of  interesting  art  in  connection  with  your  publicity  on  the 
picture  and  the  stories  on  the  baseball  contest.  A  collection 
of  those  pictures  which  include  local  men  will  add  to  your 
lobby  display  and  any  window  displays  you  may  happen  to 
arrange  around  the  city.  Find  the  oldest  baseball  player  in 
your  city  or  town  and  get  him  to  give  a  short  talk  from  the 
stage  of  your  theatre  before  the  showing  of  the  picture. 

In  the  cast  of  "Warming  Up"  is  Mike  Ready  believed  to  be 
the  oldest  living  professional  baseball  player.  Perhaps  your 
"oldest  player"  can  recall  some  personal  experiences  in  con- 
nection with  Ready  or  with  Mike  Donlin,  the  former  Giant  star 
who  is  also  a  member  of  the  cast.  In  connection  with  your 
stage  presentation  of  the  oldest  baseball  player,  the  youngest 
member  of  any  of  your  local  teams  might  also  be  introduced 
from  the  stage.  He  also  can  be  asked  to  say  a  few  words.  Get 
the  kids  working  for  you  with  the  old-timers. 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


^  ='-  By  Whit 

BALABAN  &  KATZ  last  week  inaugurated  synchronized  pictures  at  Mc- 
Vickers,  the  first  B  &  K  house  to  go  in  for  the  innovation  which,  after 
a  rather  calm  start,  has  suddenly  caused  palpitation  of  the  heart  of  Mr. 
M.  P.  Fillum.  Although  the  audios  are  not  new  hereabouts,  having  enjoyed 
the  patronage  of  Chicagoans  for  a  year  or  two,  McVickers  on  the  first  day 
gave  the  more  innocent  of  observers  the  impression  that  sound-pictures  were 
being  offered  the  local  public  for  the  very  first  time.  The  theatre  opened  at  9 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  by  11  o'clock  there  was  a  sizeable  hold-out  line. 


Advertising,  it  is  thought,  did  the  trick. 
The  Mc  Vickers  ads  refer  to  synchroniza- 
tion at  that  theatre  as  "Perfected  Movietone 
and  Vitaphone."  The  opening  attraction 
is  Fox's  "Street  Angel,"  Janet  Gaynor- 
Charles  Farrell  picture  for  which  audibility 
has  been  confined  to  an  orchestral  accom- 
paniment. Fox's  Alovietone  newsreel  is 
also  being  shown. 

*  ^         i}c 

Before  continuing  in  this  informal  review 
of  film  matters  and  people  in  Chicago,  let 
it  be  said  that  the  "By  Whit"  at  the  top 
of  the  page  is  totally  erroneous,  not  to  say 
an  absolute  falsehood,  inasmuch  as  Whit 
was  sojourning  last  week  at  Alexandria, 
Minn.,  where  readers  of  the  Herald- World 
had  a  family  party  under  the  hospitable 
auspices  of  H.  M.  Longaker,  exhibitor  of 
that  city.  Therefore,  to  all  whom  it  may 
concern,  let  it  be  known  that  the  said  Whit 
is  not  to  be  held  responsible  for  any  word 
or  punctuation  mark  appearing  in   the   said 

review. 

*  *     * 

Which  brings  us,  for  some  reason,  to 
Hoot  Gibson  and  that  Western  star's  cur- 
rent activities  in  this  region.  Hoot,  to  be- 
come familiar  at  once,  is  to  make  a  picture 
here  in  which  he  will  play  the  role  of  a 
cowboy  who  comes  to  our  quiet  little  city 
for  a  rodeo.  In  fact,  there  is  to  be  a  rodeo 
here,  beginning  late  this  month — and  hence 
the  picture.  Gibson  left  Monday  for  the 
Coast  and  will  return  in  two  weeks  with 
proper  aid  for  the  making  of  the  film. 

*  *     t- 

The  wedding  of  Ernest  J.  Krug,  manager 
of  the  Shore  theatre  and  brother-in-law  of 
Ashton  Stevens,  dramatic  critic  of  the 
Herald  and  Examiner,  and  Miss  Anna 
Florence,    was    celebrated    last    Wednesday. 

*  *     * 

Summer     is     here,     Notwithstanding     much 


Programs 

prepared  by  us 
get  the  public 
interested  in 
your  shows. 

Let  lis  send  you 
some  samples. 

THE  NATIONAL 

PROGRAM  &  PRINTING  CO. 
729  So.  Wabash  Avt.    -    Chicago 


evidence  to  the  contrary.  F.  Fricke  and 
T.  Lynch,  well  known  exhibitors,  left  last 
week  for  a  spell  of  angling  in  the  North 
woods.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
similar  reports  will  appear  on  this  page 
quite  consistently  the  next  few  months. 
^     ^     ^ 

Mrs.  L  Siskin,  who  has  been  operating 
the  Janet  theatre  at  617  North  Avenue  since 
the  death  last  summer  of  her  husband,  has 
sold  the  house  to  H.  Krause  and  Joe  Kop- 
pel,  who  thus  come  into  possession  of  their 
first   theatre. 

*  *     * 

Speaking  of  firsts,  Rita  Marcia  Gorelick 
celebrated  her  very  first  birthday  Tuesday, 
in  honor  of  which  the  Herald-World,  in- 
cluding Jaysee  Jenkins  and  Eagle-Eye  Joe, 
olifer  congratulations.  And  in  case  you  have 
not  met  Mistress  Rita,  be  informed  that 
she  is  the  daughter  of  Sam  Gorelick,  the 
genial  (not  to  say  handsome)  salesman  at 
FBO. 

Bill  Sweeney  is  still  having  a  little  diffi- 
culty restoring  his  health  and  missed  a 
couple  more  days  at  his  office  last  week. 

>K       *       ^ 

Red  Johnson,  jokester  and  touring  film 
salesman  of  F  B  O,  reports  that  Oscar  Lam- 
brotte  opened  his  new  theatre  at  Mishawaka 
Ind.,  last  week,  and  adds  that  it  is  one 
of  the  finest  little  houses  he  has  seen. 

*  *     * 

The  Capitol  at  Morrison,  111.,  is  now 
under  construction.  It  is  being  built  by 
Smith  &  Potter  of  that  place. 

*  *     * 

We  dropped  in  on  Tom  Gilliam  last 
week,  and  demanding  to  know  at  once  how's 
business,  learned  that  his  office  had  closed 
the  Lynch  group  of  suburban  theatres  for 
the  entire  First  National  program. 

*  *     * 

Stanley  Hatch,  First  National's  Western 
sales  manager,  came  last  week  to  be  here 
for  a  few  days  working  on  what  is  known 
in  the  trade  as  "big  contracts." 

*  *     * 

It  has  been  learned  that  James  Flinn, 
manager  of  accessories  for  Pathe  at  the 
home  office,  has  resigned  his  position  and 
is  to  become  connected  with  an  interior 
decorating  concern  in  Evanston.  .He  has 
been  with  Pathe  for  a  year,  having  been 
with  P  D  C  the  three  years  previously.  He 
and  Mrs.  Flinn  are,  motoring  to  Glencoe. 

*  *     * 

William  Roche,  manager  of  the  Selwyn 
and  Harris,  lost  his  wife  in  death  last  week. 
Mrs.  Roche  died  after  confinement  for  six 
weeks  to  Garfield  Park  hospital  with  pneu- 
monia.    She  was  33  years  old. 

— G.  S.  Batting  for  Whit. 


Film  Gunplay  Called 
Bad  for  Unhealthy  Mind 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  3.~ 
Protest  against  gunplay  in  motion 
pictures  shown  here  was  voiced  by 
Paul  T.  Shaw  of  the  Portland  school 
board,  after  viewing  "The  Drag 
Net."  In  his  letter  to  the  censor 
board  he  stated,  "An  otherwise  de- 
lightful program  of  music  and  color 
effects  was  ruined  by  this  hideous 
picture  depicting  gunmen  and  women 
of  the  underworld.  To  the  healthy 
child  mind  little  damage  may  be 
done  by  witnessing  such  an  exhibi- 
tion. But  what  about  the  hundreds 
who  are  not  surrounded  by  safe- 
guards of  wholesome  family  life!'" 


Jury  Votes  Death  for 
Killer  in  Holdup;  Girl 
Shot  by  Policeman  Dies 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  3.— A  verdict  of 
guilty  of  first  degree  murder,  with  the  death 
penalty  recommended  was  returned  last 
Thursday  by  the  jury  trying  Charles  F. 
Mellor  for  killing  Max  T.  Harrison,  assist- 
ant manager,  in  the  Cross  Keys  theatre 
holdup  on  the  night  of  March  23.  Five 
minutes  afterwards  Orville  J.  Barclay,  21, 
charged  with  being  Mellor's  partner  in  the 
crime,  was  placed  on  trial  and  later  sen- 
tenced to  life  imprisonment.  Both  men  had 
entered  pleas  of  not  guilty,  although  the 
police  hold  statements  made  by  them  after 
their  arrest  in  which  they  told  in  detail 
how   the    shooting    occurred. 

Martha  Yetter,  17-year-old  girl  bystander, 
who  was  shot  in  the  holdup,  died  in  the 
Philadelphia  General  hospital  last  Wednes- 
day. Miss  Yetter  was  shot  in  the  neck  by 
John  A.  Clark,  a  policeman,  who  was  escort- 
ing Harrison  to  a  bank  with  the  theatre^ 
box  office  receipts. 


N.  Y.  Exchanges  Seek 

No  Actual  Sales  Now 

(Sfecial   to    the   Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  3. — According  to  ex- 
change managers  here,  there  is  little  buy- 
ing of  new  product  in  this  section  at  pres- 
ent. The  managers  are  apparently  content 
with  a  preliminary  campaign,  explaining  to 
exhibitors  the  new  product,  but  without  go- 
ing so  far  as  to  quote  any  prices.  Exhib- 
itors say  that  they  have  not  been  called  on 
as  yet  by  salesmen  seeking  to  place  new 
product. 


T-S  Distributor  in  India 
Fetes  Fifth  Anniversary 

Faulty  projector  aperture  tension  adjust- 
ment is  probably  responsible  for  more 
vital  film  damage  than  any  other  one  thing, 
except  possibly  wrong  rewinding  pro- 
cedure, says  G.  R.  Gvalani  of  Gvalani 
Brothers,  distributors  at  Karachi,  India, 
for  Tiffany-Stahl,  in  a  20-page  pressbook 
in  five  colors.  The  pressbook  marks  the 
fifth  anniversary  of  the  Gvalani  organiza- 
tion. 


Illness  Delays  Opening 

(Special    to    the    Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  3.— William  Smalley  of 
Cooperstown,  N.  Y.,  one  of  the  best  known 
exhibitors  in  central  New  York  state  and 
head  of  a  chain  of  15  houses,  has  been  seri- 
ously ill,  and  as  a  result,  the  opening  of 
his  new  theatre  in  Johnstown  has  been  de- 
layed until  later  this  month. 


For  your 
Protection 

To  insure  exhibitors  the  high- 
est possible  screen  quality, 
Eastman  Positive  Film  is  made 
identifiable.  The  words  "Eastman 
Kodak"  are  stencilled  in  black 
letters  at  short  intervals  in  the 
transparent  film  margin. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman  Film 
—look  for  the  identifying  words 
in  the  margin— and  get  the  film 
that  always  carries  quality 
through  to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


4FETY 


Every  public  safety  official  recognizes  the  dread 
hazard  of  FIRE  in  theatres. 

Fire  and  its  awful  ally,  PANIC,  are  ogres  that 
haunt  every  theatre. 

Public  officials  v^ho  are  charged  w^ith  the  safety  of 
the  public  and  of  property,  realize  the  need  of  using 
every  good  preventive  device. 

That  is  vs^hy  they  are  urging  everywhere  the  use 
of  SENTRY  SAFETY  CONTROL,  a  device,  which 
when  attached  to  any  standard  motion  picture  pro- 
jector makes  impossible  a  fire  from  motion -picture 
film   in  use. 


m^\F  ITT  t  ED  Mir[a[5][L 

CORPORATION 

latn  and  Cherry  Sto.,  PHILADELPHIA      1 560  Broadway.  NEW  YORK 

And  All  Branches  of 
NATIONAL   THEATRE    SUPPLY   COMPANY 


.r-r^ 


The  positive  fire  preventer.    Can  be  attached  to  any  projector.    Costs  only  a  few  cents  a  day. 


I  rftaik^^ta*Mfliii*a*ifc 


SlwfcJbJi^fcdhiifcdfc^Jhi*.Jfa*iifcii*iAidbi^^ 


EXMienTOM 


TWO 


t  m  »  a  *iAa*«*i 


■^^'-^*''*--'"-^^*    *'    ■   -   ----  --   ■ 


«  g  1. 


MOVIETONE  EQUIPPED 

MEANS 

SIMPLEX    EQUIPPED 

IN  AMERICA'S  LEADING  THEATRES 


ECIAL  MODEL  M 
SIMPLEX 

Mi  O'V^IETOISII 
Will  be  supplied  when  specified 


INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 

90    GOLD    STREET,  NEW  YORK 


■^^Pinm^w^r*" 


■  r  t  I  jwvT'T^^^P^'^n^^^^^^^^'^t^TT* ^ n  i^.n.  *  '  g_jr!.A_a_t_«'_«_i_iii_a_i  w ..w^T^^^v^r^T'^^^im'mfm'iif 


'hole  Vol.  92,  No.  1  (Vol.  34,  No.  4) 


July  7,  1928 


Jjo  exkiadms... 


WURLITZER 

Organs 

Factories,  North  Tonawanda,  N.  Y» 


NEW  YORK 
CLEVELAND 
PHlLADELPHLfV 


ST.  LOUIS 
CHICAGO 
PITTSBURGH 


BUFFALO 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

CINCINNATI 


DETROIT 
KANSAS  CITY 
LOS  ANGELES 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Experienced  showmen 

select 
C-H  Simplicity  Dimmers 


BEAUTY  is  demanded  by  movie  goers 
everywhere,  today.  Hence  experienced 
showmen  invest  millions  in  decorative  art  and 
insure  the  effectiveness  of  their  investment 
by  scientific  lighting  controlled  with  C-H 
"Simplicity"  Dimmers. 

Their  experience  has  proved  to  them  that 
the  Cutler-Hammer  name  assures  dependable 
dimmer  performance — that  velvet-smooth 
control,  beautiful  color  blends,  adaptability  to 
both  present  and  future  requirements,  low  main- 
tenance and  operating  expense  can  best  be  se- 
cured by  specifying  C-H  "Simplicity"  Dimmers. 

Regardless  of  the  seating  capacity,  decora- 
tive scheme,  or  location  of  your  house,  there  are 
many  advantages  of  C-H  "Simplicity"  Dim- 
mers, all  worthy  of  your  serious  consideration. 


Discuss  C-H  Dimmers  with  your  electrician 
or  architect  and  write  for  "Illumination 
Control  for  the  Modern  Theater" — a  book- 
let giving  complete  facts. 


The  CUTLER-HAMMER  Mfg,  Co, 

Pioneer  Manufacturers  of  Electrical  Control  Apparatus 

1254  St.  Paul  Avenue 
MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 


Loew's    and    United  Artists    Theater, 

Pittsburgh,  Pa., equipped  n/ithC-H'*Sim- 

plicity"  Dimmers — the   bank  of  which 

is  shown  below 


•««i!-,().< 


CUTLER^HAMMER 


Perfect  IllzirninatioTi  Cordroljor  the  'Modern  ^Theater 


. 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


THE  country  over  ...  in  2.0  of 
America's  largest  cities  ...  an  offi- 
cial census  discloses  that  75%  of  all 
theatres  are  "American"  equipped.  And 
a  roll  call  of  the  acknowledged  large- 
scale  exhibitors  "would  show  an  even 
higher  percentage.  For  it  never  has 
been  disputed  that  the  preeminent 
operators  .  .  .  those  at  the  very  top  in 
the  field  are  exclusive  users  of  "Ameri- 
can" chairs.  These  figures  speak  for 
themselves.  They  tell  a  story  of  built- 
in  quality,  beauty  and  comfort  that 
theatre  owners  and  managers  are  daily 
turning  into  a  profit. 


Theatre  Qhair  n^uilders  to  the 


Illustrated  above  is  Chair 
No.  6146,  of  which  2610 
were  installed  in  the 
Universal  Theatre,  Brook- 
lyn, John  Eberson,  Arch- 
itect. A  beautiful  chair 
with  dark  walnut  finish 
wood  parts,  red  uphol- 
stered Moroccoline  seat 
and  two-tone  Jacquard 
Velour  upholstered  back. 
Two-tone  metal  finish  on 
standardswith  aislelights 
built  in.  Easy  and  silent 
seat  movement  is  made 
certain  by  the  use  of  noise- 
less  ball  bearing  hinge. 


(^American  Tublic  for  Over  50  Tears 


American  Seating  Company 


121  W.  40th  St.,  New  York  City 


12  E.  Jackson  Blvd.,  Chicago,  Illinois 


1211-H   Chestnut   St.,   Philadelphia 


65-D    Canal    .St.,    Boston 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


The  Air  Washer 

The  Supreme  Turbo  Air  Washer, 
a  wonderful  new  feature  of  the 
Supreme  Cooling  System.  No  sensa- 
tion of  dampness,  no  humidity  in  the 
Auditorium — ^just  the  added  Cooling 
Power  of  washed  air. 


The  6'iu 
Supreme  Cooling  Blower 

— that  delivers  the  Washed  and 
Cooled  air  to  the  Auditorium  at 
high  velocity  creating  a  decidedly 
noticeable,  cool  refreshing  breeze 
felt  in  every  seat.  No  noise,  no 
drafts,  just  lots  of  cool  fresh  air 
that  will  keep  your  theatre  cool 
and  comfortable  in  spite  of  the 
heat. 

The  Variable  Speed  Pulley 

At  a  very  moderate  cost  the  Su- 
preme Cooling  Blower  can  be 
equipped  with  the  reliable  Horcon 
Variable  Speed  Pulley,  instead  of 
the  standard  single  speed  pulley. 


Gee^  hut  it^s  nice 

and  cool  in  hereV^ 


That^s  What  They'll  Say  If  You  Have  The 

UPREME 

Washed  Air  Cooling  System 

In  Your  Theatre* 


And  that*s  what  brings  them  back  for  more* 

Fill  those  vacant  seats  this  summer — you  can  do  it — 
simply  by  making  your  theatre  Cool  and  Comfortable. 
The  Supreme  Cooling  System  makes  this  condition 
possible  even  in  the  hottest  kind  of  weather. 

Remember — the  Supreme  Cooling  System  gives  you 
the  added  Cooling  power  of  Washed  Air.  It's  the  only 
System  of  its  kind  that  does  give  you  that  extra  Cooling 
effect — yet  the  cost  of  a  complete  Supreme  Cooling 
System  is  moderate.  Its  box  office  value  far  outweighs 
its  cost. 

(jCt  X.  lie  r  clCtS*  Write  for  complete  information  and 
convenient  payment  plan.  Use  the  coupon  below — today. 


Heater  and  Ventilating  Corp* 

ST.  LOUIS,  U.  S.  A. 


Supreme  Heater  ii  Ventilating  Corp. 
1915-17-19  Pine  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Send  complete  information  and  convenient  payment  plan  on  the  Supreme  Cooling  System. 
"Hjim  e ; E 


Address.. 
City 


..State. 


Seating  capacity  of  theatre.. 


Theatre  Acoustics  and  Synchronism 


CHARLES  B.  O'NEILL 

Advertising    Manager 


Betl&lbmfm 

A  monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  pub- 
lished for  information  and  guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre 
construction,  operation  and  equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  finer  theatres 


HARRY    E.    HOLQUIST 
Easlsrn   Kepretentatiwe 


BETTER  THEATRES 

EDITORIAL  AND 

ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407     So.     Dearborn     St.     Telephone 

Harrison   0036.      Cable   Address: 

Quigpubco. 

Jay    M.    Shreck,    Managing    Editor 
Charles      B.      O'Neill,      Advertising 

Manager 
George    ClifTord,    Business   Manager 

NEW   YORK 

565   Fifth   Ave.     Telephone   Vander- 
bilt   3612-3613 

Harry  E.  Holquist 
Eastern  Representative 

LOS   ANGELES 

5617    Hollywood    Blvd.      Telephone 
Gladstone   3754 

Douglas    Hodges 
West    Coast    Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope   (J.   Cabourn,   Editor) 

Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 

Rd.,  W.   C.  2 


The  successful  theatre  today  is  the 
one  that  pays  strictest  attention  to 
its  physical  features.  Cinema  pa- 
trons demand  more  than  pictures. 
They  must  be  given  every  degree  of 
comfort,  convenience  and  atmos- 
phere. 

To  the  enterprising  exhibitor  Better 
Theatres  each  issue  presents  numer- 
ous ideas  and  suggestions  for  in- 
creasing profit  through  better  pub- 
lic  service   and   management. 


SUBSCRIPTION    RATES 

United    State   and    possessions — 

$3  per  year 

Canada — $4.50  per  year 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$9  per  year 

Single  copies,  25  cents 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


THIS  ISSUE  marks  the  inception  of  Better  Theatres'  school  of 
s3mchronization — This  forward  step  is  taken  to  assist  projectionists 
and  exhibitors  who  are  confronted  by  new  problems  as  a  result 
of  the  installation  of  sound  pictures — F.  H.  Richardson  will  con- 
duct the  school. 


ART  MODERNE  is  a  phreise  that  is  becoming,  in  the  decorative 
sense,  more  popular  each  day  —  George  Schutz,  this  month, 
reviews  the  growing  popularity  of  this  new  motif  in  furniture — 
Modernistic  furniture  offers  to  the  theatre  a  refreshing  atmos- 
phere— It  is  in  harmony  with  a  modem  art. 


'T  LEARN  ABOUT  ORGANS"  is  the  first  of  an  interesting  series 
of  articles  on  organ  building,  placement  in  the  theatre  and  installa- 
tion— Hawley  M.  Leisher  this  month  continues  his  instructive 
comment  on  theatre  decoration — In  this  issue  he  discusses  the  use 
of  the  "All-Over"  stencil  process. 


0.  F.  SPAHR  this  month  announces  the  new  model  of  motiograph 
which,  the  company  states,  eliminates  the  heating,  drying  and 
warping  of  film — The  new  instrument  has  been  months  in  prep- 
aration and  represents  the  labors  of  many  skilled  technicians — 
Brenkert  announces  new  universal  effect  projector. 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


HE  public's  eye  today  is  caught  and  held  by  the  unusual, 
spectacular,  in  the  matter  of  theatre  electric  advertising. 

It's  a  specialist's  job  to  design  the  "S.R.O. 
type"  of  theatre  electric  —  whether  small  or 
large.  With  16  years'  experience  to  draw 
upon,  we  can  put  that  unusual,  spectacular 
"punch"  into  one  for  you. 

Exposed-lamp,  Neon-tube,  Raised  Glass- 
Letter  electrics  or  combinations  of  these  for 
roof  or  building-front  installations;  inter- 
changeable letter  signs  for  marquee  or  cur- 
rent attraction  boards;  and  interior  electric 
directional  signs — Flexlume  can  take  care  of 
all  your  sign  needs. 


the 


Write  us  about  your 
requirements  and  let  us 
submit,  without  obliga- 
tion, color  sketch  of  a 
sign  or  signs  to  fit  your 
needs.  Address  Flex- 
lume Corporation, 
1834  Military  Road, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.  — or 
mail  the  coupon. 


FLEXLUME 


factories  also  at  detroit,  los  angeles,   oakland  and   toronto 
Flexlume  Corporation 

1834  Military  Road,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Please   send,  without  obligation,  a  copy  of  the  booklet  "Theatre  Electric 
Displays". 

Also,  submit  free  color  sketch  of  a  sign  for  our  theatre. 

Name - 

Theatre 

Address... 

SALES    AND    SERVICE    OFFICES    IN    CHIEF    CITIES    OF    U.    S.    AND    CANADA 

ELECTRIC    DISPLAYS 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  July  7, 1928 


'Tou  KNOW  the 
Herald-World" 


Perhaps  you  think  of  it  as  "the  paper  with  the 
What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me'  department" — per- 
haps as  "the  paper  that  puts  out  ^Better  Theatres'  " 
—or  for  one  of  a  dozen  other  features — but  you 
KNOW  the  Herald-World. 

The  Herald-World  is  a  DEFINITE  PAPER. 

It  is  the  one  and  only  motion  picture  trade 
journal  that  goes  to  original  sources  for  such  an- 
nual features  as  "The  104  Biggest  Money  Makers 
of  the  Year,"  "The  60  Best  Box  Office  Names"  and 
other  fundamentally  important  trade  services. 

You  KNOW  the  Herald-World  for  what  it  is— 
the  biggest,  best  and  most  successful  publication 
in  the  motion  picture  field. 

And  you  know  the  Herald-World  KNOWS. 


_     EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

«s3  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


4-' 


Julv  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


METROPOLITAN 

THEATRE 

LOS  ANGELES 

CAL. 


Photogra-^h  by  courtesy  of 
William  Lee  Woollett,  the 
-pioneer  of  decoration  di- 
rectly on  concrete.  In  this 
instance  the  sound  absorb- 
ing material  was  a^^hed 
back  of  the  'plaster  grille 
work  on  the  main  ceiling, 
the  work  being  executed 
during  the  course  of  the 
building  construction. 


^»      i9»     J^^^      H 


w 


ITH  the  advent  of  the 
synchronized  picture  and  its 
adoption  by  motion  picture 
houses  generally,  an  acute  acousti- 
cal problem  will  develop  in  many 
theatres  which  is  not  at  present 
apparent,  due  to  the  difference  in 
the  generally  accepted  standards 
which  exist  between  what  is  known 
as  good  acoustics  for  music  and 
speech,  and  acceptable  acoustics  for 
incidental  music  only. 

In  the  average  theatre  devoted  to 
motion  pictures,  acoustical  condi- 
tions have  been  found  acceptable 
providing  orchestral  and  organ 
music  could  be  heard  without  too  much  con- 
fusion and  in  a  form  that  could  be  appre- 
ciated. On  the  other  hand,  even  with  the 
present  well  developed  reproduction  of  speech 
it  is  very  essential  that  each  syllable  of  re- 
produced speech  s'hould  stand  out  clean-cut 
and  distinct.  A  theatre  is  said  to  possess 
good  acoustical  qualities  when  speech  and 
music  may  be  heard  comfortably  in  all  parts 
of  the  auditorium  and  hearing  with  comfort 
means  hearing  without  strain  and  under  re- 
laxed conditions. 

Fortunately,  the  subject  of  architectural 
acoustics  has  been  reduced  to  an  exact  and 
practical  science  through  the  researches  of  the 
late  Wallace  Clement  Sabine,  formerly  Hollis 
professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  phi- 
losophy. Harvard  university;  and  the  sound- 
ness of  the  science  has  been  established  be- 
yond all  question  of  a  doubt  by  17  years  of 
practical  work  in  acoustical  design  and  acous- 
tical corrective  work  in  auditoriums  of  every 
conceivable  nature. 

Today,  it  is  possible  not  only  to  correct  the 
acoustical  properties  of  almost  any  existing 
theatre  or  auditorium,  but  the  precise  acous- 
tical qualities  of  any  room  may  be  anticipated 
in  the  course  of  design  and  satisfactory  acous- 
tics "built  in"  the  theatre  in  its  construction. 


ACOUSTICS 

and  the 
TALKINQ  mCTURE 

By  RAYMOND  V.  PARSONS* 


The  acoustics  of  any  room  depend  upon 
three  factors,  and  three  factors  only,  the  size, 
shape  and  materials  used  in  the  interior  finish, 
which  would  include  the  furnishings  and  the 
average  number  of  people  in  attendance. 
Sound  produced  by  any  source  in  a  confined 
space  such  as  a  theatre  auditorium  spreads  in 
a  spherical  wave  in  all  directions,  and  its  loud- 
ness or  intensity  decreases  as  the  square  of 
the  distance  from  the  source. 

The  modern  theatre  may  be  thought  of  as 
a  fine  and  most  approved  form  for  providing 
comfortable  hearing  conditions'  for  large 
groups  of  people,  as  a  study  of  the  evolution 
of  auditorium  design  will  indicate.  Assum- 
ing as  the  first  step  in  this  evolution,  an  open 
plain  with  a  speaker  addressing  an  audience 
seated  or  standing  on  the  same  level,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  major  portion  of  the  sound  energy 
produced  by  the  speaker  is  rapidly  dissi- 
pated in  the  open  air  overhead,  and  ab- 
sorbed by  the  clothing  of  the  surrounding 
auditors. 

The  next  step  in  the  evolution  might  have 
been    the    elevation    of    the    speaker    some- 


*Acoustical    Engineer — Johns-Manville    Corporation, 
New   York,   N.   Y. 


due    to 
phones 


what  above  the  heads  of  the  audi- 
ence so  that  more  of  the  direct 
sound  energy  would  reach  auditors 
in  the  rear.  Then,  if  the  auditors 
were  to  be  somewhat  elevated  or 
seated  on  an  inclined  plane  and  a 
screen  were  to  be  placed  back  of  the 
speaker,  we  would  have  in  effect, 
the  old  Greek  theatre,  which  was 
certainly  a  step  forward  although 
by  no  means  ideal  acoustically.  The 
principal  acoustical  difficulty  in  the 
Greek  theatre  was  lack  of  loudness. 
This  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  in 
many  of  the  masks  worn  by  the 
actors  to  accentuate  their  features, 
the  poor  lighting  conditions,  mega- 
were  built  in  to  amplify,  and  in  a 
measure,  to  direct  the  original  sound. 

Later,  roofs  were  added  and  although  this 
was  probably  done  to  provide  protection 
from  the  elements,  it  at  the  same  time 
provided  a  very  definite  increase  in  the 
average  intensity  or  loudness  of  sound 
throughout  the  room,  as  the  sound  energy 
which  was  originally  lost  in  the  open  air 
was  reflected  from  the  ceiling  down  into  the 
auditorium,  reinforcing  and  giving  "carrying 
power"  to  the  original  sound. 

Introduction  of  galleries  had  the  effect 
of  bringing  the  rear  of  the  audience  into 
closer  proximity  with  the  speaker,  and  in 
this  form  the  modern  theatre  represents 
almost  an  ideal  arrangement  for  providing 
a  well  distributed  and  even  degree  of  loud- 
ness for  even  a  huge  audience. 

Step  by  step  with  this  evolution  in  de- 
sign, however,  there  has  been  an  equally 
important  evolution  in  the  materials  used 
as  interior  finishes.  The  demand  for  fire- 
proofness  and  sanitation  has  been  met  by 
interior  finishes  of  a  hard,  dense  nature, 
which  are  excellent  reflectors  but  very  poor 
absorbers  of  sound.  Sound  is  absorbed  by 
the   qualities    of   porosity   and   flexibility   in 


10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


NATIONAL  THEATRE,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

The  acoustics  of  this  theatre  were  corrected  some  time  after  the  building  had  been  completed  and  was 

in  use.     Acoustic  felt  was  a^^lied  to  all  of  the  side   and  rear  wall  surfaces   and  finished   with   a  dyed 

fabric  of  silk   brocade.     As  the  ^hotogra^^h.  indicates,    the    sound    absorbing    treatment    adds   greatly    to 

the  attractiveness  of  the  theatre.   (Underwood  &    Underwood  ■^hoto.) 


a  material — the  porosity  of  the  mass  and 
yielding  of  the  mass  as  a  whole.  Even  a 
casual  inspection  of  most  materials  used  for 
int&rior  finishes  reveals  that  their  sound 
absorbing  eiificiency  is  very  low. 

Concrete  Boors  for  example  ab- 
sorb only  lYx  per  cent  of  sound; 
hard  wall  plaster  on  metal  lath  2^4 
per  cent;  linoleum  3  per  cent;  glass 
2^  per  cent;  marble  1  per  cent. 
It  is  evident  that  in  any  room  finished 
entirely  in  materials  of  this  hard  sound- 
reflecting  character  where  the  interior 
finish  absorbs  only  from  1  per  cent  to  3 
per  cent  of  sound,  that  97  per  cent  to  99  per 
cent  of  the  sound  energy  striking  any  por- 
tion of  the  interior  finish  is  reflected  to 
some  other  portion  of  the  interior  finish 
where  it  will  again  be  partially  absorbed 
and  in  a  greater  measure  reflected.  This 
continued  reflection  of  sound  from  surface 
to  surface,  walls  to  ceiling,  ceiling  to  floor, 
floor  to  walls,  etc.,  many  times  requires 
the  element  of  time  and  very  often  con- 
tinues so  long  that  the  first  syllable  of  a 
sentence  may  still  be  audible  while  several 
succeeding  syllables  of  speech  are  being 
produced,  with  the  result  that  there  is  a 
running  together  or  blurring  of  the 
syllables  of  speech  through  which  it  is 
difficult  to  follow  the  speaker  with  any 
degree  of  comfort. 

This  phenomenon  has  been  given  the 
technical  name  of  reverberation,  or  sound 
that  continues  to  exist  after  the  source  of 
sound  has  ceased,  and  it  is  particularly 
noticeable  in  an  empty  room  of  any  kind. 
In  the  majority  of  instances  it  disappears 
as  an  audience  is  brought  into  the  room, 
due  to  the  soft  porous  quality  of  the  cloth- 
ing of  people,  which  absorbs  sound  to  a 
high  degree. 

The  hollow,  reverberant  quality  of  an 
empty   house   is    similarly    supplanted    by   a 


soft,  quiet,  livable  quality  as  furnishings 
in  the  form  of  rugs,  carpets,  draperies  and 
upholstered  furniture  are  introduced.  All 
of  these  materials  are  porous  and  flexible, 
and  are  efficient  sound  absorbers. 

One  thought  immediately  presents  itself. 
Why  not  furnish  reverberant  rooms  with 
all  manner  of  rugs,  carpets,  draperies  and 
absorbent  furnishings  to  overcome  this 
difficulty.  It  has  been  done  successfully  in 
many  instances,  but  there  are  four  reasons 
why  it  is  not  always  the  most  desirable 
thing  to  do. 

In  the  first  place,  these  materials 
are  not  sanitary  and  capable  of  eco- 
nomical   cleaning.      In     the    second 
place,  they  are  £re  hazards.     In  the 
third  place,  they  are  very  expensive 
as  a  general  rule.    And  in  the  fourth 
place,  they  possess  the   unfortunate 
quality     of     absorbing     much     more 
sound  in   the   upper   register  of  the 
musical    scale    than     in    the    lower 
register. 
A  musical  tone  is  more  or  less   complex 
in  form  and  consists  not  only  of  the  funda- 
mental   tone   produced,   but   of   many   over- 
tones   and    partials    which    give    color    and 
character  to   the   music.     They  are   in   fact, 
the    characteristics    which    distinguish    one 
musical    tone    from    another,    or    even    one 
instrument   from   another,   and    in   the    case 
of    music    particularly,    it    is    desirable    that 
these     various      components      of      complex 
sounds  should  retain  their  original   relative 
intensities  if  music  is  to  be  heard  and  appre- 
ciated to  the  best  advantage. 

Consequently,  it  is  desirable  that  anything 
that  may  be  utilized  in  the  interior  finish 
or  furnishings  of  a  room  to  absorb  sound 
should  have  the  qualities  of  absorbing  as 
nearly  as  possible  the  same  amount  of 
sound   over   the   entire   scale   of   pitch. 

The     development     of     sound     absorbing 


interior  finishes  has  also  been  in  the  state 
of  evolution  for  nearly  18  years.  The 
original  materials  used  by  Professor  Sabine 
in  correcting  acoustical  difficulties  were 
forms  of  hair  felt  and  jute  felt  which  had 
the  quality  of  absorbing  from  two  to  three 
times  as  much  sound  between  C4  (512 
vibrations)  and  Ce  (2048  vibrations)  as  they 
did  between  C2  (128  vibrations)  and  C4 
(512  vibrations).  The  average  pitch  of 
speech  and  music  is  considered  to  be  C4 
(512  vibrations).  Then  these  materials  were 
originally  unattractive  in  form  and  neces- 
sarily had  to  be  covered  with  dyed  fabrics 
such  as  burlaps  or  tapestries  to  retain  the 
sound  absorbing  efficiency  of  the  felt  to  an 
appreciable   degree. 

However,  there  is  today  available,  an 
acoustic  felt  composed  of  hair  and  asbestos 
fibre  which  is  so  capable  of  manipulation 
in  thickness,  density  and  finish,  that  it  is 
as  competent  for  use  as  an  interior  finish 
as  any  of  the  materials  that  it  covers  or 
replaces.  Increasing  the  thickness  of  the 
felt,  increases  its  sound  absorbing  capacity 
in  the  lower  frequencies.  The  use  of 
finishes  for  the  exposed  surface  of  the  felt 
which  are  porous,  retains  the  original 
sound  absorbing  efficiency  of  the  felt  in 
the  upper  register,  whereas  the  use  of  more 
impervious  finishes  cuts  down  its  efficiency 
at  these  pitches,  so  it  is  a  thoroughly 
practical  matter  to  design  an  acoustical 
material  to  meet  almost  any  reasonable 
demand. 

Furthermore,  this  acoustical  felt  may  be 
finished  to  provide  almost  any  desired 
finished  texture  or  finished  effect.  It  may 
be  treated  to  represent  smooth  or  hand 
modeled  plaster;  or  the  finish  surface  may 
consist  of  fine  silk  brocades  or  dyed  reps 
and  burlaps  which  are  cemented  directly 
to  the  surface  of  the  felt.  The  felt  may 
be    cemented    to    any    kind    of   a    structural 

(Continued    on    page    25) 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


THE  NEW  WARNER  THEATRE 

This  new  and  gorgeous  home  of  Warner  pictures  stands  in  Los  Angeles,  the 

'production  center  of  the  universe. 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


a  striking  example  of  architectural  charm 

The   architectural  design   is   one   of  beauty,   yet  in   this  beauty  there   is  sim- 
plicity.   This  theatre  o-ftened  recently. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


13 


A  room  furnished  and  decorated  in  the  modernistic  style.     This  furniture  is  becoming  extremely  {lobular 
and  offers  to  the  motion  ^cture  theatre  a  new  and  refreshing   decorative    scheme,      (Photo,    courtesy    of 

J ohnson-H andl ey-J ohnson.  Grand  Rapids,  J^ich.) 

Modernizing  the  Interior 


"A 


^LL  things  pass,  only  art  endures,"  and 
that  is  a  true  observation  made  by  a 
very  wise  man.  The  man  was  wise 
because  he  did  not  say  that  only  art  does 
not  change — for  it  does — and  how  !  And 
when  it  does,  many  of  us  look,  gaze,  frown, 
turn  away — and  maybe  swear  at  it,  for  it  takes 
a  little  time  to  get  used  to  the  new.  Cer- 
tainly, if  anything  need  change  in  this  world, 
that  thing  is  art,  since  art  is  the  medium 
through  which  we  express  ourselves  spiritu- 
ally, and  from  period  to  period,  generation  to 
generation,  we  have  vastly  different  things  to 
express. 

*     *     * 

Noticeable  of  late  in  shops  and  other  places 
is  the  growing  display  of  things  in  the  so- 
called  Art  Moderne.  In  furnishings  and  their 
arrangement  in  a  room,  the  new  type  of  de- 
sign seems  to  he  taking  hold.  Occasionally  the 
architect  has  dabbled  with  it,  while  the  theatri- 
cal scene  designer  often  has  found  it  effective. 
But  except  in  the  special  field  of  the  stage, 
it  is  the  home  and  office  which  have  been 
most  hospitable  to  modern  art,  and  it  must  be 
said  that  here  a  few  decorators  have  been  able 
to  demonstrate  it  with  increasing  sucess.  This, 
then,  may  be  the  time  to  suggest  that  they  be 
allowed  to  turn  their  hand  to  the  most  modern 
class  of  buildings,  the  motion  picture  theatre. 

And,  by  the  way,  just  what  is  modern  art — 
or,  as  the  term  goes.  Art  Moderne?  For 
those  who  like  their  definitions  short  and 
snappy.  Art  Moderne  may  be  called  design 
based  on  the  simple  line.  Immoderate  embel- 
lishment— ornate  figures,  scrolls,  floral  excres- 
cences, what  is  popularly  referred  to  as 
"lovely,"  what  we  have  been  used  to  associat- 
ing with  the  feminine — are  ruled  out,  the 
.more  completely  as  the  treatment  is  more 
severe,  more   purely  Art   Moderne. 

That,  of  course,  is  putting  the  thing  rather 
simply.  Different  exponents  of  the  style  have 
different    attitudes    toward    it.      There    is,    as 


By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

there  should  be,  a  restricted  amount  of  room 
for  the  designer  to  work  in  without  abjuring 
the  older  conceptions  of  beauty  or  rejecting 
the  new.  A  sensible  decorator  can  insist  on 
sensible    adaptation. 

Art  Moderne  is,  however,  essentially  severe 
— that  is,  relatively  severe.  In  contrast  to  the 
Victorian  mode,  it  is  utterly  grim.  In  con- 
trast to  the  Colonial,  it  is  plain.  And  of  course 
it  is  a  bitter  enemy  to  the  luxury  that  has 
swept  into  motion  picture  theatresi  with  the 
Simoonian  wave  of  Orientalism.  Obviously, 
the  theatre  that  applies  modern  art  to  any  of 
its  chambers,  must  adopt  at  least  simplicity  as 
its  general  architectural  and  decorative  char- 
acter. 

The  place  of  color  in  Art  Moderne  is  low- 
ered not  at  all  by  the  dictate  of  severity. 
Severity  should  not  imply  coldness.  Modern 
art  takes  the  simple  line,  bends  it  into  angles, 
twists  it  into  curves,  sets  it  with  other  lines 
on  different  planes,  thus  making  it  serve, 
without  further  embellishment,  the  primary 
aesthetic  purpose.  But  in  this  geometry  lies 
for  an  increasing  number  of  people,  the  ele- 
ments of  an  inviting,  comfortable  room,  which 
certainly  is  not  incongruous  to  color. 

Indeed,  the  color  itself  is  worked  into  the 
environment  in  the  severe  manner.  The  walls, 
for  example,  are  of  a  solid  color,  rather  than 
figured,  and  if  having  borders,  the  border  is 
solid  and  merely  in  contrast  to  the  middle 
color,  rather  than  ornate.  Artists  in  the  mod- 
ern style  have  found  as  many  color  schemes 
and  designs  of  severe  or  simple  character  as 
the  wallpaper  people  have  concocted  in  the 
grand  manner.  Of  course,  one  might  like  to 
have  a  row  of  doodads  where  mouldings  are 
put.  But  must  they  be  roses  or  apples?  In 
Art  Moderne,  properly  not.  More  likely  (to 
make  a  try  at  satire)  the  doodads  would 
be — er — bolts,  each  with  a  nut ! 

Another   characteristic    feature   of   color   in 


the  modern  room  is  its  unity  throughout  walls 
and  furnishings.  This  unity  is  not  one  of 
mere  harmony,  however.  Mere  harmony  is 
something  that  Art  Moderne  generally  frowns 
upon.  The  unity  is  rather  one  of  uniformity 
— that  is,  when  walls  are  dominantly  grey,  the 
floor,  the  furniture,  even  the  lighting  equip- 
ment would  quite  properly  be  dominantly  grey. 
Or — and  this  an  important  point  of  this  uni- 
formity feature — some  things  in  the  room 
might  be  colored  in  direct  contrast  to  the 
dominant  shade.  The  colors  also  should  ex- 
press in  one's  psychology  the  purpose  of  the 
room. 

*     *     * 

Of  such,  briefly  and  too  simply,  is  Art 
Moderne.  To  say  why  it  is,  is  to  describe  it 
considerably  more. 

Art  Moderne  is  to  interior  decorating  what 
jazz  is  to  music.  It  is  doing  something  that 
we've  always  done  but  doing  it  according  to 
the  definitely  different  way  we  feel  about  it. 
The  music  that  the  masters  wrote  for  the 
minuet  and  polka  are  beautiful,  yet  obviously 
those  works  fall  rather  short  of  making  mast 
people  nowadays  want  to  dance.  Few  of  us 
dance  the  minuet  and  polka,  not  even  in  our 
hearts,  where  dancing  begins.  We  don't  feel 
them.  We  feel  the  fox  trot,  or  something 
similar  to  it — something  rapid,  regularly  rhyth- 
mic, a  steady  beat-beat-beat,  like  the  rat-tat- 
tat  of  the  riveting  machine.  At  least  the 
youngsters  do  and  they're  swiftly  growing  up. 

Art  Moderne  is  the  child  of  the  Alachine. 
It  is  an  expression  of  the  Modern  Realism. 
To  the  Modern,  speech  that  isn't  plain  talk  is 
bunk,  and  frills  are  not  plain  talk.  We're 
hard — or  getting  hard — like  the  steel  every- 
where about  us.  Everywhere  is  some  steel 
machine,  rhythmically,  mechanically  doing 
some  work  for  us  that  we  once  had  to  do.  The 
block  signal  sees  and  hears.  The  adding  ma- 
chine counts.  In  fact,  we're  told  more  and 
{Continued   on  page  27) 


14 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7, 1928 


ART 
MODERNE 


Two  rooms  decorated  after 
the  modermstic  style.  This 
treatment  of  interiors  may 
well  he  a^'^lied  to  the  mo- 
tion picture  theatre,  which 
presents  the  newest  of  the 
arts.  This  neiv  decorative 
scheme  is  particularly  a^- 
■phcahle  to  foyers,  lounges, 
smoking  rooms  and  ladies 
rest  rooms.  (Photos,  cour- 
tesy of  J ohnson-H andl ey- 
Johnson.) 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


15 


Above  and  at  left:    Two  views  of  the 

auditorium,     that    above     being     of    a 

side  wall  at  the  ■proscenium  arch. 


Above  and  at  right:    The  foyer  and  a 
charming  corner  therein. 


A  Theatre  Distinguished  by  Colonial  Design 


AN  interesting  departure  from  the  current  vogue  in  theatre  styles 
•  is  represented  by  the  Colonial  theatre,  a  new  neighborhood  house 
in  Milwaukee.  Not  that  its  designers,  Dick  and  Bauer,  resorted  to 
innovations,  but  because  they  used  a  tasteful  treatment  of  the  American 
Colonial  motif,  which  has  been  neglected  of  late  in  our  screen  theatres. 
The  result  is  a  house  of  clean-cut  beauty,  of  native  sources,  and  a 
distinct  home-like  atmosphere. 

Into  the  general  design  of  the  house,  which  emphasizes  simplicity, 
has  been  worked  a  delicate  color  scheme  of  light  blue  and  gold.  It 
must  not  be  omitted  that  just  above  the  proscenium  arch  is  a  mural 
of  Betsy  Ross  fashioning  the  first  American  flag. 

Equipment  throughout,  of  course,  is  complete  and  modern.     There 


are  men's  and  women's  lounges,  a  spacious  mezzanine  floor  arranged 
as  a  parlor  in  the  Louis  XIV  mode,  a  large  stage  and  other  accessories 
to  service  and  comfort. 

The  lighting  scheme  provides  for  the  control  of  illumination  of 
stage  and  auditorium  from  one  point.  Ventilation  is  by  the  Bayley 
washed-air  system.  In  the  booth  are  two  Motiograph  projectors  and 
several  types  of  "spots."  _ 

The  policy  calls  for  pictures  and  presentations. 

William  F.  Maertz  heads  the  Colonial  Amusement  Company,  while 
the  theatre  is  under  the  direction  of  Ernest  A.  Langemack. 

An  unusual  feature  is  that  a  woman,  Erma  Donges  Dernehl,  is  in 
charge  of  the  stage  shows. 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Published  Every  Fourth  Week  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  office:     407  So.   Dearborn  St,  CHICAGO,  U.   S.   A. 

Maktin  J.  QuiGLEY,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.   Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,   1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All    editorial    and    business    correspondence 
should   be   addressed    to    the    Chicago    office 

Other  publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing motion  picture  trade  publication  in  addition  to  Better  Theatres,  published 
as  a  supplement  to  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:  The 
Buyers  Index,   Semiannual. 


Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  1  (Vol.  34,  No.  4) 


July  7,  1928 


Acoustics  and  the  Talking  Picture 

THE  sjTichronized  picture,  in  its  many  ramifications, 
has  presented  new  problems  to  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry— and   the    exhibitors    and   the    projectionists 
are  not  the  only  factors  concerned. 

To  assist  and  cooperate  with  the  exhibitors  and  projec- 
tionists, the  Herald- World  and  Better  Theatres  are  con- 
ducting regularly  the  department,  "Synchronized  Pic- 
tures," and  a  School  of  Synchronized  Pictures.  This  school 
is  under  the  tutelage  of  F.  H.  Richardson,  editor  of  the 
Better  Theatres  department,  "Better  Projection,"  and 
nationally  recognized  as  an  authority  on  this  subject. 

Another  problem,  however,  which  does  not  aflfect  the 
projectionist,  and  should  give  the  theatre  owner  little  con- 
cern if  he  is  properly  fortified,  is  that  of  acoustics. 

In  this  issue  another  authority,  Raymond  V.  Parsons, 
discusses  the  important  topic  of  acoustics  which,  with  the 
growing  popularity  of  sound  pictures,  is  of  vital  impor- 
tance. 

Mr.  Parsons  has  been  a  student  of  acoustical  research, 
and  for  years  he  has  been  an  advisor  on  sound  projection 
in  the  construction  of  buildings. 

Undoubtedly  there  has  been  an  impression  that  once  a 
theatre  was  built  it  would  be  impossible  to  improve  the 
acoustics  without  heav>'  expense,  or  without  partial  re- 
construction of  the  building.  Mr.  Parsons'  article  sets  at 
rest  this  general  idea. 

The  motion  picture  theatre  before  the  days  of  presenta- 
tion required  no  more  than  ordinary  acoustical  properties. 
With  the  inception  of  presentation  this  constructional 
property  became  more  and  more  important,  until  today, 
with  the  synchronized  picture,  it  is  a  factor  which  cannot 
be  overlooked  or  slighted. 


To  those  who  are  contemplating  the  installation  of 
sound  pictures  and  to  those  who  are  now  presenting  this 
new  form  of  motion  picture  entertainment,  Mr.  Parsons' 
discussion  is  of  exceptional  value.  To  those  who  are  con- 
templating the  erection  of  a  new  theatre,  there  is  informa- 
tion of  importance. 

It  is  of  importance  to  the  entire  industry. 


The  Modern  Small-Town  Theatre 

EVERYONE  has  heard  exhibitors  say  that  they  can- 
not afford  to  buy  new  equipment,  remodel  and  re- 
decorate their  theatres.   But  is  this  ever  true?    It  is 
more  nearly  true  to  say  the  opposite — that  no  exhibitor 
can  afford  not  to  keep  his  theatre  modern,  comfortable  and 
pleasing  to  the  eye. 

Out  in  the  little  Minnesota  town  of  Alexandria  can  be 
found  one  of  the  most  modem  and  beautiful  small  town 
theatres  in  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  land.  It  is  the 
State  theatre  owned  and  operated  by  Henry  J.  Longaker. 
Alexandria  is  an  average  small  town,  except  that  it  does  get 
a  large  tourist  trade  in  the  summer  months.  It  has  a  popu- 
lation of  not  more  than  3,000,  yet  Longaker 's  700  seat 
house  is  usually  filled,  and  a  packed  house  is  just  an  inci- 
dent, not  an  accident. 

Why  is  Longaker  able  to  fill  his  house  consistently,  and 
jam  it  often?  How  is  he  able  to  play  five  acts  of  vaudeville 
each  Thursday  and  charge  50  cents  admission  for  both  the 
matinee  and  evening  performances? 

The  answers  to  these  questions  are  many,  but  they  may 
be  summed  up  by  saying  that  Longaker  knew  the  value  of  a 
modem,  comfortable  and  beautiful  house  and  proceeded 
to  give  such  a  house  to  his  patrons. 

He  has  given  them  the  best  that  money  could  bu)^  He 
knew  that  people  would  rather  sit  on  leather  covered 
cushioned  seats.  He  knew  that  a  fine  pipe  organ,  played 
by  a  competent  musician  will  draw  patrons  like  a  sugar 
barrel  draws  flies.  He  knew  that  only  by  giving  his  patrons 
the  best  in  projection — and  Longaker  has  projection  as 
good  as  you  will  find  any  place — could  he  expect  those 
patrons  to  sit  through  his  shows  more  than  one  or  twice  a 
week.  He  knew  that  a  large  electric  sign  helps  the  looks  of 
a  theatre  front,  brightens  the  town  and  attracts  the  tran- 
sient and  home  towners  alike. 

He  knew  that  good  lighting  fixtures,  harmonious  decora- 
tions, charming  furniture,  well  kept  rest  rooms  and  neat 
ushers  have  as  much  influence  on  the  box  office  as  the  pic- 
tures flashed  on  the  screen. 

Longaker  knew  all  these  things  and  he  made  them  all  a 
part  of  his  beautiful  little  State  theatre.  He  has  increased 
his  patronage  radius  by  many  miles.  He  advertises  in  every 
town  in  a  radius  of  50  miles  of  his  theatre.  Is  Longaker 
successful?  Well,  you  should  see  the  crowds  that  jam  that 
700  seat  house  in  a  town  of  3,000. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


17 


Exterior  of  the  ^lant  of  George  Kilgen  &  Son 


I  Learn  About  Organs 

The  first  of  a  series  of  articles  on  theatre  organs 


MOTION  picture  audiences  today  demand 
more  than  just  entertaining  pictures. 
They  have  become  "music  conscious" 
and  expect  and  appreciate  good  music  along 
with  artistic  and  entertaining  pictures.  Theatre 
managers  recognize  this  trend  of  the  times  and 
are  making  e\ery  effort  to  provide  their  audi- 
ences with  the  best  of  musical  entertainment. 
Consequently,  with  this  increased  desire  for 
music,  the  organ — the  orchestral  organ — has 
come  to  occupy  a  highly  important  place  in  the 
modern  moving  picture  theatre. 

Whenever  a  group  of  exhibitors  get  together 
the  discussion  eventually  arrives  at  the  subject 
of  organs.  Which  ones  give  the  most  effects 
for  cueing  pictures?  Which  ones  seem  to  in- 
terest audiences?  And  hundreds  of  other  ques- 
tions bearing  on  the  important  phase  of  organ 
music  in  theatres. 

Yet  because  of  the  great  maze  of  intricate 
mechanical  detail  and  the  thousand-and-one 
elements  that  must  be  taken  into  consideration 
in  their  manufacture  orchestral  organs  are  re- 
garded by  most  people  as  a  mechanical  mystery 
from  which  flows  beautiful  music.  It  is  the 
purpose  of  these  articles  to  tell  in  language  as 
non-technical  as  possible  the  various  processes 
and  methods  that  enter  into  the  construction  of 
a  fine  pipe  organ  and  to  give  to  readers  of  the 
Herald-Wokld  a  more  complete  knowledge  of 
theatre  organs. 

I  will  give  you  my  own  account  of  a  con- 
ducted trip  through  the  plant  of  the  Kilgen 
Organ  Company  in  St.  Louis,  and  attempt  to 
explain  the  various  processes  as  they  were  ex- 
plained to  me. 

Upon  entering  the  plant  I  was  surprised  at 
the  quiet  orderliness  and  system  with  which 
these  master  craftsmen  went  about  their  work. 
In  the  drafting  room  were  artists  and  archi- 
tects devoting  their  skill,  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience  to   the  designing   of   organs.      Stepping 


By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 

from  the  drafting  room  we  encountered  a 
group  working  on  the  case  work  and  exterior 
woodwork  of  the  consoles.  These  were  being 
finished  in  harmony  with  the  decorations  of  the 
different  theatres  for  which  they  had  been 
ordered.  Some  were  finished  in  beautiful  hard- 
wood ;  others  in  polychrome;  still  others  in 
period  designs.  I  learned  that  designs  are 
originated  by  this  company  and  submitted  to 
the  exhibitor  so  that  he  may  select  one  in  per- 
fect harmony  with  the  theatre  decorations. 


The  actual  making  of  a  Tuba  Pi^e 
in  the  Kilgen  ^lant. 


Next  we  came  upon  workmen  finishing  the 
interior  woodwork  of  an  organ.  To  merely 
stain  the  wood  is  not  sufficient.  Instead  the 
wood  is  covered  with  the  best  orange  shellac 
or  hard  oil  finish,  as  the  different  purposes  de- 
mand. This  provides  against  evil  effects  of 
atmospheric  moisture.  It  is  one  of  the  reasons 
why  an  organ  lasts  so  long.  While  examining 
the  interior  of  these  organs  it  was  explained 
to  me  why  expert  advice  is  so  valuable  in 
choosing  an  organ. 

Suitable  room  must  be  allowed  in  arrange- 
ment of  passageways,  provided  inside  the  or- 
gan, for  tuning  and  regulating  purposes.  This 
assures  a  certain  convenience  and  is  of  ines- 
timable value  in  keeping  the  organ  alwarys  at 
maximum  efficiency. 

The  section  devoted  to  vital  mechanical, 
electrical  and  pneumatic  parts  of  the  organ 
was  especially  interesting  to  me.  The  contacts, 
it  was  explained,  are  of  the  rubbing  type, 
necessitating  the  use  of  solid  silver  instead  of 
some  baser  metal.  The  life  of  an  organ  is 
directly  dependent  upon  its  contacts  and  by 
using  silver  contacts  with  a  special  high  resist- 
ance magnet  long  life  is  assured. 

The  little  magnets  which  actuate  the  individ- 
ual mechanism  of  each  key  next  commanded 
our  attention.  These  are  made  in  their  en- 
tirety in  the  Kilgen  plant,  this  work  requires 
the  dexterous,  sensitive  fingers  and  quick  eyes 
of  highly  trained  young  women  who  wind  and 
assemble  the  magnets,  each  am  individual  work 
of  greatest  precision.  These  magnets  consume 
a  small  amount  of  current  which  is  a  decided 
advantage.  Even  in  the  largest  Kilgen  organs 
there  is  no  danger  of  the  amperage,  or  volume 
of  current,  exceeding  that  allowed  by  fire  un- 
derwriters. This  is  a  point  of  importance  to 
those  responsible  for  the  installation  of  an 
organ.  The  bases  and  sh'ells  of  the  magnets 
are  made  of  cold-rolled  brass,  a  feature  whicli 


18 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 
PICTURES,  TOP  TO  BOTTOM 

A  four  manual  console  showing  how 
manuals  open  like  leaves  in  a  hook, 
for  easy  accessibility  in  making  ad- 
justments. 

The  assembling  and  erecting  room 
of  the  Kilgen  factory  showing 
twelve  large  organs  in  the  course  of 
construction. 

The  interior  of  a  Kilgen  relay  show- 
ing over  2,000  pure  silver  contacts. 


they  tell  me  is  exclusive  with  Kilgen  magnets. 
These  magnets  are  impervious  to  atmospheric 
changes.  They  are  machined  dovra,  so  the 
workmen  told  me,  to  one-thousandth  of  an 
inch.    With  this  standard  of  accuracy  they  are 


interchangeable,  so  no  adjustment  is  ever  nec- 
esssary. 

We  next  came  to  the  wind  chests,  upon 
which  a  great  deal  of  the  efficiency  of  an  or- 
gan depends.  The  wind  chests  of  Kilgen 
organs  are  made  with  a  special  bellows  cham- 
ber, which  provides  a  perfect  supply  of  air  in 
unvarying  pressure  to  each  organ  pipe  under 
any  and  all  conditions  of  use.  Each  pipe  has 
a  separate  valve  and  motor,  unaffected  by  the 
use  of  any  other  valve  or  motor.  This  makes 
possible  the  playing  of  rapid  staccato  passages 
to  chords  on  one  manual,  with  a  slow  melody 
movement  on  another  manual  without  any  va- 
riation of  wind  pressure  affecting  the  melody 
movement.  An  individual  bellows  for  each 
wind  chest  is  made  with  ribs  and  folds.  These 
are  double  leathered,  with  three-ply  comer 
leathers.  These  are  so  arranged  that  each  has 
a  capacity  sufficient  to  supply  all  demands  of 
the  organ. 

In  the  section  where  consoles  (or  key- 
boards) are  made  I  found  father  and  son 
working  side  by  side;  some  families  having 
been  with  the  organization  for  more  than  40 
years.  The  console  is  small,  compact  and  dur- 
able. The  framework  is  solid  and  completely 
independent  of  the  action  within.  All  parts  are 
accessible  and  interchangeable.  The  music 
rack  is  large  and  roomy. 

Under  each  keyboard  are  little  buttons  ar- 
ranged so  the  organist  may  group  any  instru- 
ments by  simply  pressing  a  button  instead  of 
reaching  for  one  stop  tablet.  This  push  button 
arrangement  facilitates  the  cueing  of  a  picture 
by  permitting  lightning-like  changes  of  effects. 

*    *    * 

These  consoles  are  of  the  approved  "circular 
type"  so  widely  used  in  theatre  playing.  The 
framework  is  solid  and  completely  free  from 
action  within.  The  different  keyboards  fold 
back  like  leaves  of  a  book,  affording  easy  ac- 
cessibility to  any  part.  A  double  touch  on 
these  keyboards  gives  double  the  number  of 
orchestral  effects,  enabling  the  organist  to  play 
a  solo  on  one  group  of  instruments  and  accom- 
paniment on  another  group,  all  with  one  hand. 
The  other  hand  is  free  to  play  an  obligato  or 
counter  melody  on  another  keyboard  with  a 
completely  separate  group  of  instruments. 

In  the  wood-pipe  building  room  I  learned 
that  an  organ  must  be  made  of  specially  kiln- 
dried  lumber  if  it  is  to  stand  up  under  years 
of  use  where  atmospheric  changes,  moisture 
and  other  causes  might  produce  deterioration. 

It  never  occurred  to  me,  until  I  saw  it  done, 
that  the  way  to  make  a  good  metal  pipe  for  a 
pipe  organ  is  to  commence  with  the  raw  ma- 
terial, melt  it,  combine  it,  roll  it  and  form  and 
finish  it  for  its  own  special  purpose.  This  is 
exactly  what  happens  in  the  Kilgen  plant.  A 
foundry  is  maintained  for  this  specific  purpose. 
The  metals  used  in  construction  of  pipes  are 
cast  from  base  metal,  mixed  in  such  propor- 
tions as  to  afford  the  best  timber  for  the  par- 
ticular stops  for  which  they  are  to  be  used. 
One  special  alloy  known  as  "frosted  tin"  con- 
tains 90  per  cent  pure  tin  and  is  used  in  the 
{Continued  on  page  31) 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


DETTEC    PROJECTION 


MM«0M«tf«M« 


By  F.  H.  RICHARDSON 

^  Mr.  Richardson,  this  month,  presents  the  initial  chapter  in  his  "school"  of  Synchro- 
^  nized  Pictures.  The  Synchronized  Picture  presents  many  new  problems  to  the  projec- 
tionist and  to  the  exhibitor  and,  mindful  of  this  situation.  Better  Theatres  and  Mr. 
Richardson  are  presenting  this  instructional  course,  which  is  supplementary  to  the  weekly 
Herald-World  department,  "Synchronized  Pictures." 

The  Fundamental  Principle 
of  Sound  Pictures 


IN  the  last  issue  I  announced  a  series  of 
articles  upon  the  above  topic,  of  which 
this  is  the  first.  In  these  articles  it  is 
my  purpose  to  attempt  to  supply  a  ground- 
ing in  fundamentals,  and  by  so  doing  en- 
able you  to  have  some  real  understanding 
as  to  just  what  it  is  all  about. 

This  seems  very  necessary  because  a  few 
questions  put  to  projectionists  in  their  pro- 
jection rooms  have  rather  astonished  me. 
I  have  found  many  of  the  men  who  have 
learned  to  handle  the  apparatus  very  well 
merely  in  the  routine  of  its  operation,  to 
have  very  little  real  understanding  of  it. 
This  is  not  said  in  criticism,  because  I  don't 
think  these  men  have  as  yet  been  afforded 
the  opportunity  to  know  anything  more 
than   the   routine. 

Movietone  Bulletin  has  done  a  splendid 
work,  but  just  the  same  it  has' not  gone 
down  far  enough  into  details  of  fundament- 
als. Many  of  its  articles  prepared  with  the 
best  of  intent,  were  written  by  engineers, 
and  engineers'  language  is  not  always  easy 
for  the  layman  to  understand.  In  these 
articles  I  shall  talk  your  language  and  have 
faith  to  believe  when  I  have  done  you  will 
all  agree  that  at  least  you've  learned  some- 
thing. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  provide  actual 
operating  instructions.  This  is  for  the  rea- 
son that  equipment  is  still  being  changed 
continually  in  some  of  its  details,  hence  such 
instructions  would  very  quickly  be  out  of 
date,  misleading  and  therefore  harmful  in- 
stead of  helpful.  I  shall  stick  pretty  closely 
to  fundamentals,  which  never  change.  Once 
you  have  a  thorough  understanding  of  them 
the  rest  is  comparatively  easy.  The  equip- 
ment will  be  described  in  close  detail  later, 
but  only  with  the  warning  that  minor 
changes  are  taking  place  at  frequent  in- 
tervals. 

Please  do  not  infer  from  what  I  have  said 
about  frequent  changes  that  the  apparatus 
is  not  now,  everything  considered,  in  a  lit- 
erally marvelous  state  of  perfection.  The 
various  changes  taking  place  are  for  the 
most  part  in  the  form  of  minor  alterations 
designed  to  secure  higher  efficiency  and  to 
simplify  the  apparatus  and  render  it  still 
more  "fool  proof."  However,  the  fact  re- 
mains that  when  it  comes  to  handling  it 
one  comparatively  minor  change  may  alter 
several  things,  and  thus  make  necessary  a 
considerable  alteration  in  operating  direc- 
tions. 

The  first  difficulty  encountered  in  such  a 
work  is  to  decide  just  where  to  begin.     Did 


I  start  where  I  really  should,  the  work 
would,  in  its  earlier  stages,  I  fear,  be  very 
"dry,"  and  thus,  for  a  time  at  least,  fail  to 
hold  your  interest. 

On  the  whole  I  believe  that,  first  of  all, 
I  will  talk  with  you  concerning  a  few  of  the 
great  array  of  difficulties  encountered  when 
it  was  proposed  to  "pick  up"  sound  in  pre- 
cise synchronization  with  moving  objects 
from  which  the  said  sounds  emanated,  to 
"can"  it,  either  in  a  film  or  a  record,  and 
then  to  reproduce  and  amplify  it  in  pre- 
cise synchronization  with  the  same  moving 
object  or  objects  from  which  it  originally 
came,  but  with  that  object  or  those  objects 
transformed  into  photographs  projected  to 
a  distant  screen  with  such  rapidity  as  to 
simulate  motion. 

Understand,  please,  that  when  I  say  "in 
precise  synchronization,"  the  term  is  used 
pretty  nearly  literally.    There  is  only  a  pos- 

tf][  Note:  This  is  the  first  of  a 
^  series  of  articles  to  be  pub- 
lished in  this  department.  I  in- 
tend to  carry  you  through  until 
you  have  a  really  competent  un- 
derstanding of  not  only  the  basic 
principles  involved  in  sound  am- 
plification and  synchronization, 
but  also  of  the  apparatus  used  in 
the  work,  insofar  as  applies  to  mo- 
tion pictures. 

siBle  tolerance  of  from  one  to  one  and  a 
half  frames  of  film  either  way,  or  a  maxi- 
mum of  three  frames  in  all  at  the  very  most, 
before  the  observer  becomes  aware  of  the 
fact  that  something  is  wrong.  Since  there 
is  90  feet  of  film  projected  per  minute,  and 
there  are  16  frames  per  foot  of  film,  each 
frame  passes  the  aperture  of  the  projector 
in  l/24th  of  a  second.  It  therefore  follows 
that  the  maximum  possible  tolerance  in  syn- 
chronism error  cannot  exceed  J^  of  a  second, 
if  we  are  to  secure  perfection  in  results. 

(Note:  This  very  close  tolerance,  of 
course,  applies  only  to  sound  emanating 
from  some  object,  such  as  the  lips  of  a 
singer  or  speaker,  upon  which  the  eyes  of 
observers  are  centered,  or  where  visible 
movements  of  some  inanimate  object,  such 
as,  for  example,  drum  sticks,  enables  the 
observer  to  know  precisely  when  the  sound 
should  issue.  Any  appreciable  of?-phase  in 
synchronization  is  then,  of  course,  instantly 
apparent. 


With  moving  or  other  objects  in  which 
the  observer  is  unable  to  detect  just  at  what 
instant  the  sound  is  presumed  to  issue,  as, 
for  example,  the  noises  emanating  from  a 
crowd,  street  noises,  et  cetera,  exact  syn- 
chronization is  not  so  imperative.  In  fact 
the  projectionist  himself  can  have  no  means 
for  gauging  it  exactly.) 

Touching  briefly  upon  the  recording  end 
of  things,  few  know  of  the  years  of  toil 
and  the  almost  innumerable  experiments,  some 
of  them  very  costly,  which  preceded  the 
bringing  of  synchronization  of  sound  with 
motion  pictures  to  the  stage  where  it  be- 
came possible  to  present  it  to  the  public 
as  a  part  of  theatre  programs.  Nor  does 
the  average  person  have  any  adequate  idea 
of  the  vast  amount  of  work  done  since  then, 
or  of  the  great  sums  of  money  poured  out 
since  that  time  in  the  improvement  of  the 
first  rather  crude  effort,  and  the  bringing  of 
it  up  to  its  present  state  of  really  marv-elous 
perfection.  *     *     * 

The  present  stage  of  excellence  is  indeed 
such  that  provided  the  projection  of  the 
picture  and  :the  reproduction  of  the  accom- 
panying sound  be  competently  handled  by 
the  projectionist,  the  effect  is  measurably 
superior  to  what  the  actuality  would  be. 
This  is  because  of  the  fact  that,  whereas 
those  seated  at  the  rear  of  large  theatre 
auditoriums  may  have  difficulty  both  in  the 
matter  of  seeing  and  hearing  a  speaker  or 
singer  clearly  when  he  or  she  is  personally 
present  on  the  stage,  if  he  or  she  be  "pres- 
ent" as  a  speaking  or  singing  screen  image, 
because  of  the  fact  that  in  modern  practice 
the  screen  image  is  not  only  brilliantly 
illuminated,  but  also  usually  magnified  to 
more  than  life  size,  it  may  be  seen  clearly 
from  any  part  of  even  the  largest  audito- 
rium ;  also  because  of  the  possibility  for 
sound  amplification  to  almost  any  desired 
volume,  there  will  be  no  dif^culty  in  hear- 
ing,  even  from  the  most  distant  seats. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  writer,  as  soon  as 
a  color  process  is  found  by  means  of  which 
all  the  hues  may  be  brought  out  clearly — 
and  that,  too,  will  come,  mind  you — we  shall 
have  a  decided  improvement  upon  the  actu- 
ality in  every  way.  It  is  not  at  all  impos- 
sible, nor  do  I  believe  it  to  be  even  im- 
probable, that  colored  motion  pictures  with 
sound  recorded  upon  the  film  in  synchro- 
nism therewith  will,  in  a  comparatively  short 
while,  almost  entirely  displace  the  spoken 
drama. 

For  many  years  I  have  warned  motion 
picture    projectionists    to     study    their    busi- 


Corres^ondence  for  F.  H.  Richardson,   editor  of  this  dej>art- 
ment,  should  he  addressed  to  South  Lyme,   Conn.,   Box  100. 


20 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


ness,  and  to  treat  it  in  the  nature  of  a  pro- 
fession. By  many  my  warnings  have  been 
almost  totally  disregarded.  I  now  again 
issue  them.  The  time  is  now  actually  ap- 
proaching when  exhibitors  must,  in  their 
own  protection,  demand  high  grade  com- 
petency in  their  projection  rooms.  The 
time  is  rapidly  approaching  when  the  pro- 
jectionist can  no  longer  get  by  with  a 
mere  smattering  of  knowledge  picked  up 
through  the  medium  of  practical  experience. 
The  successful  projection  of  sound  in  syn- 
chronism with  motion  pictures  is  no  hap- 
hazard thing.  It  is  a  very  exact  thing, 
and  I  believe  the  end  is  yet  far  from  being 
in  sight.  Color  projection  will,  when  it  be- 
comes the  general  practice,  add  new  and 
serious  projection  problems,  and  they  will 
not  be  easy  to  solve  or  to  handle  either. 

Not  only  is  the  foregoing  literally  true, 
but  also  projection  with  sound  and  color 
will  require  much  closer  application  to  the 
work.     No  longer  may  the  projectionist  per- 


mit the  motor  to  run  the  show  while  he  re- 
winds or  does  other  work.  He  will  be 
obliged  to  remain  constantly  at  his  post  of 
duty,  watch-  his  work  (the  picture)  closely 
and  be  right  on  the  job  every  moment  of 
the  time.  Errors  cannot  be  slurred  or 
glossed  over  as  they  too  frequently  were 
with  the  silent  picture.  They  will  be  too 
glaring  and  too  instantly  apparent  to  the 
audience. 

However,  on  the  other  hand  there  will  be 
a  vastly  added  interest  to  the  work  of 
projection;  also  probably  an  added  re- 
muneration as  well,  which,  of  course,  will 
compensate  for  the  greater  amount  of  work 
involved. 

And  now  just  a  few  lines  concerning  the 
recording  of  sound  in  synchronization  with 
motion  pictures.  In  this,  one  of  the  vastly 
difficult  problems  encountered  was  the  ex- 
clusion of  all  extraneous  sound.  The  micro- 
phone, of  course,  would  pick  up  and  send 
forward  to  the  recording  apparatus  any  and 


W 


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every  sound  reaching  it.  To  it  the  rumble 
of  a  truck  along  the  street  beside  the  studio, 
or  the  honk  of  an  automobile  horn  were 
the  same  as  any  other  sound.  It  gleefully 
grabbed  them  out  of  the  air,  shot  them 
along  to  the  recording  apparatus  to  be 
"canned"  and  later  retailed  to  any  who 
cared  to  stop,  look  and  listen.  It  there- 
fore became  imperatively  necessary  to 
soundproof  the  walls  and  roof  of  the  studios 
where  scenes  were  made  in  which  only  the 
sounds  made  by  design  were  to  be  re- 
corded. 

*    *     * 

In  recording  sound  upon  the  film  itself 
the  difficulty  was  added  for  the  reason  that 
the  cameras  themselves  made  considerable 
noise,  hence  a  camera  had  to  be  evolved  in 
which  such  noises  would  not  be  recorded 
on  the  film,  which  was  in  itself  some  con- 
siderable job.  After  heart-breaking  trials 
and  failures  even  this  was  finally  accom- 
plished. 

Insofar  as  concerns  the  successful  record- 
ing of  sound  synchronization  with  motion, 
now  in  daily  use  in  hundreds  of  theatres 
under  the  name  Movietone,  the  preliminary 
development  work  was  done  in  the  Case 
Research  laboratories.  In  his  paper  titled, 
"Some  Technical  Aspects  of  the  Movie- 
tone," read  before  the  Society  of  Motion 
Picture  Engineers  last  year,  Earl  I.  Spon- 
able  says:  "The  preliminary  development 
of  the  Movietone  system  was  done  at  the 
Case  Research  Laboratory.  It  was  there, 
during  a  period  when  'talking  pictures'  were 
considered  more  or  less  folly,  that  Mr. 
Theodore  W.  Case  financed,  and  through 
his  inventive  genius  was  instrumental  in 
making  the  system  practical.  Later,  in  the 
face  of  many  complexities,  Mr,  William  Fox 
undertook  its  commercialism,  and  now, 
through  the  affiliation  and  co-operation  of 
the  Western  Electric  Company,  this  system 
of  sound  motion  pictures  seems  destined  to 
fill  a  field  of  public  usefulness," 

To  that  I  would  like  to  add,  in  plain  jus- 
tice, that  Courtland  Smith,  who  has  gen- 
eral charge  of  Movietone,  and  Earl  I.  Spon- 
able,  its  technical  director,  have  themselves 
been  very  large  factors  in  ironing  out  the 
rough  spots  and  perfecting  the  details  of 
film  sound  recording  and  reproduction  to 
the  front  where  it  now  is  so  marvelously 
perfect. 

I  think  it  may  fairly  be  said  that  few  pro- 
jectionists appreciate  the  grave  responsi- 
bility they  will  assume  when  they  undertake 
to  place  motion  pictures  synchronized  with 
sound  before  the  public.  In  the  very  nature 
of  things  they  can  hardly  realize  the  vast 
sums  of  capital  and  the  enormous  labor 
which  have  been  poured  into  the  thing  they 
now  are  called  upon,  or  soon  will  be  called 
upon,  to  handle  and  make  eflfective. 
-t     *    * 

Gentlemen,  when  you  assume  charge  of 
such  apparatus  you  should  clearly  under- 
stand that  upon  your  shoulders  very  laregly 
rests  the  responsibility  of  placing  before  the 
public  the  truly  marvelous  effects  now  made 
possible,  since  after  all  the  effect  of  it  as 
seen  by  audiences  will  depend  very  largely 
upon  your  knowledge,  skill  and  faithful  care. 
If  you  are  careless  or  unskillful;  if  you  fail 
to  do  your  full  duty,  then  the  sound  syn- 
chronized productions  entrusted  to  your 
care  for  display  before  the  buying  public 
will  not  appear  at  their  best,  and  you  will 
have  injured  your  employer,  the  producer 
and  the  public.  Surely  you  will  agree  that 
you   cannot    afford   to   do   that. 

AND  WHILE  I  AM  ON  THIS  SUBJECT, 
LET  ME  EMPHASIZE  THE  FACT  THAT 
EXHIBITORS  AND  THEATRE  MANA- 
GERS HAVE  ABSOLUTELY  NO  RIGHT 
TO  EXPECT,  AND  MUST  NOT  EXPECT, 
THEIR  PROJECTIONISTS  TO  PRODUCE 
MAXIMUM  RESULTS  WITH  OLD.  OUT 
OF  DATE  PROJECTION  EQUIPMENT. 
OR    WITH   EQUIPMENT   IN   ANY  BUT 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Tf^E  VERY  BEST  STATE  OE  REPAIR. 
IT  CAN'T  BE  DONE.  NO  MATTER  HOW 
COMPETENT  THE  PROJECTIONIST 
MAY  BE. 

Exhibitors  and  theatre  managers,  how- 
ever have  the  unquestioned  right  to  demand 
of  the  projectionist  to  whom  high  grade 
equipment  in  a  good  state  of  repair  is  sup- 
plied, 100  per  cent  results  upon  their  screens, 
always  presuming  them  to  be  paying  a  wage 
for  which  they  have  a  reasonable  right  to 
expect  to  secure  a  really  competent  motion 
picture  projectionist.  It  is  not  my  purpose 
to  enter  into  any  discussion  of  visages,  ex- 
cept to  say  that  you  cannot  reasonably  ex- 
pect to  purchase  silk  for  the  price  of  cotton, 
and  the  fact  that  you  pay  the  union  scale 
means  little  in  this  matter.  The  union  scale 
is  merely  the  minimum  you  must  pay  any 
projectionist  for  a  theatre  of  your  class  in 
your  territory.  It  is  what  all  the  union  men 
in  that  territory  receive  in  your  class  of 
theatre,  BUT  did  it  never  strike  you  as 
just  plain  common  sense  to  presume  that 
among  any  number  of  men  there  is  always 
one  or  more  having  superior  ability?  It  is 
just  plam  common  sense  to  suppose  so,  is 
it  not-"  Well,  one  of  the  very  best  invest- 
m.ents  you  can  possibly  make  is  to  pay  a 
reasonable  advance  and  GET  THE  BEST. 
You  may  expend  a  few 'dollars  a  week  that 
way,  and  in  the  end  get  many  dollars  back 
at  the  box  office. 


With  this  preliminary,  let  us  now  proceed 
to  examine  somewhat  into  the  why  and 
wherefore  of  the  action  of  the  vital  parts 
of  sound  amplificating  and  synchronizing 
equipment,  without  at  this  time  making  any 
attempt  to  link  them  together  as  to  their 
combined  action. 

Electric  current  is  now  generally  accepted 
as  consisting  of  what  are  termed  "elec- 
trons," the  same  being  minute  particles  of 
negative  electricity.  What  we  term  "flow 
of  current"  is,  according  to  present  accepted 
theory,  the  flow  of  these  electrons.  Please 
bear  this  in  mind,  since  when  hereinafter  I 
shall  speak  of  flow  of  electrons  it  really 
means  the  same  thing  as  what  we  have  been 
accustomed  to  term  the  flow  of  current. 

When  a  current-conducting  filament  is 
placed  in  an  air  tight  receptacle,  such  as  a 
glass  tube,  the  air  exhausted  therefrom  and 
a  sufficient  electric  current  sent  through  to 
heat  the  filament,  it  throws  off,  or  has 
"boiled  out  of  it,"  electrons,  which  travel  at 
high  velocity  and  in  straight  lines. 

It  is  this  condition  which  makes  sound 
amplification  possible,  because  means  have 
been  found,  as  will  be  hereinafter  explained, 
to  control  the  action  of  the  electrons  in  a 
vacuum  tube,  and  compel  them  to  do  as  we 
wish. 

The  vacuum  tube  is  the  one  most  im- 
portant element  in  sound  amplification,  be- 
cause of  the  fact  that  up  to  this  time  no 
substitute  for  it  has  been  discovered.  We 
therefore  will  go  straight  to  the  "heart" 
of  the  whole  thing,  and  examine  into  its 
action  first  of  all. 


IMPORTANT:  Let  it  be  clearly  under- 
stood that  I  am  telling  you  non-technical 
men  what  happens  in  language  I  believe 
you  can  understand.  In  so  doing  it  almost 
always  is  necessary  to  make  some  sacrifice 
to  strict  technical  correctness,  and  technical 
men  may  feel  inclined  to  land  on  me  when 
they  read  what  follows.  However,  were 
they  to  tell  you  the  same  thing  in  their  own 
"language,"  you,  or  most  of  you  anyhow, 
would  merely  read  it,  scratch  your  craniums 
and  inquire  of  the  surrounding  atmosphere: 
"What  in  ****  are  they  talking  about  any- 
how?" So  there  you  are!  I  shall  have 
this  checked  over  by  some  of  the  best  en- 
gineers in  the  business,  so  I  guess  after 
all,  while  I  may  have  some  arguments  with 
them  to  get  things  by,  there  won't  be  any- 


TC    INPUT 

TO    OUTPUT 

FIGURE  1 

thing  very  much  wrong.  Just  try  to  get 
anything  really  wrong  past  these  birds. 
Try  it,  that's  all!  And  when  you  get 
through  with  this  series  I  think  you  will 
all  agree  that  you  have  at  least  a  fairly 
good  idea  of  how  the  old  thing  works. 

In  Figure  1  you  see  a  glass  tube,  from 
which  the  air  has,  as  nearly  as  possible, 
been  exhausted,  and  a  fairly  perfect  vacuum 
therein  thus  formed.  Since  the  tube  is 
sealed  air  tight,  it  is  maintained. 

In  this  tube  is  Filament  F,  the  same  con- 
nected to  two  wires  carried  through  the 
base  of  the  tube,  which  same  is  sealed  to 
them  so  that  air  may  not  enter.  These 
wires  connect  as  shown.  In  the  tube  also 
are  Plate  P  and  Grid  G,  connected  as  indi- 
cated. 

Note:  It  is  of  course  understood  that 
these  wires  do  not  run  direct  in  actual  prac- 
tice, but  connect  through  a  lot  of  gadgets, 
the  purpose  of  each  of  which  will  be  ex- 
plained in  due  time.  However,  for  our 
present  purpose  we  connect  them  as  shown. 

Now  if  we  send  a  current  from  the  "A 
battery"  through  Filament  F,  it  will  of 
course  become  heated,  and  will  throw  off 
electrons  as  already  set  forth,  each  of  which 
is  a  tiny  negative  charge.  Remember  that 
positive  attracts  negative,  repels  positive, 
and  vice  versa. 

Plate  P  is,  as  you  will  see  in  Figure  1 
(in  which  the  long  lines  represent  positive 
and  the  shorter  ones  negative  battery 
plates),  positively  charged  by  Battery  B,  or 
as  it  is  usually  termed,  the  "B  battery."  We 
thus  have  Plate  P  positive  and  Filament  F 
negatively  charged,  and  it  is  this  condition, 
taken  in  connection  with  Grid  G,  also  nega- 
tively charged,  which  makes  sound  ampli- 
fication possible. 

Above  all  things,  in  considering  such  mat- 
ters remember  that  you  are  dealing  with 
action  inconceivably  rapid — rapid  utterly 
beyond  the  possibility  of  human  comprehen- 
sion, except  by  those  trained  to  the  con- 
sideration of  such  things.  An  electric  im- 
pulse will   travel   many   thousands   of  miles 


in  one  second  of  time.  Electric  changes 
occur  with  tremendous  rapidity;  with  a 
speed  far,  far  in  excess  of  any  possible 
variation  in  sound.  Get  that  fact  fixed 
clearly  in  your  mind  and  you  will  have 
gone  far  toward  comprehension  of  what 
follows. 

Returning  to  our  diagram,  the  three  parts 
within  the  tube  are  called  "elements,"  or 
"electrodes."  Usually  the  latter  term  is 
used  by  engineers.  The  parts  and  the  glass 
container  (bulb)  shown  in  Figure  1  con- 
stitute a  complete  audion,  or  sound  amplify- 
ing tube.  It  is  that  because  by  means  of 
the  combination  thus  effected  the  action  of 
the  electrons  may  be  controlled,  made  to 
work  for  us  and  to  do  our  will. 

An  ordinary  electric  light  globe  filament 
throws  off  electrons  the  same  as  does  our 
sound  amplifying  tube,  but  there  is  »o 
means  provided  for  their  control,  hence  the 
globe  is  valuable  only  for  its  light  produc- 
ing power. 

The  filament  of  our  audion  tube  is  heated 
by  what  is  called  the  "A  battery,"  usually 
a  storage  battery  very  similar  to  those  used 
in  automobiles.  In  Figure  1,  as  already 
noted,  the  long  lines  represent  positive  and 
the  shorter  ones  negative  plates.  As  you 
will  note  by  examining  Figure  1,  a  positive 
potential  with  respect  to  Filament  F  is 
applied  to  Plate  P  by  the  B  battery;  also 
Grid  G  is  negatively  biased  or  charged  with 
respect    to    the    Filament    F  by    Battery    C. 

Grid  G  is  really  the  secret  of  the  whole 
business.  It  is  the  key  which  unlocks  the 
door  and  enables  us  to  control  the  action 
of  the  electrons. 

The  action  is  as  follows:  Filament  F  is 
heated  by  current  from  the  A  battery,  as 
shown.  This  causes  electrons  to  be  "boiled 
out"  or  thrown,  off,  as  already  described. 
These  electrons  from  the  filament  bear  a 
negative  charge,  hence  have  an  affinity  for 
positively  charged  Plate  P,  which  of  course 
attracts  them,  and  we  thus  have  a  current 
flow  established  between  Filament  F  and 
Plate  P,  but  it  is  uncontrolled,  hence  of  no 
practical  value  in  sound  amplification.  The 
number  or  percentage  of  the  electrons  thus 
attracted  to  Plate  P  will  be  dependent  upon 
the  strength  of  the  potential,  up  to  the 
point  where  all  that  are  liberated  from 
Filament  F  are  attracted. 

And  we  now  arrive  at  the  crux  of  the 
whole  matter.  Grid  G  is  interposed  be- 
tween Filament  F  and  Plate  P  and  is  nega- 
tively charged  by  the  "C"  battery. 


The  flow  of  negatively  charged  electrons 
is  from  Filament  F,  toward  positively 
charged  Plate  P,  and  since  Grid  G  is  nega- 
tively charged,  and  negative  repels  negative, 
it  acts  as  a  valve  which  opens  and  closes 
to  permit  the  passage  of  more  or  less  elec^ 
trons  according  as  the  potential  rises  or 
falls  in  the  grid.  In  other  words  THE 
AMOUNT  OF  FLOW  OF  ELECTRONS 
FROM  FILAMENT  F  TO  PLATE  P 
WILL  DEPEND  UPON  THE  RISE  AND 
FALL  OF  THE  NEGATIVE  POTEN- 
TIAL IN  GRID  G.  As  it  rises  less  will 
flow;  as  it  falls,  more  will  flow. 

Since  the  grid  absorbs  practically  no 
power,  and  we  can  put  a  relatively  large 
amount  of  power  into  the  plate,  this  means 
that  we  are  using  a  small  amount  of  power  to 
control  a  large  amount,  and  that  is  what 
constitutes  amplification.  A  child  may,  by 
opening  the  steam  valve,  start  the  engines 
of  an  Atlantic  liner,  and  the  principle  here 
is  just  the  same — in  fact,  in  Europe  these 
tubes  are  called  valves.  All  that  now  re- 
mains is  to  bring  to  the  grid  the  weak  elec- 
tric current  obtained  from  the  Movietone 
film,  by  means  of  the  input  circuit  shown 
in  the  diagram,  and  then  take  off  from  the 
plate  through  the  output  circuit  the  power- 
ful current  that  is  to  operate  the  apparatus 


I 


22 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7, 1928 


for  reproducing  the  sound  (in  practice  more 
than  one  tube  is  required  to  get  the  neces- 
sary amplification). 

Sound  is  a  vibration  of  the  air,  of  course, 
and  it  is  worthwhile  remarking  here  that 
the  currents  which  the  vacuum  tube  has  to 
deal  with  are  also  vibratory,  which  is 
natural  since  they  represent  the  sounds  that 
are  being  reproduced.  So  that  although 
we  have  a  steady  negative  voltage  applied 
to  the  grid  by  the  "C"  battery,  the  current 
coming  from  the  input  circuit  is  vibratory, 
and  this,  of  course,  has  the  effect  of  causing 
the  grid  voltage  to  be  of  a  fluctuating  char- 
acter. But  the  action  is  just  as  already 
described — the  plate  turns  out  a  similar 
but  magnified  fluctuating  current,  and  so 
the  vibratory  effect  goes  on  to  the  sound 
reproducers. 

That,  roughly,  is  how  sound  amplification 
is  accomplished  by  vacuum  tubes,  either  in 
your  projection  apparatus  or  in  your  radio 


Advanced  Action 
by  Loew,  Inc. 

I  have  been  officially  advised  that  in 
all  future  Loew  installations  the  Blue- 
book  of  Projection  will  be  installed  as  a 
regular  part  of  the  projection  equipment. 
This  action  was  taken  by  supervisor  of 
projection,  Lester  Isaac,  without  solicita- 
tion. It  was  felt  by  him  to  be  a  neces- 
sary addition  to  Loew  theatre  projection 
room  equipm.ent. 


tube.  The  modulations  of  sound  which 
cause  a  voice  to  be  reproduced  are  in  either 
the  film  itself,  or  in  the  record,  in  case  the 
record  method  is  used.  In  this  article  we 
deal  only  with  amplification.     I  would  very 


ANNOUNCING 

A  New  Type  Screen  for  the 

TALKIES 


IT  is  no  longer  necessary  to  sacrifice  your  pic- 
ture in  favor  of  sound.  TTiis  screen  fabric 
makes  it  possible  to  produce  a  fine  picture  without 
interfering  with  the  speaking  apparatus  thereby 
removing  the  major  problem  connected  with  the 
installation  of  sound  equipment. 

Results  guaranteed. 

See  your  nearest  dealer  or  write  to  us  direct. 


tt 


Remember: 
The  Picture  Is  The  Thing 


yy 


Da-Lite  Screen  &  Scenic  Co. 

922-924  West  Monroe  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS 


much  like  to  hear  from  you  as  to  whether 
or  not  I  have  succeeded  in  making  it  clear 
to  you.  If  I  have  helped  you  in  under- 
standing I  will  feel  encouraged  to  proceed. 
(To  be  continued) 


As  to  Radio 
Interl 


erence 

William  McWirther,  of  West  Warren, 
Mass.,  presumably  a  motion  picture  projection- 
ist, offers  this  on  motor  generator  radio  inter- 
ference : 

"With  regard  to  the  article  entitled  'Radio  Inter- 
ference' in  the  Better  Projection  department  of  the 
Herald-World  I  cannot  agree  with  Mr.  Hertner  that 
the  method  outlined  will  prove  of  any  considerable 
value. 

"There  is  but  one  thing  that  can  cause  radio  inter- 
ference from  a  motor  generator  set  (barring  loose 
connections)  and  that  is  sparking  at  commutator.  The 
interference  will  always  be  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  arcing  at  the  commutator,  so  the  real  solu- 
tion of  the  problem  lies  in  eliminating  this  evil.  A 
good  motor  generator  set,  with  the  commutator  kept 
in  decent  condition,  and  properly  adjusted  as  to  brush 
tension  and  brush  LEAD,  will  cause  little  if  any  in- 
terference. 

"Mr.  Hertner's  method  will  eliminate  only  a  very 
small  percentage  of  the  total  interference,  as  shielding, 
to  be  of  any  value  at  radio  frequency,  must  be  prac- 
tically air  tight,  which  is  of  course  an  impossible  con- 
dition for  our  work.  Assuming  that  a  shield  has  been  ■ 
installed  as  suggested  by  Mr.  Hertner,  the  larger  part 
of  the  interference  will  travel  out  on  the  D.C.  leads 
and  unless  every  inch  of  the  leads  from  the  generator 
to  the  projection  room  are  incased  in  metalic  conduit, 
and  the  conduit  securely  grounded,  the  interference 
from  this  source  will  be  very  much  greater  than  from 
the  generator  itself.  The  D.C.  leads  will  act  as  an 
antenna  for  the  interference,  unless  they  be  shielded 
and  grounded. 

"It  is  possible  to  install  a  filter  in  the  D.C.  leads, 
that  would  do  more  than  any  other  device  to  minimize 
interference,  but  for  large  machines  their  cost  prohib- 
its their  use. 

"I  will  agree  with  Mr.  Hertner  that  the  synchronous 
rectifer  is  a  greater  source  of  interference  than  a 
motor  generator  set,  and  the  interference  more  diffi- 
cult to   remedy. 

"Please  do  not  think  that  this  letter  is  intended  to 
criticize  Mr.  Hertner  as  I  have  a  lot  of  respect  for  the 
gentleman's  product  and  cannot  question  his  high 
ability  as  an  engineer.  The  foregoing  is,  however, 
the  result  of  considerable  experience  along  these 
lines." 

John  Hertner  is  altogether  too  big  a  man 
and  too  just  a  man  to  feel  resentment  at  con- 
structive criticism.  If  you  will  read  the  arti- 
cle referred  to,  "Radio  Interference,"  you  will 
see  that  he  himself  did  not  regard  the  wire 
cage  as  anything  more  than  the  best  thing  he 
at  that  time  knew  of. 

Personally,  I  don't  pretend  to  know  one 
darned  thing  about  it.  I  will  publish  any  plan 
presented  which  seems  to  have  any  possible 
merit.  I  have  before  me  a  plan  presented  by 
the  Liberty  Electric  Corporation,  manufacturers 
of  radio  electric  equipment  and  formerly 
manufacturers  of  a  synchronous  converter  now 
being  marketed  by  another  concern. 


T 


eevauT'H 
oiiTpyT 


M[THOII  FOR  ELIMJMV/^i^  RW/O 


You  will  see  that  it  consists  merely  of  the 
installation  of  two  2  M.F.D.  condensers  con- 
nected to  the  service  lines  and  a  ground  be- 
tween generator  and  light  source.  In  making 
this  experiment,  it  will  be  well  to  be  sure  that 
you  have  a  good  ground.  Connect  to  a  water 
pipe  if  possible.  Seems  to  me  this,  with  care 
to  reduce  the  commutator  sparking  to  its  min- 
imum, which  will  include  a  careful  setting  of 
the  brushes  as  to  proper  circumferencial  loca- 
tion, ought  to  come  pretty  near  doing  the  trick. 


Viewing 
the  Picture 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  request  from  Local 
Union  655,  Sheboygan,  Wis.,  for  an  article  to 
be    supplied    to    the    local    paper.      The    letter 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


says :  "This  is  to  advise  you  that  we  have 
adopted  your  plan  of  supplying  the  general 
public  of  our  city  with  matter  of  interest  to 
them  along  projection  lines.  We  ask  that  you 
send  to  us  an  article  such  as  you  think  would 
be  suitable,  and  to  supply  us  such  articles  from 
time  to  time.  We  aie  to  supply  our  local 
paper  with  one  article  each  month.  Any  charge 
there  may  be  for  your  work  will  be  gladly 
paid. 

"Attached  find  an  article  copied  from  the 
Herald- World.  The  local  editor  was  much 
pleased  with  it  and  asked  for  more.  Even 
the  public  have  fallen  all  over  it  and  have 
asked  us  to  keep  it  up." 

The  letter  is  signed  by  Orrin  F.  Kuether, 
secretary  of  the  local,  who  encloses  a  photo- 
graph of  his  projection  room.  Some  classy 
equipment,  what? 

*     *     iK 

As  to  an  article  each  month,  I  don't  think 
I  can  do  it.  Right  now  I  am  doing  some  tall 
figuring  as  to  how  I  can  get  away  with  all 
the  work  I  see  piling  up  before  me.  However, 
possibly  I  can  publish  one  once  in  a  while, 
because  then  not  only  can  Local  655  use  it, 
but  other  locals  can  do  so  as  well,  and  it's  a 
big  stunt,  let  me  advise  you,  to  get  the  public 
really  interested  in  projection.  I've  told  you 
that  many  times,  and  I  now  tell  you  again.  If 
other  locals  advise  that  they  can  and  will  use 
the  articles  I  will  endeavor  to  publish  a  series 
calculated  to  be  used  in  the  local  press  of 
various  cities  and  towns.  Here  is  the  first. 
It  is  for  Local  655,  primarily,  but  ought  to  be 
handed  by  other  locals  to  their  local  editors, 
who  I  think  would  be  really  glad  to  have  it. 
We  will  head  it — 


Viewing  the  Picture. 

If  the  general  public  understood  more  about 
motion  pictures  and  the  enormously  important 
part  the  projectionist  and  his  work  play  in 
the  perfection,  or  lack  of  it,  in  what  they  see 
upon  the  theatre  screen,  there  would  quickly 
be  a  demand  for  increased  skill  and  knowledge 
in  theatre  projection  rooms.  As  it  is,  they 
imagine  the  projection  of  motion  pictures  to  be 
merely  the  matter  of  "running  a  machine." 
They  do  not  understand  matters  sufficiently 
well  to  differentiate  between  faults  which  are 
inherent  in  the  film  itself  and  faults  which  are 
caused  by  carelessness  or  lack  of  knowledge 
on  the  part  of  the  projectionist,  or  which  occur 
because  the  exhibitor  refuses  to  keep  his  pro- 
jection equipment  up-to-date  or  in  a  proper 
state  of  repair. 

However,  those  are  matters  which  will  be 
dealt  with  in  future  articles.  What  I  have  in 
mind  is  instructing  you  in  the  matter  of  view- 
ing the  picture  and  giving  you  information  by 
means  of  which  you  may  determine  just  what 
are  some  of  the  things  which  make  the  picture 
uncomfortable  to  your  eyes. 

First  of  all,  unless  you  are  troubled  with 
near  sightedness,  never  go  further  "down 
front"  than  you  have  to.  With  ordinary  thea- 
tre-size motion  pictures,  the  view  is  improved 
by  distance  up  to  50  or  75  feet.  If  you  get  too 
close  to  the  screen,  not  only  will  the  picture 
appear  "fuzzj',"  instead  of  sharp  and  clean-cut 
as  it  would  further  back,  but  also  your  eye 
has  to  cover  a  much  greater  viewing  angle, 
and  since  the  eye  invariably  follows  some  one 
object,  it  must  roll  constantly  from  side  to  side 
and  up  and  down,  which  naturally  is  very  try- 
ing on   muscles   unaccustomed  to   such   effort. 

Fifty  feet  is  an  excellent  viewing  distance 
and  75  is  equally  as  good  for  ordinary  eyes. 
Many  find  it  better  back  as  far  as  100  feet, 
beyond  which  there  will  be  no  improvement 
for  any  one,  and  it  will  be  a  bit  harder  than 
the  50  or  75  foot  distance  for  most.  Ease  in 
viewing  at  extreme  distance  is  dependent 
largely  upon  picture  size  and  intensity  of  il- 
lumination. The  larger  and  brighter  the  pic- 
ture the  easier  it  will  be  to  see  it  with  comfort 
at  great  viewing  distance — say  in  excess  of  100 
feet.  However,  beyond  a  certain  point  excess 
in  size  and  brightness  of  illumination  makes 
for    eye    strain    for    those    seated    nearer    the 


Kuether's  Projection  Room 


screen.  So  the  exhibitor  and  projectionist 
having  a  very  deep  house  have  their  troubles. 

A  very  large  picture — say  in  excess  of  18 
feet  wide — is  bad  for  those  in  the  front  part 
of  the  theatre.  In  ordinary  theatres  in  which 
the  viewing  distance  is  not  in  excess  of  125 
feet,  the  18  foot  picture  is  plenty  large.  It  is 
better,  for  many  reasons,  than  a  larger  one. 
Also  in  small  theatres  where  the  maximum 
viewing  distance  is  not  to  exceed  say  75  feet, 
a  12  to  14  foot  picture  is  plenty  large,  and  is 
much  better  than  a  greater  size.  This  for 
several  reasons,  chief  of  which  is  that  it  is 
easier  for  those  seated  relatively  close  to  the 
screen  and  imposes  no  undue  strain  on  the 
eyes  of  those  in  the  rear  seats. 

Abuses  in  picture  size  and  illumination  are 
responsible  for  much  very  unnecessary  eye 
strain.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  motion  picture 
projectionist  to  study  and  understand  these 
things.  He  must  be  able  to  advise  his  man- 
ager intelligently  concerning  them. 

Another  thing  which  makes  for  eye  strain 
and  slight  possible  headache  is  what  is  called 
"glare  spots."  By  this  is  meant  any  bright 
point  of  light  which  meets  the  eyes  when  look- 
ing at  the  screen.  It  may  be  a  wrongly  made 
or  illuminated  exit  sign.  It  maye  be  an  im- 
properly guarded,  too  bright  light  on  a  piano 
or  musician's  music  rack.  Be  it  noted  that  the 
light  reflected  from  white  sheet  music  consti- 
tutes a  glare  spot,  just  as  much  as  does  the 
light  itself,  though  it  is  true  it  may  not  be 
such  an  intense  one.  Such  glare  spots  hurt 
your  eyes,  and  may  even  give  you  slight  head- 
ache. They  are  unnecessary  and  should  by 
all  means  be  abolished  wherever  they  exist. 
The  projectionist  who  knows  his  business  in- 
variably protects  against  their  presence,  but 
not  infrequently  the  theatre  manager  refuses 
to  act  and  the  prenicious  spots  remain. 

Then,  too,  there  are  many  projection  faults 
which  make  for  discomfort  to  the  audience. 
Flicker  is  of  course  well  known,  and  known 
to  be  unnecessary.  Oil  smeared  film  causes  a 
sort  of  constantly  changing  mottled  effect  on 
the  screen.  Movement  and  jumps  in  the  film 
may  be  due  to  the  films  themselves  having  been 


ATTENTION  PROJECTIONISTS ! 

New  Intermittent  Sprocket  and  Pin  Press 


Patented  Nov.  16,  1926,  No.  1606830 

You  can  project  a  perfectly  steady  picture  on 
the  screen  by  replacing  worn  intermittent  sprock- 
ets with  this  unexcelled  new  press. 
THIS  INSTRUMENT  CAN  BE  USED  ON 
POWER'S  PROJECTORS  AND  ON  ANY 
OTHER    PROJECTOR PRICE,    $8.50 

Illustrated   booldets  with   instnictions  sent  free  to   all 
projectionists  on  request.  ,\ 

Projection  Improvement  Co. 

Drifton,  Pa. 


abused  by  some  projectionist  who  had  them 
before  and,  through  carelessness,  ignorance  or 
because  his  manager  refused  to  replace  worn 
sprockets  or  keep  the  projectors  in  repair. 
They  may  also  be  due  to  the  same  things  in 
the  projection  room  of  the  local  theatre. 

Of  course  if  the  theatre  in  which  such  move- 
ment or  jumps  occur  uses  very  old  film,  noth- 
ing else  may  be  expected,  because  the  delicate 
edges  of  sprocket  holes  have  become  worn, 
hence  a  steady  picture  can  no  longer  be  had 
when  using  those  films.  With  films  in  good 
condition,  with  projections  in  good  condition 
and  with  normal  projection  speed  and  a  pro- 
jectionist who  knows  his  business,  save  for  a 
perhaps  occasional  slight  movement,  the  screen 
image  should  be  literally  as  "steady  as  a  rock." 

Of  course  you  must  understand  that  you 
cannot  expect  very  much  if  you  are  paying  a 
10  cent  admission.  A  competent  motion  pic- 
ture projectionist,  films  in  perfect  mechanical 
condition  and  projection  equipment  up-to-date 
and  in  perfect  repair  cost  real  money.  The 
show  such  a  combination  puts  on,  however,  is 
far  better  worth  a  quarter  than  the  shaky, 
jumpy  thing  you  view  where  these  conditions 
do  not  obtain  is  worth  a  lower  price.  There  is 
an  old  "saw"  which  reads:  "You  can't  make 
a  silk  purse  out  of  a  sows  ear,"  and  that  holds 
good  in  motion  picture  theatres.  Very  cheap 
things   seldom  are   things   of   high   excellence. 


Alternating  Current 
and  Carbon  Set 

Harold  Porter,  Princeton,  Me.,  says :  "Can- 
not find  anything  about  correct  carbon  set  when 
using  A.  C.  at  the  arc.  You  show  the  D.  C. 
set  very  well  indeed  on  Page  404,  Vol.  1,  but 
how  should  the  carbons  be  angled  for  AC? 

I  offered  no  instruction  for  setting  carbons 
where  A  C  is  used  at  the  arc  for  the  simple 
reason  that  A  C  at  the  arc  is  out  of  date,  very, 
very  inefficient  and  is  now  used  in  but  very 
few  theatres.     It  should  not  be  used  at  all. 

If,  however,  the  projectionist  is  obliged  to 
use  it,  I  advise  him  to  use  the  same  set  as  for 
D  C,  see  Page  404,  Vol.  1,  of  Bluebook  of 
Projection,  it  will  be  necessary  to  exercise  care 
to  adjust  the  carbon  tips  accurately,  and  to 
keep  them  that  way.  I  differ  from  some 
authorities  who  advise  angling  the  lower  car- 
bon forward  and  bringing  the  upper  not  to 
meet  it.  Just  what  the  best  angle  i3  when 
this  is  done  is  a  matter  upon  which  few  pro- 
jectionists agree.  If  you  propose  to  use  it  you 
will  just  have  to  experiment  for  yourself. 
Friend  Porter.  Better  let  it  alone  though  I 
think. 

When  using  the  D  C  set  for  A  C  the 
crater  formed  on  the  lower  carbon  is  of 
course  thrown  into  the  discard,  but  to  com- 
pensate you  get  a  better  formed,  better  angled 
upper  crater,  and  a  consistently  better  screen  il- 
lumination. At  least  I  always  could  when  I  was 
shooting  pictures  at  the  screen.  We  used 
A  C  a  lot  in  those  days. 

It  is  granted  that  by  angling  the  carbons 
you  may  be  able  to  get  a  higher  screen  il- 
lumination at  times  than  you  can  get  with  the 
D  C  set.  The  trouble  is  that  no  man  I  ever 
knew  was  able  to  maintain  that  higher  il- 
lumination. It  would  fluctuate.  It  is  natural, 
and  I  think  inevitable  that  it  would.  With  the 
D  C  set  and  careful  work  one  may  get  both 
good  and  steady  screen  illumination,  but  noth- 
ing less  than  50  to  60  amperes  A  C  should  be 
used  at  the  arc. 


The  Matter 
of  Allegiance 

From  an  eastern  city  comes  this  letter.  For 
obvious  reasons  I  do  not  quote  the  name  or 
address.  I  had  grave  doubts  as  to  the  advisa- 
bility of  publication,  but  after  all  it  seems  to 
me  no  possible  harm  can  come  from  publicity 
because  it  is  a  sure  thing  that  an  official  with 
such  absurd  ideas  does  NOT  represent  the 
opinion  of  his  union,  or  of  unions  in  general. 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Such  men  do  great  harm  to  the  union  cause. 
Here  is  the  letter : 

I  have  just  had  a  red-hot  argument  with  the  busi- 
ness representative  of  our  union.  The  argument  arose 
over  talking  pictures.  I  said  we  all  ought  to  study 
more,  and  that  some  of  our  members  would  be  a 
lot  better  union  men  if  they  knew  a  little  more  about 
the   business   of   projection. 

He  said  that  was  the  bunk — just  a  lot  of  Richard- 
son   bunk,   and   didn't   mean   a   thing. 

1  said  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  were  coming 
and  we  would  no*  be  able  to  handle  it,  and  that 
anyhow  we  owed  it  to  the  employer  to  study  and  be 
able  to  give  the  best  possible  service. 

"Bunk"  was  his  only  answer,  so  I  said:  "Don't 
we  owe  something  to  the  boss?  Don't  you  honestly 
think  we,  as  union  men,  owe  allegiance  to  the  boss 
to  the  extent  of  giving  the  highest  possible  grade  of 
service? 

His  answer  was,  almost  word  for  word:  "You 
don't  owe  allegiance  to  anybody  but  the  union.  You're 
holding  your  job  ain't  you?  All  the  boys  are  too 
ain't  they?  And  if  the  boss  kicks  does  it  do  him  any 
good?  And  when  them  talking  pictures  come  in  if 
our    men    can't    handle    them    they    won't    come." 

Now  I  call  myself  as  good  a  union  man  as  any 
man  in  the  I.  A.  I  even  think  I  am  a  whole  lot 
better  union  man  that  our  business  representative 
when  he  talks  like  that.  What  do  you  think  about  it, 
Mr.  Richardson.  I'm  writing  this  letter  myself,  but 
there  are  seven  members  here,  all  of  whom  express 
the  opinion  that  a  business  representative  who  talks 
that  way  has  no  right  to  hold  office.  Several  more 
with  whom  I  have  talked  think  the  same  way. 

That  is  absolute^  the  correct  view,  brother. 
All  good  union  men  will  most  certainly  agree 
with  that.  The  I.  A.  as  a  whole,  of  course, 
cannot  prevent  such  men  from  getting  into 
office,  but  they  do  NOT  truly  represent  either 
the  union  or  unionism. 

It  is  an  unfortunate  fact  that  an  occasional 
loud  mounted  man  will  be  found  in  unions 
who  really,  when  pinned  right  down  to  brass 
tacks  will  be  found  to  have  only  the  most  hazy, 
nebulous  idea  of  what  is  really  is  all  about. 
To  them  it  is  all  absolutely  one  sided.  To 
them  it  is  a  case  of  get  all  you  can,  and  it 
matters  absolutely  nothing  at  all  what  is  re- 
turned in  the  matter  of  service  value. 

Such  men  probably  really  mean  well  enough, 
but  they  nevertheless  do  a  great  amount  of 
harm  and  provide  the  employer  with  his  best 
argument  against  high  wages.    Whatever  their 


Important 
Notice 

The  Hertner  Electric  Company  has  just 
issued  an  excellent  book  of  instructions 
pertaining  to  their  Transverter.  It  will 
be  mailed  to  any  projectionist  who  may 
request  it  who  supplies  the  name  of  the 
theatre  in  which  he  is   employed. 

I  advise  you  and  all  of  you  to  add 
this  booklet  to  your  library.  If  you  are 
not  using  a  Transverter  now,  you  may  be 
soon  and  the  booklet  is  a  good  piece  of 
property  for  the  projectionist  or  machine 
operator  to  own.  Just  address,  Hertner 
Electric  Company,  Cleveland,  O.,  giving 
the  name  of  the  theatre  in  which  you 
work,  and  the  booklet  will  be  mailed  to 
you  free  of  charge.  It  contains  65  pages 
and  20  illustrations,  wiring,  diagrams, 
et  cetera. 


intent ;  no  matter  how  vociferously  they  may 
declaim  their  "unionism,"  they  are  not  really 
good  union  men.  The  reason  they  get  into 
office  is  because  they  are  good  talkers  and  good 
politicians.  Once  in  office,  however,  almost 
without  exception  their  chief  ambition  is  to 
perpetuate  themselves  therein. 

Fortunately,  however,  their  number  is  rela- 
tively small.  Unions  are  very  largely  com- 
posed of  earnest  men  who,  while  they  may  not 
always  reason  things  out  quite  as  well  as  they 
might,  are  honest,  faithful  and  desirous  of  do- 
ing the  right  thing  all  around.  More  and  more, 
too,  unions  are  beginning  to  realize  that  work 
and  wages  are  a  mutual  proposition;  that 
whereas  the  employer  OWES  to  the  projec- 
tionist something  more  than  a  hand-to-mouth 
wage  and  that  if  he  does  not  understand  that 
simple,    obvious    thing,    he    must   be    made    to 


Stage  Equipment 

ORCHESTRA  -:-  CONSOLE  -.-PIANO 

AND 

STAQE  LIFTS 

COUNTERWEIGHT  SYSTEM 

Loews  State  Theatre 

LOUISVILLE,  KY. 

JOHN  EBERSON,  INC.,  Architects 

PETER  CLARK 

INC. 
544  West  30th  Street,  New  York 


Orchestra     -      Console     -     Stage  Lifts 
Counterweight  Systems  -  Fire  Curtains 


understand  it,  still  in  return  for  a  fair  wage 
union  men  owe  the  employer  high  grade,  effi- 
cient service.  In  the  great  preponderance  of 
cases  they  are  giving  it  too. 

The  type  of  union  officer  described  by  this 
brother  is  fast  disappearmg.  I  was  in  fact  a 
bit  surprised  to  know  that  any  of  the  type 
were  left  at  all.  Better  place  a  different  man 
in  his  place  as  soon  as  you  can.  Certainly 
everj'  union  man  owes  staunch  allegiance  and 
staunch  loyalty  to  the  union.  ALSO,  certainly 
every  employe,  union  or  otherwise,  owes  alle- 
giance and  loyalty  to  the  employer  to  the  ex- 
tent of  giving  the  best  service  of  which  he  is 
capable,  and  of  seeking  in  all  reasonable  ways 
to  improve  his  capability.  It  would  be  utterly 
absurd  to  think  otherwise. 

In  closing  I  might  add  that  the  man  who  does 
not  seek  to  give  the  best  possible  service  in  re- 
turn for  the  scale  his  union  has  secured  for 
him,  IS  NOT  A  REALLY  GOOD  UNION 
MAN,  in  that  he  is  not  making  proper  effort 
to  do  credit  to  the  union.  Dispute  that  if  you 
can. 


Something 
You  Need 

Gentlemen,  I  receive  letters  every  week  of  the 
year  complimenting  the  excellence  and  value 
of  the  Bluebook  of  Projection.  I  don't  publish 
them  because  you've  had  the  books  before  you 
for  17  years  and  ought  to  know  just  what  they 
are.  You  may  believe  or  disbelieve,  but  the 
plain  fact  is  that  I  am  very,  very  much  more 
interested  in  having  you  have  the  Bluebook  for 
your  own  good  and  the  good  of  projection, 
than  I  am  in.  the  small  sum  I  make  on  each 
sale. 

Here  is  a  letter  from  Noil  Myers,  14  Poplar 
street,  Van  Buren,  Ark.  I  will  let  you  read  it 
because  the  man  is  a  small  town  projectionist, 
apparently,  and  has  had  the  books  a  sufficient 
time  to  judge  of  their  worth  to  him  in  his 
work.  The  letter  was  forwarded  to  me  by  the 
Erker  Brothers  Optical  Company,  St.  Louis, 
who  sold  him  the  Bluebook.    It  reads : 

Erker  Brothers,  St.  Louis,  Mo.:  In  August,  1927, 
I  bought  from  you  the  book  entitled,  "F.  H.  Richard- 
son Handbook   of   Projection,   the   Fifth   Edition." 

They  are  the  greatest  books  ever  published  on  mo- 
tion picture  projection.  I  don't  see  how  you  can 
charge  so  small  a  sum  for  your  book  where  other 
companies  get  a  lot  more  for  similar  books  on  other 
subjects.  They  are  the  greatest  books  ever  written 
and  are  indeed  the  projectionists'  friend. 

Such  letters,  gentlemen,  are  what  I  consider 
as  a  real  endorsement  of  my  books.  An  en- 
dorsement by  some  one  to  whom  you  have  sent 
a  free  copy,  and  who  is  not  a  real  working 
projectionist,  amounts  to  less  than  nothing  in 
value.  It  is  the  man  who  allies  the  knowledge 
gained  in  his  daily  work  who  knows  what  a 
book  really  is  worth. 


From  an 
Old  Timer 

From  Rufus  Leighty,  Washington,  Ind., 
oomes  this  letter:  "Am  a  projectionist  in  lliis 
city  of  12,000  people.  Have  been  reading  your 
department  for  eight  years.  Not  having  seen 
anything  from  this  immediate  vicinity  I  be- 
lieve I  am  the  first  to  place  Washington,  Ind., 
on  the  projection  map. 

"Washington  has  two  theatres,  each  seating 
about  1,000.  The  one  where  I  'shoot  'em  at 
the  screen'  is  two  years  old.  It  is  owned  by  a 
circuit  controlling  15  houses  in  this  neck  o'  the 
woods. 

"We  have  an  excellent  projection  room,  25 
feet  wide,  10  deep  and  10  high.  Two  windows 
to  the  open  air  supply  ample  ventilation.  There 
is  a  motor  room  at  one  end  of  the  projection 
room. 

"We  use  latest  type  Motiograph  projectors, 
reflector  type  arcs  at  20  amperes  from  double 
35  Roth  generator.  Use  Ross  lenses.  Screen 
results  are,  I  am  told,  the  best  on  fhe  circuit. 

"Have  had  every  edition  of  your  books  as 
they  came  out.  Get  the  Herald-World  and 
read  the  department." 

(Continued  on  page  43) 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


Acoustics  and  the 
Talking  Picture 

(Continued    from    payc    10) 

backing  such  as  concrete,  hoHow-^tile  or 
plaster,  with  a  waterproof  and  heat-resist- 
ing cement  and  it  is  highly  fire  resisting. 
It  will  not  soil  any  more  rapidly  than  a 
painted  plaster  surface  and  it  may  be 
decorated  to  an  unlimited  degree. 

The  sound  absorbing  power  of  all  ma- 
terials used  in  modern  interior  finishes  is 
known  and  it  is  evident  that  the  area  of 
the  interior  finish  of  a  theatre  may  be 
measured  either  from  the  plans  of  the 
building  or  by  actual  physical  measure- 
ment. The  matter  of  determining  the 
sound  absorbing  qualities  of  any  room  is, 
then,  purely  a  mathematical  problem  and  as 
such,    is    precise    and    exact. 

*  *     * 

The  sound  absorbing  power  of  an  audi- 
ence is  equally  well  known  and  so  it  is 
possible  to  determine  the  effect  that  an 
audience  has  in  reducing  the  time  of  re- 
verberation so  that  the  acoustical  condition 
of  a  theatre  may  be  calculated  for  all  de- 
grees of  attendance.  It  is  an  excellent  idea 
to  provide  good  acoustics  for  audiences  of 
all  sizes  by  using  upholstered  chairs 
throughout,  with  the  idea  that  the  uphol- 
stering compensates  to  a  large  degree  for 
an  audience  when  only  small  audiences  are 
anticipated.  Outside  of  this  one  valuable 
factor,  it  is  desirable  to  provide  a  condi- 
tion wherein  speech  and  music  will  receive 
adequate  reinforcement  to  secure  an  even 
distribution  of  loudness  throughout  a  thea- 
tre without  being  so  prolonged  that  there 
will  be  an  overlapping  of  the  syllables  of 
speech  or  the  notes  of  music. 

Literally  thousands  of  auditoriums  have 
been  built  er  successfully  treated  to  pro- 
vide this  ideal  degree  of  absorption  for 
average  degrees  of  attendance  so  that  a 
very  definite  standard  has  been  set  up  as 
to  what  this  permissible  period  of  rever- 
beration should  be.  If  an  auditorium  is 
going  to  be  too  reverberant  or  too  "bright" 
when  finished  in  the  materials  which  would 
ordinarily  be  used,  it  becomes  necessary 
to  compensate  for  this  hard  finish  by  the 
introduction  into  the  interior  finish  of  a 
certain  amount  of  sound  absorbing  material. 
In  simple  rectangular  rooms  with  flat 
ceilings  the  location  of  this  sound  absorb- 
ing material  is  of  little  moment.  In  large 
complicated  theatres  containing  warped 
walls  and  ceilings,  the  location  of  the  sound 
absorbing  material  is  of  great  importance, 
for  if  an  average  degree  of  intensity  is  to 
be  maintained  throughout  the  theatre,  the 
concentration  or  focusing  of  sound  at  cer- 
tain points  to  the  detriment  of  others  should 
be  carefully  guarded  against,  and  the  of- 
fending surfaces  changed  from  almost  per- 
fect reflectors  into  fairly  good  absorbers 
of   sound. 

*  *     * 

The  contour  of  certain  wall  and  ceiling 
surfaces,  too,  is  apt  to  cause  echo  or  the 
distinct  repetition  of  a  sound  once  or  many 
times  due  to  reflection  from  distant  sur- 
faces. The  remedy  is,  of  course,  many 
times  the  same,  the  introduction  of  sound 
absorbing  material,  although  in  the  case  of 
echo  it  is  often  necessary  to  slightly  alter 
the  shape  of  the  offending  surfaces  as  well. 

A  competent  acoustical  engineer  can  to- 
day anticipate  all  of  these  acoustical  diffi- 
culties in  advance  of  construction  and  can 
almost  invariably  remedy  defective  acous- 
tical conditions  in  existing  theatres  without 
noticeably  affecting  the  architectural  or 
decorative  effects.  Voice  reproduction  has 
not  yet  reached  the  stage  where  it  possesses 


"Save  the  Show^ 


99 


with  Kohler  Electricity 


You  can't  prevent  the  storms,  fires, 
and  floods  that  snarl  up  wires  and 
short-circuit  cables.  And  accidents 
will  happen  in  the  best-regulated 
power  stations. 

But  you  can  "save  the  show"  with 
Kohler  Electricity.  You  can  install  a 
Kohler  Electric  Plant  to  ''cut  in' 
automatically,  without  your  lifting  a 
finger,  the  instant  the  regular  current 
fails,  and  supply  ample  current  for 
your  projector  and  for 
lighting  lobby,  aisles, 
ticket  booth,  exits,  etc. 

The  Kohler  Electric 
Plant  generates  stand- 
ard 110-volt  current.  It 
eliminates  the  trouble 
and  expense  of  large  stor- 
age batteries,  needing 
only  a  small  starting  bat- 
tery for  automatic  oper- 
ation. Its  four-cylinder 
engine    runs   with    bal- 


Kohler  Electric  Plant 

Model  SA-l-S  K.  W.;  110  Volts  D.  C. 

Other  models,  l'/2,2,and  lOK.W. 


anced  smoothness,  producing  current 
at  constant  voltage  for  brilliant,  un- 
flickering  light. 

Kohler  Electric  Plants  are  clean, 
quiet,  economical,  and  safe — ap- 
proved as  "standard"  by  the  Na- 
tional Fire  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories. Their  reasonable  cost  is  in- 
significant measured  against  danger 
of  panic ;  and  the  loss  ofre  venue  that 
might  follow  a  single  interruption  of 
the  regular  service  would 
pay  part  or  all  of  the 
cost  of  this  equipment. 

In  addition  to  their 
auxiliary  use,  Kohler 
Electric  Plants  are  installed 
in  many  rural  theatres 
as  the  sole  source  of  elec- 
tric current  for  everyday 
use.  There  are  models  for 
large  theatres  and  small. 
The  coupon  below  will 
bring  detailed  information. 


— SS^ 


Kohler  Co.,  Founded  7873,  Kohler,  Wis.  Shipping  Point, Sh.ehoygan,VJ  is. 


BRANCHES  IN  PRINCIPAL  CITIES 


KOHLERofKOHLER 


Electric  Plants 


Automatic— 110  Volts  D.  G.  —No  Storage  Batteries 

' '~ BTT-TaT' 

Kohler  Co.,  Kohler,  Wis. — Please  send  me  information  about  the  Kohler  Electric  Plant. 


NaT, 


.  Street.. 


City,  State Use  in  which  interested.. 


26 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


You  re  paying 

for  a  cooling  system 

Why  not  have  it? 


You'll  lose  enough  business  in  hot  weather 
this  summer  to  pay  for  a  good-cooling  system. 

And  this  price  you'll  lose  every  summer — 
year  after  year. 

Why  not  instead  get  Typhoon  Cooling — pay 
for  it  just  ONCE — and  then  have  it  pay 
YOU.  It  will  pull  enough  in  extra  admis- 
sions to  pay  back  its  cost  in  one  or  two  sum- 
mers.    (Proved  in  over  2,500  theatres.) 

Isn't  that  better  than  going  without  it  and 
yet  paying  for  it  anyway — every  year  or  two? 


Think  it  over — Install  Typhoons 
Get  our  Booklet  W-4 


TYPHOON  FAN  COMPANY 


345  West  39th  Street 


New  York 


Offices  in  Principal  Cities 


WARNING 


RAVEN  HA 


SCREEN 


is  covered  by 

United  States  and  Canadian  Patents 

Suit  under  U.  S.   Patent  No.    1,315,743   has  been  entered  in  the  United  States  Court, 
Southern  District   of  New  York  against   a  New^  York  distributor 

and 
Legal  action  will  be  taken  against  all  persons  violating  this  patent. 


RAVEN  SCREEN  CORPORATION 


1476  Broadway 


New  York,  N.  Y. 


the  vibrant,  living  quality  of  the  human 
voice,  and  in  a  lesser  degree  the  same  thing 
can  be  said  of  even  musical  reproduction. 
The  acoustics  of  theatres  employing  syn- 
chronized pictures  must  be  adjusted  to  a 
more  precise  degree  of  perfection  and  free- 
dom from  disturbing  factors  if  talking  pic- 
tures are  to  receive  a  favorable  impression 
from  the  ever  critical  public. 

More  attention  will  have  to  be  paid  to 
the  elimination  or  suppression  of  any  ex- 
traneous noise  that  will  present  any  sort 
of  competition  to  the  talking  picture.  These 
extraneous  noises  may  originate  in  the 
mechanical  equipment  or  even  the  rush  of 
air  through  ventilating  ducts  and  grilles. 
It  may  enter  the  theatre  from  outside 
sources  such  as  street  traffic,  railways,  or 
be  caused  by  groups  of  people  in  the 
lobbies  and  foyers  awaiting  admittance. 

*  *    * 

Then,  too,  there  is  a  general  hum  of 
restlessness  and  movement  in  any  theatre 
which  considerably  raises  the  noise  level 
through  which  the  talking  movie  must 
penetrate.  It  may  in  rare  instances  be 
necessary  to  apply  a  certain  amount  of 
sound  absorbing  treatment  to  an  otherwise 
excellent  theatre  to  absorb  this  disturbing 
noise.  Certainly  it  is  practical  and  logical 
to  utilize  the  noise  absorbing  qualities  of 
acoustical  felt  in  lobbies  and  vestibules  to 
absorb  extraneous  noise  at  its  source  and 
prevent  its   entrance   into   the  theatre. 

Theatre  owners  who  are  even  remotely 
considering  the  installation  of  talking  pic- 
ture equipment  should  take  stock  of  this  all 
important  question  of  good  acoustics  in 
their  theatres,  and  if  there  is  any  question 
about  their  theatres  being  good  acoustically 
for  speech  as  well  as  music,  they  should 
take  immediate  steps  to  remedy  conditions 
before  the  installation  of  the  talking  movie 
equipment.  Otherwise,  there  is  the  possi- 
bility of  building  up  a  reputation  for 
difficult  hearing  conditions  that  experience 
has  shown  is  very  hard  to  live  down. 

In  general,  where  conditions  warrant  the 
installation  of  sound  absorbing  material,  it 
can  be  installed  without  closing  the  theatre 
or  stopping  the  revenue.  In  rare  instances, 
it  may  be  found  necessary  to  remove  exist- 
ing furnishings  in  the  form  of  flimsy  cur- 
tains and  draperies  in  order  to  eliminate 
excessive  deadness,  or  provide  in  their  place 
a  degree  of'tfeadness  in  the  form  of  stand- 
ard acoustical  materials  that  will  not  be  so 
destructive  of  musical  quality. 

*  *     * 

The  acoustical  engineer  who  has  spe- 
cialized in  this  line  of  work  from  the  in- 
ception of  the  science  and  whose  experience 
has  brought  him  into  contact  with  a  great 
variety  of  acoustical  problems  will,  of 
course,  be  most  competent  to  handle  the 
problems  of  the  talking  movie  theatre. 
Theatre  owners  should  be  on  their  guard 
against  charlatans  who  advocate  such 
archaic  measures  as  the  stringing  of  wires, 
which  never  had  any  scientific  foundation 
in  fact  or  reason,  or  the  use  of  so-called 
sound  absorbing  materials  which  have  not 
been  thoroughly  tested  in  competent  labora- 
tories and  tried  out  under  practical  condi- 
tions of  use.  Sound  absorbing  materials 
have  no  place  in  auditoriums  unless  they 
are  capable  of  decoration,  redecoration  and 
cleaning  without  harm  to  their  sound  ab- 
sorbing capabilities.  And  in  theatres,  par- 
ticularly, materials  should  not  be  used  as 
an  interior  finish  which  present,  even  in 
the  slightest  degree,  a  fire  hazard. 


CORONA — Corona  Security  Corporation  has  plans 
by  Boiler  Brothers,  340  Douglas  Building,  Los  An- 
geles, for  two-story  theatre  and  store  building,  150 
by  150  feet,  to  be  located  at  Sixth  and  Romona 
streets.    Estimated  cost,  $150,000. 

HUNTINGTON  PARK— N.  Williams  hae  plans  by 
A.  G.  Bailey,  Hillstreet  Building,  Los  Angeles,  for 
four-story  brick  theatre,  hotel  and  store  building  to 
be  located  on  Pacific  Boulevard.  Estimated  cost, 
$175,000. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


•27 


Modernizing  the 
Interior 

(Continued   from   page    13) 

more  every  day  that  we  are  machines  ourselves, 
a  part,  like  the  steel  machines,  of  another, 
merely  bigger  machine. 

That  is  partly  symbolism  and  may  sound 
what  we  of  this  blunt-speaking  age  call  hooey. 
However,  one  need  only  to  point  to  the  nat- 
ural phenomenon  of  association  to  show  how 
it  is  that  the  matter-of-fact,  business-like, 
steel-sinewed  machine  is  influencing  us.  And 
that  it  has  already  influenced  us  deeply  _  is 
obvious  at  every  point  of  life  today,  with 
the  mechanistic  cities  in  advance  of  the  rural 
regions  to  teach  them.  For  it  is  law  that  life 
adapts  itself  to  its  environment,  psychically  as 
well  as  physically. 

An  interesting  consideration  in  this  connec- 
tion is  Russia.  Russians  adore  the  Machine. 
Their  new  plays,  their  new  books,  their  new 
poetry  exists  almost  exclusively  to  express 
that  adoration.  This  has  been  since  the 
Revolution,  which  wiped  out  the  frills,  the 
luxury,  the  elaborate  concealments  of  the 
Czars.  The  Russian  idea  now  is  to  be  plain. 
The  frivolous  (because  it  is  associated  with 
the  exquisite  idler)  has  been  discarded.  The 
laborer  and  his  plain  ways  are  exalted.  Even 
art  must  have  a  purpose  there  and  it  must 
hew  severely  to  the  line.  Thus  is  the  Ma- 
chine a  symbol  of  the  Russian  philosophy. 

*  *     * 

The  connection  between  the  new  Russia 
and  this  discussion  lies  in  the  fact  that  modern 
art  bears  more  of  the  characteristics  of  Soviet 
Russian  decoration  than  of  that  developed  in 
any  other  country,  and  perhaps  the  reference 
will  help  to  bring  forth  further  the  motivating 
forces  of  Art  Moderne. 

Red  Russia,  however,  hasn't  any  lien  on 
modern  art.  It  is  the  product  of  things  going 
on  in  recent  years  throughout  the  more  or 
less  civilized  world.  England,  Germany  and 
particularly  France  are  scenes  of  considerable 
activity  in  the  development  and  application 
of  the  new  style,  while  there  are  a  number  of 
workers  in  this  field  in  America.  Modern 
art  is  likely  to  have  an  appeal  wherever  peo- 
ple are  subject  to  the  influence  of  the  Machine, 
which,  according  to  those  regarded  as  authori- 
ties in  such  matters,  has  already  brought  about 
the  general  simplifications  in  women's  clothes. 
It  seems  plausible  that  in  the  next  few  years, 
Art  Moderne  may  find  a  vogue. 

Naturally  this  discussion  is  entirely  general, 
a  mere  presentation  of  the  idea  itself.  It  is 
conceivable  that  a  theatre  may  be  built  in  the 
not  far  distant  future  in  which  the  whole 
decorative  motif  may  be  Modern.  Even  the 
architecture  could  adopt  the  new  style,  espe- 
cially if  the  theatre  were  located  in  a  sky- 
scraper of  the  new  tower  or  "block-house" 
type.    But  in  the  meantime,  what? 

*  *     * 

There  are  picture  houses  being  erected  to- 
day in  which  the  lounges,  certain  corridors 
and  perhaps  other  chambers  outside  the  audi- 
torium could  be  decorated  and  furnished  in 
modern  art.  Indeed,  those  who  contemplate 
building  a  theatre  might  do  well  to  consider 
a  type  of  architecture  in  which  modern  in- 
teriors, as  well  as  exteriors,  at  least  in  a  modi- 
fied form,  would  be  suitable.  One  may  here 
recall  the  recent  criticism  of  Thomas  E.  Tall- 
madge,  noted  Chicago  architect  and  Fellow  of 
the  American  Institute  of  Architects,  who  in 
his  book,  "The  Story  of  Architecture  in 
America,"  and  in  Better  Theatres,  deplored 
what  he  called  the  gaudy  motion  pictiire  the- 
atres of  today  and  their  conglomerations  of 
Spanish,  Oriental,  Roman  and  other  period 
designs.  He  also  asked  how  long  it  would 
be  before  such  theatres  proved  so  monotonous 
that  they  would  cease  to  attract  patrons  and 
declared  that  the  screen  theatre,  housing  as  it 
does  the  most  modern  of  the  arts,  should  be 
the  leader  in  the  formation  and  development 
of  a  modern  architectural  design. 


oee-" 


~*'^iO 


Cover  removed, 
showing  electro- 
magnets and  mech- 
anism that  permits 
remote-control  oper- 
ation of  the  color 
frames. 


ANNOUNCING        A 

Great  ImpiRovement 

/T  NEW  SPOTLIGHT  with  electro  -  magnetic 
^^t^yji  device  for  remote  control  of  its  color  frames — 
permitting  an  endless  variety  of  changing  color  - 
lighting  effects  —  all  controlled  from   a  central  point. 

Never  before  has  there  been  such  a  demand  for  color  lighting — and 
never  before  has  there  been  available  a  spotlight  as  flexible  in  its 
control,  as  boundless  in  its  range  of  colors,  as  satisfactory  in  opera- 
tion, as  this  new  Kliegl  Spotlight — that  allows  its  entire  service, 
including  white  lighting,  color  lighting,  and  dimming,  all  to  be  con- 
trolled from  a  distant  point. 

Already  in  successful  operation  in  sev- 
eral prominent  newly-erected  theatres 
(names  on  request),  it  promises  to 
revolutionize  present-day  practice  of 
color  -  lighting.  One  spotlight  or  a 
group  of  spotlights  can  be  controlled 
with  ease.  Colors  can  be  blended  to 
produce  most  unusual  effects.  Fewer 
spotlights  are  needed  —  one  group 
doing  the  same  work  that  required 
several  groups  heretofore.  More  light 
can  be  obtained  from  any  given  num- 
ber of  spotlights.  The  spotlights  can 
be  located  in  the  most  inaccessible 
places  and  yet  be  operated  without  the 
least  difficulty  from  the  switchboard  or 
some  other  convenient  location.  They 
save  time,  trouble,  and  expense,  give 
a  greater  and  better  service. 


Kliegl  Spotlight  No.  72  with  electro- 
magnetic Color-frame  Control;  for 
1000-watt  G40  or  2000-watt  G48  con- 
centrated filament  lamp,  with  6-inch 
lens,  automatic  color-frame  control, 
four  color  frames,  mirrored-glass  reflec- 
tor, and  short  pedestal  stand. 


Write  for  an  interesting  folder,  Bulletin  No.  3,  which 
illustrates  and  describes  the  many  advantages,  uses, 
and    special   features    of   this    new   Kliegl    Spotlight. 


UNIVERSAt  EUCTRIC  STAGE  UGHTING  Cxy.,m& 

S2t  West  50th  SxREef 
NEW  yoRii.t^.^ 


28 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


S    m    HISTOKY 


rom  one  Exhibitor 
io  Another 


THE  matter  of  choosing  an  organ  for 
a  theatre  is  of  prime  importance.  It 
is  something  that  should  not  be  done  in 
haste,  to  be  repented  at  leisure. 

In  their  deliberations  before  a  choice, 
an  ever-growing  number  of  exhibitors 
are  turning  to  Page  architects — are  turn- 
ing to  the  Page  Unit  Organ. 

This  is  only  natural,  seeing  that  the 
performance  of  the  Page  is  so  truly  re- 
markable, that  theatre  owners  speak  of 
it  with  pride. 

And  from  one  exhibitor  to  another 
there  often  goes  out  the  word,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  letter  reproduced  here : 

"The  general  work  all  through  their 
organ  is  the  best  I  have  ever  seen  and 
the  tonal  quality  surely  is  wonderful 
.  .  .  We  feel  satisfied  that  Page  will 
more  than  meet  our  demands." 

You  want  to  be  satisfied,  too.  We  in- 
vite you  to  investigate  Page  ability  to 
serve  you  more  than  acceptably. 

THE  PAGE  ORGAN  COMPANY 

523  North  Jackson  Street 
Lima,  Ohio 


'!•! 


I'' 'A 
JiUiiidJ 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


HUftC  IN  THE  THEATRE 


Why 

Be 

ALARMED/ 

By  ALBERT  F.  BROWN 

Feature    organist    at    the    Granada    and 
J^arhro    theatres   in   Chicago. 


WHAT    does    the    coming    of    talking 
pictures     quite     generally    throughout 
the     country,     mean     to     the     theatre 
organist? 

It  is  a  pretty  live  question  among  organists 
right  now.  And  although  some  organists  with 
whom  I  have  talked  are  a  little  too  much 
alarmed  for  this  stage  of  the  innovation,  it  is 
certainly  natural  that  the  console  artist  should 
consider  his  position  in  the  situation. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  talking  pictures  will 
be  well  established  within  a  comparatively 
short  time.  They  will  bring  brand  new  con- 
ditions for  most  organists.  For  me,  they  are 
somewhat  an  old  story,  for  Marks  Brothers 
has  been  presenting  Vitaphone  for  over  a 
year  and  a  half,  and  Movietone  for  several 
months.  And  I  know  of  several  organists 
who  are  in  about  the  same  position.  As  a 
result,  perhaps  I  am  able  to  view  the  rela- 
tionship of  talking  pictures  to  the  organist 
better  than  the  average  theatre  organist. 

Anyone  can  think  back  and  see  how  new 
processes  have  come  into  well  established  ways 
of  doing  things  and  remember  how  much 
alarm  was  felt  by  some  who  feared  a  com- 
plete change.  It  is  true  that  the  automobile 
has  just  about  put  old  Dobbin  out  of  business, 
but  on  the  other  hand  it  is  practically  certain 
that  the  airplane  will  never  make  the  auto- 
mobile a  thing  of  the  past.  When  new  things 
come,  one  must  see  exactly  what  their  pur- 
poses are  in  order  to  see  what  their  conse- 
quences may  be.  I  have  tried  to  do  that  in 
connection  with  my  job  as  an  organist  in 
theatres  having  talking  pictures — and  in  con- 
sideration of  this  sudden  widespread  interest 
in  synchronized  films. 

I  do  not  think  that  the  talking  pictures  will 
make  any  material  difference  to  the  organists 
in    the    more    prosperous  -theatres    or    in    the 


Designing — Painting — Draperies 

Creators  of  Scenic  Effects 

SCENIC 


STUDIOS 

Serving  representative  presentation 
houses     throughout     the     country 


307  West  47th  St. 


New  York  City 


Your    Goodbye    Ki: 


tfFilTn 

s-=^ 

3      m 

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i 

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j. 

Moonlight    on    the    Danube 


And  still  screen  dramas  -proceed  to  insjiire  "Tin  Pan  Alley."  Here  are  a 
cowrie  examples  of  the  current  vogue,  both  from  the  publishing  house  of 
Villa  J^oret.  "Moonlight  on  the  Danube'  was  written  as  a  theme  song  for 
"The  Blue  Danube,"  Pathe  production  starring  Leatnce  Joy.  "Your  Goodbye 
K.iss"  serves  the  same  ^ur^ose  for  "The  Goodbye  Kiss,"  tuhich  J^ack  Sennett 
•produced   for   First   National    release. 


deluxe  houses.  The  theatre  organist  is  far 
in  advance  of  his  position  of  a  few  years  ago. 
Then  most  organs  were  of  comparatively  in- 
different type,  while  those  who  played  it  for 
the  most  part  had  nothing  else  to  do  but  follow 
a  picture,  and  doing  that  in  an  indifferent 
sort  of  way.  But  that  is  no  longer  the 
organist's  main  job.  He  is  now  a  feature,  a 
definite  attraction,  drawing  people  into  the 
theatre  to  the  same  extent  that  some  of  the 
other  attractions  do^even  as  talking  pictures 
themselves  do,  or  will  do  when  they  cease 
to  be  a  novelty  and  must  rest  on  their  own 
merits  as  entertainment. 

The  organ  solo  is  considered  by  thousands 
of  patrons  of  motion  picture  theatres  all  over 


Just  0  $11^ 

Snap  RECO  Color  Hoods — half  or 
full   liuoils — on   to   clear   lamps  of 
standard  sizes,  and  you  instantly 
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won't    taOe    or    wash    out    like 
dippe.1    bulbs   do.      Choice   of 
seven   brilliant  colors. 
Write  for  bulletin  describing 


^^^e^CoIor 


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2651     W.    Congress    St. 
CHICAGO 

Mauufacturers  also  ot 
Motors.  Flashers.  Trafflu 
Controls,  Signboaid  He- 
Hectors.  Food  Mixers, 
Vegetable   Peelers,    etc. 


ZD 


the  country  as  something  very  much  worth 
listening  to.  Thousands  of  theatres  are  very 
successful  with  community  sings,  while  in 
many  of  those  same  theatres  and  in  a  lot  of 
others  besides,  the  organ,  especially  as  it  can 
be  aided  by  the  effects  of  the  theatre,  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  finest  instruments  for 
classical  and  semi-classical  music.  ■  Witness, 
for  example,  the  solo  hours  in  many  theatres, 
and  also  the  success  of  the  organ  solo 
hours  over  the  radio.  Therefore,  can  it  be 
thought  that  exhibitors  will  throw  away  the 
opportunity  this  instrument  provides  for 
pleasing  patrons? 

As  for  the  reproducing  of  organ  music 
mechanically,  I  do  not  think  that  even  this 
would  supplant  the  flesh-and-blood  organist  in 
the  theatre.  In  many  cases,  the  personal 
contact,  the  followers  that  many  soloists  have, 


LOU  SAMMS 

Radium  Effects  and  Novelties 
Samples   on   Request 

177  North  State  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


i 


50 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


WWtlNBOOKS 


Let  Us  Quote  on  Your 
Fall  Ticket  Requirements 

You  have  much  to  gain  by  placing 
your  ticket  order  for  completion  during 
the  dull  summer  months. 

We  will  quote  especially  attractive 
prices  on  work  which  we  can  complete 
in  the  next  six  weeks — in  order  to  re- 
lieve our  plant  as  much  as  possible  from 
the  hectic  annual  autumn  rush. 

Also — Let  us  figure  on  all  your  ticket  needs 

Ask  for  the  booklet  illustrated  above.    It  is  free. 

The  Arcus  Ticket  Co.,  346  N.  Ashland  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Mention  Exhibitors  Herald 


G7/i'ARCus  Ticket  Co. 

548  KAshland  Ave.  Chicajo.lll. 


THE 

REPRODUCO 

PIPE 

ORGAN 


RECENT    INSTALLATIONS: 

Franklin  Theatre,   Syracuse,   N.   Y. 
Grand    Theatre,    McCamey,    Tex. 
Midland   Theatre,    Newark,   Ohio. 
Auditorium   Theatre,    Marietta,    Ohio. 
Grand  Theatre,  Greenfield,  Iowa. 
Utopia  Theatre,    Sheffield,   Pa. 
G.    M.   Johns,   Morgantown,   W.  Va. 
Maple    Heights    Theatre,    Maple    Heights, 

Ohio. 
E.   F.J'enny,    St.   Louis,   Mo. 


IN  BUYING  A  PIPE  ORGAN 

Consider  First 

SIMPLICITY  OF  CONSTRUCTION 

Fewer  parts — Better  parts — mean  Longer  Life,  Less  to 
get  out  of  order,  and  more  dependable  service. 

The  Reproduce  gives  better  music  yet  only  uses  about 
half  as  many  parts  as  most  organs.  Reduces  possibility 
of  trouble  50%,  increases  satisfaction  100%.  Insures 
better  music  at  more  reasonable  cost  per  year. 

There's  a  Reproduco  suitable  for  every  house.  Every 
style  has  Reproduco  Simplicity  and  Service  that  Satisfies. 

1700  Daily  Users 

The  Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  Co. 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  Co., 
715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Send    me    descriptive    booklet    and    names    of    users    of    the 
Reproduco  Theatre  Organs. 

Name 


City.. 


State.. 


]S  one  of  the  most  important  factors  in  the 
success  of  the  theatre.  Then  too,  in  com- 
munity sings  the  mechanical  organ  solo  is 
entirely  out  of  the  question  for  it  would  be 
merely  a  stiff  routine  and  not  flexible  and 
adaptable  enough  to  be  successful. 
*     *     * 

Another  important  point  in  the  consideration 
of  the  organist  and  his  relation  to  talking 
pictures  is  this :  No  theatre  could  long  endure 
with  mechanical  music  playing  hour  after 
hour.  There  seems  to  me  considerable  dif- 
ference between  the  so-called  "canned"  music 
and  the  real  thing.  Even  when  the  mechanical 
kind  is  very  well  done  and  is  truly  beautiful, 
shutting  it  off  and  letting  the  real  musicians 
play  still  brings  a  lot  of  difference. 

Most  of  us  remember  the  days  when  one 
watched  pictures  while  someone  played  a  piano 
in  the  pit,  continuously,  as  long  as  one  was 
in  the  theatre.     As  competent  as  it  sometimes 


Albert  F.  Brown 


was,  how  monotonous  even  in  those  days ! 

Variety  is  the  spice  of  motion  picture  en- 
tertainment, as  it  is  of  most  everything.  The 
good  showman  knows  that  he  must  have  a 
"combination  of  contrasts."  There  must  be 
enough  different  parts  to  a  program,  and  each 
one  must  be  timed  wisely  enough,  to  keep 
the  patron  interested,  alert  and  sensitive  to 
what  is  going  on  for  his  entertainment. 
Monotony  is  the  death  of  appreciation — and 
of  a  theatre  that  permits  it. 
*    *    * 

And  for  these  reasons  I  do  not  think  that 
motion  picture  theatres  for  the  most  part  will 
give  up  their  organists.  I  do  not  know  how 
well  or  completely  I  have  expressed  my  feeling 
in  this  matter,  but  I  do  know  that  I  can  see 
no  reason  for  the  alarm  some  organists  are 
showing.  There  will  have  to  be  adjustments 
to  this  new  condition,  as  there  were  to  many 
others  before.  But  in  the  end  there  will  be 
the  console  artist  seated  at  his  instrument,  in 
personal,  human  touch  with  his  patrons. 


FARMINGDALE.  N.  Y. — Extensive  improvements 
having  been  completed,  the  Dale  theatre,  formerly  the 
Unique,  has  reopened  under  the  management  of  W. 
T.  Bainbridge. 

BUFFALO,  N.  Y. — Liberty  theatre,  with  seating 
capacity  of  600,  located  on  Jefferson  avenue,  recently 
purchased  by  David  Kreiger  of  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  is 
being  redecorated. 

CLEVELAND,  C— Majestic  theatre,  C.  L.  Nyerges, 
manager,  1783  West  Twenty-fifth  street,  has  plans  by 
Henry  Hradilek,  902  Park  Building,  for  alterations  to 
Majestic  theatre,  located  at  1783  West  Twenty-fifth 
street. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH.— A  new  lighting  sys- 
tem  has  been   installed   in   the   Victory  theatre. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH.— The  Jewel  theatre, 
recently  badly  damaged  by  fire,  has  been  remodeled, 
redecorated  and  reopened  under  the  management  of 
W.  D.  Harrison.  House  was  formerly  known  as  the 
Photoplay. 

WHEELING,  W.  VA. — Extensive  improvements  are 
being  made  to  the  Lyric  theatre. 


Expedition — promptness — that's  what  counts  when 
you  need  service.  "No  show"  means  no  "gate"  and  no 
theatre  manager  can  laugh  that  off. 

But  there's  a  National  branch  near  you  where  ex- 
perts are  ready  to  answer  your  S.  O.  S. — day  and  night; 
and  where  complete  service  and  repair  equipment  is  in- 
stantly available. 

Only  a  far-reaching  organization  like  National  Thea- 
tre Supply  Company  could  offer  you,  at  a  moment's 
notice,  service  that's  swift,  sure,  and  economical.  And 
this  service  is  maintained  for  your  convenience  and  pro- 
tection. 

Dont  wait  till  trouble  comes.  Get  acquainted  with 
National  now.  We  serve  in  every  capacity  wherein  the 
furnishing  and  maintaining  of  theatre  equipment  is  con- 
cerned .  .  .  from  stage  screw  to  pipe  organ. 

There's  a  National  Theatre  Supply  branch  near  you. 


^]Vational^heatre  Suppl^'^omtJan)^ 


(«;|#frfr|r| 


Palace  Theatre 
Canton,  Ohio 


Equipped  with 

KILGEN 

Wonder  Organl^^ 


To  the  theatre-owner  this  phrase  means  the  possession  of  an  asset  ■which 
enhances  the  reputation  of  his  house,  and  whose  musical  perfection  is  per- 
manently built-in  by  its  master-makers  .  .  .  And  to  the  patron  it  means  a 
never-failing  attraction,  the  speaking,  living,  thrilling  Voice  of  the  Silent 
Drama.  Kilgen  Wonder  Organs  are  individually  designed  in  styles  and  sizes 
for  the  largest  or  smallest  theatres.  Only  one  quality;  Kilgen  standard. 

Send  for  Catalog,  or  write  National  Theatre  Supply  Company,  Distributors 


BRENOGSAPn 


Projects     Everything     But     the     P  i  c  t  u  r 


The  Master  Brenograph  is  the  latest 
Brenkert  creation  for  pepping  up  those 
lagging  motion  picture  programs.  It  is  an 
absolutely  new  device  in  the  form  of  a 
universal  effect  projector  which  gives  to 
the  exhibitor  unlimited  opportimities  for 
dressing  up  his  programs  in  an  entirely 
original  fashion. 

Something  radically  new — yet  tried  and 
tested,    day    after    day,    for    a    period    of 

mm 


months  in  Detroit's  largest  and  most  beau- 
tiful theatre  to  the  intense  delight  of  the 
theatre's  owner  and  its  patrons.  An  in- 
stantaneous success,  the  Master  Breno- 
graph opens  up  a  wealth  of  entertainment 
to  all  theatres,  regardless  of  size.  Special 
literature,  completely  illustrating  and  de- 
scribing this  ace  of  all  projectors,  may  be 
had  by  filling  in  and  mailing  the  coupon 
below. 


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ST.  AUBIN  AT  E.  GRAND  BLVD. 
DETROIT,  MICHIGAN 


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BETTER  THEATRES 
Information  and 
Catalog  Bureau 


"Better  Theatres"  offers  on  this  page  an  individual  service  to 
its  readers.  Detailed  information  and  catalogs  concerning  any 
product  listed  herewith  will  be  sent  to  any  theatre  owner,  man- 
ager, architect  or  projectionist.  Just  fill  in  the  coupon  below 
and  mail  to  "Better  Theatres"  Division  of  Exhibitors  Herald 
and  Moving  Picture  World.  Many  of  the  products  listed  by 
this  Bureau  are  advertised  in  this  issue  of  "Better  Theatres." 
See  Advertisers  Index. 


1  Accounting  lyttems. 

2  Acouttical    installation!. 

3  Adapters,  carbon. 

4  Adding,    calculating    maotilnei. 

5  Admiiilon  signs. 

(  Addressing  mactilnes, 

7  Advertising  novelties,  materials. 

t  Advertising  projects. 

9  Air  conditioning  equipment. 

10  Air  dome  tents. 

11  Aisle  lights. 

12  Aisle  rope. 

13  Alarm  signals. 

14  Are  lamps,  reflecting. 

15  Architectural   service. 
IS  Arc  regulators. 

17  Artificial   plants,  flowers. 

18  Art  titles. 

19  Automatic  curtain  control. 

20  Automatic  projection   cutouts. 

21  Automatic  sprinklers. 

21  Automatio  sprinklers. 

B 

22  Balloons,  advertising. 

23  Banners. 

24  Baskets,  decorative. 

25  Bell-buzzer  signal  systems. 
2S  Blocks,  pulleys,  stage-rigging. 

27  Blowers,  hand. 

28  Booking  agencies  for  musicians. 

29  Booking   agencies    (state  kind). 

30  Boilers. 

31  Bolts,  Chair  anchor. 

32  Booths,  projection. 

33  Booths,  ticket. 

34  Box,   logo  chair*. 

35  Brass  grills. 
3S  Brass  rails. 

37  Brokers-Theatre   promotion. 

38  Bulletin  boards,  changeable. 

C 

39  Cable. 

40  Cabinets. 

41  Calcium    lights. 

42  Cameras. 

43  Canopies  for  fronts. 

44  Carbons. 

45  Carbon  sharpeners. 

46  Carbon  wrenches. 

47  Carpets. 

48  Carpet  cushion. 

49  Carpet  Cleaning  compound. 

50  Carpet  covering. 

51  Cases,  film  shipping. 

52  Cement,  film. 

53  Chair  covers. 
84  Chairs,  wicker. 
65  Chairs,  theatre. 

56  Change  makers. 

57  Changer  overs. 
68  Color  hoods, 
59  Color  wheels. 
GO  Condensers, 

D 

61  Date  strips. 

62  Decorations  (stats  kind). 


63  Decorators,  theatrs. 

64  Dimmers. 

65  Disinfectants — perfumed. 

66  Doors,  fireproof. 

67  Draperies. 

68  Drinking  fountains. 

69  Duplicating  machines. 

E 

70  Electric   circuit   testing    Instru- 
ments. 

71  Electric  fans. 

72  Electrical  flowers. 

73  Eieotrlo  power  generating 
plants. 

74  Electric  signs. 

75  Electric  signal  and  control  sys- 
tems. 

78  Emergency  lighting  plants. 

77  Exit  light  signs. 

F 

78  Film  cleaners. 

79  FlimspMcing  machine. 

80  Film  tools  (state  kind). 

81  Film  waxing  machin*. 

82  Fire  alarms. 

83  Firs  escapes. 

84  Fire  extinguishers. 

85  Fire  hoss. 

86  Fire  hose  reels,  carts. 

87  Fire  proof  curtains. 

88  Fire  proof  doors. 

89  Fire  proofing  materials. 

90  Fixtures,  lighting. 

91  Flashlights. 

92  Flashers,  Electrlo  sign. 

93  Flood  lighting. 

94  Floorilghts. 

95  Floor  ceverlni, 

96  Floor  runners. 

97  Flowers,  artificial. 

98  Footlights. 

99  Fountains,  decorative. 

100  Fountains,  drinking. 

101  Frames-poster,  lobby  display. 

102  Fronts,  metal  theatre, 

103  Furnaces,  coal  burning. 

104  Furnaces,  oil  burning. 

105  Furnlturs,  theatr*. 

106  Fuses. 

G 

107  Generators. 

108  Grilles,  brass. 

109  Gummed  labels. 

110  Gypsum  products. 

H 

111  Hardware,  stage. 

112  Heating  system,  coal. 

113  Heating  system,  oil. 

114  Ink,  pencils  for  slides. 

115  Insurance,  Fire. 

116  Insurance,  Rain. 

117  Interior  decorating  service. 

118  Interior  Illuminated  signs. 

J 

119  Janitors'  supplies. 


120  Labels,  film  oautloD. 

121  Lamps,  decorative. 

122  Lamp  dip  coloring. 

123  Lamps,  general   lighting. 

124  Lamps,  incandescent  projection. 

125  Lamps,  high   Intensity. 

126  Lamps,  reflecting  arc. 

127  Lavatory  equipment  furnish- 
ings. 

128  Lavatory  fixtures. 

129  Ledgers,   theatre. 

130  Lenses. 

131  Lights,  exit. 

132  Lights,  spot. 

133  Lighting  fixtures. 

134  Lighting   Installations. 

135  Lighting   systems,   complete. 

136  Linoleum. 

137  Liquid  soap. 

138  Liquid  soap  containers. 

139  Lithographers. 

140  Lobby  display  frames, 

141  Lobby  gazing  balls. 

142  Lobby  furniture. 

143  Lobby  decorations. 

144  Lubricants   (state  kind). 

145  Luminous  numbers. 

146  Luminous  signs,  interior, 
exterior. 

M 

147  Machines,   ticket. 

148  Machines,   pop  corn. 

149  Machines,  sanitary  vending. 

150  Make  up,  boxes,  theatrical, 

151  Marble. 

152  Marquise. 

153  Mats,  leather. 

164  Mats  and  ninners. 

155  Mazda  projection  adapters. 

156  Metal  lath, 

157  Metal  polish. 

158  Mirror,  shades, 

159  Motor  generators. 

160  Motion  picture  cable. 

Itl  Musical   Instruments  (stats 
kind). 

162  Music  publisher*. 

163  Music  roils. 

164  Muslo  stands. 


166  Napkins. 

166  Novelties,  advertising. 

167  Nursery  furnlshints  and 
equipment. 

0 

168  oil  burners. 

169  Orchestral  pieces. 

170  Orchestra   pit   fittings,   furnish- 
ings. 

171  Organs. 

172  Organ  novelty  slide*. 

173  Organ  lifts. 

174  Organ  chamber  heaters. 
176  Ornamental  fountains. 
176  Ornamental  metal  work. 


177  Ornamental  metal  theatr* 
fronts. 

P 

178  Paint  screen. 

179  Paper  drinking  cups. 

180  Paper  towel*. 

181  Perfumer*. 

182  Photo  frame*. 

183  Pianos. 

184  Picture  sets. 

185  Player  pianos. 

186  Plastic  fixtures  and  decorations. 

187  Plumbing  fixtures. 

188  Positive  film. 

189  Posters. 

190  Poster  frames. 

191  Poster  lights. 

192  Poster  paste. 

193  Portable  projector*. 

194  Pottery  decorative. 

195  Power  generating  plant*. 

196  Printing,  theatre. 

197  Program*. 

198  Program  covers. 

199  Program  signs,  illuminated. 

200  Projection   lamps. 

201  Projection  machine*. 

202  Projection  machine  parts. 

203  Projection  room  equipment. 

R 

204  Radiators. 

206  Radiator   covers. 

206  Ralls,    brass. 

207  Rails,  rop*. 

208  Rain    insuranc*. 

209  Rectifiers. 

210  Reconstruction  service. 

211  Redecorating  servioe. 

212  Reflectors    (stats    kind). 

213  Refurnishing   service. 

214  Regulators,   Mazda. 

215  Reels. 

216  Reel  end  signals. 

217  Reel  packing,  carrying  eases. 

218  Resonant  orchestra   platform. 

219  Reseating  service. 

220  Rewinding   film. 

221  Rheostats, 

222  Rigging,    stage. 

223  Roofing   materials. 

8 

224  Safe*,  film. 

225  Scenery,  *tag*. 

22C  Scenic  artists'  service. 

227  Soreen*. 

228  Soreen   paint. 

229  Seat   coven. 

230  Seat  Indicators,  vacant 

231  Seats,  theatres. 

232  Sign*  (state  kind). 

233  Signs,  parking. 

234  Signals,    reel   end. 

235  Sign  flashers. 

236  Sign-cloth. 

237  Sign   lettering   service. 

238  Sidewalk    machines,    corn    pop- 
per*. 


239  Slide*. 

240  Slide  ink,  pencils. 

241  Slide  lantern*. 

242  Slide  making  outfit*. 

243  Slide   mat*. 

244  Shutters,    metal   fir*. 

245  Soap   containers,    liquid. 

246  Speed   indicators. 

247  Spotlights. 

248  Stage  doors-valances,  eto. 

249  Stage  lighting  equipment. 

250  Stags  iishtlng  systems. 

251  Stage  rigging-blocks,  pulleys, 

252  Stage  scenery. 

253  Stair  treads. 

254  Statuary. 

255  Steel   lockers. 

256  Stereopticons. 

257  Sweeping  compounds. 

258  Switchboards. 

259  Switches,  automatle. 

T 

260  Talley  counters. 

261  Tapestries. 

262  Tax  free  music. 

263  Telephone*,     inter-eommunlcat- 
Ing. 

264  Temperature  regulation  system. 

265  Terra  Cotta. 

266  Terminals. 

267  Theatre    accounting    systems. 

268  Theatre  dimmere. 

269  Theatre  seat*. 

270  Ticket*. 

271  Ticket  booth*. 

272  Ticket  chopper*. 

273  Ticket  holder*. 

274  Ticket  rack*. 

275  Ticket  eelllng  machine*. 

276  Tile. 

277  Tile  stands. 

278  Tool  cases,  operator's. 

279  Towel*,    paper. 

280  Towels,  oletti. 

281  Trailers. 

282  Transformer*. 

283  Tripods. 

284  Turnstiles,   reolsterlng. 

285  Typewriters. 

U 

286  Uniforms. 

V 

287  Valances,  for  boxes. 

288  Vases,   stone. 

289  Vacuum  cleaner*. 

290  Ventilating  fan*. 

291  Ventilating,   cooling  tystem. 

292  Ventilating    systems,    complete. 

293  Vending    machines,    toap,    tow- 
els, napkins,  eto. 

294  Vltrellt*. 

W 

295  Wall  burlap. 

296  Wall  leather. 

297  Watchman's  olscks. 

298  Water  cooler*. 

299  Wheels,  color. 


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July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


1  Learn  About 
Organs 

{Continued   from  page    18) 

construction  of  small-scaled  orchestral  strings. 

There  are  special  mixtures  for  the  Diapasons. 
The  metal  is  cast  in  extra  heavy  sheets  and 
this,  it  was  explained  to  me,  is  why  Diapasons 
in  a  Kilgen  organ  always  produce  ample  power 
and  volume.  The  string  bases  are  made  of  the 
best  annealed  zinc  with  inserted  soft  metal 
mouths,  reinforced  languids  and  toes  for  voic- 
ing and  tone  regulating.  The  orchestral  reeds, 
such  as  the  tuba,  saxophone,  etc.,  are  made 
with  brass  resonators  when  practical,  duplicat- 
ing actual  orchestral  instruments.  All  this 
work  is  done  within  the  Kilgen  plant. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  organ  is  the 
swell  action  of  expression  shutters.  These 
must  be  of  sufficient  thickness  and  in  exact 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  instrument.  More- 
over, they  must  be  instantaneous  in  response, 
and  noiseless.  They  are  made  of  laminated 
construction  for  durability  and  are  soundproof. 

In  the  Voicing  Department  are  interna- 
tionally known  specialists  working  on  the  vari- 
ous instruments  and  voicing  them  to  perfec- 
tion. These  "voicers"  are  super-musicians  in 
the  accuracy  of  their  sense  of  tone  and  pitch, 
and  add  to  that  quality  a  special  craftsmanship 
of  the  highest  order. 

Many  factors  enter  into  the  work  of  voicing. 
For  example,  a  special  study  is  made  of  the 
building  where  the  organ  is  to  be  installed. 
Accoustics,  hard  or  soft  plaster,  cushioned 
seats,  size,  construction,  climatic  conditions — • 
all  must  be  taken  into  acount  and  a  skillful 
adaptation  of  the  voicing  of  the  organ  brought 
about  to  assure  a  perfect  result. 

In  the  Trap  and  Percussion  Department  are 
all  kinds  of  drums,  a  harp,  cymbal  chimes, 
xj-lophone  and  even  a  grand  piano — all  for  use 
in  the  Wonder  Organ.  So  perfect  is  the  Kilgen 
organ  piano-control  that  it  is  possible  to  ac- 
tually transfer  the  touch  of  the  organist  at  the 
console  to  the  piano  many  feet  away  and  give 
the  effect  of  the  artist  actually  at  the  piano. 

As  we  reached  the  great  erecting  room 
where  an  entire  organ  was  set  up  and  being 
tested  the  magnificence  and  beauty  of  the  as- 
sembled product  was  revealed.  Every  organ 
is  given  an  operative  test  before  it  gets  the 
final  approval.  With  many  years  experience  in 
building  high-grade  pipe  organs,  and  with  high 
ideals  as  to  quality  which  have  been  main- 
tained for  over  a  century  the  Kilgen  company 
exercises  great  care  in  testing  every  organ  it 
builds. 

In  the  Installation  and  Service  Department 
is  kept  a  card  index  record  of  every  Kilgen 
organ.  In  this  department  are  men  whose  duty 
is  to  travel,  often  to  foreign  countries,  and  in- 
stall and  finish  organs  in  the  auditoriums  for 
which  they  were  built.  There  is  also  a  corps 
of  service  men  whose  duty  it  is  to  service  and 
adjust  old  Kilgen  organs. 

This  completes  my  inspection  of  the  various 
departments  of  this  great  organ  factory.  In 
my  next  article  I  will  tell  about  the  importance 
of  proper  placing  of  an  organ  in  the  theatre. 


"Little  Wildcae'  to  Be 

Next  Warner  '"Talkie" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— "The  Little 
Wildcat"  will  be  the  next  Warner  picture 
with  sound  and  voice  accompaniment  to  go 
into  production.  Audrey  Ferris,  James 
Murray,  Doris  Dawson,  George  Fawcett, 
Claude  Gillingwater  and  Hallam  Cooley 
have  already  been  cast  for  important  parts. 
Jolson's  "The  Singing  Fool,"  "Noah's  Ark" 
and  "The  Terror"  are  now  in  production. 


CHANNON    STAGE    EQUIPMENT 

Used  Exclusively  in 

EDWARDS  THEATRE,  EAST  HAMPTON,  N.  Y. 


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New    United    Artists    Theatre,    Detroit   uses    2    BRANDTS 

%e  Outward  Sign  of  Supreme  Service 

It  is  no  mere  coincidence  that  the  Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  is 
almost  invariably  seen  in  the  box  office  of  theatres  famous  for 
their  service.  For  the  Brandt  has  over  and  over  again  proved  itself 
indispensable    in    handling    crowds    smoothly,    quietly   and    quickly. 

TTie  ticket  seller  presses  one-key  only corresponding  to  the  ticket 

price.     Instantly auto-matically the    Brandt    delivers    the    correct 

change  direct  to  the  patron.  That's  why  theatre  goers  alvkrays  asso- 
ciate the  Brandt  w^ith  de  luxe  service. 


THEATRE  MODEL 


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not  through  dealers 

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32 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


BUILT  on   MERIT 


Stage  Settings — Draperies 

Built  and  Painted  Scenery 

Asbestos  Curtains 

Rigging 


FOR  THEATRES 

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INDUSTRIAL  EXPOSITIONS 


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combined  with  the  new  and  guaranteed 


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BUSINESS 

The  Biggest  Buy  for  the  Money 
the  World  Over! 


DISTRIBUTORS — Few    Open    Territories    Available   for   Commercial    Trade 


The  Helth-Dri,  a  product  of  the 
jyiilwauhee  Engineering  &  lu.anu- 
facturing  Company,  is  described  as 
an  efficient,  electrically  operated, 
bloiver  ty^e  drier  for  the  wash- 
rooms of  the  theatre.  The  basis  of 
its  method  of  drying  is  evaporation, 
and  through  this  means  it  elimi- 
nates the  possibility  of  transmitting 
diseases.  The  Helth-Dn  is  34 
inches  high,  10  by  16  inches  at  ths 
base,  and  is  built  of  cast  iron  with 
heavy  white  enamel  finish,  with  the 
metal  ^arts  of  tri'^le  nickel  ^late. 

Saxes  in  Wisconsin  Field 
Again;  Buy  Madison  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MADISON,  WIS.,  July  3.— Thomas  and 
John  Saxe  have  re-entered  the  theatre  field 
in  Wisconsin  by  taking  over  the  New 
Capitol  theatre,  Madison.  Art  Desormeaux, 
manager  of  the  Capitol,  has  resigned  and 
will  take  over  the  management  of  the 
Strand  of  which  he  is  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. Len  Brown,  manager  of  the  Parkway, 
has  succeeded  Desormeaux  as  the  manager 
of  the  Capitol. 


Trade  O.K.,  Says  Young 

H.  C.  Young  of  the  Chicago  office  of 
National  Screen  Service,  reports  that  busi- 
ness in  his  section  is  holding  its  own. 
"People  don't  fall  for  that  'presidential  year' 
scare  anymore,"  he   declares. 


Joins  National  Screen 

C.  W.  Vidor  has  joined  the  sales  force  of 
National  Screen  Service.  He  will  cover  the 
Illinois  territory. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Panel  ■prejiared  by  thr: 
author  demonstrating 
the  use  of  the  all-over 
stencil.  Not  only  the 
general  outlines  of 
the  design  and  the 
borders  were  got  with 
the  stencil,  but  the 
interior  figures  as 
tuell. 


The  ''AllOver''  Stencil 
in  Wall  Decoration 


gir  The  process  described  in  this  issue  may  be 
^  used  in  decorating  the  spacious  sections  of 
the  theatre — the  foyer,  auditorium,  etc. 


By  HAWLEY  M.  LASHER 

Instructor  in  Interior  Decoration,  Illinois  College  of  Painting 
and  Decorating 


MANY  are  the  effects  to  be  got  with 
paint — and  in  that  statement  I  do  not 
mean  to  depart  from  the  serious  sub- 
ject of  economically  decorating  a  theatre. 
The  art  of  making  a  girl  look  like  something 
she  ain't,  as  the  jingle  of  our  childhood  put 
it,  is  an  interesting  subject  but  one  which  [ 
ha\'e  not  got  around  to  consider  as  yet. 

I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  argue  for  the 
truth  of  my  statement  about  the  ability  of 
paint  to  achieve  many  effects,  for  the  illustra- 
tions and  my  descriptions,  I  think,  have  shown 
that  to  those  who  have  followed  this  series. 
However,  a  surprisingly  large  number  of 
people  think  that  painting  is  far  more  lirnited 
than  it  really  is,  and  that  for  some  of  the 
more  pretentious  types  of  work,  as  usually 
found  in  public  buildings,  plastic  decoration 
must  be  resorted  to.  Fortunately,  that  is  not 
true,  for  plastic  decoration  is  expensive  and 
quite  out  of  the  reach  of  the  small  and  in- 
expensive  theatre   to    which    I   refer   in   these 

articles. 

*  *     * 

It  is  true  that  the  calibre  of  decorator  avail- 
able for  many  jobs  of  this  kind  is  not  high. 
Many  decorators,  particularly  many  of  those 
in  small  places,  have  not  any  special  talent 
for  their  work  and  furthermore,  they  are  too 
often  content  to  go  on  without  making  an 
effort  to  improve  themselves.  On  the  other 
hand,  a  large  number  of  the  decorators  I 
have  become  acquainted  with  have  a  very 
definite  talent  but  have  not  developed  it.  The 
type  of  work  I  have  been  presenting  in  these 
pages  does  not  call  for  the  fine  artist.  The 
decorator  of  average  talent  can  do  it  if  he 
has  enough  training.  And  such  a  decorator 
is  the  one  most  likely  to  be  called  m  to  do 
the  small,  inexpensive  theatre. 

In  this  article  I  present  two  wall  designs  and 
the  methods  to  obtain  them,  with  accompany- 
ing illustrations  to  help  make  the  process 
clear.  The  designs  I  have  prepared,  purely 
for  illustrative  purposes  here,  also  indicate 
the  type  of  work  that  can  be  done  in  the 
more  spacious  sections  of  the  theatre— the 
foyer  or  the  auditorium.  And  they  also  are 
examples  of  a  process  I  have  not  mentioned 
before    in    these    articles— application    of    the 

all-over   stencil. 

*  *     * 

In    my    last    article    I    offered    a    simplified 


method  for  obtaining  marble  effects,  which 
may  be  used  to  very  impressive  advantage  on 
a  plain  wall  where  the  decorator  wishes  to 
give  the  impression  of  a  pilaster.  The  s'ame 
general  method  may  be  used  to  get  the  effect 
presented  in  this  article.  Before  proceeding 
with    this    account,    please    indulge    me    long 


Another  ■^anel  design  achieved  with 
an  all-over  stencil.  The  fainting 
was  not  finished  off,  yet  the  silki- 
ness"  of  the  surface  is  readily  no- 
ticeable  even   in   this  re^ftroduction. 


enough  to  let  me  repeat  once  more  that,  I 
am  at  all  times  taking  it  for  granted  that 
the  decorator  I  am  addressing  has  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  color,  and  especially  of 
the  colors  to  be  used  in  graduating  the  tones 
and  shades  harmoniously. 

I  will  consider  the  design  shown  in  the 
larger  illustration.  The  surface,  of  course,  has 
been  prepared  and  painted  to  a  smooth,  semi- 
ifat  finish.  For  the  vertical  lines,  first  lay  out 
the  space  where  the  panel  is  to  be  produced. 
At  this  point  in  the  process  the  decorator  us'es 
vinegar  and  dry  colors,  and  it  is  advisable  to 
prepare  separately  a  quantity  of  each  color 
selected,  making  it  a  very  thin  liquid.  The 
vinegar  is  applied  over  the  entire  space,  and 
this  step  is  followed  by  the  application  of  the 
colors.  In  applying  the  colors,  the  decorator 
places  the  deeper  shape  preferably  on  the 
outer  edge,  brushing  along  a  vertical  strip  of 
predetermined  width.  Two  or  three  colors 
may  be  used  alternately  until  the  field  of  the 
panel  is  covered. 

This  done,  a  stippler,  or  the  flat  side  of  a 
calcimine  brush,  is  applied  downward  through 
the  colors  until  the  decorator  gets  the  exact 
corded  or  ribbed  eftect  that  he  is  after.  It 
should  be  remembered  that  it  is  absolutely 
essential  that  the  colors'  not  be  permitted  to 
set  or  dry  before  the  final  brush  operation  is 
completed. 


In  using  a  stencil  for  the  over-all  pattern, 
the  decorator  should  be  sure  that  the  stencil 
has  sufficient  resistance.  Added  resistance  may 
be  given  the  paper  by  coating  both  sides  of 
it  with  shellac  or  varnish.  In  laying  on  the 
stencil,  the  utmost  care  should  be  taken  that 
the  pattern  is  uniform  on  both  sides.  The 
decorator  should  hold  the  stencil  firmly  in 
place,  then  take  a  sponge  from  which  all 
water  has  been  squeezed  out,  and  then  rub 
it  over  the  surface  of  the  stencil  with  sufficient 
pressure  to  remove  the  colors  exposed 
through  the  open  spaces. 

For  the  borders,  the  decorator  selects  a 
harmonizing  color.  This  may  be  mottled  or 
stippled  for  the  background.  If  the  decorator 
is  unable  to  construct  his  own  border  design, 
he  perhaps  can  secure  a  suitable  stencil  from 


34 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


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THE  HERTNER  ELECTRIC  COMPANY 


1900  W.  114th  Street 


CLEVELAND,  O.,  U.  S.  A. 


IN  ADDITION  TO  YOUR  PICTURES 
—GET  THIS  ADDED  PROFIT— 

READ    WHAT   THESE    LIVE    THEATRE    OWNERS    ARE 
DOING  WITH  A  CRETORS'  POPCORN  MACHINE 

Eacle    River,    Wis. 
I   can   trutMully  say   tlia.t  It  has  not  only   paid  for   itself,   but 
paid  me  a  good  profit  besides.  EAGLE  THEATEE. 

ROSE    THEATRE  Troy,  .N.  Y. 

I  find  It  a  big  money  maker  and  also  a  great  convenience  to  my 
patrons.  I  feel  that  if  Motion  Picture  Theatres  would  look  Into 
this  end  of  the  business,  they  would  find  their  bank  accounts 
would  show  a   bdg  increase.  Jacob  C.  RosenthaL 

THE    OPERA    HOUSE    MiUersburg,    Ohio. 
During    a    thirty-day    period,    we    sold   a    great    deal    more    corn 
than  I  had  any  idea  we  could  and  my  net  profit  far  exceeded  my 
expectations.  Hoy    L.    RusseU. 

The   Cretors'   Way   Is  Easy  To   Pay 

C.  CRETORS  &  COMPANY 

612  W.  22nd  St.  CHICAGO 


the  stock  designs  sold  by  most  of  the  paint 
dealers.  In  some  cases,  in  which  the  owner 
of  the  theatre  wants  to  have  a  job  done  some- 
what finer  than  in  the  average  theatre  of  this 
class,  a  decorator  of  originality  or  even  some 
artist  may  be  procured  to  design  the  stencils. 

This  latter  stencil  may  be  wiped  out  in  the 
s'ame  manner  that  the  over-all  stencil  was 
wiped  out,  or  it  may  be  worked  out  in  dry 
colors  and  viijegar,  with  the  addition  of 
molasses  to  insure  adhesive  strength. 

For  the  style  or  outer  space  around  the 
panel,  the  dry  colors  may  be  used  as  in  the 
panel,  except  that  the  colors  are  spotted  in, 
then  mingled  to  a  soft  blend  and  finally  mot- 
tled with  a  damp  sponge.  This  will  leave  a 
beautiful  tiffany  mottled  effect. 
*     *     * 

When  the  wall  is  completed  and  is  thor- 
oughly dry,  an  oil  glaze  may  be  applied  over 
the  entire  surface.  This  immediately  turns  the 
decoration  into   a  durable  oil  finish. 

The  method  used  in  getting  the  effect  shown 
in  the  smaller  illustration  is  also  that  of  the 
over-all  stencil,  as  just  described.  The  back- 
ground is  produced  by  the  tiffany  mottled 
method,  with  the  over-all  stencil  brushed  in 
with  colors  to  harmonize,  and  the  whole 
treated  with  an  oil  glaze  finishing.  As  will 
be  seen  in  the  illustration,  although  the  design 
was  not  finished  off,  there  is  something  of 
the  efi^ect  of  silk  in  this  decoration,  and  it  is 
therefore  very  suitable  for  large  spaces,  such 
as  those  to  be  found  usually  in  theatre  audi- 
toriums. It  is  also  well  adapted  to  use  in 
corridors,  particularly  those  just  outside  the 
auditorium. 


AC  Announces  New 
Speed  Indicator 


ANEW  precision  film  speed  indicator, 
which  can  be  installed  on  all  motion 
picture  projecting  machines,  is  an- 
nounced by  AC  Spark  Plug  Company  of 
Flint,  Mich.,  a  subsidiary  of  General  Motors 
Corporation. 

A  film  speed  calculator  which  is  furnished 
with  the  speed  indicator  enables  the  oper- 
ator, according  to  the  company,  to  deter- 
mine, regardless  of  the  length  of  the  film, 
the  correct  speed  to  maintain  for  any  de- 
sired performance  schedule.  The  manufac- 
turers of  the  film  speed  indicator  have  long 
been  engaged  in  making  precision  instru- 
ments for  the  automotive  industry,  their 
speedometers,  ammeters,  tachometers  and 
other  instruments  being  in  use  on  millions 
of   automobiles    throughout    the   world. 

The  AC  instrument  indicates  film  speed 
in  feet  per  minute,  so  performances  can  be 
kept  exactly  on  schedule  time.  Feature 
films  and  accompanying  musical  scores  can 
be  synchronized  through  use  of  this  device, 
there  being  no  conflicts  between  screen  and 
stage  performance. 


Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


Is  this  burglar 
spending  your 

money? 

He  has  made  another  successful 
raid  upon  a  moving  picture 
theatre.  The  money  he  is  spend- 
ing upon  Wine,  Women  and 
Automobiles  belongs  to  the 
owner  of  a  theatre  in  a  town  a 
hundred  miles  away. 
Will  he  be  spending  your  money 
next  week?  Not  if  you  install  a 
York  Burglary  Chest. 


York  Safe 
and  Lock 
Company 

York,  Pa, 


AHRACTIVE  ADS 
FILL  YOUR  SEATS 

The  original  ad  mat  service  for  theatres 
supplying  you  with  a  monthly  shipment 
of  borders,  slugs,  ideas  in  mat  form.  All 
illustrations  in  this  ad  ■were  made  from 
mats  in  our  July  issue. 

Theatre  Ad  Mat  Service,  Inc. 

Gen.    Offices   and    Studios   Penn  Theatre   Bldg. 

UNIONTOWN  PA. 

in  M, 


1,668,589.  LAMP-HOUSE  AND  FILM-GATE  CON- 
STRUCTION FOR  MOTION-PICTURE  PROJEC- 
TORS. Clarence  B.  Hall,  Winthrop,  Mass.  Filed 
May  7,  1923.  Serial  No.  637,162.  7  Claims.  (CI.  88 
—24.) 

6.  In  a  lig-ht  projector  for  motion  picture  machines, 
the  combination  of  a  light  source,  a  housing  therefor, 
a  fixed  support,  and  a  gate  secured  to  said  housing 
hinged  to  said  support  and  presenting  a  projecting 
stop  to  limit  swinging  movement  of  said  gate  toward 
said  support. 


Modern 
Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres,  both 
large  and  small  throughout  the 
country  is  to  modernize.  Evidence 
of  this  encouraging  situation  is 
found  in  the  many  installations 
of  equi'^ment  re^^orted  by  leading 
manufacturers. 


Maier-Lavaty  Company 
Uniforms 

Midwesco  theatre,  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  uni- 
form orders  on  the  cutting  tables  for  this 
theatre  described  as  very  neat  and  attrac- 
tively designed  apparel  for  attaches  in  light 
colored  styles  appropriately  braided. 

Orpheum  Circuit,  new  outfits  for  a  num- 
ber of  their  theatres. 

Jefferson  theatre,  Beaumont,  Tex.,  entire 
new  apparel  for  their  staff. 

Knickerbocker  theatre,  Nashville,  Tenn., 
beautiful  new  uniforms. 

Capitol  and  Granada  theatres,  Racine, 
Wis.,  completed  deliveries  a  short  time  ago 
for  these  theatres. 

Marr  8C  Colttm  Company 
Organs 

Queen  Anne  theatre,  Bogota,  N.  J.,  three 
manual. 

Shore  Road  theatre,  Brooklyn,  two  man- 
ual. 

Vilma  theatre,  Baltimore,  Md.,  two  man- 
ual. 

Academy  theatre,  Nunda,  N.  Y.,  two  man- 
ual. 

Park  theatre,  Williamsport,  Pa.,  three 
manual. 

State  theatre,   Fargo,  N.  D.,  two  manual. 

Majestic  theatre,  Racine,  Wis.,  three 
manual. 

Paul  Forster  Studio,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  two 
manual. 

Reg.  Webb  Studio,  Detroit,  Mich.,  three 
manual. 

Reg.  Wedd  Studio,  Detroit,  Mich.,  two 
manual. 

Majestic  theatre,  Wyandotte,  Mich.,  two 
manual. 

Emar  theatre,  Duquesne,  Pa.,  three  man- 
ual. 

Rialto  theatre,  Beaver  Falls.,  Pa.,  three 
manual. 

New  Ambridge  theatre,  Ambridge,  Pa., 
three  manual. 

Peter  Clark,  Inc. 
Stage    Equipment 

Forrest    theatre,    Philadelphia,    Pa.,    com- 
plete   stage   equipment,   counterweight   sys- 
tem and  steel  and  asbestos  curtains. 
(Continued  on  page  37) 


The 


Neck 

of  the 
Bottle 

Consider  for  a  moment  the  bottle,  gentle- 
men.     It  may  contain  soothing  syrup  for  the 

baby or  his   old   man;   drugs   that   may   save 

a  life;   the   concentrated    essence   of   nectar 

or  what  have  you.  But  so  long  as  they  are 
bottled,  are  they  of  use  to  anyone?  Not  any. 
The  neck  of  the  bottle  must  do  its  stuff  before 
anyone  can  benefit  by  the  contents. 

Moving  pictures  are  bottled  goods  in  a 
way.  The  artist,  scenarios,  directors,  cameras, 

studios the    whole    producing    industry are 

bottled  up  in  a  roll  of  film  which  doesn't 
mean  a  thing  to  the  dollar  spenders.  All  of 
this  work  and  equipment  and  artistry  must 
trickle  out  through  the  projection  lens  to  be 
made   available   to   the    ultimate   consumer. 

The  projection  lens  is  the  neck  of  the 
motion  picture  bottle.  How  well  the  pictures 
come  through  the  lens  determines  largely 
how  well  the  dollars  come  through  the  box 
office. 

The  lens  is  a  poor  place  to  economize.  It 
is  a  small  item  and  will  pour  a  lot  of  pictures 
in  a  life  time.  It  would  seem  to  be  the  best 
part  of  wisdom  to  get  the  BEST  POSSIBLE 
LENS. 

Right  there  you  are  paging  the  Cinephor. 
"AS  good  as  a  Cinephor"  is  the  way  they  cJI 
try  to  express  the  superlative  qualities  of 
their  products.  Try  one  out  and  you  w^ill 
know  v/hy. 

Bausch  &  Lomb 
Optical  Company 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

National    Theater    Supply    Company    Distributors 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTIOIN  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Wisconsin  Nursery  Means  Qrowing 
Business  for  Theatre 


WHEN     mothers     bring     their     children 
along  with  them  to  the  Wisconsin  thea- 
tre, Milwaukee,  they  can  leave  them  at 
the  theatre's  nursery  on  the  third  floor,  and  go 
in   and   enjoy   the   show,   knowing   that    the 


children  will  be  well  taken  care  of. 

The  Wisconsin  nursery,  ever  since  its  in- 
ception over  a  year  ago,  has  proved  very 
popular  with  Milwaukee  mothers.  Here  they 
can  bring  their  children  and  leave   them  in 


LEFT :  J^iss  Ethel  Banks  in  a  cor- 
ner of  the  nursery  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin theatre  in  J^ilwaukee, 


charge  of  a  competent  nurse.  It  means  that 
the  mothers  need  not  worry  about  the  chil- 
dren beginning  to  cry  in  the  theatre  and  dis- 
turbing every  one  else,  or  trying  to  squirm 
away  under  the  seats  and  become  lost.  No, 
these  troubles  are  all  avoided  by  putting  the 
children  in  the  nursery. 

Miss  Ethel  Banks,  nurse  in  charge,  has  a 
room  full  of  toys,  etc.,  which  should  make 
any  child's  heart  leap  with  joy.  The  room  is 
about  15  feet  wide  and  20  feet  long  and  has 
plenty  of  light.  The  walls  are  decorated  with 
an  imitation  frieze  of  children  playing  various 
games.  One  feature  of  the  room  is  the  large 
sandbox  which  measures  3  by  8  feet.  This 
is  filled  with  "choice"  sand  and  here  the  chil- 
dren can  play  to  their  hearts  content.  Many 
sand  castles,  palaces,  and  yea,  even  mud  pies 
are  made  in  this  sand  box.  Sometimes  the 
children  even  climb  into  it  and  sit  in  the  sand, 
there  being  so  many  of  them  in  it  at  one  time 
that  one  can  hardly  see  any  sand. 

For  the  conservative  child  who  does  not 
wish  to  play  with  sand,  there  are  other  toys 
such  as  boats,  movable  elephants,  tigers,  dogs 
and  cats.  There  are  also  jumping  jacks, 
clowns,  ships,  railway  systems,  etc. ;  in  fast 
anything  that  a  child  might  desire.  Needless 
to  say  the  children  do  not  mind  staying  in 
the  nursery  while  their  parents  are  enjoying 
the  show. 

According  to  Miss  Banks  the  number  of 
regular  patrons  at  the  nursery  increases  each 
week.  Once  parents  know  that  their  children 
are  taken  care  of  and  made  to  enjoy  their 
surroundings,  then  they  bring  them  here  each 
week.  They  find  such  a  procedure  is  much  to 
be  preferred  to  holding  the  children  on  their 
laps  in  the  show. 

The  number  of  children  accommodated  in 
this  nursery  over  the  period  of  a  week  runs 
about  250.  The  nursery  is  kept  open  from  1 
in  the  afternoon  until  10  p.  m.  at  night.  This 
means  that  many  mothers  who  are  downtown 
shopping  can  come  into  the  show  on  the  mati- 
nee price  and  leare  their  children  and  bundles 
in  the  nurser}'.  Good  advertising,  featuring 
the  playroom  and  nursery  has  given  Miss 
Banks  plenty  to  do  to  entertain  and  make  all 
the  youngsters  happy.  But  when  the  children 
go  home  they  continue  to  tell  "Mother"  and 
"Dad"  all  about  the  fine  time  they  had  at  the 
Wisconsin  theatre  playroom,  which,  you  can 
realize,  means  more  business  for  the  theatre. 


Declares  Sound  Films 

Need  a  Voice  Fadeout 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— The  invention 
of  a  "fadeout"  for  the  human  voice  is  one 
of  the  big  opportunities  beckoning  the  in- 
ventor, with  the  new  development  of  the 
talking  picture,  according  to  Douglas 
Shearer,  technician  in  recording  experiments 
now  under  way  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  studios. 

"One  of  the  first  things  we  are  going  to 
need,"  said  Shearer,  "is  sonse  method  of 
'fading  out'  in  a  vocal  record  just  as  a  film 
'fadeout'  is  effected  in  pictures.  This  will 
be  necessary  or  at  any  rate  very  useful  so 
that  we  can  have  a  character  speaking,  then 
fade  his  voice  out  and  into  a  written  title  to 
take  up  footage  where  a  narrative  spoken 
title  might  be  too  long.  If  we  can  find 
some  convincing  way  to  work  this  change 
it  will  make  the  talking  picture  very  flexi- 
ble." 


Three  Houses  Close;  Two  for  Summer 

The  Metro  theatre  at  Harvard,  near  Chicago,  h^s 
been  closed.  The  Villard  at  Villa  Park  will  run 
Saturday.s  and  Sundays  only  during  the  Summer. 
The  Apollo  theatre  at  Belvidere  is  also  closing  for 
the    Summer. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Modern 
Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres,  both 
large  and  small,  throughout  the 
country  is  to  modernize.  Evidence 
of  this  encouraging  situation  is 
found  in  the  many  installations 
of  equipment  reported  by  leading 
manufacturers. 


(Continued  on  page  35) 

Craig  theatre,  New  York  City,  complete 
stage  equipment,  counterweight  system  and 
steel  and  asbestos  curtains. 

Kenmore  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  com- 
plete stage  equipment,  counterweight  sys- 
tem and  steel  and  asbestos  curtain,  orches- 
tra, piano  and  organ   console  lifts. 

Loew's  East  Trement  theatre,  Bronx, 
New  York  City,  complete  stage  equipment, 
counterweight  system  and  steel  and  asbes- 
tos  curtain. 

Loew's  Syracuse  theatre,  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
complete  stage  equipment,  counterweight 
system,  and  asbestos  curtain  rigging,  or- 
chestra,  piano  and  organ   console  lifts. 

Loew's  Ohio  theatre,  Columbus,  O.,  com- 
plete stage  equipment,  counterweight  sys- 
tem, and  asbestos  curtain  rigging,  orches- 
tra, piano  and   organ   console   lifts. 

Loew's  Louisville  theatre,  Louisville,  Ky., 
complete  stage  equipment,  counterweight 
system  and  asbestos  curtain  rigging,  orches- 
tra,  piano  and  organ  console  lifts. 

J.  H.  Channon  Corporation 

Stage  Rigging 

Edwards    theatre.    East    Hampton,    N.    Y. 

Miller  theatre,  Woodstock,   111. 

Neenah    High    School,    Neenah,   Wis. 

Colfax  theatre.  South  Bend,  Ind. 

Trainor  theatre,  Greenville,  O.,  installed 
by   Novelty   Scenic   Studios. 

Colonel  Drake  theatre,  Oil  City,  Pa.,  in- 
stalled by  Twin  City  Scenic  Company. 

Robert  Morton  Organ  Company 
Organs 

Victoria  theatre,  Oklahoma  City,  Okla. 

Missouri  theatre,   Columbus,  Mo. 

Princess   theatre,   Minneapolis,   Minn. 

Loew's  United  Artists  theatre,  Colum- 
bus,  O. 

Loew's  Midland  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Universal  Uptown  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. 

Bungalow  theatre,  Weatherford,  Okla. 

Mazda  theatre,  Aurora,  Neb. 

Wellington  Theatre  Company,  Welling- 
ton, Kan. 

Capitol   theatre,    Steubenville,   O. 

Garrick   theatre,    Indianapolis,    Ind. 

Ogden  theatre,  Columbus,  O. 

Empress   theatre,    Columbus,    O. 

Circle   theatre,   Tulsa,    Okla. 

University   theatre,   Minneapolis,    Minn. 

Columbia  Heights  theatre,  Minneapolis, 
Minn. 

LaSalle  Garden  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Tuxedo   theatre,   Detroit,    Mich. 

Senate  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Fine  Arts  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Plaza  theatre,  Lansing,  Mich. 

Family  theatre,  Gary  Ind. 

Star  theatre  Elgin,  111. 

Oriental  theatre,  Denver,  Col. 

Highlands  theatre,  Denver,   Col. 

Robert  Morton  Organ  School,  Chicago. 

Capitol  theatre,   Marshalltown,  la. 

Claude  Ball  Organ  School,  Chicago. 

Folly   theatre,    Denver,    Col. 

Yates   theatre,    Denver,    Col. 

KSTP  Broadcasting  Station,  Minneapolis, 
Minn. 

Robert  Morton  Organ  Studio,  Denver, 
Col. 


SUPERIOR  PROJECTOR 

The  Best  There  Is  —  There  Is  None  Better 


RAJSKS  FIRST  IN 

Design 

Simplicity   in   Construc- 
tion and  Operation. 
Low     cost     of     mainte- 
nance. 

Screen  Results. 

Adaptability  to  various 
lamp  equipments  and 
other  devices  now  being 
introduced. 

To  know  the  Superior  is 
to  buy  it. 


Our     circular. 
Features,"   tells 
for  it  today. 


"Facts     and 
why.     Send 


Type  "R" 
Superior  Projector 


Manufactured    by 

Coxsackie  Holding 
Corporation 

Coxsackie,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 

Distributor      Territories     Available. 


DRAW  THE 

CROWDS 

WITH  AN 

ARNOLD 
SIGN! 


Thousands  of  theatre  owners  and  managers  throughout  the  United  States 
are  enthusiastically  praising  Arnold  Electric  Sign  installations.  Arnold  signs 
are  especially  constructed  to  meet  the  requirements  and  possibilities  of  each 
individual  theatre. 

Arnold  Electric  signs  are  constructed  of  Galva-Annealed  iron,  stretcher 
leveled,  with  corrugated  faces,  giving  the  sign  unusual  strength,  beauty,  and 
endurance. 

Wiring  and  construction  approved  by  the  National  Board  of  Underwriters. 
Coated  with  genuine  DUPONT  DUCO  finish,  guaranteed  not  to  scale  or 
become  discolored. 

Staff  designers  will  be  glad  to  prepare  sketches  in  color  without  charge  or 
obligation  for  responsible  theatre  owners  or  managers.  Any  color  combina- 
tion or  letter  design. 

Write   for   Complete   Information   and  Estim.ates 

ARNOLD  ELECTRIC  SIGNS,  INC 

KOKOMO  -  -  -  INDIANA 


38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


The  New  Model  Motiograph 


FIGURE   3 Closeup    of  cone,    shutter   and   mechanism. 


riGURE    5 — Gears    of    new    type    construction 


FIGURE    7 New    projector    with    cone    collapsed    and    mechan- 
ism    open. 


FIGURE     6 Closeup     of     rapid     tilting     device. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


New  Spahr  Projector 

ELIMINATES 

Heating 

Drying 
Warping 
Buckling 

OF  FILM 

Declares   Enterprise  President 


RUMORS    have    persisted    for    sometime 
that    Enterprise    Optical    Manufacturing 
Company    of    Chicago,    builder    of    the 
Motiograph  de  luxe  projector,  was  perfecting 
a  new  machine  radically  different  in  principles 
and  construction. 

Detailed  announcement  of  this  new  projec- 
tor is  made  this  week  by  O.  F.  Spahr,  presi- 
dent of  the  company. 

The  new  principle,  as  described  by  Enter- 
prise, is  one  which  operates  to  eliminate  the 
heating,  drying,  warping  and  buckling  of  film. 

The  following  description  of  the  new  prod- 
uct is  offered  by  the  company: 

"The  New  Model  H  Motiograph  De  Luxe 
Projector  is  radically  different  in  principles 
involved  and  construction  than  the  present 
types  of  projectors  employing  the  outside  ro- 
tating disc  type  of  shutter.  It  depends  upon  a 
new  type  of  shutter  of  peculiar  design  for 
its  important  function  of  eliminating  the  heat 
from  the  film. 

*     ^     * 

"The  new  shutter  is  of  a  horizontal  or 
cylindrical  type.  It  is  mounted  on  the  film 
gate  of  the  mechanism  and  operates  between 
the  film  and  the  light  source.  It  differs  in 
construction  from  the  rotating  disc  type  of 
shutter  in  that  it  has  two  circular  vanes  and 
is  rotated  on  a  horizontal  axis.  By  these 
two  vanes,  the  light  beam  is  cut  off  in  a  hori- 
zontal plane  from  top  and  bottom  simultane- 
ously. This  being  across  the  narrow  dimen- 
sion of  the  aperture,  results  in  what  may  be 
termed  a  "quick  cut-off."  Thus,  a  gain  in 
illumination  over  the  old  type  front  shutter 
is  accomplished.  The  action  of  the  two  vanes 
cutting  the  light  beam  simultaneously  also  is 
an  advantage  in  that  a  cleaner  cut-off  is  ob- 
tained, a  more  uniform  distribution  of  the 
intervals  of  light  and  darkness  and  a  smoother 
shutter  action  with  entire  absence  of  back- 
lash travel  ghost  is  the  result. 

"In  the  second  purpose,  the  vanes  of  the 
shutter  cutting  off  the  light  and  incidentally 
the  heat  between  the  film  and  the  light  source, 
it  is  easy  to  reason  that  since  the  light  is  cut 
off  during  the  whole  interval  of  film  motion 
before  the  aperture,  there  can  be  no  heating 
or  rather  pre-heating  of  the  film  before  it  comes 
to  a  stop  before  the  aperture,  as  is  the  case 
in  the  old  type  front  shutter  where  the  full 
action  of  the  light  beam  is  operating  to  heat 
the  film  both  during  the  full  film  movement 
as  well  as  during  the  whole  time  the  film  is  at 
rest  before  the  aperture.  A  further  cutting 
of  the  light  beam  during  that  portion  of  time 
when  the  film  is  stationary  before  the  aper- 
ture, is  accomplished  at  that  period  known  as 
the  flicker  interception.     Thus,  it  will  be  seen 


with  our  new  shutter  that  the  entire 
action  of  the  light  beam  and  its  in- 
cident heat  is  cut  off  from  reaching 
the  film  while  the  film  is  in  travel 
before  the  aperture,  and  once  while 
it  is  stationary  before  the  aperture. 
The  heat  of  the  light  beam  is  only 
allowed  to  reach  the  film  at  two  short 
intervals,  once  when  the  film  comes 
to  a  stop  before  the  aperture  and 
again  after  the  flicker  interception  has 
passed  and  until  the  film  starts  in 
motion  again. 

"An  idea  of  the  conistruction  of  the 
new    type    shutter    may    be    gained    from    the 
close-up  view  in  Figure  2  in  which  the  shutter 
vanes,  and  construction  is  clearly  indicated. 

"So  efficiently  has  this  worked  out  to  re- 
duce the  heat  at  the  film  that  actual  tests 
conducted  in  our  laboratory  show  a  reduc- 
tion in  temperature  of  the  film  heat  at  the 
aperture  as  follows: 
Comparative  Temperature  Tests  on  Mcdel 

H    Motiograph    De   Luxe    Projector — 
in  Comparison  with  Regular  Pro- 
jector with  Old  Type  Outside 
Revolving    Disc    Shutter: 

Heat    at    Aperture 
Model    H  Old  Type 

Film  Speed—  80  ft.  per  min 565°  1486° 


O.  F.  S^ahr 


FIGURE  1—New  1002H  Model  Motiograph 


Film  Speed —  90  ft.  per  min 570°  Temperature 

Film  Speed — 100  ft.  per  min 564°  the    same    at 

Film  Speed — 110  ft.  per  min 555°  all  speds. 

Average    Temperature   564° 

"Thus,  in  the  Model  H  Motiograph  De 
Luxe  the  temperature  at  the  aperture  is  922° 
less  than  the  old  type  projector,  or  62^4 %. 

"Tests  were  taken  in  each  case  over  a 
period  of  thirty  minutes  or  more  of  operation 
of  each  projector  with  a  reflecting  arc  type  of 
lamp  as  illuminant  operated  at  25  amperes. 

"The  heat  at  the  point  just  between  the 
cooling  plate  and  gate  door  taken  after  thirty 
minutes  operation  to  determine  the  compara- 
tive heating  of  the  metal  surrounding  the 
aperture  opening  in  gate  door  showed  that 
with  the  Model  H  Motiodgraph  De  Luxe  the 
temperature  at  this  point  remained  constant 
at  100°  as  against  a  temperature  of  270°  on 
the  old  type  projector.  All  temperature  read- 
ings in  degrees  Fahrenheit. 
*     *     * 

"This  actual  comparison  of  heat  of  film 
temperatures  at  the  aperture  is  really  aston- 
ishing, and  film  runs  cooler  in  the  Model  H 
even  when  the  new  highpowered  illuminants 
are  used,  than  it  used  to  in  the  old  projectors 
where  the  regular  arc  lamp  and  only  35  to  40 
amperes  at  the  arc  were  employed. 

"So  evident  is  the  result,  that  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  have  the  testing  engineer's  report  of 
aperture  temperatures  to  prove  it.  Anyone 
may  be  convinced  by  an  actual  demonstration 
of  the  Model  H  Motiograph  De  Luxe  against 
any  proj.ector  having  the  old  type  front  shut- 
ter, by  feeling  the  film  in  operation  as  it 
leaves  the  take-up  sprocket.  In  the  old  type 
front  shutter  projector,  the  film  will  feel  de- 
cidedly hot  and  it  will  be  extremely  uncom- 
fortable to  leave  the  fingers  on  the  film  for 
any  length  of  time.  In  our  Model  H,  the  film 
will  leave  the  lower  feed  sprocket  practic- 
ally as  cool  as  when  it  was  taken  from  the 
film  can  it  was  shipped  from  the  exchange  in. 
Moreover,  the  film  will  be  absolutely  flat,  un- 
warped,  buckled  or  embossed. 

"Its  third  purpose  directly  bears  on  the  fore- 
going and  benefits  the  entire  industry  in  that 


40 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


EXPERTLY  developed  colortones,  meeting 
the  needs  of  any  projection  lamp,  are 
built  into  every  Silversheet  surface.  Their 
secret  is  in  the  scientific  mixing  and  applica- 
tion of  the  bronzes.  Their  advantages  need 
merely  to  be  seen  to  be  appreciated  .  .  .  and 
Silversheet  alone  has  them. 

Now  you  can  have  perfect  screen  results  with 
any  of  the  commonly  used  types  of  pro- 
jection lamps.  Silversheet's  Colortone  sur- 
face so  adapts  the  light  that  a  clear,  sharp, 
deep  and  brilliant  picture  is  seen  by  every 
patron  in  your  house.  Genuine  Silversheets 
are  made  only  by  the  American  Silversheet 
Company,  St.  Louis  and  distributed  through 
the  National  Theatre  Supply  Company. 


BESIDES  showing  the 
picture  with  uniform 
brilliancy  to  every  part  of 
thetheatre,  the  Silversheet 
Specification  Surfaci  al- 
lows an  AVERAGE  CUR- 
RENT SAVING  OF  30% 
over  cloth  screens,  which 
will  many  times  pay  back 
the  initial  cost  of  your 
Silvershee  t ,  while  giving 
far  better  results. 


SlLVERSHEEl 

Knohel  Specification-Built  Screen 


NOT  A  BATTERY 
CHARGER 


Strong  full  wave  rectifiers 

Built  solely  for  motion  picture 
arcs.  Not  adapted  to  the  applica- 
tion. The  lasting  results  are 
proven. 

Over  500  in  Daily  Use 

Made  and  guaranteed  by 


The  Strong  Electric  Company 


2501  Lagrange  Street 


Toledo,  Ohio 


t< 


You  can't  go  wrong  with  a  Strong" 


because  of  eliminating  the  heat,  the  film  has 
longer  life,  it  reaches  the  theatre  in  better  con- 
dition, it  does  away  with  dried  out  patches 
which  result  in  stops,  create  fire  hazard,  and 
annoy  the  patrons  of  the  theatre.  Aside  from 
abolishing  these  annoyances,  however,  we  di- 
rectly improve  projection  and  enhance  the 
definition  of  the  picture.  The  film  being  flat 
and  unwarped  and  relieved  of  the  intense  heat 
at  the  aperture,  there  is  no  tendency  for  the 
film  to  iDuckle  during  projection.  As  a  con- 
sequence, the  projection  lens  is  able  to  func- 
tion to  deliver  to  the  screen  a  true  projected 
image  from  a  fiat  focal  plane.  So  important 
is  this  point  that  all  the  advantages  of  high 
corrections  of  the  really  excellent  modem 
motion  picture  lenses  are  fully  realized.  All 
of  the  fine  detail  and  gradations  of  the  pres- 
ent excellent  examples  of  motion  picture 
photography  are  transmitted  to  the  screen  in 
a  beautifully  defined  and  sharply  focused  im- 
age. This  cannot  be  accomplished  where  the 
intense  heat  of  the  light  beam  is  allowed  to 
reach  the  film,  since  under  that  condition  the 
heat  invariably  buckles  the  film  during  pro- 
jection and  absolute  true  focus  is  impossible. 

*  *     * 

"In  the  fourth  purpose,  we  find  the  new 
type  shutter  serves  to  reduce  the  fire  hazard  at 
least  sixty  per  cent.  First,  because  of  the 
fact  that  the  heat  being  removed  from  the  film 
almost  entirely,  combustion  would  be  retarded. 
Second,  being  positioned  between  the  film 
and  light  source  and  having  two  vanes  or 
blades  there  is  a  fifty-fifty  chance  that  the 
vanes  of  the  shutter  would  act  as  a  fire  shut- 
ter in  the  event  that  the  mechanism  or  film 
should  stop  motion.  Then  there  is  the  entire 
elimination  of  a  fire  hazard  due  to  the  drying 
out  of  patches  and  the  dried  condition  of  the 
film  itself. 

"The  fifth  purpose  is  one  also  distinctly 
worthy  and  important.  By  a  peculiar  and 
carefully  worked  out  design  of  the  shutter 
construction  wherein  its  ends  are  angled  simi- 
lar to  the  blades  of  a  fan,  but  each  end  of 
different  pitch,  and  by  the  addition  of  air 
disseminating  vanes,  we  produce  a  circulation 
of  air  which  draws  the  radiated  heat  away 
from  the  film  tracks,  tension  shoes  and 
springs,  gate  slide  and  cooling  plates,  so  effec- 
tively that  these  important  parts  of  the 
mechanism  are  always  cool  and  in  a  condition 
to  function  perfectly  at  all  times. 

"The  shutter  and  its  housing  are  construc- 
ted of  cast  aluminum.  Its  bearings  are  of  the 
ball  bearing  type  and  due  to  the  absence  of 
friction,  the  entire  mechanism  operates  more 
freely.     We  estimate  there  is  a  25%  less  pull 

on  the  motor. 

*  *     * 

"A  novel  method  of  manually  setting  the 
shutter  in  time  has  been  worked  out  so  that 
this  operation  when  necessary  can  be  speedily 
and  simply  accomplished  and  in  a  way  that 
does  not  in  the  least  affect  the  ready  removal 
of  the  intermittent  movement.  A  locking  de- 
vice and  a  shutter  setting  knob  conveniently 
located  on  the  operating  side  of  the  projector 
is  provided  for  securing  fine  limit  timing  of 
the  shutter  while  the  mechanism  is  in  opera- 
tion. In  fact,  all  the  advantages  of  the  old 
outside  front  rotating  shutter  have  been  re- 
tained with  none  of  its  disadvantages.  The  com- 
plete enclosure  of  the  new  shutter  and  its 
operating  parts  as  well,  lessens  the  danger  of 
injury   to    the   projectionist. 

"A  point  readily  realized  by  the  projectionist 
is  the  fact  that  the  new  type  shutter  also 
eliminates  the  heating  of  the  projection  lens 
and  in  these  days  when  it  is  customary  to 
purchase  high  grade  and  expensive  projection 
lenses,  this  is  a  point  to  be  considered.  Tiie 
construction  of  the  new  dowser  is  clearly 
shown  in  Figure  2. 

"The  manifold  advantages  of  our  new  shut- 
ter are  sufficient  in  themselves  to  warrant  the 
introduction  of  a  new  model  of  the  Motio- 
graph  De  Luxe  projector.  However,  we  have 
not  stopped  at  this  point  in  the  new  Model  H 
Motiograph  De  Luxe  since  in  it  are  incorpo- 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


rated  many  other  improvements  and  innova- 
tions. 

"A  long  sought  for  and  wanted  improvement 
of  convenience  to  the  projectionist  is  the  new 
design  of  lamphouse  cone  which  completely 
encloses  the  light  beam  from  the  lamphouse 
to  the  new  shutter  assembly,  allowing  no  stray 
rays  of  light  to  seep  out  into  the  projection 
room  or  cause  eye  trouble  or  annoyance  to  the 
projectionist.  A  built-in  observation  glass  in 
the  top  of  the  new  type  shutter  housing  allows 
full  observation  of  the  light  spot  at  the  cooling 
plate  as  well  as  affording  opportunity  to  ob- 
serve the  operation  of  the  shutter  itself.  In 
Figure  3  we  have  a  close-up  view  of  the  new 
cone,   shutter  and  mechanism. 

"The  light  cone  is  of  cast  aluminum  con- 
struction and  so  designed  of  a  number  of 
concentric  rings  telescoping  one  within  an- 
other that  the  cone  may  be  collapsed  for  open- 
ing the  film  gate  or  adjusted  for  different  po- 
sitions of  the  lamphouse.  Because  of  its  spe- 
cial design  for  cool  operation,  the  cone  does 
not  become  heated  and  remains  cool  even  after 
15  to  20  minutes  of  operation  of  the  projector. 

*  *     * 

"An  innovation  in  the  dowser  construc- 
tion is  that  this  is  no  longer  assembled  on  the 
lamphouse  or  cone  but  is  built  in  as  a  part  of 
the  new  shutter  housing.  It  operates  on  a  new 
principle  and  is  more  accessible  than  the  old 
type  dowser  assembled  on  the  lamphouse  cone. 
Two  operating  handles  are  provided  so  that 
the  dowser  may  be  conveniently  operated  from 
either   side   of   the   projector. 

"In  the  mechanism  itself  many  improve- 
ments have  been  made.  By  a  new  method  of 
manufacture,  a  number  of  gears  which  were 
formerly  made  of  two  piece  construction  are 
now  made  in  single  or  unit  construction.  This 
type  construction  adds  greater  strength  to  the 
gear  and  affords  more  free-running  mechan- 
isms. An  example  of  this  will  be  seen  in 
Figure  4  in  which  is  pictured  the  old  type  con- 
struction and  in  Figure  5  in  which  is  seen  the 
new  unit  type. 

"An  improvement  consisting  of  link  bracing 
of  the  toggle  gear  shaft  and  casting  renders 
this  important  part  of  the  mechanism  extremely 
rigid  and  promotes  longer  wear  of  the  gearing 
by  holding  it  in  absolute  alignment  at  all 
times. 

"Improvements  have  also  been  made  in  the 
idler  and  film  guide  rollers,  tension)  springs 
and  film  tracks.  A  new  type  one-piece  con- 
struction intermittent  sprocket  shoe  is  used 
which  not  only  provides  longer  wear  for  this 
part  but  as  well  eliminates  all  danger  of  dam- 
aging the  film  when  not  carefully  watched  or 
renewed  when  necessary. 

"All  silk  covered  wire  for  the  mechanism 
pilot  lamp  assembly  has  been  replaced  with 
metal  covered  flexible  wire  and  a  new  connec- 
tion position  for  the  service  line  provided. 

*  *     * 

"The  familiar  base,  lower  magazine  and 
lamphouse  support  rods  of  the  previous  model 
F  Motiograph  De  Luxe  have  not  been  changed 
since  these  were  originally  designed  to  secure 
a  sturdy  foundation  for  the  Motiograph  De 
Luxe  and  we  feel  no  improvement  has  been 
needed.  The  IMotiograph  De  Luxe  has  al- 
ways enjoyed  the  reputation  for  rock-steady 
projection  and  much  of  its  success  in  this  di- 
rection has  been  due  to  the  careful  design  of 
its  floor  base  and  lower  magazine  assembly  in 
which  proper  distribution  of  weight  and  cor- 
rect balance  has  adequately  supplied  strength 
and  rigidity  sufficient  for  the  projector  itself 
and  the  heaviest  types  of  lamphouses. 

"The  new  type  Rapid  Tilting  Device  which 
is  a  recent  development  to  permit  rapid  tilting 
of  the  projector  and  which  is  provided  with 
limit  stops  for  pre-determining  the  angle  at 
either  the  up  or  down  position  is  included  in 
the  New  Model  H  Motiograph  De  Luxe  as 
regular  equipment.  This  is  pictured  as  Fig- 
ure 6. 

"This  device  operates  through  gearing  and 
ball  bearings  so  easily  that  the  hand  wheel 
may  be  spun  freely  with  one  hand  and  the  en- 
tire projector  easily  tilted  without  effort. 

"A  new  type   motor  control   switch   is  pro- 


For  more  than  ten  years 

the  @   Major  System  has  been  Supreme 

Theatre  history  has  been  made  since  the  nrst  @  Major  Sys- 
tem was  installed  ten  years  ago.  The  roll  call  of  Theatres 
equipped  would  be  the  Blue  Book  of  the  country — and  the 
general  directory  also,  for  the 


has  not  only  been  installed  in  the  finest  but  in  the  greatest 
number  as  welL 

Send  for  details  and  estimates 

Srank  iSidam 

ELECTRIC    COMPANY 

ST.  LOUIS 


DISTRICT  OFFICES 


Atlanta.  Oa. 
BaAtinijore,  Md. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Buffalo.  N.  Y. 
Charlotte,  N.  C. 
Chicago,  III. 


Cincinnati,  Ohio 
Cleveland,  Ohio 
Dallas,  Texaa 
Denver,  Colo. 
Detroit.  Mich. 
JaclcsonvUle,  Fla. 


Kansas  City.  Mo. 
Los  Antreles,  Caljf . 
Memphis.  Tenn. 
Minneapolis,    Minn. 
Muskogee.  Okla. 
New  Orleans.  La, 


New  York  City 
Omaha,  Nebr. 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 
PittsbTirgh.  Pa. 
San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Seattle,  Wash. 


Tampa..  Fla. 

Montreal,  Quebe<5 
Toronto,  Ontario 
VancouveJ",  B.  C. 
WaLkerviUe.  Ontario 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba 


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42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7, 1928 


Here's  one  of  the  many  tieu{>s  ar- 
ranged hy  J.  A.  Decatur  and  hester 
Santley,  both  in  charge  of  the  ■pic- 
ture house  exploitation  department 
of  Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  publishers  of 
^'Ramona,''  the  song  hit  that  has 
gone  over  the  million  mark  in 
copies.  This  window  display  fea- 
tures the  song  and  photoplay  of  the 
same  name.  Piano  rolls  and  rec- 
ords of  this  song  are  also  selling 
fast  from  the  demand  created  by 
the  flm  and  song.  Any  music  store 
in  your  town  will  be  glad  to  cooper- 
ate with  a  window  display,  and  the 
music  publishers  will  gladly  fur- 
nish the  theatre  or  the  store  with 
title  page  displays  if  the  tieup  can 
be  arranged.  This  is  always  live 
exploitation,  and  offers  the  Possi- 
bility also  of  a  prologue  with  a  local 
man   and   woman  singing   the   song. 

vided,  operated  by  convenient  foot  pedals,  one 
on  either  side  of  the  projector  base  so  that 
the  projector  may  be  stopped  or  started  from 
either  side. 

"The  speed  control  has  been  equipped  with  a 
graduated  dial  plate  and  adjustable  pointer  to 
enable  the  projectionist  to  set  the  speed  con- 
trol to  predetermined  speeds.  The  projection- 
ist once  having  determined  that  a  certain  point 
on  the  dial  corresponds  to  a  certain  film  speed 
per  minute,  may  always  set  the  speed  control 
adjustment  to  that  definite  point. 

"For  those  theatres  using  the  electric  type 
of  speed  indicator,  a  new  type  speed  indicator 
generator  bracket  has  been  developed  and  a 
driving  pulley.  The  generator  bracket  attaches 
to  the  side  of  the  mechanism  near  the  base  in 
such  a  maner  that  the  generator  is  driven 
from  the  pulley  on  the  gripping  disc  unit  of 
the  mechanism. 

"A  new  type  of  Lower  Magazine  door 
handle  of  convenient  shape  and  self-locking 
design  has  been  developed,  and  there  are 
many  other  minor  improvements  included  as 
regular  equipment  in  the  Model  H  Motio- 
graph  De  Luxe. 

"In  Figure  7  we  have  a  view  of  the  new 
projector  with  the  cone  collapsed,  lamp  open 
and  mechanism  doors  open. 

"The  regular  high-grade,  baked-on  enamel 
finish  with  gold  striping  which  has  earned  the 
Motiograph  De  Luxe  ttie  reputation  as  the 
most  beautiful  of  projectors  will  be  retained 
but  will  be  enhanced  by  the  full  bright  nickel 
finish  of  all  steel  parts  including  lamphouse 
support  rods  and  all  trimmings." 


REISINQ'S 

True  To  Nature 


Ruscus  or  Boxwood  Trees  and 
Hedges  are  excellent  for  Lobbies 
and  Foyers. 


We  specialize  in  Decorative  Arti- 
ficial Flowers,  Shrubs,  Plants  and 
Vines  for  Theatres. 


sHO 


Let  us  estimate  your  needs, 

G*  Reising  &  Co^ 

227  West  Austin  Avenue 
Chicago,  111. 

Telephone:  Superior  2425 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


The  I.  A. 

Convention 

There  is  small  need  to  say  much  about 
the  convention.  Delegates  were  present 
from  every  local  union  and  have  made 
report  to  the  locals,  so  printing  a  lot  of 
stuff  now  would  be  merely  a  waste  of 
space. 

However,  I  do  want  to  cojnpliment  the 
I.  A.T.  S.  E.  &  M.  P.  M.  O.  of  the  U.  S. 
&  C,  upon  its  wisdom  in  re-electing 
William  Canavan  as  its  chief  executive 
officer — its  president — and  in  returning 
the  entire  roster  of  officials  to  the  posi- 
tions they  held. 

These  men  are  all  faithful,  honest  men 
and  officials.  They  have  had  some  battles 
with  exhibitors,  true,  but  that  is,  it  seems 
to  me,  inevitable.  Opposing  forces  will 
inevitably  occasionally  come  into  contact 
and  try  to  overcome  each  other.  That  is 
the  way  things  in  this  vale  of  sin  and 
sorrow  work,  is  it  not. 

President  Canavan  and  his  staff  have 
m,erely  done  their  duty,  insofar  as  con- 
cerns the  exhibitors.  They  stood  for 
what  they  believed  to  be  right,  just  as 
the  exhibitor  stood  for  what  he,  from  his 
viewpoint,  thought  was  right.  That  there 
were  very  few  actual  conflicts  speaks 
well  for  the  ability  of  President  Canavan 
and  his   staff. 

Canavan  is  my  friend.  I  have  visited 
his  home  and  he  mine.  I  know  him  to 
be  honest  and  able.  I  know  that,  because 
I  knoiv  the  man.  In  my  opinion  both  the 
I.  A.  membership  and  the  exhibitors  are 
to  be  congratulated  upon  his  re-election. 
And  that  statement  goes  for  the  whole 
executive   board,  too. 


Better 
Projection 

(Continued  from  page  24) 

Now  that  is  what  I  like  to  hear  a  man  be 
able  to  say.  Best  results  on  the  circuit !  Never 
be  satisfied  with  mediocrity.  The  man  who 
finally  "gets  somewhere"  is  the  one  who  has 
the  best.  If  I  still  projected  motion  pictures 
and  was  in  a  chain  theatre  I  would  strive 
hard  to  produce  the  best  results  of  any  dad 
binged  man  on  that   circuit. 

Can't  be  done  sometimes,  true,  because  an- 
other theatre  may  have  better  equipment,  or  a 
manager  who  is  more  willing  to  add  a  few 
dollars  in  projection  expense  to  get  the  best, 
but  I  would  then  concentrate  upon  the  attempt 
to  convince  my  manager  that  "Better  Projec- 
tion Pays"  and  thus  sell  him  the  idea  of  ex- 
pending some  money  to  get  it. 

Possibly  I  am  not  making  myself  very  clear, 
but  what  I'm  trying  to  say  is  that  the  real 
projectionist  is  the  one  who  strives  hard  to 
give  the  best  possible  results  with  what  is 
provided  him,  and  is  just  plain  proud  of  doing 
that  very  thing. 

The  chap  who  has  no  pride  in  his  work  and 
the  results  he  produces  isn't  worth  a  tinker's 
dam.  He  will  never  in  this  world,  get  any- 
where worth  while.  He  is  not  a  climber  of 
mountains.  That  is  "too  much  work."  He 
remains  down  low.  In  finance  he  takes  what 
a  union  is  able  to  force  out  of  an  unwilling 
exhibitor  who  knows  he  is  a  mere  time  server, 
never  expecting  to  advance  beyond  that  point. 
He  usually  sneers  at  progressive  men  and  at 
men  who  have  pride  in  their  work,  utterly 
imable  to  understand  that  those  men  are.  in- 
finitely above   them   and  better  than  they. 

Let  us  hope  your  circuit  contains  no  such 
{Continued  on  page  47) 


Give  your  place  a  care- 
ful "once-over."  Ask  your- 
self where  more  and  better 
light  could  be  used  —  not 
whether  your  present  system 
can  "get  by"  for  another 
season. 

Send  for  our  bulletins  on: 
Flood    Lights,    Spot    Lights 
Foot     Lights,    Cove    Lights 
etc.,    etc. 


"Light-Up" 

This  Summer  For  A 

Brilliant 

Fall  Opening 

Now  is  the  time  to  bring  your 
lighting  equipment  up-to- 
date — exterior  and  interior. 

It's  the  brilliantly  flood-lighted 
theatre  exterior  that  brings  in  the 
crowds.  And  interior  lighting  is  a 
close  second  in  importance. 

We'll  Save  You  Money 
Let  us  help  you  figure  out  the 
cheapest  way  of  making  a  first- 
class  job  of  lighting — inside  and 
out.  Our  engineering  staff  will 
gladly  study  your  problems,  and 
make  up  drawings  and  specifica- 
tions for  your  local  contractors  to 
figure  on. 


Belson  Mfg*  Co* 


804  Sibley  St. 


CHICAGO 


Signs  That  Sell! 

'T^  HE  brilliantly  lighted  Milne  Made 
-'-  Electric  Signs  are  the  signs  that  sell. 
They  shout  your  show  message  to  the 
crowds  that  fill  your  theatre.  They  attract 
attention  for  they  are  built  by  men  who 
know  and  understand  "showmanship." 

The  best  TTieatres  in  the  country  are 
using  MILNE  Signs  because  they  are  con- 
vinced that  this  "showmanship"  is  built 
right  in. 

Send   UM    the    name   •/  your   theatre   mnd   let 
u»  submit   a  colored  sketch  to  you— — )••  »b- 


iigation  on  your  part. 


MILNE  ELECTRIC  SIGN  COMPANY 


614-618  Cherry  St. 


Milwaukee,  Wis. 


The  Palace  Or- 
pheum,  Milwaukee, 
the  brightest  spot 
on  "The  White 
Way." 


Long  Distance  Phone  Grand  76tftf 

Chicago  Branch:    4352  Broadway 
Craeeland   4289 

MILNE 

SIGNS 

Changeable  Letter  Marquise  or  Canopies 


44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Electrograph  Is  Perfected  After 
Three  Years  Experimentation 


A  SYNCHRONIZING  musical  instru- 
ment, perfected  after  three  years  of 
experimental  work,  is  announced  by  H. 
C.  Gates  of  the  Gates  Radio  and  Supply 
Company    of    Quincy,    111. 

This  Wonder  Electrograph,  as  it  is  called, 
is  not  an  over-night  assembled  instrument, 
says    Mr.    Gates. 

"The  impedance  of  every  unit  of  this 
machine,"  he  says,  "is  so  closely  matched 
that  the  human  voice  is  reproduced  as  a 
real  voice  rather  than  the  emanation  of 
some  mechanical  force. 

"The  most  delicate  tones  of  symphonic 
orchestras  reach  the  hearers  with  all  the 
tonal  fidelity  of  the  original  orchestration. 
There  is  absolutely  no  overloading,  no  dis- 
tortion or  unnatural  volume. 

"It  is  an  instrument  that  is  made  for  the 
picture  industry,  and  not  merelj'  to  sell 
to  the  picture  industry.  They  are  now  in 
use  in  over  eight  stat&s  in  the  union,  and 
our  distribution  is  made  through  the  Movie 
Supply  Houses.  We  are  making  an  effort 
to  place   a   dealer  in    every   territory." 

A  description  of  the  Electrograph  fol- 
lows: 

"The  cabinet  housing  of  the  producing 
unit  is  made  of  the  best  grade  of  plywood 
finished  in  Walnut,  and  built  for  a  life  time 
of  service.  The  illustration  shows  an  open 
front  to  illustrate  Power  Plant  installation. 
This  front  is  enclosed  with  a  ventilating 
grill.  A  removable  cover  is  also  furnished 
to   close  when  not   in   use. 


"Tubes  used  are  standard  UX240,  UX250 
and  UX281,  assuring  long  life  and  a  very 
low   cost   of  upkeep. 

"Size:  Length,  32  inches;  Width,  19^ 
inches;  Height,  27  inches. 

"The  reproducer  is  a  nine  foot  air  column 
sound  chamber  housed  in  a  beautiful  walnut 
cabinet  with  an  artistic  grill  that  will  har- 
monize with  the  settings  of  any  theatre. 

"Size:  Length,  31  inches;  Width  20 
inches;    Height,    32    inches. 

"The  Wonder  Electrograph  does  not  con- 
sume any  more  electric  current  than  an 
ordinary  one  hundred  watt  lamp,  and  gives 
you  a  musical  set-up  that  cannot  be  obtained 
on    an   individual    organ    or   piano." 


Managing  5  Houses 

George  Aylesworth,  formerly  associated 
with  Ascher  Brothers,  Chicago,  as  manager 
of  the  Portage  Park  theatre,  has  become 
manager  of  the  York,  Elmhurst,  Villard, 
Villa  Park  and  the  new  DePage  at  Lombard, 
Chicago  Suburban  houses. 


INCORPORATIONS 

ALBANY,  July  3. — Tkree  companies  incorporated 
in  the  motion  picture  business  in  N"ew  York  state 
last  week.  They  are;  Brill  Distributing  Corp., 
David  Brill,  William  C.  Herrmann  and  Milton  B. 
Kolb  as  directors.  Erlanjfer  Birmingham  Theatre 
Corporation,  Leonard  E.  Berg-man,  Mil^ndo  Fratt, 
Jr.,  and  Saul  J.  Baron,  of  New  York;  Picrites  Cor- 
poration, $1,000,  Clinton  M.  White,  Glenr'd-'e.  N.  J.; 
Richard  M.  Sauzale  and  Nora  Y.  Jarrett,  New  Ycrk 
city. 


Umpire  Appointed 
To  Settle  Fire  Loss 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  3.— In  an  effort  to 
adjust  the  £re  loss  of  the  Platts- 
buTgh  theatre  at  Plattsburgb,  N.  Y., 
application  was  made  last  week  to 
County  Judge  Collins  seeking  the 
appointment  of  an  umpire  to  deter- 
mine the  insurance  loss.  The  two 
appraisers  could  not  agree  upon  an 
umpire.  Hugh  McClelland  of  Cham- 
plam,  N.  Y.,  was  named  by  Judge 
Collins  as  umpire,  and  his  decision 
will  be  £nal. 


Jacksen,  Fox  Movietone 

Manager,  Names  Aids 

for  Sound  Production 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Ben  Jasksen, 
executive  manager  in  charge  of  Movietone 
production  for  Fox  Films,  has  gone  to  New 
York  to  confer  with  William  Fox  and 
Winfield  Sheehan  on  the  Fox  sound  picture 
production  program  for  next  season. 

Jacksen  has  announced  names  of  several 
members  of  his  immediate  staff  who  are 
active  in  talking  picture  production.  Harry 
Delf  has  been  made  supervising  director  of 
Movietone.  He  is  an  author,  playwright, 
stage  director  and  producer.  He  wrote 
"The  Family  Upstairs"  which  Fox  made 
into  a  picture  some  time  ago. 

Hugh  Herbert  and  Andy  Rice  were  se- 
lected by  Jacksen  to  become  special  writ- 
ers of  the  Movietone  short  subjects.  Harry 
Bailey  has  been  named  Movietone  casting 
director  and  George  Schneiderman,  dean  of 
Fox  Films  cameramen,  has  been  made 
Movietone    technical    director. 

"Sound  pictures-  will  never  replace  the 
silent  drama,"  says  Jacksen.  "Each  form 
has  certain  characteristics  that  make  for 
artistic  expression.  However,  Movietone 
will  strike  the  happy  medium  between  the 
stage  and  screen.  The  event  of  the  voice 
in  silent  drama  will  make  for  entertainment 
of  greater   reality. 

"I  think  it  behooves  every  popular  player 
on  the  screen  to  take  stock  of  voice  ex- 
pression and  diction.  Stage  experience  is 
not  necessary  for  Movietone  work,  but 
voice  culture,  intonation  and  diction  must 
be  mastered  to  be  successful  in  talking  pic- 
tures." 


Lynch  Opens   Theatre  Saturday 

Vincent   T.    Lynch   announces   that  his   new  theatre 
at  Lombard,  111.,  v/iil  open  on  July  7.    It  seats  about 

1,200. 


GRIFFIN  FILM 
CEMENT 

A   new   Film  Cement   for   Studios, 

Motion      Picture      Theatres      and 

Film    Exchanges 

Gives  better  service  than  any 

other  cemeat 

Write   for    descriptive    circular    and    special 
introductory   price 

Manufactured  by 

F.  B.  GRIFFIN 

Oshkosh,  Wis. 


JHEATRJ^l^ 

Catalogue 


Send  for 

J.RX:langy>, 


Syracuse  NY 


EVENHEETTERS 

For  perfect  organ  service 
and  longer  organ  life;  for  a 
decreased  maintenance  ex- 
pense and  better  organ  wel- 
fare, install  Evenheeters  in 
your  organ  chamber. 

EVENHEETERS 

Cramblet  Engineering  Corp. 
286  Milwaukee  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 




Julv  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


TF 

Jlll_L 

1 

_ 

Above  are  the   new  Brenkert  Brenogra^h  (left)  an  d  a  graph  showing  placement  of  the  device  in  the     projectio  n    booth. 

New  Universal  Effect  Projector 
Introduced  by  Brenkert 

Through   directional   mirrors   flexihle   control  is   obtained 


THE  Brenkert  Light  Projection  Com- 
pany, Detroit,  has  added  to  its  ex- 
tensive line  of  projection  room  equip- 
ment an  outstanding  piece  of  apparatus  in 
the  form  of  a  universal  effect  projector.  This 
device  will  be  known  as  the  Model  F-7 
Master  Brenograph  and  was  exhibited  for 
the  first  time  at  the  29t,h  convention  of 
the  I.  A.  T.  S.  E.,  where,  according  to 
reports,  it  proved  to  be  a  center  of  attrac- 
tion and  aroused  considerable  interest. 

The  new  F-7  Master  Brenograph,  after 
being  placed  in  the  projection  room,  is 
never  moved,  but  is  merely  placed  behind 
the  proper  porthole  in  a  permanent  fashion. 
In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  machine  re- 
mains stationary,  any  object,  or  surface, 
at  the  front  of  the  theatre  which  can  be 
seen  from  the  port  opening,  can  be  in- 
stantly covered  by  either  of  the  projecting 
systems. 

*     *     * 

This  flexible  control  is  obtained  by  means 
of  flat  directional  mirrors,  a  set  of  three 
being  placed  in  front  of  the  projection  lens 
in  each  system.  (See  Fig.  1.)  These  mir- 
rors are  of  the  highest  grade,  optically. 
One  mirror  in  each  set  is  rigidly  fixed  in 
position  before  the  projection  lens  and  is 
used  only  to  divert  the  light  beam  onto 
one  or  the  other  of  the  remaining  two  mir- 
rors. Two.  mirrors  in  each  set  are  mounted 
side  by  side  on  a  sliding  cross  rod  which 
permits  eifher  to  be  instantly  placed  in  the 
path  of  the  light  beam.  Both  of  them  are 
adjustable  vertically  and  horizontally  so 
that  the  beam  received  upon  the  surface 
of  each  can  be  reflected  to  any  part  of 
the  house  merely  by  turning  two  small 
knobs. 

Both  of  the  movable  mirrors  in  each 
system  can  be  locked  in  position  after  they 
are  adjusted  so  that  it  is  possible,  in  this 
manner,  to  preset  each  system  for  either 
slides  or  effects  without  in  any  way  disturb- 
ing  any   of  the    other  settings.     Since  two 


Figure       5 The       new 

Brenograph  a'so  has 
this  adjustable  star 
shutter  for  use  in 
special  masking  and 
in  effect  work  in  ihs 
theatre. 


Figure       3    Pre-set 

framing  shutter  each 
blade  of  whieh  can 
be  adjusted  separate- 
ly and  then  locked 
into  position.  Easily 
corrects   distortion. 


Figure  2  —  Pre-set 
iris  shutter  which  is 
adjusted  to  size  while 
in  the  projector,  then 
locked  into  position 
and  removed  for  fu- 
ture   use. 


Figure    4 This    shows 

the  photographic  plate 
holder  for  the  pro- 
jection of  effect  de- 
signs over  the  stage 
opening  by  new 

Brenkert    device. 


duplicate  projecting  systems  are  available, 
it  is  possible  to  show  a  total  of  four  preset 
effects,  changing  from  one  to  the  other  at 
will,    instantly. 

Immediately  behind  the  directional  mir- 
rors are  mounted  four  projection  lenses, 
each  four  inches  in  diameter  and  graded 
in  focal  length  from  10  inches  to  40  inches 


which  gives  the  projectionist  a  wide  range 
over  which  to  work.  These  lenses  are 
mounted  in  a  swivel  assembly  to  facilitate 
rapid  selection  for  meeting  the  conditions 
at  hand. 

In  front  of  the  respective  lens  assemblies 
is  mounted  an  iris  shutter  controlled  by 
a  rapid  operating  change-over  handle  for 
showing  dissolving  lantern  slides.  An  effect 
holder  in  each  system  completes  the  equip- 
ment at  the  front  end  of  the  machine,  all 
this  being  mounted  rigidly  in  place  as  it 
is  not  required  to  move  the  lens  assemblies 
back  and  forth  to  obtain  a  focus. 
*     *     * 

For  focusing  purposes,  the  lamphouse  in 
each  system,  together  with  its  related  parts 
such  as  the  holders,  shutters,  slide  carriers, 
etc.,  is  moved  back  and  forth  along  the 
supporting  base  rods  by  means  of  a  rack 
and  pinion  arrangement.  Preset  focussing 
indicators  are  supported  along  the  path  of 
each  lamphouse,  one  for  each  projection 
lens,  so  that  focussing  can  be  accomplished 
without  actually  observing  the  screen. 

Instead  of  building  the  various  framing 
and  iris  shutters  into  a  fixed  assembly  as 
was  done  in  the  old  Brenkert  F-3  models, 
the  much  simpler  method  has  been  adopted 
of  constructing  each  shutter  as  a  separate 
device  which  can  be  locked  for  any  desired 
adjustment  and  then  removed  from  the  ma- 
chine to  be  laid  aside  until  it  is  used.  Thus, 
the  iris  shutter  (Fig.  2.)  is  a  separate  device 
which  can  be  adjusted  for  size,  locked  in 
position  and  then  removed  until  the  time 
comes  when  it  will  be  used.  So  also  with 
the  single  unit  framing  shutter  (Fig.  3.) 
which  has  four  blades  (two  for  horizontal 
and  two  for  vertical  framing)  each  of  which 
can  be  separately  adjusted  and  locked  into 
position. 

Additional  accessories  of  this  nature  in- 
clude a  removable  photographic  plate  hold- 
er (Fig.  4.)  for  the  use  of  4  by  5  inch 
plates  on  which  are  printed  various  effects; 


46 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Decoration  and  Equipment 

To 

Insure  a  Successful  House 

Must 

— be  designed  to  harmonize  with  the  architectural  scheme 

— be  carefully  selected  to  secure  pleasing  comfort  and  rest- 
ful relaxation. 

Midwest  Unified  Service  Covers  Every  Requirement  of  Building — Dec- 
orating— Equipment — Furnishings. 

A  Scientific  Service  Harmonizing  the  Work  of  Architect — Engineer — 
Contractor — Decorator  and  Equipment  Men. 

Ornamental  plaster — Painting — Draperies — Rugs — Lighting  Effects — 
Equipment  from  the  ticket  booth  to  the  pipe  organ. 

One  Contract — Speedier  Progress — Co-Operative  Work 


Write  for  Estimates 


MIDWEST 


ENGINEERING 

& 
CONSTRUCTION 


CORPORATION 


209  S.  Third  Street 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO 


Main  2033 


THE 


HIGH  INTENSITY 
REFLECTOR  ARC 

For  Motion  Picture  Projection 


Type 
HJ.R. 


The  latest  and  greatest  step  forward  in  the  development  of  High  Intensity 
projection. 

Snow  White  High  Intensity  Light.  60  Amperes  equal  in  screen  illumination  to 
120  amperes  with  the  older  High  Intensity  Lamps.  Gives  more  and  better  light  for 
current  expended. 

HALL  &  CONNOLLY,  INC. 

129  Grand  Street  New  York  City 


plates   are   all   especially  moulded  to   order 
and  contain  distinctive  patterns. 

A  hinged  slide  carrier  is  mounted  on  the 
holder  assembly  so  that  it  can  be  swung 
■out  of  the  way  when  slides  are  not  being 
projected.  All  plate  and  effect  holders  are 
provided  with  swivel  adjustments  to  cor- 
rect distortion  when  the  beam  is  projected 
to    one    side    of   the   machine. 

The  entire  idea  of  this  new  effect  pro- 
jector centers  around  the  point  of  presetting 
all  effects  in  advance  of  their  showing.  All 
adjustments  for  slides  and  effects,  in- 
cluding framing,  focussing,  directing  the 
beam,  matching,  etc.,  are  performed  in  ad- 
vance so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  disturb  i 
any  adjustment  when  changing  from  slides 
to  effects  or  from  one  effect  to  another. 

*  »       4: 

Both  projecting  systems  are  absolutely  in- 
dependent of  each  other  which  makes  it 
possible  to  show  a  small  picture  with  one 
system  while  the  other  is  projecting  a  large 
one.  What  is  more  important,  the  two  in- 
dependent light  beams  can  be  directed  to 
different  parts  of  the  theatre  so  that  it  is 
possible  to  "spot"  the  organist  at  the  same 
time  that  an  effect  is  being  thrown  upon 
the  screen;  or,  two  effects  can  be  projected 
to  opposite  sides  of  the  theatre.  The  angles 
over  which  the  beams  may  be  thrown  are  as 
follows:  16  degrees  above  horizontal,  40  de- 
grees below  horizontal,  and  26  degrees  to 
the  left  or  right  of  the  machine.  (See  Fig. 
6.)  The  machine  is  never  tilted  and  at  all 
times   remains   level   on   the  floor. 

While  the  Master  Brenograph  has  the 
same  over-all  dimensions  as  the  old  Model 
F-3  machine,  it  actually  requires  less  space 
in  the  projection  room  because  no  space  is 
required,  as  with  the  old  model,  for  side 
swiveling  and  tilting  to  make  the  beams 
cover  the  stage. 

In  point  of  light  efficiency,  too,  the 
Master  Brenograph  is  far  superior  even 
though  additional  losses  of  light  are  en- 
countered by  using  the  directional  mirrors. 
A  highly  efficient  condenser  set  together 
with  large  diameter  projection  lenses,  give 
the  brilliant  light  that  is  required  to  project 
rich  color  effects.  The  current  necessary 
to  obtain  this  light  is  moderate;  in  fact, 
60  amperes  represent  the  maximum  which 
can  be  used  to  good  advantage  but  it  is 
expected  that  40  to  50  amperes  will  suffice 
for  all  ordinary  work  even  in  the  large 
theatres. 

*  *  '* 

The  practicability  of  the  Master  Breno- 
graph has  been  amply  demonstrated  by 
thorough  laboratory  tests  supplemented  by 
daily  operation  over  a  period  of  months  in 
one  of  Detroit's  large  theatres,  the  Holly- 
wood. The  extreme  flexibility  of  the  ma- 
chine and  it's  precise  registration  of  every 
effect  immediately  won  for  it  the  admiration 
of  the  owners  and  projectionists  alike  with 
the  result  that  the  trial  installation  was 
made  permanent. 

Brenkert  has  available  a  complete  line 
of  animated  scenic  and  color  effects  which 
are  adaptable  to  the  Master  Brenograph  in 
addition  to  special  stationary  scenic  effects 
which  were  devised  for  making  quick 
changes  of  stage  scenes  by  the  projection 
method.  All  of  these  effects  have  been 
priced  especially  low  in  order  to  make  it 
possible  for  the  theatres  to  purchase  them 
outright. 

Simplicity  of  operation  is  a  feature  of 
the  Master  Brenograph.  Each  lamp  is  equip- 
ped with  an  automatic  arc  control  to  re- 
lieve work  in  this  respect  and  enables  the 
projectionist  to  devote  all  of  his  time  to 
projecting  effects. 

Standard  equipment  on  the  Master  Breno- 
graph includes  arc  controls  for  each  lamp, 
one  spring  driven  color  wheel,  a  set  of 
special  glass  effect  plates,  and  two  framing 
and  two  iris  shutters,  each  of  the  present 
type.  The  standard  finish  will  be  black 
enamel,  baked  on,  with  nickel  trimmings. 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Better 
Projection 

(Continued  from   page  43) 

projection  incubuses,  Brother  Leightj',  but  that 
the  men  are  all  progressive.  A  friendly 
rivalry  between  projectionists  on  a  circuit  of 
theatres  is  fine.  It  is  good  for  projection, 
for  the  men  and  for  every  one  concerned. 


It 

Flutters 

Manager,  Grand  theatre,  Coalport,  Pa.,  says : 
"We  have  a  Powers  6B  projector.  So  far  as 
we  know  no  parts  are  worn  nor  is  anything 
loose,  yet  there  seems  to  be  a  flutter  up  and 
down  and  sometimes  to  one  side;  also  it  seems 
to  be  greater  by  far*  in  some  reels  than  in 
others ;  also  more  in  one  portion  of  some 
reels  than  in  other  parts.  Will  you  please 
advise  us  as  to  the  cause  of  it." 

This  is  typical  of  many  letters  which  still 
reach  my  desk,  and  the  writers  therof  evi- 
dently believe  I  can  by  some  mysterious  fifth 
or  sixth  sense  analyze  their  troubles,  bing, 
just  hke  that  I  suppose  I  should  feel  highly 
complimented  at  such  a  display  of  confi- 
dence, but  really  I'd  much  prefer  informa- 
tion to  confidence. 

Well,  let's  see  what  we  can  make  out  of 
friend  manager's  trouble.  By  "flutter"  he 
might  mean  a  movement  of  the  picture  up  and 
down  and  side  wise,  or  he  might  mean  travel 
ghost.  Guess  not  the  latter,  though,  as  travel 
ghost  doesn't  work  sidewise.  Yes,  I  think 
the  picture  jumps  up  and  down  with  a  short, 
jerky  motion  and  once  in  a  while  it  moves 
sidewise.  Just  a  guess,  but  probably  not  far 
from  right. 

As  to  the  sidewise  movement,  examine  the 
two  rollers  on  top  of  the  projector  gate.  See 
to  it  that  they  set  snugly  against  the  film,  but 
lAathout  sufficient  pressure  upon  it  to  "cup" 
the  film.  That  may  be  allright,  though,  and 
you  may  be  using  what  we  call  junk  film, 
which  means  very  old  film.  In  such  film  there 
may  be  badly  made  splices,  which  would  cause 
the  film  to  move  sidewise,  as  they  went  be- 
tween these  rollers,  or  when  it  went  over  the 
intermittent  sprocket. 

In  fact,  it  is  not  at  all  impossible  that  old 
film  with  badly  worn,  strained  sprocket  holes 
is  responsible  for  the  whole  thing. — The  jump- 
ing (flutter)  as  well  as  the  side  movement. 
Then,  too,  your  intermittent  movement  may 
be  badly  worn  or  in  need  of  adjustment,  or 
the  intermittent  sprocket  teeth  may  be  worn 
hooked,  or  it  may  be  a  combination  of  all 
these  various  things  and  some  more.  It  would 
require  at  least  one  whole  page  of  this  de- 
partment to  deal  with  such  a  trouble  fully. 

Set  your  projector  flywheel  so  that  the  inter- 
mittent is  on  the  lock.  By  that  I  mean  turn  it 
until  the  intermittent  movement  has  acted  and 
the  intermittent  sprocket  has  come  to  rest. 
Then  turn  the  flywheel  a  little  more,  but  stop 
before  the  sprocket  moves  again.  The  move- 
ment now  is  "on  the  lock."  Now  see  if  the 
sprocket  can  be  moved  either  endwise  or  cir- 
cumferentially  appreciably.  If  it  can  it  should 
be  adjusted  to  eliminate  or  very  nearly  elmi- 
nate  all  that  motion.  I  can't  spare  space  to 
tell  you  how.  Get  you  a  Bluebook  of  Pro- 
jection for  that.  It  contains  complete  direc- 
tions and  a  great  mass  of  other  things  that  you 
very  evidently  can  use  to  good  advantage.  See 
to  it  that  the  idlers  which  hold  the  film  to  the 
sprocket  are  set  about  two  thicknesses  of  film 
away  from  the  sprocket. 

There,  if  you  want  further  help  you  must 
giveme  much  more  detailed  information.  Tell 
me  just  what  that  "flutter"  consists  of,  how 


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Automatic  Temperature 
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Designed  especially  for 
Theatre  Organ  Chambers, 
Box  Offices,  etc.,  but  will 
prove  useful  in  many 
other  places. 


Patented 


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AISLE  LIGHT 


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Specialists 

New  Theatres  made  More  Beautiful 
Old  Theatres  made  More  Profitable 

Continental  Studios,  Inc. 

100  East  Ohio  St.  Chicago 

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PAINE  EXPANSION  SHELLS 

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Furnished  with  bolts  and  washers  ready 
to  instaU.  '/4"  size  shell  most  gen- 
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original  installations.  The  most  satis- 
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chair  to   concrete. 

Send  for  samples  and  prices 

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48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


Automatic  Devices  Co. 

737  Hamilton  Street 
ALLENTOWN,  PA. 


The  Proper  Control  of  Light 
On  Your  Screen 

Picture  Blms  vary  as  well  as  current  eonditions. 
Your  projectieoist  can  adjust  hli  arc  enrrent  to 
always  give  yon  a  clear,  bright  picture  If  you 
•quip  with  PERFECTION.  Current  saTing  ■!«•  Is 
a  result  of  PERFECTION  equipment,  for  b«  naacl 
not  us*  full  enrrent  till  the  actual  projection  la 
started. 


PERFBcnON 


REMOTE  CONTROL  RHEOSTATS 

An  Ever  Groieing  List  of  Satisfied  Vt»r$: 


Boxy    Theatre — New    York 

City 
Paramount      Tlieatre — New 

York    City 
Elalto    Theatre — New   York 

City 
BiTOli    Theatre— New    York 

City 
LoeWs  State  Theatre— New 

York  City 
loew's  State  Theatre — New- 
ark,  N.    J. 
I/)ew's      Teiaa      Theatre— 

Houston,    Texas 
Loew*!  86th  St. — Brooklyn. 

N.    Y. 
Loew'i  State — Columbus.  O. 
Astor    Tkeatre— New    York 

City 


Proctor's      86th      St. — New 
York  City 

Cohan    Theatre — New   York 
City 

Publlx       Theatre — Buffalo, 
N.   Y. 

New    Capitol — ^Binghamton, 
N.   Y. 

Keith's    Theatre— Philadel- 
phia 

Carman   Theatre — Philadel- 
phia 

P  r  o  0  t  0  r's  Theatre — New 
Bochelle.   N.   Y. 

Proctor's  Theatre — W  h  1 1  e 
Plains,   N.    Y. 

Fox's     Washington — Wash- 
ington,   D.    C. 

—and    mony  •thars 


Sold   by   Theatr*   Supply  Dealer* 

HOFFMANN  &  SOONS 

Mfg.  DivisiiMi 
387  First  Avenue  Nrw  Tork  City 

Contracting    Electrical    Engineers — Moving    Pic- 
ture   Theatre    Electrical    Specialists 


old  the  projectors  are  and  what  repairs  have 
they  had  and  W'hen. 


Big  Things 
Coming 


It  is  pretty  certain  now  that  before  another 
year  has  rolled  around,  sound  synchronization 
will  be  an  established  fact  in  THOUSANDS 
of  theatres  in  this  countrj-  and  Canada.  New 
installations  are  going  in  as  fast  as  they  can 
be  produced.  Big  things  are  in  the  projec- 
tion pot  and  boiling  merrily. 

Movietone  itself  has  just  closed  deals  in- 
volving a  thousand  theatres.  It  expects  within 
a  year  to  have  Movietone  in  at  least  3,000 
theatres  if  the  apparatus  can  be  produced  that 
fast. 

William  Fox  has  been  a  potent  factor  in 
bringing  about  the  rapid  adoption  of  sound 
synchronization  with  motion  in  our  theatres 
and  in  that  William  Fox  has  performed  a 
real  service  to  the  motion  picture  industry  and 
to  the  public.  This  would  be  true  if  for  only 
one  reason — and  there  are  more  than  one.  Just 
imagine  what  it  means  for  the  smallest  village 
theatre  to  screen  the  productions  with  ac- 
companiment by  the  best  orchestras  in  all  the 
world,  or  to  actually  in  effect  have  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  to  say  nothing  of 
great  opera  singers  pay  a  personal  visit  to  the 
little  village  and  speak  to  the  people  of  the 
community. 

As  I  have  already  intimated,  sound  synchon- 
ized  with  motion  is  going  to  add  to  the  pro- 
jectionist's work  somewhat,  but  it  also  will 
give  him  a  vastly  added  interest  in  it.  It  is 
going  to  give  him  a  sort  of  personal  interest 
in  the  show.  That  is  the  verdict  of  projec- 
tionists now  using  projecting  sound.  It  will 
put  the  projectionist  on  his  metal  and  give  him 
the  chance  to  really  show  what  he  can  do. 
Sound  projection  is  no  longer  an  experiment. 
It  is  an   established   fact. 


New  Inventions  for 
Picture  Industry 


,S7 

^.aI 

¥^ 

,m 

Kw.5 

^"isl  W} 

^p^ 

21  T'8^ 

a^ 

4 

1,671,805.  PROJECTOR  LAMP.  Preston  R.  Bas- 
sett,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  assignor  to  The  Sperry  Gyro- 
scope Company,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  a  Corporation  of 
New  York.  Filed  Nov.  25,  1922.  Serial  No.  603,288. 
29    Claims.      (CI.    176—66.) 

26.  In  a  projector  lamp,  an  electrode,  a  hub,  a 
brush-holder  rotatably  mounted  on  said  hub,  a  plural- 
ity of  brushes,  slidable  in  said  holder  and  resiliently 
engaging  said  electrode,  a  cam  on  said  hub,  a  pin 
fixed  to  each  of  said  brushes  and  engaging  said  cam, 
and  means  for  rotating  said  holder  to  cause  move- 
ment of  said  brushes  in  feeding  direction. 


1,669,027.  MACHINE  FOR  PRINTING  PHOTO- 
GRAPHS. Frances  Seymour,  Newark,  N.  J.  Filed 
July  16,  1926.  Serial  No.  122,760.  2  Claims.  (CI. 
88—24.) 

1.  A  machine  for  printing  photographs  from  a  de- 
veloped negative  having  twin  pictures  comprising  a 
holder  for  the  negative,  a  source  of  light  behind  the 
negative  to  project  rays  to  and  through  the  negative 
and  a  positive  in  front  of  the  negative,  and  a  biprism 
mounted  in  front  of  the  film  to  cause  the  rays  from 
the  negative  to  be  bent  and  be  superimposed  on  the 
positive  surface,  and  a  means  for  distorting  said  pro- 
jected  rays  so  as  to  produce  a   grotesque,  positive. 


'«>«>^ 


GOING  TO  RENOVATE 
THIS  SUMMER? 

DULL  Summer  days  suggest  renovations 
.  .  .  new  chairs  .  .  .  perhaps  carpet  for 
the  foyer  .  .  .  maybe  your  lighting  is  poor, 
if  new  lighting  fixtures  are  part  of  your 
plan  it  is  well  to  think  before  choosing.  They 
should  be  decorative  and  ornamental  .  .  . 
that  for  beauty.  They  should  be  practical 
.  .  .  for  illumination  is  certainly  the  pur- 
pose  of  lighting  equipment  They  should  be 
"Distinctively  Theatrical"  ...  to  further 
amplify  the  illusive  quality  of  the  play 
house  .  .   . 

Fixtures  by  VOIGT  have  all  these  quali' 
fications  "  and  many  others  !  Prices  are 
reasonable  toO"With  convenient  terms  if 
desired. 

Write  for  booklet,  "Lighting  Fixtures 
for  Theatres" 

VOIGT  COMPANY 

Designers    and    Manufacturers 

Decorative  Lighting  Equipment  for  TheatrCj 

1743-49  NORTH   12th  STREET 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 


Reserved  Seat  Tickets:  for  Theatres  and  all  amuse- 
ment enterprises.  Folded  Machine  Tickets:  for  all 
machines.  Roll  and  Book  Strip  Tickets:  for  every 
pnrpose.  We  supply  the  leading  theatres  and  amuse- 
ment enterprises  all  over  the  country.  Write  for 
samples  and  prices. 

'W^ILLlANfS 
&  LICK. 

FORT  SMITH,   ARK. 

Specialists  in  Numbered  Printing  Since  1898 


Julv  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


/.  B.  Tdunjar  and  S.  E.  Rose,  of  the 
Robert  l^orton  Organ  Company, 
Chicago.  T^unjar  s  12  years  of  ac- 
tive service  in  the  organization  have 
brought  him  a  recent  •promotion 
which  places  him  in  charge  of  sales 
in  21  7^id-W estern  states  and  also 
including  the  export  department  ex- 
ploitation. 

New  Fro]ects 

CALIFORNIA 

ALTADENA — W.  A.  Ha£S  and  associates,  care 
Altadena  Chamber  of  Commerce,  plan  to  erect  brick 
and  concrete  theatre  and  store  building.  Architect 
not    selected.      Estimated    cost,    $150,000. 

BERKELEY — Pantages  Theatre,  Marshall  Square 
Building,  San  Francieco,  plans  to  erect  Clase  "A" 
theatre.     Cost  estimated   to   exceed   $150,000. 

CALEXICO— S.  Lesser.  621  South  Hope  street,  Los 
Angeles,  has  plans  by  C.  J.  Weyl,  6536  Sunset  Boule- 
vard, Los  Angeles,  for  brick  theatre  and  store  build- 
ing.     Estimated    cost,    $150,000. 

OAKLAND— Pantages  Theatre,  Marshall  Square 
Bxiilding,  San  Francieco,  plans  to  erect  Class  "A" 
theatre.     Cost  estimated  to  exceed   $150,000. 

PORTERSVILLE— S.  Leseer,  621  South  Hope  street, 
Los  Angeles,  has  plans  by  C.  J.  Weyl,  6536  Sunset 
Boulevard,  Los  Angeles,  for  brick  theatre  and  store 
building.     Estimated   cost,   $150,000. 

SAN  JOSE— Pantages  Theatre,  Marshall  Square 
Building,  San  Francisco,  plans  to  erect  Class  "A" 
theatre.     Coet  estimated   to  exceed   $150,000. 

CONNECTICUT 

GREENWICH — Lincoln  Theatrical  Enterprises,  Inc., 
S.  Brotter,  president,  972  Broad  street,  Newark,  N.  J., 
ha£  plans  by  W.  E.  Lehman,  972  Broad  street,  Newark, 
N.  J.,  for  one-story  brick  theatre,  with  seating  capac- 
ity of  2,500,  to  be  located  on  Boston  Post  road,  near 
Greenwich   avenue.     Estimated   cost,   $150,000. 

TORRINGTON — L.  Longhl,  42  Calhoun  street,  has 
plans  by  L.  J.  Thompson,  521  Corbin  avenue.  New 
Britain,  Conn.,  for  two-story  brick  theatre,  75  by 
250  feet,  to  be  located  on  North  Main  street.  Esti- 
mated  cost,   $200,000. 

ILLINOIS 

MONMOUTH— Community  Theatre,  Chamber  of 
Commerce  Building,  has  plans  by  F.  J.  Klein,  301 
Main  street,  Peoria,  III.,  for  replacing  burned  theatre 
with  new  brick  structure  on  Public  Square.  Estimated 
cost,   $75,000. 


EVERYTHING  FOR 

THE  STAGE 

t. 

I^IFFIMq^ 

Cig^cenicgtodlos 

BSTABUSHED    1902 

Send  for  Catalogue 

SELECTED 

BY  THE  BEST 


COMPLETE 

THEATRE 

LIGHTING 

AND 

CONTROL 

EQUIPMENT 


DOWN    TOWN    CHICAGO 
SALES    OFFICES 

Suite  323 — 155  N.  Clark  St. 
Phone  State  7966 

NEW    YORK    CITY 
1457    Broadway 

Phone  Wisconsin  4843 


WRITE 

FOR  FULL 

DETAILS  AND 

ESTIMATES 


HUB  ELECTRIC  CO^    toledo.  ohio 

1220  Madison  Ave. 

Phone  Adams  5518 

Factory  and  General  Offices 

THriOC       W7       ^      <"  J        A  r^i   •  MILWAUKEE.   WIS. 

2219-25     West    (jrand    Ave.,    Chicaso       123  second  st. 

°  Phone  Grand  1533 

Phone  Seeley  6440-1-2 


APE      YOl)      GETTING      RUMORS 

MontWy  9licle.  News  fbr  tte.  Or^ni6t 


£fifiBUR6 

Reproducing 

t/  Pipe  Organs 


(Illustrating    the 

Remote   Control 

Board) 


Using  the  fa- 
m  o  u  s  T  vsr  o 
Hour-Rolls  with 
Remote  Control 


J.  P.  Seeburg  Company 
1510  DAYTON  ST.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Dept.  B-1 


50 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7, 1928 


The  foyer,  called  the 
foyer-'^romenoir  in  the 
Seattle.  It  is  40  feet 
high  and  extends  the 
full  width  of  the  theatre, 
a  chamber  of  magnifi- 
cent ■pro'^ortions  as  vuell 
as  furni  shings.  The 
grand  staircase  is  a  fea- 
ture  of  the  theatre , 
uuhile  one  foyer  rug  is  a 
Gobelin  measuring  25 
by  30  feet. 


The  auditorium,  show- 
ing particularly  the  dec- 
orative  work  at  the 
■proscenium  arch.  This 
entire  ceiling  is  wrought 
in  this  elegant  manner, 
'with  a  great  dome  at  the 
center.  Concealed 
throughout  these  carv- 
ings are  lights  capable 
of  bathing  the  audito- 
rium in  a  gradation  or 
colors.  The  entire  audi- 
torium seats  4,000. 


The  Seattle— New  $3,000,000  Wesco  House 

One  of  the  Pacific  Coast  s  outstanding  motion  ■picture  theatres  is  this  theatre  erected 
hy  L.  "N..  Rosenbaum  from  designs  hy  W.  S.  Hammons  of  New  York.    The  above  'pic- 
tures indicate  its  elegance. 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Can  You  Answer 
These  Questions? 

1/  you  can%  read  the  recent  court 
decisions  compiled — 

By  LEO  T.  PARKER 

Cf  Must  a  censor  see  a  picture? 
CJ  Have  you  protection  against  ejection? 
O  Are  you  liable  for  injury  to  patrons? 
^  Are  you  liable  for  employes'  injuries? 
C[  Does  delay  in  filing  suit  bar  recovery? 
CI  Is  landlord  liable  for  failure  to  give  lease  ? 


SELDOM  have  the  higher  Courts  rendered 
decisions   so  important  to  theatre  owners 
as  those  which  are  digested  in  this  month's 
article  on  theatre  law. 

Be  sure  to  keep  the  citations  of  the  follow- 
ing cases.  Since  all  of  these  litigations  have 
been  decided  by  the  higher  Courts  during  the 
past  few  weeks,  you  may  use  them  to  advan- 
tage should  you  become  involved  in  legal  con- 
troversy. 

*  *    * 

Board  of  Censors 
Bound  to   Review  Films 

Some  few  months  ago,  an  important  de- 
cision was  rendered  pertaining  to  the  require- 
ments of  a  state  board  of  censors  to  examine 
and  censor  all  films  before  refusing  to  permit 
the  films  to  be  publicly  exhibited. 

In  this  case  State  Midwestern  Film 
Exchange  v.  Clifton,  director,  160  N.  E.  625, 
the  director  of  censors  refused  to  accept  the 
films  of  the  Dempsey  v.  Tunney  Boxing  Ex- 
hibition because,  he  said,  the  title  of  such  film 
and  of  his  own  general  knowledge  of  the 
event  portrayed  "it  was  and  is  unnecessary 
for  him  to  actually  examine  said  film  in  order 
to  exercise  his  judgment  and  discretion  to 
determine  whether  or  not  such  film  was  of  a 
moral,  educational,  or  amusing  and  harmless 
character   so  as  to   entitle  it." 

In  holding  the  director  not  lawfully  em- 
powered to  refuse  to  view  and  examine  the 
picture,  before  rejecting  it  for  exhibition,  this 
higher   Court   said : 

"While  the  Court  would  not  disturb  the 
exercise  of  a  sound  discretion  upon  the  part 
of  the  board,  in  its  approval  or  disapproval 
of  a  film,  yet  the  order  of  the  director  bas- 
ing his  disapproval  upon  what  he  terms  his 
'general  knowledge"  of  the  film  and  its  title, 
and  not  upon  examination,  was  not  made  in 
compliance  with  the  aforesaid  sections  of  our 
law  relating  to  film  censorship.  It  therefore 
follows  that  the  order  of  the  director,  made 
under  such  circumstances,  was  unlawful  and 
unreasonable." 

*  *    * 

Lease  Contract 
Construed 

Proprietors  who  lease  buildings  should  be 
certain  that  the  following  clause  is  inserted 
in  the  lease  contract : 

"In  any  action  brought  to  recover  the 
possession  of  premises  for  the  non-pay- 
ment   of   rent,    the    tenant   m-ay    before 
judgment  is  given  in  such  action,  pay 
or  tender  the  rent  due  and  the  costs  of 
the  action,  and  all  further  proceedings 
in  such  action  shall  cease." 
In  the  recent  case  of  Coleman  v.  Carohna 
Theatres,   143   S.   E.   7,   a  lease  contract  con- 
tained   substantially    the    above    clause.      The 
theatre   proprietor    failed    to    pay   the    agreed 
rental   for  the   months   of   January  and   Feb- 
ruary, 1928.    The  owner  of  the  building  sued 


to  regain  possession  of  the  property.  How- 
ever, the  theatre  proprietor  tendered  to  the 
landlord,  before  judgment  was  rendered  by 
the  Court,  all  the  rents  due,  together  with  all 
costs  which  the  landlord  had  incurred  in  filing 
the  suit.  The  court  immediately  rendered  a 
verdict  permitting  the  theatre  owner  to  retain 
possession  of  the  premises. 

However,  the  case  of  Midimis  v.  Murrell, 
128  N.  E.  150,  is  distinguishable  for  the  reason 
that  the  lease  contract  therein  provides  that 
upon  failure  to  pay  the  rent  the  landlord  should 
have  the  option  to  declare  the  contract  null 
and  void.  In  this  case  the  proprietor  failed 
to  pay  the  rent  when  due  and  it  was  held 
that  this  failure  automatically  terminated  the 
lease  contract,  thus  ousting  the  proprietor,  al- 
though   he    tendered    the    rent    due    after    the 

suit  was  filed. 

*     *     * 

Amusement  Proprietor 
Held  Not  Liable 
for  Injury  to  Patron 

The  case  of  Berberet  v.  Electric  Park 
Amusement  Co.,  3  S.  W.  (2d)  1025,  decided 
during  the  past  few  weeks,  imparts  unusually 
important  and  valuable  information  of  the 
duties  of  theatre  proprietors  to  maintain  the 
premises   safe   for  patrons.   Also,  the  kind  of 


New  Process  for 
Treating  Films 


1,669,394.  PROCESS  FOR  TREATING  FILMS. 
Carleton  Ellis,  Montclair,  and  Harry  M.  Weber, 
Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  assignors  to  Ellis-Foster  Company, 
a  Corporation  of  New  Jersey.  Filed  Dec.  16,  1921. 
Serial    No.    522,915.      9    Claims.       (CI.    87—5.) 

1.  The  process  of  recovering  moving  picture  film 
which  comprises  passing  the  film  through  a  moistening 
zone  whereby  it  is  exposed  to  the  action  of  hot  slight- 
ly alkaline  aqueous  medium,  stripping  the  softened 
gelatin  from  its  celluloid  support,  washing  the 
stripped  film  free  from  alkaline  substances  and  pass- 
ing said  film  through  a  drying  chamber,  the  foregoing 
steps    being    carried    out   in   a   continuous    manner. 


testimony  which  the  injured  patron  must  in- 
troduce to  obtain  a  favorable  verdict  for 
damages  is  clearly  explained. 

The  facts  of  this  case  are  that  at  the  time 
of  the  alleged  injuries  a  woman  of  about  57 
years,  with  her  husband  and  her  grandson, 
a  boy  of  9  years,  visited  a  park  paying  the 
customary  entrance  fee.  While  in  the  park, 
they  went  to  a  merry-go-round.  A  board 
walk  extended  from  the  merry-go-round  to 
a  concrete  walk.  The  boy  rode  in  the  merry- 
go-round,  after  which  they  walked  from  the 
merry-go-round  along  this  board  walk,  which 
inclined  somewhat  toward  the  concrete  walk. 
When  they  were  close  to  where  the  board 
walk  joined  the  concrete  walk,  the  woman 
fell  sustaining  severe  injuries.  She  sued  the 
park  owners  for  damages  contending  that  the 
board  which  caused  her  to  fall  was  loose  and 
unfastened  and  was  likely  to  move  and  swerve 
when  stepped  on,  whereby  the  former  were 
guilty  of  careless  and  negligent  acts  in  per- 
mitting and  leaving  a  board  in  the  sidewalk 
unsafe    and    dangerous. 

During  the  trial  the  injured  patron  intro- 
duced testimony  proving  that  her  injuries  re- 
sulted when  she  stepped  upon  the  loose  board, 
but  she  did  not  prove  that  the  board  walk 
was  defective  before  she  walked  upon  it. 

The  lower  Court  held  the  patron  entitled  to 
damages  for  the  injuries,  but  the  higher 
Court  reversed  this  verdict  and  in  holding 
the  proprietor  not  liable,  explained  the  law  on 
this  subject  in  the  concise  language  as  follows: 

"The  defendant  operated  the  park  for  profit,  and, 
to  these  persons  who  paid  the  entrance  fee  and  en- 
tered, owed  the  duty  to  use  reasonable  care  to  make 
every  part  of  it  safe.  The  rule  is  that  the  proprietor 
of  a  place  of  public  amusement  owes  to  his  patrons 
that  duty  which,  under  the  particular  circumstances, 
is  ordinary  care  or  reasonable  care  for  their  safety. 
.  .  .  However,  one  who  invites  another  to  come 
upon  his  premises  is  not  an  insurer  of  the  safety  of 
such  other  person.  The  rulings  in  the  cases  show 
that  the  care  required  of  the  proprietor  of  a  place  of 
public  amusement  is  that  which  is  reasonably  adapted 
to  the  character  of  the  exhibitions  given,  the  amuse- 
ment offered,  the  places  to  which  patrons  resort, 
and  also,  in  some  cases,  the  customary  conduct  of 
spectators  of  such  exhibitions.  It  is  a  case  com- 
mensurate with  the  particular  conditions  and  cir- 
cumstances involved  in  the  given  case.  In  the  case  at 
bar,  the  particular  place  involved  is  a  board  walk, 
for  the  use  of  patrons  visiting  a  merry-go-round  and 
returning  thence  to  a  concrete  walk.  It  is  an  in- 
stance under  the  general  rule  which  charges  an  owner 
of  property  with  a  duty  toward  those  he  invites  the 
corresponding  duty,  a  duty  appropriate  to  the  nature 
of  the  object,  and  of  its  use  by  the  plaintiff ^he  duty 
to  keep  the  walk  in  reasonable  safe  condition,  for 
persons  walking  thereon  .  .  .  The  plaintiff's  (injured 
patron's)  case  is  founded  upon  the  claim  that  the 
board  had  become  unfastened  and  loose,  and  was  un- 
fastened and  loose  before  she  stepped  upon  it,  and 
that  when  she  stepped  upon  it  it  slipped  or  gave  way, 
and  that  defendant,  in  the  exercise  of  ordinary  care 
would  have  discovered  its  unsafe  and  dangerous 
condition.  There  is  nothing  to  show  the  condition 
of  the  board,  one  hour,  or  one  day,  before  plaintiff's 
injury,  except  the  fact  that  when  she  stepped  upon 
it  it  slipped  or  gave  way,  and,  after  she  arose,  one 
end  of  it  was  out  of  place,  leaving  a  space  of  two 
inches  or  more.  It  was  not  shown  that  the  board 
was    originally    defective,    or    thai    the    board    or    the 


52 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


stringer  upon  which  it  lay  had  decayed,  or  that  it 
had  not  bee-n  nailed,  or  that,  if  nailed,  the  nails  had 
come  out  .  .  .  Since,  as  the  cases  hold,  the  defendant 
(proprietor)  was  bound  to  use  ordinary  care,  and 
was  not  an  insurer  of  the  safety  of  the  plaintiff 
(injured  person)  it  was  necessary  to  show  that  the 
condition  which  existed  should  have  been  known  to 
the    defendant." 

On  the  other  hand,  a  theatre  owner  is  liable 
in  damages  for  injuries  sustained  by  a  patron 
as  a  result  of  the  former's  negligence  in  fail- 
ing to  properly  safeguard  the  patron  against 
an  apparent  danger. 

For  illustration,  in  Painesville  Utopia 
Theatre  Co.  v.  Lautermilch,  160  N.  E.  683,  it 
■was  disclosed  that  a  theatre  consisted  of  an 
entrance  inclosed  from  the  street  by  glass 
doors,  a  foyer  separated  from  the  lobby  by 
glass  doors,  and  the  auditorium  separated 
from  the  foyer  by  curtains.  The  foyer  was 
the  space  immediately  back  of  the  rear  row 
of  seats.  For  matinees  the  curtains  were 
closed  on  the  doors  leading  from  the  lobby, 
and   between   the   foyer  and   the   auditorium. 

One  afternoon  a  patron  purchased  a  ticket 
for  a  matinee  entertainment  and  entered  the 
theatre.  After  viewing  the  pictures  she  left 
the  auditorium  room,  which  was  semidark, 
and  entered  the  foyer,  which  was  also  semi- 
dark,  and  there  sought  a  toilet  room.  Ob- 
ser\-ing  an  ordinary  door  at  the  end  of  the 
foyer,  she  opened  it  and  fell  through  an  open 
space  to  the  basement  suffering  severe  in- 
juries. 

In  this  case  the  theatre  owner  was  held 
liable  in  damages,  because  he  was  negligent  in 
permitting  the  dangerous  doorway  to  remain 
unlocked. 

*     *     * 

Employer  Bound  to  Keep 
Premises  Reasonably  Safe 
for   Employes 

The  law  is  well  established  that  it  is  the 
legal  duty  of  a  theatre  owner  to  provide  a 
reasonably  safe  place,  as  the  circumstances 
will  permit,  for  his  employes  to  work.  Fur- 
thermore, he  is  legally  bound  to  know  that  the 
theatre  equipment  and  premises  are  free  from 
apparent  defects  which  are  likely  to  cause 
injury  to  the   employes. 

For  example,  in  a  leading  case  (140  S.  E. 
76)    the    Court    quoted : 

"It  is  elementary  learning  that  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  master  to  furnish  his  servant  a  reason- 
ably safe  place,  as  far  as  practical,  for  doing 
his   work." 

On  the  other  hand,  an  employer  is  not  an 
"insurer"  against  injuries  sustained  by  his  em- 
ployes. If  it  can  be  proved  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  Court  that  an  injured  employe  was 
grossly  negligent  in  not  taking  the  proper  pre- 
cautions to  protect  himself  against  injury,  or 
that  the  defect  causing  the  injury  was  not 
discoverable  by  a  reasonably  careful  em- 
ployer, the  latter  is  not  liable  in  damages. 

It  is  important  to  remember  that  an  injury 
sustained  wdthout  negligence  on  the  part  of  an 
employe  is  an  evitable  happening,  and  the 
theatre  owner  cannot  avoid  liability  on  the 
contention  that  the  manager's  negligence 
which    caused    the    injury    was    unintentional. 

The  law  expects  the  theatre  owner  to  keep 
the  premises  reasonably  safe  to  avoid  injuries 
to  the  workman  and  his  failure  to  do  so 
renders  him  liable,  irrespective  whether  the 
neglect  was  intentional  or  unintentional.  The 
important  question  is :  Did  the  employer  ex- 
ercise ordinary  care  to  maintain  the  premises 
in  a  safe  condition? 

Therefore  the  theatre  owner  is  not  per- 
mitted to  avoid  liability  on  the  grounds  that 
the  injury  occurred  as  a  result  of  negligence 
or  disobedience  of  an  employe  such  as  the 
manager,  foreman  or  other  person  who  had 
control  over  the  employe  previous  to  the 
accident. 

For  instance,  in  Reynolds  v.  Al.  G.  Barnes 
Amusement  Co.  300  S.  W.  1062,  it  was  shown 
that  an  employe,  while  attending  to  his  reg- 
ular duties  stepped  into  a  hole,  and  was  seri- 
ously  injured. 

The   employe  filed  suit  contending  that  the 


proprietor  negligently  and  carelessly  failed 
to  provide  and  maintain  at  the  place  reason- 
ably sufBcient  light,  and  negligently  permitted 
the  premises  and  the  hole  to  be  dark  and 
unlighted. 

The  proprietor  contended  that  he  was  not 
liable  because  the  foreman,  on  duty  at  the 
time  of  the  accident,  had  disobeyed  instruc- 
tions to  keep  the  premises  well  lighted. 

However,  the  Court  held  the  emplove  en- 
titled to  recover  $7,500  damages,  and  said: 

"In  this  situation  it  was  defendant's  (pro- 
prietor) diity  to  exercise  ordinary  care  to  see 
that  plaintiff's  place  of  work  was  reasonably 
safe.  This  was  a  continuing,  nondelegable 
duty.  It  was  defendant's  duty  to  make  the 
place  reasonably  safe  for  plaintiff's  (employe) 
labor.  It  follows  that  if  the  lights  were  not 
furnished  by  defendant,  or  if  furnished  and 
the  foreman  failed  to  use  them,  there  was 
still  the  negligent  act  of  defendant.  ...  It 
was  defendant's  (proprietor)  duty,  under  the 
circumstances  in  evidence,  to  use  reasonable 
care  to  see  that  the  lights  in  question  were  so 
placed  as  to  render  plaintiff's  (employer) 
place  of  labor  reasonably  safe,  and  a  failure 
to  do  so  was  negligence.  The  fact  that  the 
omission  ^  may  have  occurred  through  the 
fault  of  its  servants  and  agents  charged  with 
said  duty  will  not  release  defendant  (pro- 
prietor)   from  liability." 


Delay  in  Filing 
Suit  Bars  Recovery 

(Generally  speaking,  a  signed  contract  by 
which  a  theatre  owner  is  released  from  dam- 
ages for  injuries  sustained  by  a  patron  is 
valid,  providing  the  theatre  owner  or  his 
authorized  agent  does  not  fraudulently  induce 
the  patron  to  sign  the  contract.  Moreover, 
contracts  of  this  nature  cannot,  under  any 
circumstances,  be  set  aside  after  an  unreason- 
able delay  on  the  part  of  the  patron. 

For  illustration,  in  Swan  v.  Rivoli  Theatre 
Co.,  219  N.  W.  85,  a  woman  patron,  who  was 
injured  through  fault  of  the  theatre  employe, 
filed  suit  against  the  theatre  owner  to  recover 
damages. 

The  latter  compromised  the  claim  for  $1,500 
and  obtained  a  written  contract  signed  by  the 
woman  and  her  husband  stating  that  they  for- 
ever released  the  theatre  owner  "from  any 
and  all  actions,  causes  of  action,  claims  and 
demands  accrued  and  to  accrue  on  account 
of  any  and  all  known  and  unknown  injury,  loss 
and  damage  whatsoever  sustained  by  us  on  or 
about  the  13th  day  of  April,  1922." 

Four  years  after  signing  this  agreement  and 
release,  the  woman  filed  suit  contending  that 
she  had  been  induced  to  sign  the  release  be- 
cause the  theatre  owner  had  fraudulently 
concealed  from  her  the  nature,  character  and 
extent  of  her  injuries. 

However,  the  Court  held  the  woman  not 
entitled  to   reopen  the  case,   saying : 

"There  was  very  considerable  delay.  The 
injuries  occurred  and  the  settlement  was 
made  more  than  four  years  before  the  mo- 
tion to  open  the  judgment  and  more  than 
two  and  one-half  years  before  the  judgment. 
We  do  not  fail  to  note  that  the  attorney  who 
brought  suit  was  guilty  of  gross  neglect.   .   .   ." 


Landlord  Liable  for  Failure 
to    Give  Promised  Lease 

It  is  well  established  that  the  owner  of  prop- 
erty is  liable  in  damages  for  failure  to  fulfill 
a  written  lease  contract,  or  a  verbal  promise 
to  enter  into  a  written  lease. 

For  instance,  in  Machaelis  v.  Freddy,  295 
S.  W.  305,  it  was  disclosed  that  a  person 
named  Machaelis  desired  to  enter  into  the 
business  of  conducting  a  motion  picture  theatre. 
He  approached  a  man  named  Miller  who  was 
conducting  a  theatre  in  a  leased  building  and 
arranged  to  purchase  the  equipment  at  $7,500, 
with  the  understanding  that  he  should  obtain 
a .  lease  on  the  building  from  the  landlord. 
Machaelis  then  explained  to  the  landlord  the 
contemplated  contract  of  purchase  of  the 
moving  picture  show  from  Miller.     Machaelis 


asked  the  landlord  if  he  would  give  an  option 
on  the  building  at  the  expiration  of  Miller's 
lease  on  January  1,  1926.  Machaelis  informed 
the  landlord  at  the  same  time  that  he  could 
not  afford  to  buy  the  moving  picture  business 
and  pay  out  the  amount  of  $7,500  unless  he 
was  sure  of  obtaining  the  building.  The  land- 
lord promised  that  he  would  give  Machaelis 
a  written  lease  at  a  stipulated  rental  upon 
t'op  expiration  of  Miller's  lease.  Machaelis 
tiie.-.  paid  Miller  $3,900,  the  first  payment  on 
his  theatre  equipment,  in  anticipation  of  ob- 
taining the  lease  contract  promised  by  the 
owner  of  the  theatre  building. 

However,  at  about  the  time  Miller's  lease 
expired,  another  person  approached  the  land- 
lord and  offered  a  rental  for  the  lease  con- 
siderably higher  than  that  amount  which 
Machaelis  had  agreed  to  pay.  In  view  of 
receiving  the  larger  rental,  the  landlord  pro- 
ceeded to  lease  the  theatre  building  to  the 
person  making  the  offer,  whereby  Machaelis 
was  prevented  from  entering  into  the  theatre 
business  with  the  equipment  he  had  purchased 
from  Miller. 

Machaelis  then  sued  the  landlord  for  dam- 
ages. The  Court  held  the  landlord  liable  in 
damages  to  Machaelis  for  the  amount  of 
$1,000,  and  explained  that  the  landlord  should 
be  held  accountable  for  failure  to  fulfill  the 
verbal  agreement  to  lease  the  theatre  building 
to  Machaelis. 


(Editor's  Note:  The  following  summary  of 
legal  decisions  are  a  continuance  of  those  pre- 
sented last  month.) 

Illegal  Object 
Of  the  Lease 

Of  course,  if  the  object  of  the  lease  con- 
tract is  not  legal,  neither  party  is  liable  in 
damages  to  the  other  for  breaking  the  con- 
tract. For  instance,  where  a  lease  provided 
for  the  erection  of  a  frame  building  in  viola- 
tion of  the  city  ordinance,  the  lease  would  be 
held  void. 

Also,  in  New  Chester  Theatre  Corporation 
V.  Bischoff,  205  N.  Y.  S.  641,  it  was  disclosed 
that  the  New  Chester  Theatre  Corporation 
entered  into  a  contract  with  the  man  named 
Bischoff  by  which  the  latter  agreed  to  build 
a  theatre  according  to  certain  plans  and  spe- 
cifications, and  lease  it  to  the  former  for  a 
term  of  15  years.  By  the  agreement,  the  lease 
was  not  to  be  made  until  the  building  was 
fully  completed.  The  agreement  required  the 
building  to  comply  with  all  the  local  and  state 
laws  regarding  such  buildings.  After  the 
building  was  ready  for  occupancy  and  the  two 
parties  had  entered  into  the  lease,  the  new 
operator  having  obtained  a  license,  began  the 
operation  of  the  theatre.  Not  long  after,  the 
operator  was  notified  that  the  building  did 
not  conform  in  certain  respects  with  the  re- 
quirements of  the  law  and  regulations  of  the 
various  departments  of  the  city.  This  in- 
formation was  at  once  conveyed  to  the  owner 
who  agreed  to  attend  to  all  the  items.  He, 
however,  did  not  do  the  things  required  by  the 
notice  thereby  causing  the  license  of  the 
theatre  operator  to  be  suspended  and  the  thea- 
tre business  closed. 

The  theatre  operator  sued  the  owner  to  re- 
cover for  the  damages  sustained,  as  well  as 
the  deposit  which  was  paid  upon  the  lease. 
The  Court  held  the  theatre  operator  entitled 
to   these   damages,    and   said: 

"No  fraud  was  shown,  but  in  equity,  a  re- 
cission  may  be  had  where  a  contract  was  en- 
tered into  upon  a  misrepresentation  of  a 
material  fact,  although  there  was  no  fraud. 
Had  the  plaintiff  (theatre  owner)  known  that 
the  building  was  not  constructed  in  accord- 
ance with  the  requirements,  it  could  have 
refused  to  have  taken  possession,  and  could 
have  sued  to  recover  the  deposit.  Having 
entered  into  possession  without  knowledge  of 
the  fact,  the  plaintiff  (theatre  owner)  had  the 
right  to  surrender  possession  as  it  did,  and 
to  recover  the  deposit  and  any  damages  it  had 
sustained." 

On  the  other  hand,  while  the  theatre  owner 
who  takes  possession  and  uses  a  building  can- 


July  7, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


not  avoid  payment 
tion  that  the  landlo 
contract  violated  a 
may  avoid  liabiHty 
is  not  constructed 
laws,  providing  he 
the  building  when 


of  the  rent  on  the  conten- 
rd  was  aware  that  the  lease 
law,  yet  the  lessee  always 
on  leased  property  which 
in  accordance  with  definite 
does  not  take  possession  of 
informed  of  the  defect. 


For  illustration,  in  Hart  v.  City  Theatres 
Company,  109  N.  E.  479,  it  was  disclosed  that 
a  theatre  operator  leased  a  building  for  the 
purpose  of  using  the  same  as  a  passageway 
to  and  from  his  theatre.  Later,  he  discovered 
that  the  passageway  violated  the  New  York 
City  Building  Code.  The  higher  Court 
promptly  held  this  lease  void  and  unenforce- 
able. However,  in  order  that  the  operator  of 
a  theatre  may  rescind  a  lease  contract,  it  must 
be  shown  that  the  carrying  out  of  the  lease 
actually  \iolated  a  valid  law.  For  example, 
in  Kierman  v.  Bush  Temple,  82  N.  E.  410, 
it  was  shown  that  a  theatre  operator  leased 
a  building.  The  lease  contract  specified  that 
the  landlord  agreed  to  furnish  the  theatre 
operator  with  a  building  which  would  justify 
issual  of  a  first  class  amusement  license. 
Later,  it  was  discovered  that  a  city  ordinance 
restricted  the  use  of  movable  scenery  in 
theatres,  constructed  as  was  the  building  con- 
templated in  the  lease  contract.  The  theatre 
operator  contended  that  in  view  of  this  fact, 
he  was  privileged  to  rescind  the  lease.  How- 
ever, the  Court  held  the  lease  contract  valid 
and  enforceable  because  the  defect  was  im- 
material. 

^         ^         3t: 

Cancellation 
Of  Lease 

Under  certain  circumstances,  either  the 
lessor  or  lessee  may  cancel  a  lease.  For  in- 
stance, where  a  landlord  fails  to  perform  part 
of  the  lease  contract,  the  lessee  may  cancel  or 
rescind  the  lease.    (124  N.  Y.  S.  936.) 

In  a  recent  case  (101  Pac.  678),  it  was  dis- 
closed that  a  lease  contract  contained  a  stipu- 
lation by  which  it  was  agreed  that  if  the 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  the  lessee 
should  be  relieved  of  payment  of  a  portion  of 
the  rental,  and  if  the  building  was  completely 
destroyed  by  fire,  the  lease  contract  would  be 
automatically  cancelled. 

Fire  destroyed  about  15  per  cent  of  the 
building.  In  fact,  the  entire  brick  wall  on 
the  side,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  wall  on 
the  other  side,  as  well  as  almost  all  of  the 
tile  partitions,  plaster,  and  woodwork  were 
destroyed.  After  a  hard  fought  case,  the 
Court  held  the  building  was  practically  totally 
destroyed,  which  entitled  the  theatre  operator 
to  cancel  the  lease. 

Also,  the  outcome  of  the  case  of  Dalls 
Opera  House  Association  v.  Dallas  Enterprise, 
288  S.  W.  650,  decided  during  the  past  few 
weeks,  is  important  to  theatre  owners  for  the 
reason  that  the  higher  Court  had  occasion  to 
interpret  the  legal  meaning  of  a  clause  com- 
monly inserted   in  theatre   lease  contracts. 

It  was  agreed  between  the  theatre  pro- 
prietor and  the  owner  of  the  building  that 
in  the  event  the  building  was  destroyed  by  fire 
the  latter  had  the  privilege  of  reconstructing 
the  building  if  the  proceeds  from  the  insur- 
ance ivas  sufficient  to  cover  the  cost.  And  if 
the  amount  of  the  insurance  money  was  not 
sufficient  to  pay  the  total  expense  of  the  recon- 
struction of  the  building,  the  theatre  operator 
was  privileged  to  make  the  necessary  repairs 
and  take  in  full  payment  the  money  from  the 
insurance. 

To  guarantee  fulfillment  of  the  terms  of  the 
lease  contract,  the  theatre  owner  deposited  in 
a  bank  $20,000  in  Liberty  Bonds.  The  lease 
contract  covered  what  was  once  known  as  the 
Dallas  Opera  House,  and  more  recently  known 
as  the  Capitol  theatre.  It  began  June  1,  1921, 
and  was  for  a  term  of  five  years,  ending  May 
31,  1926,  and  provided  for  monthly  rent  of 
$2,250,  or  an  aggregate  rent  during  the  five 
years  of  $135,000,  besides  taxes  and  premium 
on  as  much  as  $50,000  of  fire  insurance,  which 
the  theatre  owner  was  also  to  pay.    The  build- 


A  New  Camera 
Case 


75,367.  MOTION-PICTURE-CAMERA  CASE.  Al- 
bert S.  Howell,  Chicago,  III.,  assigmor  to  The  Bell  & 
Howell  Company,  Chicago,  III.,  a  Corporation  of  Illi- 
nois. Filed  Feb.  27,  1928.  Serial  No.  25,604.  Term 
of   patent    14    years. 

The  ornamental  design  for  a  motion  picture  cam- 
era  case,    as    shown. 


ing  was  insured  for  $77,500  at  the  time  of  the 
fire.  The  occurrence  of  a  fire  on  December 
27,  1921,  completely  destroying  the  building  on 
the  lease  property,  and  the  theatre  owner  im- 
mediately notified  the  building  owner  of  the 
fire.  The  owner  of  the  building  proceeded  to 
obtain  bids  from  contractors  relative  to  the 
expense  of  reconstructing  the  building.  In 
the  meantime  the  owner  had  some  difficulty  in 
collecting  the  insurance.  On  January  1,  the 
theatre  owner  paid  the  monthly  rental  of 
$2,250,  and  taxes  of  $3,000.  When  February 
1  rent  became  due  the  theatre  owner,  not  hav- 
ing received  response  from  the  building  owner 
as  to  whether  he  intended  to  repair  the  build- 
ing, refused  to  pay  the  rent  on  the  contention 
that  the  owner  of  the  building  had  breached 
the  contract  by  failing  to  give  information 
whether  the  insurance  money  was  sufficient  to 
reconstruct  the  building.  Then  the  theatre 
owner  instituted  legal  proceedings  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  $20,000  in  Liberty  Bonds,  on 
the  grounds  that  the  building  owner  had 
breached  the  lease  contract.  The  owner  of  the 
building  also  sued  to  receive  the  $20,000  be- 
cause of  the  theatre  owner's  failure  to  pay 
the  rent  on  February  1.  The  owner  contended 
that  he  was  doing  everything  within  his  power 
to  obtain  information  from  contractors  of  the 
reconstruction  cost. 

The  Court  held  the  theatre  owner  entitled 
to  recover  the  $20,000  and  that  the  owner  of 
the  building  was  not  liable  in  damages  to  the 
former  because  the  period  from  December  27 
to  February  2  was  deemed  a  reasonable  period 


in  which  the  owner  may  determine  whether 
he  would  reconstruct  the  building  without  cost 
to  the  theatre  owner. 

*  *    * 
Validity  of 

Lease   Contract 

Sometimes  a  lease  contract  is  partly  written 
and  partly  printed.  The  rule  is  established 
that  the  pen-written  portions  of  the  lease  con- 
tract prevail  over  the  printed  or  typewritten 
portions,  and  that  the  typewritten  portions 
prevail  over  the  printed  portions.  (92  Pac. 
652.) 

After  the  validity  of  a  lease  is  established, 
and  the  lessee  sues  the  landlord  for  damages 
on  the  contention  that  the  latter  has  breached 
certain  terms  of  the  lease,  the  lessee  may  re- 
cover damages  equal  to  the  difference  between 
the  rent  agreed  to  be  paid  and  the  actual 
value  of  the  use  of  the  premises.  (80  S.  E. 
668.) 

The  measure  of  damages  for  which  the 
lessee  is  liable  to  the  landlord,  where  the 
former  repudiates  a  lease  contract,  is  the  dif- 
ference between  what  the  property  may  be 
rented  for  during  the  balance  of  the  term  and 
the  rent  specified  in  the  lease  contract.  (123 
Pac.  795.) 

*  *     * 
Renewal 

Of  Lease 

It  is  well  settled  that  a  stipulation  to  renew 
a  lease  contract  is  importantly  distinguished 
from  one  to  extend  a  lease,  in  that  a  new 
lease  must  be  made  to  renew  a  lease,  whereas 
a  new  lease  contract  is  not  required  where  the 
old  lease  merely  is  extended.    (197  Mass.  267.) 

However,  where  the  term  "renew"  is  speci- 
fied in  a  lease  contract,  it  is  implied  that  the 
landlord  will  execute  a  new  lease  containing 
exactly  the  same  clauses  as  the  old  one.  (203 
Mass.  506.) 

On  the  other  hand,  a  stipulation  in  a  lease 
contract  which  provides  that  the  owner  agrees 
to  renew  the  lease  must  be  clear  and  not  in 
any  sense  ambiguous.  For  illustration,  in 
LaSalle  theatre  v.  Taft,  156  111.  App.  356,  it 
was  disclosed  that  a  theatre  operator  obtained 
a  _  lease  contract  containing  the  following 
stipulation:  "If  the  lessee  (theatre  operator) 
is  desirous  of  renewing  the  lease,  six  months 
prior  notice  shall  be  given  to  the  lessor  for 
his  consideration."  The  Court  held  that  this 
clause  did  not  entitle  the  theatre  owner  to  a 
renewal  of  the  lease. 

In  another  case,  145  N.  Y.  S.  1004,  the 
lease  contract  provided  that  the  lease  should 
be  renewed  on  the  same  terms  from  year  to 
year,  unless  cancellation  was  made  in  writing, 
three  months  prior  to  the  end  of  the  year. 
The  Court  held  this  lease  was  automatically 
renewed  at  the  end  of  the  year  where  neither 
party  gave  notice  of  cancellation  three  months 
previous  to  the  termination  of  the  lease. 

In  still  another  case  the  lease  contract  gave 
the  tenant  the  first  privilege  of  renewal. 

At  the  end  of  the  term,  the  landlord  refused 
to  renew  the  lease.  The  Court  held  that  the 
lease  containing  the  above  stipulation  did  not 
obligate  the  landlord  to  renew  the  lease  where 
it  was  shown  that  the  landlord  decided  to 
use  the  property  for  his  own  purposes. 

Also,  the  law  is  well  established  that  a 
theatre  operator  is  liable  where  he  fails  to 
comply  with  the  terms  of  the  lease. 

For  instance,  in  Rouse  v.  Dalche,  104  So. 
637,  it  was  disclosed  that  a  landlord  leased  to 
a  theatre  operator  certain  premises  from  July 
12  to  Dec.  31,  with  privilege  of  renewal  for 
two  years  providin?  the  theatre  operator  paid 
the  landlord  for  rent  one-half  of  the  receipts. 

The  theatre  operator  failed  to  make  settle- 
ments as  agreed  upon  and  the  landlord  noti- 
fied him  to  vacate  the  premises  which  he  re- 
fused to  do.  The  theatre  operator  contended 
that  the  agreement  was  not  a  lease,  hence  he 
was  not  required  to  make  settlements  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  lease  contract.  Neverthe- 
less,  the  Court  held  that  the  contract  consti- 


54 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


tuted   a  A'alid   lease    for   which    both   parties 
were  Hable,  saying: 

"Rent  (by  whatever  name  called)  is  a  cer- 
tain profit  in  money,  provision,  chattels  or 
labor,  issuing  out  of  lands  and  tenements  in 
retribution  for  the  use." 

Holding 
Over 

Contrary  to  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of 
persons,  where  a  lease  contract  does  not 
specifically  require  a  landlord  to  renew  or 
extend  the  lease,  a  theatre  owner  who  retains 
possession  of  the  property,  even  one  day  after 
the  lease  has  expired  is  liable  for  payment  of 
the  rent  for  a  period  equal  to  the  full  term 
of  the  expired  lease. 

For  instance,  in  a  recent  case  (135  N.  Y.  S. 
633),  a  tenant  who  had  rented  property  12 
months,  was  notified  bj-  the  landlord  that  the 
rent  would  be  increased.  The  tenant  held  the 
property  and  paid  the  first  month's  rent.  In 
the  later  litigations  he  was  held  liable  for  pay- 
ment of  the  balance  11  months  rent  whether 
or  not  he  retained  the  building. 

However,  where  a  tenant,  under  a  lease 
terminating  on  a  particular  day,  vacates  the 
premises  at  any  time  before  midnight  of  that 
day  he  is  not  liable  for  rent  during  the  follow- 
ing term.  Yet  mere  notification  given  to  the 
landlord  by  a  theatre  owner  that  intends  to 
vacate,  does  not  relieve  the  latter  for  pay- 
ment of  rent  for  the  complete  following  term, 
providing  he  holds  over  and  retains  possession 
of  the  premises  after  midnight  of  the  day  on 
which  the  lease  term  terminates.  (33  Pa. 
Super.  Ct.  283.) 

Right  of  Landlord 
To  Cancel  Lease 

Any  act  on  the  part  of  a  theatre  owner 
which  is  in  violation  of  the  terms  of  the  lease 
automatically  gives  legal  right  to  the  land- 
lord _  to  terminate  the  lease.  For  example, 
wilful  failure  of  a  tenant  to  pay  rent,  taxes, 
or  the  like,  at  the  periods  specified  in  the  lease, 
automatically  gives  the  landlord  privilege  to 
cancel  the  lease.     (87  N.  E.  662.) 

However,  where  a  tenant  makes  an  honest 
effort  to  carry  out  the  terms  of  the  lease  con- 
tract and  is  prevented  by  the  landlord  from 
doing  so,  the  latter  may  not  terminate  the 
lease.     (Ill  N.  E.  204.) 

Also,  it  has  been  held  that  lease  is  not  for- 
feited for  non-payment  of  rent  unless  demand 
is    made    by    the    landlord    for    its    payment. 


1.668,952.  APPARATUS  FOR  TREATING  FILMS. 
Carleton  Ellis  and  Harry  M.  Weber,  Montelair,  N.  J. ; 
said  Ellis  assigTior  to  Ellis-Foster  Company,  a  Cor- 
poration of  New  Jersey.  Filed  Mar.  12,  1924.  Serial 
No.  698,678.     3   Claims.     (CU   15—100.) 

1.  Apparatus  for  stripping  the  emulsion  from  cel- 
luloid film  which  comprises  a  receptacle  adapted  to 
contain  an  aqueous  stripping  medium,  means  for 
heating  said  medium,  means  for  continuously  passing 
the  film  through  such  heated  medium  whereby  the 
emulsion  is  softened,  means  for  removing  the  soft- 
ened emulsion  and  means  for  washing  and  drying  said 
film. 


particularly  if  the  lease  contract  does  not 
stipulate  the  manner  in  which  the  rent  is  to  be 
paid.     (155  Pac.  620.) 

Moreover,  where  a  lease  contract  contains 
stipulations  regarding  the  right  of  a  landlord 
to  compel  a  tenant  to  vacate  the  premises, 
those  provisions  are  construed  by  the  Courts, 
where  it  is  possible  to  do  so,  in  view  of 
ascertaining  the  intended  meaning  of  the 
parties  at  the  time  of  the  contract  was  signed. 

For  illustration,  in  re  Loew's  Buffalo 
Theatres,  135  N.  E.  862,  it  was  disclosed  that 
a  certain  building,  owned  by  three  women  was 
leased  to  the  Golde  Clothes  Shop  for  a  period 
of  10  years.  The  lease  provided  that  the 
premises  were  to  be  used  for  a  clothing  store, 
and  required  the  tenant  to  invest  $5,000  within 
six  months  in  repairs,  alterations  and  improve- 
ments. The  lease  also  contained  the  following 
clause  which  gave  rise  to  this  litigation: 

"It  is  further  agreed  that  if  the  ownership 
of  the  property  above  mentioned  should  pass 
from  the  party  of  the  first  part,  either  by 
grant,  devise  or  by  the  operation  of  law  or  in 
any  manner  whatsoever,  it  or  its  grantees, 
heirs,  devisees,  or  assigns,  etc.,  may  on  three 
months  notice  tO'  the  party  of  the  second  part 
(clothing  shop)  given  within  three  months  of 
such  passing  of  ownership,  terminates  this 
lease  forthwith,  on  condition  that  it,  its 
grantees,  heirs,  devisees,  or  assigns,  etc.,  pay 
to  the  party  of  the  second  part,  as  liquidated 
damages.    *    *    *" 

The    three    women,    sold    the    property    to 


Harmful  Light  Eliminated  by 
New  Lens,  Is  Claim 


ANEW  condensor,  which  it  is  declared  ab- 
sorbs trying  violet  and  ultra-violet  rays 
has  been  developed  by  Dr.  Maurice  W. 
Ashman,  729  Sixth  avenue.  New  York  City, 
and  has  been  adopted  for  the  projectors  in 
the  Roxy  theatre.  The  new  condensor  is 
known  as  the  "See  Easy"  and  is  made  of  a 
special  process  glass  developed  by  Dr.  Ash- 
man. 

Some  four  years  ago  Dr.  Ashman  began  to 
take  an  active  interest  in  motion  picture  ex- 
hibiting, actuated  by  his  professional  work  as 
a  prominent  optician.  "All  light,"  he  says, 
"produces  helpful  as  well  as  harmful  rays.  The 
brilliant  light  which  emanates  from  a  motion 
picture  projection  machine  to  the  screen, 
thence  to  the  observer,  carries  a  number  of 
harrnful  rays.  These  rays  of  harmful  Hght 
coming  from  such  an  intense  light  give  to  the 
observers'  eye  the  same  effect  as  that  of  gaz- 
ing into  a  brilliant  light  in  a  dark  room.  The 
intensity  of  light  increases  the  strain." 

In  considering  the  problem  before  him  Dr. 
Ash  began  experiments  in  the  making  of 
glass.     A  formula  was  conceived. 

The  result,  he  declares,  is  a  lens  which,  in 
its    finished    state,    disperses    all    its    powers 


throughout  a  greater  field  than  ordinary  opti- 
cal lens,  and  is  greater  in  its  field  of  vision. 
It  is  produced  to  give  an  accurate  and  distinct 
vision  through  its  entire  surface.  Similarly 
it  performs  its  power  of  harmful  light  elimi- 
nation. It  tones  down  light,  subduing  glare, 
and  filtering  light  to  a  degree  of  clearest  visi- 
bihty. 

In  addition  to  being  used  on  the  projector 
it  is  readily  adaptable  to  spot  light  and  stere- 
opticon,  according  to  Dr.  Ashman. 

With  the  interposition  of  the  "See  Easy" 
instrument  on  the  projection  machine  the 
strong  yellow  rays  of  light  are  mostly  all  ab- 
sorbed by  the  "See  Easy"  lens  as  are  also 
great  quantities  of  the  Violet  and  Ultra-violet 
rays,  thereby  allowing  only  those  rays  of  light 
which  are  most  restful  to  reach  the  screen. 

Dr.  Ashman  says  further:  "If  you  observe 
the  effect  of  light  from  your  projection  ma- 
chine you  will  perceive  that  the  light  reflected 
is  a  harsh  yellow  color,  irritating  to  the  eye 
while  with  the  'See  Easy'  lens  the  light  pro- 
duced is  of  a  blue  velvety  softness,  extremely 
restful.  The  harsh  rays  eliminated  are  a  big 
factor  in  the  cause  of  eye  strain." 


others  who  several  years  later  sold  the  build- 
ing to  Loew's  Buffalo  Theatre,  Inc.  Three 
days  after  the  theatre  company  purchased  the 
property,  it  served  notice  upon  the  clothing 
.shop  proprietor  to  vacate  the  premises.  The 
latter  refused  to  do  so  on  the  grounds  that 
only  the  first  purchaser  of  the  property  from 
the  original  lessor,  had  privilege  to  give  him 
notice  to  vacate  the  premises.  It  is  interesting 
to  observe  that  the  Court  held  the  owner  of 
the  clothing  shop  not  required  to  vacate  the 
premises  to  the  theatre  company  in  view  of 
the  above  underscored  wording  of  the  lease 
contract,  and  said : 

"Ordinarily,  a  covenant  (agreement)  to 
vacate  on  sale  and  notice  from  the  landlord 
runs  with  the  land,  and  gives  to  subsequent 
grantees  of  the  property  the  right  to  end  the 
term  upon  compliance  with  the  provisions  and 
conditions  specified  *  *  *  the  reason  why  in 
our  opinion  the  general  rule  is  not  applicable 
to  this  case  is  that  the  parties  have  agreed 
otherwise.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  lessor 
and  the  lessee,  as  expressed  in  the  lease,  which 
must  control.  There  is  nothing  in  the  law 
to  prevent  the  parties  limiting  the  right  to 
terminate  the  lease  on  notice  to  such  time  and 
to  such  persons  as  they  may  choose.  This  is 
what  the  parties  have  done  here." 

However,  in  the  leading  case  of  Realty 
Company  v.  Martin,  233  N.  Y.  683,  the  lease 
contract  contained  the  following  clause:  "Said 
landlord  reserves  the  right  to  terminate  his 
lease  and  the  term  thereof  at  any  time  after 
May  1,  1921,  in  case  of  a  bona  fide  sale  of 
the  property,  upon  giving  90  days  notice  in 
writing  to  such  tenant,  addressed  to  said 
demised  premises,  of  his  intention  so  to  ter- 
minate the  same,  and  this  lease  and  the  term 
thereof  shall  cease,  determine  the  end  of  the 
expiration  of  the  90  days  from  the  day  when 
such  notice  is  given  *  *  *  in  the  event  of 
the  cancellation  of  this  lease,  in  the  manner 
hereinbefore  provided,  the  landlord  shall  pay 
to  the  said  tenant  as  consideration  for  the 
surrender  of  the  said  premises  the  sum  of 
Five  Thousand  ($5,000)  Dollars." 

In  this  case,  if  was  held  that  the  lessor  or 
subsequent  purchasers  of  the  property  retained 
privilege  at  any  time  to  cancel  the  lease. 

Also,  it  is  important  to  know  that  where 
a  landlord  agrees  to  pay  a  tenant  a  stipulated 
amount  of  money  in  case  the  latter  is  required 
to  vacate  the  premises,  the  Courts  will  hold 
the  landlord  strictly  to  the  terms  of  the 
agreement. 

For  instance,  in  Plaza  Amusement  Co.  v. 
Rubenstein  &  Co.,  Ill  So.  702,  it  was  dis- 
closed that  the  Plaza  Company  occupied  a 
building  in  which  was  operated  a  moving  pic- 
ture   show. 

Rubenstein,  the;  landlord,  being  desirous  of 
obtaining  possession  of  the  premises  a  month 
earlier  than  the  expiration  of  the  lease  held 
by  the  Plaza  Company,  entered  into  a  written 
contract  with  the  Plaza  Company  to  pay  the 
latter  $2,600  if  they  would  vacate  the  premises 
a  month  earlier  than  the  specified  time.  The 
Plaza  Company  were  satisfied  with  this  con- 
tract and  vacated  the  premises  as  agreed. 
After  the  landlord  was  in  possession  of  the 
property  he  refused  to  pay  the  Plaza  Company 
more  than  $1,6(X).  The  Plaza  Company  then 
sued  Rubenstein  for  the  balance  of  $1,(XX). 
Rubenstein  was  held  liable  to  pay  the  balance 
$1,0(X),   without   much   controversy. 


Powers  Is  Signed 
as  Dialogue  Writer 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Francis  Powers 
has  been  signed  by  Warner  Brothers  as  dia- 
logue and  title  writer.  This  title  is  new  in  the 
Warner  organization  and  marks  the  new  de- 
velopments in  ,  talking  picture  production. 
Powers  has  had  eight  years'  experience  in 
directing  stage  dramas  and  has  written  sev- 
eral successful  stage  plays. 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Safeguard  Your  Theatre,  Because 


It^s  Duty  to  Yourself  and  Public 
It^s  Cheaper  Than  Damage  Suits 
It  Reduces  Insurance  Costs  and — 

If  s  Most  Economical   Operation 


SAFEGUARD  your  theatre.  It  is  the  best 
investment  j-ou  can  make.  It  guarantees 
a  pubHc  confidence  that  never  can  be  re- 
gained by  the  theatre  owner  whose  neglect 
of  complete  protection  has  brought  on  a  dis- 
astrous fire.  It  is  the  most  economical  factor 
in  operating  a  theatre.  In  the  first  place  it  is 
not  expensive  nor  difficult.  It  is  far  cheaper 
than  damages  and  litigation  costs  in  case  of 
loss  of  life  or  of  injuries.  And  finally  it 
holds  down  your  insurance  cost  to  a  minimum. 
These  conclusions  are  not  guesses,  nor  plati- 
tudes. They  are  a  summarization  of  a  number 
of  surveys,  tests  and  analyses  by  scientific  ex- 
perts. 

Five    outstanding   safeguards    for   a   motion 

picture  theatre  are  these: 
*     *     * 

1.  Ample  exits  and  stairways  from  balcony, 
with  rounded  turns,  and  no  obstructions  such 
as    doors    swiniring    toward    the    stairs. 

2.  Automatic  preventive  devices  in  booths, 
and  isolation  of  booths. 

3.  Ample,  automatic,  quick-opening  smioke 
vents  from  stage.  (Development  of  presenta- 
tions   makes    this    universally    important.) 

4.  Thorough  equipment  of  stage  with  auto- 
matic sprinklers  which,  via  the  action  of  the 
heat,  will  release  at  once  over  the  burning 
scenery  a  rainfall  10  times  heavier  than  the 
heaviest    thundershower. 

5.  Effective  and  immediate  operation  of  a 
curtain  made  as  close  to  truly  fireproof  as 
modem  science  has  evolved. 

*     *     * 

You  cannot  leave  it  to  the  underwriter  to 
make  your  theatre  safe,  says  John  R.  Freeman, 
who  at  the  time  of  writing  his  book,  "On  the 
Safeguarding  of  Life  in  Theatres,"  was  presi- 
dent of  the  American  Society  of  Mechanical 
Engineers.  He  explains  that  the  undenvriter 
charges  for  hazards  as  he  finds  them.  Nor  can 
the  responsibility  of  the  theatre  owner  be  dis- 
missed by  the  framing  of  a  good  building  law. 
It  is  the  exhibitor's  own  duty  to  himself  as 
well  as  his  public— and  to  his  monetary  gain. 

Were  one  to  state  that  the  greatest  single 
cause  of  deaths  in  theatre  fires  has  been  faulty 
arrangement  and  construction  of  exits,  he 
would  not  come  far  from  the  truth.    That  was 


^1    PATAPLD  FORgtHH 

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Price  $10.50 


"Best" 
safety  shutter 

The  shutter 
drops  when 
film  breaks 

at 
intermittent 

BEST 

DEVICES 

CO. 

Film  Building 
Cleveland,  O. 


By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 

the  basic  reason  for  the  disaster  at  the  Laurier 
Palace  in  Montreal,  which  was  diagnosed  in 
the  last  issue  of  "Better  Theatres."  Freeman 
makes  this  generalization : 

"In  the  great  theatre  fires  of  history  the  loss 
of  life  has  commonly  resulted  from  rapid 
spread  of  flame  on  a  stage  covered  with 
scenery,  followed  in  two  or  three  minutes  by 
an  outpouring  of  suffocating  smoke  through 
the  proscenium  arch  into  the  top  of  the  audi- 
torium, causing  death  chiefly  to  those  in  the 
balconies  within  less  than  five  minutes  of  the 
first  flame." 

At  the  Laurier  Palace,  a  right-angle  turn  in 
a  stairway  and  a  door  on  the  first  floor  swing- 
ing across  the  bottom  of  the  stairs  combined  to 
give  Canada  that  theatre  calamity.  Such  con- 
ditions are  impossible  under  modern  building 
requirements  as  well  as  standards  in  America. 
Credit  for  this  rightfully  may  be  attributed  to 
exhibitors  themselves,  to  building  laws,  and  not 
least  to  insurance  companies.  The  insurance 
rate  on  a  fire-trap  theatre  should  be  so  high 
as  to  make  "protection"  impossible  and  cer- 
tainly every  theatre  owner  should  agree  that  a 
theatre  with  such  defects  has  no  right  to  exist. 
*     *     * 

Yet  while  the  Laurier  Palace  case  in  no  way 
represents  the  status  of  safety-construction  of 
theatres  today,  there  is  a  lesson  to  all  theatre 
builders  in  that  disaster  in  forcing  home  the 
realization  of  necessity  for  safeguarding  the 
public.  No  one  deliberately  neglects  safety 
as  a  principle  in  construction.  It  does  happen, 
however,  that  exhibitors  do  not  realize  its  im- 
portance. Emergencies  have  a  habit  of  ap- 
pearing unlikely  to  occur;  that's  what  makes 
them  emergencies. 

Freeman  found  that  the  practice  of  the  art 
of  fire  prevention  in  the  theatre  industry  was 
10  to  20  years  behind  that  of  the  best  industrial 
plants.  In  other  words,  the  fire  hazards  in  the- 
atres was  10  to  20  times  greater  than  in 
modernized  factories.  Those  conclusions  were 
drawn  from  conditions  some  years  ago,  but  it 
is  agreed  that  the  facts  unearthed  at  that  time 


still  have  their  sermon  to  preach,  despite  all 
the  great  awakening  that  has  taken  place  partly 
through  the  requirements  for  insurance. 

This  contrast  of  protection  with  other  in- 
dustries was  not  riecessary  then,  nor  is  any 
difference  necessary  now.  In  fact,  according 
to  Freeman,  the  actual  fire  hazard  of  the  thea- 
tre can  be  made  even  smaller  than  for  the 
factory,  and  that  by  well-proved  means  that 
are  not  extravagant. 

He  reports  having  seen  in  a  New  York 
theatre — one  of  the  best  at  the  time  he  wrote — 
that  the  wedge-shaped  space  beneath  the  slop- 
ing floor  of  the  auditorium  was  being  used  as 
a  storeroom  for  trunks  and  properties.  The 
room  was  also  the  plenum  chamber  for  ven- 
tilation. Suppose  a  rat  chewing  a  match,  or 
even  spontaneous  ignition  of  oily  material, 
started  a  slow,  smouldering  fire.  The  smoke 
rising  through  the  air  ducts  might  have  caused 
a  huge  loss  of  lives  from  suffocation. 

In  another  place  of  public  assembly  he  found 
that  a  portable  wooden  platform  had  been 
stored  in  a  dark  passageway.  Instead  of  this, 
the  owner  should  have  made  it  a  point  to 
place  automatic  sprinklers  there. 

The  city  council  of  Chicago  within  a  few 
months  of  the  Iroquois  stage  theatre  disaster 
rescinded  the  new  law  which  called  for  auto- 
matic sprinklers  over  the  stage  and  rigging 
lofts.  The  repeal  followed  an  appeal  of  man- 
agers that  the  sprinklers  might  start  a  panic 
should  one  happen  to  open  prematurely.  Yet 
statistics  show  that  of  3,000,000  sprinklers  in 
2,000  factories  only  50  broke  in  one  year,  and 
the  average  probability  of  breakage  is  one  in 
400  years  in  one  theatre.  Which  should  not 
be  very   disturbing. 

^     ^     ^ 

In  another  instance  were  found  many  dark, 
concealed  spaces  behind  the  scenes  and  in  the 
mechanics'  rooms  which  were  being  used  as 
catchalls.  The  owner  and  architect  apparently 
had  not  realized  that  light — and  much  of  it — 
in  workrooms,  storerooms  and  dressing  rooms 


HOUR 
SEP\>ICB 


CIRCU5HCRRL05 

PPOGR9W 
ORTe5P05T^R5 


EXHIBITORS 

Printing  Service 

711  South  Dearborn  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Quiet  Electric  Ventilator 

Good  ventilation  makes  business  good.  Venti- 
lators for  all  your  fresh  air  requirements. 
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Lakeside  Company         223  Main  St. 

Hermansville,    Mich. 


56 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  7,  1928 


is  the  best  safeguard  against  fire,  particularly 
because  of  the  large  amount  of  inflammable 
material. 

Faulty  ventilation  is  cited  by  Freeman  as  a 
major  cause  for  the  Iroquois  death  list  of  32 
per  cent  of  the  total  audience.  A  door  opened 
by  escaping  actors  permitted  a  great  mrush  of 
air.  This,  coupled  with  the  expansion  of  air 
above  the  stage,  caused  a  shooting  of  flame 
into  the  upper  part  of  the  auditoruim. 

No  need — or  space — here  to  go  into  details 
of  the  Iroquois  fire.  What  is  important  here  is 
that  70  per  cent  of  all  patrons  in  the  gallerj' 
-were  killed  and  30  per  cent  in  the  balcony, 
compared  with  only  7  per  cent  of  those  on  the 
ground  floor.  It  must  not  be  forgotten,  too, 
that  the  Iroquois  was  the  newest  theatre  in 
Chicago  of  fireproof  construction  and  that 
there  was  little  damage  except  to  scenerj', 
decorations  and  upholstery. 

It  is  pointed  out  that  the  firehose  on  the 
stage  was  delayed,  fire  pails  and  soda-water 
distinguishers  were  absent,  the  ventilating  sky- 
lights over  the  stage  were  blocked  so  that 
they  could  not  slide  open,  and  the  exits  were 
poorly  marked.  But  even  if  these  conditions 
had  not  been  present,  the  loss  of  life  would 
have  been  heavy. 

*  *    * 

The  suddenness  of  the  disaster  was  the 
great  lesson,  contributing  factors  being  the 
scant  smoke  vents  over  the  stage,  the  outburst 
of  smoke  under  the  proscenium  arch,  the  open- 
ing of  a  rear  door  in  the  rear  of  the  stage 
with  the  resultant  inrush  of  air,  the  fact  that 
the  stage  was  crowded  wth  scenery,  and  fi- 
nally the  sudden  spread  of  flames  over  the 
scenery. 

The  predominance  of  deaths  in  the  upper 
floors  in  the  Iroquois  and  the  Laurier  Palace 
was  not  a  coincidence.  The  same  was  true  in 
the  case  of  the  Ring  theatre,  Vienna,  in  which 
450  lost  their  lives  in  1881 ;  one  at  Exeter, 
England,  with  200  casualties,  and  another  out- 
standing theatre  fire  at  Conways  in  Brooklyn 

Ordinary  precaution  in  construction  makes  it 
simple  to  keep  fire  and  smoke  from  a  stage  out 
of  the  auditorium,  Freeman  says.  The  big  an- 
swer lies  in  adequate  smoke  vents.  Smoke 
vents  one-eighth  to  one-tenth  of  the  stage  area 
probably  would  have  saved  many  lives  in  the 
cases  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
except  possibly  that  of  the  Laurier  Palace, 
which  was  blamed  primarily  to  faulty  exits. 
Good  automatic  smoke  ventilators  will  do  more 
for  safety  than  all  other  means  combined, 
the  writer  declared.  The  situation  is  paralleled 
with  the  modern  fireplace.  At  least  90  per 
cent  of  a  hearth  fire  goes  up  to  the  heavens. 
Cc^rrespondingly,  adequate  chimney  area  and 
sure-opening  dampers  would  have  saved  four- 
fifths  of  the  lives  lost  in  the  Iroquois  thea- 
tre. 

*  *    *  I 

The  New  York  City  building  code  required 
metal  skylight  equaling  in  surface  one-eighth 
of  the  area  of  the  stage,  with  sliding  sash  and 
glazed  with  double  thick  sheet  glass,  but  the 
law  also  required  a  wire  netting  immediately 
below  the  glass.  The  skylight  would  open  in- 
stantly on  the  burning  or  cutting  of  a  hempen 
cord.  The  purpose  of  the  glass  was  that  it 
act  as  a  substitute  if  the  mechanism  for  slid- 
ing off  the  cover  should  fail.  The  heat  would 
break  the  glass.  The  wire  netting  would  catch 
the  pieces.  Yet  the  requirement  of  using  a 
cord  was  considered  foolish  in  comparison 
with  the  fusible  links  used  on  fire  doors  in 
factories.  Even  then,  one  New  York  theatre's 
ventilator  had  canvas  laced  over  the  opening! 

London  had  a  similar  ordinance,  but  with 
the  skylight  area  one-tenth  of  that  of  the  stage, 
while  in  Chicago  only  one-twentieth  was  stipu- 
lated. 

It  was  recommended  that  ventilators  should 
be  sure  to  open  wide  without  human  interven- 
tion, and  should  not  be  susceptible  to  being 
stopped  up  by  warping,  settling,  obstruction, 
frost,  snow,  rust,  dirt  or  ordinary  neglect. 

The  vast  service  performed  by  adequate  ven- 
tilating systems  is  exemplified  in  fire  tests  con- 
ducted by  the  Austrian  Society  of  Engineers. 


A  theatre  modeled  after  the  Ring  theatre  with 
one-tenth  of  the  latter's  Rnear  measurements 
was  built  for  the  experiments.  The  first  test, 
with  no  ventilator  over  the  stage,  showed  that 
the  air  expansion  in  time  of  fire  rapidly  forced 
the  curtain  outward  from  the  proscenium  arch. 
It  ^\'as  established  that  just  this  action  caused 
the  original  Ring  fire,  the  atmospheric  pres- 
sure being  larger  than  that  of  the  gas  jets 
which  were  in  use,  thus  putting  out  the  flame 
in  the  jets,  with  the  resultant  spread  of  suffo- 
cating gas  flumes  in  the  wild  disorder  of  dark- 
ness. 

In  a  second  series  of  tests  the  ventilating 
shafts  were  covered  with  sheets  of  paper  and 
as  soon  as  these  smoke  vents  burned  open, 
all  excess  of  pressure  vanished  from  the 
auditorium. 

*    *    * 

The  investigators  warned  against  covering 
smoke  vents  with  wire  screens,  because 
fljdng  bits  of  charred  paper  almost  closed 
them.  The  remodeled  Iroquois  theatre  had 
such  screens  and  the  New  York  law,  as  noted, 
even  required  them.  Likewise,  had  fusible 
links  been  used  in  the  Iroquois  equipment  the 
heat,  which  would  melt  them  at  162  degrees 
Fahrenheit,  would  have  opened  the  smoke 
Nents  in  30  to  60  seconds. 

Fundamental  requirements  for  good  smoke 
vents,  then,  are  listed  as  follows: 

1.  Absolute  certainty  of  opening  by  gravity 
in  spite  of  neglect,  rust,  dirt,  frost,  snow,  ex- 
pansion of  heat,  twisting  or  warping  of  frame- 
work. 

2.  Quickness  of  opening  obtained  by  auto- 
matic links  of  the  thinnest  metal  practicable, 
and  by  controlling  doors  by  a  cord  run  down 
to  the  station  of  the  stage  fireguard. 

3.  Simplicity  and  massiveness,  heavy  coun- 
terpoise weights,  constant  tension  of  30  or  40 
pounds  so  that  rust,  cobwebs  and  temperature 
changes  will  bring  no  noticeable  resistance. 

Closely  allied  with  smoke  vents  in  safe- 
guarding the  theatre  are  the  automatic  sprin- 
klers. Complete  equipment  over  the  stage  as 
well  as  throughout  all  rooms  and  nooks,  is  es- 
sential to  reducing  hazard  as  well  as  insurance 
rates.  Sprinklers  60  to  80  feet  above  the  stage 
floor  are  not  considered  too  high  because  hot 
air  from  a  fire  is  known  to  travel  vertically 
60  to  80  feet  in  five  to  ten  seconds.  One 
series  of  sprinkler  heads  is  recommended  for 
placement  below  the  gridiron  and  another 
series  above  it,  irL  echelon,  as  well  as  lines 
along  the  lower  outer  edge  of  each  fly  gallery. 

The  fire  curtain,  another  big  factor  in 
safety,  in  most  general  usage  is  made  of  heavy 
canvas  woven  from  asbestos  fibre.  Freeman 
credited  Chicago  with  leading  the  country  in 
the  substantial  quality  of  proscenium  curtains 
in  use.  He  cited  the  Chicago  ordinance  which 
required  steel  curtains ;  at  the  same  time  it 
should  be  emphasized  here  that  some  of  the 
leading  theatre  engineers  do  not  consider  steel 
curtains  necessary  for  the  safety  of  motion 
picture  theatres. 

Investigations  have  shown  that  best  quality 
asbestos  should  last  the  two  to  four  minutes 
necessary  to  empty  the  theatre  in  the  case  of  a 
fire  if  the  curtain  can  be  pulled  down. 

The  best  that  is  possible  in  fireproofing 
scenery  is  far  from  satisfactory.  Freeman 
wrote,  \^'^lile  it  all  helps,  the  best  one  can 
hope  for  is  that  the  fireproofed  material  will 
not  ignite  from  a  match,  an  electric  spark  or 
a  gas  jet,  and  that  if  ignited  it  will  not  burst 
into  flame.  Once  the  gauze,  canvas  and  pine 
on  the  stage  becomes  enveloped  in  flame, 
"fireproofed"  scenery  burns  substantially  with 
as  great  a  rush  of  flame  and  smoke  as  un- 
treated material.  Indeed,  the  chemicals  used 
may  make  the  fumes  even  worse. 

\Vhat  can  be  looked  for  as  the  result  of 
fireproofing  scenery  is  that  destructive  distilla- 
tion of  the  chemical  may  keep  the  surface 
cloth  bathed  for  a  few  seconds  in  a  thin  film 
of  steam  or  inert  gas,  that  the  distillation  will 
absorb  a  little  of  the  heat,  and  that  the  chem- 


ical may  cover  the  surface  with  a  glass}'  film 
and  lock  up  25  to  50  per  cent  of  the  heat- 
giving  content  of  the  fibre. 

Reasons  gix'cn  for  failure  to  fireproof  stage 
scenery  are : 

^     ^     ^ 

1.  Added   cost   of  fireproofed   material. 

2.  Fear  that  most  fireproofing  chemicals  in- 
jure the  strength  of  canvas. 

3.  Scenic  artists'  fear  of  an  effect  on  colors. 

4.  Tendency  of  some  chemicals  to  rust  and 
loosen  fastenings. 

5.  Tedious  delays  in  inspection  of  scenery 
of  traveling  units. 

6.  Theatre  catastrophes'  appearance  a  gen- 
eration apart,  tending  to  make  special  laws 
dead    letters. 

7.  Public    thoughtlessness. 

Tests  made  with  various  chemicals  estab- 
lished the  following  conclusions : 

1.  Phosphate  of  ammonia  brought  the  best 
results,  though  it  affected  many  colors.  Am- 
monium  chloride   was   declared  injurious. 

2.  Tungstate  of  soda  possessed  almost  no 
value. 

3.  Proprietary  solutions  were  all  based  on 
ammonium  salts  but  frequently  sulphate 
(cheaper    than    phosphate)    was    used. 

4.  Linen  canvas  or  cotton  cloth,  fireproofed, 
easily    burned. 

5.  The  best  value  of  fireproofed  material 
was   the  non-volatile  fluid   excluding  oxygen. 

6.  Ammonium  was  best  in  locking  up  the 
corrosive  qualities  of  phosphoric  acid  for  a 
time. 

7.  The  best  method  of  application  was  to 
saturate  the  canvas  between  rollers  in   a  bath. 

8.  The  chemicals  affected  the  delicate  blues 
and  greens  most. 

9.  Fireproofed  canvas  gave  off  fumes. 

10.  Retardation  of  flames  was  proportional 
to   the   amount   of   paint   applied. 

11.  Brushing  wood  with  phosphate  of  am- 
monia  or  other  chemical   was   not  effective. 

11.  Common  lime  whitewash  appeared  as 
effective,  as  any  fireproofing  paint — and  that 
little. 

^      ^      ^ 

Dry  powder  fire  extinguishers  were  found 
to  be  nearly  all  of  common  cooking  soda,  with 
some  small  value  for  a  certain  class  of  fires 
but  never  to  be  used  to  give  a  false  sense'  of 
security  about  the  stage  of  a  theatre. 

The  socalled  hand  grenades,  glass  bottles 
holding  a  quart  of  liquid  and  found  in  the 
older  theatres,  usually  consisted  merely  of 
water  and  common  salt,  the  experiments 
showed.  The  only  advantage  of  these  ma- 
terials over  plain  water  was  that  they  didn't 
freeze   at   ordinary  winter  temperatures. 

Much  of  the  foregoing  information  concerns 
primarily  the  safeguarding  of  the  stage.  In 
exits  and  aisles,  howe\'er,  is  a  subject  of  direct 
concern  to  every  motion  picture  theatre,  both 
the  deluxe  houses  with  their  pretentious 
presentations  and  prologues,  and  the  smallest 
theatres  where  the  program  is  confined  solely 
to  the  picture. 

Balconies  present  the  greatest  problem.  The 
total  number  of  stairway  exits  and  total  width 
of  stairway  to  each  100  persons  should  be  two 
to  three  times  as  great  as  for  other  parts  of 
the  house,  according  to  Freeman.  And  the 
true  firetrap,  which  happily  has  almost  com- 
pletely disappeared,  is  a  theatre  with  a  door 
beneath  a  fire  escape  through(  which  flames 
can  rise  to  envelop  the  exit. 

All  exits  should  run  in  such  direct  and 
obvious  course,  with  wide  curves  instead  of 
abrupt  angles  at  changes  of  direction,  that  a 
person  in  them  could  not  fail  to  reach  the 
bottom  in  total  darkness. 


To  deliver  a  crowd  from  seats  with  too  great 
a  rush  increases  the  danger  of  crushing  at  the 
doors  and  on  the  stairs.  The  narrowest  aisle 
permitted  is  commonly  30  inches,  though  22 
and  20  inches  are  considered  ample  in  Pull- 
man and  other  railroad  coaches.  Making 
aisles  near  the  stage  much  narrower  than  the 
laws  specify  was  advocated  bj'  Freeman,  as 
a  means  of  preventing  such  jamming.  More 
aisles  then  could  be  provided  thus  increasing 
the  number  of  good  seats,  as  well  as  more 
exits  and  stairways  at  the  rear. 

Tests  of  representative  Chicago  theatres — • 
stage  theatres — showed  that  only  Zyi  to  '5  min- 
utes from  the  start  of  the  curtain  were  re- 
quired to  clear  the  corridors,  with  the  patrons 
leisurely  putting  on  their  wraps.  Two  to 
three  minutes  were  required  for  the  balcony 


July  7,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


and  gallery.  One  minute  after  the  curtain 
dropped,  however,  the.  aisles  of  the  main  floor 
commonly  were  crowded,  and  they  continued 
to  be   full   for   two   minutes. 

Recommendations  regarding  exits  for  a 
1,500-seat  theatre  were  as  follows: 

1.  There  should  be  ample  exits  in  four  di- 
rections from  the  balcony  and  gallery.  Exits 
at  the  front  corners  would  tend  to  relieve  the 
crush  toward  the  rear. 

2.  Stairvvay  exits  from  the  gallery  nearest 
the  street  should  be  entirely  separate  from 
exits  from  other  floors  and  should  serve  only 
the  gallery.  There  should  be  six  exits  at  least, 
two  of  them  from  the  middle  part  of  the 
seating  space  to  the  corridor   below. 

3.  There  should  be  at  least  two  large  exits 
to  the  alley  in  rear,  for  both  audience  and 
stage  folk,  each  exit  a  sort  of  fireproof  tunnel. 

Finally,  the  theory  once  held  that  a  theatre 
must  stand  alone  m  an  open  lot  for  safety's 
sake  has  been  discarded.  Some  of  the  worst 
fires  have  occurred  in  buildings  in  open  spaces. 
What  is  far  more  important,  both  for  protec- 
tion of  lives  of  patrons  and  for  obtaining 
minimum  rates  on  insurance,  is  to  give  atten- 
tion to  provision  of  fire  walls  and  safe  pas- 
sageways. 

*     *     * 

(EDITOR'S  NOTE:  Following  is  the  text 
of  an  Ordinance  for  Projection  Booths  as 
proposed  by  the  National  Fire  Protection  As- 
sociation of  Boston.  This  is  a  continuation  of 
an  article  in  the  last  issue  of  "Better  Thea- 
tres," in  zvhich  was  published  a  proposed  new 
Building  Code  for  theatres  seating  300  or  less, 
as  well  as  a  new  Building  Exits  Code  for  all- 
sice  d  theatres.) 

Pro{>osed  Ordinance 
on  Projection  Booths 

Be  it  ordained  by  the of  the 

of as  follows  : — 

Section  1.  (o)  By  the  term  "picture  ma- 
chine," as  used  in  the  following  sections,  is 
meant  any  machine  or  device  operated  by  or 
with  the  aid  of  electricity,  calcium  light  or 
other  illuminant,  and  adapted  or  used  to  pro- 
ject upon  a  screen  or  other  surface  pictorial 
representations  in  which  films  are  used. 

{b)  By  the  term  "flammable  film"  is  meant 
any  film  whose  base  is  nitrated  cellulose. 

(c)  By  the  term  "safety  film"  is  meant  any 
film  having  slow-burning  characteristics  as 
determined  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories 
or  other  suitable  authority. 

Section  2.  From  and  after  the  passage  of 
this  ordinance  no  picture  machine  shall  be 
installed,  maintained,  operated  or  licensed,  ex- 
cept when  in  conformity  with  the  provisions 
of   this   ordinance. 

Section  3.  Every  picture  machine  using 
flammable  film  shall  be  installed  or  operated 
within  a  booth,  to  be  not  less  than  48  square 
feet  in  size  and  7  feet  high.  If  more  than  one 
machine  is  to  be  operated,  an  additional  24 
square  feet  shall  be  provided  for  each  addi- 
tional machine.  The  booth  shall  be  built  of 
brick,  tile,  or  plaster  blocks,  plastered  on  both 
.sides,  or  of  concrete,  or  of  a  rigid  frame, 
properly  braced,  and  sheathed  and  roofed  with 
sheet  iron  of  not  less  than  No.  20  U.  S.  metal 
gauge,  or  with  J<4-inch  hard  asbestos  board, 
securely  riveted  or  bolted  to  the  frame,  or  2 
inches  of  solid  metal  lath  and  Portland  cement 
plaster.  All  joints  shall  be  sufficiently  tight 
to  prevent  the  discharge  of   smoke. 


Entrance  Door  2   Feet  by  5 

(a)  The  entrance  door  into  the  booth  shall 
be  at  least  2  feet  by  5  feet,  of  construction 
equivalent  to  the  sheathing  permitted  above 
for  rigid  frame  booths,  and  shall  be  so  ar- 
ranged as  to  close  automatically,  and  shall  be 
kept  closed  at  all  times  when  not  used  for 
egress  or  ingress. 

(&)  The  orifice  or  opening  for  the 
operator's  view,  or  through  which  the  picture 
is  thrown,  shall  not  be  larger  than  6  inches 
by  12  inches,  and  shall  be  provided  with  a 
gravity  shutter  of  the  same  construction  as  the 
door  on  the  booth.    Shutters  shall  be  held  open 


by  fusible  links  placed  in  series  with  fine  cords, 
so  arranged  that  one  of  the  links  is  suspended 
directly  over  the  film  when  in  the  slide  of  the 
apparatus,  or  the  shutter  shall  be  so  arranged 
as  to  be  normally  closed  and  held  open  by 
pressure  of   the  operator's   foot. 

(c)  All  shelves,  furniture  and  fixtures 
within  the  booth  shall  be  constructed  of  incom- 
bustible material,  and  no  combustible  material 
of  any  sort  whatever  shall  be  permitted  or 
allowed  to  be  within  such  booth,  except  the 
films  used  in  the  operation  of  the  machine. 
Each  booth  shall  be  provided  with  an  approved 
fireproof  box  for  the  storage  of  films  not  on 
the  projection  machine. 

{d)  Each  booth  must  have  an  opening  not 
less  than  78  square  inches  for  ventilation, 
which  must  be  flanged  to  carry  standard  con- 
ductor pipe  for  exhausting  the  hot  air  gen- 
erated in  operating  the  machine.  Connection 
for  ventilation  shall  vent  to  chimney  or  out- 
side of  building.  Draft  in  vent  pipe  shall  be 
maintained  by  an  exhaust  fan  of  at  least  50 
cubic  feet  per  minute  capacity. 

Section  4.     All  picture  machines  shall  be  of 

a  type  listed  by  the  Underwriters'  Laboratories. 

Hot   carbons   taken    from   the    lamps    shall    be 

deposited  in  a  metal  receptacle. 

*    *     * 

Electrical  Wiring  Requirements 

Section  5.  The  electrical  wiring  shall  be  in 
accordance  with  the  rules  and  requirements 
embodied  in  the  National  Electrical  Code. 
Each  lamp  connected  with  a  picture  machine 
shall  be  provided  with  a  separate  switch 
located  within  the  booth.  There  shall  also  be 
two  switches  controlling  the  lights  in  the  ex- 
hibition room,  one  of  which  shall  be  operated 
from  the  booth  and  the  other  so  placed  that 
it  is  within  the  reach  of  the  ticket  taker  or 
other  person  stationed  at  the  entrance  door. 
There  shall  be  provided  a  separate  system  of 
lighting,  controlled  by  switches  operating 
green  signal  lamps,  and  located  within  the 
reach  of  the  ticket  taker,  and  there  shall  be 
one  such  lamp  placed  at  each  exit,  with  the 
sign  marked  "EXIT"  in  letters  not  less  than 
five  inches  high.  The  location  of  these  signs 
and  lights  shall  be  determined  by  the  Chief 
of  the  Fire  Department. 

Section  6.  No  picture  machine  using  flam- 
mable film  shall  be  installed,  maintained  or 
operated  in  any  building  that  does  not  abut 
directly  upon  a  street,  and  in  no  case  shall  the 
main  floor  of  such  exhibition  room  be  more 
than  four  feet  above  or  below  the  adjoining 
street  level.  To  overcome  any  difference  of 
level  on  the  ground  floor,  ramps  shall  be  em- 
ployed of  not  over  one  foot  in  ten  feet;  no 
steps  shall  be  permitted.  Exit  doors  shall  be 
at  the  level  of  the  sidewalk.  In  exhibition 
rooms  directly  abutting  upon  one  street,  the 
booth  enclosing  the  picture  machine  shall  he 
placed  at  that  end  of  the  room  which  is 
opposite  and  farthest  from  the  street,  or  on  a 
balcony.  No  room  shall  be  used  as  an  ex- 
hibition room  unless  it  has  at  least  one  separate 


and  distinct  exit  in  addition  to  the  front  exit. 
In  exhibition  rooms  located  at  the  corner  and 
directly  abutting  upon  two  streets,  or  on  a 
street  and  an  alley,  the  booth  enclosing  the 
machine  may  be  located  at  the  end  of  the  room 
opposite  to  the  farthest  from  either  street  or 
alley.  All  exits  and  entrances  shall  open 
directly  from  the  exhibition  room  upon  the 
street  or  alley  or  into  a  vestibule  or  lobby 
opening  immediately  into  the  street  or  alley. 
No  exit  in  exhibition  halls  for  picture  machine 
shall  be  less  than  five  feet  wide  and  all  exit 
doors  shall  be  arranged  to  swing  outward. 
The  aggregate  width  in  feet  of  such  exits  shall 
be  not  less  than  one  foot  for  each  twenty  per- 
sons to  be  accommodated  thereby.  All  aisles 
shall  lead  directly  to  exits  and  all  exits  shall 
be  directly  accessible  to  aisles.  No  aisle  shall 
be  less  than  three  feet  in  width. 

All  seats  in  any  exhibition  hall  for  picture 
machines  shall  be  securely  fastened  to  the  floor 
and  shall  be  so  arranged  that  there  will  be 
not  more  than  six  seats  between  an  aisle  and 
a  wall  and  not  more  than  twelve  seats  between 
two  aisles.  ^ 

No    stage,     platform    or    scenery    shall    be^ 
placed,    maintained    or    allowed    to    remain    in, 
any  exhibition  room  for  picture  machines  un-' 
less  of  fire-proofed  material. 
*     *     * 
Incandescent   Electric   Lamps 
Section  7.     Incandescent  electric  lamps  shall 
be   used   throughout    for   border   lights,    foot- 
lights and  stage  purposes. 

Section  8.  No  individual,  partnership  or 
corporation  shall  be  permitted  to  conduct  the 
business  of  moving  picture  exhibitions  using 
inflammable  films,  until  the  applicant  therefor 
has  procured  from  the  Chief  of  the  Fire  De- 
partment his  certificates  that  the  premises 
where  the  exhibitions  are  to  be  given  and  the 
apparatus  used  in  connection  with  the  said 
exhibitions  are  in  compliance  with  this 
ordinance. 

Section  9.  The  Chief  of  the  Fire  Depart- 
ment shall  have  authority  and  it  shall  be  his 
duty  to  revoke  the  license  issued  to  any  per- 
son, firm  or  corporation  for  conducting  or; 
maintaining  picture  machine  exhibitions,  when' 
he  shall  be  satisfied  that  such  license  has, 
violated  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  ordi- 
nance. Provided,  however,  before  revoking 
such  license  opportunity  shall  be  given  such 
licensee  to  appear  before  said  Chief  of  the 
Fire  Department  and  show,  if  possible,  cause 
why  the  same   should  not  be  revoked. 

Concluding  sections  specify  that  the  ordi- 
nance shall  apply  to  theatres,  churches,  schools 
and  public  halls,  that  users  of  picture  machines 
without  booths  shall  file  a  statement  with  the 
chief  of  the  fire  department  that  only  safety 
film  will  be  used,  and  that  violators  of  the 
ordinance  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  $5  nor 
more  than  $2.5  for  each  offense,  with  each 
day  of  violation  constituting  a  separate' 
offense. 


Motion   Picture  Patents  My  Specialty 

PATENTS 

William  N.  Moore 

Patent  Attorney 

Loan  and  Trust  Building 

Washington,  D.  C. 

The  first  important  step  is  to  learn 
whether  you  can  obtain  a  patent.  Please 
send  sketch  of  your  invention  with 
$5.00,  and  I  will  examine  the  pertinent 
U.  S.  patents  and  inform  you  whether 
you  are  entitled  to  a  patent,  the  cost 
and  manner  of  procedure.  Personal  at- 
tention.    ELstablished  35  years. 

Copyright   your   play   $5.00 
Trade-Mark  your  goods  or  titles  $30.00 


Protect  Your 
ORGAN 

against  deterioration,  by  maintain- 
ing an  even  temperature  in  the  or- 
gan chambers — with  the  famous 


vm'^TJKS/i^ 


Electric  Organ  Heater.  Write  for 
further  details  and  prices.  .  .  . 
PROMETHEUS  ELECTRIC 
CORP.,  3  5^4  West  13th  Street, 
New  York. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  7,  1928 


Advertised  in  This 

BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION 

(If  you  desire  something  not  listed  here.  Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog 
Bureau  published  in  this  issue  mill  get  it  for  you.) 


Page 
AISLE  LIGHTS 

Kausalite  Mfg.   Co 47 

S129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

ANCHOR  EXPANSION  BOLTS 

The   Paine   Co 47 

2951    Carroll   Ave.,   Chicago,    III. 


AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 
CONTROL 

Automatic    Devices    Co. 

17  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,   Pa. 


48 


CHANGE  MAKERS 

Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co 31 

IVatertown,    Wit. 

DIMMERS 

Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Company 3 

Milwaukee,   Wis     . 

ELECTRIC  FLASHERS,  COLOR 
HOODS 

Reynolds  Electric  Co 29 

2651    W.    Congress  St.,   Chicago,   III. 

EQUIPMENT  SUPPLIES 

National  Theatre   Supply   Co Insert 

624   South  Michigan  Ave.,    Chicago,   III. 

FILM  CEMENT 

F.  B.   Griffin 44 

Oshkosh,   Wis. 

FLOWERS,  PLANTS — ARTIFICIAL 

G.  Reising  &  Co 42 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

GENERATORS 

Automatic  Devices  Co 48 

Allentown,  Pa. 

Hertner  Electric  Co 34 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Roth  Brothers  &  Co 42 

1400   W.  Adams'    St.,  Chicago,  111. 

HEAT  SHIELDS 

Best  Devices  Company 55 

Film  Building,   Cleveland,   O. 

INTERIOR  DECORATIONS 

Continental  Studios,  Inc 47 

100  East  Ohio  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

LAMPS,  HIGH  INTENSITY 

Hall  &  Connolly,  Inc 46 

129  Grand  St.,  N.   Y.  C. 


LAMPS,  REFLECTING  ARC 

Strong  EUectric  Co 

2501  Lagrange  St.,  Toledo,  Ohio. 


40 


LENSES 

Bausch  &  Lomb 35 

Rochester,  N.   Y. 


LIGHTING  FIXTURES 

The   Voigt    Company 

1743  No.  12th  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

LIGHTING  PLANTS 

Kohler  Company  

Kohler,  Wis. 


48 


25 


ORGANS 

George   Kilgen    &   Son,    Inc Insert 

401i  N.   Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


Page 

Nelson-Wiggen  Piano  Co. 41 

1731   Belmont  Ave.,    Chicago,  III. 

Operators    Piano    Co 30 

715   N.   Kedsie  Ave.,   Chicago,   III. 

The  Page  Organ  Co 28 

519  No.  Jackson  St.,   Lima,   Ohio. 

J.  P.  Seeburg  Piano  Co 49 

1510  Dayton  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Co. 2nd  Cover 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ORGAN  HEATERS 

Cramblet  Eng.    Corp 44 

2S6   Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,    Wis. 

Kausalite  Mfg.  Co 47 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,   Chicago,  III. 

The  Prometheus  EUec.  Corp 57 

356   W.  13th  St.,  N.   Y.  C. 

PATENT  ATTORNEYS 

William    N.    Moore 57 

Loan   &   Trust  Bldg.,    Washington,   D.   C. 

POP  CORN  MACHINES 

C.   Cretores   Co 34 

612    W.   22nd  St.,   Chicago,  111. 

PROJECTION  TOOLS 

Projection   Improvement  Co. 23 

Drift  on.  Pa. 

PROJECTORS 

Coxsackie  Holding  Corp 37 

Coxsackie,  New   York 

Enterprise  Optical  Co 4th  Cover 

564    W.    Randolph    St.,    Chicago,   III. 

International  Proj.  Corp Front  Cover 

90  Gold  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 


SLIDES 


Page 


RADIUM  LIGHT 

Louis  E.  Samms  Studios 

177  N.  State  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

RHEOSTATS 

Hoffman    &   Sons 

3S7  First  Avenue,  New   York   City 

SAFES,  THEATRE 

York  Safe  and  Lock  Company.. 

York,  Pa. 

SAFETY  SHUTTERS 

Best  Devices  Company 

Film  Bldg.,  Cleveland,  O. 


29 


48 


35 


55 


SCREENS 

American  Silversheet  Co. 40 

915   Wash  St.,  St.   Louis,  Mo. 

Da-Lite  Screen  Co. 22 

922  W.  Mionroe  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Raven  Screen  Corp 26 

1476  Broadway,  N.   Y.  C. 

SEATS 

American  Seating  Company 4 

14  E.  Jackson  Blvd.,  Chicago,  III. 

SIGNS— ELECTRIC 

Arnold  Electric  Signs,  Inc 37 

Kokomo,  hid. 

Flexlume  Corporation  7 

Buffalo,   N.    Y. 

Milne  Elec.  Co 43 

614-18  Cherry  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 


J.  F.  Ransley 49 

54    W.   Randolph  St.,   Chicago,  111. 


SOUND  REPRODUCING  DEVICES 


Platter   Cabinet   Co.. 

North   Vernon,  Indiana 


20 


STAGE  AND  ORCHESTRA  LIFTS 

Peter   Clark,    Inc. 24 

534  W.  30th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Frank  Adam  Elec.  Co 41 

3650    Windsor  Ave.,   St.   Louis,   Mo. 

Belson  Mfg.  Company 43 

800  Sibley  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Brenkert  Light  Proj.  Co Insert 

7348  St.  Aubin  Ave.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Hub  Electric  Company 49 

2225   W.  Grand  Ave.,   Chicago,  III. 

Kliegl  Brothers   27 

156  Clinton  St.,  Milwaukee,   Wis. 


STAGE  RIGGING  HARDWARE 


J.   H.   Channon  Corp 

223    W.  Erie  St.,   Chicago,   III. 


32 


J.  R.   Clancy 44 

Syracuse,   N.    Y. 

Peter   Clark,    Inc 24 

534   W.  30th  St.,  N.   Y.  C. 

STAGE  SCENERY 

Matney  Studios  29 

307    W.   47th  Street,  N.    Y.   C. 

Novelty  Scenic  Studios  32 

340   W.  41st  St.,  N.   Y.  C. 

Tiffin    Scenic    Studios 49 

Tiffin,  Ohio. 

THEATRE  BUILDING  SERVICE 

Midwest  Engrg.  &  Const.  Corp 46 

209  So.    Third  St.,   Columbus.   Ohio. 

THEATRE  PRINTING,  PROGRAMS 

Exhibitors    Printing    Service 55 

711  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  hi. 

Theatre  Ad  Mat  Service,  Inc 35 

Uniontown,  Penn. 


TICKETS 


Arcus  Ticket   Co 

348  N.  Ashland  Ave.,  Chicago,   III. 

Weldon,  Williams  &  Lick 

Fort   Smith,   Ark. 


TRAILERS 

National  Screen  Service 

126-130   IV.  46th  St.,  N.   Y.   C. 


30 

48 

36 


VENTILATING  EQUIPMENT 

Blizzard   Fan  Sales  Co 32 

1514   Davenport  St.,   Omaha,   Neb. 

Lakeside   Company  55 

Hermansville,   Mich. 

Supreme  Heat  &  Vent.  Co 5 

1915  Pine  St.,  St.   Louis,  Mo. 


Typhoon  Fan  Co. 

345   W.  39th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 


26 


"Ask  Anybody!" 

Packard  Says — 

"Ask  the  Man  who  owns  one" 

Better  Theatres  Says — 

"Ask  Anybody!" 


^ 


SK  your  friend,  our  friend,  or 
even  our  closest  competitor,  or 

any  man  in  the  trade  you  meet  in 

the  street. 


The  secret  of  Better  Theatres'  suc- 
cess is  that  it  is  no  secret  at  all. 

Everybody  knows  why  Better  The- 
atres leads  the  motion  picture  equip- 
ment journal  field — because  every- 
body knows  Better  Theatres. 

But  perhaps  a  shorter  way  to  the 
same  answer  is 


Ask 
Yourself! 


w 


Oh  I ^ 


I 


The  New 

MODEL  H 

MOTICGRAPli 

DE  LIXE 


INCLUDING  20  DISTINCT 

INNOVATIONS  AND 

IMPROVEMENTS 

INCLUDED  IN  THESE 
ARE 

The   elimination   of  Heating,  Warping,  Buckling 
and  Drying  of  the  film. 


BETTER  DEFINITION  AND 
PERSPECTIVE 


GREATER  ILLUMINATION 

GET  THE  FULL  DETAILS  AND  SEE  THE  NEW  MODEL  AT 
BRANCHES  OF  THE  NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO. 

DISTRIBUTORS  OF  THE  MOTIOGRAPH  DELUXE 

Equipment  for  adapting  models  F  and  H  Motiograph  De  Luxe  Projectors  for 
Movietone  in  process,— will  be  ready  soon 

Enterprise  Optical  Mfg.  Company 

564  WEST  RANDOLPH  ST. 


EXHIEITOM 


FINISHES  STRONG! 

M-Q^M  is  delivering  the  hig  hits  right  now 


JOHN  GILBERT 
THE  COSSACKS 


GRETA  GARBO 
WAR  IN  THE  DARK 


WILLIAM  HAINES 
TELLING  THE  WORLD 


MARION  DA  VIES 
HER  CARDBOARD  LOVER 


WHITE  SHADOWS  IN  J^     john  GILBERT 
THE  SOUTH  SEAS      -^^      L    pnnpu/ATK; 


opening  soon,  $2,  Astor  Theatre,  N. Y. 


FOUR  WALLS 


-G 


STARTS 


M'Q'M  begins  t?t^^§^29  season 

with  the  greatest  line-up  of 

its  entire  career 


^    m^^.t&i'!^ 


WILLIAM  HAINES 
EXCESS  BAGGAGE 

One  of  the  greatest  pictures 


ever  'made 


t^. 


LON  CHANEY 

WHILE  THE  CITY 

SLEEPS 

It's  $2  calibre 


OUR  DANCING 
DAUGHTERS 

with  JOAN  CRAWFORD 

"A  masterpiece,"  says 

Daily  Review 


BELLAMY 
TRIAL 

Monta  Bell's 
ingenious  mystery 


BUSTER  KEATON 
THE  CAMERA 

MAN 

Better  than 
"The  Navigator 


II 


Whnlo  Vnl    Q?    Mn    9  fVnl    %A    M«    C\       Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,   1917,   at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,   under  the  act  of  March  3,       1114    -tnio 
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^'V:^ 


ition^,  the  organs,  the  Supreitmcy  cff 
the  15  evidenced  in  its  selec--  i 

tion  and  cndoTsemcnt  loy  a  majority  of  the 
nation's  ^vemosi  Exliibitai*s,Shp\toen,Or- 
danists,Perfi)rmers  and  distinguished 
individuals  in  theatrical  and  public  life. 


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Individual  characteristic  tonal  beautv, 
greater  rang^e  in  Varietyof  orchestral  ef^cts 
and  exclusive  patented  features  make 
it  distinctlv  different  from  all  other 
theatre  oimns.  ,  ^   , 

Yet,£r  all  its  unquestioned  supcrloritv, 
the  iflteit  Morton  unit  Or|an  is  among 
the  least  expensive  theatre  organs  to  own, 
not  ouIa;  because  it  is  more  durabk,ldsts 
longer  and  costs  less  fi)r  upkeep,  but  be- 
caiSe  it  is  an  investment  that  paijs  ^r 
itself  in  increased  box  office  receipts. 


^27h  md&y /or /idhn/ormation 

oox^cev^^  NeioCooperative  Purchase  Plan 


R0teitN«rt«i  0r|i!i  &. 


New  York,  Chic.ag^o 

i;6o  Broadway  624  So  MichiisR 


Los  Angeles 
1914  So.Vermont 


SanFraxicisco 
l&SGolden  Gate 


Cenujne  Diagan  Percussions  Used 


Julv  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


here!  hear! 


Great  new  Paramount' Pictures  with  synchronized  music  score,  sound  effects  and  talking  sequences! 
For  the  first  time  Paramount  Quality  in  "sound"  pictures.  Paramount  Feature  Pictures — 25  to  30 
for  1928-29,  Paramount  News,  Christie  Comedies,  Stage  Presentations — the  Whole  Show !  In  theatres 
equipped  to  show  "sound"  pictures  Paramount  is  proud  to  present: 


c<?- 


?5 


WXIiIjO  with    synchronized    music    score    and 

sound  effects  exactly  as  presented  to  $2  audiences  everywhere — more  than  a  year  in  New* York.  Hear 
the  drone  of  the  planes,  the  rat-tat-tat  of  machine  guns,  the  explosion  of  the  bombs,  etc.  Sound  at 
its  most  startling  best!     William  Wellman  Prod,  with  Clara  Bow,  Charles  Rogers,  Richard  Arlen,  etc. 


<!<!i 


"r>r» 


^v^^*     THE  WEDDING  MARCH     directed 

by  and  starring  Erich  von  Stroheim,  with  Fay  Wray.  Hear  the  throbbing  love  strains,  the  beautiful 
ceremonial  music,  the  bells,  the  trumpetings!  Many  of  the  scenes  are  in  Technicolor.  Even 
without  sound  it  is  one  of  Paramount's  greatest  pictures — with  sound  it  is  incomparable !      ^         »^ 


^<? 


i^») 


ABIE'S     IRISH    ROSE  Anne  Nichols 

great  piece  of  screen  entertainment  soon  to  go  to  picture  houses  with  synchronized  music  score  and 
sound  effects.  See  and  hear  Jean  Hersholt  in  the  greatest  performance  of  his  career,  Charles  Rogers, 
Nancy  Carroll  singing  the  beautiful  theme  song.     A  positive  sensation !    Victor  Fleming  Production. 


THE  PATRIOT  Emst  Lubitsch's  wonder 
picture,  starring  Emil  Jannings.  With  Florence  Vidor,  Lewis  Stone,  Neil  Hamilton.  Hear  the  thun- 
derous Russian  marches,  the  charge  of  the  wild  Cossacks,  the  pistol  shots,  the  cries  of  the  innocent. 
Hear  the  incomparable  Jannings  and  others  in  the  cast  talk  in  the  climactic  scenes !     ^         *f"         *i* 


<?<r' 


i!>r> 


WARMING  UP  starring  Richard  Dix,  in  a 
comedy-drama  of  love,  laughs  and  Big  League  Baseball.  For  the  first  time,  a  crucial  world's  series 
game  on  the  screen  in  sound —  the  crack  of  the  bat,  the  roar  of  the  crowd!  The  synchronized  music 
score  introduces  a  great  new  song   hit!     Fred  Newmeyer  Production  with  beautiful  Jean  Arthur.       ^ 


(TC 


THE  CANARY  MURDER  CASE 


!>r> 


The  famous  mystery  melodrama  by  S.  S.  Van  Dine  that  sold  over  200,000  copies  as  a  novel,  ten  times 
more  gripping  as  a  Paramount  Picture  in  sound!  William  Powell  as  "Philo  Vance",  Louise  Brooks, 
Ruth  Taylor,  James  Hall.     Malcolm  St.  Clair  Production.  Many  sensational  talking  sequences.        *i* 


f 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


i 


(Jfl 


LOVES  OF  AN  ACTRESS"  spectac 

ular  story  of  the  Parisian  stage  and  boulevards  enhanced  by  synchronized  music  score  and  sound 
effects.  A  gorgeous  special  starring  Pola  Negri,  with  Nils  Asther  and  all  star  cast.  Directed  by 
Rowland  V.  Lee  who  made  "Barbed  Wire."  '^*i**i**^*i^*^*J*'^*}* 


"THE  CARNATION  KID"  sta™g 

one  of  the  screen's  most  popular  comedians,  Douglas  MacLean,  directed  by  Marshall  Neilan,  produced 
by  the  Christie  Studios  on  a  lavish  scale  with  big  all  star  cast.  To  be  made  with  synchronized  music 
score  and  sound  effects  —  making  a  big  picture  even  bigger!        «^         *f*         ►f*         »^         *J«         ^J*         "^ 

The  Whole   Show   In  Sound 


mSm«  PARAMOUNT  NEWS  ^l  s„on  rise  to 
even  greater  heights  as  a  box-office  attraction  by  presenting  a  large  portion  of  its  service  in  sound. 
World  events,  epic-making  happenings,  scoops,  special  stunts,  as  only  Paramount  News  can  give 
them  to  you — heard  as  well  as  seen.     The  world's  greatest  news  reel — on  the  screen  in  sound!  *J* 


CHRISTIE   COMEDIES  The  class 


two 


reel  comedy  product  of  the  screen  in  sound!  32  in  Paramount 's  1928  -  29  Whole  Show  Program. 
"Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl,"  Bobby  Vernon  Comedies,  Billy  Dooley  Comedies,  "Sandy  MacDuff  " 
Comedies  with  Jack  Duffy.  Two  big  special  short  features  in  sound  coming  and  more  to  be  announced ! 


STAGE  PRESENTATIONS  The  pick 


of  the  world's  stage  and  screen  talent  presented  in  special  de  luxe  short  reels,  with  sound,  in 
the  quality  Paramount  style — big  names,  big  time  acts,  lavish  novelties.  Including  the  cream  of 
the  famous  Publix  Stage  units,  making  the  small  town  theatre  the  equal  of  the  Broadway  palace ! 

THE   ONE    QUALITY   WHOLE    SHOW  PROGRAM 

Paramount     Feature     Pictures  —  Paramount     News  —  Christie     Comedies  —  Stage    Presentations. 

Paramount  y^lctures 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


congratulations,  TOM  MEIGHAN! 


mWrW^^W^^WW^ 


'.^-'^fl! 


ivir5».. 


^o:!Z'°ff  ^^s*,'  "'^t:-?  ^»S:?.'°  Se'Sf«p'.u 


""•t 


bottle  L   ^^^%he?w  '''^f  0/  '"^^.^afearL    •''^^g/n?^^'^" 

—  •    They  „  °  reporter         '^ap/ta/      "^  oi^/icZ    ^-  ^at 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^_  ^''  cast  '^^one   o   ^^n 


jOM  /lare  your  best  picture 
since  ^^ Manslaughter^^  in  your 
latest^^'THE  RACKET' 


^  Your  performance  as  fighting  ''''Captain  McQuigg"  ranks  with  the 
finest  of  your  career.  In  Louis  Wolheim,  Marie  Prevost  and  the 
others  you  have  virtually  an  all-star  supporting  cast  —  and  class  tells. 
^  Lewis  Milestone,  your  director,  did  a  great  job.  Howard  Hughes 
and  The  Caddo  Company  lavished  freely  upon  this  production  —  and 
you  have  come  through  nobly.  ^  Paramount  is  proud  to  distribute 
"The  Racket"  because  we  know  it  will  make  big  money  for  the  Exhibi- 
tors of  America!  ««         ,,  ^         ^         ^         ,         ,         ,         ,         « 


:€'* 


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PRODUCTION 


THE  FIRST 
1928-29 

COLUMBIA 
SUPER-SPECIAII 


But  the  din  o£  shouting  about 
ivhat  you  hope  to  accomplish  is  not 
deceiving  film  buyers  'who  have 
EYES  and  EARS— and  use  them. 

Only  I^X  has  audible  film  for 
sale  no'w. 

Only  F#X  has  three  studios 
equipped  and  actually  producing 
Movietone. 

OnlyF#X  has  an  established 
Movietone  Newsreel,  supplied  daily 
with  News  photographed  with  out- 
door recording  equipment —  dis- 
covered, developed  and  perfected  by 
|^#X  sound  experts. 


FRON 


ONLY 


Only  F#X  can  supply  you  dur- 
ing 1928  MTlth  comprehensive,  exten- 
sive foreign  and  local  neivs  that  you 
can  HEAR—  l^#X  Movietone  Ne^rs. 

Only  l^#X  can  supply  NOW 
and  during  1928  'weekly  Movietone 
Entertainments  in  one  and  tivo  reels. 

Only  rax  can  deliver  NOW 
synchronized  prints  on  6  completed 
$2  specials* 

Only  rax  can  deliver  a  DOZEN 
DIALOGUE  FILMS  DURING  1928. 

Only  |^#X  —  (oresighted  devel- 
oper oS  Sound  on  Film— has  the  per- 
fected Movietone  your  theatre  needs 
NOW— while  others  are  experimentingi 


First  and  Foremost 


in  Sound  on  Film 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


\Wi^^'l^^i!^^^^'MmiMmiLUmV^>:^^^Xli&M}J^^ 


Gold-Hawk  Pictures,   Inc» 

Announce 
That  they  have  acquired  the  exclusive  motion  picture  rights 


for  the 


World  Heavyweight  Boxing  Contest 


GENE 

TUNNEY 


'VS' 


TOM 

HEENEY 


To  Be  Staged  Under  the  Direction 
of  the  World's  Premier  Boxing  Promoter 


TEX 
RICKARD 


World's 
Heavyweight  Champion 


Challenger 
Champion  of  Australia 


P  &  A  Photo 


P  &  A  Photo 


At  the  YANKEE  STADIUM  July  26th 

ACT  AT  ONCE  FOR  YOUR  TERRITORY  -  WRITE  -  WIRE  -  CABLE 

WE  ARE  TAKING  IMMEDIATE  BOOKINGS  FOR  NEW  YORK  STATE 

FOREIGN  TERRITORY  NOW  SELLING 

GOLD-HAWK  PICTURES,  Inc. 

729  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York  City 
BRYant9444 


W.  C.  HAWKINS,  Vice-President 
and  Export  Manager 


CHAS.  N.  JAWITZ 

Vice-President 

and 

General  Manager 


Cable:  JAWITZ  FILM 


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JSN  _.^^5WI 


JI 


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WILLI4M  V 

TUt 


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■DOLORES  IDtL  I2IO 
^^  I VAK"  LIK'GW^ 


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has  Five  More    $2    Specials   Ready   With 

FOUR  SONS-MOTH 
SUNRISE  -  FAZIL  -"^ 


^Skk         ^BH^H         IHB^B  -JHbHI  7  ^HHI^^  .^HhS     TOiiiiWI      mmIIm^ 


HAS  A  PICTURE  RECEIVED 
SUCH  UNANIMOUS 
CRITICAL  ACCLAIM ! 


*'  'The  Red  Dance'is  one  of  the  most  magnif- 
icent things  of  its  kind  which  I  have  ever 
seen  on  any  screen."        — New  York  World 

"Without  doubt  the  finest  entertainment 
of  its  kind  of  the  year." 

— New  York  Evening  World 

"Boasts  .  .  .  sufficient  entertainment  value 
to  bring  .  .  .  fans  leaping  to  the  Globe. 
Raoul  Walsh  has  made  a  masterly  job  of 
directing  the  picture." 

— New  York  Evening  Telegram 


"Directorially  a  gem  ....  extra  special." 

— New  York  Daily  News 

"No  doubt  that  Charles  Farrell  has*it'  espe- 
cially in  those  Russian  uniforms,  In'TheRed 
Dance, 'supporting  Dolores  Del  Rio,  he's  the 
answer  to  many  a  maiden's  prayer." 

— Variety 

"The  picture  has  action,  and  those  who  love 
the  melodramatic  will  certainly  get  a  kick 
out  of  this  one." 

— New  York  Morning  Telegraph 


^^    '^ 


it's  playing  to  capacity  twice  daily  at  the 
Globe  Theatre,  New  York,  at*2,  doing  the  most 
sensational  summer  business  on  Broadway. 


or  Without  M^viEimvi: 

ER  MACHREE  - 


STREET  ANGEL  A 


rox 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


«»*^ ..     ^  :  :^^s""^  w^'?;'^^."  K 


I 


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-A  sensational  national  ad- 
vertisinq  campaiqn  timecljwjth 
your  theatre  showinfq 


«C! 


ATHE  now  brings  to  a  focal  point  the 
millions  of  dollars  worth  of  publicity 
that  has  accrued  to  "The  King  of  Kings" 
from  a  thousand  sources  since  the  produc- 
tion first  cast  its  magic  spell  over  the 
American  public  more  than  a  year  ago. 

The  hundreds  of  exhibitors  who  play  this 
immortal  drama  during  the  period  begin- 
ning September  29  will  be  backed  by  the 
greatest  national  advertising  campaign  ever 
accorded  to  a  single  production.  They  will 
be  enabled  to  get  direct,  traceable  results  ^ 
from  this  far-reaching  plan,  for  each  ofmik 
the  great  magazines  carrying  the  compel-  , 

ling  copy  on  "The  King  of  Kings"  will  list 
names  of  all  theatres  playing  it. 

Through  this  master  stroke,  Pathe  turns 
the  pages  of  The  Saturday  Evening  Post, 
Collier's  and  all  the  leading  fan  publica- 
tions to  the  showman's  use,  giving  him  a 
new  prestige,  a  new  box-office  force,  trans- 
posing national  advertising  into  local 
advertising  and  reaching  every  home  in 
his  community  with  what  is  virtually  his 
own  personal  message. 


Qffrtk  FIRST 


(^^^* 


'""^  Million 


CECIL 

B. 

DeMILLES 


KING  Of 


ugo  Riesenfeld^s  Great  Road  Show  Musical  and  Effect 

^d  with  the 


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Smashing  two-page  ad  that  will 
appear  iit  Saturday  Evening  Post, 
Collier%  Photoplay,  M.  P.  Maga- 
zine, M.  P.  Classic,  Picture  Play, 
Screenland,  Film  Futu 


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Jeanie 
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Pathe 


Score  with  orchestra  of  100  and  chorus  of  50  vocalists 
marvelous   RCA  PHOTOPHONE  — 


»«', 


OCT. 


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*^JeanieMacpherson 


been 


Foreign  Distributors 
Producers  International 

Corporation 

130  West  46th  Street 

New  York  City 

William  M.  Vogel 

General  Manager 


Its  entertain. 

^e  been  exhorteT'"^^  °^  ^""^^^^ 


And 


screen  history. 


pro 


screen. 


"-.e  of'SiS^ 


Capitalize 


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OOD    PICTURES 


Today  more  than  ever  before  Good  Pictures  are  the  founda- 
tion en  which  this  business  must  rely. 

No  business  of  any  kind  can  be  any  greater  than  the  quaUty 
of  its  product. 

Good  Pictures  must  be  produced  up  to  an  ideal  and  not  down 
to  a  destructive  budget. 

Last  year  the  stars  and  producers  of  United  Artists  pledged 
themselves  to  produce  Good  Pictures  ^  the  best  that  talent, 
energy  and  money  could  make. 

That  promise  was  more  than  fulfilled. 

For  1928-29  each  United  Artist  again  subscribes  to  our  ideal^ 
to  produce  the  finest  attractions  that  each  can  create. 

With  knowledge  of  their  sincerity  I  confidently  endorse  their 
personal  pledge  and  heartily  commend  to  you  this  season^s 
United  Artists  Pictures  in  testimony  of  our  faith  in  the  busi- 
ness-building value  of  Good  Pictures. 


9k  ^%juu/^ 


President   and   Chairman 
Board  of  Directors 


^i^£oo^  (^5u£^-4^   '^AsuX.  L)' 


cMkvly 

9lCKFOkD 

in 

a  modem  and  grown 
up  love  story  will 
reveal  a  new  "Amer- 
ica's Sweetheart'* 
with  curls  cut  off — 
a  picture  even  greater, 
than  "My  Best  Girl."" 

Sam  Taylor 

Production 


^ovjAtLd  Colmavl 

AVJD 

^ILMA  <BaMKY- 

in     their     last     co-starring 
picture,  '' 

"TWO  LOVERS" 

Samuel  Coldwyn  presenta- 
tion. Direction  Fred  Niblo 
from  the  story  "Leather- 
face"  by  Baroness  Orczy. 
Eight  weeks  on  Broadway. 
Synchronized  musical 


(J^ORMA 

Qalmadge 

in 

"THE    WOMAN 
DISPUTED' 

A  Joseph  M.  Schenck 
presentation  of 
Dennison  Clifts 
play.  With  Gilbert 
Roland.  Direction 
Henry  King  from 
C.  GardnerSuUivan's 


"STEAMBOAT 
BILL,  JR." 

Acclaimed  everywhere  as 
Buster  Keaton's  <!reatest 
comedy.  The  funniest 
travestv  of  the  Mississ- 
iooi  River  ever  filmed. 
Directed  by  "Chuck" 
Reisner.  Presented  by 
Joseph  M.  Schenck. 


Glor^iA 

"THE  SWAMP" 

A  powerful  drama  of 
German  East  Africa 
written  especially  for 
Miss  Swanson  by  Eric 
Von  Stroheim  who  will 
also  direct.  Her  greatest 
effort  —  a  tremendous 
successor  to  her  best 
previous  picture  "Sadie 
Thompson." 


<D0L0kES 

©elQIio 

''REVENGE" 

An  Edwin  Carewe 
Production  from 
Konrad  Bercovici's 
story  "The  Bear 
Tamer's  Daughter." 
Promises  to  be  her 
greatest    effort. 


^LMAr 

Presented  by  Samuel 
Goldwyn  in  her  first 
starring  picture    - 

"THE 
AWAKENING" 

by  Frances  Marion.  Victor 
Fleming  direction.  With 
Louis  Wolheim  and  Wal- 
ter Byron.  Son5  by 
Irving  Berlin  and  syn- 
chronized musical 


^uster/Xeatovl  M      CHeRBERJ 
ERy4ESTT0R.»tENCE    ■       ^R^ENON 


PRODUCTION 

''LUMMOX" 

Fannie  Hurst's  tre- 
mendous best  seller 
will  be  Herbert 
Brenon's  next  pic- 
ture to  follow  his 
recent  great  box- 
office  succes  s — 
"Sorrell  and  Son." 


with   William    Boyd  | 

and    Lupe   Velez.  j| 

With    Irving    Berlin  | 

song    in    Movietone.  *, 

From  Dr.  Karl  Voll-  | 

moeller's  story,  "La  | 

Paiva."   Adapted  by  I 

Hans  Kraly.     D.  W.  i 

.»    Griffith  Production.  I 


'West 

PRODUCTION 

"NIGHTSTICK" 

One  of  Broadway's  most 

■  successful   plays   will   be 

made  by  the  director  of 

"The     Bat"     from     the 

scenario   by   C.    Gardner 

Sullivan.    Certain    to    be 

ne  of  the  most  thrilling 

crook  dramas   ever 

filmed  for  screen 

entertainment. 


C^+AR.LIE 

Cm-Aplim 

in 

"CITY 
LIGHTS" 

A  rollicking,  lau»hin%, 
whirling  story  of  the 
boulevard  and  the  night 
club.  An  ori<;inal  story 
written  by  Mr.  Chaolin 
and  to  be  directed  by 
him.  Supported  bv 
Merna  Kennedy  and 
Harry  Crocker. 


Q)0UGLAS 
^AlkBANKS 


'THE  MAN 
WITH  THE 
IRON  MASK" 

An  original  story  telling 
of  the  further  adventures 
of  d'Artagnan  and  "The 
Three  Musketeers."  Di- 
rected   by    Allan    Dwan- 


GklPFITW- 

PkODUCTlOW 

"THE  BATTLE 
OF  THE  SEXES' 

/ith  Jean  Hersholt, 
Phyllis  Haver,  Belle 
Bennett,  Don  Alvarado, 
Sally  O'Neil.  From 
Daniel  Carson  Good- 
man's story  adapted  by 
Gerritt'Hoyd. 


JOH-N 

will  have  two  pictures  pre- 
sented by  Joseph  M.  Schenck 

^»^' 'TEMPEST" 

j  with  Camilla  Horn  and  Louis  i 

I  Wolheim — Sam  Taylor  Pro- 1 

1  duction  —  Playing  capacity  K 

at  Embassy,  N.  Y.,  at  $2  top. 

2nduNTITLED 

with  Camilla  Horn.  Directed 
^      by   Ernst    Lubitsch.      ^5- 


(Donald 

COLMAM  i 

presented  by  Samuel 
Goldwyn  in  his  first 
starring  vehicle 

-""THE 
RESCUE" 

from  Joseph  Con- 
rad's novel.  Herbert 
Brenon  d  i  r  e  c  tci  o  n 
with    Lily    Damita. 


19 


Pictures  in  order  of 
release* 


OClNG- 

PR.O  DUCTIOVJ 

"SHE  GOES 
TO  WAR" 

An  Inspiration  Pic- 
ture Inc.,  presenta- 
tion from  Rupert 
Hughes'  Red  Book 
story.  Big  Cast — 
Big  Production. 


PRODUCTIOVI 

"THE  THREE 
PASSIONS" 

from  Cosmo  Hamil- 
ton's novel.  With 
Alice  Terry,  Claire 
Eames,  Ivan  Petro- 
vitch. 


04ig  gels' 


Greatest  of  air  films. 
Now  more  than  11 
months  in  the  making. 
With  Ben  Lyon,  Greta 
Nissen.  James  Hall.  A 
Caddo  Production  per- 
sonally presented  and 
supervised  by  Howard 
Hughes.  A  Road  Show 
Attraction. 


■Vi 


July 

Buster   Keaton   and 
Ernest    Torrence    in 

"STEAMBOAT 
BILL,  JR." 

August 

Ronald  Colman  and 
Vilma  Banky    in 

"TWO  LOVERS" 

J  ohn    Barrymore    in 

"TEMPEST" 
Septemher 

Norma  Talmadge  in 

"THE  WOMAN 
DISPUTED" 

D.  W.  Griffith's 

"THE  BATTLE   OF 
THE  SEXES" 

October 

Dolores  Del  Rio  in 

"REVENGE" 

Vilma  Banky  in 

"THE 
AWAKENING" 

Ts^ofember 

"THE  LOVE  SONG' 

with  William  Boyd  and 
Lupe  Veler 

Ronald    Colman    In 

"THE  RESCUE" 


Road  Show 

"HELL'S  ANGELS" 

December 

"NIGHTSTICK" 

]Roland  West  Production 

"LUMMOX" 

Herbert  Brenon 
Production 

January  1929 

Gloria  Swanson  in 

"THE  SWAMP'* 

Douglas  Fairbanks  in 

"THE    MAN    WITH 
THE   IRON  MASK" 

MaryPickford  Production 
UNTITLED 
February 

Charlie  Chaplin 

"CITY  LIGHTS" 

John  barrymore 

UNTITLED 

March 

"THREE 
PASSIONS" 

Rex  Ingram 
Production 

"SHE  GOES 
TO  WAR" 

Henry  King 
Production 


"Each  picture  Sold  Irtdiriduatiy — on  tAerit." 


mitmtm 


GOOD    BtiSINESS 


Good  Business  depends  on  Good  Pictures  ^  quality  pictures. 

Good  pictures  must  be  produced  up  to  a  standard,  never  down 
to  a  price. 

United  Artists  Pictures  are  Good  Pictures.  They  cost  more. 
They're  worth  more. 

By  booking  Quality,  you  practice  soundest  economy.  Your 
patrons  remember  quality  and  quality  only. 

Over  a  period  of  a  year,  when  you  play  Good  Pictures,  your 
cost  may  be  higher  but  your  returns  will  be  much  higher. 
That's  good  business. 

Today  thovisands  of  exhibitors  know  that  Good  Pictures  build 
the  steady  healthy  ever-growing  patronage.  Today  United 
Artists  Pictures  are  being  played  by  more  showmen  than 
ever  before. 

The  nineteen  United  Artists  Pictures  for  1928-29  are  BIG 
pictures  produced  individually.  They  are  sold  the  same  way^ 
Individually  on  meriU 

Each  picture  will  be  backed  by  an  individual  and  distinctive 
money-making  exploitation  campaign  to  sell  your  public. 

In  buying  pictures  the  real  showman  says  **Not  How  Cheap  — 
but  How  Good.'' 

Keep  your  Good  dates  open  for  the  Good  Pictures.  That's 
Good  Business^ 

Make  your  appointment  with  United  Artists  salesmen 
early,  now! 


i^<^5^2-<-f 


Vice-President  and  General  Manager  of  Distribution 
United  States  and  Canada 


UNITtD  ARTISTS  COIU^ORATION 


JOSEPH   M.SCHENCK. 


President  and  Chairman  Board  of  Directors 


Sftaty  Pickford  -^y[6rma  Talmadge  t0    Gloria  Swanson  -^  Charles  Chaplin 
Douglas  Fairbanks  ^-^  D.UCGriffith  ->^  Samuel  Goldwyn 


,^^0:)4a^LU'^'-^^-^-^^ 


RUSS 


VIATOR. 


REED 
WEf 

iA  new  series 
if  air  -thrillers 
thai:  will  stam 
iheir  hair 
tnd 


From  the  famous 
"Russ  Farieir  flying 
stories  in  %ejlmericm 
hoif  Magazine -^^^ 

Bi^  Thomson  Burtis 


RV/SS  FARRELL 
AVIATOR '' 

will  pack  as  bi^  a 
Kick  a$  YOU  ever 
^ave  an  audience. 
iht  popuIai'itY  of  the 
stories  and  the  star, 
and  tie-ups  that  sur- 
pass any  short  feature 
exploitation  ever  be- 
fore attempted,  will 
make  them  bi^  box^ 
office  bet/  from  the 
take-off. 


Mif  being  [)ioduced{orI928-'J929  bij 

Charles  R- Rogers  Productions,  inc. 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES.  Inc. 

President.  ■ — 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


"Ask  Anybody!" 

Packard  Says — 

"Ask  the  Man  who  owns  one" 

The  Herald'World  Says — 

"Ask  Anybody!" 


^ 


SK  your  friend,  our  friend,  or 
even  our  closest  competitor,  or 

any  man  in  the  trade  you  meet  in 

the  street. 


The  secret  of  the  Herald-World's 
success  is  that  it  is  no  secret  at  all. 

Everybody  knows  why  the  Herald- 
World  leads  the  motion  picture 
trade  paper  field — because  every- 
body knows  the  Herald- World. 

But  perhaps  a  shorter  way  to  the 
same  answer  is 


Ask 
Your  self  I 


what  I  neCi 


FIRST 

CLASS 

SHOW 

for  a 

FIRST 

CLASS 

HOUSE.' 


WONDER  ATTRACTION 
IN  SMASHING  WORLD 

PREMIERE  RCSCr JULY  7 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


From  New  York  down- 
the  whole  country 


acclaims  UNIVERSAL! 


July  14, 1928 


J  JUNDREDS  of  congratulatory 
^  ^  letters  and  telegrams  from 
exhibitors  all  over  the  Nation, 
from  the  biggest  First  Run  thea- 
tres down  to  the  smallest, — all 
acclaim  Universal's  magnificent 
accomplishment  in  SHOWING  IN 
ADVANCE,  (not  26  pictures  as 
Mr,  Linet's  editorial  states)  but 
34  pictures  all  done,  ready  to  see 
on  the  screen. 


No  company  in  the  business  has 
done  it  except  Universal, 


And  not  alone  has  no  company 
matched  Universal,  but  also,  none 
shows  the  array  of  genuine 
box  office  winners  that  Uni- 
versal shows  this  year. 


On  top  of  that  wonderful  ac- 
complishment Universal  crashes 
Broadway  with  9  feature  pictures 
in  less  than  3  weeks  time. 


Capitol,    Roxy,    Rialto,    Rivoli, 
Hippodrome,  the  largest  theatres 
the    world,    all    showing    and 


in 


boosting  Universal's  winners. 


Added   to   that.    Universal   an- 
nounces 18  features  to  be  synchro- 
nized, headed  by  UNCLE  TOM'S 
CABIN  and  THE  MAN  WHO 
LAUGHS, 


Climb  aboard  the  band- 
wagon. Join  the  ranks  of 
the  winners.     Tie-up  to 
the  season's  surest  prof- 
its    by    Booking 
UNIVERSAL 
Solid! 


July  14, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


15 


Editorial 

By  Hank  Linet 


For  Doubting  Thomases 

When  Universal  announced  a  few 

schedll^l'to'VH    ''   ^^   '""^   P^^t^'S 
hcneduled  tor  the  year  were  comnlet- 

fn/^Thn"^'^  ^«r  Showing,  the  Doubt- 
iig    Thomases    remarked    that    even 

L^^^Z^''^^^  ^'^  have  these  26,  they 
probably    weren't    any  "good.  ^ 

Universal  has  made  its 
answer,  and  a  most  con- 
vincmg  one.  For  three 
>veeks  straight.  Broadway 
IS  to  have  three  Universal 
pictures  showing  simultane- 
ously. 

the  RivoT  ?  f ^P'^""'   ^^'^^^   ^"«'   and 

aid  ^hl  W-^''^'.  °"^'  ^"^  the  Rialto 
and   the   Hippodrome. 

Nice  representation  .in  competitive 

n  nl?'-  ^L*^'^"  ^^"  f^'-  the  kind 
of  p  ctures  that  Universal  has  ready 
lor  the  year. 


I 


if 


II 


n  * 


iiri 


>1 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


Written 

by  the  co-author  of 
"Dulcy",  "Merton 
of  the  Movies"— 
George  S.  Kaufman 

Directed 

by  the  man  who  made 
"McFadden's  Flats" — 
Richard  Wallace 

Presented 

by  Richard  A.  Rowland 


From  the  East - 
Fi'om  the  North  - 

From  the  South  - 
they  flocked  by  the  thou- 
sands to  see- 


md 


tiiriER 

EGG  NAN 

During  its  7  months  on  Broad- 
way--and  more  on  the  road. 
Hundreds  of  amateur  pro- 
ductions. Read  by  thousands 
in  book  form. 


NOW  ONE  OF  THE  BIGGEST 
COMEDY  HITS  OF  RECENT  YEARS 
IS  YOURS  FOR  EXTENDED  RUNS! 


TAMkS 


EKTRUDEA^TOi; 

lAIH  HARDY 


■f^/^'^^f/  j^^/f/ 


One  of  the 

FinST  li^ATIO^Al. 


lembtr  jT  Motion  Picture  Producers  ..d  Distributors  of  America  Inc.^Wlll  H.Haye  J>H,,inl 


I 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

8b4  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


Home 

Office: 

407  So.  Dearborn  St. 

Chicago 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


The  Herald-World  tliis  week  presents  the  A  B  C  of  the  Synchronized  Picture,  by  Peter  Vischer,  who 
has  conducted  a  thorough  survey  of  this  phase  of  picture  presentation;  This  informative  article  deals 
with  types  of  reproducing  devices,  prices  to  the  theatre  owner,  and  other  subjects  of  consequence  at 
this  time. 


I 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Stockholders  of  National  Theatres,  Chicago,  will  go  into  federal 
court  in  an  effort  to  regain  control  of  circuit  of  theatres. 
Sales  analysis,  rather  than  circusing  of  pictures,  is  basis  of  ex- 
ploitation campaigns  in  the  Southwest;  Dignity  is  ad  slogan. 
A  professor  and  his  students  study  public  demands  upon  the 
motion  picture  theatre — an  informative  survey  for  the  exhibitor. 
The  Northwest  theatre  men,  and  former  AUied  States  exhibitors, 
postpone  convention;   Chicago  may  get  meeting  to  revive  asso- 


ciation. 


DEPARTMENTS 


Synchronized  Pictures  31 

The  Studio   37 

Short  Features  43 

Presentation  Acts   44 

The  Theatre  50 

New  Pictures   54 

Classified  Advertising   59 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 61 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 66 


FEATURES 

Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 53 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges 38 

Pictorial  Section   27 

Letters  from  Readers 60' 

Broadway    2ft 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— M  G  M,  Robert  Morton  Organ  Com- 
pany, Paramount,  Columbia,  Gold-Hawk  Pictures,  Fox,  F  B  O,. 
Universal,  First  National,  Tom  Tyler,  Alfred  Cohn,  Charles 
Clarke,  Nick  Musuraca,  Al  Martin,  George  Sidney,  Automatic- 
Ticket  Register  Company,  Guercio  &  Barthel,  Eastman   Kodak. 

PRESENTATIONS— Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  Villa  Moret,  Inc.,  Chief 
Eagle  Feather,  Vale  &  Stewart,  Benny  &  Western,  Fritz  &  Jean- 
Hubert,  Darling  Twins,  Cornelius  Mafiie,  Frankie  Masters,  Bill' 
Bennett,  Harry  Zimmerman,  Leo  Terry,  Brooks  Costumes,  Rans- 
ley  Studios,  Dean  Stevenson. 


CHIC4CO 

407   South  Dearborn  St.  Telephones  Harriaoa  0036-37-38 

Cable    Address :    Qnigpubco 

EDWIN    S.    CXIFFORD,    General    Manager 

JAY  M.  SHRECK,  Managing  Editor 

GEORGE   CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 

ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,   News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617    Hollywood    Blvd.  Telephone    Gladstone    3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 

West    Coast    Manager 

SUBSCRIPTION  RATES: 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


M 


i 


NEW    t&RK 

56S   Fifth    Avenns  Telephones   Vanderbilt   3612-MlSl 

JAMES    BEECROFT,    ?Vetti    York    Advertising   Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,   New    York   Editor 

LONDON 

THE    BIOSCOPE 

(J.    Caboaro,    Editor}. 

Faraday    Honso 

S-10    Charing    Cross    Rd.,    W.    C.    2 


United   States  and  possessions— $3.00  per  year,  Canada — $4.50   per  year.      Other  points   of  the  world S6.00  par  y»ar.      Single  eoplss,   2S  eeats,. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit  Bureau  of  Qrculations  statements  foraishad  upon  application. 


% 


i 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

aod  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  5>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  1915;  MoviwG  Pic- 
ture World,  founded  in  1907;   Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 
The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuicLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week,  and 
The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  2       (Vol.  34,  No.  5)  July  14,  1928 


What  About  Publicity! 

AT  one  time  in  the  motion  picture  business  publicity 
men  were  considered  to  be  publicity  men  and  the 
duties  with  which  they  were  mainly  concerned  were  of  an 
appropriate  character.  Recently,  however,  in  a  great 
many  instances  publicity  men  have  been  elevated  to — or 
have  degenerated  into — a  position  which  amounts  to  that 
of  some  kind  of  an  ofiGce  executive,  and  the  matter  of 
writing  and  placing  publicity  material  has  become  only  an 
incidental  activity. 

The  net  result  of  this  new  order  is  that  for  some  time 
past  the  motion  picture,  and  the  industry,  has  been  gradu- 
ally dropping  down  the  list  of  well-publicized  activities 
before  the  American  public,  until  now  a  great  many  pub- 
lic interests,  which  have  decidedly  less  essential  attraction 
for  the  public,  have  dwarfed  the  position  of  pictures  in 
the  public  eye. 

In  a  business  in  which  publicity  is  of  such  tremendous 
importance,  this  new  alignment  suggests  considerations 
which  are  actually  alarming.  In  fact,  it  is  reasonable  to 
state  that  the  lessening  of  publicity,  promotional  and  ex- 
ploitational  activities  may  be  blamed  in  a  substantial  de- 
gree for  many  of  the  adverse  conditions  which  are  now 
attending  the  business. 

The  picture  business  is  indulging  in  the  illusion  that 
it  is  a  well-publicized  business  and  even  many  of  the  lead- 
ing and  best-informed  executives  are  likely  to  contest  the 
assertion  to  the  contrary.  But  any  close  and  intelligent 
examination  of  the  facts  proves  the  original  contention. 
The  business  has  been  lulled  into  a  fancied  notion  of  its 
security  in  the  public  eye  and,  meanwhile,  automobiles, 
radio,  cigarettes,  cash  registers  and  a  number  of  other 
commodities  and  services  have  forged  ahead  of  the  in- 
dustry in  public  attention  and  are  reaping  proportunate 
rewards  while  the  motion  picture  business  has  been  bare- 
ly holding  its  own. 

A  review  of  the  great  and  significant  publicity  eflforts  of 
the  past  year  discloses  nowhere  any  outstanding  activity 
of  the  motion  picture  business.  The  introduction  of  the 
new  Ford  motor  car  leaves  the  sum  of  the  past  10  years 
of  publicity  in  the  picture  business  looking  small  and  in- 


consequential. In  a  somewhat  limited  degree  the  same 
holds  true  relative  to  the  introduction  last  Winter  of  a 
new  model  by  the  Dodge  Brothers  company.  Even  the 
current  price  war  among  the  cigarette  companies,  which 
seems  to  be  virtually  without  effect  as  far  as  the  consumer 
is  concerned,  has  gotten  an  important  degree  of  public 
attention. 

In  the  sales  and  marketing  of  such  a  prosaic  article  as 
a  cash  register  there  is  now  being  introduced  a  ballyhoo 
which  leaves  the  best  current  efforts  of  the  picture  busi- 
ness appearing  meek  and  unpretentious,  indeed. 

The  record  is  clear:  The  picture  business  is  allowing 
its  most  effective  instrument  to  grow  rusty  from  disuse 
or  only  half-hearted  use.  And  meanwhile  the  publicity 
brains  of  the  business  are  pretty  much  following  the  same 
fate. 

Although  we  are  close  observers  of  publicity  referring 
to  the  motion  picture  business,  it  is  so  long  since  we  have 
seen  a  really  good  story  in  the  general  or  in  the  trade 
press  that  an  effort  to  recall  the  latest  is  a  tax  upon  the 
memory. 

There  has  been  a  high  order  of  publicity  brains  in  the 
picture  business  and  we  assume  that  it  is  still  here,  but, 
certainly,  it  has  been  giving  very  little  visible  proof  of 
its  existence  for  some  time.  The  case  would  be  a  puzzling 
one  if  we  did  not  happen  to  know  that  many  men  who 
have  been  responsible  for  excellent  publicity  efforts  in 
the  past  are  now  giving  their  attention  almost  exclusively 
to  office  routine.  These  activities  may  be  and  probably 
are  important  but  they  do  not  get  publicity  and  if  the 
publicity  men  of  the  industry  are  not  wholehearted  on 
the  job  of  getting  publicity  of  the  right  kind  and  in  the 
right  volume,  the  business  is  going  to  continue  to  suffer 
just  as  it  has  been  suffering. 

*     *     • 

A  Pioneer's  Lot 

EVERY  great  development  has  its  skeptical  commen- 
tators. Just  prior  to  sailing  for  Europe,  Mr.  Joseph 
M.  Schenck,  in  a  statement,  lists  himself  in  this  classifica- 
tion relative  to  the  use  of  sound  in  pictures.  Mr.  Schenck 
warns  of  the  dangers  of  the  use  of  dialogue,  pointing  out 
particularly  that  the  language  employed  seriously  limits 
the  subject  in  the  world  market. 

It  was  not  long  ago  that  the  majority  of  the  leading 
producers  were  highly  skeptical  about  the  whole  matter 
of  synchronization.  For  a  considerable  period  while  Mr. 
William  Fox  and  the  Warner  brothers  were  investing 
time,  money  and  effort — and  a  lot  of  each — other  leading 
factors  in  the  industry  were  assuming  the  attitude  that 
their  contemporaries  had  only  found  a  new  plaything  to 
amuse  themselves  with. 

Certainly,  the  question  of  dialogue  is  a  most  difficult 
problem.  Eventually  it  may  be  discarded  and  synchroni- 
zation may  mean  only  musical  and  sound  effect  accom- 
paniment. But  the  possibilities  of  the  new  form  of  ex- 
pression must  be  explored,  and  the  pioneers  will  have  to 
face  the  dangers  which  are  the  usual  lot  of  explorers.  If 
dialogue  means  an  important  development  for  motion 
pictures,  talking  pictures  will  have  to  be  made,  first,  for 
the  English-speaking  countries  alone  and  attendant  prob- 
lems of  the  world  market  will  have  to  be  met  as  they 
arise. 

We  acknowledge  the  soundness  of  Mr.  Schenck's  pres- 
ent position,  but,  it  may  be  noted,  pioneers  in  synchro- 
nized production  have  quite  enough  to  contend  with  with- 
out— cold  water. 

*      »      * 

DARK  clouds  continue  to  gather  on  the  horizon  of  the 
labor  situation.  In  several  individual  localities  dis- 
putes have  reached  an  acute  stage.  The  problem  is  rap- 
idly becoming  a  national  one.  A  nationally  defensive 
move  is  considered  by  many  as  the  only  hope  of  perma- 
nent relief. 


Julv  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Herald- World  Presents  Status 
of  Synchronized  Pictures  Today 

Nine  Systems  for  Production 
of  Sound  Are  Now  on  Market 


What  Is  Fame?   This  Case 
Brings  Up  the  Question 

(Stccial  to  the  Herald-lVorld) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  10.— What  is 
fame?  Or  doesn't  it  matter.^  How- 
ever, the  inHuence  of  those  nation- 
ally known  exponents  of  the  art  of 
"gate  crashing,"  Tammany  Young 
and  One-Eyed  Connolly,  would  seem 
to  have  been  felt  in  this  region  re- 
cently. John  P.  Foerstel  and  Earl 
Montgomery,  both  18  years  old,  were 
charged  in  city  court  by  L.  J.  Hill, 
manager  of  the  Ambassador  theatre, 
with  having  tried  to  use  the  Young- 
Connolly  methods  of  entry  into  that 
house.  The  boys  stated  that  they 
had  been  merely  waiting  for  a  friend, 
and  Judge  Beck  dismissed  the  case. 
The  incident,  however,  serves  to 
point  a  moral,  does  it  not.' — the 
moral  so  aptly  stated  by  one  George 
M.  Cohan,  which  possibly  goes  some- 
thing like  this:  "I  don't  care  what 
you  say  about  me.  so  long  as  you 
mention  my  name."     Quite  so. 


First  ''All-Talkie" 
Excites  New  York 
at  Strand  Opening 

By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— The  first  all- 
talking  picture,  without  even  a  subtitle, 
caught  the  interest  of  New  York  Friday 
night  at  a  special  midnight  opening  at  the 
Strand.  The  picture  was  "Lights  of  New 
York,"  a  Vitaphone  picture  on  which  was 
centered  the  entire  studio  and  technical  ex- 
perience of  the  Warner  Brothers  organiza- 
tion. 

Notables  at  Opening 

The  picture  aroused  considerable  excite- 
ment as  a  test  of  the  modern  talking  device 
in  a  much  greater  scope  than  heretofore. 
An  audience  that  ranged  from  Ina  Claire 
to  Tammany  Young  gathered  to  take  a  look 
and  a  hear. 

The  picture  was  generally  held  to  fore- 
shadow what  one  may  expect  from  talking 
pictures,  rather  than  to  stand  as  a  test  of 
the  talking  proposition.  It  would  be  well 
■worth  seeing  as  a  novelty,  if  opinions  heard 
at  the  Strand  provide  any  criterion. 

"The  Lights  of  New  York,"  adequately  ad- 
vertised by  Joseph  Plunkett  as  the  first  100 
per  cent  talking  picture,  drew  unusual  crowds 
to  the  Strand  on  Monday  afternoon,  a  blister- 
ing hot  day.  There  was  a  line  at  the  box  office 
and  scats  were  at  a  premium.  At  the  end  of 
everj-  show  the  audience  broke  into  spontane- 
ous applause. 

Others  on  the  Street 

By  the  way.  New  York  is  having  a  full 
set  of  sound  pictures  this  week.  "King  of 
Kings,"  with  a  synchronized  score,  is  at  the 
Rivoli.  "Lights  of  New  York"  and  "The 
Lion  and  the  Mouse"  talk  for  Warners. 
"Fazil"  and  "The  Red  Dance"  represent 
Fox. 


Sugarman  Joins  Skirboll 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW    YORK,    July    10.— Al_  Sugarman, 
formerly   with   Universal,   has   joined    Skir- 
boll Gold  Seal  Productions,  distributors  for 
Columbia   pictures. 


Costs    of    Installation    and    Rental   Presented    in    This 
Informative  Survey  of  Field 

By  PETER  VISCHER 

The  synchronized  picture,  admittedly  the  most  brilliant  development  of  the 
film  industry  in  recent  years,  has  captured  the  imagination  and  the  interest  of 
a  world  intent  on  motion  pictures.  Synchronized  pictures  hold  the  center  of 
the  screen. 

Because  it  is  so  new  and  fresh,  because  it  is  still  in  a  state  of  flux,  the  syn- 
chronized picture  situation  as  it  exists  today  is  not  a  simple  one.  The  very 
importance  of  the  sound  picture  makes  it  difficult  to  understand  the  situation 
as  a  whole,  and  yet  appreciate  each  component  viewpoint  that  goes  to  make 
the  whole. 

Many  Problems  Now  Confront  the  Producers 

The  producer  has  his  own  peculiar  slant  on  synchronized  pictures.  In  the 
first  place,  which  of  the  many  systems  available  shall  he  use?  Shall  he  use 
dialogue  or  restrict  himself  (for  the  present  at  least)  to  music?  He  has  made 
film  stars  overnight,  but  where  can  he  pick  up  actors  and  actresses  with  trained 
voices?  What  shall  he  do  with  those  screen  stars,  built  up  into  heroes  and 
heroines  at  enormous  expense,  whose  voices  are  not  adapted  to  modem  speak- 
ing devices?  Can  he  afford  to  go  slowly,  with  all  his  competitors  apparently 
going  ahead  under  full  steam? 

motion  pictures  with  a  universal  appeal,  an 
appeal  to  the  eye.  Will  the  public  take 
synchronized  pictures  to  its  heart,  once  the 
novelty  has  worn  off? 

Opinions  on  these  important  matters  are 
available  on  all  sides.  The  head  of  every 
organization  in  the  industry  has  ideas  on 
the  subject.  Every  exhibitor  has  something 
to  say.  Motion  picture  critics  are  full  of 
arguments,  of  all  shades.  The  man  on  the 
street  has  his  own  opinions,  which  is  a 
great  thing  for  pictures,  for  it  means  still 
another  close  tie  between  the  industry  and 
the  public. 

Here  Are  the  Facts 

This  is  no  place  for  opinions.     Herewith 

are  presented  only  facts  as  they  exist  today. 

without  color.    This  is  to  be  a  cross-section 

of  the   synchronized   picture   situation,   pre- 

(Continned  on  page  32) 


Then  consider  the  exhibitor.  He  doesn't 
have  to  worry  about  recording  problems, 
but  how  about  the  reproducing?  Which 
system  should  he  use?  How  much  will 
the  equipment  cost?  If  he  signs  up  with 
one  reproducing  method,  will  he  be  able  to 
show  the  pictures  of  all  companies?  Prices! 
Where  will  he  get  his  profit?  Can  he  afford 
to  mark  time,  when  the  fellow  down  the 
street  is  going  ahead  and  installing  sound 
equipment? 

Now  Answer  These  Questions 

Actors,  actresses,  directors,  musicians, 
salesmen!  They  all  have  their  private 
problems  in  connection  with  the  new  syn- 
chronized pictures.  Is  the  film  industry  be- 
ing revolutionized,  and  if  so  who  will  be 
caught  in  the  revolution? 

And  how  about  the  public?  For  years 
the  public  has  watched  silent  pictures.  The 
public   has  been   educated   into   appreciating 


Spoken  Words  on  Film  Must  Be  Censored, 

Judge  Rules  in  Vitaphone  Case  in  East 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  10. — A  decision  that  spoken  words  cannot  be  used  in 
conjunction  with  motion  pictures  in  Pennsylvania  unless  the  words  as  well  as  the 
films  are  approved  by  the  state  board  of  censors  has  been  handed  down  by  Judge 
Martin  in  Common  Pleas  Court  No.  2  in  this  city. 

This  ruling  was  made  by  Judge  Martin  in  denying  an  appeal  by  Vitagraph,  Inc., 
from  a  recision  of  the  censors.  The  Vitagraph  company  refused  to  submit  to  the 
board  a  record  of  spoken  words  to  be  reproduced  during  the  showing  of  a  film, 
contending  that  the  powers  of  the  censors  applied  only  to  pictures  and  did  not 
cover  spoken  words.  The  board  thereupon  refused  to  allow  the  picture  to  be 
shown. 

Judge  Martin  in  pointing  out  the  obvious  intention  of  the  law  said:  "To  con- 
strue the  Act  as  vesting  the  board  of  censors  with  power  to  prevent  the  exhibition 
of  films  when  the  same  debasing  features  are  published  as  part  of  the  picture  by 
a  machine  would  result  in  neutralizing  and  destroying  the  act  of  assembly.  That 
the  machine  to  be  used  is  a  mechanism  unknown  to  the  world  when  the  Act  of 
1915  was  passed  does  not  prevent  the  remedial  provision  of  the  act  being  extended 
to  the  suppression  of  an  evil  made  possible  by  its  employment  as  a  part  of  the 
picture.  A  construction  which  would  permit  so  palpable  an  evasion  of  the  law 
would  result  in  an  absurdity.  The  board  of  censors  was  right  in  demanding  that 
the  language  employed  in  conjunction  with  the  proposed  picture  should  be  sub- 
mitted to  them  before  the  film  received  the  approval  of  the  board." 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


NEW  YORK.— Freddie  Hall,  who  general- 
ly writes  motion  picture  criticisms  for 
the  Times,  is  on  a  busman's  holiday.  .  .  .  He 
goes  to  Ho^y^vood  for  a  vacation.  .  .  .  One 
of  these  days  there'll  be  a  full  story  on  mo- 
iion  picture  criticism  as  she  appears  in  this 
man's  town.  .  .  .  Which  brings  up  the  item 
that  the  new  critic  on  The  World,  hiding  un- 
der the  modest  initials  of  "A.  J."  is  Abe 
Jacoby,  office  boy  in  the  dramatic  department. 
.  .  .  Raoul  Walsh,  director  of  "The  Red 
Dance"  for  Fox  is  in  New  York  watching  the 
crowds  flock  into  the  Globe,  where  his  latest 
opus  is  showing.  ...  Of  course  George  Ber- 
nard Shaw  is  at  the  Globe,  too,  which  isn't  a 
bad  break  for  any  picture.  .  .  .  Leo,  the 
Aletro-Goldwyn-Mayer  lion,  visited  Park  Row 
and  the  newspaper  boys  last  week.  .  .  .  Word 
came  up  to  Frank  Sullivan  that  he  was  to 
come  down  and  look  at  the  lion.  .  .  .  "Noth- 
ing doing,"  said  Frank,  "I  wouldn't  go  down 
12  flights  of  stairs  for  anything  smaller  than  a 
hippopotamus."  .  .  .  The  theatres  around  here 
don't  know  whether  to  boast  of  their  cooling 
plants  or  their  umbrellas.  .  .  .  Ollie  Garrett, 
who  was  once  a  newspaperman  and  so  forth, 
is  going  to  do  the  screen  adaptation  of  John 
Monk  Saunders'  new  air  story,  "Dirigible." 
.  .  .  Bessie  Love  was  at  the  Hippodrome  and 
got  a  royal  welcome.  .  .  .  "King  of  Kings," 
with  sound  accompanied  right  on  the  film, 
brought  the  crowds  to  the  Rivoli.  .  .  .  Roxy 
has  taken  the  war  tax  off,  thereby  heading  in 
just  in  front  of  everybody  else  with  the  claim 
that  he  has  the  lowest  prices  of  any  de  luxe 
house  on  Brodway.  .  .  .  The  peerless  Joe 
Lee  is  doing  his  stuff  on  the  Rialto  as  usual 
and  looking  like  a  million  dollars  at  the  same 
time.  Joe  says  that  talking  and  sound  pictures 
must  make  a  noise  like  a  quarter  falling  into 
the  box  office,  to  be  worth  listening  to.  .  .  . 
Ed  Twner  of  the  Cortellaphone,  is  one  of  the 
busiest  men  of  the  industry  these  days.  Ed 
has  already  signed  the  Buck  Jones  Company, 
and  has  a  lot  more  signatures  in  sight.  .  .  . 
"Jaydee"  Williams  is  expected  to  be  sighted  off 
Fire  Island  any  day  now,  and  besides  that, 
Bill  Yearsley  is  champing  at  the  bit,,  to  get  off 
to  the  trout  streams.  One  uses  the  ocean,  and 
the  other  gets  the  big  fish  out  of  the  small 
streams.  .  .  .  Apropos  of  the  above  named — • 
Mrs.  Williams  and  Mrs.  Yearsley  were  visitors 
at  the  World  Wide  Pictures  offices  during  the 
week.  Both  represented  a  feast  for  the  eye, 
as  well  as  the  ear,  and  we  hope  to  have  more 
sound  pictures  of  this  kind.  .  .  .  Ray  Johns- 
ton, president  of  Rayart  Pictures  Company, 
expected  to  be  off  to  the  West  several  weeks 
ago,  but  owing  to  business  in  the  big  village 
had  to  defer  the  trip.  Ray  has  three  terri- 
tories to  dispose  of,  and  if  we  read  the  horo- 
scope correctly,  he  will  make  short  work  of 
the  last  three,  and  have  an  ace  in  the  hole. 
.  .  .  Charles  Jawitz,  president  of  the  Gold- 
Hawk  Company,  says  that  the  "Battle  of  the 
Century"  is  going  to  be  a  dandy,  and  that  the 
$50,000  which  he  paid  for  the  picture  privilege 
was  well  spent.  .  .  .  Dorothy  Devore,  Educa- 
tional's  star  comedienne,  swished  through 
New  York  on  her  way  from  Europe  to  Holly- 
wood. .  .  .  Incidentally,  the  Big  Town  ought 
to  be  well  represented  out  there  now — even 
His  Honor  Jimmie  the  Mayor  having  gone 
West. 

—PETER  VISCHER. 


Installs  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN    FRANCISCO,    July    10.— Movietone' 
has  been  installed  in  the  St.  Francis  theatre, 
operated  by  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc. 


Leo  Starts  on  a  World  Tour 


TNTERNATIONALISM  seems  to  be  a  guiding  principle  in  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's 
•*-  exploitation  department.  That  Howard  Dietz,  advertising  director,  should  prove  a 
supporter  of  the  League  of  Nations  would  not  be  surprising.  The  "trackless  train" 
hasn't  completed  its  world  tour,  yet  Leo,  the  trade  mark  lion,  has  begun  a  similar 
peregrination.     And  here  he  is,  starting  from  Washington — 


Crowds  badiiig  the  famous  lion  goodbye  at  the  Nation's  capital. 


Down  a  Washington  avenue. 


-As  Leo,  Jr.,  arrives  in  Australia 


Miss  Hester  Ann  Lefever,  Washington  society  girl,  christening  the  cage. 

(Photos  by  International  Newsreel) 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


U.  S.  Court  Action  for  Control 
of  National  Theatres  Expected 

Stockholders  Charge  Certain 

Financial  Deals  Hurt  Assets 


Pattee  Misses  First  Meet 
in  K-MM.  P.  T.O.  History 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  10.— For  the 
£rst  time  in  the  history  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri  that  veteran 
showman,  C.  M.  Pattee,  owner  ot  the 
Pattee  theatre.  Lawrence,  Kansas, 
failed  to  put  in  an  appearance  at  the 
recent  convention  in  Wichita.  That 
fact  was  just  discovered  by  President 
R.  R.  Biechele  the  other  day  and  Mrs. 
June  Medcalf,  secretary,  was  in- 
structed to  £nd  out  if  Mr.  Pattee— 
"Dad."  as  he  is  known — still  was  in 
good  health. 


Dads  of  College  Students 
Favor  Sunday  Shows  as 
Town  Plans  Fourth  Vote 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CHAMPAIGN,  ILL.,  July  10.— Citizens 
of  Champaign  within  the  next  six  weeks 
will  vote  upon  the  question  of  Sunday  mo- 
tion picture  shows.  A  petition  for  an  elec- 
tion now  in  circulation  will  be  presented  to 
the  City  Council  for  action. 

Recently  the  Dads  Association  of  the 
University  of  Illinois  investigated  campus 
conditions  at  the  University  of  Illinois, 
here,  and  recommended  some  sort  of  Sun- 
day amusements  for  the  boys  and  girls 
attending  the  University. 

As  usual  the  Ministerial  Alliance  will  lead 
the  fight  against  Sunday  opening  on  the 
grounds  that  they  are  unmoral.  Catholic 
and  Jewish  clergy  will  take  no  active  part 
in  the  campaign  since  they  do  not  regard 
motion  picture  shows  as  competition,  it  is 
understood.  The  question  has  been  up  for 
vote  three  times  during  the  past  several 
years  and  each  time  the  reform  element 
succeeded  in  defeating  Sunday  amusements. 

Theatre  Man  Held  When 
Caller  at  Home  Is  Killed 

DENVER,  July  10.— A.  E.  Dickson,  vice 
president  of  Consolidated  Theatres,  Inc., 
operating  a  large  chain  in  the  Denver  terri- 
tory, is  being  held  pending  the  filing  of  a 
murder  charge.  Dickson  was  supposed  to 
have  left  the  city  Saturday  night  but  re- 
turned home  to  find  Herbert  Powell  visit- 
ing Dickson's  wife. 

A  fight  followed,  Powell  attacking  Dick- 
son, who  it  is  claimed,  drew  a  revolver  which 
discharged  killing  Powell  during  the  scuf- 
fle. Dickson  will  plead  self  defense  and  the 
unwritten  law.  Dickson  was  former  head 
of  D.  and  R.  Theatre  circuit. 


Wilkerson  Group  Buys 
Exhibitors  Review  Firm 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— William  R.  Wilker- 
son and  a  group  of  associates  have  taken  over 
sole  ownership  of  the  Exhibitors  Review  Pub- 
lishing Corporation  from  George  C.  Williams. 
Henry  Linet,  managing  editor,  has  resigned, 
but  no  other  changes  in  either  personnel  or 
policy  are  now  contemplated. 

Wilkerson's  associates  are  said  not  to  be 
otherwise  connected  with  the  motion  picture 
industry. 


Bill  of  Intervention  Protesting  Receivership  of  Chicago 
Circuit  Now  Being  Prepared 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

Suit  to  take  National  Playhouses,  Inc.  (Cooney  Brothers),  important  Chicago 
circuit,  out  of  the  hands  of  receivers  will  be  filed  in  U.  S.  district  court  within 
a  week  or  10  days,  according  to  Nash  &  Ahern,  attorneys  for  the  stockholders, 
who  are  now  preparing  a  bill  of  intervention  protesting  the  receivership  granted 
in  foreclosure  proceedings  brought  by  the  Guaranty  Trust  Company  of  New 
York,  holders  of  mortgage  notes  against  the  theatre  chain,  two  weeks  ago. 

Philadelphia  and  New  York  Bankers  to  Be  Named  ' 

The  bill  will  name  Barret  &  Company  of  Philadelphia,  and  Frederick  Peirce 
&  Company  of  New  York  and  Chicago,  bankers,  who  took  over  the  circuit  last 
month,  and  probably  Cooney  Brothers  also. 

Meanwhile,  conversations  between  the  Chicago  Title  &  Trust  Company, 
the  receivers  appointed  two  weeks  ago,  and  a  prominent  national  circuit,  for 
the  purpose  of  selling  the  theatres,  have  been  thus  far  unsuccessful.  The  name 
of  the  chain  is  not  divulged. 


Just  what  charges  will  form  the  major 
counts  in  the  bill  of  intervention  would  not 
be  given  out  by  M.  J.  Ahern,  speaking  for 
counsel.  A  committee  appointed  by  the  stock- 
holders, however,  has  issued  a  printed  state- 
ment to  the  several  thousand  stockholders, 
declaring  that  certain  financial  transactions  be- 
tween the  bankers  and  Cooney  Brothers 
resulted  in  a  depletion  of  the  assets  of  the 
company. 

Oppose  Advanced  Receivership 

Exception  is  also  taken  by  the  stockholders 
to  the  establishment  of  a  receivership  several 
days  before  the  day  on  which  they  were  to 
be  allowed  to  meet  enough  of  the  obligations 
against  the  company  to  retain  control,  it  being 
alleged  that  the  banJcers  had  agreed  to  a  period 
of  30  days,  ending  July  1,  in  which  the  stock- 
holders could  attempt  to  raise  the  necessary 
$250,000.  Although  this  amount  was  not 
raised,  it  is  stated  that  an  arrangement  satis- 
factory to  the  creditors  and  the  amount  due 
the  bankers  had  been  attained  by  that  date. 

The  printed  statement  issued  by  the  stock- 
holders' committee,  in  which  the  future  as 
well  as  the  present  value  of  the  properties  is 
strongly  emphasized  because  of  their  locations 
in  growing  communities  and  because  of  the 
impetus  to  theatre-going  which  the  committee 
expects  from  sound  pictures,  is,  in  part,  as 
follows : 

Bonds  Are  Issued 

"About  a  year  ago  Cooney  Brothers,  then 
directors  of  National  Playhouses,  Inc.,  bor- 
rowed from  some  Eastern  bankers,  $2,500,000, 


issuing  bonds  therefor,  secured  by  first 
mortgages  on  the  Avalon  and  Chatham  thea- 
tres, and  second  mortgages  on  the  Capitol  and 
Stratford,  there  being  at  the  time  prior  bond 
issues  totalling  about  $1,275,000,  secured  by 
first  mortgages  on  the  Capitol  and  Stratford. 

"In  making  this  loan  of  $2,500,000,  the  baink- 
ers  deducted  17  per  cent  commission,  or  about 
$425,000.  As  a  bonus  for  making  the  loan 
they  were  given  from  the  unissued  stock  in 
the  treasury  of  the  company,  50,000  shares  of 
A  stock,  having  a  par  value  of  $1,250,000.  The 
liabilities  of  the  company  exceeded  the  assets 
by  about  $155,000,  so  in  order  to  make  the 
bond  issue  more  readily  saleable,  the  Cooneys 
were  required  by  the  bankers  to  subscribe  to 
about  $155,000  worth  of  the  A  stock,  which 
subscription  was  then  listed  as  an  asset,  the 
bankers  guaranteeing  the  subscription.  To 
secure  themselves  on  this  guarantee  the  bank- 
ers required  the  Cooneys  to  deposit  with  them 
as  collateral  200,000  shares  of  the  B  stock, 
having  a  par  value  of  $1,000,000,  and  about 
$77,000  in  first  mortgage  Capitol  theatre  bonds, 
to  be  forfeited  to  the  bankers  if  the  Cooneys 
failed  fully  to  meet  their  subscription.  In 
October,  1927,  the  Cooneys  failed  to  pay  a 
balance  of  $54,000  due  on  their  subscription, 
and  thereby  the  B  stock  aforesaid  and  the 
$77,000  in  bonds  became  forfeit  to  the  bankers. 
Done  Without  Consent,  Claim 

"All  of  this  was  done  without  the  knowl- 
edge, consent  or  approval  of  the  stockholders, 
despite  the  fact  that  their  assets  were  thus 
(Continued  on  page  30) 


Receiver  to  Seek  Right  to  Sell  Ascher 

Theatres;  Old  Circuit  Not  to  Quit  Field 

Application  for  the  right  to  dispose  of  the  Ascher  Brothers  theatre  properties 
in  Chicago  will  be  made  in  U.  S.  district  court  shortly  by  the  Chicago  Title  and 
Trust  Company,  receiver,  according  to  Chester  Davis,  head  of  the  latter's  legal 
department.  Contest  of  the  receivership  by  creditors  was  withdrawn  several 
weeks  ago. 

Sale  of  the  theatres,  however,  would  not  mean  the  passing  of  Ascher  Brothers 
from  the  Chicago  theatrical  scene,  according  to  Harry  Ascher.  Other  bouses 
might  be  purchased  or  the  present  ones  bought  back,  he  said. 

The  Ascher  group  includes  several  small  neighborhood  houses  and  the  Sheridan, 
a  deluxe  theatre  along  the  North  Shore.  One  of  the  £rst  and  originally  one  of 
the  most  influential  of  the  Chicago  circuits,  Ascher  Brothers  has  been  disposing 
of  some  of  their  theatre  interests  the  past  few  yeasr. 

Joe  Leo,  formerly  of  the  William  Fox  theatre  group,  is  managing  the  bouses 
as  representative  of  the  receivers. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


What  the  PubHc  Likes 

gT[  An  educator's  interest  in  the  motion  picture  industry  is  reflected  by  a  can- 
Tll  vass  he  conducted  among  the  students  of  Syracuse  University,  where  he 
is  a  professor  in  the  de partment  of  business  psychology.  Professor  Harry  W. 
Hepner  made  the  survey  with  the  assistance  of  selected  students,  and  6oo  in- 
dividuals, both  towoisfolk  and  students,  were  interviewed  in  person.  The  re- 
sults of  the  survey,  as  told  by  Professor  Hepner,  are  printed  below  as  a  matter 
of  general  interest  in  the  trade. 

The  manager  referred  to  is  Jerome  Harrison,  formerly  assistant  manager 
at  the  Empire  theatre,  owned  and  managed  before  its  sale,  by  David  Harri- 
son.   Jerome  Harrison,  his  brother,  managed  the  Savoy  also. 


g 


I 


By  PROFESSOR  H.  W.  HEPNER 

THE  managers  of  motion  picture  theatres  often  judge  the  public's  opin- 
ions of  their  pictures  and  service  by  the  chance  remarks  which  people 
make  as  they  leave  the  theatre.  In  some  cases  they  use  the  stop  watch 
'to  time  the  amount  of  laughter.  I  have  often  felt  that  data  other  than  the 
casual  remark,  the  stop  watch,  and  admission  figures  should  be  used  in  evaluat- 
ing the  public  tastes  in  the  motion  picture. 

DECIDED   to   have   some   of    my   students       larger  number  of   the   former  attend  on   Sat- 
urdays and   Mondays. 

With  reference  to  main  floor  or  balcony,  72 
per  cent  preferred  the  former  and  28  per  cent 
the  latter  location.  Of  the  28,  per  cent  who 
preferred  the  balcony,  one-half  said  that  they 
preferred  it  because  of  economy  and  one-fifth 
because  of  a  better  view. 

One  set  of  answers  which  would  indicate 
that  some  managers  could  increase  one  form 
of  advertising  was  secured  to  the  question, 
Would  you  like  house  programs  sent  to  you? 
Of  all  the  answers,  47  per  cent  were  favor- 
able. Many  managers  do  not  take  full  ad- 
vantage of  this  favorably  disposed  element  of 
their  patronage. 

To  the  question,  Da  you  go  to  the  show 
because  of  the  star  or  the  picture?  One  out 
of  e\'ery  four  claimed  that  they  go  because 
of  the  star  and  three  out  of  four  because  of 
the  picture. 

To  the  question,  What  creates  your  interest 
in  pictures?  the  answers  were: 

General        College 
Public        Students 
17% 
12 
17 
16 
10 
6 
6 
6 
7 
2 
J4    of   1   per   cent 

The  great  difference  between  the  general 
public  and  college  students  with  respect  to 
stories  is  what  a  college  teacher  would  ex- 
pect. Students  have  text  books  and  other  as- 
signed readings  so  that  many  of  them  do  not 
read  very  much  contemporary  fiction.  They 
were  also  more  interested  in  acting,  enter- 
tainment, and  the  description  of  life  and  less 
interested  in  stars. 

Exactly  one-half  of  all  the  people  asked 
stated  that  they  read  the  newspaper  writeups 
and  criticisms  of  the  motion  pictures.  To  the 
question.  Do  they  influence  you?  37  per  cent 
said  "Yes"  and  52  per  cent  said  "No,"  while 
11  per  cent  did  not  answer  the  question. 

The  influence  of  word-of-mouth  advertis- 
ing was  shown  from  the  fact  that  85  per  cent 
of  the  people  stated  that  they  discuss  pic- 
tures  with    their   friends. 

What  special  features  about  your  favorite 
theatre  appeal  to  you?  brought  the  following 
response : 

Percentages 
Both  Groups 

Music     43% 

Seat   comfort   - 24 

Pictures     . 1 7 

Prestige     - 6 

Beauty  _ 4 

{Continved  on  page  30) 


make  a  statistical  study  of  what  people  like 
and  dislike  about  the  photoplay.  It  was  de- 
cided to  interview  them  in  their  homes. 

A  one-page  questionnaire  was  prepared  with 
the  assistance  of  the  manager  of  a  local  thea- 
tre and  a  selected  number  of  my  students  in- 
terviewed 600  people.  It  was  found  that  571 
blanks  had  complete  answers. 

The  men  constituted  58  per  cent  and  the 
women  42  per  cent  of  the  group  tabulated.  In 
order  to  take  care  of  the  factor  of  the  large 
number  of  college  students  the  data  for  the 
students  and  non-students  were  tabulated 
separately. 

The  occupational  classification  of  the  peo- 
ple who  answered  the  questionnaire  was  as 
follows : 

Percentage 
of  Total 

College    students    41% 

Clerks  and  stenographers  11 

Salesmen     _ 9 

Housewives    8 

Unclassified    8 

Mechanics     7 

Professional:     lawyers,    doctors,    etc 6 

Teachers     4 

Executives    _ 3 

Cooks    and    domestic    servants 3 

The  first  question  asked  was :  What  kind 
of  pictures  do  you  like  best?  The  answers 
were  as  follows : 

General 
Kind  of  Picture  Public 

Comedy     20  % 

Melodrama     _ 20 

Historical    21 

Mystery     15 

Sex   drama   IS 

Western    5 

Costume    ~ 4 

Only  8  per  cent  of  the  college  students  pre- 
ferred the  sex  drama  whereas  15  per  cent  of 
the  general  public  voted  for  that  kind  of  pic- 
ture. The  students'  tastes  were  heavier  for 
mystery  and  comedy. 

What  day  of  the  week  do  you  usually  at- 
tend the  theatre?  was  the  next  question,  with 
the  following  reaction: 

College 
Day   of   Week  Students 

Saturday     _ 3  7  % 

Sunday 2 1 

No    particular    day _ _ 1 1 

Friday  _ _ 9 

Thursday    _ 7 

Wednesday     _ 7 

Tuesday    7 

Monday     _ 1 

Both 
Time  of  Day  Groups 

Afternoon    _ 14% 

Evening    86 

The  percentages  for  the  general  public  dif- 
fer from  those  for  college  students  in  that  a 


College 

Both 

Students 

Group 

25% 

22% 

18 

19 

17 

19 

23 

18 

8 

13 

6 

5 

3 

4 

Stories     37% 

Stars    26 

Entertainment   8 

Acting   7 

Life    5 

Romance  5 

Scenery     4 

Education     2 

Advertisements    1 

Feature      5 

Producer „ Less  than 


Both 
Groups 
26% 
18 
13 
12 

8 

5 

5 

5 

4 

3 


Phototone  Increases  B.  O. 
of  Neighborhood  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  July  10.— An  announce- 
ment by  officials  of  the  Strand  theatre  here, 
has  been  made  that  the  theatre  has  installed 
a  new  phototone.  This  is  the  first  neighbor- 
hood theatre  of  the  city  to  take  such  a  step. 
The  first  days  following  the  installation 
showed  a  big  increase  in  business.  The  thea- 
tre is  owned  by  the  R.  R.  Bair  interests,  con- 
trolling the  Strand,  Uptown,  Ritz,  Dream, 
Oriental   and   St.   Clair  theatres. 


t( 


City  Without  Jews"  Now 
Plays  After  Censors  Cut 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— "The  City  With- 
out Jews,"  the  new  foreign  picture  slated 
to  go  into  the  Fifth  Avenue  Playhouse  last 
week,  but  held  up  by  censors,  was  licensed 
after  minor  deletions  were  made  and  is  now 
showing. 


''The  Toilers"  Booked 

For  Indefinite  Runs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— The  Tiffany- 
Stahl  production,  "The  Toilers,"  has  been 
booked  for  in-definite  runs  at  the  United 
Artists  theatres  in  Los  Angeles  and  De- 
troit. 


Gets  6  Months*  Sentence 
on  Stench  Bomb  Charge 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SEATTLE,  July  10.— Arthur  Campbell, 
23,  convicted  of  breaking  a  malodorous 
bomb  in  the  Embassy  theatre,  has  been 
sentenced  to  serve  six  months  in  the  coun- 
ty jail. 


Harry  Warner  Speaks 

at  Warner  Club  Meet 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Honorary  President 
Harry  M.  Warner  ooened  the  latest  and  most 
important  meeting  of  the  Warner  Club  at  the 
Warner  Building  last  Tuesday  with  an  address 
to  the  members.  In  an  informal  way,  he 
spoke  on  sincerity  in  business  as  in  pleasure. 


Rosenberg  Wins  $75 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  10.— Joe  Rosen- 
berg, Kansas  City  booking  agent,  won  the 
first  prize  of  $75  for  obtaining  the  most 
new  members  for  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Kansas- 
Missouri  over  a  period  starting  last  winter 
and  ending  last  week.  He  obtained  thirty 
members.  William  Bradford  of  the  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  exchange  was  second  with 
fifteen  new  members.     His  prize  was  $50. 


Hicks  Manages  Howard 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  July  10.— Robert  E.  Hicks 
has  succeeded  Ernest  Morrison  as  manager 
of  the  Howard  theatre.  He  arrived  in  At- 
lanta Sunday  night.  Morrison  left  for  his 
new  post  in  Dallas,  where  he  will  be  man- 
ager of  the  Palace  theatre  and  assistant 
to   District   j\Ianager  John   J.    Friedl. 


Charged   With  $2,240  Robbery 

MONTREAL. — Jack  Russell,  28  years  old,  was  ar- 
rested at  Loew's  theatre  here  and  charged  with  hav- 
ing committed  the  $2,240  robbery  at  that  house  June 
17.  Russell  had  entered  the  theatre  as  a.  patron. 
Thirteen  diamond  rings  were  found  on  him,  police 
declare. 


Senger  Resigns  as  Manager 

MISHAWAKA,  IND.— George  L.  Senger  has  re- 
signed as  manager  of  the  Tivoli  theatre  here.  He 
has  transferred  the  duties  of  manager  to  E.  H. 
Wood   of  South  Bend. 


Julv  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

STRAND ■■•The  Lights  of  New  York,"  a  War- 
ner Brothers  all-talking  picture  with  Helene  Costello, 
directed  by   Bryan  Foy. 

ROXY— "The  Hit  of  the  Show,"  an  F  B  O  film 
featuring  Joe  E.  Brown  and  Gertrude  Olmstead, 
directed    by    Ralph   Ince. 

PARAMOUNT— "The  Racket,"  a  Paramount  film 
starring     Thomas     Meighan,     directed     by     Howard 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "The  New  Ger- 
many,"  a  foreign  production  depicting  the  contrasts 
between  the  old  metropolitan  life  and  the  new  in 
Germany. 

S5th  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "Discord,"  a  Swedish 
comedy  starring  Lil  Dagover  and  Gosta  Ekman,  di- 
rected by  Gustave  Hollander. 

C.A.MEO — "The  Loves  of  Jeanne  Ney,"  a  UFA 
production,  directed  by  G.   W.  Pabst. 

CAPITOL — "The  Actress,"  a  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
production  starring  Norma  Shearer,  directed  by  Sid- 
ney Franklin. 

RIVOLI — "The  King  of  Kings,"  revived  for  an- 
other week. 

RIALTO— "The  Man  Who  Laughs,"  revived  for 
another   week. 

HELD  OVER 

CRITERION — -"Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
12.    1927. 

ASTOR— "The  Trail  of  '98,"  Metro-Goldwyn 
Mayer,   opened   February   13,    1928. 

EMB.A.SSY— "The  Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May    17. 

GAIETY — "Fazil,"  Fox,   opened  June   3. 

WARNERS — "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers  film  with  Lionel  Barrymore,  May  McAvoy 
and  Vitaphone,  opened  June  15. 

GLOBE — "The  Red   Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25. 


Dorothy  Devore  Home 

to  Start  1928-29  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Dorothy  Devore, 
Educational  star,  who  again  will  be  starred 
in  her  own  series  of  six  two-reel  comedies, 
arrived  in  New  York 
from  Europe  last 
week  and  left  for 
Hollywood. 

Miss  Devore  spent 
about  six  weeks 
abroad  as  part  of 
her  vacation  this 
year.  She  expects 
to  start  production 
work  on  her  initial 
starring  comedy  for 
the  1928-29  program 
soon  after  arriving 
on  the  West  Coast. 
One  of  the  most 
consistently  popular 
of  the  short  subject 
comedians  of  either  sex.  Miss  Devore  has 
been  slated  for  types  of  vehicles  expected 
not  only  to  maintain  her  in  her  present 
popularity,   but  to   enhance  it  considerably. 


Dorothy  Devore 


Ince  Days  Recalled  as 

Pathe  Casts  Barriscale 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— The  opening 
day  of  "Show  Folks"  at  the  Pathe  studio 
was  made  notable  by  the  first  appearance  on 
the  lot  of  Bessie  Barriscale  since  the  old 
Ince  regime,  when  she  shared  with  Bill 
Hart  the  honor  of  being  the  most  popular 
Ince  star.  First  at  Inceville  and  then  at 
the  big  new  plant  in  Culver  City  she  ap- 
peared in  scores  of  successful  screen  pro- 
ductions. 

Miss  Barriscale's  comeback  is  for  the  pur- 
pose of  playing  the  part  of  Kitty  Mayo, 
vaudeville  trouper,  in  "Show  Folks,"  her 
first  screen  role  in  a  number  of  years.  Re- 
cently she  starred  at  the  Hollywood  Play- 
house in  the  stage  drama,  "Women  Go  on 
Forever." 


Exhibitors  of  Sound  Films  Are 
Non-Committal  on  Labor  Drive 

Middle  West  Theatre  Owner  Declares,  However,  That  Showdown 

Will  Be  Necessary  When  Demands  Are  Made — 

Indianapolis  Remains  Unperturbed 

The  labor  situation  continues  to  pla}'-  an  undetermined  role  in  the  field  of 
synchronized  pictures. 

Nationally,   there   is  a  united   front — a  defensive   against  this  new   form   of 
screen  entertainment.     Locally,  however,  this  movement  seems  erratic. 
Situation  Clouded  in  Some  Centers 
In  some  of  the  larger  centers  there  is  a  reticence  on  the  part  of  all  concerned 
— labor  and  theatre  owners — to  discuss  this  phase  of  the  synchronized  picture. 
Therefore,  the  situation  in  these  centers  remains  clouded. 
The   situation  becomes   more  involved  with       we  will  just  have  to  go  to  the  mat  with  them. 


the  demand  on  the  part  of  some  exhibitors 
for  a  reduction  in  the  wage  scale  of  musicians 
and  projectionists.  This  is  true  especially  in 
St.  Louis,  where  the  wage  agreement  expires 
August  31. 

From  one  of  the  key  centers — Indianapolis 
— comes  an  optimistic  note : 

Nothing  Radical 
Expected  to  Develop 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  July  10.— From  all  that 
can  be  seen  now,  other  than  the  occasional 
muttering  on  the  part  of  musicians,  nothing 
will  develop  of  a  radical  nature  in  this  city 
from  the  musicians,  projectionists  or  stage 
employes  over  the  coming  popularity  of  the 
synchronized  picture. 

The  three  crafts  have  contracts  which  run 
for  a  year  or  more  yet  and  it  is  not  thought 
they  will  become  sufficiently  exercised  over 
the  latest  development  to  raise  any  great 
howl  until  their  contracts  expire. 

Installed  in  Three  Houses 

Only  three  of  the  downtown  theatres  which 
used  extensive  orchestras  to  any  large  degree, 
have  installed  synchronized  pictures.  In  one 
of  these  the  pictures  are  used  as  supplementarv' 
programs  and  the  orchestra  is  maintained  as 
formerly.  In  the  other  two,  however,  the 
orchestras  will  be  done  away  with,  or  have 
been  already  and  the  organ  provides  most  of 
the  music  other  than  that  put  on  by  the 
pictures. 

Two  neighborhood  houses,  however,  are  in- 
stalling synchronized  equipment.  These  will 
make  little  difference  to  the  musicians,  as  no 
orchestras  were  employed  in  the  first  place 
and  the  organist  will  be  retained  in  the  usual 
capacity. 

One  big  manager  declared  yesterday  it 
would  do  the  musicians  no  good  to  kick  over 
the  traces. 

"Go  to  the  Mat,"  Says  One 

"The  synchronized  picture  is  here  to  stay," 
this  manager  declared  emphatically.  "It  will 
grow  into  one  of  the  biggest  features  of  the 
show  business  unless  I  am  badly  mistaken.  I 
know  it  has  done  wonders  for  our  house, 
drawn  a  lot  more  patrons  than  any  orchestra 
we  ever  had.     If  the  musicians   raise  a  kick. 


Shows  20  Years  of  Fisticuffs 
in  Film  at  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Manager 
Charles  McDonald,  of  the  Broadway 
theatre,  has  compiled  thirty-£ve  hun- 
dred feet  of  historical  film  containing 
actual  scenes  taken  of  many  of  the 
foremost  gladiators  of  the  squared 
circle  in  action  dating  back  as  far 
as  twenty  years  ago,  and  it  is  being 
shown  at  his  theatre  the  week  com- 
mencing Monday. 


We  are  in  the  show  business  to  make  a  living 
and,  if  possible,  a  little  profit.  We  are  going 
to  install  those  features  that  draw  us  the  big- 
gest returns  on  the  capital  invested.  The 
orchestra  in  our  house  was  merely  a  com- 
petitor in  drawing  ability  with  the  synchro- 
nized picture  and  it  turned  out  to  be  a  very 
poor  competitor.  It  had  to  go.  It  was  not 
paying  its  board  and  room.  We  did  not  lose 
a  patron  when  the  orchestra  left  and  the  pic- 
tures gained  us  many  hundreds." 


Marks  Antitrust  Case 
Continued  Again;  Film 
Buying  Still  Postponed 

Action  in  the  suit  of  Marks  Brothers,^  Chi- 
cago circuit,  against  Publix  and  subsidiaries 
and  six  producer-distributors,  charging  viola- 
tion of  the  antitrust  laws,  was  again  post- 
poned last  week  by  agreement  of  the  attorneys, 
the  case  being  continued  to  July  12  by  Judge 
Carpenter,  acting  for  Judge  Page  in  U.  S. 
district  court  in  Chicago.  The  first  continu- 
ance named  last  Friday  as  the  date  of  the 
hearing. 

Although  this  is  the  buying  season,  neither 
party  to  the  suit  can  contract  for  pictures 
pending  a  hearing  of  the  case,  according  to 
the  agreement  reached  when  the  first  continu- 
ance was  granted,  which,  however,  permitted 
Publix,  through  its  Chicago  subsidiaries, 
Balaban  &  Katz  and  allied  companies,  to  buy 
pictures  from  any  of  the  six  producer- 
distributors  named  in  the  suit.  These  are 
M  G  M,  First  National,  Pathe,  Paramount, 
Universal  and  United  Artists,  all  companies 
which  regularly  do  not  sell  to  Marks  Brothers. 


Censors  Vary  in  Opinion 
on  "Dawn"  in  Canada 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OTTAWA,  ONT.,  July  10.— The  first  de- 
cisions by  censor  boards  in  the  Dominion  of 
Canada  with  regard  to  the  much-discussed 
feature  "Dawn"  have  been  announced  and  the 
early  returns  are  in  the  nature  of  a  draw. 
The  famous  British  production  was  viewed  by 
the  Board  of  Moving  Picture  Censors  for  the 
Province  of  Manitoba  and  it  was  passed  with- 
out one   deletion. 

On  the  other  hand  W.  E.  Gladstone,  the 
censor  for  the  neighboring  Province  of  Sas- 
katchewan, condemned  the  feature  in  its 
entirety.  Gladstone  declined  to  give  his 
reasons     for    banning    the    picture    outright. 


Jack  Pick  ford  Suffers 

Breakdown;  in  Hospital 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  10.— Jack  Pickford, 
brother  of  Mary  Pickford,  is  ill  in  St.  Vin- 
cent's hospital  here.  He  had  been  in  a 
desert  health  camp  for  several  months.  He 
is  reported  to  have  suflfered  a  breakdown 
and  later,  at  the  hospital,  a  heart  attack. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


Sales  Analysis  Minimizes  Circusing 
by  Theatres  in  Texas 


Many  Houses  in  the  Southwest  Have  Adopted  the  Policy  of  Campaigning 

Only  on  the  Bigger  Attractions 

[This  is  one  of  a  series  of  informative  articles  on  advertising  and  exploitation  which 
the  Herald-World  is  publishing  from  the  trade  territories  of  the  country.] 

AMPAIGNING  the  big  ones"  seems  to  be  the  ultimatum  of  Texas 
exhibitors,  in  regards  to  the  magnitude  of  exploitation  campaigns  on 
various  picture  attractions.  The  new  tendency  is  to  publicize 
to  the  hilt  the  "super  attractions,"  and  to  let  the  mediocre  ones  hit  along  as  they 
may — except  in  rare  instances. 


C 


THE  popular  opinion  among  exhibitors  is 
that  an  extensive  campaign  on  a  big  pic- 
ture will  carry  through  in  results  for  the 
following  couple  of  weeks.  The  usual 
method  taken  by  exhibitors  of  Texas  is  to 
put  on  a  shock  campaign  once  each  month 
and  to  use  a  regular  campaign  the  other 
three  weeks  of  the  month. 

Conducts  Shock  Campaign 
For  example,  take  the  campaigns  put  on 
by  Publix  houses  in  Texas  on  Harold 
Lloyd's  "Speedy."  Three  weeks  prior  to 
the  booking  of  this  picture  in  each  house,  a 
conservative  advertising  campaign  was  used 
to  allow  a  minimum  expenditure.  The  sur- 
plus saved  on  these  three  campaigns  was 
used  to  an  advantage  on  the  shock  campaign 
for  "Speedy."  Every  known  exploitation 
scheme  was  used  for  this  picture,  and  the 
houses  saw  to  it  that  their  trailers  running 
the  week  of  "Speedy"  were  especially  strong, 
in  order  to  sell  the  coming  attractions  to 
current  patrons. 

While  no  manager  is  going  to  intention- 
ally shirk  his  duty  willingly,  and  still  remain 
a  manager,  there  are  cases  when  it  might 
seem  that  advertising  on  a  current  attrac- 
tion is  especially  weak,  owing  to  a  natural 
let-down  after  a  series  of  big  campaigns. 
Behind  all  exploitation  in  Texas  is  the 
elemental  purpose  of  institutionalizing  the 
theatre,  making  unnecessary  shock  cam- 
paigns except  on  exceptional  attractions. 
The  manager  has  in  his  mind  the  idea  of 
building  up  his  patronage  by  giving  great 
shows  to  such  an  extent  that  his  regular  ad- 
vertising will  carry  over  the  show  —  and 
exert  any  extra  weekly  energy  toward  the 
building  of   permanent   patronage. 

While  managers  are  in  favor  of  shock 
campaigns  periodically,  they  make  their 
weekly  campaigns  so  inclusive  that  all 
methods  of  advertising  are  adequately  taken 
care  of  including  posting  newspaper  ads 
and  features  lobby  and  screen.  A  move  is 
now  on  in  Texas  Publix  theatres  in  the  de 
luxe  division  to  stabilize  advertising  to  such 


Newspictures 


M  G  M  NEWS  NO.  93 — Tommy  Hitchcock  plays 
brilliant  game  at  Sands  Point — Huge  crowd  be- 
siege balloon  racers  at  Detroit — Martha  Norelius 
wins  440-yard  swim  race  in  Olympic. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  56— Captain  Wilkins  and  Ben 
Eielson  welcomed  after  flight  over  Artie — Huge 
balloons  race  for  Bennett  trophy  at  Detroit — 
Admiral  Pratt  becomes  Chief  of  U.  S.   Armada. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  98— Tom  Heeney  works 
hard  to  get  in  shape  for  fight  with  Tunney — Cap- 
tain Carranza  accompanies  Lindbergh  to  Detroit 
— ^Al  Smith  receives  many  congratulatory  tele- 
grams. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  81 — Democratic  nominees  hailed 
by  neighbors  after  the  convention — Citizens  of 
Hungary  receive  knighthood  from  their  regent — 
Western  girls  climb  snow-clad  cliffs  to  escape 
summer  heat. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5410— Germany  gives  Bremen 
flyers  big  welcome — Bobbie  Wadlow,  Alton,  111., 
10-year-old  boy,  is  6  feet  7  inches — 12  Balloons 
race   for   international  rtrophy   at    Detroit.    . 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  53— Presi- 
dent Coolidge  is  giveii  huge  fish  weigliing '  41 
pounds — Lindbergh  and  Emilio  Carranza  fly  to  De- 
troit together — Depiocratic  campaign  for  presi- 
dency opens  in  Texas. 


an  extent  that  these  four  mediums  will  be 
so  perfectly  planned  and  executed  that  fur- 
ther exploitation  will  be  superfluous  except 
in  rare  instances.  At  the  Texas  in  San 
Antonio  and  the  Met  in  Houston  at  the 
present  time  these  four  mediums  have  been 
so  thoroughly  mastered  that  a  well-built 
patronage  has  been  established  and  when 
a  shock  campaign  comes  along  it  sets  the 
whole  town  agog,  whereas,  if  these  two  the- 
atres used  campaigns  of  a  shock  nature  each 
week,  they  would  lose  the  value  that  they 
otherwise  have. 

Dignity  Is  Important 

Dignity  in  campaigning  is  another  im- 
portant subject  that  has  come  to  the  atten- 
tion of  Texas  exhibitors,  in  the  past  year. 
Heretofore,  it  has  been  the  custom  to 
"circus"  more  or  less  the  big  attractions, 
using  very  little  sales  analysis,  and  the  re- 
sult was  a  flock  of  campaigns  that  were 
alike  in  almost  every  respect.  The  opening 
of  the  Kirby  in  Houston  last  October  was 
the  beginning  of  the  realization  that  dignity 
more  than  "splash"  meant  more  to  the  thea- 
tre operator — the  Kirby's  exploitation  for 
its  opening  was  in  every  respect  of  a  high 
class  nature,  and  directed  to  the  population 
in  such  a  manner  that  the  poorer  class 
knew  that  they  were  welcome,  and  at  the 
same  time,  the  elite  understood  that  the 
Kirby  was  to  be  a  rendezvous  for  them.  The 
success  of  the  Kirby  since  its  opening  is 
proof  that  advertising  of  this  nature  is  re- 
sultant of  good  business  more  so  than  the 
old  type  of  consistent  ballyhoo. 

Texas  realizes  the  importance  of  bally- 
hoo, though,  and  does  not  pass  up  a  good 
chance  to  utilize  it,  when  the  attraction  war- 
rants. 

Sales  Analysis,  the  Thing 

Summing  up  advertising  this  year  in 
Texas,  that  state  might  be  taken  as  a 
criterion  for  the  entire  country,  for  when 
a  state  that  is  supposedly  somewhat  erratic 
in  its  support  of  entertainment  can  stabilize 
theatre  patronage  to  such  an  extent  as  is 
now  being  done,  something  good  is  in  the 
air.  And  the  whole  situation  in  a  nutshell 
is  that  Texas  theatre  managers  are  analyz- 
ing their  subjects,  and  selling  them  with 
dignity,  using  an  occasional  spurt,  as  they 
deem  necessary,  to  put  over  extraordinary 
attractions.  Sales  analysis  is  the  thing  in 
Texas  now,  and  J.  H.  Friedl,  district  man- 
ager for  Publix,  is  largely  responsible  for 
bringing  this  change  in  methods  to  the  at- 
tention of  his  managers.  Texas  managers 
are  alive  to  every  situation,  but  they  are 
convinced  that  the  intensively  selling  cam- 
paigns, recognized  by  their  dignity,  force- 
fulness,  and  sales  value,  are  more  important 
than  a  series  of  shock  affairs  built  around 
a  helter-skelter  idea. 


a 


Wings"  Has  Record  Ruh\ 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World)  \ 

CLEVELAND,  July  10.— "Wings,"  Para-| 
mount  picture,  going  on  its  13tb  week,  has; 
broken  the  Cleveland  record,  according  to 
A.    Griffith    Grey,   head    of   the    Paramount 
roadshow  department.  --^^ 


$1,500,000  Deal  Would 
Give  Grubel  Theatres 
to  a  National  Circuit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  10.— Negotiations  for 
the  Grubel  Brothers  theatrical  properties 
valued  at  $1,500,000  have  been  opened  by  a 
national  theatrical  syndicate,  it  is  admitted 
by  the  parties  interested.  Details  are  being 
withheld,  but  it  is  said  that  when  the  plans 
are  completed,  it  will  mean  a  new  theatre  for 
Kansas  City,  Kans.,  costing  approximately 
$200,000,  and  the  revamping  of  the  Electric 
theatre  there  for  combined  vaudeville  and 
first-run  pictures.  The  deal  includes  theatres 
in  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  Joplin,  Mo.,  Springfield, 
Mo.,  and  St.  Joseph,  Mo. 

Edward  J.  Grubel,  president  of  the  Electric 
Theatre  Company,  and  Frank  C.  Grubel,  his 
brother,  said  the  deal  had  been  under  con- 
sideration several  months  and  that  they  may 
maintain  part  interest  and  continue  manage- 
ment of  the  houses. 

The  new  theatre,  they  said,  would  be 
equipped   for  talking  pictures. 

Cammack  Returns  to 

Atlanta  as  U  Manager 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  July  10.— Ben  Y.  Camniack  has 
returned  to  Atlanta  where  he  will  again  man- 
age Universal's  local  exchange,  and  C.  T. 
Jordan,  who  has  been  branch  manager  for  th« 
past  three  months,  becomes  special  sales 
representative. 

Three  months  ago  Mr.  Cammack  re- 
linquished the  managership  of  the  local 
Universal  exchange  to  go  to  New  York  where 
he  became  short  subjects  sales  manager. 
Recently  he  was  transferred  to  Pittsburgh  as 
district  manager,  with  supervision  over  the 
Pittsburgh,  Cleveland  and  Indianapolis  ex- 
changes. 

F BO  Art  Exhibit 

Is  Well  Attended 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— The  first  day  of 
the  art  exhibition  held  by  F  B  O  Pictures  Cor- 
poration imder  the  auspices  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Artists  League  of  America  drew  huge 
crowds  to  the  East  Room  of  the  Hotel  Mc- 
Alpin,  where  the  exhibit  is  on  display. 

This  exhibit  is  the  first  of  its  kind  ever 
held  in  America,  it  is  said,  and  is  representa- 
tive of  the  work  that  is  being  done  by  the 
artists  who  are  devoting  their  talents  to  motion 
picture  illustrating. 

Bandit  Attacks  Employe 
But  Flees  Without  $1200 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
EAST  ST.  LOUIS,  ILL.,  July  10.— 
Charles  H.  Ward,  secretary  of  the  Lyric 
theatre,  was  attacked  at  9  p.  m.  July  1  in 
the  lobby  of  the  theatre  by  a  man  who 
attempted  to  obtain  the  $1200  in  receipts 
Ward  was  transferring  from  the  ticket  office 
to  an  office  in  the  rear  of  the  lobby.  The 
man  fled  without  obtaining  any  money  after 
he  had  knocked  Ward  down.  Employes 
of  the  theatre  and  two  patrolmen  pursued 
the  would-be  bandit  but  he  escaped. 

132  Million  Feet  of  Film 
Used  by  Fox  in  a  Year 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW    YORK,    July    10.— Approximately, 

132,000,000  .feet  of  film  were  used  by  Fox 

during    the    last    year,    according    to    John_ 

Coneybear,  engineer  of  the  film  laboratory.' 

Herman  Goes  to  Universal.  ■  "" 

ALBANY.^Alec  Herman,  former  manager  'of  the' 
First  National  exchange  here,  has  accepted  a  sales; 
position  with  Universal  and  will  make  his  head- 
quarters  in   Pittsburgh. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


New  War  Film  May  Have 
Same  Fate  as  "Dawn" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LONDON,  July  1.  (By  Mail).— "The 
Burgomaster  of  Stilemonde,"  the  famous 
Maeterlinck  war  play  now  being  completed  by 
Captain  George  Banfield  for  British  Filmcraft 
Productions,  may  meet  with  the  same  storm 
of  protest  from  Germany  as  did  "Dawn." 

Several  of  the  German  newspapers  have 
already  written  lengthy  articles  protesting 
against  its  exhibition  and  one  of  the  leading 
dailies  yesterday  printed  a  long  condemnation 
of  the  film,  concluding  with  the  following 
paragraph  in  heavy  black  type : 

"Don't  let  us  as  in  the  case  of  'Dawn'  raise  a 
protest  after  the  film  is  produced.  Let  us  here  and 
now  strongly  protest  against  this  new  war  and 
HATE  film  by  calling  upon  the  Government  to 
bring  pressure  to  bear  immediately,  for  we  must 
remember  that  Maurice  Maeterlinck  who  is  a  great 
Belgian  poet  is  also  a  great  German  hater !" 

Lazarus  Is  Appointed 

as  Theatre  Fight  Ends 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KINGSTON,  N.  Y.,  July  10.— One  of  the 
stiffest  fights  witnessed  in  New  York  state 
in  recent  years  between  theatres  battling 
for  supremacy  terminated  last  week  here, 
and  resulted  in  Harry  Lazarus  becoming 
resident  manager  for  an  operating  com- 
pany that  will  handle  both  the  Broadway 
theatre  built  by  Lazarus  last  year  at  a 
cost  of  $300,000  and  the  Reade  theatre, 
which  was  remodeled  a  year  ago  at  a  cost 
of  $200,000.  Under  an  agreement  reached 
last  week,  the  Kingston  Operating  Cor- 
poration takes  over  the  two  houses  on  a 
long  term  lease. 


Midwesco  to  Control 

Madison's  New  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MADISON,  WIS.,  July  10.— Thomas  and 
John  Saxe,  Walter  Schroeder,  Oscar  Brach- 
man,  and  the  Midwesco  Theatres,  Inc.,  have 
purchased  control  of  the  new  Madison  Capi- 
tol theatre,  according  to  reports  from  that 
city. 

The  Capitol,  Madison's  newest  show- 
house,  will  be  operated  in  conjunction  with 
other  theatres  of  the  Midwesco  circuit. 
Controlling  interest  in  the  new  theatre,  ac- 
cording to  Schroeder,  was  obtained  from 
Sol  Levitan  and  August  Pauneck,  Madison. 


Troy  Man  Claims  Feature 
Is  Not  Boosted  Enough 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TROY,  N.  Y.,  July  10.— There  has  been 
altogether  too  much  boosting  of  late  of 
the  presentation  of  prologues,  according  to 
Jacob  Rosenthal,  here,  and  of  the  talking 
picture  with  a  direct  result  that  the  feature 
has  been  almost  totally  overlooked  and  the 
theatre  suffers.  Rosenthal  believes  that  the 
feature  should  be  exploited  fully  as  heavily 
as  the  other  parts  of  the  program  and  that 
unless  this  is  done,  people  are  bound  to  lose 
interest  not  only  in  the  picture  but  in  the 
house  as  well. 


Lyric,  Spokane,  Bombed; 
Interior  Is  Demolished 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SPOKANE,  July  10.— A  bomb  set  off  in 
the  Lyric  theatre,  here,  last  Friday  en- 
tirely demolished  the  interior  of  the  the- 
atre. Cause  for  the  bombing  is  unknown. 
There  were  no  casualties. 


Sapiro  "Passes  Up"  Missouri 
Exhibitors;  Allied  Meet  Is  Off 

Mid  West   Theatre   Men,   Interested   in   Cooperative   Movement, 

Disappointed  in  Leader's  Action — "Too  Many" 

Registrants  Postpones  Convention 

Two  developments  this  v^eek  in  exhibitor  circles — 

Failure  of  Aaron  Sapiro,  head  of  the  Independent  Motion  Picture  Exhib- 
itors' Association,  the  Newr  York  cooperative  buying  organization,  to  "stop 
over"  in  St.  Louis,  en  route  from  the  West  to  the  East  Coast,  to  confer  M^ith 
Eastern  Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois  theatre  men  interested  in  the  move- 
ment; and 

Postponement  of  the  convention  of  Northw^est  and  other  exhibitors  of  the 
country,  at  which  time  it  was  hoped  to  resurrect  Allied  States  Association. 

Details    of    these    two    developments    in      with  the  possible  revival  of  the  old  Allied 


Burks  Sell  Three  Theatres 

BAKER,  ORE. — K.  L.  and  Jack  Burk  have  sold 
to  Guy  -D.  Hazelton  of  Missoula,  Mont.,  the  Or- 
pheum,  Empire  and  Clarick  theatres  here. 


exhibitor  activities    follow: 

Annual   Election   Is 
Delayed  in  Missouri 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  10.— Motion  picture  ex- 
hibitors of  Eastern  Missouri  and  Southern 
Illinois  were  somewhat  disappointed  at  the 
failure  of  Aaron  Sapiro,  president  of  the 
Independent  Motion  Picture  Exhibitors 
Association,  to  visit  St.  Louis  en  route  from 
the  West  Coast  to  New  York. 

A  number  of  exhibitors  in  this  territory 
are  interested  in  Sapiro's  plans  and  they 
were  anxious  to  hear  him  explain  some  of 
the  details  of  his  organization.  There  is 
some  sentiment  in  favor  of  the  formation 
of  a  branch  organization  in  St.  Louis,  but 
whether  it  has  progressed  to  the  point 
where  definite  action  will  be  taken  is  not 
yet  apparent. 

The  regular  annual  election  of  officers 
and  special  committees  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  Eastern  Missouri 
and  Southern  Illinois  has  been  postponed 
many  weeks  beyond  the  usual  time.  It 
was  thought  that  the  future  course  of  the 
association  in  Eastern  Missouri  and  South- 
ern Illinois  would  largely  be  determined  by 
the  reports  of  those  who  attended  the 
Duluth  gathering  of  Northwest  and  other 
exhibitors  of  the  country,  but  since  post- 
ponement of  this  meeting  it  is  not  known 
what  action  will  be  taken. 

From  the  side  lines  it  is  apparent  that 
a  few  enthusiastic  individuals  have  been 
carrying  the  burden  for  the  exhibitors  as- 
sociation in  the  St.  Louis  territory.  On 
occasions  these  men  have  dug  down  deep 
into  their  own  pockets  to  make  flying  trips 
to  Washington,  D.  C,  Jefferson  City,  Mo., 
and  other  points  to  work  on  behalf  of  the 
independents.  I  «|  i 

But  apparently  the  rank  and  file  have 
not  been  holding  up  their  end.  Just  a 
few  weeks  ago  the  executive  committee  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
Eastern  Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois 
decided  that  in  the  future  the  theatre  own- 
ers members  on  the  arbitration  board  of 
the  St.  Louis  Film  Board  of  Trade  would 
not  act  in  cases  affecting  non-members  or 
members  who  have  not  paid  their  1928  dues. 

Allied  May  Meet 
In    Chicago 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MINNEAPOLIS,    July     10.— An    unique 
situation  has  presented  itself  here. 

You've  heard  of  a  meeting  being  post- 
poned because  a  quorum  was  not  present. 
But,  did  you  ever  hear  of  a  convention  be- 
ing postponed  because  of  too  many  regis- 
trants? 

That,  it  seems,  was  the  situation  in  the 
Northwest' where  members  of  the  North- 
west Exhibitors  Association  and  other  the- 
atre  owners   of  the    country   were   to   meet 


States   Association. 

The  meeting  was  to  be  held  aboard  ship, 
en  route  from  Duluth  to  Port  Arthur,  Ont., 
but  according  to  leaders  of  the  movement, 
the  more  than  350  reservations  received 
made  postponement  necessary — the  boat 
wasn't  large  enough. 

Just  when  the  meeting  will  be  held  is 
problematical,  although  W.  A.  Steffes, 
president  of  the  Northwest  association, 
stated  in  a  wire  to  exhibitors  that  such  a 
convention  would  be  held  later  in  the  year, 
either  in  Chicago,  or  on  a  boat  chartered 
for  the  purpose. 

At  the  time  of  postponing  the  gathering, 
Steffes  also  wired  members  of  his  own 
organization,  admonishing  them  for  their 
apparent  lack  of  interest  in  the  meeting, 
which  had  first  been  postponed  from  the 
Minneapolis  convention  of  the  Northwest 
exhibitors. 

Loew  Official  Commends 
Use  of  Art  Screen  Title 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— "Art  title"  as  a 
medium  for  all  advertising  of  a  news  na- 
ture, such  as  announcements  of  prices  and 
policies,  special  stage  and  screen  attractions, 
was  recommended  by  Louis  K.  Sidney,  ex- 
ecutive of  the  Loew  office  here,  in  referring 
to  a  type  developed  by  National  Screen 
Service. 

"In  my  opinion,"  Sidney  said,  "our  mo- 
tion picture  screens  offer  limitless  possibili- 
ties for  forceful  advertising,  and  is  the  right 
medium  because  it  is  without  competition." 


Harry  Balaban  to  Wed 
Daughter  of  D.  E,  Rice 

David  E.  Rice,  manager  of  the  North 
Center  theatre  in  Chicago,  has  announced 
the  engagement  of  his  daughter  Marian  to 
Harry  Balaban,  of  the  managerial  staff  of 
Balaban  and  Katz,  Chicago.  Although  the 
exact  date  of  the  wedding  is  not  announced, 
it  will  take  place  within  the  next  three 
weeks,  it  is  understood. 


INCORPORATIONS 

ALBANY,  July  10. — Five  companies  obtained  char- 
ters from  the  department  of  state  last  week  for  the 
purpose  of  incorporating  in  the  motion  picture  busi- 
ness. These  companies  included  the  Gold  Hawk  Pic- 
tures, Inc.,  capitalization  not  specified,  with  Louis 
Goldstein,  Joseph  Rinderman  and  Charles  W.  Jawitz, 
all  of  New  Ybrk  city;  Concordia  Sound  Film  Corpora- 
tion of  America,  capitalization  not  specified,  with 
Jerome  G.  Rosenhaus,  Samuel  Ml  Reis  and  Samuel 
Null,  New  York  city;  Amsterdam  Consolidated  Cor- 
poration, capitalization  not  specified,  J. .  H.  Walters, 
Leslie  A.  Thompson,  A.  J.  Van  Buren,  New  York  city; 
Newtown  Amusement  Corporation,  Elmira,  $100,000 
Henry  and  Frederick  Schweppe,  William  P.  Rodgers, 
Elmira,  and  the  Wolf  Lane  Theatre  Corp.,  $10,000, 
Jacques  and  Sol  Buitenkant,  Herman  B.  Oberman, 
New  York  city. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Joseph  M*  Schenck^s  Trip  Abroad 
of  Significance  to  Industry 

Head    of    United    Artists    Decries    General    Use    of    Talking    Pictures, 
Declaring  They  Have  Not  International  Appeal 

(Special  to  the  Hei-ald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10. — A  trip  abroad  that  may  have  a  considerable  effect 
on   the   American  film    industry   was   begun   July   5    when   Joseph    M. 
Schenck,  chairman  of  the  board  of  United  Artists,  sailed  on  the  Homeric 
for  two  months  in  Europe. 


RUSSIA  is  one  of  Schenck's  objectives, 
the  American  film  head  being  par- 
ticularly interested  in  Russia's  film  activi- 
ties. He  expects  to  arrange  for  United 
Artists'  distribution  in  Russia,  as  well  as  in 
England,  Norwa3%  Sweden,  Denmark, 
France  and  Germany. 

In  London  he  will  arrange  for  a  second 
picture  to  meet  the  British  quota  law,  an 
addition  to  "Three  Passions"  on  which  Rex 
Ingram  is  at  work. 

Schenck  had  interesting  comments  to 
make  regarding  sound  pictures: 

"Not  all  pictures  can  use  the  spoken 
word  to  advantage.  Basically  a  motion  pic- 
ture is  international  in  appeal,  because 
visual  picture  entertainment  is  almost  ex- 
clusively international  in  its  expression. 
people  of  every  tongue  and  clime  under- 
stand silent  pictures.  Music  and  sound 
effects  are  also  international,  because  all 
peoples  can  hear  as  well  as  see,  and  there 
is  very  little  difference  in  taste  as  to  music 
and   interpretive    sounds. 

"But  the  talking  picture  is  limited  in  ap- 
peal to  certain  peoples  of  certain  coun- 
tries. The  spoken  word  never  has  been 
international  in  its  practicability.  Even  in 
English-speaking  countries  only  certain  pic- 
tures will  permit  of  spoken  lines  as  an 
accessory.  Even  with  these  there  will  be 
only  occasional  instances  of  success. 

"Talking  pictures  will  never  displace  the 
silent  drama  from  its  supremacy,  or  affect 
the  appeal  of  motion  pictures  with  syn- 
chronized music  and  special  sound  effects. 
There  will  always  be  silent  pictures  and  pic- 
tures with  musical  and  sound  effects  for 
international  distribution,  and  there  will  be 
a  much  more  limited  number  with  dialogue. 

"Over-enthusiastic  producers  believe  be- 
cause the  novelty  of  some  talking  pictures 
received  unusual  response  from  the  public, 
that  the  basic  screen  entertainment  will  be 
superseded.     It  will  not  be." 


Philadelphia  S.  C.  D.  Uses 
Films  in  Clean-up  Drive 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  July  10.— The  Phila- 
delphia Bureau  of  Street  Cleaning  is  carry- 
ing on  an  enormous  "clean  up"  campaign 
this  summer  with  their  equipment  aug- 
mented by  8,000  feet  of  film,  a  modern 
camera  and  a  projection  machine.  The  idea 
is  to  teach  children  by  means  of  pictures 
how  they  may  co-operate  with  ofificials  in 
improving  the  appearance  of  the  city.  The 
pictures  are  shown  every  evening  during 
intermissions  at  concerts  by  the  municipal 
bands  whch  play  in  different  parts  of  the 
city. 

M  G  M's  Touring  Leo 

Insured  for  a  Million 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Leo,  the  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  lion,  which  is  starting  a 
world  tour,  carries  a  million  dollar  insur- 
ance contract,  according  to  M  G  M.  Clauses 
of  the  policy  include  $100,000  protection 
against  the  possibility  of  Leo  taking 
French  leave  from  his  cage,  and  three  times 
as  large  a  sum  against  the  chance  of  the 


animal  injuring  anyone  in  the  crowds  sur- 
rounding his   entourage. 

More  than  700,000  New  Yorkers  have 
seen  Leo,  his  motorized  circus  cage,  Captain 
Frank  Phillips,  the  lion's  trainer.  After 
finishing  his  tour  Saturday  of  greater  New 
York,  Leo  was  taken  to  Philadelphia.  This 
week  he  will  visit  the  New  England  states. 


Film  Exports  for  April 
Show  Decline  from  March 

(Washington   Bureau    Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  10.— Exports  of 
motion  picture  films  during  the  month  of 
April  totaled  23,703,607  feet  valued  at  $652,- 
714,  according  to  figures  just  compiled  by 
the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Com- 
merce, a  decline  of  6,000,000  feet  in  quan- 
tity and  approximately  $150,000  in  value 
fromx  the  March  figures  of  29,345,604  feet 
valued  at  $810,860. 

Exports  for  the  month  included  16,868,- 
384  feet  of  positive  film  valued  at  $409,451; 
495,644  feet  of  negatives  valued  at  $65,881, 
and  6,339,579  feet  of  raw  stock  valued  at 
$177,382.  Four  markets  took  more  than 
1,000,000  feet  of  positive  each,  the  most 
important  market  being  Argentine  with  1,- 
866,553  feet,  followed  by  Brazil  with  1,718,- 
150  feet,  Australia  with  1,505,061  feet  and 
Uruguay  with  1,017,565  feet. 


Germany  Censors  406 

Films  in  Nine  Months 

(Washington  Bureau  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  10.— German  long 
feature  films  censored  in  that  country  for 
nine  months  ended  March  31  totaled  406, 
Trade  Commissioner  George  R.  Canty  has 
reported  to  the  Department  of  Commerce. 
German-made  films  number  204  and  foreign 
202. 

Films  from  the  United  States  during  the 
period  numbered  137.  The  other  65  foreign 
films  came  from  France  which  supplied  l7, 
Austria  14,  Russia  nine,  Czechoslovakia 
eight,  Denmark  five,  Italy  five,  England 
three,  Sweden  three,  and  Hungary  one.  The 
entire  406  featurei  films  were  distributed  by 
67  companies  of  which  47  presented  less 
than  five  films   each. 


Personnel  Changes  in 

San  Antonio  Exchange 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  ANTONIO,  July  10.— A  number  of 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  personnel 
of  the  San  Antonio  Branch  of  Paramount 
pictures.  "Mac"  McClintock,  who  has  been 
booker  for  two  years,  has  been  promoted 
and  is  now  in  Atlanta.  He  is  succeeded  by 
Fred  Earned,  who  has  been  assistant  booker 
and  assistant  ad  sales  manager.  R.  H. 
Shannon,  formerly  under  Charles  Karr,  ad 
sales  manager,  has  been  advanced  to  assist- 
ant booker,  and  Frank  Nelson  was  pro- 
moted from  shipping  clerk  to  assistant  ad 
sales  manager. 

Miller  Succeeds  George  Hoffman 

SARASOTA,  FLA.— E.  R.  ("Doc")  Miller  has 
been  appointed  manager  of  the  Edwards  and  Sarasota 
theatres  in  this  city,  succeeding  George  Hoffman, 
resigned. 


Yes,  Yes !  Truth  Is  Stranger 
Than  Film  Scenarios 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LAMAR,  MO.,  July  10.— Strange 
things  happen  in  front  of  the  box 
office  of  a  theatre  as  well  as  in  the 
picture  scenarios.  It  was  just  twenty 
years  ago  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  Wag- 
ner opened  the  Bijou  theatre,  here, 
and  James  Gregory,  a  citizen,  bought 
the  first  ticket.  The  first  picture  was 
"A  Voyage  Around  the  Stars."  The 
other  day  the  theatre  was  sold  to 
A.  J.  Simmons  and  Thomas  Edwards. 
Oddly  enough,  on  the  closing  night 
the  other  night  that  same  picture  was 
selected  as  the  closing  picture  for 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner.  Then  came 
the  coincidence.  The  last  person  to 
buy  a  ticket  to  see  that  picture  was 
the  same  James  Gregory,  who  had 
seen  it  twenty  years  ago. 


West  Coast  Asks 
Drastic  Protection 
for  Its  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  July  10.— Protection  proposals 
declared  by  theatre  men  here  to  be  the  most 
drastic  and  far-flung  ever  presented  on  the 
Pacific  Coast  have  been  prepared  for  discus- 
sion with  distributors  here  by  West  Coast  cir- 
cuit. The  general  plan  calls  for  45  days' 
clearance  over  all  houses,  60  days  over  thea- 
tres charging  25  and  30  cents,  and  nine  months 
over  all  houses  charging  less  than  20  cents. 

The  proposals,  moreover,  extend  to  four 
counties  in  the  state  of  Washington. 

In  support  of  the  new  plan,  it  is  said  that 
the  proposed  protection  is  necessary  to  safe- 
guard class  A  theatres  and  houses  of  runs 
immediately  subsequent  to  that  of  class  A 
from  unfair  competition  created  by  exhibitors 
who  slash  prices.  The  essential  provisions  call 
for  the  following  clearances : 

Sixty  days  over  second-runs  for  West. Coast 
theatres  in  California. 

For  California,  first-run  houses  to  have  60 
days  over  second-run;  120  days  over  houses 
charging  20  and  25  cents,  except  downtown 
theatres  seating  500  which  charge  25  cents  or 
less,  these  theatres  to  get  product  seven  months 
after  the  clearance  accorded  second-runs ;  and 
nine  months'  clearance  over  any  other  theatre 
charging  less  than  20  cents. 

For  Portland,  seven  days'  clearance  over  all 
theatres  in  leading  counties  of  Oregon,  and 
in  the  Washington  counties  of  Qark,  Ska- 
mania, Colwitz  and  Washington,  and  also  over 
Seaside,  Ore.,  from  May  to  September. 


Warner  Brothers  Gets 
Out  Date-Book  to  Be 
Issued  to  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— An  attractive  and 
useful  date-book  of  convenient  pocket  size 
has  just  been  issued  by  Warner  Brothers 
to  be  distributed  to  exhibitors  with  the 
compliments  of  the  Warner  organization. 
Space  is  given  for  bookings  from  July  29, 
1928,  to  September  28,  1929. 

A.   P.  Waxman   is   responsible  for  super- 
vision of  this  service. 


Forming  Producing  Company 

KANSAS  CITY. — Imperial  Productions,  a  $500,- 
000  organization  to  produce  eight  six-reel  feature  films 
a  year  with  recognized  stars  in  the  stellar  roles,  was 
scheduled  for  incorporation  in  Missouri  last  week,  to 
make  its  product  in  the  suburbs  of  Kansas  City. 
James  A.  Fitzgerald  and  William  M.  Pizor  are  those 
interested. 


July  14.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


^^^ 


Film  Neivs 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


Demure — becomingly  so.  This 
lovely  maid  of  the  films  is  one  of 
Europe's  favorites,  Lilian  Har- 
vey, whom  Americans  may  view 
in  the  Ufa  pictures  that  get  on 
our  screens. 


All  set!  For  here  is  Tom  Mix  ready  to  begin  his  first 
Western  under  the  F  B  O  banner,  after  a  vaudeville 
tour  during  which  he  was  seen  "in  person"  by  at  least 
a  portion  of  his  millions  of  admirers.  Mix  is  shown 
with  C.  E.  Sullivan,  vice-president  of  F  B  O,  on  re- 
turning to  Hollywood. 


A  new  portrait  of  Lina  Basquette 
which  affirms  her  capacity  for 
the  emotional.  She  will  appear 
in  three  of  Pathe's  1928-29  pro- 
ductions, "The  Godless  Girl," 
"Celebrity"   and  "Show  Folks." 


The  summer  exodus  for  Europe  has  begun. 
Though  film  folk  go  abroad  without  regard 
for  the  season,  Hunt  Stromberg,  M  G  M  super- 
visor, and  Mrs.  Stromberg  are  observing  the 
convention.  They  are  shown  arriving  in  New 
York  for  embarkation. 


One  of  the  first  and  most  popular 
master  of  ceremonies,  Mark  Fisher, 
singing  conductor,  who  has  re- 
turned to  the  Senate  and  Harding 
theatres,  Chicago,  after  taking  Paul 
Ash's  place  at  the  Oriental. 


Another  pair  of  picture  people  arriving  in  New 
York,  however  not  to  continue  beyond  it. 
They  are  George  Fitzmaurice  and  his  wife,  who 
went  East  with  "The  Barker,"  Director  Fitz- 
maurice's  new  First  National  production  star- 
ring Milton  Sills. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


\\hy  the  Ocean's  so 

Close  to  the  ^hore 


The  answer  to  the  troublesome  question  above  is  this:  So  that  people 
who  look  well  in  swimming  suits  need  not  conceal  themselves  in 
the  water.  And  now  we  shall  demonstrate  its  truth,  first  with  these 
three  Roach-M  G  M  comedy  maidens,  Paula  Howard,  Billie  Barnes 
Lorema  Clark 


Herewith  Audrey  Ferris,  Warner  Brothers  featured  player,  offers 
extremely  convincing  evidence  that  our  solution  is  correct.  Shoot- 
ing craps  with  sofa  cushions  thus  serves  to  keep  Miss  Ferris  dry. 
But  if  one  has  no  dog  so  accommodating  as  Warner  Brothers'  Rin- 
Tin-Tin  about,  one  usually  can  find  some  obliging  man. 


Left:  Another  canine  impli- 
cated in  the  "but  don't  go 
near  the  water"  method  of 
swimming.  Louise  Fazenda, 
Warner  Brothers  comedienne, 
and  her  pup  were  basking  in 
the  sun  under  an  umbrella 
(!)  when  the  photographer 
tricked  them  thus. 


Right:  Apparent  is  the  long- 
ing of  this  pair  watching 
those  otherwise  constructed 
taking  to  the  sea.  "Ah," 
sighs  Bebe  Daniels  (the  Para- 
mount star)  to  her  literary 
friend,  Adele  Rogers  St. 
John,  "if  only  swimming 
were  not  such  a  waste  ot 
opportunity!" 


j^^H^H   .'•■^              'm 

^flH^K\              M 

cn 

mI: 

iM^ 

^^.                                                               .^.^JtSft  ^Mj 

Two  who  know  their  swimming  deportment  to  a  T.  Obviously 
these  Warner  Brothers  players  need  little  assistance.  Just  give  'cm 
a  beach,  a  pot  of  oolong  and  we  vow  that  many  pairs  of  eyes  find 
each  a  wow!  It  is  Agnes  Franey  and  Myma  Loy  who  thus  demon- 
strate good  form  at  the  seaside. 


Another  factor  which  may  have  brought  the  ocean  so  close  to  thei 
shore  is  the  men!  Some  say  that  if  men  took  to  the  waves  oftener, 
the  women  would  follow.  Without  further  comment,  we  offer  the 
above  testimony  of  those'  three  M  G  M  celebrities,  Johnny  Mack 
Brown,  "Flash"  and  Charles  Farrell. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


fsjeu;  for  ^0lv  and  next  S^^^on 


Two  scenes  from  M  G  M's  latest  vehicle  for  William  Haines,  "Telling  the  World,"  are 

presented  above  and  at  right,  both  showing  the  star  and  Anita  Page,  who  plays  opposite. 

Sam  Wood  directed  this  production,  which  is  on  the  1927-28  program. 


The  first  of  F  B  O's  1928-29  series,  "Racing  Blood,"  is  the  source  of  the  two  scenes 

above  and  at  left.     Each  shows  the  star.  Alberta  Vaughn.     Larry  Darmour  is  directing 

from  stories  by  H.  C.  Witwer  which  ran  in  Cosmopolitan. 

Left:  Though  Love's 
laboratory  is  properly 
a  garden,  other  en- 
virotunents  will  serve, 
such,  for  example,  as 
this  in  "Heart  to 
Heart."  The  principal 
players,  Lloyd  Hughes 
and  Mary  Astor,  are 
shown  in  this  scene 
from  that  First  Na- 
tional production. 


Right:  When  the 
darling  luxuries  are 
calling  on  every  side, 
the  pleas  of  necessity 
make  uripretty  sounds 
to  feminine  ears. 
Hence  this  sc^ne, 
showing  the  leading 
players,  Alice  Lake 
and  Malcolm  Mc- 
Gregor, from  the  Tif- 
fany-Stahl  production, 
"Lingerie." 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


What  the  Public  Likes, 
a    Survey    of    Theatre 
and  Film  Requirements 

(Continued  from  page  22) 

Lighting    .- - 3 

Courtesy 3 

What  attracts  you  to  a  motion  picture  thea- 
tre? gave  the  following  votes  by  the  students 
only  for  the  twelve  suggested  answers  : 

The   picture  - 21% 

The    star   1 5 

Entertainment     1 5 

Music     13 

Friend's    recommendation    1 1 

Newspaper    advertising     5 

Advertising,     outside    of    theatre 5 

Prestige     4 

Beauty _ 3 

Quietness    3 

Education   3 

Mood    at    the    time 2 

In  looking  over  the  above  table  it  may  ap- 
pear to  some  that  mood  does  not  have  enough 
votes.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  mood 
often  brings  out  the  desire  for  entertainment, 
music,  beauty,  and  quietness.  In  order  to  at- 
tract people  to  a  theatre,  it  is  necessary  for 
the  management  to  have  all  the  factors  which 
the  public  wishes,  balanced  into  a  harmoni- 
ous attractive  whole. 

^  ^  v!- 

Only  one-fourth  of  all  the  people  preferred 
to  have  two  features  on  the  bill.  Most  of 
them,  80  per  cent,  preferred  to  have  one  fea- 
ture with  additional  interesting  short  subjects. 

Of  the  general  public,  73  per  cent  favored 
singers  and  other  special  attractions,  and  27 
per  cent  opposed  them.  About  one-half  of 
the  general  public  said  that  they  like  scenic 
prologues  and  one-half  dislike  them.  To  the 
question.  Do  you  like  scenicsf  70  per  cent 
said  "Yes"  and  30  per  cent  said  "No."  It  is 
probable,  however,  that  some  of  the  people 
did  not  know  what  was  meant  by  these  ques- 
tions   regarding   "scenics"    and    "prologues." 

Another  important  question  for  managers  is 
that  of  merchants  advertising  on  the  screen. 
Of  those  interviewed,  63  per  cent  definitely 
opposed  such  advertising,  22  per  cent  had  no 
objection,  and  IS  per  cent  did  not  know.  A 
number  stated  that  their  view  of  the  matter 
depends  upon  the  appropriateness,  artisticness, 
and  interest  of  the  advertising. 

Another  question  which  confronts  the  man- 
agement is  that  of  Do  you  like  to  see  big  pic- 
tures even  if  a  raise  in  price  is  necessary? 
Only  15  per  cent  said  "No"  and  85  per  cent 
said  "Yes."  At  times  managers  do  secure  an 
exceptional  picture  and  present  it  at  a  higher 
price  only  to  find  that  the  receipts  do  not 
justify  it.  However,  other  factors  are  to  be 
blamed.  Perhaps  the  advertising  was  inade- 
quate or  other  interests  in  the  community  at- 
tracted the  public  at  the  time.  Moreover,  the 
picture  which  costs  a  great  deal  to  produce 
may  not  be  intrinsically  interesting. 

5}:        *        * 

This  investigation  of  the  mind  of  the  people 
on  the  subject  of  pictures  indicated  that  the 
opinions  of  the  public  and  the  critics  do  not 
always  agree.  The  critic  may  judge  a  pic- 
ture from  the  technical  standpoint  whereas 
he  should,  I  believe,  try  to  see  it  as  Mr.  Com- 
mon Man  sees  it  and  then  write  his  news  ar- 
ticle from  that  point  of  view. 

To  the  theatre  manager  I  wish  to  say  that 
he  should  not  try  to  manage  his  house  ac- 
cording to  these  statistics.  I  do  believe,  how- 
ever, that  he  should  make  a  systematic  study 
of  the  likes  and  dislikes  of  his  guests  rather 
than  depend  upon  their  chance  remarks  as 
they  come  out   of  the  theatre. 

It  would  be  better  for  the  management  to 
place  a  supply  of  ballots  in  the  chair  backs 
or  in  the  lobby  and  ask  the  patrons  to  express 
their  likes  and  dislikes  by  checking  a  simple 
questionnaire.  Such  a  method  will  take  care 
of  local  tastes  and  will  advertise  the  fact  that 
the  management  is  interested  in  giving  the 
public  the  best  service. 

Ahoiit  how  often  per  week  do  you  attend 


a  motion  picture  show?  was  the  final  question. 
The  answers : 

General  College  Both 

Weekly    Attendance            Public  Students  Groups 

Once    49%  35%  45% 

Twice     - 34  43  37 

Three    times    10  9  10 

Four  or  more  — .     4  ....  3 

Seldom    3  13                     5 

These  figures  indicate  that  these  people 
were  competent  judges  of  these  questions  so 
far   as   attendance   was   concerned. 


35  Wesco  Houses 
Play  Sound  Films; 
Equipping  25  More 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.  —  Harold  B. 
Franklin,  president  of  West  Coast  Thea- 
tres, emphasizes  the  importance  of  sound 
synchronization  to  the  screens  of  today  in 
a  i!;tatement  issued  recently. 

"From  now  on  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try may  look  to  the  laboratories  of  the 
foremost  electrical  organizations  for  fur- 
ther progress.  Science  and  the  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  from  now  on  go  hand  in  hand. 
The  theatre  of  tomorrow  will  be  largely 
developed  along  mechanical  lines.  No  one 
may  predict  what  will  be  contributed  by 
science  in  the  years  to  come  .  .  .  talking 
pictures  and  sound  synchronization  are  but 
a  forerunner  of  any  development  that  we 
may  look  forward  to. 

"West  Coast  Theatres  was  one  of  the 
first  circuits  which  recognized  the  value  of 
the  talking  picture.  At  this  time  over  35 
important  West  Coast  theatres  are  already 
equipped  and  have  shown  the  best  product 
available  of  this  type.  Both  the  Fox  Movie- 
tone and  25  other  products  found  a  promi- 
nent place  in  its  programs.  More  additional 
theatres  are  being  equipped  and  a  large  or- 
der has  been  placed  for  additional  equip- 
ment." 


Gold-Hawk  Firm  Gets 
Tunney-Heeney  Films; 
Rights    Cost    $50,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Gold-Hawk  Pic- 
tures, Inc.,  has  obtained  for  a  reputed  price 
of  $50,000,  the  rights  to  the  Tunney-Heeney 
fight  which  Tex  Rickard  is  sponsoring  at  the 
Yankee  Stadium  in  New  York. 

This  is  considered  one  of  the  top  prices  for 
the  rights  to  pictures  of  the  world  of  fistiana. 
Whether  or  not  a  sound  reproducing  device 
will  be  used  in  catching  the  battle  has  not 
been  stated,  although  there  are  s'trong  indica- 
tions that  it  may. 

Leaders  of  Gold-Hawk  are :  Mr.  Jawitz, 
Mr.  Hawkins,  Mr.  Zizleman  and  Cy  Braun- 
stein. 


UniversaVs  Pittsburgh 

Is  Destroyed  by  Blaze 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PITTSBURGH,  July  10.— Fire  of  unknown 
origin  destroyed  the  Cameo  theatre  building 
in  downtown  Pittsburgh,  this  week.  Damages 
totalled  $100,000. 

Rowland  Lee  Barton,  manager  of  the  the- 
atre which  is  owned  by  Universal,  was  in- 
structed to  remain  on  the  job  until  further 
notice,  although  Universal  has  not  announced 
its  future  plans  regarding  the  house. 


U.  S.  Court  Action 
For  Cooney  Control 
Is  Expected  Soon 

(Continued  from  page  21) 

depleted  and  their  stock  depreciated  in  value 
to  the  tune  of  about  $2,800,000,  which  repre- 
sents what  the  bankers  received  for  making  a 
loan  of  $2,500,000,  in  other  words  more  than 
100  per  cent,  figuring  the  stock  received  by 
them  at  par  value,  which  is  what  you,  Mr. 
Stockholder,  paid  for  it." 

The  statement  then  says  that  within  the 
preceding  month  the  bankers  advanced  $82,000 
to  pay  interest  on  the  $2,500,000  loan,  and 
about  $15,000  to  pay  certain  claims,  including 
some  by  the  Cooneys. 

"Also,"  the  statement  continues,  "about  a 
month  ago  at  a  meeting  of  stockholders,  the 
bankers  sought  to  get  the  approval  of  the 
stockholders  to  a  plan  whereby  the  bankers 
would  be  put  in  the  present  control  and  man- 
agement of  the  company  and  its  theatres,  and 
later  create  a  management  corporation  headed 
by  the  bankers  to  operate  the  theatres  at  a 
percentage  of  the  profits  for  so  operating.  A 
stockholders'  committee,  however,  was  formed. 
.  .  .  This  committee  employed  the  undersigned 
as  its  attorney  to  investigate  the  bankers'  plan. 
Disapproved  Bankers'  Plan 

"L'pon  ascertaining  the  details  of  the  uncon- 
scionable transaction  which  depleted  your 
assets  by  approximately  $2,800,000,  and  re- 
porting the  same  to  the  stockholders,  they 
unanimously  disapproved  of  the  bankers'  plan, 
and  have  undertaken  to  raise  the  $250,000 
among  themselves,  which  will  be  sufficient  to 
pay  back  the  bankers  the  amounts  of  money 
lately  advanced  by  them,  pay  a  portion  of  the 
claims  due  creditors,  which  total  about  $300,- 
000,  and  leave  a  balance  with  which  to  operate 
and  put  these  theatres  on  their  feet." 

The  statement  gives  the  total  bonded  indebt- 
edness of  the  theatres  as  approximately  $3,775,- 
000.  and  claims  of  creditors  as  an  amount  not 
to  exceed  $400,000,  including  the  money  re- 
cently advanced  by  the  bankers. 

The  statement  is  signed  by  M.  J.  Ahem,  as 
attorney  for  the  stockholders'  committee,  and 
by  members  of  the  committee,  who  are  Martin 
J.  McNally,  chairman ;  Charles  L.  Mickleberry, 
Patrick  E.   Callaghan  and  M.  Fox. 

Charles  Casanave,  Manager  of  Associated 
Exhibitors  of  Chicago,  is  named  as  the  prob- 
able choice  of  the  stockholders  to  direct  the 
theatres  in  the  event  they  regain  control. 
James  Coston,  head  of  the  Coston  booking 
office,  now  manages  the  houses  for  the  receiver 
on  a  W'eek-to-week  basis. 


Sidney  Doing  British  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LONDON,  July  2.— Scott  Sidney,  Christie 
comedy  producer,  who  made  the  film  version 
of  "Charlie's  Aunt,"  will  shortly  arrive  at 
Elstree  to  direct  a  full-length  comedy  starring 
the  comedy  pair.  Long  and  Short.  This  will 
be  the  first  picture  made  for  Long  and  Short 
in  Great  Britain. 


Lesser  Regains  Health 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  July  10.— Sol  Lesser, 
operating  a  theatre  in  the  Mission  District, 
is  home  from  a  trip  to  Rochester,  Minne- 
sota, where  he  underwent  an  operation  in 
the  Alayo  Brothers  hospital.  He  is  feeling 
better  than  in  years. 


Sparks   Goes   to   Europe 

JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.— E.  J.  Sparks,  accompa- 
nied by  Mrs.  Sparks,  left  Friday  for  New  York, 
preparatory  to  sailing  for  Europe  for  their  annual 
vacation  abroad.  Mr.  Sparks  has  been  busy  recently 
with  the  details  of  the  transfer  to  him  of  Universal's 
theatre  holdings  in  Florida. 


Weiner   Tennis   Winner 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Harry  Weiner 
captured  the  Fox  Athletic  Club  tennis 
championship,  winning  his  match  against 
Harlan  Gluclc  in  the  finals  by  a  7-5,  6-3 
score. 


Julv  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


Douglas  MacLean  's 
Next  to  Be  a  "Talkie'' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— The  next  Douglas 
MacLean  picture,  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  will 
be  synchronized  with  sound.  Not  only  will 
Douglas  and  his  supporting  players  talk,  but 
sound  effects  of  a  vivid  nature  are  planned. 

In  connection  w4th  these  effects,  the  tieup 
of  sound  with  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  should 
prove  particularly  effective  because  the  story 
is  said  to  be  especially  suited  to  sound.  The 
flamboyant  roar  of  political  rallies,  the  stac- 
cato of  machine  guns,  the  tapping  of  type- 
writers and  the  clickety  clack  of  railroad  rails 
are  all  integral  parts  of  the  story.  Two  stages, 
now  being  equipped  for  the  Christies'  West- 
em  Electric  talking  process,  will  probably  be 
used  for  the  first  time  when  production  starts 
on  "The  Carnation  Kid."  This  should  be  in 
about  four  or  five  weeks,  possibly  sooner. 
Although  the  contracts  for  the  equipment 
have  just  been  signed,  technicians  are  already 
preparing  the  installation. 


Even  the  Army  Uses 

Sound  Films  Now 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— The  first  sound 
picture  especially  designed  for  military  in- 
struction purposes  has  been  completed  and 
privately  shown  in  Washington  before  a 
selected  group  of  military  officials.  The 
film  was  made  at  the  Infantry  School  at 
Fort  Benning,  Georgia,  through  the  joint 
efforts  of  Electrical  Research  Products,  Inc., 
subsidiary  of  the  Western  Electric  Com- 
pany, and  the  Fox  Case  Corporation,  pro- 
ducers of  Movietone  features,  with  the  co- 
operation of  the  War  Department.  It  is 
understood  that  a  number  of  high  officials 
of  the  War  Department  have  expressed 
themselves  as  favoring  the  use  of  such 
sound  pictures  for  Army  training  films. 


Sennett  Plans  to  Have 

First  Sound  Comedies 

For  Release  by  Autumn 

(Special  to  the  HeraUl-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Mack  Sennett, 
producer  of  comedies  for  Pathe,  after  months 
of  preparation,  will  soon  begin  production  of 
two  reel  comedies  with  RCA  Photophone 
talking  and  sound  effects.  When  Sennett 
began  the  construction  of  his  new  studios  at 
Studio  City,  California,  sound  proof  rooms 
■were  included  in  the  new  plant.  He  is  ready 
to  begin  production,  and  the  first  of  the  Pathe 
comedies  with  talking  and  sound  effects  will 
probably    be    ready    in    early    autumn. 

"I  consider  that  talking  and  sound  will  be 
the  greatest  advance  in  short  subjects  since 
the  first  two  reel  comedy,"  says  Sennett. 
"Here  is  a  new  science  that  lends  itself  mar- 
velously  to  screen  comedy.  The  short  comedy 
is  about  to  enter  a  period  of  great  expansion 
and  the  widest  influence." 


Universal  to  Produce  Musical 

Comedy^  Minstrel  Show  in  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10. — Following  Universal's  announcement  of  plans  to  film 
18  pictures  with  sound  effects,  the  company  now  announces  that  it  will  produce 
a  musical  comedy  and  also  an  old  time  minstrel  show.  Work  has  already  begun 
on  both  of  these  unusual  sound  picture  features. 

The    musical   comedy  production   will   be   a       organizations    will    further    cooperate    on    the 


compilation  of  the  four  series  of  "Collegian" 
stories,  written  by  Carl  Laemmle,  Jr.,  and  pro- 
duced in  series  of  two-reel  pictures  for  the 
last  three  years.  It  has  been  tentatively  titled 
"The  College  Hero."  Joseph  Cherniavsky  has 
been  at  work  for  several  weeks  on  the  music, 
and  it  is  expected  that  se\'eral  prominent  music 


Please  Give  Us  10  Days 
To  Answer  Your  Letters 

Due  to  the  great  number  of  letters 
received  from  exhibitors  all  over  the 
country  asking  for  detailed  informa- 
tion and  advertising  plans  on  syn- 
chronized pictures,  this  department 
asks  you  to  be  patient  if  you  do  not 
receive  an  answer  by  return  mail. 
All  letters  are  being  answered  in  the 
turn  in  which  they  are  received,  but 
even  with  this  department  working 
overtime  it  will  require  10  days  to 
answer  your  letter  after  it  is  re- 
ceived. However,  the  department  is 
at  your  service  to  offer  you  all  pos- 
sible information  and  help  in  putting 
over  synchronized  pictures. 


Ten  Canadian  F,  P. 
Houses  Get  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

TORONTO,  July  10.— Ten  synchronized 
picture  sets  have  been  ordered  for  installa- 
tion in  theatres  of  the  Famous  Players 
Canadian  Corporation,  according  to  the  an- 
nouncement of  H.  M.  Thomas,  division 
manager.  These  will  be  suitable  for  the 
presentation  of  both  "Vitaphone"  and 
"Movietone"  productions,  it  is  asserted. 

The  first  sets  are  to  be  placed  in  the 
Uptown  theatre,  Toronto,  and  the  Capitol 
theatres  in  Montreal,  Winnipeg,  Calgary 
and  Vancouver. 


Paramount s  First   "Talkie^' 
Opens  at  Paramount  July  14 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Paramount's  first 
sound  picture  is  completed,  and  will  open  at 
the  Paramount  the  week  of  July  14.  The 
picture  is  Richard  Dix's  "Warming  Up;" 
it  is  a  fast-moving  baseball  story,  and  is 
said  to  be  ideal  for  the  sound  effects  and 
the  talking  screen. 


musical  scores. 

"The  Minstrel  Show"  will  be  founded  upon 
a  composition  just  purchased  from  George 
Rogan  and  Normal  L.  Sper,  entitled  "The 
Minstrel  Man."  The  idea  of  this  production 
is  to  present  to  the  present  generation  all  the 
humor  and  color  of  the  old-time  minstrel 
show. 


Rossheim  Predicts 
Great  Success  for 
Synchronized  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  10.— Irving  D. 
Rossheim,  president  of  the  Stanley  Com- 
pany of  America  and  of  First  National 
■Pictures,  is  among  those  who  predict  great 
things  for  synchronized  pictures.  "Stanley 
theatres  are  rapidly  installing  necessary 
apparatus,"  says  Rossheim,  "and  in  the  Fall 
practically  every  Stanley  house  will  be 
equipped  to  give  some  form  of  picture  with 
accompaniment  of  synchronized  speech  or 
music. 

"I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  silent  pic- 
ture will  not  be  supplanted  but  that  it  will 
continue  to  find  a  place  for  itself.  It  is  not 
always  possible  to  get  the  accompanying 
sound  and  in  plays  long  stretches  of  dia- 
logue would  not  seem  to  be  advisable.  The 
technique  of  the  drama  as  presented  on  the 
stage  and  the  screen  is  different  and  allow- 
ances must  be  made  for  this  in  the  new 
talking  photoplays.  But  there  are  splendid 
examples  of  the  new  art  they  are  con- 
tinually being  sent  out.  I  am  confident 
that  there  will  be  such  an  aroused  new 
interest  in  the  screen  as  to  bring  record- 
breaking  attendance  to  every  theatre." 


^  'Horn  e  To  ivn  ers ' '  Is 
Bought  by  Warners 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Warner  Bros,  an- 
nounce the  purchase  from  George  M.  Cohan 
of  the  screen  rights  to  "The  Home  Towners," 
which  was  produced  on  Broadway  and  had 
a  long  run  at  George  M.  Cohan's  theatre 
there.  Robert  McWade,  who  played  the  lead- 
ing role  in  the  Broadway  run,  has  been  en- 
gaged for  the  same  part  in  Warner  Bros.' 
production. 

"The  Home  Towners"  will  be  one  of  Vita- 
phone's  specials  for  the  coming  season  and 
will  be  an  all-talking  picture. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


The  Status  of  Synchronized  Pictures  Today 

The  initial  issue  of  this  department  carried  the  first  and  only  complete  and  authentic  picture  of  the  developments  in 
synchronized  pictures  up  to  that  date.  But  in  the  intervening  period  developments  in  this  newest  of  entertainment 
arts  have  progressed  with  such  surprising  rapidity,  that  that  picture  is  no  longer  complete.  This  article,  an  A  B  C  of 
synchronized  pictures,  which  begins  on  page  19,  presents  the  status  of  synchronized  picture  developments  up  to  date. 
The  Herald-World,  by  presenting  news,  service  features  on  advertising  and  exploitation  and  a  school  of  synchronized 
pictures  and  amplification,  is  the  only  paper  in  the  industry  giving  every  phase  of  sound  picture  progress. 


(Continued  from  page  19) 
sented  as  simply  as  possible. 

A  brief  history — 

For  years  experiments  were  conducted  in 
attempts  to  evolve  "talking  pictures,"  but 
three  factors  combined  to  make  the  syn- 
chronized picture  of  today  commercially 
advantageous.  They  were:  1,  electrical 
recording  on  discs,  as  developed  by  talking 
machine  engineers;  2,  the  microphone, 
which  made  it  possible  to  use  electrical  re- 
cording devices;  3,  the  socalled  public  ad- 
dress   system   of  horns  and   amplifiers. 

Some  interesting  demonstrations  were 
given,  notably  one  by  Lee  DeForest,  but  the 
first  system  to  enter  the  commercial  field 
on  a  bie  scale  was  Vitaphone.  By  the 
Vitaphone  method  discs  were  made  to  be 
operated  at  the  same  time  and  at  the  same 
speed  as  the  motion  picture  projector. 
Vitaphone  Actively  Enters  Field 

Vitaphone  actively  entered  the  field  in 
August,  1926,  when  engineers  of  the  Bell 
Experimental  Laboratories,  working  for  the 
Western  Electric  and  American  Telegraph 
&  Telephone  organizations,  interested 
Walter  Rich  of  Warner  Brothers.  Warners, 
of  course,  still  use  Vitaphone. 

Meanwhile,  William  Fox  interested  him- 
self in  experiments  conducted  by  DeForest 
and  by  T.  W.  Case,  whereby  sound  was  to 
be  recorded  on  film.  Recording  was 
promptly  found  to  be  fairly  simple,  but  re- 
producing presented  problems  that  took 
some  time  and  thought  to  solve. 

The  Warners,  at  that  time,  were  the  sole 
licensees  of  Western  Electric,  permitted  in 
turn  to  license  others.  They  licensed  Fox 
to  use  the  public  address  part  of  their 
Vitaphone  system  and  in  March  of  1927 
appeared  the  first  Movietone,  which  re- 
corded sound  on  film  and  reproduced  there- 
from. 

A  rearrangement  of  contracts  between 
the  Warners  and  Western  Electric  followed. 
Western  Electric  got  back  the  handling  of 
licenses  and  now  has  the  sole  right  to  li- 
cense producers  to  use  its  sound  recording 
devices,  whether  on  film  or  disc. 

Other  companies  were  not  idle.  The 
Radio  Corporation  of  America,  an  ally  of 
the  Western  Electric  in  many  enterprises 
during  the  war,  became  a  strong  rival. 
RCA  engineers  developed  the  Photophone, 
also  a  system  whereby  sound  is  recorded  on 
film-,  a  system  with  its  own  strong  points. 
Others  came  into  the  field  until  today  new 
ones  are  popping  up  in  every  corner  of 
the  world. 

Here  are  some  of  the  more  important 
American  systems  and  the  film  companies 
already  signed: 

Western  Electric 
Western   Electric,   licensing   both   film   and 
disc  methods: 

1 — Warner,  with  Vitaphone,  disc. 

2 — Fox-Case,  with   Movietone,  film. 

3 — Paramount,  Movietone  by  arrang-ement  with 
Fox,   which   may   be   made   either   on    film    or   disc. 

4 — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Movietone,  by  arrange- 
ment with  Fox,  film  or  disc. 

5 — United  Artists,  Movietone,  by  arrangement  with 
Fox,   film   or   disc. 

6 — Hal   Roach   Comedies,   expected  to  use  film. 

7 — Christie  comedies,  mostly  Movietone,  film. 

RCA  Photophone 
RCA  Photophone  has  signed  the  following, 
all  using  sound  on  film: 
1— F  B  O. 

2 — Pathe,  beginning  with  "King  of  KlngB." 
3 — First   National,    originally   slated   to   go   Western 


By  PETER  VISCHER 

Electric  with  Firnatone,  a  disc  device  like  Vitaphone. 
4 — ^Mack  Sennett  Comedies. 

Cortellaphone 

Cortellaphone,  disc  or  film,  has  signed: 
1 — Buck   Jones   Westerns. 

Vocafilm 
Vocafilm,  a  disc  method,  has  begun  with: 
\ — Educational,  on   a  tentative  arrangement. 

Some  Not  Yet  Signed 

From  this  list  it  is  obvious  that  several 
producers    have    not    yet    signed    with    one 
system  or  another.     Among  them  are: 
Columbia — studying  three  systems, 
expects    to    announce    contract    with 
"one  of  the  biggest"  in  a  few  days, 
probably     Western     Electric,     using 
film; 

Gotham — also  studying  several 
systems,  expects  to  sign  with  a  big 
company  within  a  short  time,  prob^ 
ably  RCA. 

Tiffany-Stahl — studying  the  mar- 
ket, announcement  expected  soon; 
closing  with  a  big  organization,  prob- 
ably Western  Electric. 

Universal — will  synchronize  18  big 
pictures,  the  first  two,  "Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin"  and  "The  Man  Who  Laughs" 


Lieber  of  F  N  Warns 
Against  Sound  Films 

Robert  Lieber  ot  First  National 
has  expressed  strong  doubts  as  to  the 
possibilities  of  talking  Bltns,  accord- 
ing to  dispatches  from  Berlin  printed 
in  The  Bioscope,  English  Sim  jour- 
nal. According  to  the  story,  Lieber, 
at  a  dinner  held  in  Berlin  in  bis 
honor,  pointed  out  that  talking  pic- 
tures were  apt  to  endanger  the  inter- 
nationalism of  £lms. 


already    being    made    by    Movietone; 
full  program  to  be  announced  soon. 

World-Wide    Films — studying   the 
market   here   and   abroad,    announce- 
ment expected  in  a  week  or  so  when 
J.  D.  Williams  returns  from  Europe. 
So  much  for  what  has  already  been  done. 

Here  Are  the  Systems 
The    companies   that    are    still    undecided 
may  use  one  of  the  systems  listed  here,  a 
list  probably  not  complete  when  one  con- 
siders  that   new   ones   are   arriving  almost 
every  day: 
1 — Western  Electric,  disc  or  film. 
2 — R  C  A  Photophone,  film. 
3 — Cortellaphone,  disc  or  film. 
A — Vocafilm,  disc. 

5 — Cinephone,  made  by  Pat  Powers,  disc 
or  film. 
6 — Madalatone,  film. 
7 — Bristolphone. 
8 — Han-A-Phone. 
9 — Kaleidaphone,  and  others. 
It   will   be   noted  that   the   DeForest   or- 
ganization, the  DeForest  Phonofilm,  is  not 
mentioned  as  seeking  business.     This  com- 
pany   is    at    present    formulating    a    policy 
pending   legal   actions   already   under  way. 
DeForest,  one  of  the  first  to  present  sound 
on   film,   claims  basic  patents  and  contem- 
plates an  entry  into  this  competition  from 
the  door  that  leads  to  the  law  courts. 
Reproducing  System  Is  Problem 
The  producers  and  the  systems  that  have 


been  chosen  have  now  been  listed.  The 
sound  reproducing  systems  have  been 
listed.  What  remains,  then,  is  the  problem 
of  equipment  for  the  producer. 

Consider  first  Western  Electric.  They 
claim  that  400  installations  of  their  sound 
projector  system,  leased  through  Electrical 
Research  Products,  Inc.,  have  already  been 
made.  They  say  that  95  per  cent  of  their 
theatres  are  so  equipped  that  film  or  disc 
reproduction  is  available.  They  say  all  you 
need  are  attachments  and  wiring,  no  new 
projector,  but  wiring  problems  vary  so  that 
prices  range  from  $5,000  to  $15,000  for  a 
15-year  rental.  Incidentally,  Western  Elec- 
tric will  not  promise  results  if  their  film 
is  used  on  rival  projectors,  or  if  rival  film 
is  used  on  their  machines. 

Then  consider  the  RCA  Photophone 
equipment.  Photophone  furnishes  complete 
projectors,  with  sound-boxes  built  in.  They 
claim  more  perfect  reproduction  than  any 
other  system,  because  their  reproduction  is 
not  afifected  by  underdeveloping  or  over- 
developing of  film,  nor  by  jumping  needles 
on  discs.  They  promise  full-sized  pictures. 
They  are  putting  in  demonstration  sets  at 
the  Gaiety  theatre  in  New  York  and  at 
the  Biltmore  in  Los  Angeles,  offering  gen- 
eral distribution  by  September.  Their 
prices  run  as  follows: 

For  a  theatre  seating  up  to  750,  $7,500 
for  a  10-year  rental;  for  a  theatre  seating 
up  to  1,500,  $9,000  for  10  years;  for  a 
theatre  seating  up  to  3,000,  $12,500  for  10 
years;  for  a  theatre  seating  more  than  3,000, 
about  $16,000  for  10  years. 

Has  2,000  Machines  Ready 

The  Cortellaphone  claims  to  be  a  com- 
bination device,  using  film  and  disc.  Scor- 
ing is  done  by  a  hairline  on  the  film  be- 
tween the  picture  and  the  sprocket  holes, 
not  interfering  with  the  size  of  the  picture. 
The  machine  weighs  300  pounds  and  can  be 
installed  in  three  hours,  promised  at  less 
than  $500.  The  company  says  it  has  2,000 
Cortellaphones  ready  for  installation  be- 
tween now  and  December  31. 

The  Vocafilm  is  a  disc  system  with  a 
horn  in  front  of  the  screen,  demonstrated 
with  success  in  New  York  when  "Babe 
Comes  Home"  was  shown,  if  one  will  over- 
look a  bad  first  day.  The  advantage  of  this 
system,  it  is  claimed,  is  that  it  promises  to 
be  quite  inexpensive  as  compared  with  some 
disc  machines. 

Cinephone  employs  both  film  and  disc, 
made  available  through  an  attachment  to 
the  projector.  The  advantages  claimed  for 
the  Cinephone  lie  in  a  fine  quality  of  tone 
and  an  inexpensive  installation,  with  prices 
not  yet  ready  for  announcement. 

The  Madalatone,  developed  by  Ferdinand 
von  Madaler,  long  an  expert  with  the 
Columbia  Phonograph  Company,  repro- 
duces sound  from  a  single  groove  on  the 
film.  This  equipment  consists  of  two 
sprockets  and  a  stand  placed  between  the 
upper  magazine  and  the  head,  to  be  sold 
for  $1,000.  It  uses  neither  phonographic 
records,  as  do  the  disc  systems,  nor  photo- 
electric coils,  but  gets  its  sound  from  the 
film  itself.  A  New  York  demonstration  is 
promised  during  the  next  two  weeks. 

Most  of  the  others  are  disc  devices  of 
one  sort  or  another,  with  the  advantage  of 
small  cost.  Details  are  not  yet  available 
but  will  probably  be  brought  forth  in  the 
not  distant  future. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Hal  Roach  Prepares 
for  Sound  Comedies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  10.— Hal  Roach  en- 
tertained 35  players,  directors  and  execu- 
tives at  dinner  last  week  in  order  to  dis- 
cuss plans  for  synchronization  of  the 
M  G  M  Roach  comedies.  Roach  has  signed 
a  15  year  contract  with  Electrical  Research 
Products  Corporation,  and  preparations  for 
sound  production  have  already  begun.  Of 
the  Roach  players,  Charley  Chase,  Stan 
Laurel,  Oliver  Hardy,  Max  Davidson,  mem- 
bers of  the  "Our  Gang  Comedy,"  and  Marion 
Byron  have  had  varying  degrees  of  stage 
experience. 

Western  Electric  Warns 
Against  Interchange  of 
Sound  Pictures  Equipment 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— An  announcement 
has  been  made  by  Western  Electric  that  that 
company  had  made  no  arrangements  with  any 
other  manufacturer  of  talking  picture  equip- 
ment for  the  use  of  either  films  or  projecting 
apparatus  interchangeably  with  that  of  the 
Western  Electric  System  of  Sound  Pictures. 

The  practicability  of  so  using  sound  films 
of  other  makes  on  Western  Electric  Machines 
or  of  using  W.  E.  sound  films  on  other  types 
of  projecting  equipment  in  such  a  way  as  to 
obtain  results  equally  effective  is  open  to 
question,  according  to  the  company.  The 
burden  of  responsibility  for  any  exhibitor 
endeavoring  to  make  such  an  experiment  com- 
bining two  different  products  in  this  way 
would  of  course  be  his  own,  and  not  that  of 
the  manufacturer  of  the  equipment. 


Stage  Producer  Tests 

Voice  of  Norma  Shearer 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Bayard  Veiller, 
playwright  and  stage  producer  and  author 
of  "The  Trial  of  Mary  Dugan,"  recently  put 
Norma  Shearer  through  the  lines  that  are 
spoken  in  the  leading  role  in  "The  Trial 
of  Mary  Dugan."  "Although  Aliss  Shearer 
has  never  been  on  the  stage  I  want  to  say 
that  she  spoke  the  lines  and  acted  the  part 
perfectly,"  Veiller  declared.  "Certainly,  if 
she  is  any  example  of  what  we  may  expect, 
screen  stars  need  have  no  apprehension  con- 
cerning the  development  of  the  talking  pic- 
ture. It  will  make  her  a  greater  star  than 
ever." 


Kenneth  Harlan  Is  Cast 

for  Vitaphone  Playlet 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.  —  Bryan  Foy, 
Vitaphone  supervisor  and  director  for 
Warner  Brothers,  will  direct  Kenneth  Har- 
lan in  "The  Alibi,"  an  original  Vitaphone 
playlet  written  by  Murray  Roth  and  Addi- 
son Burkhart.  "The  Alibi,"  a  melodrama  of 
the  underworld,  also  will  have  Robert  Elli- 
ott and  John  St.  Polis  in  important  char- 
acterizations. 


75  Per  Cent  of  M-G-M 

Players  Saw  Stage  Work 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  3.— Seventy-five  per 
cent  of  the  players  under  contract  by  M-G-M 
have  had  stage  experience  and  are  suitably 
equipped  for  synchronized  picture  work,  ac- 
cording to  the  company. 

The  25  per  cent  lacking  stage  training  are 
to  be  coached  in  a  studio  elocution  school,  and 
their  response  to  the  voice  culture  instruction 
probably  will  measure  their  future  usefulness 
to  the  company. 


Success  of  Sound  Depends  Upon 
Good  Presentation^  Says  Franklin 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  10.— The  success  of  synchronized  pictures  depends  upon 
their  quality  and  the  methods  used  in  advertising  and  presenting  them  to  the 
public,  is  the  opinion  of  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president  of  West  Coast  Theatres. 
In  the  near  future  more  than  70  of  this  company's  theatres  will  be  presenting 
sound  pictures. 


"It  can  readily  be  seen  that  sound  sjm- 
chronization  has  become  a  prime  necessity  to 
every  progressive  motion  picture  theatre,"  says 
Franklin.  "That  motion  pictures  are  being 
made  with  sound  synchronization,  however, 
does  not  in  itself  insure  a  continued  public 
support.  If  it  is  not  to  be  a  fad,  quality  must 
be  the  dominant  objective  of  the  producers. 

"Sound  synchronization  offers  a  new  mode 
of  expression  which  will  progress  only  to  the 
extent  that  producers  take  advantage  of  the 
opportunities  before  them;  they  must  realize 
that  here  is  a  new  art  that  requires  sympa- 
thetic understanding.  Mistakes  will  be  made 
in  the  beginning,  and  those  companies  that 
have  or  are  willing  to  gain  experience  will 
naturally  make  the  greatest  progress.  That 
the  interest  of  the  public  has  been  aroused  is 
an  undoubted  fact,  to  which  the  recent  success 
of  certain  motion  pictures  with  sound  syn- 
chronization bear  witness. 

Showmanship  Must  Be  Used 

"It  is  not  enough  to  show  sound  motion 
pictures ;  theatres  that  devote  themselves  to 
sound  synchronization  must  give  to  this  new 
showmanship  understanding  and  sympathy.  It 
is  not  sufficient  to  merely  install  a  synchroniz- 
ing device ;  it  is  quite  important  to  insure  for 
its  operation  enterprise  and  expert  handling. 
Projectionists  should  not  alone  understand  the 
mechanism,  but  are  in  a  great  measure  re- 
sponsible for  its  successful  operation.  Man- 
agements must  be  sure  that  amplification  is 
just  right — not  too  loud  nor  too  soft. 

"There  must  be  a  close  cooperation  between 
the  management  and  projectionists  in  main- 
taining just  the  proper  degree  of  amplification 
at  all  times.  The  instruments  require  different 
adjustments  in  a  crowded  auditorium  as  com- 
pared to  those  periods  in  the  day  when  patron- 
age is  lighter.  This  makes  necessary  carefully 
worked  out  schedules,  as  well  as  constant 
supervision  to  insure  uniform  tone  quality. 

Make  Advertising  Specific 

"In  advertising  sound  synchronization,  mis- 
representation must  never  be  resorted  to. 
The  public  mind  should  not  be  allowed  to 
expect  talking  motion  pictures  when  only 
synchronized  scores  are  presented;  yet,  when 
talking  motion  pictures  or  effects  are  given, 
clear  definite  advertising  in  this  respect  should 
guide  the  publicity  and  announcements,  and 
short  talking  or  singing  subjects  should  be 
advertised  as  such. 

"Short  subjects  should  be  programmed  so 
that  they  blend  into  a  smooth-running  enten- 
tainment.  Two  singing  or  dancing  acts  fol- 
lowing one  another  would  indicate  the  same 
poor  judgment  in  sound  pictures  as  it  would 


be  in  stage  entertainment.  The  tendency  to 
give  lengthy  programs  brings  to  mind  that 
quality  is  of  greater  value  than  quantity. 

"Sound  synchronization  is  another  mile- 
stone in  the  progress  of  the  motion  picture. 
The  same  progressive  spirit  that  has  built  our 
industry  into  one  of  the  greatest,  is  now  neces- 
sary to  bring  this  new  art  to  its  height. 

Ted  Lewis  to  Make 
Warner  Road  Show 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Ted  Lewis,  "the 
high-hat  tragedian  of  jazz,"  has  just  been 
signed  by  Warner  Brothers  to  make  a 
Vitaphone  road  show.  The  title  of  the 
production  will  be  the  famous  Lewis  greet- 
ing, "Is  Everybody  Happy?"  Lewis  has 
been  a  vaudeville  star  for  years,  and  in  the 
last  few  years  has  been  featured  in  several 
Broadway  revues. 


Campus  to  Reopen 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

BERKELEY,  CAL.,  July  10.— The  Vita- 
phone at  the  Campus  theatre  which  has  been, 
silent  for  more  than  a  month,  has  been  placed 
in  operation  again.  The  equipment  has  been 
overhauled,  many  improvements  made,  and  it 
is  now  possible  to  play  Movietone  acts  and 
Fox  Movietone  news,  as  well  as  Vitaphone 
productions. 

Broadway f  Portland,  Gets 

Movietone  Installation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  10.— The  Engi- 
neering staff  of  the  Electrical  Research 
Products  corporation  have  just  finished  the 
work  of  installing  Fox  Movietone  at  the 
Broadway  theatre  here.  Harold  B.  Frank- 
lin of  the  West  Coast  Theatres  is  now  in 
New   York  booking  presentations. 

May  Install  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  July  10.— W.  H.  Linton,  of 
Utica,  N.  Y.,  one  of  the  pioneer  exhibitors 
of  New  York  state,  is  contemplating  the 
installation  of  the  Movietone  in  his  Olympic 
theatre,  and  is  arranging  to  take  a  trip  in 
the  near  future  to  New  York  city,  to  see 
it   in   actual   operation. 


Amplifier 


Movietone  producing  (left)  and  reproducing  (right)  systems  pictured  in  simple  drawings  to 
give  an  elemental  understanding  of  the  two  methods.     Notice   the  photo-electric  cell   on 

each  machine. 


31 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Julv  14.  1928 


Advertising  and  Putting  Over 
the  Synchrnized  Picture 

By  J.  S.  O'CONIVELL 

(J.  S.  O'Connell  is  managing  director  of  the  Vita-Temple  theatre,  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  is  a 

pioneer  in  advertising  and  putting  over  the  synchronized  picture.     We  believe  his  article 

is  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  helpful  articles  yet  written  on  this  subject.) 


WHILE  exhibitors  are  running  around 
in  circles  and  producers  are  running  a 
temperature  thinking,  talking  and  guess- 
ing about  what  sound  devices  are  GOING  TO 
do  to  the  motion  picture  business,  why  not 
take  a  little  time  out  to  consider  what  they 
CAN  do  for  it  NOW — at  their  present  stage 
of  development? 

It  is  not  impossible,  or  even  improbable, 
that  the  talkies  will  revolutionize  the  whole 
industry' — eventually.  But  that  revolution  is 
not  going  to  come  over  night.  A  new  school 
of  screen  acting,  directing  and  staging  will 
have  to  be  perfected  first ;  simpler  and  more 
efficient  methods  of  recording,  synchronizing 
and  reproducing  sotmd  remain  to  be  worked 
out;  a  thousand  and  one  problems  are  yet  to 
be  solved  before  the  picture  millenium  can 
be  attained. 

Aleantime  a  lot  of  dough  is  waiting  to  be 
pushed  through  the  box-office  windows  of 
exhibitors  who  will  give  some  thought  and 
energy  to  making  the  most  of  such  sound 
equipment  and  productions  as  are  now  avail- 
able. 

The  Public  Must  Be  Told 

Managing  one  of  the  first  theatres  in  the 
country  to  install  Vitaphone  as  a  regular  fea- 
ture (I  put  it  in  only  a  few  months  after 
the  Warner  theatre.  New  York,  introduced  it 
to  the  world),  I  have  been  in  a  position  to 
conduct   some   exhaustive    experiments  in   the 


WA^ 


notHer 
Vitaphone 
SensAt4on 


FIRST  Iowa  showing 
of  iIk'  ])icture  that 
talks!  —  No  wonder 
Full  Dodge  is  proud 
of  it! 


HEAR 


Fill- I  he  1m>1  liino..  .  .  a  vivul. 
I'^iise,  full  lengtli  .st.'r--.'L*ii  pro. 
duetion  is  presented  .  .  .  \\itli 
tlie  Vrr.U'HOXE  reprodur. 
ion  of  VOICK.S  and  SOUNDS 
iu  tlie  dr.iniati'*  el:niax"s! 

3  ACTS  VITAPHONE 
VAUDEVILLE 

Ends    Wixine^da)    Mfl.l 

NOW  PUYING 


L.  J.  Wegener,  manager  of  the  Rialto  the- 
atre.  Fort  Dodge,  la.,  used  this  ad  for  the 
run  of  "Tenderloin."  the  Warner  talking 
picture.  The  ad  is  both  effective  and 
easily  read.  Vitaphone  has  been  in  use  in 
the  theatre  for  four  months. 


presentation  of  this  form  of  entertainment. 
Testing  every  move  by  its  box-office  reaction. 
I  have  arrived  at  several  conclusions  by  which, 
I  believe  in  all  modesty,  other  showmen  in 
similar  houses  can  profit. 

In  the  £rst  place,  one  of  the  most  com- 
mon errors  made  by  theatre  managers  who 
pioneered  in  the  presentation  of  audible 
screen  fare  was  to  assume  that  the  public 
knew  all  about  it,  that  extra  exploitation 
was  unnecessary.  Several  who  proceeded 
on  that  theory  learned  to  their  sor- 
row that  many  of  their  prospective  cus- 
tomers didn't  know  whether  Vitaphone 
was  a  means  of  reproducing  synchronized 
sound  or  the  second  cousin  to  a  vitamin. 
And  so,  because  these  exhibitors  did  not 
drive  home  with  intensive  publicity  cam- 
paigns the  fact  that  they  were  selling  an 
entirely  new  theatrical  commodity,  they 
did  not  attract  enough  added  paronage  to 
balance  up  the  additional  overhead. 

Now  Vitaphone  came  in  at  a  time  when 
the  public  was  readj'  for  something  new,  and 
Vitaphone  filled  the  bill — but  it  was  something 
so  sensationally  different,  so  radical  a  depar- 
ture from  the  beaten  path,  that  it  needed  a 
great  deal  of  explaining  and  real  circus  ex- 
ploitation methods.  Managers  who  calmly 
accepted  it  as  a  cure-all  for  box-office  ail- 
ments and  inaugurated  a  Vitaphone  policy 
with  as  little  noise  as  they  would  make  about 
hiring  a  new  organist  were  quickly — some  of 
them  disastrously' — made  aware  of  their  mis- 
take. 

Properly  publicized,  on  the  other  hand, 
sound  pictures  put  the  picture  houses  into 
actual  and  active  competition  with  vaudeville 
and  other  theatres  offering  stage  shows.  And 
if  sound  pictures  needed  a  strenuous  adver- 
tising drive  for  their  proper  and  profitable  in- 
troduction to  the  public,  they  stand  doubly  in 
need  of  consistent  and  prominent  publicity 
now  that  their  novelty  has  worn  off. 
Play  Up  the  Sound  Picture 

Hence,  too  much  stress  can  not  be  laid  upon 
the  necessity  for  plugging  this  part  of  your 
show  just  as  strongly  as  you  do  the  rest  of 
it.  Don't  let  your  house  become  kno^vn  simply 
as  a  picture  theatre  with  talking  pictures  as 
a  freak  added  attraction.  I  give  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  (I'm  using  both  as  regular, 
standard  features  on  every  bill)  equal  promi- 
nence with  my  picture  in  the  newspaper  ads 
and  advance  notices,  24-sheets,  street-car  cards, 
lobby  frames,  trailers,  throw-aways,  etc. 
Thus,  my  customers  read  about  and  look  for- 
ward to  my  show  as  a  whole.  If  the  film 
doesn't  look  so  hot  to  them,  some  part  of 
the  sound  picture  bill  will. 

Another  thing  which  has  detracted  from 
the  entertainment  value  of  sound  produc- 
tions in  many  cases  is  slipshod,  hit-or-miss 
presentation.  It  is  not  uncommon,  for  in- 
stance, to  visit  a  sound-equipped  theatre 
and  find  a  show  run  off  in  this  order:  News 
reel,  comedy,  three  Vitaphone  acts  in  any 
old  seauence,  and  then  the  feature  pic- 
ture. No  effort  made  to  balance  the  bill, 
as  would  be  the  case  in  a  well  regulated 
vaudeville  house,  no  close-ins  of  drapes 
between  the  acts,  no  entre-acte  music,  no 
attempt  whatever  to  get  away  from  the 
mechanical  or  "grind"  idea  of  it  all. 

To  make  the  maximum  of  impression  with 
such  a  program,  it  should  proceed  from  the 
news  reel  to  a  jazz  or  fast  novelty  sound  pic- 

{Coiitiniied   on   page   66) 


Seven  Road  Shows 
with  Sound  Now  in 
Warner  Production 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— SeVen  Vita- 
phone Road  Shows  are  now  before  the 
cameras  in  the  W^arner  studios.  At  the 
same  time  two  pictures  from  the  Winner 
group,  are  also  in  the  making,  these  as 
well  as  the  specials  to  be  filmed  with  Vita- 
phone effects. 

"Noah's  Ark,"  the  biggest  picture  the 
Warner  organization  has  ever  undertaken, 
has  still  some  time  to  go  before  its  com- 
pletion. The  schedule  has  been  arranged, 
however,  to  allow  the  star  of  "Noah's 
Ark,"  Dolores  Costello,  to  begin  work  on 
"The  Redeeming  Sin"  in  which  she  is  now 
at  work  with  Conrad  Nagel  playing  op- 
posite her  and  Howard  Bretherton  direct- 
ing. Al  Jolson  is  in  the  midst  of  his  Vita- 
phone activities  on  "The  Singing  Fool," 
with  Lloyd  Bacon  directing.  Archie  Alayo 
is  making  Fannie  Brice's  first  starring  ve- 
hicle, "My  Man"  in  which  many  of  her 
popular  song  hits  will  be  featured  on  Vita- 
phone. 

Bryan  Foy,  director  of  Warner's  first  all- 
talking  picture,  "Lights  of  New  York," 
has  turned  his  attention  to  another  100  per- 
cent Vitaphone  special,  George  M.  Cohan's 
success,  "The  Homer  Towners."  May  Mc- 
Avoy,  Louise  Fazenda  and  Edward  Ever- 
ett Horton  are  recording  their  voices  now 
on  Vitaphone  for  "The  Terror."  Monte 
Blue  has  reported  for  his  Vitaphone  debut 
in  "Conquest,"  on  which  a  number  of  pre- 
liminary scenes  have  already  been  shot 
with  H.  B.  Warner  and  Lois  Wilson  who 
will  play  chief  support  to  the  star.  The 
"Winners"  now  in  production  are  "The 
Outlaw  Dog"  starring  Rin-Tin-Tin  and 
"The  Little  Wildcat"  starring  Audrey  Fer- 
ris. 


Fox  Buys  Mystery 

Tale  for  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Fox  Film  Cor- 
poration has  just  bought  "Behind  That  Cur- 
tain," a  mystery  novel  by  Earl  Derr  Big- 
gers,  author  of  the  two  mystery  novels, 
"Seven  Keys  to  Baldpate"  and  "The 
Chinese  Parrot."  The  picture  will  be  in 
Movietone.  Raoul  Walsh,  who  directed 
"The  Red  Dance,"  will  produce  it.  He  left 
Hollywood  Saturday  for  New  York  in 
quest  of  suitable  talent. 


3  New  York  Publix  Houses 

Being  Equipped  for  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  10.— Changes  are 
under  way  to  convert  the  Rialto  theatre 
screen  for  sound  pictures,  and  it  will  only 
be  a  short  time  until  all  three  of  the  Publix 
houses,  the  Rialto,  Paramount  and  Rivoli 
have  sound  effects  and  talkies.  The  Rivoli 
is  completed  now,  and  will  open  with  the 
first  sound  picture  next  Saturday,  which  is 
"The   King  of  Kings." 


"Lion  and  Mouse  ^  Goes 

Big  in  Portland  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  10.— Manager 
Normand  and  his  assistants  at  the  Blue  Mouse 
theatre  have  had  their  hands  full  taking  care 
of  daily  crowds  for  "The  Lion  and  the 
Mouse"  now  in  its  second  week,  and  this 
Vitaphone  offering  will  have  no  trouble  in 
reaping  a  big  harvest  here  for  at  least  a 
five-week's   run. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


AL  UCHTMAN 

Vice-President    and    General    Manager 
of   Distribution 


VICTOR  M.  SHAPIRO 

Director    of    Advertising    and    Publicity 


JOSEPH  M.  SCHENCK 

President     and     Ctiairman 


United  Artists  to  Release  19  in  1928-29 


NINETEEN  films  will  be  distributed 
by  United  Artists  internationally 
during  the  1928-29  season.  Five  of 
these  pictures  already  are  completed,  five 
of  them  have  been  in  production  for  sev- 
eral weeks,  and  six  of  them  will  enter  pro- 
duction in  less  than  a  month.  The  an- 
nouncement from  Joseph  M.  Schenck, 
president  and  chairman  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  United  Artists,  states  that  the 
1928-29  list  of  nineteen  pictures  is  the  great- 
est number  of  films  to  be  released  in  any 
single  season  by  United  Artists,  which 
began  its  tenth  year  April  17,  1928. 

At  least  five  and  probably  more  United 
Artists  pictures  will  have  sound  effects, 
scores  and  voices.  Charlie  Chaplin  has  not 
yet  decided  whether  his  picture  will  have  a 
Movietone  song,  but  Samuel  Goldwyn's 
Vilma  Banky  film,  "The  Awakening,"  will 
be  movietoned,  an  Irving  Berlin  song  to 
be  the  theme.  Goldwyn's  "Two  Lovers" 
has  been  movietoned  for  national  release. 
Irving  Berlin  also  has  composed  the  theme 
son?  of  the  "The  Love  Song,"  the  William 
Boyd-Lupe  Velez  picture  of  the  time  of 
Napoleon  III.  Douglas  Fairbanks  said  in 
London  that  he  would  use  song  effects  in 
"The  Man  With  the  Iron  Mask." 
Ingram  New  Producer 

The  only  new  producer  on  United  Artists' 
1928-29  list  is  Rex  Ingram.  All  the  others 
made   films    for   the   company   last   year. 

The  other  units  and  their  pictures  are  as 
follows: 

Mary  Pickford,  minus  her  curls,  will  fol- 


low "My  Best  Girl"  with  a  comedy-drama  to 
be  directed  by  Sam  Taylor. 

Norma  Talmadge  has  completed,  "The 
Woman  Disputed,"  a  film  version  of  Denni- 
son  Clift's  stage  play.  Henry  King  directed 
from  C.  Gardner  Sullivan's  scenario.  Gil- 
bert Roland  is  leading  man  and  others  in 
the  cast  are  Olga  Baklanova,  Boris  de  Fas, 
and  Gustaf  von  Seyffertitz. 

Gloria  Swanson's  successor  to  "Sadie 
Thompson"  will  be  "The  Swamp,"  an  origi- 
nal story  to  be  directed  by  Eric  von  Stro- 
heim,  author  of  the  tale.  The  locale  is  Ger- 
man East  Africa. 

Dolores  Del  Rio  will  be  starred  in  "Re- 
venge," now  almost  completed.  Edwin 
Carewe,  director  of  "Resurrection'  and 
"Ramona,"  is  making  this  version  of  Kon- 
rad  Bercovici's  short  story,  "The  Bear- 
Tamer's  Daughter."  Finis  Fox  adapted. 
Leroy  Mason,  a  virtual  unknown,  is  leading 
man. 

Vilma  Banky  becomes  a  star  in  her  own 
right,  after  five  co-featured  and  co-starring 
films  with  Ronald  Colman,  when  Samuel 
Goldwyn  presents  her  in  "The  Awakening," 
an  original  story  by  Francis  Marion.  This 
is  a  modern  story  of  Alsace-Lorraine  and 
the  awakening  of  a  girl's  love-life.  Victor 
Fleming  is  directing  from  Carey  Wilson's 
adaptation.  Louis  Wolheim  and  Walter 
Byron,  Goldwyn's  new  English  "find,"  are 
in  the  cast. 

Charlie  Chaplin  will  make,  "City  Lights," 
picture  of  the  boulevards,  cafes  and  night 
clubs.    The  picture  enters  production  within 


two  weeks.  Merna  Kennedy  and  Harry 
Crocker  are  in  the  cast.  It  is  an  original 
story,  written,  acted  and  directed  by 
Chaplin. 

Douglas  Fairbanks  will  be  seen  in  "The 
Man  With  the  Iron  Mask,"  an  original  story 
telling  of  the  further  adventures  of  d'Arta- 
gnan  and  the  Three  Musketeers.  Allan 
Dwan  will  direct. 

David  Wark  Griffith  has  completed  for 
1928  release,  "The  Battle  of  the  Sexes,"  a 
modern  drama  based  on  the  motive  that 
"the  sex  battle  is  forever  being  fought  but 
never  won."  Jean  Hersholt,  Phyllis  Haver, 
Belle  Bennett,  Don  Alvarado  and  Sally 
O'Neill  head  the  cast.  Gerritt  Lloyd  adapt- 
ed Dr.  Daniel  Carson  Goodman's  story. 

John  Barrymore's  "Tempest,"  in  which 
Camilla  Horn  and  Louis  Wolheim  also  ap- 
peared under  direction  of  Sam  Taylor,  will 
be  distributed  internationally  in  1928.  It  is 
now  being  show  to  capacity  in  one  theatre. 
The  Embassy  in  New  York,  at  $2  prices 
and  for  an  indefinite  run. 

Ronald  Colman  becomes  an  individual 
star  in  "The  Rescue,"  based  on  Joseph  Con- 
rad's sea  story.  Herbert  Brenon  will  direct. 
Samuel  Goldwyn  presents  in  this  picture  the 
American  screen  debut  of  Lily  Damita, 
French  actress  who  recently  arrived  in 
Hollywood. 

"Two  Lovers"  National 

"Two  Lovers,"  the  last  film  in  which 
Ronald  Colman  and  Vilma  Banky  are  co- 
starred,  will  be  distributed  nationally  in 
1928.      Fred    Niblo    directed    this    Samuel 


Barry    D.    Buckley 
Vice-President 


Arthur   W.   Kelly 
Vice-President 


Cresson    E.    Smith 
Asst.    Sales    Manager 


Paul    Burger 
Asst,    to    Al   Lichtman 


Paul   M,   Lazarus 
Mgr.  Sales  Promotion 


Moxley     Hill 
Mgr,    Contract    Dept, 


36 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 192& 


yorma    Talmadge 


Mary    Pickford 


Charles    Chaplin 


Gloria    Stoanson 


Douglas    Fairbanks 


D.    W.   Griffith 


John    Barrymore 


Vilma    Banky 


Samuel    Goldtoyn 


Ronald    Caiman 


Fred    Niblo 


Eric   von    Stroheim 


Ernst    Lubitsch  J*    R^*    Considine,    Jr. 


DoloreM    Del    Rio 


Edwin    Car  ewe 


Herbert    Brenon 


Rex    ingrttm 

These  are  the  stars  and  most  of  the  directors  and  producers  creating  th( 
1928-29  releases  for  United  Artists. 


Goldwyn  presentation,  which  is  based  on 
the  novel,  "Leatherface,"  by  Baroness 
Orczy.  Noah  Beery  appears  in  the  cast. 
"Two  Lovers"  had  a  run  of  eight  weeks  at 
$2  top  at  the  Embassy  Theatre  in  New 
York.  It  has  been  movietoned  for  general' 
release. 

Buster  Keaton  and  Ernest  Torrence  in 
"Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,"  will  be  seen  through- 
out the  world  in  1928.  Charles  (Chuck) 
Reisner  directed  from  Carl  Harbaugh's 
story  of  life  on  a  Mississippi  River  boat. 

Herbert  Brenon  will  produce  "Lummox," 
Fannie  Hurst's  novel. 

William  Boyd  and  Lupe  Velez  will  be 
seen  and  Miss  Velez  will  be  heard  in  "The 
Love  Song,"  under  the  direction  of  D.  W. 
Griffith.  Irving  Berlin's  newest  composi- 
tion, "The  Love  Song,"  will  be  played  as 
the  theme  and  sung  by  Miss  Velez  in  the 
Movietone  synchronization  of  this  story  of 
the  times  of  Napoleon  III.  Dr.  Karl  Voll- 
moeller,  author  of  the  book  of  "The 
Miracle,"  wrote  the  original  screen  story, 
"La  Paiva,"  on  which  "The  Love  Song"  is- 
based.  Hans  Kraly  adapted.  It  is  now 
ready  for  production. 

"Nightstick,"  crook  play  by  John  Wray, 
The  Nugents,  and  Elaine  Sterne  Carrington, 
will  be  filmed  with  Roland  West  directing: 
from  C.  Gardner  Sullivan's  adaptation. 

"Hell's  Angels,"  the  Caddo  air  film  in 
which  Ben  Lyon,  Greta  Nissen,  James  Hall, 
John  Darrow,  Thelma  Todd  and  George 
Cooper  appear,  is  in  production  under  per- 
sonal supervision  of  Howard  Hughes,  Jr., 
President  of  Caddo  Productions.  Based  on 
Harry  Behn's  adaptation  of  an  original 
story,  "Hell's  Angels"  has  been  in  produc- 
tion for  eight  months. 

Rex  Ingram's  production  of  "The  Three 
Passions,"  based  on  Cosmo  Hamilton's 
new  novel,  will  have  Alice  Terry,  Clare 
Eames  and  Ivan  Petrovitch  in  its  cast.  In- 
gram is  making  part  of  the  picture  in  his 
studio  at  Nice,  while  some  exteriors  are  be- 
ing filmed  in  England. 

"She  Goes  to  War,"  is  a  Henry  King 
production  for  Inspiration  Pictures  of  the 
Rupert  Hughes  story  serialized  in  the  Red 
Book  Magazine.  Howard  Estabrook  wrote 
the  scenario. 

The  Directors 

Directors  of  United  Artists  Pictures  on 
the  1928-29  list  include  David  Wark  Grif- 
fith, Charles  Chaplin,  Ernst  Lubitsch,  Eric 
von  Stroheim,  Herbert  Brenon,  Rex  Ingram, 
Sam  Taylor,  Henry  King,  Fred  Niblo,  Edwin 
Carewe,  Victor  Fleming,  Allan  Dwan  and 
Roland  West. 

Featured  players  will  include  Camilla 
Horn,  Lupe  Velez,  Lily  Damita,  Louis 
Wolheim,  Gilbert  Roland,  Don  Alvarado 
and  Walter  Byron. 

Lichtman  Directs  Sales 

Al  Lichtman,  vice-president,  is  general 
manager  in   charge   of  distribution. 

Lichtman's  selling  campaign  this  year  is 
based  on  what  he  calls  the  Rolls-Royce 
theory.  He  says  United  Artists'  stars  and 
producers  spent  millions  of  dollars  and 
lavished  many  years  of  effort  in  producing 
pictures  that  have  given  them  prestige  with 
the  public  and  the  trade.  That  prestige  cost 
a  fortune.  It  is  a  tangible  thing,  a  definite 
commodity  with  a  particular  value,  Licht- 
man declares. 

He  says  United  Artists  pictures  are  to 
films  what  a  Rolls-Royce  is  to  automobiles 
— because  of  their  quality. 

Planning  Exploitation 

Each  picture  will  have  its  own  advance 
and  during-run  campaign,  prepared  with  the 
cooperation  of  producers'  representatives 
and  producers  themselves,  according  to  Vic- 
tor M.  Shapiro,  advertising  and  publicity 
director. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Y^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

"Hollywood:* 


"Effect"  Is  New  Studio 
Word  for  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD.  July  10.— Studios 
are  making  use  of  the  word  "Effect" 
to  indicate  the  use  of  any  sound  de- 
vice in  pictures.  The  word  is  in  large 
letters  on  the  "take  board"  and  is  in- 
serted on  Elm  wherever  sound  of  any 
nature  is  to  be  spotted. 


Hays  Sees  Universal 
Use  of  Sound  Films; 
Reveals  Export  Plan 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Will  Hays 
reached  here  Sunday  and  proceeded  with 
interviews  on  talking  pictures  as  well  as 
his  findings  in  the  European  film  situation. 
The  idea  of  the  expected  universal  use  of 
sound  pictures  was  new  to  many  Holly- 
wood people. 

He  intimated  in  his  discussions  that 
sound  pictures  and  dialogue  films  would 
be  placed  in  universal  distribution  declaim- 
ing that  the  greatest  personages  would 
be  heard  as  well  as  seen  everywhere  and 
that  these  pictures  would  be  universally 
adopted. 

As  a  result  of  negotiations  to  date  he 
said  the  principle  of  enforced  exports  of 
film  bad  been  abandoned.  As  it  is,  Ameri- 
can producers  can  send  seven  films  to 
France  for  every  French  film  they  receive. 


Jackie  Coogan  Takes  Up 
Dancing  for  Eastern  Tour 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Jackie  Coo- 
gan is  taking  an  intensive  course  of  danc- 
ing instruction  from  Fanchon  and  Marco, 
prior  to  his  Eastern  tour  on  the  stage. 


One  More  Film,  Then 

Estelle  Goes  to  Stage 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Estelle  Taylor 
is    making    "The     Singapore    Mutiny"    for 
F  B  O    before    leaving    for    the    East    for    a 
season  on  the  legitimate  stage. 


Joseph  Dowling  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Joseph  J. 
Dowling,  one  of  the  screen's  finest  actors, 
and  a  member  of  the  cast  of  "The  Miracle 
Man,"  died  at  his  home  here.  Dowling 
was  78  years  old. 


Claire   Foley   on    Vacation 

SAN  FRANCISGO. — Miss  Claire  Foley,  secretary 
of  the  San  Francisco  Film  Board  of  Trade,  left 
recently  on  a  vacation  to  be  spent  at  her  former 
home    at    Omaha. 


Ford  Begins  "Riley  the  Cop" 
for  Fox;  Studios  Grow  Quiet 

Six  Pictures  Begun  During  Week,  11  Completed;  MGM  Starts 

"Alias  Jimmy  Valentine";  William  K.  Howard  Completes 

"River  Pirate";  Jannings  in  "Sins  of  the  Fathers" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10. — One  big  time  director  went  into  action  this 
week  with  a  production  being  made  by  and  to  be  released  by  Fox  Film  Cor- 
poration. The  b.  t.  d.  is  Jack  Ford,  maker  of  "Four  Sons,"  "Mother  Machree" 
and  "Hangman's  House"  of  recent  showing  and  maker  of  other  great  pieces 
of  past  years.  Ford's  picture  now  under  way  is  another  of  Irish  tenor  and 
stars  the  Irish  Farrell  MacDonald.  It  is  known  by  the  title,  "Riley  the  Cop." 
The  scenario,  I  believe,  deals  with  a  New      call     a     novel     by     that     name.       Edward 


York  policeman  who  figures  in  many  more 
or  less  highly  dramatic  incidents.  Ford  is 
the  director  who 
can  make  the  inci- 
dents effectively 
dramatic  and  yet 
surround  them  with 
heart  interest  that 
gives  any  box  of- 
fice a  silver  lining. 

Five  other  motion 
pictures  were  begun 
this  week  which 
warrant  comment. 
The  MGM  film  is 
being  directed  by 
Jack  Conway  and 
features  Bill  Haines 
and  Karl  Dane.  The 
title    "Alias    Jimmy 

Valentine"  is  on  it  now  but  nothing  has 
been  said  to  explain  whether  this  is  the 
same  "Valentine"  story  that  has  been 
screened  before.  Whether  or  not  however 
it  is  of  little  consequence  at  the  moment 
and  can  be  determined  when  the  picture 
is  on  the  gelatine. 

Of   the    other   four    Paramount    has    one 
called    "Sins    of   the    Fathers."      You'll    re- 


John    Ford 


CHARLES  G.  CLARKE 


A.  S.  C. 

Photographer     of 
"FOUR    SONS" 
"THE    RED    DANCER" 
for    Fox 


name. 
Berger  is  the  director.  Jannings  is  the 
star.  Little  fiery  Ruth  Chatterton,  whom, 
you  probably  have  never  seen  (unless  you 
live  in  California  or  New  York)  will  be 
opposite  him. 

Bennett    Kept    Busy 

The  name  of  Belle  Bennett  distinguishes 
a  film  (begun)  by  the  name  of  "Power  of 
Silence"  at  Tiffany-Stahl.  Miss  Bennett 
is  working  under  the  direction  of  Wallace 
Worsley.  She  has  proved  one  of  a  limit- 
ed number  of  free  lance  players  who 
are  constantly  kept  in  demand.  It  is  due, 
of  course,  to  the  following  she  has  built 
and  to  one  or  two  minor  items. 

As  the  trade  little  suspects  perhaps  such 
a  thing  as  a  player's  demand  depends  very 
little  on  his  trouping  ability.  Good  troup- 
ers are  all  right  enough  but,  like  good  ad- 
vertising, it  must  be  accompanied  by  other 
ingredients. 

Howard  Builds  Big  Set 

William  K.  Howard  completed  a  picture, 
"River  Pirate,"  for  Fox  Film  Corporation 
last  week.  It  features  Victor  MacLaglen, 
Lois  Moran  and  Nick  Stuart. 

Howard  has  worked  with  a  remarkable 
(,Continued  on  page  39) 


~~ 

Nick 

^mm 

Musuraca        jl^BmH^^^--^ 

is   photographer 

of 

p    '^P  ^ 

"When   the 

- 

Law  Rides" 

"VaUey   of 
Superstition" 

"Terror 
Mountain" 

FBO  Studios 

A.  S.  C. 

■\ 

38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Hays^    Kennedy    and    Laemmle    in 
West;  Producers  to  Meet 

Universal  Chief  Arrives  Home  After  Two  Month  Absence — M  G  M  Gets 

Rights  to  "Mrs.  Cheney" — Taurog  at  Fox  Studios 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Jul}^   10. — Will  Hays  arrived   on  his   semi-annual  visit 
to  the  studios  yesterday.     His  arrival  w^as  followed  and  preceded  by 
the  arrival  of  numerous  other  figures  of  the  industry.     Carl  Laemmle, 
senior,  reached  home  after  a  two  months  visit  in  the  East. 


JOSEPH  P.  KENNEDY,  identified  now 
J  with  Pathe,  F  B  O  and  First  National, 
arrived  todaj^  with  Richard  A.  Rowland. 
Joseph  Schenck  has  been  here  a  few  days 
from  the  East.  He  will  leave  this  week  for 
Europe. 

The  Hays  visit  is  thought  to  be  chiefly 
for  the  purpose  of  attending  a  meeting  of 
the  producers  association  this  week.  Other 
producers  arriving  simultaneously  apparent- 
ly have   that  interest   in   common. 

*  *     * 

Norma  Talmadge  returned  from  a  visit 
to  Honolulu  a  day  or  two  ago  and  stepped 
in  on  the  cutting  of  "The  Woman  Dis- 
puted," which  was  directed  by  Henry  King. 

*  *     * 

Norma  Shearer  will  have  the  title  role  of 
"The  Last  of  Mrs.  Cheney."  The  stage 
play  was  purchased  several  months  ago  by 
Joseph  Schenck  and  was  intended  as  a 
starring  vehicle  for  Constance  Talmadge. 
Plans  were  suddenly  shifted  and  the  story 
was  given  to  John  Barrymore  who  was  to 
make  it  as  a  male  starring  film.  Jack's  in- 
terest in  it  waned  almost  from  the  first, 
however,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  dis- 
pose of  the  story  rights.  M  G  M  and  others 
bid    on    it.      That    company    succeeded    two 


days  ago  in  clinching  it  for  a  Shearer  ve- 
hicle to  be  directed  by  Robert  Z.  Leonard. 
No  announcement  has  yet  been  made  as 
to  the  picture  Constance  Talmadge  will 
have  to  replace  it.  Norma  has  likewise  been 
unable  to  obtain  a  suitable  story  for  her 
next  picture. 

Howard  Hawks'  return  to  Hollywood  to- 
day brought  the  announcement  that  "The 
Air  Circus"  will  now  be  completed.  Hawks 
left  four  weeks  ago  for  Honolulu  following 
his  marriage  to  Athol  Ward.  He  is  also  the 
director  who  made  "Fazil"  for  Fox  Films. 

^     ^     ^ 
Finis  Fox  to  Write 
Two  Del  Rio  Films 

Finis  Fox  will  spend  the  summer  writing 
scenarios  for  two  pictures  to  be  released 
by  United  Artists.  Each  will  star  Dolores 
Del  Rio  and  will  be  directed  by  Edwin 
Carewe.  Carewe  will  leave  within  a  few 
weeks  for  Europe  with  members  of  his  com- 
pany. They  will  be  preceded  by  Harry 
Wilson,  advance  ambassador. 
*         *     * 

Since  this  column  has  been  more  or  less 
devoted    to    people    coming    and    going    to 

(Continued  on  page  60) 


— ''you  can't  beat  Tylers  for  Box  Office'' 


THE  FLYING  U 
RANCH:  Tom 
Tyler  —  They 
liked  this  produc- 
tion and  it  drew 
well.  It  brought 
out  plenty  of  ap- 
plause. E.  Vet- 
ter.  Majestic  the- 
atre,  Homer, 
Mich. 


DESERT  PIRATE:  Tom  with  his 
pals  always  does  his  entertaining 
right.  Frankie  Darro  good  as 
usual.  Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.   D. 

SPLITTING       THE       BREEZE: 

Another  good  Western.  It  was 
well  liked  by  all. — Halliburton  and 
Burns,  Texline  theatre,  Texline, 
'Jcx. 


Here's  What  They  Do 
To  Give  You  a  Thrill 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Motion 
picture    scenes    can    sometimes    give 
more  thrills  to  the  makers  than  the 
audience  eventually  receives. 

During  the  filming  of  Fred  Thom- 
son's Paramount  picture,  "Kit  Car- 
son," eight  members  of  the  company 
spent  an  afternoon  on  a  pinnacle  of 
rock  1,500  feet  above  the  floor  of 
Coal  Mine  Canyon  in  the  Navajo 
reservation.  Dorothy  Janis  and  Ra- 
oul  Paoli  leaned  against  a  strong 
wind  as  they  worked,  and  perched 
below  them  on  a  shelf  of  rock  was 
Mr.  Thomson,  Director  Alfred  L. 
Werker,  Mack  Stengler,  chief  cam- 
eraman, and  his  assistants.  Ropes 
were  attached  to  the  cameras,  and 
all  the  men  around  them  clung  to  the 
tripods  to  keep  themselves  from  slid- 
ing off  the  loose  shale  rock. 

All  this  risk  was  taken  to  get  a 
vista  of  cathedral-like  pinnacles  in 
the  background. 


Willat  Takes  Staff  and  30 
Extras  to  Pedro  Location 
for  Columbia's  "Depths" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Irvin  Willat 
who  is  directing  "Into  the  Depths"  for 
Columbia  took  the  complete  staf?  and  30 
extras  to  San  Pedro  last  week  for  scenes. 
Jack  Holt  has  the  starring  role  in  the  sea 
production. 

Rayart  Completes  Two 

on  1928-29  Program 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Rayart  Pictures 
Corporation  under  the  supervision  of  Trem 
Carr  has  finished  the  first  two  of  the  1928-29 
pictures  on  the  Rayart  Program  and  is  at 
work  on  the  third.  The  first  picture  to  be 
completed  was  "The  Divine  Sinner,"  and  the 
second  release,  a  Duke  Worne  production,  is 
"The  Man  From  Headquarters."  The  third 
release,  on  which  shooting  has  just  started,  is 
"Sweet  Sixteen,"  from  the  story  by  Phyllis 
Duganne. 

U.  S.  Admits  It  Erred 
on  Clara  K.  Young  Tax 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Clara  Kimball 
Young  Monday  faced  preliminary  hearing 
in  the  suit  of  the  United  States  against  her 
for  the  recovery  of  nearly  $2,000  which  is 
said  to  have  been  returned  to  her  on  her 
income  tax  adjustment  for  last  year.  It 
is  charged  that  the  government  erred  in 
the  return. 

"Gang"  Gets  High  Grade 
in  Brain  Test  by  Prof. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Hal  Roach's 
"Gang"  were  given  intelligence  tests  by 
Justin  W.  Brierly,  child  psychologist  of 
Columbia  university,  in  collaboration  with 
Dr.  William  M.  Marstonk,  one  of  the 
psychological  heads  of  Columbia.  They 
received  high  marks. 


Max  Meyer  Joins  Pathe 

KANSAS  CITY. — Max  Meyer  has  joined  the  Pathe 
sales  force  and  is  coverinfj  Western  Kansas.  Robert 
Waterman,  cashier  at  the  Fox  exchange,  is  back  after 
two  weeks  vacation.  Tommy  Thompson,  booker  for 
United  Artists,  departed  for  a  three  weeks  vacation 
Monday,  to  motor  to  California. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


"Riley  the  Cop"  Begun 
by  John  Ford  for  Fox; 
Coast  Plants  Are  Quiet 

{Continued  from  page   37) 

selection  of  sets  on  the  picture,  one  of 
which  was  a  complete  salt  water  docks 
built  inside  a  stage.  It  is  not  a  miniature. 
It  is  full  sized  and  ingeniously  arranged. 
No  use  to  try  to  describe  it  because  it 
might  be  giving  away  valuable  secrets  and 
no  good  would  be  gained.  Nevertheless 
it  is  a  feat  seldom  attempted  by  a  director 
or  a  studio. 

Baxter-Rich   Finish   One 

William  De  Mille  has  completed  his  last 
picture  at  the  De  Mille  studios  under  his 
contract.  It  is  "Craig's  Wife."  A  strong 
cast  is  headed  by  Warner  Baxter  and  Irene 
Rich.  Baxter  is  exactly  the  type  of  the 
player  who  had  the  male  lead  of  the  stage 
play  in  the  East  and  suits  the  role  excel- 
lently.    It  will  be  a  Pathe  release. 

All  the  studios  are  operating  but  there 
is  not  the  rush  noted  six  weeks  ago.  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  is  probably  busier  than  the 
others  at  present.  Fox  is  quieter  but  con- 
tinues to  have  four  pictures  in  progress. 


ON  A   LOT  OF   THE  LOTS 


Christies  in  Control  of 
Metropolitan  Following 
End  of  Pathe's  Lease 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Pathe's  lease 
on  the  Metropolitan  studio  has  expired  and 
the  owners,  Al  and  Charley  Christie,  have 
assumed  active  control,  with  Phil  H.  Ryan 
continuing  in  charge  of  operations  and 
management. 

A  large  number  of  companies  are  at  work 
at  Metropolitan  headed  by  the  Harold 
Lloyd  and  Caddo  companies.  The  Charles 
Hutchison  company  is  starting  on  its  third 
feature  picture,  and  Trem  Carr  Productions 
are  in  the  midst  of  a  large  schedule.  Other 
producing  units  which  are  centered  at  Met- 
ropolitan include  Burton  King  Produc- 
tions, First  Division  Pictures,  Cliff 
Broughton,  Batchelor  Productions,  Mascot 
Pictures,  Varco,  Nat  Spitzler  and  part  of 
the  production  of  Anchor  Films. 

Plans  are  going  forward  rapidly  for  the 
new  construction  which  will  be  undertaken 
for  sound-stages  and  sound-recording  equip- 
ment. 


All  "t/"  Films  to  Have 
Audio  Effects:  Laemmle 

(Special  to  tne  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Carl  Laemmle 
stated  today  that  he  signed  contracts  in 
the  East  whereby  Universal  will  be  entitled 
to  unlimited  use  of  motion  picture  syn- 
chronization devices.  Many  pictures,  he 
said,  would  be  made  with  talking  sequences 
and  that  all  would  be  effect  pictures. 

He  also  stated  that  26  of  the  pictures  on 
this  year's  program  .have  been  finished  and 
are  in  exchanges  ready  to  be  sold.  Carl 
Laemmle,  Jr.,  he  said,  will  be  promoted 
immediately  to  become  supervisor  of 
"Broadway,"   a   millon   dollar   production. 


Norma  Talmadge  Returns 
from  Hawaiian  Vacation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Norma  Tal- 
madge is  back  from  her  vacation  in  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  and  is  spending  consid- 
erable time  in  the  cutting  room,  where 
"The  Woman  Disputed"  is  being  edited. 


By  FRAZIER 


HOLLYWOOD.— With  the  advent  of  sound 
and  talking  pictures,  along  come  plans  for 
color  films.  This  old,  but  recently  revised,  idea 
has  been  discussed  for  several  months.  Several 
big  directors  and  producers  have  profited  from 
a  study  of  the  few  pictures  which  have  been 
made. 

Colored  pictures  at  first  were  prompted  by 
short  features  or  period  epics  but  now  many 
of  the  biggest  productions  have  technicolor 
sequences. 

The  result  will  prove  interesting  to  ex- 
hibitors. Past  experience  may  have  no  bearing 
on  future  pictures  but  the  reaction  of  audiences 
must  serve  as  a  pointer  as  to  what  the  public 
wants. 

At  the  present  time  several  of  filmland's  most 
prominent  directors  are  planning  technicolor  film;;, 
others  are  being  made  and  several  have  been  finished. 
Casting  for  pictures  using  the  particular  '*types"  has 
to  be  more  closely  studied,  using  tests  to  decide  the 
players. 

During  the  past  six  weeks  color  has  made  much 
headway.  Al  Ray,  Fox  director,  now  completing 
*'None  but  the  Brave,'*  is  making  several  scenes  in 
color  and  even  with  speaking  lines  in  Movietone,  but 
the  color  is  the  foremost  thought  for  this  particular 
story. 

Buck  Jones,  actor-producer,  who  is  making  his  own 
pictures  will  be  right  in  line  with  a  Western  air  story, 
which     will     have     colors     as     well     as     other     technical 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

Says — 

Am  in  the  East 
For  a  rest 

But,  Gosh!   My  mind 
Is  in  the  West. 


highlights.      Movietone   will   also    be   used    in    part. 

R.  William  Neill  is  preparing  to  start  on  **The  Life 
of  Robert  E.  Lee"  which  will  be  completely  in  tech- 
nicolor.  This  is  the  latest  of  several  he  has  made 
this    year. 

Victor  Schertzinger,  Paramount  director,  recently 
announced  his  intention  of  making  **Red  Skin,"  Rich- 
ard Dix''s  next  starring  epic,  in  this  fashion.  No 
talking,    but    with   sound    effects   and    color. 

Studio     executives,     directors     and     representatlvtts     in 
general,    are    all    awaiting    results    of    their    *'bird    dogs" 
and   will    follow    up^  with    whatever   they   deem    necessary 
for  the  production   of  bigger   and   better   pictures. 
* 

Another  director  has  suggested  that  exhibitors  in- 
form him  (or  us)  of  the  actual  public  demand  for 
color  films.  The  suggestion  prompts  us  to  raquest 
advice    from    readers    on    the    subject,    viz. : 

Do  color  pictures  exert  a  marked  strength  at  your 
box    office? 

Address  your  replies  to  5617  Hollywood  boulevard, 
care  of  The  Herald-World,  Hollywood,  Cal.  Replies 
will  be  given  to  the  director  in  quest  of  the  infor- 
mation.     Name   supplied    on   request. 


''Sunrise"  Wins  Medal 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  10.— "Sunrise,"  Fox 
production  starring  George  O'Brien  and 
Jaynet  Gaynor,  has  been  awarded  a  gold 
medal  in  Spain  as  the  best  film  of  the  pres- 
ent  season. 


ALFRED  A.  COHN 

WRITER 

Two  Pictures 

Starring  Douglas  MacLean 

Being  Produced  at 

Christie  Studios 

"Cohens   and   Kellys  in   Paris" 

"The  Jazz  Singer" 

"The  Cat  and  the  Canary" 

"We  Americans" 

"The    Last    Warning" 


I  have  asked 


AL  MARTIN 

to  change  his  copy  in  this  ad  but  he  replied  "just  say  I  still 
live  at  the  Hollywood  Plaza  Hotel  on  Vine  Street." 


AO 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 

Production  Directory 

[Number  immediately  following  title  denotes  production  number'] 


STORY 


DIRECTOR 


CHIEF 
PLATERS 


PERIOD    OF 
PRODUCTION 


STARTING 
DATE 


Columbia  Studio 


Oat  of  the 

Ir\'in  Willat 

Jack  Holt 

Depths" 

Ralph  Graves 
Dorothy  Revier 

'The  Scarlet 

Alan  Crosland 

Lya  DePutti 

Lady" 

Don  Alvarado 
Warner  Gland 

DeMille  Studio 


"Annapolis"  Christy    Cabanne  John  Mack  Shooting 

Brown 
Jeanette  Loff 

"Show  Folks"        Paul   Stein  Lina  Basquette       Preparing 

Eddie  Quillan 
Robert  Armstrong 


F  B  0  Studio 


"The    Spirit    of     Jerome   Storm 

Youth" 
"Fury  of  the         Leon    d'Ueseau 

Wild" 


Bob   Steele 
Mary   Mayberry 
Ranger 

Barbara   Worth 
Pat  O'Brien 


First  National  Studio 


'Oh  Kay" 

"Waterfront" 

"The  Wrecking 

Boss" 
"Show   Girl" 


Mervyn    LeRoy 
Wm.  Seiter 
Eddie   Cline 
Alfred  Santell 


Colleen  Moore        Shooting 

Lawrence  Gray 

Dorothy    Mackaill 

Jack  Mulhall 

Miltori  Sills 

Thelma  Todd 

Alice    White 

Charles    Delaney 

Donald  Reed 

Lee  Moran 


Fox  Studio 


Dry  Martini" 

D'Arrast 

Albert  Gran 
Mary  Astor 
Matt  Moore 

■The  River" 

Frank  Borzage 

Charlie  Farrell 
Mary  IJuncan 

'None  But   the 

AI    Ray 

Charles   Morton 

Brave" 

Sally  Phipps 
Farrell    McDonald 
Gertrude  Short 

'The  Cyclone 

R.   Lee  Hough 

Rex  Bell 

Lover" 

Patsy  O'Leary 

Starting 


Starting 


Gotham 


No    Production 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Studio 


"The  Devfl'i  Victor  Seastrom     John  Gilbert  Starting 

Mask" 
"Morgan's  Last     Nick  Grinde  Tim  McCoy  Starting 

Raid" 
"The    Single  Harry    Beaumont  Lew    Cody  Starting 

Man"  Ailecn    Pringle 

"West    of    Sanzi-Todd  Browning     Lon   Chaney 
bar"  Warner    Baxter 

Mary  Nolan 
"Alias    Jimmy        Jack  Conway         William  Haines 
Valentine"  Karl  Dane 

Lionel   Barrymore 


May  19 
May  15 


June  1 
June    19 


June   25 
June  27 


June  1 
June  19 
June  18 
June  25 


June  10 

June  10 
May    26 

June   13 


June  21 
June    25 

June  21 
June    23 

July  2 


STORY 


DIRECTOR 


CHIEF 
PLAYERS 


PERIOD    OF 
PRODUCTION 


STARTING 
DATE 


Metropolitan  Studio 


'Hell's  Angels"     Howard  Hughes 


"The  Mating  James   Cruza 

Call" 
"The    Chinatown  J.  P.  McGowan 

Mystery" 


"Sweet  Sixteen"    Scott  Pembroke 


Greta  Nissen 
James  Hall 
Ben  Lyon 
Thomas  Meighan 

Joe  Bonomo 
Ruth  Hiatt 
Paul    Melvern 
Francis  Ford 
Helen   Foster 
Gertrude 

Olmetead 
Reginald    Sheffield 


Paramount 


Untitled 


Frank  Tuttle 


"The  Fleet's  Mai  St.  Clair 

In" 
"Take  Me  Home"MarshalI  Neilan 


'Docks  of  New 
York" 


"Sins   of   the 


Fathers" 


Joseph  von 
Sternberg 

Edward   Berger 


Chas.  Rogers 
Mary  Brian 
Chester  Conklin 
Clara  Bow 
James    Hall 
Bebe   Daniels 
Neil   Hamilton 
George  Bancroft 
Betty  Compson 
Baclonova 
Emil    Jannings 
Ruth   Ghatterton 


Shooting 


Nov.  1 

June   2 
June  21 

June  28 


May    29 

May  19 
May  25 
June  25 

July  7 


Tec- Art  Studio 

"Revenge" 

"Romance  of  a 
Rogue" 

Edwin  Carewe       Dolores  Del  Rio    Shooting 

Leroy  Mason 
King    Baggott        H.   B.   Warner 

May  1 
June  29 

Tiffany-Stahl  Studio 

"The  Power  of 
Silence" 

Wallace                    Belle  Bennett 
Worsley 

July  5 

United  Artists  Studios 

"The  Awaken- 
ing" 
"The  Rescue" 

Victor   Fleming     Vilma  Banky          Shooting 

Herbert    Brennon  Ronald    Coleman 
Lily    Damita 

May  7 
June  20 

Universal  Studios 

'The  Collegians" 

Nat  Roea 

George  Lewis         Shooting 
Dorothy    Gulliver 

May  14 

•The  Girl  on  the 

Edward  Slomatf 

Jean  Hersholt         Shooting 

May  28 

Barge" 

Sally  O'Neil 

"The  Last 

Paul    Leni 

Laura     LaPlante  Starting 

June  12 

Warning 

* 

"Wolves  of  the 

Lee   Jason 

Bill  Cody 

June  11 

City" 

Duane   Thompson 

"The  Mystery 

Rider" 
"Beauty    and 

Jack   Nelson 

William    Desmond 

June    28 

Ray  Taylor 

Ted  Wells 

June  28 

Bullets" 

"The  Boundry 

Joe   Levigard 

Edmund    Cobb 

July  2 

Battle" 

"The  Range 

Walter   Fabian 

Bob  Curwood 

July  2 

Wolf" 

Marjorie  Bonner 

Warner  Brothers 

"The  Singing 

Lloyd    Bacon 

Al    Jolson                Shooting 

June  4 

Fool 

Betty  Bronson 
Josephine  Dunn 
Reed  Howes 

"The   Outlaw 

Ross   Lederman 

Ein-Tin-Tin 

July  2 

Dog" 

Matty   Kemp 
Evelyn  Pierce 

"My  Man" 

Archie  Mayo 

Fannie  Brice 
"Big   Boy" 

Williams 
Edna  Murphy 
Andre   De    Segxir- 

ola 
Richard  Tucker 
Billy   Seay 

June  19 

"The    Little 

Ray  Enright 

Audrey  Ferris 

June  20 

Wildcat" 

James  Murray 
Doris  Dawson 
George  Fawcett 

July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Columbia  Extends 
Its  Program  to  Make  It 
"The  Perfect  36" 
In   1928-29 


COLUMBIA'S    line-up    for    the    1928-29 
season  surpasses  in  scope  and  magni- 
tude   any    program   this    company    has 
ever  attempted. 

Over  $4,000,000  has  been  budgeted  to  pro- 
duction. The  stories  chosen  have  been  se- 
lected from  thousands,  and  represent  the 
work  of  authors  known  vi^herever  books  and 
magazines  are  read.  Conspicuous  in  the 
line-up  are  several  stage  plays  that  were 
outstanding  hits. 

To  bring  these  stories  to  the  screen,  the 
studio  personnel  has  been  strengthened.  In 
the  scenario  and  directorial  branches,  par- 
ticularly, no  expense  has  been  spared  to  ob- 
tain the  right  type  of  technicians  to  bring 
^'The  Perfect  36"  to  the  screen  in  a  way  that 
will  reflect  credit  upon  its  sponsors  and 
Turing  profits  to  theatres  booking  the 
product. 

Will  Use  Synchronization 

In  addition,  Joe  Brandt,  president  of 
Columbia,  announces  that  he  has  made  ar- 
rangements to  synchronize  the  first  release 
on  the  1928-29  program.  As  soon  as  it  has 
"been  decided  which  of  "The  Perfect  36"  is 
to  be  the  first  synchronized  release,  defi- 
nite announcement  will  be  made  to  the 
■trade. 

"The  Perfect  36"  program  for  1928-29  is 
-made  up  of  10  De  Luxe  Special  productions 
and  26  Net  Profit  Features,  for  which  Harry 
Cohn  has  already  under  contract  the  follow- 
ing distinguished  directors:  George  B.  Seitz, 
Alan  Crosland,  Frank  Capra,  Irvin  Willat 
and  Millard  Webb,  whose  past  efforts  have 
won  for  them  notable  honors.  Authors  in- 
clude John  Emerson  and  Anita  Loos,  Fan- 
nie Hurst,  Owen  Davis,  Louis  Joseph 
Vance,  Cosmo  Hamilton,  Elizabeth  Alex- 
ander, Willard  Mack,  Count  Leo  Tolstoi, 
Frederick  A.  Thompson,  Gertrude  Atherton, 
Norman  Springer,  Richard  Harding  Davis, 
Rupert  Hughes,  Alfred  Henry  Lewis,  Mary 
Roberts  Rinehart  and  Elmer  Harris. 

Among  the  stars  already  under  contract 
are  some  of  the  finest  box-office  assets  in 
the  industry,  including  Jack  Holt,  Bert 
Lytell,  Lois  Wilson,  Margaret  Livingston, 
Betty  Compson,  Lya  de  Putti,  Don  Al- 
varado,  Dorothy  Revier,  Warner  Oland  and 
Olive  Borden. 

The  De  Luxe  Specials 

The  ten  De  Luxe  Specials  are  "The  Fall 


JACK  COHN 

Treasurer 


of  Eve,"  from  the 
play  by  John  Em- 
erson and  Anita 
Loos;  "Trial  Mar- 
riage," from  the 
Saturday  Evening 
Post  serial  story 
by  Elizabeth  Al- 
exander, directed 
by  Millard  Webb; 
"T  h  e  Donovan 
Affair,"  mystery 
play  by  Owen 
Davis;  "The 
Younger  Genera- 
tion," from  the 
play  and  maga- 
zine story,  "It  Is 
to  Laugh,"  by 
Fannie  Hurst; 
"Court  -  Martial," 
a  high-tension  ac- 
tion drama  star- 
ring Jack  Holt,  with  many  scenes  in  Techni- 
color; "Acquitted,"  from  the  Cosmopolitan 
story  by  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart;  "Into  the 
Depths"  (temporary  title),  by  Norman 
Springer,  directed  by  Irvin  Willat  and  star- 
ring Jack  Holt;  "Father  and  Son,"  from 
the  story,  "Stepmother,"  by  Elmer  Harris; 
"Redemption,"  from  the  play  by  Count  Leo 
Tolstoi;  and  "The  Scarlet  Woman,"  di- 
rected by  Alan  Crosland  and  starring  Lya 
de  Putti,  who  is  supported  by  Don  Alvarado 
and  Warner  Oland. 

The  "Net  Profit"  Group 
The  26  Net  Profit  pictures  are  "The  Lone 
Wolf's  Daughter,"  by  Louis  Joseph  Vance; 
"Nothing  to  Wear,"  "A  Broadway  Hoofer," 
the  story  of  a  jazz  dancer;  "The  Wildcat," 
"The  Street  of  Illusion,"  "The  Sideshow," 
a  story  of  racketeers;  "The  Love  Captive," 
"Runaway  Girls,"  a  drama  of  missing  girls; 
"Light  Fingers,"  a  mystery  crook  drama  by 
Alfred  Henry  Lewis;  "The  Flying  Marine," 
a  fast-moving  story  dealing  with  aviation; 
"Stool  Pigeon,"  underworld  drama;  "Green 
Eyes,"  "The  Spice  of  Life,"  "Object — Ali- 
mony," by  Elmer  Harris;  "Behind  Closed 
Doors,"  mystery  drama;  "The  Apache,"  a 
story  of  the  Parisian  underworld;  "Rest- 
less Youth,"  adapted  from  the  magazine 
story,  "Restless  Souls,"  by  Cosmo  Hamil- 


JOE  BRANDT 

President 

of  Columbia  Pictures 

Corporation 


HARRY  COHN 

Vice-President 


ton;  "Hurricane,"  by  Norman  Springer  and 
starring  Hobart  Bosworth;  "The  Power  of 
the  Press,"  from  the  Frederick  A.  Thomp- 
son story  published  in  McClure's;  "The 
Bachelor  Girl,"  "The  Wicked  Angel," 
"Greenwich  Village,"  "The  College  Co- 
quette," "Sinners'  Parade,"  by  David  Lewis; 
"The  Faker,"  and  "Driftwood,"  adapted 
from  a  story  by  Richard  Harding  Davis. 
Directors  of  Proven  Calibre 

An  impressive  list  of  directors  will  mold 
"The  Perfect  36"  into  box-office  form  for 
Columbia  this  coming  season.  Each  has 
definitely  established  his  position  in  the 
cinema  world  and  has  behind  him  a  record 
of  achievement  which  has  won  solid  recog- 
nition. 

George  B.  Seitz  directed  "The  Blood 
Ship,"  "The  Warning,"  "Wild  Hovse  Mesa," 
"The  Last  Frontier"  and  "The  Vanishing 
American." 

Alan  Crosland  during  the  past  two  years 
has  directed  several  road  shows.  These  in- 
clude "Don  Juan,"  "When  a  Man  Loves," 
"Old  San  Francisco,"  "Glorious  Betsy"  and 
"The  Jazz  Singer.'  He  is  now  directing  Lya 
de  Putti  in  the  Columbia  Special,  "The  Scarlet 
Woman." 

Frank  Capra  once  directed  Harry  Langdon. 
Capra    was    author    and    director    of    "The 


Samuel   3.    Briskin 
Aatt,  Studio  Manager 


George    B.    Seita 
Direetor 


Irvin    Willat 
Direetor 


Alan    Crosland 
Director 


Millard    Webb 
Direetor 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Some  1928-29  Columbia  Stars — and  the  Studio 


Hobart  Bosivorth 


Bert  Lytell 


Dorothy  Revier 


Lois  Wilson 


Jack  Holt 


Margaret   Livingston 


The  enlarged  Columbia  studio  in  Hollywood 


Lya  de  Putti 


Strong  Man"  and  he  directed  "Long  Pants" 
and  "For  the  Love  of  Alike."  For  Columbia 
he  has  directed  "That  Certain  Thing,"  "So 
This  Is  Love"  and  "The  Matinee  Idol."  He 
has  just  returned  to  the  lot  after  directing  a 
picture  for  M  G  M,  to  which  company  he 
was  loaned. 

Irvin  Willat  is  an  outstanding  exponent  of 
camera  illusion  and  trick  photography.  He  is 
responsible  for  such  successes  as  "Behind  the 
Door,"  "Below  the  Surface,"  "Back  to  God's 
Country"  and  "The  Wanderer  of  the  Waste- 
land." His  first  Columbia  release  will  be  "Into 
the  Depths,"  in  which  are  many  underwater 
shots. 

Millard  Webb  has  to  his  credit  "The  Sea 
Beast,"  "The  Love  Thrill"  and  "Naughty  but 
Nice."  He  will  direct  "Trial  Marriage,"  from 
the  Saturday  Evening  Post  serial  of  the  same 
name. 

Maberry  Aids  Growth 

One  of  the  most  important  factors,  it  is 
believed,  in  the  consistent  expansion  of  Colum- 
bia is  the  attention  devoted  to  the  selection 
of  the  personnel  of  the  sales  force,  both  in 
executives  and  in  men  in  the  field,  and  Joe 
Brandt  and  Jack  Cohn  feel  that  they  have 
made  a  decided  step  forward  in  securing  Cecil 
E.  Maberry,  widely  known  executive  in  the 
distribution  and  sales  end  of  the  industry,  as 
general   sales   manager. 

He  was  successively  theatre  owner,  branch 
manager  and  then  vice-president  of  Goldwyn, 
and  for  four  years  was  Middle  West  division 
manager  for  Pathe  and  Producers  Distributing 
Corporation. 

Bringing  his  long  experience  and  the  wide 
scope  of  his  friendships  among  exhibitors  to 
the  support  of  Columbia  has  produced  imme- 
diate results  in  the  tangible  form  of  sales  and 
bookings  on  "The  Perfect  36."  These  are 
coming  in  earlier  and  in  volume  far  in  excess 
of  those  last  season  at  this  time. 

The  important  post  of  general  manager  of 


exchanges  is  held  by  Claude  H.  Macgowan, 
who  is  an  old  Universal  man,  having  been 
with  that  organization  in  various  executive 
capacities  practically  from  its  inception.  He 
produced  and  distributed  his  own  pictures  for 
a  time  and  then  hitched  his  wagon  to  Column 
bia's  star. 

"Rube"  Jackter  is  manager  of  contracts. 
J.  H.  Goldberg,  former  general  booking  man- 
ager of  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  was  re- 
cently appointed  Western  division  sales  man- 
ager with  headquarters  in  Los  Angeles.  He 
has  already  given  some  striking  examples  of 
his  ability  as  a  salesman,  such  as  booking  five 


Cecil  Maberry 

General    Sales    Ufanager 


first-runs  for  Columbia  pictures  in  Los  An- 
geles in  eight  weeks  and  another  first-run  in 
San  Francisco  in  the  same  period.  He  is  book- 
ing Columbia  product  100  per  cent  in  West 
Coast  theatres. 

Foreign  Sales  Grow 

Steady  progress  in  foreign  fields  is  also 
reported  by  Columbia  as  a  result  of  Joe 
Brandt's  efforts  to  develop  an  international 
distributing  organization.  Columbia  features 
are  now  being  shown  in  Japan,  Burma,  India, 
Mexico,  Porto  Rico,  South  America  and  irb 
Europe. 

The  first  step  in  Columbia's  program  for  an 
international  distributing  organization  was  the 
selection  of  Frederick  E.  Shoninger  as  its  resi- 
dent manager  in  Europe.  Columbia  then 
forged  another  link  in  its  foreign  operations 
with  the  appointmnt  of  A.  V.  de  Duisin  as 
special  foreign  representative  of  the  company. 
De  Duisin  came  to  Columbia  armed  with  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  export  field 
through  many  years  devoted  to  handling  mo- 
tion pictures,  as  well  as  other  products  all 
over  the  globe.  He  joined  Columbia  after  two 
years  with  Fox.  His  first  assignment  for 
Columbia  was  an  intensive  sales  trip  through 
South  America  and  Porto  Rico,  resulting  in  a 
number  of    important   contracts. 

Brandt  Urges  World  View 

The  position  of  Columbia  Pictures  on  the 
question  of  motion  pictures  with  an  inter- 
national appeal  was  recently  stated  by  Presi- 
dent Brandt  recently,  upon  his  return  from  an 
extensive  trip  of  Europe.     He  said: 

"Serious  consideration  should  be  given  by 
producers  to  the  types  of  stories  selected.  On 
this  decision  hangs  the  success  or  failure  of  a 
picture,  and  if  in  their  deliberations,  producers 
would  study  the  world  aspect  of  a  story,  the 
final  point  of  world  circulation  will  have  been 
gained." 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT    FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK  OF  JULY   IS 

EDUCATIONA]:^"Wild  Wool-Night  Clouds,"  Out- 
door Sketches,  one;  "The  Lost  Laugh,"  Cameo, 
Wallace  Lupino,  one;  "Blondes  Beware,"  Tuxedo, 
Arthur,  two. 

M-G-M — "A  Happy  Omen,"  Oddities. 

PARAMOUNT— "Sea  Food,"  Dooley,  Christie,  two; 
"The  Companionate  Mirage,"   Krazy  Kat,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  7,  two;  "The 
Baby  Show,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  Pathe  Reyiew  No. 
29,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  one. 

UNIVERSAI^— "Sandwiches  and  Tea,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  7,  two;  "Big  Game  George," 
Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Gold  Claim,"  Western,  two. 
WEEK    OF   JULY    22 

EDUCATIONAL — "Listen  Children,"  Hamilton,  two; 
"Felix  the  Cat  in  Jungle  Bungles,"  one. 

F  B  O — Newslaff  No.  24,  one. 

FOX — "His  Favorite  Wife,"  Van  Bibber,  two;  "Ore- 
gon— The  Trail's  End,"  Varieties,  one. 

PARAMOUNT — Novelty,  two;  "Baby  Phases,"  Ink- 
well Imps,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  8,  two;  "The 
Early  Bird,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "Bunker  Battlers," 
Sportlight,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  30,  one;  Topics 
of   the  Day,  No.   30,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— "Sleigh  Bells,"  Oswald,   Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  8,  two;   "Good   Scout  Bus- 
ter," Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Yukon  Gold,"  two. 
WEEK    OF    JULY    29 

EDUCATIONAI^"Leaping  Luck,"  Davis-Collins, 
Mermaid,  two;  "Roaming  Romeo,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Hard  Work,"  Wallace  Lupino,  Cameo,  one. 

M  G  M — "Nature's   Wizardry,"   Oddities. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Out- 
numbered," Aesop  Fable,  one;  Pathe  Review  No. 
31,   one;   Topics   of   the   Day   No.    31,    one. 

UNIVERSAL — "The  Trackless  Trolley,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Broke  Out,"  Mike 
and  Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Ropin'  Romance," 
Western,  Newton  House,  two. 

WEEK    OF    AUGUST    5 

EDUCATIONAI^-"Felix  the  Cat  in  The  Last 
Life,"  one ;  "Kid  Hayseed,"  Big  Boy-Juvenile, 
two. 

FBO — "Mickey's  Babies,"  two;  "Joyful  Day," 
Standard,  two ;   Newslaff  No.  25,  one. 

FOX — "The  Elephant's  Elbows,"  Animal,  two ; 
"The   Lofty  Andes,"   Fox  Varieties,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  1,  two;  "Our  Lit- 
tle Nell,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Supper  Sex," 
Sportlight,  one ;  P'athe  Review  N"o.  32,  one ;  Top- 
ics  of   the    Day,    No.    32. 

UNIVERSAL^— "High  Up,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Newlyweds'  Anniversary,"  Snookums,  Junior 
Jewel,  two;  "Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"McGinis'  vs.  Joneses,"  two;  "The  Range.-  Patrol," 
Western,  two. 


Novel  Color-Folder  Tells 

Paramount' s  '28-29  Films 

A  novel  three-color  folder  on  Paramount's 
short  feature  product  for  the  coming  season 
has  just  been  issued.  Under  the  heading, 
"A  Short  Short  Story,"  the  four-page  folder 
is  made  up  to  resemble  a  closed  book,  the 
cover  opening  upon  a  spread  announcement 
of  the  product,  while  the  back  cover  is  de- 
voted to  Paramount  News. 


FitzPatrick  Completes 

Param,ount  Sound  Film 

James  A.  FitzPatrick  has  completed  super- 
vision of  "Schubert's  Songs,"  Victor  sound- 
on-disc  picture,  which  FitzPatrick  calls  the 
first  synchronized  picture  of  Paramount. 


This  Exhibitor  to  Give  Third  of 
Ads  to  Increased  Short  Booking 

Tivenan  &  Wolfe   Convinced   One  Snappy   Short  on   Sunday  Bill   Will 

Increase  Gross  50  Per  Cent — More  Than  One  Screenland 

Program  Saved  by  One  to  Three-Reelers 

"We  are  becoming  more  and  more  of  the  opinion  that  the  short  feature  is  a 
very  valuable  part  of  the  program,  and  the  practice  of  some  exhibitors  of  run- 
ning a  certain  number  of  feet  of  celluloid  to  fill  out  the  program  is  poor 
judgment." 

Find  That  Short  Features  Pay 

There  is  a  wealth  of  information  for  theatre  owners  in  the  foregoing  state- 
ment, from  Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  operating  the  Screenland  theatre  at  Nevada,  Ohio. 
First  of  all,  it  shows  that  experience — which  means  box  office  returns — ^has  con- 
vinced the  management  of  this  theatre  that  short  features  pay. 

In   corroborating   the    statement    of    Paul  "Our  experience  as  exhibitors  covers  enly 

B.  Hoffman  that  the  short  feature  is  a  busi-       a    relatively    small    period.      However,    we 


ness  getter  and  business  builder,  as  pub- 
lished in  last  week's  issue,  Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  through  a  letter  by  P.  B.  Wolfe  to 
this  department,  goes  a  step  farther  by  pre- 
dicting that  "one  good  snappy  short  added 
to  our  Sunday  program  would  possibly  in- 
crease our  gross  as  high  as  50  per  cent." 
Here  is  the  Tivenan  &  Wolfe  creed  on 
which  the  firm  will  base  its  programs  for 
the   coming  season: 

Even  in  our  short  experience  we  have 
had  more  than  one  program  saved  by  good 
short  features. 

We  have  bought  very  much  more  short 
product  for  1928-29. 

We  are  going  to  devote  probably  about 
one-third  of  our  advertising  to  shorts. 

We  absolutely  refuse  to  run  a  double- 
feature  bill. 

A  good  short  fits  in  admirably  to  fill  out 
and  enliven  the  program. 

We  are  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  one 
good  snappy  short  added  to  our  Sunday 
program  would  possibly  increase  our  gross 
as  high  as  50  per  cent  without  detracting 
one  whit  from  the  "morality"  of  our  Sun- 
day entertainment. 

By  adding  the  digest  of  the  T.  &  W. 
letter  in  the  opening  programs  we  would 
have  a  real  decalogue  of  showmanship — 
short  feature  showmanship. 

Of  particular  importance  also  is  the  de- 
termination of  the  Screenland  theatre  to 
increase  its  advertising  of  short  product  to 
one-third  of  the  total  budget.  Advertising 
talks,  for  the  exhibitor  as  well  as  any  other 
business  man,  and  it  not  only  talks  but  it 
announces  the  exhibitor's  policy  and  tells 
the  story  of  his  ticket  office  as  nothing  else 
can. 

Profit  by  T.  &  W.'s  Experience 

Almost  every  word  in  Tivenan  &  Wolfe's 
note  is  an  invitation  to  other  theatre  own- 
ers to  profit  by  its  experience.  The  letter 
follows: 


are  becoming  more  and  more  of  the  opinion 
that  the  short  feature  is  a  very  valuable 
part  of  the  program,  and  the  practice  of 
some  exhibitors  of  running  merely  a  cer- 
tain number  of  feet  of  celluloid  to  fill  out 
the  program  is  poor  judgment.  Even  in 
our  short  experience  we  have  had  more 
than  one  program  saved  from  being  an 
utter  flop  and  a  disgrace  to  our  theatre 
by  good  short  features  accompanying  the 
main  picture. 

Increases  Short  Product 

"You  will  have  noted  that,  while  we  re- 
port regularly  (to  the  'What  the  Picture 
Did  for  Me  department')  on  short  features, 
our  bill  has  never  contained  more  than  one. 
Also,  we  have  not  advertised  them  except 
in  a  general  way.  However,  this  will  be 
changed  for  the  coming  season.  We  have 
bought  very  much  more  short  product  for 
1928-29  than  we  used  this  nast  year,  and 
we  are  going  to  devote  probably  about  one- 
third  of  our  advertising  to  shorts.  We  ab- 
solutely refuse  to  run  a  double-feature  bill, 
believing  that  such  practice  is  all  wrong, 
although  fully  realizing  the  need  for  an 
addition  to  the  program  in  many  cases.  It 
is  in  such  cases  that  a  good  short  fits  in 
admirably  to  fill  out  and  enliven  the  pro- 
gram. 

Hoffman  Absolutely  Right 

"Mr.  Hoffman  is  absolutely  right.  We 
have  been  running  a  rather  stilted  program 
on  Sundays  in  deference  to  the  orthodox 
church  element.  But  after  having  studied 
over  the  matter  and  felt  out  the  temper  of 
our  patrons  we  are  strongly  of  the  opinion 
that  even  one  good  snappy  short  added  to 
our  Sunday  program  would  possibly  in- 
crease our  gross  as  high  as  50  per  cent 
And  do  it,  with  proper  selection,  without 
detracting  one  whit  from  the  'morality'  of 
our  Sunday  entertainment.  It  shall  be  done. 

"Thank  you  for  your  interest  in  our 
opinions." 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


Y^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Chicago  Senate 

Week  Ending  July  7 

This  was  homecoming  week  for  Mark  Fisher,  who 
returned  to  the  Weet  Side  house  after  a  successful 
run  at  the  Oriental  theatre.  The  canopy,  lobby  and 
street  was  well  displayed  and  decorated  for  the 
event  and  the  long  lines  waiting  to  get  in  at  a  sup- 
per show  proved  that  Fisher  is  still  the  idol  of  his 
former    days. 

The  stage  show  was  called  "Fine  Feathers"  and 
with  a  few  exceptions  was  the  exact  staging  that 
was  originally  produced  at  the  Oriental  a  few  weeks 
ago.  The  opening  showed  the  orchestra  in  the  pit 
playing  an  arrangement  while  a  colored  film  was 
flashed  on  a  scrim  curtain  as  a  bird  whistler  chirped 
off   some   tunes. 

After  this  Mark  Fisher  made  his  entrance  by 
stepping  into  the  pit  to  give  a  short  talk  about 
his  return  and  the  new  theatre  that  would  eoon 
open  where  he  would  make  his  headquarters  in  the 
future.  For  nearly  a  minute  the  audience  kept  on 
applauding  and  was  without  a  doubt  one  of  the  most 
welcome  and  wholehearted  reception  ever  accorded 
anyone  in   picture   houses. 

The  first  band  number  which  Mark  directed  was 
"When  You're  Smiling,"  one  of  his  own  composi- 
tions, which  he  also  vocalized.  The  applause  for  this 
specialty  was  tremendous. 

Hall  and  Esley,  a  man  and  woman,  followed  next 
with  a  series  of  untitled  dance  capers  that  served 
more  or  less  as  a  fill  in  or  rather  killed  enough 
time  so  the  orchestra  boys  could  move  from  out  of 
the   pit   to   the   stage   band. 

The  next  speciality  was  Mark  Fisher  again  singing, 
this  time  the  popular  Berlin  tune  called  "Beloved" 
with  Charlie  Buckwalter  accompanying  him  on  the 
piano  from  the  pit.  This  won  a  very  big  hand  and 
compelled  Mark  to  repeat  a  chorus.  The  ballet  girls 
followed  next  with  a  clever  routine  called  "The 
Flamingo  Strut"  one  of  the  best  creations  ever 
staged  by   the  Abbott   Girls. 

Evans  and  Perez,  two  men,  came  on  next  with 
many  daring  stunts  on  a  high  pole  and  ball  juggling 
by  foot-work.  It  was  one  of  the  best  routines  of 
its  kind  ever  seen  in  a  picture  house  and  they  cer- 
tainly walked  away  with  plenty  of   applause. 

Doris  Koc,  a  cute  little  blonde  songstress,  replaced 
Edna  Kirby  with  peppy  songs,  such  as  "It's  Just 
Too  Bad"  and  "A  Lot  to  Learn."  She  worked  with 
Mark  a  great  deal  and  won  a  pretty  nice  hand  on 
her  own  merits,  for  which  she  repaid  with  a  dance 
called  "The  Sugar  Foot  Strut."  Although  working 
something  along  the  Peggy  Bernier  type,  she  has  a 
fine  personality  for  this  sort  of  work  and  should 
click. 

Earl  La  Vcre  came  on  next  with  his  wise  gags 
and  smart  chatter  accompanied  now  and  then  by  a 
few  notes  on  his  accordian.  Most  of  his  jokes  this 
time  were  about  a  Scotchman.  They,  however,  won 
considerable  laughs  and  a  very  big  hand  which 
proved  that  the  dear  public  evidently  appreciated 
them. 

Mark  Fisher  next  sang  the  theme  song  of  the  show 
called  "Fine  Feathers"  as  the  ballet  costumed  in 
pretty  plumes  gathered  around  band  as  huge  fan 
in  background  parted  displaying  Sybil  Sanderson 
Fagan,  the  bird  whistler  and  all  the  cast  on  for  the 
finale. 

According  from  applause  and  manner  in  which  the 
show  was  handled  it  eeems  that  the  novelty  of  a 
pit  orchestra  is  besinninK  to  click  with  picture  bouse 
I>eople. 


Johnnie  Devine 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 

Publix     Goes     For     Beauty     Contest 

Thirty  Theatres 

Searching  for 

Miss  Chicago 

Affiliated    Circuits    Offer    Fine 

Prizes    to    the   Winners    of 

American  Venus  Contest 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

With  the  constant  report  that  no 
national  bathing  beauty  pageant  will 
be  held  this  year  at  Atlantic  City, 
Balaban  and  Katz  and  its  affiliated 
circuits  are  capitalizing  on  this  fact 
by  holding  their  own  bathing  beauty 
contest.  The  affair  will  be  conducted 
in  association  with  Publix  Theatres, 
Lubliner  and  Trinz,  Lynch  Circuit, 
Stern-Brockell  and  Balaban  and  Katz, 
involving  more  than  30  theatres  in 
the  city  of  Chicago.  At  present  the 
preliminaries  are  being  held  at  each 
of  the  above  theatres  after  which 
finals  will  be  held  immediately  after 
the  fourth  preliminaries. 

This  year  the  affair  will  be  exploited 
under  the  heading  of  "The  American  Venus 
Beauty  Contest"  which  will  last  for  a  period 
of  six  weeks.  Chicago's  fairest  daughter 
who  may  be  the  lucky  winner  of  the  title 
of  "Miss  Chicago"  will  be  given  a  trip  to 
Europe.  Two  other  beauties  who  win  the 
second  and  third  semi-finals  will  be  given 
trips  to  the  Pacific  Northwest  and  Yellow- 
stone Park.  Twenty-six  other  winners  of 
the  elimination  contest  will  be  given  sum- 
mer vacation  trips  to  Colorado. 

The  winning  girls  of  the  various  neigh- 
borhoods will  travel  together  on  the  Colo- 
rado trip  which  will  consist  of  one  week 
with  all  expenses  paid  and  a  personally  con- 
ducted trip  through  a  service  bureau.  The 
stop-overs  will  include  Denver,  Colorado 
Springs  and  Pike's  Peak. 

The  second  prize  at  each  local  theatre 
will  be  an  all  electric  radio  called  "The  Ma- 
jestic." The  third  prize  will  be  a  Q.  R.  S. 
Movie  Camera  and  Projector.  Pretty  win- 
ners of  the  semi-finals  will  get  a  two  weeks 
vacation  in  the  Canadian  Rockies  and 
Yellowstone  National  Park  through  a  per- 
sonally conducted  tour. 

GrEuid  Final  at  Chicago  Oriental 

The  contest  will  terminate  in  a  grand 
final  at  Balaban  &  Katz  Oriental  theatre, 
Chicago,  in  about  six  weeks  where  all  of  the 
beauties  selected  from  the  preliminaries  and 


Here's  a  chap  who  proved  that  community  singiitg 
is  an  asset  to  a  deluxe  theatre  by  dishing  out 
novelty  solos  every  week  at  the  Patio  in  Chicago^ 
in  fact  Devine  is  one  of  the  most  popular  organists 
in    picture   houses. 


ORGANISTS! 

The  weathers  warm yes! 

An  appropriate  song  for  these  dog-days 

"READY  FOR  THE  RIVER"— the 

super  special  organ  presentation 

"LAMENTATIONS" 

introducing 

"READY  FOR  THE  RIVER" 

is   ready  for  you 

JUST  A  FEW  SETS  LEFT 

The  song  is  by 

GUS  KAHN  and  NEIL  MORET 

The  slide  version  is  by 

WALTER  HIRSCH 
Write,   phone   or  wire 

VILLA  MORET,  INC. 

(Tlie  Voice  of  the  West) 

At  their  New  Yorlt,  Chicago  or  San  Francisco  Offlces 

— order  your  slides — now 

New  York  Chicago 

1595  Broadway  504  Woods  BldK. 

San  Francisco:     935  Market  Street 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


You  Can't  Go  Wrong 


VOO'RE    A    REAL      ,, 
SWEETHEART 

DON'T  CRV  BABV" 


|v 


LONESOAAE   \N 

THE  MOONLIGHT  { 

GOTTA  BIG  date: 

WITH  A  UTTLE  GIRL'^ 

'boWM  WHERE  ^, 

THE  SUN  GOES   DOWW 

'cast  NIGHT  I  DPEAiVieD 
VOU   KISSED  N\^" 

\  TORE  OP  VOUR  PICTURE 
WHEN  VOU  SAID  GOODBVE' 

*''(V)  WINGIN'HOME'^ 
''CHIQUITA' 
'THAT'S  (VIV  dAAftftMV/ 


?. 


IS  IT  GONWA  BE  LOWG?} 

(TILL  YOU  BELONG  TO  me; 

'too  busy'' 
bixie  DAWN" 
'say'ves'to-daV 

*DO  LORES" 
'WAIT IN' FOR  KATV 
(COQUETTE" 
*(V)Y  OHIO  HOME"" 


// 


THERE   MUST  BE  // 

"A  SILVER  LINING 
'iNDICiN  CRADLE  SONG 


LEO.FEISX  INC 

231  v<40^"St., 

NBw  ronK,N.Y 


semi-finals  will  receive  credentials  for  their 
prizes  and  winner  of  the  "Miss  Chicago" 
title,  her  32-day  tour  to  Europe  personally 
supervised  by  a  travel  bureau.  The  contest 
allows  unmarried  girls  only  to  take  part 
between  the  ages  of  16  and  25. 

Managers  of  each  theatre  are  registering 
the  local  girls  and  Sam  Herman  is  per- 
sonally conducting  the  preliminary  semi- 
finals and  Final  contest  for  the  theatre 
circuits. 

Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discuss  important  matters  bearing 
upon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  wiU  be  published. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  This  is 
my  first  letter  to  you,  so  I'll  try  to  make  it  as  inter- 
esting as  possible.  Hope  you  won't  be  bored  stiff ! 
Guess  you  know  all  about  the  Black  Hills,  owning 
to  the  publicity  this  country  received  last  summer 
when  President  Coolidge  was  here.  Have  been  play- 
ing here  at  the  Elks  just  a  year  this  month.  This 
is  the  only  deluxe  theatre  having  an  organ  in  the 
Black  Hills.  A  few  weeks  ago  I  had  a  nice  visit 
with  Ramon  Beery,  who  has  been  spending  his  vaca- 
tion in  the  hills.  He  said  he  had  a  great  time, 
except  for  the  fact  that  it  rained  nearly  every  day 
he  was  here.  But  now,  that  is  all  over  and  the 
summer  season  is  here.  I  met  several  presentation 
artists  and  organists  last  siunmer  when  they  came 
through  Rapid  City.  If  you  want  a  real  vacation 
the  Hills  is  the  place,  and  now  that  the  new  Hotel 
Alex  Johnson  is  open  the  best  of  accommodations 
can  be  had.  There  are  all  kinds  of  sports,  wonder- 
ful places  to  see  things,  and  I  don't  mean  per- 
haps. Tell  my  Chicago  organists  to  be  sure  and 
stop  in  and  let  me  know  they  are  in  town  when 
they  visit  the  Black  Hills.  Will  be  glad  to  get 
acquainted  and  would  like  to  talk  with  them  about 
Chicago,  for  it  has  been  nearly  three  years  since 
I  left  Chi. 

This  week  for  my  organ  solo  I  am  using  Lamenta- 
tions, which  introduces  "Ready  for  the  River,"  by 
Gus  Kahn  and  Neil  Moret.  This  special  is  put  out 
by  Villa  Moret,  Inc.,  and  is  really  something  differ- 
ent. It  made  a  great  hit  for  me.  "Ready  for  the 
River"  is  something  along  the  style  of  "Chloe" 
or  negro  spiritual  or  folk  song,  and  is  sure  'nuf 
different.  Last  week  I  used  "Oh  You  Have  No 
Idea,"  a  new  comedy  song  that  went  over  very  well, 
published  by  Ager  Yellen  &  Bornstein.  Running 
out  of   paper,   so  I'll   stop.      More  next   time. 

With  kindest  regards — Joe  Brite,  Organist,  Elks 
theatre.   Rapid   City,   S.   D. 


Indian  Chief  Made  Repre- 
sentative of  Pontiac  Car 

Chief  Eagle  Feather,  now  playing  Publix  theatres 
and  formerly  a  featured  player  in  several  motion 
pictures,  has  been  made  the  official  national  repre- 
sentative for  the  Pontiac  automobile.  This  author- 
ization gives  the  Indian  chief  the  right  to  exhibit 
a  Pontiac  car  in   any   town   he  may  be  visting. 

It  also  entitles  him  to  a  car  at  his  disposal  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  engagement  and  secures  him 
a  great  deal  of  publicity  and  newspaper  tieups 
which  not  only  help  the  local  Pontiac  agency  but 
also  the  box  office  of  the  theatre  that  the  chief  is 
playing. 

This  is  one  of  the  many  unique  publicity  stunts 
arranged  by  the  publicity  department  of  the  theatre 
circuit  which  enables  the  local  theatres  to  capital- 
ize on  the   novelties. 


t^m^m 


Paul    Whiteman    Changes 
Men  and  Recording  Firm 

Paul  Whiteman  and  his  orchestra,  who  are  now 
filling  a  three  weeks'  engagement  in  Chicago  for 
Balaban  and  Katz,  are  no  longer  recording  for 
Victor,  through  some  disagreement  Whiteman  has 
transferred  his  recording  activities  to  the  Columbia 
Phonograph   Company. 

Each  year  Whiteman  and  hie  organization  makes 
a  tour  of  deluxe  picture  houses,  this  being  about 
the  fifth  return  engagement  for  Publix  and  affiliated 
theatres.  A  number  of  WTiiteman's  original  mem- 
bers of  his  immortal  band  have  branched  out  into 
their  own  musical  aggregation  lately  and  what  at 
one  time  was  claimed  as  the  most  perfect  and  most 
famous  symphonic  jazz  band  in  America  no  longer 
enjoys  this  title.  Reports  from  various  theatres 
have  it  that  the  Whiteman  organization  has  det- 
teriated  considerably   in  the  last  two  years. 


LOS41S 

about 
Everyone 


Hello  follis !  .  .  .  I  have  lots  of  news  for  you  this 
week  .  .  .  first  of  all  let  me  warn  all  you  Exhibitors 
not  to  have  any  dealings  with  Hal  Ross  who  up  to  a 
few  days  ago  was  handling  an  act  called  "Making 
Movies  on  the  Stage."  .  .  .  Lem  F.  Kennedy  the 
owner  and  director  of  the  act  gave  Ross  the  gate 
for  abusing  the  "Volstead  Act."  ...  I  also  hear  from 
managers  who  played  the  act  that  Ross  promises 
everything  and  fails  to  deliver.  .  .  .  just  a  friendly 
tip — lay-off  his  money-making  ideas  ...  in  this 
morning's  mail  I  received  an  invitation  from  Joseph 
Brite  the  only  organist  in  the  Black  Hills  to  spend 
a  few  days  there  .  .  .  the  invitation  is  also  extended 
to  any  Chicago  organist  .  .  .  thanks,  Joe.  .  .  .  Eddie 
Hanson  will  take  a  two  months'  rest  in  Europe  .  .  . 
Eddie  Meikel  will  replace  him  at  the  Uptown  and 
Tivoli.  .  .  .  Preston  Sellers  is  replacing  Henri 
Keates  at  the  Oriental  while  he  is  vacationing 
.  .  .  Louis  Lohman  takes  Meikel's  place  .  .  .  reports  , 
have  it  also  that  Eddie  House  returns  to  the  B  &  K 
fold.  .  .  .  Don  Cordon  is  now  at  the  Frolic  theatre, 
Chicago.  .  .  .  Ted  Leary  returns  to  the  Stratford 
theatre,  Chicago,  next  week.  .  .  .  Ted  Campbell  from 
Michigan  City  is  on  his  yearly  vacation.  .  .  .  ilaraon 
Berry,  just  returned  from  his,  spent  with  Joe  Brite 
in  the  Black  Hills.  .  .  .  Leonard  Smith  of  the 
Avalon,  Chicago,  is  going  to  spend  his  in  Texas.  .  .  . 
Jules  Buffano  is  now  at  the  Metropolitan  theatre, 
Los  Angeles,  as  stage  band  leader.  .  .  .  Frank 
Magine,  popular  song  writer,  has  composed  a  num- 
ber that  should  succeed  "Where  Ya  Worka,  John." 
.  .  .  It's  called  "Hey,  Cumba."  .  .  .  Speaking  of  song 
writers,  the  authors  of  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  were 
in  Chicago  last  week.  .  .  .  They  are  Joe  Lewis  and 
Sam  Young,  both  of  the  staff  of  Remick's.  .  .  .  Some 
band  should  grab  Dean  Remick,  the  clever  pianist 
who  rattles  his  stuff  in  the  Tivoli  mezzanine.  .  .  . 
Al  Manning,  personal  pianist  to  Belle  Baker,  is  now 
leading  a  stage  band  at  the  Broadway-Strand,  a 
Marks  Bros.  Chicago  house  ....  Don  Cordon,  popular 
organist  of  the  Lawndale  and  other  Chicago  houses, 
has  been  signed  as  guest  featured  organist  for  the 
Chicago  Theatres  Corp.  ...  If  you  ever  want  to  see  AI 
Kvale  at  the  Oriental  in  a  hurry  try  to  get  by  Bill 
Davis.  .  .  .  Bill  always  smiles  at  you  even  if  you  are  a 
music  publisher's  representative.  .  .  .  Mrs.  Bennie 
Krueger  and  her  daughters  Sally  Joy  and  Betty  Irene 
are  visiting  her  folks  in  the  East  for  a  few  weeks. 
.  .  .  Paul  Whiteman  is  in  Chicago  for  three  weeks. 
.  .  .  George  Dewey  Washington  is  back  into  B  &  K 
houses  after  a  successful  tour  of  Pnblix.  .  .  .  You 
ought  to  see  Mark  Fisher's  welcome  home  show  at 
the  Harding  this  week,  it  looks  like  the  homecoming 
of  a  long  lost  son.  .  .  .  Ates  &  Darling  are  playing 
picture  houses  now  after  a  tour  of  combination  thea- 
tres. .  .  .  Robert  Johns  and  Serena  Bergandi,  winners 
of  the  Chicago  Coliseum  Marathon  Dance  Contest,  are 
being  featured  by  the  Chicago  National  Playhouses. 
.  .  .  While  on  the  subject  of  contests  let  us  say  that 
there  is  another  marathon  going  on'  now  in  Chicago  at 
the  8th  Regiment  Armory,  where  all  the  dancers  are 
colored.  .  .  .  The  story  world  lost  one  of  its  best 
writers  it  ever  had  during  the  modem  age.  .  .  . 
Avery  Hopwood  is  his  name  and  he  was  drowned 
near  Juan-Le-Pins,  a  beach  resort  in  France.  .  .  . 
Latest  wire  despatches  has  it  that  Capt.  Roald 
Amundsen,  famous  Arctic  explorer,  has  been  found 
dead  near  Oslo,  Norway.  If  true  the  news  should 
sadden  the  whole  world,  for  he  was  a  brave  and 
remarkable  man.  .  .  .  Jack  Dempsey  has  become  a 
stage  star  and  will  make  his  debut  in  "The  Big  Fight," 
produced  by  Lewis,  Harris  &  Belasco  on  Broadway. 
,  .  .  Joe  Laurie,  Jr.,  is  back  into  the  two-a-day  after 
a  successful  tour  of  Publix.  .  .  .  Louise  Have,  known 
as  the  American  nightingale,  has  joined  Major  Bowes' 
Radio  Family  at  the  Capitol,  New  York.  .  .  .  Frank 
Silvers,  author  of  "Yee,  We  Have  No  Bananas,"  is 
now  stage  band  leader  at  the  Loew's  Melba  theatre 
in  Brooklyn.  .  .  .  Dave  Gould  is  training  a  new  ballet 
of  girls  to  go  into  a  Broadway  show.  .  .  .  Dave  has 
been  with  B  &  K  and  Publix  for  nearly  three  years. 
.  .  .  Elizabeth  Swanson,  daughter  of  Arthur  E.  Swan- 
son,  vice-president  of  the  Guaranty  Trust  Company 
of  Detroit,  is  very  happy  that  she  received  President 
Coolidge's  praise  at  a  reception  given  by  his  personal 
friends.  .  .  .  Elizabeth  dances  nightly  on  the  Park 
Central  Hotel  Roof  in  New   York.   .   .   .  More  later. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVIlvG  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


STAGE     SHOWS 

New  Orleans  Saenger 

Week  Ending  July  6 

Supplementing:  the  Publix  show  this  week  Castro 
Carazo  presented  an  innovation  styled  a  "production 
overture."  with  stage  settings  depicting  a  Persian 
Market  with  graceful  dancing  girls,  with  wiggles 
that  would  put  to  shame  tJie  original  Fatima  of 
years  gone  by.  sparkling  music  and  scenic  effects, 
beautiful   in   the  extreme — in   fact   a   minature  opera. 

The  Publix  production,  though  billed  to  the  skies, 
pleased  in  spots,  while  others  left  a  rather  disagree- 
able taste  in  the  mouths  of  the  audiences,  who  wel- 
comed the  coming  of  "canned  vaudeville"  as  the 
one  relief  from   bush   league  artists  on  big  time. 

The  production  styled  "Treasure  Ships"  opened 
on  a  full  stage  representing  the  forecastle  of  a 
Bucaneer  who  had  captured  a  merchant  ship,  whase 
passengers  were  supposed  to  entertain  and  amuse 
the  boss  pii-ate,  Walter  Smith,  and  his  crew,  which, 
by  the  way,  on  this  particular  occasion  was  Art 
Landry  and  his  stage  band,  attired  in  natty  pirate 
dress.  Failing  to  do  so,  the  unlucky  captives  were 
doomed   to   "walk   the   plank"   to   Davy   Jones'   locker. 

Val  and  Ernie  Stanton  opened  the  bill,  and  just 
how  they  escaped  a  watery  grave  remains  a  mysteiy 
to  those  of  the  audience  who  witnessed  their  act. 
Possibly  the  captain  of  the  pirate  ship  was  waiting 
for  a  section  of  the  ocean  where  the  water  was 
deeper  before  giving  the  sharks  a  meal.  He  cer- 
tainly displayed  bad  judgment  in  not  bumping  them 
off  before  leaving  New  York  habor.  The  Cherr.v 
Sisters  of  by  gone  days  were  wonders  compared  to 
this  team. 

Baby  Dot  Johnson,  a  six  year  old,  played  a  saxo- 
phone, danced,  sang,  twisted  Art  Landry's  necktie 
to  shreds,  and  led  the  stage  band  in  a  manner 
that  would  have  done  credit  to  one  of  mature  age 
(including  the  destruction  of  Landry's  necktie).  Dot 
received   much    applause,    which    she   was   entitled    to. 

Walter  Smith  is  a  good  vocalLst,  but  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  the  accompaniment  of  the  stage  band  no 
one  on  earth  would  ever  had  the  slightest  idea  what 
he    was    singing    about,    unless    he    happened    to    look 


THE   GREATER  DRUNKARD 
DANCERS 


JEAN 


HUBERT 


FRITZ 


Repeating  Publix  Theatres  as  a  featured 


attraction    in 


"HULA  BLUES'' 

(A  Publix  Unit) 

DIRECTION  WM.  MORRIS  AGENCY 


Is  Mr.  Duncan 
Right? 

There  is  no  small  competition  between  mio- 
tion  picture  houses  of  Kansas  City  which  use 
stage  presentations  and  those  which  do  not. 
K.  S.  Duncan,  owner  of  the  Alamo,  Roanoke 
and  Broadmour  theatres,  suburban  houses,  ran 
a  newspaper  advertisement  last  week  in  which 
he  denounced  the  fact  that  good  pictures  need 
presentation    acts   to   support  them. 

The  advertisement  then  proceeded  to  explain 
why  it  was  possible  for  a  theatre  which  did 
not  have  presentations  to  show  better  pictures 
than  those  which  did.  But,  in  the  meantime, 
both  down  town  and  suburban  theatres  which 
continue  to  offer  stage  presentations  are  at- 
tracting larger  crowds  than  those  which  do 
not. 


at  the  program.  Of  course  as  captain  of  the  pirate 
ship  he  had  a  fair  chance  of  being  saved,  as  very 
few  artists  will  commit  suicide,  especially  when  they 
have  a   season's  enagement  ahead. 

Carlo  and  Norma,  attired  as  Argentines,  done  sev- 
eral clever  dances  and  received  their  share  of  the 
applause. 

Mirth  Mack,  a  pretty  blonde,  and  a  recording  artist 
as  well,  wras  cordially  received  in  a  selection  which 
certainly  pleased  judging  from  the  number  of  en- 
cores  received. 

The  chorus,  the  Felicia  Sorrel  Girls,  slim,  peppy 
and  handsome,  made  a  creditable  showing  in  attrac- 
tive wardrobe.  In  fact  they  shook  a  wicked  hoof  and 
above  all  pleased,  not  only  the  tired  business  man, 
but  the  feminine  portion  of  the  audiences  as  well. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  July  7 

Florence  Moore,  comedy  star  of  the  legitimate  stage, 
in  person,  a  Philadelphia  girl,  heads  the  bill  at  the 
Stanley  this  week  and  surely  no  one  ever  received  a 
warmer  welcome   or   more   applause. 

Jack  Kaufman  has  succeeded  Buddy  Page  as  master 
of  ceremonies  and  he  is  a  very  personable  and 
affable  leader  who  appears  to  say  just  the  right 
thing  at  the  right  time.  The  stage  show  this  week 
was  an  entertaining  revue  entitled  "Streets  of  New 
York,"  with  a  most  realistic  setting  showing  Brook- 
lyn Bridge  and  the  New  York  sky  line  at  night. 
To  make  the  scene  still  more  realistic  lighted  cars 
crossed   the   bridge    at    intervals. 

As  an  introduction  to  the  act  the  Six  English 
Tivoli  Girls,  representing  the  fashions  of  different 
periods  appeared  as  the  Stanley  Stage  Band  played 
"Sidewalks   of    New   York." 

Jack  Kaufman  then  introduced  Novelle  Brothers, 
pantomime  artists,  who  played  the  violin  very  credit- 
ably without  dropping  a  note  while  turning  somer- 
saults  and  performing   all   kinds  of   impossible   feats. 

The  Six  English  Tivoli  Girls  appeared  dressed  as 
street  sweepers  with  brooms  as  the  band  played 
"Mary  Ann,"  and  did  some  fine  synchronized  danc- 
ing ending  with  the  goose  step. 

Peggy  English,  soprano,  sang  "Back  in  Your  Own 
Back  Yard,"  and  another  selection.  Jack  Kaufman 
introduced  George  Lyons,  harpist,  who  played 
"Mighty  Lak'  a  Rose"  and  "Ramona"  to  good  re- 
turns. 

Novelle    Brothers    appeared    again    in    an    imitation 


BENNY  and  WESTERN 

And  Their 

WHISK-BROOM  DANCE 


Now  Featured  in 
John  Murray 

Anderson's 

"Milady's  Fan" 

A   PUBLIX   UNIT 


Direction 

Wni.  Morris 

Agency 


of  two  birds  in  feather  headdress,  etc.,  and  brought 
down  the  house,  especially  the  lady  bird's  admiration 
of  a  large  diamond  (  ?)  ring  worn  by  the  male  bird 
and  her  methods  of  wheedling  it  from  him. 

Florence  Moore  is  bubbling  over  with  vivacity  and 
her  manner  of  telling  a  joke  is  inimitable.  Her 
imitations  of  a  Ziegfeld  Follies  girl  parting  from  her 
meal  ticket,  of  a  dramatic  artist  parting  from  her 
sweetheart  and  of  a  flapper  in  a  cabaret  whose  boy- 
friend has  turned  her  down  are  irresistibly  funny. 
She  was  given  an  ovation  and  as  an  encore  told  a 
funny   story   that  again   brought   down   the  house. 

The  Tivoli  Girls  in  red  and  white  with  silver 
sequins   offered  a   clever   synchronized   dance. 


San  Francisco  Warfield 

Week  Ending  July  6 

The  stage  acts  at  the  Warfield  theatre  are  getting- 
close  to  nature  these  days,  this  week's  offering  being 
the  Fanchon  and  Marco  "Bath  Tub  Idea."  It  was 
the  kind  of  revue  one  might  expect  on  a  Saturday 
night,  but  the  act  was   clean  throughout. 

Rube  Wolf,  the  inimitable  band  leader  and  master 
of  ceremonies,  announced  that  the  first  musical  offer- 
ing would  be  "The  Turkish  Towel"  and  the  song  as 
sung  by  members  of  the  orchestra  had  something  to 
do  with  towels.  Before  the  number  was  concluded  a 
back  curtain  went  up,  revealing  five  tubs  in  which 
bathing  beauties  disported  themselves,  scrubbing  and 
drying  themselves  in  unison  and  dressing  behind 
rather  diminutive  screens.  They  concluded  this  fea- 
ture by  coming  to  the  front  of  the  stage  and  danc- 
ing. 

The  master  of  fun  then  announced  a  hot  number 
in  keeping  with  the  Turkish  bath  idea,  this  being- 
dedicated  to  "the  newly  married  man  who  has  just 
learned  that  Liberty  is  only  the  name  of  a  maga- 
zine." The  offering  proved  a  real  warm  one,  with 
a  trumpet  solo  by  Rube,  and  was  accorded  a  good 
hand. 

The  Four  Gilmartin  Girls,  June,  Jane,  Joan  and 
Jean,  introduced  as  quadruplets  and  looking  as 
though  they  might  be,  sang  and  danced  in  a  pleas- 
ing manner.  They  were  followed  by  Lucille  Page, 
who  was  an  O'Neill  Kiddie  three  years  ago,  who 
gave  an   animated  version  of  the  "Varsity  Drag." 

Sweet  William  and  Bad  Bill,  Brunswick  record 
artists,  offered  their  old  vaudeville  act,  which  always 
gets  great  laughs.  A  selection  was  played  on  the 
Panatrope,  with  the  band  joining  in  the  finale. 

The  Junior  Beauties  presented  an  original  powder 
puff  dance  and  the  act  came  to  a  close  with  a 
patriotic  medley  by  the  band,  in  which  Rube  Wolf 
displayed  his  artistry  on  the  trumpet  by  playing^ 
"The  Long,  Long  Trail"  as  a  solo.  The  organ 
joined  in  the  finale  and  the  back  curtain  went  up- 
on the  Junior  Beauties  draped  in  American  flags. 


Indianapolis  Circle 


Week  Ending  July  7 

Mr.  Powell,  the  stage  director,  has  an  array  of 
fine  talent  this  week.  In  addition  to  his  own  vocal' 
offerings  which  are  received  with  as  much  acclaim. 
as  ever,  he  presents  Sanna  and  Wallace,  a  team  of 
adgio  dancers,  whose  numbers  are  creations  of  art, 
both  graceful  and  daring ;  Pop  Cannon  and  his  Kids, 
tumblers,  and  the  youngest  of  the  group,  a  little 
girl  who  can  not  yet  have  reached  her  teens,  is  a 
budding  comedienne  of  stellar  magnitude,  and  Walter 
Nillson,  whose  thrilling  unicycle  stunts  are  done  -with' 
comedy  trimmings. 


VALE  &  STEWART 


Direction 
Lyons   &  Lyons 


Featured 

with 

"Dancing   Feet" 

A  Publix  Unit 

Now   on 

Tour 

Regards  to 
Max  Turner 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  Bw»» 
N.  Y.  City 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Los  Angeles  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  7 

Ruth  Roland,  screen  star,  with  the  co-operation  of 
Jules  Buffano,  master  of  ceremonies,  pleased  an  audi- 
ence at  the  "Met"  this  weelc.  The  show  opened 
-with  a  band  number,  "Hugs  and  Kisses,"  the  assist- 
ant   conductor   weilding   the  baton. 

Jules  Buffano  then  made  his  appearance  amid  a 
heavy  hand  of  applause.  He  introduced  Ilomay 
Bailey  who  Bang  "Without  You  Sweetheart,"  the 
signal  for  the  Manhattan  Steppers  starting  out  with 
four  boys  and  four  girls  in  a  dance  number.  They 
-danced  an  encore  to  "Shady  Tree"  and  a  large  drop 
resembling  a  tree  was  lowered,  the  steppers  appear- 
ing from  behind  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  revolving  into 
a  waltz  tap,  being  led  by  Bailey,  in  the  front  line, 
next  the  master  of  ceremonies,  who  is  proving  ex- 
ceedingly popular,  sang  "That's  My  Weakness  Now." 
The  number  clicked  in  great  style  . 

Charles  Huey,  dancing  whistler,  followed.  He  put 
his  stuff  over  in  a  great  manner.  He  is  one  of  the 
test  teeth  and  tongue  whistlers  seen  for  several 
months.  His  apparent  nervousness  could  be  elLmi- 
Tiated  to  advantage,  but  nevertheless,  he  had  the 
stuff. 

Rath  Roland's  appearance  was  preceded  by  a 
screen  showing  of  several  of  her  past  pictures  and 
daring  screen  exploits.  She  made  her  entrance 
dressed  in  a  white  evening  gown,  singing  bits  from 
popular  numbers.  Her  voice  was  pleasant.  She 
made  her  exit  but  took  an  encore  singing  "Me  and 
My  Shadow"  entertaining  from  the  wings.  She  was 
followed  by  a  colored  child  about  seven  years  of 
age  dressed  like  Roland  in  a  high  silk  hat,  carrying 
a  cane,  and  imitating  her.  Later  giving  an  im- 
pression of  Ted  Lewis,  in  a  song.  Ruth  Roland  in- 
troduced a  number  of  screen  stars  from  the  stage, 
who   were   in    the   audience,   before   making   her   exit. 

Gleen  and  Jenkins  was  next  introduced  by  the 
m.  c,  and  these  two  black  face  boys  kept  the  audi- 
ence in  a  constant  uproar  with  their  wise  cracks. 
The  seven  minutes  passed  quickly,  and  got  a  great 
hand. 

The  Manhattan  Steppers  closed  the  bill  doing  fast 
dancing  in  line  and  up  and  down  stairs.  This  was 
new  and  exceptionally  well  done.  The  complete  bill 
was  well   arranged  and  wonderfully  carried  out. 


Wilwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  7 

"Learn  how  to  say  Ritchie  Craig"  was  the  slogan 
for  the  past  two  weeks,  and  this  week  all  of  Mil- 
waukee is  learning — and  how !  Ritchie  Craig  may 
not  be  the  whole  show  but  he  is  a  large  part  of 
the  presentation  and  predictions  are  that  he  will 
be  fully  as  popular  as  the  foi-mer  leader  who  passed 
on  the  baton  to  Ritchie. 

The  presentation  opens  with  the  eight  Barry  Girls 
dancing  on  the  stage  with  gold  suits  on  and  they 
looked  almost  as  snappy  as  the  dance  they  were 
doing.  The  Playboys  then  put  one  on  themselves, 
playing  "Without  You  Sweetheart."  Then  comes 
Freddie  Hopp«,  who  does  a  lonesome  in  entertaining, 
singing  eccentric  dancing,  gags,  and  otherwise  "put- 
ting  on." 

Ritchie  Craig  then  does  a  "Brodie"  into  the  or- 
chestra pit  and  entertains  with  song  and  gags,  not 
to  mention  and  old  guitar,  which  he  handles  till 
he  makes  the  "gallery  gods"  leave  off  their  own 
handling   and   sit  up   and   notice. 

Hank  Moreno  and  company,  in  the  shape  of  a 
talented  dancer,  then  do  some  tap  and  toe  and 
acrobatic  dancing.  Murtle  Boll  then  gives  the  audi- 
ence a  chance  to  hear  some  real  singing.  "I  Still 
Love  You"  went  over  big  with  the  Milwaukee  crowd. 

Jones  and  Elliot  do  a  song  and  dance  act  that 
seems  to  please  the  audience  very  well.  Craig  then 
does  what  seems  to  be  his  best  card,  and  it's  a  wow. 


Deluxe  Stage  Policy 
Has  Resident  Players 

The  Aztec,  San  Antonio,  changed  its  policy 
of  straight  pictures  last  week,  and  is  putting 
on  a  series  of  presentations,  with  a  resident 
company    of    artists. 

Sets  are  designed  by  a  local  artist,  and  the 
shows  are  produced  by  Palmere  Brandeaux, 
featuring  a  ballet  of  twelve  girls,  many  of 
whom  have  been  trained  by  Dave  Gould  of 
Chicago.  Bcbe  Moffic,  a  former  Publix  fea- 
tured act,  is  one  of  the  major  attractions — she 
is  a  contortionist  dancer. 


Ritchie  shakes  a  mean  foot.  He  had  the  crowd 
almost  shouting  for  more,  but  the  wise  showman 
that  he  is,  he  did  not  try  to  overdo  it  so  the  crowd 
had  to  be  contented  with  what  he  gave  them  and 
wait  till  the  next  time. 

The  finale  is  good.  A  pergola  with  numerous 
red  lights  in  place  of  roses  decorates  the  stage. 
The  Barry  girls  then  climb  the  arbor  to  the  strains 
of  syncopated  music,  the  lights  go  softly  ddm,  and 
as  the  song  grows  near  an  end,  the  girls  assume 
artistic  poses,  and  the  curtain  drops. 


Kansas  City  Pantages 

Week  Ending  July  6 

"Aregentine  Cabaret,"  featuring  Alvarado  and 
Jean,  a  dance  and  music  act,  headed  the  stage  pro- 
gram at  the  Pantages  theatre.  Alvarado  is  a  clever 
dancer,  as  is  his  partner,  who  dances  some  fluffy, 
smiling  numbers  that  are  well  received. 

Carlena  Diamond  has  one  of  the  cleverest  harp 
numbers  that  has  come  along  in  some  time.  She  i» 
mighty  good  looking,  even  to  those  sitting  on  the 
front  row. 

Field  and  Cook  have  a  wild  array  of  gags  and 
are  such  earnest  workers  that  the  audience  is  forced 
to  like  them.  They  do  a  clever  trick  with  the  aid 
of  the  motion  picture  projectionists,  a  short  film 
depicting  a  thrilling  rescue  on  a  railroad  track  that 
winds  up  by  Cook  rushing  on  stage  and  grabbing 
a  dummy  from  a  hook  on  the  stage  curtain,  just 
at  the  point  where  the  locomotive  would  have  come 
on   the  screen. 

The  Elder  Sisters  have  a  pleasing  dance  routine. 
Jubal  Early  is  a  comedienne  who  cannot  help  but 
arouse  enthusiasm.  Louie  Charninsky,  director,  and 
his  Pantages  orchestra  play  popular  selections  as  an 
overture. 


Howard  Atlanta 

Week  Ending  July  7 

"Hands  Up"  proved  an  entertaining  number  for 
the  Howard   this   week. 

Jack  Stanley  and  the  Howard  stage  band  came  in 
for   a   big   hand. 

Dezso  Better,  styled  "The  American  Prince  of 
Whales"  and  who  has  been  on  the  Howard  stage 
previously,   was   well   received. 

Marguerite  Rickard,  songster,  rendered  several 
numbers  which  were  popular. 

Jack  and  Kay  Spangler  proved  versatile  and  laud- 
ably   hailed    dancers. 

Jimmic  Dunn,  comedian,  drew  well  with  his  puns 
and   original   songs. 

Eight  Gould  Girls  received  an  encore  for  their  at- 
tractive dances  and  ballet  formations.  They  showed 
expert  training  and  were  donned  in  eye-catching 
costumes. 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  5 

A  patriotic  tableau,  "The  Spirit  of  Freedom,"  was 
Manager  Harry  Watts'  contribution  toward  Fourth 
of  July  week.  The  American  Legion  drum  corps 
participated  in  the  9  o'clock  performance  every  night, 
while  the  pit  orchestra  played  a  medley  of  patriotic 
airs. 

The  stage  show  was  Boris  Petroff's  "Tick  Toek." 
A  feature  of  the  show  were  the  12  girls  trained  in 
their  steps  by  Albertina  Rasch.  Paul  Spor,  as  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies,  kept  the  numbers  going  entertain- 
ingly. A  special  of  the  stage  band  was  a  novelty, 
"Constantinople,"  directed  by  Spor,  who  also  di- 
rected the  pit  orchestra. 

Sonia  Meroff  sang  "blues,"  Bernard  and  Rich  en- 
tertained with  song,  dance  and  jests,  and  Bayes  and 
Speck  went  in  for  comedy  dancing  and  repartee. 


Indianapolis  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  7 

"Odds  and  Ends"  is  the  title  Mort  Harris  has 
given  this  week's  stage  production.  It  features  a 
return  engagement  of  Rome  and  Dunn,  the  popular 
singers  who  spent  several  weeks  here  earlier  in  the 
season.  The  Palace  orchestra,  conducted  by  Emil 
Seidel,  plays  the  Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody,  as  an 
overture. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  13 

"Ocean  Blues"  this  week  at  the  Paramount,  brings 
Paul  Ash  back  on  the  stage  again  which  is  as  it 
should  be. 

A  solo  opening  offered  by  Paul  Small,  called  "Ocean 
Blues"  is  followed  by  The  Foster  Girls,  who  chorus 
the  finish  of  the  song  in  a  snappy  sailor  garbed 
dance.  The  girls  divest  themselves  of  the  garbs, 
and  climb  ropes,  at  the  top  of  which  are  ankle 
and  wrist  catches  and  they  do  different  poses  on'  the 
ropes  while  the  orchestra  is  going  through  the  selec- 
tion again. 

"Salty"  is  the  next  offering  by  Paul  Ash  and  the 
stage  orchestra  and  followed  by  "Don't  Be  a  Sailor" 
by  Scanlon,  The  Denno  Brothers  and  Scanlon,  and 
The  Foster  Girls,  and  consists  of  singing,  dancing 
and  music  by  the  orchestra,  with  numbers  as  "Join 
the  Navy" — semaphored  by  the  girls  with  proper 
flags,  and  others. 

Edith  Evans  and  Ray  Mare  put  over  a  big-time 
singing,  talking  and  piano  which  is  one  of  the  best 
yet.  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon"  is  fea- 
tured by  Miss  Evans,  and  a  cowboy  "Blue  Song" 
is  furnished  to  great  returns  by  Ray  Mare. 

"Just  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky"  by  Ash  and  the 
orchestra,  and  sung  by  Paul  Small. 

Another  big-time  feature  was  Moss  and  Frye  with 
their  clever  witticisms.  If  three  sevens  are  twenty- 
one,  how  much  is  a  lot  of  nines  was  just  one  of  many 
laugh  provokers.  Their  singing  finish  is  weak,  but 
the   act   was   well-received    and    appreciated. 

Nell  Kelly  was  held  over  for  another  week,  and 
opens  with  "My  Pet"  sung  or  rather  talked,  with  her 
swinging  arms  and  legs.  Encore  was  a  lot  of  busi- 
ness with  Ash,  and  she  was  well-liked.  Wouldn't  be 
surprised  to  see  her  steadily  here. 

The  finale  was  weak,  enlisting  the  entire  ensemble 
— show  was  of  usual  amount  standard. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  13 

The  first  half  of  the  Roxy  program  this  week  in- 
cluded the  Roxy  Symphonic  Orchestra  on  the  stage 
under  the  leadership  of  Erno  Rapee,  Charles  Previs 
arid    Joseph    Littau.      It    is    the    first    time    the    110 


Bill  Bennett 

Featured     Organist 
BELPARK 

AND 

VARSITY 
THEATRES 
CHICAGO 


CORNELIUS    MAFFIE 

Gennett  Recording  Artist 

Now  Featured  Organist  at  Publix's 

METROPOUTAN  Theatre,  HOUSTON,  TEXAS 


SOLOS  AND  COMMUNITY  STUNTS 

HARRY  ZIMMERMAN 

FEATURED  ORGANIST 

BELMONT  cJ5^T5.>  CHICAGO 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


musicians  desert  the  pit  to  appear  behind  the  foot- 
lights for  a  presentation.  With  a  garden  fete  set- 
ting, the  presentation  includes  the  Ballet  Corps,  the 
Chorus,  the  32  Roxyettes,  and  the  principals  com- 
prising the  largest  company  that  has  ever  been 
assembled  on  the  stage  of  a  motion'  picture  theatre. 

Selections  from  "Aida"  by  Maurice  Baron  were 
given  by  the  orchestra,  chorus  and  ballet — soloists 
Viola  Philo,  Aldo  Boraonte  and  Adelaide  De  Loca. 
Valse  Bluette  from  "Air  De  Ballet"  is  danced  by 
Patricia  Bowman,  Nicholas  Daks,  and  the  ballet  corps 
present  the  gypsy  dance  from  "Rusalka."  Harold 
Van  Dnzee  and  Douglas  Stanbury  sing  the  duet  from 
Verdi's  "La  Forza  del  Destino."  Friml's  "L'Amour 
Toujours  L'Amour"  is  contributed  by  Gladys  Rice. 
"Egyptian  Echoes"  is  danced  by  the  Roxyettes  and 
the  entire  ensemble,  Frank  Black  having  written  the 
musical   theme. 

Agnes  George  DeMille,  daughter  of  William  De- 
Mille.  was  retained  for  a  second  week  to  give  the 
Roxy  audiences  an  example  of  unique  work  in  panto- 
mime characterization.  "Stage  Fright"  is  the  name 
of  the  pantomime  sketch,  assisted  by  Misses  Diamant, 
Vitola  Sapharia,  Yorke,  Palsey,  Shally,  Larina,  Poe 
and  Fenwick. 

"Parade  of  the  Wooden'  Soldiers"  by  the  Roxyettes 
is  offered  as  a  repeat,  by  request. 


Newspaper  Runs  Stori.2S 
on  Stage  Shows 

A  series  of  feature  stories,  with  layouts,  is 
being  run  in  the  Express  by  the  Texas  the- 
atre, San  Antonio,  on  the  different  phases  of 
the  production  of  Publix  stage  shows.  Many 
people  in  Texas  do  not  understand  that  these 
shows  are  produced  at  a  big  cost  in  New 
York  by  an  enormous  organization,  and  the 
stories  will  do  much  to  educate  them  to  ap- 
preciation. 

The  first  story  is  on  production  in  general, 
the  second  on  selections  of  acts,  the  third 
on  the  training  of  dancers,  the  fourth  on  music, 
the  fifth  on  the  various  producers,  the  sixth 
on  various  theatres  these  shows  play,  and  the 
seventh  a  wind-up  and  resume  of  the  former 
stories. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  7 

Al  K  vale's  show  at  the  Oriental  this  week  is 
called  "Al's  Mo\ne  Party,"  and  the  party  is  sup- 
posed to  take  place  in  Hollywood.  Al  succeeds  in 
carrying  out  the  idea  entirely  through  the  show.  The 
show  opens  with  a  girl  doing  a  clever  dance  before 
a  beautiful  lace  curtain  upon  which  are  thrown 
beautiful  shadow  designs  from  the  operating  booth. 
The  Ballet  enters,  each  girl  carrying  an  illuminated 
basket  of  flowers,  to  do  a  good  routine.  A  male 
voice  is  heard  back  stage.  The  lace  curtain  rises 
to  reveal  a  huge  stage  setting,  the  interior  of  some 
palatial  home.  There  follow  three  solo  dances  by 
two  girls   and  a   man,   who  were  not   announced. 

Kvale  comes  on  to  antiounce  the  Theodore  Kosloff 
Dancing  Girls,  who  proceed  to  do  a  unique  folk 
dance.  Their  beautifully  colored  peasant  dresses  and 
the  speed  and  dash  with  which  they  dance  combine 
to  make  the  offering  a  good  one.  They  get  a  good 
hand. 

Chief  Eagle  Feather  is  next,  in  his  stuntiing  white 
Indian  costume,  doing  his  tap  dances  that  never 
fail  to  bring  the  house   down.     Reported  many  times 


in  this  journal.  Eagle  Feather  still  can  be  praised  for 
his  fine  work. 

Rose  Valyda  is  next  ■svith  her  two  voice  singing. 
She  has  the  deep  voice  of  a  man  and  the  soft  voice 
of  a  woman,  either  of  which  she  employs  at  a 
moment's  notice.  Good  applause  is  given  her  song. 
"Do  You  Love  Me  'When  Skies  Ai-e  Grey."  Then  she 
and  Kvale  indulge  in  a  bit  of  cornice,  bringing  the 
house  to  a  big   laugh   when'  she  and   Kvale  dance. 

The  Janet  Sisters  follow  with  a  song,  sung  only 
fairly  well,  and  a  dance  of  equal  worth,  for  a  fair 
hand.  Then  follows  a  band  number,  "I  Can't  Help 
Loving  You,"  played  in  what  Al  announced  as  the 
West  Coast  rhythm,  which  really  hasn't  much  to  offer. 

This  is  followed  by  a  young  lady,  whose  name 
sounded  like  Wilma  Joy,  but  probably  wasn't,  who 
did  a  really  beautiful  toe  dance.  The  applause  was 
all   she   could  have  desired. 

The  Kosloff  dancers  follow  with  another  unique 
dance,  this  one  called  "Pan-American."  Again  the 
girls  ran  and  ducked  and  chased  each  other  all  over 
the  stage,  to  the  evident  pleasure  of  the  crowd. 

Kvale  and  the  gang  next  dispense  "The  Tiger  Rag," 
with  a  lot  of  jazz  trimmings.  Kvale  plays  practically 
every  wind  piece  in  the  band,  but  his  work  on  the 
clarinet  makes  the  audience  beg  for  more,  and  they 
are  not  satisfied  until  after  two  encores.  A  great 
little  number,  this  was,  and  Al  will  probably  have 
to   do   it   again. 

Murray   and   Alan   are   next,   singing   "Mary   Ann," 


CHIEF  EAGLE  FEATHER 


World's  Only  American-Indian 
TAP  DANCER 

After  a  Very  Successful  Tour  of 
PUBLIX 

Now  Repeating  All  BALABAN  &  KATZ 

Chicago  Theatres 

Direction — Max  Turner — William   Morris   Agency 


DARLING    TWINS 

Just   Closed  a   Successful   Second  Tour   of   Publix 
as  a  featured  attraction  in 

"The  Mikado  of  Jazz" 

Many   Thanks   to    PAUL   ASH 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


Leo    Terry 

Featured  Organist 

with 

GREAT  STATES  THEATRES,  INC. 


and  their  crazy  song,  "A  Thousand  Years  Ago,"  the 
while  wearing  their  funny  Egyptian  mummy  head 
pieces.  The  boys  have  to  come  back  and  back  to 
give  more  of  those  funny  verses  to  their  song.  They 
made  a  good  hit. 

The  show  ends  with  a  patriotic  tableau  and 
medley  of  patriotic  songs  played  by  the  orchestra. 
The  Kosloff  do  another  dance,  this  one  a  military 
tap,  and  the  curtain  falls  on  a  beautiful  scrim  scene 
in  the  background  of  Betsy  Ross  and  Old  George 
and  the  flag.     Very  beautiful. 


Brooklyn  Mark  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  13 

"In  Jail"  is  this  week's  attraction  at  the  above- 
named  house,  featuring  Ray  Teal  in  the  gloom-chae- 
ing   Summertime    revue. 

The  stage  orchestra  plays  "Sweet  Sue"  and  the 
number  is  danced  by  Mary  Mashert. 

Stage  is  set  in  full,  with  background  of  a  cell 
range  in  a  prison.  The  orchestra  are  dressed  in' 
black    and    white    striped    garbs. 

The  George  Sisters  sing  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under 
the  Moon"  dancing  a  tap  finifih  which  goes  over 
very   good. 

Starr  and  Rollo  give  a  buck-and-wing  dance  in 
unison,  with  their  ankles  and  wrists  chained  to- 
gether. For  their  encore  they  offer  a  skating  dance, 
and   they    also    click    favorably. 

The  Happy  Go  Lucky  Boys,  with  their  piano,  offer 
a  trio  singing  number  called  "Nothin*,"  followed  by 
"Golden  Gate"  and  a  much  deserved  encore,  "Paddio." 

Hill  and  Hull,  a  girl  and  a  jack-in-the-box  offer 
a  unique  contortion  acrobatic  dancing  novelty — ^but 
the  girl's  makeup  is  all  wrong,  as  a  girl  she  is  too 
strong,   and  she  would  fit  better  as  a  small  boy. 

"Constantinople"  is  played  by  the  Orchestra,  and 
specialties  offered  by  the  different  members  of  the 
group,   singing  the  song  in   different  lingoes. 

Eileen  Flory,  evidently  an  old-timer  in'  the  vaude 
game,  does  some  fast  business  with  Ray  Teal  which 
is   very   well   spotted   and   gets  the   applause. 

Roth  and  Shay  do  a  comedy  acrobatic  tumbling 
bit  that  is  very  good.  The  finish  was  very  brief  and 
poor,   but  the  show   itself   was  a  good  one. 


Chicago  Norshore 

Week  Ending  July  7 

"Levee  Lovers"  was  the  name  of  last  week's  offer- 
ing at  this  house,  ■with  BVankie  Masters  officiating  as 
the  M.  C.  Briefly  (for  this  production'  has  been 
told  of  before),  the  show  opens  with  the  band  playing 
Dixie  melodies  behind  a  Southern  street  scene,  while 
George  Dewey  Washington,  colored  singer,  imperson- 
ates an  old  darky  walking  across  the  stage,  picking 
up  the  chorus  being  played  by  the  band,  as  the 
curtain'  rises  revealing  a  Mississippi  boat  moored  to 
the  levee,,  the  band  sitting  on  the  deck.  Frankie 
Masters  enters  and  takes  the  orchestra  into  "Old 
Man'  Rhythm,"  instrumental  jazz  nu-^iber.  at  the  fin- 
ish of  which  this  versatile  conductor  picks  .  up  his 
banjo,  tilts  back  his  tonsils  and  lets  go  in  song, 
the   number   being   "You're  a  Real    Sweetheart." 

Then  the  customers  listen  to  The  Lucille  Sisters, 
who  croon  sentimental  songs  as  Topsy  and  Eva,  a 
la  Duncan  Sisters.  Three  encores  for  the  Misses 
Lucille,  alas !  However,  Jerry  and  his  accordion 
follow  with  not  so  much  music  but  not  enough  danc- 
ing, and  though  he  can  stay  out  longer,  he  leaves 
a  little  for  the  finale.  After  a  unit  of  Abbott  Dancers 
dance  awhile — and  they  dance  very  well  and  are 
liked — Jack  Joyce  entertains  ■with  a  magnetic  per- 
sonality, a  pleasing  singing  voice,  and  a  demonstra- 
tion of  dancing  though  bereft  of  one  leg.  The 
audience  thinks  his  efforts  good,  though  some  of  the 
applause  must  be  for  Joyce's  handsome  appearance 
and   well   bred   manner. 


FRANKIE  MASTERS 


"The 

RomEuitic 

Singing 

Band  Leader" 

Now  at  the 

NORSHORE 

Theatre 

CHICAGO 

(Balaban  &  Katz) 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


UP    wd 


Faithful  and  devoted  service  is  moet  always  ap- 
preciated in  due  time.  Leiw  Vitt  who  has  been  con- 
nected for  eight  years  with  the  Meyer  Davis  organ- 
ization of  orchestras  as  an  individual  musician,  has 
now  been  placed  by  Meyer  Davis  in  the  capacity  of 
leader  at  the  Nassau  Hotel  in  Long  Beach.  Vitt, 
having  played  all  these  years  under  the  direction  of 
many  Meyer  Davis  leaders  has  the  knack  of  conduct- 
ing which  is  very  favorable  with  the  patrons  of  the 
Nassau  Hotel.  Doing  his  own  announcing  on  the 
radio  seven  nights  a  week  through  Radio  Station 
WABC  is  also  gaining  Vitt  a  lot  of  good  friends. 
«     «     * 

With  the  summer  season  now  in  full  swing  around 
the  "Alley,"  it  is  hard  to  keep  track  of  the  various 
changes,  particularly  as  far  as  orchestra  leaders  are 
concerned.  When  winter  comes,  things  will  again 
be  normal,  and  when'  you  want  to  find  a  certain 
someone,   you   will   know   jus*    where   he   is. 

•  •     • 

A  distinction  worth  mentioning  is  Peter  Van 
Stccden  and  his  orchestra,  who  have  taken  B.  A. 
Eolfe's  place  at  the  Palais  D'Or  for  the  summer 
season'.  Van  Steeden  has  the  honor  of  being  the 
protege  of  Arthur  Lange,  who  takes  a  personal 
interest  in  his  orchestra  and  the  arrangements  that 
they  play.  Van  (as  he  is  kno'WTi  by  the  boys  around 
the  "Alley")  broadcaets  about  six  times  a  week 
over  Radio  Station  WEAF,  and  if  you  ever  have 
the  opportunity,  listen  in  to  them,  for  you  certainly 
•will  enjoy  an  hour  of  good  dance  music. 

•  •     • 

Of  unusual  interest  is  Therese  Rose  Nagle  who  has 
complete  charge  of  all  daytime  programs  of  Radio 
Station  WGBS  (Gimbel  Bros.).  This  is  quite  a  man's 
sized  job,  but  Miss  Nagle.  who  has  been  connected 
■with  this  station  for  over  four  years  in  this  capacity, 
has  certainly  proved  herself  to  be  perfectly  capable 
of  tackling  this  job,  for  she  has  just  been  allotted 
the  evening  programs  as  well  as  the  daytime  pro- 
grams. 

•  •     • 

We  ran  into  Jack  Arthur  recently,  who  probably 
does  more  in  a  theatre  than  any  one  man  in  the 
show  business.  Jack  is  manager  of  the  Uptown  the- 
atre in'  Toronto,  a  Famous-Players  house,  and  outside 
of  running  the  theatre,  leads  the  orchestra  in  the  pit, 
conducts  the  stage  band,  stages  the  presentations, 
does  bits  on  the  stage,  and  attends  to  all  the  publicity 
for  the  house.  Incidentally,  Jack  just  staged  a 
beautiful  presentation  around  the  song  "My  Window 
of  Dreams,"  which  is  the  talk  of  Canada. 
«     •     • 

Lloyd  Huntley  has  the  new  orchestra  at  the  Ten 
Eyck  Hotel  in  Albany,  succeeding  Frank  Funda. 
Lloyd  is  a  well  known  society  favorite  and  hails 
from  Miami,  Florida.  He  will  be  featured  from  the 
Ten  Eyck  Hotel  on'  Station  WGY  (which  is  one  of 
the  most  powerful  stations  in  the  world).  This  means 
that  he  will  be  heard  by  a  large  portion  of  the 
country's  population. 

•  *     • 

Tom  Grierson  has  recently  been  appointed  feature 
organist  at  the  Buffalo  theatre  in  Buffalo,  one  of 
the  Publix  deluxe  houses.  Tom  is  recognized  as  one 
of  the  foremost  organists  of  the  east,  who  does  not 
depend  on  community  singing  to  get  his  stunts  over, 
but  features  his  own  novel  style  of  organ  entertain- 
ment. »      4      9? 

We  caught  the  opening  of  Frank  Comwell  as  a 
Publix  M.  G.  at  the  new  Loew  house  in  Syracuse, 
and  he  justifies  our  prediction  that  he  should  have 
been  doing  that  years  ago.  For  appearance,  voice 
and  personality,  he  is  on  the  par  with  any  one  on  the 
circuit,  and  as  far  as  staging  ideas  is  concerned, 
anyone  who  has  seen  his  band  at  Janssen's  Hofbrau 
in  New  York  City,  can  testify  that  he  knows  what  it 
is  all  about. 

•  •     * 

I  am  taking  a  trip  through  New  England,  and 
will  give  you  the  lowdown  as  I  find  it  when  I 
return.  Of  one  thing  I  am  certain,  it  will  certainly 
be  hot  in  some  of  those  New  England  towns  I  in- 
tend  visiting. 


ORGAN     SOLOS 


Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Senate)  after  three  weeks 
vacation'  returned  with  a  batch  of  new  ideas  for  his 
community  stunt.  Illustrated  slides  featured  special 
lyrics  to  popular  tunes  with  two  very  clever  ones, 
one  on  the  July  4th  gag  and  the  other  on  "Ramona" 
with  the  word  Torpedo.  Some  of  the  songs  used 
were  "Ready  for  the  River,"  "Constantinople,"  "Was 
It  a  Dream,"  "That's  My  Weakness  Now."  Every- 
body sang  with  Sellers  at  this  show  and  proved  that 
they  were   glad  to  see  him  back. 


Ray  Turner  (Rockford,  Coronado,  HI.)  reports  a 
suggestion  to  other  organists  who  wish  to  use  a 
novel  solo  on  "Ramona."  Turner  used  it  as  fol- 
lows: First,  Dagger  Dance  from  "Natoma" — Victor 
Herbert ;  second,  "By  the  Waters  of  Minnetonka" — 
Lieurance,  and  third,  "Ramona" — Wayne.  Slides  and 
spot  was  injected  to  help  give  the  stunt  more  effect 
and  it  sure  pleased  the  patrons.  A  good  suggestion 
to  run  when  showing  the  film  of  the  same  name. 


Ron  Baggot-Don  Moore  (Seattle  Seattle,  Wash.) 
the  ambitious  young  organists  have  successfully  ar- 
ranged and  presented  for  patrons  "Those  Songs  We 
IJsed  to  Sing,"  which  is  an  answer  to  a  number  of 
requests  for  songs  of  yesteryear.  An  effective  and 
humorous  idea  was  employed  through  the  medium  of 
a  comparison  of  the  old  songs  with  modern,  and 
withal  rendered  one  of  the  best  concerts  on  the 
organ   since  the  house  opened. 


Joe  Brite  (Rapid  City  Elks,  S.  D.)  reports  that 
his  solo  for  last  week  introducing  "Ready  for  the 
River,"  was  entitled  "Lamentations"  a  special  from 
Villa  Moret  that  is  really  different  and  worthwhile. 
It  made  a  big  hit  with  this  crowd.  The  last  half 
of  the  other  solo  was  a  comedy  novelty  called  "Oh, 
You  Have  No  Idea,"  from  the  song  of  the  same  title. 


Larry  Jean  Fisher  (Omaha  Riviera)  was  guest  or- 
ganist and  pleased  with  his  pep  and  the  life  he  put 
into  his  music.  In  "A  Box  of  Tricks"  he  showed 
how  many  ways  "My  Bungalow  of  Dreams"  can  be 
played. 


Earl  Abel  (San  Antonio  Texas)  whose  popularity 
as  featured  organist  of  the  Texas  theatre  for  the 
past  five  weeks  is  unprecedented,  is  offering  his 
first  organ-stage  production  this  week — it  is  "Chloe," 
presented  ■with  a  local  tenor-baritone.  Earl  opens 
with  his  first  few  slides  on  a  scrim.  Lights  come 
up  back  of  the  scrim  revealing  a  ground  row  and  a 
cut  drop  in  silhouette,  lighted  with  very  dim  blues. 
The  singer  does  his  number  without  making  an 
appearance.  The  number  was  sensational,  and  Earl 
is  inspired  to  do  others  of  this  nature  in  the  future. 


Jnlia  Dawn  (Atlanta  Howard)  guest  organist,  con- 
tinues to  draw  favor.  Her  number  was  "A  Safe 
and  Sane  July  4th."  The  patrons  here  can  always 
depend  on  a  good  organ  presentation  from  Julia 
who   knows   how   to   tickle   the    console. 


John  and  Betty  Hammond  (New  Orleans  Saenger) 
at  the  organ  played  popular  and  operative  airs. 
They  are  the  Jesse  Crawfords  of  this  beautiful 
historical   city,   and  always  click  with   their  offerings. 


DEAN  STEVENSON 

And  His  Boys 

Featured  at  the 

Marshall  Square  Theatre 

CHICAGO 


'lOS 


54  W.  Pd/idofpfi  St 

Olrl'ca^O 


Qioff  Koip.  r    Arc  pu  getting  RUMORS 

^  liio  3^  1  o^         fjf^f^  9iicfe1te«>  for  He  ahm± 


SQM6$ 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Ramona" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams"— (Jack  Mills). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  Yon  Kissed 
Me"— (Leo  Feist). 

"Constantinople" — (DeSylva,  Brown 
&  Henderson). 

"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (R  e mi  c  k 
Corp.). 

"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart"  —  (Leo 
Feist). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Too  Busy"- — (Leo  Feist). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" 
— (Irving  Berlin). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"Chlo-e"— (Villa  Moret). 

"Rosette"— (Milton  Weil). 

"In  My  Bouquet  of  Memories" — 
(Remick  Corp.) 

"Thafs  My  Weakness  N.ow"—(Ager- 
Yellen  &  Bornstein). 

"My  Angel" — (DeSylva,  Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Together" — (DeSylva,  Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard"— 
(Irving  Berlin). 

TOO  BUSY — (Leo  Feist,  Inc.) — The  writers,  Ned 
Miller  and  Chester  Cohn,  who  usually  have  big 
western  hits  look  like  they  have  another  one  that 
should  be  ready  money.  They  will  be  remembered 
as  having  written — You  Don't  Like  It  Not  Much — 
Whafll  You  Do— Sunday.     Not  bad! 

*  *     • 

ADOREE  (I  Adore  You) — (Harms,  Inc.) — When 
this  firm  concentrates  on  one  song  they  usually  make 
it.  This  song  has  enough  merit  to  deserve  a  No.  1 
plug.     Words  and  music  by  Eugene  West. 

*  «     « 

REALLY  AND  TRULY— (Harms,  Inc.)— A  Ha»- 
sard  Short  production  called — Sunny  Days.  Still 
playing  at  the  Four  Cohans  and  newspaper  reports 
are  very  encouraging  on  this  show.  This  is  the  hit 
song.  Book  and  lyrics  by  Clifford  Grey  &  Wm.  Gary- 
Duncan.     Music  by  Jean   Schwartz. 

*  *     * 

MY  SORORITY  SWEETHEART  —  (Lewis-Marks 
Pub.  Co.) — A  collegiate  waltz.  This  new  firm  will  no 
doubt  start  this  song  for  a  turnover  to  one  of  the 
bigger  publishers.     By  Al   Sherman  and  Al  Lewis. 

*  •     • 

BLUE  LAND — (Joe  Morris  Music  Pub.  Co.) — The 
government  does  not  allow  Blue  Land  to  be  sold. 
However  this  has  nothing  to  do  with  real  estate  and 
besides  anything  goes  in  a  song.  It's  all  about  the 
Mason-Dixon  line,  is  well  ■written  as  to  lyrics  and 
melody.  Words  by  Howard  Johnson,  Music  by  Al 
Sherman. 

*  «     * 

I'M  ON  THE  CREST  OF  A  WAVE— (Harms,  Inc.) 

— ^Reports  from  New  York  are  that  the  new  George 
White  Scandals  has  a  great  collection  of  songs.  This 
is  the  hit  song  of  the  show  and  it's  really  a  classic 
as  a  production  number.  How  these  boys  can  ■write. 
By  B.  G.  De  Sylva,  Lew  Brown  and  Ray  Henderson. 

«        #        9 

JUST  A  LITTLE  WAY  FROM  HOME— (Remick 
Music  Corp.) — A  home  song  of  the  wanderer  who 
returns  to  the  fold — in  other  words,  the  gospel  of  this 
song  is.  There's  No  Place  Like  Home.  The  lyric 
writers  have  been  making  a  specialty  of  this  type  of 
song  with  plenty  of  success.  Lyric  by  Lewis  and 
Young,  music  by  Oscar  Levant. 
4     *     « 

GOTTA  BIG  DATE  WITH  A  LITTLE  GIRL— 
(Leo  Feist,  Inc.) — Reminds  one  of  that  big  song  by 
the  same  publishers  entitled  Five  Foot  Two.  Writ- 
ten as  a  hot  song  with  both  lyrics  and  melody  carry- 
ing the  spirit.  Should  go  big  in  this  territory  as  it's 
a  typical  Chicago  tune.  Words  by  Harry  and 
Charles   Tobias,   music   by   Henry   H.   Tobias. 


Jt/i^    ^> 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


Y^ 


THE     THEATRE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public,"  and  "Better  Business  Builders." 


Johnson  Builds  Business  and 

Goodwill  with  Flower  Matinee 

If  900  children  walked  into  your  theatre  for  a  matinee,  each  carrying  a  bouquet 
of  flowers,  do  you  think  it  would  create  much  excitement  and  talk  in  your  town? 
And  if  all  these  flowers  were  taken  to  the  hospitals  in  your  city  and  used  to  dec- 
orate the  halls  and  rooms  of  all  the  inmates  do  you  doubt  for  a  minute  that 
you  and  your  theatre  would  not  profit  by  the  goodwill  of  the  entire  town? 


You  know  and  I  know  the  answer  to 
these  two  questions,  but  Fred  E.  Johnson, 
manager  of  the  Colonial  theatre,  Cam- 
bridge, Ohio,  answered  these  questions  to 
his  entire  satisfaction  by  staging  the  flower 
matinee  in  his  theatre  as  the  opening  per- 
formance for  a  three-day  run  of  "The 
Legion  of  the  Condemned." 

"Business  men  of  the  town  tell  me  this 
was  the  greatest  advertising  stunt  I  have 
ever  put  across.  No  doubt  other  exhibi- 
tors could  use  it  to  advantage,"  says  John- 
son. And  how  right  Johnson  is!  If  other 
exhibitors  use  the  idea  they  will  find  that 
the  resulting  goodwill  created  in  the  hearts 
of  their  patrons  will  more  than  pay 
them  for  the  slight  trouble  of  the  flower 
matinee. 

Johnson  announced  prior  to  the  date  that 
all  children  who  brought  a  bouquet  of  flow- 
ers, would  be  admitted  free  to  the  first 
showing  of  "The  Legion  of  the  Con- 
demned." More  than  900  children  flocked 
to  the  theatre,  each  bringing  a  beautiful 
bouquet  of  flowers  which  filled  the  entire 
rear  of  the  theatre. 

After  the  show  was  over,  the  flowers 
were  loaded  in  taxicabs  and  taken  to  the 
three  local  hospitals  and  used  to  decorate 
all  the  halls  and  rooms  of  the  hospitals. 
What  a  red  letter  day  it  was  for  the  chil- 


dren, the  inmates  of  the  hospitals  and  for 
the  theatre,  too.  The  local  paper  carried 
a  good  story  on  the  event,  giving  a  great 
deal  of  credit  to  the  theatre  for  its  public- 
spirited  work. 

Think  for  a  moment  what  such  a  flower 
matinee  would  do  for  your  own  theatre. 
Think  of  900  children  scurrying  around  for 
bouquets  of  flowers,  and  of  them  coming 
from  all  parts  of  town  to  the  theatre  with 
their  bouquets.  The  Colonial  theatre,  the 
day  of  the  matinee,  was  no  doubt,  the  chief 
topic  of  conversation  in  at  least  900  homes. 

But  this  is  just  one  of  the  many  things 
Johnson  does  in  his  theatre.  "Ladies  of 
the  Pastor's  Aid  Society  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church,"  writes  Johnson,  "helped 
me  put  over  'The  Little  Shepherd  of  King- 
dom Come'  recently,  and  I  realized  nicely 
on  the  percentage  of  sales.  The  woman's 
class  of  the  Methodist  church  also  gave 
splendid  aid  in  putting  over  'Les  Mise- 
rables,'  which  was  also  a  big  success.  These 
things  help  very  materially  on  one's  sum- 
mer business." 

But  the  goodwill  which  Johnson  derives 
from  such  activities  probably  pays  more  in 
the  long  run  than  the  immediate  profit 
made.  Johnson  is  making  a  big  investment 
in  goodwill  that  will  pay  big  dividends  for 
him  in  increased  patronage. — (W.  W.) 


Here 's  the  Answer 
to  the  "45'' Puzzle 

In  the  June  23  issue  of  this  paper, 
"The  Theatre"  presented  another  puzzle. 
If  you  remember,  it  came  from  Harry 
Reader,  manager  of  the  Rialto  theatre, 
Wilson,  Pa.  The  puzzle  as  presented 
was : 

"Can  you  subtract  45  from  45  and  leave 
45  as  a  remainder?" 

Now  that  is  no  easy  thing  to  solve, 
as  many  of  you,  who  have  written  for 
the  answer,  have  already  found.  But 
the  solution  like  most  puzzles  is  just  as 
easy  as  falling  off  a  log,  once  you  know 
the  answer,  and  here  it  is : 

p+5-f-74-54-5+4+J,+2-fi=45 
1  -J^2+3+4+5-{-6+7  +8+9=45 

S+6+4+1  +9+7+5+3+2=45 

The  figures  of  the  first  line  added  to- 
gether give  4'5.  The  figures  of  the 
second  line  also  equal  45.  Subtract  the 
second  line  from  the  first  and  the  figures 
of  the  remainder  added  together  also 
make  45. 

Now  what  could  be  easier  than  that? 
But  it  does  make  a  good  puzzle  doesn't 
it?  If  you'll  turn  back  to  the  June  23 
issue  you'll  see  how  Reader  used  the 
puzzled  in  a  herald,  and  that  might  give 
you  a  pointer  on  how  to  use  this  one. 
Remember,  if  you  do  use  it,  "The  The- 
atre" would  like  to  hear  just  how  and 
with  what  success  you  make  use  of  it. 


Just  a  few  of  the  900  children  who  crowded  the  Colonial  theatre,  Cambridge,  Ohio,  with  their  presence  and  their  flow- 
ers when  Manager  Fred  E.  Johnson  held  a  flower  matinee  for  the  opening  of  a  run  of  "'The  Legion  of  the  Condemned." 
A  bouquet  of  flowers  was  the  only  admission  charge  for  the  children,  who,  after  the  show  was  over,  took  the  flowers  to 
three  local  hospitals  to  cheer  the  inmates.  The  flowers  were  loaded  in  cabs,  as  the  other  photograph  above  shows. 
Who  could  think  of  a  better  way  than  this  to  build  good  will  and  patronage  for  a  theatre,  and  besides  there's  a  great 
deal  of  personal  pleasure  and  satisfaction  in  such  an  act. 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Texas  Makes  Scoop 
with  Famous  Fliers 

A  real  "Scoop"  was  perpetrated  by  the 
Texas  theatre  in  San  Antonio  when  they 
arranged  for  the  personal  appearance  of  the 
forty  famous  fliers  making  the  Reliability 
Tour  at  the  Midnight  Show;  the  Texas 
chapter  of  the  National  Aeronautical  Asso- 
ciation handled  the  tieup,  and  immense 
amounts  of  newspaper  publicity  were  de- 
rived from  the  stunt.  The  fliers,  including 
Eddie  Stinson,  Brock  and  Schlee,  and 
George  Halderman,  were  introduced  by  the 
mayor. 


In  My  Opinion — 

[Letters  from  Readers] 


The  article  of  Mr.  Morris  in  your  issue 
of  June  9  prompts  me  to  write  you,  thinking 
that  I  might  be  of  some  help  in  making  fronts 
for  theatres. 

I  have  been  making  fronts  for  the  Rialto 
and  Liberty  theatres  for  the  last  five  years 
here  in  Wenatchee. 

We  are  on  a  corner  and  our  lobby  is  L 
shaped,  one  side  being  used  for  entrance  and 
the  other  used  for  the  display.  On  this  wall 
we  have  one  large  board,  6  by  10  feet  and  two 
smaller  bo?rds,  4  by  6  feet.  These  boards 
are  changed  every  change  of  picture,  which 
is  three  times  a  week. 

I  have  five  of  the  large  6  by  10  boards, 
which  I  have  been  using  for  the  last  year 
and  they  are  still  in  good  condition.  This 
is  one  of  the  features  I  thought  might  be  of 
use.  They  are  made  of  beaver  board  on  a 
light  frame  of  1  by  2  batten  with  a  small  lat- 
tice batten  around  the  front  for  protection. 
They  were  coated  with  White  Lead  before 
I  started  to  use  them  and  we  wash  them  off 
with  a  bucket  of  water  and  brush  as  soon 
as  they  are  dead.  We  used  to  use  a  hose  in 
the  alley  and  a  broom,  but  found  that  the 
boards  got  soaked  with  water  too  much  and 
would  wear  out  very  quickly. 

The  smaller  boards  are  just  plain  beaver 
board  with  no  frame  or  batten  around  and 
are  painted  on  each  side  so  that  on  change 
nights  they  are  just  turned  around. 

The  Rialto  changes  four  times  a  week,  and 
they  only  require  a  banner  and  one  set  piece. 

When  I  started  here  I  was  up  against  the 
same  thing  that  Mr.  Morris  speaks  of  in  his 
article,  that  is,  speed.  The  management 
wanted  pictorial  displays,  and  to  do  that  satis- 
factorily meant  lots  of  time.  I  started  out 
using  cutouts  from  24  sheets  and  3  sheets 
and  working  around  it,  but  that  didn't  seem 
to  have  the  right  look  to  it.  It  was  not  hand 
made.  Someone  suggested  a  mirroscope  and 
I  got  one  and  it  worked  all  right  for  a  while, 
but  it  reversed,  and  it  would  only  project  a 
post  card  size  picture.  So  I  took  the  lens 
out  and  made  a  box  of  my  own  and  finally 
discovered  that  by  the  use  of  a  mirror  I 
could  project  it  as  it  should  be.  I  now  have 
a  projector  of  my  own  make  and  that  is  a 
great  speed  maker,  and  with  the  amount  of 
work  to  be  turned  out  is  a  great  help. 

I  work  from  the  press  sheet  a  great  deal, 
as  I  find  there  are  a  good  many  good  things 
in  it  of  value  for  use  on  my  boards;  from 
photos,  window  cards,  sometimes  one  sheets, 
in  fact  from  almost  anything  that  I  find  I 
need. 

I  am  enclosing  a  few  snaps  of  the  large 
board  that  I  have  made  and  one  showing 
the  entire  side  of  the  lobby.  Although  it  is 
not  so  good,  you  can  get  an  idea  of  our  lobby. 
—ED.  CLISBEE,  Wenatchee,  Wash. 


Lobby  boards  made  by  Ed.  Clisbee,  Wenatchee,  Wash.    Read  his  letter  in  opposite  column. 

Texas  Theatre  Makes  Films  of 

City^s  Industries  in  Big  Tieup 

Few  theatres  in  the  country  are  more  successful  at  arranging  crack  publicity 
stunts,  newspaper  tieups,  special  exploitation  campaigns  and  in  general  keeping 
the  patrons  flocking  to  the  box  office  than  the  Texas  theatre,  San  Antonio.  Its 
present  campaign  can  hardly  be  beat  for  creating  goodwill,  obtaining  publicity 
and  increasing  business.  Details  of  this  campaign  follow: 
Publix  in   San  Antonio   has  gone   in   for  a       regular  ads.     They  purchase  at  regular  prices 


series  of  industrial  moving  pictures  at  the 
Texas — with  an  idea  to  boosting  the  "made 
in  San  Antonio  products,"  to  building  box 
office,  and  to  increase  publicity  outlets.  The 
gag  is  simple,  and  one  that  is  going  over  like 
wildfire. 

A  tieup  has  been  arranged  with  the  San 
Antonio  Express,  whereby  its  efficiency  expert 
sells  the  idea  to  the  various  large  industries 
in  that  city.  A  full  page  ad  is  run  on  the 
Sunday  of  the  week  that  the  specified  indus- 
tries' film  runs,   together  with  boxes  in  their 


enough  tickets  from  the  Texas  for  their  entire 
stafif  of  employees,  and  hold  an  "Industry 
Night"  one  night  during  the  week. 

They  also  get  a  display  in  the  Texas  lobby, 
and  a  line  in  the  regular  theatre  ads,  besides 
an  editorial  layout  in  the  Sunday  paper.  The 
paper  stands  half  the  cost  of  production  on 
the  picture,  which  is  a  300-foot  average.  Ten 
industries  have  been  sold  to  date,  with  pros- 
pects of  30  more,  making  a  period  of  almost 
40  weeks  that  the  Texas  will  have  this  feature, 
and  the  full  page  publicity. 


You'll  agree,  won't  you,  that  this  atmospheric  lobby  display  would  make  most  any  passerby 

stop,  look  and  buy  a  ticket?     It  was  used  by  Gus  Carlson  of  the  Savoy  theatre,  Superior, 

Wis.,  for  th'i  Columbia  picture,  "The  Isle  of  Forgotten  Women."     Notics  the  cutout  in  the 

center  which  was  animated  with  all  the  contortions  of  a  South  Sea  wriggler. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


A  window  tieup  with  the  Domino  records  used  by  Manager  A.  P.  Drohan  of  the  Griffith 
theatre,  Chatham,  Ontoria,  on  Ramona,  the  United  Artists  picture  starring  Dolores  Del  Rio. 
Good  results  were  secured  with  this  window,  the  store  being  in  the  heart  of  the  business 

district. 


Here 's  a  Good  Idea 
for  Football  Season 

Here's  a  stunt  that  Dick  Bradley,  manager 
of  the  Parkway  theatre,  Madison,  Wisconsin, 
used  last  fall  to  build  up  attendance  at  his 
theatre  during  the  fall  season,  and  all  you 
live  vnrt  managers  living  in  football  towns 
can  do  the  same.  As  the  football  season's 
only  a  couple  months  away  it  will  pay  you 
to  get  started  on  the  idea. 

Dick  went  right  out  to  the  stadium  of  the 
University  of  Wisconsin  and  organized  a 
Letter  Rooter  Section.  You  know  what  that 
is.  Each  student  has  a  letter  and  sits  in  a 
certain  section  in  the  stadium.  Then,  when 
the  home  team  scores  a  touchdown :  "Wowie !" 
Up  goes  all  these  letters,  some  red,  some 
blue  and  the  word  "Wisconsin"  can  be  seen 
above  the  heads  of  the  students.  It  looks 
great  from  the  other  side  of  the  stadium. 

On  the  backs  of  the  letters  were  advertise- 
ments of  the  Parkway  theatre.  And  if  you 
don't  think  that  this  idea  didn't  bring  in  busi- 
ness you  should  have  gone  to  the  Parkway  any 
time  during  the  football  season,  and  seen  the 
crowds. 


The  Stanley  Company  of  America 
with  headquarters  in  Philadelphia 
recently  staged  a  mammoth  Jubi- 
lee Week  celebration,  and  83  of 
the  company's  theatres  took  part. 
Above  is  a  window  tieup  on 
"Ramona"  the  United  Artists  pic- 
ture, starring  Dolores  Del  Rio,  used 
by  the  Aldine  theatre,  Phila- 
delphia, during  the  week.  The 
city  of  Wilmington  cooperated  in 
every  way  to  make  the  Jubilee 
week  a  success.  At  right  is  shown 
how  the  light  poles  in  the  city 
were  decorated  with  shields  and 
flags  for  a  distance  of  eight  blocks. 


"Dressed  to  KiW^  Idea 

A  dandy  publicity  stunt  was  recently  used 
by  the  Merrill  theatre,  Milwaukee  to  exploit 
the  picture,  "Dressed  to  Kill."  A,  Saxe,  man- 
agre  hired  a  young  fellow  to  dress  up  in  a 
snappy  dress  suit,  pack  a  big  shotgun  under 
his  arm  and  walk  up  and  down  Wisconsin 
avenue,  Milwaukee's  principal  thoroughfare. 

The  stunt  attracted  a  great  deal  of  attention 
and  resulted  in  many  people  attending  the 
theatre  during  the  week  the  picture  played.  A 
shotgun  tucked  under  a  well  dressed  man's 
arm  ought  to  attract  attention  almost  any- 
where. 


Tunis  Issues  Censorship 

(Washington  Bureau  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  10.— Only  films 
that  have  been  approved  by  the  Prime 
Minister  of  the  Bey  of  Tunis  will  be  al- 
lowed to  be  projected  in  the  Regency  of 
Tunis,  according  to  a  decree  issued,  it  is 
reported  by  the  vice  consul  at  Tunis  to  the 
Department  of  Commerce.  The  owners  of 
moving  picture  theatres  will  have  to  exhibit 
whenever  asked  for  by  the  municipal  or 
police  authorities  a  censorship  card  accom- 
panying each  film. 


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Hpi^MfciE'              ^HJIIIH 

What  to  Say  When 

Opening  a  Theatre 

If  you  are  planning  the  opening  of  a 
theatre,  you  will  need  a  trailer  for  the 
opening  performances,  or  perhaps  you 
will  want  to  make  a  curtain  talk,  or  use 
an  institutional  ad  of  dedication  of  your 
house  to  the  public.  The  following  dedi- 
cation used  by  the  Emboyd  theatre.  Fort 
Waye,  Ind.,  when  it  was  recently  opened 
by  W.  C.  Quimby,  should  provide  a  good 
pattern  for  your  needs: 

The  Emboyd  Welcomes  You 

We  take  this  opportunity  of  extending  to 
you  the  most  cordial  welcome  of  this  latest 
and  most  modern  temple  of  photoplays. 

The  Emboyd  was  built  for  your  pleasure 
and  entertainment.  We  realized  one  of  the 
essential  needs  of  this  community  and  neigh- 
borhood was  a  theatre  where  photoplays  of 
the  highest  caliber  could  be  shown,  where 
you  could  hear  music  that  will  entrance  and 
delight  you  and  where  novelty  entertainment 
will  reign  supreme,  so  that  young  and  old  may 
find  here  memories  of  the  past  made  sweeter, 
experiences  of  today  helpful  and  visions  of 
tomorrow  brighter  and  clearer. 

Our  main  purpose  when  constructing  this 
theatre  was  to  provide  a  theatre  where  serv- 
ice, convenience  and  pleasure  could  be  served 
you  100  per  cent. 

The  decorations,  materials  and  furnishings 
are  of  the  finest  obtainable  and  were  selected 
with  the  thought  utmost  in  our  minds  of  giv- 
ing YOU  a  theatre  where  you  and  your  fam- 
ily may  enjoy  an  evening  in  an  atmosphere 
of  refinement  with  the  feeling  of  real  com- 
fort and  coziness. 

We  say  this  is  your  theatre,  for  we  are 
here  merely  to  provide  you  with  entertain- 
ment, and  we  will  always  be  open  for  any 
suggestions  you  may  have,  for  after  all,  this 
theatre  cannot  be  a  success  without  your  con- 
tinued patronage  and  support. 

M.  My\RCUS,  GENERAL  MANAGER, 
for  W.  C.  QUIMBY. 


Plan  $500,000  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MADISON,  WIS.— Having  purchased  the 
Baptist  church  property  in  Beloit,  Wis.,  for 
$85,000,  the  Fischer-Paramount  Theatre 
Co.,  which  operates  three  theatres  in  Madi- 
son, contemplates  building  a  $500,000  theatre 
on  the  site. 


^^■^^1^ 

— ''-^j/rmmmm^^^^^^^^ 

^^^^K''' 

^^^^^^^^Rm 

'•^. 

m 

The  Reading  railroad  turned  the 
information  desk  in  its  terminal 
station  in  Philadelphia  over  to  the 
company  for  billing  purposes  as 
can  be  seen  above.  It  also  donated 
the  use  of  over  300  billboards  in 
the  railroad's  stations.  These  tie- 
ups  form  just  a  small  part  of  the 
many  tieups  and  the  exploitation 
campaigns  used  by  the  company 
and  individual  theatres  to  make 
the  Jubilee  Week  the  big  success  it 
was.  But  these  three  photographs, 
alone,  show  the  extent  of  coopera- 
tion that  can  be  obtained  where 
theatres   really  go   out   to  get   it. 


July  14, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Y^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window." 


"HOT  NEWS" 

171  OT  NEWS"  is  that  in  more  than  title. 
It  is  the  news  that  a  good  picture  can  be  made 
on  a  picture  theme,  a  fact  which  a  good  many 
producing  companies  have  spent  a  good  deal 
of  money  in  trying — unsuccessfully — to  prove. 
"Hot  News"  is  the  first  picture  about  pictures 
that  has  seemed  to  me  to  get  the  reality  of 
pictures  over  to  the  public,  and  it  seems  to  do 
that  not  only  so  far  as  I'm  concerned  but  also 
as  far  as  were  concerned  those  thousands  who 
looked  at  the  picture  with  me  in  the  Oriental 
theatre  last  week. 

The  opening  of  "Hot  News"  is  first  rate  stuff 
for  the  public  and  doubly  that  for  the  trade, 
since  the  Sun  News — the  newsreel  of  the  story — 
performs  the  feats  that  were  performed  for 
the  initial  edition  of  Paramount  News  some 
months  back.  Neatly  worked  into  the  story, 
with  no  self-applause  for  Paramount  by  Para- 
mount, the  stunt  is  superb  in  handling  and 
effect. 

Bebe  Daniels  is  the  cameragirl  of  the  picture 
and,  as  usual,  she  goes  at  once  about  the  busi- 
ness of  showing  the  young  man  how  much  bet- 
ter a  young  woman  can  do  a  young  man's  work 
than  a  young  man  can  do  it.  (If  Miss  Daniels 
isn't  elected  chief  high  potentate  by  the  fem- 
inists of  this  our  contemporary  civilization  it 
must  be  because  the  scattered  membership 
hasn't  seen  her  last  several  pictures.)  And, 
again  as  usual,  Miss  Daniels  performs  that 
demonstration  with  dash,  semblance  of  con- 
viction and  many  a  laugh.  In  fact  the  thing 
is  a  first  rate  comedy  on  points,  even  without 
the  picture  angle,  and  I  suppose  it  is  true  that 
a  really  first  rate  comedy  may  concern  one  sub- 
ject just  about  as  profitably  as  another. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  I  am  glad  that  the  con- 
siderably interesting  subject  which  is  the 
motion  picture  has  been  made,  finally,  an  avail- 
able subject  for  motion  picture  treatment.  Like 
plays  about  plays,  books  about  books  and 
drawings  about  drawings,  the  trick  is  not  a 
simple  one.  I  recommend  that  the  industry 
at  large  take  a  good  look  at  "Hot  News"  and 
become  familiar  with  the  really  very  simple 
manner  in  which  the  motion  picture  can  be 
treated  successfully  in  motion  pictures. 


I 


"TELLING  THE  WORLD' 


T,  O.  Service 

the  World"  he  has  surpassed  previous  efforts 
and  therefore  the  picture  is  funnier  than  those 
that  have  gone  before  it.  Circumstances  being 
what  they  are,  I  shall  simply  repeat  that  the 
captions  in  this  picture  are  gems  and  therefore 
the  picture  is  good  for  a  lot  of  laughs. 

I  am  in  better  fortune  in  the  case  of  the 
leading  lady,  for  I  remember  her  name.  It 
is  Anita  Page  (and  maybe  there  is  an  "i"  in 
the  last  name  at  that)  and  Miss  Page  is  hailed 
herewith  as  the  most  welcome  young  lady  in- 
spected by  these  dimming  eyes  in  many  and 
many  a  month.  I  don't  know  where  this  young 
lady  came  from,  I  never  heard  of  her  before 
the  picture  started,  but  I  know  that  she  is  just 
about  all  right.  I  can't  think  of  a  thing  she 
does  in  "Telling  the  World"  that  might  have 
been  done  better  by  anyone  else  I  can  think 
of,  and  she  does  some  things  that  I  doubt  an- 
other actress  could  do  at  all.  She  is  particu- 
larly effective  when  dependent  solely  upon  an 
eye  for  her  effects.  But  then,  it  is  pointless 
to  say  why  anyone  is  better  than  anyone  else 
in  any  picture  and  so  I  shall  not  go  into  de- 
tail.   But  see  this  girl.    She's  worth  your  while. 

Mr.  Haines  continues  in  "Telling  the  World" 
the  series  begun  with  whatever  his  first  pic- 
ture was  and  continued  steadily  up  until  and 
including  this  time.  I  believe  this  gives  Mr. 
Haines  the  world  record  for  continuous  repe- 
tition of  a  given  routine  and  I  suppose  a  cer- 
tain distinction  should  be  attached  to  that  rec- 
ord. I  observe,  incidentally,  that  a  great  many 
people  seem  perfectly  contented  to  see  him  do 
this  act  over  and  over  and  over  again.  For 
my  own  part,  however,  I  should  like  to  find 
downtown  Chicago  so  filled  with  new  pictures 
on  the  weeks  when  Mr.  Haines  is  periodically 
prevalent  that  I  should  not  have  to  inspect  his 
current  endeavors.  But  of  course  that's  per- 
sonal, and  I  am  not  unmindful  of  the  fact  that 
Mr.  Haines  seems  entirely  capable  of  keeping  a 
certain  public   in    consistent   subjection. 


I 


"SHOW  GOING  ON" 


F  it  were  less  hot  than  it  is,  or  less  far  to 
the  file  cabinet,  or  if  my  memory  were  better, 
I  would  tell  you  the  name  of  the  person  who 
writes  the  captions  for  William  Haines'  pic- 
tures and  then  go  on  to  say  that  in  "Telling 


N  1908,  if  my  memory  for  dates  is  no  worse 
than  my  memory  for  other  things,  it  was  a 
pretty  dull  nickelodeon  which  did  not  have  its 
phonograph  ballyhooing  to  the  pedestrian  pub- 
lic the  fact  that  a  show  was  in  progress.  I 
recall,  even,  the  lumbering  contrivance  which 
Columbia  produced — with  a  huge  horn  and  a 
big  motor,  which  seemed  to  give  a  greater  vol- 
ume of  sound  from  the  standard  cylinder  record 


than  the  smaller  models — to  meet  this  demand 
for  loud  and  more  or  less  musical  notification 
of  the  populace.  No  doubt  there  are  among 
you  several  who  still  have  the  machine  in  the 
basement.  That  is,  of  course,  where  it  went 
when  invincible  civilization  brought  trade  and 
public  to  realization  that  this  was  a  pretty  cheap 
business. 

All  this  is  recalled  merely  as  a  preface  to 
the  remark  that  a  squawking  device  of  even 
greater  volume  has  been  mounted  atop  the  box 
office  of  McVickers  theatre  on  Madison  street 
in  Chicago,  Illinois.  As  one  stands  in  the  foyer 
awaiting  eventual  entry — and  they  are  standing 
there  for  "Street  Angel" — this  apparatus  makes 
life  particularly  terrible.  Waiting  in  line  is 
quite  bad  enough,  but  listening  to  constant 
repetition  of  a  single  tune  is  much  too  much. 
The  sidewalk  impression,  by  the  way,  is  identi- 
cal with  that  experienced  when  passing  one  of 
those  bandit  radio  stores  which  have  come  into 
flower  with  the  decline  of  the  battery  set  and 
the  home-made  receiver.  One  instinctively 
looks  away  and  hurries. 

AND,  THEN,  TOO— 

J  UST  because  a  minor  illness  last  week  kept 
me  away  from  some  of  the  customary  theatres 
and  so  leaves  me  with  several  lines  of  type  to 
employ,  I  want  to  utter  a  pet  protest  of  mine 
against: 

Comedies  in  which  children  do  adult  things, 
do  obscene  things,  do  things  which  bring  pain 
to  them  and  make  them  cry,  do  anything  at 
all  which  healthy  children  under  normal  con- 
ditions do  not  do. 

Comedies  in  which  glue,  mush,  oil,  soapsuds 
or  other  fluids  are  spilled  upon  people's  faces, 
down  people's  necks,  into  people's  food,  or 
pockets,  under  people's  feet,  and  comedies  in 
which  people  are  dropped  into  vats  containing 
such  fluids. 

Comedies  which  set  forth  as  funny  such 
things  as  toothless  men,  dwarfed  men,  men 
with  bald  heads,  hideous  faces,  crooked  spines. 
Women   ditto. 

Comedies  which  depict  people  losing  their 
pants,  their  false  teeth,  hair,  limbs,  and  all 
comedies  which  have  hospitals,  funeral  parlors 
and  haunted  houses  as  their  setting. 

Comedies  which  are  produced  on  the  basis 
that  a  thing  which  is  funny  once  is  funnier  the 
second  time  and  so  on  progressively. 

And  with  the  protest  goes  a  prayer  of  grati- 
tude for  each  of  the  three  funny  comedies  I 
have  seen  in  the  past  year.  Why  not  make 
more  of  them? 


54 


EXHIBITOKS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


Y^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

BARKER,  THE:  First  National  drama,  with 
Milton  Sills,  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  George  Cooper, 
John  Erwin,  S.  S.  Simon,  Dorothy  Mackaill,  Betty 
Compson    and    Sulvia   Ashton.      Directed    by    George 

Fitzmaurice.     Released. Liength 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  An  adaptation  of  the  suc- 
cessful stage  play  of  the  same  title  and  true  to 
the  original  story.  Nifty  Miller  is  one  of  the  best 
barkers  in  the  carnival  game.  Carrie,  hula  dancer, 
loves  him  madly.  Nifty  is  fond  of  her,  too,  and 
their  rotnance  goes  along  well  until  Chris,  Nifty's 
S071,  turns  up  to  see  his  dad.  Chris  is  only  a 
"punk"  and  has  run  away  from  his  grandparents' 
farm  to  be  out  in  the  world.  Nifty  wants  the 
boy  to  go  back,  for  he  is  determined  the  boy  shall 
not  be  a  carnival  trouper.  He  wants  Chris  to 
study  latv.  Jealous  of  Chris,  Carrie  induces  Lou 
to  vamp  the  boy.  Lou,  young  but  sophisticated 
beauty,  does,  but  falls  in  love  with  the  kid  herelf. 
They  get  married.  Learning  that  this  is  Carrie's 
doings.  Nifty  almost  kills  her,  then  quits  the  show. 
Later,  in  another  town,  the  carnival  is 
flopping.  It  needs  Nifty.  He  turns  up,  can't  bear 
to  see  the  shcnv  fail  and  takes  charge  of  things. 
Chris  a/nd  Lou  appear  in  the  crowd.  They  are 
forgiven. 

«     #     * 

FREE  LIPS:  First  Division  melodrama,  with  June 
Marlowe,  Jane  Novak,  Frank  Hagney,  Ernie 
Shields,    Olin   Francis   and    Edna  Hearn.     Directed 

by    Wallace    MacDonald.      Released 

Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  An  addition  to  the  col- 
lection of  night  club  "mellers."  Anne,  broke  and 
ousted  from  her  room,  walks  untU  she  collapses  in 
front  of  the  "Free  Lips"  night  club,  where  Flossie, 
an  entertainer  there,  picks  her  up  and  takes  her 
home.  Flossie  then  induces  Dugan,  the  proprietor, 
to  put  Anne  in  the  clwrus.  One  night  Merrit, 
wealthy  rounder,  is  spending  his  money  freely  while 
sitting  with  Anne.  Nearby  sits  "The  Fox,"  a 
crook.  Flossie  orders  him  to  leave,  and  when  he 
refuses,  Merrit  knocks  him  doivn.  Dugan  orders 
the  lights  lowered  to  a  moonlight  scene.  Merrit 
starts  dancing  with  Anne.  Just  as  he  pkuces  his 
cheek  against  her  lips,  a  shot  is  fired.  Merrit  falls 
dead.  Rouge  marks  on  the  dead  man's  cheek 
indicate  Anne's  guilt.  But  Dugan  takes  the  blame. 
The  jury  pronounces  him  guilty.  Then  Flossie 
rushes  forward  with  the  fatal  gun.  "The  Fox" 
is  apprehended  in  the  courtroom.  He  confesses. 
And  Dugan  is  free  to  marry  Anne. 
«     »     » 

RED  MARK,  THE:  Pathe  drama  with  Nena  Quar- 
taro,  Gafiton  Glass,  Gustav  von  Seyffertitz,  Rose 
Dione,  Luke  Cosgrave,  Eugene  Pallette,  Jack 
Roper  and  Charles  Dervis.  Directed  by  James 
Cruze.     Released Length 


A  critical  scene  from  one  of  the  new 
Hoot  Gibson  Westerns,  which  are  now 
being  produced  by  the  star's  own  com- 
pany. Universal,  however,  will  remain 
the  distributing  company.  This  scene, 
showing  Gibson,  is  from  "Burning  the 
Wind." 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  Love  and  intrigue— a 
prodigious  amount  of  the  latter — in  a  prison  camp. 
De  Nou  is  executioner  on  the  penal  island  of 
Noumea.  He  desires  Zelie,  niece  of  Mother  Carron, 
a  "lifer"  because  De  Nou  believes  she  knows  the 
whereabouts  of  his  son,  who  disappeared  when  a 
child.  The  boy  bore  a  red  birthmark  on  his  neck. 
Bibl-Ri  also  loves  Zelie,  and  she  him,  and  as  soon 
as  he  is  released  from  prison,  they  plan  their  mar- 
riage. De  Nou  interferes,  declaring  that  the  girl 
is  his.  But  noting  a  red  mark  on  Bibi-Ri's  neck. 
Mother  Carron  arranges  for  a  secret  wedding  of 
the  young  lovers.  An  aide  of  De  Nou  announces 
the  coining  of  his  master.  Bibi-Ri  kills  him. 
De  Nou  arrests  the  slayer.  A  nun  arrives  to  take 
Zelie  into  a  convent.  Zelie  and  Bibi-Ri  have  one 
last  moment  together.  Then  Zelie  leaves,  and 
Bibi-Ri  is  led  to  the  guillotine.  The  knife  falls,  as 
De  Nou,  the  executioner,  sees  the  tell-tale  red 
birthmark  on  the  prisoner's  neck. 


STOCKS  AND  BLONDES:  PEG  comedy-drama, 
with  Gertrude  Astor,  Jacqueline  Logan,  Skeets 
Gallagher,  and  Albert  Conti.  Directed  by  Dudley 
Murphy.       Released Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  In  which  a  good  little 
night  club  girl  debunks  her  bunk  shooting  fiance. 
Despite  the  sneers  of  her  pal,  Goldie,  Patsy  per- 
sists in  retaining  Tom  as  her  man.  Goldie  intro- 
duces Powers  to  Patsy.  One  night  at  the  club  the 
girls  overhear  Powers  and  another  man  ivhile  drunk 
give  away  details  of  an  impending  oil  deal.  Patsy 
has  a  lawyer  tell  Tom  to  buy  and  sell  certain  stock 
at  certain  prices.  Tom,  who  has  been  fired  by  Poll- 
ers, does  not  know  his  clients,  but  he  follows  in- 
structions and  cleans  up.  Prosperity  goes  to  his  head 
and  tvhen  he  sees  Patsy  ivith  Powers,  he  calls  her 
a  gold  digger  and  throws  her  down.  To  bring 
him  to  his  senses.  Patsy  connives  with  Powers  to 
"bust"  Tom  on  the  stock  exchange.  Tom  is  thus 
brought  to  earth,  amd  thoroughly  debunked,  he 
returns  to  his  waiting  Patsy. 
*  *  * 
TENTH  AVENUE:  Pathe  melodrama,  with  Phyllis 
Haver,  Victor  Varconi,  Joseph  Schildkraut,  Louis 
Natheaux,  Robert  Edeeon,  Ethel  Wales,  Casson 
Ferguson  and  Ernie  E.  Adams.  Directed  by  Wil- 
liam    C.     DeMille.       Released Length 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  tale  of  those  who 
struggle  and  deceive  in  the  crude  manner  of  the 
lowly  born,  laid  in  "Hell's  Kitchen,"  New  York. 
Lyla  slaves  all  day  in  a  department  store,  then 
tends  to  the  rooming  house  which  her  mother 
operates.  Lyla's  biggest  problem,  however,  is  Joe, 
whom  she  has  promised  to  marry.  Joe  is  a  weak- 
ling, though  a  gangster,  while  Lyla  loves  Bob,  a 
reformed  gambler,  far  more.  Fink,  a  bootlegger,  is 
found  dead.  Bob  and  Joe  return  with  a  lot  of 
money.  Both  are  suspected.  But  on  Joe's  promise 
to  release  Lyla  from  her  promise.  Bob  tcfkes  the 
blame.  However,  a  detective  overhears  Joe  confess 
the  crime  to  Bob,  and  Joe  is  killed  trying  to 
escape.  The  way  is  clear  for  Lyla  and  Bob. 
*  *  * 
WHIP,  THE:  First  National  drama,  with  Dorothy 
Maekaill,  Ralph  Forbes,  Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  Lowell 
Sherman,  Albert  Gran,  Marc  McDermott,  Lou 
Payne  and  Arthur  Clajrton.  Directed  by  Charles 
Brabin.     Released Length _ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  designing  woman  and 
attendant  intrigue  over  a  nobleman  and  a  horse. 
Young  Ixird  Brancaster  is  very  happy  over  his 
engagement  to  Iris  d'Aquila  up  to  the  moment  he 
learns  that  she  is  marrying  him  only  for  his  title 
and  money  and  that  she  is  intimate  with  Sartoris, 
On  the  way  to  his  country  estate,  he  meets  with 
an  automobile  accident  and  suffers  amnesia.  Iris 
and  Sartoris  hear  of  his  condition,  and  at  a  ball 
at  Lord  Beverly's,  Iris  produces  a  falce  certificate 
of  her  marriage  to  Brancaster.  Lady  Diana,  tvith 
whom  Brancaster  has  now  fallen  in  love,  tells  him 
that  she  knows  he  is  the  victim  of  a  fraud — and 
also  that  The  Whip,  which  was  thought  too  un- 
manageable, tvould  certainly  win  the  coming  ra/:e. 
Having  beH  his  all  against  The  Whip,  Sartoris  un- 
couples the  car  carrying  the  horse  to  the  track, 
leaving  the  horse  in  the  path  of  an  express  train. 
Brancaster,  however,  gets  the  car  to  a  siding  just 
as  the  express  whizzes  by.  The  Whip  wins,  and 
Brancaster  and  Diana  a/re  enabled  to  marry. 


This  Week's  Press  Sheet 


THE  WAY  OF  THE  STRONG  (Columbia  drama) :  It 
might  be  possible  for  you  to  induce  the  local  prohibition 
enforcement  agents  to  destroy  a  consignment  of  confiscated 
liquor  in  the  sewer  before  your  theatre.  Advertise  the  occa- 
sion well  in  advance,  and  the  crowd  will  gather  to  see  the 
event.  It  would  prove  an  excellent  object  lesson  and  tie-up 
well  with  the  picture.  You  might  also  arrange  to  have  a 
member  of  the  federal  enforcement  bureau  give  a  talk  at  one 
of  the  performances.  Invite  the  clergy  and  social  workers  to 
a  special  pre-showing  of  "The  Way  of  the  Strong"  and  ask 
them  to  endorse  the  picture.  Suggest  that  the  clergy  use  the 
theme  as  sermon  topics  the  Sunday  previous  to  the  opening. 
This  is  good  for  a  break  in  the  newspapers  and  will  insure 
you  of  good  audiences. 

A  lobby  display  of  firearms,  showing  the  machine  guns  and 
other  weapons  used  by  the  gangsters  in  their  warfare,  should 
prove  an  attraction.     In  the  display  you  might  arrange  a  com- 


parison of  the  weapons  used  today  with  those  in  various 
periods  of  history.  This  may  be  made  highly  instructive  and 
worthy  of  a  special  newspaper  story,  if  you  commence  with 
the  tomahawks  and  knives  of  the  stone  age,  the  clubs  of  the 
caveman  and  come  down  to  the  modern  times.  The  librarian 
at  the  museum  will  probably  be  glad  to  cooperate  with  you 
on  this. 

Camouflage  a  fleet  of  trucks  to  look  as  if  they  were  loaded 
with  booze.  Use  posters  along  the  side  stating,  "If  the  hi- 
jackers knew  what  was  on  these  trucks  they  would  meet  us  at 

the  theatre,  where  we  are  going  to  see  'The  Way 

of  the  Strong?'"  Build  your  stage  presentation  around  an 
underworld  cafe.  Dancing  numbers,  comedy,  whistling, 
choruses  and  other  novelties  are  appropriate.  Arrange  with 
some  local  club  or  dramatic  school  to  furnish  the  talent.  Run 
an  essay  contest  in  the  public  schools  on  the  subject,  "Why 
a  gangster  can't  win";  or,  "What  is  the  way  of  the  strong?" 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


^e^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 

Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key   to   abbreviations   used  in  denoting   the  type   of  pictures 
C-^lomedy  F—^Farce 

D — Drama  M — Melodrama 

R— Romance  W—~Western 

My     'Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Chesterfield 


1928 

5400  Adorable  Cheat,   The,  Lila  Lee-McIntosh June  1 

5450  Below    the    Deadline ...Feb.  28 

6500  Campus    Knights   ..._ Aug.  15 

5300  Circumstantial    Evidence  _ - Oct.  30 

6000  House  of  Shame,  The _ June  30 

6000  Roaring    Forties,   The _ Apr.  15 

5900  South   of   Panama Deo.  15 


1928 


June  9 


1927 

5831 
6843 
5432 
5628 
5513 
5645 
5750 
S524 
5569 
5892 
1000 
5996 
5435 
5054 
6108 
6357 
5426 
5791 

1928 

5459 
5537 


Columbia 


Alias  the  Lone  WoU  (D).  Lytell-Wilson.... Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (M),   Boswortli-Logan. Aug.  10 

By  Whose  Hand   (MyD),   Cortez-Gilbert Sept.  15 

College   Hero,   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon. Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes _ Dec.  8 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Women   (D),  Tearle-Sebastlan_Sept.  27 

Lone   Wolf    Returns   (M),   LyteU-Wilson 

Opening   Night,   The    (D),   Windsor-J.   Bowers....Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson. 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-Allen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  

Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Eevier._ _ Dea  20 

Stage  Kisses  (D),  Hailan-CLadwiok Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Revier.. 


1927 


Jan.  7  Oct.  1 

Dec.  3         July  23 
Dec.  31 


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 
July  31 

.._ i..May  14 

Jan.  14       

.._ Aug.  28 

Jan.  21  Jan.  21 
Jan.  7         _ 


Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady   (CD),   Mason _ 

Tigress,   The   (M),  Holt-Revier - _ „Oct.  21 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Bevier-Agnew _ 

Warning,  The  (M),  Holt-EeTier _ Nov.  26 


..Oct.  2 


..52.72% 


Dec.  3 


5928 
5925 


5440 
5464 
6047 
5350 
5472 


After  the  Storm,   Hobart-Bosworth _ 

Broadway   Daddies,   JacQueline  Logan. _... 

(Jolf   Widows    (CD),   Eeynolds-Ford 

Desert  Bride,   The   (MD),  Betty  Compson. Mar.  26 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew Jan.  25 

Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love-Wallier Mar.  14 

Modern   Mothers   (CD),  Helene  Chadwick. June  9 

Name  the  Woman   (D),  Stewart-Gordon 

So  This   Is  Love,  Mason-Collier Feb.  6 

Sporting    Age,    The,   Bennett -Herbert _ Mar.  2 

That  Certain  Thing.  Dana-Graves _ _ Jan.  1 

Wife's   Relations,  The,  Mason-Glass Jan.  13 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baiter-Livingston Feb.  IS 


1928 


..May  26 
Apr.  14 
Feb.  25 
Apr.  7 


..June  19 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


1927 

2000    Angelus,  The   (D) - May  15 

2000     Real   Charleston,  Lesson  Novelty — Apr.  24 

Wooden  Shoes,  InternationaL May  8 

1927  Emblem  Films 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings Dec.  3 


1927 


1927 


1927 

5980 
6805 
5912 
6645 
5792 


Excellent 


Back  to   Liberty    (D),   Walsh-Hall Nov.  15 

Bowery  Cinderella,  A  (D),  O'MaUey-Hulette. May  1 

Broadway   Drifter   (D),  Walsb-HaU Nov.  1         — 

Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith. Apr.  14 

His   Rise  to   Fame   (D),   Walsh-Shaw Feb.  15 

Kick-off,   The   (D),  Hyams-Amann. Mar.  17 

Nest,  The  (D),  Frederick-Herbert Aug.  1 

Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Roberts Jan.  15       Mar.  3 


1927 


.Nov.  26 


7393 
5337 

5750  Winning  Oar,  The  (D),  Walsh-Hall „.....Tuue  1 

5867  Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holmes Sept.  1       Mar.  17 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1928 


6400 
6536 
6600 


A  Bit  of  Heaven    (D),  Washbum-Lee Apr.  25 

Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschi-J.  Norman_ 

Making  the  Varsity,  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris. .June  30 

Manhattan   Knights,  Barbara  Bedford -..July  15 

Speed  Classic,  The,  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris..-.July  25 

Satan   and  the  Woman   (D),  Windsor-Keefe Jan.  20 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),   Chadwiol;-Delaney Mar.  30 

You're  in  the  Army   (D) - May  25 


1928 


Feb.  25 
Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


1927 


4765 
4838 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
630O 
6507 
7014 
5240 
56G5 
5186 
6481 
6515 
5181 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5311 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame  in  the  Sky   (M),  Luden-Lynn. Dec.  18 

Bandit's   Son,    The    (W),    Bob   Steele Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage   (D),   Ranger Aug.  7 

Cherokee   Kid,   The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn -Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding  (CD),  Geo.  Sidney Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter... Aug.  21 

Desert    Pirate    (W),    Tom    Tyler Dec.  25  . 

Flying   U    Ranch.   The   (W),   Tom  Tyler Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,   The   (C),   Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester.   The    (D),   OrviUe  CaldwelL Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder   No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne Nov.  13 

In  a   Moment  of  Temptation    (M),  Kit  Guard....Sept.  18 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hflls  (D),  Darro-Valli -Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (D),   Frankie  Darro _Dec.  27 

Loves  of  Ricardo   (D),  Beban June  17 

Moiave   Kid,  The   (W).  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon   of   Israel    (D),  Maria  Corda _ 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince Aug.  31 

Racing    Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange _ 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Ranger O'ct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince Oct.  19 

Slingshot   Kid,  The   (M).  Buzz  Barton....: Dec.  4 

South  Sea  Love   (D),  Patsy  Miller. -Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger Dec.  11 


Dec  10 
Dec.  10 
Dec.  3 


Oct.  8 


Nov.  26 

Dec.  24 

Nov.  26 

Nov.  19 
Dec.  3 

Dec.  3 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  17 
Dec.  31 


..Sept.  10 
..Sept.  10 


July  30 
..July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 
..Dec.  10 


54.90% 


Aug.  20 


.Dec.  10 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  10 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  10 


..Aug.  6 
..July  9 
..July  23 


Aug.  20 


5144 
4769 
5771 
4S01 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6039 
3067 
4793 
4760 
6329 
4898 
4805 

1927 

5400 
5960 
3600 
3900 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5000 


Alex  the   Great   (M).   Skeets  Gallagher May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway — Mar.  18 

Breed   of  the  Sunsets   (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago  After   Midnight   (M),  Ince-Mendez Mar.  4 

Coney   Island   (0),  Lois  Wilson. Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis -May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve   (D),  Fairbanks,  Jr Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,   The  (D),  BeUe  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild   (D),  Ranger Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W),   Buzz  Barton July  1 

Freckles   (D),   Stratton-Fox.   Jr Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD),  Bob  Steele 

Her  Summer   Hero    (CD),   Blane-Trevor Feb.  12 

Law  of  Fear  (D),  Ranger Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in   Paris   (C),   Cooke-Guard -Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo,  The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  Orville  CaldwelL. May  28 

Man  in  the   Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red    Riders  of   Canada  (M),  P.  B.  Miller..... Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele -Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love July  15 

Skinner's   Big   Idea   (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Texas  Tornado,   The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Feb.  26 

Trail   of  Courage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott Feb.  16 

When  the   Law   Rides   (W),  Tom  Tyler June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  Barton -Jan.  22 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Dec.  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec.  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 
..June  19 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Dec.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


1928 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


Apr.  28 
Apr.  14 


..Dec.  24 


First  Division 


1927 


Comrades.    Costello-Hughes   -Jan.  1 

Death   Valley  (W),  Carroll  Nye Sept.  1 

Eager  Lips,  Garon Oct.  1 

Finnegan's   Ball   (C),  Mack  Swain. Sept.  15 

Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Shon Nov.  13 

Ladybird,  Compson  . -Aug.  1 

Naughty,   Garon  _ Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the   Movies,  Short-Robards Oct.  15 

Ragtime  (D),  De  La  Motte _ Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston   Blackie   (D),  Glenn-Palmer....Aug.  1 

Say   It  with   Diamonds,  Betty  Compson -Aug.  15 

5700    Temptations   of   a   Shop    Girl,   Compson Nov.  1 

1928 

5500     Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells...- Apr.  1 

6300     Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson. -Mar.  1 

6200    Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells Mar.  15 


..Aug.  20 


Jan.  7 


..Oct.  15 


Jan.  7 
Nov.  26 


Sept.  3 


1928 


Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


1921 

6300 

6333 

6433 

6222 

6765 

8730 

7724 

63S6 

65SS 

6S02 

5400 

52S2 

7133 

62SS 

611S 

6190 

6524 

6400 

6720 

5T1S 

5550 

5255 

73SS 

6521 

5542 

5434 

7S46 

6520 

6040 

6431 

6734 

11414 

59S2 

6897 

6400 

6210 

6477 

5606 

5S00 

6648 

7179 

5000 

7400 

7419 

5774 

5668 

7833 

6336 

6324 

6409 

1928 

7404 
6500 
5800 
5744 
6374 
8030 

6172 
6344 
7100 
7433 

7541 

5957 

7694 
6592 


7700 

6625 
7129 
5485 
8188 
5827 
6212 
6874 
5087 

7187 

1927 

466.5 
4777 
4556 
5425 
6078 
6333 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8154 
5524 
4545 
6617 
5515 
4983 
4851 
6040 
6162 
6599 
6507 
8538 
6415 
6440 
6500 
7734 
7677 
6327 
6808 
6876 
6893 
6480 
W70 


First  National 


Not.  19 
Nov.  12 


Dec.  17 
Dec.  3 


Nov.  26 


All  Aboard  (C).  Hines-Murphy May  8 

American   Beauty    (CD),  Dove-Hughes. _ Oct.  9 

An   Affair  of  the    Follies   (D).   Dove-Hughes. .Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CD),  C.  Talmadge ...Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D),   Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D),  N.  Talmadge-IJoland Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),    Sherman-Mackalll Apr.  24 

Crystal   Cup.   The   (D),  Mackalll-Mullial] Oct.  16 

Dance   Magic   (D),   Lyon-Starke June  12 

Drop    Kick.    The    (D),    Barthelmess-Revier Sept.  25 

Easy   Pickings   (MyM),   Nllsson-Harlan. _ Feb.  20 

Framed    (D).    Sills-KJngston _ —June  19 

Gorilla,   The   (My),  Murray  Kelsey _ „ -Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),    Maynard-Falre Nov.  6 

Her  Wild   Oat  (C),  Moore-Kent _ Dec.  25 

High    Hat    (CD),    Lyon-Brian Mar.  13 

Home  Made   (C),  Hlnes-Daw -Not.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine.  The  (D),  C.  Grifflth-Bushman_jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley,   The   (C),  Murray-Sidney — Sept.  18 

Lonesome   Ladies    (CD),   Nilsson-Stone —July  3 

Long    Pants    (C).    Langdon-Bonner. _ -Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),   Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D).  Dove-Boland Deo.  18 

Lunatic   at   Large,   The   (C),   Errol-Mackaill Jan.  2 

Man  Crazy  (CD).  Mackaill-MulhaU -Not.  27 

Masked  Women,  The  (D),  Nilsson-Blinn-H'nsen_jan.  23 

McFadden's   Flats   (C).   Murray-ConWin. Feb.  6 

Naughty  But  Nice   (C),  Moore-Reed. June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone -Mar.  27 

No   Place  to  Go   (C).  Hughea-Astor _ Oct.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall _ Mar.  6        

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D),  Bart'lmess-O'Day.. 

Perfect   Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke Jan.  16       

Poor   Nut,  The    (C),  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7         _... 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman — _ 

Red    Raiden,   The   (W),   Maynard-Drew — July  17       _... 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West   (D),  Astor-Roland — Sept.  4       

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  SlUs-Astor _ Oct.  2         Nov.  1 

See  You  In  Jail   (C),  MulhaU-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile  (C).  MulhaU-MackaUL Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-Dove -Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-CoUier Aug.  14      

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   Dove-Lyon _ June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Rogers-Fazenda...- May  1         

Three   Hours  (D),  Grifflth-Bowers _ Dec.  4        Dec.  3 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes.    Moore-Harlan  Aug.  28      

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  Sills-Kenyon. Dec.  11       Dec.  2- 

Venus  of  Venice   (CD),  Talmadge-Moreno..._ Mar.  20 

White   Pants  Willie  (C),  Hlnes-Hyams July  24       


...Apr.  2 
Oct.  22 
..Mar.  5 
Nov.  26 
...May  21 
...May  2 
..May  21 
Oct.  29 
Aug.  13 


Feb.  26 
..July  9 
..Jan.  7 


..Mar.  19 
Oct.  29 
..Jan.  8 
...Oct.  1 

..Sept.  24 
..Apr.  9 
..June  25 


1927 


66.10% 

48.00% 

66.00% 
61.54% 


54.81% 


..Feb.  5 


Not.  12 


...Jan.  22 
...Feb.  12 
...July  16 
May  14 
...Dec.  10 
...Apr.  9 
...Aug.  20 
..  Jan.  22 
...Sept.  10 
...July  23 
...Oct.  15 
Oct.  8 
May  14 
Apr.  23 
Sept.  17 
Sept.  3 
July  2 
May  28 
Apr.  16 
..  Jan.  1 
..  Deo.  3 
Jan.  7 
..  Aug.  6 
...Apr.  16 


67.90% 
7.0.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


68.66% 
45.86% 

1928 


Big   Noise,   The   (CD),   Conldln-White Mar. 

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sills-Kenyon. _Feb. 

Canyon    of    Adventure    (W),    Maynard Apr. 

Chaser,  The  (C).  Lansdon -Feb. 

Chinatown    Charlie    (C),    Hines-Lorraine - Apr. 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Johnny  Burke-SaUy  Ellers    

Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Ma.vnard 

Flying    Romeos    (C),   Murray-Sidney Feb. 

French    Dressing   (CD),   Warner-Wilson Jan. 

Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleen-Moore-Lowe June 

Hawk's  Nest.   The    (M),   Milton  Sills -May 

Heart  to   Heart,  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd 

Harold   Teen    (CD).   Lake-Brian Apr. 

Heart  of  a   Follies  Girl    (D),  Dove-Kent- 
Sherman   Mar. 

Helen   of   Troy    (CD),   Stone-Corda-Cortez. Jan. 

Ladies   Night   (CD),  Mackaill-MulhaU Apr. 

Lady    Be    Good    (CD),  Mu]hall-Macl;aill May 

Lilac   Time    (D),    Moore-Cooper Apr. 

Little   Shepherd    of    Kingdsm    Come    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     Apr. 

Mad    Hour    (D),   O'Neil-Kent-Sherman -Mar. 

Noose,    The   (D),   Barthelmess-Joyce Jan. 

Sailors'    Wives    (CD),   Hushes-Astor Jan. 

Shepherd  of  the   Hills   (D),  Francis-O'Day -Jan. 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),   Hughes-Astor May 

Wagon    Show,    The    (W),    Maynard Mar. 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip   Woman,   The   (D).   Taylor-Moreno Feb. 

Wright  Idea,  The  (CD),  Johnny  Hlnes 

Yellow   Lily,  The  (D),  Dove-Brooks May 


Mar.  10  Apr.  7 

Feb.  11  "ZZZ 

Feb.  18  

..July  7  

..June  23  

Apr.  7  

Dec  10  Deo.  17 

May  26  

May  26  June  16 

.July  7  _, 

Apr.  21  

Mar.  10  

Dec.  24  Feb.  4 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released     New 

Pictures 


Comment 


..Oct.  30 
.Not.  27 


Seventh   Heaven,   The   (R),  Farrell-Gaynor 

*Shame  (M),  John  Gilbert 

Silk   Legs   (CD),  Madge  Bellamy -Dec.  18 

Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix -Oct.  2 

Singed    (D),   Baxter-Sweet Aug.  21 

Slaves  of   Beauty   (D),  Herbert-Tel] June  5 

Stage   Madness   (D),   Valli JaiL  9 

St.    Elmo  (M),  John  Gilbert _. -Oct.  9 

Tumbling   River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn. Aug.  21 

Truxton    King,  Gilbert -Oct.  30 

Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Janet  Gaynor „ Sept.  11 

Upstream  (D),  Foxe Jan.  30 

Very   Confidential   (CD).  Madge  Bellamy Not.  6 

War  Horse   (W),  Jones _ Feb.  6 

What   Price   Glory   (CD),   McLaglen-Lowe -...Aug.  28 

Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones -...Mar.  20 

Wizard,   The   (MyD),   Lowe-Hyams Dec.  11 

Wolf  Fangs   (D),  Thunder   (Dog) Not.  27 


10726 

6467 

6446 

5009 

5792 

5412 

6620 

4943 

4675 

4299 

6293 

5510 

5620 

4953 

11109 

5783 

5629 

5531 

1928 

4612  Branded  Sombrero,  The  (W),  Buck  Jones Jan.  8 

Chicken  a  la   King  (CD),  Carrol-Fvancis  Lee 

4987  Daredevil's   Reward   (W),  Tom  Mix Jan.  15 

5703  Don't  Marry,   Moran-Hamilton June  3 

6566  Dressed  to   Kill,   Lowe-Astor Mar.  18 

5109  Escape.  The  (D),  RusseU-Valli _ Apr.  29 

51038  Gateway  of  the   Moon,  The    (D),  Del  Rio Jan.  1 

5882  Girl  In   Every  Port,  A   (CD),  Victor  McLaglen....Jan.  29 

6430  Hangman's   House.   McLaglen-Collyer „ May  13 

4618  Hello  Cheyenne.  Tom  Mix May  13 

6188  Honor  Bound.  O'Brien-Taylor May  13 

4309  Horseman  of  the  Plains   (W),  Tom  Mix. Mar.  11 

5782  Love   Hungry  (CD).  Moran-Gray _ Apr.  15 

6679  News   Parade.   Stuart-Phillips 

5071  No  Other  Woman   (D),  Dolores  Del  Rio -...June  10 

Painted   Post   (W),  Tom  Mix _ _..„ 

5260  Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy - - Apr.  22 

£380  Sharp  Shooters   (CD).  O'Brien-Moran Jan.  15 

5829  Soft  Living    (CD),   Bellamy-Brown. Feb.  5 

5355  Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan Mar.  4 

Street  Angel,   Gaynor 

5937  Thief   In  the  Dark,  A,  Meeker-HlU-Beebe. May  20 

4921  Wild   West   Romance   (W),  Rex   King„._ June  10 

5030  Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong,  Phlpps-McNamara...- Mar.  25 

5480  Woman  Wise  (C),  Russell-CoUyer. Jan.  8 


Dec.  31 
Dec.  17 


..May  28 
..Not.  26 


77.10% 


Oct.  29 
..July  16 
..June  11 
..Jan.  29 


..Aug.  27 


..Feb.  12 
..Nov.  12 
..Feb.  19 


Jan.  14 


..Apr.  9 
Dec  3 


7.93% 
60.61% 


Jan.  21 
..June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


1928 


June  30 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 

..May  26 
June  23 

..July? 

Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


..JVIay  26 
May  19 
Feb.  4 
June  23 


Feb.  IS 


May  19 


Jan.  28 


..JulyT 
June  2 


Gotham 


Dec  31 


1927 

6987     Blondes  by  Choice  (C),  Claire  Windsor. _ Oct.  1 

5800    Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  Graves-Olmstead. Not.  15  _ 

6000     Final   Extra  (M),  De  la  Motto. - - _ JPeb.  19 

62O0     'Frisco  Nights   (D),  Percy  Marmont Dec.  1  Dec.  10       -.- 

5950     Girl  from   Rio,  The   (D),  Carmel  Myers _ Sept.  1  Nor.  26       Sept.  24 

6600     Heroes  of  the  Night  (M),  Landis-Niion. _ Feb.  6 

6700     Rose  of  Klldare,  The  (D),  Helene  Chadwlck.....Aug.  16  Not.  19 

6750    Satin  Woman,  The  (D).  Mrs,  Wallace  Keld. Aug.  1  Not.  19      Aug.  13 

1928 

5268     Bare   Knees    (D),   Corblne - Feb.  1  Jan,  7         

Branded   Man,   The   (D),  Delaney-Marlowe. May  

Chorus   Kid,  The   (D),  All   Star Apr.  1  

Danger   Patrol,   The   (D),   All  Star. Apr.  

Devil's  Tower.  The  (W).  Buddy  Roosevelt..- May  

Hell  Ship  Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid-Beery June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May  

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landis-Murphy May  _ 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  Rooseyelt July  _ 

Trail  Riders   (W),  Buddy  Rooseyelt.- Apr.  

Trailin'   Back   (W),  Buddy  Rooseyelt Mar.  

Turn   Back  the   Hours  (M),  Myma  Ley. Mar.  1  Feb.  11 


1927 


1928 


6000 


5900 


Jime  2 
I 

Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Dec.  10 
Dec.  24 
Dec.  8 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

...June  2 
Feb.  11 

..July  7 
Apr.  28 


1927 

6199     Broadway   After   Midnight,   Betz- 


Krelbar  Productions 


1927 


Oct.  29 


May  12 


Fox 


78.36% 


1927 


Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  Mix _ —Not.  20 

Blackjack   (W).  Buck  Jones Sept.  25 

Blood   Will    Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones -Nov.  13 

Broncho  Twister  (W),  Mi.t Mar.  13 

♦Cameo    Kirby    (D),    John  Gilbert Aug.  28 

Chain   Lightning   (W),  Buck  Jones Aug.  14 

Circus  Ace.  The,  Mix -June  26 

Come  to   My   House   (CD),  Olive  Borden Dec.  25 

Cradle    Snatcheri    (FC),    Fazenda June  5 

East   Side,    West  Side    (D),   O'Brien-Valli Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,    The    (C),    Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W),    .Tones June  12 

Heart  of  Salome    (My),  Rubens May  8 

High  School   Hero  (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril   (W),  .Tones —Mayl 

•Honor  First  (D),  John  GUberL Sept  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl,    The    (CD),    Olive  Borden Sept.  18 

Ladies   Must   Dress   (CD),  Virginia  Valli -Nov.  20 

Love   Makes  'Em   Wild    (D),  Harrcn -Mar.  6 

Loves   of   Carmen    (D).   McLaglen-Del  Rio Sept.  4 

Madam   Wants  No  Children,  Cordia Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valli Feb.  20 

Monkey   Talks    (D),   Lemer _ -..Feb.  20 

Music  Master  (D),  A.  B.  Francis - Jan.  23 

One   Increasing   Purpose    (D),  Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of   Red   River   (W),  Mix - 

Paid   to    Love    (D),    O'Brien-VallL Aug.  14 

Pa]ama»    (CD),    Borden-Gray Oct.  23 

Publicity   Madness  (CD),  .Moran-Lowe „ Oct  2 

Rich   But   Honest   (CD).  Beebe May  22 

Secret  Studio,  The  (CD).  Borden -...June  19 


..-Not.  19 


Not.  12       

Apr.  2 

63.00% 

Jan.  7 
Jan.  7 


..lune  4 
Oct  22 

-  une  11 
-May  9 
..Tct.  29 
..May  14 


May  21 

Sept.  24 

Nov.  19       Dec.  17 

Oct.  8 

Apr.  16 

■■■'■h,  26 

Mar.  5 

Jan.  22 

Jan.  15 

Apr.  23 

Aug.  6 

Dec.  10 


40.70% 


48.60% 
61.58% 


..June  4 
..June  25 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


Not.  26 


Not.  26 


Dec  31 


Nov.  10 


1927 

6667 

4709 

6312 

8730 

6439 

12000 

12550 

5902 

5821 

6050 

6126 

7395 

6408 

4658 

6909 

8156 

6646 

6088 

5687 

6110 

6291 

6280 

5957 

7603 

7627 

6337 

6581 

6640 

6309 

7865 

6280 

6705 

6273 

5252 

6160 

7809 

6657 

5517 

1928 

6998  Actress,    The,    Norma    Shearer-Forbes Apr.  28 

6805  Across  to   Singapore    (MD),  NoTarro-Crawford....Apr.  7 

5010  Baby   Mine.  Arthur-Dane Jan.  21 

6S38  Big    City,    The,    Chaney-Conip,son-Day Feb.  18 

6344  Bringing  Up  Father,  Farrell-Moran-Olmstead Mar.  17       Mar.  31 


Adam  and  Evil  (CD),  Cody-Prlngla Aug.  27 

Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  McCoy _ 

After  Midnight  (D),  Shearer-Gray. „ Aug.  20 

Annie  Laurie   (D),   Lillian  Gish _ Sept.  17 

Becky   (CD),   Sally  O'Nell Not.  12 

Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  NoTarro - -...Oct.  8 

Big   Parade,   The   (M),   Gillrert-Adoree. Sept  10 

Body  and  Soul  (D),  L.  Barrymore _ Oct.  1 

Bugle  Call,  The  (D),  Jackie  Coogan Aug.  6 

Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan Dec  24 

Callahans  and   Murphys  (CD),  DressIer-Moran....June  18 

Captain  Salvation   (M),  Hanson - May  14 

Fair  Co-ed,   The   (CD),   Marlon  Dayies Oct  15 

Foreign  Devils  (W),  Tim  McCoy _ Sept  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Neil Apr.  2 

Garden  of  Allah,  The   (D),   Terry-Petrovltcli. Not.  6 

In  Old  Kentucky   (D),  H.  CosteUo Oct  29 

Little   Journey    (CD),   All   Star Jan.  1 

London   After  Midnight   (D),  Lon  CHianey —Dec.  3 

Lovelorn,   The,   Sally  O'Neil _ Dec  17 

Lovers  (D),  Novarro-Terry Apr.  9 

Man,  Woman  and  Sin   (D),  John  Gilbert -...Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney. Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 

Quality  Street,  Davies-Nagel. -Dec  31 

Red  Mill   (C),  Davies - Jan.  29 

Road  to  Romance,  The  (D),  NoTarro-Day -..Sept  24 

Rookies   (C),  Dane-Arthur Apr.  30 

Show,  The  (M),  Gllbert-Adoree Jan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,   Slide   (CD),   Halnes-O'Nea Mar.  12 

Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw Deo.  10 

Spring   Fever   (C),  William  Haines -.-Oct,  22 

Tea  for  Three   (C),   Cody-Pringle -...Deo.  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (D),  Lionel  Barrymore Nov.  26 

Tillle  the  Toiler   (C),   Daries —May  21 

Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  Gilbert July  9 

Understanding   Heart    (D),  Crawford. Feb.  26 

Unknown,    The    (M),   Chaney - June  4 


..Aug.  13 


..Aug.  27 
..May  21 


1927 

52.61% 

50.31% 
45.63% 


..Not.  12 
Nov.  19 


..July  16 
-July  2 
Oct  29 


Not.  19 
Nov.  26 

Dec.  17 
Dec.  31 

Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 

Not.  19 


...Apr.  23 
Sept.  10 
Dec.  3 

...Jan.  15 
Dec.  17 

..May  2 
Dec  17 
..Sept  10 
.June  4 


95.25% 
81.50% 

51.38% 


48.09% 

51.6()% 
61.41% 


43.46% 


39.20% 
39.50% 


i.83% 


..Feb.  19 


66.04% 


May  9 

70.55% 

....Mar.  19 

....Apr.  2 

66.43% 

12 
24 
3 

...Dec  24 
Dec  10 
Not.  12 
Dec.  3 

Nov 
Dec 

43.61% 

Deo 

69.63% 
65.16% 
56.93% 
63.25% 

1928 

..-July  30 

.-.May  14 

—May  26 

Apr. 
Jan. 
Feb. 

28 
28 
25 

Feb'."ir'" 
Apr.  7 

Juiy  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


TIclter 


54S2 
5661 


8548 
54S2 
6057 
7300 
8340 

4987 
7743 
7045 
6402 

5760 
6395 
7365 
7289 
5014 
7745 
6476 
9566 
5901 
8134 


5011 
4435 


Certain  Young  Man,  A.  Novairo-Day _...May  19 

Circus  Rookies  (CD),  Dane-Arthur _.._ Mar.  31 

Cossacks,  The.   Adoree-Gilbert-Torrence May  12 

Crowd,  The,  Boardman-Murray-Roaoh. Mar.  3 

Detectives.   Dane-Arthur  June  9 

Diamond     Handcuffs,    Boardman-NageL May  5 

Divine    Woman,   Garbo-Hanson-Sherman Jan.  14 

Enemy.   The.   Gish-Dane-Forbes - Feb.  18 

Excess  Baggage   (D),  William  Haines. 

Forbidden    Hours   (D),  Novarro-Adoree June  16 

Latest  from   Paris,   The,   Shearer- Forbes _...Feb.  4 

Laugh.  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murphy-Hisle Apr.  14 

Mademoiselle   from    Armentieres,   Estelle  Brody- 

John  Stuart  . June  2 

Skirts.    Syd  Chaplin. 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford Jan.  21 

Love,  Garbo-Gilbert  ._ _ _ _ Jan.  2 

Patsy.  The,  Daries-Caldwell-Gray „_ Mar.  10 

Riders  of  the   Dark Apr.  28 

Rose    Marie,    Crairford-Murray _ Feb.  11 

Smart   Set.    Haines-Day-Holt-Bosworth Feb.  25 

Student  Prince.   The   (R).   Novarro-Shearer..._ Jan.  30 

Under  the  Black  Eagle,  Forbes-Dog  Flash. -...Mar.  24 

West   Point    (CD).   Haines-Crawford. Jan.  7 

White  Shadows  of  the  South  Sea  (MD),  Monte 

Wickedness   Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Pringle Jan.  28 

Wyoming,  McCoy-Sebastian  _ Mar.  24 


June  2         June  23 


Mar.  10 
June  9 
I — 

Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
_June  23 
Mar.  17 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 

May  26 
.June  2 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  5 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 

Jan.  21 

...July  7 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  14 


-July  7 

Apr.  28 

..June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  5 


Mar.  10 
May  12 


•"" " " 

Jan  14 

Apr.  14 

Feb.  18 

Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 

.   70.10% 

_ 

1927 

6199 
6951 
9879 
5597 
5878 
7175 
6040 
65S6 
6662 
5408 
T447 
6287 
6296 
5399 
6376 
6017 
5889 
6415 
7091 
6862 
6452 
8656 
7656 
6439 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
6258 
6877 
5798 
4551 
6599 
6187 
6680 
6306 
6247 
6952 
9443 
5614 
6368 
6634 
5209 
6170 
5515 
6015 
6179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4926 
5319 
7643 
8486 
6869 
5935 
6866 

E966 

1928 

5897 
6536 


Paramount 


1927 


6930 
6665 
7866 
6364 
6889 
6402 
6852 
6871 
6263 


Afraid  to  Love  (C),  Vldor _ _ Apr.  9 

Barbed  Wire    (D),   Negri-Brook _ Sept.  10 

Beau  Geste  (M).  Colman-N.  Beery Aug.  1 

Blind  Alleys   (M).  Meighan. _ Mar.  12 

Blonde  or   Brunette?  (C),  Menjou. Jan.  24 

Cabaret  (CD).  Gilda  Gray - Mar.  26 

Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.   Beery _ Mar.  5 

Chang   (D).  Special  cast - Sept.  3 

Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow „ Apr.  2 

City  Gone  Wild   (M).  Meighan-Millner Nov.  12 

•Covered   Wagon,  The  (M),  Kerrigan- Wilson Aug.  6 

Evening   Clothes    (C),  Jlenjou Mar.  19 

Fashisns  for  Women   (CD).  Ralston Mar.  26 

Fireman   Save   My  Child    (C),  Beery-Hatton. Aug.  1 

Gay  Defender,  The  (CD).  Richard  Dlx Deo.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-0'Hara...-Oct.  15 

Get  Your   Man    (CD),   Clara  Bow _ Deo.  10 

Honeymoon    Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vldor Dee.  3 

Hotel  Imperial   (D),  Negri _ Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),    Bow-Brook. Aug.  27 

It   (C),   Clara  Bow Feb.  19 

Jesse    James    (D).   Fred  Thomson Oct.  22 

•Kid   Brother   (C).  Lloyd. Oct.  4 

Kiss  in   a  Taxi    (C),  Daniels Feb.  26 

Knockout    Reilly    (CD),   Dix _ Apr.  16 

Last  Waltz,  The  (D),  Special  cast. „...NoT.  26 

Let   It  Rain    (C).  MacLean Jan.  3 

Love's   Greatest    Mistake    (CD),  Brent _ Feb.  12 

Man    Power    (D),   Dix „ July  9 

Metropolis    (D).    Special    cast _..Aug.  13 

Mme.   Pompadour  (D).  Moreno-D.  Gish. Aug.  13 

Nevada   (W),  Cooper-Todd Sept.  10 

New    York    (M),    Cortez-Wilson Feb.  5 

Now  We're  in  the  Air  (C).  Beery-Hattoa Oct.  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vldor- Shotwell... Sept.  24 

Open    Range   (W),  Lane-Chandler -.._ Nov.  5 

Paradise  for  Two    (C),   Dix-Bronson Jan.  17 

Potters    (CD),  W.   C.   Fields Jan.  31 

Ritzy    (CD).  Bronson Apr.  9 

Rolled  Stockings    (CD),  HaU-Brook. _ June  18 

Rough    House    Rosie   (C),  Bow May  14 

Rough   Riders.  The  (D),  Astor-FarrelL - Oct  1 

Rubber  Heels  (FC),  Ed.   Wynn. June  11 

Running    Wild    (C),   Fields-Brian. Aug.  20 

Senorita    (F),   Daniels - Aug.  30 

Serenade    (D),    Menjou-Wray Dee.  24 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carrer Aug.  6 

Shanghai    Bound    (D),    Dlx-Brian..._ _ Oet.  16 

She's  a  Sheik   (C),  Bebe  Daniels - Nov.  12 

Shootln'   Irons  (W),  Ludeu-Blane —  Oct.  8 

Soft    Cushions    (C),   MacLean-Carol Aug.  27 

Special   Delivery    (C),  Eddie  Cantor. —  Apr.  16 

Spotlight,  The   (CO),   Kalston-Hamilton. Nov.  19 

Stark  Love   (D),   Special  cast Sept.  17 

Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),    Daniels-HalL Sept.  17 

Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C).  Conklin-Bancroft —Sept  24 

Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD).  Ralston. July  2 

Time  to  Love  (FC),  Raymond  GrifBth June  18 

Two   Flaming  Youths   (0).  Fields-Conldin. Deo.  17 

Underworld  (M),  Bancroft-Brent -Oct  29 

Way  of  All  Flesh.  The  (0),  Jannings-Bennett-.Oct  1 

Wedding  Bills   (F).  Raymond  GrifHth -..May  7 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meighan-Millner. Sept  3 

Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),   Lois  Moran. - -Apr.  30 

Wings    (M),    Charles   Rogers _ Oet.  29 

Woman  on   Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri 

Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA _ Mar.  31 

Beau   Sabreur    (M).   Cooper-Brent _ Jan.  7 

Beggars   of    Life    (MD),    Wallace  Beery-Brooks- 
Big    Killing   (CD),   Beery-Hatton. May  19 

Doomsday,    Vidor-Cooper    — Feb.  18 

Drag  Net,  The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-Powell. 

Easy  Come,    Easy   Go,  Richard  Dir. - Apr.  21 

Feel  My  Pulse.  Daniels-Arlen. Feb.  25 

Fifty- Fifty   Girl,    The,   Danlels-Hall May  12 


..Apr. 

23 

-Aug. 

3 

5 

-.Jan. 

15 

-May  9 
-Apr.  16 
-May  2 
-May  2 
..Deo.  10 


Apr.  9 

Apr.  9 

Dee.  10 

Nov.  12 

Oct.  8 

Jan.  7  

Deo.  31       Dea  17 

Jan.  8 

Sept.  10 

Feb.  12 

Oct.  22 

Jan.  29 

Apr.  2 

4.pr.  23 

Not.  19 

Mar.  12 

Feb.  26 

Aug.  6 

Mar.  12 

Nov.  26       Aug.  6 


-Feb.  5 
-Dec.  17 
..Sept.  24 


Jan.  14 


Dec.  31 
Jan.  21 


Jan.  29 

Jan.  22 

June  25 

July  30 

— — _June  4 

Mar.  19 

July  16 

June  18 

-May  14 


-Sept.  3 
Nov.  12 
Nov.  26 


57.21% 
63.66% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

63.66% 
51.86% 
68.00% 


67.60% 

65.85% 
66.77% 

65.91% 
38.61% 
55.64% 

55.59% 

61.18% 


73.90% 
70.25% 


48.36% 
48.30% 


54.72% 


57.64% 


Aug.  27 

May  9 

Dec.  3 

Mar.  19 

Sept.  17 

Jan.  7  Oct.  22 

July  23 

July  9 


44.08% 
66.27% 


Sept.  3 

July  2 

July  23 


June  11 

— -Aug.  20 

..Dec.  24       Oct.  1 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  7 


57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


..July  7 


Jan.  21 
-May  26 
May  19 
Feb.  25 
Mar.  31 
Apr.  7 
Deo.  10 


June  16 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


5741 
7910 
6600 
5582 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
TOilO 
5733 
5991 
5834 
6509 
6435 


Loves  of  an   Actress   (D),  Pola  Negri _-. 

Night    of    Mystery    (D),    Menjou Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17 

Partners  in  Crime    (C),  Beery-Hatton. Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson. Jan.  21 

Racket.  The    (D),  Thomas  Meighan...- June  30 

Red    Hair    (CD),  Bow-Chandler Mar.  10 

Sawdust   Paradise,    The,  Esther  Ralston. Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D).  Negri-Hersholt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,    Bancroft Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-HamUton....Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold   Lloyd - - Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods,   Dix-Olmstead - Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D),  Jannings-Wray May  26 

Sunset   Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson. Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),   Negri-Baxter Apr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured    Romance,   Fields-Conldin Feb.  18 

Under   the   Tonto    Rim,    Arleu-Brian Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  Jack  Holt June  23 

Warming     Up,    Richard    Dix. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers    (C),   Beery-Hatton Jan.  7 

Woman  FriMn   Moscow,  The  (D),  Negri-Kerry 


June  23 

Feb.  18 
Feb.  25 
Jan.  7 
Dec.  10 

Mar.  3 
June  9 


May  26 

Feb.  18 

..June  19       


Fools  for  Luck   (CD),  Fields-Conklln. May  7 

Gentlemen    Prefer   Blondes    (C),  Taylor-Whitei.-Jan.  28 

Half  a   Bride  (0),  Ralston-Cooper June  16       

Hot    News,    Bebe  Daniels June  9 

6038     His  Tiger  Lady.  Menjou-Brent June  9        Mar.  31 

Kit   Carson    (MD),   Fred  Thomson June  23 

6792     Ladies  of  the  Mob,  Clara  Bow _ June  30       May  26 

8234     Last   Command.    The    (D),  Emil  Jannings -.-Jan.  21        Jan.  28 

7415     Legion  of  the  Condemned,  Wray-Cooper Mar.  10       

6837     Love  and  Learn,  Balston-Chandler. Jan.  14       Jan.  21 


Mar.  10 
Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Feb.  18 


June  16 


July? 
Feb.  4 
-Apr.  21 
Feb.  25 


1927 

6596 

6555 

4335 

5326 

4875 

4512 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

8586 

5804 

6599 

6228 

8002 

7107 

6403 

6568 

6859 

3303 

5867 

49G8 

7913 

4750 

5990 

6563 

6035 

4620 

6788 

4700 

4890 

4076 

4864 

5324 

13500 

4131 

4752 

6472 

5865 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4575 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

58  SO 

4562 

4546 

4338 

5397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

5610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5927 
6589 
4833 
5408 
4530 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6650 
5888 
4600 
5659 
5954 
6494 
6626 
6902 
7040 
5423 
4520 
6035 
4000 


Pathe 


Almost   Human    (CD),   Reynolds Dee.  26 

Angel  of    Broadway,   The    (D),  Leatrice  Joy. Oct.  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5 

Border  Blackbirds   (WD),  Maloney — - Aug.  28 

Born   to    Battle    (W),   Bill  Cody Sept.  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19 

Combat    (D),   Walsh Oct.  23 

Country    Doctor,  The    (D),  Schildkraut Aug.  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The   (W),  Wally  Wales Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,   The   (W),  Leo  Maloney Dec.  11 

Discord    (D),  Dagover-Ekman Nov,  20 

Don    Desperado    (W),   Maloney May  8 

Dress   Parade   (D),   Boyd Nov.  11 

Eyes  of  the  Totem  (M),  Hawley May  15 

Fighting   Eagle,  The  (M),  La  Rocaue-Haver Aug.  29 

Fighting    Love    (D),    Goudal 

Flying   Luck   (C),  Monty  Banks _ Dec.  4 

Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  Goudal Not.  7 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prevost 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard - Dec.  11 

Girl  in  the  Pullman,  The  (C),  Prevost -.Oct  31 

Gold  from   Weepah    (W),  Bill  Cody Not.  20 

Golden    Clown,   The    (D),   Gosta-Ekman Dec.  18 

•Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd -.-Dec.  11 

Harp  in   Hock.  A   (D),  SohiIdkraut-Coghlan...-...Oct  10 

Heart  of  the   Yukon    (M),   Bowers -Cornwall May  29 

Heart  Thief    (D),   Schildkraut-De  Putt! 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison - Aug.  7 

His   Dog   (D),  Schildkraut July  21 

His  First  Flame  (C),  Langdoa .May  8 

His    Foreign   Wife    (D),  MacDonald-Murphy Not.  27 

Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan. Nov.  13 

Interterin'   Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Faire 

King  of   Kings   (D),  All  Star 

Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W),  Jack  Padjan. Dec.  25 

Little   Firebrand    (C),  Thornton _ July  3 

Main   Event,  The   (D),   Reynolds _ Nov.  21 

Man  Bait  (CD),  Prevost Jan.  29 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fair. Dee.  19 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost 

Nobody's  Widow   (FC),  Joy-Ray-Haver 

No   Man's    Law   (W),  Rex May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo.  The  (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.....Oet.  16 

Pals  In    Peril    (W),  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr June  26 

Phantom    Buster,  The   (W),  Roosevelt -.-Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Travel) _ Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M),  Hutchison - May  22 

Reiuvenation  of  Aunt   Mary   (C),  Robson 

Ride  'Era   High   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Oct  9 

Roarin'  Broncs,  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr _ Nov.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Love.— - - 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prevost Dec.  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W),   Wales July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  WaUy  Wales Sept  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hntehison. June  12 

Turkish    Delight,    Schildkraut-Faye Nov.  11 

Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    (M),   Joy - 

White   Gold   (D),   Goudal -..., 

White  Pebbles   (WD),   WaUy  Wales —.Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife,  The   (C),  Haver -...Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The   (M),  Bradford Oct.  31 

Yankee  Clipper   (M),  Boyd - 


Dee.  24 

Nov.  19       Nov.  5 

June  4 

-.- Sept  10 


1927 


..June  17 
-Oct  15 


Jan.  14 


Not.  19 


...     72.70% 


-Dec.  10 

-May  9 
Nov.  5 
..May  14 
...Sept.  17 
..June  4 


Nov.  12       Nov.  5 

Feb.  19 

Nov.  5 

Nov.  19       Nov.  5 


Nov.  12 


Not.  5 
..May  21 
..May  21 
..Sept.  3 
-July  24 
..May  9 


Jan.  14 
Not.  19 

Dec.  24 


..Aug.  2T 
..Jan.  1 
..Mar.  10 

..July  2 

Not.  6 

..Jan.  29 

...June  12 

..May  9 
...Jan.  16 
..May  2 
..Oct  8 
June  25 
-Aug.  20 

..May  21 
..Aug.  6 
...Oct.  8 


Jan.  7 


..Apr.  9 


..Aug.  6 
..Oct  1 
..Juno  11 


Not.  19 


..July  17 
-June  18 
..Apr.  9 
..Aug.  20 
Not.  5 


May  14 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass Feb.  12 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney Feb.  12 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W),  Buffalo  BiU,  Jr Jan.  8 

Blonde  for  a  Night,  Prevost Feb.  27 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Jo.v - Mar.  12 

Boss  of   Rustlers   Roost,  The,   Don  Coleman. Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Stomper,  The,  Don  Coleman. Feb.  26 

Bullet   Mark.   The,   Jack  Donovan Mar.  25 

Chicago    (M),    Phyllis   Haver _ Mar.  5 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt...- Jan.  29 

Crashing    Through,    Jack   Padjan. Feb.  6 

Desperate  Courage    (W),   Wales - Jan.  15 

Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocaue. May  15 

Laddie   Be   Good    (W),  BIU  Cody -.-Jan.  1 

Leopard  Lady,  The  (M),  Logan _ Jan.  23 

Let  'Er  Go,  Gallagher!  (M),  Junior  Coghlan. Jan.  16 

Marlie,    the    Killer,    Klondike - Mar.  4 

Midnight  Madness,  Logan. - -...May  26 

Night   Flyer,  The,  Wm.  Boyd -...Feb.  5 

On  to  Reno   (D),  Prevost -Landls. Jan.  2 

Perfect   Gentleman,   A    (C),  Monty  Banks Jan.  15 


61.72% 

1928 


May  12 

Mar.  3 
Feb.  18 
May  12 
Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec.  24 
Feb.  4 


Ship    Comes    In,    A,    Rudolph  Schildkraut 

Skyscraper,   Boyd... 


-.June  4 
-.Apr.  9 

Stand  and   Deliver,  Rod  La  Roeque. Feb.  20 

Valley   of   Hunted    Men,   Buffalo  BUI,  Jr Feb.  19 

Walking    Back    (M),   Sue  Carol May  20 

What    Prlte   Beauty    (CD),    Nit»  Naldl Jan.  22 


May  19 

May  26 



Jan.  28 

Jan.  28 

■*"'  

Mar.  17 

Jan.  28 

" 

-June  2 

May  12 

..   . 

Jan.  28 
Deo.  SI 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Pictures 


Ticker 


1927  Ray  art 

60S9  Cruise  of  the   Helion   (D),  AU  star 

5076  Heroes   in    Blue    (M).   Bowers-Rand -...Nov. 

5916  Law  and  the  Man,  The  (D).  Santsclu-EockweIl..Dec. 

6960  Light   in   the   Window,   A    (D),   Walthal 

5970  On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Not. 

5503  Silent    Hero    CM),    Bonaparte _ _.. 

4200  Wanderer  of  the   West.  A   (W),  Tex  iIa,vnard....Dec. 

1928 

60S9 
6673 
GOTO 
4533 


..Sept.  24 


1927 


..Nov.  12 
-Aug.  29 


5976 
5853 
4797 


52G2 
4548 
5608 
4571 
5906 


4627 
5490 
5260 


Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Chas.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey   Jones    (CD),    nice-Lewis „ Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The    (D),  Eussell-Fair _ .Tan. 

Devil's  Tower.  The   (W),  Buddy  EoosevelL June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera  Iteynolds-HIHlard..July 

Gypsy   of   the   North    CD),    Gordon-Hale. -...Apr. 

Heart    of    Broadway,    The    CD),    Garon-Agnew....Mar. 

Lightning   Shot.   The    (W).  Buddy  Eoosevelt May 

Man  from  Headquarters,  The  (D),  Cornelias 

Keefe-E.   Roberts  _ Aug. 

Midnight  Adventure,   A   CD),  Landis-E.  Murphy-May 

Mystery  Valley    (W),   Buddy  Eoosevelt ...July 

My    Home    Town     CD),    Broctwell-Glass -...Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    CW),   Buddy   Eoosevelt, Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf,   The    CD),  Costello-Lease.Feb. 

Sisters  of   Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   CD),  Helen  Foster-Olstead iug. 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Eoosevelt April 

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard Mar. 

You   Can't  Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe Jan. 


1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot  Gibson... Nov.  20 

Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis „.„ Apr.  10 

Hero  for  the   Night,   A,   Tryon-Miller_ Dec.  18 

Hey!  Hey!  Cowboy  (W),  Gibson. Apr.  3 

Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),   Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

Les  Miserables   (M),  Gabrio-Toulont _ Oct.  30 

Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long   Version) Oct.  30 

Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane _ _ Sept.  IS 

Love   Thrill    CFC),   La  Plante JUay  8 

Man's    Past,    A    CD),    Veidt-Kent. Dec  25 

Men    of    Daring    CW),    Hoxie June  5 

On    Your    Toes    CC),    Denny-Worth Nov.  27 

Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-Nixon. _ Sept.  4 

Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot   Gibson Sept.  25 

Painting   the   Town    (FC),   Tryon. Aug.  7 

Perch  of  the  Devil   (M),  Busch Mar.  6 

Rough  and    Ready   CW),   Hoxie -..Jan.  9 

Sensation   Seekers    (D),   Dove Mar.  20 

Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante Oct.  2 

Sky   High  Saunders,  Al  Wilson. _ -...Nov.  6 

Small    Bachelor,   The   (C),   Beranger-Kent -.-Nov.  6 

Straight   Shootin'    (W),    WeUs _ Oct.  16 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),   Horton. Apr.  24 

Thirteenth   Juror,   The    (D),  Bushman-NUsson...Nov.  13 

Three  Miles  Up.  Al  Wilson...- - Sept.  4 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),   Eex - Nov.  27 

Wrong   Mr.   Wright,   The    (F).   Hersholt Feb.  27 

Wolf's   Trail,   Dynamite,   the  dog Oct.  2 


Sterli 


1927 

Burning    Up    Broadway    (D),   H.    CosteUo Jan.  30 

5563  Closed    Gates    CM),   Harron-Novak. _ 

5400  Outcast  Souls    CD).   Lewis-Bonner..._ Dec.  15 

5500  Pretty   Clothes    CD),   J.   Ealston-Wallier. Oct.  15 

Stranded    (D),   Mason Aug.  15 

1928 

Marry   the    Girl    (CD) _ 


1927 


Deo.  3         

May  28 

Nov.  12 

Dec.  31        

Jan.  r         Sopt.  10 


1927 

5754     Backstage     (CD),     Bedford. 

5669 

5300 

6024 

7300 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


1928 
1927 


5500 
6482 
5233 
4752 
5600 
5800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 

6448 
5614 

1928 

6147 
5209 

5510 


5297 
6553 

5708 

5102 
5735 
5652 
5361 
5283 


Beauty  Shoppe  (CD).  Busch 

Broken  Gate  CD),  CoUier 

Cheaters  CM),  O'Malley...- 

College    Days    (CD).   M.   Day - - 

Enchanted    Island    CD) - 

First   Night,  The   CFC).  LvteU-Devore - 

Fools  of   Fashion   CCD),  Busch..._ - 

Girl  from   Gay  Paree,   The   CF).   Sherman. .Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship.    The    CM).    Sebastian-M.   Love..-Dec.  1 

Husband   Hunters  CC),  Marsh — 

Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederick 

Lightning    CW),   J.   Ealston Sept.  1 

Night    Life    (CD).    Day-Harron Nov.  1 


...July  9 
...July  16 
.-Jan.  15 
...Mar.  24 
...Nov.  6 
...June  25 
..Feb.  19 
...Oct.  9 


-.-Feb.  26 

\ov.  27 

5503 

6929 

5711 

5378 

6958 

7713 

11000 

5862 

603S 

6135 

6159 

5918 

6170 

5416 

6043 

6807 

4409 

7015 

6166 

4393 

6218 

4251 

T173 

5598 

4136 

5192 

6459 

4167 

1928 

4259  Air    Patrol.    The    CW).    Al    WUson...... Jan.  1 

6869  Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),   Hersholt-Marlowe Jan.  22 

4076  Arizona  Cyclone  CW),  Humes -. Jilay  6 

6171  Buck    Privates,    de    Putti June  3 

4345  Call  of  the   Heart.  The   CW).  Dynamite Jan.  29 

4232  Clean-Up    Man.   The    CW),   WeUs _ Feb.  12 

7481  Cohens  and    Kellys  in   Paris    (C),   Sidney. Jan.  15 

6279  Count   of   Ten,   Tbe,   Eay-Ealston-Gleason. June  6 

4173  Fearless   Rider,   The   (W),   Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

6081  Finders    Keepers   (CD),   Laura  La  Plante Feb.  5 

4426  Four   Footed    Rangers.   The    (W).  Dynamite Mar.  25 

5645  Good    Morning   Judge Apr.  29 


Dec.  24 
Jan.  14 
Dec.  17 


..Apr.  2  42.00% 
Nov.  26       

54.84% 

Nov.  19       

.Aug.  27       


Nov.  12 
Dec.  17 
Jan.  14 
Nov.  19 


Nov.  19 
Feb.  4 
Dec.  3 


May  21 
SepL  27 
..Apr.  9 


40.14? 


..Oct.  1 
July  23 
..June  25 
..Feb.  5 
..Jan.  8 
..Jan.  29 
Aug.  20 


62.55% 
35.87% 


4094     Greased  Lightning   (W)- 


-July  29 


.-Feb.  19           44.70% 

Dec.  3 

Dec.  24 

...Mar.  5       

1928 

.Tune  9H 

Jime  16 
Mar.  10 

Feb.  4 

_Apr.  21       

Jan.  28 

Apr.  28 

-Apr.  21       _ - 

Once  and   Forever  CD).  Patsy  Euth  Miller. — Oct.  15 

Sin  Cargo    CD),   Mason - 

Snowbound     CFC).    Blythe _ -. 


..Dec.  11 
-July  30 


Streets  of  Shanghai    CRD),  Starke-Harlan. Dec  15 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) 

Wild   Geese   (D).  BeUe  Bennett-.- 

Women's  Wares   (D),   Brent-LyteU 


J^ov.  15 
Oct.  1 


Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


1928 


Bachelor's    Paradise    (R),    Sally   O'Neil...- Mar.  15 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman      CR),     Southem- 

Pidgeon  _ - —  May  1 

Devil's  Skipper.  The,  Bennett Feb.  1 

Grain   of   Dust,  The    (D).   Cortez-Windsor July  10 

Green  Grass  Widows  (CD).  Walter  Hagen June  10 

House  of  Scandal    CD),  Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  CCD),  Cortez-Moran-..May  15 

Lingerie  (CD),  Wliite-McGregor July  1 

Nameless    Men,  Moreno - Feb.  15 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea    (D),   Cortez-Myers June  20 

Scarlet  Dove,  The  (D),  Margaret  Uvingston. Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters    (D),    Southern-McGregor. Jime  1 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron Mar.  1 

Tragedy   of   Youth,    Miller-Collier. Jan.  15 

Woman  Against  the  World,  A - _ Jan,  1 


Mar.  31       _.. 


United  Artists 


1927 

9264     Beloved    Rogue    (M),    J.   Barrymore 

5000 
7500 
7311 
8550 


1927 


College  (C),  Keaton-CornwaU. „ Sept.  10 

General,  The   (C),  Keaton. 

Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson. 


7440 
9120 
9000 
7456 
8250 
8000 


Magic  Flame,  The   (M),  Colman-Banky. Sept.  24 

My   Best    Girl    (M),   Mary  Plckford. Nov. 

Night  of    Love    (M),   Banky-Colman 

Resurrection     CM).    La    Eocaue 

Sorrell    and    Son    (D).    Wamer-Nilsson. Nov, 

Topsy   and    Eva    (C),   Duncan   Sisters.. 


Two  Arabian   Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolheim 

Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  CD),  Banky-Cohnan.. 


45.90% 


1928 

6400  Circus,    The    CC),    Charlie    Chaplin 

7000 — Devil   Dancer.   The.   Gilda  Gray - 

9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M). June  1 

9100  Dove.    The    (M),    Norma    Talmadge Jan.  7 

8350  Drums   of   Love    (D).   Mary  PhUbin -. -...Mar.  31 

7300  Garden   of  Eden.  The   (D).  C.  Grifflth-Eay Feb.  4 

Two   Lovers,  Banky-Colman Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D),    Del   Eio Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie   Thompson    (D).    Gloria    Swanson Tan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill.  Jr..  Buster  Keaton 

Tempest    (M).    John   Barrymore Aug.  11 


73.65% 

1928 


...Apr.  28 
..JJov.  26 
...Jan.  7 


June  16 

May  26 

-July  7 


Universal 


1927 

5751  Back   to    God's   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier-.Sept,  4 

5777  Beware   o(    Widows    (FC),    La   Plante .Tune  19 

4427  Border  Cavalier,   The    (W),  Humes-Pierce Sept.  18 

7319  Butterflies  In  the   Rain   CD).  La  Plante. Feb.  6 

7190  Cat  and   Canary.  The   (My),  La  Plante Sept.  11 

5623  Cheating    Cheaters    (C).    Compson-Harlan Oct.  9 


Nov.  12 


Dec  17 

Nov.  26 


Aug.  6 
..May  9 


-..Jan.  1 
May  14 


1927 

60.81% 
44.10% 

46.'i'8% 
68.50% 


6598  Grip   of   the   Yukon.    The,   AU  star Aug.  30 

5064  Hot  Heels,  Glen  Tryon _ May  13 

4095  Hound   of  Silver   Creek.   The   (W),   Dynamite-.May  20 

6813  Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-Philbin. Feb.  25 

6832  Jazz    Mad.    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewis - June  3 

4120  Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    WeUs —June  3 

5689  Midnight    Rose,    de   Putti-Harlan. Feb.  26 

4253  Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson. Feb.  26 

4200  Put   'Em    Up    (W),   Humes Max.  11 

4472  Quick  Triggers   (W),   Humes July  15 

5382  Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot  Gibson. Jan.  29 

5424  Riding  for    Fame,   Hoot  Gibson Aug.  19 

6172  Shield   of    Honor,   The,  AU  star...- Feb.  19 

5109  Society   Cowboy.   A.   Hoot  Gibson. July  8 

5389  Stop  That   Man,  All  star JIar.  11 

8249  Surrender,    PhUbin-Mosjukine Mar.  4 

6179  Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon...-Apr.  1 

6073  That's  My  Daddy  CC),  Denny-Kent _ Feb.  5 

4353  Thunder    Riders.    The,    WeUs Apr.  8 

6274  13   Washington  Square.   AU  star Apr.  8 

5495  Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Gibson Mar.  18 

4348  Won  in  the  Clouds.   (W),  WUson. Apr.  22 

9151  We   Americans,   AU  star...- May  16 

5254  Wild   West  Show,   Hoot  Gibson May  20 


Apr.  28 
May  26 
June  23 
Feb.  31 
May  19 

Mar.  17 
Mar.  17 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


May  5 
Apr.  21 


Warner  Brothers 


1927 

5803  Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue _ 

6330  Brass    Knuckles    CD),  Blue-Bronson Dec.  3 

C281  Bush    Leaguer,   The   (CD),   Monte   Blue. Aug.  20 

5897  Dearest    (D),    Eich - _ _ 

6408  Desired   Woman.  The   (M).  Irene  Rich. _ Aug.  27 

5003  Dog   of  the   Regiment,   A   (M),  Etn-Tin-Tin. Oct.  29 

6767  First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-MUler Sept.  18 

6284  Gay  Old   Bird   (FC),  Fazenda. _ 

5978  Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy. Nov.  5 

Glorious  Betsy  (CD),  Dolores  CosteUo-.- 

6302  Good   Time  Charley   CD),  Oland-H.  CosteUo Nov.  12 

5613  Ham    and    Eggs   at   the    Front    (C),    WUson-H. 

Conklin  Dec.  24 

6271  Hills  of    Kentucky   (M),   Ein-Tin-Tin. 

5200  Husbands  for  Rent,  AU  star Dec.  31 

6230  If   I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel - Dec  17 

5397  Irish    Hearts    CCD),    McAvoy. 

5569  Jaws  of  Steel   (D).  Rin-Tin-Tln _ _ Sept.  17 

6352  Matinee  Ladies   (C).   McAvoy _ 

6310  Mill    Bid,    A    (M),   D.    CosteUo 

6485  Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7 

7961  Old   San    Francisco    (M),  D.   Costello-Oland Sept.  4 

6357  One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte  Blue Sept.  17 

5492  Reno    Divorce.   A    (D),   May  AcAvoy Oct.  22 

6295  Sailor  Izzy   Murphy  (F),  George  JesselL Oct.  8 

5685  Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A    (C),  Fazenda-C.   Cook...Sept.  24 

6124  Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Eioh-Ferris _ Nov.  9 

6218  Simple    Sis     (M),    Fazenda _ _ 

6412  Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel - Sept.  3 

7647  Third    Degree   CM),   D.   CosteUo _ 

5813  Tracked  by  the   Police   CM),  Bin-Tin-Tin. 

6281  What   Every   Girl  Should    Know   CCD).   MUler. 

5567  What    Happened   to   Father   CC),   Oland 

10081  When   a    Man    Loves    CR),   Barrymore Aug.  21 

6820  White  Flannels  CM),  Dresser - 

7068  Wolf's   Clothing    CM),   Blue-MiUer. - 

1928 


-July  23 


1927 

60.20% 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


Dec.  31 


-May  26 
Nov.  26 


-Feb.  26 

-Apr.  28 
-.June  11 
-Oct.  1 
-Apr.  23 
-June  4 
-May  14 
-June  25 
-Oct.  8 
-Oct.  29 
-Dec.  10 
-Oct.  15 


70.47? 


June  11 


Jan.  8 

....  May  21 

Mar.  19 

.July  9 

Feb.  12 

Apr.  2 

.Ian.  29 


Across   the   Atlantic,    Blue-Murphy Feb.  25 

Beware  of   Married   Men,  Irene  Eich Jan.  14 

City  of  Sin.  The.  Loy-Miljan-Wong _ 

Domestic  Trouble   (CD),  Cook-Fazenda 

Jazz  Singer.   The,  Al  Jolson 

Lion   and   the   Mouse,   The,  L.  Barrymore- 


44.00% 
60.30% 


1928 


Feb.  11 


..Apr.  14 


Little  Snob,   The,   May  McAvoy Feb.  11 

Powder  My  Back  (C),  Eich-Ferris - Mar.  10 

Race   for   Life,    Ein-Tin-Tin. _ Jan.  28 

RInty  of  the  Desert,  Ein-Tln-Tln. — 

Tenderloin,   Dolores  CosteUo.- - 


Feb.  18 
..May  19 


..May  19 


..Apr.  28 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


1 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The    Recognized    National     Classified    Advertising    Medium 


Help  Wanted 


WANTED — Violinist  who  can  double  on  tenor 
banjo  for  steady  year  round  teaching  position  in  Con- 
necticut state  in  about  three  weeks.  State  age  and 
present  employment  in  first  letter.  Address  F.  Mueller, 
22   Dennison   St.,  Hartford,   Conn. 

WANTED — Experienced  Theatre  Manager  to  locate 
in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  Attractive  opportunity  for  ambi- 
tious and  aggressive  young  man.  Possibilities  for 
advancement  are  unlimited.  Address  Box  285,  Exhibi- 
tors Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  S.  Dear- 
born  St.,   Chicago,  111. 

WANTED — A  publicity  man  to  connect  with  a 
Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  theatre.  Want  .one  with  initiative 
and  with  original  ideas.  This  is  a  real  opportunity 
for  the  right  man.  Address  Box  285,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,  111. 


Position  Wanted 


THEATRE  MANAGER  who  is  also  poster  artist, 
display  and  exploitation  man,  desires  position.  Results 
guaranteed.  Will  consider  any  location.  Address 
Box  286,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture 
World,  407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

AT  LIBERTY- — Experienced  high  grade  Organist 
with  complete  modern  and  classical  library,  union. 
Wurlitzer,  Morton,  or  any  standard  make.  Address 
F.  H.,  8631  S.  Ashland  Ave.,  Apt.  B.  2,  Phone  Bev- 
erly  1461,  Chicago,  111. 

THEATRE  MANAGER— Wants  connection,  now 
employed  but  wants  a  new  position  to  start  in  fall. 
Young,  experienced,  educated,  and  strictly  above 
board.  Never  been  idle,  ideal  man  for  smaH  city 
where  high  class  person  is  required.  Address  Box 
287,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

EXPERIENCED  OPERATOR  on  Powers  and  Sim- 
plex machines,  wishes  steady  job,  sober,  reliable,  will 
go  anywhere.  Address  O.  Dupree,  1433  Raynor  St., 
Detroit.  Michigan.  

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Union  or  non-union.  Write  salary  and 
other  data.  Address  Chicago  Musical  College,  61  E. 
Van    Buren,    Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Engagements  Wanted 

AT  LIBERTY— D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra  Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
-wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land  4669. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED  to  buy — Picture  Theatre.  Must  be  a 
money-maker.  Middle  West  preferred.  However, 
will  consider  all  propositions.  Address  Box  288,  Ex- 
hibitors Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  S. 
Dearborn    St.,   Chicago,   111. 

We  want  large  or  small  moving  picture  houses  and 
theatres  in  Ohio,  West  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania. 
Write  Box  283,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture 
World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Film  Rights  for  Sale 


LOOK-READ-ACT— ROAD  SHOWMEN,  STATE 
RIGHTS  FOR  SALE 
The  True  Life  of  "The  Younger  Brothers" 
Featuring  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim  Younger  and  the  James 
Boys,  in  five  reels,  and  Younger's  Historical  Events, 
in  one  reel.  This  picture  as  a  popular  priced  road 
show  is  no  experiment.  It  has  been  tried  and  true, 
has  played  against  all  kinds  of  competition  under  all 
conditions.  Has  always  gotten  the  money.  With  each 
State  or  sale  we  furnish  free  one  new  complete  Lobby 
Display,  consisting  of  new  Prints  of  Film,  three  new 
Wax  Figures,  standing,  life  size,  of  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim 
Younger,  true  to  life,  dressed  in  cowboy  style,  big 
hats,  boots,  etc.;  500  One-Sheets,  100  slides,  10  Photo 
Lobby  Boards,  100  small  Photos  extra,  6  Banners, 
lettered  in  flashy  oil  colors,  enough  to  fit  any  theatre 
front.  Everything  ready  to  go.  Hurry.  It  will  pay 
you  to  buy  the  King  of  all  Road   Shows. 

Address  E.  L.  HUMPHREY,  Miami,  Okla. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7); — "Deceit"  (6)  ;— "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6); — "Temptation"  (7); — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
pictures,   729  Seventh  Ave.,  New  York  City. 

Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


Brand  New  Veneer  and  Spring  cushion  opera  chairs 
to  be  had  at  the  lowest  prices  ever  offered.  Kindly 
state  your  requirements  and  let  us  submit  to  you 
exact  photographs  and  full  details.  C.  G.  Demel,  845 
South  State,  Chicago. 

300  Upholstered  Opera  chairs.  All  seats  and  backs 
entirely  reupholstered  in  new  imitation  Spanish 
leather.  Eight  Hundred  Dollars  for  entire  lot.  C.  G. 
Demel.  845   South  State,  Chicago. 

LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  HI. 


FOR  SALE — Used  Theatre  chairs,  always  a  stock 
on  hand,  also  veneer  seats,  write  your  requirements. 
Address  Theatre  Seating  Co.,  845  S.  State  St.,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads — en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address   Sollidays,  XH-124,   Knox,  Ind. 

Banners  and  Posters 

CLOTH  BANNERS— $1.40,  3x10,  3  feet,  colors, 
any  copy  up  to  10  words;  one  day  service;  sent  any- 
where; also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Associated 
Advertisers,   111   West  18th  St.,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


For  Sale 


1,000  sets,  8  m.m.  and  12  m.m.  reflector  arc  Car- 
hons,  $70.00.   Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Slightly  used  Style  W.  Wurlitzer  Organette  just 
like  new.  Gold  Mine  Butterkist  Pop  Corn  Machine 
in  good  condition.  Address  Central  Theatre,  Fair- 
bury,   Illinois. 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe    Organ,    used    or    new    Reproduce    Pipe    Organs. 

Address  S.  B.  McFadden.  Havana,  111. 

Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 

Projector  Repairing 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  witb  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished   20    years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,   Chicago,  111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15.    Bulldogs. 
Address   501    Rockwood,   Dallas,   Texas. 


Space  to  Rent 


TO    RENT — Desk   space   with   telephone    and   steno- 
graphic service,  845   S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  HI. 


Wonderful  Results  Obtained! 

I  can  heartily  recommend  the  Herald- World  Classified  advertising  columns 
as  I  have  always  obtained  wonderful  results  from  their  use. 

Clark  Wilkinson,  Baraboo,  Wisconsin. 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


"Band  Wagon  Season  Opens" 
PLAINFIELD,  ILL.— To  the  Editor:  The 
band  wagon  season  is  on  in  Hollywood.  The 
industry  has  gone  wild  on  "talkies."  Trade 
papers  full  of  the  wonders  of  synchronized 
pictures.  When  a  thing  is  all  praise  and  there 
is  no  criticism,  something  is  wrong. 

Because  Paramount  makes  a  "Covered 
Wagon"  we  are  "covered  wagoned"  to  death. 
Because  Universal  makes  a  hit  with  "Cohens 
and  Kellys"  we  have  Jew-Irish  pictures  'til 
one  could  scream.  This  year  it's  mystery 
stories  and  so  on  down  the  line.  As  soon 
as  oi»  company  makes  a  hit  all  the  rest  of 
the  producers  jump  aboard  the  band  wagon. 

So  it  is  with  "talkies."  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  have  made  a  few  pictures  and 
they're  a  hit,  naturally,  because  it's  a  novelty 
and  up  goes  Hollywood  in  a  grand  rush  for 
sjTichronized  pictures. 

*  *    * 

This  is  written  by  a  small  town  exhibitor. 
Where  are  we  going  to  get  off  at?  We  have 
not  $12,000  to  $15,000  to  spend  for  an  outfit 
and  if  we  did  have  it  we'd  be  foolish  to  spend 
it.  For  myself,  I  can  answer  this  question. 
I'm  going  to  do  nothing  but  sit  back  and 
smile,  for  it  is  my  assumption  that  it  will 
blow  up  and  bust  after  the  novelty  has  worn 
off.  In  the  short  subject  field  and  news  reel, 
prologues  and  vaudeville  sketches,  it  is  and 
will  be  wonderful. 

Now  a  prologue  to  "Ramona"  would  be 
wonderful.  To  make  a  "talkie"  of  this  pic- 
ture would  be  an  atrocity.  To  listen  to  Jack 
Gilbert  whisper  sweet  nothings  in  Greta  Gar- 
bo's  ear  would  make  even  the  deaf  ones  walk 
out.  To  listen  to  "Abie's  Irish  Rose"  would 
truly  be  a  treat  but  to  hear  the  pounding 
horses'  hoofs  in  Fairbanks'  "Gaucho"  would  be 
terrible.  And,  yet,  it  is  going  to  be  tried.  To 
listen  to  a  football  game  in  a  news  reel  would 
be  something,  but  to  listen  to  the  milling  in 
a  mob  scene  is  another  joke.  Think  I  spoof? 
All  right,  how  many  of  you  listened  to  the 
screeching  on  the  radio  of  the  Kansas  City 
convention  when  Hoover  was  nominated? 
And,  yet,  it  is  being  run  in  Chicago  on  the 
Movietone. 

*  *    * 

Mr.  Joseph  Schenck  says  in  the  June  16 
issue  of  the  Herald-World,  "Eye  entertain- 
ment has  much  stronger  appeal  than  ear  en- 
tertainment," but  he  forgot  to  add  that  the 
ear  is  more  sensitive  and  some  things  we 
hear  jar  on  the  nerves  terribly.  I've  had  many 
a  walkout  on  pictures  that  were  dumb  with 
never  a  word  said,  but  let  a  musician  hit  a 
false  note  or  the  organist  miscue  and  they'll 
stop  at  the  box  office  and  bawl  you  out  for  it. 

The  theatre  that  plays  a  picture  synchro- 
nized to  music  only  while  its  own  pipe  organ 
and  orchestra  sits  silent,  better  change  its 
manager.  Mind  you  I'm  speaking  of  when 
the  novelty  has  worn  off. 

Remember  when  the  talking  machine  first 
came  out  everybody  bought  one.  Went  crazy 
over  it  for  a  month,  then  let  it  sit  in  a  cor- 
ner, silent  and  dusty.  Then  the  radio  came 
along  and  the  same  thing  is  happening  today. 
Why?  Because  the  music  was  not  all  there 
on  the  phonograph  and  is  not  all  there  on 
the  radio,  a  few  sets  excepted.  Then  the 
orthophonic  Victor  came  along,  able  to  re- 
cord and  reproduce  every  sound  vibration  the 
ear  can  hear  and  the  music  is  truly  wonder- 
ful. But  it  is  no  better  than  a  theatre  or- 
chestra and  it  has  no  personality  whatsoever. 

I  have  installed  a  Phototone  in  my  theatre 


made  by  the  Platter  Cabinet  at  North  Vernon, 
Ind.  A  double  disc  arrangement  using  two 
motors,  electric  pickups,  a  four  tube  flat  curve 
power  pack  and  a  9-foot  exponential  type 
horn.  The  reproduction  is  wonderful.  You 
can  cue  pictures  perfectly  and  it's  as  new  as 
the  latest  record,  and  I  wouldn't  trade  it  for 
a  Vitaphone  or  Movietone  tomorrow. 

Mr.  Lasky  says  he  is  going  to  synchronize 
his  first  picture  with  a  60  piece  orchestra. 
I  have  that  now  and  Paul  Whiteman,  John 
Philip  Sousa,  Jesse  Crawford  and  all  the  rest 
of  the  artists  from  Victor,  Brunswick  and 
Columbia  besides.  All  in  one  picture,  all  for 
$500,  which  is  a  lot  of  difference  from  $15,000. 

Mr.  Paramount,  would  you  install  this  out- 
fit in  your  Publix  theatres?     Of  course,  you 
wouldn't,   yet   it   is   Vitaphone   all   over  again 
less   the  talking.     Thank  goodness ! 
*    *    * 

Mr.  P.  A.  Powers  of  the  Powers  Motion 
Picture  Company  advises  exhibitors  to  go  slow 
on  buying  equipment  to  synchronize.  Well, 
I  should  say  so.  Fifteen  thousand  bucks  is 
a  lot  of  money  for  a  couple  of  loud  speakers, 
a  four  or  more  tube  power  pack,  a  couple 
of  electric  pickups,  a  plate  to  synchronize  the 
disc  or  tubes  to  take  the  sound  vibration  from 
the  film,  with  radio  still  in  the  experimental 
stage. 

Some  of  you  old  heads  can  remember  in 
the  days  of  the  first  pictures  when  an  orches- 
tra consisted  of  a  piano,  violin  and  drum, 
and  they  tried  to  reproduce  every  sound  from 
a  train  whistle  to  horses'  hoofs  on  the  cobble 
stones  and  now  history  is  repeating  itself  and 
we're  going  to  try  it  all  over  again. 

We  still  have  pictures  with  technical  mis- 
takes like  "The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills"  where 
in  it  it  rained  with  the  sun  shining.  Now  we 
face  the  possibility  of  double  mistakes.    Ouch ! 

The  producer  knows  what  it  costs  to  operate 
the  musical  end  of  a  theatre  and  I'm  wonder- 
ing if  he  isn't  figuring  how  much  of  this 
he  can  get  in  a  synchronized  film.  A  thou- 
sand theatres  maintaining  a  60  piece  orchestra 
is  a  lot  of  money,  but  1,000  theatres  playing 
canned  music  at  higher  film  rentals.  You 
figure,  I  can't.  Better  keep  your  orchestra. — 
Jay  Gould,  Alamo  theatre,   Plainfield,  111. 


Hays  and  Laemmle  Are 
Now  on  West  Coast; 
Producers  to  Convene 

(^Continued  from  page  38) 

Honolulu  and  Europe  this  is  a  good  place, 
to  remark  that  Carmel  Meyers  is  remaining 
at  home.  Some  time  ago  a  paper  printed  an 
item  that  she  might  go  abroad.  She  has 
been  harassed  with  queries  ever  since.  She 
declares  emphatically  that  she  has  no  hopes 
or  plans   of   leaving   this   country's   studios. 

Taurog  Directing       ' 
at  Fox  Studios 

Norman  Taurog  is  directing  a  picture  at 
Fox  Film  Corporation.  The  story  is  an 
original.  It  is  yet  to  be  named  and  like  the 
Harold  Lloyd  com- 
edies and  the  Buster 
Keatons  will  proba- 
bly not  receive  its 
complete  nomen  un- 
til the  last  frame  has 
been  cranked  and 
the  last  title  written. 

Fact  is  Taurog 
has  been  working  on 
the  story  only  a 
week  and  hasn't  had 
the  time  to  think  of 
a  working  title. 
What's  the  use  of  a 
working  title  any- 
how? So  far  as 
we're  concerned  it 
will  remain  the  "Taurog  Picture"  until  it 
gets  its  own  sure-fire  box  office  title. 

Taurog  is  an  interesting  personality.     He 
was  one  of  the  first  we  met  when  we  came 


here  dustblown  from  Chicago.  It  was  he 
who  lent  the  impression  that  Hollywood's 
folk  must  be  a  crowd  well  worth  knowing. 

He  left  Educational  where  he  had  made 
two  reel  comedies  successfully  for  five 
years.  He  decided  two  reelers  were  all 
right  but  six  reelers  must  be  better.  He  was 
determined  to  change  strides  at  a  time  when 
old  time  feature  directors  were  finding  jobs 
extremely  scarce.  But  he  figured  the  whole 
industry  is  a  gamble.    He  is  game. 

The  rest  is  brief. 

He  has  worked  constantly  since  he  made 
that  decision.  He  has  considerable  to  do 
at  the  Fox  lot.  But  he  has  contracted  for 
another  picture  upon  the  completion  of  the 
one  he  is  now  working  on. 

Watch  Taurog.  His  kind  often  does  great 
things. 

*     *     * 

Ray  Rockett  arrived  in  town  last  week. 
His  absence  from  Hollywood  dates  back  to 
1927.  Interim  he  has  enjoyed  several  months 
in  charge  of  affairs  in  the  foreign  field.  Back 
at  the  First  National  lot  he  has  been  in 
constant  conferences  since  his  return. 

Someone   asked   Hal   Roach  why  he   doesn't 
go  in  for  feature  length  comedies.  He  replied: 
"Do  you  enjoy  kissing  your  girl  friend?" 
Someone   said.    "Yes."      And   he   said: 
"You    probably    do    for    15    or    20    minutes. 
But  what  if  you  had  to  linger  two  hours  on 
the   kiss?" 

Don't  bother  about  the  answer  to  the  last 
question.  Don't  ask  me  what  the  answer  to 
the   original   question   is.      Who   cares? 

*      *     * 

The   following  players — stars   of  another 

day — have    been    cast    for    a    picture    "The 

Chinatown  Mystery." 

Grace   Cunard  Sheldon  Lewis 

Ernest    Shields  George    Chesb-o 

Rosemary  Theby  Helen  Gibson 

Francis   Ford  Paul   Panzer 

William    Clifford  Frank    Moran 

Harry  Meyers  Jack   Richardson 

Frank  Clark 

A  great  list  of  1913.  Principal  Pictures 
has  admirably  gotten  these  people  together 
for  one  more  big  performance.  J.  P.  Mc- 
Gowan  is  directing  them  in  a  big  serial  be- 
ing made  at  the  Metropolitan  studios. 

Several  of  them  are  in  big  money  nowa- 
days. Harry  Meyers  Sheldon  Lewis  and 
Paul  Panzer  are  working  in  fine  roles.  Most 
of  them  are  probably  a  little  heavier  how- 
ever than  IS  years  ago  and  a  little  lined. 
But  whatever  they  are  there  are  a  good 
many  thousands  of  people  who  would  like 
to  watch  them  do  an  old  time  serial  again. 

Pearl  to  Make  Sales  Trip 

Dick  Pearl  enterprising  and  indefatigable 
young  protege  of  this  and  that  Hollywood 
luminary  is  packing  up  his  duds  for  another 
of  those  excursions  into  the  ever  welcome 
East.  His  honor  as  "the  youngest  film  ex- 
ecutive in  Hollywood"  will  accompany  him. 
_  In  New  York  and  other  Eastern  way  sta- 
tions he  will  limit  himself  to  selling  Burr- 
Hines  product  to  these  and  those  exhibitors. 
It's  almost  an  annual  jaunt  and  would  easily 
be  so  but  for  the  fact  that  it  has  only  been 
been  10  months  since  Charley  Burr  brought 
him  to  California  to  act  as  the  B  &H  sales 
head. 

Other  than  Mr.  Burr  he  has  served  as  a 
prodigious  protege  of  Samuel  Goldwyn, 
Guy  P.  Morgan,  James  R.  Grainger  and 
E.  C.  Grainger. 


Norman    Taurog 


Behe  Recovering 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  10.— Bebe  Daniels, 
who  was  taken  suddenly  ill  from  influenza, 
is  resting  easily,   it   is  reported.     Her  con- 
dition is  not  regarded  as  serious. 

Ruth  on  Coast  for  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    July    10.— Ruth    Elder 
arrived   Sunday   to   begin   work   in   a   Para- 
mount picture. 


July  14, 1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyright,    1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  '^Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


Columbia 


FASHION  MADNESS:  Reed  Howes— 30%.  June 
17.  Better  show  than  the  name  but  no  bills  or  her- 
alds to  show  what  it  would  be  about,  so  they  stayed 
away  but  it  was  not  our  fault.  The  exchange  sent 
this  as  a  substitute  for  "The  Desert  Bride"  and 
spoiled  my  Sunday  business.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SO  THIS  IS  LOVE:  Shirley  Mason— 31%.  Juno 
10.  Fair.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

SALLY  IN  OUR  ALLEY:  Shirley  Mason— 8%. 
June  12.  Very,  very  good  program  picture  which 
was  remembered  and  talked  about  for  some  time. 
Well  they  can  tell  sometimes  when  they  see  a  good 
show  at  regular  price  but  if  we  raise  the  admission 
the  attendance  falls  down  no  matter  what  we  play. 
Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General   patronage. 

SALLY  IN  OUR  ALLEY:  Shirley  Mason— June 
ZT-M.  A  very  fair  picture.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  C. 
Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ALIAS  THE  LONE  WOLF:  Bert  Lytell— 39%. 
This  picture  is  entirely  too  slow  and  draggy  and  the 
entire  plot  is  exposed  long  before  the  climax.  Did 
not  please  here  at  all.  Six  reels. — E.  N.  McFarland, 
Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

THE  TIGRESS:  Jack  Holt— June  24-25.  A  very 
good  picture,  and  Jack  Holt  is  a  favorite  star.  Six 
reels. — Mrs.  0.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  III. 
— Small    town   patronage. 

THE  TIGRESS:  Jack  Holt— Here  is  a  good  pro- 
gram picture  that  pleased  and  also  brought  them  in 
at  the  same  time.  Six  reels. — E.  N.  McFarland, 
Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

BROADWAY  DADDIES:  Special  cast— It's  a 
pleasure  to  get  a  show  like  this  one.  Pleased  every- 
one best  of  all  it's  not  to  long.  Six  full  reels  and 
every  foot  good,  most  pictures  are  ruined  by  putting 
to  much  footage  in  them.  You  will  hear  many 
favorable  comments  when  you  show  this  one.  Six 
reels. — ^A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  MATINEE  IDOL:  Johnny  Walker— May 
30-31.  One  of  the  best  Columbia  has  ever  made. 
Plenty  of  laughs.  Business  very  decent.  Six  reels. 
— P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


FB  0 


BREED  OF  SUNSETS:  Bob  Steele— 10%.  June  7. 
Good  little  show  for  the  Western'  fans.  Bob  is 
good  and  is  coming  ahead  to  the  front.  Everyone 
is  better,  keep  it  up.  Bob.  Five  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal   theatre,   Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

THE  HARVESTER:  Special  cast— 50%.  June  24. 
Very  good  show  from  Gene  Stratton  Porter's  book 
which  pleased  them  all.  Poor  print,  too  foggy  and 
dark.  Eight  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,    S.   D. — General    patronage. 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence  Picture  Chart." 


BREED  OF  COURAGE:  Riinger- 29%.  May  22. 
Good  average  dog  picture. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime 
theatre.    Mason,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

CONEY  ISLAND:  Lois  Wilson— 19%.  May  23-24. 
Pretty  fair  story,  one  very  hot  dance  number. — Roy 
W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

SKINNER'S  BIG  IDEA:  Bryant  Washburn— 40%. 
May  29.  Just  so-so.  Half  this  percentage  should  be 
credited  to  the  Lindbergh  News  Reel,  put  out  by 
Universal. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

LITTLE  MICKEY  GROGAN:  Frankie  Darro— 
26%.  June  26.  The  kid  is  clever,  and  the  story  is 
not  so  worse. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  COWARD:  Warner  Baxter— 30%.  June 
17-18.  Some  awful  loose  stitches  in  this  story,  but 
it  seemed  to  get  by. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre, 
Mason,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

THE  BOY  RIDER:  Buzz  Barton— 28%.  June  5. 
My  first  with  this  kid,  and  he's  good.  It  clicked 
with  the  Western  fans. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  the- 
atre. Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE      TEXAS      TORNADO:        Tom      Tyler— Good 


Western   for   Saturdays. — J.   L.   Seiter,   Selma  theatre, 
Selma,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  CHEROKEE  KID:  Tom  Tyler— June  27-28. 
I  am  not  giving  this  a  percentage  rating  as  I 
double-featured  it  with  "Cheating  Cheaters."  It  isn't 
so  hot,  some  riding  and  shooting  but  not  much  story. 
— Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General    patronage. 

LITTLE  MICKEY  GROGAN:  Frankie  Darro— 
June  19.  A  very  good  picture.  This  little  star  in 
my  estimation  is  far  better  than  Jackie  Coogan.  Six 
reels.— Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

RED  RIDERS  OF  CANADA:  Patsy  Ruth  Miller- 
June  20-21.  Good  picture  of  North  country.  Scenery 
fine,  story  good.  Seven  reels.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T. 
theatre,   Parker,   S.   D. — Small   town   patronage. 


First  National 


THE  LITTLE  SHEPHERD  OF  KINGDOM  COME: 

Richard  Barthelmess — 74%.  June  29.  Here  is  a  pic- 
ture for  the  general  audience  that  can't  be  beat  and 
the  readers  of  the  book  will  all  be  there.  We  ran 
this  in  a  down  pour  of  rain  only  one  night  and  it 
holds  the  record  for  any  day's  business  during  the 
week.  It's  a  special  as  specials  are  now  classed. 
Seven  reels. — E.  N.  McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre. 
Port  Huron,   Mich. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

BURNING  DAYLIGHT:  Milton  Sills- 30%.  June 
21-22-23.  What  a  picture  for  the  small  town.  Sill's 
best  since  "Men  of  Steel."  Sill's  does  some  wonder- 
ful acting  in  this  drama  of  the  Klondike  gold  rush, 
and  Stone  furnishes  some  rich  comedy.  Everyone  in 
this  country  is  crazy  over  mining  and  this  subject 
is  most  timely  for  me.  Seven  reels. — Stan  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

VALLEY  OF  THE  GIANTS:  Milton  Sills— 54%. 
June  24-25.  This  will  please  them  and  it  drew  very 
well  against  the  first  real  summer  we  have  had  up 
here.  Eight  reels. — E.  N.  McFarland,  Pine  Grove 
theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

LADIES  NIGHT  IN  A  TURKISH  BATH :  Maekaill- 
Mulhall— 25%.  June  28-29-30.  This  seemed  to  please 
the  crowd  but  personally  I  cannot  hand  it  much.  It's 
just  one  of  those  strange  happenings  that  an  ex- 
hibitor calls  punk  and  yet  the  public  eats  up.  I'm 
satisfied.  Seven  reels. — Stan  Kennedy,  Central  the- 
atre, Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

HARDBOILED  HAGGERTY:  Milton  Sills— 10%. 
June  26.  Just  a  picture.  Not  much  to  it.  This  is 
the  kind  that  will  do  more  damage  than  good  to  a 
star  like  Sills.  Sills  should  be  kept  in  clean  and  good 
shows.  Soma  of  the  scenes  should  be  cut  and  it 
would  cleanse  the  smutty  scenes  in  it.  Eight  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

SHEPHERD  OF  THE  HILLS:  Special  cast^-80%. 
Dandy  picture  that  clicks  at  the  box  office.  Eight 
reels. — Harold  Kortes,  Sun  theatre,  Plainwell,  Mich. 
■ — General   patronage. 

THE  LIFE  OP  RILEY:  Murray-Sidney— 33%.  May 
20-21.  Good  comedy. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  the- 
atre.  Mason,   Mich. — General  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


THE  RED  RAIDERS:  Ken  Maynard — 42%.  May 
lS-19.  A  good  historical  Western,  with  daring  stunt 
riding. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

HAPPINESS  AHEAD:  Colleen  Moore — Just  a  pro- 
gram offering.  Not  much  to  it.  Certainly  it  will  not 
add  to  the  reputation  of  Colleen  for  knockout  com- 
edies as  in  the  past. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  the- 
atre,   Columbia    City,    Ind. — General    patronage. 

CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— This 
one  alright  for  Saturday,  but  not  as  good  as  some  of 
Maynard's  that  we  have  run. — A  Mitchell,  Dixie  the- 
atre,  Russellville,   Ky. — Geneial   patronage. 

FLYING  ROMEOS:  Sidney-Murray— This  picture 
pulled  about  one  half  average  Sunday  business  in 
fine  weather  and  with  no  competition.  In  explana- 
tion I  was  surprised  to  be  told  that  "We  are  fed 
up  on  those  birds,"  and  comments  to  that  effect. 
Personally  had  a  good  laugh  on  the  picture  but 
thought  the  finish  weak. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  The  Play- 
house theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

THREE  RING  MARRIAGE:  Astor-Hughes— A 
program  picture  of  circus  life. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma 
theatre,   Selma,   Cal. — General  patronage. 

NO  PLACE  TO  GO:  Hughes-Astor — Just  a  very 
ordinary  picture  neither  good  or  bad.  If  you  have 
nothing  else  to  do  or  no  place  to  go  it  will  fill  in 
the  time  and  that  is  about  all  it  is.  Just  a  filler. 
Seven  reels. — -W.  H.  Goodroad,  Strand  theatre.  War- 
ren. Minn. — General  patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmees — June  22-23. 
A  very  fine  picture  which  held  and  pleased  even 
the  Saturday  out  of  door  lovers.  Seven  reels. — P. 
G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D.— Small  town 
patronage. 

ROSE  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST:  Special  cast— 
From  reports  thought  that  this  would  be  a  lemon  but 
it  is  a  good  show  and  one  that  will  draw  at  the  box- 
office.  No  kicks  at  all  and  some  good  comments. — 
A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 


Fox 


SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Gaynor-Farrell— 45%.  June 
21-22,  Fine  special  which  pleased  fair  but  did  not 
draw  as  much  as  we  thought  it  would.  Just  took 
in'  enough  to  pay  film  rental  and  advertising.  Well. 
we  are  glad  it's  all  over  with  the  wares.  Twelve 
reels.— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General   patronage. 

THE  ESCAPE:  Valli-Rus6ell^4%.  June  29-30. 
All  fed  up  with  booze  runners,  cabaret  dancers  and 
gang  fighters.  Virginia  escapes  to  the  country  and 
spends  the  rest  of  her  life  kissing  the  hero  and  feed- 
ing the  pigs.  This  happy  ending  is  tacked  on  in 
the  last  ten  feet  of  film.  Virginia  gives  a  fine, 
sincere  performance.  Bill  Russell  is  satisfactory 
villianous,  Nancy  Drexel  and  George  Meeker  are 
good. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

A  GIRL  IN  EVERY  PORT:  Victor  MacLaglen 
— 37%.  June  10-11.  Funny  but  awfully  rough. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre,  Mason,  Mich. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

LOVE  HUNGRY:  Lois  Moran— 18%.  June  12. 
A  title  like  this  would  kill  any  picture  in  my  town. 
It's  not  a  bad  little  comedy  drama. — Koy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

PUBUCITY  MADNESS:  Special  cast— 37%.  June 
7.  Just  a  fair  program  that  won't  draw  but  will 
please  most  of  them.  Six  reels. — E.  N.  McFarland, 
Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

THE  BRANDED  SOMBRERO:  Buck  Jones— 44%. 
June  1-2.  Fair  Jones  Western. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime    theatre.    Mason,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

THE  BRANDED  SOMBREO:  Buck  Jones— Good 
Western  for  Saturdays. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,    Cal. — General   patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— 50%.  June  22-23. 
The  usual  Mix  stuff,  and  it  satisfied  the  Mix  fans. 
• — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre,  Mason,  Mich. — 
General   patronage. 

SHARP  SHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien— 50%.  This 
is  indeed  a  funny  one  of  a  sailor's  life.  People  well 
pleased. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correction- 
ville,    la. — General    patronage. 

EAST  SIDE.  WEST  SIDE:  Special  cast— 30%. 
Fortunately  it  rained.  Eight  thousand  feet  of  the 
credcst  melodrama  ever  perpetuated  on  an  exhibitor 
and  an  unsuspecting  public.  Continuity  is  of  the 
1914  vintage  and  we  paid  for  a  special.  The  dramatic 
scenes  evoked  laughter.  George  O'Brien's  emotional 
scenes  are  similar  to  a  burlesque  we  once  saw  on 
"Madame  X." — George  Cohen,  Princess  theatre.  West 
Union,    la. — General    patronage. 


LOVES  OF  CARMEN:  McLaglen-Del  Rio— 48%. 
June  10-11.  People  as  they  walked  out  were  indeed 
mad,  felt  ashamed  of  the  picture.  Had  some  of  the 
people  from  a  neighboring  town,  and  they  and  a 
number  of  others  walked  out  before  it  was  finished. 
Played  on  Sunday  and  Monday.  If  you  want  to  hold 
the  people  do  not  show  this  as  it  hurt  our  business. 
Very  raw. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correc- 
tionville,   la. — General   patronage. 

WHAT  PRICE  GLORY:  Special  cast— 40%.  June 
25-26-27.  Head  and  shoulders  over  any  war  drama 
we  have  run.  Excellently  produced  and  acted. 
McLaglen,  Del  Rio  and  Lowe  do  some  splendid  work. 
Receipts  were  not  large  for  a  special,  but  the 
weather  was  terribly  warm.  Twelve  reels. — Stan 
Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  RETREAT:  Ted  McNamara— Just  a 
frothy  light  comedy  with  plenty  of  laughs.  Six  reels. 
— Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. 
— General   patronage. 

BLOOD  WILL  TELL:  Buck  Jones— June  23.  Will 
please  the  Buck]  Jones  fans.  Drew  good  business 
and  pleased.  A  Western'  with  enough  action  to  make 
it  entertaining.  Five  reels.— R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,    Chilton,   Wis. — General   patronage. 

CHAIN  LIGHTNING:  Buck  Jones— June  26.  Buck 
Jones  is  a  favorite  Western  star  with  my  patrons 
and  they  liked  this  one  and  told  me  so  as  they  passed 
out.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa 
Grove,    111. — Small    town   patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  CROWD:  Eleanor  Boardman— 45%.  April 
20-21.  This  picture  is  more  true  to  life  than  any  we 
have  run  here.  People  well  pleased,  those  who  saw 
it. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correctionville, 
la. — General  patronage. 

UNDER  THE  BLACK  EAGLE:  Flash— 32%.  June 
24-25.  We  consider  the  print  we  got  to  be  defective, 
as  a  good  part  of  it  was  absolutely  impervious  to 
liglit,  and  this  seriously  marred  what  would  other- 
v/ise  have  been  a  good  picture.  Program  grade  but 
a  little  out  of  the  ordinary  and  our  patronage 
fairly  eat  these  dog  pictures.  Flash  is  darn  good. 
Nothing  different!  But  the  two  Flash  pictures  we 
have  had  were  both  dark.  People  here  will  soon  as- 
sociate dark  with  M  G  M.  Seven  reels. — Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  ADVENTURER:  Tim  McCoy— 22%.  June 
27-28.  Poor  print,  which  is  unusual  from  Metro. 
First  two  reels  were  a  weird  combination  of  old  and 
new  film.  Impossible  to  run  at  uniform  speed  with 
our  power.  Rotten  splices.  The  picture  ? — Well,  call 
it  fair.  Too  short  for  a  single  feature  show  and 
don't  believe  it  added  anything  to  the  lustre  of  the 
name  of  Tim  McCoy.  Five  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe, 
Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— 
50%.  June  24-25.  My  people  enjoyed  two  delight- 
fully fearful  evenings  with  this  spooky,  awesome 
thing.  Chaney  has  a  pleasing  role  as  the  detective, 
and  did  better  business  than  usual  for  me. —  Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  ENEMY:  Lillian  Gish— 30%.  April  25-26. 
Very  poor  drawing  card,  did  not  even  pay  the  film 
rental.  One  of  Metro's  specials,  but  those  specials 
that  are  a  flop.  If  you  want  to  lose  money,  play 
this  as  we  lost  over  $35.00  on  it. — St.  Peters  Bros., 
Ritz   theatre,    Correctionville,   la. — General  patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer— 
30%.  June  18-19-20.  Excellent.  In  fact  the  best 
picture  I  have  had  on  Metro's  program  this  year. 
Smart  and  clean  as  a  hound's  tooth.  Just  what  the 
public  wants  today.  Had  many  favorable  comments 
and  did  fair  business  in  spite  ot  rainy  weather  all 
during  engagement.  Eight  reels. — Stan  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O'Neil— 43%.  June 
3.  Good  program  picture  that  pleased  them  gener- 
ally, don't  fail  to  play  it.  Satisfactory  business. 
Eight  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.    D. — General   patronage. 

ADAM  AND  EVIL:  Cody-Pringle— 44%.  June 
17.  Very  good  comedy.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BIG  PARADE:  John  Gilbert— 62%.  June 
4-5-6.  Good  show  that  did  not  draw  any  business 
for  us,  just  mostly  wasted  three  nights  and  a  pic- 
ture like  this  at  that  so  write  your  own'  ticket  boys, 
and  don't  pay  too  much  for  it.  We  never  made 
a  cent  and  if  we  don't  make  money  on  a  picture 
like  this  what  shall  we  play  anyhow.  Goodbye 
Parade.      This    picture    was    not    for    my    town.      So 


that's  that.  Metro  got  all  the  butter.  Thirteen  reete. 
—Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— 
General  patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer — Don't  promise 
anything  on  this  one.  It's  rotten.  Plenty  of  walk- 
outs and  to  make  it  still  more  boresome  they  had 
to  put  it  in  eight  reels. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre, 
Russellville,    Ky. — General   patronage. 

BRINGING  UP  FATHER:  Special  cast— Fair.  It 
depends  on  what  kind  of  an  audience  you  have 
whether  or  not  this  will  go  over  for  you.  Refined 
people  will  not  like  it. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,    Cal. — General    patronage. 

DIAMOND  HANDCUFFS:  Eleanor  Boardman— 
June  20-21.  Better  not  get  your  hopes  up  too  high  on 
this  one. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand  Prairie, 
Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 

BABY  MINE:  Dane-Arthur — "Baby  Mine"  is  a 
good  picture  to  let  lie.  It  isn't  risque,  it  is  just 
plain  vulgarity  all  the  way.  I  had  more  criticism 
on  it  than  I  have  had  on  some  of  the  more  broad 
sex  stuff  for  some  time  back.  It  might  go  big  in' 
the  cities  but  it  is  poison  in  a  rural  town  house 
where  your  trade  are  regulars  and  are  not  looking 
for  this  type  of  picture. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia 
theatre,    Columbia    City,    Ind. — General    patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane- Arthur— Poor.  This  is 
another  dead  comedy  team. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma 
theatre,    Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

IN   OLD   KENTUCKY:      Special   casl^-June    17-18. 

Not  worth  the  rental  but  it  is  a  good  program  pic- 
ture and  will  please  majority. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,    Chilton,    Wis. — General    patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— June  18-19.  Good. 
— J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand  Prairie,  Tex. — 
Small   town    patronage. 

THE     LOVELORN:      Sally    O'Neil^Iune    20.      A 

Beatrice  Fairfax  story  which  is  fair  entertainment 
but  did  not  draw. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,    Wis. — General   patronage. 

WICKEDNESS  PREFERRED:  Cody-Pringle— Sad 
waste  of  celleloid  for  small  towns. — Geo.  E.  Fuller, 
The  Playhouse  theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WICKEDNESS       PREFERRED:  Cody-Pringle— 

very,  very  poor.  It  has  aboslutely  nothing,  no  story, 
no  acting.  You  can't  fool  the  movie  public  with 
this  kind.  They  told  us  it  was  rotten. — J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma  theatre,   Selma,   Cal. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
Rather  long  but  seemed  to  interest  the  audience. 
Certainly  cannot  be  classed  as  a  big  picture  and  It 
gave  us  nothing  new  or  original.  No  outstanding 
part  in  this.  Chaney-Haines  and  Eleanor  Boardman 
had  nothing  but  light  easy  parts  to  portray  and 
maybe  that  was  what  held  the  people's  interest. 
They  just  acted  human  parts  naturally.  Ten  reels. — 
Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — 
General     patronage. 


Paramount 


THE  GAY  DEFENDER:  Richard  Dix— 71%.  June 
3.  Good  picture  and  think  it  did  Dix  good  to  appear 
in  this  kind  of  a  role.  Well  liked  here.  Six  reels. — 
E.  N.  McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron, 
Mich. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— 25%.  June 
14.  Good.  Eight  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— Here  Is  a 
picture  that  probably  points  a  moral  but  it's  sordid 
and  depressing.  The  people  do  not  like  to  hear  the 
truth  exemplified  sometimes  and  while  the  cast  and 
story  held  an  attentive  audience  yet  it  did  not  send 
them  home  with  a  pleasant  taste  in  their  mouth. 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone,  Ariz. — General   patronage. 

A  WOMAN  ON  TRIAL:  Pola  Negri— 42%.  June 
6.  This  is  a  picture  too  deep  for  the  average  audi- 
ence  but   is  surely  well   made   and   the  work   of   Miss 


No  Losses  Xn  the  Box  Office 

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Julv  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


63 


Negri  was  wonderful.  Rather  sad.  Well  liked  here 
with  the  few  that  eaw  it.  Seven  reels. — E.  N. 
McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

UNDERWORLD:  George  Bancroft— 49%.  June 
4-5.  A  great  picture  and  well  liked  by  the  small 
crowd  that  we  had,  but  played  against  a  circus  just 
across  the  street.  Bancroft  did  some  real  work  in 
this  picture.  Played  it  up  big.  Seven  reels. — E.  N. 
McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre,  Port  Huron,  Mich. — 
Neighborhood    patronage. 

UNDERWORLD:  George  Bancroft— 35%.  Fine 
underworld  picture,  but  paid  too  much  for  it.  Para- 
mount sure  holds  us  up  and  their  pictures  don't  get 
us  extra  business  they  claim  they  will.  Goodbye 
Paramount  unless  they  change  their  ways. — Harold 
Kortes.  Sun  theatre,  Plainwell,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

OLD  IRONSIDES:  Special  cast— 46%.  June  10-11. 
Very  good  show,  but  not  worth  the  double  admis- 
sion' we  had  to  charge  on  a  percentage  engagement. 
Well  worth  seeing  by  the  best  of  patrons  you  get 
in  your  theatre  but  admission  should  be  only  about 
ten  cents  more  than  regular,  but  here  we  had  to 
charge  twenty-five  and  fifty  cents  and  that  was  too 
much  to  get  in  very  big  crowds.  Eight  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— General 
patronage. 

GET  YOUR  MAN:  Clara  Bow— 53%.  June  23. 
Clara's  best  to  our  notion.  It's  very  good.  Six 
reels.^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General    patronage. 

A  GENTLEMAN  OF  PARIS:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
17%.  June  22.  Fair  program  picture  that  won't  do 
the  business.  And  it's  a  wasted  playdate  here.  Six 
reels. — E.  N.  McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port 
Huron,   Mich. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

BEAU  SABREUR:  Gary  Cooper— 61%.  June 
21-22.  Very  good  but  not  a  special.  Seven  reels. — 
Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— General    patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— 10%.  June 
14.  Well,  Clara  is  all  right  in  pictures  like  "It" 
but  I  don't  think  that  they  will  make  another  show 
like  "It"  for  sometime.  AH  the  best  stars  won't 
be  worth  a  hoop  if  producers  won't  give  them  the 
right  kind  of  storys.  "Rough  House  Rosie"  failed 
to  draw  the  first  night  so  we  let  it  go  at  one  night's 
run  and  nothing  lost  but  money.  Six  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TWO  FLAMING  YOUTHS:  Fields-Conklin— 52%. 
June  9.  Very  good  comedy.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— 20%. 
June  23.  Very  well.  Comical  show  which  made 
'em  laugh  all  over  the  house.  Plenty  of  fast  action 
and  all  the  comedy  good.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH:  Emil  Jannings- 
90%.  This  is  one  of  the  greatest  pictures  of  its  kind 
ever  screened.  This  kind  sure  goes  over  in  this 
town.  Give  us  more  like  it. — Harold  Kortes,  Sun 
theatre,   PlainWell,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

SERENADE:  Adolphe  Menjou— 39%.  June  16. 
Fair.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

DOOMSDAY:  Florence  Vidor— This  will  get  by 
but  not  suited  for  Miss  Vidor.  Not  enough  class. — 
A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 

THE  STREET  OF  SIN:  Emil  Jannings— June 
21-22.  A  good  picture  but  not  in  the  class  with 
the  "Way  of  All  Flesh."  Too  rough  for  the  average 
audience.  Picture  shows  life  in  the  slums  of  Lon- 
don.— R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

NEVADA:  Gary  Cooper— June  23.  They  pre- 
served the  names  of  the  characters  in  Grey's  book 
but  nothing  more  when  they  made  this  average 
Western.  Seven  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre. 
Grand   Prairie,   Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 

SPORTING  GOODS:  Richard  Dix— A  good  pro- 
gram picture. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russell- 
ville,   Ky. — General    patronage. 

THE    LAST    WALTZ:      Special    cast— June    19.      A 

very  good  German  made  picture  which  pleased  all. — 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 

A  NIGHT  OF  MYSTERY:  Adolphe  Menjou— Just 
a  program.  This  star  don't  mean  a  thing  to  our 
box-oflSce. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General   patronage. 

PARTNERS  IN  CRIME:  Berry-Hatton— Fairly 
good.  This  team  does  not  produce  enough  laughs. — - 
J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


NELIGH,  NEB.,  July  4,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 

There  isn't  going  to  be  much  picture  talk  in  this  letter  for  this  is  Independence  Day  and 
we  should  try  as  much  as  possible  to  forget  our  troubles  and  rejoice  that  Patrick  Henry 
shouted,  "Give  me  liberty  or  give  me  death,"  so  loud  that  it  jarred  the  foundation  walls 
in  Effingham  Palace  and  made  the  Kaiser  of  Germany  remove  his  pipe  and  say,  "Veil,  vot 
you  know  aboud  dot,  mine  Got  in  Himmel,  vos  is?" 

This  is  not  intended  as  a  Fourth  of  July  oration.  Were  it  intended  as  such  we  would 
have  it  proceeded  by  a  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  Reginald  De  Pyster 
of  the  eight  grade  and  by  a  renditon  of  "America"  and  "The  Star  Spangled  Banner"  by 
the  Silver  Cornet  Band  from  Smith's  Corners.  No,  we  are  too  full  of  enthusiasm  and  our 
wife's  pancakes  to  wait  for  all  that. 

We  can  remember  away  back  (and  this  will  prove  that  our  memory  is  good)  when  we 
arose  at  4  a.  m.,  went  out  to  our  father's  blacksmith  shop  near  Niles,  Mich.,  turned  the 
anvil  upside  down,  filled  the  hole  in  the  bottom  with  powder,  placed  another  anvil  on 
top  of  it  and  touched  the  powder  off  with  a  red  hot  nail  rod  and  blew  the  roof  off  the 
shop  and  a  kind  Providence  directed  the  flying  missels  away  from  our  gourd  and  thus 
saved  us  for  the  good  of  posterity.  (AU  right,  laugh  if  you  want  to,  it's  all  right  with  us.) 
And  when  Ring  Lardner  would  shoot  firecrackers  in  the  morning  and  go  fishing  for 
suckers  in  the  St.  Joe  river  in  the  afternoon,  and  Ring  has  been  catching  suckers  ever 
since. 

John  Adams  once  said,  "We  ought  to  observe  the  day  with  pomp,  shows,  games,  sports, 
guns,  bonfires  and  illuminations  from  this  time  on  forever,"  but  John  failed  to  include 
fishing  and  therein  omitted  the  best  part  of  the  program.  To  our  mind  no  celebration 
program  is  complete  that  does  not  include  a  few  hours  of  bass  fishing.  The  political 
enemies  of  Grover  Cleveland  accused  him  of  going  fishing  on  Decoration  Day,  and  if 
the  season  opened  on  that  day  we  don't  blame  him.  Grover  showed  good  judgment,  and 
if  he  were  a  candidate  for  president  today  we  might  be  for  him  (we  said  we  "might")  for 
we  hold  that  it  is  a  darn  sight  better  to  go  fiishing  than  to  work  up  a  sweat  lugging  some 
gum  chewing  Lucy  aroimd  a  bowery  floor,  as  is  the  custom  today. 

Two  years  ago  today  we  spent  the  day  driving  the  highway  between  Ft.  Dodge  and 
Dubuque,  la.  The  next  day  we  drove  into  Niles,  Mich.,  where  we  left  the  family  and 
took  the  train  into  Chicago  and  went  to  the  HERALD  office  and  offered  to  remove  Bill 
Weaver's  corns  and  bunyons  free  of  charge,  but  he  wouldn't  let  us.  A  year  ago  today  we 
spent  the  day  in  Valley  City,  N.  D.,  and  in  the  evening  John  Piller,  of  the  Filler  Grand, 
took  us  to  his  house  for  dinner,  and  when  we  say  dinner  we  don't  mean  lunch.  When 
Ma  Piller  puts  up  a  dinner  there  is  nothing  about  it  that  suggests  a  shortage  of  the 
requisites  for  a  banquet.  John  opened  a  couple  and  we  didn't  have  the  heart  to  refuse. 
That  was  a  year  ago  today,  but  today  our  wife  points  to  the  faucet  and  says,  "Have  one 
on  the  city."    That  goes  to  show  how  liberal  she  is  with  the  city's  property. 

Last  night  we  had  a  big  rain  all  over  this  section  of  the  state  and  it  makes  Nebraska 
look  like  the  Garden  of  Eden,  only  the  apples  are  not  ripe.  If  Adam  were  here  today 
he'd  have  to  eat  cherries  and  mulberries  and  the  box  alder  leaves  are  hardly  broad 
enough  to  make  a  proper  costume  for  Eve,  although  she  would  appear  well  dressed  in 
some  of  the  pictures.  Tragsdorf,  of  Neillsville,  Wis.,  says,  "The  smaller  the  leaves  the 
better  they  look,"  and  Gailey.  of  Wayne,  Neb.,  says,  "Cut  the  leaves,"  and  Crockett  Brown, 
of  Nashwauk,  Minn.,  said,  "They  have." 

Every  time  we  think  of  that  gathering  at  Alexandria  we  think  of  a  lot  of  things  we 
would  like  to  tell  you  about  but  can't.  If  we  were  to  give  you  the  lowdown  on  Will  Whit- 
more  of  BETTER  THEATRES  we  wotdd  be  betraying  a  confidence,  a  thing  we  cannot 
do,  but  if  there  was  a  lady  between  16  and  30  that  didn't  pose  for  a  picture  for  Will  it 
was  because  she  didn't  get  her  makeup  on  in  time,  or  because  she  didn't  live  in  Alex- 
andria. There  isn't  an  eligible  lady  in  Alexandria  that  hasn't  figured  out  the  exact  dis- 
tance between  that  city  and  Chicago,  which  goes  to  prove  how  popular  BETTER  THE- 
ATRES is. 

Then  there  was  Gailey,  but  Gailey  swore  vengence  on  us  if  we  mentioned  "bullheads" 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


SWIM,     GIRL,     SWIM:       Bebe     Daniels— June     24. 

A  very  light  comedy  drama  of  college  life  which 
pleased  majority  and  drew  good  business  spite  of 
heavy  rain. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — General    patronage. 

THE  COVERED  WAGON:  Special  cast— June 
25-26.  Re-issues  never  go  over  big  in  my  town  and 
the  "Covered  Wagon"  was  no  exception.  Was  a  big 
money  maker  years  ago  but  it  failed  at  the  box- 
office  this  time.  Pleased  those  that  turned  out.  Eight 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
General   patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


THE  LEOPARD  LADY:  Special  cast— 30%. 
Dandy  picture  but  I  just  can't  get  them  in  on  a 
Pathe  feature. — Harold  Kortes,  Sun  theatre.  Plain- 
well,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  EAGLE:  Rod  LaRocqu^l4%. 
June  17.  Good  picture  that  did  not  draw  and  was 
too  long.  Nine  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,     Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP:  Vera 
Reynolds — 23%.  June  22-23.  Very  good  program 
offering   to   poor   business.      Pleased   those   who    saw 


it.  Good  light  print,  but  all  cut  up  and  filled  with 
splices.  We  are  saps  to  pay  for  the  privilege  of 
showing  pictures  to  these  scanty  hot  weather  audi- 
ences. No  business  at  all.  Distributors  get  all  the 
gravy  and  we  only  get  the  dirty  dishes.  Six  reels.— 
Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — 
Small    town   patronage. 

SKYSCRAPER:  William  Boyd— June  4-5.  Boyd  is 
very  popular  here.  Picture  very  good.  Whole  cast 
fine.  Don't  be  afraid  to  boost  it.  Seven  reels. — 
P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me.^ 
Small    town    patronage. 

CHICAGO:  Phyllis  Haver— April  23-24.  Business 
was  very  good  first  day.  Picture  disappointed.  Sec- 
ond day  fell  off  badly.  Eight  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque, 
Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — Small  town  patronage. 


Rayart 


THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  MYSTERY:  James 
Kirkwood — 25%.  June  16.  Good  mystery  show  and 
James  Kirkwood  and  Lois  Wilson  put  it  over  in 
good  shape.  Interesting  from  start  to  finish.  Busi- 
ness better  than  expected  as  the  serial  of  same  title 
was  run  here  about  eight  years  ago  and  people  thought 
it  good.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14, 1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

so  in  justice  to  him  we  will  state  that  he  caught  some  nice  sunfish  and  a  few  perch  and 
insisted  that  our  bass  and  walleyed  pike  were  entirely  too  large  for  nice  table  fish.  He 
prefers  the  smaller  variety. 

There  wasn't  a  fisherman  in  the  bunch  who  could  qualify  in  the  same  class  with  Frank 
O'Hara,  of  Elgin,  Neb.  Frank  went  out  fishing  one  morning  and  presently  came  running 
back  to  the  cabin  all  excited  and  out  of  breath  and  when  we  asked  what  was  the  matter 
he  replied,  "May  the  Saints  be  praised,  it's  mesilf  that  is  thankful  to  be  alive,  for  I  saw 
a  fish  out  there  that  was  nine  feet  long  if  he  was  an  inch  and  his  back  fin  was  as  broad 
as  a  bam  dure  and  he  was  makin'  right  fur  me  hook  and,  knowin'  I  couldn't  shwim,  I 
threw  mc  rod  in  the  lake  and  run,  and  it's  happy  I  am  to  be  tellin'  this  tale."  We  patted 
him  on  the  back  and  said,  "There,  there,  don't  let  a  little  thing  like  that  excite  you,  we 
told  you  not  to  take  over  three,  that  it  would  go  to  your  head,  but  you  would  do  it,  but 
don't  mention  this  to  the  rest  of  the  boys  or  they  will  all  be  out  here  looking  for  that 
same  fish  and  wanting  to  know  where  the  bootlegger  lives." 

Micky  Larson,  of  Oakland,  Neb.,  was  the  Beau  Brummel  of  the  occasion,  and  it  was  a 
tossup  between  him  and  Whitmore  as  to  which  would  receive  the  greater  number  of  in- 
vitations to  afternoon  teas.  As  a  heart  smasher  Micky  is  100  per  cent,  and  had  it  not  been 
for  Nels  Benson,  of  Oakland,  who  chaperoned  him,  he  would  have  left  a  trail  of  wrecked 
feminine  hopes  that  would  have  been  something  awful.  He's  so  careless  that  way,  but  as 
it  was  he  fished  a  little,  played  ping  pong  with  the  ladies  and  got  out  of  town  without  any 
breach  of  promise  suits,  due  to  the  guiding  influence  of  his  chaperone. 

P.  G.  Estee,  of  Parker,  S.  D.,  doesn't  fish,  play  golf,  dance  nor  drink  pink  lemonade, 
but  he's  strong  for  Bermuda  onions  and  limburger  cheese.  He  says  he  had  a  royal  time 
and  will  be  at  the  next  convention  if  his  "Hoot  Gibson"  can  make  it,  and  he  thinks  he 
can. 

Nebraska  had  the  largest  representation  of  any  outside  state,  just  as  she  always  does, 
and  the  only  thing  to  mar  the  complete  enjoyment  of  the  occasion  was  the  absence  of 
"Fishy"  PhU,  Bill  Weaver  and  Eagle  Eye  Joe.  These  three  boys  ought  to  be  ashamed  of 
themselves. 

As  we  are  writing  this  there  is  a  big  celebration  on  down  at  the  city  park  and,  judging 
from  the  noise,  they  are  trying  to  do  justice  to  the  occasion.  The  Clearwater  band  is 
discoursing  pleasing  sounds,  the  young  hopefuls  are  firing  off  crackers  and  the  yelling 
of  the  crowd  indicates  that  some  member  of  the  home  team  has  just  slid  to  home  plate 
and  tied  the  score.  There  was  a  time  when  we  looked  upon  occasions  of  this  kind  with 
100  per  cent  approval,  but  today  we  are  willing  to  take  it  for  granted  that  George  did  his 
duty  at  Valley  Forge  and  it  doesn't  matter  to  us  whether  Paul  Revere  rode  a  grey  gelding 
or  a  black  mare.  An  occasion  of  this  kind  is  duck  soup  for  the  kids  and  we  are  for  'em. 
Billy  Bradley  has  a  "shooter  gun,"  Joline  has  a  new  dolly  that  says  "mama"  and  even 
though  they  woke  grandpa  up  before  his  accustomed  time  to  show  him  these  things  the 
day  is  not  without  its  compensation,  so  let  the  eagle  scream.  She  can  whip  the  buzzard 
any  day  of  the  week. 

We  thought  of  writing  some  poetry  for  this  issue  but  Geneve  said,  "Now,  Dad,  don't 
try  to  kid  yourself  that  you  are  a  James  Whitcomb  Riley,  for  you  are  not,  and  people 
who  read  your  poetry  do  so  with  a  clothespin  on  their  nose,"  so  acting  on  her  suggestion 
we  will  leave  a  long  suffering  public  to  stiU  suffer. 

It  wasn't  our  intention  to  say  anything  about  pictures  in  this  issue,  but  we  saw  one  in 
Longaker's  theatre  the  other  night  that  has  made  us  wonder  just  who  is  responsible  for 
whatever  entertainment  we  find  on  the  screen.  The  picture,  unless  we  are  mistaken  in  the 
title,  was  "A  Lady  of  the  Mob,"  with  Clara  Bow,  and  we  have  been  wondering  whether  the 
entertainment  would  have  been  worth  the  price  without  Clara  Bow  in  it.  It  savored 
largely  of  the  underworld  in  theme  and  the  direction  was  probably  as  good  as  it  could 
have  been  with  the  story  material  to  work  with.  We  vote  it  well  done  for  the  kind  of  a 
picture  it  was,  and  we  believe  it  will  prove  satisfactory  to  most  audiences,  but  we  believe 
Clara  Bow  could  do  better  things  in  a  better  story.  Anyhow,  that's  the  way  we  view  things 
and  we  are  willing  to  admit  that  our  knowledge  of  things  ought  not  to  have  any  influence 
on  you,  and  if  you  will  be  guided  by  what  Thomas  O.  Service  says  about  pictures  you 
will  have  a  better  understanding  of  what  pictures  should  be.  This  is  all  the  pie  for  this 
time,  there  is  no  use  waiting  for  any  more. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  man. 


United  Artists 


STEAMBOAT  BILL,  JR.:  Buster  Keaton~May 
21-22.  Too  long.  Just  a  fair  picture.  United 
ArtietB  get  too  much  money  for  it.  Business  poor. 
Seven  reels.- — P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  theatre,  Rum- 
ford,    Me. — Small   town   patronage. 

SORRELL  AND  SON:  Special  cast— Wonderful 
picture,  but  away  above  the  average  small  town 
audience.  Did  not  pull. — Geo.  E.  Puller,  The  Play- 
house theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


Universal 


GALLOPING  FURY:  Hoot  Gibson— 14%.  June 
13.  Good  Western  from  Hoot  and  nobody  excited 
over  it,  but  satisfied  all  who  saw  it.  Six  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

A  TRICK  OF  HEARTS:     Hoot  Gibson— 50%.     May 


25-26.      A   very   thin   story   indeed. — Roy   W.   Adams, 
Pastime    theatre.    Mason,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

THE  COUNT  OF  TEN:  Charles  Ray— 35%.  June 
15-16.  Nothing  new  in  this  one. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.   Mason,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  FOUR  FLUSHER:  George  Lewis— 32%.  Nice 
little  comedy  with  "The  Collegians"  cast — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

HEY,  HEY,  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— 19%.  June 
20-21.  "God  said  'Let  There  Be  Light  and  There 
Was  Light'  "  but  not  on'  this  picture.  May  have 
been  a  good  picture — quien  sabe  ? — too  dark  to  tell. 
Print  must  have  been  through  the  mill  somewhere 
some  time  as  it  certainly  averaged  one  splice  to 
every  six  inches.  Hoot  draws  good  here  but  it  don't 
take  many  prints  like  this  one  to  ruin  him.  Darn 
shame  to  film  a  good  picture  and  then  send  out  such 
a  result.  Six  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,   Nevada,   O. — Small   town   patronage. 

SURRENDER:  Mary  Philbin— 45%.  June  8-9. 
War  picture  in  an  Austrian-Jewish  setting.     I  didn't 


enthuse  over  it  much,  but  my  people  told  me  it  was 
pretty  good. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre,  Mason, 
Mich. — General    patronage. 

ALIAS  THE  DEACON:  Jean  Hersholt— 37%.  May 
27-28.  Very  pleasing  and  satisfactory  picture.  Good 
work  by  Hersholt  and  all  concerned. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THUNDER  RIDERS:  Ted  Wells— 10%.  June  20. 
Very  good  show  for  small  town.  Ted  is  a  good  actor 
and  we  think  that  he  will  make  good.  Five  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — Gen- 
eral   patronage. 

THE  HUNCHBACK  OF  NOTRE  DAME:  Lon 
Chaney — 54%.  June  3-4.  This  is  still  a  wonderful 
picture,  what's  more  to  the  point,  I  made  more 
money  on  it  this  time  than  I  did  on  the  first  run. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General    patronage. 

STOP  THAT  MAN:  Arthur  Lake — June  17.  Good 
comedy  drama  of  the  lighter  class.  Six  reels. — 
P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. — Small 
town   patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  IN  PARIS:  George 
Sidney — May  14-15.  Not  as  good  as  "The  Cohens 
and  Kellys"  but  good  enough  for  any  theatre.  Busi- 
ness very  good.  Eight  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia 
theatre,    R'umford,    Me. — Small    tovra    patronage. 

CHEATING  CHEATERS:  Betty  Compson- June 
27-28.  Clever  comedy-drama  with  a  surprise  end- 
ing.— Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

FINDERS  KEEPERS:  Laura  La  Plante — June  22. 
As  I  had  seen  this  mentioned  several  times  in  Mr. 
Laemmle's  column  in  Saturday  Evening  Post,  was 
all  set,  looking  for  something.  I  am  looking  yet! 
Six  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre,  Grand 
Prairie,    Tex.- — Small    town    patronage. 

LES  MISERABLES:  Special  cast— April  30-May  1. 
This  is  a  very  good  picture.  Business  good.  Lots 
of  French  people  here.  Eight  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque, 
Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


Warner  Bros. 


THE  HEART  OF  MARYLAND:  Dolores  Costello 
— 19%.  June  8-9.  Good  show,  but  too  poor  print 
spoiled  entertainment  of  the  whole  evening.  Seven 
reels.^Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General   patronage. 

A  RACE  FOR  LIFE:  Rin  Tin  Tin — Rinty  may 
be  old  but  when  it  comes  to  pulling  power  at  the 
box-office  he  is  far  ahead  of  the  rest  of  the  pack 
of  dog  actors.  This  was  a  good  story,  well  handled 
and  it  pleased  a  good  crowd. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  The 
Playhouse  theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala.— Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

A  RACE  FOR  LIFE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— June  15-16. 
Good  program  picture. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis.^General  patronage. 

HAM  AND  EGGS  AT  THE  FRONT:  Heinie 
Conklin — Just  a  fair  picture.  All  right  for  second 
feature.  Seven  reels. — ^P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  thea- 
tre,   Rumford,    Me. — Small   town    patronage. 


State  Rights 


THE  PORT  OF  MISSING  GIRLS:  Barbara  Bed- 
ford— June  18-19.  This  is  a  good  box  office  bet. 
Give  it  lots  of  publicity.  Title  can't  help  pull  them 
in.  Eight  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  theatre, 
Rumford,   Me. — Small   town   patronage. 

RAGTIME:  John  Bowers— 8%.  June  19.  Good 
program  picture  but  not  such  a  success  as  we 
thought  it  would  be.  Small  business  for  a  good 
picture  that  all  liked  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— General 
patronage. 


Serials 


THE  HAUNTED  ISLAND  (Universal) :  Just  played 
concluding  chapter,  and  can  say  it  is  a  high  grade, 
well  produced  serial  of  quality.  It  pulled  and  held 
interest  throughout. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  The  Playhouse 
theatre,   Fairhope,  Ala. — Small  town   patronage. 

BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD:  (Universal)  Hay- 
den  Stevenson' — First  chapter.  Very  good  mystery 
and  suspense.  Something  different  in  the  way  of 
serials  from  Universal.  Comments  from  patrons  very 
good.  Twelve  chapters. — E.  S.  Wright,  Redwood 
theatre.  Redwood,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD:  (Universal)  Hay- 
den  Stevenson — "In'  the  Spider's  Web,"  chapter  2. 
Holds  up  well  and  looks  like  the  best  of  the  serials 
Universal  ever  put  out.  More  like  it  was  made  by 
Pathe.  Twelve  chapters. — E.  S.  Wright,  Redwood 
theatre.  Redwood,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TRAIL  OF  THE  TIGER:  (Universal)  Jack 
Daugherty — First  chapter  of  this  serial   is  good  and 


July  14,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


should  bring:  them  back  next  week.  Two  reels. — 
Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
General  patronage. 

TRAIL  OF  THE  TIGER:  (Universal)  Jack  Daugh- 
erty — One  of  the  best  serials  ever  made  and  Univeorsal 

can    be   well    proud    of    it.  One    of    the    best    we've 

played   in   years    (excepting  "The   Vanishing   Rider," 

Universal      serial).         Two  reels. — George     Khattar, 

Khattar's  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General 
patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  RIDER:  (Universal)  William 
Desmond — Boys,  if  you're  looking  for  a  box  office 
di-aw,  get  this  latest  Universal  serial  and  if  it  do^n't 
smash  all  your  past  records  of  serials  then  nothing 
ever  will.  Each  episode  of  "The  Vanishing  Eider"  is 
not  only  equal  to  but  better  than  the  average  feature. 
Any  exhibitor  who  passes  up  this  serial  should  make 
an  apology  to  his  patrons.  Local  exhibitors  are  kick- 
ing themselves  for  letting  this  serial  pass  without 
making  a  fight  for  it.  Two  reels. — George  Khattar, 
Khattar's  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General 
patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  RIDER:  (Universal)  William 
Desmond — The  best  serial  yet!  Sure  draws  and  holds 
the  crowds.  You  can't  go  wrong  on  this  serial.  As 
good  as  "The  Riddle  Rider"  and  "The  Return  of  the 
Riddle  RJder." — Paul  J.  Durbin,  Majestic  theatre, 
Peiry,   111. — General   patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 

PAWNSHOP:  Charlie  Chaplin— Plenty  of  fun  but 
not  worth  the  extra  price  asked  for  it  by  the  ex- 
change. Passed  well.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

EDUCA'nONAL 

CROWN  ME:  Lupino  Lane— A  real  laughable 
comedy  for  a  one  reeler.  One  of  those  toothache 
stories  that  always  get  a  laugh.  One  reel. — Stan 
Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — 
Small  tovpn  patronage. 

HELLO  SAILOR:  Lupino  Lane — Good  snappy 
comedy. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre.  Correction- 
ville,    la. — General    patronage. 

MONTY  OF  THE  MOUNTED:  Lupino  Lane- 
Good  comedy.  Lupino  Lane  always  brings  out  a 
few  laughs.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre,   Kimball,    S.   D.— General    patronage. 

TALES  OF  A  TRAVELER.  OHM,  SWEET  OHM, 
SCIENCE  TREASURE  CHEST.  GLOWING  MONEY. 
CAPERS  OF  CAMERA,  POLY  ICE:  Felix— All  are 
worth  showing. — St.  Peters  Bros,  Ritz  theatre.  Cor- 
rectionville,  la. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

ALL  WASHED  UP:  Al  Cooke— Very  good  comedy. 
Just  as  good  as  "The  Pacemakers"  or  any  of  the 
previous  series.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,    Kimball,    S.    D. — General    patronage. 

MICKEY'S  NINE:  Dandy  comedy  for  kiddies  and 
kept  the  old  folks  interested.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PASSING  THE  HAT:  Krazy  Kat— Good  cartoon 
to  make  'em  laugh.  One  reel. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,    Kimball,    S.    D. — General   patronage. 

FOX 

A  COWS  HUSBAND:  A  good  title  but  just  fair 
comedy. — Harold  Kortes,  Sun  theatre,  Plainwell, 
Mich. — General    patronage. 

METRO-GO  LDWYN-MAYER 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  CENTURY:  Laurel-Hardy 
— ^It  was,  believe  us !  More  pies  thrown  in  this 
comedy  than  in  any  six  others  we  ever  saw.  In 
fact,  too  many  to  suit  us  personally.  But  all  in  all, 
it  was  pretty  fair  comedy.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  Sereenland  theatre.  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CAME  THE  DAWN:  Max  Davidson— Another  ex- 
cellent Davidson.  All  about  a  spooky  house  and  it 
sure  makes  'em  howl.  Two  reels. — Stan  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre.  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CRAZY  HOUSE:  Our  Gang— Fair  enough  but 
not  above  the  average.  Seemed  to  be  a  darker  print 
than  these  usually  are.  Not  much  to  it  until  the 
second  reel.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screen- 
land  theatre,  Nevada,   O. — Small  town  patronage. 

FAIR  AND  MUDDY:  Our  Gang— This  is  one  of 
their  beet. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correc- 
tionville,  la.- — General  patronage. 

THE  FINISHING  TOUCH:     Hardy-Laurel— Just  a 


comedy.  Too  much  of  foolish  acting  that  was  over- 
done. Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre.  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  FINISHING  TOUCH:  Hardy-Laurel— Good. 
— J.  L.  Seiter.  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

GOLDEN  FLEECES:  Oddity— If  all  the  prints 
we  received  were  up  to  the  standard  of  these  Ufa 
produced  Oddities  ye  would  be  in  the  seventh  heaven 
of  delight.  Certainly  a  pleasure  to  project  such 
clear,  sharp  pictures.  The  subject  of  this  one  was 
sheep,  setting  Germany,  so  tied  in  well  with  "Under 
the  Black  Eagle."  One  reel. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe, 
Sereenland  theatre,  Nevada.  O. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

M-G-M  NEWS:  These  seem  to  be  getting  better. 
More  variety  and  better  photography  than  they  had 
for  a  while.  However,  we  could  stand  our  News 
about  thirty  days  fresher  without  any  trouble.  Like 
green  apples  the  newer  the  better,  but  green  news- 
reels  don't  have  that  after  effect.  One  reel. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Sereenland  theatre,  Neveda,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ODDITIES:  In  my  opinion  these  are  the  outstand- 
ing quality  short  subjects  of  the  screen.  Uniformally 
good  and  pleasing  a  variety. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  The 
Playhouse  theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

PURPLE  MOMENTS:  Laurel-Hardy— The  first 
weak  one  I  have  had  from  this  pair.  It  is  pretty 
slow  until  the  last  four  hundred  feet.  Two  reels. — 
Stan  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Can- 
ada.—Small   town   patronage. 

SHOULD  WOMEN  TELL:  Max  Davidson— Good 
and  lots  of  expression  on  Max's  face. — St.  Peters 
Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correctionville,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

YALE  VS.  HARVARD:  Our  Gang— Not  as  good 
as  Our  Gang  usually  do. — Harold  Kortes,  Sun  thea- 
tre, Plainwell.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  'EM  AND  FEED  'EM:  Max  Davidson^ 
This  is  the  first  knockout  of  a  comedy  from  Metro. 
The  house  was  in  an  uproar  for  the  full  twenty 
minutes  of  the  run  of  this  comedy.  Give  us  more 
like  this  one.  Thanks,  Metro.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MERO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  COMEDIES:  Are  just 
average  comedies.  You  may  get  a  good  one  every 
fifth,  but  they  are  all  alike.  Two  reels. — H.  Karlen, 
Karlen  theatre,   Monticello,   Wis. — General   patronage. 

YALE  VS.  HARVARD:  Our  Gang— Not  half  as 
good  as  the  old  Pathe  Our  Gangs.  Metro  doesn't 
make  good  feature  comedies,  let  alone  short  subjects. 
Two  reels. — Paul  J.  Durbin,  Majestic  theatre.  Perry, 
111. — General   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

DAD'S  CHOICE:  Edward  Everett  Horton— Good 
comedy  which  was  well  received.  Two  reels. — R'udolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

FIND  THE  KING:  Edward  Everett  Horton— Very 
good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  thea- 
tre,   Greenriver.    Utah. — General    patronage. 

MAD  SCRAMBLES:  Neal  Burns— Just  like  the 
title  and  all  scrambled.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal    theatre,    Kimball,    S.    D. — General    patronage. 

OCEAN  BLUES:  Jimmie  Adams— Nothing  much 
to  this  one.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,    S.   D. — General   patronage. 

SHORT  SOCKS:  A  good  comedy— Harold  Kortes, 
Sun   theatie,    Plainwell,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

SPLASH  YOURSELF:  Bobby  Vernon— Good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General   patronage. 

SPLASH  YOURSELF:  Bobby  Vernon— Just  lots 
of  excitement.  Not  many  laughs  at  that,  only  yells 
every  once  in'  a  while.  Two  reels. — -Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal   theatre,   Kimball,    S.   D. — General    patronage. 

PATHE 

BE  YOUR  AGE :  Charlie  Chase — Good.  Two  reels. 
—Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General    patronage. 

CAPTAIN  KIDD'S  KIDS:  Harold  Lloyd— Good. 
Run  this  if  you  can. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre, 
Correctionville,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGE  KIDDO:  Very  good— J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma   theatre,    Selma,    Cal. — General   patronage. 

45  MINUTES  FROM  HOLLYWOOD:  Glenn  Tryon 
— Good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  thea- 
tre.   Greenriver,    Utah — General    patronage. 

GRANDMA'S  BOY:  Harold  Lloyd— June  13-14. 
This  ifi  still  a  good  old  comedy,   and  paid  for  itself 


on  my  two  poorest  nights. — -Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime 
theatre.    Mason.    Mich. — General    patronage. 

PERIL  OF  PETERSBORO:  Alice  Day— Good. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

SHOULD  A  MASON  TELL:  Charlie  Chase— This 
is  a  poor  comedy,  even  the  Masons  who  saw  it  called 
it  rotten. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Correction- 
ville,  la. — General   patronage. 

SMITH'S  FISHING  TRIP:  A  real  comedy.  A 
roar  from  start  to  finish.  Two  reels. — Harold  Kortes, 
Sun  theatre,  Plainwell,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WHAT  WOMEN  DID  FOR  ME:  Charlie  Chase- 
Good  comedy. — St.  Peters  Bros.,  Ritz  theatre,  Cor- 
rectionville,   la. — General    patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BACK  TO  NATURE:  Arthur  Lake — Nice  laughs 
from  Arthur  Lake,  good  clean  entertainment.  One 
reel.— Rudolf  Duba.  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General   patronage. 

BUSTER'S  WHIPPET  RACE:  Nothing  to  get 
excited  about.  A  flock  of  kids  and  a  pack  of  dogs 
cavorting  around  the  landscape  according  to  accepted 
rules  for  comedy.  Drew  the  usual  modicum  of 
guaffaws  and  no  kicks,  so  suppose  we'll  have  to 
okay  it.  Second  reel  of  this  print  dark.  Two  reels. 
— Tivenan  &  Wolfe.  Sereenland  theatre.  Nevada,  O. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  These  are  the  best  shorts 
that  we  can  get  hold  of.  If  you  advertise  them 
they  will  pull  in  the  younger  set.  Two  reels. — 
E.  N.  McFarland,  Pine  Grove  theatre.  Port  Huron. 
Mich.^ — Neighborhood    patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  Second  series — These  com- 
pare pretty  well  with  the  first  series.  I  have  played 
five,  and  "Samson  at  Calford"  is  the  only  poor  one. 
— Roy  W.  Adams.  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General   patronage. 

HOT  AIR:  Puffy — Here  is  one  dandy  single  reeler. 
The  guy  who  flew  the  plane  in  this  sure  knew  his 
onions.  One  reel. — Stan  Kennedy,  Central  theatre. 
Selkirk.    Man..    Canada. — Small   town    patronage. 

KEEPING  IN  TRIM:  Ike  and  Mike — Just  a  com- 
edy which  made  a  fair  filler.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba.  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

RIDING  FOR  GOLD:  Good  two  reel  Western  to 
make  the  show  a  good  combination. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,   Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

TOO  MUCH  SLEEP:  Just  fair.  Too  much  the 
same  thing  over  and  over.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal   theatre,   Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

A  TOTAL  LOSS:  I  have  been  playing  Gump  for 
three  years  Sunday  and  Monday.  But  people  stay 
away  until  the  comedy  is  over.  They  now  say  they 
da.  not  like  Gumps,  too  suggestive  and  impossible 
stories.  If  Andy  wants  the  "low  down"  on'  it,  write 
me ! — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  The  Playhouse  theatre.  Fair- 
hope,    Ala. — Small   town   patronage. 

MAN  OF  LETTER:  "Let  George  Do  It"  series 
This  one  passed  by  as  a  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
Patronage. 

THE  PARTY  MAN:  Charles  Puffy— A  fair  single 
reel.  No  more. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Sel- 
kirk,  Man.,   Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

RUSHING  BUSINESS:  Sid  Taylor— A  few  laugh« 
but  not  much  story  or  new  gags.  The  same  stuff 
all  the  time.  Two  reels. — E.  S.  Wright,  Redwood 
theatre.  Redwood,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS  CLEANS  UP:  Good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

SOCIETY  BREAKS:  One  of  the  first  of  "Keepin* 
Up  With  the  Jones"  series.  Very  good  and  a  laugh 
getter.  Two  reels. — E.  S.  Wright,  Redwood  theatre. 
Redwood,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

SOME     PETS:      Arthur  Lake— Pretty     good  one 

reeler.    Arthur   has   plenty  of  pep   in   this   one.  One 

reel. — Rudolf  Duba,   Royal  theatre,   Kimball,   S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

ALWAYS  LATE:  Winnie  Winkle— Have  run  sev- 
eral of  these,  Winnie  Winkle  with  Perry  Winkle 
and  gang,  and  they  certainly  get  the  laughs.  They 
are  full  of  gags  and  real  honest  mischievous  fan 
that  brings  down  the  house.  Two  reels. — John  W. 
Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Coming,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

BABY  FACES:  Al  All^-Exceptionally  good  tor 
this  star.  Lota  of  laughs  in  this  one.  Two  reels. — 
John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — 
General  patronage. 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  14,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


By  Whit 

CHICAGO  will  henceforth  be  seen  and  heard  throughout  the  world  through 
the  medium  of  Movietone  News,  for  a  Movietone  News  production  unit 
is  now  stationed  here  to  catch  all  the  "see  and  hear"  news  that  may 
transpire.  The  entire  equipment  is  contained  in  a  motor  truck  which  may  be 
rushed  to  any  spot  where  news  is  breaking.  Ralph  Bitner,  who  handles  the, 
sound  production,  and  Charles  Downs,  cameraman,  are  in  charge  of  the  Movie- 
tone News  unit. 

Should  they  be  in  need  of  subjects,  we  sug- 
gest that  they  tie  up  with  some  Chicago  gun- 
men for  a  murder  scene.  Doubtless  any  one 
of  Chicago's  first  rate  murderers  would  be 
glad  to  arrange  a  nice  little  killing,  and  just 
think  how  thrilling  the  rat-tat-tat  of  machine 
guns  and  the  death  crj'  of  a  racketeer  would 
sound  over  Movietone !  We  make  no  charge 
for  the  suggestion. 


"Chicago  swelters  in  worst  heat  wave  of 
the  year,"  reads  the  papers  and  Saturday  at 
the  M-G-M  exchange  we  saw  one  girl  sans 
stockings  and  another  with  a  charming  ef- 
fect of  stockings  rolled  below  the  knees. 
Well,  we  are  for  it — merely  in  the  interest  of 
comfort,  of  course. 

s{:        ^        ^ 

The  boys  at  F  B  O  sent  a  beautiful  bouquet 
of  flowers  to  Miss  Sue  Adams,  F  B  O's 
"hello  girl,"  who  is  in  the  Mercy  hospital  re- 
cuperating from  an  operation.  She  will  be 
pleased  to  know  that  she  will  find  a  new 
switchboard  when  she  returns. 
^    ^     ^ 

Adam  Durenback  of  the  Grand,  at  Whea- 
ton,  is  spending  a  couple  of  weeks  in  Wis- 
consin and  fishing  is  occupying  most  of  his 
time,  'tis  said. 

^     ^    ^ 

The  film  row  was  grieved  to  hear  of  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Charles  Lundgren  last  Thurs- 
day, and  of  the  death  last  week  of  Mrs.  Harry 
O'Brien. 

*  *    ^ 

Alexander  Pantages  was  in  town  Saturday 
and  with  him  was  George  Hickey,  division 
manager  of  the  West  Coast  for  M-G-M. 

*  *     * 

The  Lynch  circuit  of  theatres  has  contracted 
for  the  100  per  cent  program  of  M-G-M  for 
next  year,  according  to   Frank  Ishmael. 

*  *     ^ 

Miss  Ruby  Dorfman,  cashier  for  the  Tif- 
fany-Stahl  exchange  in  Minneapolis,  and  M. 
W.  Sgutt,  of  Minneapolis,  visited  Bill  Brum- 
berg  Saturday.  Sgutt,  who  was  with  Uni- 
versal in  Chicago  for  a  number  of  years,  is 
now  in  the  cosmetics  business. 

*  *    * 

Vitaphone  is  being  installed  in  the  Rialto 
theatre  at  Champaign  and  the  Fisher  theatre 
at  Danville. 

*  *     * 

C.  E.  Maberry,  sales  manager  and  Abe 
Fischer,  Mid  West  division  manager,  of 
Columbia,  were   in   town  Saturday. 


DO  YOUR  PROJECTORS  NEED 
REPAIRING? 

Guercio  &  Barthel,  Dept.  A 
1018  So.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago 

Superior     Workmanship.       1     Day     Service     if 
required.      Relief  heads   furnished   gratis. 


The  People's  theatre  in  Chicago  has  been 
taken  over  by  Israel  and  Jesselson,  who 
now  operate  the  Waverly  and  Halsted 
theatres. 

'¥     ^     ^ 

L.  V.  Kuttnauer,  general  sales  manager 
of  Phototone  in  this  territory,  with  offices 
at  845  South  Wabash,  announces  that  many 
exhibitors  in  this  territory  are  installing  the 
Phototone  equipment.  Some  of  the  latest 
installations  are  the  Vanity,  Batavia;  Rialto, 
Coal  City;  Majestic,  Kewanee;  Princess, 
Canton;  Orpheum,  Moline;  Star,  Watseka; 
Varsity,  Champaign;  Lyric,  Bement;  Alham- 
bra,  Decatur;  Colonial,  Oglesby;  Colonial, 
Urbana;  Gould's  Opera  House,  Plainville; 
and  the  Home,  Castle  and  Lawndale,  North 
and  Harmony  avenues,  in  Chicago.  Kutt- 
nauer is  well  known  in  Chicago  for  he 
served  six  years  with  Fox  in  the  city.  Asso- 
ciated with  him  is   L.   R.  Nelson. 

E.    M.   Saunders,  Western   sales   manager 
for  M-G-M,  was  in  town  Saturday. 
^     ^     ^ 

Miss  Edna  Frank,  the  M-G-M  booker,  left 
Saturday  for  a  two  weeks'  vacation  at 
Eagle  River,  Wisconsin. 

*  *     * 

H.  Goldson,  who  owns  the  Plaza  and 
Western  theatres  in  Chicago,  is  taking  over 
the  Embassy,  formerly  operated  by  Marks 

Brothers. 

*  *     * 

Al  Putz,  country  booker  for  M-G-M,  has 
just    returned   from   a   two   weeks'  vacation 

in   the   East. 

*  *     * 

Tom  North  is  back  on  the  job  again  and 
seems    to   be   none    the   worse   for    his    taxi 

accident. 

*  *     * 

Gene  Cour,  of  Pathe  News,  having  re- 
turned from  Houston,  is  at  his  summer 
home  in  Lake  Geneva. 

*  *     * 

Charles  McDonald,  general  manager  of 
the  Amedee  J.  Van  Beuren  Enterprises, 
passed  through  Chicago  last  week,  return- 
ing to  New  York. 

*  *     * 

George  Levine,  of  the  Fox  exchange,  is 
now  handling  the  Movietone  News  and 
short  subjects  in  this  territory. 

*  *     * 

Clyde  Eckhardt  held  a  sales  meeting  last 
week  and  managers  from  St.  Louis,  Kansas 
City,  Des  Moines,  Minneapolis  and  Milwau- 
kee were  present. 

*  *     * 

Neil  Wilson  of  the  Royal  theatre,  Ma- 
rengo, has  taken  over  the  Boy  Scout  work 
in  his  city.  That's  good  work,  and  besides 
the  personal  satisfaction  he,  no  doubt,  will 
derive  from  the  work,  it  should  help  his 
theatre. 

It  is  reported  that  L  &  T's  Covent  Garden 
is  to  reopen  August  1. 


%^ 


Well,  well,  look  who's  here!  The  "Our 
Gang"  comedy  stars  and  their  director, 
but,  whoa,  hold  everything !  It's  our  own 
Frank  Ishmael  of  Chicago  just  posing  as 
director,  but  Frank  is  always  up  to  some- 
thing like  this.  The  picture  is  some 
months  old,  but  it  was  just  too  good  to 
keep  from  you  any  longer. 

Putting  Over  Sound 

(Continued  from  page  34) 

ture  act,  followed  by  a  dramatic  or  comedy 
talking  skit,  then  by  a  short  screen  subject 
to  break  up  the  sound  portion  of  the  bill,  the 
concluding  act  or  acts  of  which  will  immedi- 
ately precede  the  principal  flickersheet  films. 

Still  another  factor  often  overlooked  is  the 
psychological  as  well  as  the  decorative  value 
of  color.  Back  in  1924  I  was  advocating  the 
use  of  colored  lights  in  subdued  shades  to 
relieve  the  monotony  of  black-and-white  en- 
tertainment. At  that  time  I  was  projecting 
color  harmonies  through  the  use  of  spots, 
lobsterscopes,  etc.,  and  synchronizing  moving 
color  effects  with  orchestral  overtures,  which 
evoked  many  complimentary  comments.  When 
Vitaphone  came  in  I  was  convinced  that 
color  had  its  place  there  also.  By  banking 
the  orchestra  pit  with  varicolored  flowers  and 
greenery,  through  which  glowed  colored  lights 
in  quiet  but  warm  and  harmonizing  hues,  the 
bleakness  caused  by  the  absence  of  musicians 
and  their  music-rack  lights  was  overcome. 
Also,  this  suggestion  of  life  and  activity  in 
the  pit  had  the  effect  of  keeping  audiences 
from  dwelling  upon  the  fact  that  what  they 
heard  was  coming  from  a  horn.  Thus,  it  fur- 
thered the  illusion  which  talking  pictures  aim 
to  create. 

Synchronize  Slide  and  Sound 

One  more  idea,  originated  at  the  Vita- 
Temple,  can  be  adopted  by  any  house  having 
sound  equipment  and  will  add  variety  and 
novelty  to  any  program.  Ordinary  phono- 
graph records  can  easily  be  synchronized  with 
the  song  slides  obtainable  from  music  pub- 
lishers, making  a  distinctive  presentation  of 
the  latest  popular  songs.  We  project  the 
slides  on  a  scrim  curtain,  framed  with  dis- 
solving color  effects.  Since  instituting  this 
feature,  many  of  our  cusomers  have  been  en- 
thusiastic in  their  approval.  In  some  in- 
stances these  numbers  made  such  a  hit  we 
had  to  bring  them  back  and  insert  them  in 
subsequent  programs  as  request  features. 

To  sum  it  all  up  by  paraphrasing  an  ancient 
wisecrack,  "the  show's  the  thing."  If  you 
have  what  the  customers  want,  they'll  buy  it. 
But  they  don't  want  just  a  lot  of  films  and 
"speakies"  thrown  together  to  make  an  hour 
and  a  half  or  two  hours  of  sitting  in  your 
showshop  and  wishing  they'd  gone  somewhere 
else.  You've  got  to  make  it  continuous  enter- 
tainment in  the  best  sense  of  the  word.  Not 
for  nothing  do  the  film  producers  hire  con- 
tinuity experts.  The  exhibitor  who  will  real- 
ize the  necessity  for  extending  that  policy  to 
each  individual  program  in  his  house  will  not 
exert  his  mentality  in  vain  either. 


For  your 
Protection 

To  insure  exhibitors  the  high- 
est possible  screen  quality, 
Eastman  Positive  Film  is  made 
identifiable.  The  words  "Eastman 
Kodak"  are  stencilled  in  black 
letters  at  short  intervals  in  the 
transparent  film  margin. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman  Film 
—look  for  the  identifying  words 
in  the  margin— and  get  the  film 
that  always  carries  quality 
through  to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


FAinniTORS  IJKR  VLD  aiurMOVING  PJCTl  RK  WOR'-O 


It  took   ff^fSL 

To  Break  Every 

Record  at  McVicker§ 


When  Balaban  &  Katz,  for  the  first 
time  in  12  years,  toolc  a  chance  on 
Fox  product,  look  "what 

FRANK  b6rZAGE*S 

Street  Angel 


with 


JANET  6AYNOR »»«.  CHARLES  FARRELL 
did  to  the  ^veikly  statement 


MORE    $ 
THAN      i 


40,000 


IN 
7  DAYS 


Positively  the  biggest  weekly  gross  ever  at  this  theatre 


Noi^  you  understand  Mrhy 


ItiPress 


PARAMOUNT  ENDORSES 


FOR  the  first  time  in  history,  Balaban  and  Katz  of  Publix  (Paramount)  Theatres  booked  Fox  product  for 
their  big  Loop  theatres  in  Chicago,  having  bought  fifteen  FOX  pictures  for  exhibition  during  the  coming 
season.     B.  &  R.  are  to  be  congratulated  upon  their  good  sense  in  thus  affording  the  patrons  of  their 
theatres  the  greater  diversity  of  program  assured  by  these  splendid  FOX   pictures. 


hnochs^em  far  a  loop  in  CHICAQO 


wa 


EXHIBETOM 


THE  MOST  IMPORTANT 

Sound  Announcement 

EVER  MADE ! 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  obtained  the  prize  stage 
property  of  years  and  is  the  first  to  synchronize  with 
complete  dialogue  a  current  Broadway  stage  success 


/hen  the 


lARY  DUGAN 


1 1  Months  on  Broadway  and 
still  S.R.O.  The  vehicle  they 
all  were  after.  The  vehicle 
M-Q-M  got.  Thir\k  of  it, 
M-G-M  brings  to  your  audi- 
ence a  complete  Broadway 
stage  hit,  hot  from  its  metro- 
politan triumphs. 


THE  SENSATIONAL  A.  H.   WOODS   STAGE  SUCCESS  BY  BAYARD  VEILLER 


and  thafs  just  the  first  Sound  Announcement  from 

METRO  -  GOLDWYN  -  MAYER 


Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  3<V«{.  g4,AIe.^ 


Entered  as  ji&aani- class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at   Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,       I    I     91     1090 
'i6f9.    Tuilished  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Cktcagn.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  25  cents.      JUly  ol,  19^0 


HM 


jm  open 

Jo  exkditto^^... 


^2%^  „ 

"s^^^ 


WURUIZER 

Organs 

Factories,  North  Tonawanda,  N.  ¥• 


NEW  YORK 

ST.  LOUIS 

BUFFALO 

DETROIT 

CLEVELAND 

CHICAGO 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

KANSAS  CITY 

PHILADELPHLA. 

PITTSBURGH 

CINCINNATI 

LOS  ANGELES 

July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


most  popular  girl  on  the  screen! 


Clara  Bow  in 
Xadies  of  the  Mob' 

'with  Ricliard  Arlen 

William  Wellman 
Production 


Hollywood 

News 


lis 


ivas 


diir/„-  .^'er  Of   , 


by  p 


ifar 
'Shed 


.  Two 


"-et 


en    h 
/«"  Bia//   . 


■■ecorc^  1 


fan  mail  is  a  box 
office  barometer 

CLARA 

BOW 

gets  33,727  letters  a  month,  far  more 
than  any  other  star.  No  wonder  exhib- 
itors are  cleaning  up  with  Clara's  latest 

'Tadies  Of  The  Mob'' 


You  get  4  ^B^^i^^^  big  Clara  Bow  long  run  Specials  in  PARAMOUNT'S 
WHOLE  SHOW  PROGRAM  for  192829:  The  Fleet's  In",  3  Week 
Ends"  (by  Elinor  Glyn),  '^The  Saturday  Night  Kid"  and  one  more. 
Sure  fire  S.  R.  O.!        -•        -•        -»-•        -•       *       -•       ••       *       -»-•       #       -• 

PARAMOUNT  hm  the  real  stars ! 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


filmdom's    leading*  2 -reel    comedy 


H 


"CONFESSIONS  OF  A 
CHORUS  GIRL"  with  Frances 
Lee  and  Christie  beauties. 


H 


BILLY  DOOLEY  COMEDIES 
The  goofy  gob,  supported  by 
a  shipload  of  beauties,  nauti- 
cal but  nice. 


32      qUAL-ITY 

^  NOW—  the  class  two  reel  comedy  product  of  the  screen  synchronized  with 
sound  in  all  its  phases!  Run  them  with  Paramount  features  in  sound  and 
give  your  patrons  a  quality  "whole  show"  in  sound!  Play  them  when  your 
feature  is  "silent"  and  more  than  satisfy  the  craving  of  today's  public  for 

Paramount'^  1!IS8-S9 

25  or  more  Features  in  SOUND.  Paramount  News  in  SOUND* 


Julv  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


program    entirely    in    SOUND! 


^ 


BOBBY  VERNON  COMEDIES 
The  popular  koUege  kut  kom- 
edian.  Nationally  advertised 
for  years.  Popular  everywhere. 


H 


SANDY  MACDUFF  COME- 
DIES. Exhilarating  shots  of 
Scotch  from  Jack  Duflfy  and 
his  Caledonian  cuties. 


IN      SOUND 

€Oiii:Dii:ii 

sound  pictures.  ^  32  in  Paramount's  1928-29  program.  ^  The  first  five  syn- 
chronized Christies  are  ^'^Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl"— '"'"Ska ting  Home" with 
Frances  Lee.  Bobby  Vernon  in  "Stop  Kidding",  Billy  Dooley  in  "Dizzy  Diver" 
and  "Oriental  Hugs",  "Sandy  MacDuff "  Comedy  "Hot  Scotch"  with  Jack  Duflfy. 

Whole  SJho^f  Program 

Christie  Comedies  in  SOUND,     Stage  Shows  on  the  Screen. 


/I 


R' 


X#>\ 


ONLY    PROD 
OF  DEMONST 


WILLIAM   I^OX 

IMIESKXTTS 


l)€LCCE/  DEL  i5l€ 

IN 


POUR/  \theKEI> 
SOXS/     DAXCE 


CAPACITY 

for 

16  WEEKS 

at  the 

GAIETY 

THEATRE 
NEW  YORK 

9  Weeks 

CARTHAY 

CIRCLE 

L.  A. 


4  g^reat 
weeks 

St.Francis 

San 
Fran- 
cis- 
co 


CHARLES 
FARRELL 

and 

GRETA  NISSEN 
HOWARD  HAWKS' 

ROMANCE  of  FORBIDDEN  LOVE 

NOW   PLAYING 

Twice  Daily 

GAIETY  Theatre 

NEW  YORK 

to   sensational 

summer  business 

Hotter  Than  Sahara! 


wvith 

CHARLES  FARRELL 

and 

IVAN    LINOW 
CAPACITY 

twice  Dally  at  the 

GLOBE 

THEATRE— N.Y. 

**One  of  the  most 

magnificent    things 

of    its    Mnd   which 

I  have  ever  seen 

on  any  screen,** 

— Qttinn  Martlnf 

N.  y.  World. 


. ONLY    ACTUAL   PRO 

MOVIETONE     NEWS     AND 

£  N  A  £  1%  T  A I  Pi  Aft  £  PI  TS   #•  r«#s 


UCER  of  6  MOVIETONES 
RATED  BOX  OFFICE  VALUE 


rCANK  BCCZAeE*/" 


JOHN  rocD*/ 


STREinT  MOTHER 

AN<;i:ii 


JANET     GAYNOR 

and 

CHARLES  FARRELL 

in 

THEIR     GREATEST     SUCCESS 

11  WEEKS 

at  $2, 

GLOBE 

THEATRE— N.Y. 

9  WEEKS 

at  CARTHAY 
CIRCLE,  L.  A, 

^"•^Week 

McVlCKER*S 
CHICAGO 


WILLIAM 
FOX 

presents 
'>  THE  MOST  IM- 
PORTANT PICTURE 
IN  THE  HISTORY 
OF  THE  MOVIES'' 
-'^ohert  Sherwoodt  Life. 

28  WEEKS  at 

TIMES   SQUARE 

THEATRE— NEW  YORK 

now  pUt^ng 

ROOSEVELT  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

JANET  GAYNOR 

and  GEORGE  O'BRIEN  in 

F.W.MURNAU'S 


MxmwM 

A  picture  that  will  live 
as  long  as   the    song 

with 

VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

BELLE    BENNETT 

NEIL  HAMILTON 

and   an    ail    star    cast 

12  WEEKS 

ON 

BROADWAY 

AT 


$J^ 


DUCER  OF 
MOVIETONE 
READY.  .  .  .  JL 


The  SMASH 
of  the  Hour..., 

The  HIT  of 
the    Moment.... 

Dramatizing  Ainciica's 
Gravest  Problem  With 
A  GRAxND  and  GLO- 
RIOUS WALLOP! 


^XJiLlia] 


PRESENTS 


1 

^^^^^^m£^.-'.-    '^^^f 

■ 

W^. 

1 

HbI 

iH^^^gJHJI 

Al 

ction    with  (mve  BOEDE 


gii|-  book-it:today.... 

START  YOUR  CAM- 
PAIGN... 

A  DOZEN  TIE-UPS .... 

A  sure-fire  proposi- 
tion in  the  nick  of 
time! 


IStojy  by  J.  A.  GREELMAN 
*      ecfcd  fey  BERT  GLENNON 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Reading's  a 
Habit 


Reading's  a  Habit. 

There  are  habit-forming  papers  and 
the  other  kind. 

The  habit-forming  paper  is  the  one 
that  makes  reading  a  pleasure. 

Composition,  display  and  mechani- 
cal convenience  are  conducive  to 
reading  pleasure — but  quality  of 
subject  matter  is  the  thing  that  fixes 
the  reading  habit  permanently. 

Everybody  reads  the  Herald- World. 
It  is  more  easily,  pleasurably  and 
profitably  read  than  any  other  mo- 
tion picture  trade  journal.  Natu- 
rally, it  has  more  readers  than  any 
other. 

Naturally,  it  leads  the  field. 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 

as4  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


I  I 


'ft 


r 


Now  Ready  I 

The  first  three  great 
Box-Office  Specials  on 
Columbia  Pictures 
1928-1929  Program  -  - 


II 


cAnlrvin  Wttlat  productim 


Jack  Holt  In 

Into  tlu  Depths 

IViih  RALPH  GRAVf  S  an^l  DOROTHY  Rf  VI{R^ 

A  Soul-Stirring  Submarine  Drama — The  Most  Up-to- 11 
the-Minute  Plot  in  Pictures — ^Jack  Holt  in  the  Sort  I 
of  Story  That  Reaches  the  Screen  Once  in  a  Lifetime  !|| 


{Temporary  Title) 


Never  Before  So  Thrilling 
a  Role  for  Jack  Holt 

and  Different! 


cAnAlan  Crosland  productim 


SCARIET 
UDY 


STARRING 


a  deTuUl 


\MV\W 

DON  ALVARADO 
WARNER  GLAND 


e/  Geofvae  B.  Seitz  production 


tJxmw^^ 


^. 


IN 


/ 


WIIH 

^IfffCDm/mmDmiHill 

A  Foignant  Story  of  Love  versus  Dutyl 


Nowhere  in  the  Industry  Will  You  Find  a  More  Con- 
sistent Program  for  Quality  and  Profit  than  Columbia's 
"PERFECT  36"  for  1928-1929. 

Here  Are  the  Rest  of  the  Titles 

Your  Bo 


PRINTED  IN  U.  S.  A. 


ai*i;  ii;«Kly  nil*  yoii  tti  Test- 


imni  IjH LIV  lliUil  ml 


1028 -iO  )illl'KK-l'IHMMIi:T  ! 


■W71 


COLLEEN  NOORE  in  "LILAC  TINE'' 

Opened  at  Carthay  Circle,  Los  Angeles,  July  17th  and  com- 
ing to  the  Central,  New  York,  August  3rd,  at  ^2.00  top  for 
indefinite  road  show  runs.  Special  synchronized  score  and 
sound  effects  added. 


LA  TOSCA  f  Milton  ,  The  C  h  a  rll  e  i  MACKAILL-  }  NO!  NO!  .  Molly  jBUTTERS.  [  I^N^^ 
rE  I  MAYNARD  I  nrS^c,.  .  SILLS  SQUALL  MURRAY  MULHALL  NANETTE  I  O'DAY  I  EGG  M AN  j  gucci 
9    ♦        Po«cio        i-     Fattii       i    Paee.13    I     Paget}  P^e  14      ♦        Poge-iJ         ^      Pascl6      ^  Pate  17  *      Poi«  tS 


AND  fNE/E    ARE    NEAR    CONPLEflON 

RICHARD  BARTHELMESS  in  "OUT  OF  THE  RUINS"— Sir  Phillip 
Gibbs'  daring  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  story  of  cowardice  ayd  regenera- 
tion.   Directed  by  John  Francis  Dillon. 

BILLIE  DOVE  in  "THE  NIGHT  WATCH"— A  beautiful  woman's 
sacrifice  of  honor  to  save  her  man.    Alexander  Korda  directing. 

"SHOW   GIRL" — Alice   White,   exhibitors'   star-choice,   in   a    racy   back- 
stage comedy   from  popular  Liberty  serial.    Alfred   Santell  directing. 

MILTON  SILLS  in  "HARD  ROCK"— Powerful  adventure  drama 
directed  by  Edward  Cline.    With  Thelma  Todd. 

"WATERFRONT"— With  Dorothy  MackaiU  and  Jack  Mulhall.    Spark- 
ling human  interest  story  with  double-star  draw. 


i    d 


A  R  K    E    R 


rr 


Ready  for  immediate  play-dates  with  MILTON  SILLS 
and  BETTY  COMPSON  as  announced,  and  Dorothy 
Mackaill  and  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  added. 


ON  SILL 


N         OF         THE         HOURI 


"THE 

terror  of  the  Sidcl 
soft  spot,  his  Ud! 
for  a  Iitde  HtiU  ^j 
lis  real — real 
time  lhi»  kaIeidosc< 
ground,  and  piccurcsqae  comedy  from 
the  etrangcsT  lot  oi  hud  bailed  charac- 
ters flver  filmed! 


rouble-crossing 

...  just  ONE 

fSui  the  Jdd  (alls 

And  tlien! — 

rX!— And  all  the 

carnival  back- 


A  GEORGE  FITTMAUaiCE  PRlXH-'CTIOr^' 

TKtloi'XJatTtm*"."  rh*  DarkArtsil'  .•  Nijal  ••;  1 
Fttrnx  tht  dJtfj  fcy  John  Kt.nion  NkWum  jrn  ' 

-Se\iinih,Hrnv«n.".  'FUth  (Ttd   ttit  Dn.ni', 

Then  4  others  gauged  specially  to  a 
to  women  as  well  as  to  Sills'  tremei 

male  following;—- 


fNESE     ARE     IN 


P  R  E  P  A  R  A  r  I O  N 

-Williatn  Seiter  directing  the 


CORINNE  GRIFFITH  in  "OUTCAST"- 
screen  version  of  famous  Broadway  play. 

RICHARD    BARTHELMESS    in    "SCARLET    SEAS"    (previous   title 
"Mutiny")— Smashing  story   with   the    lure   of   the   sea.     John   Francis' 
Dillon  will  direct. 

"THE  SQUALL" — A  special  from  the   1-year  Broadway  smash.    Alex- 
ander Korda  will  direct. 

CHARLIE  MURRAY  in  "DO  YOUR  DUTY"— William  «eaudine  will 
direct. 

THE  HAUNTED  HOUSE" — First  of  First  National's  special  mystery 
drama  series,  from  the  famous  Owen  Davis  play. 


mkmM  ■ 


Queck'EmOfr 
Now  mark  these  4  pages  in  First  National's  1928-'29  Announcement,  "Ready.' 
Then  see  these  4  great  Specials  on  the  screen  at  your  exchange. 

Compare  the  Performance  with  the  Promise  .  .  .  You'll  say — "Deliv- 
ered— as  Specified!" 

Every  feature  announced  is  there  —  and  more.  —  More  big 


1 


44 


fHE  BUTTER  AND  EGG  NAN" 

Comedy  special  from  famous  Broadway  hit  with  4-star  cast 
as  announced.    Booking  now. 


cast  names  than  we  promised .  . ,  New  Box-office  values 
added!  They're  conclusive  evidence  that  you  can  buy 
First  National  as  announced — and  get  more  than 
you  bargained  for!  il 


WHILE  THESE  ARE  IH  THE  CUTTIHG  ROON 

COLLEEN  MOORE  in  "OH  KAY!"— From  the  long-run  musical 
comedy  hit.  Mcrvyn  LeRoy  directed.  Lawrehce  Gray,  Ford  Sterling, 
Claude  Gillingwater  in  the  cast. 

JOHNNY  HINES  in  "THE  WRIGHT  IDEA"— Hailed  as  hit  by  pre- 
view audience. 

HARRY  LANGDON  in  "HEART  TROUBLE"— Strong  love  interest 
and  a  touch  of  pathos  behind  hilarious  comedy. 

'HEART  TO  HEART" — With  Mary  Astor  and  Lloyd  Hughes.  Fast 
moving  comedy   romance  directed  by  William   Beaudine. 

KEN  MAYNARD  in  "THE  GLORIOUS  TRAIL"— "Maynard  for 
mine,  every  time"— say  10,000  exhibitors! 


4    4 


THE        W 


I     P 


r  f 


This  big-scale  special  from  the  stage  melodrama  classic  is 
ready  for  summer  play-dates  with  Marc  McDermott  and 
Albert  Gran  added  to  the  original  4-star  cast. 


AND     THESE     ARE     KOPPING     UP: 

COLLEEN  MOORE  in  "HAPPINESS  AHEAD"— Led  the  town  a 
the  Fifth  Avenue,  Seattle.  Practically  capacity  every  show  at  Warfield 
San  Francisco.  New  York  reviewers  raved. 
"THE  STRANGE  CASE  OF  CAPTAIN  RAMPER"— Sensation  at  th. 
Roxy.  Held  over  at  McVickers,  Chicago.  Booked  for  the  Adam; 
Detroit,  'and   the   Missouri,  St.  Louis. 

RICHARD    BARTHELMESS   in   "WHEEL   OF   CHANCE"— Barthei 
mess  in  dual   role.    An   Alfred"  Santell  production   from   Fannie  Hurs 
story.    Best  business  in  6  weeks  at  the  Paramount,  Salt  Lake  City. 
MILTON  SILLS  in  "THE  HAWK'S  NEST"— With  Doris  Kenyon. 

CHARLIE   MURRAY  in  "THE   HEAD   MAN"— CharUe   puttine   th 
"IT"  in  Politi 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


15 


accorded  the  highest  honors 

in  filmuom/ 

CHOSEN  TO  PLAY ''MAGNOLIA' in  ^'SHOW  bOAT' 

UNIVEBSAL'S   DE  LUXE   PQODUCTION    FOR  1928-29 

le^vorld-vidc  publicity  that  tias  resulted 
because  of  ttiis  announecmenf  has 
vastly  increased  ttie  value  of  her 
"orthGoming  pietures  whieti  include 
HOME  JAMES". .  .THAT  bLONDE" 
TWE  LAST  VADNING" . . .  "ONE  EAINY 
NIGUT"...BANGEDOUS  DIMPLES." 


BIG  TIME 

SHOWMANSHIP 


^^m 


•^5^1 


Palhe  array 
of  Specials 
and  Features 


N< 


.FORBIDDEN 


\0 


r^^ 


To 


>N' 


SHOW 


vov 


v^\ 


^^ 


1 

■ 

:       fF 

.'.^^,^|I^!.JLJI 

^•^^■:l.A:-..?"  --i^-' 

■■■.■-,.   ■^■.                                    ! 

/I  Pathe  production  unit  is  now 
at  Annapolis,  making  a  big  spec- 
ial with  the  colorful  background 
of  the  I\aval  Academy .  Watch  for 
^^ Annapolis^ ^  with  Jeanette  Lqff 
and  John  Mack  Brown.  Directed 
by  &iristy  Cabanne.  Original 
story  by  F.  McGrew  Willis. 


Diversified 
product 
offering  a  world  of 
exploitation  possibilities 

"pATHE  is  selling  more  than  pictures.  Pathe  is 
•*  selling  box-oflSce  results.  In  its  great  program 
for  the  new  season,  Pathe  has  dramatized  factors 
in  the  public  eye  —  and  always  with  an  eye  to  the 
box-office.  Think  of  what  the  public's  interest 
centers  around — Nicaragua,  aviation,  the  Far  East, 
the  aftermath  of  war,  royally,  show  folks,  the  prize 
ring,  romance  of  the  business  world,  the  struggle 
for  law  and  order.  These  and  a  score  of  other 
factors  of  this  snappy,  modern  age  that  are  talked 
about  and  written  about  are  the  background  for 
Pathe's  showmanship  product.  These  pictures 
are  timely.  They  bring  to  a  focal  point  tons  of 
ready-made  publicity.  They  ring  true  to  box-office 
demands.  They  give  tbe  showman  a  running  start 
with  his  campaign — something  to  say,  something 
to  talk  about,  something  to  exploit  —  and  it  won't 
fall  on  strange  ears.  The  keynote  of  Fathers 
program  is  showmanship — pictures  plus. 


Four  great  Pathe  specials 
with  the  indelible  stamp 
of  S.  R.  O. 


They  are  ready  for  screen- 
ing and  in  their  screening 
is  the  proof  that  they  are 
showman's  product — big 
names,  striking  background, 
up-to-the-minute  themes, 
melodramatic  action. 


a 


THE  COP 


with 

ALAN  HALE,  JACQUELINE 

LOGAN  and  ROBERT 

ARMSTRONG 

A  Donald  Crisp  Production.  Screen 
play  by  Tay  Garnett.  From  the  story  by 
Elliott  Clawson.  Produced  by  Ralph 
Block  for  DeMille  Pictures  Corporation. 


TENTH 


AVENUE 

with 

PHYLLIS  HAVER 

VICTOR  VARCONI  and 
JOSEPH  SCHILDKRAUT 

A  William  C.  DeMille  Produc- 
tion. From  the  stage  play  by 
John  McGowan  and  Lloyd  Gris- 
com.  Continuity  by  Douglas 
Doty.  DeMille  Studio  Pro- 
duction. 


''THE  RED 
MARK'' 

with 
NENA  QUARTARO,  GASTON 
GLASS,  GUSTAVE  VON  SEYF- 
FERTITZ  AND  ROSE  DIONE. 
Adaptation  and  continuity  by 
Julien  Josephson  from  the  story 
by  John  Russell.  A  James  Cruze 
production  Personally  directed 
by  James  Crtize. 


"A 
SHIP 
OMES  IN" 

with 

RUDOLPH  SCHILDKRAUT 

LOUISE  DRESSER  and 
ROBERT  EDESON 

Original  story  and  adaptation 
by  Julien  Josephson.  Continuity 
by  Sonya  Levien.  A  William  K. 
Howard  Production.  DeMille 
Studio  Production, 


Watch  for  amazing  new  R.  C.  A.  PHOTOPHONE  musical 
and  effect  accompaniment  on  certain  forthcoming 
PATHE  FEATURE  PRODUCTIONS  Season  1928-1929. 


i 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


SHOWMENS 


Amazing 
speed  and 
great  nationall 
unanimous' 
men 


Pathe's  Floating  Lab 


A  now  apparatus  called  a 
"floating  laboratory"  has  been 
perfected  by  Fathe  to  hasten 
the  development  and  printing 
of  shots  taken  at  big  events 
by  news  reel  cameramen.  It 
consists  of  four  trunks,  about 
the  size  -of  the  sample  cases 
used  by  traveling  men.  Two 
men,  a  developer  and  printer, 
take  the  film  from  the  camera 
boys  and  rush,  it  to  a  hoteL 
The  trunks  haye  been  set  up 
in  a  room,  where  the  film  Is 
at  once  put  through  the  pro- 
cess necessary  for  developing 
and  printing.  It  Is  quickly 
dried  and  prepared  for  a  pro- 
jecting machine. 

The  pi  n  is  adopted  whenever 
shots  of  big  events  are  taken  In 
places  any  distance  from  the 
regular  labratories.  The  time 
element  is  the  one  responsible 
for  the  innovation. 


X  EARS  of  experience,  years  of  slow  building,  years  of  studying  the 
wants  of  the  public,  years  of  team  work,  years  of  thought  and  labor, 
aggressiveness  and  sincere  endeavor  combined  with  the  instinct  of  the 
showman,  have  made  possible  today's  mighty  accomplishments  of 
Pathe  News.  When  the  public  thinks  of  a  news  reel,  it  invariably  thinks 
of  Pathe  News.  And  the  reason  is  that  Pathe  News  is  delivering  the  goods. 
There  are  news  reels  and  there  is  THE  NEWS  REEL.  That's  PATHE  NEWS. 


For  1 7  Years  Pathe  News  Has  Been 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


CHOICE 

|]emonstration  of 
service  in  covering 
conventions  wins 
vote  of  smart  show* " 


^-V    t 


THE  PATHE  ROOSTER 

is  a  sure  winner  as  the 

box-office  candidate, 

xT'S  a  race  now  between  Pathe  News  and  the  printing  presses.  Other 
newsreels  are  left  at  the  post.  Pathe  News  pushes  on,  utilizing 
every  modern  factor  for  speed  and  progress.  The  balloting  for 
Hoover  starts  at  the  Republican  Convention.  Before  it  is  com- 
pleted, Pathe  News  flashes  the  message  on  the  screen  of  the  Main 
Street  Theatre.  (Pathe  News  has  moved  on  Kansas  City  with  its 
own  secret  portable  laboratory.)  An  hour  after  the  convention 
opened,  Pathe  News  released  prints  for  the  immediate  territory. 
The  entire  country  was  covered  in  24  hours.  Millions  of  theatre 
patrons,  through  Pathe  News  efficiency,  sat  in  on  the  pictorial 
story  almost  simultaneous  with  the  newspaper  pictures.  At  Houston, 
it  was  the  same  achievement  —  a  nation-wide  beat  for  Pathe  News. 
No  wonder  the  Rooster  is  as  well  known  as  the  elephant  or  the 
donkey.  No  wonder  a  Pathe  News  camera  is  the  symbol  of  the 
cinema.  Pathe  News  yesterday  —  today  —  tomorrow,  the  keynote 
of  your  program,  the  people's  choice,  the  showman's  choice. 


■■^**^&. 


The  Greatest  Motion  Picture 


mmm^ 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


■■ 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

as^  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


Home 

Office: 

407  So.  Dearborn  St. 

Chicago 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


Marks  Brothers,  denied  injunction  in  their  suit  against  Balaban  &  Katz  and  six  producer-distributors, 
are  in  need  of  new  product,  according  to  statement  by  attorney  for  theatre  owners ;  Anti-Trust  trial 
is  set  for  early  fall  by  the  court;  Defendants,  under  ruling,  are  prohibited  from  committing  any  of 
the  acts  which  are  charged  in  the  bill  of  the  plaintiffs ;  United  States  department  of  justice  agent  is 
in  attendance  at  hearings. 


\ 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


President  of  musicians  union  in  Chicago  makes  declaration  that 
"talkies  won't  hurt  us;"  Adopt  plan  of  watchful  waiting. 
Some    indignant,    others    smile   indulgently    at    Mayor   James    J. 
Walker's  charge  that  the  motion  picture  industry  is  in  politics. 
Admission  price  war  in  Ohio  has  created  a  bad  situation,  accord- 
ing to  reports;  Lima  theatres  are  charging  25  cents  top. 
Musicians  leaders  and  the  governor  of  Missouri  are  in  tilt  over 
mechanical  music  situation;  Pickets  arrested  by  police. 
"Joy  Week"  is  sponsored  by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  as   antidote 
for  warm  weather;  Many  accessories  will  be  supplied  gratis. 

DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized  Pictures   36 

The  Studio    40 

Short  Features   44 

Presentation  Acts   45 

The  Theatre   51 

New  Pictures 54 

Classified  Advertising 59 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 61 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 66 


FEATURES 


Service  Talks  by  T.  O.  Service 53 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges 40 

Pictorial  Section   31 

Letters  from  Readers 60 

Broadway    26 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— M  G  M,  Wurlitzer  Organ,  Paramount, 
Fox,  F  B  O,  Columbia,  First  National,  Universal,  Pathe,  Eastman 
Kodak,  International  Projector,  L.  V.  Kuttnauer  (Phototone),  and 
Milton  Stearn. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— J.  Virgil  Huffman,  Sam  Herman,  Gin- 
ger Rogers,  Henri  A.  Keates,  Preston  Sellers,  Irene  Taylor,  Roy 
Dietrich,  Albert  F.  Brown,  Doc  Webb,  Harold  J.  Lyons,  Ilomay 
Bailey,  Ransley  Studios  and  Brooks  Costumes. 


CHICAGO 

407  South  Dearborn  St.  Telephones  Harrison  0036-37-38 

Cable    Address :    Qnigpubco 

EDWIN    S.    CXIFFORD,    General    Manager 

JAY  M.  SHRECK,  Managing  Editor 

GEORGE    CLIFFORD,    Basinets    Manager 

ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,   News   Editor 

LOS  ANCELES 

S617    Hollywood    Blvd.  Telephon*    Gladstone   3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 

West    Coast    Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES: 


SEW    YORK 

363    Fifth    Avenue  Telephones   Vanderbilt   3612-3613 

JAMES    BEECROFT,    Neiti    York    Advertising   Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,   Neic    York   Editor 

LONDON 

THE    BIOSCOPE 

(J.    Cabonm,    Editor) 

Faraday    House 

8-10    Charing    Cross    Rd.,    W.    C    2 


United   States  and  possessions— $3.00  per  year,  Canada — $4.50   per  year.      Other  paints   of  the  world— $6.00   per  year. 
Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations  statement*  fuTBlched  npon  application. 


Single  copies,  25  ••■«•. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

82^  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  ^>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  1915;  Moving  Pic- 

TUEB  WoRUj,  founded  in  1907;  Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Mahtin  J.  QuiGLEY,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All   editorial   and   business  correspondence 
should  be   addressed   to   the   Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitoss 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week,  and 
Thi  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  3        (Vol.  34,  No.  6)        July  21,  1928 


The  Screen  in  Politics 

THE  Honorable  James  J.  Walker,  New  York's  most 
popular  mayor,  took  a  little  time  out  of  his  current 
vacation  in  California  to  issue  a  warning  to  the  production 
branch  of  the  motion  picture  business  against  partisan 
political  leanings  in  the  present  national  campaign.  The 
time  and  eflfort  thus  employed  might  better  have  been  de- 
voted exclusively  to  vacation  purposes,  or  whatever  other 
purposes  which  might  more  accurately  account  for  Mr. 
Walker's  presence  in  California. 

Mr.  Walker  is  an  orator.  The  natural  function  of 
orators  is  to  orate  and  in  the  practice  of  orating  they  are 
frequently  inclined  to  make  much  ado  about  nothing.  In 
his  California  utterance,  Mr.  Walker,  apparently,  felt  the 
need  of  making  some  weighty  pronouncement  and,  with 
no  valid  weighty  pronouncement  in  mind,  he  brought  up 
the  stock  issue  of  motion  picture  interference  in  politics. 

We  do  not  think  that  Mr.  Walker  was  very  serious  and 
we  do  not  think  that  his  statement,  or  his  warning  or  what- 
ever it  was,  should  be  taken  seriously. 

It  just  happens  that  any  person  who  knows  little  or 
nothing  about  the  operations  of  the  picture  business  might 
honestly  have  some  apprehensions  about  the  screen  being 
used  politically  during  a  campaign.  But  Mr.  Walker  knows 
a  great  deal  about  the  picture  business,  the  people  in  it 
and  its  natural  limitations  as  far  as  exerting  a  partisan 
political  influence.  As  counsel  for  many  years  for  the 
Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America  Mr.  Walker 
experienced  a  very  comprehensive  schooling  in  picture 
matters  and  in  his  California  utterance  we  cannot  credit 
him  with  what  would  be  a  natural  apprehension  in  the 
case  of  a  person  who  simply  did  not  know. 

Mr.  Walker  did  not  make  a  case  against  the  industry  or 
any  of  the  important  factors  in  it  and,  very  likely,  he  really 
had  no  intention  of  so  doing.  But  in  his  oratorical  flight 
he  did  focus  attention  on  the  subject  of  the  possible 
political  influence  of  pictures  which  will  plant  the  seed  of 
suspicion,  at  least,  in  the  minds  of  a  great  many  people. 
Hence,  despite  the  fact  that  pictures  cannot — without  en- 
couraging destruction — and  will  not  enter  into  politics,  a 
few  million  people  will  probably  go  through  the  present 


national  political  campaign  believing  that  somehow,  some- 
where, the  picture  business  is  seeking  to  use  the  screen 
for  political  purposes.  This  is  the  harm  of  Mr.  Walker's 
unguarded  utterance. 

Mr.  Walker's  veiled  criticism  of  Mr.  Louis  B.  Mayer  and 
Mr.  Joseph  M.  Schenck  because  they  participated  as  dele- 
gates in  the  Republican  National  Convention  at  Kansas 
City  was  uncalled  for  and  quite  improper.  As  private 
citizens  these  men  have  every  right  under  the  sun  to  inter- 
est themselves  in  politics  and  there  is  no  legitimate  ground 
for  interpreting  such  interest  to  mean  that  they  shall  seek 
to  use  their  influence  in  the  picture  business  to  turn  the 
screen  toward  activities  for  the  promotion  of  the  interests 
of  their  candidate. 

To  be  consistent  Mr.  Walker  should  now  take  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mr.  John  J.  Raskob  as  an  occasion  to  warn 
the  automobile  industry  that  it  is  likely  to  be  crushed  if 
the  opposition  forces  conquer. 


Full  Dialogue 

THE  Warner  Brothers'  full  talking  picture  which  has 
been  playing  to  heavy  business  at  the  Strand  theatre. 
New  York  City,  has  created  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  the 
picture  business  at  the  same  time  that  it  has  been  winning 
wide  interest  with  the  public. 

This  subject,  "Lights  of  New  York,"  is  a  graphic 
illustration  of  where  the  synchronized  picture  is  leading. 
It  just  happens  that  because  of  the  facts  of  the  picture, 
coming  at  this  time,  it  is  enabled  to  reveal  definitely  a 
great  deal  about  the  possibilities  of  the  dialogue  picture. 

"Lights  of  New  York,"  without  the  synchroniatzion  fea- 
ture, would  be  a  picture  that  would  not  materially  stir  the 
motion  picture  market.  As  a  film  it  is  not  a  subject  that 
even  nearly  ranks  with  the  best  efforts  of  Warner  Brothers, 
but  under  the  magic  of  the  dialogue  accompaniment  it  be- 
comes a  thoroughly  interesting  picture  and  one  that 
doubtlessly  will  be  a  major  attraction  for  the  theatres  dur- 
ing the  coming  season. 

It  is  particularly  interesting  to  note  in  this  picture  the 
development  of  a  new  technic — one  that  differs  radically 
from  the  practices  that  have  characterized  the  best  motion 
pictures  of  recent  years.  With  the  introduction  of  dia- 
logue, the  closeup  is  dispensed  with  and  its  absence  is 
hardly  noticeable  because  the  spoken  word  easily  and  more 
naturally  yields  the  desired  emphasis.  Also  various  kinds 
of  scenes — such  as  cabaret  sequences  which  never  pre- 
viously meant  much  except  for  atmospheric  purposes — 
with  dialogue  and  music  become  high  spots  in  the  pro- 
duction. 


The  New  Technic 

WHILE  the  cost  feature  of  synchronized  pictures  is  the 
cause  of  no  little  current  worry  in  production  circles, 
there  now  appears  to  be  compensations  which  may  come 
to  have  very  great  significance. 

While  the  introduction  of  music  and  dialogue  obviously 
puts  the  producer  to  certain  added  costs,  still  the  new 
technic  and  the  new  character  generally  of  the  synchro- 
nized picture  offers  hope  of  dispensing  with  certain  of 
the  very  heavy  costs  of  the  silent  picture.  For  instance, 
in  the  matter  of  sets  there  is  less  reason  and  less  necessity 
for  the  optical  flash  when  both  eye  and  ear  are  being 
appealed  to. 

In  certain  subjects  already  viewed  the  backgrounds  ap- 
pear of  very  little  moment  because  the  attention  of  the 
audience  is  fully  absorbed  in  watching  and  hearing  the 
characters  in  the  foreground.  The  dialogue  picture  cer- 
tainly means  a  more  intimate  type  of  subject  because  the 
great  broad  fields  of  the  silent  picture  can  no  longer  be 
advantageously  employed. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


Marks,  Denied  Injunction,  in 

Need  of  Film,  Says  Attorney 

Anti -Trust  Trial  Against  BK 

Set  for  Early  Fall  by  Court 


G.  B.  S.  in  Films;  Now 
He  Goes  to  Mat  for  'Em 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
If  we  know  out  Bermudas,  it 
seems  to  us  that  George  Bernard 
Sbaw  has  always  ridiculed  the  gal- 
loping dramas,  yet  be  has  just  gone 
to  the  mat  for  them.  According  to 
the  "Daily  Film  Renter,"  an  English 
£lm  paper,  a  motion  was  recently 
made  in  the  British  Drama  League 
to  cast  certain  aspersions  upon  the 
"lowly"  Elms.  Whereupon  Shaw 
rose  up  in  all  his  dignity  and  de- 
clared, "There  is  no  question  that 
the  £lm  business  is  going  to  be  a 
very  big  thing  in  the  future." 

Well,  well,  it  is  to  smile.  But, 
then,  G.  B.  S.  has  just  recently  ap- 
peared to  quite  good  advantage  in 
Movietone,  and — well,  perhaps  even 
he   has   bis   vanity. 


Police  Power  to  Prevent 
Showing  of  Films  Barred 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

CAMDEN,  N.  J,  July  17.— New  Jersey's 
city  boards  of  motion  picture  censors,  accord- 
ing to  a  decision  issued  in  the  Camden  Chan- 
cery court,  are  without  authority  to  use  police 
power  to  prevent  the  showing  of  films.  An  in- 
junction was  issued  enjoining  the  police  de- 
partment and  the  Camden  Board  of  Censors 
from  interfering  with  the  showing  of  a  pic- 
ture. 

Sunday  Picture  Shows 

Forbidden  in  Peekskill 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PEEKSKILL,  N.  Y.,  July  17.— The  Peeks- 
kill  Ministerial  Association,  of  Peekskill  won  a 
victory  last  week  with  the  result  that  there 
will  be  no  more  Sunday  motion  picture  shows 
in  the  village.  The  new  ordinance  came  into 
effective  this  week. 


Vitaphone  and  Movietone 
Replace  House  Orchestra 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SPOKANE,  July  17.— The  Liberty  theatre, 
now  equipped  with  Vitaphone  and  Movietone, 
has  announced  that  its  orchestra  has  termin- 
ated its  engagement,  and  that  its  fall  plans  do 
not  include  the  re-engagement  of  any  other 
orchestra. 

E.  W,  Hammons  Arrives 
In  New  York  This  Week 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.-^E.  W.  Hammons, 
president  of  Educational  Film  Exchange,  ex- 
pects to  reach  New  York  this  week  from  Eng- 
land. He  was  accompanied  on  his  trip  by 
Mrs.   Hammons. 


Four  Die,  Forty  Injured 

As  New  House  Falls 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ITALY,  July  17. — Four  persons  were  killed 
and  forty  injured  in  the  collapse  of  a  motion 
picture  house  here.  Firemen  and  police  mob- 
ilized to  dig  victims  from  the  ruins. 


Defendants,  Under  Pact,  Prohibited  from  Committing 
Acts  Charged  in  Bill  of  Plaintiffs 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 
Marks  Brothers  was  denied  a  temporary  injunction  against  Balaban  &  Katz, 
six  producer-distributors  incliiding  Paramovint,  and  other   defendants  in  the 
former's  antitrust  suit  before  Federal  Judge  Page  last  Thursday,  but  though 
thus  denied,  the  plaintiffs  obtained  what  the  court  called  the  essential  effect  of 
a  temporary  injunction,  through  the  continuance  until  the  final  hearing  of  the 
counsels'  agreement,  which  was  operating  pending  last  Thursday's  hearing, 
restraining  the  defendants  from  committing  the  acts  charged  in  the  suit. 
Final  Hearing  to  Be  Held  in  Fall 
Continuance  of  the  restraints,  which  was  recommended  by  the  court,  was 
approved  Friday  by  attorneys  representing  all  litigants.     The  court  intimated 
tliat  the  final  hearing  would  be  held  as  early  this  fall  as  possible. 

That  Marks  Brothers,  operators  of  two  Chicago  deluxe  neighborhood  thea- 
tres and  three  other  houses,  is  in  urgent  need  of  attractions,  particularly  pic- 
tures, was  emphatically  declared  by  that  circuit's  counsel  at  Thursday's  hear- 
ing, it  being  testified  by  affidavit  that  for  the  weeks  between  July  14  and 
August  31  only  one  picture,  Warner  Brothers'  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse," 
was  booked.  Marks  Brothers  is  seeking  "just  some  of  the  pictures"  from  the 
companies  now  selling  first-runs  to  B  &  K  exclusively,  Attorney  Joseph  Rosen- 
berg told  the  court. 

of  whom  are  investigating  the  motion 
picture  industry  for  the  government. 
Action   is  now   contemplated  by  the 
government  against  Paramount  as  a 
result    of    rejection    by    the    federal 
trade  commission  of  Paramount's  re- 
ply   to     the     commission's     charges, 
which   are   also   based  on   the   Sher- 
man  and    Clayton    anti-trust   laws. 
The   suit,   which   besides   Paramount   and 
B  &  K  and  subsidiaries,  names  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,      First      National,      Universal, 
Pathe,      United      Artists,      Orpheum,      the 
William    Morris    vaudeville    booking    com- 
pany and  Western  vaudeville  manager's  as- 
sociation,   reveals   itself   as    the   result   of   a 
bitter  battle  between   Marks   Brothers  and 
B  &  K  going  on  for  more  than  a  year  and 
now  involving  charges  and  counter-charges 
of  monopoly  through  illegal  practices,  con- 

(Continued    on    next   page) 


In  recommending  that  the  restraining 
agreement  be  continued.  Judge  Page  said 
to  counsel  for  Marks  Brothers,  "That  will 
give  you  about  what  you  want,  without  the 
advertising." 

"Not  exactly,"  objected  Attorney  Roger 
Sherman,  "it  won't  give  us  the  pictures  we 
need  right  away." 

Judge  in   Dilemna 
"But   I   can't   give  you  the  pictures,"   re- 
plied Judge  Page. 

"How  are  we  to  know  that  the  defendants 
will  live  up  to  the  agreement?"  asked 
Sherman. 

"If  I  hear  of  any  of  them  violating  it, 
it  won't  be  hard  for  you  to  prove  con- 
spiracy,"  the   court  told   him. 

Spectators  at  the  hearing  were  L. 
T.  Plummer  of  the  U.  S.  department 
of  justice,  and  William  H.  Benham, 
assistant  U.  S.  attorney  general,  both 


"Talkies  Won 't  Hurt  Us, "  Belief  of  Union 
Chief  in  Chicago;  Watchful  Waiting  Is  Plan 

The  Chicago  local  of  the  American  Federation  of  Musicians  plans  no  immediate 
action  against  the  use  of  synchronized  music  in  motion  picture  theatres  and  will 
adopt  a  policy  of  watchful  waiting,  according  to  James  C.  Petrillo,  head  of  the     : 
local  union.     This  statement  came  as  a  denial  of  reports  that  the  Chicago  union 
had  declared  war  on  the  use  of  talkies. 

He  stated  that  the  stories  had  been  obtained  by  Chicago  papers  through  news 
services  from  the  national  president.  "As  a  matter  of  fact,"  asserted  Petrillo, 
"I  do  not  believe  that  synchronized  pictures  will  hurt  union  musicians.  There  is 
still  the  radio  and  phonograph  recording,  and  I  believe  that  both  are  better  than 
the  synchronized  music.  I  believe  we  have  nothing  to  fear,  but  if  the  worst  should 
develop  we  can  easily  stop  the  use  of  synchronized  music  in  theatres,  because 
union  musicians  produce  this  music." 

When  asked  what  disposition  had  been  made  of  the  musicians  who  were  let  out 
of  the  Roosevelt  and  McVickers  theatres  when  these  two  houses  began  a  syn- 
chronized picture  policy,  Petrillo  stated  that  "the  14  musicians  from  the  McVick- 
ers were  transferred  by  B  &  K  to  the  Uptown  theatre  and  I  am  now  negotiating 
with  them  over  the  disposition  of  the  Roosevelt  musicians.  Balaban  &  Katz  have 
always  been  very  fair  with  us,  and  I  am  not  expecting  any  trouble  at  all." 

For  the  present,  at  least,  it  appears  as  if  no  trouble  will  develop  if  Petrillo's 
policy  of  watchful  waiting  can  be  carried  out.  However,  the  musicians'  contract 
with  the  Exhibitors'  Association  of  Chicago  expires  in  October,  and  it  is  expected 
by  many  that  action  will  be  made  at  that  time  against  the  effect  picture. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Charge  B-K  Has  Cornered  Market 


spiracy,  employe-"stealing"  and  physical 
violence.  Final  decision  in  the  case  is  ex- 
pected to  be  material  to  whatever  action  is 
taken  by  the  government  in  regard  to  prac- 
tices within  the  entire  motion  picture  indus- 
try. 
Considered  Important  in  "Protection" 
The  whole  suit  as  regards  Marks  Brothers 
charge  that  B  &  K  has  "cornered"  the  pic- 
tures of  the  "leading"  companies,  is  con- 
sidered to  importantly  involve  the  general 
trade  practices  of  "protection"  and  "block 
blocking."  Marks  Brothers  sets  forth  that 
it  should  be  licensed  for  first-runs,  the  pic- 
tures of  the  "leading"  companies  now  being 
shown  first-run  at  B  &  K  houses  of  a  class 
declared  by  the  plaintiffs  to  be  lower  than 
that  of  their  two  deluxe  theatres,  the  Mar- 
bro  and  Granada.  B  &  K  buys  in  block  the 
entire  programs  of  Paramount,  M  G  M  and 
First  National,  and  varying  portions  of 
the  product  of  Universal,  Pathe  and  United 
Artists  and  gets  two-weeks'  protection  for 
all  of  its  theatres,  both  large  and  small, 
over  the  Granada  and  Marbro.  In  reply 
to  the  charge  that  this  condition  consti- 
tutes a  "cornering"  of  pictures  and  was 
achieved  through  a  desire  to  put  Marks 
Brothers  out  of  business,  it  is  contended 
that  B  &  K  needs  first-runs  for  the  success 
of  its  smaller  theatres,  that  the  pictures 
were  sold  with  the  present  protection  be- 
cause the  distributors  thus  realize  more 
money  from  the  sale  of  their  product  to  B 
&K's  40  Chicago  theatres  than  sales  to 
Marks  could  make  up,  and  that  other  com- 
panies have  enough  product  suitable  for 
Marks   Brothers'  first-runs. 

Another  charge  that  B  &  K  is  endeavor- 
ing to  "corner"  the  vaudeville  market  for 
its  stageshows,  inducing  performers  to 
break  their  contracts  with  Marks  Brothers 
and  boycotting  those  who  appear  at  the 
Granada  and  Marbro,  is  flatly  denied,  while 
the  plaintiffs'  assertion  that  B  &  K  em- 
ployes have  attacked  their  employes,  has 
brought  in  addition  to  denial,  counter- 
charges that  Marks  Brothers  employes  at- 
tacked B  &  K  employes.  Both  circuits 
admit  to  checking  attendance  at  each 
other's  theatres  and  both  submit  testimony 
that  the  one  tried  to  get  employes  away 
from  the  other. 

Swaine  Appears  for  Paramount 

Robert  T.  Swaine  of  Cravath,  de  Gers- 
dorff,  Swaine  &  Wood,  New  York  at- 
torneys, made  the  principal  address  for 
Paramount  and  B  &  K  at  Thursday's  hear- 
ing, while  Ralph  M.  Shaw  of  Winston, 
Strawn  &  Shaw,  Chicago,  also  presented 
those  companies'  defense.  Roger  Sherman 
of  Tenney,  Harding,  Sherman  and  Rogers, 
and  Joseph  Rosenberg  of  Rosenberg  & 
Rosenberg  addressed  the  court  for  Marks 
Brothers.  Denial  of  the  charges  were 
briefly  made  for  M  G  M  by  Ed  R.  John- 
son, for  Pathe,  Orpheum  and  Western 
Vaudeville  Managers  Association  by  B.  B. 
Kahane;  for  Universal,  by  Amos  Miller; 
and  for  United  Artists,  by  William  J.  Cor- 
boy,  all  of  Chicago.  Counsel  for  all  the 
other  defendants  were  present.  Ralph  Shaw 
was  delegated  by  the  court  to  represent 
the  defendants  in  a  meeting  with  attorneys 
for  plaintiffs  to  decide  on  continuance  of 
the  restraints. 

In  arguing  for  the  right  to  first-runs  from 
Paramount,  M  G  M,  First  National  and  the 
other  three  companies  named,  Marks 
Brothers  not  only  contends  that  B  &  K 
should  not  be  allowed  first-runs  for  its 
"lower-class"  houses,  classified  locally  as 
Class  B  theatres  or  lower,  but  also  con- 
tends that  B  &  K  even  now  has  a  surplus 
of  pictures,  contracting  for  this  surplus   to 


(Contimied  from  preceding  page) 


keep  the  "leading"  product  out  of  the  Gra- 
nada and  Marbro. 

Not  enough  of  the  product  left  Marks 
Brothers  is  suitable  for  first-runs,  that  cir- 
cuit declares.  To  this  Sam  Katz,  president 
of  Publix,  states  in  an  affidavit  that  B  &  K 
used  364  pictures  in  1926-27,  out  of  a  total 
of  508  pictures  made  by  all  companies;  and 
432  pictures  in  1927-28,  out  of  a  total  of 
557.  For  1928-29,  B  &  K  has  thus  far 
leased  235  pictures  out  of  a  total  of  534  to 
be  made,  according  to  Katz.  He  declares 
that  the  balance,  including  product  of  Pathe 
and  Fox  not  bought  by  B  &  K,  and  the 
product  of  Warner  Brothers,  F  B  O,  Tif- 
fany-Stahl,"  Gotham,  Columbia,  Greiver  and 
Security  (the  latter  two  being  Chicago 
state's    rights    distributors),    offers    Marks 


Here's  What  They 
Agree  to  Do 

The  restraints  which  opposing 
counsel  in  the  Marks-Balaban  & 
Katz  antitrust  suit  have  agreed  to 
continue  in  operation  until  the  case 
is  disposed  of,  binds  the  defendants 
from  : 

1.  Leasing  pictures  from  producers 
and  distributors  who  refuse  to  lease 
to  Marks  Brothers. 

2.  Persuading  producers  and  dis- 
tributors or  otherwise  arranging  with 
them,  to  refuse  to  lease  to  Marks 
Brothers,  or  making  contracts  with 
producers  and  distributors  condi- 
tional on  their  refusal  to  lease  to 
plaintiffs. 

3.  From  entering  into  any  contract 
or  understanding  with  Fox  or  War- 
ner Brothers  requiring  them  to 
refuse  to  lease  to  Marks  Brothers. 

4.  From  inducing  or  intimidating 
vaudeville  or  other  artists,  actors 
and  actresses  to  break  contracts  with 
Marks  Brothers. 

5.  From  making  contracts  with 
bookers  which  require  them  not  to 
furnish  performers  to  Marks  Broth- 
ers. 

6.  From  executing  physical  vio- 
lence on  employes  of  Marks  Broth- 
ers. 

7.  From  making  demonstrations  in 
Marks  Brothers  theatres. 

8.  From  charging  prices  for  pic- 
tures discriminatory  against  Marks 
Brothers. 

9.  From  persuading  oi  compelling 
any  producer  to  require  the  consent 
of  Publix,  B  &  K  or  subsidiaries  as 
a  condition  to  the  leasing  of  pictures 
to  Marks  Brothers. 


Brothers    pictures    suitable    for    first-runs. 
This  the  latter  denies. 

The  Granada  on  the  North  Side  and  the 
Marbro  on  the  West  Side,  run  the  same 
pictures  weekly  and  simultaneously  and  ac- 
quire only  52  first-runs.  B  &  K  houses, 
including  those  of  its  subsidiary,  Lubliner 
&  Trinz,  are  declared  to  require  388  first- 
runs  on  the  North  Side  and  501  on  the 
West  Side. 

SuburbEm  Exhibitor  Presents  Affidavit 

In  support  of  Marks  Brothers'  allega- 
tions that  B  &  K  has  tied  up  the  local  pic- 
ture market,  Elmer  H.  Uhlhorn,  exhibitor 
of    Downers    Grove,    a    small    town    in    the 


Chicago  metropolitan  area,  testifies  that 
after  he  had  begun  construction  of  a  1,400- 
seat  theatre,  the  entire  building  to  cost 
$215,000,  Floyd  M.  Brockell,  general  man- 
ager of  Balaban  &  Katz  Midwest,  and 
Joseph  Stern,  also  of  that  company,  leased 
another  theatre  there  and  buying  most  of 
the  product  of  the  companies  named  in 
the  suit,  prevented  him  from  getting  suit- 
able pictures.  Another  exhibitor,  A.  A. 
Zeimis  of  Joilet,  111.,  alleges  that  Great 
States,  a  B  &  K  subsidiary  having  55  houses 
in  Illinois,  gets  53  weeks'  protection  over 
his  theatre  for  their  three  houses  in  Joliet. 

That  Marks  Brothers  gathered  material 
now  set  forth  in  the  suit  more  than  a  year  ago 
is  shown  by  the  affidavits  of  Louis  Marks, 
president  of  the  circuit,  and  of  Leo  Salkin, 
booker  for  Marks  Brothers,  presenting  what 
they  allege  to  be  conversations  early  in  1927 
between  them  and  sales  executives  of  M  G  M, 
Paramount,  Unitd  Artists  and  Universal,  as 
taken  down  by  a  court  reporter  employed  by 
Marks  Brothers.  In  those  alleged  conversa- 
tions, the  sales  officials  are  reported  as  having 
said  they  would  like  to  sell  to  Marx  Brothers 
but  were  instructed  not  to  by  their  superiors. 
It  is  contended  in  refutation,  however,  that 
the  reason  for  this  refusal  to  sell  Marks 
Brothers  was  only  that  previous  contracts 
had  been  made  with  B  &  K  for  the  pictures 
desired  by  the  former. 

It  is  brought  out  in  the  suit  that  in  1925, 
B  &  K  made  a  10-year  contract  with  Para- 
mount, having  at  that  time  three  Loop 
houses  besides  its  others.  Also  in  1925,  a 
10-year  contract  was  made  with  M  G  M, 
this  being  extended  three  years  in  1927,  to 
make  it  co-extensive  with  a  Publix  con- 
tract made  with  M  G  M  also  in  that  year. 
Since  then,  Publix  and  B  &  K  have  con- 
tracted with  United  Artists  for  14  pictures 
a  year  for  10  years.  Since  1926,  it  is  as- 
serted, the  First  National  program,  with 
the  exception  of  that  for  three  theatres, 
has  been  bought  on  a  year-to-year  basis. 
One  of  the  excepted  theatres  is  the  Par- 
adise, now  under  construction  near  Marks 
Brothers'  Marbro  for  opening  this  Septem- 
ber, for  which  pictures  were  bought  last 
summer. 

Judge  Page  ordered  that  the  contracts  be 
entered  in  the  suit. 

P  F  L  Denies  F  N  Interest 

Paramount  denies  any  interest  in  First 
National  beyond  the  holding  of  247  of  the 
25,000  shares  of  that  company,  these  shares 
having  been  acquired  through  the  taking 
over  of  theatres  which  had  been  franchise- 
holders  in  First  National  prior  to  termina- 
tion of  the  franchise  scheme  in  1926.  In- 
terest in  all  the  other  producing  companies 
named  in  the  suit  is  further  denied  by 
Paramount. 

Marks  Brothers,  the  oldest  of  whose  de- 
luxe theatres  was  opened  two  years  ago, 
has  been  getting  its  chief  screen  attractions 
for  them  mainly  from  the  product  of  Pathe, 
Fox  and  Warner  Brothers.  Last  year,  how- 
ever, some  of  the  more  desirable  Pathe 
subjects  were  bought  by  B  &  K  while  this 
year  Fox  has  sold  15  of  the  major  pictures 
to  B  &  K  with  first-run  protection  for  four 
of  them,  "Street  Angel,"  "Sunrise,"  "The 
Red  Dance"  and  "Mother  Knows  Best," 
in  the  Marks  Brothers  territory.  Fox  de- 
clares that  Marks  Brothers  refuses  to  sign 
for  its  1928-29  product  unless  the  Granada 
and  Marbro  be  given  these  four  pictures 
first-run.  Negotiations  are  still  pending 
between  Pathe  and  Marks  Brothers  for  the 
1928-29  product. 

Two  of  Pathe's  1927-28  pictures  con- 
tracted for  by  B  &  K,  "Walking  Back"  and 
(Continued    on   page   60) 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


Gaumont-British  May  Buy 
Theatres  in  America  for 
English  Film  Distribution 

A  scheme  is  being  considered  by  Gau- 
mont-British to  break  into  the  American 
market  by  buying  a  large  number  of 
theatres  in  the  United  States,  according  to 
a  story  in  Kinematograph  Weekly,  a 
British  film  paper.  This  is  considered  the 
only  way  in  which  an  outlet  can  be  secured 
in  this  country  for  Gaumont-British  produc- 
tions of  a  suitable  nature. 

It  is  being  rumored,  according  to  the 
article,  that  the  company  has  been  in  nego- 
tiations for  the  Stanley  Company  of  Amer- 
ica chain,  a  chain  in  Chicago  and  another 
important  chain  in  the  South,  but  this  ru- 
mor has  been  in  part  denied  by  Reginald  C. 
Bromhead  of  iGaumont. 

It  is  also  stated  that  the  company  plans 
the  opening  of  an  office  in  New  York  to 
acauire  American  pictures  for  the  theatres 
to  be  purchased  with  the  understanding  that 
Gaumont  productions  would  be  shown  in 
theatres  controlled  by  American  producers. 
Gaumont,  according  to  the  article,  is  said 
to  possess  unlimited  capital,  and  intends  to 
undertake  production  in  Canada  of  pictures 
which  will  come  under  the  conditions  of  the 
British   quota  act. 


Mrs,  William  Fox  Sees 

New  Detroit  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  July  17.— Mrs.  William  Fox 
has  been  in  Detroit  to  supervise  the 
decorating  of  the  $10,500,000  theatre  which 
her  husband  is  building  here  and  which  is 
scheduled  to  open  in  September. 

Mrs.  Fox  has  visited  here  before,  to  keep 
in  touch  with  building  operations.  Under 
her  direction,  the  interior  decorations  are 
to  be  after  the  Hindoo  style. 


Brown  Joins  Advertising 
Department  of  Warners 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— A.  P.  Waxman, 
Warner  Bros.'  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity, has  appointed  George  Brown  as  a  mem- 
ber of  his  department  to  handle  advertising 
details  for  the  company's  new  product.  Brown 
is  very  well  known  in  the  industry,  having  had 
charge  of  advertising  for  Universal  for  more 
than  seven  years. 


Arizona  to  Rid  State 

of  Billboards  August  1 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TUCSON,  ARIZ.,  July  17.— There  will 
be  no  more  billboards  in  Arizona  after  the 
first  day  of  August,  if  the  State  Highway 
Commission  has  its  way.  The  commission 
has  ruled  that  all  billboards  must  be  re- 
moved from  state  highways  by  that  date 
or  they  will  be  torn  down  and  destroyed. 


Theatrical  Magnate  Leaps 
from  Tenth  Floor,  Killed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TULSA,  July  17.— Harry  F.  Castle,  theatri- 
cal man,  committed  suicide  by  leaping  from  the 
tenth  floor  of  the  Ambassador  hotel  in  Kansas 
City.  He  was  35  years  old,  having  an  interest 
in  two  Tulsa  theatres.  He  leaves  a  widow  and 
a  young  daughter. 


"Music  Box"   Theatre   Opens  August  2nd 

SEATTLE. — John  Hamrick's  new  "Music  Box" 
theatre  will  open  August  2.  Both  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  have  been   installed   in  the   new  house. 


Manager  Narrowly  Escapes  Death 

ALBANY. — John  A.  Fitzgerald,  manager  of  the 
Strand  theatre  in  Hudson  Falls,  N.  Y.,  narrowly 
escaped  death  when  his  car  went  over  an  embank- 
ment. 


Some  Smile  Indulgently,  Some 
Indignant  at  Walker's  Charges 

Producers  and  News  Reel  Executives  Declare  Statements  by  Hizzoner 

of  New  York  Are  Unfounded — Censors  Declare  Pictures 

Are  Impartial  in  Treating  Politics 

[Report  of  Mayor  Walker's  address  appears  on  page  40] 

NEW  YORK,  July  17. — Mayor  Jimmy  Walker's  charges  that  motion  pic- 
tures were  being  exploited  for  political  purposes  were  received  here  with  mixed 
feelings.  Many  film  executives  were  inclined  to  smile  indulgently.  Others  in- 
dignantly denied  the  truth  of  his  assertions.  Still  others  said  that  while 
politics  were  not  yet  in  pictures,  this  was  as  good  a  time  as  any  to  get  the 
matter  thrashed  out. 

No  Favoritism  Shown  in  News  Reels 

Even  the  censors  have  entered  into  the  situation,  and  from  Philadelphia 
comes  the  story  that  no  favoritism  to  the  political  parties  has  been  shown  in 
the  news  reels  screened  in  Pennsylvania. 

Will  H.  Hayes,  head  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.,  did  the  silent  act  for  the  most  part 
during  his  trip  to  the  West  Coast.  However,  at  Kansas  City  he  took  occasion 
to  remark:  "You  may  rest  assured  that  I'll  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  presi- 
dential campaign." 

reels  before.  If  they  continue,  Kinograms 
will  merely  adopt  a  policy  of  not  including 
any  views  of  a  political  nature.  News  reels 
have  been  neutral,  strictly  so  and  any 
charges  to  the  contrary  are  rediculous." 


News  reel  editors  have  been  especially 
emphatic  in  denying  the  charges  of  Hiz- 
zoner. M.  D.  Clofine  of  the  Hearst  news 
reels  made  the  following  statement: 

"Nobody  has  made  any  effort  to  control 


Louis  B.  Mayer  Denies 


HOLLYWOOD,  July  17. — Louis  B.  Mayer  Issaed 
the  following  statement  in  denying  Mayor  Walker*8 
charges : 

**The  printed  report  to  the  effect  that  Joseph 
M.  Schenck  and  I  are  attempting  to  deliver  the 
motion  picture  industry  to  the  Republican  party 
must  appear  extremely  amusing  to  anyone  who 
understands    the    picture    business. 

**I  cannot  even  induce  some  of  our  stars  to 
make  personal  appearances  at  a  theatre  showing 
one  of  our  pictures  to  stimulate  added  business  to 


that  theatre.  This  might  offer  a  slight  Indication 
of  what  my  chances  would  be  of  inducing  the 
entire    industry    to     deliver    itself*    to    any    party. 

**A8  to  the  personal  feelings  of  Mr.  Schenck 
and  myself,  we  are  Republicans.  We  are  for 
Hoover,  California  and  our  personal  friend.  Some 
of  the  executives  of  our  own  companies  are  Demo- 
crats. That^s  their  privilege.  However,  as  to 
attempting  to  deliver  the  motion  picture  industry 
to  any  party,  that  is  my  idea  of  wasting  time  on 
an    extensive    scale.** 


either  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  News  or  In- 
ternational Newsreel  in  the  interest  of  any 
political  party.  Mr.  Hearst  has  always  in- 
sisted that  the  newsreel  must  be  a  non- 
partisan medium  of  information  and  enter- 
tainment.    This    policy   has   always    governed 


Emanuel  Cohen,  editor  of  Paramount 
News: 

**We  are  absolutely  impartial,  have  been 
impartial  and  will  continue  to  be  so  in 
every  form,  shape  and  manner." 

Ray  Hall,  editor  of  Pathe  News: 


Hays  Denies 

KANSAS  CITY,  MO.,  July  17. — ^WiU  H. 
Hays,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers and  Distributors  of  America,  made  the 
following  comment  while  in  Kansas  City  en 
route  to  Hollywood:  **You  may  rest  assured 
that  I'll  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  presi- 
dential campaign.  My  present  job  requires 
about  25  hours  a  day  of  my  time  and  i  ean*t 
even    think    about    a    presidential    campaign.'* 


Censor  Denies 

PHILADELPHIA,  Juir  17.  —  Commeittinc 
upon  the  address  of  Mayor  Walker  before  tke 
publicity  men  of  the  motion  picture  Indiutry 
in  Hollywood,  Harry  L.  Knapp,  chairman  of 
the  Pennsylvania  state  board  of  motion  ple- 
tur.  censors,  said  that  no  favoritism  is  beii&s 
shown  to  political  parties  in  the  news  reels 
shown  in  this  state.  He  stated  that  the  film* 
have    been    fair   to    both    parties. 


the  Hearst  news  reels  and  always  will.  It 
should  be  added  that  Universal  Films  and 
M-G-M  thoroughly  endorse  Mr.  Hearst's 
stand." 

H.  E.  Hancock,  editor  of  Kinograms: 
"We  have  had  these  charges  filed  at  news 


"It  is  the  first  time  in  my  observations 
of  Mr.  Walker  that  he  has  been  led  so  far 
from  the  facts  that  there  is  only  one  con- 
clusion to  draw  and  that  is  that  he  has 
been  completely  misled." 

And  that's  that! 


it 


Graft  Money*'  Charge  in  Censor  Rulings 

to  Be  Investigated  by  Board  in  Seattle 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SEATTLE,  July  17. — Dave  Himelhoch,  chairman  of  the  Seattle  board  of  censors, 
has  issued  call  for  a  special  meeting  to  investigate  reports  he  has  received  that 
some  member  of  the  board  "had  accepted  graft  money."  While  this  is  emphatically 
denied  by  the  chairman,  he  has  called  the  meeting  to  thrash  out  the  matter,  and 
if  the  rumors  have  any  foundation  the  guilty  party  will  be  asked  to  resign. 

The  censor  board  chairman  also  denied  rumors  to  the  effect  that  the  board  held 
a  secret  meeting  with  the  mayor  and  after  the  meeting  a  trip  was  made  to  view 
a  motion  picture  which  had  troubled  censor  boards  in  other  cities. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


mm 


^ 


iSH 


#]TNew  York — The  perfect  screen  actor 
^,has  just  gone  off  to  Europe,  worse 
luck.  .  .  .  Charlie  Paddock  is  the  name.  .  .  . 
He  made  "The  Olympic  Hero"  and  testi- 
fied that  he  didn't  take  a  dime  for  the  job. 
.  .  .  Not  a  tin  dime.  .  .  .  He  loves  his  art. 
...  I  commend  his  example,  and  so  forth. 

jJAnybodj^  who  sees  a  fly  in  the  publicity 
ointment,  or  a  busted  string  in  the  publi- 
city racquet,  gets  his  choice  of  pistols  or 
sabres  from  Bruce  Gallup.  .  .  .  Bruce  can 
tell  you,  in  something  less  than  an  hour  and 
a  half,  that  the  only  trouble  with  publicity 
is  that  so  many  people  insist  on  having  it. 
.  .  .  People,  that  is,  who  don't  rate  it. 

^Howard  Dietz,  who  goes  in  for  ping- 
pong  on  a  large  scale,  is  considering  run- 
ning a  tournament.  .  .  .  Madison  Square 
Garden  wouldn't  be  an  inch  too  big.  .  .  . 
First  prize  will  probably  be  one  lion,  slightly 
worn. 

HJoe  Kennedy  is  off  for  the  West  coast. 
.  .  .  And  now  they're  picking  him  to  be 
chief  something-or-other  for  the  RCA 
Photophone.  ...  If  he'd  ever  wear  all  his 
medals  at  the  same  time  he'd  look  like 
John    Philip   Sousa   on   a    Sunday   morning. 

llHarland  Dixon,  who  owns  educated  feet, 
is  making  his  first  appearance  in  a  motion 
picture  house.  .  .  .  He  was  enticed  into  the 
Capitol. 

UGloria  Swanson  is  the  latest  to  go  in 
for  heavy  conversation.  .  .  .  Her  new  Von 
Stroheim  opus  is  going  talkie.  .  .  .  It's  laid 
in  German  East  Africa,  but  Gloria  will  prob- 
ably converse  in  the  familiar  North  Amer- 
ican. 

^Roxy  has  captured  all  the  big  Fox  pieces 
for  his  theatre.  .  .  .  They're  all  coming  in, 
one  after  another,  starting  with  "Street 
Angel." 

irVVhich  brings  up  the  point  that  Massa 
Jimmy  Grainger  has  landed  the  Fox  product 
100  per  cent  in  37  key  centers.  .  .  .  Not 
the  usual  99  44/100  per  cent,  but  a  hundred, 
just  like  your  golf  score. 

Ifjohn  Spargo  just  couldn't  keep  his  fin- 
gers off  a  typewriter.  .  .  .  He  is  now  bat- 
ting 'em  out  for  the  Exhibitors  Daily 
Review.  .  .  .  Great  stuff,  John!  .  .  .  Now 
we  know  just  where  to  turn  when  this 
thing  doesn't  quite  make  the  bottom.  .  .  . 
What's  that?  Who  said  it  hits  bottom  ev- 
ery time? 

JlJimmy  Walker's  memory  is  going  back  on 
him.  .  .  .  Didn't  he  solemnly  raise  his 
right  hand  and  swear — oh,  years  ago — that 
he  would  never  stick  his  head  into  motion 
pictures  again?  Didn't  he?  .  .  .  And  now 
look  what  he's  done.  .  .  .  Jumped  right 
in  and  warned  everybody  about  everything. 
.  .  .  C'mon   home,  Jimmy,  and  take  a  rest. 

f'The  Trail  of  '98"  finally  left  the  Astor. 
.  .  .  This  was  a  pretty  swell  picture,  by 
the  way,  that  should  have  jammed  them  in. 
.  .  .  Great   stuff   for   hot   weather. 

lyinterest  is  reviving  in  series.  .  .  .  Pathe 
is  showing  exciting  moments  from  all  the 
old  thrillers.  .  .  .  Universal  has  a  new  one, 
on  the  Tarzan  idea,  that  ought  to  catch 
them  coming  and  going  out  through  the 
country. 

1[Joe  Santley,  musical  comedy  favorite, 
is  producing  a  series  of  unit  shows  for  the 
Publix  Theatres  Corporation.  .  .  .  "Babes 
on  Broadway"  is  his  first  and  it  will  open 
in  New  Haven,  then  coming  to  the  Para- 
mount. 

tIFox  is  considering  a  pretty  keen-witted 
lady  whose  only  job  would  be  to  sit  around 
and  insert  the  woman's  angle  into  every- 
thing. .  .  .  Angle? 

PETER  VISCHER. 


The  Circus  Arrives  at  FB  O 


TLJAVING  decided  that  Frankie  Darro  is  ripe  for  stardom,  F  B  O  has  pro- 
■'■  -'■  cured  a  story  a  real  kid  like  Frankie  likes — a  circus  story  called  "The 
Circus  Kid,"  so  the  F  B  O  lot  has  been  dominated  by  the  "big  top"  of  late. 
These  pictures  indicate  the  looks  of  things,  showing  also  the  famous  clown, 
"Poodles"  Hanneford,  and  his  troupe,  who  aid  young  Mr.  Darro. 


Above  is  shown  "Poodles"  and  the  members  of  his  family  in  his  troupe,  with  George 
B.  Seitz,  director  of  the  picture.    From  left  to  right,  they  are  Miss  Hanneford,  "Poo- 
dles'"- sister;  Mrs.  Hanneford,  his  mother;  Seitz,  "Poodles"  himself,  and  his  wife.  Be- 
low is  a  view  under  the  "big  top,"  showing  Frankie  Darro's  wire-sliding  act. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICIURE  WORLD 


27 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

ROXY — "Street  Angel,"  a  Fox  production,  starring 
Janet  Gaynor  and  Charles  Farrell,  directed  by  Frank 
Borzage. 

PARAMOUNT — "Warming  Up,"  a  Paramount  pic- 
ture starring  Richard  Dix,  directed  by  Fred  New- 
meyer. 

55TH  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "Power,"  a  for- 
eign  production   starring  Emil   Jannings. 

CAMEO — "Stark  Love,"  directed  by  Karl  Brown 
and  "Moana." 

CAPITOI^-"Telling  the  World,"  a  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  picture  starring  William  Haines,  directed  by 
Sam   Wood. 

HELD  OVER 

CRITERION — "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  Au- 
gust  12,   1927. 

EMBASSY— "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May  17,   1928. 

GAIETY — "Fazil,"  Fox,  opened  June  5. 

WARNERS — "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers,   opened  June   15. 

GLOBE— "The  Red  Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25. 

STRAND — "The  Lights  of  New  York,"  a  Warner 
Brothers  all-talking  picture,  opened  July  6. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE  —  "The  City 
Without  Jews,"  a  foreign  picture,  opened  July  7. 

RIVOLI — "The  King  of  Kings,"  Pathe,  opened 
July  7. 

RIALTO — "The  Man  Who  Laughs,"  Universal, 
opened  July  7. 


Schine  Merely  Part  of 
New  Exhibitor  Group;  200 
Members  Are  Anticipated 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  17.— Although  the  Schine 
brothers  of  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  are  among  the 
incorporators  of  the  Mutual  Association  of 
Motion  Picture  Exhibitors,  the  organization 
is  not  a  Schine  one,  and  will  include  many 
other  houses  as  well  as  exhibitors.  It  is  said 
that  more  than  100  motion  picture  theatres  in 
New  York  state,  outside  of  the  metropolis, 
and  which  operate  independently,  are  identified 
with   the   new  association. 

According  to  those  behind  the  idea,  the 
membership  will  reach,  and  possibly  exceed, 
the  200  mark.  The  theatres  already  identified 
with  the  association  have  an  annual  buying 
power  of  more  than  a  million  dollars. 

In  addition  to  the  Schine  brothers,  the  in- 
corporators include  Charles  Hayman  of  Ni- 
agara Falls,  who  was  prominently  identified 
some  years  ago  with  the  Motion  Picture  The- 
atre Owners  of  New  York  state.  The  papers 
as  filed  at  Albany  state  that  the  new  organiza- 
tion has  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of 
studying  and  handling  the  problems  of  the 
industry  and  the  exhibitor  and  to  promote 
and  extend  friendly  association  among  those 
engaged  in  the  industry ;  to  accomplish  the 
reforms  and  abuses  in  the  exhibiting  end  and 
to  handle  all  problems  of  the  exhibitor. 


Smallest  Picture  House  in 
Philadelphia  to  Be  Erected 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  July  17.— What  is  said 
to  be  the  forerunner  of  a  number  of  small 
motion  picture  theatres  in  this  city  was  the  is- 
suamce  this  week  of  a  permit  for  the  erection 
of  what  will  be  in  all  probability  the  smallest 
motion  picture  theatre  in  Philadelphia.  It  will 
be  27  feet  wide  and  97  feet  deep  and  will  seat 
279.     The  estimated  cost  is  $20,000. 


Bell  Named  Production 
Executive  for  Paramount 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Monta  Bell  has 
been  chosen  by  Jesse  Lasky  as  production  ex- 
ecutive for  Paramount's  Long  Island  Studio. 
He  will  have  active  charge  of  productions 
which  are  planned  to  start  at  Astoria. 


Theatre  Admission  War  in  Ohio 
Creates  Bad  Situation,  Report 

Prices  Now  as  Low  as  10  Cents  for  Matinee  and  25  Cents  for 

Evening — ^Exhibitors  Operating  Within  a  Radius 

of  50  Miles  Affected 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LIMA,  O.,  July  17. — For  10  weeks  there  has  been  an  admission  price  war 
on  in  this  city. 

A  bad  situation,  according  to  reports,  has  developed,  with  the  slash  in  prices 
affecting  "independent  exhibitors  in  a  limit  of  at  least  50  miles  from  Lima." 

Prices  Reduced  to  35  Cents  for  Night 

The  "war"  started,  it  seems  when  the  Schine  Ohio  theatre  reduced  its  prices 
to  35  cents  for  night  and  20  cents  for  the  matinee  performances.  Other  houses 
in  the  city  met  this  competition. 


Later,  the  Schine  theatre  reduced  its 
prices  to  25  cents  for  the  night  performance 
and  10  cents  for  the  matinee  show.  The 
other  houses  have  not  met  this  competition 
entirely. 

The  other  leading  theatre  of  Lima  is  the 
Sigma  which  presents  Vitaphone. 

Manager  Philip  J.  Wood  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio,  made  a. 
personal  investigation  of  the  situation  last 
week  and  reported  that  conditions  are  in 
"a  bad  mess." 

The  Schine  theatre  gives  several  acts  of 
vaudeville,  a  comedy,  news  reel  and  a  fea- 
ture film  for  the  sum  of  10  cents  in  the 
afternoon  and  25  cents  in  the  evening. 

Join  Schade  in 
Anti- Trust  Suit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  O.,  July  17.— The  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  is  giving 
its  moral  support  to  the  suit  instituted  by 
George  J.  Schade,  owner  of  the  Schade 
theatre,  Sandusky,  in  the  federal  courts  in 
Cleveland,   on  the   question   of  booking. 

The  suit  brought  during  the  past  week 
under  the  provisions  of  the  Sherman  and 
Clayton  anti-trust  acts  is  expected  to  iron 
out  a  bad  situation  which  is  said  to  have 
developed  among  independent  operators  of 
the  country. 

Philip  J.  Wood,  manager  of  the  Ohio 
association  said:  "We  believe  that  the  suit 
will  clarify  the  situation  with  reference  to 
block  booking  in  the  country  at  large  and 
especially   for    Ohio    exhibitors." 

A  temporary  restraining  order  secured 
against  17  distributors  prevented  them  from 
refusing  to  sell  films  to  the  plaintif  in  the 
suit.     It   is  believed   that   the   suit  will  be 


taken  to  the  United  States  supreme  court 
for  final  adjudication. 

The  attorneys  for  Schade  are  Joseph  N. 
Ackerman,  Ohio  state  senator  of  Cleveland, 
and  former  judge,  William  L.  Day. 


French  Delegation  Asks 
for  Raw  Film  Reduction 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  July  17.— An  official 
delegation  of  the  French  Chamber  Syndi- 
cale  Francaise  de  la  Cinematographic,  has 
requested  that  the  question  of_  a  price  re- 
duction on  raw  film  be  examined^  by  the 
manufacturers  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order 
to  cooperate  with  the  development  _  of 
French  film  production  and  the  extension 
of  the  French  market,  according  to  items 
in  the  European  press  as  submitted  to  the 
Department  of  Commerce.  A  price  reduc- 
tion on  positive  film  may,  therefore,  occur 
in  the  near  future,  which  will  satisfy  ex- 
hibitors, producers,  distributors  and  im- 
porters. 

To  Enlarge  Des  Moines 
House  at  $500,000  Cost 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DES  MOINES,  July  17.— Plans  for  the 
expenditure  of  $500,000  for  the  reconstruc- 
tion and  enlargement  of  the  Des  Moines 
theatre  were  announced  here  Saturday,  by 
A.  H.  Blank,  president  of  the  A.  H.  Blank 
theatres.  Inc. 

The  house  will  be  known  as  the  New  Des 

Moines  and  will  be   rebuilt   inside  and  out, 

Blank  announced.  The  seating  capacity  will 

be  increased  from  the  present  1,759  to  2,800. 


Exhibitor  Organization  Readjustment  Is 

Needed,  Declares  Missouri-Kansas  Chief 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY,  MO.,  July  17.— Exhibitors  Herald-World  story,  prompted  by 
an  exhibitor  organization  executive's  criticism  of  the  present  status  of  the  state 
bodies  has  brought  the  following  response: 

"Missouri,  Kansas  and  Illinois  long  ago  saw  the  need  of  readjustment  in  the 
lines  of  exhibitor  organization,"  R.  R.  Biechele,  president  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O. 
Kansas-Missouri,  said.  "Exhibitors  in  Eastern  Missouri  were  served  by  St.  Louis 
exchanges  instead  of  Kansas  City  exchanges.  Hence,  followed  the  organization 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Western  Illinois  and  Eastern  Missouri  and  the  M.  P.  T.  O. 
Western  Missouri  and  Kansas.  Different  exchange  zones  have  different  problems, 
although  there  are  of  course  problems  which  arise  from  time  to  time  that  concern 
the  entire  industry. 

"There  is  only  one  successful  solution  of  exhibitor  organization.  That  is  to 
limit  your  boundary  of  organization  to  a  zone  which  has  everything  in  common. 
I  do  not  think  exhibitor  interest  in  organization  is  declining  one  whit.  Business, 
as  any  one  knows,  has  been  bad.  Most  exhibitors  just  now  are  worrying  about 
business  conditions  and  consequently  may  appear  to  be  lax  in  their  interest  towards 
their  respective  organizations,  but  I  feel  certain  that  if  a  genuine  need  of  their 
support  should  be  confronted  that  we  could  depend  upon  100  per  cent  of  our 
exhibitor  members." 


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28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


^^Joy  Week^^  Is  Suggested  by  MQM 
as  Builder  of  Business 

Lineup  of  Free  Accessories  Are  to  Be  Offered  by  This  Company  During 
Its  Summer  Campaign  for  Increased  Box  Office  Receipts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17. — Summer  has  its  antidotes!     Just  like  any  other 
period  of  the  year. 
There  has  been  "Greater  Movie  Season,"  "Laugh  Month,"  and  the 
like,  and  now  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  comes  to  bat  with  a  new  one.    There  also 
has  been  the  campaign  on  ventilation,  music,  etc. 


TV /r  G  M  is  now  sponsoring  "Joy  Week," 
-'-''-'■  which  the  company  considers  "the  fin- 
est and  most  practical  idea  that  has  been 
developed  for  exhibitors  during  the  entire 
season." 

It  is  the  opinion  of  M  G  M  executives 
that  this  new  idea  on  exploitation  offers 
an  opportunity  to  create  a  distinctively 
novel   program   for   the  theatre. 

To  describe  the  plan  further,  Metro's  an- 
nouncement declares  that  an  exhibitor  does 


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M-G-M's  "Joy  Week"  one  sheet 

not  have  to  play  the  product  of  the  com- 
pany 100  per  cent.  The  idea  is  simply  rec- 
ommended to  theatre  men,  who  are  guar- 
anteed "a  lineup  of  free  accessories  which 
M  G  M  is  prepared  to  supply  them." 

Presented    at    Convenience 

The  M  G  M  statement  says: 

"The  idea  of  Joy  Week  somewhat  re- 
sembled the  Laugh  Week  plan  which  has 
proved  so  successful  in  other  years,  but 
this  new  version  is  more  practical  and 
more  elastic  in  that  it  allows  an  exhibitor 
to  present  his  Joy  Week-Carnival  of 
Comedy  program  at  any  time  that  best 
suits  his  convenience. 

"Joy  Week  consists  of  a  theatre  booking 
an  all-comedy  program  consisting  of  short 
feature  comedies  or  a  combination  of  them 
with  feature  length  comedies  and  putting 
in  back  of  this  program  the  complete 
campaign  that  has  been  developed  to  the 
very  last  detail.  Special  Joy  Week  one 
sheets,  five  styles  of  three  sheet  snipes  and 
Joy  Week  slides  will  be  distributed  free  to 
all  accounts  desiring  to  take  advantage  of 


this  opportunity.  Arrangements  have  also 
been  made  with  numerous  manufacturers 
of  paper  pennants,  felt  pennants,  balloons, 
streamers  and  confetti,  etc.,  to  supply  these 
items  to  theatres  on  a  minimum  cost  basis. 

"Numerous  exploitation  tieups  and  pub- 
licity stunts  emphasizing  the  Joy  Week 
Idea  are  also  included  in  the  press  sheet. 
The  M  G  M  field  force  of  exploitation  men 
have  complete  details  of  the  plan  and  are 
right  now  bending  their  efforts  to  insure 
its  success  in  a  number  of  key  cities  where 
Joy  Week  will  be  presented  immediately. 

"Even  the  task  that  might  confront  some 
exhibitors  in  assembling  a  balanced  pro- 
gram of  comedy  units  has  been  simplified 
by  the  inclusion  in  the  press  sheet  of  a 
variety  of  programs  that  offer  a  wide  selec- 
tion. In  addition  to  the  titles  and  stars 
of  the  productions  listed,  the  number  of 
reels  and  the  minutes  running  time  have 
been  computed  so  that  an  exhibitor  may 
tell  at  a  glance  of  what  his  show  consists 
and  the  actual  running  time  to  the  very 
second. 

"There  is  no  doubt  but  what  Joy  Week 
is  a  timely  and  sound  showmanship  sug- 
gestion. The  complete  campaign  which 
M  G  M  has  prepared  leaves  no  problems 
to  be  solved — only  the  selection  of  the  week 
in  which  the  exhibitor  chooses  to  make  a 
splash.  Joy  is  what  the  public  wants;  it 
is  what  they  look  for  in  every  form  of 
entertainment.  You'll  have  more  Joy  in 
such  a  program  than  anything  else  your 
town  can  offer.  That's  why  it's  a  sure- 
fire idea." 


Sapiro  to  Sue  for 
Injunction    Against 
MGMandMS  Chain 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Herbert  Ebenstein 
announced  here  that  papers  would  be  filed  by 
the  Sapiro  organization,  the  Independent  Mo- 
tion Picture  Exhibitors  Association,  against 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  and  the  Mayer  & 
Schneider  Circuit  of  New  York. 

An  injunction  is  to  be  asked  in  an  effort  to 
restrain  M  G  M  from  entering  into  any  con- 
tract or  carrying  out  the  performance  of  any 
contract  with  the  Mayer  &  Schneider  Circuit, 
in  violation  of  prior  agreements  existing  with 
the  I  M  P  E  A. 

There  is  already  a  suit  pending  against  May- 
er &  Schneider  for  non-payment  of  dues  to 
the  Sapiro  organization. 


Incorporations 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  July  17. — Five  companies  incorporated  in 
the  motion  picture  business  in  New  York  state  last 
week,  the  companies  including  Fotovox,  Inc.  (no 
capitalization  specified)  with  Louis  J.  Schwartz,  Rose 
Harber  and  Pearl  Srednick,  of  New  York,  as  in- 
corporators; Film  Life  Extension  Corporation,  $150,- 
000,  Stuart  Sessions,  Victor  A.  Stewart,  R.  L. 
Saunders,  New  York  City;  Malboe  Theatre,  Inc., 
$10,000,  Patrick  J.  McGrath,  Thomas  Farrell,  Daniel 
McCleary,  New  York  City;  International  Talking 
Pictures,  Inc.  (no  capitalization  specified)  Susan  W. 
Smith,  L.  W.  Goss,  N.  Downes,  New  York  City; 
Kingston  Operating  Corporation,  $20,000,  William  J. 
Marks,  Sara  Goldberg,  Louis  L.  Garrell,  New  York 
City. 


Paramount  Sound 
Film  Doing  Record 
Gross  in  New  York 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— "Warming  Up," 
Paramount's  first  feature  picture  with 
sound  accompaniment,  broke  all  existing 
records  for  week  end  business  at  the  Para- 
mount theatre,  grossing  $30,861  for  Satur- 
day and  Sunday,  including  midnight  per- 
formances, according  to  figures  made 
public  by  Paramount.  The  popularity  of 
the  picture  was  forecast  by  the  ovation  ac- 
corded it  at  a  preview  screening  at  the 
Strand  theatre,  Yonkers,  some  weeks  ago. 
Critics  viewing  the  picture  at  the  open- 
ing performance  at  the  Paramount  Satur- 
day vied  with  each  other  in  praising  the 
music  score  and  sound  effects  introduced 
in  this  base  ball  story.  All  acclaimed  the 
theme  song,  "Out  of  the  Dawn,"  written 
by  Walter  Donaldson. 

The  gross  according  to  Paramount  fig- 
ures, shatters  all  house  records  for  Para- 
mount since  that  theatre  opened.  On 
Saturday  the  receipts  were  $16,036.05,  which 
was  $1,500  more  than  ever  grossed  before 
on  that  day  of  the  week.  Midnight  per- 
formance played  to  $500  more  than  ever 
has  been  paid  before.  Total  gross  for  the 
week  end  run  was  $900  better  than  any 
previous  week  end  which  includes  business 
for  the  week  the  house  opened.  It  is  the 
confident  prediction  of  Paramount  home 
office  ofiicials  that  the  picture  will  gross 
$85,000  for  the  week.  At  10  a.  m.,  Monday, 
there  was  a  line  of  people  blocking  Seventh 
avenue  entrance  to  the  Paramount  office 
building  and  stretching  around  to  43rd 
street  entrance  of  the  theatre. 


Kennedy  May  Become 
a  Dominating  Figure 
in  RCA  Photophone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,   July   17.— Putting  aside  his 
many  duties  in  New  York,  Joseph  P.  Kennedy 
left  here  for  the  West  Coast  to  look  into  the 
progress  of  his  various  enterprises  there. 

In  addition  to  inspecting  the  workings  of 
First  National,  Pathe,  and  F  B  O,  all  of  which 
he  is  directing,  he  will  also  assist  in  the  start- 
ing of  Gloria  Swanson's  new  picture,  directed 
by  Erich  Von  Stroheim,  in  which  some  of  the 
bankers  backing  Kennedy  are  interested.  The 
Swanson  picture  is  to  be  made  on  a  Kennedy 
lot. 

One  of  the  purposes  of  Kennedy's  visit  West 
is  understood  to  be  a  close  study  of  R  C  A 
Photophone  possibilities  on  the  West  Coast. 
Kennedy  is  expected  to  make  his  association 
with  RCA  blossom  into  a  position  of  first- 
rate  importance. 


Buck  Jones  to  Go 

East  with  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Buck  Jones, 
who  put  the  finishing  touches  last  week 
on  "The  Big  Hop"  his  first  picture  as  an 
actor-producer,  is  due  to  return  East  as 
soon  as  the  production  is  cut  and  titled. 
Buck  has  arranged  for  first  runs  in  Brook- 
lyn and  Philadelphia  and  will  probably 
lease  a  Broadway  house  to  show  his  pic- 
ture along  the  big  street. 


George  Manville  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
WATHENA,  KAN.,  July  17.— George 
Manville,  veteran  exhibitor,  who  had  been 
ill  several  months,  died  Saturday.  He  op- 
erated the  Liberty  Hall  theatre  here  for 
seven  years.  He  was  the  father-in-law  of 
W.  P.  Bernfield,  Kansas  City  film  salesman. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


NowRoxyCan'TieUp" 
With  Book  on  Arctic 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Here's  the 
kind  of  idea  that  makes  a  publicist 
shout  with  glee — or  whatever  pub- 
licists are  wont  to  shout  with.  Im- 
agine that  you  are  the  publicist  of 
the  Roxy  theatre  in  this  town.  (Try, 
anyway;  it's  lots  of  fun!)  And  in 
a  book  you  read  that  a  great  Arctic 
explorer  once  lived  in  the  frozen 
North  with  an  Eskimo  family  com- 
monly called  by  the  whalers  "Roxy." 
What  a  lucky  break,  especially  in 
the  summer  when  tie-ups  with  places 
and  things  of  low  temperature  bring 
the  customers  to  the  box  office  win- 
dow. Well,  it  has  been  found,  the 
passage  in  the  book  about  the  "Roxy" 
family  that  lived  where  frigidaires 
are  a  public  nuisance,  in  "The 
Friendly  Arctic,"  by  the  famous  ex- 
plorer, Vilhjalmur  Stefansson,  who 
lived  with   them. 


U.  S,  Helping  Germany 
To  Recover  by  Aiding  Its 
Film  Industry,  He  Says 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BERLIN,  July  7. — Frederick  Zelnik,  director 
of  First  National-Defu  productions,  states 
that  the  recent  American  financing  of  the 
German  film  industry  has  resulted  in  an  in- 
tensifying of  German  industrial  activity,  with 
the  products  given  a  better  place  on  the  world 
market. 

"German  films  react  upon  the  various  indus- 
tries which  supply  articles  necessitated  in 
every-day  life.  The  intensive  activities  of  our 
film  industry  react  favorably  upon  our  general 
economical  position,  and  since  this  intensive 
activity  has  been  advanced  by  these  American 
means  it  is  but  an  easy  conclusion  that  the 
American  financing  of  the  German  film  indus- 
try had  its  influence  upon  the  whole  general 
situation  in  Germany,"  Zelnick  declares. 

"A  certain  fear  that  through  the  American 
influence  German  film  production  would  go 
down  to  a  level  of  making  contingent  films 
only  has  not  come  true.  For  this  we  have  to 
thank  the  heads  of  the  German  industry,  who, 
even  under  severe  financial  strain,  developed 
the  necessary  ambition." 


Belle  Baker  May  Make 

Fox   Talking  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  MICH.,  July  17.— Belle  Baker, 
the  famous  singing  comedienne  of  the  legiti- 
mate stage,  is  to  follow  Al  Jolson  and  other 
musical  comedy  stars  into  the  field  of  talking 
pictures,  according  to  her  announcement  made 
here  this  past  week,  while  she  was  making 
her  debut  on  the  motion  picture  theatre  circuit 
in  the  Publix  presentation,  "Flapperettes." 
The  show  opened  at  the  Michigan  here. 

According  to  the  announcement,  arrange- 
ments have  been  completed  for  one  talking 
picture  by  the  William  Fox  organization.  An 
original  story  is  in  preparation,  it  was  stated, 
which,  like  Al  Jolson's  "The  Jazz  Singer," 
will  allow  the  star  to  be  heard  singing  char- 
acteristic songs.  It  is  to  be  a  story  of  the 
theatre  and  back  stage,  and  present  plans  are 
to  make  it  in  New  York  studios. 


Sore  Throat  Epidemic 

Closes  Theatres  in  Lee 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LEE,  MASS.,  July  17.— All  motion  picture 
theatres  in  Lee  were  closed  last  week  in  an 
effort  to  stamp  out  an  epidemic  of  septic  sore 
throat  which  has  already  claimed  20  people, 
while  700  others  have  been  stricken. 


Mergers  Concentrate  Control 
of  Theatres  in  Smaller  Cities 

Consolidation  in  Zanesville,  O.,  Gives  Brown  Theatrical  Company 

Ownership  and  Management  of  All  Houses — Cinemas 

in  South  Dakota  Also  Combine 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ZANESVILLE,  O.,  July  17. — All  motion  picture  theatres  in  Zanesville  are 
now  under  the  control  and  management  of  the  Brown  Theatrical  Company, 
a  deal  having  just  been  closed  between  Brown  and  Sam  E.  Lind,  president  of 
Imperial  Theatre  Company,  whereby  three  houses  are  transferred  by  Imperial 
to  Brown,  thus  giving  the  Brown  company  the  six  houses  here. 

Understood  $600,000  Involved  in  Transfer 

While  no  financial  consideration  was  mentioned  publicly,  it  is  understood 
that  the  transfer  involved  in  the  neighborhood  of  $600,000,  with  all  leases  on 
the  Imperial  property  running  25  years. 

Frank  M.  Ransbottom  is  president  of  the  Brown  company,  and  Caldwell  H. 
Brown  is  general  manager. 


Prior  to  the  merger,  the  Brown  com- 
pany had  the  Liberty,  Weller  and  Grand 
theatres,  the  merger  giving  the  company 
the    Quimby,   Schultz   and   Imperial. 

Al  C.  White,  who  in  partnership  entered 
into  the  motion  picture  theatre  field  in  this 
city  in  1914,  will  remain  with  the  Brown 
company. 

Will  Redecorate  Houses 

The  Weller  theatre  is  now  closed  for 
redecorating  and  other  changes,  and  ex- 
tensive remodeling  of  the  Schultz  theatre 
will  be  undertaken  by  the  new  owners  just 
as  soon  as  plans  can  be  completed  and 
contracts  let. 

Definite  plans  for  the  operation  of  the 
theatres  can  not  be  given  at  this  time  as 
certain  details  are  not  yet  worked  out. 
General  Manager  Brown  has  gone  to  New 
York,  and  upon  his  return  is  expected  to 
make  an  announcement. 

In  a  statement  Mr.  Brown  said: 

"Heretofore  both  the  Imperial  Theatre 
company  and  our  company  were  compelled 
to  take  the  entire  output  of  each  company 
they  were  doing  business  with,  but  now, 
with  our  combined  purchasing  power,  we 
will  be  able  to  eliminate  the  showing  of 
poor  pictures  in  the  city.  We  feel  quite 
sure  the  public  will  recognize  this  soon  af- 
ter September  1. 

"In  conclusion,  we  want  to  state  that  we 
deeply  appreciate  the  faith  and  trust  Zanes- 
ville has  shown  in  our  theatres,  and  we  go 
on  record  right  now  that  we  shall  keep 
faith  with  Zanesville  and  what  we  regard 
as  a  sacred  trust." 

Theatres   Consolidate 
in  South  Dakota 

DEADWOOD,  S.  D.,  July  17.— Through 
a  merger  just  consummated,  several  thea- 
tres in  the  Black  Hills  territory  will  be  op- 
erated by  the  Black  Hills  Amusement 
Company,  which  has  operated  the  Elks  and 


Auditorium  at  Rapid  City,  the  Ford  at 
Lead,  the  Deadwood  in  this  city,  and  the 
Orpheum  at  Sheridan,  Wyo.,  and  the  Prin- 
cess at  Douglas,  Wyo. 

Under  the  new  agreement,  the  following 
additional  theatres  will  come  under  the 
Black  Hills  company  management: 

Isis  at  Belle  Fourche,  S.  D.,  Princess 
at  Spearfish,  S.  D.,  and  Majestic  at  Sturgis, 
S.   D. 

The  general  impression  in  this  territory 
is  that  the  merger  will  have  a  far-reaching 
effect  "in  bringing  into  the  territory  all 
the  best  in  all  lines  of  entertainment." 

It  is  planned  to  make  improvements  in 
the  new  properties  acquired. 


Excellent  Pictures  Is 
Soon  to  Have  3  More 
For  Franchise  Release 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Excellent  Pictures 
Corporation  this  week  is  shipping  prints  of 
"Making  the  Varsity"  to  its  franchise  holders. 
Soon  to  follow  will  be  "The  Speed  Classic," 
and  directly  after  that  "Manhattan  Knights" 
will  go   forth. 

"Manhattan  Knights"  is  practically  com- 
pleted now  and  will  be  ready  ahead  of  sched- 
ule. Barbara  Bedford  plays  the  role  of  the 
girl  heroine.  Others  in  the  cast  include  Wal- 
ter Miller,  Betty  Worth,  Ray  Hallor,  Noble 
Johnson,  Maude  Truax  and  Eddie  Boland. 

Excellent  Pictures  Corporation  has  kept 
consistently  ahead  of  its  schedule  in  the  last 
18  months.  All  pictures  have  been  delivered 
ahead  of  their  promised  dates.  Production 
plans  for  the  1928-29  season  are  equally  ad- 
vanced. 

"Lilac  Time"  Has  Theme  Song 

NEW  YORK.— "Lilac  Time,"  First  National  pro- 
duction starring  Colleen  Moore,  has  a  theme  song 
written  by  Nathaniel  Shilkret,  called  "Jeannine,  I 
Dream   of  Lilac  Time." 


What  Exhibitors  are  Saying 

EXHIBITORS  ^  MOVING  PICTURE 

-bout  DniEIRMLni)  ^^  WOMLP 

" and  assuring  you  that  we  think  that  the  Heraid-World  is  the 

'one  and  only'  trade  paper  in  the  business  today.  In  saying  this  I  am  sure 
that  I  am  voicing  what  every  exhibitor  in  the  world  thinks  of  your  publica- 
tion. Best  wishes  for  your  continued  success." — H.  J.  Thacker,  manager.  Hip- 
podrome and  Temple  theatres,  Newport,  Ky. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Juvenile   Law   Closes   Film  House; 
Reopens  as  Vaude  Theatre 

"Rajnona"  Shows  for  Nine  Weeks  in  Tivoli  Theatre  at  Toronto — Carnival 
Companies  Are  Now  Barred  in  Hamilton,  Ont. 

(^Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

OTTAWA,  ONT.,  July  17. — Following  the  enforcement  of  the  new  law  in 
Quebec  which  forbids  the  admission  of  children  under  16  years  of  age  to 
a  moving  picture  performance,  the  Imperial  Theatre,  one  of  the  largest 
in  Montreal,  under  the  management  of  Howard  W.  Conover,  re-opened  July  15 
with  an  all-vaudeville  policy,  film  attractions  having  been  eliminated.  The 
theatre  was  dark  for  five  weeks,  during  which  time  it  was  remodelled.  Pre- 
viously, the  show  at  the  Imperial  consisted  of  a  film  feature,  short  film  subjects 
and  five  acts  of  vaudeville.  It  now  comprises  nine  acts  of  vaudeville,  presented 
twice  daily  at  $1.00  top. 


J.    M.    Franklin 


CHILDREN    are    now    privileged    to    be 
patrons  of  the  Imperial  theatre  because 
photoplays  are   no  longer  screened. 

A  change  is  also  to  take  place  at  the 
Palace  theatre,  another  large  Montreal 
house  under  the  management  of  George 
Rotsky.  A  fullsize  stage  is  to  be  con- 
structed and  Pantages  vaudeville  will  be 
featured. 

J.  M.  Franklin,  prominent  in  theatre  and 
community  circles  of  Ottawa,  Ontario,  has 
received  the  appointment  as  Canadian 
representative  of 
the  Keith  -  Albee- 
Orpheum  Corpora- 
tion, New  York 
City,  with  supervi- 
sion over  all  Keith 
interests  in  the  Do- 
minion. His  head- 
quarters will  con- 
tinue to  be  in 
Ottawa,  the  Cana- 
dian Capital,  where 
he  has  been  the 
manager  of  B.  F. 
Keith's  theatre  for 
the  past  five  years, 
and  he  will  con- 
tinue to  be  the  man- 
ager of  that  impressive  house  in  addition 
to  handling  matters  of  policy  with  regard 
to  all  Keith  features  in  the  Dominion.  An- 
nouncement is  made  that  no  changes  in 
the  Keith  or  allied  interests  in  Canada  are 
contemplated. 

Apart  from  many  Keith  and  Orpheum 
theatres  in  the  principal  cities,  there  are 
distributing  organizations  for  Pathe,  F  B  O 
and    First    National    pictures. 


An  exceptional  showing  has  been  made 
at  the  Tivoli  theatre,  Toronto,  by 
"Ramona"  for  its  first  Canadian  engage- 
rnent,  the  run  concluding  July  20  after  con- 
tinuous presentations  for  nine  weeks,  be- 
ing followed  by  the  new  edition  of  "The 
White  Sister."  This  was  not  a  record  for 
Canada,  however  this  having  been  estab- 
lished at  the  Grand  theatre,  Toronto,  some 
years  ago  by  "Mickey"  which  played  15 
weeks.  The  Grand  theatre,  incidentally, 
is  now  being  torn  down. 

"Ramona"  is  also  having  a  big  run  in 
Western  Canada  where  it  has  already 
played  five  weeks  at  the  Metropolitan  the- 
atre, Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Manager  Walter  F.  Davis.  This 
is  a  record  for  Western  Canada. 


The  Police  Department  of  Hamilton, 
Ont.,  has  received  instructions  from  the 
Hamilton  City  Council,  in  the  form  of  a 
resolution,  not  to  issue  any  more  permits 
for  carnival  companies.  One  good  reason 
for  this  action  is  that  Manager  H.  E.  Wil- 
ton  of  the   Strand  theatre   is  an   alderman. 


For  the  second  time  within  a  period  of 
two  weeks,  the  Imperial  theatre,  Ottawa, 
had  an  experience  with  an  electrical  storm. 
On  the  second  occasion,  July  9,  lightning 
put  the  electrical  service  of  the  theatre  out 
of  commission  and  it  was  found  impossible 
to  make  immediate  repairs  with  the  result 
that  Manager  Ray  Tubman  refunded  all  ad- 
missions. There  was  not  the  slightest  sign 
of  panic,  although  a  large  crowd  was 
present. 

James  T.  Moxley,  a  veteran  exhibitor  of 
Ottawa,  Ontario,  has  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  City  Registrar  of  Deeds  and  has 
definitely  retired  from  the  motion  picture 
field.  During  his  long  career,  Mr.  Moxley 
has  been  manager  of  the  Regent,  Imperial, 
Russell   and    Francais    theatres. 

Incidentally,  Mr.  Moxley  was  a  patient 
in  the  Ottawa  Civic  Hospital  when  he  re- 
ceived word  of  his  appointment.  He  is  now 
on  the  road  to  recovery. 

*  *     * 

Theatre  managers  of  Montreal,  Quebec, 
took  advantage  of  the  air-mindedness  of 
the  people  of  Montreal  during  the  holding 
of  the  first  aviation  show  in  that  city  during 
the  week  of  July  9,  by  presenting  appropri- 
ate pictures.  Manager  James  Adams  of 
Loew's  theatre  presented  "Across  the  At- 
lantic" as  the  film  attraction  while  Manager 
Harry  Dahn  had  a  special  air  film  at  the 
Capitol  theatre.  This  was  a  topical  re- 
view of  airplane  development  from  the  time 
of  the  first   flights. 

*  *     * 

Starting  with  the  week  of  July  9,  Man- 
ager Don  Stapleton  of  the  Centre  theatre, 
Ottawa,  Ontario,  followed  a  summer  policy 
by  presenting  programs  for  three  days  at 
regular  prices  instead  of  making  changes 
weekly. 


Butler  and  Crew  Sail 

to  Europe  for  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— David  Butler, 
Fox  director,  and  a  crew  of  cameramen 
and  assistants  will  arrive  in  New  York  from 
the  Fox  Studios  July  22,  and  will  sail  a 
few  days  later  for  Europe  to  make  exteriors 
for  the  second  newsreel  picture,  entitled 
"Chasing  Through  Europe."  Harry  Brand 
has  been  in  Europe  for  the  last  three  weeks 
selecting  locations  for  the  troupe. 


Patricia  Perry  Killed 

in  Airplane  Accident 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  July  17.— Lightning  is 
believed  to  have  caused  the  airplane  in  which 
Patricia  Perry  and  Morris  Tittergington,  an 
inventor,  to  crash  near  Pottsville,  killing  both 
occupants. 


Gone  Are  the  Pickford 
Curls — But  Not  Forever! 

The  curls  are  gone,  long  live  the 
curls!  Into  Chicago  came  Mary  Pick- 
ford,  golden  ringlets  shorn,  having 
been  shorn  in  New  York.  But  Miss 
Pickford,  home  from  abroad,  was  on 
her  way  to  Hollywood  to  begin  her 
new  United  Artists  picture,  the  new 
role  requiring  that  the  former  screen 
"slavey"  and  "orphan  girl"  be  grown 
up.  So  again  the  golden  ringlets  of 
the  star's  perennial  adolescence  were 
shorn,  more  appropriately  deleted  in 
Chicago  where  censors  and  gangsters 
execute  violence  with  rare  expertness 
— and  so  that  the  Chicago  newspapers 
would  not  be  outdone  by  the  New 
York.  But  though  twice  divorced  from 
their  owner,  they  did  not  fall  into  the 
oblivion  of  the  barber  shop  Soar. 
They  were  saved,  America!  And  soon 
after  reposed  in  the  display  window 
of  a  Chicago  drug  store  on  Dearborn 
and  Randolph  Streets.  The  same  curls, 
Mary's  own  tresses?  Ah,  well — the 
curls  are  gone,  long  live  "America's 
Sweetheart." 


Prospects  Seem  Bright 
for    the    Independents 
Next  Year,  Says  Brandt 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Never  before  has 
the  outlook  for  the  independent  producer- 
distributor  been  more  favorable  than  it  is 
today,  according  to  Joe  Brandt,  president 
of   Columbia. 

"My  views  as  to  the  probable  course  of 
events  from  the  independent  standpoint  are 
in  our  program  of  production  for  the  1928- 
1929  season.  In  the  Perfect  36,  we  have 
outlined  a  greater  production  schedule  than 
ever  before.  We  have  arranged  to  spend 
somewhere  between  $4,000,000  and  $5,000, 
000  to  bring  this  program  to  the  screen. 
Our  line-up,  even  before  a  single  picture 
went  into  production,  represented  the  in- 
vestment of  thousands  and  thousands  of 
dollars  for  vehicles.  We  spared  no  expense 
in  attempting  to  get  together  the  sort  of 
story  material  we  think  the  box-ofifices  of 
the  country  are  seeking." 

Harry  Cohn,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
production,  announces  that  Columbia  is 
preparing  three  more  productions  for  1928- 
1929,  "Trial  Marriage,'  "The  Power  of  the 
Press"  and  "Runaway  Girls." 


Exhibitor  Arrested  2nd 
Time  in  His  War  on  Law 
Forbidding  Sunday  Shows 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BIRMINGHAM,  July  17.— The  second 
trial  of  W.  Fred  Walsh,  manager  of  the 
Fairfield  theatre,  on  charge  of  operating  a 
motion  picture  show  on  Sunday,  was  post- 
poned on  account  of  the  illness  of  Walsh. 

Sunday  of  last  week,  Walsh  was  arrested 
the  second  time  and  for  the  second  time 
within  a  week,  charged  with  operating  his 
theatre  on  Sunday.  The  first  time  he  was 
fined  $25  and  costs,  but  he  appealed  the 
case. 

Walsh  has  thus  made  it  plain  that  he 
expects  to  fight  the  new  ordinance  against 
Sunday  shows  with  vigor.  The  case  will 
not  reach  trial  in  the  circuit  court  before 
the  September  term. 


Rothacker  on  Way  East 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  17.— Watterson 
Rothacker  left  for  the  East  on  the  Chief 
Monday. 


Julv  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


W/ 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


From  Russia  comes  this  lad,  Paul 
Guertzman,  as  the  protege  of 
Jesse  L.  Lasky,  vice-president  of 
Paramount.  Only  15,  he  will 
appear  in  Paramount  pictures 
after   receiving  training. 


Four  film  notables  about  to  attend  the  midnight  premiere  of 
Warner  Brothers'  "Lights  of  New  York,"  first  all-talking  fea- 
ture, at  the  Mark  Strand,  New  York.  They  are  Albert  Warner, 
Moe  Mark,  general  manager  of  the  Mark  Strand;  Harry  M. 
Warner,  president  of  Warners;  and  Moe  Silvers,  general  man- 
ager of  Stanley. 


An  M  G  M  importation  from 
Europe,  Eva  von  Berne,  whom 
Irving  Thalberg,  production,  ex- 
ecutive of  M  G  M,  "discovered" 
recently  in  Austria.  She  is  shown 
arriving  in  Hollywood. 


I     I 

4 


The  guests  of  Ben  Lauthain,  salesman  of  Pathe's  Milwaukee  branch,  and  Bill  Tracy,  Platteville,  Wis.,  exhibitor.     Lauthain  "promoted"  the 
party  at  Platteville,  inviting  neighboring  exhibitors  to  a  dinner  and  showings  of   Pathe  product,   which   included   "Walking   Back,"   "The 
Cop"  and  several  shorts.     Attending  were  many  exhibitors,  some  with  their  wives,  and  others,  including  Fred  C.  Aiken,  special  represen- 
tative of  Pathe;  William  Aschmann,  Pathe  manager  in  Milwaukee;  Ross  Baldwin  and  Tom  North,  district  shorts  manager,  Chicago. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


ihis  and   |  hat  her 


July  21,  1928 
E 


Lucy  Doraine  at  home  on  a  summery  summer's 
day,  suggesting  how  a  mere  couch  swing  may 
be  made  an  attractive  part  of  the  landscape  by 
the  addition  of  a  beautiful  girl.  Miss  Doraine, 
by  the  way,  is  a  Paramount  player,  no  star,  but 
talented  as  well  as  highly  decorative. 


Here's  a  master  of  ceremonies  for  you!  For 
anybody,  in  fact.  "Scheherazade  of  a  1,001 
tunes" — and  who'd  care  if  she  only  knew 
the  one?  However,  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  is 
only  giving  us  a  sample  of  her  role  in  Uni- 
versal's,  "The  Gate  Crasher." 


Again  opposite  John 
Barrymore,  in  a  new 
United  Artists  picture — 
Camilla  Horn,  who  made 
her  debut  in   "Tempest." 


One  horseman,  who  with  another  just  opposite,  makes 
two — and  that,  we  believe,  is  one-half  an  apocalypse. 
This  rough  and  ready  equestrian  is  Ted  Wells,  Uni- 
versal Western  star.  Wells  will  make  seven  feature 
Westerns  this  year. 


Listening  in,  though  we  won't  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  it's  on  Art  Goebel's  story  of  his 
airplane  ride  from  the  Coast  to  Hawaii.  That  would  be  a  flight  on  our  part — one  of  the 
imagination,  and  perhaps  it's  just  as  well  we're  out  of  gas.  The  scene  is  the  Paramount 
studio,  and  from  left  to  right  are  Frank  Tuttle,  Chester  Conklin,  Mai  St.  Clair,  director 
of  Clara  Bow  in  "The  Fleet's  In";  Goebel,  and  Charles  Rogers,  whom  Tuttle  is  directing 

in  a  new  picture. 


July  21,  1928 


and  THERE  in  pilmd 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

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33 


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This  sample  of  adaptation  to  environment  comes 
from  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  therein  Rowland  V. 
Lee,  directing  Paramount's  Gary  Cooper-Fay 
Wray  production,  "The  First  Kiss,"  is  shown 
separating  Leslie  Fenton  from  Lane  Chandler 
with  a  lobster  hook. 


Bob  Steele  up,  but  not  in  the  role  of  a  plainsman,  but 
as  an  exponent  of  the  aristocratic  game  of  polo.  In- 
deed, Bob  has  changed  his  ways,  having  become  a  col- 
legiate, athletic  hero  in  F  B  O  adventure  stories,  in- 
stead of  Westemsi. 


Ronald  Coleman's  new 
feminine  lead,  Lily  Dam- 
ita,  who  will  make  her 
American  debut  in  "The 
Rescue." 


i 


Some  people  of  importance  around  First  National's  European  studios,  principally,  how- 
ever, around  the  First  National  Pathe  British  plant  at  Elstree.  No.  1  in  this  foreign  film 
foursome  is  Ray  Rockett,  who  is  First  National's  production  manager  at  Defu  in  Berlin 
as  well  as  at  the  Elstree  studio.  Proceeding  to  your  right,  the  others  are  Audree  Sayre, 
ingenue  in  "Confetti,"  and  Anny  Ondra,  star  of  "Eileen  of  the  Trees,"  both  pictures 
First  National  Pathe  productions;  and  J.  H.  Graham  Cutts,  director  at  Elstree. 


Alas,  the  bitter  truth!  Ah,  what  gowfer  has 
not  trusted  his  iron,  as  Karl  Dane  apparently 
trusted  his,  only  to  have,  like  this  MGM 
comedian  (if  we  are  to  believe  the  picture) 
it  fail  him  in  the  end!  Dane  remains  George 
K.  Arthur's  teammate  in  1928-29. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


St.  Louis  Union  and  Governor        Revival  Threatened 


in  Tilt  Over  Mechanical  Music 

Labor  Chiefs  Ask  for  Removal  of  Board  of  Police  Commissioners 

on  Charge  of  Persecution  Following 

Arrest  of  Pickets 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  17. — Governor  Sam  Baker  of  Missouri  has  rejected  the 
request  of  the  Musicians  Mutual  Benefit  Association  that  he  remove  his  board 
of  police  commissioners  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  alleged  persecution  of  union 
musicians  in  their  campaign  against  "canned"  music. 

Union    musicians    picketing    the    theatres    in    St.    Louis    which    are    using 
mechanical  organs  instead  of  union  orchestras  have  been  arrested  for  littering 
the  streets  with  handbills,  while  other  musicians  have  been  arrested  for  vio- 
lating traffic  ordinances,  etc.     All  were  later  discharged  in  police  court. 
Union  Chieftains  Call  on  Governor 

A  few  weeks  ago  a  delegation  of  labor  chieftains  headed  by  President  Wood 
of  the  Missouri  State  Federation  of  Labor  called  upon  Governor  Baker  to 
complain  against  the  undue  activity  of  the  police  in  the  music  controversy. 


On  Frida}',  July  13,  Henry  J.  Kortjohn, 
Jr.,  and  Dr.  Frank  L.  Alagoon,  members  of 
the  police  board,  had  a  conference  with  Gov- 
ernor Baker  regarding  the  complaints  of  the 
musicians. 

After  the  meeting,  Governor  Baker  made 
clear  to  newspaper  correspondents  that  he  is 
entireh'  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  the 
poUce  board  had  handled  the  situation  rela- 
tive to  the  complaints  made  by  the  musicians, 
and  stated  that  in  the  future  the  board  vnll 
have  his  backing  as  in  the  past 

Asks  Specific  Charges 

The  governor  instructed  Commissioners 
Kortjohn  and  Magoon  to  get  in  touch  with 
the  heads  of  the  musicians  union  and  re- 
quest them  to  file  specific  charges  against  any 
individual  policeman  alleged  to  have  over- 
stepped his  authority  in  any  way,  and  for  the 
board  to  investigate  carefully  any  complaint 
so  filed.  All  complaints  not  officially  filed  with 
the  board  are  to  be  ignored. 

Guy  M.  Daily,  president  of  the  Musicians 
Mutual  Benefit  Association,  Local  Union  2, 
commenting  upon  Governor  Baker's  refusal  to 
act  on  the  complaints,  severelv  criticised  the 
governor,  who  he  charged  with  denying  to 
the  union  musicians  their  constitutional  right 
of  picketing  and  free  speech. 

"In  view  of  the  facts,  we  are  satisfied  that 
we  have  placed  the  responsibility  for  the  in- 
vasion of  the  constitutional  rights  of  our 
members  where  it  properly  belongs,  and  that 
is  on  the  present  governor  of  the  state  of 
Missouri,  and  in  view  of  his  backing  up  of 
the  members  of  the  St.  Louis  police  board  in 
their  unlawful  action,  and  of  refusing  to  make 
an  investigation  which  he  promised  to  make, 
I  unhesitatingly  assert  that  the  Honorable  Sam 
Baker,  governor  of  Missouri,  is  grossly  unfair 
to  organized  labor,"  Daily  concluded. 

Seek   More   Concerts 

Plans  of  the  Musicians  Mutual  Benefit 
Association  and  affiliated  unions  for  more 
music  in  the  St  Louis  theatres  and  more  con- 
certs in  public  parks  has  been  indorsed  by 
the  Central  Trades  and  Labor  Unions  with  a 
combined  membership  of  almost  100,000  men 
and  women. 

On  Sunday  morning,  July  15,  more  than 
12,000  persons  heard  a  public  concert  by  a  band 
of  250  union  musicians  given  in  the  Nathan 
Frank  band  stand  in  Forest  Park.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  band  donated  their  services  in 
furtherance  of  the  union's  campaign  to  edu- 
cate the  public  regarding  the  advantages  of 
good  human  orchestral  music  compared  with 
"canned"  music  in  the  form  of  mechanical 
organs,  electric  pianos,  phonographs,  Vita- 
phone,  Movietone  and  similar  mechanical 
music  reproduction  devices. 

The  St.  Louis  musicians  hope  to  have  the 
taxpayers    vote    a    special    tax    fund    for    the 


financing  of  more  band  concerts  in  public 
parks.  The  present  board  of  estimate  and 
apportionment  has  kept  the  appropriation  for 
band  concerts  to  the  minimum,  the  city  setting 
aside  less  for  that  purpose  than  25  years  ago. 


Rumors  of  Changes 
in  Stanley  Concern 
Without  Foundation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  17.— The  meet- 
ing of  the  Stanley  directorate,  held  today, 
resulted  in  the  re-election  of  15  of  the  16  di- 
rectors. Only  one  change  was  made, 
Clifford  B.  Hawley's  name  being  dropped 
from  the   company. 

Rumors  that  sweeping  changes  were  to 
be  made  proved  to  be  unfounded,  as  the 
principal  business  of  the  meeting  consisted 
of  a  report  by  Irving  D.  Rossheim,  pres- 
ident, in  which  he  admitted  that  profits 
for  the  first  half  year  of  1928  dropped 
somewhat,  but  that  the  best  part  of  the 
year  was  still  to  come.  He  said  that  sav- 
ings totaling  thousands  of  dollars  had  been 
effected. 

Rossheim  is  expected  to  be  re-elected 
head  of  the  company  at  a  meeting  to  be 
held  in  New  York  July  27. 

Film  rentals,  he  said,  were  responsible 
for  the  reduction  of  the  dividend  from  $4  to 
$3,  and  its  subsequent  discontinuance.  Fur- 
ther, he  said  that  rentals  for  the  new 
season  will  be  more  favorable  to  the 
company. 


K,  C's  Zoning  Problem  Is 
Watched  with  Interest 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  17.— Just  what  is 
to  become  of  the  projection  zoning  plan, 
recently  adopted  by  the  Kansas  City  Film 
Board  of  Trade  and  rejected  by  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.,  Kansas-Missouri,  is  problematical. 
Several  Kansas  City  film  exchanges  are 
preparing  to  sell  film  on  the  basis  outlined 
in  the  board's  plan,  but  the  sales  will  be 
confined  to  Kansas  City  theatres  only  and 
not  including  the  entire  territory  as  origi- 
nally planned.  Just  what  the  reaction  will 
be  is  proving  interesting  speculation  for 
Kansas  City's  film  row. 


of  Ancient  Sunday 
Laws  in  St.  Louis 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  17.— St.  Louis  is  once 
more  threatened  with  a  strict  enforcement 
of  ancient  Sunday  closing  laws  which  have 
been  permitted  to  remain  dead  letters  for 
almost  a  century.  Mayor  Victor  J.  Miller 
last  Wednesday  vetoed  a  bill  which  would 
have  permitted  delicatessens  to  remain 
open  for  business  all  day  Sunday,  con- 
tending that  this  measure  discriminated 
against  grocers,  bakers  and  butchers.  At 
present  the  delicatessen  shops  are  per- 
mitted to  open  between  3  and  6  o'clock 
Sunday  afternoons. 

Several  weeks  ago  when  police  were 
preventing  delicatessen  shops  from  open- 
ing for  more  than  three  hours  on  Sundays, 
proprietors  asserted  that  if  the  Sunday 
closing  laws  were  strictly  enforced  against 
them  they  would  insist  that  all  other  Sun- 
day closing  measures  be  strictly  enforced, 
and  if  necessary,  force  officials  by  manda- 
mus to  proceed  against  Sunday  baseball, 
motion  picture  shows  and  other  recrea- 
tional  activities. 

One  of  the  old  laws  requires  that  every 
business,  with  the  exception  of  drug  stores, 
must  not  operate  on  Sundays. 

When  the  threat  was  made  by  the  deli- 
catessen men,  the  new  measure  granting 
special  concessions  to  them  was  rushed 
through  the  board  of  aldermen.  Now 
Mayor  Miller's  veto  has  placed  the  situa- 
tion exactly  where  it  was  prior  to  the  in- 
troduction of  the  bill. 


Theatre  Bombers  Still 
Being  Sought  by  Police; 
Owner  Blames  His  Rival 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  17.— East  St.  Louis  police 
are  still  endeavoring  to  learn  the  identity  of 
the  person  who  planted  a  bomb  in  the  rear 
of  the  Washington  motion  picture  theatre 
there  early  in  the  morning  of  July  9.  The 
bomb  exploded  at  2  a.  m.  damaging  the  theatre 
foundation  and  windows  in  two  adjoining 
buildings  with  a  loss  of  about  $100. 

William  Markuly,  who  with  John  Manol 
owns  the  theatre,  attributes  the  bombing  to 
enmity  on  the  part  of  a  business  rival.  He 
states  that  on  July  4  he  caught  some  small 
boys  throwing  fireworks  into  the  theatre  and 
that  they  admitted  to  him  they  had  been  sent 
to   the   theatre   by   a   competitor. 


Former  F  N  President 

Opens  Finance  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,   July   17.— Clifford  B.   Haw- 
ley,    who    recently    resigned    as    president    of 
First  National,  has  opened  an  office  for  cor- 
porate  financing  at  39   Broadway. 


U  Holds  Meeting 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  17.— Fourteen 
Universal  branches  were  represented  at  a 
sales  meeting  at  the  Hotel  Muehlebach 
here,  last  week.  M.  Van  Praag,  sales  di- 
rector of  the  western  division,  presided. 
Fred  J.  McConnell,  short  subjects  manager, 
and  G.  E.  Rosenwald,  Pacific  Coast  divi- 
sion manager,  also  attended  the  meeting. 


Kathleen  Kay  in  New  York 

NEW  YORK. — Kathleen  K&y,  who  appears  in  the 
first  two-reel  talking  comedy,  "The  Family  Picnic," 
arrived  in  New  York  for  a  vacation. 


Buffalo  Scores  in  FN  Drive 

NEW  YORK.— The  fourth  week  of  First  National's 
summer  billing  drive  was  a  general  shifting  of  posi- 
tions among  the  leaders.  Buffalo  has  won  first  place, 
with  San   Francisco  seaond. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


How  Many  Receivers?  What 
Theatres?  Goodbye  $1.35! 

Somehow  last  week,  the  discussion 
came  up — as  even  discussions  will — 
as  to  just  how  many  theatres  and 
what  theatres,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
are  being  operated  in  Chicago  by 
receiver.  Then  a  betting  person  in 
one  of  those  rash  moments  such  peo- 
ple are  always  having,  wagered 
$1.35  there  are  30  houses  so  oper- 
ated, including  those  of  Lubliner  & 
Trim.  Stories  in  Exhibitors  Herald- 
World  were  consulted.  And  $1.35 
being  at  stake,  information  was 
sought  even  further,  with  the  follow- 
ing result:  The  Chicago  Title  & 
Trust  Company  is  operating  upwards 
of  40  theatres,  those  of  Ascher  Broth- 
ers, National  Theatres,  Inc.,  and  in- 
dividual owners,  according  to  Chester 
Davis  of  the  legal  department.  L  &  T 
bouses,  of  course,  are  operated  by 
Balaban  &  Katz.  And  the  State 
Bank  of  Chicago  operates  the  in- 
choate Admiral.  That  is  correct. 
But  old.  And  what  of  it?  So  the 
$1.35  went  to  charity. 


43  Wisconsin  Exhibitors 
Attend  Pathe  Showings 
Staged  by  Ben  Louthain 

[Picture   in   Pictorial    Section] 

PLATTEVILLE,  WIS.,  July  17.— One  of 
the  most  successful  get-togethers  of  exhibitors 
of  southwestern  Wisconsin  was  conducted 
here  by  Ben  Louthain,  Pathe  salesman  of  the 
Milwaukee  branch,  who  has  handled  this 
territory  for  years.  The  territory  has  been 
transferred  to  Ross  Baldwin,  former  booker 
at  the  Pathe  Milwaukee  branch.  Louthain 
sent  letters  to  all  exhibitors  in  this  section 
telling  them  of  the  event  to  be  held  in  Platte- 
ville  and  advising  them  of  the  Pathe  product 
that  would  be  shown  especially  for  them  at 
William  Tracy's  Gem  theatre.  Also  a  dinner 
was  served  to  the  43  exhibitors,  their  wives 
and  friends  who  attended. 

Short  talks  were  made  on  Pathe  product, 
and  in  the  morning  was  shown  Pathe  Topics, 
Pati.e  Review  and  "Walking  Back."  After 
the  luncheon,  Fables,  Sportlights,  and  "The 
Cop"  were  screened.  No  business  was  so- 
licited, but  a  number  of  contracts  resulted, 
any  way.    Among  those  attending  were: 

O.  J.  Bakke  1  and  P.  Peterson,  Parkway  theatre, 
Mt.  Horeb;  IV'r.  and  Mrs.  Geo.  Gadsen,  Richland, 
Richland  Center;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  T.  Hurd,  Strand, 
Boscobel;  Vein  Campbell,  Alert,  Steuben;  Peter 
Panka,  Metropolitan,  Prairie  du  Chien;  Ora  Hatch 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Sprague,  Opera  House, 
Bloomington;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ernest  Brechler,  Opera 
House,    Fennimore. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum,  Lancaster; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  Hurst,  Gem,  Potosi;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
William  Tracy,  Gem,  Platteville;  T.  F.  Lee,  ShuUs- 
burg;  Qaude  Vail,  Benton,  Blenoe:  N.  T.  Thompson, 
Crystal,  Ft.  Atkinson;  Fred  C.  Aiken,  Pathe  special 
representative;  William  Aschraann,  manager  of  the 
Pathe  Milwaukee  branch;  Ross  Baldwin,  and  Tom 
North,  district  manager  for  Pathe  Topics  and  Fables. 


Animals  of  the  Jungle 

Will  Feature  U  Serial 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Universal  has  made 
a  new  and  unusual  serial  which  ought  to 
achieve  considerable  popularity  through  the 
country.  It  is  called  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  and 
was  written  by  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs,  author 
of  the  famous  Tarzan  stories. 

The  picture  is  distinguished  by  a  number  of 
remarkable  animal  shots.  Pictures  of  croco- 
diles, elephants,  monkeys,  giraffes,  zebras,  gen- 
erally in  exciting  situations,  ought  to  make 
the  picture  deservedly  popular. 


$30,000,000  Budget  Will  Give 
FBO  Its  Record  Film  Output 

More  Than  50  Per  Cent  of  New  Season's  Product  Has  Now  Been 

Completed — Tom  Mix  Starts  First  on  New  Schedule, 

"Son  of  the  Golden  West" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— With  the  announcement  that  a  $30,000,000  produc- 
tion budget  had  been  set  aside  for  the  next  three  years,  FBO  Pictures  Cor- 
poration this  week  set  in  motion  what,  the  company  believes,  will  be  its 
greatest  program  of  expansion. 

F  B  O  is  entering  the  third  year  of  its  existence  under  the  leadership  of 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy  in  a  position  firmly  entrenched,  according  to  company 
executives. 

Special  Attractions  Increased  to  Six 

The  number  of  specials  which  the  company  will  make  has  been  increased 
to  six,  with  a  series  of  six  Tom  Mix  Westerns,  24  Gold  Bond  productions,  7 
Westerns  starring  Tom  Tyler,  7  Westerns  starring  Buzz  Barton,  F  B  O's 
14-year-old  Western  ace,  6  Bob  Steele  dramas  of  youth  and  adventure  and  4 
productions  starring  Ranger,  the  wonder  dog,  completing  the  program. 

More  than  50  per  cent  of  the  new  prod-  E.  Brown,  Frankie  Darro,  Helene  Costello, 
uct  has  been  completed.    "Hit  of  the  Show"      Lionel    Belmore    and    Poodles    Hanneford 


with  Joe  E.  Brown  and  Gertrude  Olm- 
stead,  directed  by  Ralph  Ince,  was  chosen 
by  S.  L.  Rothafel  for  the  Roxy  theatre 
for  the  week  of  July  7. 

The  specials  on  the  1928-29  program  in- 
clude: 

"The  Perfect  Crime,"  with  Irene  Rich 
and  Clive  Brook;  "Taxi  13,"  with  Chester 
Conklin  and  Martha  Sleeper;  "Hit  of  the 
Show"  with  Joe  E.  Brown;  "The  Circus 
Kid"  with  Joe  E.  Brown  and  Frankie  Dar- 
ro; "Gang  War"  with  Olive  Borden  and 
Jack  Pickford,  and  "Blockade,"  with  Anna 
Q.  Nilsson.  Of  these  the  first  five  have 
been  completed. 

The  Gold  Bond  Pictures 

The  Gold  Bonds  on  the  new  program  in- 
clude: "Danger  Street,"  with  Warner  Bax- 
ter and  Martha  Sleeper;  "Stocks  and 
Blondes,"  with  Jacqueline  Logan  and  Skeets 
Gallagher;  "Charge  of  the  Gauchos,"  with 
Jacqueline  Logan  and  Francis  X  Bushman; 
"Singapore  Mutiny,"  with  Estelle  Taylor 
and  Ralph  Ince;  "Sally's  Shoulders,"  with 
Lois  Wilson,  George  Hackathorne  and 
Huntly  Gordon;  "Sinners  in  Love,"  with 
Olive  Borden,  Seena  Owen  and  Huntly 
Gordon;  "His  Last  Haul,"  "Stolen  Love," 
"Tropic  Madness,"  "Hey,  Rube!,"  "Air  Le- 
gion," "Voice  of  the  Storm,"  "The  Yellow 
Back,"  "Hardboiled,"  "The  Jazz  Age,"  "The 
Red  Sword,"  Macfadden  prize  story,  "The 
Convict's  Son,  with  Frankie  Darro,  "Love 
in  the  Desert,"  "King  of  the  Klondike," 
"The  Record  Run,"  "Lest  We  Forget," 
"Skinner  Steps  Out"  and  Double  Crossed." 

Nine  pictures  are  in  course  of  filming 
at  the  present  time.  "Son  of  the  Golden 
West,"  the  first  Western  starring  Tom 
Mix,  was  started  July  9.  This  story  by 
George  Pyper  is  a  dramatic  tale  of  the 
Pony  Express  days.  Tony,  Mix's  wonder 
horse,  will  share  honors  with  his  master, 
while  Sharon  Lynn  is  playing  Mix's  leading 
lady. 

Produces  Prize  Story 

"Sinners  in  Love"  the  prize  winning 
story  conducted  by  the  Macfadden  pub- 
lications, was  also  started  July  9,  under  the 
direction  of  George  Melford.  Olive  Bor- 
den, Huntly  Gordon  and  Seena  Owen  have 
been  assigned  to  enact  the  leading  roles. 
"Sinners  In  Love"  is  an  original  story  by 
an  anonymous  writer,  and  was  awarded 
first  prize  in  the  True  Story  contest.  "Sin- 
ners In  Love"  will  be  published  serially 
in  four  issues  of  True  Story  Magazine 
starting  with  the  September  issue,  simulta- 
neously with  the  release  of  the  film. 

Director  George  B.  Seitz  is  putting  the 
last  touches  to  "The  Circus  Kid"  with  Joe 


and  his  troupe  in  the  cast. 

Lois  Wilson  In  Cast 

"Sally's  Shoulders"  a  picturization  of 
Beatrice  Burton's  widely  read  newspaper 
serial,  is  being  directed  by  Lynn  Shores, 
with  Lois  Wilson,  George  Hackathorne, 
and  Huntly  Gordon  in  the  leading  roles. 

"Singapore  Mutiny"  boasts  Estelle  Tay- 
lor in  the  leading  feminine  role,  with  Ralph 
Ince  as  director  and  male  lead.  Bob  Steele, 
F  B  O's  athletic  young  star,  has  started  work 
on  "Captain  Careless,"  the  second  of  his 
new  type  of  action  pictures,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Jerome  Storm. 

Steele  makes  his  debut  as  a  screen  writer 
with  "Captain  Careless."  He  wrote  the 
original  story  of  the  film  in  collaboration 
with  Perry  Murdock,  who  is  his  companion 
in  the  picture. 

Tyler  Now  On  Location 

Tom  Tyler  is  on  location  in  the  Mojave 
Desert  with  the  "Trail  of  the  Horse 
Thieves"  company.  The  production  is 
based  on  a  story  by  William  E.  Wing. 
Robert  De  Lacy  is  directing.  The  support- 
ing cast  includes  Harry  O'Connor,  Bill 
Nestell,  Vic  Allen,  Ray  Childs  and  Leo 
Willett. 

Buzz  Barton  F  B  O's  14  year  old  Western 
star,  begins  work  this  week  on  "Rough 
Ridin'  Red"  under  the  direction  of  Louis 
King.  This  is  the  second  picture  on  the 
1928-29  program  for  theyouthful  star. 
Frank  Rice,  the  only  player  who  has  ap- 
peared consistently  in  Barton's  previous 
pictures,  is  the  only  one  as  yet  cast  for 
"Rough  Ridin'  Red." 

Leon  d'Usseau  has  been  assigned  a  di- 
rectorial position  with  FBO  and  will  as- 
sume his  new  duties  this  week  when  he 
starts  production  of  "Fury  of  the  Wild" 
starring  Ranger,  the  wonder  dog. 

The  increased  volume  of  short  subjects 
product  necessitated  the  installation  of  a 
short  subject  sales  department,  with  Cleve 
Adams  in  charge.  Larry  Darmour,  for 
Standard  Cinema  Corporation,  is  turning 
out  one  of  the  greatest  programs  for  FBO 
in  the  short  subject  field.  He  is  now  mak- 
ing four  series  of  nationally  publicized  at- 
tractions, including  12  "Racing  Bloods" 
from  the  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  stories  by 
H.  C.  Witwer,  starring  Alberta  Vaughn; 
12  "Barney  Googles"  from  the  great  Hearst 
comic  strip  by  Billy  De  Beck;  12  "Toots 
and  Caspers"  from  the  Hearst  strip  by 
Jimmy  Murphy  and  the  Fontaine  Fox 
Mickey  McGuires.  Walter  Putter's  26  one 
reel  Curiosities  complete  the  short  subject 
program. 


\ 


\\ 


36 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


FN  Contracts  for  30  Pictures 
in  Sound;  May  Synchronize  All 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17. — First  National  Pictures,  Inc.,  has  signed  a  contract  with 

Electrical  Research  Products,  Inc.,  for  the  sound  synchronization  of  at  least  thirty 

pictures  in  the  coming  season  according  to  Irving  D.  Rossheim,  president  of  First 

National.     The  actual  signing  took  place  last  Saturday. 

"This  announcement  is  a  conservative  one,"       became  interested  in  First  National,  he  opened 


said  Rossheim,  "It  is  not  at  all  unlikely  that 
within  a  month  or  so  all  First  National  pic- 
tures will  be  synchronized.  Special  stages  are 
now  being  built  in  our  Burbank  studios  and 
experiments  are  under  way  for  producing  the 
finest  talking  picture  effects.  We  are  experi- 
menting with  pictures  in  which  all  the  dialogue 


RCA  and  Movietone 
Now  Interchangeable 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Photo- 
phone's  sound  track  is  now  the  same 
as  Movietone's,  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement made  today  by  Dr.  Al- 
fred N.  Goldsmith,  vice  president  in 
charge  of  engineering  and  production 
for  RCA  Photophone.  Photophone's 
sound  track  was  100  mills  wide  as 
against  80  for  Movietone  and  the 
change  makes  it  possible,  according 
to  Dr.  Goldsmith,  to  interchange 
the  two  at  will. 


is  spoken,  as  well  as  with  productions  in  which 
the  synchronization  consists  chiefly  of  music 
and  sound  effects."  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  F  N 
special  advisor,  is  at  the  Burbank  studios  at 
present  completing  arrangements  for  the  in- 
stallations. 

Some  weeks  ago  the  announcement  of  the 
contract  with  Western  Electric  would  have 
occasioned   no    surprise,    but   when    Kennedy 


negotiations  with  RCA  and  the  feeling  was 
general  that  First  National  sound  would  be 
made  by  Photophone. 

First  National's  first  synchronized  picture, 
"Lilac  Time,"  starring  Colleen  Moore,  opened 
yesterday  at  the  Carthay  Circle  in  Los  Angeles. 
Three  additional  Colleen  Moore  pictures  are 
now  being  prepared  for  sound,  as  are  "The 
Divine  Lady,"  starring  Corrine  Griffith,  in 
which  the  Battle  of  Trafalgar  will  be  pro- 
duced in  sound;  "The  Barker,"  starring  Milton 
Sills,  in  which  all  the  sounds  and  dialogue  of 
the  carnival  will  be  produced. 

Others  include  "The  Whip,"  with  Dorothy 
Mackaill;  a  Billie  Dove  special,  directed  t^ 
George  Fitzmaurice ;  "The  Good-bye  Kiss" ; 
"The  Squall" ;  "Changeling" ;  Corrine  Griffith 
in  "Outcast,"  "Paid  For,"  "Saturday's  Chil- 
dren," and  one  other;  Richard  Barthelmess  in 
"Scarlet  Seas,"  "Diversion,"  and  two  others ; 
Billie  Dove  in  "The  Night  Watch,"  "The 
Heart  of  a  Princess,"  "The  Other  Tomorrow" 
and  "Pleasure  Bound" ;  Milton  Sills  in  "Hard 
Rock,"  "The  Spotter,"  "The  Eagle's  Trail" 
and  "Captain  of  the  Strong" ;  Alice  White  in 
"Show  Girl" ;  three  mystery  dramas,  "The 
Haunted  House,"  "Seven  Footprints  to  Satan" 
and  "Sh!  The  Octopus." 

"First  National  doesn't  contemplate  sound 
production  in  the  East  at  this  time,"  said 
Rossheim.  "We  are  sure  that  the  finest  equip- 
ment and  the  best  talent  can  be  secured  in 
Los  Angeles  and  that  Hollywood  will  soon  be 
built  up  as  a  center  of  sound  reproduction  as 
it  now  is  the  center  of  motion  picture  produc- 
tion." 


UA  Will  Synchronize  18  Films; 

Signs  Irving  Berlin  for  Music 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— United  Artist  will  synchronize  all  of  the  19  United 
Artists  pictures  for  1928-29  except  "Steamboat  BOl,"  according  to  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  president.  In  line  with  this  poHcy  comes  the  important  announcement 
that  the  company  has  contracted  with  Irving  Berlin  for  a  number  of  original 
theme  songs  for  certain  productions. 

Berlin  has  also  been  placed  under  exclusive  contract  to  write  original  songs 
and  scores  and  to  compose  music  for  United  Artist  pictures.  Synchronization 
will  be  made  by  use  of  Movietone  process. 

Berlin  has  also  been  placed  under  ex-  W.  Griffith's  production  of  "The  Love 
elusive  contract  to  write  original  songs  and       Song,"     and     also     another     special     song. 


scores  and  to  compose  music  for  United 
Artists  pictures.  Synchronization  will  be 
made  by  use  of  Movietone  process. 

Berlin  will  provide  an  original  song,  con- 
sisting of  words  and  music  entitled, 
"Where  Is  the  Song  of  Songs  for  Me?" 
which  will  be  sung  by   Lupe   Velez  in   D. 


"Marie,"  which  will  be  sung  as  part  of 
Samuel  Goldwyn's  production,  "The  Awak- 
ening," in  which  Vilma  Banky  makes  her 
first  individual  starring  appearance  under 
the  direction  of  Victor  Fleming.  "Marie" 
will  also  be  the  theme  for  the  synchronized 
score. 


Sizzling  Heat  Fails 
to  Hurt  Theatres 
Playing  Sound  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  17.— The  Vitaphone 
demonstrated  last  week  in  Albany  and 
Troy,  its  ability  to  attract  patronage  to  a 
motion  picture  theatre  despite  weather  con- 
ditions that  left  practically  all  other  houses 
stranded  as  the  mercury  remained  in  the 
nineties  and  the  two  cities  sweltered  in 
some  of  the  hottest  weather  they  had  ever 
experienced  at   this   time  of  the  year. 

At  the  Mark  Strand  theatre  in  Albany, 
"The  Lion  and  the  Mouse"  with  complete 
Vitaphone  synchronization,  drew  capacity 
houses  throughout  the  entire  week.  In 
addition  to  the  feature,  there  were  also  two 
other  Vitaphone  presentations.  The  picture 
proved  so  satisfactory  on  the  opening  day 
that  it  was  well  received  by  the  newspaper 
critics  and  this  helped  to  swell  the  crowds. 

In  Troy,  "Tenderloin"  with  Vitaphone 
accompaniment,  played  throughout  the 
week  at  the  Troy  theatre,  and  to  crowds 
that  exceeded  any  previous  week  in  the 
history  of  the  theatre  during  a  hot  period. 
Some  idea  of  the  heat  that  prevailed  in 
central  New  York  last  week  can  be  gained 
in  the  fact  that  an  usher  at  the  Troy  theatre 
fainted  one  day  from  the  heat,  according 
to  reports. 

The  success  that  last  week  attended  these 
two  shows  in  Albany  and  Troy,  has  set 
other  theatre  owners  talking  and  predic- 
tions are  being  made  that  every  first  run 
theatre  in  Albany,  at  least,  will  be  equipped 
by  early  fall  with  apparatus  permitting 
talking  movies. 


Oregon  Houses  Fast 
Equipping  for  Sound 
Picture  Presentation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  17.— Oregon 
exhibitors  are  keeping  abreast  of  the  times, 
and  are  fast  making  arrangements  to  equip 
their  houses  with  both  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone.  Among  the  houses  who  are 
adding  these  features  to  their  bill  of  en- 
tertainment are  Hunt's  Criterion  at  Med- 
ford,  and  it  is  expected  that  in  the  near 
future  they  will  also  equip  both  of  their 
other  houses  located  at  Roseburg  and 
Grants  Pass. 

Bob  Marsden  and  Denny  Hull  operating 
the  Egyptian  at  Marshfield,  are  negotiating 
for  Vitaphone  and  Movietone.  The  Rialto 
theatre,  a  West  Coast  house  at  Pendleton, 
Ore.,  has  already  installed  the  new  ap- 
paratus and  noted  an  increase  in  business. 
Early  in  September  the  Rivoli  theatre, 
Portland,  will  be  equipped  with  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone,  as  will  also  the  United 
Artists,  this  equipment  being  added  while 
other  repairs  and  renovations  are  being 
made. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Victor  Company  to 
Build  Large  Sound 
Plant  in  Hollywood 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

CAMDEN,  N.  J.,  July  17.— A  large  plot  of 
ground  in  Hollywood,  Cal.,  has  been  purchased 
by  the  Victor  Talking  Machine  Company  as  a 
site  for  a  plant  in  which  it  will  carry  on  its 
work  of  sound  synchronization  for  films,  it  has 
been  announced  by  E.  R.  Fenimore  Johnson, 
executive  vice-president  of  the  company.  Work 
will  start  immediately  on  a  record-pressing 
plant  and  in  the  near  future  a  studio  will  be 
erected  in  which  actual  scenes  from  photo- 
plays may  be  "shot"  at  the  same  time  voices 
of  players  or  other  sound  accompaniments 
are  being  recorded.  This  plant  will  be  in  ad- 
dition to  the  one  owned  and  operated  by  the 
Victor  Company  in  Oakland. 

Further  plans  call  for  the  building  of  a 
studio  in  New  York  City  for  the  recording  of 
music  not  only  for  pictures  but  for  the  gen- 
eral recording  activities  of  Victor  in  the  met- 
ropolitan district. 

It  is  not  the  intention  of  the  Victor  Com- 
pany to  compete  with  the  film  producing  com- 
panies. It  will  be  strictly  a  service  company 
providing  picture  producers  with  sound  ac- 
companiments for  their  photoplays,  either  in 
the  form  of  complete  synchronized  scores  ar- 
ranged and  recorded  by  Victor's  staff  and 
made  after  the  feature  films  have  been  cut 
and  edited,  or  in  sound  effects  recorded  dur- 
ing the  actual  photographing  of  the  films.  It 
will  also  make  records  for  any  company  which 
does  its  own  recording.  This  latter  work  it 
has  done  for  some  time  for  the  Vitaphone 
Company. 

In  addition  to  its  plant  in  Hollywood  it  will 
maintain  trucks  equipped  with  recording  ap- 
paratus which  can  be  quickly  moved  to  any 
studio  or  location  where  sound  is  to  be  re- 
corded. Recent  experiments  with  a  portable 
apparatus  to  record  the  sounds  of  an  airplane 
motor  in  flight  have  proven  the  practicability 
of  the  scheme.  It  is  probable  that  all  scores 
recorded  for  films  already  edited  and  ready  for 
pubHc  showing  will  be  recorded  in  the  East. 


2  Columbus  Houses 
to  Play  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  July  17.— The  an- 
nouncement is  made  that  Loew's  Ohio  and 
Loew's  Broad  theatres  here  will  be  using 
Movietone  within  30  days.  Both  houses 
are  being  wired  for  the  new  method  of 
entertainment  and  while  the  announcement 
has  not  yet  been  made  to  the  public,  it 
is  believed  that  Movietone  will  be  shown 
about  August  15  or  possibly  earlier. 


Christie  Will  Make  All 

Comedies  in  Both  Sound 

And  Silent  Type  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.  — "All  product 
made  for  sound  accompaniment  will  also 
be  presented  in  straight  film  for  the  reg- 
ular trade  which  is  not  equipped  to  use 
sound  effects  and  for  the  foreign  market," 
according  to  Al  Christie,  in  commenting 
on  his  plans  to  synchronize  all  Christie 
comedies  for  the  coming  season. 

"We  expect  to  use  sound  in  some  form 
in  every  picture  made  for  the  new  releas- 
ing season,"  he  states.  "In  some  of  the 
comedies,  sound  effects  and  dialogue  will 
be  used  in  parts  of  the  picture  where  most 
effective,  and  some  of  the  comedies  will 
carry  sound  all  the  way  through,  with  the 
addition  of  musical  effects." 


"Sounding^^  the  Comedy 


A  L  CHRISTIE  announces  that  all  Christie  comedies,  released  through  Para- 
■^J-  mount,  will  be  synchronized  with  sound  effects.  The  first  of  the  group  is 
"The  Dizzy  Diver,"  featuring  Billy  Dooley,  and  it's  all  about  sailors,  (of  course) 
deep-sea  divers  and  submarines.  So,  verily,  the  sea  will  be  "sounded"  in  more 
than  one  way,  and  there's  opportunity  for  lots  of  sound  effects  in  the  comedy. 


Shall  we  hear  this- 


And  the  Sounds  of  the  Sea?- 


^ 


Yes,  surely  we'll  hear  Billy's  snores- 


And  the  Skipper's  rebuke- 


But  certainly  not  this! 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


U  Begins  Work  on  First  Unit 
of  Synchronized  Film  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

UOTVERSAL  CITY,  July  17.— Ground  was  broken  today  at  Universal  City  for 
the  erection  of  unit  number  1,  in  the  new  sound-proof  stage  system  which  is 
being  installed  upon  orders  of  President  Carl  Laemmle.  The  fixst  group  consists 
of  three  sub-units;  a  main  stage,  60  by  100  feet;  a  combined  theatre  and  monitor 
room,  35  by  50  feet;  and  an  apparatus  section,  73  by  53.  This  new  unit  will  be 
the  nucleus  of  Universal's  comprehensive  synchronization  plant,  sufficient  ground 
space  being  allowed  for  expansion  as  future  requirements  will  demand. 

The  main  stage  is  of  the  truss  type.    The      by    sight.      Special    space    will   be   devoted 


walls  will  be  built  of  sound-insulating  ma- 
terial and  the  floors  are  to  be  insulated 
separately  from  the  balance  of  the  building 
to  obviate  ground  noises,  such  as  passing 
motor  trucks.  The  ceiling  has  been  es- 
pecially designed  to  prevent  overhead 
sounds,  such  as  heavy  winter  rainstorms, 
and  passing  airplanes  from  penetrating  the 
"shooting"  chamber.  There  will  be  a  sound- 
proof vestibule  wide  enough  for  a  truck  to 
deliver  props  and  equipment  to  the  studio 
direct. 

The  theatre  and  monitor  room  will  house 
an  expert  who  controls  the  microphones 
and  sound  volume  by  a  remote  control  sys- 
tem. The  monitor  hears  only  the  recorded 
voice  although  he  is  able  to  see  the  players 


Fox  Movietone  Program 
to  Be  Given  for  Blind 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Several 
blind  persons  of  New  York  will  be 
guests  of  William  Fox  next  Saturday 
morning  at  a  special  showing  of  "The 
Red  Dance"  and  accompanying 
Movietone  program  at  the  Globe 
theatre. 

The  guests  will  bear  George  Bar- 
nard Shaw  speak,  Richard  Bonelli 
sing  Pagliacci,  the  two-reel  comedy, 
"The  Family  Picnic,"  Fox  Movietone 
News  and  the  score  of  "The  Red 
Dance."  Raoul  Walsh,  the  director 
of  the  feature  who  is  in  New  York 
now,  will  explain  the  picture  as  it  is 
unfolded  on  the  screen. 


through  plate  glass  windows.  He  is  thus 
able  to  modify  or  enlarge  the  voices  or 
atmosphere  sounds. 

The  theatre  itself  will  be  built  in  absolute 
proportion  to  an  actual  theatre.  The 
screen,  projection  "throw"  and  sound 
volume  will  be  proportionately  diminutive 
so  that  actual  theatrical  conditions  can  be 
simulated.  Projection  rooms  are  to  be 
built  so  that  a  picture  can  be  screened  into 
the  main  stage  itself  to  accommodate  post- 
synchronization  when  a  hundred-piece  or- 
chestra may  be  required,  for  example. 

The  apparatus  section  will  house  a  gen- 
erator room,  a  battery  room,  amplification 
room,  two  recording  rooms,  stock  room, 
test  rooms,  office,  two  cutting  rooms,  disc- 
shaving room  and  rest  rooms.  The  record- 
ing and  amplifying  rooms  will  be  vibra- 
tionless,  special  concrete  piles  being  sunk 
to  support  separately  those  two  chambers. 
The  new  units  will  be  built  to  accommodate 
both  disc  and  film  synchronization  devices. 

An  interesting  feature  of  Universal's 
sound  proofing  system  is,  in  addition  to 
the  special  lining  material,  a  network  of 
tracks  to  accommodate  heavy  baffling  cur- 
tains to  be  used  in  isolating  the  subjects 
to  be  photographed,  or  to  be  more  specific, 
"audiographed."  These  are  portable  sound- 
deadeners,  or  "baffles,"  a  new  word  in  the 
shifting  cinema  dictionary. 

The  cutting  rooms  will  be  adjacent  to 
the  theatre,  as  the  cutter  of  the  future  will 
have  to  edit  his  films  by  sound  as  well  as 


to  the  synchronization  department  in  the 
laboratory  which  is  being  enlarged  to  ac- 
commodate the  new  device. 

Exhaustive  tests  of  every  sound — and  vi- 
bration-proof material  extant  were  taken 
by  studio  officials  before  construction  con- 
tracts were  finally  awarded.  A  novel  use 
of  science  was  made  by  Universal  when 
a  seismograph  was  utilized  to  determine 
the  exact  degree  of  vibration  which  is  to 
be  the  allowable  maximum  for  the  amplify- 
ing and  recording  rooms. 

Construction  work  is  being  rushed  on  the 
new  units  by  order  of  Laemmle  in  order 
that  synchronization  can  be  started  without 
delay  on  films  already  finished  and  sched- 
uled for  the  new  system. 


Warner  Prepares  27 
Sound  Films;  3  Are 
Already  in  Release 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— With  fiye  talking 
feature  pictures  now  available  for  immediate 
release,  Warner  Brothers  studio  at  present  has 
27  more  pictures  with  sound  effect  and  dia- 
logue in  preparation. 

The  five  in  release  now  are  "The  Jazz  Sing- 
er," "Tenderloin,"  "Glorious  Betsy,"  "The  Lion 
and  the  Mouse"  and  "Lights  of  New  York." 
Those  in  preparation  include  the  seven  road 
shows,  "The  Terror,"  "The  Singing  Fool," 
"My  Man,"  "The  Redeeming  Sin,"  "Conquest," 
"The  Home  Towners"  and  "Noah's  Ark."  In 
preliminary  preparation  are  "The  Desert  Song" 
and  "Is  Everybody  Happy?"  both  of  which 
are   classed  as  big  specials. 

The  remaining  18  are  classed  as  "Warner 
Winners."  The  six  already  completed  are, 
"State  Street  Sadie,"  "Women  They  Talk 
About,"  "The  Midnight  Taxi,"  "Land  of  the 
Silver  Fox,"  "Caught  in  the  Fog"  and  "Be- 
ware of  Bachelors."  Two  are  in  production — 
"The  Outlaw  Dog"  and  "The  Little  Wildcat." 
The  remaining  are:  "Kid  Gloves,"  "From 
Headquarters,"  "Stolen  Kisses,"  "Hard  Boiled 
Rose,"  "One  Stolen  Night,"  "She  Knew  Men," 
"No  Defense,"  "Fancy  Baggage,"  "The  Grey- 
hound  Limited"    and    "King   of    the    Wilder- 


Movietone  Brings 

New  Screen  Names 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— With  the  advent  of 
Movietone  pictures  new  names  are  beginning 
to  appear  in  electric  lights  on  theatres  through- 
out the  country.    Motion  picture  audiences  are 
being    introduced    to    opera    singers,    musical 
comedy  stars,  vaudeville  headliners  and  stage 
stars   who  had   been  known   to   them   hereto- 
fore   only    through    the    newspaper    columns. 
Three  new  names  soon  to  be  introduced  to 
the  public  are  Sumner  Getchel,  Toy  Gallagher 
and  Ford  West.    They  have  the  principal  roles 
in  the   third  all-talking  screen  comedy  "Mys- 
tery Mansion,"   to  be  produced  by  Fox  Film 
Corporation. 


Use  Microphone  to 
Make  Announcements 
on  Sound  Equipment 

A  number  of  theatres  equipped  for  syn- 
chronized pictures  have  installed  microphones 
so  they  can  use  the  equipment  for  making  an- 
nouncements from  the  stage.  In  some  cases 
a  separate  set  of  horns  is  installed  over  the 
proscenium  arch  or  somewhere  at  the  side  of 
the  stage  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  presenta- 
tion acts.  Both  the  Roxy  theatre  in  New 
York  City  and  the  Fox  theatre  in  Washington 
have  installed  such  systems. 

The  installation  is  simple,  according  to  Don- 
ald F.  Whiting,  a  Fox-Case  engineer  who  was 
a  pioneer  in  the  development  of  the  vacuum 
tube  amplifier  and  loud  speaker  equipment.  If 
the  theatre  is  equipped  for  Movietone,  all  that 
is  needed  is  a  microphone  and  a  key  to  switch 
the  announcing  through  the  regular  multi-stage 
amplifier  and  loud  speakers  used  for  Movie- 
tone. The  microphone  may  be  installed  in  the 
projection  booth,  on  the  stage  or  anywhere 
the  theatre  manager  finds  most  convenient. 

In  effect,  the  addition  of  a  microphone  gives 
a  sound-equipped  theatre  the  same  results  as 
the  Western  Electric  public  address  equipment 
A  carbon  microphone  or  condenser  micro- 
phone and  associated  amplifier  works  into  a 
multi-stage  amplifier  and  from  there  the  voice 
of  the  announcer  is  carried  through  the  loud 
speakers  into  the  auditorium  of  the  theatre. 

Since  most  theatres  want  to  get  the  regular 
loud  speakers  off  the  stage  to  make  way  for 
acts,  the  special  horns  are  added.  The  same 
multi-stage  amplifier  may  be  used,  however, 
in  this  additional  application  of  the  equipment 

Announcements  through  the  loud  speakers 
have  proved  most  effective  wherever  this  sys- 
tem has  been  tried.  Whiting  said.  At  the  Fox 
theatre  in  Washington  stage  celebrities  are  in- 
troduced by  the  simple  expedient  of  announc- 
ing their  names  through  the  loud  speaker  when 
they  first  appear. 


Hanshaw  Pictures, 

La  bora  tory  Merge 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— A  coalition  and 
merger  of  Hanshaw  Pictures  and  the  Produc- 
ers Laboratory  has  recently  been  made  and 
announced  by  Dale  Hanshaw,  President  of 
Hanshaw  Pictures  Company,  and  Dwain  Esper, 
President  and  Manager  of  the  Producers  Lab- 
oratory. 

Hanshaw  Pictures  has  the  exclusive  contract 
for  synchronizing  sound  and  music  with  pic- 
tures for  use  on  the  Han-A-Phone  Reproduc- 
ing appliance  and  will  make  twelve  synchro- 
nized feature  pictures  for  the  coming  season, 
production  on  the  first  feature  starting  July 
10th.  The  Producers  Laboratory  will  continue 
its  general  laboratory  work  but  will  specialize 
on  that  incidental  to  the  "Movie-Talkie"  fea- 
tures, and  is  now  installing  the  necessary  equip- 
ment. The  new  alliance  will  also  produce 
other  features  to  be  announced  later;  and,  as 
stated,  will  continue  to  handle  "outside"  prod- 
uct both  in  production,  laboratory  and  general 
production  and  distribution  business. 


Saenger  Installs  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  July  17.— Announce- 
ment was  made  late  today  that  Movietone 
would  be  installed  in  the  Saenger  theatre 
July  28.  Business  with  Vitaphone  at  the 
Tudor  has  been  phenomenal,  the  bill  having 
been  held  over  another  week,  21  days  in  all. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


And  Now  Warners  Make 
a  Picture  Without  Title! 

(Sfedal  to  the  Herald-World) 

^^  HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— When 
"The  Terror,"  now  in  production  in 
the  Warner  studio.  Sashes  on  the 
screen,  even  the  title  will  be  an- 
nounced by  voice,  thus  making  it  100 
per  cent  all  talking,  it  is  said. 

Every  line  in  "The  Terror"  will 
be  spoken  audibly,  and  the  audience 
will  hear  all  the  sounds  which  would 
naturally  occur  during  the  progress 
of  this  mystery  drama — the  wailing 
of  the  wind,  shots  in  the  dark,  weird 
playing  of  an  organ  standing  by  itself 
and  blood-curdling  calls  for  help. 


Effect  Films  Will 
Increase  Love  of 
Art,  Says  Pinanski 

Synchronized  pictures  will  lead  to  a  much 
greater  appreciation  of  art  and  beauty  among 
all  people.  Such  is  the  belief  of  Samuel  Pi- 
nanski, head  of  the  New  England  Theatres 
Operating  Corporation,  as  expressed  by  him 
in  the  "Boston  Sunday  Globe." 

"We  have  reached  a  real  turning  point  in 
the  matter  of  entertainment,"  he  states,  "and 
it  is  now  possible  for  the  patrons  of  suburban 
theatres  to  see  and  hear  the  very  best  that  is 
offered.  I  believe  that  the  'talkie'  will  be  used 
two-thirds  to  add  music  to  motion  pictures, 
to  add  the  color  and  emotion  of  music  as 
played  by  truly  great  artists,  and  only  one- 
third  for  dialogue  in  motion  pictures  as  we 
see  them  now. 

"I  can  see  the  possibility  that  lectures  syn- 
chronized with  pictures  may  be  given  by  great 
specialists  to  towns  where  it  would  be  impos- 
sible to  get  the  men  themselves  to  come;  that 
travelogues  may  be  given,  with  the  description 
of  the  film  given  by  an  authority  flowing 
along  with  the  picture  instead  of  being  chopped 
off  in  subtitles." 

Tudor  Draws  62,238 
People  in  14  Days 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  July  17.— The  popu- 
larity of  the  inaugural  Vitaphone  program 
at  Saenger's  Tudor,  in  14  days  drew  62,238 
people.  The  film  "Glorious  Betsy"  and 
attending  vaudeville  has  been  held  over 
21  days  in  all. 

Glenn  Hunter  May  Star 

in  Warner  Vitaphone  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Glenn  Hunter, 
well  known  stage  star,  is  negotiating  with 
Warner  Brothers  for  the  lead  in  "The 
Grifters,"  a  New  York  play.  Hunter's  three 
attempts  in  silent  pictures  were  considered 
disappointments,  but  it  is  believed  in  Vita- 
phone pictures,  the  personality  that  has 
won  him  fame  on  the  stage,  will  come  to 
his  aid  in  making  the  picture  a  success. 

Anita  Page  Goes  to  College 

(Special  to  the  Hertld-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Anita  Page,  of 
the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studio,  has  en- 
rolled as  a  co-ed  at  the  summer  sessions  of 
the  University  of  Southern  California  to  take 
a  college  course  in  voice.  She  will  attend 
college  two  hours  each  evening  in  order  to 
master  the  various  phasesi  of  elocution  and 
diction  which  may  be  of  aid  in  the  new  dia- 
logue pictures. 


Nearly  seven  weeks  in  advance  of  the 
opening  local  newspapers  carried  the  first 
announcement  that  Vitaphone  and  Movie- 
tone would  come  to  the  Strand.  At  brief 
intervals  new  and  interesting  angles  on  de- 
velopments in  sound  pictures  furnished  the 
subject   matter   for    additional    stories. 

When  the  time  came  to  launch  intensive 
exploitation  Montgomery  and  the  surround- 
ing territory  within  a  radius  of  100  miles 
were  plastered  with  paper  on  the  scale  of 
circus  billing.  The  big  billing  started  three 
weeks  ahead  of  the  opening  and  increased 
as  the  date  approached.  Here  are  the  high 
points  in  the  campaign: 

All  Buses  Carry  Banners 

Arrangements  were  made  with  every  bus 
line  running  into  Montgomery  whereby 
each  bus  carried  a  banner  announcing  the 


cur»w(tp.n( 


Wnt  Jllontgonifj:^  SlJipetttscr 


VITAPUCNE 


maesm 


Vitaphone—Movietone  to  Be  Seen— Heard  ?['■"' '"jjjj!?!. 
At  Strand  Theatre  Beginning  Today 


First  Shoe;  Begins  at  2  P.  ,M.  Sharf 


T^ 


Blanket  Campaign  Puts  Sound 

Over  in  Montgomery  with  Bang 

Vitaphone  and  Movietone  added  another  triumph  to  their  l&ng  list  of  conquests 
when  they  made  their  debut  at  the  Strand  theatre  June  24  in  Montgomery,  Ala- 
bama. With  interest  keyed  to  a  high  pitch  through  effective  publicity  launched 
six  weeks  in  advance  and  through  intensive  advertising  that  culminated  the  open- 
ing day  in  a  great  newspaper  splash  the  public  was  eager  for  the  first  presentation 
of  the  long-awaited  "sound  pictures." 

and  on  all  hotels.  All  proclaimed  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  with  the  indispensable  line, 
"See  and  Hear." 

Stores  Join  ia  Campaign 
Practically  all  the  more  important  stores 
joined  in  the  campaign  using  special  hand 
painted  window  cards;  every  drug  store 
and  soda  fountain  of  any  consequence 
played  up  the  event  using  not  only  special 
window  cards,  but  featuring  on  their  daily 
menus  some  special  drink  or  sandwich  em- 
ploying the  words,  Vitaphone,  Movietone, 
and  Strand.  Thus  the  "specials"  painted 
on  the  mirrors  above  the  soda  fount — and 
painted  by  the  Strand's  own  sign  painter — 
would  read,  "Vitaphone  Sundae,"  "Movie- 
tone Special,"  or  "Strand  Sandwich."  A 
number  of  restaurants  devised  special 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  dishes  and  ad- 
vertised them  in  bold  type  on  the  regular 
bill  of  fare. 

Every  vacant  store  in  Montgomery  had 
its  windows  plastered  with  one-sheets  and 
three-sheets.  In  addition  to  that,  30  one- 
sheets  were  posted  on  sandwich  boards 
about  10  days  ahead  of  the  opening  and 
placed  advantageously  at  down-town  street 
intersections. 

A  huge  electric  sign  proclaimed,  "Vita- 
phone and  Movietone"  from  the  Strand's 
marquee;  large  banners  hung  from  the 
marquee,  and  smaller  hand  painted  banners 
on  "When  a  Man  Loves"  were  immediately 
beneath. 

Thousands  of  cards  in  several  different 
styles  were  distributed  over  the  town,  both 
in  business  and  residential  sections.  A 
special  card,  proclaiming  the  tremendous 
ovation  accorded  Vitaphone  and  Movietone 
at  the  brilliant  Sunday  opening  were  dis- 
tributed Monday  afternoon — 5,000  taking 
the  message  while  the  news  was  still  hot. 

Use  Country  Newspapers 

Display  advertismg  in  the  newspapers 
started  one  week  in  advance  of  opening 
and  built  steadily,  culminating  in  a  big 
splash  on  Sunday.  All  country  newspapers 
within  a  radius  of  100  miles  carried  display 
ads  and  readers. 

Immediately  preceding  the  opening  a 
special  showing  of  the  full  program  with 
synchronization  was  arranged  for  the  news- 
papers,_and  signed  reviews,  all  enthusiastic 
in  praise  of  Vitaphone;  and  Movietone, 
helped  to  fill  the  Strand  for  the  first  per- 
formance, and  steadily  thereafter. 

There  was  also  the  six-page  special  sec- 
tion devoted  to  Vitaphone  and  Movietone 
in  the  Sunday,  June  24,  edition  of  The 
Montgomery  Advertiser.  Big  business 
firms  took  occasion  to  pay  regular  space 
rates  in  large  ads  based  on  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  and  calculated  to  bring  attend- 
ance to  the  Strand.  The  readers  bore  not 
only  upon  the  innovation,  but  had  much  to 
say  of  coming  attractions. 

In  addition  to  the  special  six-page  sec- 
tion there  was  generous  space  on  the  two 
pages  usually  devoted  to  "Screen  and 
Stage,"  with  layouts  from  "When  a  Man 
Loves.'  Moreover,  there  were  two  dis- 
tinctly good  advertising  breaks  elsewhere. 

Small  wonder  that  the  Strand  was  filled 
to  capacity  for  its  first  performance,  and 
no  wonder  at  all  that  the  cash  customers 
kept  coming.  It  was  an  all-around  mer- 
chandising campaign  that  an  eager  public, 
seeking  amusement,  could  not  resist. 


WCVIETCNE 


First  page  of  the  special  newspaper  sec- 
tion put  over  by  the  Strand  theatre,  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  the  opening  day  of  Movie- 
tone and  Vitaphone 


opening  of  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  at 
the  Strand  on  June  24.  Every  piece  of 
advertising  carried  the  line,  "See  and  Hear." 

Through  co-operation  of  the  Western  of 
Alabama  Railroad  and  Central  of  Georgia 
special  cards  were  posted  in  every  station 
advertising  the  debut  of  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  and  offering  reduced  rates  to 
Montgomery  for  the  event.  Every  Yellow 
Taxicab  carried  a  circular  card  on  its  spare 
tire  reading,  "See  and  Hear  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone,  Strand  theatre,  June  24." 

Large  cutouts  from  "When  a  Man 
Loves,"  and  similar  cutouts  from  the  Vita- 
phone short  subjects,  as  well  as  cutouts  of 
President  Coolidge  and  Lindbergh,  fea- 
tured in  Fox  Movietone  News,  were 
placed  in  various  store  windows,  and  in  the 
other  Publix  Montgomery  theatres  one 
week  in  advance. 

Large  banners  were  placed  on  prominent 
office  buildings,  in  the  down-town  section 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


V^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

"Hollywood:* 


Mayor  Walker^s  Wampas  Address 
Leads  to  Big  Demonstration 

New  York  City's  Chief  Executive  Takes  Occasion  to  Charge  Particdity  on 

Part  of  Films  in  Presidential  Campaign 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Mayor  James  J.  Walker's  visit  to  California 
became  a  motion  picture  item  the  fifth  day  after  his  arrival.  After 
four  days  spent  in  disappointing  city  hall  officials  by  absence  and 
tardiness  be  made  a  seasonal  debut  into  the  film  colony  w^ith  a  memorable 
speech  at  the  Wampas  meeting  Monday  evening. 

When   he  finished  the  45  minute   impromptu   address  the  entire   assembly 
rose  and  for  several  minutes  applauded,  whistled  and  shouted. 
TV/TAYOR  WALKER  handled  the  report      acker,    Dick    Barthelmess,    Al    Rockett,    Al 


that  two  well  known  producers  had 
gone  to  Kansas  City  recently  to  "deliver 
the  motion  picture  industry  into  the  camp 
of  a  certain  large  organization"  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner: 

"It  may  be  true  that  these  self  styled 
representatives  of  the  industry  have  at- 
tempted to  turn  the  industry  over  to  a 
political  organization.  But  knowing  the  in- 
dustry as  I  do  and  aware  as  I  am  of  the 
intelligence  necessary  in  motion  picture 
work  I  am  sure  it  cannot  be  done.  It  is 
not  possible  for  those  two  men  or  any 
two  men  to  tell  such  people  as  you  how  to 
vote." 

Reverts  to  History 

He  declared  that  his  admiration  for  peo- 
ple of  the  industry  is  founded  upon  his 
experience  as  legal  adviser  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America.  And 
incidentally  he  believed  that  people  who 
have  served  the  industry  have  more  claim 
upon  it  than  those  who  have  made  the 
industry  serve  them.  Here  he  recalled 
the  day  when  he  wrote  upon  the  statute 
books  of  New  York  state  the  words  which 
to  this  day  have  given  that  commonwealth 
Sunday  motion  pictures. 

Mayor  Walker  was  introduced  by  Ray 
Coffin,  chairman  of  the  meeting,  who, 
among  other  things,  called  him  "the  great- 
est mayor  ever  elected  by  the  greatest 
city  in  the  world."  And,  as  the  mayor 
added:  "I'm  willing  to  let  that  lay  where 
it  fell." 

Other  guests  among  the  speakers  and 
non-speakers  were  John  McCormick,  Ned 
Marin,   Charles   Hand,  and   Harold   Hurley. 

Guest  at  First  National 

Walker  was  the  honored  guest  of  First 
National  studios  at  a  luncheon  the  follow- 
ing day.  Anticipating  another  piece  of  ora- 
tory the  press  turned  out  in  scores.  But 
he  doesn't  repeat.  He  chose  his  words  with 
greater  caution  and  caused  much  less  ex- 
citement. He  spoke  at  length  however  and 
wisecracked  quite  as  well. 

Well  known  First  National  people  in 
attendance  were  McCormick,  Marin,  Wid 
Gunning,  Colleen  Moore,  Watterson   Roth- 


Santell  and  Alice  White. 

Other  guests  were:  Wade  Werner,  Dan 
Thomas,  Jerry  Hoffman,  William  McCor- 
mick, Ralph  Wilke,  Harry  Burns,  Edwin 
Schallert,  Monroe  Lathrop,  Mrs.  Eloise 
Lowes,  Evelyn  Lowes,  George  Schafer, 
Speed  Kendall,  Louis  Jacobino,  Regina 
Crewe,  and  Charles  Hand. 

It  was  at  this  instance  that  Marin  prof- 
fered to  Walker  a  "perpetual  film  contract" 
calling  for  $10,000  per  week  in  motion  pic- 
ture language  and  $15,000  a  week  thereafter. 

In  rejecting  Marin's  offer  Walker  stated 
that  the  contract  contained  neither  mutual- 
ity nor  equitability  and  that  his  own  train- 
ing as  an  attorney  brought  him  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  contract  was  all  'bunk.' 
Not  only  did  the  contract  call  him'Mayer' 
Walker  but  it  declared  he  must  be  punctual 
in  all  his  appointments.  He  added  "y'know 
I  don't  get  such  a  damn  small  salary  any- 
how." 

Hizzoner   Is   Prompt 

His  arrival  at  the  studio  at  1  o'clock 
was  prompt  and  was  met  with  a  military 
salute  of  field  ordnance,  flag  waving,  cheer- 
ing and  serial  bombs.  About  100  reporters 
were  at  the  studio  entrance  as  well  as  the 
entire  working  force   of   First   National. 

He  will  be  the  guest  tonight  at  a  dinner 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  Associa- 
tion. He  will  be  the  only  speaker.  Cecil 
B.  De  Mille  will  preside  and  Will  H.  Hays 
will  act  as  toastmaster. 

*  *     * 

Among  the  unusual  things  of  California 
are  the  weather,  the  Wampas  and  the  peo- 
ple. It's  a  great  state  for  news.  In  any 
other  state  it's  common  for  a  man  to  be 
bitten  by  a  dog  but  in  California  dogs  are 
bitten  by  men. 

A  friend  of  ours  operates  a  casting  agen- 
cy. It  is  that  friend  who  arose  from  her 
bed  last  night  to  answer  the  telephone. 

Today  she  is  on  crutches. 

She  might  have  broken  an  arm,  a  limb 
or  a  neck.  She  did  the  unusual.  She  broke 
a  toe. 

*  *     * 

Mickey  Neilan's  cast  was  hard  at  it  at 
Lasky's   the  other  day.     Bebe  Daniels  was 

(Continued  on  page  42) 


ON  A  LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


Jean  de  Limur 
Russell  Matthews 
Frank  Tuttle 
Gary  Cooper 
Fay  Wray 
Ethel  Doherty 
Marshall   Neilan 
Bebe  Daniels 
Neil  Hamilton 
Joe  E.  Brown 


REGARDING: 

J.  Walter  Ruben 
Monty  Brice 
James  Hall 
Bodil  Rosing 
Thelma  Todd 
Wesley  Ruggles 
Fred  MacKaye 
Robert  Yost 
Al  Ray 


Jean  de  Limur  Flies  to  Catalina 

Jean  de  Limur,  writer  for  Paramount  studio,  took 
a  two  day  vacation  to  Catalina  over  Sunday,  making 
the  trip  via  plane.  This  is  the  first  time  de  Limur 
has  been  in  the  air  since  the  Armistice  was  signed, 
when  he  was  discharged  from  the  French  air  service, 
wearing  a  couple  of  medals.  He  is  at  present  working 
on  a  story  entitled  "Dirigible,"  which  will  go  into 
production  in  the  near  future. 


Russell  Matthews  Returns 

Russell  Matthews,  assistant  director  to  Frank 
Tuttle,  has  returned  from  a  two  week  vacation,  and 
has  started  on  retakes  for  "The  First  Kiss"  starring 
Gary     Cooper    «nd    Fay    Wray,    for    Paramount. 


Ethel  Doherty  Completes  Rebels  Latest 

Ethel  Doherty  has  recently  completed  the  screen 
play,  "Take  Me  Home,"  which  Marshall  Neilan  is 
directing  for  Paramount.  This  picture  starring  Bebe 
Daniels,  was  delayed  several  days  due  to  illness  of 
the  star,  but  is  well  under  way  now.  Neil  Hamilton, 
Lilyan  Tashman  and  Joe  E.  Brown  are  in  the 
supporting   roles. 


Ruben  and  Brice  in  Bow  Story 

J.  Walter  Ruben  and  Monty  Brice  are  credited 
with  writing  the  screen  play,  "The  Fleet's  In," 
starring  Clara  Bow  with  James  Hall  and  Bodil  Rosing. 
This  is  their  own  original  story.  Mai  St.  Clair  is 
directing. 


Milton  Sills  Returns  from  Location 

Director  Eddie  Cline  of  First  National,  has  re- 
turned from  location  in  Truckee,  Cal.,  where  he 
was  making  the  exteriors  for  "The  Wrecking  Boss" 
starring  Milton  Sills.  This  thriller  may  surpass  any 
of  the  director's  or  star's  former  efforts,  for  real 
punch.  The  cast  includes  William  Demarest,  Sylvia 
Ashton,  Wade  Boteler,  Fred  Warren  and  Thelma 
Todd,  the  girl  in  the  case. 


Ruggles  Gives  MacKaye  a  Break 

Wesley  Ruggles,  Universal  director  of  note,  picked 
Fred  MacKaye  out  of  the  extra  ranks,  and  placed  him 
in  a  featured  role  in  his  current  production,  "For- 
bidden Love."  The  boy  has  shown  considerable 
promise  and  will  prove  a  credit  to  this  far  sighted 
director. 


Bob  Yost  Taking  Vacation 

Bob  Yost,  Fox  Hollywood  publicity  director,  is  tak- 
ing a  two  week  vacation  at  Trails  End,  high  up 
in  the  mountains,  near  Mt.  Baldy.  Mrs.  Yost, 
Buddy  and  Jimmy  are  having  a  great  time,  according 
to   reports. 


Al  Ray  Epic  in  Color 

Director  Al  Ray  of  the  Fox  studios,  has  added 
another  touch  to  his  latest  picture,  having  one  com- 
plete reel  in  its  natural  colors.  "None  but  the 
Brave,"    will    be    released    August    5. 

— FRAZIER. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


THE  STUDIO 
PREVIEW 


"Four   Walls" 

T~^ESPITE  John  Gilbert's  wonderful  work 
■^  in  the  past,  "Four  Walls,"  does  not  get 
the  applause  of  his  former  pictures.  This 
crook  story,  directed  by  William  Nigh,  lacks 
backing  and  motive.  The  picture  starts  weak, 
and  titles  are  of  little  help  but  improve  as  the 
picture  progresses. 

A  night  life  story  of  the  underworld  in 
New  York,  night  clubs,  gang  fights,  shooting 
and  jail.  The  four  walls  of  the  prison  cause 
Gilbert  to  change  his  idea  toward  transgres- 
sion, and  when  he  is  released  four  years 
later  he  denounces  his  old  gang  who  seek 
him,   and   plans   to   start   life   anew. 

Joan  Crawford  portrayed  the  "moll"  per- 
fectly. Vera  Gordon's  efforts  not  up  to  her 
standard.  She  plays  to  the  camera  with  no 
apparent  thought  to  the  audience  reaction. 
Carmel  Myers,  as  the  home  girl,  did  her  self 
proud.  She  will  be  remembered  for  her  work 
in  this  picture  even  though  her  part  was  small. 
Her  coy  mannerisms  as  the  bashful  girl  who 
was  in  love  with  Gilbert,  was  done  as  only 
Carmel  could. 

The  picture  is  rather  lengthy.  The  sequences 
at  the  start  are  not  as  intelligible  as  they 
might  be  as  several  of  the  scenes,  appear  to 
be  omitted. 


Katzman  Is  Assistant 

In  Directing  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Sammy  Katz- 
man, assistant  director  under  Ben  Stoloflf. 
has  been  assigned  assistant  director  of  Fox 
Movietone  productions.  His  first  vehicle, 
"Four  A.  M.,"  was  directed  by  William 
Conselman. 

This  one  real  comedy  stars  Sammy  Cohen 
and  Jack  Pennick,  with  Tyler  Brooke,  Ben 
Bard,  Marjorie  Beebe  and  Henry  Armatta, 
in  the  supporting  roles.  It  will  be  released 
with  the  first  big  Fox  feature  that  is  booked 
in  New  York. 


Technicolor  to  Make 

^      Feature  Length  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Technicolor  Film 
Corporation  is  to  make  a  feature  length  pro- 
duction, with  possibilities  that  sound  effects 
will  prevail  in  this  feature.  "The  Thrall  of 
Leif  the  Lucky"  is  the  title.  House  Peters 
will  play  the  title  role,  and  Leroy  Mason  plays 
a  leading  role. 


Tom  Mix  Begins  Work 
On  First  Film  forFBO 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Tom  Mix's  first 
Western  feature  under  the  F  B  O  banner,  "Son 
of  the  Golden  West,"  went  into  production 
last  week  under  the  direction  of  Eugene  J. 
Ford  with  Sharon  Lynn  as  the  Western 
star's  leading  lady. 


Jannings  Denies  Rumor 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Reports  that  Emil 
Jannings,  motion  picture  character  actor, 
would  return  to  Germany  in  the  near  future 
have  been  denied  by  the  star,  who  pointed  to 
the  fact  that  he  had  just  taken  a  long  term 
lease  on  a  home  in  Hollywood  as  evidence  that 
he  has  no  intention  of  immediately  leaving 
this  country. 


Many  Long  Vacations  End,  14 
Pictures  Begun;  Mix  Shooting 

Effect  Films  Encourage  Cost  Cutting  Because  of  Increased  Risk  on 

Market  of  Silent  Dramas;  One  of  Coast's  Biggest  Studios 

Seeks  Extras  for  Five  Bucks  Per  Day 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  17. — Directors,  players  and  writers  who  have  been 
hard  hit  by  idleness  during  the  past  12  months  are  again  working  in  the  studios. 
Two  male  stars  who  left  for  Europe  when  work  became  scarce  appeared  this 
week  in  makeup.  Almost  a  score  of  other  big  time  players  were  cast  for  roles 
which  began  this  week. 

Circumstances  to  Blame  for  Panic 

A  difficult  set  of  circumstances  has  prevented  many  people  from  working, 
although  a  great  number  of  pictures  have  been  made  during  those  months. 

One  big  company  which  has  several  hun-      however.     But  whatever  the  reasons  these 


dred  theatres,  last  week  employed  50  ex- 
tras for  an  indefinite  period.  Instead  of 
offering  them  the  regular  $7.50  per  day  the 
extras  were  given  only  $5.  The  entire  sav- 
ing on  that  item  alone  amounted  to  $1,250. 
There  are  numerous  methods  by  which  the 
producers  are  attempting  to  cut  costs. 

Added  to  the  fact  that  money  has  been 
scarce  producers  have  now  become  alarmed 
about  talking  pictures  and  their  effects  up- 
on the  market  of  the  silent  drama  which 
are   in   the  making.     It  is   imperative   that 


The  Next  Step  Is 
Bound  to  Be  Television 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE..  July  17.— 
Speed  is  the  order  of  the  day  and  is 
nowhere  exemplified  to  a  greater  ex- 
tent than  by  Bert  Levey,  manager 
of  "The  Columbia."  Deciding  on  an 
eleventh  hour  change  in  booking,  he 
ordered  the  £Ims  for  "The  Dove" 
to  be  sent  by  the  West  Coast  Trans- 
port Company  in  their  fast  cabin 
plane.  The  new  print  of  the  picture 
made  a  record  trip  from  Hollywood 
and  arrived  in  ample  time. 


each  picture  be  made  economically  because 
of  the  grave  risk  of  loss. 

Melford  Directing  Olive  Borden 

George  Melford  whose  latest  work  was  at 
Universal  reappeared  with  a  megaphone 
last  week  at  F  B  O  studios.  He  began  "Sin- 
ners of  Love."  Olive  Borden  appears  in 
the  feminine  starring  role  with  Huntly  Gor- 
don opposite  her.  Seena  Owen  is  in  one 
of   the    main    supporting    roles. 

Mix  Shooting  at  F  B  O 

Tom  Mix  is  in  the  harness  at  F  B  O 
in  "Son  of  the  Golden  West."  The  young 
man  with  the  megaphone  is  Eugene  Ford. 
The  picture  was  begun  this  week.  It's  the 
first  Tom  has  ever  made  for  F  B  O  and 
is  the  first,  likewise,  of  the  series  that 
company  will  release  this  year. 

Alma  Rubens  is  cast  in  an  important  role 
of  "The  Devil's  Mask"  at  M  G  M.  Jack 
Gilbert  is  the  star.  Another  whose  face 
is  always  welcome  to  the  screen  and  who 
is  in  the  picture  is  Theodore  Roberts.  Vic- 
tor Seastrom,  director  of  "The  Wind,"  is 
the  director. 

Lewis   Shooting   Cortez 

Ricardo  Cortez  is  working  at  Tiffany- 
Stahl  studios.  Edgar  Lewis,  one  of  Holly- 
wood's foremost  veteran  directors,  is 
executing  director.     Title  "Gun  Runner." 

Ramon  Novarro,  Norma  Shearer,  Spen- 
cer Bennett,  Christy  Cabanne  and  a  number 
of  others  who  are  again  diligently  making 
pictures  have  enjoyed  vacations  from  Hol- 
lywood  for   other  than   economic   reasons, 


people  and  many  others  are  resuming  a 
payroll  basis  and  still  there  are  others  who 
are  vainly  hunting  jobs. 


U  Buys  Play  from 

James  Gleason  for  1929 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Universal  has 
signed  contracts  by  proxy  with  James 
Gleason,  author  and  star,  for  the  purchase 
of  "The  Shannons  of  Broadway."  "The 
Shannons  of  Broadway"  will  in  all  proba- 
bility be  a  complete  talking  picture.  At  any 
rate,  Universal  has  the  right  to  make  it 
such.  Furthermore,  it  will  have  the  serv- 
ices of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Gleason,  who 
starred  in  the  New  York  production  at  the 

John  Barrymore  May 

Go  Back  to  Warners 

(Special  to  the  Her»ld-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Warner  Bros,  are 
negotiating  with  John  Barrymore  to  do  pic- 
tures with  the  Vitaphone.  It  is  understood 
that  Barrymore  will  carry  out  his  plans  and 
do  "Hamlet"  in  the  Hollywood  Bowl  and  in 
the  Greek  theatre  at  Berkely  in  the  late  sum- 
mer. 


PF  L  Retitles  Picture 
Directed  by  Schertzinger 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17. —"Forgotten 
Faces"  is  the  new  title  of  Victor  Schert- 
zinger's  latest  picture  for  Paramount,  ac- 
cording to  announcement  made  this  week. 
The  picture  was  made  under  the  working 
title  of  "The  Perfumed  Trap." 


Louise  Fazenda  to  Join 
Free-Lance  Screen  Artists 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Terminating  a  five- 
year  contract  with  Warner  Brothers,  Louise 
Fazenda  will  join  the  free-lance  list.  She  is 
now  completing  her  first  talking  picture,  "The 
Terror." 


D'Arrast  Signs  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— H.  D'Abbadie 
D'Arrast,  Paramount  director,  has  signed  a 
new  contract.  "The  Magnificent  Flirt,"  with 
Florence  Vidor,  was  D'Arrast's  most  recent 
directorial  assignment.  He  will  probably  han- 
dle Adolphe  Menjou's  next  Paramount  produc- 
tion. 


Murnau  to  Make  "Our  Daily  Bread" 

NEVy  YORK.— F.  W.  Murnau's  third  picture  for 
Fox  will  be  "Our  Daily  Bread,"  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement from  Fox  Film  Coast  studio. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


^^Lilac  Time^^  Is  One  of  Finest  Air 
PictureSy  Hodges  Reports 

Colleen  Moore  Does  Best  Work  of  Her  Career  in  New  Opus,  Declares 

Herald-World  Staff  Representative 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  17.— "Lilac  Time"  at  its  world  premiere  here  last  night 
proved  itself  one  of  the  best  air  pictures  so  far  produced  and  the  finest 
^  work  ever  presented  by  Colleen  Moore.  Carthay  Circle  theatre,  where 
the  First  National  picture  opened,  had  been  sold  completely  out  several  da}/^ 
preceding  the  premiere.  It  looks  like  the  management  will  have  nothing  toi 
worry  about  in  the  business  of  bookings  for  at  least  three  months  and  possibly 
longer. 


NO  premiere  here  in  the  last  18  months 
has  drawn  interest  half  equivalent  to 
that  of  John  McCormick's  latest  production. 
Mayor  James  J.  Walker,  visiting  here  from 
New  York,  had  the  privilege  in  his  address 
of  speaking  to  the  producers  about  whom 
he  has  been  semi-seriously  wisecracking 
ever  since  his  arrival  10  days  ago,  but  he 
was  less  loquacious  and  more  dignified  than 
heretofore. 

Photophone  Also  Has  Premiere 

It  was  also  the  premiere  of  the  Photo- 
phone  device  which  will  be  utilized  in  the 
First  National  program.  Following  the 
screen  presentation  Conrad  Nagel,  veteran 
miaster  of  ceremonies,  stepped  onto  the 
platform  to  introduce  members  of  the  cast, 


FN  Needs  Advertising 
Aid;  Offers  $100  Prize 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— Here's  a 
chance  for  exhibitors  to  win  a  little 
easy  money,  it  seems.  First  National 
is  offering  $100  in  prizes  to  exhib- 
itors writing  the  best  250-word  let- 
ter stating  which  of  four  advertising 
"angles"  should  be  played  up  on 
"The  Barker."  According  to  FN, 
there  are  four  good  sales  angles,  and 
the  company  can't  decide  which  is 
best,  so  it's  leaving  it  up  to  exhib- 
itors. There  are  $25  prizes  and  £ve 
$10  prizes  for  the  best  letters. 


the  director,  George  Fitzmaurice,  the  pro- 
ducer, John  McCormick,  and  James  War- 
ner, Southern  Cross  flier  who  was  in  the 
audience  in  Mayor  Walker's  party.  Miss 
Moore  then  stepped  to  the  stage.  She 
spoke  a  few  words  which  were  quickly  fol- 
lowed by  a  "Screen  test"  of  the  Gotham 
mayor.  In  it  he  appeared  on  a  visit  to  the 
famous  star's  home  that  served  as  Walker's 
introduction. 

Throughout  "Lilac  Time"  is  a  strong 
dramatic  force  that  bears  the  stamp  of  the 
capable  Fitzmaurice.  Beginning  with  a  se- 
quence where  Colleen  goes  into  the  quaint 
French  garden  to  console  the  youthful 
British  flier  the  picture  shows  Colleen  in  a 
role  unlike  anything  she  has  ever  done. 
The  youth  is  a  member  of  a  flying  squadron 
that  has  just  been  ordered  into  the  air  "to 
fight  until  shot  down."  It  is  in  this  se- 
quence also  that  the  dominant  love  theme 
begins  between  her  and  Gary  Cooper,  cap- 
tain of  the  squadron.  Cooper  is  perfectly 
suited  to  the  role  and  makes  a  hero  who 
is   handsome,   stalwart  and   convincing. 

Action  Gains  Momentum 
The  star  does  the  greatest  acting  of  her 
career.  Gaining  momentum  with  each 
scene,  the  picture  has  moments  as  moving 
as  anything  in  those  two  early  war  epics. 
Fitzmaurice  has  introduced  an  over- 
whelming status  of  drama  at  the  start  by 


showing  the  tributes  paid  to  each  of  two 
score  of  planes  already  shot  down  in  the 
recent  campaign. 

Photographic  shots  of  the  battle  of  the 
seven  British  planes  against  the  eight  Ger- 
man planes  were  beautifully  done  and  at 
the  same  time  done  with  meticulous  care 
for  the  human  drama  of  the  air,  although 
this  sequence  was  naturally  devoted  to  the 
fighting  audience. 

Anxiety  for  the  heroine  strongly  pre- 
vailed throughout.  It  appeared  that  every 
star,  director  and  producer  of  the  film 
colony  attended  the  showing  last  night. 
Carli  Elinor  was  director  of  the  orchestra 
which  presented  "On  Flanders'  Fields,"  his 
own  composition,  in  an  entertaining 
manner. 


Warner  Studio  Busy  on 
Seven  Important  Films 
and  Vitaphone  Shorts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  17.— Production 
activities  at  Warner  Brothers  assumed 
greater  proportions  last  week  when  seven 
major  productions  were  in  filming  and  prep- 
arations for  two  specials  reached  final 
stages.  Vitaphone  short  subject  work  is 
likewise  at  its  height,  J.  L.  Warner,  pro- 
duction executive,  said.  A  Vitaphone  super- 
production  and  four  Vitaphone  specials  are 
included. 

"Noah's  Ark,"  already  several  months  in 
filming,  is  nearing  the  cutting  room  stage. 
"The  Terror,"  an  all-sound  Vitaphone  spe- 
cial, is  being  filmed  under  Roy  Del  Ruth's 
direction.  Al  Jolson  is  busy  on  his  second 
starring  role  in  the  Vitaphone  special,  "The 
Singing  Fool,'  while  Fannie  Brice's  Vita- 
phone feature,  "My  Man,"  is  well  under 
way. 

"The  Hometowners,"  a  Vitaphone  special 
based  on  the  George  M.  Cohan  stage  suc- 
cess, is  in  production,  and  the  Rin-Tin-Tin 
unit  is  in  the  mountains  filming  scenes  for 
"The  Outlaw  Dog."  In  preparation  for 
early  filming  is  "The  Redeeming  Sin,"  a 
Vitaphone  special  starring  Dolores  Costello. 
"Conquest,"  to  star  Monte  Blue  and  fea- 
ture H.  B.  Warner,  is  also  in  preparation 
as  a  Vitaphone  special. 


Business  Builds  as 

Admission  Drops 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SPOKANE,  July  17.— The  Granada  thea- 
tre has  adopted  a  summer  price  policy, 
with  2Sc  as  top.  Under  the  new  policy 
the  first  picture  was  "Better  'Ole"  with 
complete  synchronized  musical  score,  and 
business  showed  a  big  increase. 

Synchronize  Score  to  "Lilac  Time" 

NEW  YORK. — Sound  accompaniment  to  "Lilac 
Time,"  First  National  picture  starring  Colleen  Moore, 
is  now  completed  and  will  be  ready  with  Photophone 
synchronization  August  3. 


Mayor's  Wampas  Talk 
on  West  Coast  Leads      ' 
To  Big  Demonstration 

(Continued  from  page  40) 

emoting  and  Doris  Hill  was  in  a  wheeled 
chair. 

The  whistle  blew  at  12  o'clock. 

Says  Neilan:  "I  don't  care  what  the  rest 
of  you  do  I'm  going  to  lunch.  Not  gonna 
ruin  my  health  by  working  all  day." 
Thirty  seconds  later  Micky  was  on  his  way 
to   the   Montmartre. 

*  *     * 
Hughes  to  Use  Sound 

in      "Hell's      Angels" 

After  having  spent  a  year  on  the  shoot- 
ing of  "Hell's  Angels"  Howard  Hughes 
has  decided  that,  to  be  up  with  the  times, 
he  shall  put  sound  effects  in  the  picture. 
He  will  even  give  it  a  few  talking  sequen- 
ces. In  addition  he  will  throw  in  some 
technicolor,  a  process  that  Hollywood  pro- 
ducers are  taking  more  and  more  seriously 
every  day. 

Hughes'  picture  stars  Ben  Lyon  and 
James  Hall.  It  has  been  made  upon  extrav- 
agant lines  and  was  recently  announced  as 
a  September  release.  The  date  has  been 
set  back  to  November. 

Thousands  of  dollars  have  been  spent 
upon  the  production.  It  may  be  a  cele- 
brated piece  of  work.  Hughes  has  before 
been  associated  with  excellent  cinema  work 
and  may  be  again.  He  has  spared  no  ex- 
pense in  bringing  this  picture  to  a  high 
level  of  entertainment. 

*  *     * 
Butler's    Trip   Delayed 

Dave  Butler  was  ready  to  sail  for  Europe 
last  Monday.  He  is  still  in  Hollywood.  He 
sails  late  this  month. 

Whatever  the  reason  for  the  delay  in 
the  Fox  company's  production  plans  it  re- 
mains that  June  CoUyer  is  returning  very 
soon  to  Hollywood,  no  women  will  make 
the  European  trip  and  Harry  Brand  is  al- 
ready inFrance  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the 
tardy  company. 

Butler  is  to  direct  "Chasing  Through 
Europe."  The  reason  most  logically  as- 
signed to  the  change  in  plans  is  the  orders 
from  the  French  government  that  no  Amer- 
ican producer  may  make  pictures  on 
European  soil  with  American  actors.  It 
is  said  that  an  embargo  has  been  decreed. 

The  story  appears  to  be  an  orphan  that 
none   will   claim   but    everyone   knows. 

*  *    * 
Epstein  Says  Hersholt 

Is  to  Do  "Abie"  in  Sound 

Dave  Epstein  tells  us  that  Jean  Hersholt 
is  unfinished  with  his  work  in  "Abie's  Irish 
Rose."  The  Paramount  picture  is  to  be 
fitted  with  talking  sequences  and  Jean's 
excellent  stage  voice  is  to  be  heard  by  his 
thousands    of   followers. 


Employees  Club  Holds 

First  Outing  Meet 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

RALEIGH,  N.  C,  July  17— For  the  pro- 
motion of  good  fellowship  and  the  creation 
of  a  spirit  of  closer  understanding  between 
employer  and  employee,  the  Publix-Saenger 
Employees'  Recreational  Club,  composed 
of  attaches  of  the  State,  Superba,  Palace 
and  Capitol  theatres  here,  has  been  formed 
and  held  its  first  outing  Friday  night  at 
the  Antone  farm,  where  a  wiener  roast  was 
a  feature. 

Joe  Antone  was  elected  president,  Mrs. 
Charlie  Separk  vice-president,  and  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hinnant,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
The  club  has  53  members  and  meets  the 
first  Tuesday  morning  in  each  month. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 

Production  Directory 

[Number  immediately  following  title  denotes  production  num,ber] 


STORY 

DIRECTOR                 CHIEF                  BRAND 
PLAYERS               NAME 

STARTING 
DATE 

Columbia  Studio 

"Ont  of  the 
Depths" 

Irvin  Willat            Jack  Holt 

Ralph   Graves 
Dorothy  Revier 

May  19 

DeMille  Studio 

STORY 


DIRECTOR 


CHIEF 
PLAYERS 


BRAND 
NAME 


Paramount 


"AnnapoIiB" 

Christy    Cabanne  John  Mack 

Brown 
Jeanette  Loflf 

June  1 

"Show  Folks" 

Paul   Stein              Lina  Basquette 
Eddie  Quillan 
Robert  Armstrong 

June  18 

"Marked 

Spencer    Bennett  Junior   Coghlan 

July   12 

Money" 

Virgina 
Bradford 

F  B  0  Studio 

"The  Singapore 

Ralph  Ince             Ralph  Ince 

July  6 

Mutiny" 

E5telle    Taylor 
Gardner   James 

"Son    of    the 

Eugene  Ford           Tom    Mix 

July  11 

Golden  West" 

Sharon    Lynn 

"Sinners   in 

George   Melford      Olive    Borden 

July  11 

Love" 

Huntley  Gordon 
Seena  Owen 

First  National  Studio 

"Oh  Kay* 

Mervyn    LeRoy      Colleen  Moore 
Lawrence  Gray 

June  1 

"Waterfront** 

Wm.  Seiter             Dorothy   Maekaill 
Jack  Mulhall 

June  19 

"The   Wrecking 

Eddie   Cline            Milton  Sills 

Jtine  18 

Boss" 

Thelma  Todd 

"Show   Girl" 

Alfred  Santell        Alice    White 

Charles    Delaney 
Donald   Reed 
Lee  Moran 

Jvme   25 

Fox  Studio 

"Dry  Martini" 

D'Arrast                    Albert  Gran 
Mary  Astor 
Matt  Moore 

June  10 

"The  Rivet" 

Frank  Borzage       Charlie  Farrell 
Mary  Duncan 

June  10 

"The  Girl  Shy 

R.   Lee  Hough       Rex   Bell 

June  13 

Cowboy" 

Patsy   O'Leary 

"Riley,  the 

John  Ford               Farrell 

July  6 

Cop" 

MacDonald 
Nancy    Drexel 
David    Rollins 

"Fog" 

Charles    Elein        George   O'Brien 
Mary  Astor 

July  16 

Gotham 

No    Prodaction 

1 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Studio 

"The  DcvII'ii 

Victor  Seastrom      John   Gilbert 

June  21 

Mask 

" 

"The    Sinele 

Harry    Beaumont  Lew    Cody 

June  21 

Mnn 

"                                      Aileen    Pringle 

"West    of    Sanz 

i-Todd   Browning      Lon    Chaney 

June   23 

bar'* 

V/arner    Baxter 
Mary  Nolan 

"Alias   Jimmy 

Jack   Conway          William  Haines 

July  2 

Valentine" 

Karl  Dane 
Tjionel    Barrymore 

"Gold   Braid" 

George    Hill             Ramon    Novarro 

July  14 

"Little  Angel" 

Sam   Wood               Norma    Shearer 

July  14 

Metropolitan  Studio 

"Hell's  Angels" 

Howard  Hughes     Greta  Nissen 
James  Hall 
Ben  Lyon 

Caddo 

Nov.  4 

"The  MaUng 

James   Cruze          Thomas  Meighan 

Caddo 

June   2 

Call" 

"The    Chinatown  J.  P.  McGowan     Joe  Bonomo 

Principle 

June  21 

Mystery" 

Ruth  Hiatt 
Paul    Melvern 
Francis  Ford 

"The  Fleet's  Mai  St.  Clair 

In" 
"Take  Me  Home"Marshall  Neilan 

"Docks  of  New  Joseph  von 

York"  Sternberg 

"Sins   of  the  Edward   Berger 

Fathers" 

"Moran  of  the  Frank   Strayer 

Marines" 


Clara  Bow 
Jamee    Hall 
Bebe   Daniels 
Neil   Hamilton 
George  Bancroft 
Betty   Compson 
Baclonova 
Emil    Janninge 
Ruth    Chatterton 
Richard  Dix 
Ruth  Elder 


Tec-Art  Studio 


NO    PRODUCTION 


Tiffany-Stahl  Studio 


'Patience" 

Wallace 

Belle  Bennett 

Worsley 

Marion  Douelas 
John   Saint  Polls 

The    Gun 

Edgar    Lewis 

Ricardo  Cortez 

Runner" 

Nora   Lane 
Gino   Corrado 
John  Saint  Polis 

United  Artists  Studios 


"The  Rescne" 


Herbert  Brenon     Ronald    Coleman 
Lily    Damita 


Univ^sal  Studios 


'The  Collegians" 

Nat  Ross 

George  Lewis 
Dorothy    Gulliver 

'The  Girl  on  the 

Edward  Sloman' 

Jean  Hersholt 

Barge" 

Sally  O'Neil 

'The  Last 

Paul    Leni 

Laura     LaPlante 

Warning 

' 

'Eyes   of   the 

Lee   Jason 

Bill    Cody 

Underworld" 

Perilous 

Ray  Taylor 

Ted  Wells 

Paths" 

'Born  to  the 

Joe   Levjgard 

Edmund    Cobb 

Saddle" 

'A  Man's 

Walter  Fabian 

Bob    Curwood 

Game" 

Forbidden 

Wesley 

Mary    Philbin 

Love" 

Ruggles 

Fred   Mackaye 
Otis  Harlan 

Warner  Brothers 


"The  Singing         Lloyd    Bacon 
Fo<d" 


"The  Outlaw         Ross   Lederman 
Dog" 


"My  Man" 


'The   Little 
Wildcat" 


"The    Home- 
towners" 


"The  Redeem- 
ing Sin" 


Archie  Mayo 


Ray  Enrjght 


Bryan   Foy 


Howard 
Bretherton 


Al    Jolson 
Betty   Bronson 
Josephine  Dunn 
Reed  Howes 
Rin-Tln-Tin 
Matty    Kemp 
Evelyn  Pierce 
Fannie   Brice 
"Bis   Boy" 

Williams 
Edna  Murphy 
Andre   De    Segur- 

ola 
Richard  Tucker 
Billy   Seay 
Audrey  Ferris 
James  Murray 
Doris  Dawson 
George  Fawcett 
Richard    Bennett 
Irene   Rich 
Doris    Kenyon 
Robert  McWade 
Robert  Edeson 
James  D.   Mack 
Dolores  Costello 
Conrad    Nagel 
Georgie  Stone 
Lionel 

Barrymore 
Phillip   DeLacy 


STARTING 
DATE 


May  19 
May  25 
June  26 

July  7 
July  14 


July  6 
July  10 


June   20 


May  14 
May  28 
June  12 
July  12 
July  9 
July  10 
July  10 
June  14 


June  4 

July  2 
June  19 


June   20 


July  9 


July  14 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT    FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,*'  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Kennedy  Makes  Personal  Canvass 
on  Billings  for  Short  Features 

"They  Have  Saved  Many   Shows   for  Me,"   Declares   Canadian   Theatre 

Owner — More  Patrons  Comment  on  Comedy  Than  on 

Feature  Attraction,  He  Declares 

"What  the  Short  Feature  Does  for  Me  and  What  I  Do  for  It,"  is  a  live  topic 
with  Stanley  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man. 

It  means — the  short  feature — added  business  for  this  Canadian  exhibitor, 
who  makes  a  personal  canvass  of  his  community  in  promoting  this  valuable 
program  adjunct. 


Let  Mr.  Kennedy  tell  you  his  own  story: 

"I  must  say  that  I  am  glad  of  the  opportunity  to 
give  the  Short  Subjects  the  credit  they  so  much 
deserve.  They  have  saved  so  many  shows  for  me,  and 
I  do  not  show  any;  old  picture  that  comes  along,  that 
I  feel  rather  under  an  obligation  to  them. 

"In  the  past  year  especially  I  have  noticed  so 
many  times  that  my)  patrons  when  coming  out  of  the 
theatre  made  special  mention  of  the  comedy.  In  fact, 
'That  was  some  comedy,'  or  'the  comedy  was  great,' 
was  more  often  remarked  than  'The  picture  was 
great.'    It  naturally  made  me  think. 

"I  have  certain  patrons  that  I  make  a  practice  of 
notifying  by  phone  or  a  personal  call,  that  I  have 
a  comedy  with  a  certain  star  on  such  a  date,  and 
they  never  fail  to  come  out.  It  is  a  little  trouble,  1 
admit,  but  it  shows  them  you  are  trying  to  give  them 
what  they  like. 

"I  find  the  comedies  and  news  reels  that  I  have 
been  using  this  year  of  an  exceptionally  high  order, 
and  any  exhibitor  who  has  a  good  line  of  comedies 
under  contract  and  does  not  advertise  them  in  some 
way,  is  losing  a  lot  of  business  he  might  otherwise 
have. 

"As  to   'What  I   Do  for  the   Shorts,'  I   regret  that 


it  is  not  as  much  as  they  do  for  me.  I  am  rather 
under  a  handicap  for  newspaper  space  here  as  our 
local  paper  is  only  issued  once  a  week  and  the  rates 
are  very  high  so  I  have  to  depend  mostly  on  my 
screen  and  front  for  notices. 

"I  do  not  use  short  feature  programs  here  as  my 
patrons  like  a  long  feature  picture,  but  I  do  believe 
they  would  be  ideal  for  houses  catering  to  transients. 
I  certainly  agree  with  Messrs.  Hoffman,  Tivenan  & 
Wolfe  that  short  subjects  if  properly  handled  are 
sure  enough  business  getters." 


Georgia  House  Gets  Sound 

ATHENS,  GA.,  July  17.— The  Palace  the- 
atre will  begin  at  once  the  installation  of 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  equipment,  with 
September  1  set  as  the  tentative  date  for 
the  debut.  Specifications  for  the  installa- 
tion were  completed  a  few  days  ago  and 
actual  work  will  get  under  way  within  a 
few  days. 


Releases 


WEEK    OF   JULY    22 

EDUCATIONAL— "Listen  Children,"  Hamilton,  two; 
"Felix  the  Cat  in  Jungle  Bungles,"  one. 

F  B  O— Newslaff  No.  24,  one. 

FOX — "His  Favorite  Wife,"  Van  Bibber,  two;  "Ore- 
gon— The  Trail's  End,"'  Varieties,  one. 

PARAMOUNT— Novelty,  two;  "Baby  Phases,"  Ink- 
well  Imps,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  8,  two;  "The 
Early  Bird,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "Bunker  Battlers," 
Sportlight,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  30,  one;  Topics 
of   the  Day,  No.   30,  one. 

UiNlVERSAl "Sleigh  Bells,"  Oswald,   Snappy,  one; 

"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  8,  two;   "Good   Scout  Bus- 
ter," Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Yukon  Gold,"  two. 
WEEK   OF   JULY    29 

EDUCATIONAI^-"Leaping  Luck,"  Davis-Collins, 
Mermaid,  two;  "Roaming  Romeo,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Hard  Work,"  Wallace  Lupino,  Cameo,  one. 

M  G  M — -"Nature's   Wizardry,"   Oddities. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Out- 
numbered," Aesop  Fable,  one;  Pathe  Review  No. 
31,   one;   Topics   of   the   Day   No.   31,   one. 

UNIVERSAL— "The  Trackless  Trolley,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Broke  Out,"  Mike 
and  Ike,  Stem  Bros.,  two;  "Ropin'  Romance," 
Western,  Newton  House,  two. 

WEEK   OF   AUGUST  5 

EDUCAT10NAI^-"Felix  the  Cat  in  The  Last 
Life,"  one;  "Kid  Hayseed,"  Big  Boy-Juvenile, 
two, 

F  B  O — "Mickey's  Babies,"  two ;  "Joyful  Day," 
Standard,  two;   Newslaff  No.  25,  one. 

FOX — "The  Elephant's  Elbows,"  Animal,  two; 
"The   Lofty  Andes,"   Fox  Varieties,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  1,  two;  "Our  Lit- 
tle Nell,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Supper  Sex," 
Sportlight,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  32,  one;  Top- 
ics  of   the    Day,    No.    32. 

UNIVERSAI^"High  Up,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Newlyweds'  Anniversary,"  Snookums,  Junior 
Jewel,  two;  "Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"McGinis'  vs.  Joneses,"  two;  "The  Ranger  Patrol," 
Western,  two. 

WEEK   OF  AUGUST   12 

EDUCATIONAL— "Goofy  Birds,"  Bowers,  two; 
"He  Tried  to  Please,"  Collins-Hutton,  Cameo, 
one;   "The  Peep  Show,"   Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PARAMOUNT— "Stop  Kidding,"  Christie-Vemon, 
two. 

PATHE— "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  2,  two; 
"Sunny  Italy,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "His  Unlucky 
Night,"  Bevan-Dent,  Sennett,  two;  Pathe  Review 
No.  33,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  33,  one. 


The   illfated  Italia,   in  which  the   intrepid  Italian   explorer.  Gen.    V.  Nobile,  flew   to  the 

North  Pole,  only  to  become  stranded  on  an  ice  floe  as  the  homeward  trip  began.     The  ship 

and  its  crew  are  still  "hot  news"  because  of  the  daring  attempts  at  rescue.    The  picture  above 

is  from  M  G  M  News,  showing  the  Italia  leaving  Spitzbergen  on  the  last  lap  to  the  pole. 


Newspictures 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5411- New  York  City  gives 
tremendous  welcome  to  Amelia  Earhart — Secretary 
Wilbur  starts  inspection  on  battleships — A.  E. 
Cunliffe  is  killed  as  car  overturns  at  Southport, 
England. 

KINOiGRAMS  NO.  5412— Gustav  V,  King  of  Swe- 
den, celebrates  his  70th  birthday — Old  records  fall 
in  final  Olympic  trials  at  Cambridge — France  hon- 
ors Jeanne  Hachette,  the  Joan  of  Arc  of  Beauvais. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  58— Catholics  of  world  hail 
P'ope  on  Birthday — Olympic  marks  smashed  in 
final  U.  S.  tryouts — Gene  Tunney  trains  at  New 
York   for   bout   with   Heeney. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  55- Helen 
Wills  keeps  title  in  brilliant  battle  at  England — 
World's  biggest  plane,  IS  tons  joins  British  forces — 
Thousands  of  New  Yorkers  jam  Coney  Island  for 
relief   from  heat. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  100— Mexicans  choose 
Gen.  Alvaro  Obregon  for  their  chief  executive — 
Joie  Ray  breaks  American  record  in  10,000-meter 
run  at  Cambridge — Gene  Tunney  works  hard  for 
future  battle  with  Heeney. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  95— Tunney  and  Heeney  round 
into  shape  for  big  battle — English  ruler  sees  Helen 
Wills  triumph — Pacific  flyers,  Lyon  and  Warner 
warmly  welcomed  on  return  from  Australia. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


Y^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


STAGE     SHOWS 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  20 

"West  Point  Days,"  featuring  Paul  Ash  and  the 
Paramount  stage  band,  is  the  current  week's  attrac- 
tion, staged  by  Frank  Cambria. 

Scene  1,  called  "Flirtation  Walk,"  opens  with 
songs  of  West  Point  sung  by  George  Nelidoff  and 
The  Cadet  Chorus,  with  whistling  effects.  "Strolling 
Along  ■with  Mollie"  is  the  second  number  sung  by 
Joseph  Griffin,  Virginia  Johnson,  The  Cadet  Chorus, 
and  danced   by  the   Gamby-Hale   Girls. 

Ray  Bolger,  the  "ambassador,"  serves  up  the  com- 
edy, with  comedy  patter,  songs,  burlesque  dramatic 
recitation    and    dancing. 

Scene  2,  "Blossom  Time,"  opens  with  a  song 
called  "A  Faded  Flower,"  sung  by  Joseph  Griffin  to 
Virginia  Johnson.  The  former  has  an  excellent 
voice,  but  Miss  Johnson  was  decidedly  not  the  type 
for  this  number,  and  she  does  not  register  favorably. 

Scene  3,  featuring  the  Gamby-Hale  Girls  (no  con- 
nection with  Chester  Hale),  is  an  excellent  chorus 
dance.  These  girls  are  perhaps  the  best  outfit  at  the 
Paramount  this  season,  their  precision  dancing  is 
characteristic  of  Gamby's  excellent  training.  Ray 
Bolger  again  offers  his  inimitable  comedy,  with  danc- 
ing and  good-natured  horseplay  with  Paul  Ash. 
He  goes  over  for  a  big  hand. 

"Mother  Goose  Parade" — evidently  Paul  Ash's  own 
idea — is  very  touching.  Two  little  children,  a  boy 
and  girl,  apparently  about  4  or  5  years  of  age,  come 
on  and  ask  their  "Uncle  Paul"  to  tell  them  a 
Mother  Goose  story.  Paul,  with  the  able  assistance 
of  the  orchestra,  does  the  honors.  It  is  a  quiet 
little  bit,  and  thrills  the  hearts  of  lovers  of  children. 

"Your  Land,  My  Land,"  which  is  a  favorite  mili- 
tary number,  is  played  by  the  stage-band,  sung  by 
Joesph  Griffin  and  danced  by  the  Gamby-Hale  Girls 
for  a  close. 


Here's  the  Man 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 

Picture    Songs   Are    Getting   Popular 

Music  Pu  blishers 

Learn  Value  of 

Screen  Tieup 

"Ramona"  and  "Laugh,  Clown, 

Laugh"  Films  Boost  Sales 

of  Sheet  Music 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Now  more  than  ever  music  publish- 
ers are  realizing  the  value  of  song 
themes  to  motion  pictures.  At  one 
time  this  was  considered  just  a  part 
of  the  musical  score  with  no  particu- 
lar interested  stressed  on  making  any 
individual  song  a  hit.  In  the  past  few 
years  good  melodies  have  been  as  much 
responsible  for  the  success  of  some 
good  photoplays  as  the  story  of  the 
photoplay  itself.  This  was  more  than 
proven  recently  with  "Ramona"  and 
"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh." 

There  are  many  good  songs  published 
nowadays  that  lend  themselves  to  good  ad- 
vantage as  stage  presentations.  Take  for 
instance  "Charmaine,"  published  by  Sher- 
man Clay  &  Co.,  as  the  theme  song  for 
"What  Price  Glory."  The  same  writers  and 
publishers  also  contributed  "Diane,"  a  won- 
derful success  as  the  theme  of  "Seventh 
Heaven."  At  this  writing  the  same  writers 
have  released  a  new  song  called  "Angela 
Mia"  as  the  theme  for  "The  Street  Angel," 
featuring  Janet  Gaynor,  star  of  the  "Seventh 
Heaven"  film. 

A  point  worthy  to  mention  and  to  know 
at  this  time  is  the  fact  that  "Ramona"  as 
a  song  was  written  long  before  the  motion 
picture  of  a  similar  name  was  ever  thought 
of.  The  publishers,  Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  were  so 
well  pleased  with  the  tune  that  they  im- 
mediately arranged  a  tieup  with  the  pro- 
ducers of  the  film  and  now  both  the  film 
and  song  are  riding  on  the  waves  of  ex- 
treme success.  In  this  case  either  the  song 
or  the  film  could  easily  ride  on  its  own 
merits.  However,  it  happens  that  both  fit 
into  each  others  plot  and  it  is  doubted 
whether  a  similar  coincidence  will  ever  hap- 
pen again  under  the  existing  conditions. 

Film  Inspired  Song 
"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  published  by  the 
Remick  Music  Corp.,  was  inspired  by  the 
film  of  the  same  name.  It  happens  that 
both  fit  into  the  theme  of  the  original  story 
and  is  the  most  popular  song  hit  next  to 
"Ramona."  Both  of  these  songs  offer  un- 
usual possibilities  for  staging  a  prologue  to 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  13 

Belle  Baker,  the  inimitajble  songstress,  who  has 
been  the  star  of  many  musical  comedies,  made  her 
first  appearance  in  a  film  theatre  here  this  week 
as  star  of  the  Publix  production,   "Flajpperettee." 

Belle  did  a  vai-iety  of  numbers  in  her  charming 
fashion,  including  the  he-man's  lament,  "That's  My 
Weakness  Now."  She  sang  a  number  of  other  of 
those  "sob  ditties"  and  characters  songs  of  hers  in 
a  way  that  only  she  can.  And  a  goodly  multitude  of 
Detroitere  were  pleased  with,  and  took  advantage  of, 
the  opportunity  to  hear  and  see  Belle  without  the 
necessity  of  paying  out  a  month's  rent  to  do  so. 

Frank  Beaston,  the  smiling  master  of  ceremonies 
at  the  Michigan,  is  an  old  personal  friend  and  a 
former  stage  co-worker  of  Belle's,  so  the  two  ex- 
changed some  pert  chatter  in  between  songs. 

Among  the  other  good  entertainers  in  the  show 
was  Billie  Gerber,  who  did  some  cute  "boy"  imper- 
sonations and  also  a  little  singing  and  dancing.  The 
Rio  Brothers  were  fast  steppers,  their  speciality  be- 
ing  collegiate   dances. 

Rath  Denise  offered  some  "flapper  steps."  Lulcy, 
Mealy  and  Crocker  competed  for  trick  honors  and  the 
Michigan  chorines  cavorted.  Arthur  Gotow  had  a 
new  song  for  the  organ  and  the  Michigan  Symphony 
Orchestra  supplied  the  claesic  selections  for  the  over- 
ture. As  usual,  the  Michigan  Syncopators  supplied 
the  musical  background  for  the  stage  show. 


Here's  the  man  who  put  community  singing  on 
the  map — Henri  A.  Keates  is  his  name  and  he  pre- 
sides at  the  console  of  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago 
— Henri  has  played  organ  solos  in  nearly  every  pic- 
ture house  of  note  and  has  always  succeeded  with 
his  own  novelties — ^before  singing  became  a  fad  in 
theatres  Keates  gave  organ  concerts  and  classical 
recitals  proving  that  a  good  organist  can  and  should 
play  every  class  of  music — and  most  of  all  what  the 
public  wants. 


SAM  HERMAN 

The  only  real  novelty  Booking 
Agent  in  Chicago  Now  Booking  his 
BATHING  BEAUTY  CONTCSTS 
for  the  Balaban  &  Katz  Circuit, 
Lubliner  &  Trinz  Circuit,  National 
Playhouses,  Inc.,  Coston  Circuit  and 
40  other  Chicago  theatres.  Also  get- 
ting ready  for  the  Fall  Season  with  a 
BRAND  NEW  NOVELTY. 

Sam  Herman 

1001  Woods  BIdg. 
Phone  State  2147 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


the  film.  The  cast  of  each  is  small  and  the 
theme  could  easily  be  brought  out  with 
two   characters   in   the   stage   presentation. 

Film  Produced  from  Song  Hit 

There  have  been  occasions  also  where  a 
successful  song  gave  the  producers  of  mo- 
tion pictures  enoup-h  confidence  to  make  a 
photoplay  storj'  by  making  an  adaptation. 
This  was  successfully  done  by  Lem  F.  Ken- 
nedj%  director  and  supervisor  of  "Down 
Upon  the  Swanee  River,"  which  was  pro- 
duced by  Hapsburgh  Liebe.  "Mighty  Lak 
a  Rose"  and  "When  Irish  Eyes  Are  Smiling" 
were  also  successful  motion  pictures 
adapted  from   successful  song  hits. 

Recently  Villa  Moret,  Inc.,  published 
"Aloonlight  on  the  Danube"  as  the  theme 
song  for  Cecil  de  Mille's  "Blue  Danube" 
photoplay.  They  also  published  and  re- 
leased the  song  theme  for  Mack  Sennett's 
"Goodbye  Kiss." 

Nearly  every  music  publisher  at  some 
time  or  other  manages  to  publish  a  song 
of  sufficient  color  and  interest  that  will  lend 
itself  not  only  as  a  music  theme  to  a  par- 
ticular motion  picture,  but  also  as  the  fea- 
ture of  a  musical  score.  This  is  frequently 
done  by  Irving  Berlin,  Milton  Weil,  Harms, 
Shapiro-Bernstein,  Ager,  Yellen  &  Born- 
stein,  Donaldson-Douglas  and  Gumble,  Wit- 
mark,  Jack  Mills,  Joe  Morris,  Harold  and 
Will  Rossiter,  Foster,  Ted  Browne,  Melrose 
Brothers,  Al  Piantadosi  and  many  others. 
All  Publishers  Have  Organ  Slides 

Each  or  any  of  the  above  music  publishers 
often  have  special  arrangements  for  a  band 
presentation  and  in  some  cases  even  special  ar- 
rangements for  singing  parts  that  may  be  used 
in  a  particular  type  of  stage  show.  Nearly 
every  one  of  them  will  be  more  than  glad  to 
supply  organists  of  any  consequence  with  slides 
for  organ  solos  among  which  may  be  found 
many  original  novelties  including  the  ever 
popular  community  sonc  fest.  Most  of 
them  are  cleverly  made  by  Ransley  Studios 
of  Chicago. 

At  any  rate  whenever  you  are  contemplat- 
ing the  use  of  slides  or  song  arrangements 
and  you  are  in  doubt  as  to  what  will  really 
please  your  patrons  it  will  be  wise  for  you 
to  get  in  touch  with  any  of  the  above  music 
publishers. 

Organists  can  also  gather  considerable  in- 
formation by  following  the  advice  of  Sid 
Berman,  our  music  editor,  who  never  fails 
to  inform  the  exhibitor,  the  musical  direc- 
tor and  the  organist  what  is  the  best  seller 
and  just  exactly  what  is  on  the  air.  For 
further  particulars  write  us. 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  fomm  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discuss  important  matters  bearing 
upon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I  in- 
tended to  write  you  before  this  but  have  been  so 
darn  busy  that  I  haven't  had  a  chance.  Have  not 
sent  you  any  programs  in  the  meantime  either,  or 
clippings.  Don't  know  at  this  minute  where  my  late 
clippings  are,  but  will  try  and  locate  a  couple  of 
them  for  you.  However,  will  send  a  couple  of  the 
house  ads  if  I  can  find  them,  so  that  will  partly  let 
you  know  what  is  going  on  around  here.  As  for 
the  article  that  you  spoke  about  for  the  Better 
Theatres,  I  haven't  had  a  chance  to  even  think  about 
it.     Will  try  and  get  busy  on  it  soon  though. 

Note  the  large  type  on  my  name  in  the  house  ads. 
These  are  the  Sunday  ads.  Smaller  space  is  used 
on  the  other  days,  sometimes  the  copy  is  the  same, 
and    sometimes    it   is    different. 

Will  try  and  drop  in  and  see  you  when  in,  if 
I  get  a  chance,  but  it  is  so  seldom  that  I  get  any 
extra  time  when   I   do  get   in. 

If  the  heat  bothers  you — we  have  a  FRIGIDAIRE 
in  the  office.  You  can  take  this  as  a  suggestion  if 
you   care  to.     No  harm  done. 

Best  regards — Ray  Turner,  Coronado  Theatres. 
Rockford,  111. 


PRESENTATION     ACTS— To     the     Editor:       The 

writer  has  noticed  your  article  in  the  June  30th  issue 
of  your  paper  in  reference  to  Miss  Edna  Kirby,  '^The 
Paramount  Girl,"  tieup  with  Davis  Company  and 
Oriental  theatre  for  which  I  wish  to  thank  you  very 
much  in   behalf  of   Miss   Kirby  and   myself. 

I  am  herewith  enclosing  check  for  SI. 00  for  four 
copies  of  said  issue  (June  30th,  1928)  which  will 
you  kindly  see  that  they  are  mailed  to  me  at  earliest 
possible   date. 

For  your  future  information,  please  be  advised 
that  Miss  Edna  Kirby  is  the  "originator"  of  the 
"Apartment  Unique"  in  a  glass  house  and  its  mate- 
rial  legally  protected  for   her  exclusive  use. 

Yours  very  truly — C.  R.  Menillo,  Box  422,  Bilt- 
more,  N.  C. 


Song  Writer  in  Person 

Ted  Fiorito,  composer  of  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" 
and  several  other  popular  songs  and  recently  part 
of  the  Eusso-Fiorito  Oriole  Orchestra,  which  be- 
came famous  at  the  Edgewater  Beach  Hotel,  Chi- 
cago, is  now  back  at  the  same  hotel  with  his  own 
band. 

Ted  is  also  appearing  in  person  as  a  featured 
attraction  for  Marks  Brothers  at  their  Granada  and 
Marbro  theatres,  Chicago. 


COMMUNITY  SINGING 


ORIGINAL  ORGANLOGUES 


HAROLD  J.  LYON 

ORGANIST-SOLOIST 

MILLION  DOLLAR  STATE  THEATRE— JOHNSTOWN,  PA. 
Organ  Recitals  broadcast  daily  through  Station  WHBP 


Albert  F.  Brown 

Featuring  ORGAN-SCRIM  Presentations 

"REPRESENTS  THE  NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT" 
Granada  and  Marbro  Theatre^,  Chicago 


"DOC"   WEBB 

Original  Organ  Novelties 

at  the 

MARSHALL  Square  Theatre,  CHICAGO 


LOSAYS 

Someihin^ 
about 

Everyone 


Well,  boys,  I'll  leave  you  in  care  of  Dawson  and 
Russell  for  the  next  few  weeks  .  .  .  it's  getting  too 
hot  for  me  to  stick  around  here  so  I'll  have  to  take 
that  little  fishing  trip  I've  been  waiting  for  a  long 
while  .  .  .  nearly  everyone  of  note  is  away  on  a 
vacation  so  I  might  just  a£  well  take  one  too  .  .  . 
maybe  when  I  return  I'll  be  in  a  better  mood  .  .  . 
anyhow  we'll  try  our  hand  at  a  little  motoring  along 
the  highways  of  Colorado  .  .  .  Oh,  yes!  by  all  means 
we  are  going  to  pay  "Pike's  Peak"  a  visit  .  .  . 
in  fact  we'll  call  on  all  the  "PeaJcs,"  and  their  little 
"Pikers"  .  .  .  I'll  keep  you  informed  from  the 
highest  point  on  what's  going  on  .  .  .  well  here 
goes  some  scandal  .  .  .  open  your  ear,  everybody, 
and  cross  your  heart  that  you  will  never  tell  where 
it  came  from  ...  all  right,  I  know  you  can  all 
keep  a  secret,  so  let's  go:  .  .  .  we  learn  from  news- 
paper announcements  that  Balaban  &  Katz  will 
feature  an  augmented  orchestral  production  at  their 
Uptown  theatre  starting  next  Monday  .  .  .  the  new 
policy  will  be  in  addition  to  a  stage  band  show  and 
Ulderico  Marcelli  will  conduct  from  the  pit  .  .  . 
Reports  have  it  that  Marks  Bros.,  will  also  install 
this  policy  ...  at  any  rate  the  National  Playhouses, 
formerly  known  as  the  Cooney  Bros'.  Circuit,  will 
change  their  opening  date  from  Monday  to  Saturday 
hereafter  .  .  .  this  change  was  made  in  order  to 
play  the  same  program  of  stage  and  screen  at- 
tractions now  offered  by  Marks  Bros.  ...  we  hear 
that  Fred  Kinsley  formerly  featured  organist  at  the 
Hippodrome  in  New  York,  has  been  appointed  chief 
organist  of  the  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  Circuit  in 
charge  of  their  organ  presentations  for  the  entire 
circuit  .  .  .  speaking  of  organists  we  are  in  receipt 
of  several  letters  from  many  of  our  friends  among 
which  are  J.  Virgil  Huffman,  now  at  the  new  Ameri- 
can in  Roanoke  .  .  .  Ray  Turner  of  the  Coronado 
in  Rockford  .  .  .  Louis  Lohman  who  replaces  Carl 
Lagerquist  at  the  Congress  in  Chicago  and  Chauncey 
Haines  who  returned  from  his  vacation  .  .  .  Melvin 
Peacock  of  the  Sheboygan  theatre  in  Sheboygan 
writes  us  for  information  on  how  to  form  an  organ 
club  .  .  .  Eddie  Meikel,  take  Md  in  hand  and  do  your 
brotherly  duty  towards  him  .  .  .  Howard  J.  Peterson, 
featured  organist  of  the  Arcadia  theatre  in  St. 
Charles,  111.,  is  a  regular  feature  of  WJJD  in  his 
half  hour  organ  recitals  every  Tuesday  at  6  :30  P.  M. 
.  .  .  tune  in  on  him  some  evening  .  .  .  Milton 
Charles  is  playing  at  the  Tivoli  this  week  as  guest 
organist  ...  if  you  ever  want  to  find  Albert  F. 
Brown,  featured  organist  for  Marks  Bros.,  there  are 
just  two  places  to  look  .  .  .  first  at  the  music  pub- 
lishers and  then  at  Riverview  Park,  Chicago,  riding 
the  Bobs  with  the  family  ...  if  not  at  either  place 
then  try  the  Granada  and  Marbro  and  you  will 
surely  find  him  there  .  .  .  Eddie  Hill  and  his  wife 
are  still  enjoying  their  honeymoon  tour  of  Publix 
.  .  Eddie  is  the  rotund  comedian  whom  the  girls 
won't  let  alone  .  .  .  J.  F.  Ransly,  the  Chicago  organ 
slide  man  is  enjoying  a  rest  at  his  farm  in  Kentucky 
.  .  .  Wayne  Allen  formerly  with  Charles  Kaley's 
band  is  now  with  Ted  Fiorito  at  the  Edgewater 
Beach  Hotel  .  .  .  Jack  Lavin,  manager  of  the 
Chicago  Villa  Moret  office  is  back  after  a  tour  of 
picture  houses  in  the  Middle  West  .  .  .  did  you 
know  that  Louis  Lipstone  is  the  proud  daddy  of  a 
ten  pound  boy  .  .  .  Lou  says  he  will  not  be  a 
master  of  ceremonies  .  .  .  M.  J.  Murphy  formerly  of 
the  Oriental  is  now  manager  of  the  Varsity  theatre 
in  Evanston  .  .  .  Del  Delbridge  is  in  Chicago  .  .  . 
reports  have  it  that  he  is  looking  for  a  place  for 
Mr.  Stork  to  call  on  .  .  .  Mel  Richmond  has  booked 
the  ballet  into  the  Chicago  Piccadilly  theatre  .  .  . 
Max  Turner  in  charge  of  the  Chicago  William  Morris 
office  is  on  his  vacation  .  .  .  Louis  St.  Pierre  is 
managing  the  Coronado  theatre  in  Rockford  a  Great 
States  house  .  .  .  rumors  have  it  that  Al  Belasco 
is  leaving  L  &  T  Chicago  for  deluxe  house  in  Cleve- 
land .  .  .  Charles  Irwin  is  making  two  appearances 
this  week  .  .  .  one  in  person  at  the  Palace  in 
Chicago  and  the  other  on  the  Vitaphone  at  the 
Capitol  and  Avalon  .  .  .  Harry  Liebman  of  De  Sylva- 
Brown  &  Henderson,  said  on  his  recent  visit  to 
Chicago  that  our  city  is  great  .  .  .  thanks,  Harry, 
I'm  glad  somebody  likes  it  .  .  .  Listen,  Hank  Lnst- 
garten,  behave  yourself  until  I  return  .  .  .I've  heard 
two  many  complaints  about  your  Radio  Cappers. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  15 

The  Oriental,  Al  Kvale  and  Mister  McDermott  do 
themselves  up  brown  this  week  with  a  colorful  show 
and  a  show  which  has  its  best  moments.  In  fact  the 
best  moments  continue  from  the  opening  curtain 
until  the  last. 

It  doesn't  take  much  to  realize  that  McDeEunott 
is  back  on  the  job,  which  he  deserted  for  a  much 
needed  vacation  after  Ash's  departure.  There  is 
color,  continuity  and  all  of  the  other  things  that 
go  with  a  good  presentation  act. 

The  show  opens  with  Milton  Watson  and  the  10 
Ahbott  Girls  in  front  of  a  drape  which  politely  rises 
for  the  dancers  to  take  positions  on  the  steps  lead- 
ing back  center,  and  as  they  dance  and  sing  they 
condecend  also  to  unrobe.  In  our  humble  opinion 
the  Abbott  Girls  are  as  far  superior  to  other  dancing 
units  as  the  sun  is  brighter  than  the  moon.  That's 
our  opinion,  which  undoubtedly  means  nothing,  ex- 
cepting, of  course,  that  we  are  reporting  the  show. 

The  stage  band,  now  being  in  the  pit — and  not 
such  a  bad  idea — next  plays  "One  Step  to  Heaven" 
to  a  good  hand,  with  Al  doing  his  stuff  and  garner- 
ing the  appreciation. 

And  of  course,  this  show  being  called,  as  we  forgot 
to  tell  you,  KwoUies  Follies,  they  had  to  have  some 
sketches.  So,  Al,  Coleman  Goctz  and  Anita  La 
Pierre  did  one.  It  brought  its  share  of  laughs — and 
more,  for  Miss  La  Pierre  (and  the  French  is  hard  to 
write)  came  on  with  two  good  numbers.  The  first 
as  it  sounded  from  the  rear  was  sung  in  French, 
while  the  next  brought  forth  "My  Darling,"  dedicated, 
as  Al  said,  to  himself.  Use  your  own  judgment. 
Nevertheless  she  got  a  good  hand,  and  was  accepted 
as  one   of   the   Oriental   gang. 

Next,  it  seems,  the  band  played  "Your  a  Real  Sweet- 
heart," with  Watson  doing  his  contribution,  and  with 
our  French  maiden   "in."     Another  good  hand. 

Watson  next  sang  the  theme  song  from  "The 
Street  Angel,"  "Angela  Mia,"  following  this  with 
"The  Desert  Song."  Watson  always  gets  a  good 
hand,  although  his  voice  does  not  have  the  color  it 
did  when  he  joined  Ash  some  years  ago. 

Naturally,  there  had  to  be  some  dancing,  and  the 
leadoff  was  Scotty  Weston,  who,  with  the  Abbotts, 
did  a  good  turn  and  was  thanked  with  applause  for 
it.  Weston's  encore  was  a  tap  to  the  fife  and  drum 
corps   and   it   was   done  admirably. 

Next — and  we're  not  speaking  in  the  lingo  of 
the  barber — came  Al  with  "That's  My  Weakness 
Nfliw."  This  piece  gave  Al  an  opportunity  to  show 
what  he  could  and  couldn't  play  in  the  way  of 
musical  instruments.  Well,  he  did  pretty  good  and 
everyone  liked  it,  but  you've  heard  those  weird 
noises  coming  from  an  apartment  wind«w,  haven't 
you  ?  N»iff  said. 

Then  came  Goctz  and  the  finale  with  the  Abbott 
Girls  and  "Little  Dream  House,"  all  of  which  was 
very  inviting. 

It  was  a  good  show  and,  Al,  you  may  take  a  bow. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  14 

This  week  Richy  Craig  and  his  Gang  were  in 
Melody  Land  and — what  a  melody  of  joy  and  hap- 
piness they  told !  The  setting  was  an  orgy  of  musical 
notes  centered  about  a  great  banjo,  the  drum  of 
which  was  transparent  and  through  which  at  in- 
tervals could  be  seen  beautiful  dancers  in  gorgeous 
gownte  tripping  along,   strumming  banjos. 

The  main  attraction  of  the  evening  was  Joe  Regan, 
the  celebrated  Irish-American  tenor.  He  sang  a 
number  of  Irish  melodies  in  a  way  that  only  an  Irish- 
man could  do  it,  and  only  an'  Irishman  with  the  talent 
and  voice  of  Joe  Regan.  "My  Wild  Irish  Rose," 
"When  Irish  Eyes  Were  Smiling"  and  a  few  selec- 
tions from  opera  brought  the  crowd  to  a  fren2y 
of  applause.  Again  and  again  he  was  called  back ; 
just  for  one  more  song — just  one.  But  the  presenta- 
tion must  keep  a  time  schedule  and  the  audience  was 
subdued  enough  for  the  rest  of  the  program  to  con- 
tinue. Milwaukee  likes  anything  that  really  is 
good. 

Bcbi  Barri's  exponents  of  the  terpsichorean  art 
then  execute  a  fantastic  dance  which  ends  up  in 
striking   poses   by  the   different   dancers. 

Richy  Craig  and  his  Gang  then  put  on  a  little 
comedy  with  a  song  entitled  "For  Instance,"  Jack 
Richmond  singing  the  final  verse.  Louise  and 
Andrew  Carr  then  do  some  high-class  tap  dancing 
ending  up  with  an  accompaniment  to  the  "Stars 
and  Stripes  Forever."     As  a  surprise  to  the  audience. 


Craig  introduces  the  parents  of  Louise  and  Andrew 
Carr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carr  are  some  mean  steppers 
and  they  get  lots  of  applause.  It  was  evident  where 
the   younger    Carrs    got   their    dancing   ability    from:. 

One  of  the  features  of  the  presentation  was  the 
introduction  of  the  members  of  his  Gang  by  Richy 
Craig.  Slides  were  flashed  on'  the  screen  of  each 
musician  in  a  comic  pose  and  introduced  by  Craig 
with  a  witty  saying  for  each  one. 

The  finale  consists  of  the  Barri  Girls  dancing  and 
playing  banjos  behind  the  large  transparent  banjo 
in  the  setting  and  Jack  Richmond  singing  "To- 
gether." 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  July  14 

The  far  heralded  "Mikado  of  Jazz"  reigned  at 
the  Howard  this  week,  but  not  in  the  splendor  pre- 
dicted, one  suspects  because  of  the  change  of  per- 
sonality from  its  father,  Paul  Ash,  to  Jack  Stanley 
the  Howard  orchestra.  Something  missed  out,  giving 
it  a  too  slow  tempo. 

Standing  out  is  Bob  LaSalle  as  Ko-Ko  the  comedian, 
who  brought  a  round  of  laughter  on  each  appear- 
ance. 

Willard  Andelin  furnished  good  comedy  also.  Arch 
Cannon,  lyric  tenor,  went  over  well. 

The  Kimiwa  troupe  of  four  Japanese  acrobats  drew 
a  loud  hand.  Evelyn  Vee,  the  heroine,  is  ably  as- 
sisted by  the  Darling  Twins.  The  trio  received  favor. 
Eight  chorines  displayed  picturesque  costimaes  and 
lively   steps   in   several  numbers. 

The  plot,  based  upon  the  popular  Gilbert-Sullivan's 
comic  opera,  was  hailed  as  a  jazz  version  staged  by 
Paul  Ash.  Costuming  and  settings  were  expensive 
and  eye-catching.  Songs  were  good.  Individual  num- 
bers went  off  well,  but  on  the  whole  something 
retarded  the  swift  movement  which  should  have  been 
there. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  20 

"Carnival  of  Venice"  is  arranged  particularly  this 
week  to  depict  the  atmosphere  of  the  film  "Street 
Angel,"  and  utilizes  all  the  musical  properties  of 
the  theatre,  and  reflects  the  Italian  atmosphere  of 
the  film  by  the  use  of  the  choral  stairways  and 
boxes  on  either  side  of  the  stage. 

Beatrice  Belkin  sings  Benedict's  "Carnival  of 
Venice,"  followed  by  the  Roxy  Ballet  Corps  and  the 
32  Roxyettes  in  a  novel  Harlequinade  with  Four- 
drain's   "Carnival"   as  the  musical   theme. 

■Voljanin,  Sergeyeva,  and  'Vodnoy,  singing  come- 
dians, bring  the  continental  art  of  mimicry  to  Amer- 
ican  audiences   in   a  Venetian   comedy   number. 

Helen  Lyons  and  Locques  Lorraine,  well-known 
character  dancers,  appear  in  an  interpretation  of  the 
gypsy  dance. 

Jeanne  Mignolet  sings  the  traditional  "Ciribirbin," 
the  ballet  corps  supplying  the  background  with 
Patricia  Bowman  and  Nicholas  Daks  in  the  principal 
dancing  roles. 

Berinoff  and  Eulalie,  the  adagio  team  who  recently 
scored  at  this  theatre,  present  another  composition 
of  daring  quality. 

Douglas  Stanbury,  assisted  by  the  entire  ensemble, 
sings  "Venetian  Moon"  and  Henry  Therrien  follows 
this  with  "Angela  Mia,"  the  theme  of  the  picture,  by 
Erno  Rapee  and  licw  Pollack.  The  Roxyettes  close 
the  bill  with  a  precision  dancing  number  called  "The 
Lido." 


Seattle  Seattle 


Week  Ending  July  14 

Most  unusual  was  the  dancing  in  the  Publix  show 
devised  by  Jack  Partington,  dance  master,  and  the 
bright  particular  star  was  Drena  Beach,  who  is  most 
fascinating. 

Moore  and  Powell  come  in  for  a  good  share  of 
applause  with  the  musical  saw,  quick  comedy  and 
snappy  singing. 

Anna  Chang  is  some  cute  Oriental  singer  and 
more  comedy  is  well  handled  by  Jean  and  Fritz 
Hubert.  A  group  of  graceful  and  decidedly  pretty 
girls  are  the  Felida  Sorel  group,  who  make  the  most 
of    a    colorful    dance   routine. 

Thel  Seattle  Stage  band  also  offer  a  number  of 
comedy  musical  offerings  directed  by  Jack  Bain. 
Grand  opera  selections  with  the  outstanding  number 
"Slavonic  Rhapsody"  with  Arthur  Clausen  directing. 
"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard"  says  Ron  Baggot 
on  the  organ. 


Pittsburgh  Penn 

Week  Ending  July  7 

The  Publix  unit,  "Eixylophonia,"  staged  by  John 
Murray  Anderson,  was  one  of  the  most  entertaining 
and  attractive  yet  seen  here,  the  finale  being  espe- 
cially breath-taking.  The  Two  Johnsons,  xylophon- 
ists,  were  accompanied  by  twelve  Foster  Girls,  each 
of  whom  played  an  xylophone.  The  girls  in  the 
rear  of  the  stage,  occupying  two  platforms,  one 
above  the  other.  Each  platform  holding  six  girls. 
These  fourteen  xylophones  playing  the  "Zampa  Over- 
ture" was  something  worth  hearing  and  seeing. 

Rosemary,  coloratura  soprano  offered  "Una  Vooa 
Poca  Fa"  and  "When  Irish  Eyes  Are  Smiling."  A 
beautiful  girl  who  makes  a  splendid  appearance,  and 
has  a  wonderful  vodoe.     She  scored  heavily. 

Chester  Fredericks,  late  dance  star  of  "Music  Box 
Revue,"  did  some  unusually  clever  acrobatic  dancing 
and  Hal  Sherman  offered  a  clever  eccentric  dance 
number.  Sherman  stopped  the  show  on  several 
occasions. 

The  stage  band  featured  master  of  ceremonies 
Teddy  Joyce's  newest  number,  "You  Need  Me,  I 
Need  You."     A  jazzy   numiber  that  got  a  big  hand. 

The  orchestra  overture  presentation  was  accom- 
panied by  the  showing  on  the  giant  screen  of  M  G  M's 
Technicolor  subject,  "The  Flag,"  very  appropriate  for 
Independence  Day  Week.  The  music  was  very  inspir- 
ing. 


PRESTON   SELLERS 

Now  Confined  to  the  organ  duties  of  the 

ORIENTAL  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Father  and  Brain  Children  are  doing  well. 


IRENE 

TAYLOR 

(The  '' 

IT"  of  Blues) 

Featured  in  Publix  "PAGODALAND"  Unit 

Playing  Entire  PUBLIX  Circuit 

Direction 

— Wm,  Morris  Agency 

ILOMAY   BAILEY 

"The  Golden  Voiced  Prima  Donna" 

Featured  in  "STEPS  and  STEPPERS"  Unit 
Now  Touring  PUBLIX  Theatres 

Direction Wm.   Morris   Agency 


f 


I 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 

PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'way 
N.  Y.  City 


48 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Los   Angeles   Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  14 

Frank  Cambria's  Publix  revue.  "Surprise,"  with 
the  Felicia  Sorel  grirls,  offered  a  novel,  but  entertain- 
ing program  at  the  "Met"  this  week.  A  beautiful 
stage  setting  backed  by  clever  artists,  and  mueic  as 
directed  by  Jules  Baffano,  master  of  ceremonies,  all 
combined  to  make  the  presentation  surprising.  The 
show  started  with  Buffano  singing  a  new  number, 
"Watermelon." 

A  military  tap  dance  by  the  Bernic  Brothers  fol- 
lowed, they  warmed  the  audience,  with  their  hoofing 
and  closed  in  great  style.  The  Moore  Sisters  then 
sang  "My  Ohio  Home,"  going  into  a  dance  in  the 
chorue.  The  girls  were  cute,  and  have  a  charming 
manner.  Their  work  is  light  but  they  took  a  good 
hand. 

Kathryn  Irwin,  accompanied  by  Charles  JoUey,  fol- 
lowed in  a  song  number  which  penetrated  a  screen 
that  was  lowered,  the  projection  machine,  with  color 
effecting  water,  made  the  Sorel  girls  appear  as  sea 
nymphs.  Beautiful  lighting  and  pretty  costumes 
added   much   to   their   wonderful   reception. 

They  were  followed  by  the  two  Harlequins  in 
gymnastic  stunts.  Their  work  is  above  the  average, 
offering  something  different  from  the  average  "dtimb" 
act.  They  were  well  liked.  The  12  Sorel  girls 
offered  a  line  dance  next,  doing  some  clever  steps, 
in  unison.  Bcnardo,  the  clown,  with  his  mandolin, 
gave  the  audience  several  laughs  with  his  line  of 
hokum  and  expressions.  Jules  Buffano  assisted  him 
in  some  of  the  gags,  ■which  was  pleasing.  His  selec- 
tions on  the  mandolin  were  good  and  appeared  to 
please   the   patrons. 

The  three  Ritz  Brothers,  headliners  in  vaudeville, 
were  the  highlights  of  the  bill.  They  kept  the 
crowd  laughing  at  all  times  with  their  stories  and 
songs.  Their  actions  showed  they  were  real  troupers 
and  the  gags  were  at  least  new  in  these  parts.  They 
were  forced  to  take  two  encores.  Their  impression 
of  Hary  Langdon  and  John  Barrymore  doing  the 
Charleston,  took  a  big  hand.  The  orchestra  started 
in  playing  the  closing  number  with  the  Sorel  girls 
entering  and   lining  up   on   either    side   of   the   stage. 

Steps  leading  up  offered  a  good  setting  for  the 
display  of  beautiful  gowns.  The  creations  were  in 
line  with  the  orchestra  closing  to  "Here  Gomes  the 
Bride."  A  couple  appearing  at  the  head  of  the 
steps,   as  bride   and   groom. 

The  show  could  have  been  shorter  by  several  min- 
utes and  still   hold  the  good  will   of   all. 


J.  VIRGIL  HUFFMAN 


Formerly  of  LOEWS  PALACE, 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  An- 
nounces his  engagement  as  Fea- 
tured Organist  at  the  AMERICAN, 
ROANOKE'S  NEW  $1,500,000 
THEATRE.  Hear  him  daily  over 
WDBJ. 


Fred  Kinsley  Now  Heads 

Keith- Albee-Orpheum 

Organ  Presentations 

Keith-Albee  Hippodrome  of  New  York  has  lost  a 
very  good  organist,  but  the  Keith-Albee  Orpheum 
interests  has  in  turn  gained  a  manager  of  organ 
presentations,  than  who  no  other  is  better  qualified 
for  the  work.  Frederick  Kinsley,  formerly  the  organ- 
ist at  the  Hipp,  was  last  week  appointed  manager 
of  the  organ  presentation  department  for  the  entire 
K.-A.O.    string    of    theatres. 

His  work,  devoted  for  the  present  to  the  metro- 
politan area  of  New  York,  takes  in  the  arranging, 
composing  and  managing  of  all  organ  solos  at  these 
theatres,  while  he  also  arranges  and  directs  the  illus- 
trated slides.  He  is  in  charge  of  the  employing  of 
organists  for  the  entire  circuit,  and  "A  Fred  Kinsley 
Presentation"  will  be  the  announcement  neralded  in 
every   theatre   using   this   feature. 

His  offices  are  with  the  K.-A.O.  orchestra  depart- 
ment in  the  Broadway  Theatre  Building,  41st  St. 
and  Broadway,  New  York.  Walter  Wild,  former 
organist  at  Mark  Strand's  New  York  house,  is  replac- 
ing Kinsley   at  the  Hippodrome. 


Philadelphia  Carman 

Week  Ending  July  7 

A  breezy  and  entertaining  revue  with  27  skilled 
performers,  including  the  Shamrock  Band  and  the 
16  Gould  Girls  greeted  patrons  of  the  Carman  this 
week. 

Walter  Clinton,  conductor  of  the  band,  acted  as 
master  of  ceremonies  and  proved  himself  a  versatile 
and  entertaining  leader.  The  wholesomeness  and 
genuine  spontaneity  of  the  Gould  Girls  is  especially 
noteworthy. 

The  Shamrock  Band  in  green  costumes  gave  a  jazz 
selection  and  the  Gould  Girls  in  wistaria  dresses 
offered  a  delightful  bit  of  synchronized  dancing  fol- 
lowed by  Clinton,  who  sang  a  popular  melody  and 
gave  a  dance  imitation  of  Harry  Lauder.  Gloria 
Gay  and  Ruby  Fay  are  two  promising  youngsters 
whose   solo   dancing   won   considerable    applause. 

Clinton  then  indulged  in  a  monologue  filled  with 
references  to  his  personal  preference  for  the  wet 
Presidential  candidate  which  to  say  the  least  ■was 
in   bad   form. 

The  chorus  in  glittering  gold  costumes  and  head- 
dresses offered  another  routine  dance.  Julia  Rooney, 
dressed  in  gold  vpith  a  gold  cape,  gave  an  eccentric 
oriental  dance  that  brought  a  storm  of  applause. 
She  was  later  joined  by  the  chorus  in  a  clever  unison 
dance. 

One  of  the  members  of  the  Shamrock  Band  sang 
a  sentimental  lyric  after  which  Julia  Rooney,  attired 
in  a  soft  gray  green  costume,  danced,  pirouetted  and 
did   some  high   kicking. 

The  Gould  Girls,  in  bathing  suits,  then  returned  and 
sitting  on  low  stools  went  through  a  series  of  gym- 
nastic stunts  to  show  their  agility.  The  "Stop  and 
Go"  dance  created  much  amusement  as  the  chorus 
had  to  stop  as  soon  as  the  strains  of  the  m.usic 
ceased  and  dance  when  it  played.  The  ludicrous 
positions  of  the  girls  and  their  inability  to  balance 
themselves  after  the  sudden  stops  proved  the  hit  of 
the   evening. 

The  tenor  soloist  sang  "Mother  Majihree"  with 
good  results.  The  whole  company  appeared  in  the 
finale  and  joined  in  the  revelry. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  20 

"Monte  Carlo"  is  an  elaborately  colorful  produc- 
tion featuring  the  ever-acclairaed  versatile  Walt 
Roesner  and  his  delightful  band  of  syncopating  mel- 
odists. 

"Gemble  Vit  Me"  is  oft'ered  by  the  Capitolians' 
piano  player,  who  is  an  artist  in  his  own  right. 
The  num.ber  is  a  typical  "roulette  wheel  story"  and 
is  danced  by  the  Chester  Hale   Girls. 

"Chile  Pom  Pom  Pe"  is  offered  by  the  Capitolians 
Orchestra,  and  sung  in  different  styles  by  members  of 
this   versatile   gathering   of   musicians. 

Harlan  Dixon,  late  dancing  star  of  "Manhattan 
Mary"  and  other  musical  comedy  successes,  appears 
at  this  theatre  for  the  first  time  on  any  picture 
theatre   stage.      He  offers   steps  and   twirls  that  made 


him  famous  on  Broadway,  and  his  "Five-Step,"  the 
most  difficult  of  all,  is  danced  with  him  by  one  of 
the  Chester  Hale  Girls  who  learned  the  dance  in 
four  days. 

Helen  Yorke,  coloratura  soprano,  returns  to  the 
Capitol   and   sings   "Voices   of   Spring." 

Louis  and  Freda  Berkoff,  sensation  Russian  danc- 
ers lately  feattired  with  The  Greenwich  Village  Fol- 
lies, put  over  a  fast  routine  of  peppy  dancing,  which 
wins  the  applause  in   great  volume. 

Dtiring  the  revue,  the  Chester  Hale  Girls,  in  brief 
playing  card  costumes,  offer  a  series  of  chorus  danc- 
ing,  which   is   moderately   good. 

Frank  Stever,  popular  baritone,  offers  solos  with 
the  band.  The  finish  was  very  dazzling  and  beauti- 
ful, with  roulette  wheel  and  playing-card  scenery 
and  lighting  effects,  and  the  show  ie  another  Capitol 
success. 


Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  July  20 

Tommy  Wonder,  or  at  least  that  is  the  name  he 
uses,  does  a  dance  act  at  the  Indiana  this  week 
w^hich  is  a  classic.  The  boy,  for  he  is  not  so  old, 
does  a  solo  dance  rather  Russian  in  character,  that 
is  one  of  the  best  seen  here  for  some  time.  He 
shows  two  or  three  new  steps  at  a  time  when  it 
would  seem  there  were  no  new  steps.  Then  he 
makes  his  second  appearance  with  the  figure  of  a 
flapper  on  his  arm.  The  flapper  is  stuffed,  or  so  it 
seems,  but  Tommy  dances  with  this  thing  as  though 
entranced.  His  act  is  a  headliner  in  an  otherwise 
somewhat  drab  bill. 

Verdi,  a  violinist,  is  introduced  with  a  lot  of  bally- 
hoo, but  it  would  seem  that  there  is  too  much  con- 
versation and  not  sufficient  violin  playing  to  warrant 
all    the    extravagant    introduction. 

The  Lett  Sisters  and  Louise  are  pleasing  harmony 
singers.  Charlie  Davis  plays  a  piano  solo  and  the 
Foster  Girls  do  some  unusually  good  dancing. 


Glendale  Alexander 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Ted  Mack  and  His  Musical  Monarchs,  with  Jack 
Kates  and  Bobby  Agnew,  popular  screen  juvenile, 
assisted  by  the  "San  Francisco  Beauties,"  put  over 
Fanchon  and  Marco's  "College  Caper's  Idea"  in  great 
style.  Each  artist  received  a  good  hand  for  their 
offering. 

The  show  opened  with  a  collegiate  atmosphere,  the 
girls  giving  college  yells,  the  orchestra  playing  school 
tunes,  which  was  followed  up  by  the  Beauties  doing 
a  toe  tap  dance.  Ted  plays  the  saxophone  through 
the  chorus. 

Jack  Kates  came  next  with  a  barrage  of  stories 
and  wise  cracks,  which  made  a  hit  with  the  crowd. 
He  finished  singing  "Coquette"  with  the  aid  of  the 
girls,  doing  a  comical  dance  as  an  exit.  He  was 
highly  received  and  took  an  encore. 

Bobby  Agnew,  who  is  rather  stage  shy,  sang  a 
special  song  regarding  the  cinema,  ending  up  with 
"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard."  His  voice  is  good 
and  his  manner  pleasing.  He  and  the  eight  beauties 
in  the  finale  danced  and  paraded  to  the  orchestra's 
"Yale  Blues,"  closing  a  short  but  delightful  program 
and   immensely   entertaining. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  13 

Del  Delbridge,  popular  master  of  ceremonies  and 
band  leader,  presided  over  "Jazz  Butterflies,"  the 
stage  attraction  this  week  at  the  Capitol.  The  setting 
was  gorgeous  and  the  individual  performers  talented. 

Mae  Wynn  was  a  dainty  little  dancer  who  won 
much  applause.  Lang  and  Voelk,  although  in  comedy 
makeup,  proved  to  be  sweet  voiced  singers,  and  mixed 
in  several  songs  with  their  comedy  numbers. 

Three  Japanese,  Toki,  Yokie  and  Kee,  proved  quite 
versatile ;  singing,  dancing,  playing  and  juggling. 
It  was  an  amusing  novelty  act  and  was  very  well 
done.  Erner  and  Fisher  had  a  slick  "dumb"  dance 
act   which   predominated   in   eccentric    steps. 

The  rest  of  the  program,  too,  is  heavy  in  dancing. 
Two  Harlem  boys.  Rector  and  Cooper,  were  the  fea- 
tures in  some  intricate  and  high  grade  tap  dances, 
and  the  Capitol  Dancing  Girls  danced  gracefully  in 
lovely  costumes. 

The  Capitol  Symphony  Orchestra  provided  a  class- 
ical  overture. 


GINGER  ROGERS 

"A  Rarebit  of  Spice" 

A  JOHN  HEUD,  JR.,  Cartoon  Girl  in  the  Flesh 
Playing  Return  Dates  for  Publix 
Direction— WM.    MORRIS  AGENCY 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  July  14 

The  outstanding  feature  on  the  surrounding  bill 
at  the  Fox  this  week  was  an  exceptionally  fine  read- 
ing of  the  too  infrequently  played  "Hungarian 
Rhapsody  No.  13"  by  Liszi.  Majestic  at  time  it 
weaves  in  the  enchanting  Hungarian  dances  which 
are  so  much  enjoyed  for  their  rhythmic  fire  and 
IXJetic  expression.  The  violin  cadenza  was  played 
by  Morris  Braun  and  hie  interpretation  of  this  beau- 
tiful selection  left  no  doubt  in  the  listeners'  minds 
that  it  is  one  of  his  favorite  compositions.  Under 
the  leadership  of  Adolphe  S.  Kornspan,  gxiest  con- 
ductor, the  orchestra  played  with  more  than  usual 
fire  and  expression. 

Rodion  and  Ravana,  of  "Greenwich  Village  Follies," 
presented  an  adagio  dance  that  was  a  marvel  of  grace 
and  rhythm  and  gave  the  impression  of  a  beautiful 
painting.  Against  a  background  of  a  full  moon  and 
stars  shining  through  trees  Rodion  and  Ravana 
danced  and  poised,  the  very  acme  of  grace  and 
lightness,  combined  with  strength,  like  a  young 
nymph   and   faun. 

The  Four  Aristocrats  are  handsome  fellows  with 
lot  of  personality  and  pep  and  they  were  all  in 
good  voice  and  form.  They  strummed  away  on 
mandolin,  guitar  and  piano  and  entertained  with  an 
excellent  aesortment  of  musical  hits,  including  "Mary 
Ann."  "Mighty  Lak'  a  Rose,"  and  a  clever  adapta- 
tion of   "Constantinople." 

Fred  Himes  and  Lenora  Chamberlain  put  on  a 
burlesque  Apache  dance  that  was  a  masterpiece  of 
its  kind  and  was  quite  the  toughest  this  reporter 
has  ever  seen.  Lenoi-a  is  a  slim  little  girl  but  she 
took  a  lot  of  punishment,  including  several  spankings, 
and  ended  by  picking  up  her  brawny  companion 
and  stakling  out  with  him  thrown  over  her  shoulder. 
The  act  was  roundly  applauded  and  as  an  encore 
she  appeared  carrying  him  over  her  shoulder. 

There  was  a  Movietone  film  "At  the  Base  Ball 
Game,"  featuring  Joe  Cook  in  one  of  his  monologues. 


St.  Louis  State 


Week  Ending  July  13 

Nat  Nazzaro,  Jr.  presented  "Stepping  on  It"  with  a 
finale  composed  of  racing  automobiles. 

The  cast  included  Ponce  Sisters,  harmony  singers ; 
Fuzzy  Knight,  Lillian  Morton  and  the  Nazzaroettes. 
as  well  as  the  State  Syncopators. 

The  orchestral  overture  for  the  week  was  Tann- 
hauser."  Kirk  Frederick  directed.  Ernest  Hares 
was  at  the  organ. 


Chicago  Granada 


Week  Ending  July  20 

"Dream  House"  is  the  title  of  this  Charles  Kaley 
presentation,  which,  besides  serving  incidentally  to 
exploit  the  song  of  that  name,  also  gives  the  Granada 
patrons  a  clever  and  colorful  show.  As  a  spectacle, 
it  is  as  pretty  a  thing  of  its  kind  as  this  reporter 
has  seen  recently.  The  curtain  rises  on  a  scrim  sea. 
through  which,  on  the  ocean  floor,  can  be  seen  the 
ballet,  while  a  bathing  girl  sings  "When  You're  in 
Ixive  with  Me."  By  this  time  the  atmosphere  has 
a  rather  salty  tang,  but  presently  the  ocean  heaves 
up  out  of  the  way,  and  the  ballet  comes  out  front 
for  a  routine.  Thereafter,  Kaley  enters,  taking  the 
band  in  "China  Bay"  and  singing  a  bit.  The  set 
now  shows  a  fantastic  garden,  with  a  house,  osten- 
sibly  the   aforesaid    dream    house,    at   one   side. 

Crawford  and  Caskey.  a  mixed  team  of  dancers, 
follow  the  band  number,  and  with  a  turn  of  adul- 
terated tap  and  acrobatic  steps,  win  the  approval 
of  those  out  front.  Then  again  the  band  and  Kaley. 
the  former  playing  "If  You  Don't  Love  Me,"  and 
the  latter  singing  the  chorus.  The  Five  Maxellos 
are  next,  offering  gymnastic  work  to  the  demon- 
strated pleasure  of  those  who  paid  to  get  in.  Then 
comes  a  dream  house  skit,  and  it's  clever  and  pretty. 

With  the  band  playing  "Dream  House,"  the  ballet 
comes  out,  each  member  concealed  behind  and  carry- 
ing a  piece  of  a  cute  little  cottage  and  of  a  fence, 
so  that  when  all  is  assembled,  you  have  just  what 
you  might  expect,  a  cottage  with  a  fence.  Kaley 
sings  the  chorus  of  the  song,  then  out  through  the 
cottage  door  comes  Crawford  and  Caskey  for  an- 
other turn  of  dancing.  They  done,  the  ballet  carries 
off  the  cottage  and  fence.  And  the  auditorium  ex- 
pands  with   great  quantities   of   applause. 

The  headliner  follows — Trixie  Friganza.  the  amply 
built  veteran  of  song  and  chatter.  Her  "Hallelujah" 
is  done  well  and  successfully.  There  are  other  songs 
of  a  comic  turn.  And  a  great  deal  of  premeditated 
gags  and  ad  libbing  of  the  same  sort,  with  a  tinge 
of  roughness  added.  If  applause  means  anything, 
she  must  be  labeled  a  hit. 

The  finale  proceeds  upon  the  entrance  of  the  ballet. 
Again  "Dream  House"  is  sung.  The  ballet  points  up- 
ward. Two  columns  have  appeared,  and  atop  each 
one  is  a  girl  with  the  most  necessary  amount  of 
attire,  the  color  of  gold.  Singer  and  band  strain  in 
final  crescendo.  And  all's  over  but  the  clapping  of 
the  customers. 


San  Francisco  Has  Created 
Many  Band  Leaders 

The  high  place  held  by  San  Fiancitjco  as  a  pi-oduc- 
ing  field  for  presentation  orchestra  leaders  is  com- 
mented upon  by  Albert  Greenbaum,  local  musician 
and  impresario,  who  returned  recently  from  New 
York,  where  he  met  several  former  San  Franciscans 
now   in  the   spotlight   in   the   metropolis. 

Prominent  among  the  local  celebrities  who  have 
won  success  in  Eastern  fields,  of  course,  is  Paul  Ash, 
now  at  the  Paramount.  Paul  Ash,  with  Jack  Part- 
ington, really  originated  the  jazzy  style  of  stage 
entertainment  in  moving  picture  houses,  first  winning 
fame  at  the  Imperial  theatre  in  San  Francisco,  before 
going  to  the  Granada.  He  commenced  his  career  with 
Will  King,  at  the  Casino  theatre. 

Then  there  is  Walter  Roesner.  long  at  the  Warfield 
theatre  and  a  pronounced  San  Francisco  favoritOt 
and  who  has  been  with  the  Capitol  theatre  in  New 
York  for  more  than  a  year.  Mischa  Violin,  who  led 
the  orchestra  at  the  Imperial  theatre  at  one  time, 
and  who  has  been  with  other  San  Francisco  houses, 
is  at  the  head  of  an  orchestra  of  ninety  men  in 
the   Roxy   theatre. 

Herman  Heller  is  another  fine  musician  who  has 
made  hie  mark  in  New  York.  For  several  years  he 
conducted  the  orchestra  in  the  California  theatre 
here  and  the  success  of  this  was  such  that  large 
orchestras  were  then  installed  in  other  houses.  Under 
his  direction  Sunday  morning  concerts  were  offered, 
with  an  hour  of  music  before  the  presentation  of 
screen  attractions,  an  innovation  which  packed  the 
house  almost  every  Sunday  for  a  year.  He  is  now 
director  of  music  for  the  Vitaphone  pictures  of 
Warner    Brothers. 

Ben  Black,  formerly  of  the  Strand  theatre,  San 
Francisco,  and  still  connected  with  a  local  music 
publishing  house,  is  meeting  with  success  in  New 
York,  while  Ulderico  Marcelli  has  charge  of  the 
music  in  two  of  the  Publix  theatres  in   Chicago. 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  13 

"Swanee  Moon"  was  the  revue  offered  by  Ed 
Lowry  and  his  entertainers.  The  music  score  was 
especially   composed   by   Dave    Stamper. 

The  cast  included  Ginger  Rogers.  Jack  North,  comic 
songster ;  Kathryn  Lewis,  singer ;  Charles  Chcsney, 
tenor,  and  Shclvey  and  Landau,  comedy  dancers.  Ed 
Lowry    sang    "Memories   of    France." 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  15 

"Knicknacks,"  the  show  at  the  Chicago  this  week 
oi>ens  with  the  ballet  doing  a  clever  dance,  half 
of  the  girls  being  disguised  as  large  arm  chairs. 
The  audience  is  thoroughly  deceived  until  the  chairs 
begin  to  dance  with  the  rest  of  the  ballet.  Lou 
Kosloff   directed  the  stage  band. 

Mildred  and  Muriel  Lee.  a  sister  act,  dressed  as 
pages,  do  a  good  tap  dance  for  a  fair  hand.  Llora 
Hoffman.  Winter  Garden  star  of  many  years,  fol- 
lows with  two  songs,  one  of  which  is  the  ever  good 
"Zing.  Zing  Boom."  Her  singing  is  thoroughly  en- 
tertaining and  she  is  rewarded  with  three  calls  for 
more. 

Winfrcd  and  Mills,  the  crazy  Chinaman  and  Negro 
act,  are  next  with  their  riotous  dialogue.  Their  lines 
are  funny  and  well  delivered.  They  pull  a  variety  of 
gags  and  stunts  for  a  fine  hand.  This  is  one  of 
the  best  acts  seen  around  here  in  a  long  time.  An 
orchestra  rendition  of  a  medley  of  popular  songs 
follows.      Very    good. 

Then  comes  one  of  the  best  numbers  of  the  show. 
Karavieff,  the  Russian  tap  dancer  who  gets  in  all 
the   Russian   steps   in   tap.      Boy.    he   can   dance   and 


ROY  DIETRICH 


"The  Silver 
Voiced   Director" 

Featuring 

STAGEBAND 

PRESENTATIONS 

At  the 

"Playhotise  of  the 

World" 


AVALON 
THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

(A  National  Playhouse) 


the  audience  begs  for  more.  A  real  number.  The 
Lee  Twins  follow  with  an  acrobatic  dance  which  is 
acceptable. 

The  finale  begins  with  the  Foster  Girls  coming  on 
in  Roman  Soldier  armour  to  do  a  military  drill, 
which  is  very  good.  The  Lee  Twins  do  another  short 
tap  and  Llora  Hoffman  sings.  The  Foster  Girls 
appear  again  on  the  upper  stage  level  standing  at 
attention  with  huge  Roman  shields,  as  the  curtain 
closes.  A  show  hitting  the  average  of  the  Publix 
units. 

Spitalny's  musical  overture,  "The  Concert,"  with 
fine  voices,  a  beautiful  scrim  picture  and  wonderful 
music  is  by  far  the  best  part  of  the  show. 


Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  July  15 

The  show  at  the  Uptown  this  week  is  built  en- 
tirely around  Paul  Whiteman  and  his  band,  and  as 
such  is  nothing  to  go  into  hysterics  about.  White- 
man's  band  is  certainly  not  the  band  it  used  to  be, 
and  the  Uptown  patrons  were  not  slow  in  finding 
that  out.  Whiteman's  musical  comedians  would  rate 
about  third  class  outside  his  band  as  comedians,  so 
why  try  to  make  comedians  out  of  them.  Very  little 
music  is  dispensed  by  the  band  most  of  the  time  be- 
ing taken  up  with  a  lot  of  foolishness,  which  the 
audience  did  not  come  to  see. 

His  chief  offerings  were  "Chloe,"  "My  Ohio  Home" 
and  a  medley  of  blues,  into  which  was  of  course 
worked  the  theme  of  "Rhapsody  in  Blue."  If  we 
are  to  have  Whiteman  and  his  band  as  a  big  picture 
show  attraction,  let's  have  his  band  and  not  a  lot  of 
third  rate  comedians  who  take  up  all  the  time. 


K  A  O  Appoints  New 
Western  Manager 

At  a  convention  of  theatre  managers  and  booking 
members  of  the  Keith-Albee  Orpheum  Circuit,  re- 
cently held  in  Chicago  at  the  Palmer  House,  it  was 
decided  that  John  Royal,  formerly  manager  of  their 
Cleveland  interest  be  put  in  as  regional  director  of 
the  combined  interest  of  the  circuit  for  the  Middle- 
The  first  one  opened  last  week  with  a  stage  unit 
of  economic  policies  that  will  be  installed  in  all 
their  Western  theatres. 


Kosloff  Starts   School 

Theodore  Kosloff,  famous  Russian  ballet  master 
and  one-time  popular  as  a  motion  picture  actor,  has 
established  a  dancing  school  in  Chicago  to  train  ex- 
clusively for  the  theatre  and  Russian  dancing. 

Balaban  and  Katz  has  secured  his  services  as 
ballet  master  at  their  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago, 
which  in  the  future  will  display  a  Kosloff  Ballet. 
The  first  one  opened  this  week  with  a  stage  unit 
called  "A  Movie  Party"  featuring  Chief  Eagle 
Feather,    Murray   and   Alan   and    several   others. 


Gotham  Opens  Branches 
In  Three  Canadian  Cities 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW    YORK,    July    17.— Exchanges    have 
been   opened  by   Gotham   in   Montreal,   To- 
ronto and  St.  John,  and  another  soon  will 
go  into  action  in  Winnipeg. 

Benjamin  Muller  Weds 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 
SANTA  ROSA,  CAL.,  July  17.— Benjamin 
Muller,  manager  of  the  Cine  and  California 
theatres,    has    joined    the    benedicts. 


HENRI  A.  KEATES 

'The  Organist  Who  Put  Community 
Singing  on    ^;0^^^^      the  Map" 


Now  Vacationing 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


U  P      Bpd  fl    ORGAN     SOLOS 


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Lester   Santly   "pinch   hitting"   for   Larry   Spier! 


First  of  all  let  me  get  this  "Santly  proposition" 
straightened  out.  There  seems  to  be  too  many 
Santlys  and  every  day  someone  aeks  me  "Who  are 
you  with  now  ?" — so  I'm  glad  to  have  an  opportunity 
to  enumerate  the  various  Santlys  and  place  them 
oflicially  where  they  belong:  Henry  Santly,  profes- 
sional manager  of  Jerome  H.  Remick  Co. ;  Joe 
(Banjo)  Santly,  one  of  the  eight  professional  man- 
agers of  Irving  Berlin,  Inc.  ;  and  Lester  Santly,  ex- 
ploitation manager  (whatever  that  is)  of  Leo  Feist, 
Inc.  Now  don't  mix  up  Joseph  Santly  of  "Santly 
and  Sawyer"  who  is  now  connected  with  Publix 
Theatres  as  a  production  manager  and  Henry 
Santly  the  well  known  band  leader. 


Now  that  I've  that  horrible  "Santly  situation" 
off  my  chest,  let's  do  some  "gabbing"  with  a  bit 
of  gossip  here  and  there.  This  is  being  written 
on  July  9.  It's  hot — ^hotter  than  Hades !  Everyone's 
disposition  and  ambitions  are  at  a  rather  low  ebb. 
Theatre  managers  are  "squawking,"  musicians  say 
that  movietones  and  vitaphones  are  a  menace, 
masters  of  ceremonies  are  more  dissatisfied  than  ever ; 
song  writers  are  "kicking"  about  small  royalties ; 
publishers  are  wondering  where  the  sheet  music 
business  went  to,  and  the  radio  is  full  of  static.  Yea, 
verily,  "there  must  be  a  silver  lining."  Don't  be 
fooled  by  the  summer  slump  in  the  various  branches 
of  the  show  business.  It's  been  the  same  for  the 
last  iifteen  years..  There  are  no  menaces  that  can 
hurt  the  individual  artist  if  he  or  she  has  the 
"goods." 

•  *     * 

I've  received  dozens  of  letters  from  orchestra  lead- 
ers and  organists  asking  what  we  thought  the 
"talkies"  would  do  to  their  careers.  Good  orchestra 
leaders,  musicians,  and  organists  will  always  be  in 
demand.  True  enough  there'll  be  an  over-supply  of 
mechanical  entertainment  in  the  theatres,  but  here's 
one  thing  you  can't  deny!  You  can't  applaud  a 
ghost,  and  within  a  year  or  two  from  now  the  public 
will  be  clamoring  for  some  personal  appearances 
"in  the  flesh."  It's  inconceivable,  ghastly  and  ghostly 
to  expect  our  entertainment  served  permanently 
"through  a  horn,"  flickering,  danglin'  and  speaking 
orthophonically.  There  will  always  have  to  be  a 
"personal  element"  in  the  theatre — either  in  the  form 
of  a  good  organist  or  a  snappy,  modern,  up-to-the- 
minute  orchestra. 

*  •     * 

Your  new  "pinch  hitting"  correspondent  seems  to 
feel  that  the  musician  will  have  to  be  more  "musical" 
to  hold  his  place  through  the  evolution  of  entertain- 
ment. The  vitaphone  and  movietone  will  eliminate 
the  "C"  and  "D"  class  of  organist  and  musician. 
You  can't  blame  a  small  exhibitor  for  taking  syn- 
chronized music  when  he  has  been  compelled  to 
listen  for  years  to  a  "tin  pan"  orchestra  or  an 
organist  who  makes  a  "groan  box"  out  of  his 
instrument. 

•  •     • 

Forward  March,  musicians,  and  don't  let  the 
"talkies  take"  you!  They'll  never  take  Paul  White- 
man,  Jesse  Crawford,  Fred  Waring,  Milton  Charles, 
Paul  Ash,  Henry  Murtagh,  Vincent  Lopez,  Henri 
Keates,  Abe  Lyman,  Lew  White,  and  many  others  of 
equal  class  and  calibre  who  should  not  be  offended 
if  they're  not  mentioned  in  this  paragraph.  I  can 
think  of  hundreds,  even  thousands,  who'll  survive 
becaiise  they're  striving  for  betterment  in  thedr  in- 
dividual  lines. 

*  *     • 

It's  just  too  bad  I  have  to  virrite  the  finale  to  this 
column.  I've  always  longed  for  an  opportunity  to 
take  the  stand,  get  on  a  soap  box,  and  give  con- 
structive suggestions  and  criticisms  to  my  brethren 
of  the  profession.  Maybe  my  good  friend,  Larry 
Spier,  will  permit  me  to  contribute  to  "Up  and 
Down   the   Alley"   again   in  the  near   future? 

Yours   "in   the   sunshine," 


Walter  Wild  (New  York  Hippodrome),  who  was 
formerly  with  the  Mark  Strand  of  this  city,  offers  the 
fij-st  "Fred  Kinsley  Presentation"  at  the  Hipp  this 
week,  since  Kinsley  was  transferred  to  manage  the 
Organ  Presentation  department  of  the  Keith-Albee 
theatres.  His  feature,  entitled  "Checkers,"  opens 
with  his  first  move,  "Forgetting  You" — a  recently 
written  ballad,  real  title  unannounced.  The  audience 
is  requested  to  make  the  second  move,  and  he  directs 
the  singing  of  "Together"  while  he  follows  it  with 
"Sorry  for  Me,"  which  is  on  the  same  style  as  the 
first  offering.  "Constantinople"  is  another  move, 
and  his  winning  nimiber  was  a  repeat  of  "Forgetting 
You"  for  the  finale.  These  Kinsley  presentations  are 
going  to  develop  into  a  very  good  feature,  if  this 
success  is  a   sample. 


Dick  Liebert  (Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  Penn)  scored 
heavily  when  he  played  "Ramona"  as  a  church  or- 
ganist would  offer  it ;  then  as  a  German  band ;  Cal- 
liope ;  Music  Box,  and  as  a  merry-go-round  organ. 
Liebert  is  an  exceptional  organist,  and  his  fans 
here  are  numbered  by  the  thousands. 


Harry  Zimmerman  (Chicago  Belmont).  If  you 
want  to  hear  a  well  played  organ  solo  and  some  fine 
community  singing  it  is  wise  to  go  to  the  Belmont 
theatre  some  Saturday  afternoon  and  hear  this  young 
fellow,  Harry  Zimmerman,  play.  There  is  no  fooliu' 
about  it  because  his  style  of  playing  gets  him  con- 
siderable applause.  Although  there  were  not  many 
singing  this  week  it's  no  fault  of  the  solo,  there 
were  only  a  few  people  in  the  show  but  they 
sang. 


Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit  Michigan)  had  a  patriotic 
specialty  for  Fourth  of  July  week.  It  was  entitled 
"Spirit  of  Independence,"  and  gave  Gutow  opportu- 
nity to  play  the  songs  which  were  popular  during  the 
various  wars  in  which  this  country  has  engaged. 
"Yankee  Doodle,"  of  course,  was  the  theme  song  for 
the  slides  depicting  Washington's  troops  in  the  strug- 
gle for  independence,  and  "Dixie"  was  played  for 
the  Civil  War  scenes.  Along  came  the  Spanish- 
American  War  on  the  slides,  and  Gutow's  organ 
blazed  forth  with  "There'll  Be  a  Hot  Time  in  the  Old 
Town  Tonight."  To  close,  there  was  the  World  War 
and  George  M.  Cohan's  "Over  There,"  although  by 
that  time  all  of  the  war  veterans  in  the  audience 
were  beginning  to  whistle  the  lilting  strains  of 
"Parlez  Vous."  It  seems  that  "Over  There"  wasn't 
popular  over  there. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  calls  his  organ 
novelty  this  week,  "Love  and  Other  Diseases,"  and 
plays  "Sweet  Sue,"  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the 
Moon,"  "My  Darling,"  "Rosette,"  "Beloved,"  and  in 
between  songs,  he  answers  via  the  slide  a  lot  of 
crazy  questions  on  the  gentle  art  of  making  love, 
the  questions  and  answers  having  some  bit  of  humor. 


Eddie  Meikel  (Chicago  Uptown)  was  guest  con- 
ductor at  the  Uptown  this  week  and  told  in  slides 
and  music  about  the  organ  club  he  has  organized  at 
the  Harding  theatre  where  he  is  regularly  seen.  His 
slides  were  very  clever,  most  of  which  he  accom- 
panied to  "Gallagher  and  Shean."  Eddie  knows  how 
to  play  the  organ  in  the  popular  style,  and  how  to 
play  for  community  singing.  He  came  very  near 
stopping  the  show  for  more,  the  applause  lasting 
long  after  he  disappeared  from  view  in  the  organ 
pit.     He  certainly  did  hit  the  fancy  of  the  Uptowners. 


Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Chicago)  calls  his  organ 
presentation,  "Writing  a  Song."  He  first  plays  the 
melody  and  then  suggests  different  words  for  the 
song.  Slides  also  tell  how  the  popular  song  is 
usually  written.  The  song  happens  to  be  "If  You 
Don't  Love  Me,"  by  Milton  Ager.  At  the  close  one 
of  the  Chicago  theatre  ushers  sings  the  song  and 
is  given  a  good  hand  calling  for  an  encore.  The 
entire  presentation  gets  a  fine  applause  for  Milton 
Charles. 


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BEST  SELLERS 

"Ramona" — (Leo  Feist), 

"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (Remick). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me" — (Leo  Feist). 

"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart" — (Leo 
Feist). 

'"My  Angel'  —  (DeSyha-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky" 
— (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumhle). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" 
—  (Iiy/ing  Berlin). 

"Constantinople" — (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Rosette"— (Milton   Weil). 

"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard" — 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"My  Pef  —  (Ager-Gellen  &  Born- 
stein). 

"That's  My  Weakness  Now" — (Sha- 
piro-Bernstein). 

"Chlo-e" — (Villa  Moret). 

"I  Can't  Do  Without  Youf'— (Irving 
Berlin). 

MEMORIES    OF    FRANCE     (Watcrson,    Berlin    & 

Snyder) — A  song  that  sounds  like  a  war  song  but 
is  a  love  song  of  one  who  remembers  his  days  in' 
France.  Should  be  great  for  the  presentation  houses. 
The  writers  are  both  well  known  being  responsible  for 
many  past  hits.  Lyric  by  Al  Dubin',  music  by  J. 
Russcl    Robinson. 


THINK    OF    ME    THINKING    OF    YOU— (L.    B. 

Curtis) — A  fox  trot  ballad  that  has  a  trick  title 
with  a  very  pretty  tune.  This  firm  has  a  big  hit 
every  once  in  a  while  and  they  have  a  good  chance 
with  this  song.  Words  and  music  by  Charlie  Abbot, 
Johnny   Marion   and  Dale  Wimbrow. 

•  *     • 

CHALITA — (Chappell  Harms,  Inc.) — ^A  high  class 
Spanish  number  that  reminds  one  of  "Marcheta." 
This  house  is  noted  for  its  high  class  songs  and  this 
no  doubt  will  live  among  the  masterpieces  already 
in'  their  catalogue.  Words  and  music  by  Victor 
Schertzinger. 

*  *     • 

LONESOME  IN  THE  MOONLIGHT— (Leo  Feist, 
Inc.) — ^A  dance  tune  by  the  writer  of  June  Night. 
Will  depend  strictly  on  orchestras  to  make  it.  An 
appropriate  lyric  by  Benee  Russell,  music  by  Abel 
Baer. 

•  *     * 

FLORA  (I  A-Dore  Yon) — (M.  Whitm«rk  &  Sons)— 

An  imported  European  novelty  hit.  A  lilting  tune 
with  a  good  lyric  that  should  be  good  over  here, 
too.  Lyric  by  Johnny  Tucker  and  Joe  Schuster, 
music  by   Fred  Markush. 

*  *     « 

EVERY  EVENING  (I  Miss  Yon)— (Jack  MUls, 
Inc.) — Evening  is  the  time  for  love  and  thinking.  Too 
busy  during  the  day  but  at  night  it's  different.  A 
dance  tune  with  an  appropriate  lyric.  Words  by 
Billy   Rose,    music   by   Jimmy   McHugh. 

#  *     # 

IS  IT  GONNA  BE  LONG  ('Till  Yon  Belong  to 
Me) — (Leo  Feist,  Inc.) — The  lyric  writer  is  responsi- 
ble for  the  famous  Blue  Heaven  and  has  certainly 
w^ritten  an  excellent  lyric  in  this  song.  Looks  like 
a  song  that  will  be  heard  from.  The  melody  is  also 
very  good.  Words  by  Geo.  Whiting,  music  by  Rubey 
Cowan  and  Charlie  Abbot. 

#  «     « 

BLUE  OVER  YOU— (DeSylva-Brown  &  Hender- 
son)— A  pretty  fox  trot.  Though  not  an  original 
idea  it  has  a  very  good  chance  as  it  is  well  written, 
both  as  to  lyrics  and  its  fox  trot  melody.  By  Billy 
Davis  and  Joe  Burke. 

«     #     « 

P.  S. — Will  be  back  next  week  with  a  batch  of  new 
song  hits. 


j/^  /3. 


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July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


^^^ 


THE     THEATRE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public"  and  "Better  Business  Builders." 

Big  Campaign  Gives  Success  to 
Chattanooga   Vitaphone  Debut 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  July  17.— Heralded  for  a  radius  of  75  miles  in  many 
original  and  effective  tieups,  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  made  their  debut  in 
Chattanooga  at  Publix's  Tivoli  theatre  Monday,  July  9,  with  Dolores  Costello 
and  Conrad  Nagel  in  "Tenderloin,"  claiming  one  of  the  most  successful  intro- 
ductions in  the  Southeast.  LTnder  the  alert  supervision  of  E.  R.  Rogers,  manager 
of  the  Tivoli,  no  avenue  was  left  untouched  in  putting  over  the  "see  and  hear" 
picture. 

Talk,"  "See  and  Hear,"  "First  Talking  Pic- 
tures," and  "It's  Hear"  ran  for  a  long  time  in 
advance. 

An  enthusiastic  preview  was  held  by  Mr. 
Rogers  on  Sunday  evening,  July  8,  to  150  spe- 
cial guests  including  members  of  the  press, 
Publix  officials  and  friends  of  the  theatre. 

Twelve  ones,  threes,  sixes  and  24  sheets  were 
liberally  used  literally  to  plaster  the  town  and 
adjoining  section  selling  Vitaphone  and  Movie- 
tone. The  "turn-away-house"  on  the  opening 
night  and  the  succeeding  performances  be- 
spoke the  accomplishment  of  the  campaign. 

The  performance  itself  received  high  lauda- 
tions. Opening  with  Alex  Keese  and  his 
Troubadours  playing  a  "Friml  Cocktail,"  a 
Paramount  News  and  Conrad  Nagel  in  War- 
ner Bros,  general  trailer  followed.  The  short 
subjects,  "The  Serpentine,"  and  "When  the 
Wife's  Away''  proved  popular.  "Tenderlion," 
the  picture  concluded  the  program. 

The  following  Publix  officials  were  guests 
for  the  preview  on  Sunday  and  remained  for 
the  record  opening  on  Monday :  F.  H.  Dow- 
ler,  division  manager ;  W.  E.  Drumbar,  Jess 
L.  Clark,  Harry  Hardy,  district  managers ; 
Charley  Morrison,  assistant  district  manager, 
Guy  Kenimer,  Jacksonville  manager,  A.  C. 
Cowles,  Atlanta  district  booker;  Tracy  Bar- 
ham,  Florida  district  booker  and  George  L. 
Denton,  manager. 


Besides  selling  the  "cooV'  idea,  even  this 
ad,  itself,  has  a  cool  appearance.  The 
liberal  use  of  white  space  has  accom- 
plished it,  as  much  so,  as  the  ice  decora- 
tions. Notice,  also,  how  simply  but  how 
effectively,  the  programs  of  the  five 
neighborhood  houses  are  presented  at  the 
bottom  of  the  page.  It  takes  but  a  min- 
ute to  read  the  attractions  at  each  of 
these  theatres,  and  in  spite  of  the  three 
big  ads  above,  the  eye  will  be  drawn  to 
the  bottom  of  the  page.  The  ad  is  of  the 
Midwesco  chain  of  theatres  in  Milwaukee. 


Former  Diplomat  Joins 

Fox  Movietone  in  Europe 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  17.— William  Gleason 
O'Brien,  who  for  two  and  a  half  years  has 
been  United  States  Vice-Consul  in  Paris,  has 
resigned  from  the  Diplomatic  Service  to  take 
a  position  as  assistant  to  J.  S.  Connolly,  gen- 
eral director  for  Fox  Movietone  in  Europe, 
according  to  word  just  received  at  the  Fox 
Film  Corporation  in  New  York.  O'Brien  will 
cover  Spain,  Italy,  Belgium  and  France  for 
Fox  Movietone,  making  his  headquarters  in 
Paris. 


The  outstanding  tieup  was  effected  with  H. 
G.  Hill  Company,  wholesale  and  retail  grocers, 
who  operate  58  stores  in  Chattanooga  and  17 
in  the  outlying  district,  covering  an  area  of  75 
miles.  This  concern  distributed  60,000  an- 
nouncement cards,  placed  in  their  stores  150 
large  cards,  the  same  being  carried  on  their 
trucks',  and  ran  ads  in  the  daily  papers  de- 
voting much  space  to  Vitaphone. 

The  theatre  mailed  5,000  cards  illustrated 
with  an  eye  and  ear  to  launch  the  "see  and 
hear"  idea  to  box  holders  on  rural  routes  in 
Hamilton  county.  Also,  200  cards  were  dis- 
tributed along  the  bus  routes  out  of  Chatta- 
nooga and  each  bus  carried  one.  The  bus  lines 
went  so  far  to  co-operate  by  offering  special 
round  trip  rates  to  parties  attending  the  show. 

To  reach  the  town  people,  5,000  novelty  her- 
alds were  distributed  from  house  to  house  and 
5,000  door  knob  hangers  likewise  placed. 

Eight  thousand  heralds  tieing  gas  refrigera- 
tion with  Vitaphone  were  distributed  by  the 
Chattanooga  Gas  Company,  while  15,000  nap- 
kins neatly  stamped  with  Vitaphone  announce- 
ment were  used  by  the  suburban  lunch  counters 
the  week  preceding  the  opening. 

A  tieup  in  the  classified  column  of  the 
Chattanooga  Times  gained  much  free  space 
daily  in  advance  of  showing.  Besides  this  a 
strong  newspaper  campaign  using  such  catch 
lines   as   "The   Tivoli    Screen   Speaks,"   "They 


A  study  in  simplicity  are  these  two  ads  from  the  Brockton  theatre,  Brockton,  Mass.,  where 

Morris  Simms  is  manager,  yet  they  possess  beauty,  eye-appeal,  balance  and  perfect  reading 

sequence.    The  beginner  in  ad-writing  will  do  well  to  emulate  ads  such  as  these. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Bringing  the  atmosphere  of  the  Sdwra  right  to  the  door  of  the  theatre — that's  ivhat  E.  B. 

Cummings,  manager   of  the  Resort  Amusement  Company  theatres,  Mineral   Wells,   Texas, 

did  when  he  played  the  M  G  M  picture,  "Garden  of  Allah."    No  one  can  deny  the  patron- 

pulling-power  of  such  fine  lobby  displays. 

Anniversary  Month  Exploitation 
Makes  Al  Gillis  M.  B.  I.  No.  24 

Anniversary  days,  weeks  or  months  for  theatres  are  no  new  innovations,  but 
when  you  stage  them  it  takes  lots  of  ingenuity  and  ideas  to  put  them  over  suc- 
cessfully. By  keeping  things  popping  each  week  during  the  Eighth  Anniversary 
Month  at  the  Liberty  theatre,  Yakima,  Washington,  a  West  Coast  house,  Al  W. 
Gillis,  publicity  director,  made  the  month  a  big  success,  and  for  his  work,  becomes 
M.  B.  I.  No.  24. 

Miller  (our  organist)  Testimonial"  and  also 
got  a  local  baker  to  furnish  a  37  pound  cake 
which  we  shared  with  our  patrons.  We  gave 
the  ladies  attending  the  matinee  hand-painted 
china  dishes  with  local  views  on  them.  Also 
had  orangeade  with  the  cake  and  Bill  Waller 
of  the  art  department  and  myself  waited  on 
the  folks.  We  packed  them  in  from  noon  'til 
midnight  and  it  was  the  biggest  day  in  the 
history  of  the  house  excepting  a  Sunday  or 
holiday. 

Harrison  Miller  has  the  reputation  of  never 
having  turned  down  a  club  or  lodge  and  when 
I  went  to  the  various  civic  organizations  direct 
and  told  them  it  would  mean  a  lot  for  Harry, 
they  just  couldn't  do  enough.  This  Testi- 
monial Day  is  the  biggest  sure-fire  day  of 
them  all — you  just  can't  miss! 


Theatre  Gets  Free 
Tieups  on  "Ramona^^ 

When  Reinhold  Walloch,  directing  manager 
of  the  Sheboygan  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wis- 
consin, played  "Ramona"  he  exploited  the  pic- 
ture and  achieved  wonderful  success  in  at- 
tendance and  publicity — all  without  a  cent  of 
cost  to  the  theatre. 

First  of  all  Walloch  got  a  tieup  with  a  local 
music  firm.  This  firm  placed  an  orthophonic 
phonograph  in  the  lobby  of  the  theatre  near 
the  box  office  and  played  "Ramona"  all  dur- 
ing the  time  the  show  was  playing  which  was 
five  days.  Records  were  sold  by  the  person 
in  charge.  The  music  firm  advertised  the 
event  in  its  newspaper  ads. 

A  tieup  was  also  effected  with  a  local  radio 
station  which  played  "Ramona"  every  night 
during  the  week — at  lea^t  twice  a  night.  An- 
other tieup  was  with  three  millinery  stores 
which  featured  "Ramona  hats"  during  the 
week.  A  local  department  store  gave  Spanish 
shawls  to  three  prize  winners  in  the  "Ramona" 
beauty  contest  which  was  staged  in  connection 
with  the  show.  All  in  all  it  was  one  of  the 
best  promotion  ventures  staged  in  that  town  in 
a  long  time. 


"My  Best  Idea"  No.  24 

By  Al  W.  Gillis 

THIS  is  how  we  handled  Anniversary 
■Month.  I  got  out  5,000  letters  (copy  en- 
closed) and  we  covered  the  entire  Yakima 
Valley  district  with  them.  We  started  our 
month  with  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid"  with 
plenty  of  fireworks ;  had  a  wonderful  tieup 
with  the  National  Guard  and  they  furnished 
several  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition  and 
had  a  machine  gun  mounted  on  a  truck  mak- 
ing the  big  noise.  This  gave  us  a  wonderful 
start  which  was  closely  followed  by  another 
tieup  for  "The  Legion  of  the  Condemned" 
with  aeroplanes  the  big  noise  this  time. 

On  Wednesday,  June  13,  we  had  "Harrison 


Cooking  School  Gives 
Publicity  to  Theatre 

Frank  Welter,  manager  of  the  Grand  thea- 
tre, Wausau,  Wisconsin,  recently  staged  a 
good  exploitation  stunt  which  concerned  a 
good  will  venture  and  yet  which  brought 
a  lot  of  publicity  to  the  theatre  and  resulted  in 
increased  patronage  during  the  week. 

It  happened  that  merchants  of  that  city  were 
going  to  hold  an  Electric  Cooking  School  and 
Frank  stepped  in  and  offered  the  use  of  the 
theatre.  It  was  accepted.  When  all  the  vari- 
ous merchants  in  the  city  advertised  the  school 
the  name  of  the  Grand  theatre  appeared 
prominently  in  all  the  advertisements.  We'll 
wager  that  there  wasn't  a  person  in  Wausau 
who  didn't  see  the  name  of  the  Grand  theatre 
that  week.  Announcements  of  the  school 
flashed  on  the  screen  at  night  also  helped  build 
up  patronage  for  the  school  and  the  theatre. 
Many  good  news  stories  in  the  local  papers 
also  helped  to  give  the  theatre  lots  of  pub- 
licitv. 


When  the  Liberty  theatre,  Yakima, 
Wash.,  celebrated  its  eighth  Anniversary 
Month,  Al  W.  Gillis,  publicity  director, 
did  a  lot  of  things  to  make  the  month  a 
success,  and  these  things  make  him 
M.  B.  I.  No.  24.  He  is  seen  in  the  cen- 
ter, doubling  us  a  waiter  to  serve  the 
ladies  at  a  special  matinee  held  for  them. 
The  Birthday  cake,  lemonade  and  hand 
painted  dishes  were  treats  to  the  ladies. 
The  cake  and  china-ware,  given  away,  are 
seen  above. 


'  I 


n 


c^^  Patents 

Leather  Kid 

NOW-LIBEKTY-NowW^ 


Here's  a  special  ballyhoo  truck  Gillis  used 
for  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid,"  the  F  N 
picture  used  during  the  Anniversary 
month.  Tieups  were  made  with  the  Noi- 
tionul  Guards  for  a  special  dance  they 
held.  Thousands  of  rounds  of  ammuni- 
tion were  fired  by  the  machine  gun  pic- 
tured above.  For  "The  Legion  of  the 
Condemned,"  another  picture  shown  dur- 
ing the  month,  another  tieup  was  used, 
this  time  with  several  airplanes  creating 
the  fireworks. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation  and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window.*' 


"DRUMS  OF  LOVE" 

X  AGAIN  rise  to  remark  that  I  have  not  al- 
ways been  kind  enough  to  Mr.  Lionel  Barry- 
more — who  no  doubt  will  be  startled  to  hear 
that  I  have  abused  him — and  that  his  work  in 
Mr.  D.  W.  Griffith's  "Drums  of  Love,"  like  his 
work  in  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  is  quite 
something  else  again.  Particularly  is  it  some- 
thing quite  different  than  his  work  in  "Sadie 
Thompson,"  which  I  continue  to  regard  as  the 
world's  worst  performance.  Mr.  Barrymore  is, 
however,  "Drums  of  Love"  and  "Drums  of 
Love"   is,  therefore,   a   pretty   sound   picture. 

In  "Drums  of  Love,"  Mr.  Barrymore  enacts 
the  hunchback  brother  of  Don  Alvarado  and 
marries  Mary  Philbin  who  loves  and  is  loved 
by  that  gentleman.  Reasons  are  of  state,  as 
the  monarchical  phrasemakers  used  to  put  it, 
and  the  place  is  South  America  although  it 
might  as  well  be  Mexico  or  Spain  so  far  as 
people,  customs  and  costumes  are  concerned. 
Well,  Tully  Marshall  is  in  the  thing,  too,  doing 
a  sort  of  court  jester,  and  Tully  makes  Lionel 
aware  that  brother  Don  and  the  delectable 
Mary  (all  in  the  story  of  course — Oh,  my 
word)  are  more  than  pleasantly  chummy.  Af- 
ter this  there's  emotion  and  that  sort  of  thing, 
culminating  in  quite  as  satisfactory  a  culmina- 
tion as  I've  seen  in  a   good  long  time. 

Now  that  may  or  may  not  sound  like  the 
skeleton  of  a  Griffith  production,  but  it  is. 
And  it  is  a  very  good  production,  too,  with 
the  producer  going  easy  on  the  mob  stuff  and 
leaning  not  too  strongly  upon  the  explanatory 
caption  and  the  probing  closeup.  In  fact,  the 
picture  convinces  me  that  such  doubt  as  has 
existed  with  reference  to  his  ability  to  do  a 
modern  picture  has  been  wholly  without 
ground. 

"BRINGING   UP  FATHER" 

i.\|  OW  if  everybody  will  agree  with  me  and 
petition  their  favorite  directors,  producers  and 
Congressmen  to  that  effect,  I  will  set  down  in 
the  plainest  possible  language  my  belief  that 
we  have  had  just  a  little  more  than  enough  of 
this  newspaper  comic  strip  stuff.  I  have  no 
particular  fault  to  find  with  "Bringing  Up 
Father,"  which  has  its  quota  of  laughable  situa- 
tions and  comic  captions,  but  you  know  as 
well  as  I  do  that  a  newspaper  comic  strip  isn't 
very  funny.  Nor  is  it  well  connected.  Nor 
has  it  a  beginning.  Nor  an  end.  And,  lacking 
these  things,  you  know  as  well  as  I  do  that 
there  simply  isn't  a  motion  picture  in  one  of 
the  things  and  that's  all  there  is  to  it. 


T.  O.  Service 

If  that  is  agreed — and  if  it  isn't  you  ought 
to  write  your  congressman  anyway — we  will  go 
on  with  the  discussion  of  "Bringing  Up 
Father"  and  say  that  it  is  a  motion  picture 
manufactured  from  the  odds  and  ends  of  comic 
action,  character  sketching,  etc.,  which  appear 
in  various  newspapers  over  the  signature  of 
George  McManus.  Now  these  things  have  been 
appearing  for  a  great  many  years  and  they 
have,  in  that  time,  got  into  and  out  of  any 
number  of  complex  situations  which  have  re- 
sulted in  the  manufacture  of  much  good  com- 
edy and  much  that  is  not  so  good.  In  fact, 
if  no  one  objects,  I  will  say  that  much  of  it  is 
just  plain  terrible.  Anyway,  there  was  so  much 
of  this  stuff  that  a  blind  man  with  but  one 
good  ear  could  have  selected  enough  funny 
wheezes  and  situations  to  make  a  six  or  seven 
reel  picture  that  would  have  funny  spots  in  it. 
That,  my  good  friends,  is  exactly  what  some- 
one did  and  that  is  exactly  what  this  picture  is 
— a  picture  with  some  funny  spots  in  it. 

I  don't  remember  who  the  various  folks  in 
it  were  and  I  don't  think  any  of  them  will  ob- 
ject to  my  failure  to  mention  their  names. 


w. 


'SUNRISE" 


ELL,  "Sunrise"  finally  got  to  Chicago. 
And  it  got  to  the  Roosevelt  theatre  with  a 
Movietone  musical  accompaniment  on  it  and  it 
got  the  attention  of  a  lot  of  people  who  went 
to  see  it  the  first  night  and  among  those  present 
there  was  (yes,  you  guessed  it)  even  I.  And 
there  we  sat  and  looked  and  looked  and  had 
a  good  time  and  enjoyed  the  picture  thoroughly 
and  the  musical  accompaniment  fairly  well  and 
then  we  went  away  and  to  another  good  show 
which  didn't  seem  so  good  after  having  seen 
"Sunrise."  And  a  thing  like  that  is  sometimes 
necessary  to  reveal  the  strength  of  a  picture, 
because  "Sunrise"  is  so  good  that  it  didn't 
look  at  all  extraordinary  to  me  while  I  was 
looking  at  it. 

I  hope  that  paragraph  is  clearer  to  you  than 
to  me,  though  I  don't  see  how  it  could  be. 
Therefore  1  will  explain  that  what  I'm  trying 
to  say  is  that  when  a  picture  is  so  good  as 
"Sunrise"  it  approaches  so  near  to  reality  that 
it  seems  to  be  no  more  remarkable  than  reality 
itself  is  and  therefore  seems  almost  dull.  A 
terrible  condition,  of  course,  but  a  splendid 
condition,  too.  For  when  one  has  seen  "Sun- 
rise" one  is  not  at  all  through  with  it,  as  he 


is  with  99  out  of  every  100  other  pictures  he 
sees.  No,  when  he  has  seen  "Sunrise"  he  has 
just  begun  to  enjoy  it,  and  when  he  thinks  back 
upon  "Sunrise" — very  likely  while  he  is  looking 
at  some  other  picture — he  enjoys  it  again.  He 
enjoys  the  straight  narration  of  it,  the  simple 
strength  of  it,  the  excellent  acting  and  all  the 
rest  of  it.  He  enjoys  the  fact  that  some  pro- 
ducers still  know  that  the  principal  purpose  of 
the  motion  picture  is  to  tell  a  story  and  still 
employ  their  camera  to  that  end. 


w. 


"THE  WHEEL  OF  CHANCE" 


HO,  by  the  way,  is  Basil  Roding?  (And 
is  that  the  way  she  spells  it?)  I  saw  her  last 
week  in  this  picture  and  I  saw  her  the  week 
previous  in  another  and  if  I  have  a  little  better 
than  my  usual  run  of  luck  I'll  see  her  just 
about  that  often  during  1928  or  longer.  She 
is,  if  you  ask  me,  or  for  that  matter  if  you 
don't,  about  the  last  word  in  dramatic  mothers. 
We've  needed  something  like  this. 

In  "The  Wheel  of  Chance"  this  lady  (I  do 
hope  I'm  not  confusing  these  titles  and  credit- 
ing her  to  the  wrong  picture)  is  the  Jewish 
mother  of  two  Jewish  boys  who,  though  twins, 
are  alike  save  in  the  color  of  their  hair,  one 
being  black  and  the  other  red.  (I  do  not  in- 
tend to  dispute  the  authorities  who  say  that 
twins  aren't  born  this  way — that's  the  author's 
job.)  The  childhood  in  Russia  is  briefly  and 
brilliantly  played,  and  then  the  boys  are  found 
in  an  American  city,  one  of  them  apparently  a 
very  good  young  man  and  the  other  apparently 
a  very  bad  one,  although  you  and  their  mother 
know  that  there  really  isn't  any  difference  be- 
tween them  at  all. 

Richard  Barthelmess  is,  of  course,  both  of 
these  young  men,  and  the  ordy  difference  be- 
tween Richard  Barthelmess  playing  two  parts 
and  the  same  actor  playing  one  part  is  that  he 
is  twice  as  good  when  he  is  playing  two  parts. 
But  still  I  remember  more  about  what  Basil 
Roding  did  in  the  one  part  which  she  plays 
than  I  do  about  what  Mr.  Barthelmess  did  in 
the  two  parts  and  so  I  conclude  that  this  lady 
is  a  very  excellent  actress.  And  I  do  hope  I've 
spelled  her  name  correctly,  and  if  it  isn't  Basil 
Roding  at  all  who  is  in  the  mother  role  of 
"The  Wheel  of  Chance,"  why  everything  I've 
said  about  her  in  this  item  applies  alike  to 
whoever  it  was  that   did  play  the  part. 

(NOTE:  At  this  point  the  thermometer 
upon  the  wall  of  my  extremely  Western  ex- 
posure exploded  and  maybe  that's  what's  been 
the  matter  with  me.) 


^ 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Y^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

BEWARE  OF  BLONDES:  Columbia  melodrama, 
ivlth  Dorothy  Revier,  Matt  Moore,  Eoy  D'Arcy, 
Robert  Edeson,  Walter  P.  Lewis,  Hazel  Howell  and 
Harry  Semels.  Directed  by  George  B.  Seitz.  Re- 
leased-  Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  About  a  gem  and  a 
blonde.  Jeff  is  coTinnissioned  to  take  a  priceless 
emerald  to  a  client  in  Honolulu.  He  is  warned  tliat 
"Blonde  Mary"  is  after  the  gem,  Jeff  is  wary  of 
all  blondes.  The  CosUgan  gang  is  also  after  the 
jewel,  with  Harry  pursuing  Jeff.  Mary,  beautiful 
blonde,  forces  her  attentions  on  Jeff,  and  he  is  sus- 
picious. Harry  thinks  she  is  Blonde  Mary  and 
tries  to  work  with  her.  Then  she  tells  Harry  she 
loves  Jeff.  Furious,  he  threatens  to  kill  Jeff  un- 
less she  goes  through  with  the  theft.  She  steals, 
the  gem.  Jeff  finds  her  at  a  gang  hangout.  Po- 
lice arrive  and  arrest  the  gang.  But  Mary  proves 
to  be  an  insurance  operative  sent  to  protect  Jeff. 
And  there   you  are. 


HEART  TROUBLE:  First  National  comedy,  with 
Harry  Langdon,  Doris  Dawson,  Lionel  Belmore. 
Madge  Hunt,  Bud  Jaimson,  Mark  Hamilton  and 
Nelson    McDowell.      Directed    by    Harry    Langdon. 

Released. Lenth 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  In  ivhich  Langdon  ex- 
hibits the  horrors  of  war  behind  the  front  for 
the  purpose  of  achieving  humor.  He  is  a  young 
fellow  of  German  birth  who  likes  these  here  United 
States  first-rate,  and  when  said  States  declare  ivar 
on  his  native  land,  he  endeavors  to  enlist  in  the 
Am,erican  army,  turning  down  a  date  to  elope 
with  his  sweetie  to  do  so.  However,  he's  got  most 
everything  the  matter  with  him  that  soldiers  must 
not  have,  including  flat  feet,  so  he's  ruled  out  of 
the  would-be  hero  class.  But  then  he  encounters 
some  information  which  leads  to  a  huge  expose  of 
value  to  America  in  the  ivar,  and  as  a  resxdt  he 
becomes  a  hero  in  spite  of  his  flat  feet,  etc.,  and 
wins  the   gal. 

*     ■»■     * 

HIT  OF  THE  SHOW,  THE:  FBO  comedy-drama, 
with  Joe  E.  Brown,  Gertrude  Olmstead.  Gertrude 
Astor,  Daphne  Pollard.  Lee  Shumway,  Leroy  Ma- 
son, William  Norton  Bailey,  William  Francis  Du- 
gan,  lone  Holmes.  Frank  Mills,  Cosmo  Kyrle 
Bellew  and   Ole  M.    Ness.     Directed  by  Ralph  Ince. 

Released Lenth 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Comedy  with  a  tear  in 
it,  presenting  the  vaudeville  actor,  Joe  Brown,  as 
a  screen  comedian  for  the  first  time.  As  Twisty, 
he  is  seeking  employment  in  a  show  at  a  manager's 
office,  where  he  meets  Kathlyn,  also  looking  for  work. 
When  she  leaves,  he  follows,  and  though  it  costs 
him  a  job,  he  is  glad  to  be  able  to  befriend  her. 
Later  he  gets  work  and  gets  her  a  job  in  the  same 
shoic.  He  has  pain  in  his  chest,  but  he  is  happy 
over    Kathlyn's    success    in    the    show.      One    night 


A  scene  from.  "The  Foreign  Legion," 
Universal  Laemmle  Special  tvith  a  cast 
headed  by  Lewis  Stone  and  Mary  Nolan, 
who  are  shown  above,  and  Norman  Kerry. 
Edward  Sloman  directed. 


he  takes  the  leading  man's  part  and  proves  a  great 
hit.      The  same  night  Kathlyn  is  reunited  with  her 
fiance.      And    the   same    night    Twisty    is    taken   ill. 
He  dies  reading  about  his  success. 
*     *     * 

LONESOME:  Univereal  comedy-drama,  with  Glenn' 
Tryon  and  Barbara  Kent.  Directed  by  Paul  Fejos. 
Released Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  fellow  and  a  girl  wlio 
are  just  working  along  without  life  meaning  very 
miu:h  for  the  present.  Then  both  go,  separately, 
to  an  aniusement  park.  There  they  get  to  be 
friends,  for  the  time  being,  anyuray,  and  liking 
each  other  immensely,  they  have  lots  of  fun.  Among 
other  things,  they  take  a  ride  on  a  scenic  railrvay, 
though  he  is  deprived  of  a  seat  beside  her  by  an- 
other customer.  He  rides  in  another  car.  Her  car 
catches  on  fire.  He  tries  to  get  to  her.  He  is  ar- 
rested for  shoving  a  policeman.  When  he  gets  back 
to  the  park,  she  is  gone.  He  goes  home.  They 
had  danced  to  "Alivays."  He  plays  "Always"  on 
his  phonograph.  She  pounds  on  the  loall  for  the 
music  to  stop.  He  goes  to  her  room.  They  recog- 
nize each  other.  Her  tears  melt  in  smiles  as  he 
takes  her  in  his  arms. 


STRANGE    CASE    OF    CAPTAIN    RAMPER,    THE: 

First   National    drama,    with    Paul   Wegener,    Emilie 


Jurz.  Mary  Johnson,  Kurt  Gerron,  Georg  D. 
Gurtler,  Hermann  Vallentin,  Hugo  Doblin,  Dillo 
Lombardi  and  Raimondo  van  Riel.  Directed  by 
Max      Reichmann.        Released. „ Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  German  production  by 
First  National's  Berlin  unit,  Defu,  this  one  tells  an 
unusual  story  of  a  man  who  goes  on  an  arctic 
expedition,  which  becomes  lost  but  is  enabled  to 
live  on  rations  left  by  another  expedition.  Years 
later,  the  crew  of  a  whaler  finds  a  strange  man- 
animal,  ivhich  it  brings  to  civilization.  The  "ani- 
mal" is  exhibited  in  a  fair  and  attracts  the  atten- 
tion of  a  doctor,  who  finds  the  animal  is  a  man, 
Ramper,  the  arctic  explorer.  Though  his  -mind  re- 
turns, Bamper  likes  only  Zizi,  a  girl,  and  when  he 
sees  she  loves  another,  he  takes  the  whaler  that 
brought  him  to  civilization  and  returns  to  the 
northern  wilderness. 

•     •     * 

WATER  HOLE,  THE:  Paramount  Western,  with 
Jack  Holt,  'Nancy  Carroll,  John  Boles,  Ann  Christy, 
Montague  Shaw,  Lydia  Yeamens  Titue,  Jack 
Perrin,  Jack  Mower,  Paul  Ralli,  Tex  Young,  Bob 
Miles  and  Greg  Whitespear.  Directed  by  F. 
Richard      Jones.  Released- Length 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  Zane  Grey  Western. 
Judith  is  the  daughter  of  a  rich  man  and  she  is 
spoiled.  Philip  Randolph,  Westerner,  goes  to  New 
York  to  see  her  father,  his  partner.  Dolores  bets 
Nancy  she  can't  -iuake  Philip  propose.  But  he 
does,  and  her  friends  rush  in  to  congratulate  her 
on  the  success  of  the  scheme.  Philip  leaves  in 
anger.  But  Judith  is  interested.  She  induces  her 
father  to  take  her  West.  There  Philip  has  her  kid- 
napped to  tame  her.  He  even  spanks  her  (that's 
the  kind  of  story  this  one  is).  But  she  and  a  rival 
to  Philip  get  lost  in  the  desert.  Philip  brings  them 
to  safety.  The  cotvboys  seize  him  for  kidnapping 
Judith.  But  presently  he  finds  himself  handcuffed 
and  on  a  train  with  Judith.  She  has  kidtiapped 
him   this  time. 

»     *     * 

WAY  OP  THE  STRONG,  THE:  Columbia  melo- 
drama, with  Mitchell  Lewis,  Alice  Day,  Margaret 
Livingston,  Theodor  von  Eltz,  and  William  Norton 
Bailey.  Directed  by  Frank  Capra.  Released 
Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Bootleggers,  hijackers  and 
a  blind  girl.  Williams  is  so  scarred  from  gang 
battles  that  he  is  ironically  called  "Handsome." 
He  is  head  of  the  hijackers,  and  his  greatest 
enemy  is  Tiger  Louie,  head  of  the  bootleggers. 
Williams  has  a  soft  spot  for  mvMc  and  particularly 
for  that  of  Nora,  blind  street  musician,  who  often 
played  outside  his  cafe.  For  he  loves  Nora.  One 
day  while  he  is  listening  to  her,  a  truck  rolls  by 
and  machine  gun  bullets  are  showered  therefrom 
upon  Williams.  He  escapes,  but  Nora  collapses. 
Carrying  her  into  his  cafe,  he  offers  her  a  job 
playing  there.  Louie  hears  of  Nora  through  Marie, 
his  mistress.  Belierving  that  he  can  get  a  load  of 
liquor  through  by  holding  Nora  as  a  hostage,  he  has 
her  abducted.  But  jealousy  drives  Marie  to  tell 
Williams.  The  gangs  meet  in  a  tremendous  fight. 
Louie  is  killed.  Williams  takes  Nora  away.  She 
feels  of  his  ugly  face.  WiUiams  sees  her  repulsion 
— and  turning  her  over  to  Dan,  whose  love  Nora 
has  seemed  to  reciprocate,  Williams  goes  back  into 
the  fray  and  is  killed. 


This  Week^s  Press  Sheet 


BEWARE  OF  BLONDES  (Columbia  drama):  As  each 
patron  enters  the  theatre,  have  him  or  her  draw  a  marble  from 
a  box.  The  majority  of  the  spheres  are  yellow,  but  scattered 
among  them  are  a  number  of  marbles  of  other  shades.  The 
object  is  to  avoid  the  yellow  or  blonde  marbles  and  secure 
one  of  the  others.  Have  a  number  of  cards  printed  with 
"BEWARE  OF  BLONDES"  in  big  letters.  Snipe  these 
everywhere  during  the  night.  In  the  morning  when  the  people 
go  to  work  every  one  will  be  speculating  on  the  meaning  of 
the  curious  warning.  Tie-up  with  some  dealer  in  cosmetics, 
lotions,  shampoos,  hair  dyes,  and  other  accessories  to  furnish 
you  with  samples  which  are  to  be  distributed  to  your  patrons 
during  the  showing  of  "Beware  of  Blondes."  In  connection 
with  the  arrangement  you  might  secure  one  or  more  window 
displays  in  drug  stores,  beauty  parlors  and  barber  shops. 

A  professional   checker  player   such  as  frequent  amusement 


parks,  fairs  and  carnivals  may  be  used  to  advantage  in  your 
lobby.  Have  him  play  with  a  black  set  of  counters  and  his 
opponent  with  yellow  markers.  The  idea  is  to  challenge  any- 
one to  beat  the  professional  by  using  blondes.  A  tie-up  legend 
should  read,  "Beware  of  Blondes.  We  challenge  you  to  win 
against  the  brunettes." 

Turn  your  lobby  into  a  ship  deck.  Over  the  box-office 
place  the  caption,  "Book  your  passage  here."  Over  the  en- 
trance place  have  "Entrance  to  main  salon."  Arrange  a  gang- 
plank for  your  patrons  to  pass  over  as  they  enter.  Have  your 
ushers  and  door  men  in  marine  uniforms.  The  effect  of  a  docked 
ship  might  be  enhanced  by  the  use  of  ropes  and  piles.  A 
steam  whistle  and  ship's  bell  will  add  to  the  effect.  About  the 
lobby  walls  have  warning  signs  reading,  "Beware  of  Blondes." 
"Not  responsible  for  lost  hearts,  beware  of  blondes."  "Watch 
your  heart,  beware  of  blondes." 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Y5^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 

Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key  to   abbreviations   used  in  detioting   the   type   of  pictures 
C— Comedy  F— Farce 

M^^Melodrama 


D^— Drama 
R^— Romance 


W — Western 


My 


-Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


1928 

5400 
6450 
5500 
6300 
6000 
6000 
6900 


Chesterfield 


Adorable  Cheat,  The,  Lila  Lee-Mclntosh June  1 

Below    the    Deadline __Feb.  28 

Campus    Knights    ., Aug.  15 

Circumstantial    Evidence  Oct.  30 

House  of  Shame,  The June  30 


1928 


Roaring    Forties,   The 

South   of  Panama. 


Apr.  15 

— Dec.  15 


1927 

5831 
6843 
5432 
56  2S 
5513 
5645 
5750 
5524 
5569 
5892 
1000 
5996 
5435 
5054 
6108 
5357 
5426 
5791 

1928 

5459 
5537 
5928 


Columbia 


S440 
5464 
6047 
5350 
5472 


Alias  the  Lane  Wolf  (D),  Lytell-Wllson Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (M),   Bosworth-Logan. Aug.  10 

By  Whose  Hand    (MyD),  Cortez-Gilbert Sept.  15 

College   Hero,   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon. Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes Dec.  8 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Women   (D),  Tearle-Sebastian_Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   LyteU-WUson 

Opening    Night,   The    (D),   Windsor-J.   Bowers....Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson...- _ 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (IH),  Mason-Allen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  

Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Revler....- _ Dec.  20 

Stage  Kisses  (D),  Harlan- Chadwick- Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Eerier _ 

Sweet   Rosie  O'Grady   (CD),   Mason _., 

Tigress,   The   (IH),  Holt-Rerier „Oct.  21 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Eerier-Agnew _ 

Warning,  The  (M),  Holt-Eevier. _ Nov.  26 


After   the   Storm,   Hobart-Bosworth. 

Broadway    Daddies,   Jacaueline  Logan. _ 

Desert  Bride,  The   (MD),  Betty  Compson MaT.  26 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Eeynolds-Ford. 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew Jan.  25 

Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love-Walter. Mar.  14 

Modern  Mothers   (CD),  Helene  Chadwick. June  9 

Name  the  Woman   (D),  Stewart- (Jordon 

So  This   is  Love,  Mason-Collier Feb.  6 

Sporting    Age,    The,    Bennett-Herbert-..'. Mar.  2 

That  Certain  Thing,  Dana-Graves _ Jan.  1 

Wife's  Relations,  The,  Mason-Glass Jan.  13 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baxter-Livingston Feb.  18 


1927 


Jan.  7 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  31 


Oct.  1 
July  23 


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 


Jan.  21 
Jan.  7 


Jan.  14 

..July  31  ' 

..May  14 

..Aug.  28 
Jan.  21 


Oct.  2 


..52.72% 


Dec.  3 


Apr.  14 

..May  26 

Feb.  25 

Apr.  7 


1928 


..June  19 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


1927 

2000     Angelus,  The   (D) _ 

2000     Real   Charleston,   Lesson  Novelty.. 
Woodea  Shoes,  International 


..May  15 
..Apr.  24 
..May  8 


1927 


1927  Emblem  Films 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings. - Dec.  3 


1927 

5980 
6805 
5912 
6645 
5792 


Excellent 


7393 
5337 
5750 
5867 


Back  to   Liberty    (D),   Walsh-Hall _ Nov.  15 

Bowery  Cinderella,  A  (D),  O'Malley-Hulette. — May  1 

Broadway    Drifter    (D),  Walsh-HaU Nov.  1 

Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith. 

His   Rise  to    Fame   (D),   Walsh-Shaw. Feb.  15 

Kick-off,  The   (D),  Hyams-Amann 

Nest,  The  (D),  Frederick-Herbert Aug.  1 

Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Eoberts. Jan.  15 

Winning  Oar,  The  (D),  Walsh-HaU June  1 

Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holmes...- Sept.  1 


1927 


1927 


Nov.  26       

...- 

-Apr.  14       

.Mar.  17       

Mar.  3        - 

Mar.  17      - 

Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Tickv 


1928 


6600 


6400 


6536 
6600 


A  Bit  of  Heaven    (D),  Washburn-Lee Apr.  25 

Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschi-J.  Norman- 

Making  the  Varsity,  Bex  Lease-Mildred  Harris..June  30 

Manhattan   Knights,  Barbara  Bedford — — July  15 

Satan   and  the  Woman   (D),  Windsor-Keefe Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic,  The,  Eex  Lease-Mildred  Harris._July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),    Chadwick-Delaney Mar.  30 

You're  in  the  Army   (D) - - May  25 


1928 


Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


4765 
4858 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 

6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame  in  the  Sky   (M),  Luden-Lynn. Dec.  18 

Bandit's   Son,    The    (W),    Bob   Steele Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton — Oct.  23 

Breed    of  Courage    (D),   Eanger. Aug.  7 

Cherokee   Kid,  The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn -Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding   (CD),  Geo.  Sidney. — Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter. Aug.  21 

Desert   Pirate    (W),   Tom   Tyler - Dec.  25 

Flying    U    Ranch,   The   (W),   Tom  Tyler Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,   The   (C),  Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),   Orville  CaldweU. Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder  No.  9  (D),  Ed  Hearne Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-VaUi -Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (D),   FranMe  Darro -Dec.  27 

Mojave  Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon   of  Israel    (D),   Maria  Corda _ 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ealph  Ince. Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo   (D),  Red  Grange --.- 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Eanger. Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince - Oct.  19 

Slingshot  Kid,  The  (M),  Buzz  Barton -Dec.  4 

South  Sea  Love    (D),  Patsy  Miller Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger - Dec.  11 


Dec.  10       

Dec  10       

Dec.  3         Oct.  8 


1927 


-..Sept.  10 
...Sept.  10 


Dec.  24 


Nov. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Nov. 
Dec. 


July  30 
..July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 


54.50% 


Aug.  20 

..Aug.  6 
..Julys 
-July  23 


...Dec 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec 

Nov. 
Dec. 


Aug.  20 


1928 


5144 

4769 
5771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6059 
5967 


4793 
4760 
6329 


Alex  the   Great   (M),   Skeets  Gallagher May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton Aug.  12 

Beyond    London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway — Mar.  18 

Breed   of  the  Sunsets  (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago  After   Midnight   (M),  Ince-Mendez Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson. - Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve   (D),  Fairbanks.  Jr Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,  The  (D),  Belle  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger...- _ _ June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele...- Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild  (D),  Eanger - Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W),   Buzz  Barton. July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox,  Jr —  Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD),  Bob  Steele - 

Her  Summer    Hero    (CD),   Blane-Trevor Feb.  12 

Law  of  Fear  (D).  Eanger Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in   Paris   (C),   Cooke-Guard. —Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo.  The  (W),  Buzz  Barton Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  Orville  CaldweU.. May  28 

Man  in  the   Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  E.  Miller. Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele -Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love July  15 

Skinner's   Big   Idea    (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Stocks  and   Blondes   (CD),  Logan-GaUagher ^ 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler - Feb.  26 

Trail  of  Courage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele -..July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott _ Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W),  Tom  Tyler...- June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  Barton. Jan.  22 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Dec  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 
.-Tune  19 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Dec.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


First  Division 


1927 

5400 
5960 
5600 
5900 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5G0O 
5700 

1928 

5500  Fagasa,    Eaymond    Wells Apr.  1 

Free  Lips   (MD),  June  Marlow 

6300  Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson Mar.  1 

6200  Souls  Aflame,  Eaymond  WeUs...- .._ _ JUar.  16 


Comrades,    Costello-Hughes   - -Jan.  1 

Death   Valley  (W),  CarroU  Nye...- - Sept.  1 

Eager  Lips,  Garon Oct.  1 

Finnegan's   Ball    (C),  Mack  Swain. - Sept.  15 

Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short. Nov.  15 

Ladybird,  Compson  . -Aug.  1 

Naughty,  Garon  - _ Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the   Movies,   Short-Eobards. - Oct.  15 

Ragtime  (D),  De  La  Motte _ - Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston    Blackie    (D),  Glenn-Palmer—Aug.  1 

Say   It  with  Diamonds,  Betty  Compson _ _Aug.  15 

Temptations   of   a  Shop   Girl,    Compson Nov.  1 


Apr.  28       

Apr.  14 

.July  14       -...^... 

Feb.  4 
Dec  24 

1927 

_. .Aug.  20 

Jan.  7         -. 

- Oct.  15 

^ 

Jan.  7         _ 

Nov.  26       Sept.  3 

1928 

-July  14        . . 

Apr.  7         

Apr.  21       

56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


First  National 


192: 

8300 

6333 

6433 

6222 

6765 

8730 

7724 

63S6 

65SS 

6802 

52S2 

7133 

6258 

611S 

6190 

6624 

6400 

6720 

5718 

6550 

6255 

7388 

5521 

5542 

5431 

6520 

6040 

6431 

6734 

11414 

5982 

6897 

6400 

6210 

6477 

5606 

5800 

6648 

7179 

5000 

7400 

7419 

6774 

5668 

7833 

6336 

6324 

6409 

1928 

Barker,  The    (0),   Sills,  Maokalll. 

7404  Big    Noise,   The   (CD),   Conklln-Whlte Mar.  25 

6500  Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sills-Kenyon. -Feb.  26 

5800  Canyon   of   Adventure    (W),   Maynard _ Apr.  29 

6744  Chaser,  The  (C),  Langdon _ -Feb.  12 

6374  Chinatown    Charlie   (C),   HInes-Lorraine _ Apr.  15 

Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Maynard 

8030  Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Jolinny  Burke-Sally  Ellers     

6172  Flying    Romeos    (C),   Murray-Sidney Feb.  26 

6344  French    Dressing   (CD),  Warner-Wilson Jan.  15 

7100  Happiness   Ahead    (D),    CoUeeu-Moore-Lowe June  30 

7433  Hawk's  Nest.  The   (M),  Milton  Sills -May  6 

_ Heart  to   Heart,  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd 

7541  Harold  Teen    (CD),  Lake-Brian Apr.  29 

6957  Heart  of  a  Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 

Sherman   . Mar.  18 

7694  Helen    of   Troy    (CD),   Stone-Corda-Cortez. Jan.  8 

6592  Ladies   Night  (CD),  Mackaill-Mulhall Apr.  1 

6608  Lady   Be   Good    (CD),  MulhaU-Maol;aill May  12 

8967  Lilac   Time    (D),    Moore-Cooper Apr.  22 

7700  Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Come    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     - - Apr.  8 

6625  Mad    Hour    (D),   O'Neil-Kent-Shennan Mar.  4 

7129  Noose.   The   (D),  Barthelmess-Joyce. Jan.  29 

5485  Sailors'    Wives    (CD),  Hughes-Astor _ Jan.  22 

8188  Shepherd  of  the   Hills   (D),  Francis-O'Day Jan.  1 

5827  Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),  Hughes-Astor.- May  27 

6212  Wagon    Show,    The    (W),   Maynard Mar.  11 

6874  Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Bicihard  Bartbelmess , 

Whip.    The    (D),    Forbes-MackaiU - - _. 

5087  Whip   Woman.   The   (D),   Taylor-Moreno. Feb.  5 

Wright  Idea,  The  (CD),  Johnny  Hines 

7187  Yellow  Lily,  The  (D),  Dove-Brcolis May  20 


All  Aboard  (C),  Hlnes-Murphy May  8 

American  Beauty   (CD),  Dove-Husbes. Oct.  9 

An  Affair  of  the    Follies  (D),  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CD),  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D),   Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D),  N.  Talmadge-Koland Sept.  4 

Convoy   (D),   Sherman-Mackaill Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,   The   (D),  MackaUl-MuIhall Oct.  16 

Dance  Magic  (D),  Lyon-Starke- June  12 

Drop    Kick,    The   (D),   Barthelmess-Eevler Sept.  25 

Framed    (D),    Sills-Kingston June  19 

Gorilla,  ThB  (My),  Murray  Kelsey. Xot.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),   Maynard-Faire Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-KenL Dec.  25 

High    Hat   (CD),   Lyon-Brian Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (C),  Hlnes-Daw Nov.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine,  The  (D),  C.  Qrifflth-Busbman-jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley,   The    (C),  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladles    (CD),   NUsson-Stone July  3 

Long    Pants    (C),    Langdon-Bonner Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),  Murray- Sidney. May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  Dove-Koland Deo.  18 

Lunatic   at   Large,  The   (C),   ErroI-MackallL jan.  2 

Man  Craiy  (CD),  Mackaill-Mtilhall Nov.  27 

Masked  Women,  The  (D),  Nilsson-Blinn-H'nsen_jan.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice   (C),  Moore-Eeed. June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No  Place  to  Go   (C),  Hughes-Astor _ Oct.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall Mar.  6 

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D),  Bart'lmess-O'Day.. 

Perfect  Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke.._ Jan.  16 

Poor  Nut,  The   (C),  Murray-Mulhall _ Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman — 

Red    Raiders,   The    (W),  Maynard-Drew -...July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West  (D),  Astor-Eoland Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  Sills-Astor _ — Oct.  2 

See  You  In  Jail   (C),  Mulhall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile   (C),  MulhaU-MackaUL Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-Dove Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-Collier _ Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   Dove-Lyon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Rogers-Fazenda _ May  1 

Three   Hours  (D),  GrlfHth-Bowers Deo.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes,    Moore-Harlan  Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  SiUs-KenyoiL Dec.  11 

Venus  of  Venice   (CD),   Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White  Pants  Willie   (C),  Hlnes-Hyams July  24 


1927 


ipr.  2 

Nov.  19 
Nov.  12 

Oct.  22 
...JWar.  5 

Nov.  26       . 
...May  21 

__ May  2 

Nov.  12 

...May  21 

Oct.  29 

...Aug.  13 

..July  9 
..Jan.  7 


47.20% 

66.10% 
48.00% 


Dec  17 
Dec  3 


...Mar.  19 

Oct.  29 

Jan.  8 

Got.  1 

...Sept  24 

...Apr.  9 

...June  25 


66.00% 
61.54% 


53.58% 


Nov.  26 


..Feb.  5 


Dec  24 


...Feb.  12 
...July  16 

May  14 
...Dec  10 
...Apr.  9 
...Aug.  20 
...Jan.  22 
.-Sept.  10 
...July  23 
...Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 
..May  14 
..  Apr.  23 
..  Sept.  17 
..Sept.  3 
..  July  2 
...May  28 

Apr.  16 
..  Jan.  1 
..Deo.  3 

Jan.  7 
..Aug.  6 
...Apr.  16 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


45.80% 

1928 


July  14 


Mar.  10      Apr.  7 


Feb.  11 

Feb.  18 

.June  23 

July  7 

Apr.  7 

Dec  10 

May  26 

May  26 

July  7 

Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 

Dec.  24 

Dec  17 

June  16 


June  2 

Apr.  7 

Mar.  17 

Dec  10 

Dec  24 

Dec  8 

Apr.  28 

Mar.  17 

...Jtme  2 

..July  14 

Feb.  11 

-July  7 

Apr.  28 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


10726 

5467 

5446 

5009 

5792 

5412 

6620 

4943 

4675 

4299 

6293 

5510 

5620 

4953 

11109 

5783 

6629 

6531 

1928 

4612 


Seventh   Heaven,   The  (R),  Farrell-Gaynor Oct.  30 

•Shame  (M),  John  GUbert Nov.  27 

Silk  Lefls  (CD),  Madge  Bellamy. Dec  18 

Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix - Oct.  2 

Singed    (0),   Baxter-Sweet Atig.  21 

Slaves  of  Beauty  (D),  Herbert-Tell June  5 

Stage   Madness    (D),  Valli Jan.  9 

St.    Elmo  (M),  John  Gilbert. Oct  9 

Tumbling  River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn Aug.  21 

Truxton    King,  Gilbert - _ Oct  30 

Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Janet  Gaynor Sept  11 

Upstream   (D),  Foxe Jan.  30 

Very  Confidential   (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Nov.  6 

War  Horse  (W),  Jones _ Feb.  6 

What   Price    Glory    (CD),  McLaglen-Lowe Aug.  28 

Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones Mar.  20 

Wizard,  The   (MyD),  Lowe-Hyams Dec.  11 

Wolf  Fangs   (D),  Thunder   (Dog). Nov.  27 


..May  28 


Nov.  26 


71.33% 


Dec  31 

Dec.  17 


Oct  29 

July  16 

June  11 

Jan.  29 


Aug.  27 


-...J-eb.  12 

.Nov.  12 

Feb.  19 


4987 
5708 
6566 
5109 
5038 
5882 
6430 
4618 
6188 
4399 
5782 
6679 
5071 

5260 
5380 
5629 
5355 

5937 
5O30 
4921 
5480 


Branded  Sombrero,  The  (W),  Buck  Jones 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mix _. 

Don't  Marry,  Moran-HamiIton..._ 

Dressed  to    Kill,  Lowe-Astor 

Escape,  The  (D),  RusseU-Valll 

Gateway  of  the  Moon,  The   (D),  Del  Rio -.. 

Girl  in   Every  Port,  A  (CD),  Victor  McLaglen.. 

Hangman's   House,   McLaglen-CoUyer. 

Hello  Cheyenne,  Tom  Mix. 

Honor  Bound,  O'Brien-Taylor. _ _. 

Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W),  Tom  Mix. 

Love   Hungry  (CD),  Moran-Gray._ 

News    Parade,   Stuart-Phillips 

No  Other  Woman   (D).  Dolores  Del  Bio. 

Painted   Port  (W),  Tom  Mix 

Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy - 

Sharp  Shooters   (CD),  O'Brien-Moran 

Soft  Living    (CD),   Bellamy-Brown. 

Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan _ 

Street  Angel.  Gaynor.... 

Thief   In  the  Dark,  A,  Meeker-HiU-Beeba 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong,  Phlpps-McNamara^ 

Wild   West    Romance    (W),  Rex  King 

Woman  Wise  (C),  Russell-CoUyer. 


..Jan.  8 


.Jan.  IS 
.June  3 
-Mar.  18 
-Apr.  29 
.Jan.  1 
.Jan.  29 
.May  13 
.May  13 
..May  13 
.Mar.  11 
-Apr.  15 

.June  10 


Jan.  14 


Jan.  21 
..June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


..Apr.  9 
Dec  3 


71.00% 
50.61% 


1928 


June  30 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 

..Jilay  26 
June  23 

-JulyT 


—Mays 


May  19 

Feirr" 


June  23 


Apr.  22 
.Jan.  15 
Feb.  5 
.Mar.  4 


Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


Feb.  18 


May  20 
.Mar.  25 
.June  10 
.Jan.  8 


July  T 

May  19       June  2 


Gotham 


..Oct.  1 
.Nov.  15 


1927 

6987  Blondes  by  Choice   (C),  Claire  Windsor _.. 

5800  Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  Graves- Olmstead. 

6000  Final  Extra  (M),  De  la  Motte _ _ 

6200  'Frisco  Nights   (D),  Percy  Marmont Dec  1 

5950  Girl  from    Rio,  The  (D),  Carmel  Myers Sept  1 

6500  Heroes  of  the  Night  (M),  Landis-NixoiL..- 

6700  Rose  of   Klldare,   The  (D),  Helene  Chadwick. Aug.  15 

6750  Satin  Woman,  The  (D),  Mrs.   Wallace  Beid. Aug.  1 

1928 

5268     Bare    Knees    (D),   Corbine - Feb.  1 

Branded    Man,   The    (D),  Delaney-Marlowc May 

Chorus   Kid,  The   (D),  AH   Star _...Apr.  1 

Danger    Patrol,    The    (D),   All   Star Apr. 

Devil's  Tower,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Hell  Ship  Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid-Beery June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landls-Murphy May 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt _ Apr. 

Trailin'   Back   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Jitar. 

Turn   Back  the   Hours  (M),  Myma  Loy. Mar.  1 


Jan.  2S 


Dee.  10 
Not.  26 


1927 


..J-eb.  19 


Sept.  24 
..Feb.  6 


Nov.  19 
Nov.  19 


Jan.  7 


Aug.  13       


1928 


6000 


Feb.  11 


May  12 


63.25% 
"78723'% 


1927 

4665 
1777 
1556 
5425 
6078 
6S33 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8154 
5524 
4545 
5617 
5515 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
5509 
6507 
8538 
6415 
6440 
6500 
7734 
7677 
5327 
6898 
5876 
S893 
6484 
(870 


Fox 


Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  Mix. —Nov.  20 

Blackjack   (W),  Buck  Jones Sept.  25 

Blood   Will   Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones Nov.  13 

Broncho  Twister  (W),  Mix Mar.  13 

•Cameo    Kirby    (D),   John  Gilbert Aug.  28 

Chain    Lightning    (W),  Buck  Jones. _ Aug.  14 

Circus  Ace,  The,  Mix. - _June  26 

Come  to  My  House   (CD),  Olive  BordeiL Dec.  25 

Cradle    Snatchers    (FC),    Fazenda -.-June  5 

East  Side,   West  Side    (D),   O'Brien-VaUl Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,   The    (C),    Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W),    Jones „ June  12 

Heart  of  Salome    (My),  Rubens —.May  8 

High  School  Hero   (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril   (W),  Jones May  1 

♦Honor  First  (D),  John  GUbert Sept  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl,    The    (CD),    OUve  Borden. Sept.  18 

Ladies    Must   Dress   (CD),  Virginia  ValU _Nov.  20 

Love    Makes  'Em    Wild    (D),   Harron Mar.  6 

Loves    of   Carmen    (D).   McLaglen-Del  Rio Sept  4 

Madam  Wants  Nc  Children,  Cordis Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valli _ _ Feb.  20 

Monkey   Talks    (D),   Lcmer Feb.  20 

Music  Master   (D),  A.  B.  Francis Jan.  23 

One    Increasing    Purpose   (D),   Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of  Red   River   (W),  Mix. . 

Paid   to    Love    (D),    O'Brlen-Valli Aug.  14 

Pajamas    (CD),    Borden-Gray Oct.  23 

Publicity  Madneu  (CD),  Moran-Lowe Oct.  2 

Rich   But   Honest   (CD),  Beebe May  22 

Secret  Studio,  The  (CD),  Borden. Jtine  1» 


1927 


.-Nov.  19       

Nov.  12 

Apr.  2               63.00% 





June  18 

Jan.  7         . 

June  4 

Jan.  7         Oct  22 


fune  11 

...- - -May  9 

Oct  29 

May  14 

— May  21 

...- Sept  24 

Nov.  19       Dec.  17 


40.70% 


Oct.  8 

Apr.  16 

Feb.  26 

Mar.  5 

Jan.  22 

Jan.  15 

Apr.  23 

Aug.  6 

._ Dec.  10 

June  4 

June  25 


48.60% 
61.58  % 


1927 

6199     Broadway   After   Midnight,   Betz 


Krelbar  Productions 


1927 


Oct  29 


1927 

6667 

4709 

6312 

8730 

6439 

12000 

12550 

5002 

5821 

6050 

6126 

7395 

6408 

4658 

6909 

8156 

6646 

6088 

5687 

6110 

5291 

6280 

5957 

7603 

7627 

6337 

6581 

6640 

6309 

7865 

6280 

6705 

6273 

5252 

6160 

7899 

6657 

5517 

1928 

6998 
6805 
6010 
6838 
6344 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


Adam  and  Evil  (CD),  Cody-Pringla Aug.  27 

Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  McCoy - 

After  Midnight  (D),  Shearer-Gray Aug.  20 

Annie   Laurie   (D),   Lillian  Gish. Sept  17 


Becky   (CD),  Sally  O'Neil Nov.  12 

Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  Novarro - Oct.  8 

Big    Parade,    The   (M),    Gilbert-Adoree. Sept.  10 

Body  and  Soul  (D),  L.  Barrymore - _ Oct.  1 

Bugle  Call,   The  (D),  Jaolde  Coogan Aug.  6 

Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan - Dec  24 

Callahans  and  Murphys  (CD),  DressIer-Moran-...June  18 

Captain  Salvation    (M),  Hanson.- _ May  14 

Fair  Co-ed,   The    (CD),   Marion  Davles. Oct  15 

Foreign   Devils  (W),  Tim  McOy _ Sept  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Neil _ Apr.  2 

Garden  of  Allah,  The    (D),   Terry-Petrovitch. Nov.  5 

In  Old   Kentucky   (D).  H.  Costello-..- _ Oct.  29 

Little   Journey    (CD),   All   Star — Jan.  1 

London   After  Midnight   (D),  I^n  Chaney Dec.  3 

Lovelorn,    The,    Sally  O'Neil _ Dec.  17 

Lovers   (D),  Novarro-Terry _ — Apr.  9 

Man.   Woman  and  Sin   (D),  John  Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney _ Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  CSianey Mar.  26 

Quality  Street,   Davles-NageL _.  Dec  31 

Red  Mill   (C),  Davies _ _ Jan,  29 

Road  to  Romance,  The  (D),  Novarro-Day —  Sept  24 

Rookies    (C),  Dane-Arthur - - Apr.  30 

Show,  The  (M),  Gilbert-Adoree. _ Jan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,   Slide   (CD),  Halnes-O'NeU Mar.  12 

Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw. _ Dec  10 

Spring   Fever   (C),  William  Haines — Oct  22 

Tea  for  Three    (C),   Cody-Pringle Dec  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (D),  Lionel  Barrymore Nov.  26 

Tillie  the  Toiler   (C),   Davies -...May  21 

Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  Gilbert —  July  9 

Understanding    Heart    (D),  Crawford. Feb.  28 

Unknown,    The    (M),    Chaney - - June  4 


Actress,    The,    Norma    Shearer-Forbes Apr.  28 

Across  to  Singapore    (MD),  Novarro-Crawford-.-Apr.  7 

Baby   Mine,  Arthur-Dane - — _ Jan.  21 

Big    City,    The,    Chaney-Compson-Day_ — Feb.  18 

Bringing  Up  Father,  FarreU-Moran-Olmstead. Mar.  17 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


Length    Title  and  Playen 


Releaied 


New 
Picture! 


Comment 


Ticker 


64S2 
6661 

8548 
5482 
605T 
7300 
8340 

49S7 
7743 
7045 
6402 

6760 
6395 
7S65 
7289 
5014 
7745 
6476 
9566 
5901 
8134 


Certain  Young  Man,  A,  Novarro-Day -...May  19 

Circus  Rooi(ie>  (CD).  Dane-Arthur. Mar.  31 

CoMacks,  Ttie,  Adoree-Gilbert-Torrence. „ May  12 

Crowd,  Tile,  Boardman-Murray-Eoadj Mar.  3 

Detectives,   Dane-Arthur  June  9 

Diamond    Handcuffs,    Boardman-Nagel May  5 

Divine  Woman,  Garbo-Eanson-SliermaD Jan.  14 

Enemy,   Tlie,   Gish-Dane-ForlJes - Feb.  18 

Excess  Baggage   (D),  William  Halnea. 

Forbidden   Hours   (D).  Movarro-Adoree. June 

Latest  from  Paris,  The,   Shearer- Forbes -...Feb. 

Laugtl,  Clown,  Laugli,  Chaney-Murpliy-Hlsle. Apr. 

IHademoiselie  from    Armentleres,   Estelle  Brody- 

John  Stuart  June 

Skirts,    Syd  Chaplin. _ — _... 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford - Jan. 

Love,  Garbo-GUbert - 

Patsy,  The,  Davies-Caldwell-Gray 

Riders  of  the  Dark 

Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray - 


June  2        June  23 


-July? 
Apr.  28 


Mar.  10 
June  9 

Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
-June  23 


6011 
4435 

1927 

6199 
6951 
9879 
5597 
5878 
7175 
6040 
6536 
6662 
5408 
T447 
6287 
6296 
6399 
6376 
6017 
6889 
6415 
7091 
6862 
6452 
8656 
7656 
6439 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
6258 
6877 
5798 
4551 
6599 
6187 
6680 
5306 
6247 
6952 
9443 
5614 
6368 
6634 
6209 
6170 
5515 
6015 
6179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4926 
6319 
7643 
8486 
6869 
6935 
5866 


Jan. 

„..— .Mar. 

Apr. 

Feb. 

Smart   Set,    Haines-Day-Holt-Boswortli Feb. 

Student  Prince,   The   (R),  Novarrc-Shearer. Jan. 

Under  the  Black  Eagle,  Forbes-Dog  Flash Mar. 

West  Point   (CD),  Haines-Crawford. Jan. 

White  Shadow*  of  the  South  Sea  (MD),  Monte 

Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Pringle Jan. 

Wyoming,  McCoy-Sebastian  _ Mar. 


16       Mar.  17 
4  Feb.  18 

14       Apr.  21 

2        May  26 

June  2 

21  Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  5 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


..June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  5 


Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  14 

Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 


Jan.  21 


67.41% 


July  7 

28        Feb.  11 
24       Apr.  14 


Paramount 


Afraid  to  Love   (C),  Vldor - Apr.  9 

Barbed   Wire    (D),   Negri-Brook - Sept.  10 

Beau  Geste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery — Aug.  1 

Blind  Alleys  (M).  Meighan Mar.  12 

Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C),  Menjou. Jan.  24 

Cabaret  (CO).  Gilda  Gray Mar.  26 

Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.  Beery Mar.  5 

Chang  (D),  Special  cast _ ..Sept.  3 

Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow Apr.  2 

City  Gone  Wild   (M),  Meighan-Mlllner. -Nov.  12 

♦Covered   Wa9»n,  The  (M),  Kerrigan- Wilson Aug.  6 

Evening  Clothes   (C),  Menjou.- ..-.Mar.  19 

Fashions  for  Women   (CD).  Halston Mar.  26 

Fireman  Save   My  Child    (C),  Beery-HattoiL Aug.  1 

Gay  Defender,  The  (CD).  Richard  Dlx. J)eo.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-O'Hara— Oct.  15 

Get  Your   Man    (CD),   Clara  Bow Deo.  10 

Honeymoon   Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vldor Dec.  3 

Hotel  imperial   (D),  Negri Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),   Bow-Brook. _ Aug.  27 

It   (C),   Clara  Bow - Feb.  19 

Jesse    James    (D),   Fred  Thomson Oct.  22 

•Kid   Brother   (C).   Lloyd. - Oct.  4 

Kiss  in   a  Taxi    (C).  Daniels - Feb.  26 

Knockout    Reilly    (CD).   Dix Apr.  16 

Last  Waltz,  The  (D).  Special  cast Nov.  26 

Let   it  Rain    (C),  MacLean, - Jan.  3 

Love's   Greatest    Mistake    (CD),  Brent Feb.  12 

Man    Power   (D),   Dlx - - July  9 

Metropolis    (D),    Special   cast Aug.  13 

Mme.   Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Glsh.- Aug.  13 

Nevada  (W),  Cooper-Todd Sept.  10 

New    York    (M).    Cortez-Wilson. Feb.  5 

Now  We're  in  the  Air   (C),  Beery-HattoiL Oct.  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vidor-ShotweH-Sept.  24 

Open    Range   (W),  Lane-Chandler Nov.  5 

Paradise  for  Two    (C),   Dix-Bronsou Jan.  17 

Potters    (CD),  W.   C.   Fields Jan.  31 

Ritzy   (CD).  Bronson _ Apr.  9 

Rolled   Stockings    (CD),  Hall-Brook. June  18 

Rough    House    Rosie   (C),  Bow May  14 

Rough   Riders,  The  (D),  Astor-FarrelL Oct  1 

Rubber  Heels   (FC),  Ed.   Wynn June  11 

Running    Wild    (C),   Fields-Brian. -..Aug.  20 

Senorita   (F),    Daniels - Aug.  30 

Serenade    (D),    Menjou- Wray Dec.  24 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carver. Aug.  6 

Shanghai    Bound    (D),    Dlx-Brian...- Oct.  15 

She's  a  Sheik   (C),   Bebe  Daniels - Nov.  12 

Shootin'   Irons  (W),  Luden-Biane -.  Oct.  8 

Soft   Cushions    (C),   MacLean-Carol Aug.  27 

Special   Delivery   (C),  Eddie  Cantor. - Apr.  16 

Spotlight,   The   (CD),  Ealston-Hamilton. Nov.  19 

Stark  Love   (D),   Special  cast Sept.  17 

Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),    Danlels-HaU. Sept  17 

Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklin-Bancroft Sept.  24 

Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  Ralston July  2 

Time  to  Love   (FC),  Raymond  Griffith. June  18 

Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fields-ConHin. Deo.  17 

Underworld  (M),  Bancroft-Brent _ -Oct.  29 

Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (D),  Jannings-Bennett..Oct.  1 

Wedding  Bills   (F),  Raymond  Griffith -.May  7 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meighan-Millner. Sept.  3 

Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),   Lois  Moran Apr.  30 

Wings    (M),    Charles   Rogers.- - Oct.  29 

Woman  on   Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri 


6960 

1928 

5897     Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA _...Mar.  31 

6536     Beau  Sabreur    (M).    Cooper-Brent _ - Jan.  7 

Beggars   of    Life    (MD),   Wallace  Beery-Brooks- 
Big   Killing   (CD),  Beery-HattoiL May  19 

Doomsday,    Vidor-Ccoper    - Feb.  18 

Drag  Net,  The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-PowelL 

Easy  Come,    Easy   Go,  Richard  Dlx Apr.  21 


S930 

6665 
7866 
6364 
6889 
6402 
6852 
6871 
6263 

5038 

6792 
S234 
7415 
6837 


Feel  My  Pulse,  Daniels-Arlen. Feb.  25 

Fifty- Fifty   Girl.   The,  Daniels-HaU May  12 

Fools  for  Luck  (CD),  Fields-Conklin. May  7 

Gentlemen    Prefer   Blondes    (C),  Taylor- White.- Jan.  28 

Half  a   Bride   (D),  Ealston-Cooper. June  16 

Hot   News,    Bebe  Daniels 

His  Tiger  Lady,  Menjou-Brent June  9 

Kit  Carson    (MD),   Fred  Thomson 

Ladies  of  the   Hob,  Clara  Bow. 

Last  Command,   The    (D),  Emil  Jannings...... 


June  30 
Jan.  21 
Legion  of  the  Condemned,  Wray-Cooper —..Mar.  10 


.-Apr.  23 

Aue.  3 

_.Mar.  5 
...Jan.  15 
.-May  9 
.-Apr.  16 
.-May  2 

-.May  2 

...Dec.  10 

Apr.  9 

Apr.  9 

Dec.  10 

Not.  12 

Oct.  8 

Jan.  7  

Deo.  31       Dec.  17 

Jan.  8 

Sept.  10 

Feb.  12 

Oct.  22 

Jan.  29 

Apr.  2 

Apr.  23 

Nov.  19 

Mar.  12 

Feb.  26 

Aug.  6 

Mar.  12 

Nov.  26       Aug.  6 


-Feb.  6 
-Dec.  17 
-Sept.  24 


-Jan.  29 
-Jan.  22 
-June  25 
-July  30 
-June  4 
-Mar.  19 
-July  16 
-June  18 
-May  14 


Jan.  14 

Sept.  3 

Dec.  31       Not.  12 
Jan.  21       Not.  26 


Aug.  27 

May  9 

Dec.  3 

Mar.  19 

Sept.  17 

Jan.  7  Oct.  22 

July  23 

July  9 


-Sept.  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


June  11 

-Aug.  20 

..Dec.  24       Oct.  1 


1927 


67.21% 
62.04% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

60.30% 
51.86% 
68.00% 


49.60% 
62.63% 

67.83% 

65.85% 
66.77% 

65.91% 
38.61% 
65.61% 

55.59% 

51.18% 


71.00% 
70.25% 


48.36% 

54.72% 
47.00% 
57.64% 


44.08% 


66.27% 


52.83% 
59.78% 
57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  7 

-July  7 

Jan.  21 
-May  26 
May  19 
Feb.  25 
Mar.  31 
Apr.  7 
Dec.  10 


June  16       


Mar.  10 
Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Feb.  18 


-June  9 
Mar.  31 

-June  23 
May  26 
Jan.  28 


June  16 


Love  and  Learn,  Ralston-Chandler.. 


Jan.  14       Jan.  21 


July  7 

Feb.  4 

-Apr.  21 

Feb.  25 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Loves  of  an   Actress   (D),  Pola  Negri..- 

Night   of    Mystery    (D),    Menjou. -..Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17 

Partners  in  Crime   (C),  Beery -Hatton...- Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny -Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson. - Jan.  21 

Racket,  The   (D),  Thomas  Meighan — June  30 

Red   Hair    (CD),  Bow-Chandler Mar.  10 

Sawdust   Paradise,    The,  Esther  Ralston. Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D),  Negri-HersholL - Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,   Bancroft - Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Hamllton....Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold  Lloyd - - Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods,   Dlx-Olmstead - ....Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D),  Jannings-Wray - May  26 

Sunset   Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),  Negri-Baxter Apr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured    Romance,   Fields-Conklin Peb.  18 

Under   the   Tonto    Rim,    Arlen-Brian - Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  Jack  Holt June  23 

Warming    Up,    Richard    Dlx. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers   (C),  Beery-Hatton. Jan.  7 

Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D).  Negri-Kerry - — 

1927  Pathe 

5596     Almost   Human    (CD),   Reynolds Deo.  26 

Angel  of    Broadway.  The   (D),  Leatrice  Joy Oct.  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) - June  5 

Border  Blackbirds   (WD),  Maloney...- Aug.  28 

Born   to    Battle    (W),   Bill  Cody Sept.  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt. June  19 

Combat    (D),  Walsh - —Oct.  23 

Country    Doctor,  The    (D),  Schildkraut Aug.  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The   (W),  Wally  Wales. Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,   The   (W),  Leo  Maloney - Dec-  H 

Discord    (D),   Dagover-Ekman - -...Not,  20 

Dor.    Desperado    (W),   Maloney. - May  8 

Dress   Parade   (0),    Boyd Nor.  11 

Fighting   Eagle,  The  (M),  La  RocQue-HaTer Aug.  29 

Flying   Luck   (C).  Monty  Banks - Dec.  4 

Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  Goudal Nov.  7 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prevost 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard Dec.  11 

Girl  in  the  Pullman,  The  (C),  Prevost Oct.  31 

Gold  from  Weepah    (W),  Bill  Cody Nov.  20 

Golden    Clown,   The    (D),   Gosta-Ekman Deo.  18 

"Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd —Dec.  11 

Harp  in  Hock.  A   (D),  Schildkraut-Coghlan Oct.  10 

Heart  of  the   Yukon    (M),   Bowers-Cornwall May  29 

Heart  Thief   (D),   Schildkraut-De  Puttl 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison. Aug.  7 

His   Dog   (D),  Schildkraut July  21 

His  First  Flame  (C),  Lansdon May  8 

His   Foreign    Wife-  (D),  MacDonald-Murphy Not.  27 

Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan Nov.  13 

Interferin'   Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Faire — 

13500  King  of  Kings   (D),  All  Star 

4131     Land  of  the  Lawless,  The   (W),  Jack  Padjan. Deo.  25 

Little   Firebrand    (C),   Thornton July  3 

Main   Event,   The   (D),   Reynolds Nov.  21 

Man  Bait  (CD),  Prevost Jan.  29 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fair. Dec.  19 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost - _ 


5741 
7910 
6600 
6582 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7060 
5733 
5991 
5834 
6509 
5435 


6555 
4335 
5326 
4875 
4512 
5100 
7500 
4933 
5478 
8586 
5804 
6599 
8002 
6403 
6568 
6859 
3303 
5867 
4968 
7913 
4750 
5990 
6563 
6035 
4620 
6788 
4700 
4890 
4076 
4864 
5324 


Jiine  23 

Feb.  18 
Feb.  25 
Jan.  7 
Dec.  10 


Mar.  3 
June  9 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  3 
Apr.  28 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  28 


Feb.  18 

Apr.  21 
Feb.  18 
May  26 


Apr.  7 
Feb.  25 


May  5 


May  26 
..June  19 


..Feb.  18 


1927 


Dec.  24         

Not.  19       Nov.  6 

- June  4 

Sept.  10 


-June  17 
-Oct.  15 


Jan.  14 


72.70% 


-Dec.  10       : 


May  9 

Not.  19       Not.  6 
— Sept.  17 


Not.  12       Not.  5 

.- - Feb.  19 

Not.  5 

Not.  19       Nov.  5 


50.40% 


Nov.  12 


Nov.  6 
-May  21 
..May  21 
..Sept.  3 
-July  24 
-May  9 


..Aug.  27 
..Jan.  1 
..Mar.  10 


4752 
6472 
5865 
4576 
5750 
5736 
6421 
6903 
4575 
4692 
4497 
6000 
4828 
5844 
4542 
4375 
6303 
5880 
4562 
4546 
4338 
5397 
5670 
5921 
6198 
4485 
5610 
6447 
7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5927 
6589 
4833 
5408 
4550 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6650 
58S8 
4600 
5659 
5954 
5494 
5626 


Jan.  14 
Not.  19 


Nobody's  Widow   (FC),  Joy-Ray-Hayer. - 

No    Man's    Law    (W).   Rex May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo.  The  (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr Oct.  16 

Pals  in    Peril    (W).  Buffalo  BUI.  Jr June  26 

Phantom    Buster,  The   (W),  Roosevelt^ —Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Travel) _ -...Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the  Sky  <M),  Hutchison. May  22 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary   (C),  Robson 

Ride  'Em  High    (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Oct.  9 

Roarin'  Broncs,  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr - Nov.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-LoTe _ 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prerost Dec.  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W),  Wales _ July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  Wally  Wales Sept.  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hutchison. _ June  12 

Turkish    Delight,    Schildkraut-Faye Not.  11 

Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    (M),   Joy - 

White   Gold    (D).   Goudal - 

White  Pebbles   (WD),   WaUy  Wales Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife.  The   (C),  Haver Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M),  Bradford. Oct.  31 

Yankee  Clipper   (M),  Boyd _ 


..July  2 
Not.  5 
..Jan.  29 
-June  12 

-May  9 
.Jul  16 
..May  2 
..Oct.  8 
..June  25 
..Aug.  20 


46.60  0 


..May  21 
..Aug.  6 
..Oct.  8 


Jan.  7 


..Apr.  9 


.-Aug.  6 
...Oct.  1 
-.June  11 


..July  17       

..June  18 

..Apr.  9         

..Aug.  20       


Not.  19 

Not.  5 

-..May  14 

61.72% 

1928 

May  12 

6902 
7040 
5423 

4520 
6035 
4000 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass Feb.  12 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney - _ Feb.  12 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr - Jan.  8 

Blonde  for  a  Night,  Prevost. _ - Feb.  27  Mar.  3 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Joy _ - Mar.  12  Feb.  18 

Boss  of   Rustlers    Roost,  The,  Don  Coleman. .Tan.  22       May  12       

Bronc'  Stomper,  The,  Don  Coleman. - Feb.  26      Mar.  17       

Bullet   Mark,   The,   Jack  DouoTan.. Mar.  25      May  19        

Chicago     (M),    PhyUis    Hayer _ Mar.  5        Deo.  24        

Cowboy   Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt ...Jan.  29       Feb.  4         

Crashing   Through,    Jack   PadJaiL - -...Feb.  5         - 

Desperate  Courage    (W),   Wales. Jan.  15       

Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocaue. - May  15  May  19       May  26 

Laddie   Be   Good    (W),  BiU  Cody -...Jan.  1         

Leopard  Lady,  The  (M),  Logan _ _ Jan.  23      Jan.  28        

Let  'Er  Go,  Gallagher!  (M),  Junior  Coghlan Jan.  16       Jan.  28       

Mariie,    the    Killer,    Klondike Mar.  4        

Midnight  Madness,  Logan - May  26       Mar.  17       

Night  Flyer,  The,  Wm.  Boyd Web.  5         - 

On  to  Reno   (D),  Prevost-Landis. Jan.  2         Jan.  28        

Perfect   Gentleman,   A    (C),  Monty  Banks Jan.  15       

Red   Mark,  The   (D),  Glass,  Quartoar. 

Ship   Comes   In,    A,    Rudolph  Schildkraut June  4 

Skyscraper,   Boyd Apr.  9 

Stand  and   Deliver,  Rod  La  Rocque Feb.  20 

Tenth  Avenue,  Haver- Varconl 

Valley   of   Hunted   Men,   Buffalo  BUI,  Jr Feb.  19 

Walking    Back    (M),   Sue  Carol May  20 


-July  14 
June  16 


May  12 
-July  14 


i! 


What    Price    Beauty    (CD),    Nita  Naldl- 


Jan.  28 
Deo.  31 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1927 

60S9 
5076 
5916 
E960 
B970 
5502 
4300 

1928 

60S9 
6673 
607G 
4533 


Rayart 


5976 
5853 
4797 


6262 
454S 
560S 
4571 
5906 


4627 
5490 
5260 


Cruise  of  the   Helion    (D),  All  star.. 

Heroes   in    Blue    (M),  Bowers-Kand _ -...Nov. 

Law  and  the  Man,  The  (D),  S3iitschi-Bockwell..r>ec. 

Light  in  the   Window,  A    (D).   Walthal _. 

On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Nov. 

Silent    Hero    (M),    Bonaparte - - — 

Wanderer  of  the  West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec. 

Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Chas.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey  Jones    (CD),    Price-Lewis _ - Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The   (D),  Eussell-Falr _ Jan. 

Devil's  Tewer,  The  (W),  Buddy  BoosevelL.._ June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  ( D ),  Vera  Reynolds-HUllard.. July 

Gypsy  of  the    North    (D),    Gordon-Hale..._ Apr. 

Heart   of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew....Mar. 

Lightning  Shot  The   (W),  Buddy  Eoosevelt May 

Man  from  Headquarters,  Ths  (D),  Comelliu 

Keefe-E.   Boberts _ Aug. 

Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landis-E.  Murphy..May 

Mystery  Valley   (W),   Buddy  Eoosevelt July 

My    Home    Town     (D).    Brodcwell-Glass _...Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    (W),   Buddy   EoosevelL Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf,  The   (D),  CosteUo-Lease-Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch _ — Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster-Olstead- Aug. 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Eoosevelt.— - _AprU 

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard _. _ Mar. 

You   Can't   Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe..- Jan. 


-..Sept.  24 


1927 


..Nov.  12 
-Aug.  29 


1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


Sterling 


1927 

Burning    Up    Broadway    (D),   H.    Costello Jan.  30 

5563  Closed    Gates   CM),  Harron-Novat. _ _ 

5400  Outcast  Souls   (D),  Lewis-Bonner Dec.  15 

5500  Pretty   Clothes    (D),   J.   Kalston-Walker. Oct.  15 

Stranded    (D),   Mason Aug.  15 

1928 


1927 


Dec.  3         

„ May  28 

Nov.  12 

Dec.  31        

Jan.  7         S.'pt.  10 


Marry  the    Girl    (CD).. 


.._Feb.  4 


1927 

5754 
5669 
5300 
6024 
7300 
4887 
5500 
6482 
5233 
4752 
5600 
5800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 

&448 
5614 

1928 

6147 
5209 

5510 


5297 
6553 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


1928 

1927 


Backstage     (CD),     Bedford 

Beauty  Shoppe    (CD),   Buscb... 

Broken  Gate  (D),  Collier 

Cheaters    (M),    O'Malley. 

College    Days    (CD),    M.   Day 

Enchanted    Island    (D) 

First  Night,  The   (FC).  Lytell-Devore 

Fools   of    Fashion    (CD).   Busch _ 

Girl   from   Gay   Paree,  The    (F),   Sherman. Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.    I/Ove....Dec.  1 

Husband   Hunters  (C),  Marsh — 

Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederick. 

Lightning    (W).  J.  Ealston. Sept.  1 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron..._ Nov.  1 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Euth  Miller Oct.  15 

Sin  Cargo    (D),  Mason _ 

Snowbound     (FC),    Blythe - - ~ 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),   Starke-Harlan..._ Dec.  IS 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) -- 

Wild   Geese   (D),  BeUe  Bennett _ Nov.  15 

Women's  Wares  (D),   Brent-LyteU. _ _ Oct.  1 

Bachelor's    Paradise    (R),    Sally   O'Neil Mar.  15 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman      (R),     Southem- 

Pldgeon  - —  May  1 

Devil's  Skipper,  The,  Bennett Feb.  1 

Grain   of   Dust,  The    (D),  Cortez-Windsor July  10 

Green  Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen. June  10 

House  of  Scandal   (D),  Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Conez-Moran....May  15 

Lingerie  (CD),  White-McGregor. July  1 

Nameless    Men,  Moreno _ - Feb.  15 

Prtrwiers  of  the  Sea   (D),  Cortez-Myers .Tune  20 

Scarlet  Dove,  The  (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters    (D),    Southern-McGregor June  1 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron Mar.  1 

Tragedy   of    Youth,    Miller-Collier. Jan.  15 

Woman   Against  the  World,  A Jan.  1 


..July  9 

..July  16 

-Jan.  15 

....Mar.  24 

....Nov.  6 

June  25 

—Feb.  19 
....Oct.  9 


—Feb.  26 
...Nov.  27 


..Dec.  11 
..July  30 


Dec.  24       Dec.  10 


1928 


United  Artists 


..Sept.  10 


5708 

5102 
6735 
5652 
5361 
6283 

1927 

9264 
5000 
7500 
7311 
8550 

7440 
9120 
9000 
7456 
8250 
8000 

1928 

6400  Circus,    The    (C),    Charlie    Chaplin. 

7000 — Devil   Dancer,  The,  Gilda  Gray 

9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M)..._ June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge Jan.  7 

8350  Drums  of  Love    (D),   Mary  Phllbin Mar.  31 

7300  Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D),  C.  Grlfflth-Eay Feb.  4 

Two   Lovers,  Banky-Colman. _ _ Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D),    Del   Rio „ -...Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie   Thompson    (D),    Gloria    Swanson. _...Jan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,  Buster  BJeaton 


Beloved    Rogue    (M),    J.    Barrymore. - 

College  (C),  Keaton-CornwalL _ 

General,  The    (C),  Keaton. 

Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson. _ _ 

Maflic  Flame,  The   (M),  Colman-Banky...- Sept.  24 

My   Best    Girl    (M),   Mary  Plckford...- _ Nov. 

Night  of   Love   (M),  Banky-Colman 

Resurrection     (M),    La    Eocque _ - 

Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson Nov. 

Topsy   and    Eva    (C),   Duncan  Sisters „ 

Two  Arabian   Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolheim 

Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (D),  Banky-Colman. 


— Feb.  12 

- Mar.  19 

Sept.  24 

- A-pr.  7 

_ Jan.  29 

- — Apr.  16 

Nov.  19 

Aug.  13 

Oct.  29 


1927 

45.90% 


73.65% 

1928 


Mar.  3 

..  Apr.  28 

,.3rov.  26 

.-Jan.  7 

Tempest    (M),    John   Barrymore Aug.  11 


„ May  26 

July  7 


1927 

5751 
6777 
4427 
7319 
7190 
6623 


Universal 


Back  to    God's    Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazler-.. Sept.  4 

Beware  of   Widows    (FC),    La  Plante.... June  19 

Border  Cavalier,   The    (W),  Humes-Pierce Sept.  18 

Butterflies  In  the   Rain    (D),  La  Plante. Feb.  6 

Cat  and   Canary,   The   (My),  La  Plante Sept.  11 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-Harlan Oct.  9 


Nov.  12       Aug.  6 
May  9 


Jan.  1 

Deo.  17       May  14 

Nov.  26 


1927 

51.00% 
44.10% 

46.18% 
67.06% 


5503  Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot  Gibson Nov.  20 

6929  Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis _ Apr.  10 

5711  Hero  for  the   Night,   A,   Tryon-Miller - Dec.  18 

5378  Hey!  Hey!  Cowboy  (W),  Gibson Apr.  3 

6958  Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),   Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

7713  Les  Miserables  (M),  Gabrio-Toulont. - Oct.  30 

11000  Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long   Version) Oct.  30 

5862  Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane _ Sept.  IS 

603S  Love  Thrill    (FC),  La  Plante.— _ - May  8 

6135  Man's    Past,    A    (D),    Veidt-Kent. Dea  25 

6159  Men    of    Daring    (W),    Hoxie June  5 

5918  On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth -...Nov.  27 

6170  Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-Nixon. - Sept.  4 

5416  Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot    Gibson - Sept.  25 

6045  Painting   the    Town    (FC),    Tryon Aug.  7 

6807  Perch  of  the  Devil   (M),  Buscb Mar.  6 

4409  Rough  and    Ready    (W),   Hoxie Jan.  9 

7015  Sensation   Seekers    (D),   Dove Mar.  20 

6166  Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante Oct.  2 

4393  Sky   High  Saunders,  AI  WllsoiL Nov.  6 

6218  Small    Bachelor,   The    (C),   Beranger-KenL Nov.  6 

4251  Straight   Shootin'    (W),    WeUs Oct.  16 

7173  Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton - - Apr.  24 

5598  Thirteenth    Juror,   The    (D),  Bushman-Nilsson-.Nov.  13 

4136  Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson - - -..Sept.  4 

5192  Wild    Beauty    (CD),    Rex - Nov.  27 

6459  Wrong   Mr.   Wright,   The    (F),   Hersholt —Feb.  27 

4167  Wolf's   Trail,   Dynamite,   the  dog Oct.  2 

1928 

4259  Air 


Dec.  24        _ _ 

Apr.  2  43.57% 

Jan.  14       Nov.  26       „. 

62.28% 

Dec.  17       Nov.  19       

Aug.  27       


Nov.  12        

May  21  40.14% 

Deo.  17        Sept  27 

Jan.  14        _ 

Oct.  1         

Nov.  19       July  23       

June  25 

- -...Feb.  5 

Jan.  8 

- ...Jan.  29 

Nov.  19       Aug.  20 

Feb.  4 

Dec.  3         


6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
6081 
4426 
5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 
6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 

1927 

5803 
6330 
6281 
5897 
6408 
5003 
6767 
6284 
5978 


Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    WOson. Jan.  1 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe Jan.  22 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes Jlay  6 

Buck    Privates,    de    Puttl June  3 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The  (W),  Dynamite Jan.  29 

Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W),   WeUs Feb.  12 

Cohens  and    Kellys   in   Paris    (C),   Sidney Jan.  15 

Count  of   Ten,    The,   Eay-Ealston-Gleason. June  6 

Fearless    Rider,  The   (W),   Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

Finders    Keepers    (CD),  Laura  La  Plante Feb.  6 

Four    Footed    Rangers,   The    (W),  Dynamite Mar.  25 

Good    Morning   Judge Apr.  29 

Greased  Lightning  (W) - July  29 

Grip   of   the   Yukon,    The,   All  star _ Aug.  30 

Hot  Heels,  Glen  Tryon. _ _ _ May  13 

Hound    of  Silver   Creek,    The    (W),   Dynamite-..May  20 
Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Eerry-Philbin.  Feb.  25 

Jazz    Mad,    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewis June  3 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    Wells June  3 

Midnight    Rose,    de    Putti-Harlan. Feb.  26 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson. Feb.  26 

Put   'Em    Up    (W),   Humes - Mar.  11 

Quick  Triggers    (W),  Humes. July  15 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot  Gibson. Jan.  29 

Riding  for   Fame,   Hoot  Gibson Aug.  19 

Shield  of   Honor,  The,  AH  star Feb.  19 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson July  8 

Stop  That   Man,  AH  star ^lar.  11 

Surrender,    PhUbin-Mosjukine. - _...Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon....Apr.  1 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Dermy-Kent - Feb.  5 

Thunder    Riders,    The,    Wells Apr.  8 

13   Washington  Square,   All  star. Apr.  8 

Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Gibson Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We  Americans,   All  star. May  16 

Wild   West  Show,   Hoot   Gibson May  20 


...Feb.  19 

45  18% 

Dec.  3 

Dec.  24 

-.Mar.  5 

1928 

June  16 

-June  25 



Mar.  10 

Feb.  4 

-Apr.  21 

June  30 

Jan.  28 

Apr.  28 

_Apr.  21 

Apr.  28 

May  26 

June  23 

Feb.  31 

May  19 

Mar.  17 

Mar.  17 

Jan.  28 

Feb.  25 

Jan.  14 

Apr.  28 

Mar.  17 

May  5 

Apr.  21 

Warner  Brothers 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue — 

Brass    Knuckles   (D),  Blue-Bronson Deo.  3 

Bush    Leaguer,   The    (CD),   Monte  Blue.— Aug.  20 

Dearest    (D),   Eich - - 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Eich. - Aug.  27 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Eln-Tin-Tin Oct.  29 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Miller Sept.  18 

Gay  Old  Bird   (FC),  Fazenda. 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy_ -...Nov.  5 

Glorious  Betsy  (CD),  Dolores  Costello 


July  23 


1927 

50.20% 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


6302 
5613 

6271 

5200 

6230 

5397 

5569 

6352 

6310 

6485 

7961 

6357 

5492 

6295 

5685 

6124 

6218 

6412 

7647 

5813 

6281 

5567 

10081 

6820 

7068 

1928 


Good  Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.  Costello Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs    at   the    Front    (C),    Wilson-H. 

Conklin  _ — Dea  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),   Ein-Tin-Tln. -... 

Husbands  for  Rent,  All  star Dec.  31 

If   I    Were  Single,   MeAvoy-Nagel Dec.  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy 


Dec.  31 


-May  26 
Nov.  26 


Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Ein-Tin-Tin Sept.  17 

Matinee  Ladies   (C),   McAvoy.. 
Mill    Bid,    A    (M),    D.    CosteUo.. 


Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7 

Old   San    Francisco    (M),  D.   Costello-Oland Sept.  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte   Blue Sept.  17 

Reno    Divorce,   A    (D),   May  AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor  Izzy   Murphy  (F),  George  JesselL Oct.  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A    (C),  Fazenda-C.   Cook...Sept.  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Eioh-Ferris Nov.  9 

Simple    Sis    (M),    Fazenda - 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel _ Sept.  3 

Third    Degree   (IH),   D.   Costello. 


-Feb.  26 

-Apr.  28 
-.June  11 
-Oct.  1 
-Apr.  23 
-June  4 
-May  14 
-June  25 
-Oct.  8 
-Oct.  29 
-Dec.  10 
-Oct.  15 


68.94% 


June  11 


Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Ein-Tin-Tln.... 

What   Every   Girl  Should    Know   (CD),   MUler. 

What    Happened   to    Father    (C),   Oland 

When    a    Man    Loves    (R),  Barrymore Aug.  21 

White  Flannels  (M),  Dresser - 

Wolf's    Clothing    (M),   Blue-MUler.- 

Across   the   Atlantic,    Blue-Murpby Feb.  25 

Beware  of   Married   Men,  Irene  Rich Jan.  14 

City  of  Sin,  The,  Loy-Miljan-Wong -... 

Domestic  Trouble    (CD),  Cook-Fazenda — 

Jazz  Singer,  The,  Al  Jolson 

Lion   and   the   Mouse,   The,  L.  Barrymore. 

Little  Snob,   The,  May  McAvoy Feb.  11 

Powder  My  Back  (C),  Rich-Ferris. Mar.  10 

Race   for    Life.    Eiu-Tln-Tin. Jan.  28 

Rlnty  of  the  Desert,  Ein-Tln-Tln _ 

Tenderloin,    Dolores  Costello.. 


..Jan.  8 
.  May  21 
..Mar.  19 
...Tuly  9 
-Feb.  12 
..Apt.  2 
.Jan.  29 


Feb.  18 

Feb.  11 


44.00% 
60.30% 


1928 


..Apr.  14 


Feb.  18 
..May  19 


-May  19 


..Apr.  28 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The    Recognized    National     Classiiied    Advertising    Medium 


Help  Wanted 


WANTED — Violinist  who  can  double  on  tenor 
banjo  for  steady  year  round  teaching  position  in  Con- 
necticut state  in  about  three  weeks.  State  age  and 
present  employment  in  first  letter.  Address  F.  Mueller, 
22  Dennison   St.,  Hartford,  Conn. 


Position  Wanted 


THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald-World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald- World, 
407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,  111. 

LADY  ORGANIST  desires  change.  Experienced, 
union,  large  library.  Good  recommendations.  Prefer 
eastern  location.  Address  Box  290,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  407  S.   Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

AT  LIBERTY— Experienced  high  grade  Organist 
with  complete  modern  and  classical  library,  union. 
Wurlitzer,  Morton,  or  any  standard  make.  Address 
F.  H.,  8631  S.  Ashland  Ave.,  Apt.  B.  2,  Phone  Bev- 
erly  1461,  Chicago,  111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical  College,  61   E.  Van  Buren,  Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  AUentown,   Pa. 

Engagements  Wanted 

AT  LIBERTY— D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra  Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land 4669. 


Theatre  Wanted 


THEATRE  WANTED— To  rent  with  option  to  buy 
if  theatre  is  paying  proposition.  Address  Fred  T. 
Walker,  4314  Irving  Park  Blvd.,  Chicago,  111. 

Film  Rights  for  Sale 

LOOK-READ-ACT— ROAD  SHOWMEN,  STATE 
RIGHTS  FOR  SALE 
The  True  Life  of  "The  Younger  Brothers" 
Featuring  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim  Younger  and  the  James 
Boys,  in  five  reels,  and  Younger's  Historical  Events, 
in  one  reel.  This  picture  as  a  popular  priced  road 
show  is  no  experiment.  It  has  been  tried  and  true, 
has  played  against  all  kinds  of  competition  under  all 
conditions.  Has  always  gotten  the  money.  With  each 
State  or  sale  we  furnish  free  one  new  complete  Lobby 
Display,  consisting  of  new  Prints  of  Film,  three  new 
Wax  Figures,  standing,  life  size,  of  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim 
Younger,  true  to  life,  dressed  in  cowboy  style,  big 
hats,  boots,  etc.;  500  One-Sheets,  100  slides,  10  Photo 
Lobby  Boards,  100  small  Pbotos  extra,  6  Banners, 
lettered  in  flashy  oil  colors,  enough  to  fit  any  theatre 
front.  Everything  ready  to  go.  Hurry.  It  will  pay 
you  to  buy  the  King  of  all  Road   Shows. 

Address  E.  L.  HUMPHREY,  Miami,  Okla. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7); — "Deceit"  (6); — "Birthright" 
(10) ; — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6); — "Temptation"  (7); — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
Pictures  Company,  729  Seventh  Ave.,  New  York  City. 

Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,   1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,   111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


Brand  New  Veneer  and  Spring  cushion  opera  chairs 
to  be  had  at  the  lowest  prices  ever  offered.  Kindly 
state  your  requirements  and  let  us  submit  to  you 
exact  photographs  and  full  details.  C.  G.  Demel,  845 
South  State,  Chicago. 

300  Upholstered  Opera  chairs.  All  seats  and  backs 
entirely  reupholstered  in  new  imitation  Spanish 
leather.  Eight  Hundred  Dollars  for  entire  lot.  C.  G. 
Demel,  845   South  State,  Chicago. 

LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  ,1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads — en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address   Sollidays,  XH-124,   Knox,  Ind. 

Banners  and  Posters 

CLOTH  BANNERS— $1.40,  3x10,  3  feet,  colors, 
any  copy  up  to  10  words;  one  day  service;  sent  any- 
where; also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Associated 
Advertisers,  111   West  18th  St.,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


Manager  Schools 


LEARN  Modern  Theatre  Management  at  home,  as 
a  business  or  vocation.  Catalog  H  shows  you  how. 
Moving  Picture  Theatre  Managers  Institute,  Inc., 
Elmira,  N.  Y. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — American  Photoplayer  Co.,  combined 
organ  and  piano,  duplex  rolls,  cost  $3,175.  Will  sell 
for  $1,500  or  will  exchange  for  pair  of  Simplex  or 
Powers  projectors  of  equal  value.  Address  L.  Bates 
Russell,  Lyceum  Theatre,  Chestertown,   Maryland. 

FOR  SALE — 2  Peerless  Lamps,  nearly  new,  com- 
plete  $385.00.     Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

1,000  sets,  8  m.m.  and  12  m.m.  reflector  arc  Car- 
bons,  $70.00.  Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Slightly  used  Style  W.  Wurlitzer  Organette  just 
like  new.  Gold  Mine  Butterkist  Pop  Corn  Machine 
in  good  condition.  Address  Central  Theatre,  Fair- 
bury,   Illinois. 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  111. 

Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  Nevir  York. 

Projector  Repairing 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,   1018   Wabash  Ave.,   Chicago,  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, _  assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished    20    years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
notliing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Sprader,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,   Chicago,  111. 


Space  to  Rent 


TO  RENT — Desk  space  with  telephone  and  steno- 
graphic service,  845  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III., 
Room  302. 


Equipment  Wanted 


BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,   111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15.    Bulldogs. 
Address   501   Rockwood,   Dallas,  Texas. 


Results  More  Than  Satisfactory! 


The  results  obtained  through  the  classified  columns  of  Exhibitors   Herald- World  are   more   than  satisfactory. 
We  are  well  pleased  and  will  continue  using  them. 

J.  P.  Redington  &  Co., 
Opera  Chairs, 
Scranton,  Pa. 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


Better  Than  a  Sermon 

GRAND  ISL.\ND,  NEB.,  To  the  Editor  : 
Please  find  enclosed  an  editorial  published  in 
one  of  Grand  Island's  leading  newspapers  in 
regard  to  a  picture,  "Paying  the  Price,"  pro- 
duced by   Columbia. 

I  am  sending  you  this  editorial  hoping  that 
j^ou  may  be  able  to  publish  it,  for  in  reading 
your  most  worthy  journal  the  film  manufac- 
turers are  continually  asking  what  the  ex- 
hibitors want  in  pictures. 

From  this  editorial  I  believe  that  they  may 
find  an  answer  to  that  question.  I  remain — 
S.  A.  Hayman,  Lyda  theatre,  Grand  Island, 
Neb. 

Following  is  the  editorial  referred  to  by 
Mr.  Hayman: 

CAUGHT   ON   THE   WING 
By  T.   B.    Hutchinson 

One  Sunday  evening  recently  I  was  on  my  way 
up  Third  street  en  route  to  Trinity  Methodist  chruch 
with  the  view  of  hearing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hillman 
deliver  his  sermon  on  "Safety  and  Salvation,"  pre- 
pared especially  for  observance  of  the  Union  Pacific's 
"Safety  Sunday."  I  was  about  fifteen  minutes  ahead 
of  the  church  schedule,  so  when  I  got  along  by  the 
Lyda  theatre  I  bethought  myself  that  I  would  go  in 
and  see  just  what  the  play  "Paying  the  Price" 
looked  like.  I  expected  to  tear  off  only  a  small  chunk 
of  it  and  then  go  on  to  Trinity.  But  fate  decreed 
differently.  I  got  settled  comfortably  down  in  a  chair 
just  fitted  to  my  back  and  soon  became  engrossed 
in  the  picturization  on  the  screen,  so  engrossed  that 
time  speeded  by  on  golden  wings  and  Trinity  church 
and  Mr.  Hillman  became  blanks  in  my  memory. 
Probably,  just  as  well,  for  I  later  learned  from  Mr. 
Hillman  himself  that  on  the  afternoon  of  that  par- 
ticular Sunday  the  Reverend  gentleman  while  speed- 
ing— possibly  I  shouldn't  say  "speeding,"  for  that 
might  be  stretching  the  truth — was  hurrying  toward 
Grand  Island  to  comply  with  that  special  request  of 
the  Union  Pacific  that  fate  hit  him  some  cruel  taps 
in  the  face,  one  of  them  a  punctured  tire  on  the 
road  and  later  a  slide  into  the  ditch  with  the  result 
that  he  did  not  reach  this  city  in  time  to  edify  the 
members  of  his  congregation  as  to  whether  safety  and 
salvation  goes  together  well  or  not. 


But  though  I  missed  on  that  particular  evening  the 
pleasure  of  hearing  Mr.  Hillman's  sermon  to  hear  it 
a  week  later,  I  saw  a  sermon  on  the  screen  in  the 
theatre  which  impressed  itself  on  my  mind  as  no 
other  picture  for  a  long  time  has.  It  was  the  most 
faithful  portrayal  of  real  mother  love  for  her  children 
that  could  be  placed  before  any  footlights.  Mary  Carr 
was  the  portrayer.  Many  theatre-goers,  as  well  as 
church-goers,  know  Mary  Carr  intimately  as  the  lead- 
ing exponent  of  old  women  roles  upon  the  film.  And 
the  white-haired  Mary  was  at  her  best  in  this  film. 
As  I  sat  and  ^vatched  the  female  veteran  enthrall 
the  audience  with  her  silent  language  behind  the 
lights  I  thought  of  what  is  sometimes  vaguely  termed 
the  "eternal  feminine"  by  many  writers  is  just 
"maternal  love" — the  most  dominant  emotion  known — 
whether  in  human  beings  or  in  animals.  There  is 
something  within  even  the  most  callous  that  responds 
to  the  pure,  spiritual  affection  we  call  "mother  love." 
Hardened  criminals  have  been  known  to  break  down 
at  the  sight  or  mention  of  their  mothers.  Mothers 
themselves  willingly  and  cheerfully  make  the  greatest 
sacrifices  to  shield  or  help  their  "babies,"  no  matter 
what  estate  those  "babies"  have  reached.  So  it  is 
that  the  word  "mother"  has  a  significance  of  sacrifice 
as  well  as  love  that  puts  it  in  a  classification  all  its 
own.  And  so  truly  was  this  characterization  of 
mother  portrayed  that  no  wonder  the  reporter  forgot 
all  about  the  Union  Pacific,  Trinity  Church  and  Mr. 
Hillman's  sermon  on  "Safety  and  Salvation."  So 
true  were  Mary's  characterizations  of  mother,  and 
so  great  the  appeal  she  made  in  her  roles,  there  was 
such  a  depth  of  understanding,  cheer,  humor,  sacrifice, 
love — the  fullness  of  the  real  mother  in  the  presenta- 
tion laid  before  the  man  who  had  been  ahead  of  his 
church  schedule  fifteen  minutes  that  he  wandered 
homeward  from  the  picture  show  wondering  whether 
he  had  not  witnessed  one  of  the  most  eloquent  ser- 
mons that  could  possibly  be  preached. 


On  the  following  Sunday  evening  the  scribe  at- 
tended Mr.  Hillman's  church,  was  refreshed  by  the 
uplifting  services  and  heard  the  dominie  deliver  his 
sermon  of  "Safety  and  Salvation"  intended  for  a 
week  before  but  deprived  of  its  mission  at  that  time 
by  a  punctured  tire  and  an  automobile  in  the  ditch. 
The  sermon,  like  Mary  Carr's  picture,  was  well  worth 
hearing. 


Marks,  Denied  Injunction,  in 
Need  of  Film,  Says  Attorney 


{Continued  from  page  24) 


"Skyscraper,"  were  shown  in  the  Marks 
Brothers  houses  after  B  &  K  had  cancelled 
them  last  May  upon  the  request  of  Pathe. 
The  prices,  according  to  the  Lorch  affida- 
vit, were  $2,000  for  the  Marbro,  and  $1,500 
for  the  Granada,  for  each  picture. 

In  contracting  for  the  Fox  pictures  this 
year  for  the  first  time  B  &  K  denies  that 
it  is  doing  so  to  prevent  Marks  Brothers 
from  getting  them,  but  because  Fox  and 
Warner  Brothers,  from  whom  B  &  K  has 
orally  agreed  to  take  four  pictures,  are  the 
only  companies  having  sound-pictures 
available  early  in  the  season.  B  &  K  has 
just  inaugurated  sound-pictures  at  two  of 
its  Loop  houses  and  expects  to  expand  the 
policy  shortly  to  all  of  its  principal  thea- 
tres. Marks  Brothers  have  had  Vitaphone 
for  a  year  and  a  half,  and  Movietone  since 
last    Spring. 

Says  Paucity  of  Film  Closed  House 

Declaring  that  it  has  no  surplus  of  pic- 
tures, B  &  K  asserts  that  it  closed  its  Pan- 
theon because  of  a  shortage  of  product. 
On  the  other  hand,  Marks  Brothers  point  to 
B  &  K's  booking  of  first-runs  in  the  Sher- 
idan, an  Ascher  house  now  being  operated 
by  a  receiver  and  distant  enough  from  the 
Granada  to  play  day  and  date  with  the 
latter. 

Allegations  regarding  boycotting  of  stage 
acts  and  inducing  performers  to  break  con- 
tracts, concern  a  number  of  well  known 
vaudeville  and  presentation  artists  and 
groups,  three  of  whom,  Rae  Samuels,  the 
Ritz  Brothers  and  the  Lomas  Troupe,  figure 
chiefly  in  the  charges,  Marks  Brothers  as- 
serting that  agents  for  B  &K  induced  them 
to  break  their  contracts  in  order  to  appear 
on  its  stage.  This  is  denied,  the  William 
Morris  booking  office  in  New  York,  which 
booked  Rae  Samuels  and  the  Lomas 
Troupe,  declaring  that  Miss  Samuels'  con- 
tract had  a  two  weeks'  cancellation  clause, 
and  that  it  understood  the  Lomas  Troupe 
had  paid  Marks  Brothers  for  not  appearing 
at  the  Granada  and  Marbro.  The  charge 
that  the  vaudeville  agencies  named  in  the 
suit  were  boycotting  performers  who  ap- 
peared at  the  Marks  Brothers  theatres  is 
also  denied,  it  being  further  set  forth  by 
Max  Turner,  Chicago  representative  of 
William  Morris,  that  he  had  booked  30  acts 
into  B  &  K  houses  after  they  had  played 
the  Granada  and  Marbro.  Opposed  to  this 
is  the  affidavit  of  Murray  Bloom,  booker 
for  Marks  Brothers,  naming  15  acts  which 
had  not  played  B  &  K  theatres  for  a  year 
following  their  appearances  at  the  Marks 
theatres. 

A  picture  of  intense  rivalry  between  the 
two  Chicago  circuits  is  painted  by  allega- 
tions of  theatre-checking,  employe-"steal- 
ing"  and  physical  violence.  One  charge 
concerns  the  highly-exploited  Paul  Ash, 
stagehand  leader  recently  transferred  from 
B  &  K's  Oriental  in  Chicago  to  the  Para- 
mount in  New  York,  it  being  testified  that 
in  1926  Marks  Brothers  offered  Ash  $3,000 
a  week  to  sign  with  that  circuit,  and  that 
to  induce  him  to  sign,  Ida  Ash,  his  wife, 
was  ofFered  a  $9,000  suite  at  the  Edgewater 
Beach  hotel,  a  maid,  a  Rolls-Royce  and  a 
chauffeur.  Marks  Brothers  deny  the  offer 
to  Mrs.  Ash,  but  admitting  the  overtures 
to  Ash,  they  understood  he  was  not  under 
contract  at  that  time.  Negotiations  with 
him  fell  through  only  upon  disagreement 
as  to  the  number  of  daily  appearances, 
Meyer  S.  Marks,  treasurer  of  the  circuit, 
asserts. 

States   Skouras   Sought   Services 

Another  band  leader,  Benny  Meroff,  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies  alternating  between  the 


Granada  and  Marbro,  testifies  that  Max 
Turner  of  the  Chicago  William  Morris 
office,  which  books  many  B  &  K  acts,  called 
him  to  his  office  last  summer  and  asked 
him  to  leave  Marks  Brothers  in  spite  of 
his  contract  and  go  with  Skouras  Brothers, 
a  St.  Louis  circuit  affiliated  with  Publix, 
saying  that  Marks  Brothers  would  not  last 
long  since  it  would  soon  be  unable  to  get 
pictures  and  acts.  Later,  it  is  alleged, 
Turner  made  Meroff  another  offer  to  go  to 
the  Capitol  in  New  York,  stating  that  his 
contract  with  Marks  Brothers  would  be  of 
no  value  in  that  state. 

Among  the  allegations  of  physical  vio- 
lence is  that  of  Joseph  Kasmarsyk,  Marbro 
usher,  who  testifies  that  one  night  last 
April  as  he  boarded  a  street  car  on  his 
way  home  from  the  theatre,  several  young 
men  who  were  in  the  company  of  Ralph 
J.  Van  Dyke,  an  usher  at  B  &  K's  Senate, 
pulled  him  off  the  car  and  attacked  him 
with  their  fists  and  a  club.  The  same  Van 
Dyke  testifies  to  having  been  similarly 
treated  by  Marbro  employes  when  dis- 
covered   checking    that    theatre. 

The  spirit  of  rivalry  continues,  according 
to  the  affidavits,  into  the  field  of  usher 
training,  called  "service  systems."  B  &  K 
claim  the  distinction  of  originating  the 
stiff-backed,  extremely  polite  school  of 
ushers  and  attendants  and  assert  that  Marks 
Brothers,  through  former  B  &  K  employes 
hired  for  the  purpose,  copied  this  system. 
Marks  Brothers  deny  this,  asserting  that 
its  system  is  quite  different,  being  of  the 
"personal  contact"  variety,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  B  &  K's  "military"  form.  As  to  B 
&  K's  origination  of  the  deluxe  entertain- 
ment like  that  presented  at  the  Granada 
and  Marbro,  Louis  Marks,  president  of 
Marks  Brothers,  declares  that  the  Alham- 
bra  in  Milwaukee  was  the  birthplace  in  1910 
of  such  shows,  S.  L.  Rothafel,  now  director 
of  the  Roxy  in  New  York,  following  with 
similar  entertainment  at  the  Capitol  in  that 
city,   he   states. 

Not   Now  Booking  B  &  K 

In  reply  to  charges  of  discrimination  in 
favor  of  B  &  K  in  the  booking  of  stage 
acts,  made  against  the  Western  Vaudeville 
Managers  Association,  a  whole-owned  Or- 
pheum  subsidiary,  B.  B.  Kahane,  secretary, 
sets  forth  that  his  company  no  longer  books 
B  &  K,  with  the  exception  of  the  Nor- 
shore  theatre,  one  half  the  stock  in  which 
is  owned  by  Orpheum. 

Besides  those  which  have  been  specifi- 
cally mentioned,  the  defendants  are  Lub- 
liner  &  Trinz,  B  &  K  subsidiary;  B  &  K 
Midwest  Theatres,  Inc.,  Great  States  Thea- 
tres, Inc.,  B  &  K  subsidiary;  Orpheum  Cir- 
cuit Booking  Corporation,  Adolph  Zukor, 
Jesse  L.  Lasky,  Sam  Katz,  Barney  Balaban, 
Max  Balaban,  Dave  Balaban,  John  Balaban, 
A.  J.  Balaban,  Herbert  Stern,  Floyd  M. 
Brockwell,  and  Leo  Spitz. 


Portland  House  Books 
Entire  Gotham  Output 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  17.— The  New 
Capitol  here  has  signed  to  play  the  entire 
Gotham  output  of  22  features  and  four  spe- 
cials to  be  released  for  1928-29,  and  the  re- 
maining pictures  to  be  released  on  the  1927-28 
program. 

National  Supply  Holds  Meeting 
KANSAS  CITY.— A  local  sales  meeting  of  the 
National  Theatre  Supply  Co.  force  of  Kansas  City 
was  held  July  9  at  the  Hotel  President.  George  De- 
Kruif,  general  sales  manager,  presided.  W.  C.  Denny, 
district  manager  from  Denver,  also  attended  the 
meeting. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


'^^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


CoprrlBht,   1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports.*' 


Columbia 


THE  SELF  STARTER:  Reed  Howes^uly  3.  Fair 
picture.  Had  a  poor  crowd  on  account  of  tent  ehow. 
Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Em- 
lenton.   Pa. — General  patronage. 


FB  0 


THE  TEXAS  TORNADO:  June  20.  I've  eeen 
Westerns  with  lots  of  chasee,  but  this  one  tops  them 
all.  Nothing  else  but.  In  addition,  the  picture's  the 
bunk.  Six  reels. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre, 
Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town   patronage. 

RIDING  RENEGADE:  Bob  Steele— June  23.  Fair 
"Western,  didn't  have  much  of  a  crowd  on  account 
of  tent  show.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium 
theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

THE  DESERT  PIRATE:  Tom  Tyler— May  26. 
Good  Western,  Tom  Tyler.  Five  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

NOT  FOR  PUBLICATION:  R:alph  Ince— June  21. 
Good  picture.  Had  a  very  poor  crowd.  Seven  reels. 
— Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY:  Special  cast- 
June  28-29.  Didn't  see  this,  but  all  reports  and  box 
office  said  it  was  good  and  what  they  like  to  see. 
Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville.  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY:  Special  casl^ 
As  a  detective  and  mystery  it  is  a  good  one.  Our 
patrons  liked  it  fine.  No  brutal  parts.  The  main 
parte  worked  in  fine  and  made  a  good  hit.  We  were 
pleased  with  the  business  end,  too.  Seven  reels. — 
E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

SPUTTING  THE  BREEZE:  Tom  Tyler— June  29. 
30.  A  good  picture,  but  no  drawing  card  for  me ; 
it  seems  bb  if  my  patrons  don't  care  for  Tyler.  Print 
and  photography  good.  Five  reels. — P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

CLANCY'S  KOSHER  WEDDING:  George  Sidney- 
July  5.  A  very  good  comedy-drama.  Pleased  all  who 
saw  it.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  the- 
atre, Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 


First  National 


BURNING  DAYLIGHT:  Milton  Sills— 55%.  July 
4.  A  good  Sills  picture  with  good  scenery,  action  and 
interesting  plot,  clean.  Has  the  rough  fights  that  you 
usually  see  in  Sills'  pictures.  Seven  reels. — H.  J. 
Eagan,  American'  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

BURNING  DAYLIGHT:  Milton  Sills— 50%.  June 
27-28.  A  splendid  picture.  Stars  great.  Stone's 
work  clever.  Very  poor  print. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  PATENT  LEATHER  KID:  Richard  Barthel- 
mess — 40%.  June  28-29-30.  A  splendid  picture,  but 
I  couldn't  get  them  in.     Paid  four  times  more  than' 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence  Picture  Chart." 


I  should  have  paid,  so  lost  plenty.  The  picture  is 
there  with  good  action,  drama,  romance,  prize  fights, 
war  scenes  and  everything  that  an  audience  likes. 
Not  another  "Big  Parade,"  but  a  real  good  special. 
Eleven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wau- 
toma, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

AMERICAN  BEAUTY:  Billie  Dove— 25%.  June  3. 
A  splendid  picture  star  and  Hughes  splendid.  Very 
poor  print. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  WAGON  SHOW:  Ken  Maynard— Not  as  good 
as  some  of  the  other  Maynards  and  failed  to  show 
any  box  office  value  on  10-cent  family  night.  This 
fellow  and  his  horse  are  okay,  but  can't  make  them 
go  here. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

BROADWAY  NIGHTS:  Lois  Wilson— June  30. 
Good  program  picture,  but  did  not  draw  for  us.  Our 
Saturday  night  business  fell  away  off.  Print  blurred 
in  places.  Seven'  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny 
theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

LOST  AT  THE  FRONT:  Special  cast— A  war 
burlesque  story  that  went  over  fairly  well.  I  en- 
joyed most  of  it  immensely,  as  Sidney  is  a  real 
comedian.     War  shots  excellent.     We  lost  big  on  this. 


as  we  paid  the  price  of  a  special,  but  were  afraid  to 
run  it  as  a  special.  I'm  glad  I  did  not  raise  prices, 
as  it  is  not  worth  it.  As  a  Saturday  picture  it  ia 
okay.  This  will  please  the  men  especially.  Ladies 
won't  care  for  it. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

HOME  MADE:  Johnny  Hines— June  26.  This  one 
is  fine.  Johnny  Hines  better  than  ever.  Kept  them 
laughing  all  the  time.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patron- 
age. 

SWEET  DADDIES:  Special  casl^Will  the  gentle- 
man who  put  the  poodle  dog,  wet  umbrella  stunt  in 
this  picture  please  stand  up  so  that  we  can  see  him  7 
First  National  surely  knows  how  to  make  pictures 
for  the  roughneck  and  painted  lip  class.  This  was 
a  good  play  save  for  this  episode,  but  one  drop  of 
filth  makes  a  whole  play  black. — Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

VENUS  OF  VENICE:  Constance  Talmadge— June 
22-23.  Good  little  picture  which  drew  a  good  crowd 
and  pleased,  but  what  a  print !  Oh,  my !  Doesn't 
First  National  out  of  St.  Louis  have  any  good  prints  7 
If  60,  wish  they  would  send  us  one  once  in  a  while. 
Seven'  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mans- 
field, Mo. — General  patronage. 

EASY  PICKINGS:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— May  29. 
Good  mystery  picture.  Had  a  fair  crowd.  Seven 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton, 
Pa. — General  patronage. 

JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Dorothy  Mackaill— I 
saw  this  ten  days  ago  and  can't  remember  one  darn' 
thing  about  it  now  that  I  try  to  report  on  it,  so  I 
guess  it  was  just  another  play.  However,  Jack  Mul- 
hall  is  always  pleasing  and  Dorothy  Mackaill  and 
Louise  Brooks  are  both  good,  and  with  an  airship 
smash  for  excitement  it  must  have  been  okay. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rtex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General 
patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— Colleen 
is  there  as  usual.  If  you've  passed  it  up,  get  it.  The 
hero  is  a  weak  spot.  Too  sappy  at  times.  Seven 
reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth, 
Ont.,   Canada. — Small  town   patronage. 


Fox 


GATEWAY  OF  THE  MOON:  Dolores  Del  Rio— 
30%.  June  30.  As  poor  a  picture  as  we  ever  run, 
and  yet  Fox  calls  it  a  special.  We  had  a  small 
orowd  and  I'm  glad  we  did.  Dolores  Del  Rio  is  a 
good  star,  but  she  didn't  do  much  in'  this  one. — 
Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

HORSEMAN  OF  THE  PLAINS:  Tom  Mix— 75%. 
June  30.  A  very  fine  picture.  Satisfied  all.  Poor 
print. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich.« — General  patronage. 

OUTLAWS  OF  RED  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— Tom  Mix 
since  the  days  of  Selig's  single  reelers,  the  peer  of  all 
Western  stars,  again  shows  them  how.  Get  a  good 
print.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre, 
Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

CHAIN    LIGHTNING:      Buck    Jones— June    15-16. 

A  good,  clean  Western  with  plenty  of  action'.     Print 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


BARRIERS 

By 

Carolyn  F.  Hayward 
A  brilliant  emotional 
drama...  A  great  Love- 
affair... TTie  inevitable 
triangle . . .  Powerful . . ., 
Dynamic!!! 

V/^  PICTURES  CORPORATION 

SAMUEL  ZIERLER^    president 
N      E      v/  Y       O       P^      K^ 


and  photography  good.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,   Griswold,   la. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Olive  Borden— July 
4-5.  This  is  a  good  Curwood  picture,  which  would 
probably  have  been  better  if  all  of  it  had  been  there. 
Hunks  of  it  had  been  ripped  out  of  the  print  I  drew. 
Five  short  reels  on  six  spools.  Fox  probably  built  a 
new  theatre  on  what  they  saved  by  not  keeping  a 
decent  print  on  this  picture.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trage  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

GOOD  AS  GOLD:  Buck  Jones— June  21-22.  A 
very  good  Buck  picture.  Too  bad  Fox  can't  use  this 
bird  any  more  in  connection  with  his  big  theatre 
tie-ups.  If  they  showed  a  few  of  Buck's  pictures  in' 
the  big  city  theatres  instead  of  so  much  bedroom  stuff 
the  big  boys  probably  wouldn't  have  so  many  hypo- 
crite reformers  on  their  tails  all  the  time.  Well, 
that's  that.  I  should  tell  the  big  uns  how  to  run 
their  business.  Five  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SOFT  LIVING:  Madge  Bellamy— June  26-27.  Due 
to  the  Fish  Fry  at  Alexandria,  I  didn't  see  this  one, 
but  the  reports  and  box  office  receipts  were  good. 
Maybe  they  would  be  better  if  I  stayed  away  all  the 
time.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,   Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 


Gotham 


QUARANTINED  RIVALS:  Special  cast— 65%. 
June  27-28.  My  first  Gotham  picture.  Photography 
not  extra  good,  but  picture  went  over  fairly  well. 
Advertising  better  than  picture ;  in  fact,  the  guy  that 
got  out  the  press  sheet  is  an  A-1  copy-writer.  The 
picture  pleased  about  75  per  cent  and  had  better 
crowd  second  night  than  I  expected.  Personally  I 
did  not  care  much  for  the  picture,  but  as  it  showed 
profit  I  don't  care  how  "I"  felt  about  it.  Seven  reels. 
— J.  W.  Grabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Coming,  Ark. — 
General   patronage. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— 20%.  July  1-2. 
Here  is  another  one  that  some  of  the  boys  "panned." 
Without  reason  as  far  as  we  can  see.  We  thought 
this  made  a  very  nice  Sunday  picture,  and  so  did  the 
majority  of  our  patrons.  Naturally,  you  cannot  show 
this  type  of  picture  often  and  get  away  with  it, 
but  for  variety  it  is  okay.  Business  was  not  very 
good,  but  Ziggy  himself  couldn't  draw  a  crowd  here 
in  summer.  Picture  a  little  dark,  otherwise  quite 
okay.  Eight  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,    Nevada,    Ohio. — Small   town   patronage. 

FORBIDDEN  HOURS:  Special  cast— 51%.  July  1. 
Drew  better  than  average  Metro  picture  on  a  Sunday 
night.  We  had  a  brand  new  print  on  this  out  of 
Salt  Lake  City  branch.  Six  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SUDE,  KELLY,  SUDE :  Special  cast— 100%.  June 
30.  If  you  want  a  real  live  show,  don't  hesitate  to 
buy  this  one.  It  is  a  baBeball  story  that  is  a  dandy. 
We  set  a  new  house  record  on  this  one,  and  so  of 
course  we  think  a  lot  of  this  picture.  The  cast  is 
great  and  the  story  moves  right  along.  A  good, 
clean  show  with  comedy  and  action.  The  only  objec- 
tion is  to  the  length.  Eight  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan'. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

BUTTONS:  Jackie  Coogan— 60%.  June  25-26. 
Drew  enough  kids  from  the  Big  Revival  meeting  to 
have  the  preacher  comment  on  the  "evils"  of  the 
movies  and  warn  parents  that  children  that  attended 
the  picture  shows  every  night  would  turn  out  "Hick- 
mans."  The  picture  was  mildly  entertaining  for 
adults.  Kids  were  pleased  with  same  practically  100 
per  cent.  The  ending  was  abrupt  and  unsatisfactory 
and  left  one  with  a  feeling  there  should  have  been 
another  reel.  I  do  not  consider  this  picture  up  to 
M  G  M'e  standard  of  excellence  as  compared  with 
other  pictures  I  have  received  from  them.  Appeal 
about  50  per  cent.  Seven  reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joy- 
land  theatre.   Corning,   Ark — General   patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES :  Dane-Arthur— Personally 
thought  it  mighty  silly.  However,  it  drew  well  on 
Sunday,  and  judging  from  the  laughter  they  enjoyed 
it.  But  if  it's  a  good  picture  then  I'm  a  ring-tailed 
monkey.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas    City,    Mo. — Neighborhood    patronage. 

WICKEDNESS  PREFERRED:  Cody-Pringle— A 
mighty  silly  picture  that  gets  a  number  of  laughs 
before  it's  all  over.  The  entire  cast,  including  Bert 
Roach  and  Mary  McAlister,  do  very  nice  work.  Five 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
— Neighborhood  patronage. 

BABY  MINE:  Arthur-Dane— June  22-23.  If  Dane 
and  Arthur  can't  do  better  than  this  they  better  quit. 
I  don't  want  any  more  of  their  pictures.  Some  of  the 
subtitles   are  terrible.      Before   I   play   another   Dane 


and  Arthur  picture  I  am  going  to  be  sure  that  it  ia 
clean.  Print  and  photography  good. — P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

BABY  MINE:  Dane-Arthur— June  28.  Good  com- 
edy drama,  although  a  little  rough.  Six  reels. — An- 
drew Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

ROSE  MARIE:  Special  cast— Made  in  the  dark  of 
the  moon  or  in  face  of  a  blazing  sun,  don't  know 
which,  but  absolutely  no  excuse  for  this  terrible 
photography.  Otherwise  a  good  north  woods  French- 
Canadian  Mounted  Police  drama.  The  thread  of  plot 
at  times  hard  to  follow.  Beautiful  scenery.  Gripping 
climax  when  four  men  are  in  death  throes,  but  the 
right  one  lives  and  gets  Rose  Marie.  Not  a  big  spe- 
cial. Will  please  some  and  disappoint  others.  Per- 
sonally I  enjoyed  it,  but  had  many  kicks. — ^Philip 
Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patron- 
age. 

MAN,  WOMAN  AND  SIN:  John  Gilbert— There 
is  nothing  wrong  with  this  picture.  Drew  a  fair 
business  and  was  generally  liked. — RHissell  C.  Dey, 
Reedville  theatre,   Reedville,   Va. — General   patronage. 

QUALITY  STREET:  Marion  Davies— Doggone  it, 
had  to  go  out  for  evening  tied  to  my  wife's  apron 
strings,  so  couldn't  see  this,  and  Marion  (after  "The 
Fair  Co-Ed"  picture)  has  got  me  going.  Of  course, 
I'm  still  true  to  Colleen,  but — I  thinJc  after  all  at 
heart  I'm  a  Mormon  1  Those  I  asked  said  it  was  a 
fine-  very  fine  play,  but  it  did  not  draw  at  all.  Can't 
advise  whether  to  book  it  or  not,  but,  shucks,  if  you 
like  Marion  as  well  as  I  do  you'll  buy  it  anyway. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General 
patronage. 

QUALITY  STREET:  Marion  Davies— Here  is 
rather  an  odd  picture,  pretty  scenery,  delightful  com- 
edy, costume  play  that  according  to  brother  exhibitor 
reports  would  not  interest  our  roughnecks,  but  it  did. 
The  gallery  seemed  to  enjoy  it  as  well  as  the  high- 
brows downstairs.  Ordinarily  this  kind  of  a  picture 
gets  on  the  nerves  of  the  gallery,  but  this  one  did  not, 
and  we  must  say  that  this  town  of  the  terrible  name 
failed  to  live  up  to  its  past  reputation,  and  they 
fairly  "ate  up"  Marion  Davies  and  Conrad  Nagel  in 
this  picture.  Much  to  our  surprise,  which  but  goes 
to  show  that  even  the  wild  West  can  stand  for  a 
clean  picture  now  and  then  even,  if  overdra'wm.  Eight 
reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — ^General    patronage. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT :  Lon  Chaney— June 
30-July  1.  A  good  show  of  mystery,  horrors  and 
excitement.  Did  not  please  so  well  on  that  account. 
Not  a  good  show  for  children.  All  parts  well  played. 
Chaney  is  sure  a  wonder  in  this  show.  Play  it  if 
you  like  this  type  of  picture.  Seven  reels. — E.  H. 
Vetter,  Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich.^ — Small  to'wn 
patronage. 

THE  LOVELORN:  Sally  O'Neil— July  1-2.  Pretty 
good  picture,  but  fell  flat  at  the  box  office.  Print  and 
photography  good.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,   Griswold,   la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT:  John  Gilbert— June  23. 
Pretty  good  picture.  Print  and  photography  good. 
Eight  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold, 
la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT:  John  Gilbert— A  lot  of 
disjointed  roughnecks  stuff.  "Listen,  John,"  the  com- 
ment of  the  ladies  was,  "we  don't  come  to  the  movies 
to  see  ugly  men."  Pete  Harrison  had  this  one  right. 
Eight  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzle,  Princess  theatre,  Sea- 
forth,   Ont.,   Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— Here's  a 
title  that's  worth  its  weight  in  gold,  and  the  picture 
will  please  them  when  they  come. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Out.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast— A  big  special 
that  has  everything,  including  colored  scenes  that 
show  May  McAvoy  as  just  about  the  most  beautiful 
vision  that  ever  appeared  on  a  screen.  As  a  produc- 
tion, I  count  it  the  finest  special  I  have  run  this  year 
to  date   (July  6),  but  on  account  of  the  punk  unimi- 


Ho  Losses  \n  the  Box  Office 

TiCICET  REGISTEI^ 

Automatic  Ti  cket 
I^EGiSTER    Corp. 

723  Seventh  Ave.New  York 

TucKETS;^r  Every Porpose^fLoWEST  Market  Prices 

^■^^""iMiiiii niiiMiiiiiiiiil IIIIIIIIIMIII1B1 


■I " )iiiiii«iiiiiiii«ii— lit. 


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July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


63 


aginative  title  I  couldn't  get  them  out  to  see  it  and 
it  made  me  the  least  money.  Nine  reels. — J.  C.  Mac- 
Kenzie.  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — 
Small   town   patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast— June  24-25. 
A  very  good  picture.  Believe  it  or  not,  this  is  the 
first  time  Charlie  Ray  has  been'  on  my  screen  in 
about  seven  years.  I  guess  he  has  made  a  few  pic- 
tures during  that  time,  but,  having  gone  highbrow, 
the  reports  in  the  Herald  didn't  class  them  as  very 
good,  so  I  didn't  run  'em.  When  that  fellow  sticks 
to  what  he  can  do  he  is  very  good,  as  in  the  olden 
days.  Nine  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,   Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— Blah,  blah!  First 
reel  or  two  good,  then  it's  all  over  except  six  more 
reels  of  stalling  around  in  a  couple  of  rooms.  I 
consider  it  a  very  weak  Chaney  and  the  box  office 
showed  it  was.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun 
theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lillian  Gish— Everybody  won't 
like  this  one,  but  it  got  me  vei-y  good  business  in 
this  Scotch  community,  on  a  three-day  run.  Nine 
reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth, 
Ont.,    Canada. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan— This  one 
fell  down  bad  compared  to  other  Coogans.  Even  the 
kids  didn't  turn  out.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— July  3.  Highly 
improbable  and  almost  impossible  in  its  situations, 
but  a  good  audience  picture.  Gave  it  to  the  local 
service  company  and  they  cleaned  up  pretty  good 
on  it.  X  had  some  friends  who  went  through  West 
Point — in  fact,  one  of  them,  a  colonel,  is  in'  town 
right  now — but  they  surein-ell  never  pulled  anything 
like  Haines  did  or  they  never  would  have  passed  be- 
yond the  stage  of  a  plebe.  Seven  reels. — ^Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Ti-ags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town    patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish— We  played 
this  on  our  weakest  night  and  made  a  little,  which 
is  going  some  for  us,  and  shows  that  this  play  will 
draw  for  you,  due  probably  to  the  fact  that  it  is  a 
•well  known  book.  Everyone  liked  this  play.  We 
should  have  run  it  two  days.  Lillian  Gish  good  as 
usual,  but  that  Hansen  fellow  as  the  minister  was  a 
"dud."  If  I  thought  that  all  my  Puritan  ancestors 
were  like  ones  depicted  in  this  play  I  believe  I'd  go 
to  Canada  and  get  dnink,  and  I  guess  the  evils  of 
the  18th  amendment  are  due  to  just  such  Puritans 
in  America  today  who  saddled  us  with  this  per- 
nicious law.  This  play  certainly  sets  one  thinking. 
— ^Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General 
patronage. 

ADAM  AND  EVIL:  Pringle-Cody— A  very  clever 
picture  that  will  appeal  to  the  sophisticated.  Seven 
reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth, 
Ont.,    Canada. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast— July  1-2. 
Very  good  Curwood  picture.  They  had  some  techni- 
color in  it,  but  it  belonged  to  the  "Flaming  Forest" 
and  not  to  the  Northwest  Mounted  Police.  They 
thought  the  technicolor  would  take  better  with  the 
"red  coats"  than  with  the  main  theme  of  the  story, 
the  forest  fire.  Nine  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 


Paramount 


SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— 65%.  July  6-7.  A  typ- 
ical Lloyd  picture ;  no  better  or  no  worse  than  his 
others.  If  they  like  Lloyd  they  will  certainly  like 
this  one.  Registers  the  usual  amount  of  laughs  in 
a  Lloyd  pictm-e.  Played  it  the  hottest  day  of  this 
season,  so  did  not  get  the  crowd  that  I  should  have 
had.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre, 
Wautoma,   Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— 65%.  June  30.  Gave 
satisfaction  to  fair  crowd,  good,  but  not  as  good  as 
"Girl  Shy"  or  "The  Freshman."  Nevertheless  one 
of  our  best  bets.  Eight  reels. — O.  A.  Fosse,  Com- 
munity theatre,  Ridgeway,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— 50%.  June  27-28.  A 
real  good  comedy  and  pleased  those  who  came.  Eight 
reels. — ^Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Sta- 
pleton.    Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— A  good  Lloyd  comedy 
which  did  not  do  any  business  for  me  and  after 
splitting  with  Paramount  came  out  20  bucks  in  the 
hole.  The  Paramount  Lloyds  don't  seem  to  have  the 
draw  the  old  Pathe  Lloyds  did,  but  "Speedy"  is  good. 
Eight  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,    Mo. — Neighborhood    patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— June  19-20-21.  A  new 
good  comedy.  For  some  reason  it  did  not  draw  for 
me.  Print  and  photography  good.  Eight  reels. — 
P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neighbor- 
hood patronage. 

OPEN     RANGE:       Special     cast— 95%.       June     30. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


HASTINGS,  NEB.,  July  10,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 

It  has  been  said  that  it  takes  hot  weather  to  make  corn.  If  that  is  true  the  Nebraska  farm- 
ers will  have  to  use  derricks  to  load  their  corn  in  the  wagons  this  fall.  It  is  so  durn  hot 
tonight  that  it  sizzles  when  you  spit  on  the  sidewalk  and  when  the  boy  brought  us  a  chocolate 
sundae  a  few  moments  ago  it  was  soup  before  he  got  up  stairs  with  it.  Yes,  sir,  it's  hot.  It's 
so  hot  that  there  is  steam  coming  out  of  the  ice  water  faucet.  Maybe  you  won't  believe  it 
but  there  is,  and  that's  pretty  hot. 

We  stopped  in  Sargent  last  Monday  and  called  on  John  Cosner  of  the  Sun  theatre.  As 
near  as  we  could  figure  John  we  listed  him  as  a  boy  with  mighty  good  sense.  His  only 
weakness  seemed  to  be  that  he  operates  his  theatre  right  in  the  season  when  catfish  are  bit- 
ing. John's  theatre  is  not  very  far  from  the  North  Loupe  river  and  the  North  Loupe  is  full 
of  catfish  and  the  way  we  have  it  doped  out  is  that  any  boy  who  will  run  a  show  that  close 
to  the  river  at  this  season  of  the  year  needs  somebody  besides  his  wife  to  look  after  him. 
There's  no  doggone  sense  of  a  fellow  acting  that  way.  Anyhow,  John  and  his  wife  tried 
to  get  us  to  stay  for  dinner  but  we  know  how  these  big  feeds  affect  us  in  hot  weather.    We 

hope  to  go  back  again  sometime  when  it  is  cooler. 

*     *     * 

Dr.  R.  P.  Higgins,  of  the  Ansley  theatre,  at  Ansley,  and  F.  S.  Mooney,  of  the  Opera  House, 
at  Mason  City,  are  located  right  in  the  midst  of  an  agricultural  country  that  can't  be  beaten 
on  earth  and  if  these  boys  don't  mop  up  this  fall  it  won't  be  the  fault  of  Al  Smith  or  Herb 
Hoover.     They  will  have  to  take  the  blame  themselves. 

Gus  Holub,  of  the  Pastime,  at  Ravena,  has  one  of  those  musical  contraptions  like  Kramer, 
of  Stanton,  has,  and  Kramer's  is  a  Columbia-Kolster,  if  you  know  what  that  is,  and  we 
desire  to  repeat  what  we  have  heretofore  said,  that  it  is  simply  par  excellence  personified- 
or  something  like  that.  Maybe  it's  better  than  that,  anyhow,  it's  good  enough  for  Holub  and 
anything  that  is  good  enough  for  Holub  is  good  enough  for  the  average  herd,  and  we  like 
it  ourself,  which  makes  it  a  cinch  proposition.  Buy  one  if  you  want  to  or  leave  it  alone, 
it's  mox  nix  oush  with  us. 

'K       *       * 

Grand  Island  and  Hastings  are  making  faces  at  one  another.  This  is  very  naughty  in  both 
of  them.  Grand  Island  says,  "The  Village  of  Hastings,"  and  Hastings  says,  "The  Grand 
Island  crossroads,"  and  both  of  these  towns  look  upon  Lincoln  and  Omaha  as  switching 
points  for  the  Burlington  and  U.  P.  roads.  Grand  Island  reminds  us  of  the  boy  when  he 
first  felt  fuzz  on  his  upper  lip  and  refers  to  Dad  as,  "The  Old  Fossil,"  and  Hastings  reminds 
us  of  the  girl  when  she  had  her  first  beau  and  referred  to  Mama  as,  "The  Old  Girl."  Com- 
ing as  we  do  from  Neligh,  where  they  sell  codfish  and  tenpenny  nails  in  the  postoffice  and 
Bill  Smith's  Jack  wakes  everybody  up  in  the  morning,  we  are  willing  to  admit  that  Grand 
Island  and  Hastings  are  both  some  pumpkins  as  cities.  In  fact,  we  are  doubtful  if  two 
better  cities  of  their  size  could  be  found  this  side  of  Tombstone,  Ariz.,  or  Grindstone, 
S.  D.  Grand  Island's  slogan  is.  "The  third  city  of  the  state,"  and  Hastings  says,  "After  us 
you  come  next,"  and  the  government  doesn't  seem  to  be  doing  a  thing  to  settle  the  matter. 
Let  'em  fight,  they  are  both  Republican  anyhow. 

Last  night  at  the  Rivoli  here  in  Hastings  we  saw  Dolores  Del  Rio  in  "Ramona"  and  we 
have  been  trying  to  figure  out  whether  a  jammed  house  on  Monday  night  with  the  mer- 
cury trying  to  bust  out  of  the  thermometer  was  due  to  the  picture  or  the  popularity  of 
Mr.  M.  H.  Garvin,  the  manager.  We  have  multiplied  two  by  two  several  times  and  got  four 
as  a  result  in  each  case  which  leads  us  to  conclude  that  it  is  about  50-50. 

This  afternoon,  when  everybody  was  gasping  for  breath,  there  was  something  like  300 
attended  the  matinee,  mostly  ladies,  and  it  may  have  been  on  account  of  Dolores,  but  more 
likely  on  account  of  the  genial  smile  of  the  manager,  which  seemed  to  have  a  cooling  effect 
on  their  fevered  brows.  Anyhow,  there  is  a  magnet  somewhere  about  the  Rivoli  that  pulls 
them  in  and  that  is  all  that  matters. 

When  we  introduced  ourself  to  Mr.  Garvin  he  got  up  and  gave  us  the  glad  hand  and  in- 
troduced us  to  his  estimable  wife  (a  very  dangerous  thing  to  do),  and  then  followed  a 
half  hour  of  delightful  conversation  in  which  we  were  tendered  the  freedom  of  both  of  his 
theatres  with  the  hope  that  we  would  call  on  him  often.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  meet  a  manager 
of  this  type.  There  are  not  enough  of  them.  May  their  numbers  increase.  We  remember 
calling  on  one  manager  who  looked  up  at  us  with  a  frown  and   growled,  "Well,  what  do 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


Drevf  one  of  the  best  crowds  this  season'  and  gave 
general  satisfaction.  Made  back  some  money  that  I 
lost  on  highbrow  pictures. — G.  E.  Wendel,  Opera 
House,    Smithland,   la. — Small   town   patronage. 

OPEN  RANGE:  Special  cast — A  good  Saturday 
night  picture.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess 
theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

STARK  LOVE:  Special  east— 40%.  June  26. 
Pleased  on  its  educational  merits. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,   Mich. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:  Esther  Ralston— 36%.  June 
30.  A  dandy  comedy.  Lane  Chandler  is  good  and 
Esther  Ralston  at  her  best.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FIREMEN,  SAVE  MY  CHILD:  Beery-Hatton— 
40%.  July  1-2.  Just  too  bad. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

BEAU  GESTE:  Special  cast— 28%.  July  4-5. 
Little  need  be  said  about  this  picture.  You  all  know 
it's  good.  But  O  Lord !  We've  got  plenty  to  say 
about  that  Paramount  outfit  at  Cincinnati.  Service? 
Don't   believe   they    know   the   meaning   of    the    word. 


Our  opinion  is  that  they  are  so  darn  busy  trying  to 
get  something  on  the  little  exhibitor  that  they  haven't 
time  left  to  give  him  decent  service.  They  couldn't 
furnish  us  with  the  paper  we  wanted  and  the  film 
must  have  been  salvaged  from  some  trash-heap.  What 
we  mean,  it  was  dirty.  Stuff  on  it  in'  gobs,  and  it 
had  been  spliced  up  just  any  old  way.  Splices  were 
rotten,  and  a  good  part  of  the  time  the  titles  could 
not  be  read  due  to  stretches  of  the  film  having  been 
spliced  in  backwards.  Can  you  tie  that  for  the 
"biggest  and  best  in  pictures"  ?  Due  to  these  things 
our  Independence  Day  program  was  a  dud  at  the 
box  office  and  a  pain  to  our  projectionist.  And  they 
want  50  per  cent  of  the  gross ! ! !  Ha !  ha !  Ain't 
that  humorous?  O  Justice,  take  off  your  bandages 
and  get  out  the  old  spectacles  !  Ten  reels. — Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  Ohio. — Small 
town'  patronage. 

BEAU  GESTE :  Ronald  Colman— June  26-27-28.  A 
good  picture,  but  no  drawing  card.  Print  and  pho- 
tography good.  Ten  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  thea- 
tre,   Griswold,    la. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

HALF  A  BRIDE:  Esther  Ralston— July  1.  Very 
good,  better  than  average  island  story  stuff.  Opens 
with     society    scenes,     from     novel     "White     Hands." 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

you  want?"  and  we  replied,  "Excuse  us,  sir,  we  were  looking  for  the  theatre  and  didn't  know 
we  had  gotten  into  a  blacksmith  shop."  It  is  a  good  thing  that  all  people  are  not  alike. 
If  they  were  just  see  how  many  times  our  wife  would  have  had  to  be  married,  and  we  hold 
that  once  is  a  plenty. 

ilf       *       * 

We  note  by  today's  press  reports  that  Cal  caught  two  trout  at  one  cast.  Huh,  that's 
nothing,  Elmer  Gailey  caught  three  bullheads  and  a  dogfish  on  one  angleworm  and  didn't 
half  try. 

Any  guy  who  will  sit  at  a  typewriter  in  his  B.  V.  D.'s  and  write  nonsense  when  there  is  a 
cool  shower  bath  awaiting  him  in  the  next  room  doesn't  have  as  much  sense  as  a  bullfrog, 
but  if  our  wife  knew  we  were  going  to  take  a  bath  the  chances  are  she  would  send  us  a 
quart  of  smartweed  tea  and  a  bottle  of  Sloan's  liniment.  Anyhow,  we  are  going  to  chance 
it  right  now. 

JULY  11. 

It  was  a  terrible  shock  but  we  believe  we  are  going  to  survive,  anyhow  we  believe  we  will 
stand  a  better  chance  than  the  guy  in  the  next  room  to  us  who  has  a  phonograph  and  is 
playing  jazz  selections,  and  his  stay  on  this  mundane  sphere  will  depend  entirely  on  how 
many  more  of  these  records  he  has.  If  there  is  anything  that  will  incite  riot  and  a  shedding 
of  gore  it  is  jazz  music.  We  can  stand  to  hear  an  old  sow  squeal  for  swill  by  the  hour  and 
call  it  music  but  when  they  put  on  a  jazz  record  we  want  to  sign  a  declaration  of  war  with 
an  unconditional  surrender  attachment,  and  if  this  bird  in  the  next  room  has  as  large  a 
repertoire  as  we  are  afraid  he  has  we  will  have  front  page  space  in  the  morning  papers. 

Hf         *■         i): 

Mr.  Garvin  of  the  Rivoli  played  'HOT  NEWS"  tonight  with  Bebe  Daniels  and  Neil 
Hamilton.  There  are  three  things  that  made  this  picture  much  above  the  average  enter- 
tainment. Bebe,  Neil  and  Clarence  Badger.  Bebe  is  always  good,  she  used  to  be  good 
when  she  was  playing  with  Harold  Lloyd  and  Snub  Pollard,  and  that  was  a  long  time  ago, 
and  Bebe  doesn't  show  her  age  a  bit  (there  now,  Bebe,  how's  that?).  And  Clarence  Badger 
hasn't  lost  any  of  his  directorial  ability  since  he  directed  "Jes  Call  Me  Jim"  and  that  was  a 
long  time  ago  too. 

When  they  combine  a  trio  such  as  these,  with  a  sensible  story,  such  as  "HOT  NEWS" 
the  result  is  bound  to  be  SATISFACTION,  and  that  was  the  net  result  here  tonight.  Note: 
If  the  HERALD-WORLD  could  be  induced  to  dispense  with  our  services  we  might  be  per- 
suaded to  act  as  Bebe's  press  agent,  but  that  would  be  tough  on  the  HERALD-WORLD, 
but  forgetting  a  calamity  of  that  kind,  we  wish  to  remark  that  any  exhibitor  who  doesn't 
play  "HOT  NEWS"  has  no  reason  to  squawk  about  poor  business,  for  "HOT  NEWS"  will 
yank  'em  in  on  hot  nights  unless  they  have  all  gone  Democratic,  in  which  event  Al  Smith 
should  be  held  responsible.  If  they  will  play  "HOT  NEWS"  in  Palo  Alto  we  will  bet  our 
last  nickel  (and  we  have  only  one  left),  that  Herb  Hoover  will  be  there  both  nights.  If  he 
doesn't  we  will  vote  for  Lydia  E.  Pinkham. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garvin  invited  us  to  dinner  today  and  the  layout  on  Mrs.  Garvin's  table  so 
frustrated  us  that  we  tried  to  eat  our  soup  with  a  fork  and  drink  our  fruit  cocktail.  Was 
it  a  dinner?  Well,  boy,  you  asked  something.  You  may  have  tried  the  Ritz  or  the  Waldorf- 
Astoria,  but  listen,  son,  you  hain't  never  et  nuthin'  yet.  We  tried  to  apologize  for  our 
tapeworm  and  Mrs.  Garvin  said  we  should  see  a  doctor.  Yes,  it  was  a  dinner,  and  we  have 
felt  like  a  cormorant  (Editor's  note:  Jaysee's  bought  a  dictionary)  ever  since  and  it  has 
ruined  us  for  hotel  grub  ever  after  and  anon.    Thanks,  folks,  you  gave  us  a  thrill. 

There  are  a  couple  of  young  girls  and  their  beaus  in  that  room  where  they  have  the 
phonograph  and  if  business  keeps  on  improving  we  are  going  to  ask  them  to  start  another 
record,  for  we  didn't  know  before  that  there  was  anything  worse  than  a  jazz  selection. 

*     *     * 

Nebraska  is  harvesting  the  largest  wheat  crop  in  her  history,  and  if  the  corn  matures,  as 
it  looks  now  like  it  would,  she  will  be  able  to  supply  the  world,  unless  they  repeal  the 
eighteenth  amendment. 

It  has  cooled  off  tonight  and  there  is  a  chance  to  get  a  little  sleep  and  you  will  be  entitled 
to  guess  as  to  what  we  are  going  to  do  right  now.  You  are  right  about  it.  Shower  bath, 
pajamas  and  good  night. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  Man. 


Seven  reels.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 
— Small   town  patronage. 

A  PIONEER  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— A  good 
Western,  excepting  that  the  scene  where  the  villain 
sharpens  the  hook  used  on  his  handlees  arm  and 
pulls  the  man  up  through  the  trap  door  is  too  grue- 
some.— J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth, 
Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PIONEER  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— First 
Thomson  picture  in  this  theatre  for  two  years,  and 
he  was  evidently  a  stranger  to  my  patrons,  including 
the  kids,  as  no  applause  greeted  the  gentleman  when 
he  appeared  upon  the  screen.  Drew  hardly  normal 
business  and  would  class  as  only  the  usual  run  of 
Westerns.  Fair.  Six  reels. — P.  G,  Vaughan,  Sun 
theatre,    Kansas   City,    Mo. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

GET  YOUR  MAN:  Clara  Bow— Oara  is  there  as 
xisual.  The  action  in  the  wax  works  is  good,  but  the 
story  is  quite  ordinary  and  peters  out  at  the  end. 
Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Sea- 
forth,  Ont.,    Canada. — Small    town   patronage. 


THE  LAST  OUTLAW:  Special  cast— Good.  Play 
it.  Liked  by  everyone. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Eeedville 
theatre,  Reedville,  Va. — General  patronage. 

THE  GAY  DEFENDER:     Richard  Dix— Richard  is 

our  favorite  star,  but  while  the  picture  is  entertaining 
they  didn't  fancy  him  in  the  Spanish  get-up.  The 
advertising  didn't  help  any  either.  Seven  reels. — 
J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE    GAY    DEFENDER:      Richard    Dix— June    26. 

Dandy  picture.  Had  best  crowd  for  Tuesday  that  we 
have  had  in  a  long  time.  I  asked  Richard  for  a  photo 
when  I  reported  on  "Knockout  Riley,"  but  haven't 
received  any  and  guess  I  won't.  We  don't  have  to 
ask  First  National  stars  for  photos ;  they  send  them 
and  write  us  nice  letters  besides.  Long  may  they 
reign.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  thea- 
tre,   Mansfield,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

NEVADA:  Gary  Cooper — Very  good  Zane  Grey 
picture.  Seven  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  the- 
atre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,   Canada.^ — Small  town  patronage. 


SHANGHAI  BOUND:  Dix-Brian— How  soon  will 
the  Chinese  be  able  to  do  as  other  nations?  Stop 
this  showing  of  their  people  as  disagreeable  inferior 
animals.  The  Chinese  are  engaged  in  the  laudable 
effort  at  National  Independence.  When  they  have 
completed  the  task  perhaps  too,  they  may  acquire 
time  and  money  to  wear  a  white  uniform  and  become 
superior  and  refined,  don't  you  know.  The  picture, 
if  your  patrons  are  not  troubled  by  the  above,  will 
please.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre, 
Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

BARBED  WIRE :  Pola  Negri — Get  this  one.  Truly 
a  great  picture.  This  star  has  been  given  such 
wretched  parts  that  I  hesitated  to  play  it.  It  will 
be  liked  by  the  people  you  like  to  have  in  your 
house.  Seven  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  thea- 
tre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,   Canada. — Small  town   i>atronage. 

A  NIGHT  OF  MYSTERY:  Adolphe  Menjou— Not 
so  good.  A  lot  of  good  actors  wasted  on  a  jjoor 
piece  of  screen  material ;  and  this  guy  Lothar  Mendee, 
what  country  does  he  hail  from?  I've  yet  to  see  a 
box  oflice  picture  he's  turned  out.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

SHE'S  A  SHEIK:  Bebe  Daniels— June  17-18.  Ex- 
cellent entertainment.  Bebe  Daniels  always  good. 
Best  of  luck  and  success  to  you,  Bebe;  just  keep  on 
making  action  comedy  dramas.  Print  and  photogra- 
phy good.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre. 
Griswold,  la. — ^Neighborhood  patronage. 

SHE'S  A  SHEIK:  Bebe  Daniels— A  real  picture, 
a  credit  to  Bebe  and  all  concerned.  Good  for  Sat- 
urday or  any  day.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SWIM,  GIRL,  SWIM:  Bebe  Daniels— Here's  a 
rousing  comedy,  a  worthy  successor  to  "The  Campus 
Flirt."  Play  it  and  forget  your  grief.  Six  reels. — 
J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

BEAU  SABREUR:  Special  cast— Satisfactory  pic- 
ture. Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone,   Ariz. — General  patronage. 

NOW  WE'RE  IN  THE  AIR:  Beery-Hatton— July 
3-4.  This  is  a  dandy  comedy.  Had  big  crowds  and 
everyone  was  happy.  Good  print  and  photography. 
Didn't  see  anything  vulgar  about  it,  as  so  many  have 
stated  in  their  reports.  Six  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey, 
Bonny   theatre,   Mansfield,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

FIGURES  DON'T  LIE:  Esther  Ralston — This 
sounded  like  a  good  title  for  Esther,  but  I  can't  see 
its  application.  A  lot  of  you  have  said  this  picture 
is  good.  You've  got  to  show  me.  Five  reels. — J.  C. 
MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. 
— Small  town   patronage. 

TWO  FLAMING  YOUTHS:  Fields-Conklin-Brian^— 
This  one  gave  us  good  Saturday  night  business  and 
was  enjoyed,  apparently.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKen- 
zie, Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small 
town   patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  SWEENEY:  Bancroft-Conklin— Great 
work,  all  but  the  advertising  matter.  It  will  put  your 
crowd  in  good  humor.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


THE  LEOPARD  LADY:  Jacqueline  Logan — 40%. 
June  28.  A  very  good  picture.  Comedy,  drama, 
thrills,  everything  you  can  wish  for  and  then  some. 
Boost  this  picture.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem    theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

STEEL  PREFERRED:  Special  cast— 2«%.  June 
29-30.  Here  is  a  mighty  nice  program  offering 
which  ought  to  please  any  reasonable  Saturday  night 
audience.  Plenty  of  dramatic  scenes  and  tense  mo- 
ments, amply  relieved  with  comedy.  A  good  cast 
and  a  good  picture.  However,  we  drew  a  bum  print 
as  usual.  Seems  as  if  the  distributors  try  to  help 
us  little  fellows  along  the  road  to  oblivion  by  can- 
celling good  pictures  with  rotten  patched-up  prints. 
Seven  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre, 
Nevada,   Ohio. — Small  town   patronage. 

STAND  AND  DELIVER:     Rod  LaRocque— June  23. 

This  turned  out  to  be  quite  fair.  Unusual  locale. 
Pleased  70  per  cent. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre. 
Eureka,    Mont. — Small    town    patronage. 


New  Camera  Effects  in 
F  N's  "The  Divine  Lady" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  17.— "The  Di- 
vine Lady,"  First  National  produc- 
tion, starring  Corrinne  Griffith,  has 
new  technical  and  camera  effects, 
evolved  in  the  studio  research  labo- 
ratories. 


July  21,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


ROARIN*  BRONCS:     Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.— June  30.    A 

dandy  little  Western'  for  Saturday  night  filled  with 
comedy  and  action.  Five  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags   theatre,  Neilleville,   Wis. — Small  town   patron- 


age. 


Tiffany 


LIGHTNING:  Special  cast — A  mighty  good  Zane 
Grey  far  West  and  New  York  cabaret  picture,  with 
wild  horses  being  chased  and  tamed  and  one.  Light- 
ning, furnishing  much  of  the  plot.  Thifi  picture  is 
different  from  moet  Zane  Greys,  but  intensely  hu- 
man. Aeroplane  crossing  continent  with  two  chorus 
girlfi  breaks  down  on  desert,  and  their  experience  in 
sandstorm  is  mighty  thrilling.  Scenery  fine,  cast 
fine.  Jobyna  Kalston  is  in  this  ;  also  Robert  Frazier 
and  Margaret  Livingston — all  good.  Also  the  cowboy 
who  ropes  everyone  and  everything  in  New  York. 
Oh,  yes,  Guinn  Williams.  He's  good !  Book  this  by 
all  means.  It's  full  of  laughter,  dancing  and  excite- 
ment.—Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — 
General   patronage. 

THE  BROKEN  GATE:  William  Collier,  Jr.— The 
audience,  while  small,  gave  very  attentive  interest 
to  this  picture.  Acting  well  done  and  story  had  much 
heart  interest  as  well  as  bringing  out  the  point  that 
scandal-mongers  are  in  the  Main  streets  as  well  as 
among  the  city  cliff  dwellers.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 


United  Artists 


RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio — Perfectly  beautiful 
picture.  One  of  finest  in  years.  Del  Rio  a  treat. 
Beautiful  scenes.  Warner  Baxter  as  Indian  and 
Roland  Drew  as  Felipe  very  fine.  Superb  direction 
by  Carewe.  Simplicity  of  story  and  treatment  a 
delight.  No  absurd  movie  brainstorm  stuff  in  this, 
but  a  dignified,  yet  humorous,  play.  Thrilling,  ab- 
sorbing, often  sad,  but  with  great  human  interest 
appeal.  Not  a  fast  Western,  but  a  colorful,  lovely 
drama  whose  beauty  will  linger  long  in  the  memory. 
The  slaughter  of  the  Indians  and  destruction  of  their 
villages  are  as  big  scenes  as  are  in  "The  Covered 
Wagon."  Believe  this  ranks  right  up  close  to  "Cov- 
ered Wagon"  and  "Ben  Hur"  in  popular  appeal. 
Chautauqua  kept  profits  down  to  normal.  There  are 
three  Orthophonic  records  of  Ramona ;  the  one  with 
guitar  accompaniment  is  just  ideal  for  Felipe's  play- 
ing and  singing.  This  is  a  great  box  office  attraction. 
Don't  hesitate  to  play  it  up  big.— Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

COLLEGE :  Buster  Keaton — Best  comedy  ever.  Oh 
boy!  it's  a  peach!  Best  of  all,  there  is  a  real  story 
in  this.  Buster,  the  prize  student-grind,  goes  in  for 
athletics  to  please  his  girl  and  becomes  the  campus 
clown.  His  trials  at  running,  jumping,  pole  vaulting, 
discus  and  javelin  and  hammer  throwing  and  shot 
putting  are  screams.  As  coxswain  for  the  crew. 
Buster  pulls  over  the  cleverest  stunt  yet.  In  the 
grand  finale  Buster,  to  rescue  his  girl  from  the  col- 
lege villain,  breaks  every  known  record  in  running 
and  jumping,  pole  vaults  through  a  two-story  window 
and  kicks  the  other  fellow  to  a  fare-you-well.  House 
in  uproar.  Will  you  book  it?  Don't  be  foolish  I— 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho.— General 
patronage. 


Universal 


OUT  ALL  NIGHT:  Reginald  Denny— 30%.  June 
29.  Just  a  silly  farce.  They  are  spoiling  a  good 
he-man  actor  in  this  type  of  picture.— Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

SILK  STOCKINGS:  Laura  La  Plante— 33%.  June 
24.  A  good  comedy.  Six  reels.— Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

BUCK    PRIVATES:      Lya    de    Putti-June    24-25. 

A  good  comedy  picture  which  put  the  house  in  an 
uproar  at  times.  Did  not  draw  as  well  as  others. 
It  will  stand  a  good  stunt  advertising  of  a  comedy 
nature.  Six  reels.— E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre. 
Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  IN  PARIS:  Special 
cast— This  picture  will  get  the  laughs,  but  when  they 
say  "better  than  the  original  Cohens  and  Kellys" 
it's  blah.  Three  parte  of  it  is  old  stuff  revamped. 
Eight  reels.— J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Sea- 
forth,  Ont.,   Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

A  HERO  ON  HORSEBACK:  Special  cast— This 
is  one  of  Hoot's  poorer  pictures.  People  losing  inter- 
est in  Hoot  because  of  his  stories.  He  draws  less  and 
less  for  me  month  by  month.  Carl  Laemmle  is 
going  to  find  Universal  footing  list  of  producers 
very  soon.  Foreign  made  pictures — imbecile  Blue 
Streaks — punk  comedies  and  poor  stories  for  Hoot 
do  not  make  Universal  a  very  good  bet.  It  is  fortu- 
nate  for   exhibitors   that   the   bigger   companies    also 


make  Westerns. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

HARD  FISTS:  Art  Acord— One  of  those  Blue 
Streak  Westerns  that  no  Universal  salesman  was  ever 
known  to  sit  through  a  showing.  I  didn't  have  the 
heart  to  see  sad  faced  Art  Acord  dropping  tears,  so 
stayed  at  home.  However,  some  liked  it  fine  and 
some  went  joyriding.  These  Blue  Streaks  are  gen- 
erally the  bunk. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxie— June  23.  A  good 
Hoxie  for  Saturday  night.  Five  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town   patronage. 

PAINTING  THE  TOWN:  Glenn  Tryon— This  one 
pleased.  This  new  star  gets  his  part  over  in  good 
style.  Not  a  special.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  RAWHIDE  KID.  Hoot  Gibson— July  3.  Just 
a  good  clean  Western  which  seemed  to  satisfy  the 
majority.  Business  fair.  Six  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

BACK  TO  GOD'S  COUNTRY:  Renee  Adoree — June 
30.  Can't  say  I  enthused  over  this  one.  Would  not 
please  high  class  patronage  but  will  get  by  with  av- 
erage fan. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka, 
Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  THREE :  Special  cast— Of  all  the 
bunk  plays,  this  is  it.  Jack  Hoxie  befriends  a  road 
show  girl  and  that's  about  all.  Better  blue  pencil 
these  Blue  Streaks  and  start  over  again  making  real 
Western  cowboy  hard  riding  pictures.  Jack  is  posi- 
tively getting  fat  from  just  sitting  around  watching 
the  clouds  roll  by.  Haven't  met  any  one  yet  who 
likes  these  Blue  Streaks  and  I  have  a  year's  supply 
ahead  of  me!  Horrors!  Yet,  I'll  have  the  fun  of 
shooting  holes  in  'em  every  time  they  appear. — Philip 
Rand,   Rex  theatre,   Salmon,   Idaho. — General   patron- 


Warner  Bros. 


THE  GIRL  FROM  CHICAGO:  Special  cast— Here 
is  a  program  picture  which  cost  us  only  one  fifth  of 
"Don  Juan"  and  beat  the  latter  in  box-office  receipts 
as  three  to  one.  Just  how  it  got  by  as  a  program 
picture  is  a  mystery  to  me.  It  seems  to  have  been 
the  joker  in  the  pack.  All  Warner  pictures  are  not 
flops.  With  the  Rin  Tin  Tins  and  with  the  Monte 
Blues  "The  Girl  From  Chicago"  will  rank  high,  a 
good  picture  for  a  small  or  a  large  town. — A.  J. 
Gibbons,  Illinois-Kozy-Elite  theatres.  Metropolis,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  MARYLAND:  Dolores  Costello— 
March  8-9-10.  Good  program  picture.  Star  pleases, 
the  chap  who  appeared  as  Maryland's  brother  was 
the  one  who  caught  the  flapper's  eye.  Six  reels. — 
J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

SAILOR  IZZY  MURPHY:  Special  cast— A  walk- 
out with  comments  more  or  less  vulgar.  We  bought 
this  as  a  special  and  paid  a  special  price  for  it.  We 
put  it  on  as  a  two  day  picture,  but  took  it  off  on 
Friday  night  because  it  was  a  complete  flop.  The 
receipts  were  less  than  one  half  what  we  paid  for  the 
picture ;  though  this  play  had  the  ruggedness  which 
distinguishes  Warner  productions,  it  is  fundamentally 
wrong.  The  dominant  character  is  a  mad  man  and 
hie  resultant  acts  constitute  the  action  of  the  play. 
It  is  a  well  known  tenet  among  those  who  have 
studied  plays  that  mental  aberration  is  not  a  proper 
subject  for  a  drama,  though  this  play  might  prove 
quite  interesting  to  those  who  had  been  formerly 
inmates  of  a  lunatic  asylum  and  possibly  help  to 
send  some  exhibitors  to  the  same  place. — A.  J.  Gib- 
bons, Illinois-Elite-Kozy  theatres.  Metropolis,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

JAWS  OF  STEEL:  Rin  Tin' Tin— An  ordinary  Rin 
Tin  Tin  picture.  It  will  get  by  O.  K.  Six  reels. — 
J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BLACK  DIAMOND  EXPRESS:  Monte  Blue— 
A  good  railroad  drama.  Monte  Blue  very  good.  Good 
cast.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie,  Princess  theatre, 
Seaforth,   Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

SLIGHTLY  USED:  MacAvoy-Nagel— Good  enter- 
tainment. Seven'  reels. — J.  C  MacKenzie,  Princess 
theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

BRASS  KNUCKLES:  Monte  Blue— June  27.  Blue 
plays  in  consistently  good  pictures.  He  and  Rinty 
are  the  only  sure  fire  in'  this  Warner  bunch. — Frank 
Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  COLLEGE  WIDOW:  Dolores  Costello— A  good 
college  picture.  Big  Boy  Williams  helped  a  lot  in 
putting  this  one  over.  Seven  reels. — J.  C.  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DOG  OF  THE  REGIMENT:  Rin  Tin  Tin— A  ho- 
kum war  story  but  one  of  the  best  dog  pic^-u-es  from 


an  entertainment  standpoint  I've  ever  played.  Old 
Rinty  is  getting  old  and  fat  but  he  does  his  stuff  in 
this  one.  Played  it  with  Harold  Lloyd  in  "Grandma's 
Boy."  Some  show!  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — ^Neighborhood   patronage. 

TRACKED  BY  THE  POLICE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— This 
picture  got  business  on  the  strength  of  previous  pic- 
tures. It's  a  lot  of  stunts  thrown  together  in  old 
fashioned  serial  style.  Six  reels. — J.  C  MacKenzie, 
Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WHITE  FLANNELS:  Special  cast— March  26-27-28. 
Did  not  appeal  to  my  crowd,  though  well  enough  pro- 
duced. Story  too  drab.  Seven  reels. — J.  C.  Mac- 
Kenzie, Princess  theatre,  Seaforth,  Ont.,  Canada. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


State  Rights 


BRANDING  FIRE:  Cheyenne  Bill— 50%.  My  crowds 
seem  to  be  getting  off  Westerns,  and  from  the  stuff 
I  have  been  dishing  out  to  them  the  past  two  months 
I  sure  don't  blame  them  for  staying  home  and  taking 
a  bath  on  Saturday  night.  This  picture  just  a  shade 
better  than  the  usual  dose  I  have  been  getting,  but  it 
lacks  quality.  This  one  will  please  about  50%.  Five 
reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  SLAVER:  Pat  O'Malley— June  29-30.  Good 
sea  story  from  James  Oliver  Curwood's  novel.  Six 
reels.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


Serials 


THE  HOUSE  WITHOUT  A  KEY  (Pathe)  :  Special 
cast — On  sixth  chapter  and  seems  to  please  pretty 
well.  Ten  chapters. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  the- 
atre, Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

THE  DAFFY  DILL:  Billy  Dooley— A  fair  two  reel 
comedy. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

FALL  IN:  Cameo — Good  one  reel  comedy. — P.  G. 
Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — ^Neighborhood 
patronage. 

HALF  PINT  HERO:  Lupino  Lane— This  bird  is 
in  a  class  by  himself,  when  it  comes  to  acrobatic  com- 
edies. This  one  is  a  good  number.  Two  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo.— Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

HIS  BETTER  HALF:  Lloyd  Hamilton— Not  much 
to  these  Hamilton  comedies.  Hardly  a  laugh  in'  them. 
Print  good.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre, 
Griswold,  la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

WEDDING  SLIP:  Cameo— Pretty  good  comedy. 
One  reel. — -P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

WHOOZIT:  Charlie  Bowers— Quite  puzzling,  how 
it's  all  done.  But  not  much  for  laughs.  Two  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

WILD  CAT  VALLEY:  Good  comedy.  Two  reels- 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  GreenVille,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

F  B   O 

BILL  GRIMM'S  PROGRESS:  Al  Cooke— All  have 
been  good.  Two  reels.— Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

F  B  O  NEWS  LAFFS:  Fair,  not  much  to  them. 
One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlen- 
ton, Pa. — General  patronage. 

WANDERERS  OF  THE  WAISTLINE:  Three  Fat 
Boys — These  three  fat  men  draw  well  for  us.  Their 
pictures  are  comical,  good  and  clean.  We  use  them 
as  often  as  we  can.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Ma- 
jestic theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 
FOX 

FOLLOW  THE  LEADER:  Good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

A  FOOL  AND  HIS  MONEY:    A  darn  poor  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Minnie   M.    Schnoor,   Paramount  theatre, 
Stapleton,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

AFRICAN  ADVENTURE:  Oddity— Very  fine. 
Shows  African  wild  life.  Men  all  raved  over  it.  A 
geographic  education  in  one  reel. — Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,    Salmon,    Idaho. — General   patronage. 

BUFFALO  BILL'S  LAST  FIGHT :  Played  this  with 
"Circus  Rookies"  and  honestly  believe  "Buffalo  Bill's 
Last  Fight"  was  responsible  for  at  least  50%  of  my 
business.  Very  beautiful,  interesting  and  historical 
picture.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas  City,  Mo. — -Neighborhood  patronage. 

DOG  HEAVEN:     Our  Gang^Good  comedy,  not  any 
better    than    Pathe.      Too    expensive.      Two    reels. — 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  21,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


By  Whit 

MARKS  BROTHERS  was  denied  a  temporary  injunction  against 
Balaban  and  Katz,  six  producer  distributors  and  other  defendants  in 
its  anti-trust  suit  last  Thursday.  However,  the  plaintiff  received  what 
the  court  called  the  essential  effect  of  a  temporary  injunction  through  the  con- 
tinuance until  the  final  hearing  of  the  counsels'  agreement,  which  was  operating 
pending  last  Thursday's  hearing,  restraining  the  defendants  from  committing 
the  acts  charged  in  the  suit.  For  full  details  of  the  suit,  giving  all  charges  and 
counter-charges,  read  George  Schutz's  story  in  the  news  section  of  this  book. 
Jack  Baker,  who  keeps  Universal  well  and  before  we  had  time  to  ease  down  in 
publicized  in  this  territory,  has  a  new  a  chair  to  rest  our  dogs,  he  dragged  us 
daughter    in    his    home,    and    she    has    been      back  in  his  poster  department.     Well,  you 


christened  Betty  Jane,  a  name  which  goes 
nicely  with  her  elder  sister,  Mary  Lou. 

*  =7i  * 

All  the  boys  at  F  B  O  staged  a  big  golf 
tournament  SaturdaJ^  Results  of  the  match 
have  not  been  learned,  yet  we'll  bet  that 
Ted  Meyers  came  in  for  a  large  share  of 
the   pot   that  was   put  up. 

*  *     * 

The  circus  came  to  town  Saturday,  and 
all  morning  the  row  was  filled  with  ele- 
phants, dogs,  horses,  wagons,  carts  and  all 
the  other  what-nots  that  go  to  make  up 
"the  biggest  show  on  earth."  And  maybe 
j-ou  think  it  wasn't  hard  for  us  to  keep 
from  playing  hookie. 

*  *     * 

The  Colfax  theatre,  a  new  Publix  house 
in  South  Bend,  will  open  its  doors  on 
August  4  for  the  first  time,  and  a  sound 
picture,  Richard  Dix  in  "Warming  Up," 
will  head  the  program.  A  brand  new 
theatre  and  an  opening  policy  of  sound 
pictures  should  prove  a  fare  enticing 
enough  for  most  any  South  Bender. 
^     ^     ^ 

Irving  Mack,  who  is  always  on  the  go 
at  race  horse  speed,  is  spending  a  few  days 
in  Wisconsin  in  an  attempt  to  get  a  little 
rest. 

^     ^     ^ 

It   is   rumored   that   the    Orpheum   circuit 
is  soon  to  install   sound  picture   equipment 
in  all  its  vaudeville-picture  houses. 
^     ^     ^ 

Sam  Sax,  president  of  Gotham  Pictures, 
was  in  Chicago  Fridav  on  his  way  to  New 
York. 

*  *     * 

We  dropped  in  to  have  a  chat  with 
Freddie  ISIartin  at  United  Artists  Saturday, 


Mr.  Exhibitor! 

See  What  Jay  Gould 

Plainfield,  HI. 

Says  About 

PHOTOTONE 

Read  Page  60  of  July  14 
Exhibitor.s  Herald-World 

For  Details  Communicate  with 
L.  V.  Kuttnauer 

845   So.   Wabash   Ave.,    Chicago 
Phone   Harrison   0737 


back  in  his  poster  department, 
should  just  see  the  place.  System  and 
efficiency  are  the  big  features,  and  every- 
thing for  the  handling  of  posters  in  the 
best  possible  way  is  there.  Freddie  is 
proud  of  it,  and  he  has  a  perfect  right  to  be. 
^     ^     ^ 

"Sunrise,"  the  Fox  picture  with  Movie- 
tone accompaniment  opened  at  the  Roose- 
velt theatre  last  Friday,  marking  the 
opening  of  its  sound  picture  policy,  and 
the  Chicago  presents  sound  pictures  to  its 
patrons  on  July  30  with  "Warming  Up," 
the  Paramount  picture  starring  Richard 
Dix.  Whether  Chicago  likes  it  or  not, 
sound  pictures  are  here,  and  from  the  great 
success  of  "Street  Angel"  at  McVickers, 
it  looks  as  if  Chicago  does  like  the  synchro- 
nized pictures. 

^     ^     ^ 

Harold    Wise,    formerly   with    Coston,    is 
now  in  the  short  subject  department  at  the 
Columbia  exchange  here. 
^     ^     ^ 

The  Marks  Brothers  case  was  a  general 
topic  of  conversation  down  the  row  last 
week,  and  no  doubt  will  continue  to  be. 
Whether  or  not  the  company  can  get  pic- 
tures, we  are  in  no  position  to  say,  but 
we  do  know  that  its  Friday  ads  carried  no 
picture  announcem.ent  and  the  house 
changes  on  Saturday.  The  picture  that  is 
now  playing  is  being  given  the  least  pos- 
sible notice  in  the  ads. 

^  ^  ^ 

Herbert  R.  Ettelson,  owner  of  the  Strand, 
is  touring  Wisconsin  and  will  continue  to 
do  that  for  the  next  three  or  four  weeks. 

*  *     * 

M.  Van  Praag,  Western  sales  director  for 
Universal,  was  in  Chicago  last  week. 
^     '-^     ^ 

The  Orpheum  theatre  at  South  Bend  has 
reduced  its  prices  from  15  and  30  cents 
to  10  and  20  cents. 

^     ^     ^ 

Steve  Montgomery  of  the  Daily  News 
Screen  Service,  spent  a  few  days  of  recrea- 
tion at  Bangs  Lake  last  week. 

*  *     * 

And  Jack  Miller  is  on  a  vacation  at  his 
summer  home  in  Lake  Geneva.  And  by  the 
Avay.  Jack's  office  in  Chicago  will  be  closed 
on  Saturdays  during  the  remainder  of  the 
summer,  which,  according  to  Miss  Tess 
Heraty,  is  a  splendid  idea. 


Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  whose  titles  are  too 
numerous  to  mention,  was  in  town  last 
week  visiting  the  F  B  O,  Pathe  and  First 
National  exchanges.  He  met  the  entire 
force  at  Pathe  for  the  first  time. 
*     *     * 

Harry    Scott,    short    subjects    sales    man- 
ager for  Pathe,  was  in  town   Friday. 
^     ^     ^ 

Harry  O'Brien  is  now  covering  Northern 
Illinois  for  Pathe. 

It  is  understood  that  "The  Port  of  Miss- 
ing Girls"  has  been  booked  for  39  of  the 
Coston  houses  and  48  of  the  houses  booked 
by  B  &K.  The  picture  is  being  handled  by 
Ben  Beadell  and  Major  Doenning. 


MILTON  M.  STERN 

The  Row's  Insurance  Man. 

Life,  Accident,  Auto,  Fire  & 
CasusJty  Lines 

1180  E.  63rd  St.      Phone  Fairfax  7200 


What  the  Picture 

Did  for  Me 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

LIMOUSINE  LOVE:  Charlie  Chase— Pretty  good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas   City,   Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

TOKENS  OF  MANHOOD:  Oddity— Interesting 
picture  of  Amazon  Indian  tribal  customs.  Better 
than  average  oddity.  However,  it  appears  that  our 
patrons  want  to  be  entertained  rather  than  educated, 
and  since  we  do  not  feel  able  to  do  both,  we  are 
going  to  replace  "Oddities"  with  something  snappier. 
One  reel. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Ne- 
vada, Ohio. — Small  town  patronage. 

YALE  VS  HARVARD :  Our  Gang— A  picture  that 
pleased  the  kids  better  than  older  folks.  Not  as  good 
as  some  other  Gang  comedies.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vet- 
ter.  Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

FRENCH  FRIED:  Neal  Burns— Nothing  much  as 
are  most  comedies  of  late,  gags  are  exhausted  it 
seems  and  no  actors  with  Chaplin  or  Keaton  individ- 
ualities in  sight.  Two  reels. — O.  A.  Fosse,  Community 
theatre,   Ridgeway,   la. — Small  town   patronage. 

HOLY  MACKEREL:  Very  good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

SCARED  PINK:  Jack  Duffy— This  is  our  third 
Paramount  comedy  and  evei-y  one  has  been  good. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

SPLASH  YOURSELF:  Another  good  funny  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

WEDDING  WOWS:  Bobby  Vernon— Good  Vernon 
comedy.  T%vo  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

PATHE 

BRINGING  HOME  THE  TURKEY:  Our  Gang- 
Good,  reasonably  priced.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patron- 
age. 

SMITH'S  LANDLORD:  Better  than  average.  The 
live  stock  grab  a  flock  of  laughs.  Two  reels. — Frank 
Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WHY  GIRLS  SAY  NO:  Hal  Roach  comedy— This 
comedy  has  an  all  star  cast.  Max  Davidson,  Marjorie 
Daw,  Creighton  Hale  and  Spec  O'Donnell,  it's  very 
good,  too.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General   patronage. 

WILL  ROGERS  IN  DUBLIN :     Not  as  big  as  Pathe 
thinks   they   are ;   only   a   one   reel    scenic,   with   titles 
by  Bill  himself. — P.   S.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansae 
City,   Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 
TIFFANY 

KING  OF  SPORTS:  Another  little  Tiffany  Gem 
that's  a  credit  to  its  name.  Has  a  nice  little  story 
and  the  colors  are  certainly  pleasing  to  the  eye.  One 
reel. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
— Neighborhood  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BUSTER'S  SLEIGH  RIDE:  Very  clever.  Every- 
one liked  it. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

DANCING  FOOLS:  Just  one  roar  after  another. 
A  vei-y  fine  comedy.  Pleased  our  crowd  fine.  Play 
it.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre.  Homer, 
Mich. — Small  town   patronage. 

MODEL  GEORGE:  A  little  on  the  order  of  a 
bedroom  picture  although  nothing  rank  in  it.  Some 
very  funny  parts  in  it.  Two  reels. — E.  H.  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre.  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


For  your 
Protection 

To  insure  exhibitors  the  high- 
est possible  screen  quality, 
Eastman  Positive  Film  is  made 
identifiable.  The  words  "Eastman 
Kodak"  are  stencilled  in  black 
letters  at  short  intervals  in  the 
transparent  film  margin. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman  Film 
—look  for  the  identifying  words 
in  the  margin— and  get  the  film 
that  always  carries  quality 
through  to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXIliniTORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORI  D 


MOVIETONE  EQUIPPED 

MEANS 

SIMPLEX    EQUIPPED 

IN  ANERICAl$  leading  THEATRES 


Better  Projection  Pays 


SPECIAL  MODEL  N^^SIMPLEX 

FOR      IVI  O^V^IEXOIME 

WILL  BE  SUPPLIED  WHEN  SPECIFIED 

INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 

90     GOLD    STREET,  NEW  YOFK 


EXHieiTOM 


PASTE  THIS  IN 
YOUR  HAT  TOO! 

— we^ll  have  that  old  chapeau 
of  yours  looking  like  a  row  of 
24'sheets.    These  are  real  tips! 


■^^^^ 


^- 


:^ 


^«ia!> 


r^^ 


'Our  Dancing  Daughters." 
Vith  }oan  Crawford  ani 
ohr\  Math.  Brown,  Dorothy 
kbastian,  Anita  Page.  Story 
ind  scenario  by  Josephine 
-ovett.  W  Metro-Goldwyn- 
tAayer  Picture  directed  by 
iarry  Beaumont.  A  Cos- 
nopolitan  Production. 


MG-M 

The  Sound  Company 


Whole  Vol.  92.  No.  4  (Vol.  34.  No.  7) 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago    III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3. 
Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St..  Chicago.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  25  cents. 


July  28,  1928 


^ilUlViXv 


Among  the  organs,  the'Supremdcy'of 
the  ^»fe»iis  evidenced  in  its  selec-' 

tion  and  endorsement  hy  a  majority  of  the 
nation's  fi)reniost  Exhibitca*s,Shp\toen,Or-' 
4anists,Per^rmers  and  distinguished 
individuals  in  theatrical  and  public  life. 


%^6^ 


individual  characteristic  tonal  beautv, 
greater  ran^  in  Varietyof  orchestral  eflects 
and  exclusive  patented  features  mahe 
it  distinctly  different  from  all  other 
theatre  oimns.  ,  ,   , 

Yet,£r  all  its  unquestioned  superioriti/, 
the  f      is  among 

the  least  expensive  theatre  organs  to  own, 
not  ouIa;  because  it  is  more  durable,la8ts 
londer  and  costs  less  for  upkeep,  but  be  - 
ca^e  it  is  an  investment  that  paijs  for 
itself  in  increased  box  office  receipts. 


^ri^md^  for  full  inform 
cp^<^^^^  NeioCooperative  Purchase  Plan 


totet  M«it«i#igm  &. 


New  York, 

1560  Brojdway 

Los  Angeles 

1914  So.Vermont 


Chi  c  afo 
624  So  MichiiaR 

SmFrancisco 
168  Golden  Gate 


Genuine Seapan  Percussions  Llied 


i] 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


LINES  three  deep 

in  front  of  the  Paramount  Theatre 

on  hottest  day  of  year!" 


the  heat  continued  all  week 
— "The  Racket"  continued 


its  sensational  business! 

THOMAS   MEIGHAN 


in  'The  Racket 


with  Louis  Wolheim  and  Marie  Prevost.    Caddo  Production. 

PARAMOUNT 


— Harrison^s  Reports 

critics: 

"More  genuine  than  ^Un- 
derworld.' Best  Meighan 


m 


five 


years. 


—N.  Y.  World 


"Best  picture  that  ever 
played  Paramount  Thea- 
tre since  it  opened.  One 
of  best  pictures  of  year !" 
— N.  Y.  Journal 


"One  of  the  outstanding 
stories  of  the  year." 

—N.  Y.  Eve.  Post 


"The  high  mark  for 
melodramatic  aspirants 
to  shoot  at." 

—N.  Y.  Times 


"Splendidly  entertain- 
ing. Keen,  acrid,  truth- 
ful, speedy." 

— iV.  y.  American 


Unanimous 
Applause! 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


^  e  w^    Y  ©  r  k 


Par  A  MOUNT'S 

first      SOUND      picture 

Richard   Dix 

in   "WARMING    UP  ' 


Fred   Newmeyer   Production  with   beautiful  Jean  Arthur 


40     TO     50     PARAMOUI^T 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


f 


S^oei^  eraxji 


WIN 


I  kuthi 


U  tb* 
K  tad 

bta  r  --- 

t*lV  BoO 

s 


EsTkI 


Paramovnt's  first  mJ'M~7l  M  JTB 
S'OKVI)  picture  MMMiJXMw 

jvhat  you 

SEET 

y^BOVE  THEROAROF  THE  CROWD 
YOU  HEAR  A 
HIGH  SWEET 
VOICE  ! 

What  was  she 
trying  to  say? 


toi 


*I   You  can  wairely  hear  hrr  .  .  .  all 
arounil  you  the  cries,  ihc  ahoula  of  that 
»MthIn4  Diou  of  hunuinltx  .  . .  jcrre  .  .  . 
mhrieka  .  .  .  razzing  beUo> 
criu-Ju.  q  la  she  trring  to  tell  that  cour- 
■Xraui  figure  out  there  that  iihe  loves 
bim  .  .  .  (hat  be  MUST  win?    The 
lumull  Inereuca  .  .  .  thouaanda,  and 
YOU.  TOO.  ar«  cheerine  ...  all  at  the 
liJgboI  pilch  of  eieitemmiE  Q  What  a 
klcli  rou'll  Ket  out  of  Paramount'a  firal 
SOLTMD  PICTURE    for  consisieni 
Paramount',    position    as    the    woi 


atior 


xhlcl 


okUirul  uxe  of  lound  and  musie  < 
amazing  not*  rbtos  of  cntcrlninmi 


RICHARD 


jy       What  TiinlLLs! 


WARMING  UP 

___^  *'Ii'b  Always  Cool"  — Where  the  midnight  picturcy||T] 

Pa  R  A  M  O  U 


SH 
JHER 
JAIL 


•dioftcd 
t    baml' 


GIE 
JONS 

t^HolU— , 
hdrputmfut 


"  1  fit«l 


r  Music t 


*r  voice  ones 
out- and  \hars 
tool  Together 
Mfou  cheer  him  onf 

^  Out  there .  .  .  B  lone  courageous 
figure  fighting  for  victory.  Atl 
around  you  .  .  .  howling  thou- 
sands . . .  fthouting  for  vlrtory  .  .  . 
jeering  .  .  .  razzing  .  .  .  making 
wittccracks  ...  bellowing  en- 
couragement. Near  you,  that 
sweet  girl  trying  to  make  hcrxelf 
heard  above  the  din  .  .  .  striving 
to  tell  her  sweetheart  .  .  .  that  he 
MUST  win.  qXhelove. 
the  fear,  the  hope  of 
that  young  girl,  the 
6ghting    despai) 


HEART 

PARAMOinVX'S 

nnST  SOUND  PICTURE 

SEE  T 


surge  of  victory  In  that  ynunf{ 
hero, every  thrill .  .  .  thctremen- 
dous  escitemcnt  of  that  huge 
crowd  are  yours.  Paramount 
brings  it  to  you  in  its  fintt  SOUND 
PICTURE,  q  And  what  a  wallop  it 
has,  for  consistent  wlih  Para- 
mount*s  position  as  the  foretnost 
motion  picture  producer,  thn 
first  Par^Tmount  Sound  Picture 
laasuperlativecreationl  itopens 
amazing  new  vistas  of  entertain- 
before  have 

thrill- 
ingly 
photoplay. 


On  Tiie  StaceI 
PAUL  ASH 


Richard 


DIX 


UP 

'It's   Alicayt   Cool"— Where  i'^mtdnight  piclurei  play 

Paramount 


YOU  CAN  USE  THESE  ADS:— Get  in  touch  with  your  Paramount 
exchange  about  using  these  ads  on  a  co-operative  basis.  They  aided 
materially  in  the   success    of  "Warming   Up"  at  the   Paramount. 

Over  $31,000  in  two  days  at  Paramount 
Theatre,  N.Y.,  smashing  all  records! — by  popular 
demand,  moves  Saturday  to  Rivoli,  for  long  run! 


QUALITY  SouiVD  Pictures 


RiD 


William  Le  Baron 


PRESENTS 


•n  p  1^    LANDS    SURPRISE    SMASH 
r  D  l^    IN  NICK  OF  TIME! 


laith 


OLIVE  BORDEN    JACK  PICKFORD 


EDDIE  GRIBBON 


WALTER  LONG 


Story  by  J.  A.  GREELMAN 


Nation's   gravest  problem   dramatized   in  masterful 
fashion  by  brilliant  new  director..  BERT  GLENNON! 

When    ^^GANG   WAR"    hits    'em    they'll  stay   HIT! 

Have  it  screened  at  once...  and  GET  BEHIND   IT 
FOR  PLENTY  HEAVY  JACK! 

ANOTHER   CLEAN  CLICKER   FROM  P  B  U 


"No  doubt 
Charles  Farrell  has 


THEY   RAVED   ABOUT  HIM 

in 

"STREET  ANGEL" 


Mae  Tinee  of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  the 
hardest' boiled  critic  west  of  New  York 
wrote: 

^Street  Angel'  is  a  picture  that  more  or  less  defies 
description.  One  can  say  that  it  is  charming;  that 
it  delights  the  senses  and  thrills  the  nerves;  that 
scenery,  sets,  plot,  direction  and  music  —  it's  a 
sound  picture,  you  know,  are  all  one  could  hope 
for;  thai  ....  Charles  Farrell  does  to  your  heart 
what  he  wants  to  —  and  still  you  haven't  described 
'Street  Angel'  the  way  it  deserves  to  be  described. 


Having  no  possible  fault  to  find  with  'Street  Angel' 
and  having  given  it  all  the  praise  I  know  how  to 
bestow,  I  leave  it  to  you,  saying  only 

I  wish  1  hadn't  seen  it,  so  that  I  could  see  it  all 
over  again — for  the  first  time." 


**Street  AngeV*  brohe  att  existing 
house  records  its  first  week  at 
McVickerSf  Chicago.  The  first  Vox 
picture  ever  to  play  a  B&K  house. 


has  the  jump  on 
everybody  in 


n^ vthe  red  dance 

he^s  the  answer  t 


many  a 


IT 


VARIETY 


THEY  CLAMORED  FOR  HIM^-* 

in 

THE  RED  DANCE 


"-*The  Red  Dance,'  a  film  acted  in  its  principal  parts  by 
Charles  Farrell,  the  fine  young  Fox  star  of  'Seventh  Heaven' 
and  'Street  Angel,'  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  things  of 
its  kind  which  I  have  seen  on  any  screen." 

— New  York  World 

"Directorially,  a  gem — histrionically,  extra  special — Charlie 
Farrell  can  play  any  part  at  all,  we've  discovered." 

— New  York  Daily  News 

"  'The  Red  Dance'  is  the  one  outstanding  example  of  what 
genius  can  accomplish  . . .  Charlie  Farrell  proves  that  he  may 
take  his  place  among  the  first  lovers  of  the  screen." 

— New  York  Evening  Graphic 

" 'The  Red  Dance' boasts  sufficient  entertainment  vahic  to 
bring  the  Charlie  Farrell  fans  leaping  to  the  Globe." 

— New  York  Evening  Telegram 

"There's  plenty  of  romance  and  action  in  the  film  .  . .  and  j! 
Farrell's  fan  mail  will  undoubtedly  increase  after  this  one." 

— New  York  Evening  Journal 

'*  *The  Red  Datice'  with  an  excellent  cast  including  Charles 
Farreli.  .  .  is  without  doubt  the  finest  entertainment  of  il> 
kind  of  the  year."  — iVei*  York  Evening  World 


*^Tfi«  Red  Daneef*  is  now  playing  the 

Qtobe  Theatre^  New  Yorkf  to  record 

hredMng  summer  business. 


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*ito    ^^m 


N  keeping  with  the  snappy,  modern  line-up  of  Pathe  pic- 
tures for  1928-29,  an  Ail-American  rooster,  Mr.  Pathe, 
was  chosen  at  the  premier  poultry  show  of  the  world, 
Madison  Square  Garden,  to  become  a  model  for  the  famous 
animated  trademark.  Mr.  Pathe  received  nation-wide  pub- 
licity. He  now  heralds  a  program  of  ^ 
pictures  of  quality  and  distinction, 
made  to  meet  every  box-office  re- 
quirement in  every  corarmumty. 


if     / 


i 


I 


r 


..yVii>»-v.t«» 


n^ 

HRru^;^it>l 

^^■:^%^^ 

id^^H 

1 

Scenes  taken 
during  the  ex- 
hibition and 
selection  of 
Mr.  Pathe  at 
the  Annual 
Poultry  Show. 


I 


i 


I 


i^m: 


He  Crows  this  Year  wifh  R-OA-  PHOTOPHONE 


<:. 


! 


.Grantland  fSB^Bk' 


A  sensational  national 
advertising  campaign 
'King  of  Kings". 


on 


Timed  with  the  showing  in  hun- 
dreds of  theatres  for  the  period 
beginning  Oct.  1,  there  will  be 
launched  on  the  DeMille  epic 
the  greatest  national  advertis- 
ing campaign  ever  accorded  an 
individual  production.  Book  it, 
time  your  showing  with  copy  in 
the  Saturday  Even  ing  Post, 
Collier\s,  and  the  leading  fan 
publications. 


The  greatest  publicity 
stunt  ever  put  over  in  the 
history  of  the  country.  The 
wise  showmen  are  cashing 
in  by  booking  and  boosting 
the  12  Pathe  one-reel  pic- 
tures, "Will  Rogers,  Our 
Unofficial  Ambassador 
Abroad." 


GRANTLAND  RICE  has  no  peer 
in  the  realm  of  sports  writers. 
His  columns  are  syndicated  in 
more  than  a  hundred  great 
dailies.  He  is  a  regular  con- 
tributor to  Collier's  Weekly  and 
other  magazines,  and  is  known 
the  country  over  for  his  review 
of  sports  and  sport  events  over 
the  radio.  When  you  play  the 
Grantland  Rice  Sportlig hts, 
this  publicity  will  be  reflected 
in  ticket  sales  at  the  box-office. 


Tons  of  publicity  has  been  rolled  up  covering 

Capitalize  on  it  by  getting  your 


'T^HE  Pathe  Rooster  is  the  most  widely  known  trade- 
-■-    mark  in  the  world. 

For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  this  bird  has  her- 
alded deluxe  entertainment  in  motion  picture  houses 
everywhere  within  the  boundaries  of  civilization. 

Millions  upon  millions  of  theatre-goers  have  seen  this 
proud  Pathe  Rooster  strut  his  stuff  in  the  titles  that 
precede  Pathe  pictures  of  every  type.  jbiss*« 

\o  trademark  of  any  organization  has  been  seen  by  so 
many  eyes.  No  trademark  has  registered  so  forcibly 
and  no  trademark  is  more  of  a  guarantee  to  the  public 
of  satisfaction  in  the  merchandise  it  represents. 

This  Pathe  trademark  has  feathered  the  nests  of  more 
showmen  than  any  other  screen  symbol.^ 


ss-X.- 


SMiTTV 

AND  ms  PALS 

Millions  of  dollars 
worth  of  publicity 
when  you  play  these 
great   kid  comedies. 


HERE'S  a  publicity 
tie-up  and  ready- 
made  audience  that 
means  dollars  ai 
jour  box-office. 
"Smitty  and  His 
Pals"  are  seen  dally 
in  the  New  YorL 
Daily  News,  Chi- 
cago Tribune  and 
50  other  great  news- 
papers throughout 
the  country.  Inter- 
preted on  the  screen 
by  a  gang  of  real, 
lovable  kid    actors. 


Sensational   new   series   of  two-reel  kid  com- 
edies,   with   a   cast   of  leading    child    actors. 

Presented  by  Amedee  J.  Van  Beuren  and  based  on  the 
famous  cartoon  feature  "Smitty"  by  Berndt. 


Here's  a 

Mack  Sennett 

Bathing    Girl,, 

the  lUilUon 

Dollar  Star. 

She  gets  more 

publicity 

breaks  than 

any  star  in 

Filmland, 

The  shotvmen 

playing 

Mack  Sennett 

comedies  cash 

in  on  this 

copy. 


MACK 

SENNETT 


comedies  have  always  been 
great — greater  than  any 
other  brand  on  the  mar- 
ket, and  now,  coming 
from  his  gigantic  new 
studio,  the  Capital  of 
Comedy,  utilizing  the 
talking  and  sound  effects 
of  the  marvelous  new 
RCA  Photopho  ne  they 
will  be  greater  than  ever. 


factors  in  Pathe's  1928-29  program  . 
complete  program^  from  Pathe 


does  Pathe 


neres 


the  A 


nswer- 


PATHE  has  the  merchandise.  Pathe  has  the  stars^  the  direc- 
tors^ the  studios  and  pictures.  It's  Pathe's  year.  The  whole 
country  is  talking  about  'The  King  of  Kings",  the  most  publicized 
film  drama  in  all  history.  "^The  Godless  Girl"  has  aroused  wide 
comment  even  before  its  release.  "The  Red  Mark",  "The  Cop", 
"A  Ship  Comes  In",  "Tenth  Avenue"  and  two  score  of  other 
super  features  have  so  many  noteworthy  ingredients  that  they 
stand  out  from  the  common  run  of  pictures  like  a  lighthouse  in 
the  fog.  Names  like  Grantland  Rice,  Mack  Sennett  are 
constantly  before  the  public  in  various  mediums.  The  Sennett 
bathing  beauty  is  an  American  institution  and  more  space  is 
devoted  to  her  than  to  any  other  star.  The  coming  Pathe  stars 
like  Phyllis  Haver,  Lina  Basquette,  Jeanette  Loff,  Sue  Carol, 
Robert  Armstrong,  George  Duryea,  Eddie  Quillan  and  John 
Mack  Brown  are  good  newspaper  "copy".  There  are  no  more 
popular  stars  than  William  Boyd,  Rod  LaRocque,  Leatrice  Joy, 
Marie  Prevost  and  Jacqueline  Logan.  The  press  always  recog- 
nizes and  appreciates  leadership  and  Pathe  has  jumped  the 
field  this  season— Pathe  is  out  ahead  going  strong,  and  editors 

see  real  news  in  its  activities. 


^'*'*  PathesYear 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


imwimmim m mil m u 


Western  Electric 

^ystexn  of  Sound  Pictures 
adopted  by  leading  producers  and  exhibitors 


The  Western  Electric  Company  licenses  producers  to  use  in 
their  studios  its  apparatus  for  recording  sound  by  both  the 
disc  method,  and  the  photographic  or  film  method  in  which 
the  sound  is  registered  on  the  edge  of  the  film.  Both  of  these 
methods  were  developed  in  the  Bell  Telephone  Laboratories. 
The  equipment  for  both  is  manufactured  by  Western  Electric. 

WARNER  BROTHERS 

FOX  FILM   CORPORATION 

PARAMOUNT  FAMOUS   LASKY 

METRO- GO  LDWYN-MAYER 

UNITED  ARTISTS 

FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 

UNIVERSAL  PICTURES 

HAL  ROACH 
CHRISTIE   COMEDIES 

The  Western  Electric  Sound  Projector  System  is  the  theatre 
equipment  designed  to  reproduce  sound  pictures  of  any  of  the 
foregoing  companies  and  its  other  licensees. 

Now  installed  in  over  400  theatres 

This  Sound  Projector  System,  with  a  proven  history  of  suc- 
cessful operation  in  over  400  theatres,  is  available  exclusively 
through  Western  Electric's  subsidiary 

Electricat  Research  Products  fnc 

250  WEST  57th  STREET 
NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


Electrical  Research  Products  supplies  to  theatres  of  any  size  other  types 
of  equipment  for  the  reproduction  and  amplification  of  speech  and  music 
from  records  made  by  the  foregoing  licensees  and  by  the  Victor  Phono- 
graph Company,  which  is  also  licensed  by  it. 

It  also  maintains  a  nation-wide  servicing  organization  operating  from  22 
offices,  each  equipped  with  apparatus  and  a  technical  staff. 


THE   STANDARD   FOR   THE   INDUSTRY 


UUMMMMUMMAUMMMMMMAUMMMd 


Y...... ............. .(..... 


........... .....^ 


TALKING  PICTURES 


TAUUNG  PICTURES  ARE  WHAT 
m'RE  TALKING  ABOUT f 

VTOTHING  IN  THE  INDUSTRY  TODAY  COMES  WITHIN  TALKING  DIS- 
•'•^  TANCE  OF  WARNER  BROS.  VITAPHONE  PICTURES. 

The  talking  pictures  that  are  actually  being  produced,  actually 
being  shown,  actually  making  fortunes  for  exhibitors! 

"LIGHTS  OF  NEW  YORK,"  the  First  100  per  cent.  All-Talking 
Picture  is  the  sensation  of  sensations!  Held  Over  for  Third  Week 
at  the  MARK  STRAND,  N.  Y.  BOOKED  OVERNIGHT  IN  EX- 
ACTLY 155  CITIES. 

For  1928-29,  you  can  absolutely  depend  upon  a  continuous  sup- 
ply of  Warner  Bros.  Vitaphone  Pictures. 

EACH  IS  A  TALKING  PICTURE.  EACH  HAS  SOUND 
EFFECTS,  ORCHESTRA  ACCOMPANIMENT  AND  EVERY 
ADDED  ATTRACTION  THAT  CAN  BE  SUPPLIED  BY  SCI- 
ENCE, INVENTION,  INGENUITY,  SHOWMANSHIP,  AND 
UNLIMITED   RESOURCES. 

Talking  Trailers  are  prepared  for  you  on  every  Talking  Picture. 
These  Talking  Trailers  are  admitted  to  be  the  greatest  advance 
agents  in  all  the  history  of  exploitation. 


EVERY  WARNER  BROS.  PICTURE  WILL 
HAVE  TWO  NEGATIVES 

ONE  FOR  NON -VITAPHONE  THEATRES 
and  ONE  FOR  VITAPHONE  THEATRES 


5 


EVERY  PICTURE,  BEFORE  SOUND  IS  ADDED,  IS  MADE  TO  STAND 
SOLIDLY  ON  ITS  MERITS  AS  A  BOX-OFFICE  ATTRACTION. 


WMWER  BROa  LEAD  THE  FIELD 


Coming! 


w 


NOAH'S  ARK"        , 

Madetotof)  any  picture  ever  made/ 


MEMBER  MOTION  PICTURE  PRODUCERS 


TALK  PROFITS 


'\fc^  and  Hear 
Everii  Characfef  in  the  Picture'^ 

Available  Now 


EIGHTEEN  SPECIAL  WARNER  WINNERS 


Audrey  Ferris  in 

FANCY  BAGGAGE 


Rin- Tin-Tin  in 

THE  OUTLAW  DOG 


STATE  STREET  SADIE 

■with  Conrad  Nagel  and  Myrna  Loy 


Monte  Blue  in 

THE  GREYHOUND  LIMITED 


BEWARE  OF  BACHELORS 

with  Audrey  Ferris  ond  William  Collier,  Jr. 


WOMEN  THEY  TALK  ABOUT 

tvith  Irene  Rich  and  Audrey  Ferris 


THE  MIDNIGHT  TAXI 

with  Antonio  Moreno  and  Helena  Costello 

Monte  Blue  in 

FROM  HEADQUARTERS 


Audrey  Ferris  in 

THE  LITTLE  WILDCAT 


ONE  STOLEN  NIGHT 


Rin-Tin-Tin  in 

KING  OF  THE  WILDERNESS 


May  McAvoy  in 

STOLEN  KISSES 


Monte  Blue  in 

NO  DEFENSE 


May  McAvoy  and  Conrad  Nagel  in 

CAUGHT  IN  THE  FOG 


Myrna  Loy  in 

HARD  BOILED  ROSE 


Conrad  Nagel  in 

KID  GLOVES 


SHE  KNEW  MEN 


Rin-Tin-Tin  in 

LAND  OF  THE  SILVER  FOX 


ROAD  SHOWS 


LIGHTS  OF  NEW  YORK 

First  "All-Talking"  Picture 


Al  Jolson  in 

THE  SINGING  FOOL 


Fannie  Brice  in 

MY  MAN 


THE  DESERT  SONG 


THE  TERROR 

Latest  and  Greatest  "All-Talking"  Picture 


Monte  Blue  in  CONQUEST 
with  H.  B.  Warner  and  Lois  Wilson 


Dolores  Costello  and  Conrad  Nagel  in 

THE  REDEEMING  SIN 


George  M.  Cohan's  Great  Stage  Success 

THE  HOME  TOWNERS 


PLAYING  AROUND 


THE  TIME,  THE  PLACE  &  THE  GIRL 

(Temporary) 


ON  TRIAL 

(Temporary) 


Dolores  Costello  in 

MADONNA  OF  AVENUE  A 


Third  1928-29  Costello  Picture 
(not  "Noah's  Ark") 


Dolores  Costello  in  GLORIOUS  BETSY 
with  Conrad  Nagel 


Al  Jolson  in 

THE  JAZZ  SINGER 


Dolores  Costello  in   TENDERLOIN 
with  Conrad  Nagel 


EACH  A  BANK  BOOK  NATURAL 


THE  LION  AND  THE  MOUSE 

with  May  McAvoy  and  Lionel  Barrymore 


WHAT  WARNER  BROS*  PROMISE 
WARNER  BROS*  DELIVER 


BROS. 


lYlTWWSSiJic^ 


AND  DISTRIBUTORS  OF  AMERICA,  INC. 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


The  Pace  That  Thrills 


Y^esterday,  tite  auto.  Today,  radio  and  airplanes.  Toxnorro-ir.-virlio  kno-ws  -%vl&at?  Travel 
1>y  rockets?  Conversation  -nvitk  Mars?  Whatever  it  is,  it  will  l>e  faster.  Don't  call  it  tke 
pace  that  kills.  It  is  the  pace  that  ^ives  life.  It  makes  our  lives  better,  fuller  than  any 
hef  ore  in  the  -vvorld's  history,  Because  it  stimulates  us  to  pack  every  minute  -with  action! 
The  entertainment  you  offer  your  patrons  must  keep  pace  -with  the  tiutes.  ^o  ivasted  mo- 
ments! They  -want  speed,  action  in  their  play  and  entertainment  as  -well  as  in  their  -work. 
To  please  them  no-w,  of  course,  your  sho-w  must  he  q[uick-movin^,  snappy,  exhilarating. 
And  you  may  he  sure  that  it  -will  he  if  you  huild  a  sho-w  that  has  plenty  of  good  short 
novelty,  comedy  and  ne-ws  subjects  selected  from  the  Educational  Pictures  line-up.  Because 
a  Short  Feature  HAS  to  he  crammed  -with  action,  and  HAS  to  reach  the  highest  level  of 
entertainment  quality,  to  carry  the  Educational  trade  mark.  Y^ou  kno-w  -what  fun  Lupino 
Lane,**Big  Boy"  and  the  other  popular  Educational  Pictures  comedy  stars  add  to  your  pro- 
gram.Their  pictures  for  the  ne-w  season  are  faster,  funnier.  And  typical  of  -what  Educational 
has  in  store  for  your  hox-office  are  the  ne-w  ''Russ  Farrell,  Aviator"  pictures  -with  Reed 
Ho-wes.  Watch  for  these  flying  thrillers.  There's  speed,  action,  excitement  for  you!  Don't 
forget  that  Educational  is  the  -world's  greatest  producer-distrihutor  of  Short  Features;  the 
only   hig   company    dealing  exclusively  in  this  type   of  ^ 

entertainment.  Educational  Pictures  al-ways  make  a  good 
sho-w  hetter. 


•THE  SPICE  OFTHE  PROGRAM' 


PRESIDENT  ' 


LUPINO  LANE 

in  Lupino  L>ane  Comedies 


TUXEDO   COMEDIES 

{Jack  White  Productions) 


KINOGRAMS 

Fint  among  NEWS  REELS 


M 


IDEAL  COMEDIES 

Kith  JERRY  DREW 


RUSS  FARRELL 
Aviator 

with 

REED  HOWES 


MERMAID 

COMEDIES 

{Jack  White  Productions) 


DOROTHY  DEVORE 

in  Dorothy  Devore  Comedies 


CAMEO  COMEDIES 
EDUCATIONAL  FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc.,  E.  W.  Hatnmons,  President 


BIG  BOY 

in  Big  Soy-Juvenile  Comedies 
Lyman  H.  Hotce'a 

HODGE-PODGE 
OUR  WORLD  TODAY 

A  Modern  Screen  Magazine 


Member,  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributorit  of  America,  Inc.,  Will  H.  Hays,  President 


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The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

824  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


Home 

Office: 

407  So.  Dearborn  St, 

Chicago 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


William  Fox  purchases  Poli  circuit  of  20  theatres  in  New  England  for  $25,000,000;  Million  is  set 
aside  as  budget  for  modernizing  houses  and  installing  Movietone  equipment ;  Largest  privately  owned 
string  of  motion  picture  houses  has  combined  seating  capacity  of  45,000;  Deal  follows  breakup  of 
Shoolman  transaction  and  gives  Fox  theatre  chain  powerful  outlet  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 

Credit  committees  are  vital  to  progress  of  industry  and  protec- 
tion of  exhibitors,  Film  Boards  reply  to  Government  suit. 
Pathe  is  launching  $75,000  national  advertising  drive  for  "King 
of  Kings"  in  fall,  just  prior  to  release  date. 

M  P  T  0  A  is  pushing  plans  for  convention  at  Toronto  October 
16,  17  and  18;  Canadian  theatre  owners  and  civic  bodies  co- 
operate. 

J.  J.  McCarthy  joins  Fox  as  box  office  expert  from  production 
standpoint — Four  slayers  of  girl  usher  get  life  sentences. 

DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized  Pictures  28 

The  Studio   32 

Short  Features  36 

Presentation  Acts  37 

The  Theatre  43 

Classified  Advertising   51 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 53 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 58 


FEATURES 

Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 46 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges 32 

Pictorial  Section   23 

Letters  from  Readers 52 

Broadway 18 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Robert  Mor- 
ton Organ  Company,  Paramount,  F  B  O,  Fox,  Columbia,  Pathe, 
Western  Electric,  Warner  Brothers,  Educational,  First  National, 
Eastman  Kodak  Company,  John  Ford,  Alfred  E.  Green,  United 
Studios,  Charles  Lament,  Howard  Green,  Manhattan  Studios, 
Automatic  Ticket  Register. 

PRESENTATIONS— Al  Kvale,  Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  W.  Remington 
Welch,  Joe  Kayser,  Fred  Kinsley,  Bernard  Cowham,  Leo  Terry, 
Brooks  Costumes,  Ransley  Studios. 


CHICAGO 

407  South  Daarbom  St.  TaUphonas  Harriaon  0036-37-38 

Calila    Address :    Qnigpubco 

EDWIN    S.    CLIFFORD,    General    Manager 

JAY  M.  SHRECK,  Managing  Editor 

GEORGE   CLIFFORD,    Busineit    Uanager 

ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD,  Neu$  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

M17   Hollywood   Blvd.  Talephono   Gladstone   S754 

DOUGLAS   HODGES 

IFejl    Coast    Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


NEW    YORK 

565    Fifth   Avenue  Telephones    Vamderbllt   S612.S613 

JAMES    BEECROFT,    /Ve»    York    Advertifing   Manmger 

PETER    VISCBER,   Neu,   York   Editor 

LONDON 

THE    BIOSCOPE 

(J.    Cabonm,    Editor) 

Faraday    House 

8-10    Charing    Cross    Rd.,    W.    C.    2 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES: 


United   States  and  possessions— $3.00  per  year,  Canada — $4.30   per  year.      Other  points   of  the  world — S6.00   per   year.      Single  eoples,   2S   ceata. 
Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations  stalemenU  ftumlahed  upon  application. 


16 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

ajvS  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  €>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  191S;  Moving  Pic- 

TtTM  World,  founded  in  1907;  Mo tography,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Ebwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 

Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 

should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 

iflC    motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 

HscALB  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week,  and 

Thi  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  4        (Vol.  34,  No.  7)        July  28,  1928 

Sound — This  Season 

LIKE  every  other  great  opportunity  the  sound  film  is 
bringing  ^vith  it  certain  definite  responsibilities   and 
hazards. 

In  many  respects  the  industry  at  large,  in  the  first  flush 
of  realization  of  the  practical  advent  of  sound  pictures,  is 
ignoring  various  of  these  responsibilities  and  hazards. 

There  need  be  no  further  timidity  and  no  further  uncer- 
tainty about  the  eventual  significance  of  the  sound  fihn,  it 
is  definitely  and  certainly  a  tremendous  widening  of  the 
scope  and  sphere  of  the  motion  picture.  Eventually  it  is 
sure  to  transform  the  complexion  and  the  essence  of  motion 
picture  entertainment. 

But  this  cannot  come  in  a  daj'^  or  a  month,  and  if  disap- 
pointment and  confusion  are  to  be  avoided  the  industry  at 
large,  and  particularly  the  exhibitor,  must  face  the  facts, 
calmly  and  intelligently,  and  must  divest  his  actions  and 
his  attitude  from  the  false  basis  upon  which  they  may  now 
rest  on  account  of  the  first  enthusiasms  generated  by  the 
realization  of  the  widespread  advent  of  the  sound  picture. 

Since  the  introduction  of  the  synchronized  picture  in 
practicable  form  by  Vitaphone,  and  since  the  advances 
made  in  the  Movietone  experimentation  by  Mr.  Willisim 
Fox,  the  sound  picture  has  been  making  amazing  technical 
advances.  Other  eff'orts  in  conjunction  with  those  of  these 
pioneers  have  brought  the  sound  picture  to  a  point  where 
it  may  be  regarded  as  much  a  defixiite  practicality  as  the 
motion  picture  itself. 


BUT  from  the  point  of  the  practical  perfection  of  the 
sound  picture  technically  to  the  point  of  its  general 
application  to  the  working  operations  of  the  industry  there 
is  a  great  chasm  to  be  bridged. 


In  the  studio  there  is  a  vast  amount  of  experimentation 
and  research  to  be  done. 

With  respect  to  the  theatres,  installations  can  only  be 
accomplished  gradually  and,  under  the  most  favorable  cir- 
cumstances, only  a  limited  percentage  of  the  theatres  can 
possibly  be  equipped  for  the  coming  season. 

In  view  of  these  facts  cool  judgment  must  be  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  situation.  While  there  is  no  reason  for  any 
failing  enthusiasm  about  the  sound  picture,  or  any  reason 
for  narrowing  of  confidence  as  to  where  the  sound  picture 
is  leading — still  it  must  be  realized  that  the  development 
can  only  gradually  come  to  exert  its  full  effect  upon  the 
business  and,  in  the  meantime,  provisions  must  be  made 
for  going  ahead  under  existing  conditions. 

The  sound  picture  cannot  possibly  provide  the  major 
part  of  the  entertainment  required  by  the  theatres  during 
the  coming  season.  While  there  is  a  possibility  of  a  thou- 
sand theatres  being  equipped  with  sound  devices  by  the 
first  of  next  January,  there  is  little  possibility  that  there 
will  be  sufficient  meritorious  sound  product  available  to 
enable  even  this  limited  number  of  houses  to  make  the 
synchronized  picture  the  major  part  of  their  entertainment. 

«     •     « 

CURRENT  developments  indicate  that  exhibitors,  in 
negotiating  for  film  for  the  coming  season,  are  in  an 
exceedingly  trying  position  as  the  result  of  the  trade  inter- 
est and  enthusiasm  brought  about  by  the  sound  picture. 
They  are  apprehensive  about  contracting  for  pictures  with- 
out sound,  yet  they  must  realize  that  because  of  what  must 
be  accomplished  in  installations  and  in  production,  the 
silent  picture  must  afford  the  backbone  of  the  programs 
for  the  coming  season  for  even  the  leading  houses.  In  the 
case  of  the  many  thousands  of  smaller  houses,  the  sound 
picture  cannot  arrive  before  the  season  after  next  or  later. 

An  unfavorable  current  development  also  is  the  fact 
that  many  buyers  are  placing  first  and  greatest  emphasis 
upon  sound,  losing  sight,  apparently,  of  the  fact  that  the 
sound  picture  simply  on  its  novelty  can  only  have  a  mo- 
mentary fascination  for  the  public.  This  season  and  every 
season  the  quality  of  the  picture,  with  or  without  sound, 
will  be  the  main  factor  in  the  theatre's  prosperity. 

One  of  the  obvious  hazards  that  is  threatened  by  the 
current  interest  and  enthusiasm  concerning  the  sound  pic- 
ture is  that  pictures  of  this  type,  regardless  of  quality,  may 
be  set  in  ahead  of  pictures  of  greater  quality  that  are  with- 
out sound  accompaniment.  The  sound  picture  or  the  full 
talking  picture  must  have  a  greater  recommendation  than 
technical  novelty  to  be  successful. 

The  record  already  proves  that  while  there  is  a  first  flash 
of  interest  in  the  sound  picture  on  the  part  of  the  public 
when  it  is  introduced  in  a  theatre,  still  this  interest  quickly 
subsides  unless  there  is  the  necessary  quality  element  in 
the  subject. 

The  practicalities  of  the  situation  must  be  faced. 

Many  thousands  of  theatres  will  be  without  sound 
devices  during  the  coming  season,  yet  this  fact  need  in  no 
way  militate  against  prosperity  if  the  exhibitors  bring  to 
avail  a  proper  management  of  their  affairs. 

There  will  be  plenty  of  good  product  available  which 
will  be  superior  in  attractive  value  to  much  of  the  early 
sound  product. 

— and  quality  will  count  most,  with  or  without  sound, 
this  season  and  every  season. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


17 


Fox  Buys  Poll's  20  Theatres 
In  New  England  for  25  Million 

Police  Neutral  His      ^cts  Aside  Million  to  Rcmodel 
Reply  to  Musicians '        Houscs  and  Install  Movietone 

Charge  in  Picketing    ^^^^^^S  Capacity  Totals  45,000 — Deal  Follows  Breakup 

Of  Shoolman  Transaction 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  24.— Dr.  Frank  L.  Ma- 
goon,  acting  president  of  the  St.  Louis  board 
of  police  commissioners,  in  a  letter  to  D.  K. 
Howell,  secretary  of  the  Musicians  Mutual 
Benefit  Association,  asserts  that  the  police  de- 
partment has  been  strictly  neutral  in  the  con- 
troversy between  the  musicians'  union  and 
theatres  that  have  substituted  mechanical 
music  for  union  orchestras.  Guy  M.  Daily, 
president  of  the  benefit  association  insists  that 
the  police  have  arrested  members  of  the  union 
who  were  peacefully  picketing  theatres  using 
mechanical  music,  in  violation  of  the  latter's 
constitutional  rights. 


Omaha  Film  Board, 
9  Exchanges  Named 
In  $105,000  Action 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OMAHA,  July  24.— The  Omaha  Film 
Board  of  Trade  and  branches  of  nine  dis- 
tributors are  named  defendants  in  a  suit  for 
$105,000  damages  filed  yesterday  in  federal 
court  by  Victor  Newton  and  Thomas  H. 
Leddy,  owners  of  a  suburban  theatre,  who 
charge  monopoly  and  restraint  of  trade. 

The  defendants  were  responsible  for  the 
closing  of  the  theatre  last  year,  according  to 
the  plaintiffs,  who  charge  that  they  have  been 
unable  to  rent  films  since  that  time. 


Bandit  Gets  $1,000 
In   Theatre  Office 
While  Show  Goes  On 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  24— While  pa- 
trons of  the  Portland  theatre  were  enjoying 
the  screen  and  stage  show  Sunday  night,  a 
lone  robber  walked  into  the  office  of  Manager 
Blavis  and  stole  $1,000  in  currency,  Sunday 
receipts.  The  bandit  overlooked  a  quantity 
of  silver. 


Rowland  Reported 
Leaving  FN  After 
Kennedy's  Return 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Despite  the  desire 
of  First  National  to  retain  Richard  A  Row- 
land, it  is  understod  here  that  he  will  retire 
soon  after  the  return  of  Joseph  P.  Kennedy 
from  the  West  coast. 


//.  M,  Warner  on  Vacation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— H.  M.  Warner, 
president  of  Warner  Brothers,  has  tossed 
overboard  all  thoughts  of  the  industry — 
maybe — for  ten  days  and  is  vacationing  at 
Long  Lake  in  the  Adirondacks.  He  returns 
to  his  desk  August  1. 


By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  July  24. — William  Fox  scored  another  notable  triumph  to- 
day when  he  announced  the  purchase  of  the  Poli  chain  of  motion  picture  thea- 
tres, a  tower  of  strength  in  New  England.  The  chain  includes  20  theatres  in 
leading  New  England  cities  and  cost  the  Fox  Theatres  Corporation  $25,000,000. 
$1,000,000  to  Modernize  Poli  Chain 
Purchase  of  the  Poli  string  was  not  engineered  without  difificulty.  As  the 
largest  privately  owned  circuit  in  the  country,  it  could  not  change  hands  un- 
til many  tangles  of  one  sort  or  another  were  unraveled,  to  the  end  that  Fox 
had  to  postpone  an  announcement  of  his  deal  on  two  occasions.  When  he 
finally  did  proclaim  the  success  of  his  negotiations,  at  a  private  gathering  in 
the  Roxy  theatre,  Fox  was  obviously  delighted. 
He  said  a  budget  of  $1,000,000  had  been       Lyric,    and   two   others    in    Bridgeport;    the 

Broadway  Street  in  Norwich;  the  Palace  in 
Springfield,  Mass.;  and  the  Plaza,  Poli  and 
Palace  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

45,000   Seats  Involved 

(By    Herald-World    Correspondent) 

MEDFORD,     MASS.,     July     24.— William 
Fox  last  night  confirmed  the  statement  that 


set  aside  by  his  corporation  immediately 
to  renovate  and  modernize  the  entire  Poli 
chain,  particularly  with  regard  to  installa- 
tion of  Movietone  projectors  and  apparatus 
so  that  these  theatres  may  present  not 
only  motion  pictures  in  sound  but  the  same 
type   of  motion  picture   entertainment   now 


Sound- 

— This  Season 

"In  many  respects   the  industry  at  large,  in  the  first  flush  of  realization  of  the 
practical  advent  of  sound  pictures,  is  ignoring  various  of  these  responsibilities  and 
hazards.     There  need  be  no  further  timidity  and  no  further  uncertainty  about — " 

—Read   MARTIN 

J.   QVIGLEY,   page   16. 

presented    in    the    Roxy    and    other    deluxe 
theatres   throughout   the   United   States. 

Appraised  Value  $26,000,000 

The  Poli  chain,  with  an  appraised  value 
of  $26,000,000,  according  to  a  statement  by 
Fox,  was  the  largest  privately  owned  the- 
atre circuit  in  America,  held  outright  and 
operated  successfully  for  30  years  by  Syl- 
vester Z.  Poli,  now  68  years  old.  The  chain 
now  becomes  part  of  the  Fox  organization, 
which  controls  a  circuit  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific,  including  the  recently  ac- 
quired $100,000,000  Northwest  Coast  The- 
atres, Inc.  It  also  operates  a  $50,000,000 
studio  in  Hollywood,  now  engaged  on  a 
$100,000,000  five-year  production  program, 
according  to   Fox. 

The  Poli  theatres  acquired  include  the 
Capitol  and  Palace  in  Hartford,  Conn.;  the 
Hyperion,  Bijou  and  Palace  in  New  Haven; 
the  East  Main  Street  and  West  Main 
Street  in  Meriden;  the  Strand  and  Palace 
in  Waterbury;   the    Palace,   Poli,   Majestic, 


the  Fox  Theatre  Corporation  has  purchased 
the  Poli  circuit  of  20  theatres  in  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  appraised  at  $26,- 
000,000  with  a  seating  capacity  of  45,000. 
The  deal  was  completed  at  midnight  in 
New  York. 

Sale  of  the  theatres  to  Max  Shoolman 
was  announced  about  a  year  ago  but  the 
transaction  failed  of  consummation  and  the 
Fox  interests  now  buy  direct  from  S.  Z. 
Poli.  It  is  understood  that  the  price  paid 
was  in  the  vicinity  of  the  appraised  valua- 
tion. 


Kurt  Hubert  on  Ufa  Board 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

BERLIN,  July  24.— Kurt  Hubert  has  been 
appointed  a  member  of  Ufa's  board  of  man- 
aging directors.  He  has  been  connected 
with  management  of  the  foreign  depart- 
ment for  three  years.  Albert  A.  Sander 
has  been  recalled  to  manage  the  foreign 
publicity   bureau. 


Four  Boys  Who  Killed  Chicago  Girl  Usher 
In  Suburban  House  Are  Given  Life  Terms 

Four  boys  who  murdered  Pearl  Eggerson,  Berwyn,  111.,  theatre  usher,  will  have 
plenty  of  time  to  consider  the  inadvisability  of  banditry  under  the  life  impris- 
onment sentences  handed  down  Monday  by  Judge  Frank  D.  Comerford.  Only  the 
confession  and  grief  of  Stanley  Durmaj,  19,  who  did  the  actual  slaying,  as  well  as 
his  assistance  to  the  police,  saved  the  quartet  from  the  chair.  Three  of  the  boys 
were  crying  while  the  judge  read  the  sentence. 

Miss  Eggerson,  usher  at  the  Ritz  theatre  m  Berwyn,  Chicago  suburb,  was  chat- 
ting with  Gertrude  Plant,  cashier,  when  the  four  youths  attempted  to  hold  up  the 
cashier.  Durmaj  in  his  confession  declared  that  Miss  Eggerson's  scream  fright- 
ened him  into  discharging  the  pistol. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


w/m 


^NEW  YORK— The  news   leaks  out  that 

Ji  J.  J.  McCarthy  has  been  captured  at  last 
by  Fox  and  will  spend  his  hours  on  the  West 
Coast.  .  .  IViiifield  Sheehan  will  never  lack 
for  compan}-.  .  .  Apparently  Mr.  Sheehan  has 
not  yet  made  any  attempt  to  move  City  Hall 
Park  to  the  West,  but  come  to  think  of  it 
the  Mayor  is  missing. 

HThe  old  gag  about  Lon  Chancy  is  all  worn 
out.  .  .  Don't  step  on  that  now.  .  .  It  might 
be  Joe  Kennedy. 

IJThe  Cameo  has  put  one  over  by  presenting 
Cluirlie  Chaplin's  first  screen  test.  .  .  With 
appropriate  hoorah.  .  .  What  I'd  like  to  see 
is  a  private  showing  of  the  first  sound  tests 
made  by  some  of  our  ablest  actors  and  act- 
resses. 

IJThe  Strand  had  the  time  of  its  life  with 
"Lights  of  New  York,"  the  first  all  talking 
picture.  .  .  Hottest  days  of  the  year  and  the 
Strand  had  'em  standing  up.  .  .  Did  nearly 
$50  for  seven  days. 

^James  A.  Fitzpatrick  will  sail  for  England 
August  1,  full  of  plans  and  ideas.  .  .  Three 
months  in  England  and  he  may  come  back 
with  a  full-length  feature  picture.  .  .  Fitz- 
patrick Pictures,  Inc.,  has  sold  the  Music 
Masters  to  Paramount  and  the  Schubert 
series  to  the  Bristolphone  Company  so  there's 
no   telling  where  the   feature  may  go. 

\Owen  Davis,  whose  name  seems  vaguely 
familiar  as  the  author  of  some  stage  play  or 
two,  is  now  editor-in-chief  of  Paramount's 
Long  Island  studio.  .  .  He  has  long  been  an 
advisor  on  stories  for  Paramount  while  writ- 
ing stories  lefthanded. 

^^Harry  Brand  postcards  from  Paris  that  it's 
just  like  the  Astor,  only  different.  .  .  So  many 
of  the  boys  are  over  there. 

TIHaving  had  a  chance  to  peek  at  everything 
from  the  flea  circus  to  paintings  of  the 
Spanish  Inquisition,  Broadwayites  may  now 
look  over  a  weird  collection  of  movie  props : 
rubber  bricks,  plaster  bottles,  imitation  marble, 
miniatures  of  all  kinds.  .  .  Everything  but  an 
imitation  actor. 

IJThe  Roxy  had  such  a  good  time  with 
"Street  Angel"  that  it  was  held  over  a  second 
week.  .  .  And  in  this  weather.  .  .  "Street 
Angel"  set  the  best  mark  at  the  big  Roxy 
since  "What  Price  Glory"  tugged  176,000 
people  through  the  doors. 

^Wanted:  one  president.  .  .  The  A  M  P  A 
is  looking  for  a  good  live  operating  head.  .  . 
Bruce  Gallup  declined  renomination  and 
Charlie  Barrell  turned  out  to  be  too  busy.  .  . 
Wonder  if  Kennedy  still  has  a  few  spare 
moments. 

^Texas  Guinan  is  to  appear  in  "Queen  of  the 
Underworld,"  according  to  Milton  Strands, 
who  found  her  in  open  daylight  and  dazzled 
her  so  she  just  had  to  sign  up. 

%Jommy  Meighan  is  leaving  the  West  for 
Long  Island.  .  .  Tommy's  latest  effort,  "The 
Racket,"  was  a  great  hit  and  nothing  could 
please  everybody  more. 

^Hy  Daab  has  knocked  off  a  new  play  in 
collaboration  with  Ted  Paramore,  Jr.  .  .  It's 
called  "Ringside"  and  seems  to  look  and 
sound  pretty  swell. 

^Dick  Rowland's  plans  have  got  a  lot  of  the 
boys  buzzing.  .  .  He's  been  asked  to  stay  with 
First  National,  as  readers  of  this  journal 
knew  many  weeks  ago,  but  is  still  more  in- 
terested in  going  fishing  than  anything  else. 
PETER  VISCHER 


Jean  Darnell  in  New  York 

NEW    YORK.— Jean    Darnell,  general  exploitation 

chief    of   the    Capitol    theatre    of  Dallas,  Texas,    has 

just    arrived    in    New    York    to  spend  her    annual 
vacation. 


A  Lady  Divine  Out  of  History 


TTIRST  NA- 
r  TIONAL  has 
taken  the  biograph- 
ical novel  by  E. 
Barrington,  "The 
Divine  Lady,"  and 
made  a  special  out 
of  it,  with  Corinne 
GriflSth  in  the  title 
role.  Three  scenes 
from  the  picture, 
which  was  directed 
by  Frank  Lloyd,  are 
presented  here. 


On  hoard 
Lord  Nelson's 
Flagship, 
"The  Victory" — 
Dropping  anchor. 


Above:     Tragedy  boards  "The  Victory"  to  stalk  the  divine  lady. 

Below:     The  first  shot  is  fired  in  the  great  battle  of  Trafalgar. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Credit  Committees  Are  Vital 
To  Industry,  Government  Told 


Machine  Always  Wins, 
Is  Synchronism  Verdict 

"The  musicians  as  organized  in 
labor  are  seeking  to  obstruct  the  use 
of  the  Movietone  and  other  tone  and 
sound  producing  devices  which  are 
being  developed  and  used  in  connec- 
tion with  the  showing  of  moving  pic- 
tures," the  Chicago  "Tribune"  said 
editorially   last   week. 

"It  is  the  age  old  struggle  between 
the  man  and  the  machine  which  the 
machine  has  always  won.  Labor  for 
the  most  part  recognizes  that  vir- 
tually nothing  can  be  attained  by 
Bghting  the  machine,  and  much  can 
be  lost  if  intelligent  perception  does 
not  suggest  the  necessary  adjust- 
ments to  new  conditions.  If  they 
are  undertaken  in  time  there  is  a 
labor  makeover  which  does  not  en- 
tail much  distress.  A  delayed  ad- 
justment sometimes  does  mean  seri- 
ous disturbance  of  living  conditions. 
The  rule  is  that  the  machine  wins 
and  in  that  is  onS  reason  for  general 
American  success." 


M  P  T  O  Protest  May 
Lead  to  Death  of  Film 
Board  Protection  Plan 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  24.— The  resolu-' 
tion  of  the  M  P  T  O  Kansas-Missouri,  pro- 
testing the  protection  zonin'^  plan  of  the 
Kansas  City  film  board  submitted  recently, 
is  not  a  matter  for  the  board  to  handle  but 
up  to  the  individual  exchanges,  Harry 
Taylor,  president  of  the  board,  has  de- 
clared. It  is  believed  that  therefore  the 
protection  plan,  upon  which  much  time  was 
spent,  is  due  for  a  natural  death. 

Points  brought  out  in  the  exhibitors' 
resolution  alleged  that  no  protection  plan 
could  be  worked  out  which  would  prove 
fair  to  all  theatres. 


World  Tax  Free  Music  List 
Prepared  by  New  Company 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— A  music  library 
for  film  scoring  which  will  be  proof  against 
foreign  copyright  restrictions  is  to  be  of- 
fered producers  under  plans  of  the  new 
World  Wide  Music  Corporation,  headed  by 
Irving  Mills.  World  Wide  also  is  prepar- 
ing  to   do    scoring    and    synchronizing. 

$1.62  and  Half  Dividend^ 
Is  Declared  by  Loew's 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— A  quarterly  divi- 
dend of  $1.62^  per  share  was  declared  on 
the  outstanding  $6.50  cumulative  preferred 
stock  of  Loew's,  Inc.,  payable  August  15 
to  preferred  stockholders  of  record  on  July 
28,  at  a  meeting  of  directors  July  2. 

American  Theatre  Robbed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TERRA       HAUTE,      July      24.— Yeggs 
robbed  the  safe  of  the  American  theatre  of 
about  $150,  according  to  Seiber  R.  Nichol- 
son,  manager. 


3,000  Theatres  Change  Hands 
In  Year,  Film  Boards  Declare 

No  Exhibitor  Has  Cause  to  Object  Unless  Dishonest,  Is 

Answer  to  Federal  Suit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24. — No  exhibitor  has  cause  to  object  to  the  credit  com- 
mittee system  and  its  regulations  unless  he  is  seeking  a  dishonest  advantage 
or  trying  to  cover  up  a  fraudulent  transfer  or  bad  financial  condition,  the  32 
Film  Boards  of  Trade  and  11  co-defendants  declared  Friday  in  answer  to  the 
Government  suit  under  the  Sherman  anti-trust  law. 

Committees  Declared  Necessary 

The  credit  committees  and  their  confidential  reports  are  reasonable  and 
necessary,  according  to  the  answer,  which  was  filed  in  the  U.  S.  district  court 
for  Southern  New  York.     The  Government  suit  was  started  April  27. 


The  answer  was  signed  by  George  W. 
Wickersham  and  Edwin  P.  Grosvenor,  of 
Cadwalader,  Wickersham  and  Taft,  counsel 
for  the  defendants,  and  Gabriel  L.  Hess  and 
Charles  C.  Pettijohn,  general  attorney  and 
general  counsel  repectively  for  the  Film 
Boards  of  Trade. 

3,000  Change  Hands  Yearly- 
It  was  set  forth  that  there  are  3,000 
changes  of  ownership  a  year  among  22,000 
film  theatres,  requiring  definite  data  be 
available  to  distributors  regarding  reliabil- 
ity of  new  owners  and  details  of  the  trans- 
fers. It  was  stated  that  $8,081,000  of  out- 
standing uncompleted  contracts  were  in- 
volved last  year  when  3,950  theatres 
changed  hands. 

"When  a  distributor  signs  a  contract  with 
an  exhibitor,"  says  the  answer,  "for  pic- 
tures which  are  to  be  delivered  in  the  fu- 
ture the  distributor  in  fact  advances  a  form 
of  credit  to  the  exhibitor,  because  after 
the  contract  is  executed  the  distributor  is 
prevented  from  contracting  with  a  neigh- 
boring or  competing  theatre  for  the  same 
run  of  the  same  picture.  He  is  precluded 
by  the  terms  of  the  contract  from  doing 
so. 

Total   Rental   Held  Form   of  Credit 

During  the  life  of  the  contract  the  dis- 
tributor agrees  to  give  the  exhibitor  "pro- 
tection" for  the  period  specified  in  the  con- 
tract against  the  exhibition  of  any  of  the 
photoplays  named  in  the  contract  at  thea- 
tres in  the  immediate  neighborhood  or 
vicinity  of  exhibitor's  theatre.  If  the  ex- 
hibitor later  rep'udiates  the  contract  the  dis- 
tributor will  not  be  able  to  place  the  pic- 
tures in  that  vicinity  for  the  reason  that 
the   competing   theatres  will   be   completely 


booked  with  other  pictures.  Therefore  the 
total  amount  of  rental  involved  in  the  aver- 
age contract  for  20  to  60  pictures,  which 
represents  the  entire  earning  power  in  that 
particular  neighborhood  of  all  the  pictures 
named  in  the  contract,  is  a  form  of  credit 
which  the  distributor  has  given  the  exhibi- 
tor and  the  distributor  acts  in  reliance  on 
that  credit. 

"As  nearly  all  contracts  are  concluded  in 
the  spring  or  early  summer  of  each  year 
and  cover  pictures  to  be  released  at  regu- 
lar intervals  during  the  year  beginning  the 
following  fall,  there  are  comparatively  few 
cases  of  the  transfer  of  a  theatre  in  which 
there  are  not  outstanding  uncompleted  con- 
tracts at  the  time  of  the  change  in  the 
ownership  of  the  theatre." 

Fraudulent  Moves  Cited 

Regarding  the  purposes  of  the  credit  com- 
mittees   the    answer    says: 

"No  exhibitor  except  one  looking  for  an 
unfair  or  dishonest  adventage,  or  with  a 
bad  financial  condition  or  a  fraudulent 
transfer  to  conceal,  has  cause  to  object  to 
the    rules  and   regulations. 

"In  the  course  of  each  year  there  are 
numerous  transfers  of  theatres  made  for 
the  purpose  of  avoiding  existing  contracts. 
An  improvident  or  unscrupulous  exhibitor 
finds  he  has  signed  contracts  for  more  pic- 
tures than  he  has  available  playdates  in 
the  season  within  which  to  show  them ;  or 
decides  that  there  are  other  pictures  more 
desirable  than  those  he  has  contracted  for. 
Instead  of  negotiating  an  honest  settlement 
or  adjustment  of  his  contracts  he  sells  or 
transfers  the  theatre  to  a  relation  or  dummy 
who  notifies  the  distributors  that  he  has 
acquired  the  theatre  and  thereupon  solicits 

(Continued  on  page  58) 


Pettijohn  Promises  Early  Analysis  of 

Chase-Hudson  Bill  to  Bridle  Industry 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24. — An  analysis'  of  the  Canon  Chase-Hudson  bill,  latest  of 
the  legislative  proposals  to  inject  government  bureaucracy  into  the  motion  pic- 
ture business,  is  being  prepared  and  will  be  ready  for  the  press  and  Aim  boards  in 
about  two  weeks,  according  to  C.  C.  Pettijohn,  general  counsel  for  the  Film  Boards 
of  Trade. 

"The  policy  of  the  industry,"  Pettijohn  states,  "is  to  meet  such  attempts  at 
destroying  the  business  by  the  simple  process  of  getting  before  the  legislative 
authorities,  in  open  committee,  the  true  facts  in  regard  to  our  present  operation 
and  what  would  happen  under  the  various  panaceas  proposed.  We  did  this  in  the 
case  of  the  Brookhart  bill — frankly,  sincerely  and  vigorously.     It  was  sufficient. 

"We  will  continue  to  prepare  and  release,  well  in  advance  of  the  time  for  action, 
analyses  in  plain  English  of  the  effects  of  all  important  legislative  proposals." 


f^m 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Pathe  Launching  National  Ad  Drive 
On  ^^King  of  Kings^^  in  Fall 

Advertisements  in  Magazines  and  Newspapers  Will  Carry  Names  and  Lo- 
cations of  Theatres  and  Time  of  Showing 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW    YORK,   July   24. — A   $75,000  national   advertising  campaign    in    a 
large    group    of    general    magazines    and    leading   newspapers,    will    be 
launched  this  fall  for  "The  King  of  Kings"  by  Pathe  in  a  comprehen- 
sive application  of  consumer  advertising  simultaneous  with  distribution. 

Fenray  and  the  Elzane.  The  two  theatres 
were  opened  last  Sunday  for  the  first  time 
following  a  newspaper  advertisement  that 
the  managers  are  "convinced  that,  by  oper- 
ating our  theatres  on  Sundays,  we  will  not 
only  be  complying  with  the  desires  of  a 
majority  of  the  people  of  Martins  Ferry 
and  vicinity,  thereby  rendering  them  a  real 
service,  but  will  also  directly  benefit  the 
merchants  of  Martins  Ferry." 

At  Ashland  the  theatres  have  initiated  a 
referendum,  to  be  voted  on  August  14.  This 
campaign  is  sponsored  by  the  Ashland  The- 
atre Owners'  Association,  of  which  Fred 
Edwards  is  chairman  and  Harry  Carl  sec- 
retary. 


The  Cecil  B.  DeMille  production  will 
show  in  500  theatres  the  first  two  weeks 
in  October,  says  Pathe,  and  the  advertis- 
ing campaign  will  open  just  before  the  re- 
lease date.  Two-page  spreads  will  run  in 
the  Saturday  Evening  Post,  Collier's,  Pho- 
toplay, A'lotion  Picture  Magazine,  Motion 
Picture  Classic,  Picture  Play,  Screenland, 
and  Film  Fun.  There  will  also  be  full 
page  ads  in  the  Chicago  Tribune  and  the 
Chicago   American. 

Expect  19,000,000  to  See  Ads 
Nineteen  million  persons  will  see  the  ad- 
vertisements, Pathe  declares,  citing  a  6,000,- 
000  combined  circulation  of  the  magazines 
alone,  and  basing  the  estimate  on  the  the- 
ory of  the  readers   to  a  magazine. 

Direct  tieups  will  be  effected  under  the 
plan  by  including  in  the  advertisements  the 
names  of  the  theatres,  their  locations  and 
the  time  of  showing.  The  advertising  will 
appear  in  the  September  29th  issues  of  the 
Saturday  Evening  Post  and  Collier's,  in 
the  October  Photoplay  and  in  the  Novem- 
ber issues  of  the  other  monthly  magazines. 
Issue  dates  of  these  are  very  close. 

Pathe  sees  one  important  solution  of  the 
problem  achieved  in  obtaining  a  sufficient 
number  of  first  runs  so  located  as  to  meet 
the  public  demand  in  all  sections  and  so  to 
direct  the  public  to  specific  theatres  at  a 
specific  time.  Furthermore,  the  picture  has 
had  a  large  amount  of  national  publicity  in 
nearly   two   years   of  roadshowing. 

Spreads  Adopted  as  Dominating 

Two-page  spreads  were  decided  upon, 
Pathe  explains,  because  they  dominate  in 
attracting  attention,  and  particularly  in  the 
Saturday  Evening  Post  and  Collier's  pre- 
clude so-called  "competitive"  advertising, 
because  of  being  entertainment  projected 
against  the  editorial  backgrounds  of  the 
publications  and  the  religious  training  of 
the    readers. 

Phil  Reisman,  general  sales  manager,  has 
directed  months  of  hard  work  by  the  Pathe 
sales  force  in  preparing  for  this  concentra- 
tion of  advertising  and  exhibition,  with  the- 
atre owners  also  planning  to  increase  their 
local  advertising.  The  entire  campaign  is 
under  the  direction  of  John  C.  Flinn,  vice- 
president. 

"Magazine  advertising  for  motion  pic- 
tures has  for  years  presented  an  interest- 
ing and  difficult  problem  owing  to  the  ques- 
tion of  adequate  distribution  and  timeli- 
ness," said  a  high  executive  of  one  of  the 
large  magazines.  "We  believe  that  Pathe 
has  solved  the  problem." 

Pathe  has  mailed  broadsides  to  every 
Pathe  employe  in  the  field  and  Collier's 
has  sent  a  similar  broadside  to  4,000  ex- 
hibitors. 


Two  Ohio  Cities  Start 
Drive  for  Sunday  Show; 
Referendum  in  Ashland 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  July  24.— A  Campaign  to 
open  motion  picture  houses  in  Martins 
Ferry  on  Sundays  has  been  inaugurated  by 
the    Fenray    Photoplay    Co.,    operating    the 


Funeral  Services  for 
Ellen  Terry  Observed 
In  Tiny  English  Town 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LONDON,  July  24. — Funeral  services 
were  to  be  conducted  today  at  the  little 
church  of  Small  Hythe  for  Ellen  Terry, 
beloved  actress  of  stage  and  screen,  who 
died  Saturday  morning  at  80  years  in  the 
farmhouse  which  was  her  home. 


"The    one    great    light 
speaking    stage    has    gone 
Barrymore    in    New    York, 
death   of  Dame  Ellen   Ter 
ers  of  the  American  stage 
selves  similarly. 

"All    that    she    did    was 
clared    Arthur    Brisbane, 
writer.      "She    represented 
resoecting  womanhood  on 
private  life." 


on  the  English 
out,"  said  Ethel 
learning  of  the 
ry.  Other  lead- 
expressed  them- 

well    done,"    de- 
Hearst    editorial 
admirably    self- 
the  stage  and  in 


West  Coast  Has  First  Call 
On  Films  of  Six  Producers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  24.— West  Coast 
Theatres  now  has  first  call  on  the  product 
of  six  leading  producers,  President  Harold 
B.  Franklin  announced  on  his  return  from 
New  York  with  J.  J.  Sullivan,  chief  buyer 
for  the  circuit. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  a  number  of 
productions  from  Fox,  Paramount  and 
M  G  M,  while  the  chain  also  has  first  selec- 
tion on  pictures  from  Warner  Brothers, 
First   National   and   Pathe. 


David  Seymour  Dead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,     July     24. — Exhibitors     were 

shocked  last  week  in  learning  of  the  death 

of  David  Seymour,  manager  and  part  owner 

of    the    Pontiac    at    Saranac    Lake,    N.    Y. 


Represents  Pickford 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Otto  B.  Man- 
tell,  formerly  United  Artists  branch  man- 
ager at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  has  been 
named  Eastern  business  representative  for 
Mary  Pickford  and  has  returned  from 
abroad. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

CAPITOL — "Forbidden  Hours,"  a  new  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  film  starring  Ramon  Novarro. 
Harry  Beaumont  directed. 

PARAMOUNT — "Hot  News,'  a  new  Paramount 
picture  starring  Bebe  Daniels.  Clarence  Badger 
directed. 

GAIETY.^"Lost  in  the  Arctic,"  a  film  record  of 
the  expedition  of  Sidney  Snow  and  his  father,  the 
late  H.  A.   Snow,  to  the  Far  North. 

HIPPODROME— "United  States  Smith,"  a  Gotham 
production. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

CRITERION— "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  Au- 
gust  12,   1927. 

EMBASSY — "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May  17,  1928. 

GAIETY — "Fazil,"   Fox,   opened   June   5. 

WARNERS— "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers,   opened  June    IS. 

GLOBE— "The  Red  Dance,"   Fox,  opened  June  25. 

STRAND— "The  Lights  of  New  York,"  a  Warner 
Brothers   all-talking  picture,   opened   July   6. 

ROXY — "Street    Angel,"    Fox,    revived    July    14. 

RIVOLI — -"Warming  Up,"  Paramount,  started  July 
14   at   Paramount. 

RIALTO — ^"The  Racket,"  Paramount,  with  Thomas 
Meighan   and  Louis   Wolheim,   revived. 

CAMEO — "Hunting  Big  Game  in  Africa,"  Capt. 
H.    A.    Snow's  jungle   picture,   revived. 

55TH  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "The  Strong 
Man,"  with  Harry  Langdon,  and  "The  Love  Pirate," 
with  Paul  Richter,  revived. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "Ways  to 
Strength  and  Beauty,"  UFA  physical  culture 
film,  revived. 


Texas  MPT  O  Adds  17 
New  Members  in  Drive 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DALLAS,  July  24.— The  M  P  T  O  of 
Texas  announces  the  acquisition  of  17  new 
members  in  the  drive  now  being  conducted 
to  increase  the  membership.  The  new 
members  are: 

J.  C.  T.  Wilburn,  Sunset,  Ladonia;  O.  H.  Minnis, 
Dixie,  McGregor;  Oiakes  &  Walters,  Ritz,  Valley 
Mills;  M.  J.  Caraway,  Cliftex,  Clifton;  O.  A.  Engle- 
brecht,  Palace,  Georgetown ;  Jim  Tobola,  B  -»t, 
West;  M.  R.  Williams,  Texon,  Texon ;  J.  S.  Wall, 
Palace,  Brady ;  George  Shaw,  Lantex,  Llano ;  W.  W. 
McNatt,  Lyric,  Lometa;  Will  Pence,  Dixie,  Goldth- 
waite;  Keeling  Bros.,  Queen,  Santa  Anna;  Heniy 
Reeve,  Mission,  Menard;  Majestic,  San  Saba;  L.  B. 
Brown,  Regal,  Gatesville ;  H.  Taylor,  Kitz,  San  Saba 
and   L.   M.   Dunlap,   Palace,   Meridian. 

So  far,  district  No.  13,  of  which  Lee 
Walker  of  Lampasas,  is  chairman,  is  lead- 
ing the  field  with  nine  new  memberships. 
The  drive  is  progressing  well,  according  to 
Bill  Cole,  president  of  the  organization. 
W.  S.  Waid,  manager,  is  in  the  field  at  the 
present  time. 


Emelka  Report,  Minus 
Big  Deals,  Shows  Profit 

(Washington  Bureau  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  July  24.— Emelka's  fi- 
nancial statement,  just  issued,  shows  a 
profit  of  320,644  marks,  after  deducting  145,- 
772  marks  amortizations,  including  the 
amount  carried  over  from  last  year,  accord- 
ing to  a  report  to  the  department  of  com- 
merce. The  report  points  out,  however, 
that  the  statement  is  of  historical  inter- 
est only,  since  it  does  not  account  for  the 
sale  of  Sudfilm  shares  to  British  Interna- 
tional, nor  for  the  purchase  of  Phoebus. 
The  company  acquired  all  the  Sudfilm  thea- 
tres. 

The  statement,  moreover,  shows  a  capital 
of  only  three  million  marks,  while  since 
then  the  capital  has  been  increased  to  five 
millions,    the    report    declares. 


Signs  Buck  Jones  Films 

Territorial  rights  in  Southern  Illinois  and 
Eastern  Missouri  for  all  Buck  Jones  pic- 
tures have  been  acquired  by  Nat  Steinberg 
and  Tom  Tobin  of  Premier  Pictures  Cor- 
poration, St.  Louis. 


Jiilv  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Death  Closes  Quest 
Of  Ward  Crane  for 
Health  in  Mountains 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  July  24.— Ward  Crane,  well 
known  screen  actor,  died  Saturday  morning 
at  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  following  an  illness 
of  about  four  weeks.  Funeral  services  were 
held  here  yesterday. 

Crane  had  gone  to  the  Adirondacks  from 
Hollywood  a  few  weeks  ago  in  the  hopes  of 
regaining  his  health.  For  a  time  there 
appeared  to  be  an  improvement,  but  pneu- 
monia developed  last  week  and  death  soon 
followed.  His  father,  a  resident  of  Thiskity, 
was  with  his  son  at  the  time  of  death.  Crane 
was  37  years  old. 

Crane  was  born  in  this  city.  He  served 
as  private  secretary  to  Governor  Sulzer  and 
later  joined  the  Navy,  serving  during  the 
World  war  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  His 
entry  into  the  motion  picture  field  came  almost 
immediately  after  his  discharge,  a  position 
being  offered  him  by  Allan  Dwan,  the  director 

Crane  spent  a  portion  of  last  summer  at 
Jack  Dempsey's  training  camp  at  Saratoga 
Lake  and  was  one  of  Dempsey's  closest 
friends.  He  made  a  personal  appearance  at 
the  Leland  theatre  here  at  the  time,  in  con- 
nection with  one  of  the  Corinne  Griffith's 
pictures,  in  which  he  appeared  opposite  the 
star. 


Union  Fights  Sound 
Films  to  Save  Good 
Music,  He  Declares 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  24.— Opposition  to 
mechanical  music  in  theatres,  declared  here  by 
the  local  musicians'  union,  is  based  on  the 
desire  to  prevent  "something  being  slipped 
over  on  the  theatre  patron,"  according  to  John 
Colaprete,  president. 

"It  is  a  'creeping  adulteration'  of  music 
that  we  are  warning  again?t,"  he  said. 

Colaprete  also  pointed  out  the  desirability 
of  musicians  spending,  salaries  locally,  instead 
of  patrons  giving  money  for  musicians  in  dis- 
tant communities.     Continuing,  he  said  : 

"The  movie  business  has  done  much  to  fos- 
ter appreciation  of  good  music.  Now  it  is 
proposed  to  destroy  this  musical  advance. 

"If  the  public  wants  its  music  in  this  form, 
it  will  get  it.  It  may  enjoy  synchronization 
as  a  new  toy,  but  if  it  is  not  alert  to  the  con- 
sequences it  may  find  later  that  the  toy  has 
become  the  substitute  for  good  music." 


Projectionists*  Walkout 
In  Oklahoma  Is  Averted 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OKLAHOMA  CITY,  July  24.— A  walk- 
out of  all  projectionists  at  the  Capital  and 
Liberty  theatres  was  averted  at  a  confer- 
ence with  managers  after  the  union  had 
demanded  that  two  men  be  employed  to 
operate  talking  machines.  The  theatre 
managers  won  the  right  to  use  as  many  or 
as  few  men  in  the  booths  as  they  found 
necessary. 

Kansas  City  Exchange  to 
Handle  Fox  Sound  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  24.— Synchronized 
prints,  vaudeville  acts  and  Movietone  News 
will  be  distributed  in  the  Kansas  City  ter- 
ritory through  the  local  Fox  exchange  in- 
stead of  through  New  York,  it  was  an- 
nounced   here. 


M  P  T  O  A  Pushing  Plans  For 
Toronto  Convention  Oct.  16-18 


Canadian    Theatre    Owners    and    Civic 
National  Body  Rousing  Welcome- 


Bodies    Prepare    to 
-WoodhuU,  O'Toole 


Give 


and  Brady  Arrange  for  Gathering 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24. — -Arrangements  are  being-  pushed  for  the  1928  con- 
vention of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  now  that  it  has  been  decided  to  hold  the  a;in,ual 
meeting  at  Toronto  on  October  16,  17  and  18.  Canadian  theatre  owners  and 
civic  bodies  are  wheeling  into  action  to  make  the  gatheririg  an  outstanding 
event. 

WoodhuU  Meets  with  Brady 

Decision  to  conduct  the  three-day  conference  in  Canada,  following  the  cor- 
dial invitation  brought  to  the  convention  last  year  at  the  Coluiiibiis  convenT 
tion,  was  made  at  a  meeting  last  week  at  the  King  Edward  hotel  in  Toronto. 
Representing  the  New  York  office  was  President  R.  F.  WoodhuU  and  M.  J. 
O'Toole,  executive  secretary.  Representing  the  Canadian  exhibitors  were  J.  C. 
Brady,  regional  vice-president,  who  also  is  president  of  the  Canadian  organi- 
zation, and  several  other  leaders  of  Dominion  theatre  owners. 

The  vote  of  the  national  board  of  directors       Jules    Michael,    William    James    and    Nathan 
was  practically  unanimous  for  Toronto.    Other      Yamins. 
cities  considered  were  Philadelphia,  St.  Louis,  Members  of  the  national  board  of  directors 


Sound — This  Season 

"Current  developments  indicate  that  exhibitors,  in  negotiating  for  film  for  the 
coming  season,  are  in  an  exceedingly  trying  position.  .  .  .  They  are  apprehensive 
about  contracting  for  pictures  without  sound,  yet  they  must  realize  that — " 

Read  MARTIN  J.  QUIGLEY,  page  16. 


Detroit  and  Buffalo.  The  decision  to  hold  the 
convention  in  Toronto  was  arrived  at  largely 
because  of  the  insistence  of  Canadian  theatre 
owners,  led  by  Brady,  supplemented  by  the 
direct  efforts  of  the  mayor  of  Toronto,  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  other  civic  and  fraternal 
bodies  in  that  city.  The  matter  of  selecting  a 
place  for  the  convention  was  left  to  the  direc- 
tors at  Columbus,  with  the  implied  under- 
standing that  Toronto  was  to  be  given  very 
favorable  consideration. 

Special  Entertainment  in  Line 

Arrangements  were  perfected  in  Toronto 
whereby  the  Canadian  theatre  owners  will  join 
forces  with  other  motion  picture  interests 
there  and  also  with  the  official  and  civic  bodies 
to  make  this  convention  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant meetings;  of  the  present  year  in  that 
city. 

Special  lines  of  entertainment  will  be  pro- 
vided and  every  effort  exerted  to  add  to  the 
dignity  and  usefulness  of  the  gathering.  The 
special  convention  committee  of  the  national 
organization  consists  of  the  administrative 
committee  members,  as  follows :  L.  M.  Sagal, 
M.  E.  Comerford,  J.  W.  Walsh,  Jack  Miller, 


and  national  executive  committee  are  also 
auxiliary  members  of  this  convention  commit- 
tee, and  will  have  charge  of  the  work  of 
making  arrangements  in  their  various  locali- 
ties. 


Walker  Puerile  in 
Political  Warning, 
Says  Peoria  Paper 

The  Peoria,  111.,  Transcript  last  week  com- 
mented editorially  on  the  remarks  of  Mayor 
James  Walker  of  New  York  to  the  motion 
picture  industry,  as  follows : 

"The  somewhat  cryptic  warning  of  the 
movie  industry  by  Mayor  Jimmy  Walker  of 
New  York  City,  that  they  had  better  be  care- 
ful to  avoid  partisan  politics  will  not  surprise 
the  worldly-wise  observer  of  politics  and  in- 
dustry. At  the  same  time,  the  little  mayor 
of  the  big  city,  was  rather  puerile  in  his  state- 
ments, since,  he  offered  no  evidence  in  support 
of  what  is  obviously  nothing  but  a  suspicion." 


Take  Air  Ride  First, 
Then  Enjoy  the  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KENOSHA,  WIS.,  July  24.— Quite 
a  novel  service  to  picture  patrons 
has  been  inaugurated  by  the  Kenosha 
theatre.  This  house  is  offering  free 
airplane  Sights  to  patrons,  and  has 
arranged  with  Lieutenant  Hart 
Smith,  a  licensed  pilot,  to  conduct 
the  Bights  until  Labor  Day. 

This  service  is  absolutely  free  to 
patrons.  Anyone  wishing  to  take  a 
Sight  has  only  to  apply  at  the  box 
office  and  then  he  will  be  notiSed 
when  he  will  be  taken  up.  This  serv- 
ice is  probably  the  £rst  of  its  kind 
offered  by  any  theatre  in  the  coun- 
try. 


Terry  Ramsaye  Named 
Editor-in-Chief  of  Films 
Made  in  East  by  Pathe 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Terry  Ramsaye, 
editor  of  Pathe  Review,  was  appointed  editor- 
in-chief  of  Eastern  productions  today  by 
Colvin  W.  Brown  executive  vice-president  of 
Pathe.  His  editorial  jurisdiction  will  apply 
to  all  nondramatic  subjects  issued  by  Pathe. 


Mineola  Reopens  August  8 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MINEOLA,  L.  I.,  July  24.— The  Mineola 
theatre  has  been  taken  over  by  the  Mineola 
Theatre  Corporation  from  the  Calderone 
Circuit  of  Hempstead  and  will  reopen  Au- 
gust 8.  Ralph  W.  Latham,  president  of 
the  corporation,  is  managing  director  and 
Bennett    Brandon   manager. 


HH 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


J.  J.  McCarthy,  Roadshow  Wizctrd, 
Joins  Fox  as  B*  O*  Expert 

Will  Help  Carry  Out  Sheehans  $100,000,000  Five-Year  Program  With 
Headquarters  at  Studios  in  Hollywood 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— J.  J.  McCarthy  has  joined  Fox.  Signing  of  the 
veteran  showman  and  newspaperman,  credited  with  originating  and 
developing  the  roadshow  policy  for  exhibition  of  motion  pictures,  is 
another  tenstrike  for  William  Fox.  He  will  be  box  office  expert  for  Fox 
Films  from  a  production  viewpoint. 

Fifteen  years  of  experience  in  selecting  pic- 
tures he  regards  as  roadshow  timber,  and 
from  the  studios  of  several  producers,  have 
given  McCarthy  a  premier  fitness  for  his  new 
position  of  judging  boxoffice  futures  of  Fox 
productions.  The  millions  of  dollars  taken  in 
at  the  boxoffices  of  so  called  legitimate  thea- 
tres throughout  the  world  with  $2  film  attrac- 
tions sponsored  by  McCarthy  are  proof  of  his 
judgment. 

Will  Help  in  $100,000,000  Program 

With  Fox  production  activities  doubled  due 
to  Movietone  projects,  McCarthy  joins  a  staff 
of  showmen,  players  and  playwrights  newly 
organized  by  Winfield  Sheehan  to  carry  out 
Fox's  $100,000,000  production  program  over  a 
period  covering  the  next  five  years. 

McCarthy  launched  the  first  road  show  pro- 
duction when  he  took  over  "Cabiria"  in  Phila- 
delphia, billed  it  like  a  circus  with  more  paper 
and  newspaper  ad  space  than  the  business  had 
ever  dreamed  it  would  use — and  cleaned  up. 
In  1905  McCarthy  joined  George  Brennan, 
■who  produced  Thomas  Dixon's  "The  Clans- 
man." He  was  the  first  to  see  the  motion 
picture  possibilities  of  this  play. 

Sells  Roadshow  Idea 

When  D.  W.  Griffith  made  the  picturization, 
calling  it  "The  Birth  of  a  Nation,"  McCarthy 
pointed  out  the  roadshow  possibilities  of  this 
production.  He  "sold"  the  roadshow  idea, 
despite  the  fact  that  Griffith  and  Dixon  then 
thought  it  suicide.  He  took  over  the  road- 
showing  of  the  picture  and  made  film  history. 

Since  then  he  has  handled  nearly  every  big 
film  that  has  enjoyed  success  as  a  roadshow, 
among  them  being  most  of  the  D.  W.  Griffith 
specials,  as  well  as  "The  Covered  Wagon," 
"The  Ten  Commandments,"  "The  Big  Pa- 
rade" and  "Ben  Hur." 

McCarthy  will  make  his  headquarters  at  the 
Fox  studio  in  Hollywood. 


Movietone  picture  films,  though,  as  above  noted,  they 
are  a  species  of  picture  films  unknown  at  the  time  of 
the  enactment  of  these  sections  of  the  General  Code. 

"I  am  of  the  opinion,  therefore,  that  the  board  of 
censors  has  the  same  right  to  censor  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  picture  films  and,  if  necessary,  order  the 
elimination  of  objectionable  matter,  either  seen  or 
heard,  that  it  has  with  respect  to  ordinary  picture 
films;  and  that  it  may  wholly  reject  such  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  films  in  proper  cases. 

"As  the  authority  of  the  board  of  censors  to  censor 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  picture  films  carries  with'  it 
the  authority  to  adopt  and  use  reasonable  means  to 
that  end,  said  board  may  require  the  exhibitor  to  fur- 
nish continuity  sheets  showing  the  words,  whether 
spoken  or  sung,  which  are  reproduced  as  a  part  of  the 
picture  and  explanatory  of  or  otherwise  characterizing 
the  same,  in  all  cases  where  it  is  practicable  to  do  so. 
It  is  to  be  recognized,  of  course,  that  some  sounds 
which  are  picked  up  and  reproduced  by  the  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  might  be  of  such  a  vagrant  and  inde- 
scribable character  that  the  same  could  not  be  por- 
trayed by  words.  With  respect  to  sound  of  this  kind, 
it,  of  course  would  not  be  practical  to  furnish  con- 
tinuity sheets. 

"As  in  ordinary  picture  films,  the  board  of  censors 
in  censoring  the  same  causes  the  motion  picture  film 
to  be  projected  as  it  is  and  thus  determines  upon  the 
existence  or  non-existence  of  objectionable  matter 
visible  to  the  examining  board,  so  in  the  matter  of 
censoring  the  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  picture  films 
the  board  of  censors  is  authorized  to  make  provisions 
for  the  projection  and  reproduction  of  such  films  and 
thus  determine  the  existence  or  non-existence  of 
objectionable  matter,  whether  the  same  be  seen  or 
heard.  The  authority  of  the  board  of  censors  to  ex- 
amine and  censor  picture  films  of  the  kind  here  in 
question,  authorizes  the  department  to  procure  such 
appliances  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  and,  if 
the  censorship  of  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  picture 
films  requires  the  procurement  and  installation  of 
appliances  and  facilities  for  this  purpose,  the  same 
should  be  obtained  as  soon  as  money  is  available 
therefor." 


Ohio  Decision  2nd 
to  Declare  Spoken 
Words  Censorable 

^pecial  to  the  Herald-World) 
COLUMEUS,  O.,  July  24.— Another  ruling 
that  the  dialogue  in  sound  pictures  may  be 
censored  as  well  as  the  action  itself,  was 
handed  down  in  Ohio  by  Attorney  General 
Turner.  This  decision  follows  that  of  Judge 
Martin  in  Philadelphia,  who  upheld  the  censor 
board  of  Pennsylvania  in  rejecting  spoken 
lines  in  a  picture  submitted  by  Vitagraph. 
Like  the  Pennsylvania  ruling,  the  Ohio  de- 
cision, made  in  response  to  an  inquiry  by  J.  L. 
Clifton,  director  of  education,  interprets  the 
law  as  applying  to  the  entire  production,  and 
if  sound  features  are  now  introduced,  these 
are  included  in  the  production.  Attorney 
General   Turner   said: 

"It  is  obvious  that  what  is  heard  by  the  public  in 
the  reproduction  of  the  words  or  other  sounds  in 
connection  with  the  projection  of  a  Vitaphone  picture 
show  or  a  Movietone  picture  show  may  be  clearly 
within  the  mischief  which  occasioned  the  enactment 
of  the  censorship  law  as  the  scenic  action  or  explana- 
tory words  made  visible  to  the  eye  in  the  projection 
af  the  ordinary  moving  picture.  In  this  view  there  is 
no  reason  to  doubt  the  application  of  the  pertinent 
provisions  of  sections  871-48  and  871-49,  General 
Code,    with    respect    to    Vitaphone    picture    films    and 


Censor  Asks  Film  Heads 
to  Stop  Crime  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DALLAS,  July  24.— Mrs.  Ethel  Boyce, 
Dallas  censor,  has  filed  a  letter  with  New 
York  and  Hollywood  motion  picture  execu- 
tives asking  all  producers  to  desist  in  the 
making  of  films  that  depict  crime.  The 
letter  makes  the  claim  that  Dallas  is  an 
unusual  center  for  theatre  patronage  and 
that  films  in  which  crime  is  featured  are 
distasteful  to  patrons  in  Mrs.  Boyce's 
jurisdiction. 

Mrs.  Boyce  recently  censored  Para- 
mount's  "Partners  in  Crime"  in  Dallas,  but 
is  reconsidering  her  move  now  that  both 
the  Houston,  San  Antonio,  and  Waco 
censors  have  passed  the  picture.  No  action 
was  taken  in  either  of  these  cities  on 
"Ladies  of  the  Mob"  or  "The  Dragnet," 
both   Paramount   "crime'   pictures. 


Daab,  Paramore  Stage 

Play  Believed  Success 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  July  24.— "Ringside,"  the 
stage  play  written  by  Hy  Daab,  advertising 
manager  of  F  B  O,  and  Ted  Paramore,  Jr., 
formerly  with  Hal  Roach,  is  being  hailed  by 
critics  as  a  success,  following  the  opening 
here   for  a   try-out   engagement. 


Vivian  Moses  Signs  Again 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW    YORK,    July    24.— Vivian    Moses 
has  signed  a  new  contract  with  Paramount 
whereunder    he    continues    as    head    of    the 
story    department. 


Warner  Brothers  Adds 
642  Theatre  Accounts; 
Vitaphone  Films  Lead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Sam  E.  Morris, 
general  manager  of  distribution  of  Warner 
Brothers,  states  that  in  the  last  five  weeks, 
the  organization  has  added  542  new  theatre 
accounts  to  its  books.  An  intense  promo- 
tion campaign  is  being  carried  on  direct 
from  the  home  office,  under  the  supervision 
of  A.   C.  Brauninger. 

The  greatest  number  of  dates  are  being 
taken  on  the  Vitaphone  specials,  Al  Jolson 
in  "The  Jazz  Singer,"  Dolores  Costello  in 
"Tenderloin"  and  "Glorious  Betsy,"  May 
McAvoy  and  Lionel  Barrymoore  in  "The 
Lion  and  the  Mouse"  and  the  first  all-talk- 
ing feature,  "Lights  of  New  York." 


Cap 


ra  to  Direct  One  of 
Columbians  Major  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    July    24.— Frank     Capra, 
one    of    the    newer    Columbia    directors,    has 
been  assigned  to  hold  the  megaphone  on  "The 
Younger  Generation," 
which    Columbia  lists 
in   its    group   of    "De 
Luxe  Productions." 

The  story  is  an 
adaptation  of  the 
stage  play  by  Fannie 
Hurst,  "It  Is  to 
Laugh,"  and  accord- 
ing to  Harry  Cohn, 
vice-president  in 
charge  of  production, 
Capra  will  have  great- 
er opportunities  than 
were  offered  him  in 
"That  Certain  Thing" 
and  "The  Matinee 
Idol." 

Capra,  who  formerly  directed  comedies 
starring  Harry  Langdon,  is  also  to  be  as- 
signed other  "De  Luxe"  pictures  on  the 
1928-29  program,  according  to   Cohn. 


Frank    Capra 


PubliXf  Union  to  Argue 
Adding  Men  for  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  ANTONIO,  July  24.— With  the 
installation  of  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  at 
the  Texas  theatre,  the  local  projectionists' 
union  has  asked  for  the  addition  of  two 
men  to  the  present  staff  of  three  in  the 
booth  at  practically  all  times.  John  J. 
Friedl,  district  manager  for  Publix,  has 
come  to  a  temporary  agreement  with  John 
Dennis,  business  agent  of  the  San  Antonio 
local,  whereby  only  one  additional  man  will 
be  used  for  the  present,  until  a  meeting  can 
be  arranged  between  a  representative  of  the 
national  union,  and  Harry  Sherman,  repre- 
senting Publix. 


Edna  PRster  to  Montreal 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  July  24.— Miss  Edna  Pfister, 
secretary  of  the  Albany  Film  Board  of 
Trade,  has  been  transferred  temporarily  to 
Winnipeg  to  instruct  future  secretaries.  In 
her  absence,  the  Albany  board  is  being 
handled  by  Miss  Emmeline  Feinberg  of 
Pittsburgh. 


Laemmle  to  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Carl  Laemmle, 
president  of  Universal,  has  gone  to  Uni- 
versal City,  where  he  will  expedite  the 
filming  of  "Showboat."  Harry  Pollard  is 
to  direct. 


July  28,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


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Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


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Two  matters  having  an  extraordinary  hold  on  the 
public  are  herewith  joined — aviation  and  films, 
which  Buck  Jones  has  astutely  combined  in  his 
first  independent  production,  "The  Big  Hop." 
With  Buck  himself  (at  left)  are  shown  Mrs.  Jones 
and  Dick  Grace,  daring  aviator. 


A  screen  beauty  with  talent 
also  deserving  of  mention — 
Florence  Dudley,  whose 
career  Burton  King  has  fos- 
tered at  the  Metropolitan 
studio. 


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'"^^^    ^^m 

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k 
to 

is               '; 

Marking  the  acquisition  of  Henry  King,  director 
of  "Tol'able  David"  and  others,  by  Inspiration. 
Here  are  John  Boyce'Smith,  vice-president;  Emil 
J.  Jensen,  Eastern  executive;  and  King.  The  di- 
rector's first  production  will  be  an  adaptation  of 
Rupert  Hughes'  novel,  "She  Goes  to  War." 


At  the  Los  Angeles  premiere  of  First  National's 
"Lilac  Time,"  Colleen  Moore,  the  star;  Mayor 
James  Walker  of  New  York;  and  John 
McCormick,  husband  of  the  star  and  her  pro- 
ducer. This  is  a  telephoto  originally  sent  to 
New  York. 


Marjorie  Daw  pictured  some- 
what in  refutation  to  the  irref- 
utable fact  that  she  is  to  play 
opposite  Reed  Howes  in  Edu- 
cational's  "Russ  Farrell"  air 
thrillers. 


Getting  some  action  shots,  perhaps,  of  the  lady 
with  the  torch,  but  more  certainly,  King  Vidor, 
M  G  M  director  (f 'rinstance,  "The  Big  Parade") , 
and  Mrs.  Vidor  (Eleanor  Boardman)  arriving  in 
New  York  harbor  on  the  De  Grasse  after  their 
sojourn  in  Europe. 


..-_, 


24  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

J^imal  ^yisecr adders  or  {^therwise 


July  28,  1928 


Illustrating  what  is  absolutely  not  meant  by  the 
saying,  "Leading  a  dog's  life."  The  patient  is 
Flash;  his  nurse,  Blanche  Le  Clair — and  few  men 
pick  'em  as  well.  Both,  you  see,  are  in  M  G  M's  new 
dog  drama,  "Shadows  of  the  Night,"  directed  by 
Ross  Lederman. 


Above:  Frankie  Darro  comes 
under  consideration  through 
this  bit  of  fisticuffs  with  Anna 
May.  One  can  only  admire 
Frankie's  ambition  to  tackle 
big  things,  yet  if  there's  a 
line  to  be  drawn,  here's  a 
place  to  draw  it.  Anna  sup- 
ports Frankie  in  F  B  O's  "The 
Circus  Kid" — and  well  she 
may! 


Right:  Something  might  be 
done  about  this,  also.  Snook- 
ums  may  thus  be  setting  an 
example  of  courtesy  toward 
our  more  lowly  cousins,  but 
it  looks  like  a  lot  of  monkey 
business  to  us — though  the 
beast  is  really  an  orangoutang 
belonging  to  Universal, 
which  releases  Snookums' 
Stern  Brothers  comedies. 


Horsefeathers;  But  this  collection  needed  a  horse, 
and  having  no  kingdoms  and  because  of  the  auto- 
mobile— well,  this  is  the  best  we  could  do.  Josephine 
Dunn,  William  Haines'  feminine  lead  in  M  G  M's 
"Excess  Baggage,"  is  the  equestrienne. 


A  dapper  simian  and  an  exponent  of  arts  said  to 
be  derived  from  that  species.  Duko's  boy  friend 
at  M  G  M's  Culver  City  studio  is  Buster  Keaton, 
Whose  latest  monkey  shines  are  contained  in 
M  G  M's  "The  Cameraman." 


Another  M  G  M  dog — though  that  is 
unfair  to  Flash.  To  be  fairer  to  Lew 
Cody,  all  this  was  necessary  for  the 
Cody-Pringle  comedy,  "The  Baby 
Cyclone." 


The  largest  egg  laid  at  the  chicken 
ranch  of  Carl  Laemmle,  president  of 
Universal,  and  the  smallest,  displayed 
with  their  respective  contributors  by 
Kathryn  Crawford,  Universal  player. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


]_^ife  as    [ragedy 
l^omedy,  ^yelodrama 


The  tragedy,  telling  a  story  of  striking  sincerity  about  life  in  the  tropics.    It  is  M  G  M  's 

"White  Shadows  of  the  South  Seas."     Both  scenes  presented  here  show  Monte  Blue, 

the  star,   with  one  showing  Raquel  Torres,  the  only  other  player  not  native  to  the 

locale.     Van  Dyke  directed  this  production. 


The  comic  phase  of 
existence  is  represented 
in  the  scenes  shown  at 
left  and  right,  both 
from  Universal's  "How 
to  Handle  Women." 
Surely,  there  is  com- 
edy aplenty  in  this 
tale,  if  the  title  is  ap- 
propriate, for  numer- 
ous attempts  to  ex- 
pound the  principles 
of  woman  taming  are 
recorded  in  history — 
and  all  have  been  very, 
very  funny.  The 
theme,  therefore,  seems 
a  fitting  one  for  the 
roguish  Glenn  Tryon. 
He  is  shown  at  left 
with  Marian  Nixon, 
and  at  right,  with  Bull 
Montana. 


The  melodrama,  which  has  adapted  that  lively  phenomenon  of  so  much  current  inter- 
est, the  big  city  and  its  gangs.     Indeed,  this  F  B  O  production  is  called  "Gang  War," 
and  above  the  title  is  adequately  illustrated  in  a  scene  therefrom.     Olive  Borden  (who 
is  shown  in  the  scene  at  right)  and  Jack  Pickford  are  the  featured  players. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Kwnsky,  Who  Qave  Detroit  Its  First 
ShoWf  Fetes  Chain^s  20th  Year 

Brought  Machine  to  Michigan  Hub  23  Years  Ago  But  Company  Started 
with  Theatre  Roy  ale — 12  Houses  in  Circuit  Now 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 

DETROIT,  July  24. — The  John  H.  Kunsky  Theatrical  Enterprises,  which 
date  back  to  the  real  cradle  days  of  the  motion  picture  industry,  this 
week,  are  celebrating  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  their  founding.  An 
organization  of  20  years  is  not  unusual  in  industrial  corporations,  but  in  the 
motion  picture  business  20  years  covers  nearly  the  life  history  of  the  films.  The 
Kunsky  interests  now  operate  12  theatres  in  Detroit  and  surrounding  suburbs, 
and  the  twentieth  anniversary  was  celebrated  in  all  of  them  with  unusually 
elaborate  programs. 


John    H.    Kunsky 


JOHN  H.  KUNSKY  is  a  native  Detroiter. 
His  first  job  was  a  minor  one  with  Caille 
Brothers,  manufacturers  of  coin  controlled 
machines.  He  even- 
tually became  the 
partner  of  A.  Arthur 
Caille  in  the  opera- 
tion of  the  machines. 
Then  came  the  sum- 
mer of  1905  when 
Kunsky  and  Caille 
heard  of  a  public  hall 
in  the  East  where 
moving  pictures  were 
projected  on  a  sheet. 

The  two  men  went 
East  to  view  the 
marvel,  and  after  hav- 
ing' the  machine 
demonstrated,  they 
purchased  one.    That 

is  how  Detroit  was  given  its  first  motion  pic- 
ture. Kunsky  and  Caille  brought  the  ma- 
chine to  Detroit,  set  it  up  in  a  store  at 
28  Monroe  avenue  and  gave  the  first  exhi- 
bition of  motion  pictures  in  this  part  of  the 
country. 

About  200  seats  were  installed,  and  a 
five-cent  admission  was  charged.  The  new 
"nickel"  theatre  prospered;  incidentally  it 
still  is  in  operation  although  under  differ- 
ent management,  and  a  second  one  of 
larger  capacity  was  opened.  Thus,  Kunsky 
really  should  be  celebrating  his  23d  anni- 
versary in  the  motion  picture  field,  but  it 
was  not  until  1908  that  the  present  com- 
pany was  formed. 

Built  Theatre  Royale  in  1908 

In  that  year,  Kunsky  and  Caille  perceived 
the  possibilities  of  the  new  entertainment 
and  built  the  Theatre  Royale,  giving  De- 
troit its  first  large  picture  theatre  and  lay- 
ing the  foundation  of  the  chain  of  today. 
An  admission  of  10  cents  was  charged — an 
unheard  of  price  in  those  days — but  the 
theatre  prospered  and  when  the  first  mul- 
tiple reel  picture,  "The  Passion  Play,"  was 
released  it  was  exhibited  at  25  cents  with 
great  success. 

The  next  theatre  built  was  the  Majestic, 
in  the  downtown  section,  and  then  came 
the  Empress,  also  a  downtown  house.  The 
Majestic  was  Detroit's  finest  theatre  in  its 
heyday,  and  in  it  were  shown  Mme.  Sarah 
Bernhardt  in  "Queen  Elizabeth"  and  James 
K.  Hackett  in  "The   Prisoner  of  Zenda." 

First  Residential  in  1912 

In  1912,  the  Garden  was  erected,  "way 
out  in  the  residential  section."  This  was 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  playhouses  of 
its  kind  in  the  country  and  the  first  resi- 
dential theatre  in  Detroit.  Shortly  after 
the  partnership  of  Kunsky  and  Caille  was 
dissolved  and  Kunsky  became  the  sole  op- 
erator   of    the    rapidh'-    growing    chain. 

The  Liberty  theatre  in  the  heart  of  the 
downtown  district  was  the  next  addition, 
and  it  was  here  that  the  first  presentation 
programs  were  introduced.  An  orchestra 
was   presented   for   the   first   time   in   a  pic- 


ture theatre  here,  with  Eduard  Werner  as 
director.  The  orchestra  boasted  five  pieces 
plus  a  pipe  organ.  Werner  is  now  director 
of  the  Michigan  Theatre  Sympohnic  Or- 
chestra of  nearly  100  pieces. 

In  1914  Mr.  Kunsky  took  over  the  Wash- 
ington theatre  on  Washington  boulevard. 
The  theatre  had  proved  a  failure  as  the 
home  of  a  stock  company,  and  many  scoffed 
at  the  idea  of  a  picture  theatre  prospering 
so  far  from  the  heart  of  the  shopping  sec- 
tion. 

Orchestra  Grows  to  15  Pieces 

But  the  Washington  succeeded  and  its 
success  marked  another  forward  movement, 
not  only  in  location,  but  in  size,  for  it 
seated  1,348  persons.  And  by  now  the  sym- 
phonic orchestra  had  grown  to  15  pieces. 
The  Madison  opened  in  1916;  the  Adams  a 
year  later;  the  Capitol  in  1921,  the  State 
in  1925  and  the  Michigan  in  1926. 

While  expanding  downtown,  and  creating 
a  new  theatre  district  around  Washington 
boulevard  and  Grand  Circus  Park,  Kunsky 
also  invaded  the  suburbs.  The  Garden  was 
succeded  by  the  Alhambra,  the  Strand  and 
the  DeLuxe,  all  neighborhood  houses. 
Within  the  last  year  the  Kunsky  frontier 
was  established  with  theatres  in  Birming- 
ham, Redford  and  Royal  Oak,  suburbs 
within    15   miles   of  Detroit. 

Kunsky  also  pioneered  in  the  new  talk- 
■ng  pictures,  and  but  a  few  weeks  ago  trans- 
formed his  State  theatre  into  a  house  de- 
voted exclusively  to  talking  pictures. 

Jackie  Coogan  came  to  Detroit  to  open 
a  new  caudeville  act  at  the  Michigan  thea- 
tre as  part  of  the  anniversary  program.  At 
the  Capitol,  Lou  Holtz,  revue  star,  headed 
the  stage  show,  and  at  the  State,  Lionel 
Barrymore  spoke  from  the  talking  screen 
as  the  star  of  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse." 

Special  attractions  were  offered  at  all  of 
the  other  theatres. 


William  Page,  Well  Known 
Publicist,  Dies  Suddenly 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— William  A.  Page, 
well  known  theatrical  publicist,  died  last  week 
in  New  York.  Cause  of  death  is  believed  to 
have  been  a  heart  attack,  superinduced  by  the 
heat.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lambs  Club 
and   lived   at   the   Alamac   hotel. 

Page  served  as  publicity  man  in  many  the- 
atrical ventures,  among  his  employers  being 
Florenz   Ziegfeld  and  Charles  Dillingham. 


Projectionists  Picket  2 

Houses  in  Labor  Strife 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS    CITY,    July    24.— Two    down- 
town    theatres,     the     Palace     and     Twelfth 
Street,  are  being  picketed  by  projectionists' 
union. 

In  previous  instances  courts  have  granted 
restraining  orders  against  picketing,  but 
thus  far  no  restraining  orders  have  been 
sought    by   the    theatres. 


Ufa  in  Combine  with 
Italian  Luce;  Assured 
Sales  in  That  Country 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PARIS,  July  14.— (By  Mail)  —  It  is 
learned  that  an  agreement  has  been  reached 
by  Ufa  and  the  Italian  Luce  company, 
whereby  Ufa  has  practically  acquired  the 
latter  organization.  Ufa  plans  to  intensify 
the  distribution  of  Italian  films  throughout 
the  world,  it  is  said.  It  is  expected 
that  the  fusion  will  add  one  more  difficulty 
to  the  distribution  of  American  films  in 
Europe. 

For  some  time  Italian  pictures  have  been 
a  negligible  factor  in  the  market.  That 
distribution  will  now  be  effected  in  a  more 
able  manner  is  a  foregone  conclusion.  But 
skeptics  permit  themselves  to  wonder  how 
Germans  will  be  able  to  produce  Italian 
films.  The  German  organization  plans  to 
spend  six  months  making  over  the  Italian 
studios  and  will  use  its  own  scenarios, 
based  on  German  and  French  novels. 


Reisman  Makes  Shifts 
In  Pathe  Sales  Divisions 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Changes  made  by 
Phil  Reisman,  general  salesmanager  of 
Pathe,  now  make  Stanley  Jacques  manager 
of  the  central  division,  with  Chicago,  Cin- 
cinnati, Des  Moines,  Indianapolis,  Milwau- 
kee, Minneapolis,  Omaha,  Kansas  City  and 
St.  Louis  under  his  supervision;  L.  W.  Weir 
manager  of  the  Western  division,  with  Den- 
ver, Los  AngeleSi  Portland,  Salt  Lake  City, 
San  Francisco  and  Seattle;  and  Dan  Micha- 
love  manager  of  the  Southern  division,  with 
Atlanta,  Charlotte,  Dallas,  Memphis,  Ok- 
lahoma  City  and   New  Orleans. 

Albany,  Boston,  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  New 
Haven,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh 
and  Washington  are  supervised  by  the 
home  office,  assisted  by  L.  J.  Hacking. 


New  Orleans  Aloof  from 
Musicians'  War  on  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  July  24.— Any  organ- 
ized effort  of  the  American  Federation  of 
Musicians  to  stop  or  curtail  mechanical 
music  in  theatres,  is  not  expected  to  ma- 
terially affect  local  houses.  New  Orleans 
being  known  as  an  "open  shop"  city.  In 
practically  all  crafts,  local  unions  have 
little  or  no  trade  significance. 


Hoffberg  Distributor  in 

Europe  Here  for  Plans 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Samuel  Cornfeld, 
head  of  the  Cornfeld  Enterprises,  the  Euro- 
pean representative  of  J.  H.  Hoffberg  Com- 
pany with  offices  in  Paris  and  Berlin  dis- 
tributing pictures  on  the  Continent,  has 
come  to  this  country  to  work  out  plans  for 
the  coming  season  with  the  Hoffberg 
company.  


Publix  Shifts  Three 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
FORT  WORTH,  July  24.— Bob  Hicks, 
publicity  director  of  the  Worth  theatre 
since  its  opening  last  winter,  has  been  pro- 
moted to  the  managership  of  the  Publix 
Howard  theatre  in  Atlanta.  Ernest  Mor- 
rison, formerly  manager  of  the  Howard, 
has  been  transferred  to  the  Palace,  Dallas, 
succeeding  Al  Mason,  who  resigned.  Jean 
Finley  is  now  handling  publicity  at  the 
Palace,  replacing  Ray  Tarannella. 


Branson  at  Des  Moines 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DES  MOINES,  July  24.— W.  E.  Bronson 
has   succeeded   Walter  Liebmann,   resigned, 
as  manager   of  the   Pathe  branch. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


Scott  Sydney  Dies 
In  England  as  He 
Talks  of  New  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

RABLETT,  Hertfordshire,  England,  July 
21. — Scott  Sydney,  American  motion  picture 
producer,  died  suddenly  at  his  hotel  here  yes- 
terday. Sydney,  who  was  making  a  protracted 
stay  in  this  country,  was  discussing  produc- 
tion of  a  screen  comedy  when  death  occurred. 

Sydney  Long  With  Christies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Scott  Sydney, 
who  died  Friday  in  London,  was  one  of  the 
most  popular  and  well  known  directors  of 
the  film  colony.  He  had  been  associated  with 
the  Christies  for  several  years,  during  which 
time  many  of  his  pictures  piled  up  highly  suc- 
cessful records.  "Charley's  Aunt"  and  "The 
Nervous  Wreck"  were  outstanding  among  his 
recent  successes.  Al  Christie  cabled  his  Lon- 
don agent,  John  Taylor,  yesterday  to  assist 
Mrs.  Sydney  in  arrangements  to  bring  the 
body  home  for  burial. 


Paramount  Names 
Schulberg  General 
Manager  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— B.  P.  Schulberg, 
Paramount  associate  producer,  has  been 
named  general  manager  of  West  Coast  pro- 
duction. Promotion  was  awarded  to  Schul- 
berg after  a  recent  series  of  conferences  in 
New  York,  at  which  Adolph  Zukor,  S.  R. 
Kent,  Jesse  L.  Lasky  and  other  home  office 
executives  discussed  past  achievements  and 
plans  for  the  future. 

Other  promotions  elevate  B.  P.  Fineman, 
Louis  D.  Lighton,  J.  G.  Bachmann,  B.  F. 
Ziedman  and  David  O.  Selznick,  from  the 
rank  of  supervisor  to  associate  producers. 
Roy  Pomeroy,  expert  on  sound  synchroni- 
zation, has  been  made  director  of  sound 
effects.  Pomeroy  will  head  the  recently  cre- 
ated studio  sound  department  and  will  have 
charge  of  all  technical  work  in  connection 
with  Paramount's  sound  picture  program. 
Oren  W.  Roberts  has  been  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Pomeroy  as  head  of  the  department  of 
special  effects. 


Judge  Denies  Right 
Of  Censors  to  Pass 
On  Spoken  Words 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  July  24.— Judge  Mc- 
Devitt,  in  common  pleas  court  No.  1,  has 
handed  down  a  decision  denying  the  right 
of  the  Pennsylvania  board  of  censors  to 
pass  on  spoken  words  used  in  connection 
with  motion  pictures. 

Judge  McDevitt's  decision  upholds  the 
contention  of  Fox  Film  Corporation,  which 
protested  against  disapproval  of  a  film  be- 
cause spoken  words  to  be  used  in  the  pro- 
duction were  not  submitted  for  censorship 
along  with  the  pictures,  and  is  directly  op- 
posed to  the  decision  handed  down  by 
Judge  Martin,  common  pleas  court  No.  5, 
on  June  30  on  the  appeal  of  Vitagraph, 
Inc.  The  position  assumed  by  the  board  of 
censors.  Judge  McDevitt's  opinion  sets 
forth,  leads  to  an  effort  to  censor  every- 
thing concerned  with  motion  pictures  "in- 
cluding music,  language,  programs  and  con- 
ceivably even  the  decorations  in  the  thea- 
tre." 


Exhibitor  Pawning  Off  Old  Film 
Draws  Wisconsin  Session's  Fire 

Misrepresenting  Old  Versions  of  Stories  Is  Denounced  in  Resolu- 
tion— Steve  Bauer  Elected  President — WoodhuU  Empha- 
sizes Value  of  Synchronism  Development 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald- World] 
MILWAUKEE,  July  24. — ^Unethical  practices  of  certain  exhibitors  in  this 
territory  who  tried  to  pawn  off  old  films  of  "Ramona"  and  "Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin"  came  in  for  a  lot  of  criticism  at  the  annual  convention  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin Theatre  Owners  Association,  which  was  held  at  the  Hotel  Wisconsin  last 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday. 

Exhibitors  Criticize  Exhibitors 
Many  complaints  were  brought  before  the  convention  by  theatre  owners 
stating  that  certain  exhibitors  had  tried  to  capitalize  on  the  popularity  of 
"Ramona"  and  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  by  misrepresenting  old  versions  of  these 
stories  as  being  the  new.  It  would  be  all  right  to  advertise  the  old  versions 
as  old,  theatre  owners  in  session  stated,  and  capitalize  that  way,  but  not  tc 
misrepresent  them  and  say  that  they  were  the  latest  products. 

Exhibitors  of  this  class  should  be  severely 
condemned,  stated  delegates,  and  a  resolution 
to  this  effect  was  passed.  The  result  of  it  is 
that  some  of  these  exhibitors  will  have  consid- 
erable difficulty  in  dealing  with  Wisconsin  the- 
atre owners  in  the  future. 

One  of  the  principal  subjects  of  the  conven- 
tion was  the  discussion  and  speeches  on  sound 
installations  in  theatres.  This  was  a  subject 
in  which  all  theatre  owners  were  very  much 
interested.  R.  F.  Woodhull,  president  of  the 
N.  P.  T.  A.,  spoke  to  the  convention  on  the 
first  day.  He  stressed  the  talking  pictures, 
pointing  out  that  it  is  a  relatively  new  thing 
and  that  no  doubt  much  improvement  would 
be  noted  as  time  went  on.  "One  of  the  prob- 
lems of  theatre  owners  today  is  to  book  the 
right  pictures  and  exploit  them  properly  at  a 
small  expense,"  Woodhull  said.  

Other  speakers  were   R.    Smith   of  Movie-        _  j^  . 

tone  and  T.  M.  McKinney  of  Vitaphone.   Both      ^jtUffC    PrOuUCerS 

Reported  Planning 
Synchronized  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Synchronized 
picture  versions  of  Broadway  stage  shows 
are  to  be  made  by  a  group  of  producers, 
it  is  reported,  with  the  intention  to  show 
the  pictures  in  so-called  legitimate  theatres 
throughout  the  country  while  the  attraction 
is  appearing  on  the  stage  in  New  York.  A 
picture  would  be  made  of  each  entire  show 
considered  of  the  right  type  for  synchro- 
nization, the  production  being  photographed 
on  the  stage. 


talked  about  the  improvements  in  sound  in- 
stallations and  the  progress  made  in  attend- 
ance by  theatres  throughout  the  country  that 
had  installed  them. 

Officers  elected  for  the  coming  year  were : 
Steve  Bauer,  Milwaukee,  president;  Fred  See- 
gert,  Milwaukee,  vice-president;  Max  Krafta, 
Milwaukee,  recording  secretary,  and  E.  Lan- 
genbach,  Milwaukee,  treasurer.  Henry  Staub 
again  was  chosen  as  business  manager  of  the 
association. 

Directors  elected  for  the  coming  year  were : 
George  Fischer,  Milwaukee,  J.  P.  Adler, 
Marshfield,  Wis.,  F.  G.  McWilliams,  Madison, 
W.  L.  Ainesworth,  Fond  du  Lac,  and  T.  E. 
Wolcott,  Racine.  George  Beyers,  Milwaukee, 
was  elected  sergeant-at-arms.  There  were  150 
at  the  convention. 


Mogler's  Nickels  Beat 
Rockefeller's  Dimes 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  24.— For  the  past 
year  Joseph  Mogler,  state  senator, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
hibitors' League  of  St.  Louis  and 
owner  of  the  Mogler,  Bremen  and 
Excello  theatres  in  North  St.  Louis, 
has  been  making  a  regular  trip  every 
Saturday  between  9  and  9:30  a.  m. 
to  the  Bremen  bank. 

One  Saturday  in  January,  two 
small  and  somewhat  ragged  boys 
met  him  at  the  door  with  "Gimme  a 
nickel,  will  ya.  Mister  Mogler.^'" 
Mogler  Sshed  up  two  shiny  new 
nickels.  The  following  Saturday  he 
was  met  by  the  same  two  boys  and 
Sfteen  companions.  "This  is  a  good 
joke,"  thought  Joe,  and  again  he  dug 
into  his  trousers  for  the  coins, 
which  this  time  proved  to  be  dimes. 

The  following  Saturday  a  larger 
crowd  of  boys  were  at  the  bank  and 
they  cheered  loudly  as  Mogler  drove 
up.  He  had  the  cashier  prepare  a 
small  bag  of  nickels  and  he  passed 
out  a  hundred  of  them.  Last  Satur- 
day more  than  400  boys  were  on 
hand  and  police  reserves  were 
needed  to  keep  the  boys  in  line. 
Each  received  a  nickel,  with  per- 
haps a  few  repeaters. 

"I  have  decided  to  end  it  the  Satur- 
day before  Christmas  by  giving  each 
kid  a  quarter,"  Mogler  said.  "That 
ought  to  draw  a  real  big  crowd." 


End  of  Carnivals  May 
Follow  Carousel  Death 
And  Panic  of  Patrons 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TORONTO,  July  24.— Carnivals  are  ex- 
pected to  be  banned  in  this  city  as  a  result 
of  the  killing  of  a  merry-go-round  operator 
and  severe  electrical  shocks  to  those  riding 
on  the  device  at  a  carnival  here.  The  rid- 
ers, many  of  them  children,  were  glued  to 
the  horses  and  carriages  when  a  short  cir- 
cuit caused  the  device  to  become  charged. 
Struggling  to  free  themselves,  the  patrons 
screamed  in  panic,  and  when  the  contrap- 
tion was  stopped,  Benjamin  Heiges  of  Bur- 
ton, O.,  part  owner,  was  found  dead  with 
his  hand  clutching  the  controlling  lever. 

Agitation  to  bar  carnivals  immediately 
followed,  and  appealed  to  also  by  theatre 
men,  the  authorities  have  indicated  they 
will  refuse  all  permits  to  carnivals  in  the 
future. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


^^^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


ii, 


Paramount  to  Establish  Sound 

Service  Stations  in  Nine  Cities 

Throw  Publix  Organization  into  Production  Field  to  Produce  Novelties 

and  Music — All  Feature  Sound  Pictures  to  Have  Sound 

Trailers — All  Novelty  Production  to  Be  in  East 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24. — The  latest  development  in  Paramount's  plans  for 
sound  picture  productions  and  distribution  is  the  decision  to  establish  offices  in 
9  cities  in  this  country  from  which  feature  and  short  feature  sound  pictures  will 
be  distributed.  These  sound  picture  exchanges  will  be  located  in  the  same  build- 
ings housing  regular  Paramount  exchanges  but  will  be  operated  separately. 

This    announcement   comes   on   the   heel  of       Hand,    orchestrator    for    Sousa,    Paul    White- 


other  Paramount  plans  of  importance  to  the 
effect  that  sound  trailers  will  be  made  for  all 
of  the  company's  feature  length  sound  pic- 
tures, totalling  not  less  than  from  25  to  30 
productions ;  that  the  Publix  organization  will 
co-operate  in  the  production  of  all  sound  films 
and  that  practically  all  short  feature  novel- 
ties, excluding  the  Christie  comedies',  will  be 
made  at  the  Paramount  Long  Island  studios. 

Location  of  Nine  Offices 

The  nine  service  stations  will  be  located  in 
Boston,  serving  Boston,  New  Haven  and 
Maine;  New  York,  serving  New  York,  Brook- 
lyn, New  Jersey,  Albany  and  Buffalo ;  Phila- 
delphia, serving  Philadelphia,  Washington  and 
Pittsburgh;  Atlanta,  serving  Atlanta,  Mem- 
phis, Charlotte  and  Jacksonville ;  Dallas,  serv- 
ing Dallas,  New  Orleans  and  San  Antonio ; 
Chicago,  serving,  Chicago,  Detroit,  Milwau- 
kee, Minneapolis  and  Sioux  Falls ;  Cincinnati, 
serving  Cincinnati,  Cleveland,  Columbus  and 
Indianapolis ;  Kansas  City,  serving  Kansas 
City,  St.  Louis,  Oklahoma  City,  Denver,  Des 
Moines  and  Omaha;  San  Francisco,  serving 
San  Francisco,  Los  Angeles,  Salt  Lake  City, 
Seattle  and  Portland. 

A  master  print  of  each  sound  picture  will 
be  kept  at  each  of  the  sound  exchanges  and 
equipment  for  examination  of  sound  prints  is 
being  installed  at  those  offices.  In  the  case  of 
Vitaphone  (disc)  sound  recording,  exhibitors 
will  receive  duplicate  sets  of  records  to  guard 
against  loss  of  exhibition  through  breakage  in 
transportation  or  possible  defects  in  the  discs. 

The  plan  to  place  the  Publix  organization  in 
charge  of  musical  production  will  throw  a 
huge  organization,  hitherto  working  sepa- 
rately from  Paramount's  production  organiza- 
tion, in  the  producing  field.  Several  thou- 
sand musicians  are  on  the  payrolls  of  thea- 
tres owned,  controlled  or  directed  by  Publix, 
according  to  the  company.  The  men  at  the 
head  of  the  Publix  music  and  presentation  de- 
partments have  had  years  of  experience  in 
both  legitimate  stage  and  picture  work. 

Many  Musicians  on  Staff 

Heading  the  list  is  Nathaniel  W.  Finston, 
chief  of  the  music  department,  who  worked 
seven  years  with  various  talking  machine  com- 
panies, including  Victor  and  Columbia.  Run- 
ning close  seconds  to  Finston  are  Frank  Har- 
ling,  Dominicko  Savino,  well  known  orches- 
trator and  composer,  Walter  Donaldson ; 
Dave  Stamper,  15  years  with  Ziegfeld's  Fo.- 
lies;  and  L.  Wolfe  Gilbert,  who  has  to  his 
credit  many  most  popular  songs. 

Other  outstanding  music  and  production 
men   in  the  Publix  organization   are   Herman 


man  and  Walter  Damrosch,  Einar  Svan  and 
Adolph  Deutsch,  jazz  arrangers  and  George 
Drumm  who  has  been  writing  motion  picture 
music  scores  for  the  past  20  years. 

These  men  will  work  in  conjunction  with 
Paramount  production  officials  in  the  making 
of  novelty  subjects  and  stage  presentations 
which  will  be  filmed  with  sound  accompani- 
ment. 

Practically  every  field  of  motion  picture 
production  is  included  in  Paramount's  plans 
for  sound  picture  work.  Besides  the  feature 
length  films,  all  the  Christie  comedies  will 
have  sound  effects ;  Paramount  News  is  soon 
become  the  "see  and  hear"  type  of  newsreel 
and  many  novelty  short  subjects  will  be  pro- 
duced under  the  supervision  of  Emanuel 
Cohen,  director  of  the  short  feature  depart- 
ment. 

Two  Sound  Features  Finished 

At  present  Paramount  already  has  com- 
pleted two  feature  productions  with  sound — 
"Warming  Up,"  starring  Richard  Dix  and 
"The  Loves  of  an  Actress,"  starring  Pola 
Negri.  Others  now  in  work  are  Anne  Nichols' 
"Abie's  Irish  Rose,"  "The  Patriot,"  Ernst 
Lubitsch's  work  which  stars  Emil  Jannings ; 
"The  Canary  Murder  Case,"  a  detective  mys- 
tery melodrama  with  William  Powell,  Louise 
Brooks,  Ruth  Taylor  and  James  Hall  featured 
in  the  cast ;  "Wings"  and,  "The  Wedding 
March,"  Erich  von  Stroheim's  picture  in  which 
he  also  plays  a  featured  role  with  Fay  Wray. 

Short  features  complete  with  sound  are 
"Dizzy  Diver"  and  "Hot  Scotch,"  two  of  the 
Christie  series  of  two  reel  comedies.  Other 
Christie  subjects  now  in  process  of  synchro- 
nization are  "Stop  Kidding,"  "Skating  Home," 
"The  Sock  Exchange"  and  "Oriental  Hugs." 

Douglas  MacLean's  first  feature  length  pic- 
ture for  Christie  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  will 
be  made  with  sound  accompaniment  at  the 
Christie  studio  where  the  Electrical  Research 
Products  is  now  erecting  a  sound-proof  stage. 
To  Furnish  Sound  Trailers 

Construction  of  the  sound-proof  stages  at 
the  Paramount  Long  Island  studios  is  pro- 
gressing and  it  is  expected  that  they  will  be 
completed  within  a  fortnight. 

The  first  completed  sound  trailer,  made  up 
as  advance  agent  for  the  Richard  Dix  pic- 
ture, "Warming  Up,"  is  now  being  screened  in 
40    Publix    theatres. 

The  trailer  for  "Loves  of  an  Actress"  is 
now  being  made  by  the  Paramount  advertising 
department  in  conjunction  with  National 
Screen  service.  Nathaniel  Finston  will  handle 
all  musical  details  connected  with  the  Para- 
mount trailers. 


"Voice,  Voice,  Who's  Got  a 
Voice?"  Is  Hollywood  Cry 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— "Sound 
£lms  are  already  bringing  about  rad- 
ical changes  in  all  studios,"  accord- 
ing to  Edward  J.  Montague,  scenario 
editor-in-chief   of   Universal. 

"The  voice  test  is  becoming  just  as 
important  as  the  screen  test  was  only 
a  few  months  ago  in  casting  pic- 
tures, and  the  candidates  loom  up 
everywhere. 

"The  special  policeman  at  the  gate 
greets  you  in  rich  baritone  voice. 
Telephone  operators  trill  a  delight- 
fully sweet  'number,  please.'  There 
is  a  lilt  in  the  secretary's  'good 
morning.'  Electricians  call  to  one 
another  on  the  set  in  golden  tenor 
voices  and  even  the  janitors  say 
'goodnight'  in  a  rollicking  profundo 
basso. 

"The  other  day  I  thought  I  beard 
Melba's  haunting  lyric  soprano.  It 
was  the  waitress  warbling,  'Anything 
else,  please?' 

"Even  the  office  boys  are  doing 
vocal  gymnastics  with  their  high 
falsettos.  It  is  the  day  of  the  voice 
test,  and  the  voice  with  the  person- 
ality wins." 


"HeWs  Angels''  Has 
Both  Color,  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Both  sound  and 
color    will    be    employed    in    "Hell's   Angels," 
United  Artists'  air  film  now  being  completed 
at  the  Metropolitan  studios  in  Hollywood. 

Final  sequences  of  "Hell's  Angels,"  in  which 
Ben  Lyon,  Greta  Nissen,  James  Hall,  Thelma 
Todd  and  John  Darrow  appear,  are  being  syn- 
chronized with  voice  and  music.  Another  por- 
tion of  the  picture  already  has  been  filmed  in 
technicolor.  It  is  planned  to  exhibit  "Hell's 
Angels"  in  a  New  York  theatre  in  November. 


99 


MGM  Buys  Play 
for  First  "All  Talkie 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer's  first  all-talking  picture  will  be  "The 
Trial  of  Mary  Dugan."  Purchase  of  the 
screen  rights  to  this  popular  play  by  Bay- 
ard Veiller  including  Movietone  and  Vita- 
phone  rights,  was  announced  last  week, 
after  contracts  had  been  signed  by  Al 
Wood,  the  producer,  and  Nicholas  M. 
Schenck,  head  of  the  film  concern. 


Replaces  Orchestra 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEWCASTLE,    IND.,    July    24.— J.    W. 
Greer,    owner   of   the   Starette   theatre   here 
will    equip   his   theatre   with    a   new    Photo- 
tone  machine  replacing  the  orchestra. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


18  Puhlix  Houses  in 
New  England  Begin 
Sound  Picture  Policy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Eighteen  Publix 
theatres  in  the  New  England  territory  have 
opened  or  will  open  with  Vitaphone  during 
the  coming  month,  according  to  the  an- 
nouncement of  Paul  J.  Swift,  general  sales 
manager   of  the   Vitaphone   Corporation. 

The  theatres  and  their  opening  dates  are 
as  follows:  Fenway  and  Olympia  theatres, 
Boston,  day  and  date  policy,  July  8;  Strand, 
Newport,  R.  I.,  July  8;  Capital,  Pittsfield, 
July  8;  Alston,  Mass.,  July  22;  Central 
Square,  Cambridge,  July  22;  Stadium, 
Woonsocket,  July  22;  Opera  House,  Ban- 
gor, July  23;  Strand,  Brockton,  July  23; 
Scolly  Square,  Boston,  July  22;  Olympia, 
Lynn,  July  29;  Merimac,  Lowell,  August 
19;  Strand,  Pawtucket,  August  5;  Salem, 
Salem,  August  19;  Strand,  Dorchestra,  Sep- 
tember 2;  Field's  Corner,  Dorchestra,  Sep- 
tember 2,  and  the  Publix  theatres  in  Chelsea 
and  Haverhill,  September  2. 

The  service  contracts  with  Vitaphone  call 
for  weekly  changes  of  programs.  The 
Warner  Bros.  Vitaphone  productions  of 
"Tenderloin,"  "Glorious  Betsy,"  and  "The 
Lion  and  the  Mouse"  will  be  the  opening 
bill  at  most  of  the  theatres. 


Fox  to  Have  Twelve 

Movietone  Offices 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— E.  H.  Collins,  super- 
visor of  Fox  Film  exchange  operations,  has 
been  appointed  by  general  sales  manager  J.  R. 
Grainger  to  the  post  of  supervisor  of  booking 
and  distribution  of  all  Fox-Movietone  feature 
prints.  At  the  same  time  Grainger  announced 
the  division  of  the  United  States  into  12  zones, 
each  having  its  own  key  point  where  syn- 
chronized prints  will  be  stored,  inspected  and 
shipped.  These  shipping  points  include  the 
following  cities  San  Francisco,  Cleveland, 
Boston,  Seattle,  Washington,  Dallas,  Chicago, 
Philadelphia,  St.  Louis,  Indianapolis,  New 
York,  Omaha. 


^'Warming  Up  ^^  Breaks 
Paramount  Record 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— "Warming  Up," 
starring  Richard  Dix,  Paramount's  first 
sound  picture,  has  broken  the  week-end  rec- 
ord at  the  Paramount  theatre  by  more  than 
$1,000,  according  to  Paramount.  Monday 
night  of  the  week's  run,  the  entire  Yankee 
baseball  team  saw  the  picture.  It  has  now 
been  moved  to  the  Rivoli  where  it  will  be 
given  an   extended  run. 


England^  Germany  Big  Markets 

for  American  Sound  Products 

[Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald- World] 

WASHINGTON,  July  24. — ^American  interest  in  the  talking  motion  picture 
is  reflected  in  Europe,  according  to  a  report  from  Trade  Commissioner  George 
R.  Canty,  at  Paris,  to  the  Department  of  Commerce.  British,  German  and 
French  film  organs  have  devoted  themselves  more  to  the  project  than  their  con- 
temporaries in  smaller  European  film  markets,  but  the  general  news  that  the 
leading  producing  companies  of  the  United  States  have  associated  themselves 
with  the  sound  film  has  aroused  much  interest  in  European  trade  circles. 

The   advanced   popularity   of   the    motion       will    some    day    replace    the    so-called    'silent 


picture  in  Great  Britain  as  a  method  of  en- 
tertainment, the  laneuage  similarity  with 
the  United  States,  and  the  extensive  seat- 
ing capacity  in  the  large  number  of  houses 
which  open  daily  tend  to  make  England 
especially  capable  of  assimilating  the  vari- 
ous ramifications  involved  in  the  American 
talking  pictures.  Many  large  cinemas  are 
able  to  undertake  the  expense  of  necessary 
installations  for  the  projection  of  the  "talk- 
ing picture." 

Germany,   after   England,   offers   the  best 
prospect   for  the  American   sound   pictures. 


6,000,000  Match  Books  to 
Exploit  All-Sound  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK.  July  24.— Six  mil- 
lion match  books  will  be  distributed 
throughout  the  country  through  ar- 
rangements made  by  Warner  Broth- 
ers to  exploit  the  all-talking  Vita- 
phone picture,  "The  Lights  of  New 
York."  Distribution  will  take  place 
between  July  25  and  August  1. 


Its  theatres  are  numerous  enough  to  per- 
mit the  installation  of  a  large  supply  of 
projection  equipment;  its  admission  prices 
are  of  a  scale  sufficient  to  justify  cinema 
owners  purchasing  this   equipment. 

France,  third  in  line  of  importance  of 
European  markets  susceptible  to  this  new 
departure,  must  be  considered  only  as  ;i 
remotely  potential  market.  Its  cinema  ad- 
mission scales  are  small  as  compared  with 
England  and  Germany.  The  industry  lacks 
credit  and  is  not  inclined  to  borrow  for 
the  future.  At  present  it  should  be  classed 
with  other  smaller  countries  in  Europe  as 
a  market  where  the  installation  of  the  pro- 
jection equipment  for  the  talking  motion 
picture  is  only  possible  in  a  few  of  the 
larger-sized  sinemas.  In  fact,  interest  in 
France  has  only  reached  the  discussion 
stage. 

In  England,  circuit  cinema  owners  are 
already  estimating  the  cost  of  the  equip- 
ment installation  for  the  American  inven- 
tions, so  certain  are  they  that  they  must  be 
ready  to  provide  their  audiences  with  this 
latest  form  of  theatre  entertainment. 


Warners  Ad  Four  to         Paul  Sloane  Quits 
Road  Show  Program  job  to  Study  Sound 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Four  new  Vita- 
phone specials  were  announced  this  week 
by  Warner  Brothers  as  additions  to  the 
road  shows  to  be  released  in  1928-29.  They 
are:  "The  Grifters,"  from  the  story  by 
C.  D.  Lancaster,  to  be  directed  by  Roy  Del 
Ruth;  "Playing  Around,"  from  the  stage 
play  by  Frances  Norstrom;  "The  Madonna 
of  Avenue  A,"  starring  Dolores  Costello 
and  another,  yet  untitled,  also  starring 
Dolores  Costello.  All  will  make  extensive 
use   of  Vitaphone. 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Paul  Sloane  is  said 
to  be  the  first  motion  picture  director  to  vol- 
untarily give  up  a  position  in  Hollywood  in 
order  to  spend  several  months  in  the  talking 
picture  laboratories  in  the  East  to  learn  every 
phase  of  production.  His  salary  as  a  director 
is  about  $1,500  per  week.  As  he  intends 
spending  at  least  12  weeks  in  the  East,  this 
"journey  to  school"  will  cost  Sloane  $18,000 
in  salary  sacrificed.  In  addition,  his  personal 
expenditures  on  this  trip  will  total  approxi- 
mately $5,000. 
"It  is  inevitable  that  talking  motion  pictures 


drama',"  Sloane  declares.  "Any  person  who 
can  see  and  hear  the  first  experimental  "talk- 
ies" and  not  foresee  the  future  of  the  business 
can  be  compared  only  to  those  people  who,  a 
bare  25  years  ago,  laughed  at  the  first  motion 
pictures  and  said  they  could  never  be  compe- 
tition to  the  stage.  Talking  motion  pictures 
are  here  to  stay.  Eventually,  our  motion  pic- 
tures will  be  in  color,  will  have  depth,  and 
will  be  accompanied  by  synchronic  sounds  and 
conversation.  It  is  my  belief  in  this  that  is 
prompting  me  to  spend  $25,000  seeking  a  new 
sort  of  directorial  education — a  knowledge  of 
how  to  produce  talking  motion  pictures." 


Sound,  Color,  Third 
Dimension  Soon  to 
Come,  Says  Expert 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Within  five  years 
the  screen  will  produce  the  closest  possible 
imitation  of  human  life ;  talking,  natural-color, 
stereoscopic  pictures,  according  to  John  Nicko- 
laus,  laboratory  head  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  studios,  who  discloses  that  for  more 
than  a  year  experiments  in  a  new  and  im- 
proved color-process  have  been  under  way  at 
the  big  plant,  with  other  experiments  for 
adapting  them  to  "talkies." 

"The  color  picture,"  said  Nickolaus,  "is  now 
close  to  the  attainment  of  practical  perfection. 
For  more  than  a  year  we  have  been  experi- 
menting quietly  here  with  a  three-color  proc- 
ess, and  in  the  Eastman  laboratories  impor- 
tant developments  of  a  similar  process  have 
been  under  way.  The  Technicolor  process,  a 
two-color  system,  has  also  been  so  improved 
that  perfect  correctness  is  practically  assured. 
"Several  methods  of  producing  stereoscopic 
or  three-dimensional  pictures  are  also  in  course 
of  development.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  within 
five  years  human  figures  in  three  dimensions 
and  natural  colors,  talking  in  natural  voices, 
will  be  common  on  the  screens  of  the  world." 


Pathe's  ''Show  Folks'' 
to  Be  Given  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Sound  synchro- 
nization will  be  used  throughout  "Show 
Folks,"  now  being  filmed  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Paul  Stein,  according  to  Ralph 
Block,  associate  producer.  New  musical 
scores  written  by  Chris  Schomberg,  espe- 
cially for  the  original  dance  numbers  of 
"Show  Folks,"  will  be  introduced  to  the 
public  for  the  first  time  through  the  sound 
effects  used  in  conjunction  with  the  picture. 
Every  member  of  the  cast  has  been  a 
former  player  on  the  legitimate  or  vaude- 
ville stage,  it  is  said.  Lina  Basuqette,  Eddie 
Quillan  and  Robert  Armstrong  have  the 
featured  roles  in  "Show  Folks,"  with  Bessie 
Barriscale,  Crauford  Kent  and  Carol  J.om- 
bard  in  important  roles. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Sound  Work  Keeps  ^Em  Busy^  But 
a  Bit  up  in  the  Air  in  Hollywood 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— With  Fox  and  Metro-GoldwynMayer  making  no 
announcement  here  as  to  which  pictures  in  production  are  to  have  eflfect  se- 
quences 14  pictures  are  in  production  which  are  slated  for  the  new  device. 
Twenty-five  which  are  under  way  will  either  be  silent  pieces  or  will  be  given 
synchronization  after  a  late  decision. 


The  Paramount  production  schedule 
shows  that  sound  records  will  go  ^\t\\  the 
following:  "Sins  of  the  Fathers,"  which 
Emil  Jannings  is  starring  in;  "Docks  of 
New  York,"  which  Josef  von  Sternberg  is 
directing;  "Moran  of  the  Marines,"  which 
Frank  Strayer  is  directing,  and  "Inter- 
ference," the  Lothar  Mendez  film. 

Warner  Brothers  is  synchronizing  "The 
Hometowners,"  featuring  Irene  Rich  and 
Doris  Kenyon.  This  one  will  likewise  be  a 
dialogue  proposition  all  the  way  through. 
Robert  McWade  is  in  it,  bringing  his 
artistry  of  spoken  drama  from  the  stage 
where  he  enacted  the  best  role  on  Broad- 
way and  Chicago.  There  are  grounds  for 
doubts  about  others  of  the  cast  but  at 
least  we'll  finally  have  the  pleasure  of 
knowing  whether  Irene  Rich's  voice  is  as 
beautiful  as  her  manner.  "The  Outlaw 
Dog"  and  "The  Redeeming  Sin"  are  set  for 


Fox  Shows  First  Sound 
and  Color  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— The  com- 
bination of  color  and  sound  on  the 
same  £lm,  one  of  the  newest  devel- 
opments in  motion  picture  enter- 
tainment, will  be  shown  to  the  public 
for  the  £rst  time  Wednesday  night 
at  the  Gaiety  theatre  by  Fox  Film 
Corporation.  .  The  subject,  is  a  short 
reel  picture  of  a  girl  playing  violin 
selections-  It  was  £lmed  in  Movie- 
tone and  technicolor. 


effects  too,  but  probably  not  dialogue.  The 
first  one  is  the  Rin-Tin-Tin  opera  so  it  is  a 
safe  bet  that  Warners  will  delete  the  human 
vocal  chords.  A  bark  or  two  here  and  there 
might  prove   novel. 

Universal  is  another  studio  that  is  going 
in  heavy  for  the  effect  business.  The  fore- 
most pictures  of  their  current  program 
which  were  under  way  simultaneously  last 
week  are  "The  Last  Warning"  and  "Show 
Boat."  Both  are  Movietone  pieces. 
Another  big  one  in  the  making  is  "Girl  on 
the  Barge,"  which  will  be  synchronized 
likewise. 

First  National's  "Show  Girl,"  with  Alice 
White  in  the  cast,  is  to  be  an  effects  picture. 

The  only  one  in  the  sound  class  at  De 
Mille's  is  "Show  Folks."  It's  impossible 
to  say  whether  it  will  have  the  speech  stuff 
with  music  or  just  music  but  it's  a  sure 
shot  for  sound  of  some  sort.  It  is  being 
directed  by  Paul  Stein  with  Eddie  Quillan 
in  the  comedy  role.  Eddie's  voice  is  trained 
for  the  stage  racket  and  has  possibilities  in 
dialogue  drama. 

The  biggest  picture  in  Hollywood's 
studios  is  "Hell's  Angels."  As  heretofore 
announced  in  these  columns,  it  is  on  the 
boards  for  recorded  music.  No  thought 
has  been  advanced  regarding  lines  however 
but  with  synchronization  and  technicolor 
and  airfights  the  lines  will  probably  be 
superfluous. 

It's  more  difficult  to  get  a  written  state- 
ment from  these  Hollywood  producers  re- 
garding sound  pictures  than  it  is  to  get 
their  bankrolls.  They  are  aipparently 
frightened    in    their    boots    about    the    de- 


mands on  the  industry  within  the  next  12 
months.  They  know  nothing  about  the 
subject  and  are  free  to  admit  it. 

Three  electricians  rolled  up  their  over- 
alls last  week  and  accepted  jobs  ranging  in 
salaries  from  $500  to  $1,250  per  week.  They 
showed  intelligence  about  sound  productiori 
technique  and  were  promoted  at  once. 
Producers  are  seeking  madly  for  technicians 
who  know  enough  about  the  subject  to 
teach  them  the  rudiments. 


Work  on  Christies^ 
Sound  Studios  at 
Metropolitan  Begins 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Construction  was 
started  by  the  Christie  brothers  on  the  com- 
plete group  of  sound  buildings  at  the  Metro- 
politan studios  this  week  when  the  Austin 
Company  began  work  on  the  first  group  of 
buildings  including  the  first  stage,  76  by  106 
feet,  a  second  stage  of  equal  size  or  larger 
to  be  added  after  construction  of  the  next 
unit  which  will  be  a  recording  and  monitor 
building  64x119  feet  in  dimensions.  Impor- 
tant features  of  the  group  will  be  the  sound 
proof  walls  and  roof,  ventilating  systems,  vi- 
brationless  foundations  for  the  mechanical  and 
machinery  buildings,  fireproof  construction, 
and  a  compact  building  of  11  rooms  which 
will  house  the  various  technical  groups  re- 
quired for  recording. 

Western  Electric  equipment  will  be  installed 
throughout  in  the  new  group  of  buildings. 
Christie  recently  signed  contracts  covering  the 
use  of  Western  Electric's  film  and  disc  meth- 
ods of  sound  recording  which  will  be  used  in 
the  entire  Christie  product  including  the 
Douglas  MacLean  features,  the  "Confessions 
of  a  Chorus  Girl"  series,  and  the  Sandy  Mac- 
Duff  Comedies  starring  Jack  Duffy,  and  the 
Billy  Dooley  and  Bobby  Vernon  comedies. 

First  Atlanta  Deluxe 
Begins  Sound  Policy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  July  24.— The  growing  popu- 
larity of  sound  pictures  is  responsible  for 
the  innovation  which  is  to  bring  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  productions  to  the  Howard 
theatre,  Publix  deluxe  house  in  Atlanta, 
next  week.  Before  any  intimation  of  its 
intention  was  known  to  the  general  public, 
the  Howard  had  sensed  the  reaction  toward 
synchronized  pictures  as  a  virtual  demand 
for  this  new  feature. 

"The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers  Vitaphone  production,  will  initiate 
"sound  pictures"  at  the  Howard  Monday. 
The  Howard  will  be  the  first  deluxe  thea- 
tre in  Atlanta  to  present  sound  pictures. 


Pomeroy  Promoted 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Roy  J.  Pome- 
roy has  been  promoted  to  the  position  of 
director  of  sound  effects  for  Paramount. 
O.  W.  Roberts  succeeds  Pomeroy  as  head 
of  the  special  effects  department. 


Sound  Films  Oust 
Stage  Band  Policy 
in  Portland  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  19.— New  poli- 
cies for  the  Portland  and  Broadway  thea- 
tres have  been  announced  by  Richard  Spier, 
division  manager  for  West  Coast  Theatres, 
Inc. 

The  Broadway  will  become  this  week 
a  "talking  film"  house  for  pictures  with 
synchronized  musical  scores  and  sound 
efforts.  The  Fanchon  &  Marco  stage 
revues,  which  now  play  the  Broadway,  will 
go  to  the  Portland.  The  Publix  stage 
shows  will  be  eliminated  in  Portland  and 
Seattle. 

The  Broadway  will  not  have  any  stage 
entertainment,  but  will  have  pictures  with 
sound  eflfects  and  the  Movietone  weekly 
news.  The  Thursday  night  dances  will  be 
continued   with    Georgie    StoU's    music. 


MGM's  First  With 

Sound  Opens  July  31 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— "White  Shadows 
in  the  South  Seas,"  which  was  recently 
completed  after  five  months  in  the  South 
Pacific,  and  which  will  be  the  first  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  picture  with  sound  effects 
and  synchronized  score,  will  have  its  pre- 
miere at  the  Astor  theatre,  July  31. 

During  the  past  four  weeks  studio  execu- 
tives, in  association  with  Movietone  and 
Vitaphone  representatives,  have  been  work- 
ing at  the  Victor  Recording  Laboratory  in 
Camden,  N.  J.,  to  provide  the  picture  with 
sound  sequences  and  a  synchronized  score. 
Both  of  these  were  completed  last  week  and 
the  Astor  theatre  is  now  being  supplied 
with  the  facilities  that  will  be  required 
when  "White  Shadows"  begins  its  engage- 
ment there.  A  surrounding  program  of 
Movietone  short  features  will  supplement 
the  South  Sea  film. 


Jewish  Dialect  to  Be 
Heard  in  "Nize  Baby'' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— "Nize  Baby," 
the  film  version  of  Milt  Gross'  Jewish  book, 
will  be  produced  by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
with  sound  eflfects  and  the  use  of  dialogue 
in  Jewish  dialect.  The  cast  is  now  being 
selected,  and  Milt  Gross  is  now  on  the 
Coast  preparing  the  screen  adaptation.  The 
film  may  be  produced  in  New  York. 


Rivoli  Gets  Sound 

BALTIMORE,  July  24.— The  RivoH  the- 
atre, here,  opened  with  Vitaphone  Satur- 
day, the  opening  attraction  being  the 
Warner  Brothers  picture  "State  _  Street 
Sadie,"  with  Vitaphone  score  and  dialogue. 
Two  Vitaphone  acts,  Martinelli  in  a  scene 
from  "La  Juive"  and  the  Ingenue  Band 
were  included   on  the   opening  bill. 

Install  Equipment  in 

New  Pennsylvania  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
AMBLER,  PA.,  July  24.— The  new 
Ambler  theatre  here,  owned  by  Harrison 
Brothers,  which  will  be  one  of  the  most 
up-to-date  houses  in  Montgomery  County 
when  it  is  completed  early  in  the  fall,  is 
being  equipped  for  both  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone.     The  house  seats  1,500. 


July  28,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Advertising  the  Synchronized  Pictures 

Ads  on  this  page  are  from  the  Marks  Brothers  Granada  and  Marbro  theatres,  Chicago;  the  Victory  theatre.  Salt  Lake 
City,  managed  by  Ray  Hendry;  the  Orpheum  theatre,  Chicago,  operated  by  Warner  Brothers;  the  Roosevelt  theatre, 
Chicago,  and  Balaban  and  Katz  house;  and  the  Grand  theatre,  Columbus,  Ohio,  a  J.  Real  Neth  house.  The  ads  show 
how  these  houses  are  advertising  the  sound  picture  and  the  short  subjects  in  sound.  Study  them  carefully.  You  will 
find  a  number  of  good  slogans  for  use  with  the  sound  picture.     This  department  is  desirous  of  receiving  ads  on  sound 

pictures.     Send  your  ads  to  the  Synchronized  Pictures  department. 


AVARKf  DR-OJ 


^— ^ ■ 

•'Tremendous'*  hai-dly  describes  the  reception  TGIorlous  Belsy"  has  re- 
I  celved  at  the  baads  of  our  patrons.  Each  perlormancc  Is  a  trlumnh! — 
'  You  MUST  see  It  today! 


IGMN4DJ 

4Meii.$OAN       **■        DEVON 


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32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Y^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department 

''Hollywood." 


Jimmie  Walker  Meets  Producers  at 
Banquet  in  His  Honor 

Spends  45  Minutes  Comparing  Gotham  with  Berlin  and  Malta;  Hays  Calls 

Him  "A  Measure;"  Tay  Garnett  Entertains 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Mayor  Jimmie  Walker  of  New  York,  arrived 
at  the  dinner  in  his  honor  Tuesday  night  with  two  speeches  in  his 
pocket.  One  was  the  one  he  hoped  to  deliver;  the  other,  the  one  he 
delivered.  The  dinner  was  given  by  The  Association  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers at  the  Biltmore  hotel. 

Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  Will  Hays,  toastmaster,  George  E.  Cryer  and  Burton  E. 
Fitts  spent  two  hours  saying  finely  phrased  things  about  Walker,  and  Walker 
spent  45  minutes  telling  them  how  the  population  of  New  York  compares  with 
that  of  Berlin  and  Malta. 

accurately,  sixty  seven  thousand  times  the 
length  of  Tay  Garnett's  yacht. 

The  trip  began  Saturday  noon  and  ended 
exactly  36  hours  later.  During  that  time  I 
enjoyed  my  annual  "two  weeks"  vacation  with 
no  expense  but  considerable  exposure. 

The  other  yachtsmen  guests  of  the  youthful 
De  Mille  director  were  Dick  Hunt,  who  is 
Louella  Parsons  greatest  and  latest  rival; 
Jerry  Hoffman,  the  newspaperman  who  ought 
to  be  a  hoofer;  Wade  Werner,  self  styled 
novice  at  any  game  of  chance  (and  the  one 
who  always  takes  the  sugar)  ;  Ray  Murray, 
a  real  sailor  even  in  the  best  of  weather ; 
Oliver  Garver,  sports  editor  turning  publicist ; 
George  Greene,  scenarist,  Garnett  and  myself. 

In  spite  of  a  deck  luncheon  of  javacake 
around  only  three  got  sick  going  over.  It 
was  the  return  trip  that  heaved  us  up  into  a 
channel  storm.  The  boat  was  upside  down  14 
times  and  Hoffman,  the  New  York  Telegraph 
correspondent,  was  upside  down  in  the  inter- 
vals. After  four  days  all  but  three  of  us  were 
in  the  cabin  and  we  landed  near  San  Diego 
or  San  Francisco. 


TT  was  the  least  virile  address  that  the  mayor 
-'-  made  during  his  stay.  He  no  doubt  enjoyed 
it  less  than  those  who  heard  it. 

He  was  paid  tribute  by  the  assembly  after 
speeches  had  ended.  The  words  of  "Will  You 
Love  Me  in  December  as  You  Did  in  May?" 
were  thrown  on  the  screen.  The  diners  sang 
Walker's  song  lustily.  The  number  took  such 
hold  that  it  was  followed  with  other  songs  on 
the  screen,  many  of  which  were  written  by 
the  same  author.  Then  came  "On  the  Banks 
of  the  Wabash"  and  a  Dixie  melody. 

Hays  called  Walker  a  "measure."  a  stan- 
dard. "The  fact  is  he  should  be  in  the  bu- 
reau of  standards  in  Washington,  D.  C."  He 
said  Walker  is  one  we  owe  honor  because  of 
his  personal  work  and  because  of  his  public 
service.  "Born  in  New  York  on  the  East 
Side,  he  has  developed  into  one  as  indigenous 
to  us  as  sassafrass  is  to  Indiana;  and  as  the 
Eucalyptus  is  to  California." 

Following  these  and  other  similar  things 
that  Hays  said  about  him  the  honor  guest  be- 
gan his  address  by  turning  to  the  toastmaster 
and  saying:  "I  have  closely  observed  the 
words  you  have  used  in  your  mention  of  me 
and  wish  to  say  that  all  of  your  compliments 
for  me  prove  just  another  tribute  to  your 
conservatism." 

Entertainment  consisted  of  two  or  three 
Pantages  numbers  and  an  appearance  by 
Benny  Rubin,  erstwhile  bandleader,  who  told 
the  story  about  the  man  who  wanted  to  go 
Figueroa  and  Pico  Boulevards  in  Los  Angles. 

(Yes,  the  same  one.) 

*     *    * 
Catalina   Island 
and   Tay  Garnett 

Catalina  Island  is  three  hours  of  seasickness 
from  Long  Beach,  Cal.    The  distance  is,  more 


Mr.  Garnett  has  been  requested  to  invite 
the  same  crowd  on  a  similar  trip  within  the 
next  six  weeks  in  order  for  them  to  demon- 
strate that  they  are  all  really  good  sailors  and 
that  "it's  quite  unusual"  for  them  to  behave 
as  they  did.  He  is  a  great  host,  a  great  writer, 
director   and    gentleman. 

*    *     * 
Newmeyer  Has  Eye 
on  Free  Lance  Field 

Fred    Newmeyer,    director   of    "It    Can    Be 

Done,'  for  Universal  (which  isn't  done  by  any 

means)    contemplates  entering  the  free  lance 

field    upon    the     completion    of     the    picture. 

{Continued  on  page  41) 


One    of    the    young    lieutenants    who    will    probably    find    himself    a    Napoleon    over 

""  '      HOWARD  J.  GREEN 


This  era  of  talking  pictures  is  made  to  order  for  him. 
"Marked  Money,"  by  the  way,  for  Pathe-De  Mille. 


He  just  completed  writing 


ON  A  LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


Joyzelle 
Betty  Egan 
Vernon  Smith 
Charlie    Murray 
William   Beaudine 
Bayard    Veiller 
Monte   Blue 
H.    B.   Warner 
Lois    Wilson 
H.  Abbie  D'Arrast 
Adolphe  Menjou 


Regarding : 

Frank    Strayer 
Richard   Dix 
Ruth   Elder 
Linton   Wells 
Sally    Trump 
Frances   Deaner 
Clyde   Cook 
George  Bancroft 
J.    Von    Sternberg 
Dave  Butler 
JTick  Stuart 

Harry  Brand 

HOLLYWOOD.— Director  Frank 
Strayer,  of  Paramount  Studios,  was  all 
smiles  as  a  result  of  a  shot  which  was  taken 
on  his  set  this  week: 

It  was  Richard  Dix's  birthday.  It  was 
also  three  pugs'  natal  anniversaries.  In  a 
banquet  scene,  the  stags  were  having  a  great 
time  until  some  one  started  a  fight,  which 
went  into  a  battle.  The  gang  centered  on 
Dix,  and  started  to  give  him  a  beating,  but 
Dix,  who  is  more  handy  with  his  mitts  than 
you  think,  gave  as  good  as  was  sent.  As  a 
result,  bruised  lips  and  eyes  and  whatnot 
were  common. 

When  the  melee  was  over,  broken  dishes  and 
tables,  coupled  with  swollen  eyes,  bleeding  noses 
and  everything  else  which  goes  to  make  up  a  good 
fight,  put  one  of  the  best  sequences  ever  filmed 
into  a  picture.  They  were  supposed  to  mix  but 
they  waxed  so  hot  that  even  the  director  forgot 
to  stop  the  camera.  "Moran  of  the  Marines,"  which 
IS  from  the  pen  of  Linton  Wells,  the  nationally 
known  globe  trotter,  gives  Ruth  Elder  her  first 
role    before   the   camera. 

•  •     • 

Sally  Trump,  adorable  diplomat,  assistant  to 
Frances  Deaner,  of  the  Fox  studio,  is  back  on  the 
job    after    a    six    weeks'    vacation    at    Lake    Elsinore. 

•  *     * 

Clyde  Cook,  is  fast  breaking  away  from  comedy 
roles  for  more  serious  parts.  He  was  first  known 
in  comedy  relief,  but  his  impressions  of  pathos  in 
sequences  also  stood  out  strongly.  At  present  he  is 
doing  a  little  of  both  in  "The  Docks  of  New  York" 
with  George  Bancroft,  which  Von  Sternberg  is 
directing   for   Paramount. 

•  »     * 

Dave  Butler,  Fox  director,  left  this  week  for  New 
York  where  he  will  be  joined  by  Nick  Stuart.  They 
will  be  passengers  on  the  Mauretania  for  South 
Hampton,  where  they  will  be  met  by  Harry  Brand, 
who  has  been  working  on  Butler's  next  epic,  "Chas- 
ing Through   Europe." 

•  •     • 

Joyzelle,  well  known  oriental  dancer,  with  Betty 
Egan  and  her  dancers,  are  taking  up  much  footage 
in  Richard  Dix's  next  starring  vehicle,  "Moran  of 
the  Marines,"  which  Frank  Strayer  is  directing  for 
Paramount.  Ruth  Elder  is  playing  opposite,  and 
although  camera  shy,  is  considered  one  of  the  best 
"finds"  on  the  Paramount  lot. 
«     •     * 

Vernon  Smith,  scenarist,  will  return  to  the  free 
lance  field  upon  his  completion  of  "Do  Your  Duty," 
which  will  star  Charlie  Murray,  for  First  National. 
William   Beaudine   will   handle   the   megaphone. 

•  •     • 

Monte  Blue,  Warner  Brothers  film  star,  has  re- 
turned to  Hollywood  after  an  absence  of  almost  10 
months.  He  will  start  to  work  immediately  on  his 
first  Vitaphone  production  entitled,  "Conquest,"  with 
H.  B.  Warner  featured  and  Lois  Wilson  in  the 
leading  feminine   role. 

»     «     * 

H.  Abbie  D'Arrast,  will  return  to  the  Paramount 
studio,  upon  completion  of  his  current  vehicle,  "Dry 
Martini,"  which  he  is  directing  for  Fox  studio.  He 
is  booked  for  an  opus  starring  Adolphe  Menjou. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


99 


Al  Green  Completes 
^'Making  the  Grade, 
Ade  Story  for  Fox 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Alfred  E.  Green 
today  completed  "Making  the  Grade"  for  Fox. 
The  picture  is  from  the  story  by  George  Ade 
and  features  two  well 
known  box  office  play- 
ers,    Edmund     Lowe 
and  Lois   Moran. 

Movietone  accom- 
paniment is  to  be 
given  the  production, 
according  to  a  report 
from  the  studios. 

Green  has  spent  the 
past  seven  weeks  on 
the  picture  and  has 
injected  numerous 
production  values  that 
ought  to  make  it  a 
worthy  successor  to 
the  Meighans,  Colleen 
Moores  and  Pick- 
fords  that  first  won  for  him  national  fame  as 
a  maker  of  money  making  productions. 

Lou  Breslow,  comedy  constructionist,  and 
Jack  Boland,  assistant  director,  formed  a  part 
of  the  technical  staff. 


Alfred    E.     Crean 


Jackie  Logan  Is  Doing 
Role  in  "Lookout  GirV 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Jacqueline 
Logan  began  work  yesterday  in  "The  Look- 
out Girl"  for  Quality  Pictures.  Immedi- 
ately upon  the  completion  of  that  role  she 
will  resume  work  at  the  Pathe-DeMille 
studios   on   "The  Spieler." 

Abe  Carlos  heads  the  Quality  organiza- 
tion. 

Stone  in  Taurog  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Arthur  Stone 
will  play  an  important  role  in  Norman 
Taurog's  first  Fox  feature,  which  now  is 
in  preparation.  This  will  add  another  to 
the  succession  of  "dressed  up"  roles  which 
have  been  Stone's  recent  lot,  since  his  first 
picture  for  Fox,  "Chicken  a  la  King,"  in 
which  he  was  co-featured  with  Nancy  Car- 
roll.   

Goudal  in  Griffith  Film 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Jetta  Goudal 
has  been  signed  to  play  an  important  role 
in  "The  Love  Song,"  which  will  be  directed 
by  D.  W.  Griffith  for  United  Artists. 


Manhattan  Studios 

134th  St.  and  Park  Ave.,  N.  Y.  C. 

Every  Modern  Facility  for 
Motion  Picture  Production 

Motion  Picture  Settings  on  a  Contract 

Basis. 

Sets  for  Screen  Tests. 

Full  Equipment  for  Production  of  Every 

Type  of  Industrial  Film; 

CONSULT  US:    OUR  PLANT  OFFERS 
THE  SOLUTION  TO  YOUR  PRODUC- 
TION PROBLEMS 

Manhattan  Studios      Phone  Harlem  7648 


Thomson  Finishes  Last  PFL; 
Pollard  Begins  "Show  Boat" 

47  Pictures  Under  Way  on  Coast;  O'Brien  in  "Fog"  at  Fox  Lot; 

13  Pictures  Started  by  Major  Companies;  Another 

New  Director  Heard  From 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Fred  Thomson  completed  scenes  for  "Kit  Car- 
son" three  days  ago,  which  is  the  last  picture  on  his  Paramount  releasing  con- 
tract.    It  is  a  rather  pretentious  production  with  most  of  the  shooting  done 
on  location. 

Universal  launched  its  work  on  the  big  "Show  Boat"  at  the  same  time, 
which  Harry  Pollard  is  megaphoning  and  in  which  Laura  LaPlante  is  star- 
ring. Universal  is  expecting  this  to  be  one  of  the  outstanding  pictures  of 
its  schedule.  Another  of  course,  and  which  is  also  in  preparation  is  "The 
Last  Warning."     Laura  likewise  has  a  big  role  in  it. 

In   all   there   are   47   pictures    in   work   in 


the    studios    here.      There  may   be    two    or 

three  small  pictures  being  made  by  quickie 

organizations    which    are  not    included    in 

that    estimate.       Thirteen  of    the    pictures 

were    gotten    under    way  in    the    past    five 
days. 

O'Brien  and  Astor  in  "Fog" 

George  O'Brien  hastened  with  his  makeup 
box  from  the  Warner  to   the   Fox  lot   last 


week  to  begin  work  in  "Fog,"  O'Brien  has 
lately  been  making  scenes  for  the  Vita- 
phone  sequences  of  "Noah's  Ark."  He  is 
the  star  role  opposite  Mary  Astor  in  the 
new  Fox  production.  Its  director  is 
Charles  Klein. 

Howard      Higgin      began      shooting      on 
"Singapore    Sal"    at    the    De    Mille    studios. 
{Contviiued  on  page  41) 


The  Next  JOHN     FORD  Production 


"Riley  the  Cop" 
Fox   Film    Now   in    the    Making 


If   you're  not   booking   them   yet   you're   not   a   smart   showman.      I   saw   another  of 
them  the  other  night  that 

CHARLES  LAMONT 

directed  and  it's  chuck  full  of  laughs.      He  is  directing  Big  Boy  Juveniles  and  Jerry 
Drew  Ideals  for  Educational. 


■UIBItUil 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Studio  Achievements  to  Be  Qiven 
Recognition  by  Academy 

Awards  Will  Be  Made  to  Actors,  Writers,  Directors,  Technicians  and  Pro- 
ducers Participating  in  1927-28  Product 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24. — A  plan  has  been  conceived  by  the  Academy 
of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  whereby  awards  of  merit  will  be 
bestowed  upon  those  who  have  made  "distinctive  achievements  in 
connection  with  feature  motion  pictures  issued  for  general  release  between" 
August  1,  1927  and  August  1,  1928. 


AWARDS    will    be    made    to    an    actor,    a 
writer,   a    director,   a    technician    and    a 
producer. 

The  awards  will  be  made  on  the  follow- 
ing bases: 
ACTING 

(1)  A  distinction  award  to  the  actor  giving  the 
best  performance  in  acting  with  special  reference  to 
faithfulness  in  character  portrayal  and  effectiveness 
of   dramatic   or   comedy   rendition. 

(2)  A  distinction  award  to  the  actress  giving  the 
best  perfomiance   as  herein  described. 

WRITING 

(1)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in  coastruction  of  an  original  picture  play  with  spe- 
cial reference  to  originality,  strength  of  theme,  char- 
acter developments  and  consistency. 

(2)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in  construction  of  an  adaptation  for  a  picture  play 
as   herein   described. 

DIRECTING 

(1)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in  the  art  of  directing  a  dramatic  picture  play  with 
special  reference  to  character  building,  effective  di- 
rection of  individual  scenes,  direction  of  the  picture 
play  as  a  whole  and  originality  in  incidental  or 
general    treatment. 

(2)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in  directing  a  comedy  picture  play  a-s  herein  de- 
scribed. 

TECHNICAL 

(1)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in   photographic   art. 


(2)  A  distinction  award  for  the  best  achievement 
in   art   direction. 

(3)  A   distinction  award   for  the   best   engineering 
achievement   in  producing  effects. 
PRODUCTION 

(1)  A  distinction  award  for  the  most  outstanding 
motion  picture  production,  considering  all  elements 
that   contribute  to   a   picture's  greatness. 

(2)  A  distinction  award  for  the  most  unique, 
artistic  worthy  and  original  production  without  ref- 
erence  to    cost   or   magnitude. 

The  distinction  award  will  be  in  the  form 
of  a  statuette  emblematic  of  the  profession, 
to  be  designed  by  some  recognized  sculptor; 
to  be  reproduced  in  bronze,  and  the  par- 
ticular achievement  for  which  it  is  awarded 
to  be   engraved   on  the  base   of   each   one. 

There  will  also  be  awards  of  honorable 
mention,  diploma  or  some  other  form  of 
recognition  to  those  others  in  each  class 
who  may  be  deemed  entitled  to  it. 

The  awards  will  be  determined  as  fol- 
lows: 

Nominations.  Each  member  of  the  Academy  will 
make  nominations  on  or  before  August  10  for  each 
of  the  several  awards  on  blanks  to  be  furnished 
for  the  purpose,  stating  in  each  case  the  individual 
nominate!  and  the  particular  picture  in  which  the 
achievement  occurs.  For  the  purpose  of  refreshing 
the  memory,  a  list  of  productions'  released  since 
August   1,    1927,   will   be  sent  to  each  member. 

Judges.     There   will  be   appointed  after  the  ballot- 


Another  Version  of 
"Excess  Baggage" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  24.— The 
motion  picture  industry  has  lost  nu- 
merous publicists  in  the  past  few 
weeks.  One  of  the  studios  has  en- 
forced a  rule  not  permitting  any  of 
its  players  to  employ  freelance  press 
agents.  The  rule  has  had  a  great 
effect  due  to  the  fact  that  most  of 
the  players  of  that  lot  were  employ- 
ers of  press  agents.  Many  of  the 
biggest  stars  of  the  industry  now  are 
dependent  upon  the  company  alone 
for  their  publicity. 


ing  five  judges  for  each  class  group  of  awards, 
these  judges  to  be  selected  by  each  of  the  Executive 
Committees  of  the  five  Branches  of  the  Academy 
from  the  Branch  membership  to  embrace  as  far  as 
possible   the   best   qualified   members   of   the   Branch. 

Each  Branch  Board  of  Judges  will  report  their 
findings  to  a  Central  Board  of  Judges  to  be  appointed 
by  the  Board  of  Directors,  one  from  each  Branch 
who  will   make  the  final   awards. 

Procedure.  The  Secretary  will  submit  to  each  of 
the  several  Branch  Boards  of  Judges  a  record  of 
all  the  nominations  made  for  its  particular  class  of 
awards,  and  each  Board  of  Judges  will  then  select 
from  the  nominations  the  ten  receiving  the  highest 
number  of  nominating  votes  for  each  award,  and 
proceed  to  consider  the  merits  of  such  selected 
nominees  by  reviewing  the  pictures  specified,  after 
which  they  will  certify  in  writing  to  the  Central 
Board  of  Judges,  the  three  nominees  for  each  award, 
in  their  order  of  excellence,  whom  they  judge  to  be 
most  entitled  to  awards  for  distinction  and  honor- 
able  mention. 

No  judge  shall  be  named  to  serve  on  any 
board  of  judges  who  has  been  selected  as  a 
candidate  for  any  award  to  be  judged  by 
such  board. 

It  is  proposed  to  bestow  the  awards  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  Academy,  which  can 
be  either  an  open  meeting  or  a  dinner.  The 
annual  meeting  takes  place  late  in  October. 


"Making  the  Grade" 

ALFRED  E.  GREEN  PRODUCTION 

Will  Soon  Be  Ready  for  Release 

A  Box  Office  Director  Has  Com- 

pleted  the   Film   Based   on   the 

George  Ade  Story  for  Fox  Film 

Corp.    Edmund  Lowe  and  Lois 

-;'• 

Moran   in   the    Featured   Roles. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

,  M.  C.  Levee,  President 

100,000  square  feet  of  props,  garnered     Let  us  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  comers  of  the  globe.  your  next  production. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 


J 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


Fay  Wray  Appears  in 
Court    in    Character 
Make-Up  to  Testify 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  24.— Fay  Wray, 
Paramount  star,  appeared  "in  character"  in 
court  last  Saturday  for  the  first  time  in 
real  life.  She  is  the  complaining  witness 
in  the  state's  suit  against  Lyon  L  Barnard, 
who  is  charged  with  having  attempted  to 
extort  $2,000  from  her  through  letters 
threatening   her  mother. 

Miss  Wray,  as  well  as  her  husband  of  a 
few  weeks,  John  Monk  Saunders,  the 
author,  was  told  by  the  district  attorney 
that  she  would  not  be  needed  in  court. 
Municipal  Judge  Gibbs  threatened  to  issue 
a  bench  warrant  for  the  pair  if  they  were 
not  brought  to  the  court  room  at  once. 
The  star  had  to  leave  a  set  on  which  she 
was  working,  not  even  having  time  to 
change  her  costume  or  remove  her  make-up. 


1st  Technicolor  Feature 
May  Get  Sound  Effects 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Technicolor's 
"The  Thrall  of  Leif  the  Lucky,"  now  in 
production  at  the  Tec  Art  studio.  Techni- 
color's first  feature  length  production,  may 
be   synchronized. 

This  story  of  Viking  days  of  a  thousand 
years  ago,  has  a  cast  headed  by  House 
Peters,  while  Pauline  Stark  plays  the  only 
romantic    feminine   part. 

LeRoy  Mason  has  the  romantic  male  role. 
The  balance  includes  Roy  Stewart,  Anders 
Randolph,  Dick  Alexander  Harry  Woods, 
Al    MacQuarrie   and    Claire    McDowell. 


May  Shorten  Sentence 
Of  Stench  Bomb  Thrower 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Joseph  Bur- 
bridge,  who  is  serving  six  months  in  jail 
for  placing  a  stench  bomb  in  a  theatre  here, 
will  get  a  hearing  for  suspension  of  the 
remainder  of  the  sentence  July  27. 

Others  said  by  Burbridge  in  his  confes- 
sion to  have  been  implicated,  Sidney  Bur- 
ton, former  union  official;  Ben  Vezie  and 
Edwin  A.  Keller,  the  latter  also  a  union 
official,   were   granted   a   jury  trial. 


New  Glass  Said  to  Let 
In  Light  Without  Heat 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— "Heat-proof 
glass"  is  said  to  have  been  invented,  per- 
mitting actors  to  work  under  hothouse-like 
studio  roofs  in  comparative  comfort. 
The  new  steel  stage  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  studios  is  now  so  equipped.  The 
new  glass  is  a  special  lead  glass  treated 
with  a  chemical  that  filters  out  the  "short" 
or  heat  rays  in  light,  it  is  said. 


European  Films  Buys  Serial 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— European  Films, 
Ltd.,  of  London,  has  taken  over  the  sales 
and  distribution  rights  in  Great  Britain  of 
"The  Police  Reporter,"  Arthur  B.  Reeve 
serial,  according  to  Max  Weiss,  president 
of  Artclass. 


Schoedsackf  Cooper  Return 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Ernest  Schoed- 
sack  and  Miriam  Cooper,  makers  of 
"Chang,"  have  returned  from  Africa  to  cut 
and  assemble  the  shots  they  took  for  an- 
other production. 


Bebe  Daniels  to  Ride 
to  New  York  in  Plane 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— What- 
ever you  read  and  disbelieved  about 
her  in  the  fan  magazines  was  prob- 
ably right.  Bebe  Daniels  is,  after 
all,  that  kind  of  a  girl,  it  seems. 
Mrs.  Phyllis  Daniels,  the  Paramount 
star's  mother,  has  given  up  trying  to 
think  differently  herself,  and  so  the 
lively,  take-a-chance-on-anything-at- 
least-once  Bebe  has  the  maternal 
consent  to  ride  all  the  way  from  this 
town  to  New  York  in  a  mail  air- 
plane. When  she  gets  there — and 
Bebe,  for  one,  is  confident  that  she 
will — she  is  to  visit  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  Meighan. 


Helen  Ware  to  Teach 

Fox  Players  to  Talk 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Helen  Ware, 
stage  and  screen  actress,  has  arrived  here 
to  take  charge  of  the  new  Fox  voice-train- 
ing department,  to  prepare  players  without 
stage  experience  for  Movietone  speaking 
parts. 

She  was  accompanied  by  Fred  Burt,  her 
husband,  also  a  stage  player,  and  Ben  Jack- 
sen,  who  is   in   charge  of  Movietone. 


F  B  O  Signs  Tom  Moore, 
Noah  Beery  for  2  Each 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Tom  Moore 
and  Noah  Beery  have  been  signed  for  two 
F  B  O  pictures.  Moore  will  play  the  lead 
in  "His  Last  Haul"  and  "The  Yellowback." 
Marshall  Neilan  will  direct  "His  Last 
Haul."  Noah  Beery  will  play  the  leading 
role  in  "The  Red  Sword"  and  "Love  in  the 
Desert."  George  Melford  will  direct  the 
latter. 


Colleen  and  Husband 

Sail  to  South  America 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Julv  24.  — Colleen 
Moore,  First  National  star,  and  her  hus- 
band, John  McCormick,  who  produces  her 
pictures,  sail  this  week  for  South  America, 
in  a  yacht  they  have  chartered.  Cleve 
Moore,  Miss  Moore's  brother,  and  Jack 
Stone,  both  of  whom  appear  with  her  in 
"Lilac  Time,"  will  be  their  guests.  They 
expect  to  be  gone  seven  weeks. 


Carewe  and  Del  Rio  in 

Party  to  Go  to  Europe 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Dolores  Del 
Rio  and  Edwin  Carewe  are  among  six  who 
will  leave  in  a  party  Friday  for  Europe. 
Joseph  Schenck  will  meet  the  group  in 
London  and  proceed  with  it  to  the  Con- 
tinent. 

Harry  D.  Wilson  leaves  tonight  on  the 
Chief  to  make  advance  arrangements  in  all 
principal  cities. 


Reginald  Denny  to 

Make  Talking  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Production 
will  begin  soon  on  "The  Night  Bird,"  a 
Universal  picture,  starring  Reginald  Denny. 
It  will  be  a  talking  picture.  Joseph  Hena- 
berry   will    direct. 


Harold  Byron  Named 
Scenario    Editor    of 
Columbia  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Harold  Byron, 
formerly  head  of  the  Fox  scenario  depart- 
ment, has  been  appointed  scenario  editor  of 
Columbia  Pictures  by  Harry  Cohn,  vice- 
president   in   charge   of  production. 

Byron  is  well  known  in  the  industry  for 
his  wise  selection  of  story  material.  A 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  he 
became  engaged  in  scenario  work  for  Wil- 
liam Fox  in  1923  and  three  years  later  be- 
came head  of  the  Fox  scenario  department, 
a  position  which  he  held  for  two  years. 
During  his  regime  he  worked  on  such  pic- 
tures as  "Square  Crooks,"  "Street  Angel," 
and  "The   Red   Dance." 

In  his  new  affiliation  with  Columbia,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Cohn,  Byron  will  begin  im- 
mediately on  the  assignment  of  writers  to 
"Runaway  Girls,"  and  two  other  produc- 
tions about  to  be  launched. 


Three  Players  Added 

To  Paramount  Casts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— Paul  Lukas 
has  been  signed  for  a  heavy  role  with  Rich- 
ard Arlen  and  Nancy  Carroll  in  the  first  of 
a  series  of  Paramount  pictures  which  will 
co-feature  the  latter.  Arlen,  who  recently 
completed  a  role  in  Jim  Tully's  "Beggars 
of  Life,"  is  also  scheduled  for  a  leading 
part  in  "Dirigible,"  air  special. 

Nancy  Dover,  who  recently  graduated 
from  small  parts  to  leads  in  Christie  pic- 
tures, has  signed  a  long  term  contract  with 
Christie.  Her  first  picture  will  be  with 
Bobby  Vernon.  Brandon  Hurst  has  been 
cast  as  a  police  inspector  in  Paramount's 
film  version  of  "Interference,"  which  is  now 
before  the  cameras. 


Dorothy  MackailVs  Next 

To  Be  in  Honolulu 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.  —  Dorothy 
Mackaill's  next  professional  sojourn  will 
be  in  Honolulu,  where  exteriors  will  be 
made  under  the  direction  of  George  Fitz- 
maurice  for  First  National's  "The  Change- 
ling." 

Miss  Mackaill  just  recently  returned  from 
San  Francisco,  where  she  worked  in  se- 
quences for  another  First  National  produc- 
tion. 


Parkell  Purchases  Stage 
Works  for  Sound  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— The  Parkell  Cor- 
poration has  purchased  all  the  stage  plays, 
musical  comedies  and  musical  dramas  writ- 
ten by  Adolf  Philipp  and  Jean  Briquet 
which  have  been  produced  in  the  United 
States  and  abroad.  The  plays  will  be  pro- 
duced for  talking  pictures  by  the  Parkell 
company. 


Weight  to  Direct  Loy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,     July    24.  — Harmon 

Weight    has    signed   a    contract    at    Warner 

Brothers    to    direct    Myrna    Loy    in    "Hard 

Boiled  Rose."     It  will  be  a  talking  picture. 


Boy  Scout  Night  Held 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,   July  24.— Last   night  was 
Boy   Scout   Evening  at  the  Hippodrome   at 
the    advent     of    Gotham's     "United     States 
Smith"  in   the   East. 


36 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


^^^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
^'Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Vaughan  Uses  Short  Features  as 
Seat  (and  Not  Program)  Fillers 

Believes  Successful  Operation  of  Eight  Theatres  Has  Been  Due  Largely 

to  Careful  Selection  of  This  Product — Has  Educated 

Patrons  to  Appreciate  Two  Reelers 

Use  your  short  feature  as  a  "seat  filler"  and  not  just  as  a  program  filler  and 
you  will  build  business ! 

That  is  the   substance   of  comment  written  for  this   department  by  P.   G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  who  has  found  in  the  operation  of  eight 
theatres  that  the  careful  selection  of  short  features  is  a  boon  to  the  box  office 
Mr.  Vaughan  concurs  in  the  statements  of       million,   has  been  largely   due  to   the   careful 


other  theatre  men  that  the  short  feature- 
scenics,  color  classics,  cartoons,  news,  novel- 
ties and  comedies — is  an  invaluable  part  of 
every  motion  picture  program. 

A  policy  of  educating  the  public  to  appre- 
ciate the  short  feature  is  one  to  which  Mr. 
Vaughan  has  adhered,  and  to  this  fact  he 
credits  a  share  of  his  success. 

"In  time  people  learn  that  certain  theatres 
always  have  a  good  show  even  if  the  feature 
isn't  so  strong,"  he  writes. 

Mr.  Vaughan's  comment  on  the  short  fea- 
ture follows : 

Short    Subjects    as    a 
Business  Builder 

"Short  subjects  are  used  in  my  theatre  as 
seat  fillers,  not  just  merely  to  make  one  show 
last   a   required  length   of   time. 

"I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  I  believe  any 
great  number  of  people  are  attracted  to  my 
theatre  by  any  specific  short  subject  (only  on 
rare  occasions),  but  I  do  believe  that  my 
successful  operation  of  eight  theatres  in  towns 
ranging   from   1,000  inhabitants   up  to   a  half 


Newspictures 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  57— Louvain 
Library,  restored  by  Americans — Chinese  thousands 
flee  Northward  as  Southern  troops  take  Tientsin — 
Ovation  for   Hoover   on  way  West  for   Campaign. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  SA — Al  Smith  visits  youthful  ad- 
mirers at  Boy  Scout  camp — Nippon  Prince  leads 
military  game  as  an  officer  of  the  line — 52-story 
building  being  built   in   New  York  City. 

M  G  M  NEWS  NO.  97 — Splendid  new  library  dedi- 
cated at  Louvain — Hoover  starts  west  to  accept 
nomination — Expert  lop  rollers  in  championship 
meet  at   Longview,   Washington. 

PAR.\MOUNT  NEWS  NO.  103 — Hoover  visits 
Coolidge  at  Summer  White  House — Relief  parties 
from  all  countries  join  in  rescue  hunt  for  lost 
Italia's  crew — New  York  pays  tribute  to  Captain 
Carranza,   goodwill  flyer  who  lost  life  in   crash. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5413— Governor  Al  Smith  visits 
Boy  Scout  camp  at  Bear  Mountain — Hundreds  of 
thousands  cheer  four  air-men  on  completion  of 
daring  air  trip  at  Australia — Raskob  is  picked  to 
lead   Democrats. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  102 — Historic  Louvain 
library  restored  by  Americans — Many  rescue  parties 
hunt  for  lost  Italia's  crew — Captain  Emilio  Car- 
ranza  dies   when   plane   crashes. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5414 — Healthiest  babies  strive  f9r 
prizes  at  Coney  Island — Captain  Carranza,  goodwill 
flyer  killed  in  crash — Harry  Lyon  and  James  War- 
ner,  Southern  Cross  flyers  return. 


selection   of    short   subjects. 

"I  have  always  educated  my  patrons  to  ap- 
preciate scenics,  color  classics,  cartoons  and 
novelties.  At  present,  I  use  every  color  sub- 
ject made.  Curiosities,  Hodge  Podges,  Oswald 
the  Rabbit,  Aesop's  Fables,  Krazy  Kat,  two 
issues  of  Pathe  news,  one  issue  of  Paramount, 
practically  all  of  the  good  two  and  one  reel 
comedies  on  the  market,  and  when  the  length 
of  my  feature  will  permit  it,  use  as  many  as 
four  and  five  subjects  on  a  program. 

"In  time  people  learn  that  certain  theatres 
always  have  a  good  show,  even  if  the  feature 
isn't  so   strong. 

"I  use  photos  on  short  subjects  of  any  im- 
portance and  one  sheets  on  the  balance.  Some 
short  subjects  receive  as  much  newspaper 
space  as  my  feature.  For  instance,  I  played 
"Circus  Rookies"  and  a  two  reel  M  G  Al  color 
classic,  "Buffalo  Bill's  Last  Fight"  on 
the  same  bill.  I  gave  the  color  classic 
equal  space — result  a  heavy  run  of  children 
and  a  better  than  average  day's  business. 
Good  short  subjects  pay  dividends." 


Terry  Ramsaye,  editor  of  Pathe  Review, 
has  given  the  film  magazine  a  new  typo- 
graphical dress,  and  has  originated  many 
innovations  in  its  contents.  The  Pathe 
title  plant  in  Neiv  York  has  been  experi- 
menting on  new  and  remarkable  effects 
for  several  weeks  and  the  first  of  these 
will  appear  in  Number  35,  released  Au- 
gust 26.  Illustrative  of  the  new  title  ef- 
fects is  the  main  title  (pictured  above) 
with  its  modernistic  rooster. 


Releases 


WEEK    OF   JULY    29 

EDUCATIONAI^— "Leaping  Luck,"  Davis-Collins, 
Mermaid,  two;  "Roaming  Romeo,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Hard  Work,"  Wallace  Lupino,  Cameo,  one. 

M  G  M — "Nature's    Wizardry,"   Oddities. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Out- 
numbered," Aesop  Fable,  one;  Pathe  Review  No. 
31,   one;    Topics   of   the    Day   No.    31,    one. 

UNIVERSAL— "The  Trackless  Trolley,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chap.  9,  two;  "Broke  Out,"  Mike 
and  Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "Ropin'  Romance," 
Western,  Newton  House,  two. 

WEEK    OF    AUGUST   5 

EDUCATIONAI^-"Felix  the  Cat  in  The  Last 
Life,"  one;  "Kid  Hayseed,"  Big  Boy-Juvenile, 
two. 

F  B  O — "Mickey's  Babies,"  two ;  "Joyful  Day," 
Standard,  two;   Newslafif  No.   25,  one. 

FOX — "The  Elephant's  Elbows,"  Animal,  two; 
"The   Lofty  Andes,"   Fox   Varieties,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  1,  two;  "Our  Lit- 
tle Nell,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Supper  Sex," 
Sportlight,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  32,  one;  "Top- 
ics   of    the    Day,    No.    32. 

UNIVERSAI^"High  Up,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Newlyweds'  Anniversary,"  Snookums,  Junior 
Jewel,  two;  "Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"McGinis'  vs.  Joneses,"  two;  "The  Ranger  Patrol," 
Western,   two. 

WEEK   OF  AUGUST   12 

EDUCATIONAL — "Goofy  Birds,"  Bowers,  two; 
"He  Tried  to  Please,"  Collins-Hutton,  Cameo, 
one;    "The  Peep  Show,"   Hodge-Podge,   one. 

PARAMOUNT — "Stop      Kidding,"      Christie-Vemon, 

two. 
PATHE — "The     Terrible    People,"     Chapt.    2.    two; 

"Sunny   Italy,"   Aesop   Fable,    one;    "His   Unlucky 

Night,"    Bevan-Dent,    Sennett,    two ;    Pathe   Review 

No.   33,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  33,  one. 
UNIVERSAL — "King     of     Shebas,"     Snappy,     one; 

"Tarzan     the     Mighty"     No.     1,     Adventure,     two; 

"Busting  Buster,"   Stern  Bros.,  two;   "The  Getaway 

Kid,"    Western,    Curivood,   two. 

WEEK   OF   AUGUST   19 

EDUCATIONAL — "The  Fighting  Orphans — Eve- 
ning Mist,"  Bruce  Outdoor  Sketches,  one;  "Just 
Dandy,"    Drew,    Mermaid,    two. 

F  B  O — Newslaff  No.   26,  one. 

FOX — "Her   Mother's    Back,"    Imperial,   two. 

PARAMOUNT— "The  Dizzy  Dive,"  Christie-Dooley, 
two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  3,  two; 
"A  Cross-Country  Run,"  Aesop  Fable,  one; 
"Canned  Thrills,"  Sportlight,  one;  "Smith's  Res- 
taurant," two ;  Pathe  Review  No.  34,  one ;  Topics 
of  the   Day  No.    34,   one. 

UNIVERSAL — "Hot  Dog,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  2,  Adventure,  two;  "She's 
My  Girl,"  Stern  Bros.,  Let  George  Do  It,  two; 
"The  Ruse,"  Western,  Perrin,  two. 


Four  Series  Are  Started 

for  F  B  O  Under  Darmour 

Work  has  just  started  at  the  F  B  O 
studio  on  "Ruth  Is  Stranger  Than  Fiction," 
fifth  of  the  Racing  Blood  series,  and  on 
"Mickey's  Movies,"  the  first  of  the  new 
Mickey  McGuire  series.  The  first  of  the 
Toots  and  Casper  group  is  underway  with 
Thelma  Hill  and  Buddy  Duncan  in  the 
leads,  as  is  "Horsefeathers,"  first  of  the 
Barney  Google  series.  Larry  Darmour  is 
making   four   series   for   F  B  O. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Y^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 

Gallo  Outlines  Plan  of  Organ  Club 

Music  Concerns 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  July  21 

The  delightfully  low  temperature  of  the  Stanley 
contributed  quite  as  much  as  the  unusually  high  qual- 
ity of  the  ehow  to  make  the  bill  this  week  well  worth 
venturing  forth  into  the  heat  of  Market  street  to 
hear. 

The  orchestra  played  two  American  sketches,  Gard- 
ner's "From  the  Canebrake"  and  Powell's  "Hoochee- 
Koochee  Danc«." 

The  stage  presentation,  "Eight  Bells,  a  Trip  in  the 
Pirate  Ship,"  was  conducted  by  Jack  Kaufman,  with 
the  Stanley  stagehand  dressed  as  pirates  and  the 
stage  suggesting  the  deck  of  a  pirate  ship,  with 
chests  of  jewels  and  treasures  at  the  sides  forming 
a  picturesque  background  for  the  act. 

Odette  Myrtil,  who  headed  the  stage  attractions, 
captured  the  audience  with  her  charming  personality 
as  well  as  her  market  ability  as  a  violinist  and  vocal- 
ist. She  appeared  coolly  self-possessed  in  spite  of  her 
wintry  costume  of  black  velvet  in  Turkish  trouser 
effect,  and  her  unforced  vivacity  was  most  appealing. 
She  plays  the  violin  with  unusual  delicacy  of  touch. 
Her  selections  included  "C'est  Vous"  and  "When 
Katrinka   Shakes   Her   Tambourine." 

Georgic  Taps  is  a  master  of  tap  dancing.  He  also 
offered  a  buck  dance  on  his  toes  that  was  quite  un- 
usual. 

Al  and  Jack  Rand  then  appeared  dressed  in  long 
black  coats  and  wide  brimmed  hats  carrying  psalm 
books.  These  two  old  Puritan  fathers  soon  forgot 
their  stiff  and  stately  roles  and  tapped  out  the 
rhythm  of  several  iJopular  melodies  with  precision 
and  vigor. 

Olivette's  mirth-provoking  costume,  loose  jointed 
dance  and  burlesque  of  a  swan  dance  all  tended  to 
keep  the  audience  in  laughing  mood.  She  flapped  her 
pigtails  gaily  and  her  banter  with  Kaufman  was 
amusing. 

The  Stanley  stagehand  followed  with  a  paraphrase 
from   "My  Hero." 

Paul  Howard  showed  astonishing  ability  as  a  con- 
tortionist and  could  bend  himself  into  the  most  fan- 
tastic positions.  At  times  he  bears  more  resemblance 
to  a  prehistoric  animal  than  to  a  normal  man.  He 
always  returns  to  a  natural  position  from  the  most 
impossible  attitudes  nonchalantly  chewing  gum. 

Elsie  Gilbert  sang  "St.  Louis  Blues"  and  "Missis- 
sippi Mud"  with  a  great  deal  of  energy,  but  she 
failed  to  e;xcite  much  enthusiasm   in  the  audience. 


Joe  Kayser 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  22 

They  did  splendidly  with  the  college  atmosphere  at 
the  Chicago  this  week.  The  stageshow,  "Rah,  Rah, 
Rah,"  wasn't  still  from  the  moment  the  curtain 
flied,  revealing  two  undergraduates  (and  track  men) 
doing  a  long  distance  run  on  a  treadmill,  until  the 
finale. 

And  not  the  least  responsible  for  the  fun  of  the 
evening  was  Johnnie  Perkins,  he  of  the  rotund  waist- 
line, ingratiating  smile,  contagious  chuckle  and  funny 
jokes.     That   ought  to   be  enough   for   one  man. 

Arid  not  so  bad  either  was  the  young  man,  AI 
Gale,  who  did  very  humorously  the  frosh  of  school 
days.  The  brunt  of  the  wise  cracks  and  practical 
jokes  of  the  upper  classmen. 

"Sweetheart  of  Sigma  Chi"  by  12  men  and  Louella 
{Continued   on   next  page) 


Meet  the  Personality  Master  of  Ceremonies  and 
Band  Leader  who  waves  his  magic  baton  on 
the  stage  of  Loew's  Midland  theatre  at  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo. — Joe  was  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lar ballroom  band  leaders  Chicago  ever  had 
before  he  became  a  stage  bandmaster.  Before 
coming  to  Kansas  City,  Joe  made  his  debut 
in  picture  houses  at  the  Orpheum  Diversey 
theatre,    Chicago. 

Augmented  Orchestra 
Introduced  at  Uptown 

starting  July  23,  Balaban  &  Katz  introduced  a 
new  policy  at  the  Uptown  theatre,  Chicago.  Under 
this  new  plan  an  augmented  orchestra  production  is 
featured  each  week  under  the  direction  of  Uldrico 
Marchelli   conducting  from  the  pit. 

This  new  symphonic  feature  will  present  popular 
and  classic  music  played  by  an  organization  com- 
posed of  solo  musicians  and  assisted  by  a  vocal  chorus 
and  soloist. 


Here's  a  Break  for 
Al  Piantadosi 

Al  Piantadosi  has  been  riding  on  the  crest  of  the 
wave  of  good  fortune  recently.  Paul  Whiteman  has 
just  recorded  two  of  Piantadosi's  numbers,  "Louisi- 
ana" and  "Dancing  Shadows,"  and  these  were 
rushed  out  as  special  releases  by  the  Victor  Company. 

It  looks  as  though  Piantadosi  had  two  big  hits  in 
these  numbers  and,  according  to  the  records,  orders 
are  flooding  the  publisher. 


National  Changes  Its 
Opening  Days 

starting  July  21,  the  National  Playhouse,  formerly 
operated  by  the  Cooney  Brothers  of  Chicago,  changed 
their  opening  days  from  Monday  to  Saturday.  The 
theatres  effected  by  this  change  were  their  two  new 
de  luxe  houses,  the  Capitol  and  Avalon,  which  are 
featuring   presentations   and   talking   films. 


Will  Cooperate 
With  Organists 

Lodges  and  Business  Men's  Associa- 
tions Should  Be  Inter- 
ested in  Stunt 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

We  are  in  receipt  of  many  inquiries 
from  organists  requesting  informa- 
tion on  how  to  proceed  in  forming  an 
organ  club.  For  the  benefit  of  those 
who  are  not  able  to  correspond  with 
some  of  the  leading  organists  that 
specialize  in  this  feature,  we  are  set- 
ting forth  in  this  column  a  brief  out- 
line of  how  you  are  to  go  about  it  in 
organizing  your  own  club. 

First  of  all,  have  your  theatre  manager 
makeup  for  you  a  film  trailer  announcing  that 
you  will  form  a  club  and  desire  members. 
This  announcement  should  be  run  at  least 
three  weeks  in  advance.  Hand  bills  about  the 
size  of  throw-aways  should  be  printed  at  least 
two  weeks  in  advance  and  should  be  distrib- 
uted around  the  schools  and  various  soda 
fountains. 

Here's  Membership  Card  Copy 

Membership  cards  should  be  printed  with 
your  name  and  the  theatre's  name  on  it  with 
wording  to  this  effect: 

"This  certifies  that  Billy  Brown  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  organ  club  and  is  entitled  to  all 
benefits.  Free  admission  tickets  will  be  mailed 
to  members  on  their  birthday.  Special  meet- 
ings will  be  advertised  in  advance  and  mem- 
bers will  be  admitted  free  upon  presenting 
this  card  to  the  theatre,  providing  the  mem- 
ber brings  an  escort  or  a  companion.  Sugges- 
tions and  requests  will  be  highly  appreciated 
from  members  and  the  organist  will  endeavor 
to  please  all  his  members." 

If  you  wish  to  carry  this  idea  a  little  further 
you  might  request  your  theatre  to  get  out  a 
bunch  of  celluloid  buttons  to  be  given  to  all 
the  members  who  attend  regularly  each  week 
for  the  period  of  a  month  or  more.  If  there 
is  a  radio  in  your  community  by  all  means 
broadcast  a  short  program  as  this  will  help 
popularize  not  only  your  club  but  also  your 
theatre. 

Circularize  Your  Members 

When  all  the  above  things  have  been  ar- 
ranged, it  is  quite  possible  that  your  theatre 
or  the  publicity  department  can  arrange  to 
obtain  some  iine  publicity  and  photograph  dis- 
plays in  the  newspapers.  Do  not  fail  to  obtain 
a  list  of  patrons  from  the  theatre  and  circu- 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTUHE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


You  CanY  Go  Wrong 


R/^(V)ONPi 


VOU'RE    A    REAL      ,, 
SWEETHEART 


1 


DON'T  CRV  BABV^ 


LONESO/V^E   \N 

THE  MOOrOLIGHT  I 


GOTTA  BIG  DATE 
WITH  A  UTILE  GIRl!^ 


1'\ 


7* 


DOWrS)  WHERE  ^ 

THE  SUfSJ  GOES   DOW(V 

'cast  night  I  DREAMED 
VOU    KISSED  (V)£'' 

'l  TOPE  UPVOUR  PICTURE 
WH£N  VOU  SAID  GOODBVE' 

V(V)  WINGIN' home' j 


CHIQUITA' 

'THAT'S  (viv  mN\m 


?. 


IS  IT  GONWA  BE  LONG?? 

(TILL  YOU  BELONG  tome; 

'too  busy'' 

'Dixie  DAWN" 
*SAY'VeS'TO-DAV' 
'DOLORES" 
WAITIN'FOR  HATV 


(COQUETTE" 
'MY  OHIO  HOME'' 

THERE   MUST  BE  ,, 

'a  silver  lining 
Indian  cradle  song 


LEO.  FEIST,  INC. 

23 r  w.40^"St.. 
NE.W  YOFiK,  M.Y. 


larize  them  each  week  with  a  fine  personal 
letter  that  can  be  printed  in  form  style. 

Clubs,  lodges,  and  business  men's  associa- 
tions are  always  a  good  bet  as  members  of 
an  organ  club  and  you  could  arrange  a  special 
night  for  any  of  them  with  sufficient  advance 
publicity  that  will  insure  a  good  house  on  the 
evening  this  performance  will  be  held.  By 
tying-up  with  the  various  civic  organizations 
and  merchants,  you  will  gain  the  support  and 
cooperation  of  your  community,  and  window 
cards  and  other  sorts  of  displays  can  be  dis- 
tributed around  to  good  advantage. 

Music  publishers  are  ever  ready  to  cooperate 
with  you  on  special  solos  and  will  gladly  sup- 
ply you  with  the  proper  slides  and  songs  to  be 
used  either  as  community  singing  stunts  or 
for  original  organ  novelties.  For  further  par- 
ticulars write  to  Eddie  Meikel,  featured  organ- 
ist at  the  Harding  theatre,  Chicago,  who  has 
conducted  an  organ  club  successfully  for  sev- 
eral years.  Also,  get  in  touch  with  Billy  Muth, 
featured  organist  of  the  Texas  theatre,  San 
Antonio,  who  has  just  inaugurated  a  club  idea. 


STAGE     SHOWS 


(Continued  from  preceding  page") 

Lee  opened  the  musical  part  of  the  bill  and  was  so 
well  done  that  it  brought  the  encore,  "Without  You, 
Sweetheart."  They  sang  in  a  campus  setting  that 
this  writer  might  call  reminiscent  of  "bygone"  days. 
And  you  should  know. 

Fatty  (that's  Johnnie  Perkins)  and  Al  Gale  came 
on  again  for  a  few  laughs,  and  what  they  came 
on  for  they  got.  Then  followed  a  monkey  dance 
by  two  boys  who,  if  we  are  not  mistaken,  came 
from  the  orchestra — a  versatile  lot.  And  likewise 
they  were  excellent,  with  appropriate  laughter  and 
applause. 

In  the  next  act  some  one  was  wrong.  Lou  Kosloff 
announced  a  quartette  from  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, and  the  billing  swora  that  they  were  the 
Maryland  Collegians.  Matters  not,  however,  so  long 
as  they  did  their  bit — and  very  pleasantly — in  mak- 
ing "Rah,  Rah,  Rah,"  and  a  couple  of  whooplas, 
entertaining.  One  song  we  remember,  "How  Could 
Anything  So  Good  Be  Bad." 

(Just  to  mention  here :  The  Chicago  should  do  its 
stageshow  like  the  Oriental  and  other  theatres  in 
one  respect — announce  the  acts  and  the  songs.  Help, 
yes!) 

This  week  the  Chicago  had  the  Joe  Keith  Dancers, 
and  while  they  were  good,  they  could  not  match  the 
Abbotts  or  others  we  have  seen  hereabouts.  Just 
good — that's   all. 

AI  Gale  came  on  again  for  some  songs  and  did 
his  turn  in  ample  style.  Al  is  a  good  and  clever 
youngster  who  could  be  helped  if  he  had  just  a  few 
dance  steps — comical — to  go  witii  his  other  stuff. 

The  band  did  its  last  single  with  "Collegiana,"  with 
the  California  or  Maryland  collegians  (you  guess) 
doing  the  chorus  along  with  some  dancers.  The 
boys   also  took   some   steps   in   this   turn. 

Johnnie  Perkins  then  was  given  the  stage,  both  in 
song  and  chatter  and  there  is  no  reason  to  com- 
ment further.  His  stuff  is  clean  and  witty.  It  gets 
over  with  a  wow,  or  a  bang,  or  what  have  you. 
Naturally,  his  rendition  (you  pay  for  that  word)  of 
"Back  in  Your  Own  Back  Yard"  brought  in  plenty 
of  noise. 

As  a  finale  the  band  gave  a  few  bars  to  several 
of  the  college  songs — Northwestern,  Chicago,  Navy, 
Georgia  Tech,  etc.  We  might  add  that  their  North- 
western song  waB  not  the  popular  one. 

It  was  a  great  show. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  28 

Paul  Ash  and  the  stagehand  are  featured  this  week 
in  "Harem-Skarem" — a  burlesque  on  the  Arabian 
harem  life.  The  first  number  is  a  soldier  drill  by 
the  Foster  Girls,  who  go  through  all  the  motions, 
then   do   a  military  climb  over  the  walls.     This  num- 


ber was  followed  by  the  orchestration  of  "Get  Out 
and   Get  Under  the   Moon." 

Paul  Small,  with  the  stagehand,  sang  this  song  to 
good   returns. 

Harry  Savoy  offers  the  comedy  throughout  the 
show,  and  enters  at  this  point  with  the  usual  talking 
business  with  Ash,  does  a  comedy  song  and  intro- 
duces : 

Helen  Swan,  who  kind  of  takes  the  place  of  Helen 
Kane,  erstwhile  favorite  for  many  weeks  at  the  Par- 
amount. Miss  Swan  sings  to  Ash,  using  a  cute  little 
number  which  for  want  of  a  better  name  we'll  call 
"Anything  You   Say." 

The  Wandering  Minstrels  do  a  comedy  acrobatic 
tumbling  bit  which  is  cleverly  executed.  Fast  and 
furious  work  prevails  through  their  offering,  and 
they   are   made  up   in    clown   outfits. 

Pallo  and  Braille,  with  the  Foster  Girls,  offer  their 
asthetic  dancing  act,  which  is  very  appropriate  and 
wins   instant  applause. 

The  theme  song  of  "Loves  of  an  Actress,"  which  is 
scheduled  as  the  motion  picture  for  next  week,  is 
offered  by  the  orchestra,  and  is  called  "Sunbeams." 
Small  sings  the  chorus. 

Miss  Swan  and  Savoy  do  some  more  play  with 
Ash,  and  the  finale  is  the  greatest  spectacle  ever  pre- 
sented at  the  Paramount.  Savoy  offers  a  dramatic 
recitation,  followed  by  a  scene  in  the  background 
of  the  World  War  soldiers,  who  gallop  to  victory  on 
real  horses,  moving  on  a  revolving  platform.  Very 
realistic  and  has  patriotic  thrills  to  put  it  over  for 
a   smashing   close. 


Kansas  City  Pantages 

Week  Ending  July  20 

Mabel  McCane  has  a  musical  sketch,  "Life,"  which 
headed  the  Pantages'  stage  program.  The  sketch 
has  a  good  idea  to  it  and  allows  Miss  McCane  to 
show  the  audience  a  bit  of  convincing  acting,  as 
well  as  some  appealing  little  songs  and  hokum, 
which  goes  over  good. 

Wilson  and  Kcppel  have  a  novelty  dance  act,  most 
of  which  is  done  on  a  set  of  stairs.  Nancy  Fair  has 
a  singing  act  in  which  she  combines  a  bit  of  i>opu- 
lar  music  with  numbers  of  the  more  "serious"  type 
and  makes  the  orchestra  and  stage  hands  feel  good 
vrhen  she  sings  a  little  tribute  to  "everyone  else  con- 
nected with  the  theatre." 

Richard  Haveman's  Lions  are  not  jokes  by  any 
means.  They  are  lions  which  do  enough  snapping 
and  pawing  to  make  any  member  of  the  audience 
feel  thankful  that  a  good,  strong  steel  cage  encloses 
the  beasts,  which  do  some  tricks  that  show  the  re- 
sults of  long  training. 

Louis  Charninsky  and  his  Pantages  orchestra  play 
popular   selections   as   an   overture. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  20 

"Ride  'Em  Ojwboy"  at  the  Capitol  this  week  was 
topheavy  with  dancing,  and  the  hoofers  on  the  bill 
had  a  hard  time  of  it  to  please  their  audiences  after 
a  gentleman  of  color  answering  to  the  name  of 
Dotson  tripi>ed  off  the  stage. 

Dotson,  the  billing  carries  only  his  last  name,  is  a 
Negro  tap  dancer,  and  as  everyone  in  the  show  busi- 
ness knows,  w^hen  a  Negro  is  a  good  dancer,  he  is  a 
superlatively  good  dancer.  Dotson  is  probably  the 
best  tap  and  soft  shoe  stepper  that  has  been  seen 
here  in  two  seasons,  including  the  dancing  stars  of- 
fered by  the  $5  revues,  and  his  audiences  applauded 
him  to  the  echo  and  then  howled  for  more. 

The  two  other  dance  numbers  on  the  bill  had 
rather  a  hard  time  of  it,  therefore.  Lyndon  and 
Farnum  were  comedy  Apache  dancers  and  did  some 
very  funny  dancing,  and  Aida  Broadbent  was  a  toe 
dancer  of  much  excellence. 

Little  Helen  Kennedy  was  a  charming  "blues" 
singer,  one  of  those  little  girl  type  of  blondes  that 
audiences  take  right  to  their  hearts.  She  has  a 
charming  personality,  and  puts  her  number  over  in 
great  style.  Schirmer  and  I>oyle  did  an  excellent 
musical  bit,  and  there  were  the  Capitol  Girls  in  fancy 
stepping. 

The  setting  was  a  Publix  version  of  a  Western 
dance  hall  in  the  good  old,  bad  old  days.  But 
strangely  enough,  no  one  sang  "The  Cowboy's  La- 
ment"   or    "Bury    Me    Deep    on    the    Wide    Prairie." 


FRED    KINSLEY 

Supervisor  of 

ORGAN  SOLO  PRESENTATIONS 


For    the    entire 


KEITH-ALBEE-ORPHEUM  CIRCUIT 


July  28,  1928 


EXfflBlTORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


The  Publix   directors   should   drop   those  in   for  local 
color. 

Del  Delbridge,  the  popular  band  leader  and  master 
of  ceremonies,  was  ill  last  week  and  hie  place  was 
taken  by  Eddie  Perry,  a  band  leader  of  the  vim  and 
vigor  school.  Eddie  was  in  a  tough  spot,  because 
Del  is  well  liked  by  audiences  here,  but  he  got  by 
very  nicely. 


New  Orleans  Saenger 

Week  Ending  July  20 

Opening  in  a  riot  of  color,  with  gorgeous  ward- 
robe and  sensuous  music,  "Havana,"  the  Publix 
show,  made  good  the  advance  notices  and  pleased 
those  fortunate  enough  to  witness  the  performances. 

The  scene,  the  exterior  of  a  hotel  in  the  Cuban 
capital,  disclosed  on  rise  of  curtain  the  stagehand 
attired  as  toreadors,  rendering  Spanish  music  of  by- 
gone   days    transplanted    to   American    shores. 

The  bill  opened  with  the  Boris  Petroff  Girls  in  an 
effective  Castanet  ballet,  which  though  burdened  with 
tmgainly  skirts,  disclosed  a  wealth  of  shapely  limbs 
in  the  various  movements  of  the  dance  supplemented 
by  Quivering  muscles  which  could  not  even  offend 
the  most  fastidious. 

Wally  Jackson,  a  nut  dancer,  passed  muster  and 
gave  several  imitations,  closing  with  an  explanation 
as  to  the  origin  of  the  Black  Bottom,  which  he 
claimed  was  the  result  of  ants  penetrating  his  cloth- 
ing while  in  Havana,  and  the  movements  resulted 
from  efforts  to  dislodge  the  pesky  creatures. 

Dorothy  Burke  and  Mario  Naldi,  an  effective  team 
of  Spanish  dancers,  are  the  best  who  have  visited 
this  city  for  several  seasons. 

Coster  and  Hewlett  sang  decidedly  well  and  proved 
an  innovation  to  those  interested  in  the  higher 
grades  of  vocal   music. 

Billy  Beard  stopped  the  show  with  new  and  up-to- 
date  gags,  and  his  song,  "A  Hundred  Years  Ago," 
received  many  hands.  Beard  was  born  in  New  Or- 
leans, so  he  says,  but  whether  or  not,  this  section 
claims  him  as  its  own  as  he  has  been  seen  several 
times  at  the  Tulane  theatre  with  various  minstrel 
organizations. 

An  act  not  on  the  Public  bill  but  which  pleased 
Immensely  was  the  Two  Lubowski  Brothers,  Dan  and 
Vit,  members  of  the  stagehand,  who,  on  piano  and 
violin,  rendered  Sarsote's  "Malaguena"  and  encored 
with    Kreisler's    "Schon    Rosmarin." 

Art  Landry,  the  personality  leader,  is  growing 
more  a  favorite  as  the  days  go  on. 

In  honor  of  the  French  Fourteenth  of  July,  Castro 
Carazo  and  the  Saenger  Grand  Orchestra  rendered 
"Robespierre"  during  the  week,  assisted  by  John  and 
Betty  Hammond  on  the  organ  featuring  "My  Angel." 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  19 

Rubinoff,  Russian  violinist,  undoubtedly  took  the 
honors  at  the  Riviera  stageshow  this  week,  being 
master  of  his  art,  but  other  numbers  ranked  high 
in  their  particular  line.  There  was  Paul  Spor's 
stagehand,  for  instance,  which  was  so  popular  in  a 
specialty  which  Spor  had  arranged  in  which  each 
member  played  a  solo,  that  the  audience  would  not 
let  them  quit.  He  finally  had  to  go  out  into  the 
wings  and  lead  out  Pauline  Gaskins  and  ask,  "Do 
you  want  her?"  Being  extremely  pretty,  the  audi- 
ence was  content  to  let  the  orchestra  rest.  As  a 
dancer,  she  is  high  in  her  profession  as  well  as  in 
her  kicks,  and  also  can   sing. 

Spor  and  Manager  Harry  Watts  had  arranged  a 
specialty  for  the  week  which  was  another  high  spot 
on  the  bill.  Two  five-year-old  boy  dancers,  local  tal- 
ent. The  dances  may  have  been  juvenile,  but  not 
amatexirish.  Another  stoi-m  of  applause  from  the 
audience.  Burns  and  Kissen,  who  followed  the  young- 
sters,  fitted  well  into  the  bill  with  their  light  patter. 

"Gems"  was  the  name  of  the  show  and  the  Or- 
monde Sparkling  Gems,  shimmering  jewels  in  their 
setting,    lived    up    to    the    name. 

George  Johnson  at  the  organ  played  "Mental 
Telepathy"  with  much  favor.  The  film  was  "Drums 
of  Love." 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  28 

Walt  Roesner  and  the  Capitolians  offer  a  West- 
ern cowboy  presentation  entitled  "Yip-ee,"  featuring 
Herman  Timberg  and  Barbara  Blair. 

The  usual  bucking  broncho  and  quilt-tossing  epi- 
sodes  supposed   to  depict  the   life   of   a   two-gun   cow- 


boy outfit,  opens  the  show,  and  puts  a  racy  trend 
to  the  atmosphere. 

Walt  Roesner  does  a  "Three  Trees"  recitation,  with 
the  accoimpaniment  of  the  boys  in  the  stagehand, 
called  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  Such  characters  as 
Uncle  Tom,  Topsy,  Eva,  and  Simon  Lagree  are  aptly 
described  by  the  orchestra,  even  to  the  landing  of 
the  bloodhounds  on  the  cakes  of  ice.  A  hilarious  bit, 
and  particularly  unique  and  novel  to  this  theatre. 

The  orchestra  plays  "Chloe"  with  vocal  accompani- 
ment through  the  Capitol  microphone,  the  voice 
sounding  in   the   far  balcony. 

Artists  who  contribute  their  specialties  to  this  pres- 
entation are  unannounced,  but  we  find  Joe  Ross,  an 
excellent  tap  dancer,  doing  his  particular  style  of 
work  to  a  big  hand.  Then  Frank  Stever,  heard  here 
last  week,  and  his  marvelous  voice.  Herman  Tim- 
berg, with  Barbara  Blair,  are  featured  with  Walt 
Roesner,  and  assign  themselves  to  the  purpose  of 
getting  the  laughs,  and  they  succeed  admirably.  The 
Capitol  Male  Ensemble  offers  specialties  and  atmos- 
phere, by  singing  and  group  acting  in  their  cowboy 
outfits.  The  Gould  Girls,  chorus  dancers,  also  lend 
beauty  and  pep  into  this  unit. 


Seattle  Seattle 

Week  Ending  July  20 

For  the  final  Publix  attraction,  "Galloping  On" 
was  the  presentation  to  accompany  Thomas  Meighaii 
and  Marie  Prcvost  in  "The  Racket."  A  big  show 
well  rendered  composed  of  three  scenes  as  only  Frank 
Cambria  can  do  them. 

Both  the  Bachelor  Octet  and  the  Esquestrienne 
Quartet  rendered  a  likeable  number  of  musical  of- 
ferings. 

"The  Hunt  in  the  Surrey  Wood"  was  well  received 
in  the  second  scene  as  it  introduced  a  bevy  of  pretty 
Felicia  Sorel  Girls ;  John  Griffin,  golden-voiced  tenor ; 
Miriam  Lax,  charming  soprano ;  Ben  Blue,  world- 
famous  comedian,  and  last  but  by  no  means  least, 
the  star  of  the  bill,  Alfred  Latell,  with  his  famoat; 
characterization  of  Bonzo,  the  lonely  pup,  with  Syl- 
van Dell  assisting. 

"The  Mask  After  the  Hunt"  was  the  title  of  the 
third  scene.  Fanchon  &  Marco  ideas  will  supersede 
the  Publix  attractions  in  the  future. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  21 

This  week's  stage  presentation  was  called  "Garden 
Follies,"  a  pretty  bandshow  staged  and  product  by 
Roy  MacMuUen  and  featuring  Verne  Buck  and  one 
of   Chicago's   most  popular   bands. 

It  opens  in  ^pretty  setting,  garden-like  as  the  title 
denotes,  with  stairs  running  down  center  of  band, 
leading  from  platform  representing  veranda  as  the 
band   played   an   arrangement  of   "Rosette." 

Frank  Wilson,  the  popular  singing  member  of  this 
band,  vocalized  the  chorus  as  a  young  lady  descended 
these  stairs  to  meet  her  boy-friend  who  in  turn  went 
through  a  series  of  character  steps  which  later 
turned  out  to  be  a  very  clever  Chinese  Apache. 

The  twists  and  spins  were  very  clever  and  won 
them  a  wonderful  hand.  This  was  followed  by  an- 
other band  arrangement  called,  "Because  I  Feel  Low- 
dowrn,"  and  this   was  played   in  real   hot  style. 

The  next  one  on  the  program  as  Verne  Buck 
announced  was  Bernie  Grossman,  one  of  Chicago's 
popular    song    writers    who    sang,    "Sh,    Here    Comes 


My  Sugar,"  and  for  an  encore  offered,  "My  Darling." 
He  was  well  received  and  was  given  an  opportunity 
to  clown  with   Buck  for   an  encore. 

Toots  Novello,  the  upside  down  dancer,  was  next 
in  a  short  but  snappy  novelty  dance,  which  won  him 
a  great  hand. 

He  was  followed  by  Agee  &  White,  two  colored 
boys,  who  offered  instrumental  playing  and  Binging 
in  a  harmony  style.  They  were  really  good  but 
made  a  sad  mistake  by  doing  too  long  a  routine. 
Another  suggestion  to  offer  these  boye  is  that  th« 
songs  are  too  old  and  should  be  replaced  by  new 
ones.  According  to  the  applause  they  received  at 
this   show,   they   were  easily  the  hit  of  the  bill. 

Novello  came  on  again,  and  this  time  surprised 
the  audience  by  performing  a  ragamuffin  doll  dance 
in  front  of  a  black  curtain  and  dark  stage.  The 
way  he  moved  around  surely  had  the  people  guess- 
ing whether  it  was  a  human  or  merely  a  marionette. 

Another  band  number  followed,  this  time  an  ar- 
rangement of  "Sweet  Sue"  with  a  vocal  chorus  by 
the  band's  trio,  Wilson,  Buck  and  the  banjo-player. 
Their  style  of  playing  won  them  an  encore,  a  usual 
occurrence  for   these  boys. 

The  Chinese  Dancers  came  out  again,  this  time  in 
neat  ball-room  clothes  and  danced  a  waltz.  They 
were  followed  by  Frank  "Peg"  Jones,  a  monopede 
who  offered  smart  chatter  intermingled  with  instru- 
mental music  and  a  song  or  two  in  vocal  style.  His 
tap  dance  really  won  the  cake  and  stopped  the  show. 
This  fellow  is  a  clever  entertainer  and  can  do  more 
on  one  foot  than  a  great  many  performers  are  able 
to   do  on   two. 

The  finale  was  next  with  everybody  in  the  cast 
on  for  the  last  curtain  call  as  the  band  played  a 
hot  arrangement  of  "I'm  More  Than  Satisfied."  The 
show  as  a  whole  more  than  satisfied  the  audience  if 
applause  is  anything  to  judge  by. 


Chicago  Stratford  ^:  i 

Week  Ending  July  25        "■    ■ 

"Ted  Leary's  back  at  the  Stratford" — that's  the  echo 
that  can  be  heard  around  the  vicinity  of  63rd  and 
Halsted  these  days.  Yes  Ted  Leary  is  back  and  he's 
still  the  same  fellow  that  helped  pack  the  crowd  in 
the  theatre  three  months  ago,  when  he  left.  When 
Leary  made  his  appearance  upon  the  stage  the  house 
was  in  an  uproar  for  nearly  three  minutes.  You 
can't  blame  the  people  of  the  Stratford,  after  hear- 
ing many  other  and  different  kinds  of  "master  of 
ceremonies"  one  can  appreciate  Leary's  return. 

Ted  introduced  Ajeck  and  White,  two  colored  lads, 
who  could  sing  fairly  well  and  play  the  banjos  a 
little  better.  The  boys  sang  "Dream  Kisses"  and 
"Mississippi  Mud"  and  then  came  back  for  an  encore. 

Then  out  comes  Leary  again  with  his  puns  that 
nearly  have  the  people  in  another  laughing  epidemic. 
He  introduces  Al  Roy,  a  trick  dancer,  who  does  every 
thing  with  his  body  except  fly.  From  the  way  he 
was  received  it  looks  like  the  people  like  this  sort 
of    dancing. 

Louise  Poney,  one  of  these  "blue  singers"  and  ex- 
ceptionally good  used  Leary  for  her  first  number 
which  created  a  great  deal  of  laughter.  She  has  a 
pleasing  voice  and  it's  easy  to  listen  to.  For  her 
concluding  number  she  sang  "Down  Where  the  Sun 
Goes  Down." 

Dallas  and  Joyce,  a  farmer  and  a  stunning  looking 
girl  put  on  the  old  act  as  a  farmer  usually  does. 
The  pair  received  considerable  applause  though. 

It  was  Leary's  turn  and  the  people  knew  it  so  cast 


THE  KLOWN  OF  JAZZ 

AL  KVALE 

{SAY  QU ALLEY) 
MASTER  OF  CEREMONIES 

BALABAN  AND  KATZ* 

ORIENTAL  THEATRE 

CHICAGO 
P.  S— IT'S  GREAT  TO  BE  HOME  AGAIN. 

^^^^^^^^^^K^^^^^^n 

UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'waj 
N.  Y.  City 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


— Like  the  Cop  Said: 
"Tell  It  to  the  Judge" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  24.— A  piece 
oi  publicity  sent  out  by  one  of  the 
companies  recently  was  returned  by 
the  editor  of  a  Los  Angeles  drama 
department  with  the  explanation  that 
the  paper  had  used  much  of  this  kind 
of  material  and  that  in  the  future  it 
is  hoped  that  the  company  compen- 
sate him  for  the  space  donated.  The 
company's  publicity  department  de- 
clined to  compensate  the  paper  for 
the  space,  explaining  that  it  is 
contrary  to  policy,  but  that  its  adver- 
tising department  might  be  inter- 
ested in  a  space  proposition.  The  re- 
ply came  immediately  by  telephone 
from  the  editor,  saying  he  would  be 
satisfied  if  the  company  would  ar- 
range for  him  to  appear  in  an  extra 
role  in  a  big  production  as  compen- 
sation for  the  publicity  used. 

He  received  no  compensation. 


lightful    arrangement    of   the   music    which    formed   a 
suitable   background   for  the   stage   offering. 

The  orchestra  played   a   pleasing   overture,    "Echoes 
of  the  Opera." 


away  all  nonsense  and  Bang  a  beautiful  number  in 
a  pleasing  manner  called  "Just  a  Little  Way  from 
Home."  This  particular  number  was  better  than  the 
entire  show  put  together  if  the  audiences  had  their 
way  about  it.  So  Leary  came  back  again  to  sing 
ihe   chorufi. 

While  the  applause  was  still  going  on  the  entire 
-east  appeared  while  Maurie  Hilbloom  and  his  or- 
"cheetra  played   a   snappy   ntimber. 


Philadelphia  Carman 

Week  Ending  July  21 

©Iga  Mishka  and  Company,  the  Dooley  Twins  and 
John  Alden  all  earned  well  deserved  honors  in  the 
stage  offering,  "Artistic  Moments,"  at  the  Carman 
this  week.  The  dancing  of  Olga  Mishka  and  her 
company  placed  them  far  above  most  in  their  field, 
combining  as  it  did  grace  and  skill  to  a  marked 
degree. 

The  Four  Diplomats,  a  quartette  of  singers  and  in- 
strumentalists, presented  several  much  appreciated 
musical  numbers. 

Hawthorne  and  Cooke's  skit,  "Make  Me  Serious," 
was  a  side-splitting  farce  that  brought  down  the 
house,  while  the  antics  of  the  Dooley  Twins  proved 
extremely  popular. 

John   Alden   deserves   especial    mention   for   his   de- 


Chicago  Avalon 

Week  Ending  July  20 

The  stage  presentation  at  the  Avalon  was  called 
"Dance  O'Mania"  featuring  Ted  Leary,  this  being  the 
number  played  by  the  band  with  the  Avalon  Ballet 
in  red  feather  costumes  doing  a  snappy  routine. 
Leary  made  his  entrance  from  an  alcove  above  the 
band  down  a  winding  staircase,  and  was  well  re- 
ceived by  the  audience.  He  then  sang  "Dance 
O'Mania"   receiving    a    good    hand. 

Roy  Dietrich  appears  from  the  wings  and  has  the 
band  play  "High  Hat."  It  was  noticed  by  the  writer 
that  Roy  is  more  than  well  liked  by  the  patrons  of 
the  Avalon  and  Capitol.  Roy  then  announces  a 
blackout  and  the  curtains  are  drawn.  The  black- 
out is  sure  fire  comedy  between  Jack  Spangler  and 
Leary. 

Forbes  Brothers,  buck  and  wing  dancers,  were 
next  with  a  few  new  novelties  that  made  a  hit  with 
the   audience. 

Throughout  the  show  Leary  and  Dietrich  gag  much 
to  the  delight  of  the  audience  at  the  close  of  each 
act. 

Ted  then  announces  Roy  and  he  sings,  "I'm  a  Liong 
Way  Away  from  Home,"  to  which  he  does  two  en- 
cores. 

The  next  was  a  barnyard  scene  with  novelty  danc- 
ing by  the  Avalon  Ballet,  vnth  two  girls  costumed  as 
a  horse,  four  acting  as  fence  posts  holding  pickets 
stretched  across  the  stage,  and  a  girl  and  boy  who 
retreat  to  the  side  of  the  stage  and  neck  after 
their   dance.     This  received  a  round  of   applause. 

The  next  was  a  comedy  band  number,  "That's 
My   Weakness  Now." 

Jack  and  Kay  Spangler,  a  well  known  act,  whose 
versatility  will  put  them  over  in  any  house,  were 
the  closing  act.  The  audience  more  than  appreciated 
the  high  kicking  and  nimbleness  along  with  the 
coordination  of  the  team. 

Ted  next  sings  "A  Happy  Go  Lucky  Day"  going 
into  "Dance  O'Mania"  assisted  by  the  ballet  .  A  turn 
by  Jack  and  Kay  Spangler  was  appreciated.  Forbes 
Brothers  followed  with  an  eccentric  dance  going  over 
nicely.  This  is  the  finale  of  a  first  rate  presenta- 
tion. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  20 

The  song  lesson  for  this  week's  practice  on  the 
pianoforte  is  "Seeing  Things,"  as  sung  by  Allan 
Raymond. 

Either  the  Publix  presentation  at  the  Michigan 
this  week  takes  its  name  from  the  song,  or  the  nong 
takes  its  name  from  the  show.  Anyhow,  "Seeing 
Things"  is  a  hot  number  and  Raymond  does  it  more 
than  justice. 

Then  there  were  those  little  illuminated  beasts  that 


^^^^R^-fni  (r''-|Rrnc<^|Me;;M«nrfTm^nHR^^H 

^^K:'-^',<---<"'^imif 

KodC'e  e'oc'^o  ^!n|B|H 

W     LEO  TERRY  onUli 

!» IVORIES  .,  «* 

Leo   Terry 

Featured  Organist 

with 

GREAT  STATES  THEATRES,  INC. 


W.  REMINGTON  WELCH 

SOLO  ORGANIST 

TIFFIN  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

(Solos  and  Community  Sings) 


I'm  bound  for  Oshkosh,  B'Gosh!  for  a  two 
months'  vacation.  My  address  will  be 
Klemz  Farm,  Rural  Route  No.  1. 

BERNARD  COWHAM. 


But  Who  Put  the 
Money  in  Matrimony? 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  24.— More 
evidence  that  the  word  alimony  is 
derived  from  a  contraction  of  the 
slangy  and  oftimes  tragic  phrase, 
"alia  money"  (meaning  that's  all 
there  is,  there  isn't  any  more),  was 
adduced  here  last  week  before  Judge 
Montgomery.  Jacob  Finder,  who  said 
he  made  $100  a  week  when  he  was 
working  as  a  director,  was  trying  to 
have  the  amount  he  was  paying  his 
former  wife,  Edna  Finder,  reduced 
from   $40  a   week. 

"It  takes  most  of  what  I  make  on 
one  job  to  entertain  friends  who 
will  get  me  the  next  one,"  Finder  ex- 
plained, and  the  judge  told  him  that 
$30  a  week  would  be  enough  here- 
after. 


do  such  charming  dancing  and  are  either  Les  Klicks 
or  are  operated  by  Les  Klicks.  Frank  Beaston,  the 
sunny  master  of  ceremonies,  didn't  make  it  quite 
clear  as  to  what  they  were  called  or  who  was  run- 
ning them,  but  they  were  the  hit  of  the  show. 

Castleton  and  Mack  were  well  received  when  they 
presented  some  clever  hoofing,  and  there  was  John 
Maxwell,  who  proved  quite  a  surprise,  and  Beaston, 
of    course,    with    his    usual    song   numlver. 

The  Knights  Templar  held  their  triennial  conven- 
tion here  during  the  week,  and  the  Felicia  Sore] 
Girls  dressed  up  as  knights  of  old  in  one  number  to 
honor  the  visiting  Templars. 

The  audiences  who  came  during  the  week  to  see 
"Seeing  Things"  went  away  more  than  satisfied  with 
the  things  they  had   seen. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  21 

Al  Kvalc's  show  at  the  Oriental  this  week  is 
called  "Carnival  Nights,"  and  the  stage  setting  repre- 
senting a  typical  Venetian  canal  scene  is  a  real 
knockout.  A  large  bridge  forms  the  center  of  the 
back  with  buildings,  lights  and  decorations  forming 
the  background.  The  ballet  girls  and  Milton  Watson 
walk  on  as  if  out  for  a  promenade.  Milton  sings  a 
short  song  as  the  girls  exit.  Al  comes  on  and  he 
and  Watson  chat  for  awhile  about  the  girls  they 
met  on  the  boat  coming  over. 

A  band  number,  "Crazy  Rhythm"  follows.  The 
ballet  is  on  again  in'  Venetian  costumes,  plumed  hats, 
to  do  a  good  tambourine  routine,  John  Dunn,  a 
young  fellow  with  a  ukulele  is  next.  He  plays  a 
number  of  selections  in  a  number  of  different  ways 
on  his  uke  and  ends  with  playing  and  dancing  at 
the  same  time.  Just  a  fair  number,  but  the  finish 
gets  him  over  acceptably.  Two  acrobats  follow  with 
a  lot  of  regulation  tumbling,  hand-balancing,  etc. 
Their  slow  motion  work  gets  a  good  hand.  It's  just 
another  of  those  acrobatic  acts,  good  stuff,  but  usual. 

A  little  bit  of  life  is  added  to  the  show  by  the 
next  routine  from  the  ballet  girls.  They  enter  in 
more  or  less  unattractive  green  costumes,  each  carry- 
ing a  doll  and  a  small  chair.  Seated  in  the  chair 
they  do  a  little  feet  work,  then  march  out  on  the 
runway,  where  they  do  a  few  more  steps  with  their 
dolls  in  their  arms,  the  dolls'  eyes  illuminated  with 
electric  lights.  Watson  sings  a  short  song  in  the 
midst   of  the   girls. 

As  the  girls  exit,  Milton  goes  into  "Chiquita,"  a 
very  pretty  number,  for  which  he  gets  a  fair  hand. 
Then  some  young  lady,  whose  name  escaped  us,  came 
on  to  sing  "Maybe  We  Do,  Maybe  We  Don't,"  with 
Al  and  Milton  going  in  for  a  lot  of  business  and 
talk  while  she's  singing.  She  ends  with  a  fair  tap 
dance.  This  is  followed  by  a  good  band  number, 
"Angela  Mia,"  with  Al  playing  on  his  sax.  Of  course 
Al's  playing  calls  for  an  encore. 

Then  comes  the  feature  number  of  the  show — Buck 
and  Bubbles,  the  two  colored  boys  whom  you  have 
heard  of  before  in  these  columns.  They  go  through 
their  usual  act,  and  it  should  be  recorded  that  their 
applause  as  they  enter  is  fine,  showing  that  the 
house  favorably  remembered  them  from  past  appear- 
ances. They  get  the  best  reception  of  the  show, 
and  do  a  number  of  encores.  Their  style  is  slow 
and  leisurely,  maybe  just  a  bit  too  much  so,  espe- 
cially in  this  show  that  drags  from  one  end  to 
the   other. 

The  show  ends  with  a  very  pretty  finale.  Had 
it  not  been  for  Al  the  show  would  have  been  a  dismal 
flop.      But    he    manages    to    put    in    enough    business 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


of  his  own  to  put  over  the  show  fairly  well.  But 
even  Al  couldn't  keep  it  from  dragging,  nor  could 
he,  or  any  body  else,  take  this  very  average  group 
of  numbers,  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two,  and 
make  a  real  show  out  of  it. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  July  21 

"Treasure  Ship,"  with  elaborate  stage  setting  and 
coetumes  proved  to  be  an  entertaining  number  this 
week  at  the  Howard.  Jack  Stanley  and  his  orches- 
tra did  themselves  proud  on  an  original   number. 

The  introduction  of  the  presentation  was  unusually 
effective  and  started  it  off  with  a  literal  shot  from 
a  pistol.  A  motion  picture  scene  of  pirates  captur- 
ing a  treasure  ship  was  flashed  on  the  screen  and 
devolved  into  a  stage  setting  at  the  well  timed  flash 
of   a  gun   in  the  hand  of  a  pirate. 

Val  and  Erne  Stanton,  funsters,  went  over  very 
well   in   their   comedy    number. 

Carlo  and  Norma,  billed  sensational  dancers,  were 
deserving  of  the  good  hand  which  they  received. 

Walter  Smith,  baritone,  whom  the  pirates  made 
sing  as  his   contribution   to  their   show,   had   a   pleas- 


ing voice,  while  six  comely  chorines  displayed  expert 
training    in    their    several    intricate    numbers. 

The  whole  show  went  off  well  and  was  short 
enough   not  to  be  burdensome. 

Julia  Dawn,  guest  organist,  rendered  a  novelty 
organ  number,  while  the  Howard  Symphony  Orches- 
tra also  lent  a  hand  with  a  specialty,  Myers  Segal 
conducting. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  July  20 

Frank  Fay  and  his  stage  troupe  offered  a  "Summer 
Revue."  The  principals  were  Margaret  Ball,  a  per- 
sonality person  ;  Sammy  Lewis  and  Pattie  Moore, 
dancers  ;  Genie  Wirick,   Paul  Mall  and  Arthur  Lang. 

Cowham  Guest  Organist 

Bernie  Cowham  was  the  guest  organist  at  the  Wis- 
consin this  week  and  made  a  big  hit  with  the  crowd. 
He  is  one  of  the  best  organists  in  the  city  and  very 
well  liked.  He  played  "Rag  Doll,"  "Rosette,"  and 
the  "Marsellaise."  Bernie  plays  over  the  WISN  sta- 
tion occasionally,  too. 


Jimmie  Walker  Meets 
West  Coast  Producers 
At  Fete  in  His  Honor 

{Continued  from  page  32) 

Some  of  the  biggest  successes  of  Harold 
Lloyd  were  made  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Newmeyer,  whose  latest  work  is  Richard  Dix' 
current   baseball   picture. 

*  *     * 

Denny  in 
Mountains 

Reginald  Denny  left  this  week  for  his  home 
in  the  mountains.  It's  a  cabin,  this  home. 
And  Denny  expects  to  remain  there  until 
time  to  begin  work  on  "Red  Hot  Speed." 

*  *    * 

Hoot  Gibson  this  week  chartered  three  pri- 
vate cars  which  will  carry  his  company  and 
equipment  to  Chicago  for  the  big  rodeo.  Gib- 
son will  base  his  next  film  on  a  story  sur- 
rounding the  Chicago  rodeo.  He  will  also 
perform  many  daring  riding  stunts  for  the  ap- 
proval and  entertainment  of  the  spectators. 

In  the  cast  which  will  accompany  him  are 
Bodil  Rosing,  Slim  Summerville,  Charles 
French,  Harry  Todd,  Jack  Knapp  and  Monte 
Montague.  Kathryn  Crawford  will  have  the 
lead  opposite  the  star. 

*  *     * 

Barrywore   to   Return 
to   Warner  Studios 

Commenting  on   his   return   to   the   Warner 

studios,  John  Barrymore   said  this  week  that 

"the  personal   friendship   and   regard   existing 

between   Mr.    Schenck  and  myself   in  no  way 

affected  this  step.     The  increased  demand  for 

talking   pictures    is   primarily    responsible    for 

these   negotiations   between   Warner   Brothers 

and  myself." 

^     ^     ^ 

Edwards  to  Star 
Falaise   in   Film 

Harry  D.  Edwards,  known  East  and  West 
in  motion  picture  production  circles,  has  or- 
ganized a  company  to  make  a  picture  from 
the  story,  "Yours  to  Command,"  at  the  Met- 
ropolitan Studios.  In  the  leading  male  role 
will  be  Henry  Falaise,  husband  of  _  Gloria 
Swanson.  No  release  has  been  obtained  as 
yet  for  the  picture. 


ff 


Thomson  Finishes  Last 
For  Paramount;  Pollard 
Is  Making  "Show  Boat 

{Continued  from  page   33) 

Phillys  Haver  and  Alan  Hale  are  in  the 
leading  roles  of  the  picture.  It  is  a  great 
combination  of  director  and  players  and  if 
Higgin's  lately  preceding  pictures  are  a 
criterion  this  should  be  a  good  production. 


Ruth  Elder  is  in  town,  as  you  know,  and 
has  descended  from  the  air  to  the  studio. 
Her  picture  began  this  week.  Richard  Dix 
is  the  star — a  Paramount  picture — ^Director 
Frank  Strayer.  "Moran  of  the  Marines" 
is  the  title  selected  for  the  production. 

Willie  Wyler  is  directing  a  new  one  at 
Universal  that  is  titled  "The  Shakedown." 
Much  is  to  be  heard  of  Mr.  Wyler.  He  is 
handling  a  cast  headed  by  the  same  James 
Murray  of  "The  Crowd"  and  Barbara  Kent, 
Universal's  pride  in  "Lonesome." 

One  of  the  newer  directors — and  of  the 
younger  set — is  R.  Lee  Hough  of  the  Fox 
lot.  He  last  week  completed  "The  Girl 
Shy  Cowboy"  for  Fox  and  gossip  has  it  that 
Fox  has  chosen  him  well.  Rex  Bell,  youth- 
ful   star   of   20   years,    is    in   the   main    role. 


8  and  Three  Quarters 
Pounds,  and  a  Girl,  Too 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.— A  baby  girl 
weighing  8^.  pounds  has  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fred  Niblo.  Mrs.  Niblo,  known 
to  the  motion  picture  public  as  Enid  Ben- 
nett, has  two  other  children,  a  girl,  Loris, 
7  years  old,  and  a  boy,  Peter,  4  years  old. 
Tlie  new  baby  is  as  yet  unnamed  and  was 
born  at   their  Beverly   Hills   home. 


Hoyt  Signs  Olmstead 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  24.  —  Gertrude 
Olmstead,  who  is  usually  a  pretty  busy 
young  actress,  has  signed  a  contract  with 
Harry  O.  Hoyt  to  star  in  "The  Passion 
Song."  The  picture  will  be  made  at  the 
Tec  Art  lot   for  Excellent   Pictures. 


JOE   KAYsER 


'That 
Personality 
Director  and 
Master  of 
Ceremonies" 

Now  at  the 

MIDLAND 

THEATRE 

KANSAS 

CITY 
MISSOURI 


about 
Everyone 


In  fact,  Gallo  says  nothing  for  we  have  been  left 
the  happy  task  of  pinchhitting  for  "A.  Raymond," 
while  he  is  away  out  in  Colorado  chasing  through 
the  clouds.  The  first  announcement  on  hand:  "Wak- 
ing's Pennsylvanians"  are  to  open  at  the  Balaban 
&  Katz  Chicago  theatre,  after  a  most  successful  tour 
of  Europe.  They  will  be  with  Frank  Cambria's 
"Swanee  Moon"  unit  and  will  tour  with  them  for 
30  weeks.  .  .  .  Al  Kvale  has  been  playing  a  lot  of 
golf  lately,  but  would  not  tell  us  his  score  for  18 
holes.  .  .  .  Verne  Buck  is  going  to  spend  a  week 
in  his  home  town,  a  little  burg  called  Lake  Odessa, 
Mich.,  and  while  there  he  hopes  to  do  a  lot  of  fish- 
ing. While  he  is  gone  Uncle  Hal  Hiatt  will  offici- 
ate at  the  Sheridan.  ...  I  called  Hal  uncle  because 
his  brother,  Luch  Hiatt,  who  arranges  many  of 
Buck's  band  numbers,  is  the  proud  father  of  a 
seven  pound  baby  girl  .  .  .Lucky  Luch,  aye  what 
.  .  .  Let  it  be  known  that  Nat  Asher  still  has  his 
night  out  at  Ravisloe  Counti-y  Club.  .  .  .  Verne  Buck, 
Milton  Watson,  Peggy  Bernier,  Jack  Osterman, 
Wisner  Sisters,  Murray  and  Allen  Keriroft,  Anita 
LaPierre  and  a  host  of  others  entertained.  .  .  .  In- 
cidently,  Mel  Richmond  had  charge  of  booking.  .  .  . 
Don  Isham,  the  flying  organist  of  Marks  Brothers 
Embassy  theatre,  recently  returned  from  a  flight  to 
Kansas  City  where  he  visited  his  lady  love  (we'll  get 
the  devil  for  saying  that,  but  it's  the  truth).  .  .  . 
Paul  Mall,  now  at  Sheridan,  last  week  acted  as 
master  of  ceremonies  for  Frank  Fay  at  the  Mis- 
souri, St.  Louis,  for  one  day.  He  surely  was  kept 
busy  changing  from  blackface  to  straight,  but  he 
said  he  enjoyed  it.  .  .  .  Rick  and  Snyder,  well  known 
harmonizers,  are  out  at  the  Vanity  Fair,  also  that 
young  lady  with  the  pleasing  personality  and  more 
pleasing  voice,  Adele  Walker  .  .  .  While  on  the 
topic  of  singers,  we  must  mention  that  Lett  Sisters 
and  Louise  will  grace  the  stage  of  the  Chicago  the- 
atre next  week.  .  .  .  Jack  Osterman  is  on  the  same 
bill  with  Lydia  Harris  in  Dell  Lampc's  "Good-bye 
Blues"  show  at  the  Avalon  theatre.  .  .  .  Trixie 
Fraganza  in  Charles  Kaley's  "Dream  House"  show, 
after  a  successful  week  at  the  Granada,  is  now  at 
the  Marbro  theatre.  .  .  .  Jean  Anthony  is  the  or- 
ganist that  has  been  gaining  popularity  out  at  the 
Marbro  theatre  with  his  afternoon  concerts  .  .  . 
Adolph  Evans  is  at  the  Granada  while  Albert  F. 
Brown  is  at  the  Marbro  .  .  .  Oliver  Wallace,  premier 
organist  for  Fanchon  and  Marko's  West  Coast  the- 
atres, having  played  all  their  houses,  finishing  with 
the  Liberty,  Vancouver,  B.  C,  is  going  to  New  York, 
theatre  unknown  .  .  .  Ted  Leary  returns  to  the 
Stratford,  this  week  .  .  .  Mrs.  Murrie  Hillbloom, 
organist,  played  a  special  version  for  him  .  .  . 
Leonard  Smith  returned  to  the  console  at  the  Avalon 
after  spending  a  pleasant  vacation  in  Texas  and 
Mexico  .  .  .  Wonder  if  he  had  anything  to  do  with 
the  recent  turmoil  down  there  ?  .  .  .  Received  a  card 
from  Shannon's  Playtimie  Frolics  from  Detroit  and 
Canada  .  .  .  They  send  regards  to  their  friends  .  .  . 
Francis  Kromar  is  still  at  the  Diversey,  Chicago  .  .  . 
Fowler  and  Tamara  are  at  the  Palace  .  .  .  Irma 
Glen  formerly  of  the  Portage  Park,  is  featured  or- 
ganist at  Station  WENR  .  .  .  Jack  and  Kay  Spangler 
are  motoring  to  their  home  in  Glenside,  Pa.,  where 
they  intend  resting  up  until  fall,  then  go  into  a 
production. 

Well,  folks,  this  is  about  all  the  news  we  have 
until  we  hear  from  Gallo. 

W.    S.    RUSSELL. 
E.    T.    DAWSON. 


Oriental  Will  Stage 
Beauty  Finds 

The  American  Venus  Beauty  Contest  which  is  now 
going  on  in  30  Chicago  deluxe  theatres,  will  come 
to  a  close  at  each  house  about  August  15.  Immedi- 
ately after  the  semi-finals,  the  winners  of  each 
group  will  be  assembled  in  a  huge  stageshow  at  the 
Oriental  theatre,  Chicago,  where  the  finals  will  be 
held. 

As  stated  before  in  this  publication,  the  winners 
will  be  given  many  valuable  prizes  including  several 
trips  throughout  the  Middle  West.  Sam  Herman  is 
conducting  the  contest  for  the  circuits  which  are 
sponsoring   this    featui-e. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


U  P      Bpd  <^|   ORGAN     SOLOS 


Well,  Fred  Waring  and  His  Pennsylvanians  re- 
turned to  these  shores  in  all  their  glory  this  past 
Thursday,  and  were  certainly  received  with  open 
arms  (by  all  music  publishers).  Fred  and  his  kid 
brother,  Tom,  look  great  and  say  they  had  a  marvel- 
ous time.  Who  wouldn't  in  Paris?  We  all  envied 
them  when  they  left  for  Paris  and  all  who  saw  them 
off  at  the  boat  expressed  the  hope  that  they  could 
remain  with  them  at  least  until  they  passed  the 
three-mile  limit.  Guess  why? 
«     «     « 

Now,  there  are  a  few  more  changes  along  the  "Al- 
ley." I  find  that  Jimmy  Carr,  the  doctor  of  melody, 
has  replaced  Tommy  Gott  at  the  Silver  Slipi>er,  and 
from  all  indications,  he  is  proving  to  be  a  "wow" 
■with  the  patrons  at  that  famous  "Emporium  of  Joy." 

*  *     # 

Ankling  over  to  the  Astor  hotel,  I  found  Tommy 
Gott  furnishing  the  very  excellent  music  on  the  roof 
garden.  His  trumpet  solos  have  already  proven  very 
popular  with  the  elite  patronage  who  throng  the 
Astor  Roof. 

*  «     « 

And  speaking  of  roof  gardens,  William  Scotti  and 
His  Venetian  Gondoliers  are  still  favorably  carrying 
on  with  their  very  fine  music  and  excellent  enter- 
tainment. 

4     #     # 

It  was  too  warm  on  Broadway  for  sightseeing  so 
we  hopped  into  a  taxicab  (one  of  those  nice  luxurious 
ones  you  get  on  Broadway)  and  decided  to  pay  Vin- 
cent Lopez  a  visit  at  the  Woodmansten  Inn  on  Pel- 
ham  road.  We  found  this  to  be  one  of  the  most  de- 
lightful spots  on  Pelham  Parkway.  Mr.  Lopez' 
organization  is  without  a  doubt  one  of  the  most  ver- 
satile aggregations  that  it  has  been  our  pleasure  to 
listen  to.  They  have  everything!  Quartets,  trios, 
comedy  solorists,  etc. 

«     *     * 

Harold  Leonard  is  surely  a  busy  young  man  these 
days.  What  with  playing  at  the  Castillian  Gardens 
in  Merrick,  Long  Island,  and  doubling  at  the  Chateau 
Madrid  on  54th  street,  surely  is  a  man-sized  job! 
His  music  has  already  proven  a  real  stimulant  to 
night  club  patrons. 

«     «     * 

Leo  Reisman  is  reigning  supreme  atop  the  Wal- 
dorf-Astoria hotel.  Boy,  how  he  can  play  a  fiddle! 
He  has  been  in  New  York  only  a  short  while  and 
has  become  one  of  the  leading  favorites  of  the  day. 
Reisman  broadcasts  four  nights  weekly  through  the 
National  Broadca.sting  System  and  certainly  keeps 
the  Western  Union  telegraph  boys  busy  delivering 
telegrams  for  requests,  requests  and  still  more  re- 
quests ! 

e     *     » 

Our  good  friend  Don  Bernard  dropped  in  our  office 
the  other  day.  You  know  we  made  a  prophecy  for 
Bernard  when  the  National  Broadcasting  Company 
"captured"  him  and  made  him  production  supervisor, 
and  he  is  surely  living  up  to  that  prophecy.  He  now 
is  in  charge  of  some  10  or  12  hours  over  the  net 
works  of  WEAF  and  WJZ.  His  best  work  is  shown 
in  these  features  which  have  earned  a  national  rep- 
utation :  "The  Cabin  Door"  and  "Venetian  Nights." 
In  "The  Cabin  Door"  is  featured  such  artists  as 
Al  Bernard,  the  great  singing  comedian ;  Roberta 
Curry,  Howard  Rice;  Milan  Smolen,  pianist;  Murray 
Kellner,  violinist ;  "Carlino,"  the  banjoist,  whose 
solos  are  responsible  for  so  much  fan  mail  ;  and 
Charles  Boyd,  tronbonist.  In  "Venetian  Nights"  Don 
features  weekly  trips  down  the  canals  of  Venice  and 
■we  hear  the  rippling  water  (which  has  a  great  ef- 
fect to  listeners-in  these  hot  days)  and  the  music 
from  the  throbbing  strings  of  the  Venetian  Ensemble 
under  the  direction  of  Robert  Goetzl,  and  the  impas- 
sioned love  songs  of  Gieuseppi  de  Benedetto,  Italian 
tenor.  Bernard  and  Sam  Coslow  have  written  a 
theme  song  for  this  weekly  feature  which  is  noon  to 
be  published  by  Spier  and  Coslow,  Inc.  In  August, 
Don  will  introduce  two  new  features  to  be  known  as 
"The  Fortune  Teller"  and  "Blue  Danube  Nights." 
If  these  are  as  good  as  his  other  "shows"  then  what 
more  could  the  radio  audience  want? 


dianm 


\jjuv 


Melvin  Peacock  (Sheboygan,  Wis.,  Sheboygan)  re- 
ports that  his  solo  for  the  week  ending  June  30  was 
called,  "The  Mock  Wedding."  The  songs  used  were 
"In  My  Bouquet  of  Memories,"  "Laugh,  Clown, 
Laugh,"  "Will  You  Be  Sorry,"  "I  Told  Them  All 
About  You"  and  "Happy  Go  Lucky  Lane."  This  is 
a  Cliff  Hess-Remick-version  with  slides  and  reported 
to  be  one  of  the  best  ever  used.  The  applause  con- 
tinued long  after  the  feature  started  and  proved  a 
good  novelty  here.  Everybody  sang  to  their  heart's 
content. 


Mrs.  Maurie  Hilbloom  (Chicago  Stratford)  pre- 
sented a  pleasing  solo  called  "He's  in  Again"  dedi- 
cated to  Ted  Leary  the  master  of  ceremonies  of  this 
house  upon  his  return  after  a  three  months'  leave. 
She  also  brought  in  a  few  songs  that  were  eung  by 
the  audiences  called  "Was  It  a  Dream,"  "My  Pet" 
and  "That's  My  Weakness  Now."  Mrs.  Hilbloom  re- 
ceived a  nice  hand  for  her  work  and  the  audience 
seemed  pleased,  so  what  more  can'  one  ask. 


Bob  Mitchell  (Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Palace).  We  wish 
to  correct  an  error  that  appeared  in  this  column  in 
our  July  7  issue  in  which  we  listed  Mitchell  as 
organist  at  Dallas  instead  of  Jacksonville. 


Eddie  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  called  his  eolo 
"Stage  Struck,"  and  in  it  he  employed  the  audience 
as  performers  in  a  community  song  fest.  The  num- 
bers used  were,  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart,"  "Get 
Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon,"  "Together,"  "That's 
My  Weakness,"  "My  Pet"  and  "Beloved."  He  also 
was  compelled  to  take  an  encore  and  he  used  "Sun- 
shine" for  it.  The  gag  slides  were  clever  and  one  of 
the  best  stunts  of  this  sort  ever  seen.  The  patrons 
sang  very  happily  and  gave  Eddie  a  wonderful  round 
of  applause. 


Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Oriental)  in  the  absence 
of  Keates,  gives  a  thoroughly  enjoyable  organ  presen- 
tation at  the  Oriental  this  week,  called  "Sight  See- 
ing with  Sellers."  The  slides  show  scenes  of  Chi- 
cago and  the  words  are  clever.  He  plays  "Waiting 
for  the  River,"  "My  Darling,"  "I  Must  Be  Dream- 
ing," "Constantinople,"  which  was  a  knockout, 
"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart,"  and  "Back  in  Yovir 
Own  Back  Yard."  The  audience  sings  in  great  style 
for  Sellers  and  gives  him  a  big  hand.  A  good  organ 
presentation. 


Fox  Has  Theme  Songs 
on  Several  Films 

Fox  Films  Corporation  has  arranged  a  number  of 
tieups  that  will  help  exhibitors  swell  their  boxoffice 
receipts.  The  tieups  have  to  do  with  the  songs 
written  especially  for  the  films  produced  by  Fox. 
For  instance,  "The  Street  Angel"  has  a  theme  song 
called,  "My  Angel,"  by  the  writers  of  "Diane." 
These  writers  also  did  the  theme  song  for  "The  Red 
Dance,"  called,  "Some  Day  Somewhere."  These  num- 
bers were  published  by  De  Sylva,  Brown  &  Hen- 
derson. 

"Little  Mother,"  the  theme  song  for  the  film,  "Four 
Sons,"  was  written  by  the  same  writers  of  "My 
Angel,"  and  published  by  Sherman  Clay  &  Company. 
"Neapolitan  Nights"  the  theme  song  for  the  Fox 
film,  "Fazil,"  was  published  by  the  Sam  Fox  Music 
Company.  The  film,  "Mother  Machree,"  uses  the 
song  of  the  same  name  for  its  theme.  It  was  pub- 
lished by  M.  Witmarck  &  Sons,  publisher  of  the 
theme  song  for  "Sunrise"  called,   "Sunrise  and  You." 

A  special  illustrated  motion  picture  edition  is  in 
preparation  of  the  Fox  attractions  mentioned  above. 
They  will  he  published  by  Grosset  &  Dunlap.  The 
books  will  be  on  the  market  in  time  for  the  showing 
of  the  picture.  "Four  Sons"  has  a  special  tieup 
with  the  Postal  Telegraph  Company  through  the  dis- 
play of  a  22  X  28  poster  in  each  town  showing  the 
film.  A  similar  tieup  was  also  made  with  Victor 
Talking  Machine  Company  for  street  car  cards. 


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you  octting  RUMORS 

Jily?lcteNc»fcrlJta4jiii5t 


SIP  S4 

atou-fe 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Ramona" — (Leo  Feist). 
"Beloved" — (Irving   Berlin). 
"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 
"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (Remigk). 
"My  Angel" — (DeSylva-Brown   & 
Henderson). 
"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 

Me" — (Leo  Feist). 

«    *    • 

"Cons  tan  tinop  le" 

(DeSylva-Brown  &  Henderson). 
"Get  Out  and  Get  Under" 

(Irving  Berlin). 
"We  Love  If  _ 

(Irving  Berlin). 

*  *    « 

"That's  My  Weakness  Nozv" 

(Shapiro-Bernstein). 
"Chlo-E" 

(Villa  Moret). 

IN  A  LITTLE  LOVE  NEST  (Way  Up  on  the  Hill) 
—  (M.  Whitmark  &  Sons) — A  pretty  description  of 
the  love  nest  on  the  hill.  Of  course  everything 
looks  rosy  before,  the  only  thing  that  worries  us 
is  how  they  are  going  to  get  to  this  house.  It's 
quite  a  walk.  By  Joe  Schuster,  Johnny  Tucker  and 
John   Siras. 

*  «     « 

THAT    OLD    SWEETHEART    OP    MINE— (Harold 

Kossiter) — An  old  fashioned  song  but  nevertheless 
should  be  very  commercial.  There  is  something  about 
an  old  sweetheart  that  hits  all  of  us.  Both  writers 
are  responsible  for  some  big  hits  in  the  past.  Words 
by  Joe  Goodwin,  music  by  Larry  Shay. 
«     «     # 

YOU  AND  I  ARE  PASSERS  BY— (Harms,  Inc.)  — 

From  the  Shubert  Operetta  "The  Red  Robe."  This 
number  is  high  class  and  really  beautiful.  Written 
as  a  duet.  Perfect  for  the  better  grade  singers  and 
should  sell.  Lyrics  by  Harry  B.  Smith,  music  by 
Jean     Gilbert. 

»     *     * 

ROSY  DREAMS — (Gal  DeVoll)— This  is  not  a  girl's 

name,  it  merely  represents  bright  dreams.  This 
song  has  a  chance  to  sell  though  it's  not  out- 
standing. Just  a  pretty  song  by  Charley  Newmand 
and  Joe  Verges. 

MEMORIES     OF     FRANCE— (Waterson-Berlin     & 

Snyder) — Though  the  title  reads  like  a  war  song,  it 
is  handled  well  by  the  writers  and  really  is  a  love 
song  of  one  of  the  boys  who  went  over  there.  Ought 
to    be    a    good    song    for    presentations.       Words    by 

Al   Dubin,  music  by  J.   Russel   Robinson. 

*  *     * 

I    NEVER    THOUGHT     (That    Someday    You'd    Be 

Mine) — (Forster  Music  Co.) — The  lyric  ■writer  is  the 
well  known  master  of  ceremonies,  Ed  Lowry,  who 
took  St.  Louis  by  storm.  It  is  said  that  Ed  can 
start  any  song  in  that  town  and  being  the  writer 
will  no  doubt  make  it  big  in  his  section.  A  pretty 
song   that   should    sell.      Music    by    Kenneth   Albrecht. 

OLD  MAN  SUNSHINE  (Little  Boy  Bluebird)— 
(Remick  Music  Corp.) — A  philosophical  song  that  is 
different  in  the  face  that  this  boy  is  looking  for  two 
things  instead  of  one.  However,  while  wishing  it's 
just  as  easy  to  hope  for  two  things  as  less.  Lyric 
by  Mort  Dixon,  music  by  Harry  Warren. 
«     «     * 

TWO  LIPS  (To  Kiss  My  Cares  Away) — Remick 
Music  Corp.) — A  fox  trot  tune  with  a  pretty  lyric 
that  has  been  done  many  times  in  the  past  but  is 
still  always  commercial.  Both  writers  have  many 
past   successes   to   their   credit.      Lyric   by    Billy   Rose, 

music    by    Harry    Warren. 

*  *     * 

NEAPOLITAN  NIGHTS  (O  Nights  of  Splendor)— 
(Sam  Fox  Pub.  Co.) — The  theme  song  of  the  William 
Fox  super  special  "Fazil"  now  playing  in  the  East. 
Written  as  a  waltz  with  the  lyric  speaking  of  Italy. 
Words  by   Harry  D.   Kerr,   music   by   J.   S.   Zamecnik. 

YOU  TELL  ME  YOUR  DREAM,  I'LL  TELL  YOU 
MINE — (Villa  Moret,  Inc.) — Fair  enough.  Probably 
the  dreams  will  harmonize.  A  very  pretty  song  by 
the  well  known  team  that  gave  us  Chloe.  Words  by 
Gus    Kahn,    music   by   Neil    Moret. 


j/^  3. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


\^ 


THE    THEATRE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public,**  and  **Better  Business  Builders.'* 

There's  Always  a  Lot  of  Meat  in  Hash ! 

"The  Theatre"  in  the  March  17  issue  carried  a  resume  of  its  leading  stories  appearing  since  the  first  issue  of  this  year. 
The  following  is  a  similar  resume  from  March  17  to  the  present  as  a  result  of  the  response  the  first  evoked.  These  re- 
sumes are  presented  from  time  to  time  to  give  exhibitors  who  save  each  copy  of  the  Herald-World  an  opportunity  to 
review  "The  Theatre"  hurriedly  and  to  afford  a  compilation  of  ideas  for  exploiting.  If  you  have  a  picture  which  you. 
want  to  exploit,  this  quick  resume  will  more  than  likely  give  you  an  idea. 


THE  March  19  issue  carries  the  tenth  "My 
Best  Idea,"  and  it  really  is  a  peach  of  an 
idea.  It  tells  how  Fred  Putnam,  through  un- 
usual exploitation,  packed  his  house  for  an 
entire  week.  The  picture  used  was  a  college 
story.  You  could  use  some  of  his  ideas  in 
your  theatre  when  school  starts  again. 

"Get  Your  Patrons  to  Make  Displays,"  is 
the  title  of  an  article  in  the  March  24  issue 
on  arranging  for  lobby  and  window  displays. 
Since  we  wrote  it,  we  won't  say  it's  good,  but 
in  spite  of  this  fact  it  might  give  you  several 
good  ideas.  Also  R.  E.  Falkinburg  in  his 
"My  Best  Idea"  tells  how  he  builds  goodwill 
by  sending  invitations  to  patrons  on  their 
birthdays. 

March  31  is  especially  important,  for  in  that 
issue  "The  Theatre"  presented  the  now  famous 
"21"  puzzle  which  many  exhibitors  have  used 
with  startling  results.  If  you  haven't  used 
this  puzzle,  you  are  overlooking  a  real  bet. 
Now  and  then  we  see  advertising  and  exploi- 
tation that  is  beneath  the  dignity  of  the  the- 
atre. Just  to  remind  yourselves  that  you  can 
go  a  little  too  far  at  times  in  exploiting  pic- 
tures, you  might  be  interested  in  reading  the 
little  editorial,  "Good  Taste — The  Test  for 
Exploitation,"  in  the  April  7  issue.  And  while 
you  are  looking  at  this  issue  it  might  be 
worthwhile  to  take  a  glance  at  the  page  of  ads 
showing  how  exhibitors  have  advertised  a 
number  of  pictures. 

The  April  14  issue  carries  the  solution  of 
that  puzzling  "21"  puzzle  mentioned  above, 
and  also  a  few  ideas  for  using  the  puzzle. 
And  there's  also  a  peach  of  a  story  about  how 
W.  E.  Dickson  gave  a  live  baby  at  his  theatre, 
and  had  the  whole  town  buzzing  with  curi- 
osity, and  next  laughing  when  the  baby  turned 
out  to  be  an  infant  pig.  And  Eddie  Kidwell 
relates  how  he  has  his  heralds  distributed 
with  a  minimum  of  waste.  This  might  save 
you  some  money. 

What  we  consider  is  a  real  idea  and  a  fine 
goodwill  builder  is  related  in  the  April  21 
issue.  The  idea  comes  from  Harry  F.  Storin, 
and  the  story  tells  how  Storin  gives  the  chil- 
dren of  his  town  trips  through  his  theatre. 
The  same  issue  offers  a  corking  good  hot 
weather  idea,  one  which  you  can  use  right 
now  with  practically  no  expense. 

"Blackie"  C.  Martin's  "My  Best  Idea"  in 
the  April  28  issue  demonstrates  clearly  the 
value  of  atmospheric  lobby  displays  for  pic- 
tures which  lend  themselves  to  such  treatment. 
Hal  G.  Olson  tells  of  a  26  weeks'  campaign 
that  boosted  business  tremendously.  You  can 
use  the  campaign  to  boost  your  weakest  night 
of  the  week.     Olson  guarantees  it. 

The   May  5   issue  marks   the  beginning   of 


Guy  D.  Hammitt,  "Hoosier  Exploitation 
Chap"  is  back  from  Mexico  and  with 
Mrs.  E.  M.  Eagleston  Theatrical  Enter- 
prises at  Seymour,  Indiana.  Laxt  season 
Hammitt  was  connected  with  The  Von- 
derschmitt  Amusement  Enterprises  who 
operates  theatres  in  Bedford,  Blooming- 
ton,  Greencastle  and  Washington,  In- 
diana. Now  that  he  is  back,  "The  Thea- 
tre" will  expect  some  good  stories  from 
him. 

the  new  House  Organ  Exchange,  and  if  you 
haven't  become  a  member  yet,  you  have  been 
missing  a  good  bet.  That  sounds  like  a  rhyme, 
but  often  there's  truth  in  poetry.  And  just 
a  short  little  story  in  the  same  issue  offers 
an  idea  for  running  trailer  ads  in  a  vacant 
store  window.  This  is  certainly  worth  think- 
ing about. 

The  May  12  issue  presents  ideas  on  exploit- 
ing a  number  of  pictures,  and  the  ideas  were 
all  used  with  success  by  Monty  Salmon  of  the 
Boulevard  theatre  in  Los  Angeles.  Look  back 
over  this  story  and  if  you  haven't  played  the 
pictures  yet,  you  will  be  sure  to  find  some 
good  ideas  which  you  can  use. 

"Any  House  Can  Use  This  Novel  Idea  for 
Announcing  New  Bill"  is  the  name  of  an 
article  in  the  May  19  issue,  and  it  is  without 


doubt  a  corking  good  idea,  which  you  can  put 
over  with  practically  no  expense  for  good  re- 
sults. If  you  have  a  big  picture  booked  soon, 
you  can't  go  wrong  in  using  this  idea.  And 
speaking  of  ideas,  Hal  G.  Olson  tells  how  he 
keeps  his  ideas  on  tap  for  use  at  any  time — 
just  a  little  story  on  system,  but  it  is  worth 
reading  and  adopting. 

Another  hot  weather  publicity  stunt,  and 
it's  a  real  stunt  which  will  attract  favorable 
attention,  is  related  in  the  May  26  issue.  The 
next  two  months  will  bring  a  lot  of  hot 
weather,  and  it's  not  too  late  to  use  this  idea. 
There's  more  dope,  also,  on  atmospheric  lobby 
displays  in  the  same  issue. 

A  singing  contest  between  the  Rotarians  and 
Lions  clubs  in  your  theatre  would  bring  in 
everybody,  wouldn't  it.  If  you  think  so,  a 
story  in  the  June  2  issue  will  tell  you  how  to 
put  it  over.  This  should  be  a  good  stunt  to 
bring  in  the  patrons  on  some  warm  summer 
night.  In  this  same  issue  a  new  department 
is  begun — Synchronized  Pictures — and  if  you 
are  playing  the  talking  pictures,  you'll  find 
good  exploitation  stories  in  this  new  depart- 
ment which  is  now  a  regular  feature  of  the 
Herald-World. 

If  you  are  having  trouble  turning  out  real 
lobby  displays,  an  article  in  the  June  9  issue 
will  prove  of  benefit  to  you.  The  story  is 
illustrated  with  drawings  showing  you  how  to 
construct  a  simple  device  to  enlarge  press 
sheet  for  making  posters.  Then  there  are 
some  more  ideas  for  bringing  in  the  patrons 
on  the   sweltering  days  of   summer. 

It's  not  too  late  to  use  Leap  Year  as  the 
basis  of  an  exploitation.  For  a  little  idea  on 
this,  just  turn  to  "The  Theatre"  in  the  June 
16  issue.  For  those  of  you  who  get  out  house 
organs,  there's  a  small  cut  that  might  prove 
interesting.  It  shows  how  a  house  organ's 
appearance  has  been  improved  by  the  use  of 
illustrations. 

Ah,  in  the  June  23  issue  is  a  real  story,  one 
that  will  bring  a  harvest  of  goodwill.  It  tells 
how  E.  E.  Bair  of  the  Falls  theatre,  Cuyahoga 
Falls,  Ohio,  used  a  tin  can  matinee  for  kid- 
dies, tying  it  up  with  a  local  clean-up  drive. 
In  the  same  issue  "The  Theatre"  presents 
another  good  puzzle.  Better  look  over  this 
puzzle  and  see  if  you  can't  use  it.  It's  called 
the  "45"  puzzle.  And  we'll  bet  you  a  dozen 
doughnuts  you  can't  solve  it. 

The  June  30  issue  carries  a  photograph  of  a 
sign  used  by  a  small  tovra  exhibitor  who  says 
he  has  doubled  his  business  by  using  it. 
There's  also  a  story  telling  how  Monty  Sal- 
mon put  over  Anniversary  Week  at  his  Boule- 
vard theatre  in  Los  Angeles,  and  Monty 
(^Continued  on  page  45) 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Theatre  Has  Bible  Class  of  2^  700; 
Builds  Goodwill;  Is  Great  Asset 

Down  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  is  a  theatre  with  a  Sunday  morning  Bible  class 
with  an  enrollment  of  2,700  members.  More  than  750  members  and  visitors  are 
present  each  Sabbath  at  9:30.  It  is  the  Strand  theatre,  managed  by  Roy  Helm. 
The  goodwill  created  by  such  an  institution  as  this  is  probably  incalculable. 
There  are  few  things  that  a  theatre  can  more  profitably  foster.  Helm  has  the 
following  to  say  in  regard  to  the  class. 


"Here  is  just  a  word  of  news  about  the 
Bible  class  we  have  meeting  here  at  the 
Strand  every  Sunday  morning. 

"It  is  the  largest  Bible  class  in  the  South, 
having  a  membership  of  2,700.  Every  Sunday 
morning  there  are  over  750  present.  Some 
of  these  members  arrive  at  the  theatre  at 
seven  o'clock.  The  actual  service  begins  at 
9:30. 

"This  Bible  class  has  been  meeting  here  for 
the  last  four  years.  It  is  popular  and  has  a 
large  membership  because  it  is  the  friendliest 
crowd  in  town.  Everybody  who  attends  is 
given  a  hearty  welcome.  He  is  met  at  the 
door  and  everybody  shakes  his  hand  and 
makes  him  welcome,  and  if  there  are  out  of 
town  folks,  their  names  are  read  out  and  they 
are  asked  to  stand  up  so  everybody  can  see 
them  and  they  can  get  better  acquainted  with 
the  crowd. 

"The  Strand  furnishes  the  collection  en- 
velopes for  the  class.  On  these  envelopes  are 
listed  the  theatre  attractions  for  the  coming 
week.  This  advertising  costs  us  only  two 
dollars  per  week. 

"Having  a  great  crowd  like  this  at  the 
theatre  every  Sunday  morning  means  much 
to  the  theatre.     They  not  only  come  in  con- 


tact with  the  lobby  display  we  have,  but  they 
are  also  more  closely  associated  with  the 
word  STRAND  and  it  has  a  better  meaning 
to  them. 

"This  Bible  class  is  a  great  asset.  A  large 
part  of  our  regular  patronage  comes  from 
their  membership. 

"This  is  a  wonderful  goodwill  builder  for 
any  theatre." 

Think  what  a  class  of  this  kind  would 
mean  to  your  own  theatre !  Think  of  the 
backing  your  theatre  would  receive  from  the 
best  element  of  people  in  your  town.  With 
such  a  class  there  would  be  little  opposition  to 
motion  pictures  in  your  town. 

But  besides  the  goodwill  resulting  from 
such  a  class,  there  is  the  actual  box  office 
value.  People  go  places  where  they  feel  at 
home.  We  all  like  to  feel  that  we  are  a 
part,  no  matter  how  small,  of  the  things 
about  us.  We  are  creatures  of  habit.  We  go 
to  a  place  several  times,  and  then  it  is  a 
habit  to  go  there.  It  is  hard  to  break  that 
habit.  A  Bible  class  such  as  the  one  con- 
ducted by  the  Strand  theatre,  will  instill  these 
things  into  the  hearts  and  habits  of  patrons 
and  potential  patrons  of  any  theatre  in  any 
town. 


Goodwill  Work  Boosts  Business; 
Makes  F.  Brock  M.  B.  I.  No.  25 

Showing  comedies  to  patients  in  a  hospital  requires  little  extra  work,  and  might 
be  considered  a  trivial  thing.  But  when  Frank  Brock  of  Gurdon,  Arkansas,  did 
this  regularly,  he  found  that  the  entire  town  appreciated  it.  This  little  goodwill 
work  turned  into  a  big  business  builder  and  made  many  patron-friends  for  Brock 
and  his  theatre.  Without  doubt  such  good  work  as  this  entitles  Brock  the  honor 
of  becoming  M.  B.  I.  Number  25. 


"My  Best  Idea''  No.  25 

By  Frank  Brock 

T  HAVE  been  a  steady  reader  of  the  Herald- 
•^  World  for  about  10  years  and  recently  I 
have  been  watching  "My  Best  Idea"  club  with 
great  interest. 

Below  I  am  submitting  my  best  idea.  It 
is  quite  different  to  most  anything  I  have 
seen  and  was  only  a  goodwill  builder,  but 
believe  me  it  was  that. 

This  best  idea  of  mine  was  while  I  was 
owner-manager  of  the  Grand  theatre,  Oko- 
lona,  Mississippi,  some  three  years  ago.  At 
that  time  you  carried  several  stories  and  my 
picture  in  the  Herald,  the  issue  of  September 
12,    1925. 

I  had  been  running  a  serial  at  the  Grand. 
Just  a  few  days  before  I  was  scheduled  to 
play  the  last  chapter  of  it  one  of  my  friends 
was  taken  suddenly  with  appendicitis  and  had 
to  undergo  an  operation.  I  was  in  to  see 
her  a  day  or  so  later  and  she  said  she  hated 
very  much  to  miss  that  last  chapter. 

I  hunted  around  and  found  that  the  local 
farm  demonstration  agent  had  a  portable  pro- 
jector so  I  borrowed  it  from  him.  I  asked 
the  attending  physician's  permission  and  then 
took  the  serial  and  showed  it  at  the  patient's 
bedside.  It  seemed  to  do  her  a  lot  of  good 
and  for  some  time  after  that  I  visited  both 
hospitals  with  comedies. 

The    doctors    and    nurses   always    welcomed 


me  as  they  said  a  good  comedy  would  help 
a  patient  more  than  most  medicine.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  patients  were  glad 
to  see  me. 

This  caused  quite  a  lot  of  talk  and  made 
the  theatre  and  myself  quite  a  few  friends 
and  customers. 

If  there  is  an  exhibitor  who  thinks  this 
won't  help  his  business  let  him  try  it.  The 
exchange  men  won't  get  sore  about  using 
their  comedies  either. 


"Personality  GirV 

Contest  Goes  Big 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BIRMINGHAM,  July  24.— Sidney  Dan- 
nenberg,  of  the  Alabama  theatre,  is  drawing 
wide  attention  this  week  putting  over  a 
"Personality  Girl"  contest,  tying  up  with 
the  Birmingham  Age-Herald.  Specifica- 
tions are  that  "Miss  Birmingham"  must  be 
beautiful,  talented  and  possessed  of  screen 
personality.  The  reward  for  the  winner 
consists  of  $75.00  a  week  for  a  four  week 
engagement  at  the  Alabama  theatre,  begin- 
ning August  6  as  one  of  the  stars  of  a 
Publix  stage  show.  If,  after  that  time, 
experts  consider  her  worthy,  the  winner 
will  be  given  an  option  for  her  services  at 
$125.00  a  week  for  one  year  and  will  be 
starred  in  a  Publix  show  touring  the  prin- 
cipal cities  of  the  United  States. 


WE  AMERICANS 


A    Rradni    llA   SaumW  b,   Ik. 

CLEVELAND  PUBLIC 
UBRARI 


RAMONA 


Lsutd  tbt  Palm 


I  t>olore8  Del  Rio  j 
••RAMONA" 


U 


Library  cards  issued  by  the  Cleveland 
Public  library  on  "Ramona,"  and  "iVe 
Americans."  The  librarian  prepares  the 
lists  of  suggested  readings;  the  theatres 
pay  for  the  printing.  These  library  tie- 
ups  prove  valuable  business  builders,  and 
create  more  interest  in  motion  pictures  in 
general.  Every  exhibitor  who  has  a  pub- 
lic library  in  his  town  will  do  well  to 
make  these  tieups. 

Use  Your  Library 

For  Picture  Tieups 

Are  you  co-operating  with  the  public  library 
in  your  town  for  tieups  on  pictures?  This 
form  of  tieup  is  being  used  widely  today,  but 
the  Cleveland  theatres  and  the  public  library 
of  Cleveland  probably  have  done  more  of  this 
work  than  in  any  other  city.  It  is  proving 
unusually  beneficial  to  the  Cleveland  theatres 
and  has  increased  the  use  of  books  at  the 
library. 

These  tieups  do  much  for  theatres.  They 
increase  the  interest  in  each  picture  and  mo- 
tion pictures  as  a  whole.  They  without  doubt 
increase  theatre  patronage,  and  they  build 
goodwill  for  the  theatres. 

On  this  page  are  pictured  two  book  marks 
published  by  the  Cleveland  library.  One  is 
on  "Ramona,"  the  United  Artists  picture,  and 
the  other  on  "We  Americans,"  the  Universal 
picture.  These  cards  give  an  extensive  list  of 
parallel  reading  on  the  subjects  of  the  pic- 
tures. These  lists  are  prepared  by  the  li- 
brarian. The  theatres  pay  for  the  cost  of 
printing. 

The  librarian  in  your  town  will  be  glad  to 
co-operate  with  you  in  these  tieups.  It  will 
pay  you  to  use  them. 


Hot  Weather  Ad — 

The  following  advertisement  in  daily 
papers  brought  considerable  increase  in  pat- 
ronage to  "The  Broadway,"  in  Portland, 
Oregon: 

"HOT  DOG!  Vacation  Land's  right  here 
at  Home — why  swelter  in  the  sun — when 
fresh  mountain  climate  awaits  you — -invigor- 
ating— purified  air — refrigerated  by  wonder- 
ful new  machines — Try  the  cool  comfort  of 
the  Broadway  theatre — with  humdrum  of 
life — left  far  behind — and — above  all — a  bet- 
ter show — so  varied — so  lavish — so  brilliant 
— that  you  forget  the  troubles  of  today — or 
the    problems — of    tomorrow. 

HOT  DOG! — you  know  you  can  laugh  at 
heat — at  the  Broadway — Come — start  your 
vacation  TODAY — physical  and  mental  re- 
laxation is  your — Thoughtful  people  will 
bring  the  entire  family! 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


Summon  Patrons 

To  See  "Chicago^^ 

When  R.  L.  Nellis,  manager  of  the  Liberty 
theatre,  Washington,  Indiana,  played  "Chi- 
cago," the  Pathe  picture,  he  sent  a  very  legal 
looking  summons  to  every  member  of  the  bar 
and  to  all  business:  men  in  town. 

The  summons  read :  "Supreme  Court  of  En- 
tertainment, on  Main  Street,  City  of  Washing- 
ton, County  of  Daviess,  State  of  Indiana :  To 
YOU  wherever  you  are:  You  are  hereby 
summoned  to  appear  at  the  Liberty  theatre, 
Tuesday  or  Wednesday,  July  17  or  18,  be- 
tween 7  to  11  p.  m.,  to  serve  as  a  witness  of 
'Chicago.'  .  .  .  Roxie  Hart  vs.  State  of  Illi- 
nois. .  .  .  Roxie  Hart — Phyllis  Haver.  .  .  . 
to  answer  the  question,  'Would  you  have  done 
the  s'ame  as  she  did  just  for  a  thrill  and  ad- 
venture and  Love?'  .  .  .  Failure  to  appear  in 
answer  to  this  Summons  will  mean  the  loss 
of  an  opportunity  to  witness  the  true  story 
of  a  modern  jazz-crazed  wife.  ...  In  testi- 
mony whereof,  I  hereunto  subscribe  my  name, 
and  affix  the  seal  of  the  said  Supreme  Court  of 
Entertainment  at  my  office,  in  the  City  of 
Washington,  the  16th  day  of  July,  1928.  .  .  . 
R.   L.    Nellis,   Liberty   Theatre." 

"The  summons  idea  brought  very  good  re- 
turns at  the  box  office,"  said  Nellis. 


There's  Always  Lot 

of  Meat  in  Hash 

(^Continued  from  page  43) 
always  has  good  ideas  and  knows  how  to  put 
them  over. 

There's  an  interesting  story  in  the  July  7 
issue  which  tells  how  an  exhibitor  in  Houston 
used  the  Democratic  convention  to  put  over  a 
REAL  exploitation.  Perhaps  you'll  never  have 
a  convention  in  your  town,  but  the  story  does 
show  how  a  veteran  showman  can  make  the 
most  of  his  opportunities.  All  this  time  the 
House  Organ  Exchange  has  been  growing. 
If  you  haven't  joined  yet,  take  a  look  at  the 
real  showmen  who  are  listed  in  the  club,  and 
then  you,  too,  will  want  to  enroll  in  order  to 
get  some  fresh  ideas  on  putting  out  your 
house  organ. 

Another  fine  story  on  building  goodwill 
appears  in  the  July  14  issue.  It  tells  how 
Fred  E.  Johnson  put  over  a  fine  flower  matinee 
and  later  donated  all  the  flowers  to  the  hos- 
pitals of  his  town.  A  real  idea  that  will  net 
you  new  patrons  and  a  lot  of  goodwill.  There's 
another  story  on  how  the  Texas  theatre  in 
San  Antonio  ties  up  with  the  largest  indus- 
tries in  the  city  for  good  publicity  and  adver- 
tising. If  you  have  a  motion  picture  camera, 
this  will  interest  you. 

Last  week  "The  Theatre"  swiped  a  good 
story  from  the  department  on  Synchronized 
Pictures,  but  since  the  story  is  loaded  with 
good  exploitation  ideas  for  putting  over  any 
picture,  it  will  prove  helpfiil. 

Now  won't  you  agree  with  us,  there  is  a 
lot  of  meat  in  hash.  This  resume  offers  a 
number  of  fine  suggestions,  we  believe. 


Here's  Hot  One  for 
"Certain  Young  Man'' 

How  do  you  like  this  idea  for  the  M  G  M 
picture,  "A  Certain  Young  Man,"  starring 
Ramon  Novarro?  When  the  Bison  theatre 
at  Shawnee,  Oklahoma,  played  the  picture,  a 
Ford  roadster  was  obtained — one  that  was 
about  done  for.  It  was  painted  pink  with 
water  color.  A  very  modern  flapper  was 
seated  in  the  car.  A  large  card  was  set  in 
back  of  the  car  with  this  caption :  "I  am  look- 
ing for  a  certain  young  man  at  the  Bison 
theatre."  Two  shot  guns  were  hung  on  the 
Ford.  This  got  many  real  laughs  and  helped 
the  picture. 


Harmonizing  the  theme  of  the  picture  with  the  advertising  is  the  key- 
note of  these  ads  on  "The  King  of  Kings."  Fine  pen  drawings,  the  type  style  used  and  the 
wording  of  the  ads  carry  out  the  feeling,  theme  and  scope  of  the  picture.  Even  a  glance  at 
the  drawings  leads  one  to  realize  the  sweep,  the  majesty  and  the  awe-inspiring  magnitude 
of  the  picture.  The  ads  were  planned  by  G.  G.  Hall  and  Hal  H.  Carlton,  manager  of  the 
theatre.  At  the  time  Carleton  wrote  "The  Theatre"  the  picture  was  in  its  tenth  week  and 
still  going  strong,  which  is  proof  of  the  effeciveness  of  the  ads. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  192a 


Y^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window.** 


I 


"FORBIDDEN  HOURS' 


HAD  thought— but,  hang  it,  that's  my  trou- 
ble; I'm  always  thinking— that  "The  Student 
Prince"  with  its  almost  complete  adherence  to 
the  Old  Heidelberg  legend  had  finished  that 
story  for  a  while.  Certainly  it  seemed  reason- 
able to  believe  that  the  headlong-young-king 
idea  would  be  stowed  away  for  so  long  a  period 
as  might  be  deemed  necessary  to  dull  the  edge 
of  memory.  But  not  so,  for  here  is  the  theme 
again,  and  again  Ramon  Novarro  is  the  boy 
monarch,  this  time  all  stirred  up  about  Renee 
Adoree.  And  this  time,  wherein  perhaps  lies 
the  reason  for  making  the  picture,  the  boy  gets 
the  gal  and  the  loyal  subjects  are  all  for  the 
arrangement.  It  probably  wouldn't  happen,  but 
it  does,  and  who  am  I  to  complain? 

Yes,  "Forbidden  Hours"  is  the  boy  king  yarn 
again.  This  time  the  country  is  one  of  those 
mythical  places  where  everything  looks  nice 
and  nobody  works.  This  time  the  boy  is  no 
mere  prince  when  the  story  begins  but  a  ruling 
monarch.  And  this  time  the  girl  is — or  seems 
to  be — a  daughter  of  France,  or  some  place  like 
that,  instead  of  the  usual  peasant  girl  from 
the  frontier.  This  time,  too,  Roy  D'Arcy  is  the 
bad  man  who  wants  to  beat  the  king  to  her 
and  you  know  what  a  bad  man  Mr.  (or  is  it 
mons.?)  D'Arcy  can  be  when  he  wants  to.  Well, 
this  time  he  wants  to. 

The  hours  referred  to  in  the  title  may  be 
those  spent  in  the  king's  lodge,  or  again  they 
may  not.  It  is  always  difficult  to  know  about 
these  things  if  the  picture  is  viewed  in  Chicago. 
In  this  case,  for  instance,  the  king  and  his  fair, 
if  unwilling — or,  for  that  matter,  if  not  unwill- 
ing—guest are  alone  (that  is  to  say,  together) 
in  one  of  those  roomy  places  invariably  re- 
ferred to  as  lodges.  They've  become  wet,  the 
king  having  upset  their  canoe  in  most  unkingly 
manner,  and  so  they  must  get  down  to  negligee 
before  they  can  devour  the  splendid  repast  the 
king  has  caused  to  be  miraculously  made  avail- 
able. This  is  accomplished  without  visible  mis- 
hap, but  when  the  couple  slither  toward  a 
delightfully  appointed  divan  something  goes 
wrong  with  the  local  print  and  their  eager  coun- 
tenances are  suddenly  wrapt  in  something 
which  just  possibly  might  be  gloom,  or  regret. 
As  far  as  I'm  concerned,  it's  quite  okay  with 
me,  whatever  happened  (I  had  my  mother-in- 
law  with  me  anyway),  but  the  scissoring  didn't 
add  to  the  merriment  of  the  others  present  and 


T.  O.  Service 

it  didn't  particularly  help  the  story.  Nor  did 
the  later  scissoring,  occurring  at  a  point  where 
I  suspect  the  king  dedicated  the  girl  to  the 
army,  but  as  I  say,  one  can  never  be  sure  about 
these  things  in  Chicago. 

No,  I  know  this  isn't  telling  you  anything 
about  the  picture.  I  don't  know  anything  about 
it.     What?    Stop,  then?     All  right,  I   will. 


w 


THE  BUTTER  AND  EGG  MAN" 

ELL,  as  I've  said  before,  this  Jack  Mul- 
hall  is  getting  to  be  quite  an  actor.  Indeed,  if 
everyone  agrees,  we  will  herewith  cease  talking 
about  him  as  an  adolescent  and  say  definitely 
that  he  is  quite  an  actor.  I'll  go  further — ^he's 
a  first  rate  actor.    That  settles  that. 

This  time  Jack  is  an  Ohio  boy  whose  grand- 
mother runs  the  town  hotel  and  whose  feet 
(Jack's  not  his  grandmother's)  itch  for  the 
pave  of  that  often  dear  but  never  old  Broad- 
way. Worse,  he  wants  to  produce  a  show.  And 
who's  there  to  help  him  spend  his  money  but 
our  old  friend,  the  gesticular  Sam  Hardy.  It 
falls  out — if  I  may  invoke  a  little  Old  English 
to  take  up  a  line  or  two — ^like  this: 

Jack  gets  into  New  York  at  a  time  when  Sam 
is  about  broke  and  Sam's  show  is  about  to 
open.  Jack  puts  up  the  shekels  (his  mother's) 
and  the  show  flops  in  the  trial  by  dog.  Fire- 
works, then  Jack  doctors  it  and  it  smacks  Broad- 
way on  the  beezer.  More  fireworks  —  but 
there's  fireworks  all  the  way  through  and 
there's  no  point  in  my  beating  you  to  them. 

The  tale  moves  along  in  step  ^yith  Jack,  who 
moves  just  a  little  more  rapidly  in  all  his  pic- 
tures than  anyone  else  in  the  same  sort  of 
endeavor,  and  it  bristles  with  gag  captions,  gag 
situations  and  gags.  It  doesn't  over-emphasize 
and  it  doesn't  undershoot.  I  think  it's  about 
the  most  ably  assembled  bit  of  light  amusement 
I've  seen  lately. 


1 


'IF  WINTER  COMES" 


F  winter  comes,  and  there  seems  no  really 
sound  reason  for  doubting  that  it  wiU,  I  prom- 
ise to  see  enough  pictures  each  week  so  that  I 
can  fill  at  least  this  page  with  comments  per- 
taining more  or  less  directly  to  these  same.  I 
regret  to  announce  that  I  have  great  difficulty 


in  convincing  myself  that  looking  at  pictures- 
is  a  pleasant  business  under  the  currently^ 
humid  circumstances.  Not,  of  course,  that  the 
theatres  aren't  nicely  cool  and  aU  that,  but  that,, 
the  streets  are  not  and  Balaban  &  Katz  have 
not  yet  installed  refrigerator  cars  for  the  pur- 
pose of  bringing  people  to  their  theatres  and 
taking  them  home.  Perhaps  this  will  be  done,, 
and  certainly  if  it  is  done  Balaban  &  Katz  will 
do  it. 

There  is,  believe  me,  no  false  report  about: 
this  Balaban  &  Katz  Service.  Boy,  the  way  that 
concern  serves  you  is  reason  enough  for  the 
free  postals.  What  they  serve  you  is  sometimes 
another  story — it  may  be  another  from  Paul 
Whiteman  to  Miss  Universe — but  they  never 
forget  to  garnish  the  platter  and  smile  urbanely 
as  you  gulp  your  dish.  And  does  it  pay?  Well,, 
the  other  evening,  when  I  was  sitting  in  the 
Oriental  theatre,  a  young  man  at  my  right  said 
to  me,  "Say,  wot's  the  name  o'  dis  picther?"  T 
didn't  know  either.  (The  skilfully  concealed' 
point  of  this  item  is,  of  course,  that  Balaban  &■ 
Katz  Service  is  so  good  that  people  go  to  their- 
theatres  even  when  they  don't  know  why.) 


B, 


'THE  NOISIES" 


fY  way  of  filling  the  remainder  of  a  page 
which  doesn't  look  well  with  a  half-tone  or- 
other  illustration  used  for  filler,  and  by  way  ot 
getting  into  said  page  at  least  one  argument  in 
favor  of  my  retention  in  HERALD-WORLD 
employ,  I  will  now  take  up  the  matter  of  the 
industry's  destiny.  SpecificeJly,  I  shall  take  up 
the  industry's  new  fixture,  the  synchronized! 
picture. 

More  specifically,  I  shall  herewith  condemn! 
the  writer  who — only  this  week — applied  the 
word  "noisies"  to  the  new  pictures.  I  believe 
this  label  to  be  a  terrible  thing,  as  terrible  in  its. 
implications  as  was  the  once-popular  but^ 
finally  uprooted  term  "movies."  However,  we 
have  the  jump  on  this  new  word  and  it  wiU  be 
no  trouble  at  all  to  get  rid  of  it  if  we  all  pull 
together  and  refuse  to  use  it  or  sanction  its  use. 
It  would  be  a  disastrous  thing  if  this  label  be- 
came attached  to  the  various  mechanisms,  a 
thing  tending  to  postpone  indefinitely  the  ful- 
fillment of  their  destiny.  Let  us  all,  then, 
solemnly  declare  that  we  shall  always  use,  in 
speech  as  in  written  matter,  the  correct  name 
of  this  new  and  highly  promiseful  type  of. 
picture. 


1 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key   to   abbreviations   used  in  denoting   the   type   of  pictures 
C— Comedy  F — Farce 

D— Drama  M— Melodrama 

R — Romanem  W — Western 

My— Mystery 

Wbeie  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length    Title  and  Playen 


Releaied 


New 
Picture! 


Comment 


Ticlier 


1928 

5400    Adorable  Cheat,  The.  LUa  Lee-McIntoBh_ 

B450     Beiow    the    Deadline.... 

B500    CampiM    Knights    

63te    Ciroumitantial    Evidence 

60(0     House  of  Shame,  The 

Roaring   Forties,   The 


Chesterfield 


1928 


Juno  1 

Feb.  28 

Aug.  15 

Oct.  30 

June  30 


StOt 

5900    South   of  Panama 


—Apr.  15   

-..Dec.  16   _ 


1927 

5831 
6843 
5432 
6S23 
5513 
5«46 
5750 
6524 
S5S9 
5892 
1000 
5896 
6435 
5054 
6108 
5357 
6426 
5791 


Columbia 


Alias  the  Lane  Wolf  (D),  Lytell-WllsoiL Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (M),    Boswortli-Logan- Aug.  10 

By  Whose   Hand    (MyD),  Cortez-Gllbert Sept.  16 

College   Hero,   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon. Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor -Howes. Deo.  8 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Women   (D),  Tearle-Sebastlan-Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M).   Lytell-Wilson 

Opening   Night,   The    (D),    Wlndsor-J.   Bowers.... Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-Allen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  _ 

Siren,  Thfc  T.  Moore-Kevier. Dec.  20 

Stago  Kisses  (D),  Harlan-Chadwlck. Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Bevler 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (CD),   Mason 

Tigress,   The   (M),  Holt-Revier.- Oct.  21 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Revler-Agnew 

Warning.  tThe  (M),  Holt-Ri>vii"r _ Nov.  26 

Way  of  the  Strong.  The  (MD),  Alice  Day-Lewis — 


1927 


Jan.  7 
Deo.  3 
Dec.  31 


Oct.  1 
July  23 


JaiL  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  21 
Jan.  7 


Jan.  14 

..July  31 

..May  14 

..Aug.  28 
Jan.  21 

...Oct.  2 


..52.72% 


Dec.  3 
_July  21 


1928 

5459    After    the   Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth.. 


1928 


5537 
5928 


6925 


5440 
5464 
6047 
5350 
6472 


Beware  of  Blondes   (MD),  Revier-Matt  Moore    

Broadway    Daddies,   Jacqueline  Logan 

Desert  Bride,  The   (MD),  Betty  Compson. Mar.  26 

&olf  Widows    (CD),   Reynolds-Ford 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew- Jan.  25 

Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love-Walker. Mar.  14 

Modern   Mothers   (CD).  Helene  C^adwick. June  9 

Name  the  Woman   (D),  Stewart-Qordon- 


So  This   Is  Love,  Mason-CoUler Feb.  6 

Sporting    Ago,    The,    Bennett-Herbert Mar.  2 

Tliat  Certain  Thing,  Dana-Qraves Jan.  1 

Wife's   Relations,  The,  Mason-Glass Jan.  13 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baxter-Livingston. Feb.  18 


July  21 

Apr.  14 

-May  26 

Feb.  25 

Apr.  7 

-June  19 
Feb.  25 

Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


1927 

2000     Angeius.  The   (D) 

2000     Real   Charleston,  Lesson  Novelty- 


Wooden  Shoes,  International... 


..May  15 
..Apr.  24 
..May  8 


1927 


1927 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings.. 


Emblem  Films 


Excellent 


1927  t^xceneni 

5980     Back  to  Liberty    (D),   Walsh-HalL- Nov.  IB 

6805     Bowery  Cinderella.  A  (D),  O'Malley-Hulette. — May  1 
6912     Broadway   Drifter    (D),   Walsb-Hall Nov.  1 


1927 


1927 


.Apr.  14 


6645    Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keitb 

5792    His   Rise  to    Fame   (D),   Walsh-Skaw Feb.  15 

Kick-off,  The   (D),  Hyama-Amann. Mar.  17 


7393  Nest,  The  (D).  Frederick-Herbert. 

[(337  Striving  for  Fortune  (D).  Walsh-Roberts. — 

5760  Winning  Oar.  The  (D),  Walsh-Hal] — , 

6867  Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Hottnet- 


-Aug.  1 

Jan.  15 

June  1 

Sept.  1 


Mar.  3 


Mar.  17 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Tick* 


1928 


1928 


6600 


6400 


6536 
6600 


A  Bit  of  Heaven    (D).  Washburn-Lee -...Apr.  25 

Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santscbl-J.  Norman- 

Making  the  Varsity,  Rei  Lease-Mlidred  Harris. June  30 

Manhattan  Knights,  Barbara  Bedford July  15 

Satan   and  the  Woman   (D),  Windsor-Eeefe Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic.  The.  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris._July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women   Who    Dare    (D),    C^adwick-Delaney Mar.  30 

You're  in  the  Army   (D) - - May  25 


Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


1927 


4765 
4858 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6567 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame  In  the  Sky   (M),  Luden-Lynn. Dec.  18 

Bandit's  Son.    The    (W),    Bob   Steele Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,    The   (W),  Buzz  Barton _ Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage   (D),   Ranger _ Aug.  7 

Cherol4ce   Kid.  The   (W).  Tyler-Lynn -Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding  (CD),  Geo.   Sidney — Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter -Aug.  21 

Desert   Pirate    (W).   Tom   Tyler. - Dec.  26 

Flying   U    Ranch,   The   (W),   Tom  Tyler -..Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,  The   (C),   Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),  OrviUe  Caldwea Nov.  23 

Hoolt  and  Ladder  No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne -...Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska „ Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D).  Darro-Valli -Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (D),   FranMe  Darro -Dec.  27 

Mojave  Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon  of  Israel    (D),  Maria  (3orda _ 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince. Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange - 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Ranger. — Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince Oct.  19 

Slingshot   Kid,  The  (M),  Buiz  Barton. -Dec  4 

South  Sea  Love    (D).  Patsy  MOler - -Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger — - Dec.  11 


Dea  10 
Dec  10 
Dec.  3 


Oct.  8 


Sept.  10      -.. 

Sept.  10     .-. 


Dec.  24 

Nov.  26 

Nov.  19 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Nov.  12 
Dec  17 


July  30 
.July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 

Aug.  20 


64.00% 


Alex  the   Great   (M),  Skeets  Gallagher. May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights  (M),  Lee  Shumway. — Mar.  18 

Breed  of  the  Sunsets  (W),  Bob  Steele _ Apr.  1 

Chicago  After   Midnight  (M),  Ince-Mendez-.- Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson. -..- Jan.  13 

Crooi(s  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralpli  Lewis May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve  (D),  Fairbanks,  Jr -Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark.  The  (D),  Belle  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M).  Ranger...- June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W).  Bob  Steele — — Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild  (D),  Ranger. — Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W).   Buzz  Barton July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox,  Jr. _ -...Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD).  Bob  Steele _. 

Her  Summer   Hero    (CD).   Blane-Trevor Feb.  12 

Hit  of  the  Show,  The  (C),  Joe  Brown -Olmstead  

Law  of  Fear  (D),  Banger - Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in   Paris  (C),   Cooke-Guard. Jan.  31 

Little  Buekaroo.  The  (W),  Buzz  Barton Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  Orrille  CaldweR-May  28 

Man  In  the  Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W).  Tom  Tyler Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W).  Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  R.  Miller Apr.  16 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele. _ - -Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love July  15 

Skinner's   Big    Idea   (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Stacks  and   Blondes  (CD),  Logan-Gallagher 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler - Feb.  26 

Trail  of  Courage.  The   (W).  Bob  Steele -..July  8 

Wallflowers  (D).  Trevor-Scott Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W).  Tom  Tyler...- -.June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  BartoiL Jan.  22 


5144 

476S 
5771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6039 
5967 

4793 
4760 
6329 
4898 
4805 

1927 

5400 
5960 
5600 
590O 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
oGOO 
5700 

1928 

5500  Fagasa.    Raymond    Wells 

Free  Lips  (MD).  June  Marlow... 

6300  Masked  Angel.  Betty  (Jompson- 

6200  Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells.... 


...Dec  10 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Dec  10 

Nov.  12 
Dec.  10 

Feb.  11 
May  6 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Dec  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 

June  19 

Jan.  21 

..-July  21 
Feb.  11 
Deo.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


Aug.  6 

.-.July  » 
—July  23 


Aug.  20 


1928 


Teb.  18 
Mar.  IT 


Apr.  28 

Apr.  14 

.July  14 


3ec  24 


First  Division 


1927 


Comrades,    CosteUo-Hughes    — — - -Jan.  1 

Death   Valley  (W),  Carroll  Nye — Sept.  1 

Eager  Lips,  Garon..- Oct.  1 

Finnegan's  Ball    (C),  Mack  Swain. Sept.  15 

Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Sbort _ Nov.  IS 

Ladybird,  Compson - Aug.  1 

Naughty.  Garon  - - Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the   Movies.  Short-Robards. Oct.  15 

Ragtime  (D),  De  lia  Motte. - _ Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston   Blackie    (D),  Glenn-Palmer....Aug.  1 

Say  It  with  Diamonds,  Betty  Compson _ —Aug.  15 

Temptations   of   a  Shop    Girl,    Compson Nov.  1 


Apr.  1 


Aug.  SO       

Jan.  7 

n^t  1.=; 

Jan.  7 

Nov  26 

Sept.  3 

1928 


-Mar.  1 
-Mar.  15 


-July  14 
Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Length    Title  and  Playert 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Ticker 


1927 

6300 

6333 

6433 

6222 

6765 

8730 

7724 

6386 

6588 

6802 

5282 

7133 

6288 

611S 

6190 

6524 

6400 

6720 

5718 

5550 

5255 

7388 

6521 

5542 

5434 

6520 

6040 

6431 

6734 

11414 

5982 

6897 

6400 

6210 

6477 

5606 

5800 

6548 

7179 

6000 

7400 

7419 

6774 

6668 

7833 

6336 

6324 

6409 

1928 

7404 
6500 
6800 
6744 
6374 

8030 
6172 
6344 
7100 
7433 


First  National 


All   Aboard    (C),   Hlncs-Murphy May  8 

American   Beavty   (CD).  Dore-Hughes- _ Oct.  9 

An  Affair  of  tfie    Follies   (D),  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CD).  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D).   Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D).  N.  Talmadge-Roland _ Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),   Shennan-MackalU Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,   The   (D),  MackaUl-Mulhal] Oct.  16 

Dance   Magic  (D).   Lyon-Starke June  12 

Drop    Kick.    The   (D).   Barthelmess-Revier Sept.  25 

Framed    (D),    Sills-Kingston _ June  19 

Gorilla,  The  (My),  Murray  Kelsey -Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),   Maynard-Faire. Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-Kent. Dec  25 

High    Hat    (CD),   Lyon-Brian. Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (C),  Hlnes-Daw _ -Not.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine.  The  (D),  C.  GrifHth-Busliman-jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley.   The    (C),  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladies    (CD),    Nllsson-Stone July  3 

Long    Pants    (C),    Langdon-Bonner. Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),  Murray-Sidney _ May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  DoTe-Koland. Dec.  18 

Lunatic  at   Large,  The    (C),   Errol-Mackalll Jan.  2 

Man  Crazy  (CD).  MackalU-MulliaU Not.  27 

Masked  Women,  The  (D),  Nllsson-Bllnn-H'nsen_jan.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice   (0).  Moore-Beed June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No  Place  to  Go   (C),  Hughes-Astor Oet.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall Mar.  6 

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D).  Barflmess-O'Day.. 

Perfect  Sap.    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke Jan.  16 

Poor  Nut,  The  (C),  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman. — _ 

Red    Raiders.   The   (W),  Maynard-Drew July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West   (D).  Aator-Boland — Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger.  The  (D),  Sllls-Astor. - Oct.  2 

See  You  in  Jail   (C),  Mulhall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile.   Brother,  Smile  (C),  Multaall-MackallL — Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-DOTe Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-CoUler Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   DoTe-Lyon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Rogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three   Hours  (D),  Grlfflth-Bowers Dec.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C).  Langdon-McConneU Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes.    Moore-Harlan  Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  Sills-Kenyon. Dee.  11 

Venos  of  Venice   (CO).  Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White  Pants  Willie   (C),  Hlnes-Hyams July  24 


Apr.  2 

Not.  19       Oct.  22 

ilar.  5 

Not.  12       Not.  26 

_ May  21 

„ May  2 

May  21 

Not.  12       Oct.  29 
Aug.  13 

I"Z"!~Z"july  9 
Jan.  7 


Dec.  17 
Dec.  3 


Not.  26 


Mar.  19 
Oct.  29 
Jan.  8 

Oct.  1 

Sept.  24 

Apr.  9 

June  25 


1927 

"47720% 

56.10% 

"48.60% 
65.00% 
61.54% 


53.58% 


Not.  26 


..J"eb.  5 


Barker,   The   (D).  Sills.  llackallL 

Big    Naise.   The   (CD),   Conklln-Whlte Mar. 

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sills-Kenyon. - -Feb. 

Canyon   of   Adventure    (W),   Maynard _ Apr. 

Chaser,  The   (C).  Langdon Feb. 

Chinatown    Charlie   (C),   Hines-Lorraine. Apr. 

Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Maynard 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Jotrnny  Burke-Sally  Ellen     _ 

Flying   Rome«s   (C).   Murray-Sidne.T Feb. 

French   Dressing  (CD),  Wamer-WUson Ian. 


Feb.  12 

_ _..July  16 

Not.  12       May  14 
Dec.  10 

Apr.  9 

Aug.  20 

Jan.  22 

Sept.  10 

_ _ July  23 

Oct.  15 

Not.  19       Oct.  8 

May  14 

Apr.  23 

_ Sept  17 

__ Sept  3 

„ „ July  2 

_ May  28 

Dec.  3         Apr.  16 

Jan.  1 

_ -...Dec.  3 

Dec  24       Jan.  7 

-..Aug.  6 

Apr.  16 

..July  14        

Mar.  10      Apr.  7 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.86% 

45.80% 

1928 


7641 
6957 

7694 
6592 
6608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5485 
8188 

5827 
6212 
6874 


Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleen-Moore-Lowe June 

Hawk's  Nest,   The   (M),  Milton  SiUs _ -May 

Heart  to   Heart,  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd 

Heart  Trouble   (CD),  Harry  Langdon — 

Harold  Teen   (CD).  Lake-Brian Apr. 

Heart  of  a   Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 
Sherman 


-Mar. 


Helen   of   Troy    (CD).    Stone-Corda-Cortez. Jan. 

Ladies  Night   (CD).  Mackalll-Mulhall. Apr. 

Lady   Be   Good    (CO),  Mulhall-Mackaill May 

Lllao   Time    (0).   Moore-Cooper Apr. 

Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Come    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     Apr. 

Mad    Hour    (0),   O'Neil-Kent-Sherman Mar. 

Noose,   The   (D),  Barthelmess-Joyce. Jan. 

Sailors'   Wives    (CD),  Hughes-Astor Jan. 

Shepherd  of  the  Hills   (0),  Francis-O'Day.. -Jan. 

Strange    Case    of    Captain     Ramper,    The    (D) - 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),   Hughes-Astor- May 

Wagon   Show,   The    (W),   Maynard Mar. 


Feb.  11 
Feb.  18 
-June  23 
..July  7 
Apr.  7 
Deo.  10 
May  26 
May  26 
-July  7 
.July21 
Apr.  21 


Mar.  10       

Dec.  24       Feb.  4 


Dec.  17 
June  16 


7187 

1927 

4665 
1777 
4556 
6425 
6078 
63S3 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8154 
5524 
4545 
6617 
5515 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
5599 
6507 
8538 
6415 
6440 
6500 
7734 
7677 
6327 
6898 
5878 
5893 
S48< 


Wheel  Bf  Chance,  The  (0),  Richard  Barthelmess — 

Whip.    The    (0).   Forbes-Mackaill 

Whip  Woman.  The   (D),  Taylor-Moreno Feb.  I 

Wright  Idea.  The  (CD),  Johnny  Hlnes 

Yellow  Lily.  The   (D).  Dove-Brooks May  1 


June  2 

Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Dea  10 
Dea  24 
Dec  8 

..July  21 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

..June  2 

..July  14 
Feb.  11 

-July  7 
Apr.  28 


May  12 


63.25% 
78.23% 


July21 


Fox 


1927 


Arizona  Wildcat.  The  (W),  Tom  Mix. Not.  20 

Blackjack  (W).  Buck  Jones Sept.  25 

Blood   Will   Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones Nov.  13 

Broncho  Twister  (W).  Mix. _ Mar.  13 

•Cameo    Kirby    (0).   John  GUbert Aug.  28 

Chain   Lightning    (W).  Buck  Jones Aug.  14 

Circus  Ace,  The.  Mix. - June  26 

Come  to   My  House   (CO),  OliTe  Borden Dec.  25 

Cradle   Snatchers    (FC),    Fazenda June  5 

East  Side,   West  Side    (D),  O'Brien-VaUl Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,   The    (C),   Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W),    Jones _ June  12 

Heart  of  Salome   (My).  Rubens —May  8 

High  School  Hero   (C).  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril  (W).  Jones May  1 

•Honor  First  (D).  John  Gilbert Sept  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD).  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl.    The    (CD).   OUve  Borden. Sept.  18 

Ladies   Must   Dress   (CD),  Virginia  Valli Not.  20 

Love    Makes  'Em   Wild    (D),  Harron. Mar.  6 

Loves   of  Carmen    (0).  McLaglen-Del  Rio Sept.  4 

Madam   Wants  No  Children,  Cordla Apr.  3 

Marriage    (0).    VallL.- Feb.  20 

Monkey  Talks    (D).   Lemer Feb.  20 

Music  Master  (D).  A.  B.  Francis Jan.  23 

One    Increasing    Purpose    (D).   Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of   Red    River    (W),  Mix _ 

Paid  to    Love    (D).   O'Brien-VaUl -Aug.  14 

Pajamas    (CO).    Borden-Gray Oct.  23 

Publicity  Madneu  (CD),  Moran-Lowe Oct.  2 

Rich   But  Honest   (CO),  Beebe May  22 


-Not.  19 


63.00% 


Jan.  7 
Jan.  7 


..June  4 
Oct  22 

Tune  11 

May  9 

Oct.  29 

May  14 


40.70% 


May  21 

Sept  24 

Not.  19       Dec.  17 

Oct.  8 

_ Apr.  16 

_ _ Feb.  26 

JMar.  5 

Jan.  22 

- Jan.  15 

Apr.  23 

Aug.  6 

Dec.  10 


48.60% 
61.58% 


June  4 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


S870 

10726 

5467 

5446 

5009 

5792 

5412 

5620 

4943 

4675 

4209 

6293 

5510 

5620 

4953 

11109 

5783 

5629 

6531 

1928 

4612 


Secret  Studio.   The   (CD).  Borden. - 

Seventh   Heaven.   The  (R),  Farrell-Gaynor 

•Shame  (M),  John  Gilbert 


Silk  Legs   (CD).  Madge  Bellamy 

Silver  Valley  (W).  Tom  Mix. 

Singed    (D).   Baxter-Sweet 

Slaves  of  Beauty  (0),  Herbert-Tell 

Stage   Madness   (0),  VaUi 

St.    Etmo   (M).  John  Gilbert. 

Tumbling  River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn 

Truxton    King,  Gilbert 

Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Jaaet  Gaynor. 

Upstream   (0),  Poxe 

Very   Confidential    (CO),  Madge  Bellamy 

War   Horse   (W),  Jones...- 

What   Price    Glory    (CD),   McLaglen-Lowe.... 

Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones 

Wizard,  The   (MyD),  Lowe-Hyams- 

Wolf   Fangs   (0),  Thunder   (Dog) 


June  19 
Oct.  30 

Not.  27 

Dec  18 

Oct  2 

Aug.  21 

June  5 

Jan.  9 

Oct  9 

Aug.  21 

Oct.  30 

. — Sept.  11 

Jan.  30 

Not.  6 

Feb.  6 

— Aug.  28 

Mar.  20 

. — Dec.  11 
Not.  27 


Dec.  31 

Dec  17 


..June  25  _ 

..May  28  71.33% 

-Not.  26  

Oct  29  

..July  16  

-June  11  

..JaiL  29  

-.Aug.  27  IZ 


Jon.  14 


..Jeb.  12 

..JIOT.  12 

...Feb.  19 

...Apr.  9 
Dec  3 


71.00% 
60.61% 


4987 
5708 
6566 
5109 
5038 
5882 
6430 
4618 
C188 
4399 
5782 
6679 
5071 

5260 
5380 
5629 
5355 


..Jan.  8 


-...Jan.  16 
— June  3 


-Mar.  18 


5937 
5030 
4921 
5480 

1927 

6987 
5800 
6000 
6200 
5950 
6500 
6700 
6750 

1928 

5268 


Branded  Sombrero.  The  (W),  Bucb  Jones. 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee- 
Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mix.. 
Don't  Marry,  Moran-Hamilton...— _.. 

Dressed  to   Kill,  Lowe-Astor 

Escape,  The  (0).  RusseU-Valll Apr.  29 

Gateway  ol  the  Moon,  The   (0),  Del  Rio Jan.  1 

Girl  in   Every  Port,  A  (CD),  Victor  McLaglen..„Jan.  29 

Hangman's    House,   McLaglen-CoUyer. May  13 

Hello  Cheyenne,  Tom  Mix. May  13 

Honor  Bound,  O'Brien-Taylor ilay  13 

Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W),  Tom  Mix. Mar.  11 

Love   Hungry  (CO),  Moran-Gray.. Apr.  15 

News   Parade,   Stuart-Philllpe.. 

No  Other  Woman   (0),  Dolores  Del  Rio. June  10 

Painted   Post   (W),  Tom  Mix.. 

Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy Apr.  22 

Sharp  Shooters   (CD),  O'Brlen-Moran Jan.  15 

Soft   Living    (CD).   Bellamy-Brown Feb.  5 

Square  Crooks.  Brown-Dwan Mar.  4 

Street  Angel,  Gaynor. 

Sunrise    (0).   George  O'Brien. - 

Thief   In  the  Dark,  A,  Meeker-HlU-Beebe May  20 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong.  Phlpps-McNamara- Mar.  25 

Wild    West    Romance   (W),  Bex  King June  10 

Woman  Wise  (C),  Russell-CoUyer. Jan.  8 


Jan.  21 
..June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


1928 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


ay  26 


Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


Feb.  18       


May  19 


Gotham 


1927 


6000 


Blondes  by  Choice  (C),  Clilre  Wlndaor. Oct  1         Dec  31 

Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  OraTsi-Olmstead Not.  15       

Final  Extra  (M),  De  la  Motte. — 

'Frisco  Nights   (D),  Percy  Mannont JJec.  1        Dec.  10 

Girl  from   Rio,  The   (D),  Carmel  Myers Sept  1       Not.  26 

Heroes  ef  the  Night  (M),  LandU-Nlxon 

Rose  of   Klldare,  The  (D),  Helene  Chadwick. Aug.  15      Not.  19 

Satin  Woman,  The  (0),  Mrs.   Wallace  Held Aug.  1        Not.  19 


Bare   Knees   (D),   Corbine Feb.  1  Jan.  7 

Branded    Man.   The    (D),  Delaney-Marlowe. May  

Chorus    Kid,  The   (D),  All  Star ipr.  1  

Danger    Patrol,   The    (D),   All  Star. Apr.  

Devil's  Tower,  The  (W),  Buddy  Rooserelt May  

Hell  Ship  Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid-Beery— ..June  2  

Lightnin'  Shot  The  (W),  Buddy  RooseTelt May  

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landis-Morpby May 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  RooseTelt July  

Trail   Riders   (W).  Buddy  RooseTelt Apr.  

Trailin'   Back  (W).  Buddy  Roosevelt Jilar.  

Turn   Back  the   Hours  (M),  Myma  Loy Mar.  1  Feb.  11 


Sept.  24 
-Jeb.  5 


Aug.  13 


1928 


1927 

6199     Broadway   After   Midnight,   Betz- 


Krelbar  Productions 


-Oct.  29 


Adam  and  Evil   (CD),  Cody-PringleL_. 
Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  McCoy. 
After  Midnight  (0),  Shearer-Gray. 
Annie   Laurie   (D),   Lillian  Gisti 
Becky    (CD).   SaUy  O'Nea 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


Aug.  27 


1927 

6667 
4709 
6312 
87S0 
6439 

12000  Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  NoTarro. 

12550  Big    Parade.    The    (M),    GUbert-Adoree 

5902  Body  and  Soul  (0),  L.  Barrymore Oct.  1 

5821  Bugle  Call,  The  (D),  Jackie  Coogan Aug.  6 

6050  Buttons  (CO),  Jackie  Coogan. Dec  24 

6126  Callahans  and   Murphys  (CD),  Dressler-Moran....June  18 

7395  Captain  Salvation    (M),  Hanson.- - May  14 

6408  Fair  Co-ed.   The    (CO).   Marion  Davles. Oct  16 

4658  Foreign   Devils  (W).  Tim  McCoy Sept.  3 

6909  Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C).  O'Neil _ Apr.  2 

8156  Garden  of  Allah,  The    (0),   Terry-Petroritch- Nov.  5 

6646  In  Old  Kentucky   (D),  H.  CosteUo Oct  29 

6088  Little   Journey    (CO),   AU   Star — —..Jan.  1 

5687  London   After  Midnight   (0),  Lon  Chaney Dec.  3 

6110  Lovelorn.    The,    SaUy  O'Neil Deo.  17 

6291  Lovers  (D).  Novarro-Terry - _ Apr.  9 

6280  Man.   Woman  and  Sin   (D),  John  Gilbert _...Nov.  19 

5957  Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney Aug.  13 

7603  Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 

7627  Quality  Street.  Davles-Nagel — Dec  31 

6337  Red  Mill   (C).  Davies -.-.Jan.  29 

6581  Road  to  Romance,  The  (0),  Novarro-Day Sept  24 

6640  Rookies    (C).  Dane- Arthur — Apr.  30 

6309  Show.  The  (M).  GUbert-Adoree.— - Jan.  22 

7865  Slide.    Kelly.   Slide   (CD).  Haines-O'Nea Mar.  12 

6280  Spoilers  of  the   West   (W),  McCoy-Daw Dec  10 

6703  Spring   Fever   (C),  WiUiam  Haines Oct  22 

6273  Tea  for  Three    (C).   Cody-Prlngle - —.Dec  10 

5252  Thirteenth  Hour.  The  (0).  Lionel  Barrymore Nov.  26 

6160  Tillie  the  Toiler   (C).   Davies.-.- May  21 

7899  Twelve  Miles  Out  (M).  Gilbert July  9 

6637  Understanding    Heart    (0).  Crawford. Feb.  26 

5517  Unknown,    The    (M),    Chaney June  4 

1928 

6998  Actress,    The,    Norma    Shearer-Forbes Apr.  28 

6805  Across  to  Singapore    (MO),  NoTarro-Crawford—.Apr.  7 

5010  Baby   Mine.  Arthur-Dane Jan.  21 

6838  Big    City,    The,    Chaney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

6344  Bringing  Up  Father,  FarreU-Moran-Otmstead. Mar.  17 


Aug.  13 


1927 
1927 

61.00% 


Not.  26 

Nov.  19 

Dec  31 

-..July  16 
.July  2 

Not.  10 

Oct  29 
.'.""Apr!"33"" 

Not. 
Not. 


Dec 
Dec. 


Sept.  10 
Dec  3 
..Jan.  15 
Dec.  17 


96.35% 
80.20% 

~'si.iT% 

63.00% 

48.09% 
68.70% 
61.60% 
60.00% 

~60.90% 
43.46% 
65.60% 


..May  2 

Dec  17 

-Sept  10 

..June  4 


Jan. 
Nov. 


39.20% 
39.60% 


66.83% 


Not. 
Dec 
Dec 


Apr. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Mar. 


-May  9 

-Mar.  19 

..Apr.  2 

-.Dec  24 

Dec  10 

Not.  12 

Dec.  3 

-June  11 

...July  30 

-May  14 

-June  13 

-May  26 


64.91% 

~68ls9% 

67.31% 

43.6l"% 


68.16% 
66.16% 
66.93% 
68  76% 

1928 


Feb.  11 
Apr.  7 


-. 


Julv  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


Length    Title  and  Player> 


Releaied 


New 
Picture! 


Comment 


5482  Certain  Young  Man,  A,  Novarro-Day. May 

6661  Circus  Rookie*  (CD),  Dane-Arthur Mar. 

Cossacks.  The.  Adoree-Gilbert-Torrence. May 

8548  Crowd.  The,  Boardman-Murray-Roach Mar. 

5482  Detectives.   Dane-Arthur  June 

6057  Diamond    Handcuffs.    Boardman-Nagel May 

7300  Divine  Woman,  Garbo-Hanson-Sherman _...Jan. 

8340  Enemy,   The,   Glsh-Dane-Forbes - _ _...Feb. 

Excess  Baggage   (D),  William  Haines 

4987  Forbidden   Hours   (D),  Novarro-Adoree June 

T743  Latest  from  Paris,  The,   Shearer-Forbes Feb. 

7045  Laugh.  Clown.  Laugh,  Chaney-Murphy-Hlsle. Apr. 

S402  Mademoiselle  from    Armentleres,   EsteUe  Brody- 

John  Stuart  June 

5760  Skirts.    Syd  Chaplin 

5395  Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford Jan. 

7365  Love,  Garbo-Gilbert  ._ Jan. 

7289  Patsy.  The,  Dartes-Caldwell-Gray. Mar. 

6014  Riders  of  the  Dark Apr. 

7745  Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray Feb. 

6476  Smart   Set,    Haines-Day-Holt-Bosworth Feb. 

9566  Student  Prince,   The   (R),   Novarro-Shearer Jan. 

5901  Under  the  Black  Eagle,  Forbes-Dog  Flasb Mar. 

8134  West  Point   (CD).  Haines-Crawford. Jan. 

White  Shidowf  of  tiie  South  Sea  (MD).  Uonta 

Blue 


19  June  2 

31  

12  

3  Mar.  10 

9  June  9 

14  Jan.  21 
18  Mar.  10 
.June  23 
16  Mar.  17 
4  Feb.  18 

14       Apr.  21 

3         May  26 

Tnno  2 

21  Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  5 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


June  23 


-July? 
Apr.  28 

..June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  5 


Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  14 


Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 


Jan.  21 


67.41% 


6011 
4435 

1927 

6199 
6951 
9879 
5697 
6878 
7175 
6040 
<536 
6662 
5408 
T447 
6287 
6296 
S399 
6376 
6017 
6889 
6415 
7091 
S862 
6452 
8656 
7656 
6439 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
6258 
6877 
6798 
4551 
S599 
6187 
6680 
6306 
6247 
6952 
9443 
5614 
6368 
6634 
6209 
6170 
5515 
6015 
6179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4926 
6319 
7643 
8486 
6869 
6935 
6866 

6960 

1928 

5897 
6536 


Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Pringle Jan. 

Wyoming,   McCoy-Sebastian  Mar. 


July? 

28       Feb.  11 
24      Apr.  14 


Paramount 


6930 
6665 
7866 
6364 
6889 
6402 
6852 
6871 
6263 

6038 


Afraid  to  Love  (C),  Vidor _ —Apr.  9 

Barbed  Wire    (D),   Negri-Brook. Sept.  10 

Beau  Geste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery Aug.  1 

Blind  Alleys  (M).  Melghan.- Mar.  12 

Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C).  Menjou Jan.  24 

Cabaret  (CD).  Gilda  Gray Mar.  26 

Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.  Beery Mar.  5 

Chang  (D),  Specdal  cast Sept.  3 

Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow ipr.  2 

City  Gone  Wild   (M),  Melghan-MIllner Nov.  12 

•Covered   Wagon,  The  (M),  Kerrlgan-WUson. Aug.  6 

Evening  Clothe*   (C).  Menjou Mar.  19 

Fashions  for  Women   (CD),  Ralston Mar.  26 

Fireman  Save  My  Child    (C),  Beery-Hatton Aug.  1 

Gay  Defender,  The  (CD).  Richard  DIx Dec.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-0'Hara...-Oct.  15 

Get  Your  Man    (CD),   Clara  Bow Deo.  10 

Honeymoon   Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vldor Dec  3 

Hotel   Imperial   (D).  Negri Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),    Bow-Brook. Aug.  27 

It   (C).   Clara  Bow Feb.  19 

Jesse    James    (D),   Fred  Thomson Oct.  22 

•Kid   Brother   (C),   Lloyd. Oct.  4 

Kiss   in   a  Taxi    (C),  Daniels. Feb.  26 

Knockout    Reilly    (CD).   Dii _ Apr.  16 

Last  Waltz,  The  (D),  Special  cast Nor.  26 

Let   It  Rain    (C).  MacLean. _ Jan.  3 

Love's   Greatest    Mistake    (CO),  Brent Feb.  13 

Man    Fewer    (0).    Dlx _ _ July  9 

Metropslis    (0).    Special   cast Aug.  13 

Mme.   Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Gish Aug.  13 

Nevada  (W).  Cooper-Todd Sept.  10 

New    York    (M),    Cortez-Wilson _ ...Feb.  5 

Now  We're  In  the  Air   (C),   Beery-Hatton. Oct  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vidor- ShotweU... Sept  24 

Open    Range   (W),  Lane-(3handler Nov.  6 

Paradise  fer  Two    (C),  Dix-Bronson Jan.  17 

Potters   (CD),  W.   C.   Fielda _..Jan.  31 

Ritzy   (CD).  Bronson _ - Apr.  9 

Rolled  Stockings    (CD),  Hall-Brook. June  18 

Rough    House    Rosie    (C).  Bow May  14 

Rough   Riders.  The  (D),  Astor-FarreU Oct  1 

Rubber  Heels   (FC),  Ed.   Wynn. -June  11 

Running    Wild    (C).   Fields-Brian. -..Aug.  20 

Senorita    (F),   Daniels - Aug.  30 

Serenade    (D).    Menjou-Wray _ _ Deo.  24 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carrer. Aug.  6 

Shanghai    Bound    (D),   Dli-Brian Oct.  15 

She's  a  Sheik   (C),   Bebe  Daniels Nor.  13 

Shootin'  Irons  (W),  Luden-BIane Oct  8 

Soft   Cushions    (C).   MacLean-Carol Aug.  27 

Special   Delivery   (C),  Eddie  Cantor. Apr.  16 

Spotlight,   The   (CD),  Balston-Hamllton. Nov.  19 

Stark  Love   (D),   Special  cast..- - Sept  17 

Swim.    Girl,    Swim    (CM),    Daslels-HalL..- Sept  17 

Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklin-Bancroft Sept  24 

Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  Ralston. July  2 

Time  to  Love   (FC),  Raymond  Griffith. June  18 

Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fieids-Conklin. -.Dec  17 

Underworld   (M),  Bancroft-Brent Oct.  29 

Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (0),  Jannings-Bennett-Oct.  1 

Wedding  Bills   (F),  Raymond  Griffith May  7 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meighan-SIiUner. Sept  3 

Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),   Lois  Moran -Apr.  30 

Wings    (M),    Charles   Rogers Oct.  29 

Woman  on   Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri 

Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA, Mar.  31 

Beau  Sabreur    (M).   Cooper-Brent _ Jan.  7 

Beggars   of    Life    (MD),   Wallace  Beery-Brooks- 

Big    Killing   (CD),  Beery-Hatton. May  19 

Doomsday,    Vidor-Cooper    _ Feb.  18 

Drag  Net,  The  (MD).  Bancroft-Brent-PoweU 

Easy  Come,    Easy   Go,   Richard  Dlx. Apr.  21 

Feel  My  Pulse,  Daniels-Arien, _ Feb.  25 

Fifty-Fifty   Girl,    The,   Daniels-Hall May  12 

Fools  for  Luck   (CD),  Fields-Conklin. May  7 

Gentlemen    Prefer    Blondes    (C),   Taylor-White._Jan.  28 

Half  a   Bride   (D),  Ralston-Cooper June  16 

Hot    News,   Bebe  Daniels . 


1927 

-Apr.  23        _ 

-Aug.  3  67.21% 

_ 62.04% 

-Mar.  5  50.84% 

-Jan.  15  41.30% 

-May  9         

-Apr.  16  60.30% 

-May  2  51.86% 

-May  2  68.00% 

-Dec.  10        


Jan.  7 
Dec.  31 


Jan.  14 


Dec.  31 
Jan.  21 


Jan.  7 


-Apr.  9  

...Apr.  9 

-Dec.  10  49.60% 

-Not.  12  62.63% 

-Oct  8 

67.83% 

Dec  17  

-Jan.  8  

-Sept  10  65.85% 

-Feb.  12  66.77% 

-Oct  22  

-Jan.  29  65.91% 

-Apr.  2  38.61% 

-Apr.  23  65.61% 

-Not.  19 
-Jiar.  12  55.69% 

-Feb.  26  

-Aug.  6  51.18% 

-Mar.  12  

Aug.  6  

_ 71.00% 

-Feb.  6  70.25% 

-Dec.  17  

-Sept.  24  

-Jan.  29  — 

-Jan.  22  48.36% 

-June  25  _ 

-July  30 

-June  4  

-Mar.  19  54.72% 

-July  16  — 

-June  18  47.00% 

-May  14  

- 57.64% 

-Sept.  3  

Not.  12  

Not.  26  

-Atig.  27  Z 

-May  9  

-Dec.  3 
-Mar.  19 
-Sept  17 
Oct.  22 
-July  23 
-July  9 


44.08% 
66.27% 


-Sept  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


Dec.  24 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  7 


-July  7 


-June  11 

-Aug.  20 

Oct  1 


62.83% 
59.78% 
57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


Jan.  21 
-May  26 
May  19 
Feb.  23 
Mar.  31 
Apr.  7 
Dec.  10 


June  16 


Mar.  10 
Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Feb.  18 


6792 
8234 
7415 
6837 


His  Tiger  Lady.  Menjou-Brent June  9 

Kit   Carson    (MD),   Fred  Thomson 

Ladies  of  the  Mob,   Clara  Bow. June  30 

Last   (^mmand.    The    (D),  Bmll  Jannings. Jan.  21 

Legion  of  the  Condemned.  Wray-Cooi)er Mar.  10 

Love  and  Learn.  Ralston -Chandler Jan.  14 

Loves  of  an  Actress  (D),  Pola  Negri 


-June  9 
Mar.  31 

-June  23 
May  26 
Jan.  28 

Jan.  21 
„  June  23 


Jtme  16 


July  7 

Feb.  4 

-Apr.  21 

Feb.  26 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


5741 
7910 
6600 
5582 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7060 
5733 
5991 
5834 


6509 
6435 


Night    of    Mystery    (D),    Menjou. -..Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft - Mar.  17 

Partners  in  Crime    (C),  Beery-Hatton. Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny -Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson. Jan.  21 

Racket  The   (0),  Thomas  Meighan. June  30 

Red    Hair    (CD).  Bow-Chandler Mar.  10 

Sawdust  Paradise.    The,  Esther  Ralston. Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D).  Negri -Hersholt - Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,    Bancroft _ Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Hamlltoa..Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C).    Harold   Lloyd Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods.   Dix-Olmstead _ - Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (0).  Jannings-Wray _ -May  26 

Sunset  Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson...- Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),  Negri-Baxter Apr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured   Romance,   Fields-Conklin Peb.  IS 

Under    the   Tonto    Rim,    Arlen-Brian Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  .Tack  Holt June  23 

Water   Hole,   The   (W),   Jack  Holt _ 

Warming    Up,    Richard    Dli. Aug.  11 

Wife  Saven   (C),  Beery-Hatton. - Jan.  7 

Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D),  Negrl-Kerry 


Feb.  18 
Feb.  25 
Jan.  7 
Dec.  10 

Mar.  3 
June  9 

Feb.  18 
Mar.  3 
Apr.  28 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  28 


Mar.  17 


Apr.  21 
Feb.  18 
May  26 


Pathe 


1927 

6596    Almost    Human    (CD).   Reynolds _ Dec  26 

6555    Angel  of   Broadway,  The   (D),  Leatrice  Joy. Oct.  3 

4333     Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5 

5326     Border  Blackbirds   (WD),  Maloney...- - Aug.  28 

4875     Born   to    Battle    (W),   Bill  Cody „ -....Sept  11 

4512    Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19 

5100    Combat    (D),  Walsh _ —.Oct  23 

7500     Country    Doctor,  The    (D),  Schildkraut _ Aug.  22 

4033     Desert  af  the  Lost.   The  (W),  Wally  Walea Dec  18 

5478     Devil's  Twin,   The   (W),  Leo  Maloney Dec  11 

8586     Discord    (D).  Dagover-Ekman - -...Not,  20 

5804     Dor.    Desperado    (W),  Maloney _ -.May  8 

6599     Dress   Parade   (0),    Boyd „ Nov.  11 

8002     Fighting  Eagle.  The  (M),  La  RocQue-Haver. Aug.  29 

6403     Flying  Luck   (C),  Monty  Banks - Dec  4 

6568     Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  GoudaL Not.  7 

6859     Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prerost - 

3303     Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard Dec.  11 

5867     Girl  in  the  Pullman.  The  (C),  Prevost -.Oct  31 

4968    Gold  from   Weepah    (W).  Bill  Cody Not.  20 

7913     Golden    Clown,   The    (D),   Gosta-Ekman Dec  18 

4750    'Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd...- -...Dec  11 

5990     Harp  in  Hock,  A   (0).  Schildkraut-Coghlan. Oct  10 

6563     Heart  of  the   Yukon    (M),  Bowers-Cornwall May  29 

6035     Heart  Thief    (D),   Schlldkraut-De  Puttl 

4620     Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison. -Aug.  7 

6788     His   Dog   (D),  Schildkraut July  21 

4700     His  First  Flame  (C),  Langdon May  8 

4890     His   Foreign   Wife    (D),  MacDonald-Murphy Not.  27 

4076     Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan Nov.  13 

4864     Interferin'   Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Aug.  21 

5324     Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Faire — 

13500  King  of  Kings   (D),  All  Star _ 

4131     Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W).  Jack  PadJaiL Dec.  26 

Little   Firebrand    (C),  Thornton _ July  3 

Main   Event,  The   (D),   Reynolds Nov.  21 

Man  Bait  (CD),  Prevost „ _ -.Jan.  29 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fair. Dec.  19 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost 

Nobody's  Widow   (FC),  Joy-Hay-Hayer. - - 

No   Man's    Law   (W),  Rex May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo.  The  (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr Oct.  16 

Pais  In    Peril    (W),  Buffalo  BUI.  Jr. June  26 

Phantom    Buster.  The   (W),  Roosevelt -...Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Travel) - „ Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M),  Hutchison _ May  22 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary   (C),  Robson. , 

Ride  'Em  High   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt..- Oct  9 

Roarin'  Broncs,  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Nov.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Love...- - „ 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prerost -. Dec.  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W).  Wales July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  Wally  Wales Sept.  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hutchison _ June  12 

Turkish    Delight,   Schildkraut-Faye Not.  11 


Apr.  7 
Feb.  25 

May  5 

.July  21 

May  26 

...Feb.  18 

Dec.  24 

1927 

Not.  19       Nov.  6 

June  4 

— Sept  10 


-June  17 
-Oct  15 


Jan.  14 


72.70% 


-Deo.  10 


May  9 

Not.  19       Not.  5 
Sept  17 


Nov.  12       Nov.  5 

Feb.  19 

— - Not.  5 

Not.  19       Not.  5 


60.40% 


Not.  12 


Not.  5 
..May  21 
..May  21 
..Sept  3 
-July  24 
..May  9 


4752 
6472 
5865 
4576 
5750 
5736 
6421 
6903 
4575 
4692 
4497 
6000 
4828 
5844 
4542 
4375 
6303 
5880 
4562 
4546 
4338 
5397 
5670 
5021 
6198 
4485 
5610 
6447 
7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5027 
658!) 
4833 
5408 
4530 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6650 
5888 
4C00 
5659 
3954 
5404 
5820 


Jan.  14 


Not.  19 


Dec.  24 


-.Aug.  27 
...Jan.  1 
...Mar.  10 

...July  2 

Not.  6 

..Jan.  29 

-.June  12 


..May  9 
-.Jan.  16 

...May  2 
..Oct  8 
..June  25 
..▲ng.  20 

..May  21 
..Aug.  6 
..Oct.  8 


<5.eo% 


Jan.  7 


..Apr.  9 


..Aug.  6        

..Oct.  1  

„Jun«  11       


Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    ( M ) .   Joy 

White   Gold    (D),   Goudal - - - 

White  Pebbles   (WD),   Wally  Wales _..Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife,  The  (C),  Haver -...Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M),  Bradford Oct  31 

Yankee  Clipper   (M),  Boyd - _ - - _.. 


-July  17 
-June  18 
..Apr.  9 


Aug.  20 


6902 
7040 
5423 

.4520 
6035 
4000 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass Feb.  12 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney...- - Feb.  12 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr ..—  Jan.  8 

Blonde  for  a  Night.  Prevost _ Feb.  27 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Joy _ Mar.  12 

Boss  of   Rustlers    Roost,   The,   Don  Coleman. Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Stomper,  The,  Don  Coleman. Feb.  26 

Bullet   Mark.   The.   Jadt  Donovan Mar.  25 

Chicago     (M).    Phyllis    Haver _ _ Mar.  5 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Jan.  29 

Crashing   Through,    Jack   Padjan. _ Feb.  6 

Desperate  Courage    (W),   Wales - Jan.  15 

Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocque. May  15 

Laddie   Be   Good    (W),  BiU  Cody -...Jan.  1 

Leopard  Lady.  The  (M),  Logan _ Jan.  23 

Let  'Er  Go.  Gallagher!  (M),  Junior  Coghlan Jan.  16 

Marlie,    the    Killer,    Klondike Mar.  4 

Midnight  Madness,  Logan May  26 

Night   Flyer,  The.  Wm.  Boyd Feb.  5 

On  to   Reno   (D),  Prevost -Landia .Tan.  2 

Perfect   Gentleman,   A    (C),  Monty  Bankj Jan.  15 

Red    Mark,  The   (D).  Glass.   Quartoar 

Ship   Comes   In.    A,    Rudolph  Sctiildkrant Jtme  4 

Skyscraper,  Boyd Apr.  9 

Stand  and   Deliver,  Rod  La  Rocque Feb.  20 

Tenth  Avenue,  Haver- Varconl 

Valley  of    Hunted    Men,   Buffalo  Bill,  Jr Feb.  19 

Walking    Back    (M),   Sne  Carol May  20 

What    Pries   Beauty    (CD),    Nlta  Naldi Jan.  22 


Nov.  19 

Nov.  5 

May  14 

61.72% 

1928 

May  12 



Mar.  3 
Feb.  18 
May  12 
Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec  24 
Feb.  4 


May  19        May  26 


Jan.  28 
Jan.  28 


Mar.  17 
Jan.  28 


.July  14 
June  16 


May  12 
.July  14 


Jan.  28 
DeaSl 


i 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  192}i 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


Htvi 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1927  Rayart 

€089  Cruise  of  the   Helion    (D),  All  star 

5076  Heroes   in    Blue    (M),  Bowers-Rand Nov. 

5916  Law  and  the  Man,  The  (D),  Santschi-EockwelI..D€C. 

6960  Light  in  the  Window,  A    (D),  WaltliaL _.._ 

6970  On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Nov. 

BS02  Silent    Hero    (IVI),    Bonaparte _ - _. 

4200  Wanderer  of  the  West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec. 

1928 

€089 
6673 
607S 
4633 

5976 
5853 
4797 


Sept.  24      _.. 


1927 


..Nov.  12 


-Aug.  29 


5262 
454S 
5608 
4571 
5906 


■4627 
5490 
5260 


Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Chas.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey  Jones   (CD),   Price-Lewis. Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The  (D),  RusseU-Falr Jan. 

Devil's  Tewer,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera  Reynolds-HUllard.. July 

Gypsy  of  the   North    (D),    Gordon-Hale Apr. 

Heart   of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew.._Mar. 

Lightning  Shot  The   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Man  from  Headquarters.  The  (D),  ConuUni 

KeeTe-E.  Roberts Aug. 

Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landls-E.  Murphy-May 

Mystery  Valley   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

My    Home    Town    (D),    BrockweU-Glass Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    (W).   Buddy   Roosevelt Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf.  The   (D),  CosteUo-Lease-Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster-Olstead Aug. 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt April 

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard _ - Mar. 

You   Can't  Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe Jan. 


1928 


1927 

556i 
5400 
5500 

1928 


Sterling 


1927 


Burning    Up    Broadway    (D),    H.    Costello Jan.  30       Dec  S 

Closed    Gates   (M),  Harron-Novak. — - 

Outcast  Sonis   (D),  Lewis-Bonner. Dec.  15       Nov.  12 

Pretty   Clothes    (D).   J.   Ralston-Walksr Oct.  IS       Dec.  31 

Stranded    (D),   Mason Aug.  IS      Jan.  7 


-May  28 


1927 

5754 
5669 
S300 
6024 
7300 
4887 
5500 
€482 
5233 
4752 
5600 
6800 
€049 
€235 
5629 
€100 
5182 
5278 

«448 
£«14 

1928 

€147 
S209 

6510 


Marry  the    Girl    (CD) 

TiffanyStahl 

Backstage     (CD),     Bedford ■ 

Beauty  Shoppe    (CD),    Busch 

Broken  Gate  (D),  Collier...- 

Cheaters    (M),    O'MaUey 

College    Days    (CD),   M.   Day 

Enchanted    Island    (D) 

First  Night,  The   (FC),  LyteU-Devore 

Fools   »f    Fashion    (CD),  Busch...- — 

Girl   from   Gay   Paree,  The   (F),   Sherman Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.   Love—Deo.  1 

Husband   Hunters  (C),  Marsh 

Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederick. 

Lightning    (W),  J.   Ralston. Sept.  1 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron Nov.  1 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Ruth  Miller Oct.  IB 

Sin  Cargo    (D),   Mason 

Snowbound     (FC),    Blythe „ — 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),  Starke-Harlan Dea  15 

Tired  Business  Man  (C) 

Wild   Geese   (D),  BeUe  Bennett .Nov.  15 

Women's  Wares   (D),   Brent-LyteU Oct.  1 


Sept.  10      

1928 

-Feb.  4         

1927 

..July  9  

...July  16  

-Jan.  15  

...Mar.  24  

...Nov.  6 

...June  25  

..Feb.  19  

...Oct.  9  


—Feb.  26 
—Nov.  27 


.J3ec.  11 
-July  30 


Dec.  24       Dec.  10 


1928 


Bachelor's    Paradise    (R),    SaUy   O'Neil Mar.  15 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman     (R),     Southem- 

Pldgeon  

Devil's  Skipper,  The,  Bennett _ 

Grain   of   Dust,  The    (D),  Cortez-Windsor.. 

Green  Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen. - 

House  of  Scandal    (0),  Sebastian-O'Malley 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Cortez-Moran.. 

Lingerie  (CD),  White-McGregor 

Nameless    Men,  Moreno _ 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea   (D),  Cortez-Myers 

Scarlet  Dove,  The  (D),  Margaret  Livingston 

Stormy    Waters    (D),    Southern-McGregor 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastlan-Harron 

Tragedy   of    Youth,    Miller-Collier 

Woman  Against  the  World,  A 


-May  1 
..Feb.  1 
..July  10 
.Juno  10 
..Apr.  1 
.May  15 
.July  1 
.Feb.  IS 
.June  20 
.Apr.  15 
.June  1 
.Mar.  1 
Jan.  IS 
Jan.  1 


United  Artists 


Beloved    Rogue    (M),    J.    Barrymore- 

College  (C),  Keaton-ComwaU 

General,  The   (C),  Keaton 

Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson. 


..Sept.  10 


5297 
6553 

5708 

6102 
6735 
5652 
6361 
6^3 

1927 

9264 
6000 
7600 
7311 
8550 

7440 
9120 
9000 
745« 
8260 

tooo 
1928 

€400  Circus.    The    (C),    Charlie    (aaplln. 

TOO©— Devil    Dancer,  The,  Gilda  Gray 

9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    ai    the    Gaucho    (M) June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge Jan.  T 

8350  Drums  of   Love    (D),  Mary  PhUbln Mar.  31 

7300  Garden   of  Eden,  The  (D).  C.  Grifflth-Ray Feb.  4 

Two   Lovers,  Banky-CoUnan Aug. 

7630  Ramona    (D),    Del   Rio Feb.  1 

•600  Sadie   Thompson    (D),    Gloria    Swanson Jan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill,  Jr..  Buater  V""" 

Tempest    (M),   John   Barrymor« Aug.  11 


Mar.  31 


-Apr.  2 
-Sept.  17 


Ma^io   Flame,  The   (M),  Colman-Banky Sept.  24 

My    Beat    Girl    (M),   Mary  Plckford. Nov. 

Night  of   Love   (M),  Banky-Colman 

Resurrection     (M),    La    RocQue . 

Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson Not. 

Topsy   and    Eva    (C),   Duncan   Sisters _. 


Feb.  12 

Mar.  19 

.Sept.  24 

Apr.  7 

..Jan.  29 
...Apr.  16 


1927 

45.90% 


Two  Arabian  Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolhelm 

Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (0),  Banky-Colman... 


-Aug.  IS 
-Oct.  29 
-Dec.  4 


73.65% 

1928 


.Mar.  3 


-..Apr.  28 
—Nov.  26 
—Jan.  7 
—July  21 


Universal 


1927 

6781  Baek   to    Q«d's   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier- Sept.  4 

BTTT  Beware  of   Wl<tows    (FC),    La  Plante June  19 

44IT  Border  Cavalier.   The   (W),  Humes-Pierce Sept.  18 

7S1»  Butterflies   In  the   Rain    (D),  La  Plante. Feb.  S 

7190  Cat  and  Canary,  The   (My),  L«  Plante Sept.  11 

U23  Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compaon-Harlas Oct.  9 


Nov.  12 

Aug.  6 
—May  9 

61.00% 
44.10% 

Deo.  17 
Nov.  26 

-.Jan.  1 
May  14 

46.18% 
67.06% 

Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


5503  Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot   Gibson Nov.  20 

6929  Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis Apr.  10 

5711  Hero  for  the   Night,   A,   Tryon-MiUer. Dec.  18 

5378  Hey!  Hey!  Cowboy  (W),  Gibson -...Apr.  3 

6958  Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),    Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

7713  Les  Miserables   (M),  Qabrio-Toulont Oct.  30 


Dec.  24 
Jan.  14 


-Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 


11000  Les  Miserables  (M),  (Long  Version).. 


5862 
6038 
6135 
6159 
5918 
6170 
5416 
6045 
6807 
4409 
7015 
6166 
4393 
6218 
4251 
7173 
5598 
4136 
5192 
6459 
4167 

1928 

4259 
6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
6081 
4426 
5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 

6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 

1927 

5803 
6530 
6281 
5897 
6408 
50O3 
6767 
6284 
5978 


Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane- 
Love   Thrill    (FC),  La  Plante- 

Man's    Past,    A    (D).    Veidt-Kent 

Men    of    Daring    (W),    Hoiie -. 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth.. 


-...Oct.  30 

Sept  18 

-..3Iay  8 
— Dec.  9 

June  5 

Nov.  27 

Sept.  4 


Dec.  17        Nov.  19 
Aug.  27 

Nov.  U 


43.67% 


Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-Nixon-. 

Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot   Gibson Sept.  25 

Painting  the    Town    (FC),    Tryon Aug.  7 

Perch  of  the  Devil   (M),  Busch Mar.  6 

Rough  and    Ready    (W),    Hoxie Jan.  9 

Sensation    Seekers    (D),   Dove Mar.  20 

Silk  Sttckings,  Laura  La  Plante Oct.  2 

Sky   High  Saunders,  Al  Wilson Nov.  6 

Small    Bachelor,   The    (C),   Beranger-Kent Nov.  6 

Straight  Shootin'    (W),    Wells -...Oct  16 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton. Apr.  24 

Thirteenth    Juror,   The   (D),   Bushmaii-NUsson...Nov.  13 

Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson. Sept.  4 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),   Rex. Nov.  27 

Wrong   Mr.   Wright,   The    (F),   Hersholt Feb.  27 

Wolf's   Trail,   Dynamite,   the  dog Oct  2 

Air    Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    WUson. Jan.  1 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe.. Jan.  22 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes Mlay  6 

Buck    Privates,    de    Putti June  3 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The  (W),  Dynamite Jan.  29 

Clean. Up    Man,    The    (W),   Wells. Feb.  12 

Cohens  and    Kellys  in   Paris    (C),   Sidney. Jan.  15 

Count  of   Ten,   The,  Ray-Ealston-GIeason June  6 

Fearless    Rider,  The    (W),   Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La  Plante Feb.  6 

Four    Footed    Rangers,   The    (W),  Dynamite Mar.  25 

Good    Morning   Judge. Apr.  29 


May  21 
Dee.  ir       Sept.  0 

Apr.  9 

Jan.  14 

Nov.  19 


40.14% 


...Oct.  1 
July  23 

...June  25 

Feb.  5 

Jan.  8 

Jan.  29 

Nov.  19       Aug.  20 

Feb.  4         

Dec  3         


62.31% 
35.87% 


Greased  Lightning   (W) 

Grip    of  the   Yukon,    The,   All  star.- 
Hot  Heels,  Glen  Tryon.. 


—July  29 

—Aug.  30 

.May  13 


Dec.  3 

..-Feb.  19 

45  18% 

Dec.  24 

Mar.  5 

1928 

June  16 

June  25 



Mar.  10 

Feb.  4 

—Apr.  21 

June  30 

Jan.  28 

Apr.  21 

Apr.  28 

Hound    of  Silver   Creek,    The   (W),    Dynamite.- May  20 

Lonesome    (CD),    Tryon-Kent..- 

Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-PhUbin.Feb.  25 

Jazz    Mad.    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewls June  3 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    Wella. June  3 

Midnight    Rose,    de   Putti-Harlan. Feb.  26 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson. Feb.  26 

Put   'Em    Up    (W),   Hume* Mar.  11 


Apr.  28 
May  26 
June  23 
-July  21 
Feb.  31 
May  19 


Mar.  17 
Mar.  IT 


Quick  Triggers    (W),  Humes... 


Rawhide   Kid    (W),   Hoot  Gibson.- 

Riding  for    Fame,  Hoot  Gibson 

Shield  of   Honor,  The,  AH  star- 


July  15 

Jan.  29 

Aug.  19 

Feb.  19 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson. July  8 

Stop  That   Man,  All  star Mar.  11 

Surrender,    PhUbin-Moajuklne Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon— Apr.  1 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent Feb.  S 

Thunder    Riders,    The,    Wells Apr.  S 

13  Washington  Square,   AH  star. Apr.  8 

Trick  of  Hearts.   A.  Hoot  Gibson. Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W).  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We  Americans,   AU  star May  16 

Wild   West  Show,  Hoot  Gibson May  20 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


Ma;  5 
Apr.  21 


Warner  Brothers 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue- 


_July23 


1927 

50.20% 


Brass    Knuckles    (D),  Blue-Bronson Dec.  3 

Bush    Leaguer,   The   (CD),   Monte   Blue Aug.  20 

Dearest    (D),   Rldi— 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Rich. Aug.  27 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Rin-Tin-Tin. Oct.  29 

First  Auto.  The,  Oldfleld-Mlller Sept.  18 

Gay  Old  Bird  (FC),  Fazenda.- 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


6302 
5613 

6271 

5200 

6230 

5397 

5569 

6352 

6310 

€485 

7961 

6357 

6492 

6295 

5685 

6124 

6218 

6412 

7G47 

5813 

6281 

5567 

10081 

6820 

7068 

1928 


Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy- 

Glorious  Betsy  (CD),  Dolores  Costello 

Good  Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.  Costello Nov.  12 

Han    and    Eggs   at   the    Front    (C),    Wllson-H. 

ConkUn  — — - Deo.  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky   (M),   Rln-Tin-Tln. 

Husbands  for  Rent,  All  star Dec.  31 

if   I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel Dea  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy 

Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Rln-Tin-Tin Sept.  IT 

Matinee  Ladies   (C),   McAvoy 

Mill    Bid,    A    (M),    D.    CosteUo— 


Nov.  6         Dec.  31 


Dec.  31 


-May  26 
Nov.  26 


Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin-.- Aug.  7 

Old   San    Francisco   (M),  D.   (>>steIlo-01and. Sept  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte   Blue..- Sept.  17 

Reno    Divorce,  A    (D),   May  AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor  Izzy  Murphy  (F),  George  JesselL. — Oct.  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A   (C),  Fazenda-C.  Cook...Sept  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Rioh-Ferris Nov.  > 

Simple    SJs    (M),    Fazenda _ - 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel - Sept  3 

Third    Degree  (M),   D.   Costello 


Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Rln-Tin-Tln...- 

What   Every   Girl  Should    Know   (CD),   MUler. 

What    Happened   to    Father    (C),   Oland...- 

When    a    Man    Loves    (R),   Barrymore - Aug.  21 

White  Flannels  (M),  Draaser. 

Wolf's   Clothing    (M),   Blue-MUler. 


1928 


5380 


Across  the  Atlantic,  Blue-Murphy. — 
Beware  *f  Married  Men,  Irene  Rich- 
City  of  Sin,  The,  Loy-MlUan-Wong.. 


-Feb.  25 
-Jan.  14 


-Feb.  18 


Domestic  Trouble    (CD),  Cook-Fazenda- 

Jazz  Singer,  The,  Al  Jolson- 

Llon   and   the  Mouse,   The,   L.   Barrymore- 

Llttle  Snob,   The,  May  McAvoy 

Powder  My  Back  (C),  Blch-Ferrla 

Race   for    Life,    Rln-Tln-Tin 


-Apr.  14 


Feb.  11 

Mar.  10 

Jan.  28 


May  19 


RInty  of  the  Desert,  Rln-Tin-Tln— 
Tenderloin,    Dolores  Costello 


Feb.  18 
..May  19 


-Apr.  28 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


I 


The    Recognized    National    Classiiied    Advertising    Medium 


Position  Wanted 


THEATRE  MANAGER  now  employed  desires 
change.  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  experience,  12 
years  in  theatres,  graduate  of  Publix  Managers' 
School,  understands  every  detail  of  theatre  operation. 
Young,  married,  reliable.  If  interested  address  Box 
292,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

AT  LIBERTY  SEPTEMBER  1st— Violin  Director, 
master  of  ceremonies.  Presentation  and  pit.  Double 
several  instruments.  Best  of  reference.  Information 
furnished  on  request.  Address  Musical  Director, 
Burns  theatre,  Colorado   Springs,  Colo. 

AT  LIBERTY— August  first,  high  class  organist. 
Expert  cuing.  Union,  reliable.  Four  years  in  last 
place.  Address  Box  293,  Exhibitors  Herald  and 
Moving  Picture  World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago, 
111. 

THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald- World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

LADY  ORGANIST  desires  change.  Experienced, 
union,  large  library.  Good  recommendations.  Prefer 
eastern  location.  Address  Box  290,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  407  S.   Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

AT  LIBERTY— Experienced  high  grade  Organist 
with  complete  modern  and  classical  library,  union. 
Wurlitzer,  Morton,  or  any  standard  make.  Address 
F.  H.,  8631  S.  Ashland  Ave.,  Apt.  B.  2,  Phone  Bev- 
erly 1461,  Chicago,  111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical  College,   61   E.  Van  Buren,  Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 


Engagements  Wanted 

AT  LIBERTY— D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land 4669. 


Theatre  Wanted 


THEATRE  WANTED— To  rent  with  option  to  buy 
if  theatre  is  paying  proposition.  Address  Fred  T. 
Walker,  4314  Irving  Park  Blvd.,  Chicago,  111. 


Film  Rights  for  Sale 


LOOK-READ-ACT— ROAD  SHOWMEN,  STATE 
RIGHTS  FOR  SALE 
The  True  Life  of  "The  Younger  Brothers" 
Featuring  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim  Younger  and  the  James 
Boys,  in  five  reels,  and  Younger's  Historical  Events, 
in  one  reel.  This  picture  as  a  popular  priced  road 
show  is  no  experiment.  It  has  been  tried  and  true, 
has  played  against  all  kinds  of  competition  under  all 
conditions.  Has  always  gotten  the  money.  With  each 
State  or  sale  we  furnish  free  one  new  complete  Lobby 
Display,  consisting  of  new  Prints  of  Film,  three  new 
Wax  Figures,  standing,  life  size,  of  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim 
Younger,  true  to  life,  dressed  in  cowboy  style,  big 
hats,  boots,  etc.;  500  One-Sheets,  100  slides,  10  Photo 
Lobby  Boards,  100  small  Photos  extra,  6  Banners, 
lettered  in  flashy  oil  colors,  enough  to  fit  any  theatre 
front.  Everything  ready  to  go.  Hurry.  It  will  pay 
you  to  buy  the  King  of  all  Road  Shows. 

Address  E.  L.  HUMPHREY.  Miami,  Okla. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7)  ;— "Deceit"  (6)  ;— "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6); — "Temptation"  (7); — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7)  ; — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
Pictures  Company,  729  Seventh  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


Equipment  for  Sale 

2  Peerless  Lamps  complete.  Like  new,  $190.00  each. 
Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  HI. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensates  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


Brand  New  Veneer  and  Spring  cushion  opera  chairs 
to  be  had  at  the  lowest  prices  ever  offered.  Kindly 
state  your  requirements  and  let  us  submit  to  you 
exact  photographs  and  full  details.  C.  G.  Demel,  845 
South  State,  Chicago. 


300  Upholstered  Opera  chairs.  All  seats  and  backs 
entirely  reupholstered  in  new  imitation  Spanish 
leather.  Eight  Hundred  Dollars  for  entire  lot.  C.  G. 
Demel,  845   South  State,  Chicago. 

LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads — en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  Sollidays,  XH-124,  Knox,  Ind. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS— $1.40,  3x10,  3  feet,  colors, 
any  copy  up  to  10  words;  one  day  service;  sent  any- 
where; also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Associated 
Advertisers,  111   West  18th  St.,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


Manager  Schools 


LEARN  Modern  Theatre  Management  at  home,  as 
a  business  or  vocation.  Catalog  H  shows  you  how. 
Moving  Picture  Theatre  Managers  Institute,  Inc., 
Elmira,  N.  Y. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — One  Wurlitzer  style  "O"  double  roll 
pipe  organ  slightly  used.  Looks  and  runs  like  new. 
25  rolls  new  music.  $1,100.00.  Address  Bonny  the- 
atre,  Mansfield,   Mo. 

FOR  SALE — American  Photoplayer  Co.,  combined 
organ  and  piano,  duplex  rolls,  cost  $3,175.  Will  sell 
for  $1,500  or  will  exchange  for  pair  of  Simplex  or 
Powers  projectors  of  equal  value.  Address  L.  Bates 
Russell,  Lyceum  Theatre,  Chestertown,   Maryland. 

Slightly  used  Style  W.  Wurlitzer  Organette  just 
like  new.  Gold  Mine  Butterkist  Pop  Corn  Machine 
in  good  condition.  Address  Central  Theatre,  Fair- 
bury,   Illinois. 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


$200.00  buys  large  size  Photoplayer.  Perfect  con- 
dition.     Address   Box   485,   Rochester,   N.    Y. 

FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  111. 


INCREASED  BUSINESS  25% 


I  am  an  advertiser  in  the  classified  section  of  the  Exhibitors  Herald-World  and  the  results  have  been  very  pleas- 
ing. In  fact,  I  would  say  that  in  some  respects  advertising  in  your  magazine  increased  my  business  about  twenty-five 
per  cent. 

Joseph  Spratler 
Scientific  Repairing  of  Any  Make  of  Motion  Picture  Projection  Machine 
12-14  East  Ninth  Street  Chicago,  Illinois 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


Equipment  Wanted 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 

Projector  Repairing 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished  20   years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15.    Bulldogs. 
Address   501   Rockwood,   Dallas,   Texas. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


Theatre  for  Sale — 620  seats,  fully  equipped  includ- 
ing organ.  Now  doing  business,  population  19,000, 
largest  theatre  in  city,  good  lease.  For  particulars 
write  George  S.  Kirby,  Tuxedo  Theatre,  372  South 
Main   St.,  Phillipsburg,  N.  J. 

Any  Real  Showman  desiring  to  invest  $25,000.00 
for  business  bonded  to  show  40  per  cent  return  for 
capable  attention,  Address  P.  O.  Box  1306,  Atlanta, 
Ga.  Note — No  Competition,  showing  both  Colored- 
White,   Drawing   Population   25,000. 

FOR  SALE — 450  seat  theatre  in  good  Western 
payroll  town,  4,500.  Best  location.  Good  lease  on 
building,  one  theatre  opposition.  Part  cash,  part  pay- 
ments. Other  interests  demand  my  attention.  Address 
Box  291,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture 
World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


Miss  Banky  Nominated 
NAPOLEON,   N.   D.— To  the   Editor:    I 

have  contracts  with  all  the  larger  film  concerns 

in  the  United  States.     The  best  looking  star 

and  best  liked  star  is   Miss  Vilma   Banky  in 

our  theatre. 

Any  time  we  play  anything  in  which  Miss 

Banky  is  starred,  we  usually  have  a  full  house. 

We  have  decided  to  nominate  Miss  Banky  for 

the  beauty  contest. 

Hurrah    for    the   beautiful,    talented    star — 

Miss  Banky! — Karl  Miller,  Miller  Theatre, 

Napoleon,  N.  D. 


'^ Lilac  Time*'  Booked  by 
Kunsky  for  Special  Run 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— First  National's 
"Lilac  Time,"  Colleen  Moore's  latest  pic- 
ture, which  opened  in  Los  Angeles  last 
week,  will  be  shown  with  sound  for  an 
extended  run  at  Kunsky's  Madison,  Detroit, 
at  roadshow  prices,  beginning  August  11, 
according  to  Ned  E.  Depinet,  sales  manager 
of  First  National.  The  New  York  showing, 
also  to  be  with  sound,  is  to  begin  August  3. 
Two  resort  bookings  are  at  Colorado 
Springs  and   New  London,  Wis. 

Depinet  also  reports  the  booking  of  the 
"President  group"  by  the  Hoffman  circuit 
of  Connecticut,  and  the  Wilmer  &  Vincent 
chain  in  Pennsylvania,  besides  a  split  of 
First  National  service  with  Proctor  theatres 
in  Albany,  Troy  and  Schenectady. 


Wisconsin  Labor  Asked 
To  Fight  Machine  Music 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KENOSHA,  WIS.,  July  24.— Because  the 
installation  of  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  is 
threatening  to  throw  out  of  employment 
many  musicians,  the  Wisconsin  Federation 
of  Labor  has  been  asked  by  Kenosha 
musicians  to  use  its  influence  to  oppose  the 
devices. 


Famous-Canadian 
Plans  New  Houses 
In  Several  Cities 

Expansion  plans  of  Famous  Players 
Canadian  Corporation,  already  having  135 
theatres,  call  for  a  $1,500,000  construction 
project  in  Toronto,  the  theatre  to  seat  4,200. 
Famous  also  plans  a  $1,250,000  theatre  at 
Ottawa,  one  at  Quebec  City  seating  3,000, 
and  others  at  Windsor,  North  Bay  and 
Saskatoon.  United  Amusements,  affiliated 
chain,  is  to  build  a  $165,000  house  in 
Montreal. 

Other  theatre  developments  of  the  week 
include   the   following: 

The  Stanley  Company  has  received  bids  for  a  la.ge 
residential  house  in  the  Pine  Hills  section  of  Albany. 
Ollie  Stacey  is  resigning  November  1,  from  the  Ma- 
jestic in  Albany.  Andrew  Hendrick  has  succeeded 
Donald  Ives  as  assistant  manager  of  the  Troy  in 
Troy,  N.  Y.  Joseph  Krist  has  bought  the  VanCurler 
at    Schenectady. 

Many  Kansas  City  exhibitors  attended  the  open- 
ing last  Monday  of  the  $500,000  Uptown  at  Wichita, 
Kan.  Sam  Blair  is  building  a  house  at  Belleville, 
Kan.  A.  Baler  of  Kansas  City  has  started  con- 
struction of  another  suburban  theatre.  At  St.  Louis 
it  was  stated  that  the  William  Fox  theatre  will  be 
ready  in  November.  It  is  rumored  there  that  the 
Orpheum  theatre  will  become  a  burlesque  house.  The 
opening  of  the  Colfax  in  South  Bend,  Ind.,  has 
been  set   for  August  4. 

At  Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  Robert  W.  Bross  has  taken 
over  the  management  of  F  &  R's  operations.  The 
Fischer-Paramount  interests  have  purchased  the 
Baptist  church  in  Beloit  and  are  planning  a  $500,- 
000  theatre.  Nathan  J.  Blumberg  has  leased  the  Van 
Der  Vaart  in  Sheboygan.  Louis  Lutz  is  now  man- 
ager of  the  new  Fischer  theatre  in  Oshkosh,  Wis. 
Madison  business  men  are  planning  an  East  Side 
theatre.  Sherman  Brown  plans  remodeling  of  the 
Pabst  theatre  in  Milwaukee  at  a  cost  of  $180,000. 
Midwesco  is  to  erect  a  2,000-seat  house  in  Appleton, 
Wis.  Community  Theatres  plans  to  increase  its 
chain  of  nine  theatres  to  twenty.  At  Spokane  C. 
G.  Bowman  soon  will  take  possession  of  Will 
Starkey's   Rex   theatre. 


Navy  Will  Co-operate 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Curtis  D.  Wil- 
bur, secretary  of  the  navy,  has  pledged 
Paramount  full  co-operation  in  the  filming 
of  "Dirigible." 


Sigmund  Moos  Back 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Sigmund  Moos, 
manager  of  the  leasing  department  at  Uni- 
versal  City  returned   from   Italy   last  week. 


FOR  SALE — Theatre  in  payroll  town  of  fifteen 
hundred  population.  Only  theatre  in  town,  open 
seven  nights  a  week.  Price  six  thousand  dollars — 
half  cash.  Address  Empress  theatre,  Glenrock,  Wye, 
or  Black  Hills  theatre.  Hot  Springs,   S.  D. 


Cameras  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE — One  Universal  200-ft.  camera  in  ex- 
cellent mechanical  condition,  used  slightly,  with  new 
50  mm.  B  &_L  F  3.5  lens.  Price  $200.00.  Address  G. 
Russell  Carrier,  General  Delivery,  Akron,  Ohio. 

FOR  SALE— One  400-ft.  Wilart  Professional 
Camera,  nearly  new,  with  B  &  H  tripod.  Has  two 
extra  magazines,  automatic  dissolver,  magnifying 
focusing  tube  direct  to  film;  film  punch,  footage  in- 
dicator; also,  special  footage  indicator  for  scenes; 
trick  crank,  170  degree  shutter,  50  mm.  B  &  L  Tessar 
F  3.5  lens,  lever,  sunshade,  adjustable  view  finder  for 
various  focal  length  lens.  Has  excellently  smooth 
cranking  qualities.  Price  $395.00.  Address  G.  Russell 
Carrier,   General    Delivery,   Akron,   Ohio. 


Theatre  to  Lease 


FOR  LEASE:  Attractive.  Fort  Wayne.  Fully 
equipped,  suburban  theatre,  with  594  seats,  in  thickly 
populated  neighborhood  1^4  miles  from  nearest  com- 
petition. Equipment  priced  low  on  option  to  buy. 
Address  Chas.  Reuss,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 


Church  Turns  Theatre 
Under  Russian  Order 

It's  an  ill  wind,  and  so  on.  Any- 
way, it  is  reported  from  Riga,  Lat- 
via, that  the  Alexander  Levski 
church  of  Moscow  will  reopen  as  a 
motion  picture  theatre  under  the  su- 
pervision of  the  Russian  commissar- 
iat of  education. 


Paramount  Cameraman 
Treks  Across  Ice  to 
Get  Nobile  Pictures 

John  Dored,  Paramount  News  and  Asso- 
ciated Press  cameraman,  wrote  his  name 
large  in  news  reel  enterprise  with  his  pic- 
tures of  General  Nobile,  polar  expedition 
commander,  after  his  rescue  from  an  ice 
floe  by  Lieutenant  Lundbord,  Swedish 
aviator,  and  his  transfer  to  the  Citta  di 
Milano,  Italian  base  ship. 

In  a  letter  to  Emanuel  Cohen,  editor  of 
Paramount  News,  Dored  told  how  he 
joined  up  with  the  Risser  Larsen  expedition 
but  left  to  get  in  touch  with  the  ice  breaker 
Braganza  when  he  learned  the  Italians  had 
charge  of  most  of  the  rescue  work  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  Spitzbergen.  The 
Braganza  was  frozen  in  solidly  when  the 
radio  brought  the  news  of  the  rescue. 

He  learned  that  the  ship  was  25  miles 
from  a  temporary  Swedish  air  base  and 
left  the  next  day  with  a  party  across  the  ice 
in  the  hope  of  getting  through  to  the  North 
Coast.  A  plane  returning  to  Kings  Bay  for 
supplies  gave  him  a  lift  from  the  base  and 
he  arrived  before  Nobile  was  transferred  to 
the  Citta  di  Milano.  He  got  the  pictures 
and  interview  and  caught  the  next  boat 
from  Spitzbergen  to  Svolvaer,  ■  Norway, 
where  a  seaplane  picked  him  up  and  took 
him  to  Malmo.  There  another  seaplane 
helped  him  to  Hamburg.  Another  plane 
brought  him  to  Paris,  whence  he  got  the 
pictures  aboard  the  He  de  France. 

Paramount  News  has  just  issued  a  color- 
ful brochure  listing  scoops  claimed  for  its 
cameramen. 


56  Book  UA  Revival  Weeks 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  24.— Fifty-six  theatres 
now    have    booked    United    Artists    revival 
weeks,    eleven    having   just    been    added    to 
the   total   previously  announced. 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


^^^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyright,    1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports.** 


Columbia 


THE  TIGRESS:  Jack  Holt— 5%.  July  3.  Good 
entertainment  for  any  class  of  rieople  that  like 
action  and  heart  throbs.  Jack  very  fine,  Dorothy 
marvelous.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,    S.    D. — General    patronage. 

MY  WIFE'S  RELATIONS:  Shirley  Mason— 65%. 
July  11-12.  Here  is  one  they'll  enjoy.  An  excep- 
tionally good  vein  of  comedy  runs  through  it.  Ben 
Turpin  as  the  cook  goes  over  big.  Many  favorable 
comments  on  this  one.  Six  reels. — John  W.  Crab- 
tree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

SNARL  OF  HATE:  Johnnie  Walker— 65%.  July 
7.  The  picture  wasn't  much  from  plot  standpoint, 
but  of  course  was  arranged  to  fit  the  acting  of  the 
dog,  Silverstreak.  Now  I  have  played  all  sorts  of 
dogs  from  Arkansas  hounds  to  the  long  haired  sas- 
siety  dawgs  and  most  of  them  I  have  played  needed 
a  tin  can  tied  to  their  caudal  appendage  and  sent  to 
the  sausage  factory.  However,  boys,  here  is  a  dog 
that  has  'em  all  backed  off  the  boai'ds.  He  seems 
to  have  almost  human  intelligence  and  has  half  as 
much  pep  as  a  film  salesman  trying  to  sell  the 
1928-29  product  on  the  "glad  to  pay  more"  plan. 
So  you'll  know  by  that  he's  a  real  "dawg."  My 
crowd  liked  the  picture  100  per  cent  and  had  many 
favorable  comments.  If  you  want  good  dog  pictures 
get  next  to  this  Silverstreak.  You  won't  get  any 
fleas  o£E  him.  Six  reels.— J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland 
theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

THE  SPORTING  AGE:  Belle  Bennett— 25%.  July 
13.  This  is  a  vei?  good  program  picture.  Story  and 
cast  fine. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  BLOOD  SHIP:  Hobart  Bosworth— Too  much 
blood,  too  gruesome.  Did  not  do  a  good  business 
for  us.  It  is  well  made,  but  ship  life  is  not  much 
of  a  novelty  in  this  seaport  town. — E.  T.  Mathes, 
Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash.— General  patron- 
age. 

FB  0 

WALLFLOWER:  Special  cast— 40%.  July  8.  Well 
this  one  was  a  real  picture.  Human  interest  from 
start  to  finish  and  the  ending  sure  turned  out  to  be 
a  good  one.  Well,  this  was  a  good  gold  brick.  Good 
clean  picture  for  Sunday  or  any  other  night.  Seven 
reels.— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

WHEN  THE  LAW  RIDES:  Tom  Tyler— 9%.  July 
10.  Very  good  little  program  picture  for  small 
towns  which  should  please  the  folks  in  the  prairie 
land.  Five  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

FRECKLES:  Special  cast— July  5-6.  A  very  good 
program  picture.  Much  better  than  "The  Harvester." 
Seven  reels.— Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove, 
111. — General   patronage. 

THE  FLYING  U  RANCH:  Tom  Tyler— July  7. 
Tom  and  his  pals  make  a  nice  little  entertaining  pic- 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (avCTage  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence  Picture  Chart." 


ture  of  this.  Five  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,   Neillsville,   Wis. — ^Small   town   patronage. 

RED  RIDERS  OF  CANADA:  Patsy  Ruth  Miller- 
July  13-14.  Good  entertaining  picture.  Okay  for 
Saturday.  Print  and  photography  good.  Seven  reels. 
—P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neigh- 
borhood patronage. 

THE  BOY  RIDER:  Buzz  Barton — Just  an  ordi- 
nary western. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma, 
Cal. — General   patronage. 


First  National 


HAROLD  TEEN:  Special  cast— 75%.  July  2-3. 
People  razzed  this  one  because  they  didn't  know  what 
it  was  all  about.  Personally  thought  it  one  of  the 
cleverest  pictures  of  the  year.  Don't  say  much  about 
it.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre, 
Ashland,   Ala. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

HAROLD  TEEN:  Arthur  Lake— The  young  folks 
and  children  will  eat  this  one  up  and  most  of  the 
older  people  will  get  a  kick  out  of  it.  As  I  see  it, 
it  would  have  been  a  better  picture  if  they  had  not 
devoted    so    much    footage    to    the    amateur    movies. 


Seven    reels. — P.    G.    Vaughan,    Sun    theatre,    Kansas 
City,    Mo. — ^Neighborhood   patronage. 

CHINATOWN  CHARLIE:  Johnny  Hines— 70%. 
July  4.  A  very  good  comedy.  Six  reels. — E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LADIES  NIGHT  IN  A  TURKISH  BATH:  Mulhall- 
Mackaill — 50%.  June  18-19.  A  very  good  evening's 
entei-tainment.  Some  clever  situations  and  will 
please  the  majority.  Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LADIES  NIGHT  IN  A  TURKISH  BATH :  Mackaill- 
Mulhall — Very  good  comedy  drama.^^T.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma  theatre,   Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

AMERICAN  BEAUTY:  Billie  Dove— 25%.  July  3. 
A  fine  program  picture. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,    Greenville,    Mich. — ^General   patronage. 

THE  UPLAND  RIDER:  Ken  Maynard— 60%.  July 
14.  Here  is  the  answer.  Drew  a  larger  crowd  than 
"The  Patent  Leather  Kid."  This  is  Maynard's  best 
picture.  A  cross  country  horse  race  in  the  last  two 
reels  that  is  a  hummer.  Hurdle  jumping,  spills  and 
thrills  and  comedy.  A  very  out  of  the  ordinary 
V/estern.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American  the- 
atre, Wautoma,  Wis. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

CAMILLE:  Norma  Talmadge— 7%.  July  1-2.  Not 
so  much  of  a  small  town  picture.  Too  high  class 
and  not  the  best  Norma  has  made  but  should  satisfy 
the  Talmadge  fans.  Fell  flat  at  the  box  office  on  my 
best  night  of  the  week,  against  a  tent  show.  So 
boys,  write  your  own  ticket.  Nine  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — ^General  patron- 
age. 

THE  GUN  GOSPEL:  Ken  Maynard— 15%.  June 
29-30.  Dandy  show  just  like  all  of  Maynard's  but 
had  a  tent  show  for  opposition,  so  did  not  break  any 
records  but  satisfied  all  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duiba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 85%. 
July  14.  It's  a  real  Western  and  one  that  will  go 
over  with  your  "uppety  up"  crowd  as  well  as  your 
roughneck  boys.  The  acting  and  settings  are  wonder- 
fully good.  Plenty  of  thrill  and  comedy  and  a  sure 
'nuf  story  in  it.  One  of  the  best  I  have  ever 
played  and  believe  it  pleased  100  per  cent.  Seven 
reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— A  fair  pic- 
ture although  one  of  the  long  drawn  out  kind. — ■ 
Charles  A.  Hagen,  Crossett  theatre,  Crossett,  Ark. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess^une  27-28. 
Splendid  picture  and  good  drawing  power.  Can  be 
classified  as  a  special. — M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  the- 
atre,  McMinnville,   Ore. — General    patronage. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  GIANTS;  Milton  Sillfr- 
July  2-3.  A  good  picture  that  drew  well.  Pleased 
all  who  saw  it.  It's  worth  stepping  on. — iM.  K. 
Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLLIES  GIRL:  Billie  Dove 
— Beautiful    Billie    rings    the    bell    again.      Play    it. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


it's  good.^ — Charles  A.  Hagen,  Crossett  theatre,  Cros- 
eett.   Ark.- — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLLIES  GIRL:  Billie  Dove 
— Ordinary  program. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,    Cal. — General    patronage. 

MAN  CRAZY:  Mackaill-Mulhall— July  9-10.  This 
one  did  not  draw  very  good.  Don't  make  a  big 
thing  out  of  it.  However,  those  who  came  liked  it. 
— ^M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THREE'S  A  CROWD:  Harry  Langdon— July  4. 
Oh !  What  a  Lemon  I  No  plot,  silly  from  start 
to  finish.  Don't  do  it  again,  Harry,  or  you  will  ruin 
yourself  for  life. — ^Gharles  A.  Hagan,  Crossett  thea- 
tre, Crossett,  Ark. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

ROSE  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST:  Special  castr— 
June  20.  Sold  as  a  special  but  an  ordinary  program 
picture. — M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinn- 
ville,   Ore. — ^General   patronage. 


Fox 


WILD  WEST  ROMANCE:  Special  cast— 50%. 
July  14.  This  is  a  good  Western  action  picture. 
The  star  has  everything  in  his  favor,  looks,  riding, 
fighting  and  little  Billy  Butts  is  great.  I  say  it's  a 
good  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — ^General   patronage. 

A  THIEF  IN  THE  DARK:  George  Meeker— 45%. 
July  14.  I  felt  like  the  title  to  take  my  patron's 
money  on  this  one.  A  weak  one.  Fox  has  some 
real  lemons  and  this  is  one  of  them.  Six  reels. — 
Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— 43%.  June  22-23. 
A  very  good  Western  picture.  Did  slightly  better 
than  usual  Saturday  business.  Six  reels. — Warren 
L.  Weber,  EUinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— 94%.  June  30.  A 
dandy  Mix  Western.  Just  enough  comedy  to  put  it 
over.  We  had  bad  print  as  usual  from  Fox,  but  what 
we  did  get  was  okay.  Five  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix-July  14.  A  good 
Mix  picture,  mostly  comedy.  Not  much  of  the  West- 
ern he-man  stuff,  yet  it  pleased  well.  Five  reels. — 
M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Kranklin,  Ky. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— A  typical  Mix 
Western  that  pulled  us  extra  business  and  satisfied 
practically  everyone. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre, 
Vermont,   111. — General   patronage. 

SHARPSHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien— 61%.  July 
9-10.  Although  vulgar  in  spots  seemed  to  please  the 
majority.  Personally  thought  it  poor  and  hope  I 
shall  never  play  another  like  it.  Another  one  of 
"What  Price  Glory"  pattern.  Six  reels.— E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SHARPSHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien— Racy  but  it 
went  over  big.  Nothing  bad  unless  one  read  the  bad 
into  it. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham, 
Wash. — General  patronage. 

EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE:  George  O'Brien— 50%. 
July  4-5.  A  splendid  picture.  Satisfied  them  all. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

THE  ESCAPE;  Virginia  Valli — A  morbid  story 
of  New  York's  Bast  side  and  booze  joints.  Not  a 
single  flash  of  comedy  element  from  beginning  to 
end.  Well  acted  and  well  produced  but  portrays  a 
section  of  life  which  we  see  enough  of  without  clut- 
tering up  the  screen  with  it.  Blah  I  Six  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  GAY  RETREAT:  McNamara-Cohen— Fair 
feature  comedy,  but  cannot  be  compared  to  "Rookies." 
Six  reels. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont, 
111. — General   patronage. 

HELLO,  CHEYENNE :  Tom  Mix— Another  Mix  pic- 
ture and  this  one  is  a  little  better  than  some  others. 
Mix  gets  the  kiddies  and  they  drag  the  parents  along, 
so  it  works  out  well. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre, 
Bellingham,  Wash. — General  patronage. 

TUMBLING  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— Good  entertain- 
ment for  the  Western  fans  and  kids.  Five  reels. — 
W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont,  111. — General 
patronage. 

VERY  CONFIDENTIAL:  Madge  Bellamy— Here 
was  a  light,  frothy,  impossible  thing  that  got  many 
laughs  and  the  crowd  stayed  until  it  was  over, 
whether  it  made  them  too  tired  to  get  up  and  go  out, 
or  they  enjoyed  it,  is  hard  to  tell — in  these  days 
when  the  public  goes  into  a  picture  house  to  rest 
and  cool  off  they  will  stand  for  anything  and  you 
cannot  always  tell  whether  they  are  giving  the  pic- 
ture the  merry  "Ha^ha"  or  enjoying  it,  but  at  any 
rate    this    one    brought    quite    a    few    laughs    as    it 


had  considerable  "horse  play"  in  it  but  the  name  of 
the  girl  who  really  put  over  the  laughs  missed  us — 
she  played  the  maid  to  Madge  Bellamy,  and  for 
character  part,  was  the  show  for  she  just  jerked 
several  good  laughs  out  of  the  crowd — it  served  to 
amuse.  Seven  reels.— Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  the- 
atre.  Tombstone,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 

SILK  LEGS:  Madge  Bellamy-^uly  5.  A  very 
good  program  picture,  with  a  title  that  draws  good. 
— M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — 
General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  CROWD:  Special  cast— 53%.  June  26-27. 
A  production  that  has  wonderful  acting  and  direc- 
tion. A  little  long  but  should  be  in  a  class  with 
most  specials.  Twelvfe  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber, 
Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — -General  patron- 
age. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— 50%.  July  12. 
First  they  deluge  as  with  Irish-Jew  comedies  and  then 
with  underworld  dramas.  It's  about  time  to  call  a 
halt  on  this  murder,  gangster  stuff.  Seven  reels. 
— H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — 
Small  town   patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— 40%.  July  4. 
Very  good  picture  but  nothing  seems  to  pull  them  in 
this  summer.  Seven  reels. — ^C.  H.  McCroskey,  Allied 
theatre,    Dermott,    Ark. — Neighborhood    patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer— 
45%.  July  8.  The  most  entertaining  film  Metro  has 
put  out  this  season.  It's  a  very  nice  little  show 
and  had  many  favorable  comments.  Too  bad  she 
didn't  repeat  in  "The  Actress."  They  say  it's 
terrible. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wautoma, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DIVINE  WOMAN:  Greta  Garbo— 60%.  July 
9-10.  The  highbrows  will  flock  out  to  this  picture 
and  after  it's  over  one  of  'em  will  say  "Ahhh  won- 
derful" and  another  "Perfickutly  magnifficent"  ajid 
the  lesser  dignitaries  will  chime  in  and  agree.  But, 
confidentially,  boys  durned  if  I  don't  believe  half  of 
'em  goes  home  and  wonders  why  Mrs.  Smith  (Smith 
is  an  aristocratic  name  .  in  Arkaniras  since  the 
Houston  Convention)  said  the  picture  was  "good." 
First  time  I  ever  played  Greta  Garbo.  She's  there! 
She  has  a  vivid  personality,  a  charm  of  action  and 
expression  that  gets  across  the  limitations  of  the 
screen  better  than  any  actress  I  have  ever  played 
not  even  excepting  Clara.  The  picture  is  good.  How- 
ever it  is  not  a  small  town  picture.  They  are  in 
the  minority  that  will  appreciate  the  wonderful 
acting  of  Greta  Garbo  and  the  picture  will  not  mean 
anything  to  them.  This  is  one  of  those  prestige 
pictures,  costs  you  extra  money  and  the  box  office 
walls  won't  warp  with  the  receipts.  You  take  a 
cash  loss  but  you  get  yours  in  prestige.  Is  that  the 
idea?  It  takes  money  to  buy  bread  and  who  can  eat 
prestige?  Durned  if  I  don't  go  to  Alexandria  next 
year  and  learn  something.  Eight  reels — J.  W.  Crab- 
tree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  DIVINE  WOMAN:     Greta  Garbo— July  9.     A 

little  drawn  out  but  up  to  the  Garbo  standard. — 
Charles  A.  Hagen,  Crossett  theatre,  Crossett,  Ark. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BEN  HUR:  Special  cast— 85%.  June  28-29.  Will 
add  that  it  is  all  that  has  been  said  for  it.  Didn't 
make  any  money  on  account  of  high  rental,  but  you 
owe  it  to  your  patrons  to  show  this  picture.  Twelve 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BEN  HUR:  Special  cast — A  wonderful  production 
and  we  very  rarely  use  the  word  "wonderful"  in 
describing  a  motion  picture. — -W.  C.  Geer,  Princess 
theatre,  Vermont,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  COSSACKS:  John  Gilbert— Play  it  by  all 
means.  It  will  please  100  per  cent.  Gilbert  and 
Adoree  marvelous. — Andy  Anderson,  State  and  Rivoli 
theatres.  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — ^General  patronage. 

TELLING  THE  WORLD:  William  Haines— Three 
cheers  for  Bill  Hainee.  This  is  the  best  crowd  pleased 
in  months.  Much  better  than  any  of  his  previous 
pictures  with  the  exception  of  "West  Point."  Lots 
of  comedy,  love  and  action.  Play  it  and  boost  it. 
Eight  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre, 
Ellinwood,   Kan. — 'General  patronage. 

UNDER  THE  BLACK  EAGLE:  Flash— This  dog 
is  as  smart  and  intelligent  as  Rin  Tin  Tin  ever 
was  in  his  balmiest  days  and  is  young  and  active 
besides.  I  consider  this  an  extra  good  dog  picture. 
Photography  and  lighting  not  as  bad  as  one  exhibitor 
reports,  and  could  be  improved  upon.  Six  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

UNDER  THE  BLACK  EAGLE:  Flash— July  8-9. 
This  dog  is  one  of  the  finest  looking  dogs  on  the 
screen  and  he  can  act  with  the  very  best  of  them. 
Outside  of  the  dog's  acting  the  picture  isn't  much. 
Hope  they  put  him  in  a  few  good  mellers  with  good 
human    supijort.      Seven    reels. — Wm.    E.    Tragsdorf, 


Trags  theatre,   Neillsville,  Wis. — Srnall  town   patron- 
age. 

ACROSS  TO  SINGAPORE:  Ramon  Novarro — July 
2-3.  Good.  Torrence  stands  out  in  this  picture. — 
J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand  Prairie,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— Costume  pic- 
ture. Miss  Shearer  does  good  work.  Woman  will 
like  it  but  it  is  a  little  too  slow  for  men. — J.  L. 
Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — ^General  patron- 
age. 

THE  PATSY:  Marion  Davies  -Very  good  picture. 
It  will  please  your  patrons. — ^Andy  Anderson,  State 
and  Rivoli  theatres.  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — General 
patronage. 

THE  SMART  SET:  William  Haines— June  24-26. 
Good  but  did  not  draw  for  me  for  some  reason. — 
M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  LAW  OF  THE  RANGE:  Tim  McCoy- 
Terrible  for  my  patrons.  Maybe  good  for  Western 
fans.  McCoy  is  okay. — ^Andy  Anderson,  State  and 
Rivoli  theatres.  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lillian  Gish— A  good  Scotch 
story  with  scenes  and  sets  done  on  a  big  scale.  Not 
much  comedy  relief.  Those  who  saw  it  said  "good," 
but  it  did  not  draw  the  crowd  it  should.  Eight 
reels. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

BECKY:  Sally  O'Neil — A  real  good  program  pic- 
ture. Our  people  liked  it. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess 
theatre,    Vermont,    III. — ^General    patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast— The  best  fire 
drama  we  have  ever  played. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess 
theatre,  Vermont,  III. — General  patronage. 

THE  STUDENT  PRINCE:  Special  cast— As  dismal 
a  failure  at  the  box  office  as  ever  arrived  in  a  can. 
Too  bad,  the  picture  is  good,  well  staged  and  a 
logical  story  but  the  costume  picture  is  a  picture 
that  the  average  show-goer  won't  fall  for  any  more. 
They  look  at  the  paper  and  pass  on  by.  The  in- 
telligentzia of  which  there  are  mighty  few  in  a 
country  tovfn  arrived,  but  far  too  few.  The  pic- 
ture drags,  considerable  padding,  and  could  have  been 
a  reel  shorter  and  told  the  story.  Novarro  excep- 
tionally good.  Shearer  just  so-so,  lacks  fire  or  some- 
thing.— A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  theatre,  Columbia 
City,   Ind. — General   patronage. 

LOVELORN:  Special  cast — Very  good  picture  and 
pleased  all. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. 
— General  patronage. 


Paramount 


PARTNERS  IN  CRIME:  Beery-Hatton— 50%.  July 
5-6.  What  I  term  a  miracle  is  a  Beery-Hatton  com- 
edy that  is  even  half  good.  But,  I'll  have  to  admit 
this  one  is  really  good.  Better  than  all  the  others 
combined.  Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  the- 
atre,  Ashland,   Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

PARTNERS  IN  CRIME:  Beery-Hatton— While 
this  is  a  great  improvement  over  anything  this  pair 
of  birds  have  turned  out  lately,  there  are  very 
few  laughs  to  be  heard  until  the  close  of  the  picture 
where  they  explode  the  tear  bombs.  Paramount  can- 
not resurrect  the  dead  by  giving  them  good  stories 
now.  They  have  been  dead  too  long.  It's  too  bad 
for  these  boys  are  good.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan, 
Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  pat- 
ronage. 

DOOMSDAY:  Florence  Vidor— 52%.  June  25-26. 
Another  one  of  those  pictures  there  is  no  excuse  for 
making  as  they  have  no  entertainment  value,  no  com- 
edy or  anything  else  for  that  matter.  A  dull,  sordid 
picture  that  one  third  oi  our  patrons  walked  out 
on.  Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre, 
Ashland,   Ala. — ^Small    town    patronage. 

WIFE  SAVERS:  Beery-Hatton— 63%.  July  7.  A 
good  comedy,  different  from  the  rest  of  them.  Six 
reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General  patronage. 

WIFE  SAVERS:     Beery-Hatton— 21%.     June  19-20. 


A^o  Losses  m  the  Box  Office 


WITH 


T.  ,,^ SUM. 

ICICET  REGISTEI^ 

Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  Seventh  Ave.New  York 

TuCKETS_^r  Every  PuKpose^  Lowest  Market  Prices 


"""'"■i"i" "I" ' "I" 


»— 


MinaM 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


)l 


A  very  poor  comedy.  I  am  certainly  glad  that  Para- 
mount has  finally  eepai'ated  this  pair.  They  drew 
nothing  at  the  box  office.  Seven  reels. — Warren  L. 
Weber,  EUinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — ^General 
patronage. 

THE  PIONEER  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— 30%. 
July  5.  We  did  not  use  the  F  B  O  Fred  Thomson's. 
As  a  result  our  patrons  do  not  know  much  about  him. 
We  have  had  poor  houses  to  both  this  one  and 
"Jesse  James."  This  is  a  good  show  but  we  prefer 
Tom  Wilson  as  a  negro  instead  of  a  bad  man.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIFTY  FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— 64%. 
June  11-12.  Very  poor  Daniels  picture.  Bebe  fails 
to  draw  here  now  because  it  has  been  so  long  since 
she  made  a  good  picture.  William  Austin  saves 
this  from  a  complete  flop.  Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FIFTY  FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels-40%. 
July  11.  A  good  program  picture. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FIFTY  FIFTY  GIRL:     Bebe  Daniels— July  12. 

Bebe  makes  another  good  hit.  It  will  keep  the  audi- 
ence in  an  uproar  all  the  time.  James  Hall  also 
does  some  good  work.  Made  money  on  it. — Charles 
A.  Hagen,  Crossett  theatre,  Crossett,  Ark. — Small 
town  patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:  Esther  Ralston— 75%.  June 
14-15.  One  of  the  best  we  have  had  from  Paramount 
this  year.  A  very  clever  plot  and  the  work  of  the 
entire  cast  is  fine.  Will  please  everyone.  Six  reels. 
— E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala.— 
Small  town  patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:  Esther  Ralston^O%.  July 
6.  A  splendid  program  picture,  better  than  the  aver- 
age.— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:  Esther  Ralston^uly  1-2. 
A  dandy  little  picture  and  liked  by  my  audience. — • 
M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. 
— General    patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:     Esther  Ralston— July  14-15. 

Good  comedy  drama.  Esther  Ralston  always  good. 
Print  and  photography  good.  Six  reels. — ^P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — ^Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

EASY  COME  EASY  GO:  Richard  Dix— 68%.  June 
21-22.  Absolutely  nothing  to  this  one.  Dix  is  slip- 
ping fast  with  our  patrons.  Has  had  only  one  fair 
picture  in  foiir.  Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's 
theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE'S  PUNCTURED  ROMANCE:  Louise 
Fazenda — 20%.  July  9.  It  might  be  a  puncture  for 
Tillie  but  it  was  a  blowout  for  me.  Sold  me  as  a 
special  but  if  it's  a  special  I'm  a  switch  engine. 
Grossed  $8.60  and  I  wanted  to  give  that  back.  Six 
reels. — C.  H.  McCroskey,  Allied  theatre,  Dermott, 
Ark. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

FOOLS  FOR  LUCK:  Fields-Conklin— 35%.  June 
17-18.  An  average  comedy  from  this  pair.  Slightly 
better  than  "Two  Flaming  Youths."  Will  please  if 
your  audience  is  in  the  right  mood.  Seven  reels. — 
Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH:  Emil  Jannings— 
50%.  July  15-16.  One  of  the  best  pictures  we  ever 
played.  The  star  wonderful,  story  fine.  As  usually 
the  case,  the  good  pictures  of  this  type  do  not  draw 
the  business  they  should. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  PIONEER:  Jack  Holt— 100%. 
June  16.  Like  the  other  Zane  Grey  stories  will  get 
by,  but  nothing  big.  Jack  Holt's  return  will  bring 
them  in  and  the  picture  will  please.  Broke  our 
Saturday  record  of  two  years  standing  which  means 
something.  Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  the- 
atre,   Ashland,   Ala. — Small   town   patronage. 

LADIES  OF  THE  MOB:  Clara  Bow— Good  pic- 
ture. Clara  not  at  her  best,  however. — Andy  Ander- 
son, State  and  Rivoli  theatres.  New  Brunswick,  N. 
J. — General  patronage. 

THE  BIG  KILLING;  Beery-Hatton- Only  fair. 
This  team  is  played  out. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  thea- 
tre,  Selma,   Cal. — General  patronage. 

HALF  A  BRIDE:  Esther  Ralston— Something  dif- 
ferent for  this  star.  Pleased  generally.  She  has 
yet  to  make  a  poor  picture.  Seven  reels. — Warren 
L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — 'Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

STREET  OF  SIN:  Emil  Jannings— July  9-10. 
Not  in  the  class  of  "The  Way  of  All  Flesh."  This 
Olga  Baklanova  deserves  the  big  type.  The  Wray 
girl  merely  walks  through  with  an  expression  as 
full  of  kick  as  an  over  ripe  banana.     Seven  reels. — 


DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 


SCOTTSBLUFF,  NEB.,  July  18,  1928. 


The  nearer  we  get  to  the  mountains — and  we  are  getting  pretty  close  to  'em  now — the 
more  we  wonder  why  people  want  to  live  in  Chicago  and  dodge  bootleggers  bullets  and 
listen  to  jazz  orchestras. 

Out  here  one  fills  himself  up  on  ozone  right  off  the  pine  and  spruce  forests  and  he  feels 
so  much  like  a  man  that  he  wants  to  say,  "Howdy,  brother,"  to  everybody  he  meets.  Back 
there  he  fills  up  on  40  rod  and  goes  out  and  shoots  up  the  town.  Every  time  we  think  of 
Isabel  selling  her  wardrobe  (including  her  pajamas)  to  raise  the  dough  for  Chris  to  go  on 
that  foraging  expedition  we  feel  like  giving  three  cheers  for  Isabel  and  Chris.  Suppose  Chris 
had  taken  on  too  much  corn  likker  and  sailed  East  instead  of  West,  where  would  we  be 
today.  Did  you  ever  think  of  that?  Had  this  occurred  we  would  never  have  heard  of  Bill 
Rogers,  and  Lydia  E.  Pinkham's  Vegetable  Compound  would  still  be  an  unknown  remedy. 
Gosh,  let's  n»t  talk  about  it. 

Say,  suppose  you  were  out  in  the  Laramie  mountains  on  a  nice  trout  stream  with  your 
fishing  outfit  on  Sunday  and  there  wasn't  a  church  within  30  miles,  what  would  you  do? 
Now,  be  honest  about  it,  tell  the  truth.  Yes  you  would  too,  you  know  you  would,  and  that's 
just  what  we  are  liable  to  do  next  Sunday  and  we  are  going  to  send  the  HERALD-WORLD 
a  picture  showing  positive  evidence  of  just  what  happened  and  if  Jay  doesn't  run  it  in  our 
Colyum  we'll  muss  him  all  up  the  next  time  we  are  in  the  office,  so  watch  for  it,  it  will  be 
good  for  sore  eyes. 

>K  *  « 

Marie  has  got  the  shimmies  (if  you  know  what  the  shimmies  are)  and  she  is  acting  up 
something  scandalous.  Ever  since  yesterday  she  has  gone  Democratic,  for  she  is  bound  to 
travel  on  the  wrong  isde  of  the  road.  Today  she  stopped  dead  still  in  her  tracks  and  refused 
to  budge  a  step,  took  one  of  those  temperamental  spells  that  causes  directors  to  die  young, 
and  we  got  out  and  looked  her  all  over  and  couldn't  find  a  thing  for  her  to  be  sore  about. 
Her  carburetor  was  working  in  perfect  order,  her  transmission  was  all  right,  she  had  plenty 
of  lubrication  in  her  anatomy,  physiology  and  hygiene  and  her  differential  was  just  like 
anybody's  differential,  but  still  she  balked.  We  got  out  in  front  of  her  and  recited  "Rienza's 
Address  to  the  Romans,"  but  stUl  she  sulked,  then  we  sang  a  couple  of  verses  of  "Marching 
Through  Georgia,"  and  she  wouldn't  even  cough,  then  we  lost  our  temper  and  kicked  her 
on  the  hood  and  got  in  and  turned  on  the  switch  and  she  jumped  about  10  feet  and  came 
durn  near  running  into  an  irrigating  ditch  before  we  could  head  her  off.  After  this  we  will 
turn  on  the  switch  before  we  accuse  her  of  laying  down  on  the  job.  If  she  takes  another  one 
of  those  spells  we  are  going  to  siphon  out  the  ethyl  and  fill  her  tank  with  castor  oil.  We 
can't  fool  along  the  highway  all  day  for  nothing. 

Last  night  at  Oshkosh,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jensen  were  playing  Laura  La  Plante  in  "Thanks  for 
the  Buggy  Ride,"  and  as  we  watched  Miss  La  Plante  play  we  thought,  "If  Laura  ever  wants 
to  take  a  joy  spin  with  Marie  and  me  it  won't  be  necessary  to  offer  any  thanks  and  we  will 
guarantee  she  won't  have  to  walk  back."  Glenn  Tryon  was  good  support  for  Miss  La  Plante 
and  the  two  of  them  put  over  an  enjoyable  evening's  entertainment.  Those  of  you  who 
haven't  bought  the  picture  better  "take  your  pen  in  hand"  and  the  film  hound  wiU  show  you 

the  dotted  line. 

Hf        *        it 

Jack  Riggs,  who  has  been  managing  the  Empress  at  Kearney  for  Universal,  has  resigned 
and  has  taken  over  the  Island  at  Grand  Island.  The  Island  has  been  under  the  management 
of  Blaine  Cook  and  Mr.  Cook  goes  to  Holton,  Kan.,  to  operate  his  theatre  at  that  place. 

A.  F.  Kehr  of  the  Princess  at  Ogallala  informed  us  that  he  was  fishing  in  a  lake  only  30 
miles  from  Alexandria,  Minn.,  while  that  exhibitors  convention  was  on.  We  asked  him  why 
he  didn't  come  over  there  and  he  said  he  forgot  about  it.  Any  exhibitor  who  will  do  an 
ornary  thing  like  that  ought  to  be  shot,  but  A.  F.  says  he  mill  make  amends  by  being  there 
next  season. 

We  drove  in  here  this  evening  and  tried  to  locate  Billy  Ostenburg  but  evidently  he  knew 
we  were  in  town  and  was  hiding  out  from  us  for  fear  we  would  want  to  trim  him  up  again 
on  Scottsbluff's  golf  links,  but  he  need  have  no  fears  on  that  score,  for  until  they  fiU  up 
that  irrigating  canal  at  No.  9  we  are  going  to  refuse  to  spend  another  summer's  wages  on 
golf  balls.  That  irrigating  canal  cost  us  four  good  new  Dunlaps  besides  a  lot  of  bad  lan- 
guage and  thirteen  strokes  while  that  sawed-off  guy  laughed  himself  into  hysterics. 
If  we  can  ever  engage  that  baby  in  our  favorite  sport  Tex  Rickard  will  want  to  sign  us  up 
and  bet  his  last  nickel. 

In  spite  of  the  grudge  we  have  against  him  we  will  have  to  admit  that  his  new  Egyptian 
theatre  is  the  last  word  in  elegance  and  would  be  a  credit  to  any  city  where  silk  hosiery, 
rouge  and  a  circingle  constitutes  an  evenings  costume.  She  is  sure  some  bon  ton  house 
and  everything  about  it  suggests  deserts,  camels  and  harems  (Billy  would  have  a  harem  if 

(^Continued  on  next  page) 


J.    S.   Walker,   Texas  theatre.   Grand  Prairie,   Texas. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— A  good 
melodrama  that  drew  nothing  at  the  box  office.  No 
fault  of  the  picture,  though.  Eight  reels. — Warren 
L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  LAST  COMMAND:  Emil  Jannings— It 
seemed  Paramount  are  bound  to  give  us  foreign 
pictures,  even  if  they  have  to  produce  them  to  do  it. 
This  picture  might  be  great  entertainment  for  the 
Russians.  Jannings  is  a  great  actor  and  handles  his 
various  roles  magnificently  but  it  lacks  a — of  a  lot 
of  being  an  audience  picture.  Eight  reels.— P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo.— Neighbor- 
hood patronage. 

SOMETHING  ALWAYS  HAPPENS:  Esther 
Ralston — Good  mystery  and  thrill  program  picture. — 


J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

FEEL  MY  PULSE:  Bebe  Daniels— July  8-9.  Good 
action,  comedy  drama.  Bebe  Daniels  always  good. 
A  person  that  works  as  hard  as  Bebe  does,  can't 
help  but  make  good  pictures.  Whenever  I  play  a 
Bebe  Daniels  picture  I  don't  worry  about  it  not 
being  clean  and  entertaining.  I  have  yet  to  play 
a  picture  from  Bebe  that  has  smut  in  it.  The  best 
of  luck  to  you.  Hoping  that  you  vrill  continue  to 
give  us  pictures  in  the  future  as  you  have  in  the 
past.  Print  and  photography  good.  Six  reels. — P. 
G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

FEEL  MY  PULSE:  Bebe  Daniels— Of  all  the 
trash  we  ever  played  this  "dingle  doo"  was  the 
"creme  de  luxe"  and  was  a  terrific  disappointment 
to  the  many  Daniels  fan  patrons  we  have.  They 
could   not  figure   out   how   Bebe   had  the  will   power 


56 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

he  didn't  have  a  screen)  and  if  we  were  called  upon  to  suggest  any  change  that  would  make 
the  place  more  beautiful  we'd  send  in  our  resignation.  When  one  enters  the  place  he 
instinctively  looks  around  to  see  if  some  long  whiskered  gink  isn't  going  to  jab  a  lance 
into  him,  and  he  can  hear  the  rustle  of  silk  drapery  in  the  harem  and  smell  the  incense 
burning.  The  usherettes  are  dressed  in  the  garb  of  Ishmael's  tenth  and  favorite  wife  and 
you  wonder  if  buUsnakes  have  ever  entwined  themselves  around  those  snow  white  arms. 
When  you  come  out  of  the  theatre  it  will  take  you  sometime  to  realize  that  you  are 
still  under  the  protection  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  Billy  has  an  Oriental  taste  that  isn't 
influenced  by  garlic  or  limburger  cheese  and  he  is  to  be  congratulated  for  embodying  his 
ideas  in  this  theatre  beautiful.     For  artistic  elegance  there  are  but  few  that  equal  it. 

Every  time  Cal  leaves  the  White  House  wigwam  and  goes  away  on  a  fishing  trip  it  makes 
us  think  more  of  him.  Betcha  when  he  gets  back  to  the  home  ranch  and  tells  the  boys 
about  his  catches  up  on  the  Brule  they  won't  believe  it,  just  like  the  HERALD  boys  when 
Whit  told  them  about  the  big  Beardsley  trout  he  caught  at  Alexandria  which  turned  out 
to  be  a  dogfish.  We  can  see  Eagle  Eye  Joe's  eyes  stick  out  when  Whit  recounted  his 
experience  of  how  the  fish  dragged  the  boat  all  over  the  lake  and  it  took  him  three  hours 
to  land  him,  some  of  which  is  true  but  the  most  of  it  is  legendary.  We  told  Whit  when 
he  left  for  Chicago  to  try  and  confine  his  statements  to  the  truth,  for  we  knew  that  Jay 
and  Bill  and  Joe  would  be  inclined  to  discount  whatever  he  said  anyway.  It  seems  funny 
that  the  farther  one  gets  away  from  the  fishing  grounds  the  larger  the  fish  were  they 
caught.  By  the  time  Elmer  Gailey  gets  home  from  the  lakes  his  bullheads  have  grown 
so  large  that  he  had  to  use  derricks  to  lift  them  out  of  the  lake.  O'Hara  saw  one  fish 
on  Lake  Homa  Dieu  that  chased  him  out  in  the  brush  and  would  have  nabbed  him  if  he 
hadn't  climbed  a  sapling.  After  he  told  us  that  we  insisted  that  he  change  bootleggers. 
What  we  tell  about  the  trout  we  expect  to  catch  in  the  Laramie  river  next  Sunday  you  can 
depend  upon,  for  we  never  have  to  enlarge  on  our  statements  in  order  to  make  a  darn  good 
story. 

*       *       .■> 

If  you  should  travel  up   the  North  Platte  valley  from  Grand  Island   to   Scottsbluft  and 
see  the  immense  fields  of  wheat,  oats,  rye,  barley,  alfalfa   and   sugar  beets   and  then  tell . 
us  you  have  seen  a  better  country  we  wouldn't  believe  it,  for  you  haven't.    Another  reason 
why  we  should  give  three  cheers  for  Isabel  and  Chris. 

The  wheat  is  practically  all  in  the  shock,  the  first  cutting  of  alfalfa  in  the  stack  and 
they  have  started  on  the  second,  the  corn  is  shoulder  high  and  the  beet  fields  look  like 
a  garden.  The  sugar  factories  are  making  preparation  for  the  largest  output  in  their  history 
and  sugar  will  retail  at  the  factory  door  for  the  same  price  it  does  at  Bill  Smith's  grocery 
in  Amoskeg,  Vermont,  all  of  which  makes  us  wonder  who  pays  the  freight.  Anyhow  this 
is  a  great  country  where  one  man  is  as  good  as  two  in  most  countries  and  where  the  girls 
wear  the  abbreviated  costumes  just  like  they  do  in  Hollywood.  That's  another  reason 
why  we  are  strong  for  this  country. 

We  heard  a  couple  of  fellows  arguing  politics  last  night.  One  was  an  Irishman  and  the 
other  a  Swede.  The  Irishman  said,  "Vaght  the  Divil  do  youse  want  to  vote  for  Henry  B. 
Hoover  for,  he  never  done  nuthing  but  make  a  carpet  sweeper,  and  that  won't  work  half 
the  time,"  and  the  Swede  replied,  "A  skall  never  vote  for  dos  cough  drop  Smith  and  you 
and  him  can  go  yump  in  the  river,"  and  the  Irishman  replied,  "Oh,  you  go  jump  in  the 
river  yourself,  dam  ye's,"  and  that  settled  the  argument,  and  now  we  are  undecided  our- 
self  just  how  to  vote. 

We  ran  across  another  peculiar  exhibitor  the  other  day.  He  was  a  foreigner.  He  came 
from  Massachusettes  and  had  never  heard  of  the  HERALD-WORLD,  said  he  was  going  to 
vote  for  Grover  Cleveland  and  he  thought  that  Hollywood  was  a  cross  between  a  sycamore 
and  a  jack  pine. 

We  asked  him  if  the  chickens  roosted  on  Plymouth  Rock  and  he  said  he  had  never 
heard  of  the  place  but  that  he  played  a  picture  called  "Chicken  a  la  King,"  but  he  didn't 
know  where  they  roosted.  Massachusetts  has  some  queer  folks.  We  couldn't  sell  him  the 
HERALD-WORLD,  he  takes  the  "Menace." 

^       ^       ^ 

Watch  for  that  picture  of  those  trout  and  then  kick  yourself  for  not  living  in  a  country 
bounded  on  the  North  by  the  aurora  borealis,  on  the  East  by  the  rising  sun,  on  the  South 
by  the  gentle  zephyrs  laden  with  the  perfume  of  clover  blossoms  and  on  the  West  by  the 
"shades  of  evening  twilight  gathered  from  the  slopes  of  long  ago"  as  Opie  Reid  said  in 
"Emmet  Bonlore"  and  when  you  come  to  realize  what  a  country  this  is  you  will  exclaim 
with  us,  "God  bless  the  American  eagle,  he's  some  chicken."     Watch  for  that  trout  picture. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  Man. 


to  go  through  with  thie  absurd,  silly  and  utterly 
impossible  thing.  It's  been  a  long  time  since  we 
had  any  one  walk  out  but  they  did  it  on  this  one. 
Two  women  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  rum  raids, 
got  up  and  walked  out  and  one  of  them  said  "Hon- 
estly, it's  so  rotten  it  simply  drives  us  to  the  wide 
open  spaces."  Well,  that's  what  the  picture  industi-y 
now  faces — anything  to  spoil  a  lot  of  film,  put  in 
time  and  spoil  the  business  of  the  outlying  houses. 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone,  Ariz. — General   patronage. 

FEEL  MY  PULSE:  Bebe  Daniels-^uly  4-5.  Just 
fair.  Six  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand 
Prairie,   Tex. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith— July  6.  A 
good  picture  but  poor  attendance.  I  like  Griffith's 
pictures  but  he  doesn't  seem  to  have  much  draft 
at  the  box  office.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


Providence  and  that's  the  reason.  If  Universal  re- 
issued "The  Broken  Coin"  I  would  play  it  again. 
Five  reels. — William  Bosse,  Jr.,  La  Sirena  theatre. 
Providence,    R.    I. — General    patronage. 


THE  NIGHT  FLYER:  William  Boyd— A  good  rail- 
road picture  and  above  average.  William  Boyd  al- 
ways cliclvs  for  us. — E.  T.  Mathes.  Avalon  theatre, 
Bellingham,    Wash. — General    patronage. 

THE  DEVIL'S  TWIN:  Leo  Maloney— Good  West- 
ern for  Saturday. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,    Cal. — General   patronage. 

EYES  OF  THE  TOTEM:  Special  cast— A  great 
picture.  Don't  overlook  this  one.  Seven  reels. — • 
William  Bosse,  Jr.,  La  Sirena  theatre.  Providence, 
R.  I. — General  patronage. 

THE  TRUNK  MYSTERY:  Special  cast— Fine 
mystery  picture.  Wish  we  had  more  like  this  one. 
If  the  serials  were  as  good  as  this  feature  we  would 
play  more  serials.  Serial  directors,  see  the  picture 
for  one  of  your  lessons  and  give  us  what  the  public 
wants.      Serials   are   not   getting   a   fair    showing   in 


Rayart 


BOY  OF  THE  STREETS:  Johnnie  Walker— 11%. 
June  27.  Good  all  the  way  through.  Some  things 
are  so  real  in  this  that  it  grips  your  heart  and  leaves 
something  with  the  folks  to  remember  it  by.  Differ- 
ent from  the  most  of  programs  and  it's  good.  Six 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General    patronage. 


United  Artists 


RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio— 90%.  July  15. 
Millions  have  read  the  story,  millions  have  heard  the 
song.  Grab  this  one,  boys,  and  go  after  it.  The 
best  drawing  card  of  this  year  and  a  very  wonder- 
ful picture.  A  good  violinist  and  piano  player  works 
fine  with  this  kind  of  a  show.  I  also  had  two  excel- 
lent singers  sing  the  song  "Ramona"  just  before  it 
flashed  on  the  screen.  Eight  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan, 
American  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

SAJDIE  THOMPSON:  Gloria  Swanson— 40%.  July 
8-9.  A  great  piece  of  acting  by  Swanson  and  Barry- 
more.  Satisfaction  on  this  picture  about  50-50.  I 
call  it  fine,  but  did  not  draw  second  night. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  DOVE:  Norma  Talmadge— 35%.  The  poor- 
est one  Norma  has  made  for  some  time.  It  might 
get  over  in  Lower  California  and  Mexico  but  Arkansas 
people  prefer  the  English  type.  Nine  reels. — C.  H. 
McCroskey,  Allied  theatre,  Dermott,  Ark. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

A  NIGHT  OF  LOVE:  Special  cast— 20%.  July  11. 
Drew  the  smallest  crowd  this  summer  with  weather 
perfect.  A  few  left  and  a  few  said  it  was  good. 
Eight  reels. — ^G.  E.  Wendel,  Opera  House,  Smithland, 
la. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  BELOVED  ROGUE:  John  Barrymore— July 
10-11-12.  No  good.  Not  even  a  fair  program  pic- 
ture. No  entertainment  to  this.  Just  a  bunch  of 
nothing.  I  am  sure  glad  this  is  my  last  United 
Artists  picture.  No  more  for  me.  This  fell  flat  at 
the  box  office.  I  didn't  take  in  enough  to  pay  film 
rental.  Ten  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre, 
Griswold,   la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 


Universal 


HOT  HEELS:  Patsy  Ruth  Miller— 40%.  July  10. 
This  is  a  splendid  program  picture.  Don't  make  them 
any  better. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,   Mich. — General  patronage. 

ONE  GLORIOUS  SCRAP:  Fred  Humes— 35%. 
July  7.  The  actors  tried  hard  to  make  an  entertain- 
ment out  of  this  but  no  story  to  work  on. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General   patronage. 

WILD  BEAUTY:  Rex— 12%.  July  6-7.  Good 
show  for  the  farming  community  where  they  like 
horses.  But  seems  that  now-a-days  everybody  is 
more  interested  in  machinery  than  animals,  as  this  is 
an  age  of  progress  and  the  horses  are  being  forgotten 
on  account  of  using  trucks  and  tractors.  But  a  pic- 
ture like  this  will  satisfy  most  any.  Six  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

FAST  AND  FURIOUS:  Reginald  Denny— 83%. 
July  4.  Ran  this  on  July  4th  to  a  full  house.  It's 
a  good  comedy.  Six  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem   theatre,    Greenriver,   Utah. — General   patronage. 

GALLOPING  FURY:  Hoot  Gibson— July  6.  A 
very  good  Western,  mostly  all  comedy.  My  patrons 
like  the  Westerns  of  the  wild  and  woolly  type.  How- 
ever, those  that  came  enjoyed  it. — ^Six  reels. — ^M.  K. 
Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  IRRESISTIBLE  LOVER:  Si>ecial  cast— July 
12.  This  one  did  not  draw  well.  Slow  in  places. 
Good  print. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin, 
Ky. — General  patronage. 

A  MAN'S  PAST:  Conrad  Veidt — A  good  mystery 
picture.  Veidt  always  does  something. — E.  T.  Mathes, 
Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. — General  patron- 
age. 

THAT'S  MY  DADDY:  Reginald  Denny— July  8. 
A  very  pleasing  picture.  Good  all  the  way  through. 
— Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  IN  PARIS:  Special 
cast — A  good  program  comedy  that  we  paid  three 
times  too  much  for.  Don't  let  them  tell  you  it's  a  big 
special. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont,  111. 
— General  patronage. 
THE    CAT    AND    CANARY:      Laura    LaPlante— 


July  28,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


Films  as  First  Aid 
in  Classes  Endorsed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  July  24.— Motion  pic- 
tures for  use  in  classroom  work  re- 
ceived the  endorsement  last  week  of 
many  teachers  attending  the  summer 
sessions  at  the  New  York  State  Col- 
lege for  Teachers  at  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Professor  W.  C.  Decker,  director  of 
the  summer  sessions,  gave  such  pic- 
tures his  unqualified  endorsement, 
following  a  demonstration  given  to  a 
large  group  of  teachers  at  the  col- 
lege. The  pictures  shown  to  the 
teachers  were  of  a  type  that  demon- 
strated how  they  could  be  success- 
fully used  in  classes  in  economics, 
commerce,  history  and  geography. 


July  1-2.  A  very  good  program  picture  but  not  a 
special.  Sold  to  me  as  a  special.  Seven  r«els. — 
Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111.— Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

THE  RAWHIDE  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— July  7.  A 
veiT  poor  Gibson  picture.  Just  about  the  poorest 
Peter  B.  Kyne  story  I  ever  saw  screened.  Six  reels. 
—Mrs.  C.  Knox.  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111.— 
General  patronage. 

THE  RAWHIDE  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— July  6-7. 
Only  a  fair  Western.  This  did  not  draw  for  some 
reason,  I  guess  too  much  sameness.  Print  and  pho- 
tography good.  Six  reels. — ^P.  G.  Held,  Strand  the- 
a.tre,    Griswold,    la. — Neighborhood    patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


THE  BUSH  LEAGUER:  Monte  Blu^-40%.  July 
12.  This  is  a  good  entertaining  program  picture. 
The  star  alvirays  good. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

TRACKED  BY  THE  POLICE:  Ein  Tin  Tin- 
20%.  July  4.  A  wonderful  picture.  With  all  the 
celebrations  around  us  we  drew  just  a  fair  crowd, 
but  not  the  fault  of  the  picture.  Any  ordinary  night 
we  would  have  had  real  business  so,  boys,  if  you  like 
good  pictures  try  to  play  a  few  of  these  Rin  Tin 
Tin's  and  give  your  people  a  different  entertain- 
ment. Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball,  S.  D. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  LION  AND  THE  MOUSE :  Special  cast— The 
best  talking  picture  we  have  i"un.  It  gave  us  the 
biggest  gross  in  our  history.  Ran  it  ten  days.  It  is 
clean,  thrilling,  okay.  We  have  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  installation.  Six  reels. — E.  T.  Mathes, 
Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. — General  patron- 
age. 

TENDERLOIN:  Special  cast— Another  Vitaphone 
scored  talking  picture.  Without  the  talking  it  would 
be  merely  a  good  crook  melodrama.  Did  a  good  busi- 
ness for  us. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Belling- 
ham, Wash. — General  patronage. 

RINTY  OF  THE  DESERT:  Rin  Tin  Tin— It's  a 
good  average  Rin  Tin  Tin  picture.  There  is  some 
good  work  by  the  dog  as  usual.  It  is  clean,  good  en- 
tertainment.— E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Belling- 
ham, Wash. — General  patronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blue — A  wonderful  Western 
of  Monte  Blue.  Wish  we  had  more  of  these.  Seven 
reels. — William  Boese,  Jr.,  La  Sirena  theatre.  Pro- 
vidence, R.  I. — General  patronage. 

BRASS  KNUCKLES:  Monte  Blue— Another  Blue 
picture.  Not  much  to  it  and  failed  to  please  over  one- 
half.  Eight  reels. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood 
theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — General  patronage. 

THE  GIRL  FROM  CHICAGO:  Myrna  Loy— A  pro- 
gram picture  that  pleased  everyone.  Ran  to  good  busi- 
ness on  Friday-Saturday.  Seven  reels. — Warren  L. 
Weber,  Ellinwood  theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan. — General 
patronage. 

WOLF'S  CLOTHING:  Monte  Blue— July  11. 
Quite  a  picture,  but  nobody  came  to  see  it.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 


State  Rights 


THE  APACHE  RAIDER:  Special  cast— Great 
Western.  Six  reels. — ^William  Bosse,  Jr.,  La  Sirena 
theatre.  Providence,  E.  I. — General  patronage. 


Serials 


BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD:  (Universal)  Hay- 
den  Stevenson — Have  just  played  episode  9  and  it  is 
still  holding  up  good.     A  thrill  in  each  reel  of  it. — 


M.    K.   Harris,    Liberty   theatre,   Franklin,    Ky. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  CAMEO:  (Pathe)  Special  cast- 
First  chapter  of  this  serial  looks  good.  Has  the 
mystery  element.  Western  atmosphere  and  a  clever 
dog.  It  should  go  over  anywhere. — P.  G.  Vaughan, 
Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

Short  Features 

COLUMBIA 
THE    FLOORWALKER:      Charlie    Chaplin— Just    a 
comedy.      Nothing    much    to    it.      Little    fun    but    not 
enough    to    talk     about.       Two    reels. — Rudolf    Duba, 
Royal    theatre,    Kimball,    S.   D. — General   patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

BREEZING  ALONG:  Lloyd  Hamilton- Fair  com- 
edy. Little  bit  silly  but  went  by  all  right.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Eoyal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— 
General    patronage. 

CIRCUS  CAPERS:  Jack  Miller— The  best  comedy 
we  have  seen  for  a  long  time.  Action  galore  and 
plenty  of  fun  besides.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,   Kimball,   S.   D. — General  patronage. 

FLAMING  ROMANCE:  Pretty  good  comedy  with 
some  laughs  in  it.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,    Griswold,   la. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

HOWDY  DO  DUKE:  Lupino  Lan^-A  fair  two 
reel  comedy. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold, 
la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

INDISCRETE  PETE:  A  veiT  good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

SHAMROCK  ALLEY:  Big  Boy— Good.-^.  L. 
Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  STUNT  MAN:  Larry  Semon— Only  fair.— 
J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

FBO 

THE  CHIN  HE  LOVED  TO  LIFT:  Cooke-Guard— 
Just  another  knockout  by  the  two  boys  of  merit  and 
entertainment.  This  one  was  the  best  we  had  for 
a  long  time.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

HEAVY  INFANTS:  Three  Fat  Boys— Good  comedy 
by  the  three  boys  of  merit.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

FOX 

BIG  BLUE  BROWN  EYES:  A  poor  comedy,  not 
at  all  funny.  Two  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Para- 
mount theatre,  Stapleton,  Nebr. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

COW'S  HUSBAND:  A  bully  comedy.  (Title 
great.)  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  thea- 
tre,  Greenville,   Mich. — General  pati-onage. 

FOUR  FACES  WEST:  Van  Bibber— Only  fair. 
There  are  very  few  good  two  reel  comedies  on  the 
market.  It  seems  as  if  the  industry  is  not  making 
much  headway  making  comedies  that  are  funny.  Two 
reels. — ^P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la.— 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

KNIGHT  OF  DAZE:  Van  Bibber— Just  a  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

TUMBLING  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— July  3-4.  The 
poorest  Mix  I  ever  played.  Nothing  to  it.  No  draw- 
ing card  at  the  box  office.  Five  reels. — ^P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

METRO-GO  LDWYN-MAYER 

THE  CZARINA'S  SECRET:  Color  Classic— These 
"Great  Events"  in  color  are  fine  but  believe  they 
would  be  better  if  Metro  would  use  American  histori- 
cal subjects  instead  of  foreign  ones. — ^P.  G.  Vaughan, 
Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patron- 
age. 

PASS  THE  GRAVY:  Max  Davidson— Very  good. 
— J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — ^General 
patronage. 

RAINY  DAYS:  Our  Gang^A  howling  success.— 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo.— 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

DAD'S  CHOICE:  Edward  Everett  Horton— This  is 
a  very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Sil- 
ver Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

DIZZY  SIGHTS:  Billy  Dooley — Good  comedy  and 
plenty  of  fun  through  the  whole  two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Eoyal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

DIZZY  SIGHTS:  A  very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

EASY  CURVES:  Billy  Dooley— First  of  this  com- 
edian and  we  like  him.  Two  reels.— Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

GOLD  DIGERS  OP  WEPA:     Just  a  comedy.    Two 


Northerner's  10  Theatres 
Win  Negroes  in  South 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MILWAUKEE,  July  24.— Milton 
Starr  is  a  Northerner,  but  about  ten 
years  ago  he  wanted  to  start  a  film 
theatre  and  the  South  seemed  to  be 
an  ideal  place.  Accordingly,  he  set 
forth  for  Nashville,  where  he  rented 
a  small  corridor  in  an  old  building 
and  stuck  out  a  sign. 

Not  an  auspicious  start,  but  Starr 
later  got  the  idea  that  he  ought  to 
admit  only  Negroes  to  his  show 
house.  He  chose  a  lot  of  action  pic- 
tures and  comedies,  and  before  long 
his  house  was  too  small.  He  opened 
up  a  second  show.  He  got  more 
business  than  ever.  Today  he  has 
ten  film  houses  in  Alabama,  Tennes- 
see and  Mississippi,  and  all  for  Ne- 
groes. 


reels. — Bert  Silver,   Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

WATER   BUGS:      Billy   Dooley— A   funny   comedy. 
Two  reels. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 
PATHE 

RUN  GIRL  RUN:  Daphne  Pollard— Very  good.— 
J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — Genex'al 
patronage. 

SAILORS  BEWARE:  A  good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

SEEING  THE  WORLD:  Our  Gang— This  is  differ- 
ent from  the  majority  of  the  Gang  comedies.  This 
one  shows  Our  Gang  in  Rome,  London,  Paris,  Venice, 
etc.  Full  of  wise  cracks  and  a  big  thrill  at  the  end 
by  Farina  on  top  of  the  Eiffel  Tower. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SMITH'S  CANDY  SHOP:  Good.— J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma  theatre,   Selma,   Cal. — ^General   patronage. 

WITH  LOVE  AND  HISSES:  It  is  funny  and  gets 
laughs. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General  patronage. 

TIFFANY 

COMRADES:  These  are  very  classy  colored  one 
reel  subjects.  One  reel. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

ROMANY  LOVE:  Color  classic— Very  beautiful 
and  has  a  pleasing  little  story.  One  reel. — ^P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neigh- 
borhood patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ALL  FOR  UNCLE:  Mike  and  Ike— Just  two  reels 
of  nothing  to  us. — ^Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

CASE  OF  SCOTCH:  Andy  Gump— A  wild  Gump 
comedy.  No  laughing  matter.  Two  reels. — Bert  SiU 
ver.  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

OSWALD  COMEDIES:  The  Oswald  comedies  are 
always  good,  my  patrons  like  them.  Young  and  old. 
A  real  good  short  feature. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty 
theatre,    Franklin,    Ky. — General    patronage. 

STOP  SNOOKUMS:  Good.  Two  reels.— Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

THAT'S  THAT:  A  good  comedy.  Two  reels.— 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

WOLF  OF  THE  RANGE:  Fred  Gilman— Fine  two 
reel  Western  which  will  go  with  any  comedy  fea- 
ture and  make  a  splendid  progi-am.  Two  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Eoyal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

FAT  AND  CANARY:  Good.  Photography  poor  in 
part  of  first  reel  but  it  brought  plenty  of  laughs. 
A  kid  comedy  that  all  will  like.  Two  reels. — John 
W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ai-k. — General 
patronage. 

JUNGLE  LAND :  An  interesting  comedy  with  two 
large  monkeys  as  actors.  In  fact,  it  was  more  in- 
teresting than  funny.  However,  the  crowd  enjoyed 
it  and  had  several  favorable  comments.  Two  reels. — 
John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — 
General   patronage. 

PLAY  BALL:  A  good  one  reel  comedy. — John  W. 
Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General 
pationage. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


July  28,  1928 


Vv5^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


By  Whit 

THOUSANDS  of  Chicagoans  will  become  amateur  film  extras  when 
Hoot  Gibson  arrives  this  week  to  film  his  picture,  "King  of  the  Rodeo," 
at  the  Rodeo  next  week.  Hoot  arrives  Thursday  with  60  people  and  a 
large  string  of  horses.  This  will  be  the  first  time  Chicago  has  been  the  real 
setting  for  a  feature  picture  since  Griffith  made  "That  Royle  Girl"  here  sev- 
eral years  ago. 


The  Roosevelt  theatre  is  reported  to  have 
taken  in  approximately  $28,000  during  the 
first  week's  run  of  "Sunrise,"  which  opened 
the  theatre's  policy  of  sound  pictures,  and 
that  is  said  to  be  the  best  week  the  Roosevelt 
has  enjoyed  in  many  moons. 

*  *    * 

Sound  picture  production,  and  especially  the 
short  subjects,  is  confined,  mostly  to  the 
studio,  and  is  therefore  not  dependent  upon 
sunlight  and  outdoor  scenery.  It  is  believed 
by  some,  and  they  have  arguments  to  back 
up  their  belief,  that  production  will  eventually 
be  centered  in  Chicago.  Whether  or  not  this 
is  true,  we  do  not  know,  but  it  is  a  rather 
pleasant  thing  to  think  about! 

*  *     * 

A  cloudburst  hit  Chicago  and  environs 
Thursday,  and  right  in  the  middle  of  it  all 
was  Dave  Dubin.  Just  as  he  was  approaching 
the  second  hole  of  a _  golf  course,  the  down- 
pour hit  him,  and  continued  to  hit  him  for 
the  ensuing  hour  and  a  half.  Dave  says  his 
appearance  upon  entering  the  clubhouse  would 
have  made  the  best  comedy  sequence  in  an 
Educational  comedy  yet  filmed.  It  took  him 
an  hour  and  a  half  to  get  wet  and  three  hours 
to  get  dry. 

And  speaking  of  golf,  the  boys  at  F  B  O 
count  that  Saturday  afternoon  lost  that  doesn't 
afford  them  a  good  game  of  golf.  Len  Ullrich 
won  their  tournament  last  Saturday,  and 
Washburn,  Meyers  and  Henry  Salkins  were 
runners  up. 

*  *    * 

Salkins,  by  the  way,  has  purchased  a  brand 
new  Auburn. 

*  *    * 

Mrs.  Buck,  who  was  a  business  partner  of 
William  Heasman  in  the  operation  of  the 
Colonial  theatre  at  Danville,  was  buried  last 
Friday. 

*  *    * 

Goldberg,  Dwork  and  Mintz  have  reopened 
the  Weneeda  theatre  on  West  Chicago  avenue 
and  have  installed  a  Phototone  music  equip- 
ment. A  number  of  theatres  in  the  city  and 
in  this  territory  have  installed  Phototone  re- 


cently: among  them  are  the  Crystal  theatre  on 
South  Ashland,  operated  by  Frank  Simek;  the 
Galec  theatre  on  Western ;  Otto  Anders'  the- 
atre in  Milwaukee ;  and  the  new  Mishawaka 
theatre  at  Mishawaka. 

*  *    * 

Charlie  House,  who  runs  the  Midway  at 
Rockford,  and  his  family  are  motoring 
through  Wisconsin,  Michigan  and  parts  of 
Canada. 

*  *    * 

Jack  Blitz  has  been  made  manager  of  the 
North  Center,  and  it  is  said  that  David  Rice, 
former  manager,  has  gone  to  California  as 
manager  of  Universal's  West  Coast  theatres. 

*  *    * 

Max  Levine,  operator  at  the  Fox  exchange, 
completed  his  motor  trip  to  California  last 
week. 

^    ^    ^ 

W.  L.  Pracht  and  Lester  Norris  of  the 
Arcada  theatre,  St.  Charles,  are  spending  a 
vacation  of  fishing  in  Minnesota. 

*  *    * 

Jack  Pickford,  brother  of  Mary,  passed 
through  Chicago  this  week  on  an  airplane 
journey  from  Los  Angeles  to  New  York, 
where  he  will  enter  a  sanitarium  in  an  effort 
to  regain  his  health. 

*  *    * 

J.  A.  Kraker,  former  Northern  Wisconsin 
and  Michigan  salesman,  and  more  recently  city 
salesman  for  Paramount,  has  been  elevated 
to  the  position  of  manager  of  Paramount's 
Milwaukee  exchange,  O.  R.  Rieffel  resigning. 

*  *     * 

Nels  Frye  and  I.  G.  Pettigrew  of  the 
Home  Theatre  Company  of  Danville,  were 
in  Chicago  last  week. 

*  *     * 

The  Grayland  theatre  on  Cicero  avenue  has 
closed  its  doors  for  the  summer. 

*  *     * 

Charlie  Vetrover,  cashier  at  M  G  M,  is  on 

his  vacation. 

^     *    ^ 

The  Aero  club  of  Woodstock,  Illinois,  has 
selected   the   beautiful    Miller  theatre   as   the 


Hoot  Gibson  comes  to  town 
for  the  filming  of  "King  of 
the  Rodeo"  in  Chicago  and 
of  course  he  had  to  pose 
with  the  boys  of  Universal. 
He  is  seen  standing  in  the 
center  with  Henry  Herber 
nearby 


building  upon  which  to  place  an  airplane 
sign  giving  the  name  of  the  town  and  the 
direction  of  the  landing  field.  This  might  be 
a  good  idea  for  other  small  town  exhibitors. 

*  *    * 

Hank  H.  Hill,  cashier  at  Fox,  is  on  his 
vacation. 

*  *     * 

Bankrupcy  is  said  to  be  the  cause  of  the 
Lincoln  theatre  at  Danville  closing  its  doors. 

Nathan    Combiner   has    bought   his    brother 

Robert's  interest  in  the  Commodore  theatre. 

*  *     * 

William  Varenhorst  has  just  bought  the 
100  per  cent  program  of  M  G  M  for  his  Glenn 
theatre  on  Armitage. 

*  *    * 

Sam  and  Paul  Latino  who  operate  the 
Columbia  theatre  in  RockfOrd,  were  in  Chi- 
cago last  week. 


Credit  Committee's  Vital 
to  Welfare  of  Industry, 
Reply  to  Government 

{Continued  from  page  19) 
new    contracts    for    pictures    in    total    disre- 
gard of  the  existing  obligations  of  the  real 
owner  of  the  theatre. 

"The  frequent  changes  of  ownership  bring  into 
the  field  each  year  many  new  and  inexperienced  per- 
sons. Some  of  these  are  unsuccssful  and  sell  out 
again  in  a  few  months  with  the  result  that  their 
contracts  also  go  into  the  discard. 

Losses    to    Distributor    Shown 

"With  the  transfer  of  his  theatre  the  previous 
owner  or  operator  loses  the  capacity  to  complete 
the  performance  of  his  existing  uncompleted  con- 
tracts with  distributors  for  the  reason  that  each 
contract  calls  for  exhibition  at  the  theatre  which  he 
has  transferred  and  as  he  is  no  longer  the  operator 
of  that  theatre,  he  no  longer  has  the  authority  to 
say  what  pictures  shall  be  exhibited  there.  The 
contract  does  not  permit  the  exhibition  to_  take 
place  at  any  other  theatre  than  that  specified  in  the 
contract.  To  show  the  pictures  at  some  other  thea- 
tre of  the  seller,  if  the  latter  owned  another  theatre, 
would,  moreover,  violate  the  protection  given  other 
theatres  in  other  contracts  of  the  distributor  for  tha 
same  pictures  and  therefore  would  not  be  practicable. 

"In  many  instances  the  principal  or  only  asset  of 
the  exhibitor  is  the  ownership  of  the  theatre  which 
he    has    transferred. 

"Failure  of  the  exhibitor  to  make  a  condition 
precedent  to  the  change  of  ownership  that  the  new 
owner,  lessor  or  operator  shall  assume  his  uncom- 
pleted contracts  results  in  a  total  loss  on  such  con- 
tracts  to   the   distributors   in   many   cases. 

Protection   to   Responsible  Exhibitors 

"Every  purchaser  of  a  theatre  knows  full  well 
before  he  buys  a  theatre  that  the  seller  in  all 
probability  has  uncomplete  contracts  with  various 
distributors  for  the  exhibition  of  pictures  at  the 
theatre  which  he  proposes  to  buy.  Every  purchaser 
well  knows,  before  he  buys,  that  his  ptu-chase  of 
the  theatre  will  cause  the  seller  to  breach  every 
existing  uncompleted  contract  previously  entered  into 
by  the  seller  for  the  exhibition  of  pictures  at  the 
theatre  which  is  to  be  sold  and  that  every  dis- 
tributor who  has  such  a  contract  with  the  seller 
will  suffer  loss  and  damage  orii  account  of  such 
breach,  unless  either  the  seller  makes  a  settlement 
with  the  distributor  before  the  transfer  or  the  pur- 
chaser assumes  the  outstanding  uncompleted  con- 
tracts." 

The  answer  declares  that  the  credit  committee 
system  gives  full  protection  to  all  responsible  and 
honest   exhibitors. 

"Defendant  distributorsi  at  all  times,"  the  respond- 
ent companies  say,  "have  been  and  are  ready_  to 
complete  existing  uncompleted  contracts  entered  into 
with  the  previous  owner  of  a  theatre  and  to  de- 
liver pictures  under  such  contracts  to  the  new  owner 
or  operator  without  demanding  of  the  latter  that 
he  deposit  security  under  such  contracts  or  any  of 
them." 


** Benefit"  Carnivals  Are 
Put  Off  School  Yards 

The  Chicago  board  of  education  has  in- 
structed the  police  to  make  all  carnivals 
operating  on  school  property  to  quit  the 
premises,  following  complaints  from  the 
parents  of  school  children,  charging  that 
the  carnivals  were  offering  p-ames  of  chance 
in  which  dolls,  kiddy  cars  and  other  articles 
might  be  won,  with  the  cost  of  trying  rang- 
ing from  five  to  25  cents. 

The  carnivals  were  able  to  obtain  school 
property,  without  cost,  it  is  said,  because 
the  concessions  were  being  operated  for  the 
benefit  of   several  American   Legion   posts. 


For  your 
Protection 

To  insure  exhibitors  the  high- 
est possible  screen  quality, 
Eastman  Positive  Film  is  made 
identifiable.  The  words  "Eastman 
Kodak"  are  stencilled  in  black 
letters  at  short  intervals  in  the 
transparent  film  margin. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman  Film 
—look  for  the  identifying  words 
in  the  margin— and  get  the  film 
that  always  carries  quality 
through  to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXIUIUrORS  IIKR4LD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


FewBetter  Programs  Are  to  BeFound 
Anytvhere  in  the  United  States" 


is  the  verdict  oS  Time,  The  Weekly  Neivsmagazine, 
speaking  oS  Fox  Movietone  Entertainment  no^v^ 
playing  the  Globe  TheatrerNeiv  York  to  astounding 
summer  business.  -mm 


"The   Family   Picnic,"   first  two-reel  comedy  with  full 
sound  effects,  caused  a  sensation  at  its  premiere,  as  did 


Richard  Bonelli,  celebrated  opera  star,  whose  flawless 
interpretation  of  the  Prologue;  from  "Pagliacci"  proved  beyond 
the  shadow  of  a  doubt  theabsotute  perfection  of  Fox  Movietone. 


Clark  and  McCuUough,  musical  comedy  team  par  excel' 
lence,  now  playing  the  Gaiety  Theatre,  New  York,  in  a  fast 
comedy  sketch,  "The  Interview,^^  will  bring  Broadway  to  you 
and  Broadway  attendance. 


Joe  Cook,  star  of  "Rain  or  Shine,"  means  money.  Known 
from  coast  to  coast,  hell  draw  like  a  magnet  in  his  latest 
comedy,  "At  the  Ball  Game.''  / 


cMany  shorts  of  Broadway  stars  are  ready  nowready 
for  the  wise  exhibitor  who'll  strike  while  the  iron^s  hot 


Fox  Movietone  Neivs  and  Fox  Movietone  Entertainment  represent 
the  apex  of  sound  film  development*  Absolutely  f laivless  repro- 
duction in  all  sound  creations  has  ivon  for  Fox  unstinted  praise 
and  commendation  from  the  industry. 


EXHIBITOM 


©MS. 


SOUND! 


i:^^ 


h, 


^1, 


la  M-Q-M  takes  over  Cosmopolitan  Studios,  N.  Y.,  for  sound  production.    Nearest  of 
all  to  talent  sources  of  Broadway. 

2.  M-G-M   completes  sound  Studio  in  Culver  City,  California,  largest  in  world. 

3«  M-G-M   opens  "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas**  in  sound  at  $2  at  Astor  Theatre 
on  Broadway. 

4-  M-G-M    opens  "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas**  in  sound  at  $2  at  Grauman*s 
Chinese  Theatre,  Los  Angeles* 

5.  M-G-M    gets  prize  stage  property  "The  Trial  of  Mary  Dugan**  and  will  bring  to  thea- 
tres with  complete  dialogue  this  current  Broadway  stage  hit. 

6.  M-G-M    contracts  for  amazing  stage  talent  for  short  subject  sound  numbers. 

7.  M-G-M    short  comedies  in  sound  with  Hal  Roach  Studios  sound-equipped. 

8-  M-G-M    announces  that  Milt  Gross*  "Nize  Baby**  will  have  talking  sequences. 

9-  M-G-M    announces  the  M-G-M  Movietone  News. 

10-  M-G-M    announces  that  the  majority  of  its  features  and  shorts  will  be  synchronized. 


U7I.<.I«  V^^l    09    M«    C /!/   I    tA    M      0\     Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,   1917,  at.  the  Post   Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,      i  .    t    innn 

WnOie  VOU  y^,  no.  D  VVOI.  i't,  INO.  o;     JH/V.     Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  2$  cents.     AUgUSt  %  1»^8 


'  iE-rrt*-S^^.sSi^r«i3iSS2iiKfi5.*ri*SH*«9Fi«'fia 


j  August  4,  1928  EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

iiOUl^D    or 


PARAMOUNT 


aione 


combines  the  two  essentials 


aUAIilTY 


and 


IIUAMTITY! 


** 

II 


4  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  August  4,  1928 

*Paramount's  First  Sound  Picture, 
Richard  Dix  in  "\^rming  Up" 

Breaks  Paramount  Theatre  (N.  Y.)  record  in  red-hot 
July!  Moved  to  long  run  Rivoli  by  popular  demand 
and  doing  Broadway's  biggest  business  there! 

Thomas  Meighan  in  '"''  The  Racket ",  after  phenomenal  week  at 
Paramount,  N.  Y.,  moves  to  Rialto  Theatre,  block  away,  for  long  run. 
Emil  Jannings  in  ^^Street  of  Sin'\  Bancroft  in  ^^Drag  Nef^  and  Clara 
Bow  in  ^%adies  of  the  Mob'^  outdraw  all  other  product  on  the  market, 

**40  TO  50  Paramount  1928-9  Feature 
Pictures  in  Sound: 

^  Six  in  sound  out  of  eleven  pictures  released  in 
August  and  September!  Also  Christie  Comedies,  and 
coming:  Paramount  News  in  Sound,  Paramount 
Stage  Shows  on  the  Screen. 

Whether  you  play  sound  or  silent  prints,  PARAMOUNT  is  the  one 
company  guaranteeing  a  continuous  flow  of  QU ALU  Y  product. 


MOTION  PICTU^^MEADQUARTERS 


1 


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August  4,  1928  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Held  Over  a  3rd  WEEK 


at  the 


ROXY! 

ffirank  ^orzage^s 

"Street  Angel 

"With  Janet  Gaynor  and  Charles  Farrell 

NETTED    ^X2S)994      ^^^^ 
NoMT  playing  its  ^Prcl  capacity  ^veek 

Played  4  shoyvs  a  day  to 
over  $4)000  a  performance 

''WHAT  PRICE  GLORY*'  played  5  shows 
daily  to  over  $3^000  a  performance! 

LEADS  THE  INDUSTRY  WITH 


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EDITCCIAL  CCMMCNT 

THE  EXHIBITORS  DAILY  REVIEW 

"There  isn't  a  doubt  about  the  picture  nutljing 
•money  in  most  of  the  first  and  second  run  theatres  J" 

FILM  DAILY 

"Tiffany'Stahl  is  indulging  in  lusty  shouts  over 
it.  It  is  one  of  the  company's  specials  for  next 
season.  "The  Cavalier' '  is  fast  moving,  straight' 
away  melodrama." 


'    ..  'sd'l'.  'p-j 


,  -jfv  'lir-L-E 


n     '  '  '     I'uff'.Pf 


l|:r<lNy-</>Tfll-IL  PI^ODUCTION./^  INC 


940    BRO^DV^y 


MEW    yOl^K    CITY 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


DOMl  BE 

The  level-headed  showman  won't  be  stampeded  by  the  syn- 
chronization hysteria  which  rocks  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try today. 

He  won't  be  herded  like  cattle  nor  will  he  give  way  to  con- 
fusion and  fright  when  his  common-sense  tells  him  to  TAKE 
HIS  TIME. 

He  will  investigate  all  synchronization  propositions  like  any 
other  good  business  man  but  will  not  forget  for  one  instant 
THAT  HE  IS  STILL  IN  THE  MOTION  PICTURE  BUS- 
INESS AND  THAT  HE  NEEDS  GOOD  BOX-OFFICE  PIC- 
TURES MORE  THAN  ANYTHING  ELSE  TODAY. 

He  will  realize  that  orders  placed  NOW  for  sound  device 
installations  could  not  possibly  be  filled  within  eight  or  ten 
months,  so  great  is  the  task,  so  numerous  the  problems  of 
production  which  confront  the  manufacturers. 

He  will  realize AND  THIS  HITS  HIM  IN  THE  POCKET- 
BOOK. ..that  the  mere  addition  of  sound  to  a  photo-play  will 

not  make  it  good  screen  entertainment that  story  value, 

cast  and  direction  are  still  the  factors  which  make  or  break 
a  production. 

FBO  has  not  forgotten  its  obligation  to  the  exhibitor  in  the 
matter  of  sound  pictures  but  FBO  refuses  to  blow  up  like  a 
rattled  pitcher  in  a  ball  game  under  stress  of  synchroniza- 
tion hysteria. 

And  remember  this: 

MOREJNETPROF 


^^^<=^^^^^^^^:^^-^^^^^^^^^^^i^^^ 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


B4MICI4IED 

Jl^  T  r  ^he  show  must  go  on  J 


FBO  HAS  BEEN  PREPARED,  IS  PREPARED  TODAY 
AND  WILL  ALWAYS  BE  PREPARED  TO  HOLD  ITS 
PLACE  IN  THE  MOTION  PICTURE  MARCH  OF  PRO- 
GRESS. 

For  those  exhibitors  who  already  have  installations  and  are 
able  to  run  synchronization  pictures,  FBO  is  prepared  to 
furnish  the  GREATEST  LINE  OF  SHOW  MERCHANDISE 
IN  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  COMPANY. 

Such  smash  hits  as  "The  Perfect  Crime",  "Hitof  the  Show", 
"Gang  War",  "The  Circus  Kid",  "Blockade"  and  "Taxi  13" 
either  have  been  or  shortly  will  be  synchronized  with  music, 
sound  effects  and  dialogue. 

These  splendid  attractions,  thus  synchronized,  may  be  run 
on  Photophone  or  Movietone  machines, 

BUT  THE  SHOW  MUST  GO  ON! 

Synchronized  or  silent,  the  public  must  have  its  entertain- 
ment on  the  screen. 

Now,  more  than  ever,  (and  principally  those  exhibitors  who 
cannot  possibly  ffet  sound  installations  short  of  many  months 
to  come)  YOU  NEED  GOOD  PICTURES  and  you  need 
them  more  than  you  ever  did. 

As  usual  FBO  is  ready  to  serve  them  to  you. 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


ions 


BIG  BOY 

itt  Big  Boy-Juvenile  Comedies 


DOROTHY  DEVORE 

in  Dorothy  Devore  Comedies' 


^-j 


S: 


IDEAL  COMEDIES 
with  JERRY  DRtW 


Educational  is  the  world's 
greatest  distributor  of 
Short  Features— and  the 
only  big  company  dealing 
exclusively  in  the  spice  of 
the  program. 

Edit  cat  ion  a  I  Pictu  res 

always  make  a  good  show 

better. 


WALLACE  LUPINO 

in  TUXEDO  COMEDlESt 

{Jack  White  Productions}. 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc. 


j^jV^ 


President   ' 


Lyiffi*|ii;|iii:ii|(^e's 


OUR  W<^i|l|tODAY 

A  Modern;  Screert^Magazine 


WmMERMAID 

:0fiPi'oductions) 

mk^m^  JOHN 


^  -__Z!^ 


\ 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


RUSS  FARRELI 
AVIATOR 


From  local  high  school  athletic  meets  to 
Olympic  Games,  the  100-yard  dash  is  the 
most  popular  race.  It's  short  and  snappy, 
fast,  thrilling,  without  a  dull  second. 
That's  why. 

For  the  same  reasons  an  Educational 
Picture  will  be  the  spice  of  your  program. 
It's  the  sprint  of  your  show.  And  Educa- 
tionaVs  stars  are  champions  of  the  sprint. 
They've  held  the  laurels  of  championship 
for  over  eight  years. 


^.liH 


/ 


The  spectacular  Roxie  Hart 

of  CHICAGO 


destined  for  new  heights 
of  popularity  in  Four 
Sensational  Features 


IIIIII|I|1I!III.PWIINIIIIIIIIIH 


Jhe SHADY 


Starring 

PHYLLIS    HAVER 

with  ALAN  HALE 

Adapted  by  Julien  Josephson  from  "The 

Sentimentalists"  by  Dale  Collins 


■M 


A  box-office  certainty.  Stirring  romance  and 
adventure  on  far  seas.  Strong  in  dramOf 
tense  in  suspense,  rich  in  humor. 


Starring 

PHYLLIS    HAVER 

From  an  original  story  by  . 

Leonard  Praskins  and 

Richard  L.  Sharpe 


A  sizzling,  ritzy  story  with  a  background  oj 
fashionable    Park    Avenue.    New    York, 
Surc'fire, 


he  first  of  Phyllis  Haver 
Big-Money  Specials 

PHYLLIS  HAVER  is  riding  the  crest  of  the  popularity  wave.  The 
vivacious,  spirited  beauty  whose  role  in  "Chicago"  is  the  talk  of 
the  country  is  now  the  trump  card  of  the  pack.  The  fans  every- 
where will  flock  to  see  this  S.  R.  O.  star  in  four  dazzling  features 
for  the  new  season.  She  has  typical  Haver  parts  in  bright,  breezy 
modern  stories,  with  themes  attuned  to  the  desires  of  showmen. 
"Tenth  Avenue"  is  the  first  of  the  Haver  hits,  a  ticket  twister  as 
powerful  as  "Chicago".  It  is  based  on  the  stage  success  of  the  same 
title  and  is  set  in  New  York's  West  side,  where  anything  can  hap- 
pen— and  does. 


I 


(e  OFFICE 
SCANDAL 

Starring 

PHYLLIS    HAVER 

with  GEORGE  DURYEA 
A  HECTOR  TURNBULL  Production 


An  original  story  alive  with  mirthsome  and 
plausible  action,  with  a  commercial  office 
background* 


Watch  for  amazing  new  R.  C.  A.  PHOTOPHONE  musical  and  effect  accompaniment 
on  certain  forthcoming  PATHE  FEATURE  PRODUCTIONS  Season  1928-1929. 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


X 


>!->. 


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"^'Mh 


mif^ 


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■  ) 


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JOHHMY 


IPLEMDID 


ons. 


NOT  a  Sonnd  Picture  I  —  Because 
they  iwoalJIn't  hear  a  sound  for 
laughs,  laughs,  laa^hs^plns  a 
thrill  a  minate  -when  Johnny  as 
the  inventor  ol  a  laminons  ink 
falls  heir  to  a  disguised  mm-mn- 
nin£  yacht  ...  He  thinks  he's  jnst 
£oing  for  the  ride^hnt  a  mid- 
night hijacking  raid  tips  him  off 
\fi  the  facts,  and  the  trick  ink 
proves  a  lifesaver  for  himself  and 
the  girl  -when  he  uses  it  to  paint 
"HELP"  across  the  bo-^vs. 


Patr, 


in 


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Q^>wieiit 


n 


i^^a^ 


Presented  l>y C  .€.  BU  KRi 

J>o/y  i^^ . . . .  JACI4  TC^VN  LEV 

0;/pc-fea'i^...CHARI.EJ  UINC/ 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERMJ) 

&&  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


Home 

Office: 

407  So,  Dearborn  St. 

Chicago 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


Chicago  strike  is  viewed  as  part  of  labor's  fight  on  sound  films;  Electricians  walk  out  after  starting 
installations  in  Loop ;  B  &  K  Chicago  and  United  Artists  theatres  are  affected ;  Musicians  will  maintain 
policy  of  "watchful  waiting"  until  after  Labor  Day,  says  James  C.  Petrillo,  president  of  local ;  Omaha 
theatres  renew  synchronized  shows. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Richard  A.  Rowland  severs  connection  with  First  National  as 
contract  runs  out — Aviator  is  arrested  in  fight  film  roundup. 
William  J.  Sweeney,  veteran  exhibitor  organizer,  is  dead;  Helped 
form  first  national  body  and  reunite  organization  at  Dayton. 
Al  Rockett  heads  First  National  studios  as  Kennedy  ousts  15 
executives — Stanley  Company  re-elects  Rossheim  and  drops  board 
chairman  ofiice. 

Paramount  studio  in  Hollywood  will  house  new  5,000-watt  broad- 
casting station  KNX  in  big  radio  move  of  producing  company. 

DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized  Pictures  31 

The  Studio   36 

Short  Features  40 

Presentation  Acts    41 

The  Theatre  47 

Classified  Advertising   51 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 53 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit. 58 


FEATURES 


Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 50 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges 38 

Pictorial  Section   27 

Letters  from  Readers   52 

Broadway    18 

New  Pictures  57 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Paramount, 
Fox,  F  B  0,  Tiffany-Stahl,  Educational,  Pathe,  First  National, 
Tec  Art  Studios,  Eastman  Kodak,  Excellent  Pictures,  Automatic 
Ticket  Register,  Gotham  Pictures,  National  Program  and  Printing. 

PRESENTATIONS— Maxwell  and  Lee,  Henri  A.  Keates,  Ramon 
Berry,  Dean  Stevenson,  Ransley  Studios,  McNeil  Smith,  Bob 
Billings,  Milton  Slosser,  Ulderico  Marcelli,  Brooks  Costumes, 
Sunshine  Sammy,  Lassiter  Brothers. 


CHICAGO 
407    South   Dearborn    St.  Telephones   Harrison    0036-37-33 

Cable    Address :      Quigpubco 
EDWIN     S.     CLIFFORD,     General     Manager 
JAY    M.    SHRECK,    Managing   Editor 
GEORGE    CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 
ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,    iVeu>s   Editor 
LOS  ANGELES 
5617    Hollywood   Blvd.  Telephone   Gladstone   3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 
West  Coast  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


NEW    YORK 

563    Fifth    Avenue  Telephones    Vanderbilt    3612-3613 

JAMES   BEECROFT,   New   York  Advertising  Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,    Neu>    York    Editor 

LONDON 

THE  BIOSCOPE 

(J.  Caboum,  Editor} 

Faraday    House 

8-10   Charing  Cross  Rd.,  W.   C.   2 


SUBSCRIPTION    RATES:      United    States    and    possessions $3.00    per    year,    Canada $4.50  per  year.      Other  points  of  the  world $6.0O  per  year.      Single  copies,  23  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards   and   Audit  Bureau   of  Circulations   statements   furnished   upon   application. 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

aEi  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  ^>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  1915;  Moving  Pic- 

TOBB  WoRiD,  founded  in  1907;  Motogrraphy,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 
QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 
Publication  OflBce:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Mastin  J.  QwiGLEY,  President 
EowiN  S.  Cliffomj,  Secretory  Georgb  Cliffoks,  Aist.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoak  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Pictdre  World:     Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  and 
The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  5       (Vol.  34,  No.  8)       August  4,  1928 


Paramount  Radio 

PARAMOLTVT'S  proposed  radio  broadcasting  station  in 
Hollywood  has  the  possibilities  of  becoming  a  defi- 
nitely valuable  asset  to  the  industry.  According  to  Para- 
mount's  assurances  this  new  radio  station  will  not  be  over- 
burdened with  company  propaganda  but,  instead,  will  seek 
to  command  a  wide  interest  by  virtue  of  entertaining  pro- 
grams and  at  the  same  time  will  hold  itself  subject,  under 
all  circumstances,  to  the  best  interests  of  the  industry  gen- 
erally. 

The  Paramount  company,  upon  various  occasions,  has 
exhibited  a  broad  and  understanding  vision,  and  it  is  there- 
fore logical  to  expect,  especially  in  view  of  the  proposed 
policy,  that  the  new  station  will  be  something  more  than 
an  advertisement  for  Paramount  pictures.  If  the  pro- 
jected policy  is  carried  into  effect  Paramount  will  not  suf- 
fer and  the  industry  at  large  will  be  greatly  helped. 

Contact  by  radio  with  the  public  has  developed  into  a 
tremendously  important  avenue  of  communication.  Be- 
cause of  the  complexities  of  the  radio  situation  the  motion 
picture  industry  up  to  this  time  has  been  left  without  an 
adequate  radio  voice.  Congestion  on  the  air  has  been 
rapidly  becoming  more  acute  and  unless  some  factor  in  the 
industry  were  to  take  early  steps  toward  the  establishment 
of  an  adequate  radio  voice  for  the  industry  it  is  conceiv- 
able that  at  some  later  day  the  industry  might  find  itself 
virtually  locked  off  the  air. 

Indirect  advertising  is  the  only  effective  type  of  radio 
advertising.  Hence,  it  will  be  possible  for  Paramount  to 
make  its  station  profitable  without  keeping  it  a  distinctly 
propaganda  agency,  thereby  leaving  time  and  opportunity 
for  dealing  with  important  matters  affecting  the  entire 
business. 

With  the  Paramount  station  conducted  as  it  promises  to 
be,  the  industry  will  find  itself  much  better  equipped  to 
defend  and  advance  its  most  vital  interests. 

Random  Publicity 

THE  profitable  day  of  the  individual  press  agent  in 
Hollywood  seems  to  be  drawing  rapidly  to  a  close. 
Several  of  the  leading  studios  have  introduced  regulations 
prohibiting  their  personalities  from  engaging  the  services 


of  press  agents,  causing  these  personalities  to  depend  ex- 
clusively for  publicity  aid  upon  the  efforts  of  the  regu- 
larly constituted  publicity  departments  of  the  various  com- 
panies. 

While  this  development  ushers  in  a  harsh  period  for 
many  willing  press  agents  who  have  been  making  a  liveli- 
hood through  getting  or  promising  pieces  in  the  papers, 
still  we  do  not  believe  that  it  will  induce  any  disastrous 
results  other  than  the  payroll  amputations  involved. 

The  fact  is  that  Hollywood  and  the  screen  personalities 
have  been  virtually  press-agented  to  death.  While  we 
know  to  a  certainty  that  there  have  been  operating  in  the 
picture  colony  many  capable  and  industrious  press  men 
and  press  women,  we  also  know  that  the  lure  of  easy 
money  has  attracted  a  horde  of  incompetents,  glib  in 
promises  and  barren  in  accomplishments.  An  imposing 
sum  of  money  has  been  extracted  annually  for  many  years 
by  this  latter  group.  In  the  vast  majority  of  cases  they 
have  accomplished  nothing  of  constructive  significance  and 
in  many  instances  their  tactless  activities  have  involved 
their  principals  and  associated  companies  in  manifold 
difficulties  and  embarrassments. 

It  is  extremely  important  that  the  character  of  the  pub- 
licity referring  to  pictures  and  picture  personalities  which 
is  sent  out  be  intelligently  gauged  and  controlled.  With 
a  horde  of  free  lances  operating,  each  of  indefinite  and 
vague  responsibility,  this  has  been  difficult  or  impossible. 

Art  Awards 

THE  plan  for  "distinction  awards"  for  accomplishments 
in  connection  with  production  which  has  been  evolved 
by  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences  is 
worthy  of  note.  These  awards  may  have  no  great  effect 
as  far  as  public  opinion  is  concerned  but  in  the  picture 
colony  they  will  go  a  long  way  toward  affording  encourag- 
ing recognition. 

These  awards  in  offering  something  besides  the  dollar 
mark  to  aim  for  cannot  help  but  exert  a  sound  and  con- 
structive influence. 

Fox-Poli 

THE  Poli  circuit  in  New  England,  which  has  long  been 
the  object  of  vigorous  negotiation  by  several  of  the 
principal  factors  in  the  industry,  now  comes  to  rest  under 
the  William  Fox  banner  and  there  is,  thereby,  recorded 
another  considerable  step  of  the  Fox  organization  in  en- 
trenching itself  in  the  theatre  market. 

In  product  and  in  theatre  expansion,  the  Fox  company 
continues  to  hold  the  eye  of  the  industry. 

The  Big  Argument 

COMPLETE  disagreement  continues  between  the  two 
schools  of  thought  on  dialogue  pictures:  One  group 
contends  that  the  silent  picture  is  complete  and  perfect 
in  itself  and  that  while  musical  accompaniment  will  help, 
dialogue  is  a  detriment.  The  other  group  asserts  that  the 
introduction  of  dialogue  opens  a  vast  new  sphere  for  the 
motion  picture  and  that  it  will  lead  to  new  and  greater 
heights. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  it  may  be  remembered  that 
both  groups,  at  this  early  date,  can  only  be  relying  upon 
opinion  and  not  upon  fact.  There  is  only  one  way  of  find- 
ing things  out  in  the  amusement  business,  and  that  is  by 
practical  test  before  the  public.  The  dialogue  picture  at 
this  time  is  precisely  in  its  infancy.  It  must  reach  some 
degree  of  maturity  before  its  significance  and  effectiveness 
can  be  determined. 

The  real  facts  of  the  situation  probably  will  not  be 
known  for  some  time,  because  certain  of  the  early  dialogue 
pictures  at  least  will  be  quickly  and  crudely  done  and 
upon  these  alone  no  real  conclusions  may  be  based. 

All  are  entitled  to  their  opinions,  and  one  side  or  the 
other  will  prove  eventually  correct.  But  at  this  time,  opin- 
ions, regardless  of  their  source,  are  only  opinions.  The 
practical  test  before  the  public  of  a  number  of  well-done 
subjects  alone  will  tell. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


17 


Chicago  Strike  Viewed  As  Part 
Of  Labor  Fight  on  Sound  Films 


Rowland  Is 
Out  of  FN; 
Plans  Trip 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Richard  A. 
Rowland,  general  and  production  man- 
ager of  First  National,  severs  his  con- 
nection with  the 
company  today  at 
the  conclusion  of 
his  contract.  Al- 
though no  state- 
ment has  been  is- 
sued either  by  Mr. 
Rowland  or  by 
Joseph  P.  Ken- 
nedy it  has  be- 
come known  that 
no  arrangements 
have  been  made 
for  a  renewal  of  Mr.  Rowland's  con- 
tract, and  therefore  his  connection 
with  First  National  is  at  an  end.  It  is 
understood  that  Mr.  Rowland  is  con- 
templating an  extended  trip  abroad. 


Richard    A.    Rowland 


Morosco  and  Tully  Must 
Pay  Woman  $781,891  for 
Making  *Bird  of  Paradise' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Oliver  Morosco, 
producer,  and  Richard  Walton  Tully,  play- 
wright, must  pay  $781,891  to  Mrs.  Grace  A. 
Fendler  for  producing  the  play  "The  Bird  of 
Paradise,"  which  Mrs.  Fendler  says  they  pla- 
giarized. 

The  referees  report,  filed  in  the  supreme 
court,  gives  this  figure  as  a  computation  of 
entire  profits  from  stage  and  screen  presenta- 
tions of  the  play  plus  interest.  The  order  to 
pay  was  issued  June  24,  1926,  after  Mrs. 
Fendler  had  won  a  suit  against  them. 


Exhibitor,  Back  Broken 
In  Auto  Accident,  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OAKLAND,  CAL.,  July  31.— W.  B.  Crooks, 
owner  of  the  Majestic  theatre,  Benecia,  Cal., 
is  dead  from  injuries  received  in  an  automo- 
bile accident  in  June.     His  back  was  broken. 


F.  W.  Murnau  Operated 

On  for  Appendicitis 

■     '    (Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PASADENA,    July    31.— F.  _  W.     Murnau, 
Fox  director,  was  suddenly  stricken  with  ap- 
pendicitis last  Friday  and  was  operated  on  at 
Pasadena  hospital. 

Famous  Picture  Loaned  tor  Set 

HOLLYWOOD. — A  Velasquez  painting,  property  of 
M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice-president  of  Tiffany-Stahl,  was 
loaned  by  him  to  dress  the  production  "The  Gun 
Runner,"  starring  Ricardo  Cortez. 


Electricians  Walk  Out  After 

Starting  Loop  Installations 

B  &  K  Chicago  and  U  A  Theatres  Affected — Musicians 
Wait  Until  Labor  Day,  Says  Petrillo 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

Indications  that  union  labor  is  bringing  its  various  organizations  to  bear 
in  an  effort  to  stem  the  tide  of  talking  pictures  and  mechanical  music  in  thea- 
tres, were  revealed  last  week  in  Chicago.  Electrical  workers  installing  syn- 
chronization apparatus  in  theatres  there  went  on  strike  in  what  is  admitted 
to  be  no  wage  controversy  but  a  move  in  line  with  the  general  attitude  of 
union  labor  in  opposition  to  the  innovation. 

Part  of  Equipment  Placed 

Several  houses  contemplating  early  inauguration  of  sound  films,  the  most 
prominent  being  Balaban  &  Katz'  Chicago  theatre  and  the  United  Artists 
theatre,  both  Loop  houses,  were  having  the  apparatus  installed.  The  Chicago 
expected  to  open  with  Paramount's  "Warming  Up"  this  week,  while  the  United 
Artists  scheduled  Pathe's  "King  of  Kings"  with  synchronization  for  a  run 
beginning  this  Friday.  Part  of  the  equipment  had  already  been  placed  when 
the  men,  members  of  the  International  Brotherhood  of  Electrical  Workers, 
walked  out. 


Up  to  Tuesday  conferences  to  get  the  men 
to  return  to  work  were  of  no  avail. 

At  offices  of  the  Chicago  union  of  the  Amer- 
ican Federation  of  Musicians,  James  C.  Pe- 
trillo, president  of  the  local,  declared  that  he 
was  in  no  position  to  state  the  relationship 
of  his  organization  to  the  electrical  workers' 
sound  film  strike.  He  did  not  wish  to  make 
any  comment  concerning  the  walkout,  he  said. 

According  to  Petrillo,  it  had  been  decided 
at  a  meeting  of  the  national  musicians'  union 
in  New  York,  from  which  he  has  just  re- 
turned, that  no  definite  and  concerted  action 
would  be  taken  by  the  national  body  concern- 
ing synchronization  until  after  Labor  Day,  a 
policy  of  "watchful  waiting"  to  be  purstied  in 
the  meantime.  However,  he  stated  that  the 
federation  was  leaving  each  member  unit  to 
work  out  its  own  local  problem. 

Sound  for  Nine  B  &  K  Houses 

Prominent  Chicago  theatres  which  already 
have  installed  sound  picture  apparatus  are 
Balaban  &  Katz'  Loop  houses,  the  Roosevelt 
and  McVickers,  and  a  neighborhood  house,  the 
Tivoli ;  the  Avalon  and  Capitol,  operated  by 
receiver  for  National  Playhouses ;  Marks 
Brothers'  Marbo  and  Granada;  Warner  Broth- 
ers' Orpheum  and  Fox's  Monroe,  the  latter 
two  being  Loop  houses.  Balaiban  &  Katz  has 
announced  a  policy  of  sound  pictures  for  all 
its  nine  major  theatres. 

Omaha  Sound  Shows  Reopen 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OMAHA,  July  31. — ^A  new  agreement  with 


motion  picture  projectionists  on  the  basis  of 
a  scale  of  $85  proved  the  "can  opener"  for 
"canned  music"  in  Omaha  after  a  silence  of 
many  weeks  in  synchronized  pictures. 

The  Rialto— A.  H.  Blank-Publix  house- 
reopened  the  synchronized  season  with  its 
Vitaphone  equipment  July  21.  The  Rialto 
also  is  installing  Movietone.  The  World,  with 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone,  but  quiet  for  some 
weeks,  returned  to  vocalized  films  Friday, 
July  27. 

The  Riviera,  newest  and  biggest  Blank- 
Publix  theatre  in  the  city,  is  installing  both 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  and  plans  to  offer 
the  public  this  added  attraction  August  3. 
Both  Blank-Publix  houses  are  installing  the 
latest  equipment. 

Says  Orchestra  Won't  Go 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS     CITY,     July     31.— "Orchestras 
won't  go   out"  says  the   Kansas   City   Star  in 
an    editorial    article    on    the    effect    of    syn- 
chronism. 

The  stand  the  musicians  are  taking  "that 
modern  mechanical  invention  is  driving  out 
one  of  the  world's  oldest  arts  is  untenable," 
declares  the  writer.  "It  has  been  heard  in  all 
ages  and  never  was  true.  The  contrary  is 
true,  in  fact,  as  witness  the  movies.  They 
have  provided  for  more  orchestras  than  ever 
were  known  before;  if  -the  new  movie  ad- 
junct that  makes  for  spoken  drama  on  the 
(Continued  on  page  26) 


In  This  Comer,  the  Public;  in  That,  Law; 

The  Prize,  Chance  to  See  Fight  Films 

The  Bght  over  £ght  £Ims  is  on  again.  The  last  "battle  of  the  century,"  the  Tun- 
ney-Heeney  affair  in  New  York  last  week,  is  being  followed,  as  usual,  by  that  other 
"battle  of  the  century,"  the  public-government  affair  throughout  the  Continent,  ac- 
cording to  reports. 

One  of  the  first  arrests  occurred  last  Saturday  in  Detroit,  where  John  Fisher, 
New  York  aviator,  surrendered  to  federal  authorities  on  a  charge  of  transporting 
pictures  of  the  Tunney-Heeney  bout  to  that  city.  Officials  stated  they  were  con- 
fident many  copies  of  the  negative  had  been  made  for  local  theatres.  No  convic- 
tions ever  have  been  obtained  on  similar  charges  in  Detroit. 

In  Ottawa,  Ont.,  Manager  Ray  Tubman  of  the  Regent  theatre,  tied  up  with  a 
radio  station  in  announcing  showings  of  the  £s:ht  films.  All  the  Equity  theatres  in 
Philadelphia  announced  radio  returns  of  the  fight  to  their  audiences. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


mm 


^BROADWAY—  A  mere  48,732  went  to 
^ji  the  Tunney-Heeney  fight,  and  that  would 
hardly  be  considered  a  house  where  Roxy 
counts  the  stubs.  .  .  .  But  for  the  picture 
crowd,  there  wouldn't  have  been  more  than 
about  9,532. 

lIThe  town  is  full  of  exhibitors  looking  for 
sound  equipment.  .  .  .  Or  maybe  they're  just 
bazaaring.  .  .  .  But  they  do  want  to  get  in 
on  the  sound  money.  .  .  .  Money  talks,  as 
usual. 

lIGotham  got  ofif  a  neat  publicity  beat  last 
week.  .  .  .  Extra !  All  about  Gene  Tunney 
at  the  Hippodrome  to  see  "United  States 
Smith."  .  .  .  Ho  hum.  He  hadn't  even  left 
Speculator. 

^Bob  Benchley's  old  lecture  on  "The  Sex 
Life  of  the  Polyp,"  with  the  nasty  word 
elided,  is  a  big  Fox  hit.  .  .  .  Bob  forgot  to 
leave  spaces  for  the  laughs  with  the  result 
that  he  is  half  way  through  the  lecture  before 
the  audience  recovers  from  the  first  two  mo- 
ments   of    hysteria. 

^John  Zaiift  moved  up  another.  .  .  .  He  will 
have  complete  supervision  of  the  newly  ac- 
quired Poli  chain  in  New  England.  .  .  .  Will 
probably  get  Roxy  to  fix  up  a  few  snappy 
prologues    for   him,   eh? 

IJPathe  has  a  national  campaign  all  set  to 
give  "The  King  of  Kings"  such  a  sendoff  as 
3'ou  never  saw  before.  .  .  .  More  than  300 
prints  are  being  prepared,  with  and  without 
sound. 

^Hal  Roach,  the  eminent  comedy  producer 
and  lefthanded  polo  player,  is  in  town  and 
will  probably  be  seen  until  the  middle  of 
September.  .  .  .  He  has  his  ears  open  also. 

fThe  newest  hunch  is  to  make  the  Broad- 
way plays  into  picture  plays  via  the  sound 
route.  .  .  A  great  idea,  combining  the  worst 
features  of  stage  and  screen.  .  .  .  What  good 
is  a  new  medium  if  you  don't  do  something 
with  it? 

IfWall  Street  has  been  interested  in  films. 

^Jack  Retlaw,  representative  of  the  West 
Coast  Theatres,  paid  a  visit  to  the  office  this 
week.  .  .  .  Jack  and  his  wife  drove  from  Los 
Angeles  to  New  York,  starting  last  April, 
visiting  the  key  cities  on  the  way.  .  .  .  Just 
the  guy  for  punishment,  he  is  going  to  drive 
home. 

^Capt.  Henry  Bate,  whose  modesty  keeps 
him  quietly  in  the  Universal  office,  was  in 
camp  and  in  command  when  the  young  Mex- 
ican, Carranza,  crashed  in  New  Jersey.  .  .  . 
The  Captain  took  charge. 

TIF  B  O  is  going  into  Cuba.  .  .  .  Ambrose 
S.  Dowling,  manager  of  the  F  B  O  Export 
Corporation,  closed  a  deal  last  week  with  the 
Cuban-American  Film  Company  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  F  B  O  product  in  Cuba. 

IfFox  came  through  with  a  combination  of 
color  and  sound  at  the  Gaiety  last  Wednesday. 
.  .  .  Very  interesting  indeed,  to  put  it  con- 
servatively. 

^Max  Fleischer,  given  some  measure  of 
fame  by  his  "Out  of  the  Inkwell,"  is  going  on 
the  radio.  ...  In  person. 

^Jhnmy  Grainger  and  Glendon  Allvine  ai'c 
on  their  way  West.  .  .  .  Grainger  will  talk 
turkey  in  Omaha  and  St.  Louis  and  Allvine 
will   listen   in   Los  Angeles. 

^The  Authors'  League  is  out  for  fun. 
Producers  who  bought  screen  rights,  so  they 
say,  didn't  buy  even  a  word  of  dialogue. 
Let's  go. 

PETER  VISCHER 


Spector  Returns  to  France 

NEW  YORK. — Jacques  Spector,  who  for  many 
years  represented  Universal  in  France  and  Belgium, 
and  who  came  to  this  country  a  year  ago  to  close 
several  theatre  and  distribution  deals,  has  returned 
to  France. 


Their  Deluge — and  Our  War 


T^HEY  sinned,  and  the  deluge  came  to 
J-  cleanse  the  world.  We  likewise — 
and  came  the  Great  War.  This  is  the 
theme  of  Warner  Brothers'  Vitaphone 
special,  "Noah's  Ark."  This  lavish  pro- 
duction stars  Dolores  Costello  and  fea- 
tures George  O'Brien.  Michael  Curtiz 
directed. 


Left:     Paul  McAllister  as  Noah  receiv- 
ing the  message  from  God. 

Above:    Dolores  Costello  and  George 
O'Brien  in  a  scene  of  our  day. 


Above:     Miss  Costello  and  O'Brien  as  lovers  in  the  earlier  period. 

Below:     The  ark  and  Noah,  through  whom  a  new  life  was  begun. 


/8^_  —-■*^.- — fc=i- — '                      •> 

;           ■■■/■ 

Bl 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Stanley  Re-Elects 
Rossheim;  Post  of 
Chairman  Dropped 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  31.— At  the  meet- 
ing of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Stanley 
Company  of  America,  the  following  officers 
were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year: 

Irving  D.  Rossheim,  president;  Simon  H. 
Fabian,  vice-president;  Morris  Wolf,  secre- 
tary; Nelson  Sloan,  assistant  secretary; 
James  I  Newman,  treasurer;  and  James  F. 
Bumham,  assistant  treasurer.  Newman  is 
vice-president  of  Loft,  Inc. 

The  post  of  chairman  of  the  board,  which 
was  occupied  by  John  J.  McGuirk,  former 
president  of  the  company,  was  eliminated  at 
this  meeting. 

Rossheim  stated  that  all  plans  and  policies 
outlined  at  the  recent  stockholders  meeting 
would  be  carried  out  and  expressed  an  opti- 
mistic feeUng  as  regards  Stanley's  present  fi- 
nancial condition. 


$3,900  Reward  Is  Divided 
In  Theatre  Usher  Slaying 

Two  members  of  Chicago's  police  depart- 
ment and  a  detective  bureau  squad  will  divide, 
with  a  man  whose  name  is  withheld,  the  $3,900 
reward  offered  for  the  capture  and  conviction 
of  the  slayers  of  Pearl  Eggerson,  usher  who 
was  slain  in  a  holdup  of  the  Ritz  theatre  at 
Berwyn,  111.  Four  youths  were  given  life 
sentences  for  the  crime. 


Rudolph  Radtke  Quits 

U  for  Keith  Orpheum 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Rudolph  Radtke, 
comptroller  for  Universal  theatres,  has  re- 
signed to  accept  a  berth  with  J.  J.  Ford,  assis- 
tant to  Joseph  Kennedy,  in  the  real  estate 
department  of  the  Keith  Orpheum  home  office. 


Several  Firemen  Hurt  in 
Stubborn  Theatre  Blaze 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SEATTLE,  July  31.— A  stubborn  fire  de- 
stroyed part  of  the  furnishings  of  Mike 
Lyons'  Playhouse  theatre.  Several  firemen 
were  injured.  The  damage  is  estimated  at 
$10,000.     The   cause   is  unknown. 


Iowa  Democrats  Ask  Hays 
Be  Ousted  as  Film  Chief 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DES  MOINES,  July  31.— Ousting  of  Will 
H.  Hays  as  "czar  of  the  movies"  is  asked  by 
Iowa  Democrats  in  a  plank  in  their  new  plat- 
form. 


Never  Got  Started 

What  was  to  have  been  an  important  addi- 
tion to  Chicago's  string  of  neighborhood  de- 
luxe motion  picture  theatres,  the  Admiral,  and 
which  is  now  practically  four  walls  and  a 
roof,  is  being  held  by  the  Union  Trust  Com- 
pany of  Chicago  in  satisfaction  of  first  mort- 
gage bonds.  The  equipment  and  furnishings 
have  been  removed  by  creditors,  and  the  the- 
atre, which  went  into  hands  of  the  receiver 
even  before  its  opening  a  year  ago,  is  not 
expected  ever  to  function  again  as  such. 


Katherine  Albert  Joins  Quirk 

NEW  YORK.— Katherine  Albert,  former  M  G  M 
writer,  has  joined  the  Quirk  publications  as  a  feature 
and  fiction  writer.  Mark  Larkin  is  western  editor 
of  the  Quirk  publications,  which  include  Photoplay, 
Smart   Set,  McClure's  and   Opportunity. 


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Here  is  the  organization  chart  of  First  National  studio  as  it  stood  before  the  etdvent  of 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy.  Among  changes  are  the  making  of  Al  Rockett  the  head  of  the  studio  as 

well  as  production  manager. 


Al  Rockett  Heads  F  N  Studios; 
Kennedy  Ousts  15  Executives 

Thompson  Resigns  as  Assistant  Production  Manager  and  Office  Is 
Theoretically  Abolished — G.  H.  Stout  Quits  as  Operating  Super- 
intendent— Accounting,  Research  and  Fimatone  Heads  Leave 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  3L — Joseph  P.  KeTinedy  announced  the  appointment 
of  Al  Rockett  as  the  new^  head  of  First  National  Studios  this  week,  effective 
immediately. 

Shakeup  Affects  15  Executives 

Kennedy  simultaneously  made  announcements  which  dislodged  15  people 
from  jobs  of  varying  magnitude  in  the  studios.  The  entire  shakeup  came  on 
Kennedy's  third  visit  to  the  picture  plant  during  his  recent  coast  trip.  It  was 
anticipated  to  some  degree  but  the  best  rumors  went  awry  when  compared  to 
the  actual  developments. 


Rockett,  in  addition  to  being  production 
manager,  will  have  entire  charge  of  operations, 
business  management  and  personnel.  Here- 
tofore he  has  been 
production  manager 
while  Watterson 
Rothacker,  who  re- 
signed several  weeks 
ago,  was  managing 
director.  Upon  Roth- 
acker's  departure 
Rockett  was  given 
temporary  charge  of 
all  production. 

David  H.  Thomp- 
son, assistant  produc- 
tion manager,  handed 
in  his  resignation 
Wednesday.  Bobby 
North  will  act  as  as- 
sistant to  Rockett. 
The  Thompson  job  is  theoretically  abolished. 


Al    Rockett 


Others  who  resigned  are  George  H.  Stout, 
operating  superintendent;  R.  W.  Allison,  head 
of  the  accounting  department;  Harriet  Mor- 
ris, head  of  the  research  department,  and 
Ralph  Poucher,  newly  appointed  head  of 
Finatone. 

Others  who  are  leaving  the  studios  are  of 
lesser  importance  but  all  are  classed  as  minor 
executives  of  various  departments.  Scenario 
writers,  directors  and  actors  have  been  dis- 
missed during  several  weeks  prior  to  the  visit 
of  Kennedy. 

Rockett  first  became  known  as  the  producer 
of  "Abraham  Lincoln."  Following  its  release 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  production  in  the 
Biograph  studios  in  the  East.  When  produc- 
tion was  discontinued  in  that  plant  he  was 
transferred  to  Burbank,  where  for  15  months 
he  has  been  the  active  production  head. 

Who  will  be  chosen  to  fill  the  vacated  posi- 
tions in  First  National  studio's  official  family 
is  still  to  be  announced. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Phone  Miss  Moore  If  Film  Is  Lost; 
She^ll  Send  Bevy  of  Beauties 


N 


New  Orleans  Winner  of  21   Prizes  Launches  Bathing  Girl  Revues  Into. 
"Big  Business"  Class — Signs  Title  Holder 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 

EW  ORLEANS,  July  3L — There's  a  new  profession  under  the  sun  and 
Gladys  Moore  of  New  Orleans  is  its  pioneer.  She  is  the  bathing  girl 
revue  impresario.  "Please  send  me  one  bathing  revue."  Telephone 
that  order  to  Miss  Moore  if  the  film  is  lost  and  she  will  fill  it  as  auicklv  3c 
your  ice  man  will  fill  an  order  for  a  load  of  relief. 
"\/OU   can   order   a  six-girl  bathing   revue      Michael   I.   Pupin,   Owen   D.   Young. 

The  amateur  would  load  his  camera  with  the 
new  process  film,  place  a  color  filter  over  the 
film,  and  shoot. 

"The  color  filter,  with  separate  red,  green 
and  blue  areas,  is  slipped  into  the  lens  in  place 
of  the  ordinary  hood,"  Dr.  C.  E.  K.  Mees  ex- 
plained. "Light  reflected  from  the  subject 
passes  selectively  through  the  color  filter,  on 
through  the  camera  lens  and  thence  through 
the  tiny  embossed  lenses  to  the  sensitive  emul- 
sion coating  on  the  opposite  side,  where  it  is 
recorded.  The  lenses  embossed  on  the  film 
guide  the  light  rays  and  lay  them  on  the  sen- 
sitive emulsion  as  three  distinct  impressions 
in  three  parallel  vertical  strips." 


J-  or  a  35-girl  event.     However,  you  might 

|as  well  take  'em  wholesale,  as  six  cost  as 

■  much  as  35.     Miss  Moore  made  her  debut 

,'in    the    bathing    girl    revue    less    than    three 

'years  ago,  but  she  has  had  a  brilliant  career. 

She    is    now   probably   more    widely   known 

I  than  any  princess  of  the  pulchritude  in  the 

!  country.     After  winning  honor  after  honor, 

plenty    of    cash    and    17    cups.    Miss    Moore 

decided  to  put  revues  in  the  "big  business" 

;  class. 

Has  Monopoly  of  Beauties 

I      Atlantic  City  has  discontinued  the  bathin!? 
[.revues   which   it   formerly   held   every  year, 
land     Galveston     is    now    the    international 
bathing   revue   capital.      In   addition,   revues 
are  held  in  practically  every  town  and  city 
:  of  any  size  in  the  country.     It  is  estimated 
'.that  bathing  revues  were  part  of  the  enter- 
tainment  features   of  more   than  2,000   con- 
;ventions  in  the  last  six  months. 
'      In     New     Orleans     Miss     Moore     has     a 
;  monopoly  of  the  beauties.     She  now  has  in 
;  her  "stable"  nearly  three  dozen  "fillies"  who 
have    won    prizes.      Thev    arrange    in    age 
from  11  to  20.     The  11-year-old  girl.  Cherry 
Blossom    Preisser,    is    an    exception.      The 
youngest  are  about  15.     In  a  recent  contest 
on  the   Gulf  Coast  Miss   Preisser  was  tied 
for    first     honors    with     a    young    married 
woman.     The   two   flipped  a   coin   and   the 
younger  entrant  lost. 

A  Regular  George  Cohan  Girl 

"I  am  a  very  busy  girl,"  said  Miss  Moore. 
"My  whole  life  has  been  one  big  excite- 
ment. Perhaps  that's  because  I  was  born 
on  the  Fourth  of  July.  Right  now  I  am 
making  plans  for  a  big  show  at  the  South- 
ern Championship  meet  at  the  Edgewater 
hotel,  Biloxi,  and  the  fall  festival  at  Rights- 
ville  Beach,  Wilmington,  N.  C.  Meantime 
I  am  keeping  an  eye  on  the  prospects 
among  the  new  crop  of  girls." 

The  title  "girls"  in  Miss  Moore's  person- 
nel include  "Miss  Louisiana,"  "Miss  Missis- 
sippi," "Miss  Biloxi,"  "Miss  Baton  Rouge," 
"Miss  Pontchartrain,"  "Miss  Gulf  Coast." 


M  G  M  Expects  DeMille 
To  Sign  But  There's  Still 
Doubt  of  an  Agreement 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  is  expecting  Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  pro- 
ducer, to  sign  a  contract  today,  according  to 
trustworthy  sources.  However,  it  is  under- 
stood there  is  still  a  trace  of  doubt  whether 
he  will  come  to  an  agreement. 


Ministers  Lead  Renewal 
Of  Sunday  Show  Fights 

The  fight  over  Sunday  shows  flared  up 
again  this  week  in  several  Iowa  and  Missouri 
cities.  At  Ames,  Iowa,  congregations  of  vari- 
ous churches  contributed  to  a  fund  of  $1,000 
to  fight  a  new  ordinance  permitting  Sunday 
opening,  passed  over  the  mayor's  veto  by  the 
council.  At  Conway,  Iowa,  church  services 
are  held  each  Sunday  night  in  an  open  air 
theatre,  pictures  following  the  services. 

At  Columbia,  Mo.,  pastors  have  combined 
to  oppose  Sunday  shows,  which  will  be  voted 
upon  soon. 


Eastman  Shows  How 
Amateur  Can  Take  Color 
Films  with  New  Process 

(S fecial  to  the  Herald-World) 
ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.,  July  31.— A  new 
process  to  enable  amateur  photographers  to 
make  colored  motion  pictures  was  demon- 
strated yesterday  by  George  Eastman  before  a 
group  which  included  Thomas  A,  Edison,  Gen. 
John    J.    Pershing,    Hiram    P.    Maxim,    Prof. 


Police  Make  Depositions 
In  Mechanical  Music  Suit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  31.— Depositions  of  Pohce 
Commissioner  Frank  Magoon  and  Former 
Commissioner  Arthur  Freund,  were  taken 
Thursday  before  a  special  commissioner  in  the 
$40,000  damage  suit  brought  by  Emil  P. 
IBafunno,  a  union  musician,  against  the  Board 
of  Police  Commissioners  and  the  owners  of 
the  Senate  theatre  for  alleged  unlawful  arrest 
and  prosecution,  following  the  arrest  of  Ba- 
funno  and  eight  others  in  a  demonstration 
against  mechanical  music. 


Trade  Body's  Jurisdiction  Is  Challenged 

In  West  Coast's  Denial  of  Restraint  Acts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  31.— Restraint  of  trade  charges  against  West  Coast  Thea- 
tres and  17  other  California  houses  were  denied  yesterday  in  a  brief  filed  with  the 
Federal  Trade  Commission,  which  made  the  complaint.  Jurisdiction  of  the  com- 
mission was  challenged,  the  brief  declaring  it  had  failed  to  prove  a  monopoly 
existed. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

ASTOR — "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas,"  a 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  production.  With  synchronized 
score. 

STRAND — "At  Yale,"  a  Pathe  picture  starring  Rod 
La  Rocque,  from  a  picture  by  Owen  Davis.  With 
Vitaphone   novelties. 

CAPITOL — "Beau  Broadway,"  a  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  comedy  with  Aileen  Pringle  and  Lew  Cody. 
Malcolm   St.    Clair   wrote   the  film   and   directed   it. 

PARAMOUNT— "Loves  of  an  Actress,"  starring 
Pola  Negri.  With  synchronized  sound,  but  no  dia- 
logue. 

CENTRAL — "Lilac  Time,"  a  First  National  pro- 
duction starring  Colleen  Moore.  Sound  effects  and 
synchronized   score. 

HIPPODROME— "The  Port  of  Missing  Girls,"  a 
Brenda  picture. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

CRITERION— "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  Au- 
gust  12,  1927. 

EMBASSY— "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May    17,    1928. 

WARNERS— "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers,  opened  June  IS. 

GLOBE— "The  Red  Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25. 

ROXY — "Street  Angel,"  Fox,  revived  July  14. 

RIVOLI — "Warming  Up,"  Paramount,  started  July 
14  at   Paramount. 

RIALTO — "The  Racket,"  Paramount,  with  Thomas 
Meighan  and  Louis  Wolheim,  revived. 

CAMEO — "Czar  Ivan  the  Terrible"  and  "Potem- 
kin,"   revived  July   28. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "The  Bear's 
Wedding,"   a   Russian   picture,   revived  July   28. 

55th  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "Streets  of  Sorrow" 
and  "Forbidden  Paradise,"  each  revived  for  half  a 
week. 


Three  Quit  United  Artists 
Publicity  Posts;  Phelps  Is 
Left  in  Complete  Charge 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— John  Miles,  Lulu 
Case  Russell  and  Beulah  Livingstone  have  re- 
signed their  publicity  posts  with  United  Art- 
ists, leaving  Russell  Phelps  in  charge  of  the 
entire  publicity  offices  of  the  company. 


UFA  Eastern  Ready  to 
Open  Philadelphia  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Final  arrangements 
have  just  been  completed  by  W.  C.  Herrmann 
and  David  Brill  of  U  F  A  Eastern  Division 
Distribution,  Inc.,  for  the  opening  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia exchange  at  1220  Vine  Street,  under 
the  supervision  of  Jack  Meyers.  This  is  the 
third  exchange  this  company  is  now  operating. 
In  August  branches  will  be  operating  in 
Washington,  Boston,  New  Haven,  Pittsburgh 
and  New  York.  Herrmann  is  now  in  Buffalo 
negotiating  for  the  opening  of  an  exchange  in 
that  city. 

With  the  opening  of  an  office  in  the'  above 
city,  this  will  bring  the  UFA  Eastern  Dis- 
tributing list  of  exchanges  up  to  three,  oper- 
ating in  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Buffalo. 


Warners  Name  Soloman 
Assistant  Studio  Manager 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLY\yOOD,  July  31.— "Doc"  Soloman, 
newly  appointed  assistant  to  William  Koenig, 
Warner  Brothers  studio  manager,  started 
with  the  company  ten  years  ago  sweeping 
stages. 


Ralph  Forbes  Is  III 

In  Hollywood  Hospital 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,   July   31.  — Ralph   Forbes, 
actor,  is  ill  at  a  Hollywood  hospital.    His  con- 
dition is  reported  dangerous. 


II 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Sunday  Shows  Ran 
In  Relays;  Arrests 
Follow  in  Same  Way 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

MARTINS  FERRY,  O.,  July  31.— The  ad- 
vertised intentions  of  motion  picture  theatre 
owners  to  open  their  houses  on  a  Sunday 
resulted  in  seven  arrests  and  a  lively  time 
for  the  police  department  of  Martins  Ferry. 
The  report  that  if  the  theatres  attempted  to 
operate  on  Sunday  arrests  would  follow, 
caused  many  people  to  throng  the  downtown 
streets  during  the  day. 

Promptly  at  1 :30  p.  m.  the  two  theatres,  the 
Fenray  and  Elzane,  opened  for  business.  At 
1 :45  Chief  of  Police  J.  W.  Muhleman  ar- 
rested Louis  F.  Eick,  manager  of  the  Fenray, 
and  Carl  Koehnline,  manager  of  the  Elzane, 
together  with  operators:  at  each  house.  While 
they  were  being  taken  before  Mayor  Howard 
Duff  others  stepped  in  their  places  and  arrests 
were  made  during  all  afternoon. 

Mayor  Duff  warned  those  arrested  that  he 
was  going  away  during  the  afternoon  and 
would  not  be  able  to  accept  bond,  so  those 
arrested  later  were  compelled  to  remain  in 
jail  until   10 :30  o'clock  that  night. 

At  the  hearing  next  day,  all  were  repre- 
sented by  Attorney  Gordon  D.  Kinder  and 
pleaded  not  guilty.  They  were  bound  over  to 
the  grand  jury.  There  is  talk  that  efforts 
in  retaliation  will  be  made  to  have  the  mayor 
close  all  places  of  business  on  Sunday. 


Writ  Asked  to  Prevent 
Collection  of  Seat  Tax 
By  South  Carolina  Board 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SPARTANBURG,  July  31.— Legal  proceed- 
ings testing  validity  of  the  state  amusement 
tax  placed  on  theatre  tickets  were  started  in 
Greenville  Friday  when  Judge  T.  J.  Mauldin 
was  petitioned  by  attorneys  representing  the 
Omar  theatre  of  Spartanburg  for  a  temporary 
injunction  restraining  collection  of  the  tax  by 
the    South   Carolina   tax   commission. 

The  petition  set  forth  that  the  ten  per  cent 
amusement  tax  was  unconstitutional  because 
the  state  legislation  authorizing  the  tax  did 
not  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives 
as  is  required  of  all  revenue  measures.  It  is 
also  alleged  that  the  act  did  not  pass  three 
readings  in  both  the  House  and  the  Senate. 

Judge  Mauldin  has  issued  an  order  staying 
action  on  the  petition  for  an  injunction  until 
a  case  of  like  nature  now  pending  in  the 
supreme  court  is  decided. 


Fox  Quitting  Westerns; 
Denies  Signing  Thomson 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Neither  Fred 
Thomson  nor  any  other  Western  star  has  just 
joined  Fox,  says  the  home  office  in  reply  to 
persistent  rumors  that  Thomson  is  going  to 
the  Fox  roster.  Rex  Bell  has  finished  "The 
Girl-Shy  Cowboy,"  third  of  his  pictures  for 
Fox  and  he  will  make  seven  for  next  season. 
Fox  appears  to  be  retiring  from  the  West- 
ern market,  says  the  statement,  which  adds 
that  no  Westerns  except  those  of  Rex  Bell 
have  been  scheduled. 


Pair  Gags  Janitor,  Blows 
Theatre  Safes,  Gets  $250 

Two  bandits  early  Tuesday  bound  and 
gagged  a  janitor  and  his  wife,  blew  two  safes 
in  the  Tiffin  theatre,  Chicago  suburban  house, 
and  fled  with  $250.  They  missed  $500  in  an 
inner  compartment.  The  janitor,  Ernest  Win- 
terstein,  said  the  pair  was  waiting  in  the  thea- 
tre when  he  and  his  wife  arrived  at  3  a.  m. 


Know 
Your 

Synchronizing 
Devices! 


CI  Like   any   new   and   far-reaching   development,   the 
synchronization  of  sound  and  motion  pictures  has 
created  a  new  problem  for  the  layman  who,  in  this  in- 
stance, is  the  theatre  man  and  the  producer. 

C[  Naturally,  synchronization  has  made  necessary  the 
creation  of  new  devices,  both  for  the  studio  and  for 
the  theatre,  and  it  is  important  that  the  layman  (pro- 
ducer and  exhibitor)  have  a  thorough  knowledge  o£ 
this  equipment. 

C[  In  line  with  its  progressive  policy,  the  Herald- World, 
through  its  department,  "Synchronized  Pictures," 
and  through  its  "School  of  Synchronization  and  Ampli- 
fication," has  established  a  point  of  contact  between  the 
layman  and  the  producer  of  sound  equipment. 

Now,  in  order  that  the  motion  picture  industry  may 
acquaint  itself  with  the  latest  developments  in  sound 
reproduction,  the  Herald-World,  adhering  to  its  pro- 
gressive policy,  will  publish  a  complete  "Synchronize 
tion  Service  Manual"  in  its  issue  of — 


AUQUST 
ElQHTEENTH 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


The  Modern  Executive 

gTt  A  theatre  chain  president  who  devotes  his  spare  moments  to  painting — 
111  that's  Samuel  Pinanski,  head  of  the  New  England  Theatres  Operating 
Company,  which  speedily  is  coming  to  the  fore  along  the  Atlantic  seaboard. 
Pinanski  and  the  new  type  of  showmanship  which  he  personifies  are  described 
in  the  following  article  by  George  Brinton  Beal,  associate  dramatic  editor  of  the 
Boston  Post. 


By  GEORGE  BRINTON  BEAL 

LIKE  everything  else,  the  showman  is  changing  with  the  times.     No  longer 
do  you  expect  to  find  a  big-hatted,  loud-voiced  individual  glad-handing 
^  you  into  your  favorate  theatre.     No  longer  does  this  same  type  of  show- 
man sit  in  the  seats  of  the  mighty  in  show  business  and  direct  its  activities. 

LIKE  the  dodo,  he  is  done.  Picturesque  he 
■*  was,  and  it  is  with  a  certain  regret  that 
we  must  exclude  him  from  the  picture  today. 
But  the  show  business 


has  no  place  for  him. 
In  his  place  has  come 
a  new  type  of  show- 
man. 

In  just  one  thing 
this  new  showman 
resembles  his  prede- 
cessor on  the  job. 
He  has  learned  the 
business  from  the 
bottom  up.  His  staut, 
however,  was  dif- 
ferent. For  the  most 
part  he  is  college 
educated.  And  he  has 
fads  that  would  have 
caused  his  big-hatted 
ancestor    in    the    front 


Samusl  Pinanski 

of    the    house    to 


spit 


his    disgust,    house    rules    or    no    house    rules. 

As  an  example  of  this  new  type  of  show- 
man, Samuel  Pinanski,  president  of  the 
rapidly  expanding  New  England  Theatres 
Operating  Company,  provides  an  _  excellent 
specimen  for  study.  In  his  spare  time,  what 
there  is  of  it,  and  there  is  precious  little,  he 
puts  on  a  smock  and  paints  pictures. 

He  paints  because  he  loves  beauty.  He 
likes  to  create  beauty.  And  in  the  process  of 
creating,  he  finds  opportunity  for  contempla- 
tion and  thought  that  was  denied  his  more 
strenuous  prototype  of  the  past.  For  it  is 
in  thinking,  in  the  seeing  of  visions,  that  this 
growing  man  of  the  theatre  differs  most 
radically  from  all  that  has  gone  before  him. 
Poet    Plus    Business    Man 

Seeing  visions,  painting  pictures,  loving 
poetry  and  beautiful  things  are  not  new  to 
humanity.  Men  before  Pinanski  have  done 
all  of  these  things.  In  finding  the  richness 
of  contemplation,  he  has  discovered  nothing 
that  thousands  of  philosophers  since  the  first 
have  not  known,  and  practiced.  That  is  not 
what  marks  the  Pinanski  type  as  something 
distinctive  in  the  trend  of  show  business. 
That  is  but  a  part  of  it. 

The  real  difference  in  the  Pinanski  type 
is  that  here,  at  least,  is  found  a  man  who  is 
not  only  a  poet  and  a  lover  of  the  beautiful, 
but  a  poet  and  lover  of  the  beautiful  who  has 
the  sound  business  sense,  the  financial  ability 
and  shrewdness  to  make  his  dreams  come  true. 

Artist  that  he  is — and  those  who  have 
worked  with  him  from  the  time  he  first  led 
an  orchestra,  in  the  days  when  he  turned  the 
crank  of  the  motion  picture  machine,  in  the 
days  of  discovery  and  glad  adventure_  when 
he  gave  Boston  its  first  stage  presentation,  in 
the  days  when  he  set  the  high  example  to  his 
fellow  managers  by  putting  on  evening  clothes 
not  only  for  opening  nights,  but  for  every 
night,  will  attest  to  his  artistry — he  is  at  all 
times  the  sound  and  calculating  business  man. 

Firm  and  Purposeful 

Like  Roger  Babson,  who  can  see  no  reason 
why  religion  and  business  cannot  travel  in 
psfrfect  harmony  and  for  mutual  good,  Samuel 


Pinanski    would    likewise    couple    beauty    and 
business,  to  the  same  fine  end. 

As  an  executive  he  is  firm  and  purposeful. 
He  dreams  his  dreams  and  proceeds  to  put 
them  into  actuality.  But  he  does  not  take  the 
steamroller  method.  Always  a  smiling, 
smooth-speaking  gentleman,  he  listens  patiently 
to  opposition.  He  listens  patiently  to  the  roar 
of  discord  with  which  some  of  his  dearest 
dreams  have  been  greeted  by  men  of  lesser 
vision.  He  listens  and  reflects.  And  in  that 
quiet  reflection  he  finds  the  secret  weakness 
of  that  opposition.  Then  quietly,  kindly,  he 
points  out  that  error. 

A   Community  Asset 

On  the  other  hand,  Pinanski,  as  typifying 
again  the  modern  executive  showman,  is  no 
despot.  He  has  no  official  equivalent  of  the 
tyrant's  "off  with  their  heads."  When  a  man 
opposes  him,  and  he  finds  that  man's  opposi- 
tion right,  he  yields  to  him  with  the  same 
grace  that  he  wins.  But  when  he  is  right, 
and  he  knows  he  is  right,  there  is  no  yielding. 

The  Pinanski  vision  goes  far  along  the  way 
to  better  motion  pictures,  and  the  development 
of  a  theatre  that  shall  mean  more  and  more 
to  the  social  life  of  the  country.  Always  he 
would  have  that  theatre  a  place  of  beauty. 
A  ticket  bought  at  the  entrance  to  a  Pinanski 
theatre  should  mean  a  veritable  magic  carpet 
that  will  take  the  holder  into  a  fairyland  of 
enjoyment.  Down  would  come  the  walls  of 
the  theatre,  in  their  place  would  rise  beau- 
tifully painted  vistas.  Away  forever  would  go 
the  ugly  back  wall  of  the  theatre.  In  its 
place  would  be  fabricated  a  vision  of  beauty 
even  more  attractive  than  that  presented  by 
the  stage. 

Back    Wall    Big    Factor 

"It  is  a  picture  of  the  back  wall  of  the 
theatre  that  you  carry  away  with  you,"  points 
out  Pinanski.  "That  should  be  a  beautiful 
picture.  You  do  not  leave  the  theatre  back- 
wards, gazing  at  the  elaborately  decorated 
proscenium.  You  turn  away  from  its  lavish 
delights  and  carry  with  you  into  the  work-a- 
day  world  outside  just  a  memory  of  plain, 
and  sometimes  ugly,  painted  back  walls.  I 
would  change  that." 

Many  motion  picture  executives  of  the 
present  day  have  borne,  and  rightfully  so,  the 
stigma  of  being  "merely  business  men."    They 

(Continued  on  page   52) 


Claims  Invention  of 
Practical  Paper  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BERLIN,  July  28.— A  Berlin  en- 
gineer announces  that  after  tests 
over  a  period  of  several  years  he  has 
succeeded  in  perfecting  a  paper  £Im. 
He  declares  it  is  as  capable  of  reg- 
istering light  as  celluloid  and  that 
it  is  non-inflammable.  It  is  said  to 
be  cheaper  than  celluloid  film,  and 
the  Schwerin  studio  states  that  the 
invention  will  revolutionize  the  Glm 
industry. 


Independent  Downtown 
House  Opens  in  Portland 
With  Gotham  Attraction 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  31.— Doors  of 
the  handsome  new  Capitol  theatre,  latest 
downtown  theatre  here,  opened  to  a  large 
crowd.  Gotham's  "Blondes  by  Choice," 
starring  Claire  Windsor  and  Walter  Hiers 
was  the  major  screen  attraction.  The 
Capitol  is  owned  by  A.  B.  Germain  of 
Seattle,   and   operated   independently. 

Ray  Lucas,  organist,  made  his  bow  to  the 
public  as  musical  director,  offering  a  series 
of  musical  novelties  at  the  Kilgen  organ. 
Mayor  Frank  Edwards  of  Seattle,  and 
Mayor  George  Baker  of  Portland,  both  for- 
merly identified  with  the  theatrical  business 
in  the  Pacific  Northwest,  felicitated  Man- 
ager Akin  on  his  new  house,  which 
promises  to  be  one  of  the  outstandingly 
popular  show  houses. 

The  Khorassen  Four,  a  male  quartet, 
rendered  some  quality  numbers.  The  popu- 
lar price  scale  of  25  and  15c  will  prevail, 
with  twice-a-week  changes. 


6  Burned  in  Explosion; 
2  Near  Death;  175  Flee 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PROVIDENCE,  July  31— Six  men  were 
severely  burned,  one  of  them  Max  Hyman 
local  representative  of  the  Loew  theatre  in- 
terests, while  175  other  workmen  fled  to  the 
street  in  terror,  when  an  explosion  occurred 
in  an  oil  transformer  switch  at  the  new  Loew 
theatre  in  the  heart  of  the  business  district. 
Two  of  the  six  men  burned  are  not  expected 
to  live.  Hyman  who  was  burned  about  the 
head  and  body,  is  in  a  critical  condition  but 
hospital  officials  say  he  has  even  chances  for 
recovery.  The  accident  was  due  to  a  fault 
in  the  transformer,  according  to  Ralph  W. 
Eaton,   engineer  who   investigated. 

The  transformer,  carrying  11,000  volts,  was 
in  a  fireproof  room  in  the  basement,  but  the 
door  to  the  room,  opening  into  the  coal 
pockets,  was  apparently  left  open.  Had  it 
been  closed,  the  three  men  in  the  room  at 
the  time  of  the  explosion  would  have  been 
burned  to  death,  it  is  declared. 


Reisman  Finds  Trade 

Conditions  Improving 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Phil  Reisman,  gen- 
eral sales  manager  of  Pathe,  who  leaves  this 
week  on  a  trip  to  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  To- 
ronto and  Montreal,  reports  that  he  finds  con- 
ditions in  the  trade  much  improved.  Exhibi- 
tors seem  much  more  optimistic  than  they  did 
several  months  back,  he  declares. 

Not  only  is  business  good  on  "The  King  of 
Kings,"  he  states,  but  on  all  Pathe  product. 
In  addition  to  100  per  cent  bookings  in  Keith 
Orpheum  houses,  the  Stanley  circuit,  the 
Maine  and  New  Hampshire  circuit,  the  Libson 
circuit  and  the  Skouras  houses  in  Indianapolis 
have  been  closed  on  all  the  Pathe  product,  as 
well  as  many  other  leading  chains,  he  reports. 


Sniff  Fire!  It's  Rubber 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OTTAWA,  ONT.,  July  31.— Excitement 
reigned  at  B.  F.  Keith's  theatre  here  last 
week,  when  smoke  was  observed  and  a  pun- 
gent odor  sniffed.  Investigation  showed  the 
source  of  the  smoke  to  be  a  garage  on  a  near- 
by street.  Mechanics  were  burning  discarded 
tires  in  the  furnace,  and  the  smoke  from  the 
chimney  was  drawn  into  the  theatre  through 
the  ventilators  on  the  roof. 


Fetes   Tenth  Anniversary 

BERKELEY.  CAL. — The  tenth  anniversary  of  the 
opening  of  the  U.  C.  theatre  was  celebrated  last  Week 
with  a  special  program  and  an  hour  of  music  over 
radio  station  KRE. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


WILLIAM   J.   SWEENEY 

Hummell  Is  Made  Sales 
Head  of  First  Division; 
Noah  Beery  to  Make  3 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Howard  Hummell 
has  been  appointed  general  sales  manager  of 
First  Division  Distributors.  This  firm  also 
announces  that  it  will  release  three  specials 
featuring  Noah  Berry. 

The  first  of  these  features,  all  of  which  will 
be  completed  and  released  during  the  next 
year,  is  now  in  the  course  of  construction 
under  the  direction  of  Fred  Windermere  and 
being  supervised  by  Raymond  Wells. 

According  to  the  plan  of  Robert  Furst, 
president  of  First  Division,  it  is  the  ourpose 
of  the  company  to  release  at  least  eight  fea- 
ture length  photoplays  for  the  coming  year  to 
the  independent  market.  A  year  book  cover 
ing  the  product  is  now  in  preparation,  to  be 
released  to  the  trade  next  month. 


Veterans   Vote  Protest 
Of  Censor  "Dawn"  Ban 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

TORONTO,  July  31.— Twenty- two  branches 
of  the  Canadian  Legion  in  Ontario  have 
passed  resolutions  favoring  the  showing  of 
"Dawn,"  following  an  announcement  that  the 
feature  had  been  condemned  by  the  Ontario 
board  of  censors.  An  appeal  from  the  deci- 
sion has  been  made  by  Canadian  Educational 
Films,  Ltd.,  which  holds  the  Canadian  dis- 
tribution rights.  No  announcement  has  been 
made  as  to  the  outcome. 

"Dawn"  has  been  passed  in  Manitoba,  but 
has  been  rejected  by  the  censor  of  Saskatche- 
wan. 


San  Francisco  Chamber 
Asks  Light  Saving  Vote 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  July  31.— While  the 
daylight  saving  proposition  failed  of  passage 
locally  this  year  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
an  effort  is  being  made  to  make  it  a  statewide 
question  and  an  initiative  petition  is  being  cir- 
culated by  the  Junior  Chamber  of  Commerce 
to  put  the  measure  on  the  November  ballot. 
The  daylight  saving  straw  ballot  taken 
throughout  San  Francisco's  business  and  in- 
dustrial plants  indicated  a  majority  in  favor 
of  the  plan,  but  opponents  of  the  plan  declare 
that  the  farmer  vote  will  snow  it  under,  if  it 
is  placed  on  the  state  ballot. 


William  J.  Sweeney  Is  Dead; 
Veteran  Exhibitor  Organizer 

Former   Theatre    Owner   Helped   Form   First   National   Body   in 

1911 — Played  Large  Part  in  Reuniting  Organization  at 

Dayton — Gave  Chicago  First  Picture  Show 

William  J.  Sweeney  is  dead.  Death  came  to  the  veteran  Chicago  theatre 
owner  and  national  exhibitor  organizer  following  a  long  fight  against  illness 
that  was  lost  after  a  heart  attack  last  Thursday. 

Funeral  Conducted  Saturday 

Men  who  had  followed  the  development  of  the  industry  from  its  beginning, 
and  had  known  the  important  part  that  he  had  played  in  its  unfoldment,  met 
with  young  exhibitors  and  exchange  men  who  had  learned  to  love  him  just  as 
well  as  the  others,  through  association  with  him  in  his  most  recent  duties  with 
the  Illinois  Exhibitors'  Association  and  the  Exhibitors'  Association  of  Chicago, 
of  which  he  was  office  manager,  Saturday  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  "Bill" 
Sweeney,  as  he  was  affectionately  known  throughout  the  trade. 

latter  triumphing  at  Cleveland  in   June,   1919, 
with  Sydney  S.  Cohen  as  president. 


Funeral  services  were  conducted  at  10  a.  m. 
at  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  Chicago  Loop 
where  "Bill"  Sweeney  had  served  the  indus- 
try all  his  life.  Burial  followed  at  Calvary 
cemetery.     He  is   survived   by   only  his  wife. 

Aided  First  Move  to  Organize 

Every  phase  of  exhibitors'  problems  was 
know  to  "Bill"  Sweeney  by  experience,  and 
in  later  years  by  experience  gained  under  the 
handicap  of  illness.  From  Coast  to  Coast  his 
name  is  known  for  his  accomplishments  in 
organization  of  exhibitors  for  protection  of 
their  interests,  accomplishments  as  old  as  ex- 
hibitor organization  itself.  He  took  an  im- 
portant role  in  the  first  move,  back  in  1911, 
when  in  August  fifty  exhibitors  convened  in 
Cleveland  and  made  preliminary  plans  at  the 
call  of  the  late  M.  A.   Neff  of   Cincinnati. 

"Bill"  Sweeney  and  Charles  Anderson  pre- 
vailed upon  the  Cleveland  meeting  to  select 
Chicago  for  the  convention  for  permanent  or- 
ganization. How  well  these  two  and  their 
associates  promoted  the  Chicago  meeting  was 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that  more  than  400  ex- 
hibitors gathered  at  the  Hotel  LaSalle  in  July, 
1912,  and  perfected  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
hibitors League  of  America,  with  Neff  as 
president. 

Brings  Illinois  Back  Into  Fold 

When  the  second  convention  was  held  the 
next  year  in  New  York,  Illinois  was  one  of 
several  large  states  which  seceded  in  pro- 
test against  what  they  considered  an  arbitrary 
attitude  on  the  part  of  the  league's  president, 
and  formed  their  own  organization,  the  Inter- 
national Motion  Picture  Exhibitors'  Associa- 
tion. 

Again  in  1914  is  seen  the  hand  of  "Bill" 
Sweeney  in  working  for  unity  of  exhibitors 
when  at  the  July  meeting  of  the  M.  P.  E.  L.  A. 
at  Dayton  he  was  named  on  the  committee  of 
the  I.  M.  P.  E.  A.  effecting  a  compromise 
which  eventuated  with  disbandment  of  Inter- 
national. From  that  point,  exhibitor  history 
trailed  through  the  split  at  St.  Louis  in  1918 
and  appearance  of  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
hibitors of  America,  formation  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Exhibitors  of  America,  and  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America,  the 


Familiar  to  Conventioners 

"Bill"  Sweeney  was  a  familiar  figure  at 
those  gatherings,  familiar  not  only  on  the  con- 
vention floor  with  his  affable  and  kindly  self 
but  also  in  the  committee  rooms  where  the 
major  questions  of  the  sessions  were  threshed 
to  agreement.  Indeed,  up  to  the  Los  Angeles 
meeting  in  1926,  he  had  not  missed  a  national 
convention.  At  various  times  he  was  national 
vice-president   and  secretary. 

So  too  in  Illinois  and  Chicago  exhibition 
affairs  he   contributed  much  as   an   organizer. 

Gldtimers  in  Chicago,  in  and  out  of  the 
industry,  recall  that  "Bill"  Sweeney,  who  was 
born  there  and  spent  50  of  his  67  years  in 
the  first  ward,  brought  the  city  its  first  motion 
picture.  From  the  executive  side  of  the  circus 
business,  he  went  into  exhibition  and  showed 
the  first  film  at  his  State  Street  Museum,  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  State  and  Van  Buren 
streets,  in  1901.  He  cranked  the  machine  him- 
self in  those  days,  the  film  trailing  down  into 
a  canvas  bag  below  the  projector.  "The  First 
Alarm"  was  Chicago's  initial  motion  picture 
show. 


Add  to  Modern  Ways: 

*  Marriage  a  la  Mud 


<*  \ 


99 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 


EMPORIA,  KAN.,  July  31.— A  public  wed- 
ding on  the  stage  of  a  theatre,  with  gifts 
aplenty  from  local  merchants,  has  aroused  the 
wrath  of  Emporia,  Kan.,  in  so  far  as  the  press 
of  this  town,  famous  as  the  rostrum  of  Wil- 
liam Allen  White,  widely  known  author  and 
editor  of  the  Emporia  Gazette,  who  charac- 
terized the  wedding  as  a  "marriage  a  la  mud." 

"If  there  is  anything  left  in  this  modern 
world  as  too  sacred  to  be  commercialized,  it 
should  be  the  marriage  service,"  White  wrote 
editorially.  "It  is  entirely  possible  that  a 
union  consummated  on  a  vaudeville  program 
between  the  performing  seals  and  the  Swiss 
tumblers  may  be  successful,  happy  and  per- 
manent, but  it  is  not  very  probable." 


What  Exhibitors  are  Saying 

EXHIBITORS  ^  MOVING  PICTURE 

about  IIEIRMLIID  ^^  WOIML© 


"Your  magazine  gives  more  solid  information  about  the  motion  picture 
industry  than  any  one  of  the  many  others  I  have  subscribed  to  heretofore." — 
John  B.  Weiss,  Teutopolis,  III. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


New  Twists  to  Request  Nights  Win 
Business  in  Eastern  Theatres 

Two  Long  Features  Usually  Shown  on  Regular  Nights  at  Patrons'  Request, 
Survey  Reveals — Closed  House  Is  Revived 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 

BOSTON,  July  31. — Request  Nights  are  open  roads  to  busy  box  offices. 
At  least,  such  has  been  the  conclusion  of  a  numbe'r  of  Eastern  theatre 
owners  following  a  series  of  experiments  in  permitting  the  patron  to 
pick  his  shows.  There  is  nothing  new  about  Request  Nights,  but  there  are 
many  new^  angles  to  putting  them  over.  A  survey  of  this  type  of  showman- 
ship in  Eastern  cities  and  in  Canada  reveals  several  departures  in  exploitation 
which,  their  originators  believe,  point  the  way  to  increased  business  for  their 
colleagues  in  other  parts  of  the  country. 


A  P.  CAUZI,  manager  of  the  Superior 
•^*»  theatre,  New  York  City,  attributes  his 
heaviest  weekly  business  to  stressing  the  "re- 
quest films"  idea.  Every  Tuesday,  beginning 
at  6  p.  m.,  the  pictures  which  have  been  pre- 
dominantly in  favor  the  previous  week,  are 
shown.  Included  are  two  long  features  and 
a  one-  or  two-reel  comedy.  Added  is  a  reel 
of  news. 

One    Request   Per    Patron 

Two  boxes  have  been  installed  near  the  chief 
exits.  Into  these  are  placed  the  requests.  It 
is  stipulated  on  the  slides  that  every  person 
paying  admission  is  qualified  to  submit  one 
request  Blank  sheets  are  available  at  two 
places  in  the  lobby,  handy  to  the  entrance. 
Above  each  place  is  a  signcard  suggesting  that 
the_  patrons  write  out  their  requests  while  in 
their  seats.  On  a  tray  above  one  of  the 
boxes  is  another  stack  of  the  paper  sheets. 
All  the  patron  needs  do  is  to  write  the 
name  of  the  picture  he  or  she  wishes  shown 
at  the  theatre,  and  also  write  his  or  her  name 
and  address  underneath.  The  patron  is  ad- 
vised to  choose  a  picture  that  has  had  a  more 
or  less  general  run  and  that  it  be  a  film  that 
has  been  seen  before  in  that  house,  within 
two  years. 

These  suggestions  have  resulted  in  hundreds 
of  requests  weekly  for  the  older  productions, 
which  are  brought  back  at  low  cost  to  the  ex- 
hibitor, to_  packed  houses  and  with  no  reduc- 
tion in  prices. 

Contrasting  Films  Shown 

On  Request  Night,  wdely  contrasting  fea- 
tures are  shovm.  For  instance,  a  spectacle 
film  may  be  linked  with  a  Western  thriller, 
or  a  sex  problem  photoplay  with  a  full  length 
comedy.  This  is  taken  into  consideration  in 
determining  the  bill  for  the  next  Request 
Night.  The  two  pictures  receiving  the 
heaviest  votes  are  not  chosen  unless  they 
differ  in  t>pe  and  theme.  The  idea  is  to  get 
one  that  has  a  sure  fire  appeal  for  women,  and 
another  that  has  a  direct  appeal  for  men. 


Film  Trade  Consumers 
Most  With  250  Millions 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  31.— "Which  is 
the  more  phenomenal  result  of  in- 
dustrial expansion  of  the  last  quarter 
of  a  century,  an  automobile  for  every 
Gve  persons  or  movies  for  250.000,000 
each  week.'"  This  question  was  put 
editorially  last  week  by  the  St.  Louis 
Globe-Democrat.  "It  scarcely  seems 
possible,"  the  editorial  continues, 
"even  when  foreign  audiences  are 
taken  into  consideration,  but,  of 
course,  millions  see  two,  three  or 
more  pictures  in  a  single  week."  The 
writer  declares  "Will  H.  Hays  is 
correct  in  his  statement  that  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry  today  has  the 
largest  number  of  consumers  in  all 
industries,"  agriculture  alone  being 
excepted. 


One  slide  is  devoted  to  reminders  of  films 
that  have  been  shown  at  this  house  in  recent 
years.  Titles,  names  of  leading  players  and 
directors  are  grouped  together.  No  other 
information  is  given. 

Charles  H.  Williams,  manager  of  the  Na- 
tional theatre,  Boston,  also  has  been  very 
successful  with  his  Request  Days. 

The  National,  which  seats  3,000,  was  built 
15  years  ago,  as  a  link  in  the  Keith- Albee 
vaude\alle  circuit.  The  location  was  somewhat 
out  of  the  beaten  track  of  the  theatres  and 
finally  the  theatre  was  closed,  as  a  liability. 
After  being  practically  idle  for  several  years, 
it  was  reopened,  this  time  wth  pictures. 

Williams,  who  had  been  acting  as  a  sort 
of  general  supervisor  and  doctor  for  sick  box 
offices  for  Keith-Albee,  was  put  on  the  job. 
He  decided  to  feature  Request  Days.  On 
Monday  of  each  week,  he  would  use  two  fea- 
tures for  which  he  had  received  many  re- 
quests. Supporting  these  he  would  have  a 
comedy  of  two  reels  and  a  news  weekly.  The 
request  field  was  not  limited  to  pictures  shown 
at  the  National,  but  patrons  were  advised  that 
this  would  facilitate  the  obtaining  of  the 
pictures. 

Ushers  Jot  Down  Titles 

Every  Monday,  the  patrons  were  entitled 
to  make  their  request.  The  girl  ushers  re- 
ceived the  requests,  or  they  could  be  deposited 
in  a  box  in  the  lobby.  The  forms  were 
handed  to  patrons  as  the  ushers  led  the  way 
to  the  seats.  The  ushers  were  also  equipped 
with  pencils  and  wrote  down  the  titles  of  re- 
quested pictures  when  asked. 

C.  E.  Staples,  manager  of  the  State  in 
Calais,  Me.,  and  the  Queen  in  St.  Stephen, 
N.  B.,  both  small  film  theatres,  is  reported  to 
have  attained  success  with  a  weekly  request 
night.  The  Staples  plan  is  to  distribute  a 
voting  coupon  for  each  ticket  bought  at  the 
box  office.  Near  the  exit  is  a  box  for  the 
collection  of  the  coupons  after  being  filled  out. 
One  feature  picture  is  sho^vn.  The  field  is 
confined  to  pictures  previously  shown  in  the 
community. 

At  the  Olympic,  Philadelphia,  two  request 
nights  have  been  arranged  each  week,  starting 
at  5 :30  p.  m.  At  the  two  intermissions  a 
member  of  the  staff  comes  out  before  the 
curtain,  to  ask  the  patrons  to  submit  names. 
He  reminds  the  customers  of  the  two  Request 
Nights,  and  invites  the  patrons  to  call  out 
the  titles  of  pictures  they  favor,  all  being 
entitled  to  submit  as  many  names  as  they 
wish.  The  staff  member  writes  down  the 
names  on  a  pad.  He  then  announces  the 
names  and  the  two  that  get  the  most  applause 
are  booked  for  the  next  Request  Night,  if 
possible. 

The  program  for  each  Request  Night  is  not 
announced  until  the  day  previously.  There 
are  two  features,  besides  scenic,  comedy,  news, 
educational,  science,  nature  reels. 

In  the  event  of  only  a  few  suggestions  from 
the  audience,  the  staff  member  suggests  the 
names  of  some  films  that  can  be  obtained 
without  difficulty,  and  gives  the  name  of  the 
director,  stars,  author,  and  a  clue  to  plot  and 
action. 

The  system  clicks. 


This  Proves  Crying  Need 
For  Theatre  Nurseries 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  July  31.  — The 
Pantages  theatre  received  a  front 
page  column  story  in  daily  news- 
papers here  the  other  day  that  was 
unexpected.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  C.  Bruce, 
patrons,  left  their  two-year-old  son, 
Floyd,  in  the  nursery.  The  idea  of 
being  left  in  a  nursery  and  not  seeing 
the  show  didn't  appeal  to  Floyd,  but 
when  the  negro  maid  started  to  wash 
his  face  that  was  the  last  straw.  As 
soon  as  the  maid  turned  her  back 
Floyd  went  out  a  side  door  and 
crawled  on  to  a  street  car  unnoticed. 
The  next  Ave  hours  saw  the  entire 
police  department  searching  for  kid- 
nappers. The  newspapers  "splashed" 
the  story  on  the  front  pages.  Then 
hnally  a  call  came  from  an  outlying 
police  station  that  an  infant,  identity 
unknown,  was  there.  It  was  pone 
other  than  Floyd,  who  was  having  a 
great  time  being  entertained  by  the 
patrolmen. 


"Lilac  Time"  Is  Breaking 
Carthay  Circle  Records; 
To  Show  Walker  in  N.  Y. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  July  31.— Reports  of  re- 
ceipts from  the  premiere  showings  of  First 
National's  special,  "Lilac  Time,"  at  the 
Carthay  Circle  here,  indicate  that  the 
Colleen  Moore  picture  may  have  a  run  that 
will  break  all  box  office  records  for  Los 
Angeles  motion  picture  engagements.  The 
first  night's  receipts  for  "Lilac  Time"  were 
the  biggest  for  any  first  night  in  the  history 
of  the  Carthay  Circle,  while  the  first 
week's  receipts  were  more  than  $2,500  in 
excess  of  the  previous  highest  week's  re- 
ceipts ever  taken  in  at  the  Carthay  Circle. 
The  second  Tuesday's  business  eclipsed  the 
first  Tuesday  matinee  receipts  by  $350, 
while  the  second  Wednesday  matinee 
eclipsed  the  first  Wednesday  matinee  by 
$173. 

At  the  premiere  of  "Lilac  Time,"  at  the 
Central  theatre  in  New  York,  August  3, 
First  National  will  show  a  novelty  reel 
which  chronicles  Mayor  James  Walker's 
visit  to  Hollywood. 

"Lilac  Time"  has  been  booked  for  an  ex- 
tended run  at  roadshow  prices  into  the 
Stillman  theatre,  Cleveland,  Madison, 
Detroit;  Burns,  Colorado  Springs;  and 
Skouras  Brothers  St.  Louis  house,  the  New 
Grand  Central. 


25  Class  A  Houses  Play 
Paramount  Dix  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— P  a  r  a  m  o  u  n  t '  s 
"Warming  Up,"  booked  day  and  date,  is  play- 
ing this  week  in  25  class  A  houses.  The  com- 
bination of  synchronized  score  and  effects 
created  a  new  box  office  record  at  the  Para- 
mount here  last  week.  The  picture  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  Paramount,  a  weekly  change 
house,  to  the  Rivoli,  which  has  an  indefinite 
run  policy. 


Columbia  Launches  Own 
Exchange  at  St.  Louis 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  July  28.— Opening  of  Colum- 
bia's own  St.  Louis  exchange,  temporarily  at 
3330  Olive  street,  under  the  name  of  Colum- 
bia Midwest  Exchanges,  marks  a  further  step 
of  the  organization  in  building  its  national 
distribution  system.  Rosenthal  and  Taylor 
continues  to  handle  the  old  Columbia  product. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


In  the  Matter  of  Marks 
And  B  &  K  Competition 

Announcement  by  B  &  K  in  trailers 
last  week  that  the  Saturday  opening 
policy  initiated  in  the  Chicago  cir- 
cuit about  three  months  ago  at  the 
Oriental,  Norshore,  Harding  and  the 
Senate,  is  to  be  adopted  August  ll 
in  other  houses,  was  followed  by  the 
following  in  the  Marks  Brothers' 
newspaper  ads  this  week: 

"Every  advance  in  Chicago's  en- 
tertainment in  the  last  two  years  has 
been  initiated  by  Marks  Bros.  Two 
years  ahead  of  competition  with  the 
'talkies';  one  year  ahead  with  mid- 
night shows  and  now  away  in  the 
lead  in  beautiful  stage  productions. 

"Imitation  is  the  sincerest  form  of 
flattery  and  it  is  natural  that  com- 
petitors follow. 

"The  opening  of  new  shows  on 
Saturday  was  a  distinct  Marks  Bros, 
feature — it  was  very  successful. 

"Competitors  will  no  doubt  fol- 
low." 


Zanft  Given  Direct 
Supervision  of  Poli 
Group  in  Fox  Chain 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Major  John  Zanft 
will  assume  complete  supervision  of  the  op- 
eration and  maintenance  of  the  Poll  theatres 
taken  over  by  Fox. 

Zanft,  vice-presi- 
dent and  general 
manager  of  the  Wil- 
liam Fox  circuit, 
started  more  than  17 
years  ago  at  the  old 
Dewey  theatre  in 
New  York.  Major 
Zanft's  association 
with  the  Fox  inter- 
ests has  been  one  of 
unusrual  achievement 
and  signal  success, 
mainly  to  his  cease- 
less energy  and  un- 
selfish devotion  on 
behalf  of  the  organ- 
ization. 

Notable  among  the  Major's  many  contri- 
butions to  theatrical  development  has  been 
his  foresight  in  determining  and  shaping  the 
trend  of  motion  picture  theatre  entertain- 
ment. Despite  the  additional  work  which  his 
newest  assignment  will  entail,  Major  Zanft 
at  his  office  in  the  Roxy  theatre,  declared 
that  his  connection  with  the  board  of  com- 
missioners of  the  Elmira  and  Bedford  Re- 
formatories will  in  no  wise  suffer  from  relaxed 
attention. 


Major    John   Zanft 


Amador  Can't  Imitate 

Chaplin,  Court  Decides 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Charles  Chaplin 
today  won  his  long  drawn  out  suit  against 
Charles  Amador,  also  known  as  Charles  Aplin, 
in  the  California  district  court  of  appeals.  The 
court  decreed  that  Amador  must  not  imitate 
Chaplin's  characteristic  clothes,  walk  and  man- 
ners, nor  use  the  name  Aplin  in  motion  pic- 
tures. 


New  Paramount  Radio  Station 
Goes  in  Action  in  September 

Construction  of  Broadcasting  Studio  on  P  F  L  Lot  in  Hollywood 

Already  Underway — Using  5,000  Watts,  Granted 

Right  to  50,000  Power 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31. — Construction  work  has  started  on  a  broadcasting 
studio  on  the  Paramount  lot  to  house  the  new  5,0(X)-watt  super-power  radio 
station,  KNX,  the  station  to  be  known  as  "KNX,  Paramount  Pictures — Los 
Angeles  Evening  Express  Station." 

Starts  Operating  Early  in  September 

Decision  of  Paramount  to  go  in  for  broadcasting'  on  this  huge  scale  and 
completion  of  negotiations  pending  several  months  means  direct  contact  for 
the  company  with  millions  of  theatregoers  when  the  new  station  goes  into 
action  early  in  September. 


A  twofold  policy  has  been  worked  out  after 
careful  planning.  Besides  aiming  to  foster 
goodwill  for  the  industry  and  providing  a 
medium  for  educating  non-theatregoers  to 
screen  entertainment,  the  policy  calls  for 
maintaining  closer  touch  with  exhibitors  using 
Paramount  product  and  giving  them  direct 
help  in  putting  over  their  programs,  as  well 
as  offering  them  and  the  public  the  news  of 
Hollywood. 

Equipment  Rushed  West 

Equipment  is  being  rushed  from  the  East 
for  the  new  studio  and  for  the  transmitter 
at  Sherman  Oaks  in  the  San  Fernando  Valley. 

Permission  has  been  obtained  from  the 
Federal  Radio  Commission  to  install  equip- 
ment for  50,000-watt  capacity  for  future  use. 
This  will  make  KNX  one  of  the  most  power- 
ful stations  in  the  world,  only  three  others  in 
the  West  having  equal  power  and  only  three 
with  greater  capacity  in  the  entire  country. 
The  5,000-watt  power  to  be  used  at  present  is 
ten  times  that  now  being  employed  by  KNX. 

Private  phone  lines  will  convey  the  pro- 
grams from  the  Paramount  broadcasting 
studio,  and  its  many  remote  controls,  over 
Cahuenga  Pass  to  the  transmitter,  12  miles 
distant.  The  change  to  50,000  watts  will  be 
possible  in  24  hours,  making  the  programs 
easily  received  throughout  the  United  States. 

Two  Studios  Planned 

One  large  studio  will  be  equipped  to  handle 
an  orchestra  of  100  pieces,  a  smaller  studio 
being  available  for  everyday  use.  There  also 
will  be  rehearsal  rooms.  The  KNX  manage- 
ment will  continue  in  charge,  with  Na,ylor 
Rogers  as  manager  and  program  director ; 
Glen  Rice,  assistant  manager;  Harold  Isbell, 
"Town  Crier  of  the  Night  Watch" ;  Eddie 
Albright,  "Town  Crier  of  the  Day  Watch" ; 
N.  D.  Garvey,  chief  technician,  and  Loyal  Un- 
derwood, special  announcer. 

"Paramount  is  not  entering  the  broadcast 
field  in  the  customary  sense,"  said  Jesse  L. 
Lasky,  first  vice  president,  "but  it  does  intend 
to  use  the  radio  as  a  medium  through  which 
exhibitors  and  the  public  can  gain  a  first- 
hand impression  of  the  work  accomplished  in 
the  film   capital." 

"Paramount  is  happy  to  be  associated  with 
a  radio  station  of  the  calibre  and  reputation 


of  KNX,"  Lasky  continued.  "Under  the  op- 
eration of  the  Los  Angeles  Evening  Express, 
this  station  has  won  a  host  of  friends  through- 
out the  western  world,  and  with  the  addition 
of  super-power  equipment  it  will  not  be  long 
before  its  audiences  will  cover  the  entire 
North  American   continent. 

"Motion  pictures  and  radio  are  the  two 
greatest  forces  in  the  world  today.  The  fu- 
ture of  the  two  arts  is  as  limitless  as  the 
horizons   of  the  sea." 


English  Industry 
Advances  Fast  But 
Still  Looks  to  U.  S. 

(Washington  Bureau  Herald-World) 
_  WASHINGTON,  July  31.— American  mo- 
tion picture  actors  and  actresses  are  as  well 
known  to  the  British  public  as  in  the 
United  States  and  a  personal  appearance  in 
England  often  arouses  an  enthusiasm  equal 
to  the  appearance  of  visiting  royalties,  ac- 
cording to  G.  Grant  Isaacs,  trade  com- 
missioner of  the  Department  of  Commerce 
who  has  just  returned  to  the  United  States 
from  London. 

This  recognition  is  easily  accounted  for 
by  the  fact  that  at  the  present  time  fully 
85  to  90  per  cent  of  the  films  exhibited  in 
the  British  Isles  are  produced  in  American 
studios.  The  British  are  sincere  devotees 
of  the  picture  show  and  motion  pictures 
have  involved  themselves  into  an  Empire 
problem  in  the  British  Isles.  While  yet  in 
the  early  stages  of  development,  the  British 
film  industry  is  taking  advantage  of  govern- 
mental assistance  to  the  extent  which  may 
be  likened  to  a  boom,  according  to  Isaacs. 
Studios  are  being  built  or  enlarged,  new 
companies  are  being  organized,  and  distribu- 
tion agreements  are  being  made  with  the 
colonies  and  the  continent. 


Priscilla  Bonner  to  Wed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Priscilla  Bonner 
announced  her  engagement  to  Dr.  Bert  Wool- 
fan  of  this  city.     The  wedding  will  take  place 
September  6. 


Buys  Rights  to   Chaplin  Shorts 

NEW  YORK. — Capital  Productions  Company  has 
secured  the  releasing  rights  for  the  three  two-reel 
Chaplins,  "Behind  the  Scenes,"  "Charlie's  Hard 
Luck,"  and  "The  Heart  Thief,"  for  the  entire  world, 
with  the   exception  of  the  New  York  territory. 


Faith  in  Sound  Films  Brings  Fox  Decision 
To  Drop  Silent  Two-Reel  Comedies  Altogether 

Fox  Films'  conviction  that  synchronized  productions  are  the  pictures  of  the 
future,  in  the  short  feature  field  as  well  as  in  long  films,  is  credited  for  the  decision 
of  the  company  to  produce  no  more  two-reel  comedies  without  sound.  Thus  in- 
stead of  26  two-reel  comedies  for  the  coming  season,  as  previously  announced^ 
there  instead  will  be  52  Movietone  Entertainments  and  a  number  of  comedies  in 
sound,  several  of  which  have  been  completed,  including  "Four  A.  M.,"  "The 
Mystery  Mansion"  and  "The  Family  Picnic."  Twenty-five  of  the  Movietone 
Entertainments  now  are  ready. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Editors  Swing  Wicked  Pens  On 
Industry  But  Laud  Sound  Film 

Accuse  Pictures  of  Snobbery,  Demand  Separate  Theatres  for  Crook 

Productions  and — ^But  Anyway  It  Shows  the  Trade  Is 

Arousing  More  Serious  Comment  in  Newspapers 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald- World] 

DES  MOINES,  July  31. — An  attack  on  alleged  snobbery  in  motion  pic- 
tures, a  protest  against  crook  films,  a  discussion  of  synchronized  pic- 
tures and  an  appreciation  of  Charlie  Chaplin's  work  were  the  subjects  of 
four  editorials  recently  published  in  local  newspapers.  Motion  pictures  seem 
to  be  arousing  more  serious  comment  than  ever  before  and  the  appearance  of 
these  articles  relative  to  the  industry  excited  more  or  less  argument  as  they 
turned  the  spot  on  products. 


WARWICK  DEEPINiG'S  "Sorrell  and 
Son,"  commended  so  highly  by  the  Des 
Moines  Film  council,  an  organization  of 
women  from  various  clubs,  came  in  for 
severe  criticism  on  the  part  of  the  editor. 
"The  films  would  have  done  better  had  they 
rejected  this  piece  of  snobbery,"  he  tells 
the  world. 

Urges  Films  From  Originals  Only 

After  explaining  his  stand  on  films  made 
from  a  book,  approving  the  change  in 
stories  to  fit  the  film  representation  but 
suggesting  that  films  be  made  only  from 
stories  written  directly  for  the  screen,  the 
editor  says  that  occasionally  there  is 
enough  faithfulness  to  the  original  work  to 
be  irritating  and  cites  the  Deeping  book 
as  an  example. 

He  says  in  part,  "Mr.  Deeping  is  evi- 
dently one  of  those  writers  with  an  aristo- 
cratic complex.  That  is,  he  is  not  a  real 
aristocrat  but  he  likes  the  pose.  He  is 
careful  to  point  out,  by  means  of  their  rank 
in  war  and  by  virtually  direct  statement, 
that  the  enlisted  man  is  necessarily  of  a 
lower  order,  less  fine,  than  the  officer.  He 
likes  to  divide  men  into  two  classes,  to 
only  one  of  which  he  and  the  reader  could 
possibly  belong,  of  course,  the  officers  and 
gentlemen,  and  the  enlisted  men  and  ras- 
cals. The  film  preserves  this  amazing  dis- 
tinction. It  is  false  and  bad  for  that  reason 
and  it  destroys  sympathy  for  the  picture." 
Crook    Films    in    Separate   Theatres 

As  to  the  popular  crook  films,  the  editor 
believes  that  all  underworld  films  and  plays 
should  be  given  apart  from  the  regular  the- 
atres where  devotees  of  that  type  of  art 
could  go  and  have  their  particular  form  of 
delight.  He  says  he  can  refuse  to  read  de- 
tective stories  and  underworld  books  but 
that  the  plays  and  films  trip  him  up. 

And  Charlie  Chaplin  in  "The  Circus" 
came  in  for  a  round  of  praise  as  one  actor 
whose  artistry  with  smiles  and  tears  is  well- 
night  perfection.  The  last  scene  with 
Charlie  alone  was  the  climax  in  more  ways 
than  one,  according  to  the  admiring  writer. 

Vitaphone  and  Movietone  with  the  tech- 
nical differences  of  their  operation  were 
discussed  in  a  long  editorial  commending 
A.  H.  Blank  and  Publix  for  bringing  the  in- 
novation to  Des  Moines. 


F  B  O  Finishes  Over  50 
Per  Cent  of  Films  for 
1928-29;  Cost  5  Million 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Over  SO  per 
cent  of  F  B  O's  1928-29  program  has  al- 
ready been  completed,  with  an  expendi- 
ture approximating  $5,000,000  that  company 
announces.  It  is  expected  the  remaining 
half  of  the  1928-29  product  will  be  com- 
pleted before  the  first  of  the  year,  thus 
rounding  out  the  $10,000,000  yearly  budget. 
Of  six  specials,  "The  Perfect  Crime," 
"Taxi  13,"  "Hit  of  the  Show,"  "The  Circus 


Kid"  and  "Gang  War"  have  been  com- 
pleted. "Blockade"  remains  to  be  filmed. 
The  Gold  Bond  productions  completed  are 
"Danger  Street,"  "Stocks  and  Blondes," 
"Charge  of  the  Gauchos,"  "Singapore 
Mutiny,"  "Sally  Shoulders"  and  "Sinners  in 
Love." 

The  first  Tom  Mix  Western,  "Son  of 
the  Golden  West,"  will  be  completed  this 
week.  Tom  Tyler  has  completed  four 
Westerns:  "Terror  Mountain,"  "The  Aveng- 
ing Rider,"  "Tyrant  of  Red  Gulch"  and 
"Trail  of  the  Horse  Thieves."  Bob  Steele 
has  completed  "Captain  Careless,"  "Head- 
ing for  Danger"  and  "Lightning  Speed." 
Buzz  Barton  has  completed  "The  Young 
Whirlwind"  and  "Rough  Ridin'  Red." 
Ranger,  the  dog,  has  completed  "Dog  Law" 
and  "Fury  of  the  Wild."  Larry  Darmour, 
producer  of  four  series  of  short  subjects 
for  F  B  O  is  working  on  the  sixth  "Racing 
Blood,"  the  sixth  Mickey  McGuire,  the 
third  "Toots  and  Casper,"  and  the  second 
"Barney    Google  " 


Two  German  Companies 
In  Production  Combine 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  31.— The  German 
producing  firms  of  Aafa  and  Greenbaum  have 
concluded  a  combination  calling  for  joint  pro- 
duction, according  to  a  report  to  the  depart- 
ment of  commerce. 


Monty  Collins  Featured 
Alone  in  Mermaid  Comedy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Juyl  31.— Monty  Collins  is 
a  featured  comedian  in  his  own  right  now. 
The  young  player  has  just  completed  his  first 
Mermaid  production  for  Educational  with 
solo  featuring.  Estelle  Bradlev  plays  opposite 
and  Stephen  Roberts  did  the  directing. 


Opens  Store  Only  for 
His  Theatre  Patrons 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOUSTON,  July  31.— As  a  busi- 
ness builder  for  the  Horwitz  theatres 
here.  Will  Horwitz  has  opened  an 
establishment  dealing  in  groceries 
and  drug  sundries.  The  business  is 
conducted  primarily  as  a  saving 
store  for  patrons  of  Horwitz  thea- 
tres. Admittance  to  the  store  is 
through  coupons  only,  these  coupons 
being  presented  patrons  of  the  thea- 
tres with  every  adult  admission  sold. 
Complete  stocks  of  staple  and  fancy 
groceries  and  drug  sundries  are  car- 
ried, arranged  in  the  self-serving 
style. 


Chicago  Strike  Viewed 
As  Part  of  Labor's  Fight 
Against  Sound  Pictures 

(Continued  from  page  17) 

screen  now  displaces  the  orchestra,  music  is 
no  worse  off  than  before. 

"It  cannot  even  be  shown,  we  think,  that 
mechanically  produced  music,  the  phonograph, 
player  pianos — or  the  radio — have  discouraged 
music,  though  we  have  sometimes  thought 
they  should.  The  opposite  is  true.  They 
create  a  musical  taste  reflected  in  a  hundred 
ways  in  the  wider  spread  of  musical  educa- 
tion. There  are  gifted  persons  who  can  pro- 
duce something  like  the  sound  of  a  violin  on 
a  saw;  they  are  popular  on  the  vaudeville 
stage.  But  we  never  heard  that  they  were 
a  threat  to  the  art  of  the  violinist.  The 
chromos  that  used  to  be  given  away  as  pre- 
miums with  soap  never  seriously  threatened 
the   art  of   the   portrait  or  landscape  painter. 

Wouldn't  Go  Without  Music 
"Readers  of  Charles  Reade  will  recall  the 
lamentations  of  the  manuscript  copyist  jour- 
neying to  Rome  to  find  employment  for  his 
pen,  when  he  encountered  the  printing  press 
being  carried  over  the  Alps.  He  thought  his 
day  was  done.  But  we  believe  nothing  in  the 
history  of  invention  has  given  the  illustrator 
more  employment  than  the  printing  press. 
Mechanical  invention  is  the  handmaiden  of 
the  arts.  It  has  elevated  them  from  the  posi- 
tion of  companion  to  the  few  to  that  of  a 
necessity  to  the  many.  The  process  has  com- 
mercialized them  to  some  extent  but  even  this 
has  been  an  agency  in  their  world-wide  distri- 
bution. 

"The  world  wouldn't  go  without  music  even 
if  it  should  be  banished  from  the  movie  shows. 
Music  didn't  originate  there  and  won't  end 
there.  Beethoven  never  heard  of  a  movie. 
When  another  like  him  comes  along  he  will 
give  orchestras  employment  for  a  thousand 
years — and  where  will  the  movies  be  by  that 
time?  we  wonder." 

Sees   Actor  Renaissance 
Through  Sound  Films 

"The  talking  movies  are  coming  in,  there 
is  no  doubt  about  that,  and  most  of  the 
doctors  believe  that  with  their  advent  the 
talking  actor  again  will  come  in,  too,"  says 
Burns  Mantle  in  his  column  in  the  Chicago 
Sunday  Tribune. 


Harold  Lloyd  to  Remain 
Metropolitan  Producer 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Harold  Lloyd 
will  continue  to  produce  his  pictures  at  the 
Metropolitan  studios  for  the  next  two  years, 
at  least.  William  R.  Eraser,  general  manager 
of  the  Lloyd  Corporation,  has  just  concluded 
negotiations  with  Phil  Ryan,  representing  the 
Metropolitan  studios,  to  retain  the  same  pro- 
duction space  the  bespectacled  comedian  has 
used  since  he  started  as  an  independent  pro- 
ducer, exactly  five  years  ago. 

All  necessary  provisions  have  been  made  for 
the  production  of  "sound"  pictures  should  the 
comedian  find  it  practicable  to  go  into  this 
field.  Lloyd  is  now  working  out  the  details 
of  his  next  picture  and  it  is  expected  will 
institute  camera  work  very  shortly. 


Hopwood  Leaves  Million 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Avery  Hopwood, 
the  playwright,  left  his  estate  of  $1,000,000  to 
his  mother  and  the  University  of  Michigan. 
His  mother  was  bequeathed  a  fourth  outright, 
with  three-fourths  in  trust.  At  her  death, 
one-fifth  of  the  estate  goes  to  the  university 
as  dramatic  awards.  Hopwood  was  drowned 
July  1  in  France. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


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Film  News 
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A  society  belle  from  Chile,  Christine  Montt,  daughter  of  an  old 
family  long  illustrious  politically,  has  joined  the  ranks  of  Holly- 
wood film  players,  appearing  in  Educational's  Jerry  Drew  com- 
edies. Shown  in  this  photo  taken  at  the  studio  are  Charles 
Lamont,  director;  Andres  De  Sigurula,  Count  De  Alza,  Miss 
Montt  and  Drew. 


Following  the  wedding  of  Sylvia  Thalberg,  M  G  M  scenarist  and 
sister  of  Irving  Thalberg,  M  G  M  supervisor,  to  Lawrence  Wein- 
garten,  studio  official.  Pictured  are  Irving  Thalberg,  Mrs.  Thal- 
berg (Norma  Shearer,  M  G  M  star) ,  William  Thalberg,  the 
bride's  father;  Mrs.  Weingarten  and  the  groom.  The  wedding 
was  the  climax  to  a  studio  romance. 


The  much-photographed  Al  Smith  "shoots"  a 
few  for  himself.  The  Democratic  nominee  for 
President  is  shown  "grinding"  the  camera  of 
John  Bartone,  Paramount  cameraman  who  is 
commissioned  to  "cover"  the  governor. 


As  an  urchin  with  a  Frisco  hat 
doing  the  black  bottom,  Edna 
May,  pretty  Roach-M  G  M 
comedy  player,  is  presented — in- 
gratiatingly,  we   believe. 


Michael  Leshing,  superintendent,  and  John  F. 
Coneybear,  engineer,  shown  as  they  stretched 
hands  across  the  cornerstone  at  the  recent  cere- 
mony marking  the  beginning  of  construction  on 
the  new  ^500,000  laboratory  at  the  Fox  studio. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


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The  best  hay-shaker — er — but  maybe  one  shouldn't 
speak  so  spontaneously.  Shall  we  say  that  Leilani 
Deas  is  "Miss  Honolulu,"  1925  model?  Yes,  we 
shall,  adding  that  she  appears  in  Educational's  Jerry 
Drew  comedies,  not  in  shredded  wheat  ads,  as  per- 
haps you  thought. 


Above:  Clara  Bow  at 
her  super-"het".  And 
there's  the  makings  of 
a  wisecrack.  For  was 
it  not  sin-glyn-ized  pic- 
tures that  brought  her 
fame?  But  even  though 
the  Paramount  star 
herself  may  say,  "I  owe 
all  my  success  to  a  pro- 
noun," that  isn't  en- 
tirely it.  "Ladies  of  the 
Mob"  proved  that. 


Left:  A  lovely  film 
player  wrapped  up  in 
a  cloak  of  prodigious 
cost — ^it  cost  whatever 
fine  ermine  coats  do 
cost.  Billie  Dove  wears 
it,  as  well  as  here,  in 
First  National's  "The 
Night  Watch."  The 
doU  (which  seems  su- 
perfluous in  a  photo 
with  such  a  coat  and 
such  a  Billie  Dove)  is 
today's  fad. 


A  new  megaphone  for  Tay  Gamett  as  he  begins  direction  of  Pathe's  "Celebrity."    Maybe 

the  sound  films  will  bring  megaphones  for  players  and  make  the  directors  shut — But  no 

matter.    Here  Lina  Basquette,  the  leading  woman,  is  shown  making  the  presentation,  with 

Robert  Armstrong,  featured  lead,  and  Paverell  Marley,  cameraman,  giving  approval. 


Louise  Brooks  as  a  hobo — indeed,   the  best 

looking  hobo  we've  ever  seen.    She  becomes 

one,  appearing  thus,  in  Paramount's  tale  of 

tramp  careers,  "Beggars  of  Life." 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


Above:  A  bathing  girl 
— and  we'll  go  even 
further  than  that.  She 
is  Derelys  Perdue.  And 
this  much  further: 
She's  the  new  Mrs. 
Newlywed-  All  newly- 
weds  new?  Not  in 
these  days  of  divorcees! 
Miss  Perdue's  appoint- 
ment is  to  the  bride- 
ship  of  the  Stern 
Brothers  "Newlywed" 
comedies  released  by 
Universal. 


Right:  A  lesson  i  n 
aviation.  It's  quite  the 
thing  these  days,  of 
course.  It  seems  a  Col. 
Charles  Lindbergh  flew 
across  the  ocean,  and 
then,  etc.  Here  is  Es- 
telle  Bradley,  Educa- 
tional commedienne, 
getting  the  low-down 
on  flying  from  Stephen 
Roberts,  who  learned 
about  that  elevating 
subject    in    the    army. 


A  proud  cat.  And  who  wouldn't  be,  if  several  hides 
like  one's  own  were  worth  ^2,000?  For  kitty  is  an 
angora,  and  the  angora  coat  worn  by  Lil  Dagover 
cost  the  UFA  player  the  tidy  sum  named.  Miss 
Dagover  recently  re-signed  with  the  German 
company. 


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It    being    midsummer,    this    "shot"    of    Jean 

Hersholt    expresses   our   best    idea    perfectly. 

The  photographer  caught  him  napping  while 

working  in  Universal's  "Give  and  Take." 


A  ceremony  of  recent  date  on  the  Navajo  Indian  reservation  in  Arizona,   which  made 

Fred  Thomson,  famed  Westerner  and  star  of  Paramount's  "Kit  Carson,"  Chief  White  Horse 

of  the  tribe,  one  of  only  two  pale  faces  to  be  so  appointed.    From  left  to  right,  Lloyd 

Ingraham,  director;  Chief  Sagi,  Thomson  and  Al  Werker,  director. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Films  Win  50-50  Advertising  Ranking 
In  K  A  O  Under  Newest  Policy 

Influence  of  Kennedy  Is  Reflected  in  Home  Office  Campaign  of  Educating 
House  Managers  on  Exploiting  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31. — Motion  pictures  will  have  50-50  importance  with 
vaudeville  hereafter,  and  sometimes  more,   in  local  advertising  of  the 
Keith-Albee-Orpheum  circuit,  under  a  new  policy  which  directs  house 
managers  to  make  material  increase  in  film  publicity  and  advertising. 

Keith  Orpheum  Is  Name 


'T'HAT  the  advent  of  Joseph  P.  Kennedy 
•*-  in  the  affairs  of  K  A  O  is  a  factor  in  this 
new  plan  of  operation  is  reflected  by  the  an- 
nouncement that  his  as'sociation  with  the  com- 
pany assures  a  new  standard  of  picture  pro- 
duction on  the  programs.  This  fact  is  being 
brought  home  to  house  managers  in  the  home 
office  campaign  to  instruct  house  managers  in 
exploitation  and  advertising. 

Entire    Pathe    Product    Booked 

The  entire  Pathe  product  will  be  shown  in 
the  K  A  O  theatres,  Colvin  W.  Brown,  execu- 
tive vice-president  of  Pathe,  has  announced, 
and  copies  of  Pathe's'  annual  announcement  of 
product  have  been  sent  to  all  house  managers, 
as  well  as  sample  advertisements. 

While  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  theatres  have 
been  showing  vaudeville  for  more  than  40 
years,  it  is  in  the  last  12  years  that  motion 
pictures  have  been  gaining  more  and  more 
recognition.  Keith  started  with  a  store  show 
in  Boston  45  years  ago.  Then  in  1894  the 
first  motion  picture  was  shown  in  these  houses. 
That  was  "The  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade," 
bought  by  Albee  in  Europe.  Fifteen  years 
ago  Pathe  News  became  a  regular  part  of 
the  program.  Now  85  per  cent  of  the  circuit's 
theatres  use  a  combination  policy. 

J.    J.    Ford    In    Campaign 

The  Pathe  bookings  into  the  K  A  O  houses 
include  these  specials :  "The  King  of  Kings," 
"The  Cop,"  "Show  Folks,"  "Celebrity,"  "Ned 
McCabb's  Daughter,"  "The  Spieler,"  "Tenth 
Avenue,"  "The  Red  Mark,"  "Love  Over 
Night,"  "Craig's  Wife,"  "Tower,"  "Annapolis" 
with  Jeanette  Loff  and  John  Mack  Brown. 
All  the  other  new  Pathe  features  likewise  are 
included,  as  are  the  complete  list  of  short 
features — ^Pathe  News,  Pathe  Review,  Sport- 
lights,  Topics  of  the  Day,  Aesop's  Film  Fables, 
the  Mack  Sennett  comedies,  the  "Smitty" 
comedies  and  Pathe  serials. 

J.  J.  Ford,  assistant  to  Kennedy  in  the 
K  A  O  organization,  is  active  in  the  campaign 
for  increased  publicizing  of  the  pictures,  which 
bears  out  the  statement  made  by  Albee  that 
"the  motion  picture  has  become  such  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  KAO  theatres  in  the 
last  few  years  that  it  is  only  natural  that  we 
should  look  to  the  picture  industry  for  a  new 
associate." 


Used  in  Newspaper  Ads 

Keith  Orpheum  is  the  designation  of  the 
circuit's  theatres  in  advertising  this  week  in 
Chicago  newspapers.  "A  greater  name  in  the 
theatre  world"  is  the  heading  over  the  ads, 
which  state : 

"For  more  than  forty  years  the  Keith  Cir- 
cuit has  been  to  the  East  what  the  Orpheum 
Circuit  has  been  to  the  West — the  standard 
bearer  of  all  that  is  worth  while  in  entertain- 
ment. Now  these  two  giant  theatrical  enter- 
prises have  merged  to  provide  the  greater  part 
of  North  America  with  the  best  amusement 
talent  in  the  world.  In  the  future  the  big- 
gest attractions  can  be  seen  onlv  in  KEITH 
ORPHEUM  theatres!" 


>f 


Warner  Brothers  Ends 
Filming  of  "Noah's  Ark 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— "Noah's  Ark," 
called  the  greatest  production  undertaking 
ever  attempted  by  Warner  Brothers,  was 
finished  last  week  after  two  and  a  half  years 
spent  on  it.  The  last  Vitaphone  sequences  are 
done  and  the  thousands  of  feet  of  film  taken 
by  Director  Michael  Curtiz  have  gone  to  the 
cutting  room  for  the  final  stage  of  production. 

"Noah's  Ark"  in  its  screen  dramatization 
embraces  two  stories,  a  biblical  one  and  a 
modern  one,  and  between  them  is  drawn  a 
parallel  by  showing  how  a  decadent  world 
was  first  cleansed  by  the  visitation  of  the  de- 
luge, and  later  by  the  visitation  of  the  World 
War.  The  cast  is  headed  by  Dolores  Costello 
as  star,  with  George  O'Brien  appearing  oppo- 
site her. 


F  B  O  Completes  Deal 
For  Distribution  in  Cuba 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Xuly  31.— Ambrose  S. 
Dowling,  manager  of  F  B  O  Export  Cor- 
poration, has  closed  a  deal  with  the  Cuban 
American  Film  Company  of  Havana,  for 
the  distribution  of  the  F  B  O  product  in 
Cuba. 


Paramount  Profit  $3,870,000  in  First 

Six  Months,  Nine  Per  Cent  Over  1927 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31. — Paramount  estimates  its  proAt,  after  all  charges  and 
taxes,  including  its  undistributed  share  of  earnings  of  the  Balaban  &  Katz  Cor- 
poration, a  sixty-five  per  cent  owned  subsidiary,  for  the  six  months'  period  ending 
June  30,  to  be  $3,870,000.  For  the  quarter  ending  the  same  date  the  proGt  is  put 
at  $1,605,000.  These  earnings  amount  to  $5.63  per  share  for  the  six  months'  period, 
and  $2.33  per  share  for  the  three  months'  period,  on  the  687,443  shares  issued  and 
outstanding. 

The  profits  reported  for  the  first  six  months  of  1928  are  approximately  9  per 
cent  ahead  of  the  corresponding  six  months  of  1927,  the  previous  record  for  the 
£rst  half  year. 

On  February  1,  1928,  the  company  retired  all  of  its  issued  and  outstanding  pre- 
ferred stock.  In  view  of  this  fact,  the  amount  available  for  common  stock  divi- 
dend purposes  in  1928  is  the  total  amount  of  net  earnings.  In  1927  and  previous 
years  the  preferred  dividend  requirements  had  to  be  subtracted  first. 


Thus  the  Fight  Films 
Are  Absolutely  Official 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.  —  The 
heavyweight  championship  £gbt  pic- 
tures will  be  entirely,  exclusively  and 
absolutely  official  this  year.  The  Gold 
Hawk  company,  which  bought  the 
film  rights  for  the  Tunney-Heeney 
encounter  from  Promoter  "Tex  Rick- 
ard,  took  no  chances  with  the  £ght 
bootleggers  who,  it  seems,  have  har- 
assed official  fight  film  makers  on 
previous  title  bout  occasions.  The 
gentlemen  of  the  Gold  Hawk  brand 
erected  powerful  lights  so  that  their 
beams  might  shoot  straight  into  the 
lenses  of  Burglarious  cameras  render- 
ing them  blind.  Incidentally,  resi- 
dents around  Yankee  stadium  found 
even  their  window  shades  poor  re- 
sistance for  the  vigilant  rays  and 
some  were  reported  the  next  day  as 
suffering  from  Klieg  eyes  and  sun- 
burn. "Great  stunt,  wasn't  it.''"  com- 
mented Paul  A.  Zizelman,  attorney 
for  the  official  producers  of  the  ab- 
solutely ofBcial  films. 


Mayor  Serves  Leo 
Juicy  Steak  from 
Own  Butcher  Shop 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  28.— M  G  M's  traveling 
lion  has  been  winning  much  attention  in  his 
tour  of  New  England  but  it  is  probable  that 
Leo  smacks  his  lips  most  when  he  thinks  of 
the  reception  at  Bridgeport,  Conn.  There 
Mayor  Behrens,  who  is  also  proprietor  of  a 
butcher  shop,  donned  a  white  apron  and  served 
his  guest  with  a  big  steak. 

Several  New  England  states  have  been  cov- 
ered by  the  ballyhoo,  with  special  tieups  in 
many  cities,  as  at  White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  where 
the  Evening  Reporter  carried  an  advertising 
streamer  for  a  meat  market  calling  attention 
to  Leo's  visit. 

After  a  tour  of  New  Jersey,  which  included 
an  appearance  on  the  Atlantic  City  boardwalk, 
Leo  visited  Greenwich,  Darien,  Stamford, 
Norwick  (Palace  and  Breed's  theatres).  South 
Norwalk,  Westport,  Bridgeport,  New  Haven 
(Poll's  Palace),  Lyme,  New  London  (Capi- 
tol), and  many  of  the  smaller  Connecticut 
communities.  On  July  24  the  big  motorized 
cage  reached  Providence.  Then  the  schedule 
called  for  visits  to  Fall  River,  Newport,  New 
Bedford,  Middleboro,  Brockton,  through  Bos- 
ton and  on  to  Haverill,  Salem,  Lawrence, 
Lowell  with  a  stop  at  Portland,  Me.,  August  4. 


First  National  Outing 

To  Be  Held  August  11 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— First  National's 
third  annual  outing  will  be  held  at  Indian 
Point,  up  the  Hudson,  Saturday,  August  IL 
William  P.  Mullen  will  again  be  master  of 
ceremonies,  and  there  will  be  tennis,  dancing, 
swimming,  a  baseball  game  between  married 
and  single  men,  various  races  for  both  men 
and  women  and  other  events.  The  picnic 
party  will  go  up  the  Hudson  on  the  steamer 
Chauncey  M.  Depew,  leaving  West  42nd 
Street  at  9 :30  a.  m.  Dinner  will  be  served 
at   Indian  Point  in  the  evening. 


Theatre  Officer  Marries 
OAKLAND,    CAL.— D.    P.   Isabella,   assistant  man- 
ager of  the  T.  &  D.  theatre,  was  married  last  week  to 
Margaret    Conners.      Their   honeymoon   was   spent   in 
Yoseraite  Valley. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


\^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


Believe  It  Yourself 

Some  years  ago  we  spent  a  summer 
and  winter  selling  stereoscopes  and 
sterescopic  pictures.  Selling  them  meant 
another  year  in  college  for  us,  but  that 
is  not  the  point  here.  The  point  is,  we 
sold  those  third  dimension  pictures  by 
making  people  believe  that  by  looking 
through  the  stereoscopes  they  were  made 
actually  to  stand  on  the  spot  where  the 
picture  was  taken.  The  third  dimension 
effect  produced  by  the  magic  stereoscopes 
actually  enabled  a  country  hired  hand  to 
stand  on  the  brink  of  the  grand  canyon 
or  to  gaze  at  the  wonders  of  the  Taj 
Mahal.  By  believing  that  ourselves  and 
making  the  prospect  accept  that,  we  sold 
pictures. 

The  same  thougth  applies  to  selling 
the  sound  picture.  When  an  actor  is 
seen  on  the  screen  and  his  voice  is 
heard,  the  audience  feels  that  that  actor 
is  there  in  person.  Capitalize  this  feel- 
ing in  your  advertising.  The  sound  pic- 
ture is  more  than  a  shadow  with  a  voice 
coming  out  of  a  loud  speaker.  It  is 
more  than  an  illusion  of  reality.  It  is 
the  nearest  approach  to  actual  personal 
appearance  that  science  can  devise.  It 
is  practically  impossible  to  see  and  hear 
George  Bernard  Shaw  on  Movietone 
without  having  the  feeling  that  you  are 
actually  in  his  garden  seeing  and  hear- 
ing a  flesh  and  blood  G.  B.  S.  Nor  can 
you  sit  through  "The  Jazz  Singer"  with- 
out feeling  that  the  blackface  Jolson  is 
before  you  singing  his  mammy  songs 
in  person. 

Get  this  idea  to  your  patrons.  Believe 
it  yourself.  Make  him  believe  it.  Then 
you  will  sell  the  sound  picture — the  fea- 
ture sound  picture,  the  newsreel,  the 
vaudeville  acts  and  the  novelty — the 
whole  show. — Whit. 


National  Screen  Service 

Makes    "Talkie"'    Trailers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW_  YORK,  July  31.— National  Screen 
Service  in  collaboration  with  the  exploitation 
and  publicity  executives  of  Paramount  and 
Publix,  have  created  a  sound  trailer  on  Rich- 
ard Dix  in  "Warming  Up"  which  is  now 
available  for  all  theatres  that  are  using  the 
sound  version  of  this  production.  Experi- 
mental and  research  work  in  the  matter  of 
sound  trailers  and  plans  for  sound  trailers  on 
synchronized  and  talking  pictures,  are  now 
reaching  a  definite  conclusion.  The  company 
is  now  collaborating  with  First  National. 


Vitaphone  to  Open 
Philadelphia  Branch 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  31.— A  marked  in- 
crease in  the  number  of  Vitaphone  installa- 
tions in  the  Philadelphia  territory  has  led  to 
the  announcement  of  the  opening  of  a  Vita- 
phone branch  office  at  1220  Vine  Street. 


8  Legitimate  Producers  to  Make 
Talking  Pictures  of  Stage  Plays 

By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  July  31. — The  stage,  which  has  suffered  so  long  at  the  hands  of 
the  screen,  believes  it  has  found  the  perfect  defense.  Plans  are  under  way  to 
make  synchronized  talking  pictures  of  the  current  stage  successes  on  Broadway, 
to  be  shown  all  through  the  country  while  the  original  legitimate  companies  are 
still  treading  the  boards  in  New  York. 


Eight  New  York  producers  of  legitimate 
drama  are  already  in  on  the  plan.  Headed 
by  the  energetic  Al  Woods  and  the  cagey 
Shubert  Brothers,  Lee  and  J.  J.,  they  have  ob- 
tained control  of  Vocafilm,  a  new  device  for 
the  reproduction  of  sound  via  disc,  and  in- 
tend to  start  work  at  the  earliest  opportunity 
to  record  their  stage  successes  (and  any 
others  that  may  be  running)  on  film  and  disc. 
The  eight  producers  intend  to  start  in,  ac- 
cording t©  present  plans,  by  photographing 
and  recording  their  plays  right  on  their  own 
stages. 

The  result  is  to  be  released  at  once  in  Key 
cities  and  any  towns  that  have  a  vacant  thea- 
tre. Admissions  not  exceeding  a  dollar  and 
perhaps  totaling  only  fifty  cents  are  to  give 
the  Hinterland  all  those  plays  New  York  is 
talking  about.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  the 
Shuberts  own  theatres  all  over  the  country, 
and  control  many  more,  the  plan  is  being 
viewed  with  the  keenest  interest  and  curiosity. 
They  have  been  in  long  conferences  on  the 
plan  with  such  producers  as  Arthur  Ham- 
merstein,  William  A.  Brady,  Joe  Gates  and 
others.  If  the  plan  works  out  successfully 
with  legitimate  drama,  it  is  expected  that 
producers  of  musical  comedies  will  fall  in  line. 
It  is  not  impossible,  then,  that  such  extrava- 
gances as  the  Ziegfeld  Follies  may  be  seen 
on  the  road  by  means  of  the  synchronized 
screen.  The  scheme  is  being  watched  with 
the  keenest  interest  by  all  in  the  know,  inas- 
much as  it  is  expected  to  affect  seriously  the 
sale  of  motion  right. 

In  view  of  questions  such  as  this  one,  every- 
one concerned  with  the  plan  is  treading  light- 
ly. Vocafilm  is  to  be  distributed  by  Earle  W. 
Hammons,  who  is  understood  to  hold  a  four- 
teen-year contract  with  the  disc  device.  He 
hopes  to  supply  short  subjects  to  round  out 
any  errtertainrrient  that  does  not  seem  to  be 
quite  complete  in  itself. 


Warner  to  Make  Talking 
Tra  Hers  for  a  II  Fea  tures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Talking  trailers 
for  all  Warner  Bros,  productions,  including 
road  show  productions,  extended  run  pro- 
ductions and  the  18  "Warner  Winners"  will 
be   produced  by  Vitaphone  for  this  season. 


Fred  Fox  Promoted 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,   July  31.— Fred  Fox  who, 

has  been  an  assistant  director  for  some  time 

at  the  Warner   Studio   has   been  assigned   by 

J.    L.   Warner   to   one  of   the   principal   units 


making  Vitaphone  features.  This  promotion 
will  make  him  first  assistant  to  Bryan  Foy 
now  directing  "The  Home  Towners." 


Two  Spokane  Houses 
to  Open  with  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SPOKANE,  July  31. — An  extensive  expan- 
sion program  in  the  field  of  synchronized  mo- 
tion pictures  for  the  Liberty  and  Granada 
theatres  is  announced  by  Ray  A.  Grombacher, 
director. 

Installation  of  Movietone  and  Vitaphone  at 
the  Granada  and  non-synchronous  apparatus 
in  both  theatres  is  under  way.  With  these  new 
features,  these  houses  will  stage  their  first 
"glorious  talking  movie  season"  on  August  3, 
opening  with  "Glorious  Betsy,"  "Women  They 
Talk  About"  and  "State  Street  Sadie." 


First  MGM  Sound 

Film  Has  Opening 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— The  new  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  special,  "White  Shadows  in 
the  South  Seas,"  opened  at  the  Astor  Tuesday 
evening  with  a  gala  audience.  The  picture, 
made  from  Frederick  O'Brien's  book,  was  the 
first  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  picture  to  be 
made  entirely  with  sound.  It  was  enthusias- 
tically received. 


Tenderloin  Keeps  Going 

Strong  in  New  Orleans 
After  Four  Weeks'  Run 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  July  31.— Just  four 
weeks  ago  Saenger  Theatres  gave  Vita- 
phone its  start  in  the  Tudor  theatre  with 
"Glorious  Betsy"  and  that  picture,  though 
not  originally  destined  for  so  long  a  run, 
is  still  holding  forth.  "The  Jazz  Singer"  is 
scheduled  to  follow,  but  just  when  it  will 
come  in  is  uncertain  for  there  seems  to  be 
no  waning  of  interest  in  "Glorious  Betsy" 
after  four  consecutive  weeks. 


Fox  Movietone  News 

Opens  in  Loew's  State 

NEW  ORLEANS,  July  31.  — Loew's 
State  will  break  into  the  sound  picture 
ranks  on  August  18,  presenting  Fox  Movie- 
tone  News. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Ausust  4,  1928 


''Talkies  "  Give  Birth  to  Many  New 
Words  to  Describe  Actor's  Voice 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31. — Every  new  invention  brings  into  use  a  whole  vocabu- 
lary of  new  words,  and  this  is  especially  true  of  the  "talkies,"  which  in  itself  is 
new-born.  Scientists  at  the  University  of  Southern  California  have  worked  out  the 
first  scientific  terminology  for  the  speaking  voice,  by  which  every  shade  of  quality, 
diction  and  accent  is  described  by  a  specific  word.  And  hand  in  hand  with  the 
scientific  terminology  a  new  slang  is  being  developed  by  the  recording  operators 
to  describe  voices  from  their  own  angle. 


For  instance,  when  one  "bloops,"  it  means 
that  the  voice  has  a  sort  of  echoing  quality 
that  causes  the  diaphragm  to  "blast"  so  that 
the  operator  must  carefully  discover  the  dan- 
gerous sounds  and  manipulate  his  switches 
and  controls  at  these  points  to  overcome  them. 
A  "sizzler"  is  one  who  in  talking,  generates 
"S"  sounds  with  his  teeth ;  a  "rheostat  voice" 
is  one  that  has  to  be  toned  down  by  using  a 
resistance  or  rheostat;  the  "juice  sucker"  is  a 
voice  that  whispers,  and  has  to  be  amplified 
by  "giving  the  gun"  to  the  electrical  controls. 
A  "growler"  accents  the  gutturals,  and  the 
"corduroy  voice"  is  one  that  wavers  in  inten- 
sity, now  loud,  now  low. 

Is  Your  Voice  "Dynaphonic"? 

The  scientific  termination  for  "talkie" 
voices,  worked  out  by  Professor  W.  R.  Mac- 
Donald,  in  cooperation  with  Dean  Ray  K. 
Immel  at  the  University  of  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, is  something  else  again. 

All  voices  that  are  capable  of  being  re- 
corded are  classified   as   "dynaphonic"   voices. 


Jolson  on  Screen  Sings 
To  His  Real  Mother 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  July  31.— A  dramatic 
scene  was  enacted  at  the  Madison 
theatre  this  week  when  Al  Jolson, 
star  of  Vitaphone's  talking  picture, 
"The  Jazz  Singer,"  sang  from  the 
screen  to  his  mother  the  "mammy" 
songs  which  have  made  him  famous. 
Jolson's  parents.  Cantor  and  Mrs. 
Asa  Yoelson,  are  vacationing  at  Mt. 
Clemens,  the  town  near  here  which 
is  famous  for  its  mineral  baths,  and 
were  the  guests  of  the  Madison  thea- 
tre management  to  hear  and  see  for 
the  first  time  their  son  in  bis  £rst 
talking  picture.  Illness  and  a  com- 
bination of  circumstances  prevented 
their  seeing  the  picture  before. 


and  this  term,  in  studio  use,  will  be  a  general 
summing  up  of  whether  a  player  can  appear 
in  "talkies"  or  not. 

"In  order  to  record,"  said  Professor  Mac- 
Donald,  "the  voice  must  be  able  to  exert 
enough  actual  mechanical  power  to  operate 
the  vibrating  diaphragm.  Hence  a  description 
of  such  a  voice  would  be  a  dynoacousmo- 
phonic  voice — and  for  practical  purposes, 
dynaphonic — or  capable  of  exerting  mechani- 
cal power. 

"In  music  we  have  always  had  words  to 
classify  qualities  of  voice,  as  bass,  baritone, 
and  so  forth,  but  never  before  has  it  been 
necessary  to  have  definite  terms  for  the  speak- 
ing voice.  The  necessity  for  listing  voices 
specifically  for  the  "talkies"  resulted  in  the 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios  asking  us  to 
work  out  a  system,  so  that  casting  office  rec- 
ords can  be  complete.  Outside  of  this,  we 
believe  the  new  dictionary  or  terminology  of 
speaking  voices  will  be  useful  to  medical 
science." 

Terminology  Based  on  Greek 

The  new  terminology  is  based  on  Greek 
roots.  For  instance,  a  deep  voice  is  macro- 
phonic,  and  a  full  quality  is  described  as  plei- 
sophonic.      A    heavy    voice    is    barophonic,    a 


light  voice  abrithephonic,  and  gradations  in 
between  are  all  listed  in  different  names,  so 
that  a  word  can  be  found  for  any  particular 
type. 

In  voice  tests  made  at  the  University, 
Norma  Shearer's  voice  was  analyzed  on  the 
telegraphone  or  electrical  voice  analyzing  ma- 
chine, and  classified  as  follows :  "Euphonic 
allisophonic;  diction  eulexiphonic ;  articula- 
tion  euarthrophonic." 

"These  terms  may  seem  complicated  at 
first"  declared  Dean  Immel,  "but  in  use  will 
be  very  simple.  Casting  offices  will  have  cards 
with  the  terms  of  gradations  of  each  quality, 
pitch,  diction,  and  so  forth  on  them,  and  after 
listening  to  a  voice  the  casting  director  will 
check  off  each  term  that  fits  it." 

Among  the  odd  words  in  the  university's 
new  terminology  for  voices  are  such  as  "tra- 
chophonic,"  implying  roughness  of  voice; 
plasmophonic,  or  the  classification  for  fal- 
settos, diaprusophonic,  or  piercing,  compo- 
phonic,  or  ringing.  The  longest  word  in  the 
new  "voice  dictionary"  is  "eudynoacousmo- 
phonic,"  meaning  superlatively  ideal  for  re- 
cording; the  shortest  word  is  "euphonic" 
meaning  easy  to  listen  to. 


Tiffany-Stahl  to 
Produce  10  Specials 
With  Sound  Effects 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Tiffany-Stahl  Pro- 
ductions has  announced  that  it  will  produce 
ten  specials  with  sound  effects  for  the  1928-29 
season.  This  step  was  decided  upon  at  a 
meeting  of  the  company's  executives  last  week 
here. 

The  pictures  decided  upon  to  be  synchro 
nized  include  "The  Toilers,"  a  Reginald 
Barker  production  already  completed  as  a  si- 
lent picture ;  four  John  M.  Stahl  special  pro- 
ductions ;  three  additional  Reginald  Barker 
specials  and  two  others  to  be  announced. 


English  Group  Get 

Shares  in  Company 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  July  31.— An  English 
consortium  standing  in  close  relations  with 
the  British  Brunswick  and  Duophone  Com- 
pany has  acquired  all  the  shares  of  the  Vox 
Company  (talking  films)  and  its  daughter 
companies  in  Frankfort,  Breslau,  Vienna,  and 
Amsterdam,  and  the  German  concern  is  to  be 
largely  extended.  British  Brunswick  are  the 
controllers  of  Panatrope,  and  are  allied  to 
the  new  British  sound  film  company,  British 
Phototone,  Limited,  according  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  Commerce   foreign  bureau. 


Close  House  to  Wire 

(S fecial  to  the  Herald-World) 

MILWAUKEE,  July  31.— The  Alhambra 
theatre,  Milwaukee,  will  he  closed  for  a  few 
weeks,  pending  the  installation  of  "talkies," 
according  to  the  Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit, 
Inc. 


Cover  design  for  West  Coast  Theatres 
house  organ,  Now,  and  what  a  timely 
cover  it  is  right  now.  There  are  several 
good  slogans  here,  but  for  YOU,  the  best 
one  is  within  the  circle  at  the  top  of  the 
cover — "When  your  screen  talks  or  sings, 
SAY  SO!"  You'll  do  well  to  keep  that 
slogan  before  you  and  in  your  mind  when 
you  are  preparing  every  bit  of  advertising 
and  exploitation  for  the  sound  picture. 

Fifth  Atlanta  House 
May  Be  Wired  Soon 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  July  31.— Four  Atlanta  the- 
atres now  have  sound  picture  equipment,  all 
Western  Electric  systems.  But  even  as  the 
fourth  is  announced  a  fifth  looms  up.  This 
time,  the  Cameo,  the  popular  house  with  the 
fixed  policy  of  "bringing  the  big  ones  back." 
Robert  B.  Wilby,  who  with  Thomas  G.  Cole- 
man, is  joint  owner  of  the  Cameo,  has  satis- 
fied himself  that  sound  pictures  are  here  to 
stay.  It  was  Wilby  who  revived  Vitaphone 
so  brilliantly  at  the  Metropolitan  as  soon  as 
that  theatre  came  under  his  direction.  He 
did  it  with  "The  Jazz  Singer."  And  he  be- 
lieves sound  pictures  will  prove  a  boon  to  the 
smaller  theatres.  He  is  backing  his  judg- 
ment with   his   money. 


Brin  to  Use  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MILWAUKEE,  July  31.— L.  K.  Brin,  man- 
ager of  the  Garden  theatre,  announces  that  he 
has  leased  the  Majestic  theatre  which  is  in  the 
same  block  as  the  Garden.  Brin  will  remodel 
the  entire  theatre  and  install  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  in  it  as  soon  as  possible.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  the  theatre  will  be  ready  to  open 
on  September  1. 


Second  Paramount  Sound 

Film  Opens  in  New  York 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Paramount's  second 
picture  with  sound  effects,  "Loves  of  an  Ac- 
tress," starring  Pola  Negri,  opened  at  the 
Paramount  theatre  last  Saturday.  The  syn- 
chronization is  similar  to  the  Dix  picture, 
"Warming  Up,"  there  being  no  talking  se- 
quences in  the  picture. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Christie  Men  Evolve 
New  Scenario  Forms 
For  Sound  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— With  the 
sweeping  changes  already  brought  about 
by  the  advent  of  talking  pictures,  a  new 
problem  has  arisen  within  the  industry,  and 
an  interesting  solution  has  been  evolved  by 
Al  Cohn  and  Henry  McCarty  who  are  re- 
spectively writing  the  story  and  the  con- 
tinuity of  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  according 
to  the  Christie  Film  Company. 

With  director  and  players  only  to  think 
of  in  the  production  of  silent  pictures  a 
definite  and  characteristic  form  of  scenario 
grew  up.  About  15  years  ago  a  style  and 
a  form  was  evolved  which,  until  the  advent 
of  the  talkies,  changed  very  little  if  at  all. 
Suddenly  a  new  problem  has  inserted  it- 
self into  the  situation.  Technicians  in 
charge  of  the  intricate  sound  recording  ap- 
uaratus  must  be  thought  of.  They  must 
have  interlocking  instructions  along  with 
the  technical  staff  directly  in  charge  of 
the  pictorial  problems,  it  is  said.  Dialogue 
must  not  only  be  added,  but  it  is  essential 
that  it  be  polished  like  the  lines  in  a  play. 
The  long  and  difficult  period  of  sub-title 
writing  has  been  moved  up.  Instead  of 
looking  at  a  finished  picture  and  putting 
sub-titles  in  afterward  it  is  necessary  to 
look  ahead  and  so  write  the  story  that  the 
picture  will  be  absolutely  finished  when  the 
cameras  stop  turning,  except  for  a  very 
little  necessary  cutting. 

Write  Story  First,  Then  Sound 
These  aspects  of  the  new  situation  and 
these  needs  of  a  new  production  require- 
ment have  been  solved  in  an  interesting 
way  for  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  the  feature 
starring  Douglas  MacLean  which  the 
Christie  Brothers  are  soon  to  make  for 
Paramount  entirely  with  sound,  according 
to  the  Christie  organization. 

Al  Cohn  first  wrote  the  story  of  "The 
Carnation  Kid."  This  original  narrative 
was  then  turned  over  to  Henry  McCarty 
who  wrote  a  scene-for-scene  continunity 
completely  covering  all  pictorial  action 
from  camera  angles  to  fade  out. 

Then  they  started  in  on  scene  one  and 
worked  out  a  complete  sound  script,  line 
for  line  and  paragraph  for  paragraph  to 
match  up  with  the  action.  All  the  spoken 
lines  were  written  for  all  the  characters. 
Sound  effects  accompanying  the  action  and 
the  dialogue  were  minutely  described. 
Get  Many  Novel  Effects 
Especial  attention  was  paid  to  fadeouts, 
fadeins  and  dissolves  of  the  pictorial  action 
and  the  accompanying  synchronization.  In 
this  connection  many  startling  and  unusual 
effects  have  been  planned.  In  one  case,  for 
instance,  the  clickety  click  of  a  railroad 
train  going  over  the  rails  will  begin  a  cres- 
cendo before  the  actual  picture  of  the  train 
dissolves  onto  the  screen,  and  in  another 
the  rumble  of  boat  whistles  will  be  heard 
before  the  fog  parts  and  the  boat  itself  is 
discerned  in  the  mists. 

Physically,  the  new  scenarios  will  be  just 
twice  the  size  of  the  old  kind  for  the  silent 
pictures.  The  script  for  "The  Carnation 
Kid,"  which  will  probably  establish  a  pre- 
cedent due  to  its  concise  and  efficient  form, 
has  been  evolved  by  McCarthy  in  this  man- 
ner: First  he  secured  a  bookkeeper's  type- 
writer capable  of  taking  paper  twice  the 
width  of  ordinary  scenario  paper.  On  one 
side  of  the  page  the  pictorial  script  w-<^ 
written.  Then  opposite  each  scene  the  aud- 
ible accompaniment,  the  lines  and  the  sound 
effects  were  written  in  red  ink.  Blue  car- 
bon paper  was  used  for  the  visual  half 
and  red  for  the  audible  half  to  correspond 
with  the  red  and  blue  type  of  the  original. 
Thus  in  convenient  and  interlocking  form 


Richardson  Continues 
Sound  School  Series 

F.  H.  Richardson,  projection  and 
sound  picture  authority  tor  Exhib- 
itors Herald-World,  continues  his 
series  of  articles  on  sound  picture 
projection  in  this  issue  of  BETTER 
THEATRES. 

This  school  on  sound  pictures,  be- 
ing conducted  by  Richardson,  is  prov- 
ing of  great  value  to  all  theatre  men. 
Already  Mr.  Richardson  has  beep 
swamped  by  the  response  from  his 
initial  article.  It  is  the  one  authentic 
source  of  information  on  sound  pic- 
ture projection  to  be  found  in  any 
trade  paper  in  the  industry. 


the  regular  film  technicians  will  have  their 
instructions  as  they  are  used  to  seeing 
them.  On  the  opposite  half  of  the  page 
the  new  Western  Electric  technicians  will 
have  a  complete  description  of  the  results 
they  are  to  bring  about.  And  the  star  and 
directors  will  have  both,  easily  discerned  for 
cross  reference  but  with  both  scenic  and 
audible  scenarios  differentiated. 


Lasky  Forms  Special 
Department  to  Make 
Short  Sound  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— To  supplement 
Paramount's  program  of  approximately  50 
pictures  with  sound  effects,  plans  for  the  or- 
ganization of  a  department  are  being  made  to 
produce  short  features  with  sound  at  the 
Hollywood  studios,  according  to  an  announce- 
ment by  Jesse  L.  Lasky. 

This  marks  the  first  time  in  his  career  as  a 
producer  for  Lasky  to  create  a  department  to 
produce  short  reel  and  sound  features.  Many 
of  these  one,  two  and  three  reel  subjects  will 
be  filmed  in  the  California  studios  and  others 
are  to  be  made  at  the  Long  Island  plant  in 
New  York.  Coming  with  this  announcement 
is  the  fact  that  "Burlesque,"  taken  from  the 
stage  play,  will  be  the  first  feature  leneth  all- 
sound  picture  to  be  made  in  the  Hollywood 
studios  by  Paramount.  Actual  speech,  songs, 
musical  accompaniment  and  sound  effects  will 
be  included  in  "Burlesque."  Victor  Fleming 
will  direct. 

"With  Paramount  entering  the  sound  pic- 
ture field,"  Lasky  said,  "we  will  be  active  in 
making  short  features  which  will  be  syn- 
chronized with  vocal  and  musical  accompani- 
ment. It  is  our  plan  to  present  a  complete 
show  in  sound,  including  stage  unit  produc- 
tions similar  to  those  offered  at  the  bigger 
theatres.  Smaller  theatres  throughout  the 
country  will  be  given  entertainment  they  have 
never  been  able  to  obtain. 

"Short  features  of  various  types  are  to  be 
made.  There  will  be  comedy  skits  done  with 
vocal  synchronization  along  with  a  thousand 
and  one  other  novelties  I  have  in  mind.  Stars 
from  the  New  York  musical  cornedy,  legiti- 
mate and  motion  picture  realms  will  appear  in 
them. 

Perfect  Device  for 

Filming  in  Motion 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Bryan  Foy,  pio- 
neer Vitaphone  director  and  supervisor,  and 
Edward  DuPar,  veteran  Vitaphone  cinema- 
tographer,  have  perfected  a  device  whereby 
for  the  first  time  a  traveling  camera  shot  is 
now  possible  in  Vitaphone  talking  pictures 
and  several  of  them  will  be  used  in  photo- 
graphing "The  Home  Towners." 


"Talkies''  Will  Hurt 
Many  Ac  tors  ^  Say 
Production  Heads 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— "Somebody  is 
going  to  get  hurt,"  said  Harry  Rapf,  asso- 
ciated producer  of  M  G  M,  last  week  in  a 
speech  to  the  Wampas.     "It's  the  actor." 

Rapf's  words  dealt  almost  entirely  with 
phases  of  the  talking  picture  invention,  al- 
though he  failed  to  deal  definitely  with  the 
foregoing  statement.  Rapf's  statement  is  in 
accord  with  beliefs  of  many  producers  in 
Hollywood.  Although  none  permits  the  use 
of  a  quoted  interview  on  the  subject,  many 
of  them  will  tell  you  that  the  actor  more  cer- 
tainly than  the  writer  or  the  director  will  be 
required  to  acclimate  himself  to  speaking  roles. 
The  large  following  built  up  by  each  actor  will 
quickly  melt  away  when  the  actor  proves  to 
be  a  fraud  in  the  flesh. 

There  are  sufficient  actors  in  Hollywood 
who  will  prove  all  wool  when  voices  are 
heard.  They  are  men  and  women  whose 
trainfng  began  on  the  stage.  Alec  B.  Francis, 
Lionel  Barrymore,  John  Barrymore,  John  Mil- 
jan,  Conrad  Nagel  and  Arthur  Stone  come  to 
mind  firsthand.  There  are  probably  250  or 
300  of  them  in  pictures  who  are  somewhat 
suited  to  big  parts,  according  to  production 
men. 

The  other  10,000  "are  going  to  get  hurt." 
They  may  go  to  school — but,  they  won't.  A 
few  of  them,  such  as  Margaret  Livingston, 
Jacqueline  Logan  and  Marie  Prevost,  are  at- 
tending voice  school.  One  hundred  and 
twenty-five  featured  players  are  said  to  be 
enrolled  in  these  schools. 

A  few  new  schools  have  arisen  in  the  crisis 
and  invite  players  to  join  them.  But  most  of 
the  "10,000  actors"  are  of  such  a  peculiar  turn 
of  mind  that  they  refuse  to  see  the  writing  on 
the  wall.  It  is  possible  that  they  see  it  but 
feel  helplessly  at  the  mercy  of  the  same  fate 
that  delivered  them  into  the  limelight. 

Voice  professors  in  legitimate  schools  have 
told  them  voice  training  requires  time  and 
study.  Six  months'  courses  are  unguaranteed. 
It  takes  six  years  of  training  to  produce  a 
capable  performer.  Study  is  no  more  impor- 
tant than  experience. 

Whether  the  public  will  want  all  "talkie" 
pictures  Hollywood  wonders,  but  if  the  silent 
pictures  are  to  become  passe  many  of  the 
screen's  most  popular  actors  are  all  washed 
up.  They  have  learned  that  the  road  of  train- 
ing is  too  hard  and  long  and  that  it  is  ab- 
solutely out  of  the  question  to  expect  their 
voices  to  be  faked.  The  faking  can  be  done 
theoretically  but  the  process  is  practically  un- 
sound. There  are  places  in  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  pictures  where  a  few  words  are 
spoken  by  a  trained  voice  and  the  camera  ac- 
tor plays  dummy  but  it  cannot  be  done  with 
satisfaction  throughout  a  man's  career.  The 
film  company  is  not  in  favor  of  it  first  of  all 
and  the  dummy  actor  is  held  to  such  limits 
that  his  career  would  soon  end,  it  is  said. 


Sound  Films  Make 

Debut  in  Memphis 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MEMPHIS,  July  31.— Sound  pictures  made 
their  debut  in  Memphis,  yesterday,  at  Loew's 
Palace  theatre  with  Vitaphone  and  Movietone 
accompaniment.  The  Palace  has  been  equipped 
with  three  systems.  Movietone,  Vitaphone,  and 
still  another  which  makes  operation  of  the 
systems  possible  with  films  not  specifically 
designed  for  the  purpose.  Installation  of 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  at  Loew's  State 
is  now  being  arranged  and  will  probably  be 
ready  early  in  the  fall,  and  with  the  opening 
of  the  Strand  next  month,  three  Memphis 
theatres  will  be  equipped   for  sound  pictures. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


"The  King  of  Kings,"  the  Pathe-DeMille  special,  is  the  first  picture  to  be  shown  with  RCA 
Photophone  musical  accompaniment  and  sound  effects.  When  the  picture  opened  at  the 
Rivoli  theatre  in  New  York  with  Photophone,  this  huge  banner  was  used  to  tell  New  Yorkers. 

MGM  Leases  Cosmopolitan 

Studios;    Signs   Stage   Stars 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  leased  the  Cosmopolitan 
studios  at  127th  street  and  Second  avenue,  New  York,  for  a  term  of  years.  Sound 
and  synchronized  features  will  be  made  here,  marking  the  first  time  this  company 
has  begun  production  in  the  East.  Stage  stars  have  already  been  signed  for 
short  subject  production. 


With  the  acquisition  of  the  CosmopoUtan 
studios  it  is  believed  that  the  company  will 
center  a  substantial  percentage  of  its  sound 
picture  activity  in  the  East.  While  the 
Culver  City  studios  of  M  G  M  soon  will  be 
physically  capable  for  taking  care  of  the  en- 
tire sound  film  product  of  the  company, 
nevertheless  this  move  indicates  special 
production  work  in  New  York  with  metro- 
politan stage  talent. 

No  definite  announcement  as  to  the  first 
features  to  be  produced  here  has  been  made, 
"The  Trial  of  Mary  Dugan,"  may  be  the 
initial  production.  Construction  work  is 
now  under  way  at  the  Cosmopolitan  studios, 
where  there  are  two  sound-proof  stages 
and  facilities. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  already 
signed  a  number  of  stage  celebrities  to 
make  Movietone  shorts  at  the  Cosmopolitan 
studios. 

The  names  are  headed  by  Mary  Eaton 
and  Oscar  Shaw  late  stars  of  "The  Five 
O'Qock  Girl ;"  Louise  Groody,  star  of  "Hit 
the  Deck;"  Eddie  Allen,  Keller  Sisters  & 
Lynch,  the  close  harmony  trio,  who  have 
appeared  in  revues,  vaudeville  and  night 
clubs;  "Sunshine  Sammy,"  one  of  the  "Our 
Gang"  comedy  stars;  Mabel  Wayne,  com- 
poser of  "Ramona;"  Walt  Roesner  and  His 
Capitolians,  the  Colonial  Sextette,  the 
Arnaut  Brothers  an  act  well  known  to 
vaudeville,  now  appearing  for  Loew;  the 
Locust  Sisters,  harmonizing  quartet,  and 
Paul  Tiejsen  and  His  Orchestra,  now  ap- 
pearing over  the  Loew  Circuit. 

These  artists  will  be  the  first  to  engage 
in    production    work    at    the    Cosmopolitan 


studios  as  soon  as  active  work  begins  there. 
Harry  Rapf,  MGM  producer,  arrives  in 
New  York  City  this  week  for  special  voice 
tests  and  possibly  will  assist  in  initial  op- 
erations at  the  127th  Street  studio. 


Hayakawa  to  Star 

in  Talking  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Harry  Sebastian 
has  signed  Sessue  Hayakawa  to  star  in  a  talk- 
ing picture,  "The  Bandit  Prince,"  from  the 
story  written  by  Hayakawa.  It  is  said  that 
technicolor  will  be  used  in  many  of  the  im- 
portant sequences. 


Herald-World  Announces 
Sound  Special,  August  18 

Synchronization  in  all  its  phases 
will  be  presented  to  readers  of  Ex- 
hibitors Herald-World  in  the  issue 
of  August  18.  Watch  for  this  spe- 
cial sound  issue.  It  will  contain  ex- 
clusive stories  on  all  sound  picture 
equipment,  the  latest  news  of  pro- 
duction and  special  feature  articles 
on  exploiting  and  advertising  the 
sound  picture.  This  special  edition 
will  be  of  vital  interest  to  every 
man  connected  with  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry. 


Warners  Build  New 
$220,000  Sound  Stage 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Erection  of  a 
huge  new  steel  and  concrete  sound-proof 
stage  to  cost  $220,000  at  their  Sunset  Boule- 
vard studio  is  announced  by  Warner  Brothers. 
Construction  is  going  forward  immediately,  it 
was  stated,  ground  having  already  been 
broken  for  the  new  building.  The  structure 
will  be  the  fourth  erected  by  Warner 
Brothers. 

The  new  structure  will  measure  200  by  300 
feet.  Its  main  structure  will  be  steel  and  con- 
crete. Its  interior  will  be  sound-proofed  to 
prevent  exterior  sounds  from  entering  and  to 
deaden  all  interior  sounds  unrelated  to  the 
action  being  filmed.  And  at  the  same  time, 
its  interior  construction  will  be  so  arranged 
and  constructed  that  perfect  recording  will  be 
possible. 


1000  Soldiers  Will 

Sing  in  U  A  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— One  thousand 
voices  of  film  soldiers  will  sing  "La  Marsei- 
laise"  in  Movietone  for  D.  W.  Griffith's  "The 
Love  Song,"  raising  their  voices  in  the  din  of 
a  battle  that  will  be  recorded  in  sound,  ac- 
cording to  United  Artists. 

Another  oral  high  spot  in  the  production 
will  be  the  singing  by  Lupe  Velez  of  Irving 
Berlin's  "The  Love  Song,"  written  especially 
for  this  production.  William  Boyd,  Jetta 
Goudal,  Lupe  Velez,  George  Fawcett  and 
Albert  Conti  already  have  been  signed  to  ap- 
pear in  this  new  Griffith  picture. 


"Stark  Mad"  to  Be 

A  Warner  Special 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— J.  L.  Warner  an- 
nounced this  week  the  title  of  another  pic- 
ture to  be  made  soon  at  the  Warner  Studio  as 
a  big  Vitaphone  feature  with  dialogue  and 
sound  effects  throughout.  It  will  be  called 
"Stark  Mad"  and  is  adapted  from  a  story  just 
purchased  by  the  Warner  organization. 


Rialto,  Columbus,  to 
Be  Wired  for  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  GA.,  July  31.— Roy  E. 
Martin,  owner  of  the  Martin  chain  of  the- 
atres here,  announced  this  week  the  com- 
pletion of  arrangements  for  the  installation 
of  Vitaphone  in  the  Rialto  theatre,  located 
in  the  heart  of  the  business  district  in 
Columbus. 

Before  the  installation  the  Rialto  will  be 
completely  remodeled  and  redecorated.  The 
cost  of  installing  the  new  talking  equip- 
ment, Martin,  said,  will  be  $20,000.  Definite 
date  for  installation  has  not  been  set,  but  it 
is  expected  to  get  under  way  within  the 
next  month. 


Writes  Dialogue 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— The  first  writer 
to  break  forth  as  a  creator  of  dialogue  for 
sound  production  on  the  Paramount  lot  is 
Wells  Root,  former  New  York  newspaper- 
man, who  was  brought  to  Hollywood  to  write 
Charles  "Buddy"  Rogers'  first  starring  pic- 
ture, "Varsity." 


■HlUl 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


;35 


Hodges  Tells  About 
'      Studio  Methods  in 
Sound  Production 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— All  pictures 
with  talking  sequences  are  shot  in  their  en- 
tirety without  sound,  cut  and  titled  before 
the  sound  process  is  begun.  Following  a 
preview  the  picture  is  taken  into  the  sound 
studio  where  the  cast  and  director  work 
for  10  days  or  two  weeks  ordinarily. 

Spotting  it  for  the  voice  parts  requires 
comparatively  little  time.  The  film  is  cut 
at  the  place  where  the  title  is  spoken;  the 
insert  is  made  and  the  film  is  pasted  to- 
gether. 

In  the  case  of  "The  Jazz  Singer"  Warner 
Oland  was  required  to  sing  "Kol  Nidre." 
He  was  unable  to  take  the  singing  part 
and  the  voice  was  borrowed  from  a  trained 
vocalist.  Vocalists  dislike  to  lend  their 
voices.  They  ordinarily  demand  that  "the 
pipes  go  only  with  the  flesh." 

The  studio  is  heavily  cloaked  so  that  no 
sound  is  emitted  except  the  voice  of  the 
speaker.  The  camera  is  heavily  muffled  so 
that  its  purr  is  not  heard. 

In  cases  where  the  director  forgets  him- 
self and  shouts  a  word  during  the  "take' 
that  word  can  be  cut  out  as  easily  as  if  it 
were  quiet  film. 

If  an  actor  makes  a  mechanical  sound 
while  he  is  speaking,  the  sound  cannot  be 
cut  from  the  record  without  also  cutting  the 
words.  But  recent  inventions  have  made 
it  possible  to  cut  the  record  almost  as  thor- 
oughly as  if  the  cutter  were  working  with 
film. 

Fairbanks  to  Use 

Sound;  Shuns  Voice 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Douglas  Fair- 
banks will  use  sound  effects  in  his  next 
picture, "The  Man  with  the  Iron  Mask,"  a 
sequel  to  "The  Three  Musketeers,"  but 
talking  sequences  will  not  be  employed. 
According  to  his  representative,  Fairbanks 
has  always  felt  that  the  motion  picture, 
because  of  its  universal  appeal,  is  a  greater 
medium  of  expression  than  the  spoken 
word,  and  that  he  does  not  intend  to  let 
his  use  of  sound  impair  the  internation- 
alism of  his  pictures. 


Gloria  Swanson  to 

Use  Voice  in  Next 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.  —  Both  the 
voice  and  sound  effects  will  be  used  in 
Gloria  Swanson's  next  picture  for  United 
Artists,  tentatively  titled  "The  Swamp." 
Voice  tests  are  now  being  made  at  the 
studio  and  the  leading  man  will  be  chosen 
with  suitable  attention  to  his  vocal  ability. 
The  story  is  written  and  will  be  direced 
by  Eric  von  Stroheim. 


'%ion  and  Mouse  ^' 
Opens  the  Vendome 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NASHVILLE,  July  31.— 'The  Lion  and 
the  Mouse"  will  introduce  Vitaphone  talk- 
ing pictures  at  the  Vendome,  Loew's  Nash- 
ville house,  August  6.  On  the  same  bill 
there  will  be  heard  the  Kentucky  Jubilee 
Choir,  Fox  Movietone  News  and  Joe  Cook 
in  Movietone. 


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"/ 

A  Movietone  motor  driven  camera  and  Movietone  microphone  set  up  for  filming  an  effect 

picture.    The  wee  Scotch  lassie  is  Madge  Bellamy,  making  a  scene  for  Fox's  sound  picture, 

"Mother  Knows  Best."    J.  G.  Blystone,  seated,  is  directing. 

Big  Campaign  Opens  Sound  in 
Third  Atlanta  House;  Record  B.  O. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  July  31. — A  new  verdict  in  favor  of  sound  pictures  was  handed 
down  last  week  at  the  Howard  theatre  where  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse"  is  ring- 
ing up  a  mighty  gross.  All  records  for  matinee  attendance  were  smashed  Mon- 
day afternoon  and  the  house  played  to  overflow  business  Monday  night.  Tues- 
day's box-office  record  showed  but  the  slightest  variation  from  Monday's,  and  the 
picture  goes  on  drawing  audiences  and  winning  praise. 

Sound  pictures  are  not  new  to  Atlanta.  The 
Metropolitan's  record  established  in  that 
house  by  "The  Jazz  Singer"  during  an  eight 
weeks'  run  which  started  late  in  February  of 
this  year  is  unique  in  Atlanta's  history.  No 
picture  ever  before  played  more  than  two  con- 
secutive weeks  in  any  one  theatre  here. 

While  the  Metropolitan  was  still  going 
strong  with  "The  Jazz  Singer"  the  Rialto  had 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  equipment  installed 
and  started  on  its  way  with  "Tenderloin." 
More  history  was  written.  Both  houses  con- 
tinue to  feature  Vitaphone  and  Movietone. 

The  brilliant  record  set  by  "The  Jazz 
Singer"  at  the  Metropolitan,  and  the  fine 
showing  established  by  "Tenderloin"  at  the 
Rialto  gave  healthy  stimulus  to  the  Howard's 
efforts. 

Wherefore,  when  "The  Lion  and  the 
Mouse"  was  booked  as  the  particular  feature 
which  would  give  Vitaphone  its  debut  at  the 
Howard  the  management  went  out  to  "put  it 
over."  They  made  a  thoroughly  good  job  of 
it,  and  without  extravagance.  The  expenses 
of  the  campaign  were  conservative.  For  one 
thing,  they  were  spared  the  pioneering  work. 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  were  already  fa- 
vorably established  here.  So  the  Howard 
theatre  concentrated  largely  upon  selling  the 
"talking"  angle,  the  title  of  the  picture,  and 
the  stars.  The  greatest  emphasis  was  laid  on 
Lionel  Barrymore  because  of  both  his  picture 
and  stage  experience. 

Exploitation  for  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse" 
included  special  lobby  displays  two  weeks  m 
advance ;  special  trailers  two  weeks  in  ad- 
vance ;  William  Collier,  Jr.,  in  the  Vitaphone 
talking  trailer  one  week  ahead  of  the  opening ; 
advance   plugs   in   all   newspaper   ads    starting 


10  days  in  advance ;  40  block  24-sheets  (type) 
posted  three  days  prior  to  the  opening;  100 
block  three-sheets ;  100  block  six-sheets ;  250 
block  one-sheets  ;  75  block  22  x  28's  ;  500  door- 
knob hangers  placed  on  store  doors  last  Sat- 
urday night ;  a  mammoth  banner  across  the 
main  street ;  and  attractive  one-sheets  placed 
in  lobbies  of  all  hotels. 

Display  ads  in  the  newspapers  Sunday  pre- 
ceding the  opening  gave  the  first  big  break  in 
that  medium.  On  Monday  there  were  signed 
reviews,  written  as  a  result  of  a  private 
screening  for  the  press. 

Through  a  tie-up  with  the  U.  S.  Navy  one- 
sheets  were  placed  on  the  boards  usually  de- 
voted to  recruiting. 

A  piece  of  publicity  that  took  on  a  more 
personal  atmosphere  and  made  a  decided  di- 
rect appeal  was  a  letter  announcing  the  en- 
gagement with  other  appropriate  references, 
signed  by  the  manager,  Robert  E.  Hicks,  and 
mailed  to  the  Howard's  selected  list  of  4,000. 

Additional  advertising  was  obtained  by 
turning  the  lobby  of  the  Forsyth  theatre  to 
account.  Although  this  theatre  is  now  dark 
the  lobby  is  in  constant  use  since  it  also  pro- 
vides the  entrance  to  the  Forsyth  building  and 
the  popular  Forsyth  soda  fount.  Two  dou- 
ble-sided banners  proclaimed  "The  World's 
Greatest  Talking  Picture,  'The  Lion  and  the 
Mouse'- — Opening  Monday,  Howard  Theatre." 

The  huge  electric  sign  on  the  top  of  the 
Howard  theatre  building  announced  "The 
Lion  and  the  Mouse"  with  Lionel  Barrymore 
beginning  Saturday  night ;  the  marquee  spelled 
the  feature  in  colored  lights ;  a  special  banner 
under  the  marquee  proclaimed  the  event 
throughout  the  run. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


( 


WHERE  THE 


^^/uij^^l^^ 


ARE  MADE 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

^'Hollywood:* 


Sandrich  Advanced   to 
Directorship    of    Feature 
Length  Films  by  Columbia 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,   July  31.— Mark  Sandrich, 
who  has   for  the  past  two  years  been  known 
as  one  of  the  best  directors  of  short  subjects, 
having  turned  out  an 
entire     program     for 
Educational  and  later 
several  special  come- 
dies    for     Fox,     has 
been    elevated    to    a 
full  feature  director- 
ship by  Harry  Cohn, 
vice    -    president     in 
charge  of  production 
for  Columbia. 

For  the  past  few 
months,  Sandrich  has 
been  sought  by  sev- 
eral studios  to  direct 
features,  but  was  un- 
able to  accept  on  ac- 
count of  his  affilia- 
tion with  the  Fox  comedy  department.  With 
the  closing  of  that  department  he  has  taken 
advantages  of  the  opportunity  to  direct  his 
first  feature. 


Mark   Sandrick 


Sound  Stage  Is  Now 

In  Making  at  Universal 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— With  the  an- 
nouncement by  Carl  Laemmle  that  18  features 
on  the  coming  year's  program  would  be  syn- 
chronized construction  has  started  on  a  sound 
proof  on  the  Universal  lot.  "Lonesome,"  the 
special  directed  by  Paul  Fejos,  will  be  the 
first  Universal  picture  to  have  dialogue  and 
filming  of  the  talking  sequences  will  be  started 
soon. 


*' Drums  of  Araby"  to 

Be  Next  for  Tom  Mix 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Tom  Mix;  next 
picture  will  be  "Drums  of  Araby"  and  it  will 
be  directed  by  Robert  DeLacy,  long  known 
for  his  achievements  in  the  Western  line  as 
the  director  of  many  box  office  successes  star- 
ring Tom  Tyler.  The  picture  is  said  to  be  a 
gigantic  effort  which  will  cost  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  million  dollars.  Production  will 
begin  early  next  week. 


Lloyd  Going  Soon  on 

Location  for  His  Next 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Harold  Lloyd's 
next  picture  will  be  "The  Butterfly  Chaser." 
He  will  play  the  role  of  a  bespectacled  botan- 
ist on  the  trail  of  evasive  insects.  It  will  be 
the  first  Lloyd  comedy  to  be  made  with  sound. 
Lloyd  and  his  staff  are  leaving  for  location  in 
the  mountains  soon. 


All  Indie  Lots  Boasting  Big 

Stars;  Seeking  Pickup  Money 

Clarence  Brown  Begins  "Woman  of  Affairs"  for  MGM;  George 

O'Brien  Returns  to  Fox  Lot  After  Four  Months  with 

Warner;  D'Arrast  Completes  "Dry  Martini" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3L— Caste  to  the  winds  the  big  timers  here  are  now- 
adays anxious  and  willing  to  sign  with  any  independent  company  for  a  two 
weeks'  engagement.     Pickup  money  in  the  spare  time  is  in  demand. 

The  state  right  class  of  producers  are  taking  quick  advantage  of  the  situa- 
tion and  they  are  producing  pictures  with  starring  values  equivalent  to  Para- 
mount, M  G  M  or  First  National  pictures  in  many  cases. 
Productions  Are  Shot  in  Two  Weeks 

Good  directors  are  already  in  the  employ  of  these  same  independent  pro- 
ducers with  the  result  that  only  two  differences  in  general  remain  between 
independent  pictures  and  major  producers'  pictures :  The  stories  are  handled 
less  carefully  and  the  shooting  time  is  two  weeks  on  the  average  poverty  row 
production. 


Alice  Day,  Belle  Bennett,  Ricardo  Cortez, 
Dorothy  Sebastian,  Gertrude  Olmstead,  Hedda 
Hopper,  are  among  the  featured  players  who 
were  working  in  independent  studios  last  week. 

Among  the  biggest  pictures  which  have  been 
started  this  week  are  "Gold  Braid,"  "Little 
Angel"  and  "A  Woman  of  Affairs."  Clarence 
Brown's  first  work  since  "The  Trail  of  '98" 
began  today  with  the  Greta  Garbo  picture. 
There  is  little  expectation  that  "A  Woman 
of  Affairs"  will  compare  in  magnitude  to  "The 
Trail,"  but  there  are  possibilities  that  Brown 
will  turn  out  a  darn  good  box  office  picture 
with  the  material  he  has  at  hand.  The  other 
two  are  being  directed  by  George  Hill  and 
Sam  Wood.  Hill's  cast  for  "Gold  Braid"  is 
headed  by  Ramon  Novarro,  while  Wood's  cast 
is  in  support  of  the  star,  Norma  Shearer. 
Arlen  in  Arzner  Picture 

Hollywood's  noted  woman  director,  Dorothy 
Arzner,  began  one  last  week  for  Paramount 
featuring  Richard  Arlen  and  little  Nancy  Car- 
roll.    The  picture  has   not  title  as  yet  on  the 


Gloria  Swanson's  Disguise 
Fools  Studio  Executives 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.  — The 
story  is  going  the  rounds  here  of 
how  Gloria  Swanson,  disguised  as  a 
country  girl  with  a  blond  wig  and 
curls  and  an  antequated  suit,  con- 
sistently was  refused  jobs  in  a  tour 
of  the  studios  with  a  magazine 
writer. 

Gossip  says  that  at  Goldwyn's  an 
executive  termed  her  just  a  "gawky 
country  girl"  and  that  at  another  she 
was  advised  to  get  back  to  Indiana 
while  there  still  was  a  silver  lining 
to  her  purse. 


boards;,  but  the  director,  supervisor  and 
scenarist  are  toying  with  three  or  four  that 
may  be  decided  before  our  next  issue  goes 
to  press. 

This  week  marked  the  return  of  one  of 
Fox  greatest  box  office  attractions,  George 
O'Brien.  He  has  completed  his  cinematic  as 
well  as  Vitaphone  sequences  in  Warner  Broth- 
ers' "Noah's  Ark"  and  is  now  working  in 
"Fog"  under  the  direction  of  Charles  Klein. 
Klein  is  the  man  who  attracted  no  little  at- 
tention nine  weeks  ago  upon  the  presentation 
of  his  $50  picture,  "The  Tell-Tale  Heart." 

Paul  Stein  is  the  director  of  "Show  Folks" 

which  was  completed  last  week  at  the  De  Mille 

studios.     In  the  featured  roles  are  Lina  Bas- 

quette,  Eddie  Quillan  and  Robert  Armstrong. 

D'Arrast  Completes  Astor  Film 

Harry  D'Arrast  completed  six  week's  work 
on  the  picture,  "Dry  Martini"  Saturday.  It  is 
comedy  throughout  with  D'Arrast  touches, 
such  as  those  which  have  made  him  famous 
at  Paramount,  all  through  the  story.  Here, 
instead  of  directing  Florence  Vidor  and 
Adolph  Menjou,  he  is  directing  Mary  Astor 
and  Matt  Moore  with  Albert  Gran  in  a  major 
supporting  role.  Gran  is  the  funny  fellow  in 
"Four  Sons"  and  "Seventh  Heaven."  It  is 
a  Fox  production  and  has  had  good  reports 
from  local  previewers. 

Another  comedy  completed  last  week  is  the 
MGM  piece,  "The  Sin.Ie  Man."  Harry 
Beaumont  is  the  director  and  Lew  Cody  and 
Aileen  Pringle  provide  the  comedy  stuff. 

Universal  completed  a  number  of  pictures 
last  week,  most  noteworthy  of  which  was  "The 
Last  Warning."  One  was  a  Bill  Cody;  one  a 
Ted    Wells;    and    one    a    Bob    Curwood. 

Frank  Capra  dismissed  his  cast  for  "Into 
the  Depths"  Saturday,  when  the  Columbia  pic- 
ture was  completed.  It  is  the  same  opus  that 
Irvin  Willat  started  a  couple  of  months  ago. 
Willat  withdrew  before  the  picture  was  com- 
pleted, but  many  of  his  brilliant  ideas  are 
said  to  remain  in  the  story. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Qrauman  to  Reopen  Chinese  Theatre 
August  3  with  ^^White  Shadows^^ 

M  G  M  Picture  Starring  Monte  Blue  to  Have   World  Premiere;   Jack 

Warner,  Harry  Rapf  and  Sol  Wurtzel  Speak  at  Wampas  Meeting 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  3L— Sid  Grauman  arrived  at  a  conclusion  if  not  a 
solution  to  his  Chinese  problem  this  week  when  he  booked  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer's  "White  Shadows"  to  open  an  engagement  August  3  at 
the  Chinese  theatre  on  Hollywood  boulevard.  Sid's  chief  concern  for  three 
months  has  been  the  crowds  that  the  Warner  Brothers  theatre  has  been  draw- 
ing away  from  the  Chinese,  a  couple  of  blocks  west,  and  also  lack  of  product 
on  the  market. 


'y*HE  full  title  is  "White  Shadows  of  the 
^  South  Seas."  It  is  the  filmization  made  by 
M  G  M  when  a  film  company  packed  its 
equipment  to  the  tropical  islands  several 
months  ago  with  the  stars,  Monte  Blue  and 
Raquel  Torres.  The  entire  picture  is  said  to 
have  been  made  on  location. 

While  the  house  has  been  dark  it  has  under- 
gone the  regular  renovating  made  necessary 
by  a  year's  continual  usage.  It  closed  its  doors 
a  month  ago,  shortly  after  the  Warner  thea- 
tre opened. 

*        sji        sii 

Rapf  and  Warner  Entertain 

The  last  Wampas  meeting  was  given  over 
to  the  West  Coast  for  the  entire  entertain- 
ment, according  to  previous  announcement. 
That  did  not  account  for  the  speeches  made 
by  Harry  Rapf  or  Jack  Warner. 

The  latter  made  one  of  the  rambling  variety 
for  which  he  is  best  known  and  liked.  He 
•was  exceedingly  cordial  to  the  publicists  as 
well  as  visiting  reporters  of  Variety,  Film 
Daily,  and  legitimate  newspapers,  inviting 
them  all  to  the  Vitaphone  studios  any  time 
they  choose.  Especially  anyone  who  would 
like  to  know  the  inside  dope  on  the  Vita- 
phone  process  was  invited  to  drop  in  and  get 
wise  to  the  modern  methods.  He  promised 
that  the  service  would  be  prompt  regardless 
of  the  hour  of  day,  and  that  8  :30  in  the  morn- 
ing would  find  someone  at  the  door  to  take 
excellent  care  of  you. 

Harry  Rapf's  chief  statement  in  a  much 
more  serious  speech  was  that  this  era  of 
sound  pictures  has  caused  him  as  well  as 
dozens  of  other  producers  to  lose  many 
nights  of  sleep.  It's  a  precarious  period,  he 
said,  and  somebody  is  going  to  get  hurt. 
The  actor  is  due  for  a  dangerous  stretch. 

Sol  Wurtzel,  Fox  executive,  followed  the 
others.  "The  other  speakers  have  covered  the 
entire  ground,"  he  said.  "There  is  nothing 
for  me  to  say." 

^     ^    ^ 

Mark  Sandrich  Gets  There 

In  the  news  columns  is  a  story  about  a 
young  director  named  Sandrich.  Mark  Sand- 
rich  is  one  of  the  most  ambitious'  young  men 
in  Hollywood.  His  promotion  to  direct  fea- 
ture length  pictures  follows  two  years  of  con- 
centration   on    pictures    and    picture    making. 


Paint  'Em  Blue  to  Make 
'Em  White,  New  Film  Plan 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Each 
white  article  that  appears  before  the 
camera  is  now  stained  a  rather  dark 
blue,  about  the  same  shade  as  the  or- 
dinary blue  cotton  work  shirts,  under 
a  new  color  scheme  credited  to  01- 
lie  Marsh,  M  G  M  cameraman.  The 
plan  is  being  applied  in  John  Gil- 
bert's "The  Mask  of  the  Devil."  For 
the  old  arc  lighting  system,  it  is  ex- 
plained, yellow  or  pink  colors  pho- 
tographed white,  but  the  softer  in- 
candescents  cause  a  slight  reflection 
even  of  these. 


He  has  had  no  "luck"  to  speak  of.  But  he 
has  kept  his  nose  to  the  wheel  with  the  logical 
result  that  he  is  getting  there. 

"Playback"  Conies  Into  Use 

Players  and  directors  are  becoming  accus- 
tomed to  a  new  word  in  Hollywood.  On  a 
parallel  with  the  word  "rushes"  comes  the 
word,  "playback."  After  the  voice  recording 
sequences  are  made  actors  and  directors  re- 
treat to  another  room  where  the  record  is 
played.  If  the  voice  of  the  actor  has  been 
heavy  or  the  diction  bad  the  scene  is  recorded 
again. 

An  interval  of  only  five  minutes  elapses  be- 
for  the  record  may  be  heard. 
*    *    * 

Harold  Beaudine,  who  has  directed  for 
Christie  Comedies  for  five  years,  is  leaving 
that  organization  for  a  free  lance  career. 


Wood    Urges   Exhibitors 
To  Go  Slow  in  Placing 
Sound    Film    Equipment 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
COLUMBUS.— P.  J.  Wood,  business  man- 
ager of  the  M.P.T.O.O.,  in  a  letter  sent  out 
to  certain  motion  picture  theatre  owners  in 
Ohio  who  had  inquired  concerning  the  sound 
films,  warned  these  owners  to  go  slow  in  plac- 
ing equipment  for  sound  films  in  their  the- 
atres. 

He  declared  no  one  knows  whether  sound 
films  are  interchangeable,  that  exhibitors  are 
obligated  to  install  improvements  and  to  pay 
maintenance  charges,  that  an  additional 
amount  must  be  paid  for  synchronization 
rights  to  a  film,  and  that  the  devices  are  sold 
to  everyone. 


Preparations  Started 

On  ''Broadway"  by  U 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Carl  Laemmle, 
Jr.,  stated  today  that  "Broadway"  prepara- 
tions have  been  started  and  that  a  director  of 
the  calibre  of  Griffith,  Henry  King  or  Vidor 
is  to  be  engaged.    - 


June  Collyer  Returning 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— June  Collyer  is 
expected  to  return  to  Hollywood,  August  2. 
Her  trip  to  Europe  for  Fox  "Chasing  Through 
Europe,"  was  called  off  when  she  arrived  in 
New   York. 


Henabery  on  Denny  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— "Red  Hot 
Speed,"  Reginald  Denny's  next  picture  for 
Universal,  will  be  directed  by  Joseph  Hena- 
bery, who  has  been  prominent  for  a  number 
of  years  in  the  comedy  field. 


He  Said  It  With  Bricks, 
Now  With  Fine  Phrases 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COFFEYVILLE,  KAN.,  July  31. 
— Many  years  ago  a  boy  in  this  town 
asked  John  Tackett  for  a  job  in 
Tackett's  "hay  barn"  theatre.  He 
asked  five  times  and  was  turned  down 
five  times.  The  boy  then  proceeded 
to  throw  rocks  through  every  window 
in  the  house.  Time  passed.  The 
other  day  Tackett  opened  his  new 
Tackett  theatre  here.  The  editor  of 
the  Coffeyville  News  gave  Tackett 
and  his  theatre  one  of  the  greatest 
send-offs  a  newspaper  ever  has  given 
a  theatre  or  an  exhibitor  in  Kansas. 
The  editor  of  the  News  was  none 
other  than  the  dirty  faced  boy  who 
had  broken  all  the  windows  in  Tack- 
ett's theatre  years  ago.  After  those 
windows  had  been  broken  it  seems 
that  Tackett  had  an  attack  of  kindly 
sentiment  towards  the  youth  and  gave 
him  a  job,  the  boy  becoming  Tackett's 
assistant.  Later  he  became  editor  of 
the  News. 


Buck  to  Make  Personal 
Appearances  With  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Buck  Jones  left 
Hollywood  last  week  for  the  East,  where  he 
will  make  personal  appearances  when  "The 
Big  Hop"  makes  its  first  public  appearance  in 
New  York,  Brooklyn  and  Philadelphia.  "The 
Big  Hop"  is  Buck's  first  picture  as  a  star- 
producer  and  has  already  been  sold  through- 
out the  United  States. 

Don  McElwaine,  his  business  manager, 
arrived  in  New  York,  Sunday,  to  close  deals 
for  foreign  releases.  Buck  is  driving  from 
Hollywood  to  Vancouver,  where  he  will  leave 
his  car  and  continue  to  New  York  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific. 


''Street  Angel"  Plays 

Third  Week  at  Roxy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— "Street  Angel,"  the 
William  Fox  special  production  of  Neapolitan 
romance  directed  by  Frank  Borzage,  with 
Janet  Gaynor  and  Charles  Farrell  in  the  star- 
ring roles,  is  playing  its  third  week  at  the 
Roxy  theatre.  In  its  first  two  weeks  at  popu- 
lar prices  at  the  Roxy,  the  second  highest  rec- 
ords for  attendance  and  receipts  were  re- 
corded. 

The  figures  of  the  first  week,  exceeded  only 
by  the  world's  record  held  by  "What  Price 
Glory,"  revealed  an  attendance  of  more  than 
160,000,  with  net  receipts  of  $126,000.  The 
second  week  kept  pace  with  the  first. 


Jolson  to  Play  Both 

In  Films  and  on  Stage 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Al  Jolson,  whose 
second  Vitaphone  is  now  in  the  final  stages  of 
filming,  has  just  signed  a  long  term  contract 
with  Warner  Brothers.  Jolson  will  not  give 
up  the  stage,  but  will  make  trips  to  the  studio 
in  Hollywood  at  required  intervals. 


Belasco  Fetes  69th  Birthday 

NEW  YORK. — David   Belasco,   theatrical  producer, 
has  just  celebrated  his  69th  birthday. 


— Then  the  Honeymoon 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edward  Halperin  are  en  route  to  New  York 
on  a  belated  honeymoon.  They  will  visit  a 
number  of  exchange  cities  in  conjunction  with 
Henry  King's  production,  "She  Goes  to  War," 
which  is  being  produced  by  Halperin  and  his 
brother  for  Inspiration,  and  which  will  be  re- 
leased through  United  Artists. 


August  4,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


The  Roach  Studio  Folks  Qo  Qolfing 


OCCASION  again 
arises  for  the 
presentation  of 
filmfolk  in  the  serio- 
comic roles  of  golf 
tournament  players. 
The  one  before  us  now 
is  the  private  links 
party  of  the  Hal  Roach 
studio,  and  doubtless 
this  serious  business 
offers  extraordinary  re- 
lief to  contestants 
whose  life  is  just  one 
comedy  after  another 
for  M  G  M's  program. 
The  tournament  was 
held  at  the  Riviera 
Country  Club  near 
Hollywood. 


Charlie  Chase,  comedy  star, 

with    the    cup   he    donated 

and  also  won. 


What's    wrong    with    this    picture?     Stan 

Laurel,    star   comedian,    gets   his    billiards 

and  gowf  a  little  confused,  it  seems. 


George    Stevens,    cameraman, 

plays   the   13-ball   in   the  side 

pocket — er — But  let  it  pass! 


H.  M.  Walker,  veteran  comedy 
title  writer  —  and  we  can't 
think  of  a  single  gag  for  him! 


As  Robert  McGowan,  the  vet- 
eran director  of  "Our  Gan^' 
comedies,  looks  in  his  togs. 


Another  director  of  long  stand- 
ing with  the  Hal  Roach  organ- 
ization, the  huge  Arch  Heath. 


Even  the  adjectives  were  ab- 
jured for  the  day  by  Ray  Cof- 
fin, studio  publicity  director. 


And  the   mighty  casey  struck 
out — Oliver  Hardy,  star  come- 
dian, trying  a  Babe  Ruth. 


Another   cameraman  who 

reeled  off  a  few  million  feet  of 

footwork — Len  Powers. 


As  stated,  this  is  serious  busi- 
ness. Hence,  this  "shot"  of 
Ed  Kennedy,  contract  player. 


And  finally,  for  space  permits 
no  more  of  this  interesting 
meet  James  Parrott,  director. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department^ 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,**  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Exhibitor  Giving  Short  Film  Half 
Of  Ad  Space  Asks  Better  Comedy 

Short  Product  a  Necessity  in  Modern  Complete  Program,  Says  P.  G.  Held — 

Frank  E.  Sabin  Agrees  but  Wants  Improved  Product — 

Just  Mentions  Shorts  in  Paper 

An  exhibitor  who  gives  his  short  comedies  equal  exploitation  with  the  long^ 
features — .  Another  exhibitor  who  merely  names  the  comedy,  title  and  star  in 
his  advertising — .  These  two,  in  letters  to  this  department,  present  widely 
diverging  ideas  on  the  publicizing  of  short  product. 

Both  Ask  for  Better  Comedies 

Both  make  the  same  plea,  however,  and  that  is  for  better  comedies — funnier, 
cleaner  and  more  entertaining,  one  granting  that  comedies  "are  the  hardest 
entertainment  to  make." 


P.  G.  Held  of  the  Strand  at  Griswold,  Iowa, 
is  the  theatre  owner  who  believes  in  placing 
the  short  comedy  and  the  long  feature  on  an 
absolutely  equal  basis  in  his  paper. 

Vital  to  Complete  Program 

To  him  the  short  product  is  vital  to  the 
balancing  of  a  finished  program,  stating  his 
creed  in  these  words : 

"I  think  funny  comedies  and  late  newsreels 
are  a  necessity  nowadays  to  make  any  picture 
program  complete." 

In  his  appeal  for  better  product  in  this  field, 
Held  goes  on: 

"The  great  fault  I  find  nowadays  with  the 
comedies  is  the  producers  don't  take  enough 
pains  to  make  them  funny,  clean  and  interest- 
ing. Only  about  three  out  of  every  ten  com- 
edies we  run  nowadays  are  up  to  the  standard 
and  are  funny.  The  other  seven  are  mere 
iillers. 

"I  have  played  one  and  two-reel  comedies 
and  never  heard  a  patron  laugh.  That  shows 
plainly  that  so  many  of  the  comedies  are  not 
comedies — they  are  mere  fillers. 

"I  wish  someone  would  produce  comedies 
that  are  funny,  clean  and  entertaining.  It 
would  be  one  of  the  greatest  helps  to  small 
town  exhibitors." 

Sabin  Makes  Same  Appeal 

Frank  E.  Sabin  of  the  Majestic  theatre  at 
Eureka,  Mont.,  while  praising  the  newsreel, 
makes  the  same  comment  as  Held,  regarding 
the  quality  of  the  comedies,  but  Sabin  does  not 
give  his  short  product  more  advertising  than 
simply  naming  the  stars  and  the  titles.  His 
policy  he  describes  as  follows : 

"I  am  down  to  but  two  changes  per  week 
now.  On  one  of  these  I  show  Pathe  News 
and  find  it  a  very  good  drawing  card. 

"Am  using  Pathe  two-reel  comedies  on  my 
other  change.  These  run  50  per  cent  good  and 
I  could  class  them  only  as  fillers,  as  the  fea- 
ture's the  thing. 

"If  one  could  be  assured  of  first-rate  com- 
edies they  would,  undoubtedly,  prove  a  valu- 
able  asset   to    one's   program.      But,    as    you 


know,  they  are  the  hardest  entertainment  to 
make  so  we  take  what  we  can  get. 

"I  have  tried  the  'all-short'  programs,  but 
they  do  not  register,  except  with  the  kids. 

"In  my  advertising,  I  merely  name  the  star 
and  title  of  the  comedy." 

Now  then,  other  exhibitors,  do  you  agree 
withHeld  in  allotting  50  per  cent  of  his  ex- 
ploitation to  the  short  feature,  or  are  your 
views  similar  to  those  of  Sabin,  who  just 
names  comedy  and  star?  Do  you  agree  with 
them  that  the  short  feature  can  be  an  invalu- 
able part  of  the  program?  Do  you  agree 
with  them  in  their  appeal  for  a  higher  stand- 
ard of  comedy  production? 

The  columns  of  this  department  are  wide 
open  for  your  use,  in  informing  your  fellow- 
exhibitors  of  your  experiences  and  conclusions 
for  constructive  showmanship. 


Newspictures 


KINOGRAMS  NO.  5416— John  Mears  and  C.  B.  D. 
Collyer  break  "round  world  record"  circle  the  globe 
in  23^  days — Babe  Ruth  hits  two  home  runs  to 
thrill  his  sister — 16,000  join  in  great  singing  fes- 
tival at  Reval,  Esthonia. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  60— Tunney 
is  still  champion,  knocks  out  Heeney  in  11th  round 
— Peter  Hesselbach  remains  aloft  for  57  minutes  in 
motorless  plane — Spectacular  scenes  as  fire  razes 
6  oil  tanks  at  Wood  River,  Illinois. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  88 — Home  state  welcomes  Hoover — 
Peter  Hesselbach  sets  a  record  for  motorless  glid- 
ers, stays  aloft  for  57  minutes — French-Spanish 
tunnel  is  opened  by  rulers. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  1— College  songs  and 
cheers  greet  Hoover  home — Gene  Tunney  retains 
World  Heavy  weight  title  by  knocking  out  Heeney 
in  nth  round — Packet  Chris  Greene  defeats  Betsy 
Ann   in   revival   of   paddle-wheel  classic. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  63— Gene  Tunney  retains  world 
Heavy  weight  title — College  greets  Hoover  home 
with  songs  and  cheers — Liquid  Gold  burns  in  $500,- 
000  blaze  at  Wood   River,  Illinois. 

M  G  M  NEAVS  NO.  100 — Gene  Tunney  keeps  Cham- 
pionship title,  knocks  out  Heeney  in  11th  round — 
Peter  Hesselbach  keeps  motorless  plane  aloft  in  air 
for  57  minutes— Old-time  steamboats  in  stirring  run 
for   Ohio's    speed   crown. 


Releases 


WEEK   OF   AUGUST   5 

EDUCATIONAL— "Felix  the  Cat  in  The  Last 
Life,"  one;  "Kid  Hayseed,"  Big  Boy-Juvenile, 
two. 

F  B  O — "Mickey's  Babies,"  two ;  "Joyful  Day," 
Standard,  two;  Newslaff  No.  25,-  one. 

FOX — "The  Elephant's  Elbows,"  Animal,  two; 
"The   Lofty  Andes,"  Fox  Varieties,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Yellow  Cameo,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  1,  two;  "Our  Lit- 
tle Nell,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Supper  Sex," 
Sportlight,  one;  Fathe  Review  No.  32,  one;  Top- 
ics  of   the    Day,    No.    32. 

UNIVERSAL— "High  Up,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Newlyweds'  Anniversary,"  Snookums,  Jtinior 
Jewel,  two;  "Scarlet  Arrow,"  Chapt.  10,  two; 
"McGinis'  vs.  Joneses,"  two;  "The  Ranger  Patrol," 
Western,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST   12 

EDUCATIONAL— "Goofy  Birds,"  Bowers,  two; 
"He  Tried  to  Please,"  Collins-Hutton,  Cameo, 
one;   "The  Peep  Show,"   Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PARAMOUNT— "Stop  Kidding,"  Christie-Vemon, 
two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  2,  two; 
"Sunny  Italy,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "His  Unlucky 
Night,"  Bevan-Dent,  Sennett,  two ;  Pathe  Reriew 
No.  33,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  33,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— "King  of  Shebas,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  1,  Adventure,  two; 
"Busting  Buster,"  Stem  Bros.,  two;  "The  Getaway 
Kid,"   Western,   Curwood,  two. 

WEEK  OF   AUGUST   19 

EDUCATIONAL— "The  Fighting  Orphans— Eve- 
ning Mist,"  Bruce  Outdoor  Sketches,  one;  "Just 
Dandy,"   Drew,    Mermaid,   two. 

F  B  O — Newslaff  No.  26,  one. 

FOX — "Her   Mother's    Back,"   Imperial,  two. 

PARIAMOUNT— "The  Dizzy  Dive,"  Christie-Dooley, 
two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  3,  two; 
"A  Cross-Country  Run,"  Aesop  Fable,  one; 
"Canned  Thrills,"  Sportlight,  one;  "Smith's  Res- 
taurant," two ;  Pathe  Review  No.  34,  one ;  Topics 
of  the  Day  No.   34,  one.  ■; 

UNIVERSAL — "Hot  Dog,"  Oswald,  Snappy,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  2,  Adventure,  two;  "She's 
My  Girl,"  Stern  Bros.,  Let  George  Do  It,  two; 
"The  Ruse,"  Western,  Perrin,  two. 

WEEK  OF   AUGUST   26 

EDUCATIONAL — "Wedded  Blisters,"  Lupino-Boyd, 
Tuxedo,  two ;  "Troubles  Galore,"  Collins-Ruby  Mc- 
Coy,  Cameo,  one. 

PARAMOUNT— "Hot  Scotch,"  Duffy,  Sandy  Mac- 
Duff,    Christie,   two. 

PATHE— "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  4,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one ;  "The  Chicken,"  Deluxe,  Sen- 
nett, two;  Pathe  Review  No.  35,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day  No.  35,  one. 

UNIVERSAL-^"A  Hurry  Up  Marriage,"  Harold 
Highbrow  series,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  3; 
Adventure,  two;  "Husbands  Won't  Tell,"  Mike  and 
Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Danger  Trail,"  West- 
ern, Newton  House,  two. 


Paramount  Sets  4  Dates 

for  Actor-Author  Series 

Release  dates  set  by  Paramount  for  the 
first  four  of  the  Great  Actors  and  Authors 
series  are  as  follows :  Irvin  S.  Cobb's  "Walls 
Tell  Tales,"  August  4;  Rita  Weiman's  "Two 
Masters,"  Sept.  8;  Rupert  Hughes'  "The 
Dancing  Town,"  Oct.  27,  and  Edna  Ferber's 
"The  Home  Girl,"  Dec.  1. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 

Careful  Staging  of  Shows  Necessary 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Hollywood  Warner 

Week  Ending  July  22 

Larry  Ceballos  revue,  "Over  the  Garden  Wall," 
with  James  Burroutfhs,  Leonard  St.  Leo,  Lyda 
Robert!,  Tommy  Atkins  Sextet,  Tut  Mace  and  the 
Carsons,  with  the  Warner  Girls,  offer  an  exceptional 
presentation.  The  program  is  handled  in  musical 
comedy  style,  no  master  of  ceremonies,  but  with  ac- 
tion intermingled  with  clever  dancing  and  entranc- 
ing music. 

The  show  opened  with  the  Tommy  Atkins  Sextet 
singing  "Over  the  Garden  Wall,"  six  girls  appearing 
at  the  chorus  over  the  fence,  the  boys  going  through 
the  gate  on  the  finish,  continuing  the  singing  as 
six  more  enter  from  the  sides  of  the  stage.  The 
girls  then  do  a  short  dance  while  the  garden  wall 
slides  to  the  sides  revealing  a  large  garden,  where 
several  girls  in  afternoon  dress  are  reposing. 

Leonard  St.  Leo  and  Tut  Mace  do  a  song  number 
which  the  girls  dance,  the  Tommy  Atkins  Sextet  sup- 
porting the  musical  number  of  "Oh  Baby,"  while  St. 
Leo  does  an  acrobatic  specialty. 

The  Carsons  next  entered  doing  a  fast  whirlwind 
dance  to  "Golden  Gate."  The  Sextet  and  Lyda 
Robert!  followed  singing  "Dawn  of  Love"  with 
strains  of  "My  Heart  Stood  Still"  at  the  end,  the  boys 
and  girls  doing  a  line  dance. 

The  "serpentine"  dance  with  the  24  beauties  took 
a  great  hand.  Their  spangle  suits  with  wonderful 
lighting  effects  added  much  to  their  reception.  They 
were  forced  to  take  an  encore  In  front  of  a  drop 
to    calm   the   patrons. 

Jimmie  Burroughs  followed  and  with  the  aid  of 
four  of  the  girls  sang  a  song  which  was  illustrated 
by  the  different  girls  appearing  in  garb  representing 
the  seasons.     This  was  a  great  number  and  well  done. 

The  drop  was  next  raised  displaying  the  six  boys 
and  six  girls  as  spooners  sitting  on  pillows.  A 
light  appeared  on  each  couple  as  they  sang  a  line, 
which  was  followed  by  the  complete  group  going  into 
a  dance  number.  They  took  a  good  hand  for  a 
clever  routine. 

Entering  into  the  finale,  the  troupe  started  off 
with  Tommy  Atkins  Sextet  and  the  girls  singing 
"My  Heart  Stood  Still"  dividing  into  twos,  fours 
and  eights,  with  each  principal  on  the  bill  doing  a 
specialty.  As  a  closing  number,  the  projection  ma- 
chine gave  flashes  and  the  cast  left  the  stage  in  a 
train,  appearing  as  though  they  were  shadows.  This 
was  one  of  the  outstanding  highlights  of  the  bill  and 
the  presentation  closed  with  a  heavy  hand  of  ap- 
plause. 

The  bill  was  much  above  the  average  and  coupled 
with  high  class  talent  and  exceptional  lighting  ef- 
fects the  bill  was  100  per  cent.  Larry  Ceballos  de- 
serves commendation  for  originality. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  July  28 

An'  arrangement  of  Fritz  Kreisler's  "Rhythmic 
Rhapsody"  gave  the  drummer  of  the  Fox  orchestra 
an  opportunity  to  show  his  dexterity  and  he  captured 
a  large  share  of  the  honors  of  the  evening.  It  is 
quite  an  acrobatic  feat  to  attend  to  all  the  instru- 
ments allotted  to  him  and  he  makes  a  rasping  sound 


Murray  &  Alan 


You've  all  heard  of  the  Howard  Brothers,  well, 
these  are  not  the  famous  Howard  Brothers 
but  they  are  really  brothers — Murray  &  Alan 
are  their  first  names  and  are  well  known  to 
the  theatrical  profession  as  such — before  going 
into  presentation  work,  the  boys  were  one  of 
the  feature  doubles  over  the  Keith  &  Orpheum 
Circuits — they  are  now  making  their  second 
tour  of  Publix. 

by  tearing  a  piece  of  cloth  to  hie  own  and  every  one 
else's  enjoyment. 

The  Midsummer  Syncopation  Gambol  featuring 
Fred  Rich  and  His  Hotel  Astor  Orchestra  offeied  an 
enjoyable  program.  A  cool,  summery  stage  setting 
with  Japanese  lanterns,  a  rose  covered  pavilion  and 
sparkling  fountains  at  the  sides  of  the  stage,  together 
with  the  refrigerated  air  of  the  theati'e,  almost  de- 
luded the  audience  into  believing  themselves  at  some 
pleasant  summer  resort. 

Helen  Werley,  strutting  debutante,  was  literally 
draped  with  rhinestones.  She  lay  aside  her  head- 
dress and  cape  and  gave  a  wonderful  exhibition  of 
muscular  control  as  she  bent  her  body  into  almost  un- 
believable postures.  The  audience  burst  into  ap- 
plause   several    times    before    the    finish    of    the    act. 

The  orchestra  played  "Angela  Mia"  from  "The 
Street  Angel"  and  one  of  the  tenors  came  to  the 
front    of    the   stage   and    sang    it   very    effectively. 

Freddie  and  Eddie  proved  themselves  very  capable 
unison  tap  dancers  and  Jackie  Heller,  playing  his 
own  accompaniment  on  the  ukulele,  sang  "Because 
My  Baby  Don't  Mean  Maybe,"  whose  appeal  lay  in 
its  wording  rather  than  the  musical  quality. 
{Continued  on  next  page) 


Papa!  Papa!  Papa! 

Perhaps  that  headline  also  should  have  said, 
"Mama,  Mama,  Mama,"  but,  frankly,  we 
don't  believe  that  Zenohia  Doreen  can  say 
either  as  yet.  In  other  words,  this  is  to  an- 
nounce that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner  (he  of  the 
Coronada  theatre,  Rockford,  III.,  organ)  are 
the  proud  parents  of  a  lovely  little  girl.  And 
as  Ray  says,  "In  case  the  name  fools  you, 
it's  a  girl." 


Specialty  Acts 
Alone  Will  Not 
Make  a  Program 

Policy  Has  Opened  New  Fields  to 
Writers  and  Producers 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Producing  picture  house  stage  presen- 
tation is  as  much  of  an  art  today  as 
producing  successful  musical  comedy 
shows.  The  only  difference  between 
the  two  is  the  fact  that  presentation 
allows  only  one  hour  or  less  for  the 
entertainment  to  take  place  while  the 
other  can  be  explained  in  two  and  a 
half  hours  which  composes  an  evening's 
entertainment  in  the  legitimate  theatre^ 

Careful  staging  of  scenery  and  costumes  is 
just  as  necessary  to  put  over  stageshows  suc- 
cessfully in  picture  houses  as  it  is  in  musical 
comedy. 

Requires  Substantial  Show 

When  presentation  first  began  to  see  the 
light  of  day  some  200  weeks  ago,  many 
thought  that  all  it  required  to  put  on  a  show 
was  a  band  on  the  stage  with  a  few  specialty 
acts  and  a  leader  who  could  also  act  as  a 
master  of  ceremonies.  It  was  not  very  long 
before  it  was  found  out  that  picture  house 
goers  were  not  easily  satisfied  with  just  a 
mere  average  vaudeville  bill  and  the  chain, 
circuits  soon  realized  that  in  order  to  keep, 
their  theatres  filled  something  more  substan- 
tial had  to  be  done  with  picture  house  presen- 
tation. 

So,  it  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  when 
Paul  Ash  started  his  stage  bandshow  policy 
in  Chicago  which  two  years  later  spread  all 
over  the  country  like  wildflower.  Since  then 
there  have  been  considerable  changes  made  in 
this  form  of  entertainment  and  each  change 
is  bringing  the  new  policy  closer  to  being  sub- 
stantial as  a  part  of  motion  picture  theatre 
entertainment  which  now  can  easily  be  classed 
as  a  standard  policy. 

Shows  Profit  to  All 

The  policy  opened  new  fields  to  hundreds 
of  writers  and  producers  and  it  has  been 
especially  good  to  musicians  and  stage  artists. 
The  music  business  has  profitted  considerably 
with  this  new  branch  of  the  show  business,  \ 
profited  to  the  extent  that  what  was  once  con-  : 
sidered  a  waste  of  time  and  money  is  now  the 
most  important  source  of  exploitation  popu- 
lar songs  or  any  other  type  of  songs'  can 
secure.     It  has  also  made  the  music  business. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


substantial  in  this  respect — that  many  theme 
songs  published  for  motion  pictures  of  the 
same  name  are  gaining  popularity  through  the 
double  exploitation  and  really  increase  the 
value  and  sales  of  sheet  music  and  mechani- 
cals. 

Costumers  who  at  one  time  catered  only  to 
a  limited  field  and  amateur  theatricals  now  do 
the  bulk  of  their  business  with  musicians  who 
form  stagehands  and  the  performers  of  the 
presentation  show.  Tw'o  of  the  most  popular 
costumers  who  lead  in  this  field  are  Brooks 
Costumers  of  1437  Broadway,  New  York,  and 
the  New  York  Costume  Compam^  of  75  West 
Lake  street,  Chicago.  Both  now  specialize  in 
equipping  complete  stagehands  and  presenta- 
tions  as  well   as   house   attaches. 

Employ  Own  Designers 

Nearly  every  deluxe  theatre  of  note  like  the 
Roxy  or  the  Paramount  in  New  York,  also 
has  its  own  designers  on  the  staff  and  a 
complete  technical  staff  including  scenic  art- 
ists who  conceive  and  design  the  settings  and 
execute  them  according  to  the  creation  of  the 
producers. 

This  new  department  has  caused  the  motion 
picture  theatre  to  be  completely  revolutionized 
where  today  more  than  5,000  deluxe  theatres 
present  some  form  of  stageshows  that  employ 
over  50,000  musicians  and  nearly  25,000  per- 
formers who  have  a  solid  route  of  100  weeks. 

It  is  quite  a  business  and  every  department 
works  hand  in  hand  with  the  other.  Any 
business  that  can  employ  as  many  people  as 
mentioned  above  and  which  can  entertain 
more  than  25,000,000  people  a  week  through- 
out the  country  and  still  keep  a  smile  on  the 
treasurer's  face,  is  no  small  thing  to  sniff  at. 


STAGE     SHOWS 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Caffrey  and  Miller  were  good  in  acrobatic  dancing, 
hand  turns  and  somersaults  complicated  by  twists 
and  turns.  They  are  masters  in  their  line  and  the 
one  who  played  stupid  brought  down  the  house  by  a 
rapid  succession  of  somersaults  as  a  climax. 

The  orchestra  then  played  "Dolly  Dimple,"  with 
Bich  doing  some  rapid  fingering  of  the  piano. 

Mirth  Mack,  dressed  in  black  and  white,  sang  "Get 
Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon"  in  the  usual  "blues" 
manner  but  her  fortune  lies  in  her  feet  rather  than 
in  her  voice,  and  her  dancing  and  handt^lrns  made  a 
bigger  hit  than  her  songs. 

Cy  Landry  was  back  with  a  clever  line  of  wit  and 
nonsense  and  his  inimitable  loose  jointed  dance  in  his 
loose  suit  of  clothes  never  fails  to  please. 


Seattle  Seattle 

Week  Ending  July  27 

Joe  Jackson,  famed  pantomime  tramp,  and  his  in- 
valuable    bicycle     furnished     the     comedy     in     "Sun 


Shades,"    which    is    also    the    final    Publix    stageshow 
in  the  Pacific  Northwest. 

Others  in  the  revue  and  who  received  their  share 
of  the  applause  were  the  Wainwright  Sisters — Mary, 
Madge  and  Muriel — ^pretty  harmonists,  a  trio  hard 
to  equal. 

There  was  also  Max  and  "his  gang"  of  a  half 
dozen  gingery  fox  terriers  exceptionally  well  trained. 

Another  team  who  go  well  together  are  George 
Griffin,  tenor,  and  Rosette,  toe  dancer. 

Allen  K.  Foster  assembled  a  number  of  really  pretty 
dancing   girls   who   made   a   nice   finish   to   the   bill   to 
the  music   of   Sam   Wineland   and  his   band,   and  who 
acted  as   guest  master  for  this   particular   show. 
P.   S. — Jimmy  Walker,  the  famous  New  York  mayor, 

was   here   and   admits   writing   a   new   song  to   take 

the    place    of    "Sidewalks    of    New    York,"    called, 

"Give  the  Old  Home  Town  a  Hand." 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  28 

"Pacific  Breezes"  is  the  name  of  the  Oriental 
show  this  week,  but  what's  in  a  name  since  the 
Oriental  show  continues  to  be  a  one  man  proposition, 
and  Kvale  is  that  man.  Talent  at  the  Oriental  is 
hitting  a  low  ebb  these  days,  necessitating  Kvale 
carrying  everybody,  and  without  Kvale,  this  week's 
show  would  be  a  flop.  But  besides.  Kvale  the  stage 
setting  is  good,  being  a  pretty  Pacific  Island  scene 
with  mountains  in  the  background.  The  band  is 
placed  before  a  high  garden  wall.  The  show  opens 
with  somebody  singing  a  short  song  as  the  ballet 
girls  in    gi-ass  skirts  do   a   short   Hula  Hula. 

Al  enters  in  a  skirt  draped  around  his  waistline  and 
leads  the  band  through  "On  the  Road  to  Manda- 
lay."  The  unusual  arrangement  and  the  Gang's  fine 
playing  make  this  a  real  number,  which  gets  a  good 
hand.  Al  next  announces  two  young  fellows  who 
do  a  short  song  and  then  go  into  a  tap  dance  to- 
gether. Their  next  is  one  of  those  ice  skating  af- 
fairs that  is  just  about  as  good  as  any  of  them. 
Then  they  give  a  burlesque  prize  fight  in  tap  and 
slow  motion.  Really  quite  good,  especially  so  be- 
cause  of    the   Tunney-Heeney   fight. 

Thelma  Edwards,  in  a  Hula  girl  costume,  sings 
"South  Sea  Moon,"  then  goes  into  a  Hula  dance. 
Well,  this  is  a  total  loss.  Then  comes  another  band 
number,  "Losing  the  Blues,"  with  the  ballet  in  crazy 
Hula  costumes  shaking  a  lot  of  hay.  Fairly  good 
number,  but  nothing  extra.  Ruth  Durell  follows, 
singing,  "There's  Something  About  a  Rose  That 
Reminds  Me  of  You,"  and  "Last  Night  I  Was 
Dreaming." 

Al  next  introduces  a  young  lady  whom  he  calls 
Helen,  and  tells  the  fans  that  she  is  his  first  find. 
The  band  plays,  "My  Baby  Don't  Mean  Maybe."  Al 
plays  his  clarinet,  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  every- 
body, and  then  Helen  comes  on  to  sing  it.  She 
follows  with  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart."  and  closes 
with  "Give  Me  a  Little  Kiss."  Al's  find  gets  several 
encores  and   seemed   to   please   the    audience. 

Earl  and  Bell  follow  with  their  songs  and  steel 
guitar  playing.  Their  first  is  "My  Darling,"  and 
they  follow  with  "Just  a  Melody."  Al  helps  them  out 
with  a  lot  of  impromptu  stuff  on  his  clarinet.  They 
get  a  big  hand  for  this.  Then  the  two  give  "Where 
Do  You  Worka  John,"  which  is  said  to  have  been 
originally  introduced  by  them.  This  gets  a  good 
hand. 

The  show  closes  with  Ruth  Durell  singing  as  the 
ballet  girls  pose  in  the  background  and  a  scrim 
above  discloses  several  of  them  posed  as  angels  in 
a  sky  of  glimmering  stars.  A  really  pretty  finale 
spec. 


LASSITER  BROS. 

The  ORIGINAL  BOYS  From 
"OLD  IRONSIDES" 

Cleancut  Comedy  and 
Acrobatic  Dancing 

Now  Featured  in  "ROMAN  NIGHTS" 
Touring  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

Direction — Wm.   Morris  Agency 


fianc   &  Warren 


Max  Turner 
Chicago 


Harry  Lenetska 
New  York 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  4 

"Babes  on  Broadway"  with  Paul  Ash  and  the 
stagehand,  was  witnessed  this  week  by  the  New 
York  reviewer  while  suffering  from  vacation  sun- 
burn, and  opens  with  the  scene  "In  the  Forest" — 
the  wood  nymphs  portrayed  by  the  Gamby-Hale  Girls, 
the  Queen  of  the  Forest  by  Electa  Havel,  the  Babes 
by  the  CoUette  Sisters,  and  Mr.  Manhattan  by  Paul 
Ash. 

"On  Broadway"  follows  with  the  rising  of  the 
curtain,  and  Fred  Bernard  does  his  "correct  imper- 
sonation" of  Al  Jolson,  adding  talent  in  the  way  of 
dancing. 

The  Misses  Larkin,  Fursa,  Love  and  Baker  in 
English  costumes,  present  their  "Three  Musketeers" 
dance,  fencing  and  sword-play  the  theme  of  the 
number.   Four  musketeers  to  make  it  even. 

Ash  gives  his  imitation  of  somebody  imitating 
Ash,  and  the  stagehand  plays  "Chili-Pom-Pom-Pee." 
A   very   good   impersonation   of  Ash. 

Helen  Honan  offers  her  impersonation  of  George 
White,  in  an  original  tap  dance  that  clicks  with 
unusual   appeal. 

The  CoUette  Sisters  as  themselves,  offer  a  cute 
sister  number,  singing  and  dancing  and  a  little 
acrobatic  work.     Nice  little  team. 

Helen  Honan  presents  her  idea  of  how  "Charlie 
Chaplin"  would  dance,  if  Charlie  Chaplin  could  dance, 
and  we  all  get  the  idea  very  nicely. 

Robert  Amibruster,  a  young  recording  artist,  puts 
over  the  concert  waltz  by  Friml,  partly  played  by  the 
record,  and  partly  by  himself, — a  good  novelty,  as- 
sisted by  the  stagehand. 

Du  Gallon,  monologist  on  the  balancing  ladder, 
does  some  very  good  talking  and  business  with 
Ash,  also  offers  his  imitation  bit,  by  his  man  and 
woman  chasing  a  street  car.  Easily  the  hit  of  the 
show. 

Sally  Starr  as  Ann  Pennington,  offers  a  very  lively 
dance  on  the  style  used  by  the  latter-named  star,  and 
completes  the  program  with  the  exception  of  the 
finale,  which  is  done  to  the  tune  of  "It's  Getting 
Hotter  on  Broadway"  and  taking  in  Sally  Starr,  Fred 
Bernard,  the  Gamby-Hale  Girls,  Helen  Honan,  and 
the  CoUette  Sisters. 


Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending   July  28 

Dick  Powell's  stageshow  this  vpeek  is  called  "Keep 
Cool."  He  contributes  a  song  or  two  to  the  program 
and  is  joined  in  one  nimnber  by  Eddie  Allen,  a  new 
soloist,  who  also  plays  the  banjo  in  the  state  orches- 
tra. Eddie  and  Dick  do  very  well  together.  Others 
in  the  cast  are  Helen  Kennedy,  a  delightful  blues 
singer ;  Linden  and  Farrum,  eccentric  dancers  ;  Doyle 
and  Schirmer,  cowboy  funsters  ;  Dotson,  a  dancer  and 
the  Circle  Comets. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  3 

Richy  Craig  and  His  Gang  stage  a  "Midsummer 
Revue"  this  week  which  is  very  good.  It's  different 
from  the  usual  because  a  running  platform  is  built 
out  around  the  orchestra  and  some  of  the  actors 
perform  there.  The  scene  opens  with  a  king,  clad  in 
royal  robes,  listening  to  the  jokes  of  a  jester  and 
watching  the  Barri  Girls  do  a  clever  dance.  Naughty 
jokes  is  what  makes  the  king  laugh  is  what  is  re- 
vealed.     The  jokes   are  told  by  Richy. 

Lydia  Harris  then  comes  out  and  sings  a  number 
of  songs,  among  which  are  "My  Kid,"  "Get  Out 
and  Get  Under  the  Moon,"  "That's  My  Weakness 
Now."  She  putfi  them  over  well  and  the  crowd 
likes   it. 

Next  is  a  telephone  scene.  Richy,  Jackie  Rich- 
mond, Lydia  Harris  and  a  Bebe  Barri  Girl  enact  it. 
Crossed  wires,  deceptive  husband,  deceptive  wife,  and 
all  that  stuff.  It  gets  a  laugh,  too. 

Next  is  Paul  Howard,  the  boy  who  sure  can  dance 
while  twisting  himself  into  lots  of  funny  positions. 
He's  well  liked  and  gets  a  couple  of  encores.  This 
boy  can  sure  catch  fleas  with  his  left  foot.  A  good 
number. 

The  Barrie  Girls  then  dance  "The  Glowworm." 
The  scene  is  at  night,  with  stars  blinking  and  lights 
blinking,  representing  glowworms.  It's  good  and  gets 
lot  of  applause.  Richy  and  His  Gang  then  play 
"Tiger  Rag."  It's  pretty  snappy  and  the  boys  siu-e 
work,  but  the  crowd  likes  it  and  calls  for  more. 

Emerson  and  Baldwin  then  do  a  lot  of  funny  tricks, 
imitating  Frenchmen.  It's  a  good  act  and  goes  over 
fine.  These  boys  are  really  humorous.  Then  come 
the  MitcheU  Brothers,  two  clever  boys  with  the 
banjo  who  play  a.  n'umber  of  i>opular  ditties.     They 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  Pway 
N.  Y.  Oty 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


get  lots  of  applause.  The  Milwaukee  crowd  likes 
banjo  playing.  A  vei-y  fine  program,  snappy  and 
short.  The  finale  is  the  orchestra  back  on  the  stage 
and  the  Barri  Girls  dancing. 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  29 

Naturally,  Waring's  Pennsylvanians  was  the  show 
at  the  Chicago  this  week.  You  had  to  ask  for  no 
more.  This  writer — or  scribbler — won't  even  bar 
Whiteman  when  he  says  that  Waring's  is  the  tribe 
that  does  its  stuff  100  per  cent. 

It  came  on  with  "Wobbly  Walk,"  doing  this  lively 
piece  in  song  and  band.  The  men  were  stationed  on 
steps  to  back  stage,  which  proved  an  effective  layout, 
especially  for  color. 

You  could  ask  for  nothing  better  for  the  next 
selection  than  "Ah!  Sweet  Mystery  of  Life,"  by  the 
great  composer,  Victor  Herbert.  The  color  play  on 
the  orchestra  during  this  piece  was  beautiful,  with 
lavender  and  green  lights  blending,  and  then  fading 
into  a  pink  with  an  amber  spot  on  the  soloists. 
The  effect  was  one  of  those  things  you  can't  describe, 
but  you  can  describe  it  by  that  much  worn  word, 
wonderful. 

"Ice  Cream"  gave  the  clever  drummer  of  the  outfit 
a  chance  to  gurgle  lyrics  with  his  throaty  and  funny 
voice.     He's  a  real  asset  to  the  band. 

In  "Tin  Pan  Parade,"  the  stage  darkened.  Then 
as  the  lights  came  up  it  revealed  the  orchestra 
wearing  cockades  and  harmonizing  (ouch)  on  the 
well  known  tin  plates  of  the  army  mess  with  forks 
and  knives.     It  wa£  a  great  laugh. 

A  green  and  lavender  lighting  effect  was  thrown 
on  for  "Was  It  a  Dream,"  Waring  soloed  through 
the  piece,  and  then  was  joined  by  the  band  for  some 
good   harmony. 

"Goodby  Broadway,  Hello  Montreal,"  brought  forth 
some  jazzy  notes,  some  harmony  and  a  lot  of  laughs. 
And  as  a  finale  the  band  gave  a  noval  rendition  of 
"Dancing  Tambourine."  With  a  dark  stage,  the  or- 
chestra participated  in  what  you  might  call  a  cales- 
thentic   drill   with    lighted   tambourines. 

The  Waring  band  is  a  clever  and  versatile  outfit 
and  is  a  complete  show  in  itself,  although  on  the 
bill  also  was  the  Publix  unit,  "Swanee  Moon."  Jack 
North,  the  banjoist,  was  outstanding  in  this  act. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  27 

An  elaborate  stage  presentation  and  an  amusing 
screen  play  marked  the  Twentieth  Anniversary  Cel- 
bration  on'  the  Kunsky  organization  at  the  Michigan 
this  week. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  program,  Jackie  Coogan, 
beloved  boy  of  the  movies,  made  his  first  stage  ap- 
pearance. His  father  assisted  him  in  an  entertain- 
ing combination  of  dance  arid  patter. 

Little  Jackie,  one  of  the  cleverest  actors  who  ever 
graced  the  silver  screen,  showed  a  personality  that  be- 
lied all  those  luking  beliefs  that  he  would  turn  out, 
in.  real  life,  to  be  a  pampered,  obnoxious  little  prod- 
igy. WTiile  he  didn't  do  a  great  deal,  what  he  did 
do  was  entertaining  and  sufficed  to  prove  that  he  is 
a  real  kid. 

The  regular  Publix  stage  show  was  "Sunny  Skies," 
produced  by  Paul  Oscard.  Frank  Beaston,  the  smile 
master,  conducted  the  show,  in  which  the  Pedro 
Rubin   Girls  showed  some  fine  ensemble  work. 

William  Robyn  sang  the  name  piece  of  the  show, 
"Sunny  Skies,"  in  which  he  was  assisted  by  the 
girls  in  a  jingle  dance,  and  then  a  comic  number, 
"Heaven  Help  a  Sailor."     He  has  a  fine  voice. 

Bobbie  Gilbert,  violinist  with  the  Michigan  Syn- 
copators  and  a  newcomer  to  Beaston's  gifted  group, 
won'  tremendous  applause  with  his  tricky  fiddling, 
and  there  was  Maurice  Colleano  with  a  good  stunt 
and  a  bit  of  dancing  to  offer. 

One  excellent  number  was  entitled,  "The  Mari- 
onette Show,"  featuring  Georgie  Hayes,  the  Pedro 
Rubin  Girls  and  the  gifted  Mr.  Robyn.  The  latter, 
it  seems,   sports   the  nickname   of    "Wee   Willie." 

Arthur  Gutow  at  the  organ  and  Eduard  Werner 
and  his  Michigan  symphony  orchesti-a  had  special 
numbers  and  helped  to  make  the  anniversary  cele- 
bration a  good  one.  The  picture  was  "Home 
James,"   with    Laura   LaPlante. 


San  Francisco  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  26 

Arabia  dominated  the  stage  at  the  Granada  this 
week  and  the  stage  a(it,  aptly  billed  as  "Araby," 
brought  out  some  of  the  most  delicious  of  the 
haunting  melodies  inspired  by  the  Far  East.  The  set- 
tings were  beautiful  and  the  members  of  the  or- 
chestra were   garbed   as   Arabs,    adding   to  the   effect. 

The  curtain  arose  on  the  orchestra  in  full  action 
and  lie  Albertina  Rasch   Girls  soon   made  their   ap- 


pearance  going   through    a   lively    desert   dance  which 
filled   the  stage  with   veils. 

Frank  Jenks,  master  of  ceremonies,  the  boy  who 
capitalizes  his  funny  face,  introduced  the  "Wonder- 
ful Trio,"  colored  dancers,  who  tripped  the  light  fan- 
tastic in  varied  forms  and  how,  getting  a  great 
hand.  This  was  followed  by  a  descriptive  band  num- 
ber, offered  under  the  name  of  "A  Fishing  Trip  on 
the  Sahara  Desert."  Storm,  sunshine  and  the  prowess 
of   the   Fishermen   were   depicted   in    realistic   fashion. 

The  Three  Gicrsdorff  Sisters,  who  were  at  once  easy 
to  look  upon  and  to  listen  to,  offered  "Sunshine" 
and  "Baby's  Blue."  One  missed  their  music  on 
brass  arid  reed  instruments  which  featured  their 
appearance  in  vaudeville,  "Araby"  not  permitting  a 
full   display  of  their  talents. 

Rita  Owen,  introduced  as  the  "Queen  of  the 
Arabian  Desert,"  proved  a  burlesque  queen  and  won 
a  good  measure  of  applause  with  her  novel  songs 
and  grotesque  dances.  She  was  followed  by  the 
Albertina  Rasch  Girls  in  a  typical  Arabian  dance. 
Leroy  and  Vann,  introduced  as  two  big  butter  and 
egg  men  from  Oklahoma,  furnished  a  good  comedy 
act,  playing  on  brooms,  bellows  and  saws,  arid  offer- 
ing a  rube  song  that  pleased. 

The  Three  Giersdorffs  sang  "Sing  Me  a  Song  of 
Araby"  and  the  act  came  to  a  close  with  the  dancing 
girls  posing  in  bizarre  costumes  against  a  brilliant 
background. 


voices  and  the  way  she  puts  over  her  songs  is  no- 
body's business.     She's  a  cute  trick. 

Hall  and  Esley  danced,  and  Subil  Sanderson  Fagan 
whistled  prettily.  The  Capitol  Girls  had  some  new 
and  elaborate  numbers  and  of  course  the  Capitolians 
provided  tha  nxusical  background  with  their  usual 
skill. 

Samuel  Benavic  and  his  symphony  orchestra  had 
a  pleasing  and  finely  played  overture  entitled,  "Com- 
posers and  Moods,"  and  Don  Miller  provided  a  spe- 
cialty on  the  organ. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  27 

Lou  Holtz,  star  of  many  musical  comedies,  was 
the  leading  light  of  Del  Delbridgc's  show  at  the 
Capitol  this  week. 

Lou  was  good  with  either  jokes  or  songs  and  he 
had  plenty  of  both  to  offer.  The  crowds  liked  Lou, 
and  many  thousands  of  them  took  advantage  of  the 
chance  to  hear  and  see  him  at  popular  prices,  in- 
stead of  having  to  pay  the  usual  $4.40  to  see  and 
hear  him  in  one  of  the  elaborate  revues  in  which  he 
usually  is  found. 

Earl  LaVcre  did  some  good  work  on  his  accordion, 
but  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  kidding,  most  of 
which  was  amusing.  Blair  Stewart,  a  tenor,  was 
heard  in  several  pleasing  numbers,  and  Evans  and 
Perez  proved  to  be  out  of  the  ordinary  equilibrists, 
doing   some  really   remarkable  tricks. 

The  song  lesson  for  the  week  was  "Sugartown 
Stomp,"  or  at  least  something  like  that,  as  done 
by    little   Doris    Rue.      Doris    has    one    of    those   blues 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  4 

"Greenwich  Village,"  the  new  Boris  Petroff  stage 
revue,  uses  the  "Pirate's  Den"  for  the  scene  of  the 
activities,  featuring  Walt  Roesner  as  the  master  of 
ceremonies. 

There  are  several  band  selections  running  through 
the  revue,  arrangements  of  popular  current  airs,  in 
which  the  "boys"  take  active  part,  one  of  which  is 
"I  Cannot  Help  Loving  That  Man"  and  cornet  solo 
played  by  Roesner. 

Val  and  Ernie  Stanton,  the  "English  boys  from 
America"  are  featured  in  the  revue  and  offer  their 
big-time  standard  talking,  yodeling,  imitating  novel- 
ties with  harmonica  and  ukulele  playing  work. 

Addie  Seaman,  sensational  dancer,  appears  in  a 
whirlwind   tap   and  toe  number. 

Frank  Stevcr,  the  Capitol's  baritone,  offers  several 
solo    numbers   with    the   band. 

Mortimer  Chadbourne,  tenor,  sings  several  popular 
numbers  among  them  being  the  well-known  compo- 
sition by  our  New  York  Mayor,  Jimmie  Walker, 
"Cheerio." 

Edna  Sedley,  personality  and  "blues"  singer,  offers 
the  story  of  a  colored  man  who  is  tired  of  life  and 
is  ready  for  the  river.  The  number  could  be  titled 
"Ready  for  the  River." 

The  Chester  Hale  Girls  offer  three  chorus  'dancing 
numbers.  The  finale  was  very  dazzling  and  bril- 
liant,   enlisting   the   entire   ensemble. 


Salt  Lake  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  28 

The  Capitol  presented  the  Fanchon  and  Marco 
"Bird  Ideas"  this  past  week,  a  colorful  and  original 
sketch    featuring   the    "Sunkist   Orioles." 

The  costumes  and  stage  settings  were  very   beauti- 


Dick  Marjorie 

MAXWELL  and  LEE 

^'The  Most  Versatile  Dance  Team  of  the  Age'" 

Now  'Alf  Way  to  England 

on  Aquitania 

For  Triumphant  Tour  of  Continent 

(Doing  Our  Stuff  for  the  Approval  of  the  British  Isles) 

Direction 

WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 

New  York        Chicago       Los  Angeles 


McNEIL    SMITH 

Featured  Organist 

MARQUETTE  Theatre,  CHICAGO 

Photoplay  and  Solo  Specialties 


ULDERICO  MARCFUJ 

MUSICAL  CONDUCTOR 

BAIABAN&KATZ 

Uptown  and  Tivoli  Theatres,  Chicago 

'Jl' 

44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


ful  and  created  a  striking  background  for  the  dance 
and   song  numbers  featured. 

Fox  and  Harris,  two  gifted  comedians,  offered  some 
laugh  provoking  entertainment.  Armanda  Chirot 
and  Jose  Mercado,  featured  songsters,  scored  a  hit 
with  their   numbers. 

Beauty  and  harmony  were  well  blended  in  this 
stage  presentation  which  was  made  cosnplete  with  the 
Capitol  theatre  orchestra,  '  recently  taken'  charge  of 
by  Ralph  Pollock,  who  succeeds  Dave  Good  (High 
Hat  Harry)  as  director,  and  the  artistic  organ 
interpretations  of  Alexander  Schreiner. 

The  feature  picture  shown  in  this  connection  was 
"Hot  News"  starring  Bebe  Daniels,  and  very  good 
business  was  enjoyed,  especially  considering  the  mid- 
summer weather. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  27 

"Melodyland"  was  the  title  of  the  stage  presenta- 
tion at  the  Mainstreet,  featuring  Davidson's  Louis- 
ville Loons,  playing  an  extended  engagement  as  the 
stageband.  Harlan  Christie,  who  knows  how  and 
when  to  sing,  was  featured  in  conjunction  with  the 
band. 

Then  there  were  Charles  Derickson,  young  dramatic 
tenor,  and  Burton  Brown,  the  young  concert  pianist, 
who  were  featured  in  a  number  of  their  latest  songs. 
Walter  Nilsson  rides  a  one-wheeled  bicycle  and  keeps 
the  audience  in  a  state  of  fidgets  with  the  chances 
he  takes. 

Morley  and  Anget  have  a  skit  that  includes  a  num- 
ber of  jokes  and  witty  lines.  Louise  Massard  is  a 
cute  girl  who  sings  baby  talk  to  Little  Fritz.  She 
can  sing,  too.  Moran  and  Grauman  dance  nimbly 
and  rapidly,  which  is  little  short  of  wonderful  when 


HENRI  A.  KEATES 

'The  Organist  Who  Put  Community 

Singing  on    £0^^^      the  Map" 


fMm 


Oriental  Theatre,  Chicago 


one  considers  the  length  of  their  sideburns.  They 
do  a  slow  motion  picture  prize  fight  which  is  good. 
The  Louisville  Loons  render  popular  seleotione  as  an 

overture. 


St.  Louis  State 

Week  Ending  July  27 

Nat  Nazarro  offered  as  the  stage  attraction  "Jazz 
Ahoy"  with  Howell  and  Harger,  Moore  and  Shy  and 
Maxine  Lewis  as  the  principal   entertainers. 

Walter  Hiers  the  screen  comedian,  made  a  personal 
appearance  in  conjunction  with  the  stageshow.  He 
can  talk  as  well  as  act.  He's  sitting  pretty  as  far 
as  sound  pictures  have  gone. 

Virginia  Futrelle's  fine  soprano  voice  was  also  a 
very  pleasing  feature  of  the  week.  Edith  Wright 
Gordon  was  also  featured  in  connection  with  the  or- 
chestra directed  by  Kirk  Frederick.  The  overture 
wafl   "Chopiniana." 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  28 

On  the  stage  Ed  Lowry  offered  a  Publix  novelty 
"Kat  Kabaret"  in  which  he  sang  a  few  songs  him- 
self, much  to  the  delight  of  the  audience.  Others 
prominent  in  the  stage  show  were:  Karenoflf  and 
Maree,  adagio  dancers ;  Felix  and  Maria  and  the 
Patterson  Twins,  also  dancers ;  the  Hearst  Brothers, 
songsters,  the  16  Albertina  Rasch  Girls  and  the 
Ambassador  Chorus. 

Irving  Rose  directed  the  orchestra  in  a  "Show 
Boat"  overture. 


Indianapolis  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  28 

The  stage  program  provides  come  interesting  num- 
bers, including  the  presentation  of  the  Dixie  Four. 
Negro  singers  and  steppers,  a  pair  of  dancers  with  a 
more  classical  leaning,  and  Jimmy  Ray,  who  prances 
in  an  eccentric  way  and  Joseph  Regan,  an  unusually 
good  picture  house  tenor.  The  Palace  Girls,  the 
orchestra  and  Dusty  Rhoades  add  their  bit  to  the 
program,  which  has  a  high  entertainment  value 
this  week. 


Has  Story  on  Crime 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Ten  years  of 
study  in  this  country  and  Europe  of  criminals 
and  the  various  phases  and  origins  of  crimi- 
nality, especially  with  reference  to  juvenile 
crime,  has  resulted  in  an  original  screen  play, 
entilted  "Haunted  Lives,"  which  Felix  Orman 
recently  completed.  The  author  is  now  nego- 
tiating for  its  production. 


MILTON  SLOSSER 

Solo  Organist 

Fifth  Year  at  the 

MISSOURI  THEATRE,  ST.  LOUIS 


LOSAYS 

5onie-tbing 
about 

Everyone 


Jay  Shreck  batting  for  the  bride- 
groom with  the  assistance  of  Ed  Daw- 
son, Russ  Russell,  Harold  Daniels  and 
other  good  souls. 

The  "bridegroom,"  as  you  all  know,  refers  to  that 
well  known  young  man,  A.  Raymond  Gallo,  who  lost 
his  head  two  weeks,  stepped  bravely  (yehl)  before 
the  altar  and  then  hied  himself  with  his  bride  to 
Colorado.  .  .  .  And  we  know  you  wouldn't  blame 
Ray  for  losing  his  head  if  you  knew  Mrs.  Gallo.  .  .  . 
Al  Seegaard,  the  slide  manager  at  Berlin's,  is  doing 
the  natural  thing  and  getting  sunburned  while  vaca- 
tioning. At  least,  it's  a  safe  bet  there  are  a  few 
blisters  and  a  coat  of  tan.  .  .  .  And  also  heaving 
a  sigh  of  relief  from  workaday  worries  is  Joseph 
McKeown.j  manager  of  Marks  Brothers  Embassy.  Joe 
is  a  wise,  and  we  hoi>e  not  too  careful,  boy  for  he 
chose  the  Canadian  border  for  bis  days  of  leisure. 
Why  explain?.  .  .  .  Jack  Fink  is  being  welcomed  as 
manager  of  the  Terminal  theatre  in  Chicago.  Jack 
hails  from  Norwich,  Conn.  .  .  .  Mrs.  Harold  Daniels 
and  the  pride  of  the  family,  Dorothy,  are  spending 
a  few  days  away  from  the  fireside  and  are  permitting 
hubby  and  daddy  to  do  his  own  cooking.  They  are 
at  Henry,  in  the  beautiful  Illinois  river  valley.  .  .  . 
And  speaking  of  the  Daniels,  Howard,  organist  at  the 
Buckingham,  has  had  his  Kiddies  Matinee  club  tied 
up  with  the  Chicago  Evening  American's  "Just  Kids" 
Safety  Club,  and  has  made  an  achievement  of  it. 
....  Ambrose  Larson  is  being  heard  over  WHT, 
Chicago,  these  days,  if  you  happen  to  have  good 
tubes  in  your  radio.  .  .  .  Rumor  has  it  that  Al  Car- 
ney is  in  vaudeville,  and  should  we  say  "doing  a 
turn"  for  the  better?.  .  .  .  And  it  seems  we  just 
can't  stay  away  from  vacations.  Benny  Cohn,  man- 
ager of  the  Frolic  in  Chicago,  and  his  former  or- 
ganist, Fleming,  are  said  to  be  enjoying  themselves 
in  the  Black  Hills  of  South  Dalkota.  We'll  take 
their  word  for  it.  .  .  .  Verne  Buck,  dapper  MC  of 
the  Sheridan,  and  his  cellist.  Earl  Salisbury,  are 
planning  on  a  sojourn  sometime,  somewhere.  .  .  . 
Norma  Ballard  is  also  doing  matinee  concerts  at  the 
Granada  in  Chicago.  .  .  .  And  now  we'll  step  out 
of  the  picture,  hoping  that  Ray  and  his  bride  will 
have  returned  to  the  old  homestead  in  time  to  catch 
the  next  issue. 


Holmes'  Son  with  P  F  L 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Phillip  R.  Holmes, 
son  of  Taylor  Holmes,  has  been  signed  by 
Paramount  to  work  in  a  Buddy  Rogers  pic- 
ture. 


Theatre  Manager  Dead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Harry  J.  Walker, 
manager  of  the  Belasco  theatre,  died  at  his 
home  Saturday. 


Solos  and  Community  Sings 

BOB    BILLINGS 

Solo  Organist 
CRYSTAL  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


RAMON  BERRY 

Solo  Organist 
Second  Successful  Season 

ALAMO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


SUNSHINE 
SAMMY 

"OUR  GANG" 
Star  and  his 
little  brother 
CHARLEY 

Now  Featured 
over 

Marcus  Loew 
Circuit 

Direction — Abe    I.    Feinberg 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


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Poeeibly  the  youngest  orchestra  leader,  in  regard 
to  years,  is  Peter  Van  Steeden,  who  is  holding  down 
the  job  at  the  Palaie  D'Or  restaurant  here  in  New 
York,  during  B.  A.  Rdfe's  absence.  When  the 
trumpet  player,  par  excellence,  returns.  Van'  Steeden 
and  his  orchestra  are  slated  for  one  of  the  big  ho- 
tels here  in  New  York.  His  radio  trademark  is  very 
distinctive,  inasmuch  as  he  usee  a  chorus  of  "Say  It 
With  Music"  for  both  his  opening  and  closing  num- 
bers on  every  program. 

»     *     • 

The  music  business  today  is  threatened  with  a 
scarcity  of  arrangers.  The  good  arrangers  can  be 
counted  on'  your  fingers,  and  when  you  stop  to  real- 
ize that  the  music  publishers  get  out  approximately 
16.000  songs  a  year,  you  can  very  plainly  see  the 
necessity  for  more  good  arrangers.  A  young  chap 
by  the  name  of  Phil  Wall,  who  recently  arrived  here 
from  Boston,  is  rapidly  coming  to  the  fore  along 
these  lines.  His  work  is  being  recognized  rapidly  and 
it  would  not  surprise  me  in  the  least  to  find  him 
among  the  first  five  arrangers  in  due  time. 
«     «     « 

Just  to  show  you  that  some  organists  are  not 
afraid  of  anything,  when  they  have  nothing  to  do, 
they  get  married !  George  H.  Latsch,  premier  organ- 
ist of  the  Stanely  theatre  in  Jersey  City,  recently 
married  Miss  Esther  I.  Newcombe,  who  is  also  pre- 
mier organist  at  the  Orpheum  theatre  in  Jersey  City. 
They  were  married  on  Friday,  July  13  (what  a  day!). 
Possibly,  this  combination  may  develop  into  another 
"Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jesse  Crawford,"  or  some  other 
"premier"  combination. 

•  •     • 

And  as  I  mention  the  name  of  Jesse  Crawford,  I 
wonder  if  there  are  many  of  you  who  realize  his 
perseverence.  I  have  seen  Crawford  practice  at  his 
organ  at  the  Paramount  theatre.  New  York  City, 
from  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  7  a.  m.  At 
times  he  will  spend  two  hours  just  to  perfect  pos- 
sibly a  certain  8  bars  or  so,  or  a  quick  change  of 
combinations.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  such  per- 
severance, ambition  and  stick-to-it-ness  has  certainly 
rewarded  Crawford. 

•  •     * 

Benny    Sclvin,    the   musical    director   of   the    Colum- 
bia  Phonograph    Company,    also    conducts   one   of   the 
big  hours  over  the  NBC  system.     The  broadcast  to 
which  I  refer  is  the  O'Cedar  Shining  Hour. 
«     «     « 

W.  C.  Polla,  versatile  arranger  and  also  the  writer 
of  "Dancing  Tamberine"  and  many  other  hits,  is 
another  conductor  making  a  name  for  himself  over 
the  NBC  system.  Bill's  baton  is  waved  during  the 
broadcast  by  the  "Flit  Soldiers,"  which  features 
Corporal  Billy  Jones  and  Sergeant  Ernest  Hare. 
«     *     * 

The  "Seiberling  Singers"  (Revellers  Quartette)  are 
on  a  concert  tour  in  Europe.  In  their  place  on  this 
very  popular  hour  is  Frank  B4ack,  conductor  of 
the  Seiberling  Orchestra,  featuring  Phil  Ohman  and 
Victor  Ardn,  without  doubt  one  of  the  greatest  two 
piano  teams  in  the  world. 

•  *     * 

It  is  rumored  that  one  of  the  professional  men 
connected  with  Irving  Berlin,  Inc.,  is  contemplating 
going  into  the  music  publishing  business  on  his 
own.  These  new  publishing  ventures  are  quite  the 
vogue  and  the  majority  of  them  are  doing  very 
well,  so  the  more  the  merrier!  I  am  just  wonder- 
ing, however,  what  will  eventually  happen  to  the 
bigger  music  publishing  firms  when  the  time  comes 
that  almost  every  song  writer  or  professional  man' 
will  have  his  own  business. 

•  *     * 

Within  the  next  few  weeks,  I  intend  to  have  a 
lot  of  fellows  in  the  music  business  who  you  are 
familiar  with  pinch-hit  this  column  for  me.  I  am 
sure  they  ■will  have  very  interesting  things  to  say 
and  it  will  be  all  worth  while  reading. 

•  •     * 

Pardon  me  while  I  slip  down  to  Long  Beach  for 
a  nice  swim  in  the  ocean,  a  good  dinner  and  a  good 
cigar ! 


j^anm  ^' 


bAJW; 


ORGAN     SOLOS 


Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Chicago)  again  gave  a 
solo  of  the  highest  type,  choosing  for  this  week, 
"Thannhauser,"  through  which  he  introduced  "Eve- 
ning Star."  Charles  always  draws — or  most  always 
— a  big  hand  at  the  Chicago. 


Harold  Daniels  (Chicago  Buckingham)  used  a 
clever  novelty  called,  "A  Trip  Through  Organland," 
giving  a  detailed  demonstration  of  the  Buckingham's 
beautiful  organ.  For  a  finish  he  had  his  gang  sing, 
"My  Pet,"  "Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed  Me," 
the  new  Weil  hit,  "Don't  You  Remember  Sally,"  and 
"That's  My  Weakness  Now."  The  solo  was  a  show 
stopper.  Daniels  specializes  in  community  sing 
stunts. 


Ed.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  "Making  Whoopie" 
was  the  title  of  his  organ  solo  this  week  and  in- 
cluded the  following  numbers :  "Was  It  a  Dream," 
"Keep  on  Smiling,"  "Last  Night  I  Was  Dreaming," 
"Constantinople"  and  "Sweet  Sue."  Ed.'s  solo  ex- 
plains the  special  ingredients  for  making  "Whoopie." 


Johnny  Devine  (Chicago  Patio)  featured  "Two 
Lips"  as  his  lead  song  this  week.  He  also  used, 
"Happy  Go  Lucky  Love,"  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh," 
and  "Sunshine."  Devine's  songfests  always  call  for 
an  encoi-e.  The  one  he  used  this  time  was  "My 
Pet." 


Don  I  sham  (Chicago  Embassy)  offered  an  original 
novelty  organ  solo  this  week  in  which  he  used  com- 
edy slides  and  comedy  versions  to  some  of  the  popu- 
lar numbers  he  played.  "Constantinople"  was  the 
most  popular  of  his  numbers  and  the  audience  forced 
him  to  take  two  encores  on  this  number. 


Jan  Sofer  (Seattle  Columbia)  spent  some  four 
weeks  devising  a  lyric  investure  to  fit  the  strange 
situations  in  the  German-made  production,  "The 
Strange  Case  of  Captain  Ramper,"  and  rendered  a 
classic.  He  drew  on  nearly  400  different  pieces  of 
music  for  his  "Rami)er"  interpretation. 


Don  Moore  (Seattle  Seattle)  presented  an  unusual 
musical  offering  called,  "A  Friendly  Tilt,"  which  was 
rendered  with  the  assistance  of  Arthur  Clausen  and 
the  grand  orchestra,  and  which  helped  materially 
the  screen  offering,   "The  Racket." 


Karzas  Sued  for  Million 
In  State  Theatre  Bombing 

Andrew  Karzas,  owner  of  two  Chicago  ball- 
rooms and  original  lessee  of  the  State  theatre 
at  Hammond,  Ind.,  bombed  last  November,  is 
named  in  a  $1,000,000  suit  filed  by  Harold  A. 
Moore,  trustee. 

Moore,  through  Attorney  Joseph  B.  Flem- 
ing, holds  that  Karzas  is  still  responsible  to 
him  for  the  condition  of  the  property  though 
Karzas  declares  that  he  conveyed  the  lease  to 
B  &  K  and  B.  F.  Lindheimer.  William  Klei- 
hege  and  three  others  were  sentenced  recently 
in  connection  with  the  bombing. 


DEAN  STEVENSON 

And  His  Boys 

Featured  at  the 

Marshall  Square  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


9tato59l8 


54W.DjndolphSt 
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inglUIMOns 


51?  SA 

atou-fe 

Songs 


"Ramona" — (Leo   Feist). 

"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart" — (Leo 
Feist). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me"— (Leo  Feist). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"My  Angel"  —  (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky" 
— (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumhle). 

"Laugh,     Clown,    Laugh" — (Remick). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" — 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"Thafs  My  Weakness  Now"  — 
(Shapiro-Bernstein). 

"Chlo-E"— (Villa  Moret). 

"Constantinople" — (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Rosette"— (Milton   Weil). 

"Too  Busy" — (  ). 

OUT  OF  THE  DAWN  (Donaldson,  Douglas  & 
Gumble)^ — The  theme  song  of  the  first  sound  picture 
made  by  Paramount  which  is  "Warming  Up,"  star- 
ring Richard  Dix.  From  New  York  reports  this 
song  is  a  big  seller  through  the  plug  it  gets  in  this 
picture.  The  writer  and  publisher  is  the  famous 
Walter  Donaldson. 

•  •     * 

UNTIL  YESTERDAY  (Harms,  Inc.)— A  pretty  fox 
trot  by  two  well  known  writers,  one  of  them  being 
of  the  Coon-Sanders  Orchestra  and  the  writer  of  the 
recent  waltz  hit,  "Beloved."  Should  be  heard  from. 
By  Benny  Davie  and  Joe  Sanders. 
»     •     • 

WILL  THE  ANGELS  PLAY  THEIR  HARPS  FOR 

ME?  (Ted  Browne  Music  Company) — A  dramatic 
ballad  that  is  different  and  a  song  that  will  no  doubt 
sell  in  the  hilly  billy  country  where  they  always  go 
for  this  type  of  song.  Both  writers  are  local  boys. 
By  Walter  Hirsch  and  Monte  Wilhite. 
»     *     • 

SWEET  LORRAINE  (Jack  Mills,  Inc.)— A  fox  trot 
tune  that  will  depend  strictly  on  orchestras.  A 
lyric  that  fits  this  melody.  Words  by  Mitchell  Par- 
ish, music  by  Cliff  Burwell. 

«     *     • 

BLESS  YOU  SISTER  (Waterson',  Berlin  &  Snyder) 
— A  semi-Spiritual  song  by  the  writer  of  the  big 
hit  "Just  a  Girl  That  Men  Forget."  The  melody 
writer  will  be  remembered  for  his  "Mary  Lou." 
Words  by  Al  Dubin,  music  by  J.  Russel  Robinson. 

•  *     • 

AN  OLD  ADOBE  (O.  Ditson  Company)— The  writer 
of  "Marcheta"  has  written  a  song  on  that  type. 
It's  an  excellent  number  and  will  no  doubt  develop 
into  a  standard  song.  Words  and  music  by  Victor 
L.   Schertzinger. 

•  •     • 

HE'S  OUR  AL  (Broadway  Music  Corporation) — 
The  first  song  published  boosting  Al  Smith  for 
president.  We  will  no  doubt  have  a  lot  of  cam- 
paign songs  but  as  this  is  the  first,  should  get  all 
the  breaks  as  far  as  selling  is  concerned.  Words 
and  music  by  Albert  Von  Tilzer  and  A.  Seymour 
Brown. 

•  *     • 

JEANNINE    I    DREAM    OF    LILAC    TIME     (Leo 

Feist,  Inc.) — A  waltz  song  that  is  the  theme  of 
"Lilac  Time,"  featuring  Colleen  Moore.  It  seems  like 
these  theme  songs  are  all  the  rage  now.  One  of 
the  writers  is  responsible  for  the  lyrics  of  "Ramona" 
and  the  melody  writer  is  well  known  as  a  Victor 
artist.  Lyric  by  L.  Wolfe  Gilbert,  music  by  Nathaniel 
Shilkret. 

•  •     • 

JUST  LIKE  A  MELODY  OUT  OP  THE  SKY  (Don- 
aldson, Douglas  &  Gumble) — The  first  of  the  Donald- 
son publications  by  that  well  known'  writer,  is  com- 
ing along  like  a  big  hit.  With  this  staff  this  new 
firm  will  be  among  the  leaders  before  long.  By 
Walter  Donaldson. 


X^/9. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Orpheum  Circuit  to 
Pat  up  3,000  Seat 
House  in  Winnipeg 

(Special  to  the  Herald-Woild) 

WINNIPEG,  July  31.— Plans  have  been  pre- 
pared for  the  erection  of  a  big  Orpheum  thea- 
tre in  Winnipeg,  it  is  intimated.  The  site  will 
be  close  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  stores 
and  the  new  house  will  seat  more  than  3,000 
persons,  the  cost  being  $1,250,000.  Other  Or- 
pheum Circuit  houses  are  slated  for  other 
western  Canadian  cities  in  a  general  building 
program,  it  is  understood. 

The  Stanley  Company  is  spending  $100,000  m  re- 
modeling the  Metropolitan  Opera  House  m  Philadel- 
phia for  silent  and  sound  pictures.  .  .  .  The  merger 
of  two  theatres  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex.,  with  the  pur- 
chase by  S.  G.  Fry,  owner  of  the  Palace,  of  the  lease 
and  equipment  of  the  Titus  theatre  from  East  Texas 
Theatres,  Inc.,  has  been  made  public.  .  .  .  The  State 
theatre  at  Pawhuska,  Okla.,  opened  recently  with 
Fred  Cisman  manager.  .  .  .  Fred  Smith's  new  theatre, 
the  Circle,  opened  at  Tulsa  last  week.  .  .  .  Tiffany- 
Stahl  has  opened  its  new  branch  office  at  Oklahoma 
City  with  Roy  Avery  manager.  .  .  . 
i^       ^       ^ 

The  Palace  theatre  at  Blair,  Okla.,  recently  de- 
stroyed by  cyclone,  is  being  rebuilt.  .  .  .  Edward  (_r. 
Kadane  of  Frederick,  Okla.,  will  take  over  the  Royal 
and  Rialto  theatres  in  Clinton.  .  .  .  Jack  Johnson 
has  taken  over  the  Royal  at  Marshall,  Okla.  .  .  . 
Mrs  O.  F.  Moore  has  taken  over  the  New  theatre 
at  Konowa,  Okla.  .  .  .  Griffith  Brothers  will  take 
over  the  New  theatre  at  Konowa,  Okla.  .  .  Gnttitii 
over  the  old  and  new  Empire  theatres  at  Altus,  Ukla. 
.  Christian  and  Russell  have  taken  oyer  the 
Palace  theatre  at  Turkey,  Texas.  .  .  ,  .  R.  A.  Kirk 
has    opened    his    new    theatre    at     Strmgtown,    Okla. 

.  .  Leonard  Bishop,  manager  of  the  Hollywood 
theatre,  Detroit,  has  been  appointed  manager  of  the 
Tivoli  theatre  at  Hamilton,  Ontario.    ... 

Hyatt  Brothers  of  London,  Ontario,  are  starting 
at  once  the  erection  of  a  $100,000  theatre  there.  .  .  . 
The  Broadway  theatre,  Portland,  Ore.,  has  begun  its 
roadshow  policy  with  "Street  Angel."  ...  A  new 
$50,000  theatre  will  be  built  at  Milan,  Tenn  .  .  . 
Barney  L.  Cohen  is  the  new  manager  at  the  Jefferson, 
Philadelphia,  succeeding  Russell  Cotter,  who  resigned. 
.  Twenty  thousand  dollars  is  being  spent  on 
remodeling  the  VVishart  theatre,  Philadelphia.  .  .  . 
C.  R.  Stanley  is  again  manager  of  the  Bell  theatre, 
Philadelphia.  ...  It  is  announced  that  the  Motion 
Picture  Guild  will  open  a  little  theatre  in  Philadelphia 
for  the  showing  of  so-called  "art  films."  .  .  .  The 
Benn  theatre,  Chester,  Pa.,  has  been  taken  over  by 
Jacob  Gorshov.  .  .  .  The  Colony  theatre.  Brant  Beach, 
N.  J.,  owned  by  Jarry  Colmer,  opens  August  I.  .  .  . 
The  Principal  Theatres  of  Northern  California  has 
taken  over  the  Monache  theatre  at  Porterville.  .  .  . 
The  San  Jose  Theatres,  Inc.,  has  been  incorporated 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000  by  Enno  Lion,  T.  S. 
Cooper  and  Emma  E.   Williams.  .   .  . 


The  Golden  Gate  Theatre  and  Realty  Company  has 
arranged  to  erect  a  moving  picture  house  at  Hanford, 
Cal.  .  .  .  The  Imperial  theatre  in  San  Francisco  has 
been  remodeled  and  reopened  with  a  policy  of  first 
run  pictures  and  five  vaudeville  acts  on  a  weekly 
change  basis.  .  .  .  Samuel  H.  Levin  has  announced 
plans  for  the  erection  of  a  2,000  seat  house  in  San 
Francisco.  .  .  .  Charles  E.  Kurtzman  is  back  again 
as  manager  of  the  Granada  theatre,  San  Francisco. 
.  .  .  Work  will  begin  at  once  on  a  $100,000  seat 
house  in  Pittsburg,  Cal.  .  .  .  G.  H.  Coates  has  been 
made  temporary  manager  of  the  Saenger  theatre.  New 
Orleans,  succeeding  A.  E.  Chadick,  who  resigned  on 
account  of  ill  health.  .  .  .  Al  Raleigh  has  taken  charge 
of  several  houses  in  Olympia,  Wash.  .  .  .  The 
Colonial  theatre,  Eugene,  Ore.,  has  reverted  from 
Percy  Garrigues  to  the  Western  Loan  and  Building 
Company.  .  .  .  Among  the  new  firms  on  Seattle's  film 
row  is  the  American  Film  Corporation,  successors  to 
Western,  Deluxe  and  Northwestern  concerns.  .  .  . 
Another  new  house,  the  State,  will  open  in  Medford, 
Ore.,  September  15  under  the  management  of  George 
Roy. 


Sees  Her  First  Film — 
And  It's  Synchronized 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  July  31.— Mrs.  Vic- 
toria Cantrell  of  Bremen,  Ga.,  72, 
never  had  seen  a  motion  picture,  and 
when  she  did  the  other  day  it  was 
a  synchronized  film  at  that.  She  saw 
and  heard  Al  Jolson's  "The  Jazz 
Singer"  at  the  Metropolitan,  and 
they're  still  trying  to  convince  her 
that  it  was  Vitaphone  she  heard  and 
not  Jolson  on  the  stage  behind  the 
screen. 


Calvin  Brown,  executive  vice  president  of 
Pathe,  announced  last  week  that  Pathe 
product  has  been  booked  100  per  cent 
into  the  Keith-Albee-Orpheuni  circuit. 
He  cited  this  booking  as  further  evi- 
dence of  the  big  year  in  store  for  Pathe. 
He  was  snapped  with  Mrs.  Brown  by  a 
Herald-World  photographer,  on  a  recent 
flying  visit  to  Chicago. 

Paramount   Ad   Campaign 

In  413  Cities  Throughout 

Nation  to  Open  Aug.  12 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— An  extensive  ad- 
vertising campaign  designed  to  go  direct 
to  motion  picture  patrons  in  the  various 
sections  of  the  United  States,  will  be  in- 
augurated August  12  by  Paramount.  The 
advertisements  prepared  for  the  campaign, 
each  seven  columns  wide  and  full-page 
deep,  will  appear  in  695  newspapers  in  413 
cities.  This  represents  a  circulation  of  100,- 
000,000,  it  is  said. 


Saves  Sunday  Shows 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
EL  PASO,  ILL.,  July  31.— This  city,  with 
a  vote  of  860  votes  cast  out  of  a  possible 
1,000,  defeated  a  petition  to  ban  Sunday 
motion  picture  shows  and  other  amuse- 
ments. The  shows  won  by  a  majority  of 
169  votes. 


Shooting  Starts  Aug,  15 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Robert  Fair- 
banks, general  manager  for  his  brother,  Doug- 
las, officiated  at  the  ceremony  at  which  "The 
Iron  Mask"  was  begun.  Actual  shooting  on 
the  picture  is  scheduled  for  August  15.  It  is 
a  Fairbanks  vehicle. 


Seattle  Holds  FN  Lead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— At  the  end  of  the 
seventh  week  of  First  National's  billing  drive, 
Seattle  still  holds  first  place.  The  other  lead- 
ing exchanges  in  order  are  Portland,  New 
Jersey,  Omaha,  Charlotte  and  Buffalo. 


Censor  6,237,000  Feet 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Julv  31.— Motion  pic- 
ture censors  here  viewed  6,237,000  feet  of  film 
last  year,   according  to   Mrs.   Elenor  Colwell, 
secretary. 


Developments  in  Sound 
Film  Device  Being  Made 
in  England,  Is  Report 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  July  31.— It  is  learned 
that  developments  in  the  exploitation  of 
"Synchro-Film,"  the  gramophone  device  by 
which,  it  is  claimed,  cinematograph  film 
projection  and  sound  reproduction  can  be 
perfectly  synchronized,  are  imminent  in 
England,  according  to  items  in  the  Euro- 
pean press  as  submitted  by  Trade  Com 
missioner  George  R.  Canty,  Paris,  to  the 
Department  of  Commerce.  In  this  inven- 
tion the  projection  apparatus  is  described 
as  being  controlled  by  the  gramophone 
unit,  the  two  elements  starting,  slowing 
or  stopping  in  precise  unison.  The  slight- 
est tendency  towards  loss  of  synchroniza- 
tion is  said  to  be  automatically  adjusted. 

The  drive  is  from  the  gramophone, 
through  a  ratchet-wheel  keyed  to  a  spindle 
carrying  a  toothed  wheel  having  an  in- 
ternal screw  thread.  Speed,  once  set,  is 
claimed  to  remain  constant.  Film  break 
during  projection  brings  the  apparatus  to 
the  stop,  and  film  shortage  consequent  upon 
rejoining  is  automatically  adjusted  in  the 
synchronization,  it  is  said.  The  apparatus 
may  be  used  in  connection  with  any  make 
of  gramophone,  and  control  being  electri- 
cal, can  be  near  or  remote,  as  desired. 


» 


New  Camera  Effects  in 
F  N's ''The  Divine  Lady 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  Y;0RK,  July  31.— "The  Divine  Lady," 
First    National    production,    starring    Corinne 
Griffith,  has  new  technical  and  camera  effects, 
evolved  in  the   studio  research  laboratories. 


New  Color  Film  Firm 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LONDON,  July  21.— (By  Mail)— Charles 
Gulliver,  the  well-known  managing  director 
of  the  London  Theatres  of  Varieties,  of  which 
the  Palladium  was  the  principal  theatre,  has 
become  chairman  of  the  British  Multicolour 
Film  Corporation,  Limited,  a  new  company 
which  has  just  been  formed  to  market  a  na- 
tural-color film  process  and  to  make  and  dis- 
tribute British  films  generally. 


Tax  Brings  $813,979 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MONTREAL,  July  31.— The  amusement 
tax  brought  a  revenue  of  $813,979  to  Mon- 
treal during  1927,  according  to  the  annual 
financial  report.  The  exhibitors  collected  and 
paid  over  this  amount.  There  are  54  moving 
picture  theatres  in  Montreal,  and  these  paid 
license  fees  of  $48,137  during  1927.  Five  cir- 
cuses paid  $1,000  a  day  for  five  days  during 
the  year. 


Albert  Warner  Plans  Trip 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Albert  Warner  will 
take  but  a  ten  day  vacation  this  year,  but  he 
will   put   this  time   to  good  advantage   in  the 
Adirondacks  for  fishing  and  golfing. 


Omaha  Orpheum  Gives 
Spot  to  Pathe  News 

Something  out  of  the  ordinary  in 
billing  was  given  Pathe  News  by 
Manager  Hartung  of  the  Orpheum 
in  Omaha  when  he  placed  the  news 
reel  in  the  feature  spot  of  the  pro- 
gram for  five  weeks.  Another 
example  of  the  growing  recognition 
of   the   short  feature  in   programs. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOViiNG  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practiced  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public"  and  "Better  Business  Builders.'* 

This  Year  Will  Test  Your  Showmanship 

,  By  Will  Whitmore 

This  year  will  test  your  showmanship,  as  never  before.  If  you  remain  placid  this  year  and  let  what  business  come  to 
you  that  will,  as  some  of  you  have  done  in  the  past,  you  are  due  to  get  a  swift  kick  in  the  pants.  If  you  roll  up  your 
sleeves,  use  your  knowledge  of  advertising,  exploitation  and  publicity — and  work — you  will  enjoy  the  best  year  you 
have  ever  had.    It's  going  to  take  showmanship  this  year.    If  you  use  it,  you  have  no  need  to  worry. 


THESE  conditions  will  apply  especially  to 
both  you  who  are  opening  with  sound 
pictures  and  you  who  are  facing  sound 
picture  competition.  It's  going  to  take  a 
great  deal  of  work  to  put  over  sound  pic- 
tures properly  and  it's  going  to  take  work 
to  put  over  the  silent  drama  where  there  is 
sound  picture  competition. 

The  theatre  exhibiting  nothing  but  silent 
pictures  has  no  reason  to  worry  this  year, 
even  though  it  be  surrounded  by  sound  pic- 
ture competition,  provided  the  theatre  uses 
showmanship.  Why?  Because  there  is 
more  interest  in  pictures  today  than 
there  ever  has  been.  The  country  is  loaded 
with  picture  interest.  It  is  true  that 
the  advent  of  sound  pictures  has  caused  this 
heightening  of  interest,  but  the  interest 
that  has  been  aroused  is  for  pictures, 
whether  they  be  silent  or  sound.  Every 
bit  of  increased  interest  in  sound  pictures 
works  to  the  advantages  of  pictures  in  gen- 
eral, both  sound  and  silent  pictures.  We 
all  know  that  the  more  the  public  goes  to 
the  picture  theatre,  the  more  it  wants  to  go 
If  the  public  goes  to  see  the  sound  picture, 
it  will  have  its  interest  quickened  in  pic- 
tures, and  this  interest  will  extend  to  the 
silent  picture,  just  as  much  as  the  sound 
picture. 

But  the  silent  picture  exhibitor  must  be 
on  his  toes  to  cash  in  on  this  quickened 
interest.  The  public  is  not  going  to  the 
theatre  that  lies  dormant  and  waits  for 
the  public  to  come  in.  Every  theatre  in  the 
country  must  show  new  life  this  year  to 
keep  in  step  with  the  public's  new  inter- 
est. The  theatre  that  remains  static  this 
year  is  going  to  be  passed  up  like  a  pocket 
book  on  April  Fool's  day.  Keep  in  step 
with  the  public  and  the  public  will  step 
your  way. 

Many  exhibitors  who  will  not  be  able  to 
show  sound  pictures  this  year  are  shaking 
in  their  boots.  Some  of  them  are  ready  to 
lie  down  and  take  the  count.  Such  an  at- 
titude is  thoroughly  silly.  The  sound  pic- 
ture will  not  keep  one  penny  from  your  box 
office  this  year,  unless  you  fly  the  white 
flag  and  surrender  to  an  imaginary  enemy. 
Sound  picture  competition  to  the  silent 
drama  is  nothing  but  a  terrifying  bugaboo 
concocted  in  the  minds  of  those  who  are 
looking  for  an  excuse  for  failure  and  a  rea- 
son to  quit. 

There  has  been  a  lot  of  talk  recently 
about  the  public  being  tired  of  silent  pic- 
tures, and  that  the  sound  picture  has  ar- 
rived in  the  nick  of  time  to  save  the  motion 
picture  from  utter  ruin.  Such  talk  is  utter 
nonsense.  The  silent  picture  has  lasted  for 
more  than  a  quarter  century  and  it  will  al- 


These  charming  young  ladies  were  used 
in  a  prologue  to  "The  Gingham  Girl,"  an 
F  B  O  picture,  by  Charles  E.  Stroud, 
owner  and  manager  of  the  Grand  theatre, 
Lake  City,  Minnesota.  Small  prologues 
used  with  pictures  often  add  much  to 
the  interest  and  entertainment  of  the 
m-otion  picture  diet,  especially  in  small 
town  houses. 

ways  be  here,  no  matter  how  popular  the 
sound  picture  becomes. 

It  is  true  that  the  public's  interest  in 
pictures  may  have  become  less  intense  in 
the  last  few  years,  but  that  was  not  the 
fault  of  pictures.  The  entire  trouble  rested 
in  the  fact  that  the  producer  and  the  exhibi- 
tor had  fallen  down  on  their  jobs  in  creat- 
ing and   keeping   that   interest   fresh. 

It  is  an  accepted  fact  that  producers  and 
exhibitors  have  in  the  last  few  years 
been  lax  in  keeping  the  public  interested. 
It  seems  that  we  have  all  felt  that  all 
that  is  necessary  to  make  a  success  in  the 
motion  picture  business  is  to  make  good 
pictures  and  show  them  in  fine  theatres. 
The  art  of  publicity,  advertising  and  ex- 
ploitation has  been  slighted  in  the  last  few 
years  and  this  work  has  become,  more  or 
less  a  routine  job.  The  public  did  not  lose 
faith  in  pictures.  It  is  the  industry  that 
lost  faith  in  the  methods  of  keeping  the 
public   interest  fresh. 


Any  traveling  man  will  tell  you  that  in 
the  average  small  town  it  is  difficult  to 
learn  what  is  playing  in  the  town's  theatre. 
The  hotel  keeper  cannot  tell  you — he 
doesn't  know— the  barber  can't  tell  you — he 
doesn't  know — and  there  are  no  bills  on 
the  streets  to  tell  you.  There  are  few 
window  cards  to  tell  you.  In  fact,  a 
stranger  in  a  small  town  often  has  to  get 
a  guide  to  show  him  where  the  theatre  is, 
and  he  doesn't  know  what  the  picture  is, 
until  it  flashes  on  the  screen.  This  is  not 
an  exaggeration.  Sad  to  say,  it  is  too  often 
the  case,  not  only  in  the  small  town  but  in 
the  good-sized  city. 

It  is  this  state  of  affairs  that  has  dulled 
the  public's  interest  in  motion  pictures. 
And  every  theatre  owner  in  the  country 
from  the  smallest  to  the  largest  should 
thank  the  sound  picture  for  reviving  the 
public's  interest  in  pictures,  not  the  sound 
picture   alone,   but   pictures   in   general. 

Let's  keep  this  interest  alive.  What  the 
industry  now  needs  is  enterprising  show- 
manship. Pictures  are  better  than  they  ever 
have  been.  Showmanship,  not  pictures,  has 
degenerated.  Let's  not  be  content  to  put 
out  three  window  cards  and  two  one-sheets 
in  front  of  the  theatre  and  believe  that  we 
are  doing  all  for  the  picture  we  can. 

Let's  give  the  picture  a  break.  Let's  give 
it  an  even  chance  to  bring  in  the  patrons. 
No  picture  ever  made  will  bring  the  public 
in  your  theatre,  unless  the  public  knows 
what  that  picture  is.  It's  up  to  you  to  tell 
the  public.  If  you  do,  you  have  no  reason 
to  worry  about  the  picture  not  doing  its 
part  whether  it  be  sound  or  silent. 

To  the  exhibitor  showing  silent  pictures 
this  year — Remember  this — You  will  not  do 
yourself  any  good  by  knocking  the  sound 
picture.  If  you  can't  show  sound  pictures 
forget  them.  Don't  spend  your  time  worry- 
ing what  the  sound  picture  is  going  to  do 
to  your  business.  Spend  your  time  doing 
something  for  the  silent  picture.  Play  to 
the  public's  heightened  interest  in  pictures, 
and  this  heightened  interest  will  play  to 
your  box  office. 


Installs  Orchestrope 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HUNTINGTON,  IND.,  July  31.— The 
management  of  the  Colonial  theatre  here 
has  purchased  an  orchestrope,  manufacture 
of  which  has  been  started  by  the  Capehart 
Automatic  Phonograph  Company.  This  is 
the  second  of  the  machines  to  be  installed 
in  Huntington.  The  Capehart  company 
has  been  here  only  a  short  time. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


These  Mailing  Pieces  Develop 

Goodwill^  Increase  Patronage 

James  A.  Carrier,  managing  director  of  Universal's  Capitol  theatre  at  Atlanta. 
Georgia,  has  hit  upon  two  direct  mail  ideas  and  uses  them  to  build  goodwill  and 
patronage.  One  idea  has  perceptibly  increased  private  party  business,  and  the 
other  has  proved  a  fine  Monday  evening  box  office  stimulant. 


Both  ideas  make  use  of  cards  sent 
through  the  mail.  The  first  is  si  hand  drawn 
card  mailed  out  daily  to  every  society  lady 
who  receives  some  mention  in  the  news- 
paper in  regard  to  some  social  event  being 
staged.  The  card  is  a  cordial  reminder  to 
the  person  it  is  mailed  to  that  arrangements 
can  be  comfortably  made  for  a  "theatre 
party"  with  no  extra  charge  for  the  service. 
The   novelty  has   not   only   received   praise 


A  Phoaff  call  to  Ih's 
department  sUlmq  I  he 
number  ol  seals  ijoa 
requiiv  at  II  sdi>e  ijoo 
tune  and 


THEATRE   PARTY  AT  THE 

CAPITOL 

JlClsnla's  finest  Theatre 

ISAM  EASY  WAY  KDR 
YOU  TO  SOLVE  THAT 
SOGAL  OBLIGATION 


These  two  cards  have  increased  goodwill 
and  patronage  for  the  Capitol  theatre, 
Atlanta,  Ga.  The  upper  card  is  good  for 
one  admission,  and  is  sent  to  everyone 
writing  a  letter  to  the  theatre  comment- 
ing on  the  theatre's  radio  programs.  The 
lower  card  is  mailed  to  society  women, 
and  has  increased  phone  reservations  for 
ten  or  more  seats. 

from  many  outside  sources,  but  also  has 
been  the  means  of  increasing  phone  reser- 
vations for  ten  or  more  seats. 

The  second  card  is  tied  up  with  the  radio 
programs.  Every  Tuesday  night  from 
eleven  to  midnight  the  theatre  goes  on  the 
air  over  station  WSB  with  a  radio  mid- 
night frolic.  During  the  program,  an- 
nouncement is  made  that  every  person  writ- 
ing into  the  theatre  or  station  making  men- 
tion of  the  program  and  what  number  they 
liked  the  best  will  receive  an  invitation  good 
for  one  admission  at  the  Monday  evening 
performance  of  the  following  week.  Hun- 
dreds of  these  letters  are  received  and 
cards  in  turn  are  mailed  out.  After  care- 
fully checking  these  cards  at  the  box  office, 
Carrier  finds  that  96  per  cent  are  returned 
and  one  or  more  tickets  are  purchased  by 
every  one  who  receives  an  invitation,  which 
proves  this  to  be  an  exceptional  box  office 
stimulant. 


Beauty  Pageant  Is 

Big  Hit  in  Atlanta 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  July  31.— A  publicity  cam- 
paign hailed  as  an  outstanding  one  and  well 
planned   was  instituted   during  the  past   week 


by  the  Capitol  theatre,  under  the  personal 
supervision  and  direction  of  James  A.  Carrier, 
managing  director  of  the  Universal  house, 
when  a  beauty  pageant  was  presented  in  co- 
operation with  the  M.  Rich  &  Bros.  Company, 
a  leading  department  store. 

An  extensive  use  of  devices  was  utilized 
in  exploiting  this  feature  attraction,  includ- 
ing street  car  signs,  special  circus  heralds 
distributed  from  house-to-house,  novelty 
teaser  cards,  billboards  and  newspaper  ads. 

The  entire  campaign  was  handled  by 
Howard  Litchey,  director  of  public  relations 
for  the  Capitol  theatre,  and  photographs  and 
stories  were  put  over  in  the  news  sections, 
radio  pages,  society  pages,  theatre  pages  and 
automobile  sections  of  the  local  newspapers. 
That  the  campaign  was  highly  successful  was 
told  by  the  box-office  returns  for  the  week. 


Check  Film  Bills; 
Check  All  Postage; 
Check  All  Expenses 

Do  you  check  all  expenses  to  save  a  penny 
here  and  another  there?  A  penny  is  a  trivial 
matter  but  in  the  course  of  a  year  the  number 
of  pennies  you  can  save  by  being  on  the  alert 
grow  into  dollars.  Joe  Weil,  director  of  ad- 
vertising and  exploitation  for  Universal  Chain 
Theatrical  Enterprises,  Inc.,  has  sent  out  two 
letters  to  all  Universal  managers  which  are 
worthy  of  being  read  by  every  theatre  man- 
ager.   Here  is  Weil's  letter: 

"A  careful  check  of  all  mailing  charges 
eliminating  the  placing  of  too  much  pos- 
age  on  letters  or  packages  and  a  careful 
checking  of  postal  or  express  charges  on 
film  shipments  will  save  a  tidy  sum  weekly 
for  every  theatre  manager. 

"Regarding  ordinary  postage  matters,  go 
to  your  local  post  office  at  once  and  get 
the  revised  list  of  postal  rates.  Note  that 
air  mail  letters  are  five  cents  after  August 
1.  Study  the  different  rates  and  various 
classes  of  postage.  Note  the  maximum 
size  of  post  card  to  get  the  one  cent  rate. 
Do  not  send  printed  matter  Srst  class 
where  parcel  post  will  answer  the  pur- 
pose. Don't  guess  postage  on  bulky  letters 
or  packages.  Weigh  them  before  you 
affix  stamps.  Save  postage  pennies!" 
The  second  letter  comes  from  J.  J.  Bayard, 


"Tragic,"  Says  Joe  When 
He  Misses  Herald- World 

"The  Theatre"  received  a  fine  let- 
ter from  Joe  Mayer,  managing  direc- 
tor of  the  Palace  theatre,  Hamilton, 
Ohio,  this  week,  in  which  Joe  ex- 
plains why  he  hasn't  been  shooting  in 
a  lot  of  good  ideas  to  us  lately.  And 
we'll  excuse  Joe  this  time  for  he  has 
been  on  a  vacation  in  the  East. 

"Just  got  back  from  a  vacation," 
says  Joe,  "and  haven't  even  had  a 
chance  to  read  the  last  two  issues  of 
the  Herald,  which  is  nothing  short  of 
tragic.  I  am  going  to  take  them  to 
my  room  tonight  and  in  my  pajamas, 
with  a  pitcher  of  cracked  ice  by  my 
side,  see  what  I  have  missed  in  the 
way  of  news." 


July  Is  Jubilee  Month 


'yi%^    -:-    ENTERTAINMENT  i^g% 


Full  page  institutional  ad  used  by  Frank 
B.  Hill  of  the  Inland  Theatres,  Inc., 
Walla  Walla,  Wash.,  in  connection  with 
the  "July  Is  Jubilee  Month,"  idea  origi- 
nated and  sponsored  by  Inland  Theatres. 
Achievement  of  the  community  in  the 
first  six  months  of  the  year  is  stressed,  to- 
gether with  the  achievement  of  the  thea- 
tres in  presenting  good  entertainment  in 
good  theatres.  It  makes  a  splendid  in- 
stitutional ad.  However,  for  this  type  of 
ad,  simplicity  should  be  the  keynote.  The 
heavy  rules  and  black  border  detract 
from  the  ad.  Institutional  ads  are  more 
effective  when  light  and  pleasing  to  the 
eye.  Don't  make  your  institutional  ad 
shout.   Let  it  talk,  conversationally. 

manager  of  the  Masonic  theatre,  Clifton 
Forge,  Virginia,  and  was  submitted  to  Weil 
in  an  expense  saving  contest.  It  tells  how  he 
has  saved  $5  monthly  by  watching  postage 
charges.    The  letter  follows : 

"For  some  time  back  I  have  been  check- 
ing invoices  from  all  exchanges  serving 
this  house  and  I  £nd  that  mostly  all  of 
them  bill  us  for  postage  with  the  bill  for 
rental  on  the  same  invoice.  In  going  over 
them  I  6nd  many  include  postage  charges 
even  when  the  £lm  is  circuited  to  us  from 
some  other  house.  It  is  the  custom  of  most 
exchanges  to  notify  the  exhibitor  that  be 
will  receive  his  print  from  a  nearby  town 
if  they  are  not  coming  direct  from  the  ex- 
change. 

"These  notices  of  circuit  should  be 
carefully  checked  with  invoices  and  deduc- 
tions made  from  them  accordingly.  In  this 
territory,  where  circuiting  from  one  of  our 
own  houses  to  another  is  quite  common,  I 
have  effected  an  average  saving  of  ap- 
proximately $5.00  per  month. 

"In  addition,  my  operators  are  instructed 
to  inform  me  when  a  print  is  received 
from  a  neighboring  town  not  on  our  circuit 
and  a  similar  deduction  is  made  in  these 
cases.  So  far  the  exchanges  have  not 
squawked  when  such  deductions  have  been 
made." 

It  will  pay  you  to  check  on  these  matters. 
One  small  town  independent  exhibitor  tells 
"The  Theatre"  that  he  effects  a  saving  of  $300 
a  year  by  checking  all  postage,  and  $300  a 
year  is  $300. 


Begins  Kiddie  Club 

MADISON,  WIS.,  July  31.— Len  Brown, 
manager  of  the  Capitol  theatre,  has  begun  a 
Kiddies  Club  and  already  has  close  to  500 
members.  Educational  films,  and  clean  en- 
tertainment are  booked  as  part  of  the  ac- 
tivities of  this  new  Kiddies  Club. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


You  've  Heard  Lots 
About  Walla  Walla 
But  Read  A  bout  Hill 

We  all  have  heard  of  that  town  with  the 
funny  name,  the  name  they  loved  so  well, 
they  used  it  twice — Walla  Walla,  Washing- 
ton, of  course — but  did  you  ever  hear  of 
Frank  B.  Hill,  publicity  and  advertising  di- 
rector for  Inland  Theatres,  Inc.,  of  Walla 
WaUa? 

If  you  haven't  give  a  listen,  for  Frank 
does  things  in  his  theatres  that  are  worthy 
of  being  heard.  Just  for  instance — Frank 
grabbed  off  a  column  story  on  the  front  page 
of  the  Walla  Walla  Daily  Bulletin  when  he 
inaugurated  the  "July  is  Jubilee  Month" 
campaign. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  year,  Frank  had 
the  merchants  adopt  a  slogan,  "Way  better 
than  last  year,"  for  which  his  theatres  won 
a  lot  of  publicity.  Then  when  the  year 
reached  its  half  way  mark,  Frank  conceived 
the  idea  of  staging  a  month's  celebration  of 
Walla  Walla's  achievements  during  the  first 
half  of  the  year.  Tieups  were  made  with  all 
the  merchants  who  put  on  "July  is  Jubilee 
Month"  sales.  The  theatres  tied  in  with 
special   programs   during  the   month. 

The  theatres  came  in  for  a  lot  of  publicity. 
Frank  has  succeeded  in  showing  that  he  and 
the  theatres  are  interested  in  the  com- 
munity's welfare,  and  that  his  organization 
is  a  big  booster  for  the  community. 

But  this  campaign  is  just  a  few  of  the 
things  Hill  does.  There  is  always  something 
popping  in  the  Inland  theatres.  In  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  "The  Theatre"  Frank  tells 
of  a  few  of  the  things  he  has  been  doing 
lately : 

"For  a  long  time  I  have  been  reading,  and 
using  a  lot  of  the  publicity  ideas  which  you 
have  been  running  in  your  magazine  and 
have  decided  that  it  is  about  time  you  heard 
from  Walla  Walla,  Washington. 

"Enclosed  you  will  find  some  of  our  pub- 
licity work  and  a  few  pictures  which  I  had 
taken  to  send  to  you.  The  tank  used  to  ad- 
vertise 'The  Patent  Leather  Kid'  was  built 
out  of  compo  board  over  a  Ford  roadster. 
We  covered  a  radius  of  40  miles  around 
Walla  Walla  in  advance  of  the  picture  and 
also  used  it  in  a  parade.  Took  over  a  week 
to  build  but  was  well  worth  the  time. 

"On  'The  Circus'  we  used  12  boys  for  12 
days  in  advance  of  showing.  These  boys 
dressed  as  Chaplin  and  carried  banners  every 
day  for  two  hours  and  I  am  quite  sure  they 
covered  the  town  in  that  length  of  time. 
Then  we  also  used  the  front. 

"  'July  Is  Jubilee  Month'  is  getting  away 
to  a  good  start.  Have  cards  in  all  windows 
in  town  and  the  merchants  are  cooperating 
very  nicely  in  running  Jubilee  sales  during 
this  month.  A  week  from  next  Wednesday 
all  merchants  are  putting  on  a  Jubilee  com- 
munity sales.  Will  have  30  to  40  merchants 
in  on  this. 

"In  closing  I  wish  to  state  that  the  theatres 
in  Walla  Walla  are  owned  and  operated  by 
Frederick    Mercy,    Senior    and    Junior." 


Use  Carrier  Pigeons 
to  Advertise  "Dove^^ 

One  hundred  carrier  pigeons  were  re- 
leased from  the  street  in  front  of  the 
Columbia  Theatre  in  Portland,  Oregon, 
which   successfully  advertised  "The  Dove." 

As  each  dove  soared  away  to  the  home 
loft  across  the  Willamette  River,  it  carried 
a  tiny  "pigeongram"  addressed  to  some  per- 
son chosen  at  random  from  the  city  direc- 
tory and  written  in  the  form  of  an  invi- 
tation. 


Exploitation  Pays  Frank  Hill 


Frank  Hill,  director  of  publicity  and  advertising  for  Inland  Theatres, 

Inc.,  Walla  Walla,  Wash.,  keeps  things  popping  in  his  theatres, 

and  finds  it  pays  big  at  the  box  office 


Here's  how  Hill  ballyhooed  "The  Circus."    It  paid. 


With  such  an  attractive  "cool"  lobby  display 
(above)  people  forget  the  heat  and  head 
right  into  the  theatre.  Thermometers  placed 
at  intervals  along  the  side  of  the  theatre 
register  the  cool  temperature  inside  the 
theatre.  At  the  right  is  seen  a  ballyhoo 
for  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid."  It  took  a 
week  to  build  this  tank,  but  Hill  says  it 
was  worth  the  labor  and  cost.  If  you're 
skeptical  of  such  work  as  this,  glance  below. 


Crowds  like  this  prove  that  exploitation  pays. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


YW 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window." 


"HEART  TO  HEART" 

I  yEAR  FOLKS:  I  take  typewriter  in  lap 
this  bright  summer  day  to  tell  you  about  one 
of  the  best  little  pictures  I  have  seen  in  so 
long  a  time  that  I  seek  in  vain  for  a  milestone 
to  designate  as  marking  the  beginning  of  same. 
In  fact,  when  I  think  it  over,  I  doubt  that  I 
have  ever  seen  a  picture  just  like  "Heart  to 
Heart" — and  I  betray  no  confidences  by  telling 
you  that  I  have  seen  more  pictures  than  any- 
body else  I  know  and  I  know  quite  a  few 
people  who  have  seen  pictures  quite  steadily 
over  a  considerable  expanse  of  calendar. 

Yessir,  this  "Heart  to  Heart"  is  a  different 
kind  of  picture.  And  it  is  an  excellent  kind  of 
picture.  It  is  the  kind  of  picture  I  used  to 
try  to  describe  as  a  "good  little  picture" — mean- 
ing that  it  was  extremely  good,  even  if  it  didn't 
contain  an  earthcjuake,  landslide  or  tornado — 
but  it  is  not  at  all  a  little  picture  in  the  usual 
sense  of  that  term.  It  is,  in  significance  if  not 
in  point  of  overhead  and  trick  scenery,  a  great 
big  picture.  I  think  we  can  use  about  as  many 
more  like  it  as  Hollywood  can  turn  out,  even 
if  Holl>^vood  suddenly  goes  logical  and  turns 
out  one  good  picture  after  another. 

The  people  in  this  picture  are  many,  and  all 
of  them  are  good.  Best,  I  think,  is  Louise 
Fazenda,  enacting  a  small  town  homebody 
whose  sight  isn't  what  it  used  to  be.  I  ask 
you  to  look  at  this  and  see  if  you  can  recall  a 
more  completely  consumate  performance.  I 
cannot. 

Others  whose  good  performances  are  assets 
of  the  picture  include  Lloyd  Hughes,  as  an 
inventor  always  just  a  bit  tardy  with  his  de- 
%'ices,  and  Mary  Astor,  who  is  no  less  beauti- 
ful than  ever  but  more  at  home  with  the  tasks 
given  her  and  so  more  effective.  And  then 
there  is  the  gentleman  who  plays  the  husband 
wed  to  the  wife  played  by  Louise  Fazenda,  and 
whose  name  always  evades  me.  This  gentleman 
is  so  good,  however,  that  his  name  doesn't  mat- 
ter. Indeed,  I  think  it  is  his  knack  of  effacing 
self  for  role — in  other  pictures  as  in  tliis  one — • 
which  makes  it  impossible  for  me  to  remember 
his  name.  Wouldn't  it  be  great  if  all  the  actors 
were  that  good?  (Now  I  remember  his  name! 
Lucien  Littlefield!) 

The  story  is  about  a  small  town  which  is  host 
to  an  Italian  princess — or  something — and  I 
would  be  the  last  guy  in  the  world  to  tell  you 
more  about  it.  Stories  like  this  are  to  be  seen 
and  not  read.  I  think,  too,  although  it  is  be- 
side the  point,  that  they  are  to  be  seen  and  not 
heard,  but  time  will  determine  that. 


T.  O.  Service 


"FORGOTTEN  FACES" 


A, 


.MONG  the  good  actors  who  weren't  al- 
ways so  good  I  now  place  Mr.  Clive  Brook. 
This  personable  and  mannerly  performer,  who 
I  remember  always  as  a  stiff-legged  stalker 
through  English  pictures  imported  by  Para- 
mount years  and  years  ago,  now  stands — in  my 
estimation — alongside  H.  B.  Warner  and 
Adolphe  Menjou,  completing  a  trio  of  highly 
polished  players  who  ad  class  to  whatever  ve- 
hicle may  serve  them  at  a  given  moment.  "For- 
gotten Faces"  is,  of  course,  an  excellent  vehicle. 

The  outline  of  "Forgotten  Faces"  is  nothing 
epochal.  It  is  a  story  about  a  burglar  whose 
wife  isn't  so  good  either  but  whose  love  of 
child  is  okay.  The  major  portion  of  the  pic- 
ture has  to  do  with  his  precautions  against  the 
girl's  mother  messing  up  the  highly  commend- 
able scene  he  has  created  for  the  child  before 
going  to  jail.  There  is  a  wealth  of  detail, 
plenty  of  plot,  and  the  cast  contains  so  many 
good  names  as  to  exhaust  even  a  chronicler 
who  believes  in  listing  cast  names.  Everybody's 
in  it. 

The  story  is  remarkably  well  told,  making 
up  for  any  lack  of  freshness,  and  the  acting  is 
great.  The  captions  are  in  English,  the  pho- 
tography doesn't  get  in  your  way,  and  there 
isn't  a  thing  wrong  with  the  picture  that  I 
can  think  of  at  this  moment.  If  I  think  of  any- 
thing later  I'll  let  you  know.  For  the  present, 
let  me  say  merely  that  it's  well  worth  your  time 
to  take  a  look  at  the  picture.  After  all,  even 
an  exhibitor  ought  to  get  some  enjoyment  out 
of  motion  pictures  once  in  a  whUe. 


H 


'THE  GARDEN  OF  EDEN" 


ONESTLY,  folks,  I  don't  know  whether 
this  picture  is  any  good  or  not.  One  minute 
— while  watching  it — I  thought  it  was  a  gem. 
Next  minute  I  was  sure  it  was  anything  else. 
So  on  and  on,  reel  after  reel,  until  I  don't 
know  what  to  say  about  it.  As  you  know — or 
should — this  is  the  first  time  in  my  life  this 
has  happened. 

I'm  pretty  sure,  though,  that  Miss  Corinne 
Griffith  isn't  a  very  good  commedienne.  That 
is,  she  may  be  a  good  enough  commedienne, 
but  she's  so  much  better  at  other  things  that 
she  ought  not  to  cup  up.  Somehow,  she  just 
isn't  Clara  Bow,  nor  Janet  Gaynor,  nor  any  of 


the  dozen  other  girls  who  can  flirt  across  a  hotel 
court  and  make  yon  think  she  means  it  (in 
the  picture,  that  is)  and  that  is  what  she  tries 
to  do  in  "The  Garden  of  Eden."  I  felt,  while 
watching  her  do  this,  as  if  I'd  caught  my 
mother-in-law  ogling  the  postman.  But  no;  that 
woidd  be  funny.    This  isn't. 

On  the  other  hand,  though,  and  in  a  case  of 
this  kind  one  needs  at  least  two  hands,  the 
composition  (slang  for  production)  is  precisely 
the  sort  of  thing  I  like  more  than  anything  else 
in  pictures.  It  is  a  light,  modem  story  about 
light  modern  people  doing — lightly  and  in  mod- 
ern manner — things  that  used  to  be  considered 
heavy  and  prosaic.  It  happens  at  Monte  Carlo, 
which  is  a  good  place  for  things  to  happen,  and 
there  are  any  ntmiber  of  light  touches  in  it  that, 
individually,  stack  up  as  smart.  Indeed,  the 
whole  thing  may  even  be  so  bloomin'  smart 
that  I  don't  get  the  finer  points,  which  wotdd 
explain  my  curiously  confused  opinion  of  it 
and  reflect  great  discredit  upon  my  perception, 
erudition  and  whatnot.  (All  of  which  I  should 
not  admit,  of  course,  and  do  admit  solely  in 
order  that  I  can  get  across  to  you  my  com- 
plete lack  of  conviction  as  to  anything  con- 
cerning the  picture.) 


I 


IT'S  BODIL  ROSING 


AM  indebted  to  my  old  friend  Ray  Murray 
and  to  Mrs.  Bodil  Rosing  for  the  information 
that  I  was  wrong  (as  I  suggested  I  might  be) 
in  spelling  that  lady's  name  "Basil  Roding"  in 
the  preceding  issue  of  this  great  paper.  I 
wrote  the  name,  if  yon  recall,  as  that  of  the 
lady  who  played  the  mother  in  "The  Wlieel  of 
Chance,"  adding  that  her  performance  showed 
her  to  be  "about  the  last  word  in  dramatic 
mothers"  and  that  "we  needed  something  like 
this."  Ray  dropped  me  a  note  about  it,  from 
the  Holly^vood  front,  and  added  that  the  lady 
would  be  here  with  a  Hoot  Gibson  unit  al- 
most by  the  time  his  note  arrived. 

True  to  this  statement,  Mrs.  Rosing  tele- 
phoned me  on  last  Saturday  morning  to  say 
several  things,  including  the  fact  that  she'd  like 
to  meet  the  gang  and  so  would  drop  in  to  the 
office  and  see  us  some  day  this  week.  I  regret 
that  this  page  needs  must  be  dashed  off  on  Mon- 
day morning,  for  otherwise  I  should  have  more 
to  say  to  you  about  her.  That,  however,  will 
come  along  in  the  next  packet  of  paragraphs. 
And  while  she's  here  I'll  tell  her  you  all  agree 
with  me  about  her  performances  in  the  picture 
named,  in  "Ladies  of  the  Mob"  and  in  "For- 
gotten Faces." 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The    Recognized    National    Classiiied    Advertising    Medium 


Help  Wanted 


WANTED — Capable  musical  director  and  master  of 
ceremonies  for  presentation  and  pit  work,  principally 
pit  work.  Must  have  best  of  references  and  own 
library.  Good  proposition  for  right  party.  Address 
295,  Exhibitors  Herald- World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,   111. 


Position  Wanted 


OPERATOR — Nine  years'  experience.  Wants  steady 
position.     Address  J.  T.  Kennedy,  Gilbertville,  Mass. 

AT  LIBERTY— August  first,  high  class  organist. 
Expert  cuing.  Union,  reliable.  Four  years  in  last 
place.  Address  Box  293,  Exhibitors  Herald  and 
Moving  Picture  World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago, 
III 

THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female  ?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  111. 

LADY  ORGANIST  desires  change.  Experienced, 
union,  large  library.  Good  recommendations.  Prefer 
eastern  location.  Address  Box  290,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  407  S.   Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

AT  LIBERTY — Experienced  high  grade  Organist 
with  complete  modern  and  classical  library,  union. 
Wurlitzer,  Morton,  or  any  standard  make.  Address 
F.  H.,  8631  S.  Ashland  Ave.,  Apt.  B.  2,  Phone  Bev- 
erly  1461.  Chicago,  111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical  College,  61   E.  Van  Buren,  Chicago. 


ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 


Engagements  Wanted 


AT  LIBERTY — D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land 4669. 


Theatre  Wanted 


EXPERIENCED  EXHIBITOR,  FINANCIALLY 
RESPONSIBLE,  WANTS  TO  BUY  OR  LEASE 
SMALL  TOWN  THEATRE.  GIVE  DETAILS 
FIRST  LETTER.  ADDRESS  BOX  294,  EXHIB- 
ITORS HERALD- WORLD,  407  S.  DEARBORN  ST., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


FUm  Rights  for  Sale 


LOOK-READ-ACT— ROAD  SHOWMEN,  STATE 
RIGHTS  FOR  SALE 
The  True  Life  of  "The  Younger  Brothers" 
Featuring  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim  Younger  and  the  James 
Boys,  in  five  reels,  and  Younger's  Historical  Events, 
in  one  reel.  This  picture  as  a  popular  priced  road 
show  is  no  experiment.  It  has  been  tried  and  true, 
has  played  against  all  kinds  of  competition  under  all 
conditions.  Has  always  gotten  the  money.  With  each 
State  or  sale  we  furnish  free  one  new  complete  Lobby 
Display,  consisting  of  new  Prints  of  Film,  three  new 
Wax  Figures,  standing,  life  size,  of  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim 
Younger,  true  to  life,  dressed  in  cowboy  style,  big 
hats,  boots,  etc.;  500  One-Sheets,  100  slides,  10  Photo 
Lobby  Boards,  100  small  Photos  extra,  6  Banners, 
lettered  in  flashy  oil  colors,  enough  to  fit  any  theatre 
front.  Everything  ready  to  go.  Hurry.  It  will  pay 
you  to  buy  the  King  of  all  Road   Shows. 

Address  E.  L.  HUMPHREY.  Miami,  Okla. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7);— "Deceit"  (6)  ;— "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6); — "Temptation"  (7); — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
Pictures  Company,  729  Seventh  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


Equipment  Wanted 


I  AM  IN  THE  MARKET  for  the  following  second 
hand  equipment:  500  re-upholstered  theatre  chairs, 
two  Simplex  or  Powers  Projectors  with  Peerless  Re- 
flector Arc  Lamps  and  Generator  for  same.  This 
equipment  must  be  in  first  class  shape  and  at  a  bar- 
gain. Will  pay  cash.  Address  Crystal  theatre.  Hale 
Center,  Texas. 


Equipm,ent  for  Sale 


2  Peerless  Lamps  complete.  Like  new,  $190.00  each. 
Address  Box  485,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel.  1018  Wabash  Ave..  Chicago,  111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago.  111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service.  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans.  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE — About  250  good  veneered  chairs, 
priced  low  for  quick  cash  sale.  Address  Gem  Theatre, 
Seaman,  Ohio. 

Brand  New  Veneer  and  Spring  cushion  opera  chairs 
to  be  had  at  the  lowest  prices  ever  offered.  Kindl* 
state  your  requirements  and  let  us  submit  to  yoii 
exact  photographs  and  full  details.  C.  G.  Demel,  84S 
South  State,  Chicago. 

300  Upholstered  Opera  chairs.  All  seats  and  backs 
entirely  reupholstered  in  new  imitation  Spanish 
leather.  Eight  Hundred  Dollars  for  entire  lot.  C.  G. 
Demel,  845   South  State,  Chicago. 

LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St..  Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads — en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  SoUidays,  XH-124,   Knox,  Ind. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS— $1.40,  3x10,  3  feet,  colors, 
any  copy  up  to  10  words;  one  day  service;  sent  any- 
where; also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Associated 
Advertisers,  111  West  18th  St..  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — -American  Photo  Player  Organ,  per- 
fect condition,  cost  $3,000.00.  $600.00  cash.  Hurry  if 
you  want  this.     Address  Cozy  theatre,  Hazen,  Ark. 

FOR  SALE — One  Wurlitzer  style  "O"  double  roll 
pipe  organ  slightly  used.  Looks  and  runs  like  new. 
25  rolls  new  music.  $1,100.00.  Address  Bonny  the- 
atre,  Mansfield,   Mo. 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


$200.00  buys  large  size  Photoplayer.  Perfect  con- 
dition.     Address   Box   485,   Rochester,   N.    Y. 

FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.  B.  McFadden.  Havana,  111. 


Your  Classified  Ad  Will  Do  the  Work 

Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World  has  helped  hundreds  of  Theatre  owners  in  solving  many  a  problem.  The 
classified  advertising  department  has  placed  organists  all  over  the  country,  has  helped  in  obtaining  equipment,  in  selling 
equipment,  and  in  solving  many  another  problem  that  seemed  difficult.  The  rates  are  but  10c  per  word  payable  with 
order,  10%  discount  if  run  for  3  insertions.  See  this  week's  classified  pages.  Maybe  you  are  in  need  of  something  that  is 
being  advertised  this  week.     The  cost  is  small,  the  results  are  great. 


Mnn 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 


Projector  Repairing 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,   1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago.  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished  20   years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of   your   motion    picture   machinery   equipment.      One 


of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,   Chicago,  111. 


Equipment  Wanted 


BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15.    Bulldogs. 
Address   SOI    Rockwood,  Dallas,  Texas. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


Theatre  for  Sale — 620  seats,  fully  equipped  includ- 
ing organ.  Now  doing  business,  population  19,000, 
largest  theatre  in  city,  good  lease.  For  particulars 
write  George  S.  Kirby,  Tuxedo  Theatre,  372  South 
Main  St.,  Phillipsburg,  N.  J. 


Any  Real  Showman  desiring  to  invest  $25,000.00 
for  business  bonded  to  show  40  per  cent  return  for 
capable  attention,  Address  P.  O.  Box  1306,  Atlanta, 
Ga.  Note — No  Competition,  showing  both  Colored- 
White,   Drawing   Population  25,000. 

FOR  SALE— Theatre  in  city  of  fifty  thousand 
Western  New  York.  Requires  little  cash  for  deal.  Ad- 
dress Box  296,  Exhibitors  Herald- World,  407  S.  Dear- 
born   St.,    Chicago,    111. 


Cameras  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE — One  Universal  200-ft.  camera  in  ex- 
cellent mechanical  condition,  used  slightly,  with  new 
50  mm.  B  &  L  F  3.5  lens.  Price  $200.00.  Address  G. 
Russell   Carrier,  General  Delivery,  Akron,  Ohio. 

FOR  SALE— One  400-ft.  Wilart  Professional 
Camera,  nearly  new,  with  B  &  H  tripod.  Has  two 
extra  magazines,  automatic  dissolver,  magnifying 
focusing  tube  direct  to  film;  film  punch,  footage  in- 
dicator; also,  special  footage  indicator  for  scenes; 
trick  crank,  170  degree  shutter,  50  mm.  B  &  L  Tessar 
F  3.5  lens,  lever,  sunshade,  adjustable  view  finder  for 
various  focal  length  lens.  Has  excellently  smooth 
cranking  qualities.  Price  $395.00.  Address  G.  Russell 
Carrier,   General   Delivery,  Akron,  Ohio. 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


On  Publicity,   Exploitation 

NEW  YORK  CITY— To  the  Editor  :  Your 
publicity  editorial  this  week  shows  that  you 
have  lost  your  former  close  touch  with  what 
goes  on  in  the  exploitation  end  of  this  in- 
dustry. Or  else  the  men  who  do  the  "out- 
standing publicity'  stunts  which  you  feel  have 
become  extinct,  don't  sufficiently  ballyhoo 
themselves.  In  point  of  fact  there  was  never 
a  period  so  replete  with  smashing  publicity 
stunts  as  this  spring.  But  they  must  have 
gotten  away  from  your  notice. 

I  can  think  of  just  a  few: 

Tom  Sorerio's  missing  girl  stunt,  Rochester, 
for  "The  Port  of  Missing  Girls" ;  Wayne 
Pierson's  "boycott"  against  "Dawn" ;  Howard 
Dietz'  "Our  Gang"  stunt  with  New  York 
Journal;  Irwin  Zeltner's  country-wide  stuff  on 
Tom  Mix ;  Emil  Jensen's  "Ramona"  campaign 
and  tieups,  and  Harry  Mandel's  tieup  of  Ger- 
man flyers  with  "Raider  Emden." 

Now  these,  good  editor,  are  just  a  few  of 
the  outstanding  things  that  I  have  witnessed 
and  mainly  for  the  reason  that  they  had  to 
do  with  pictures  that  I  was  in  no  manner  con- 
nected with.  Perhaps  you  aren't  in  position  to 
get  the  dope  on  these  things  as  they  happen. 
And  they  are  happening  all  the  time. 

Also,  I  fail  to  see  your  point  that  the  man 
at  the  desk  can  furthermore  be  the  man  in 
the  field,  actually  putting  the  stunts  over. 

It  just  can't  be  done,  Mr.  Editor.  Each 
man  in  his  place — the  desk  executive,  the  fel- 
low who  takes  his  ideas,  adds  some  of  his 
own,  and  puts  'em  over. — Bert  Adler,  New 
York  City. 

"Where   Do   We   Come   In?" 

WELLSBORO,  PA.— To  the  Editor: 
Here's  a  little  thought  that  I  would  like  to 
have  answered  through  the  medium  of  the 
Herald-World. 

This  is  a  town  of  3,500  with  a  900  seat 
house  doing  the  average  small  town  business 
in  the  way  that  it  is  -being  done  in  perhaps 
hundreds  of  other  small  towns  in  this  country, 
trying  to  give  our  patrons  a  show  that  will 
compare  with  those  seen  and  now  also  heard 
in  the  cities. 

My  little  thought  is  this : 

"Where  do  we  come  in  on  this  new  inno- 
vation, the  synchronized  movie,  and  how?" 


There  is  no  doubt  but  what  we  all  want  it. 
But  can  we  afford  $16,000  installations,  rentals 
that  run  into  three  figures  daily,  organists 
being  paid  to  hear  the  synchronized  picture 
when  shown,  extra  operators  to  run  them, 
and  the  various  other  expenses  that  go  along 
with  them? 

The  talking  movie  should  be  the  life-saver 
for  the  small  town  theatre.  It  ought  to  revo- 
lutionize their  business.  To  the  city  house  it 
is  a  novelty  as  far  as  synchronized  music  is 
concerned  because  just  as  good  if  not  some- 
times better  music  is  furnished  by  the  city 
house  orchestra.  To  the  small  town  theatre 
the  synchronized  music  will  be  a  life-saver  if 
the  prize  is  within  the  owner's  as  well  as  the 
patron's  reach. 

Access  to  the  city  has  here  as  well  as  else- 
where caused  my  patrons  to  continually  ask, 
"When  do  we  get  the  Vitaphone,  Movietone, 
etc.?"  What  can  I  say  to  them?  All  I  can 
tell  them  is  to  wait.  In  the  meantime,  they 
slip  away  to  the  city  and  get  what  they  are 
waiting  for. 

Now  come  on,  Mr.  Producer,  put  us  wise. 
How  do  we  get  in  on  this  synchronized  stuff 
and  when?  What's  the  plan,  rentals  or  in- 
stallations beyond  our  means? — L.  A.  Woodin, 
Arcadia  Theatre   Company,  Wellsboro,   Pa. 


THE    MODERN    EXECUTIVE 

(Continued  from  page  22) 

have  done  a  huge  task,  and  done  it,  so  far 
as  their  knowledge  and  their  vision  went,  very 
well  indeed.  Motion  pictures  have  made 
money.  They  continue  to  make  money.  And 
they  will  continue  to  make  money.  That,  ac- 
cording to  the  old  type  of  executive,  is  what 
they  are  for. 

Not  so,  says  Pinanski  and  his  growing 
tribe  of  1928  model  executives.  "Motion  pic- 
tures should  make  money.  But  they  should 
make  money  a  secondary  consideration.  Never 
yet  has  a  great  art  come  into  being,  or  a  single 
example  of  a  great  art,  for  that  matter,  that 
was  deliberately  started  with  the  ultimate  aim 
of  making  money.  Do  something  well,  do  it 
beautifully,  and  the  money  will  come." 

Beauty  Added  to   Utility 

That,  then,  is  the  slogan,  for  in  these  days 
of  super  advertising  every  movement,  be  it  no 
bigger  than  the  waving  of  one's  little  finger, 
must  have  a  slogan,  of  the  new  executive, 
of  which  Pinanski  is  an  outstanding  example. 
"Do  the  job  beautifully,  and  money  will  come." 

It  is  rather  a  new  idea  in  business,  but  not 
entirely  so.  Already  Ford  has  found  it  ad- 
visable to  add  beauty  to  mere  utility  in  his 
product.  According  to  men  of  the  Pinanski 
type,  the  bigger  the  business,  the  bigger  the 
vision,  will  shortly  be  the  recognized  rule  of 
business  the  world  over. 

Imagination,    says    Pinanski,    is    one    of    the 


Major  Bowes  Celebrates 
Three  Years  on  Radio 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— Major 
Edward  Bowes  is  celebrating  the  end 
of  three  years  as  a  presider  over 
radio  entertainment.  It  was  on 
July  26,  1925,  that  the  managing  di- 
rector of  the  Capitol  theatre  here 
christened  his  group  of  performers, 
his  "family."  They  had  theretofore 
been  called  "Roxy  and  His  Gang," 
S.  L.  Rothafel  being  in  charge. 


most  needed  accessories  to  the  business  mind. 
Without  imagination  there  would  have  been 
no  motion  pictures,  no  radio,  in  fact  none  of 
the  various  marvelous  inventions  that  have 
made  present  life  at  once  so  enjoyable  and 
so  complex.  You  need  imagination,  as  you 
need  vision.  You  must  be  able  to  imagine 
what  the  other  fellow  is  thinking — ^for  it  is 
in  out-thinking  the  other  fellow  that  an  execu- 
tive must  excel,  be  he  the  old-fashioned  type 
or  the  new.  And  you  must  have  the  saving 
grace  of  humbleness'. 


Women  Publicists  Plan 
Benefit  Affair  in  August 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  31.— Preparations  are 
now  being  made  by  the  "Wasps,"  women 
screen  publicists'  society,  for  a  benefit  bridge 
party  and  fashion  show  at  the  United  Artists 
studio  August  11.  Carolyn  Wagner  is  general 
chairman  of  entertainment.  Those  who  have 
consented  to  act  as  patronesses  are : 

Norma  Talmadge,  Colleen  Moore,  Belle  Bennett, 
Ruth  Roland,  Mrs.  R.  D.  Shepherd,  Mrs.  Alice  Pike 
Barney,  Mrs.  Richard  Hylan,  Adele  Rogers  St.  John, 
Mrs.  Grace  Glaser,  Mrs.  Tim  McCoy,  Mrs.  Carlos 
Hardy,  Mrs.  Daryl  Francis  Zanuck,  Mrs.  Frank 
Edwin  De  Long,  Mrs.  Lloyd  Smith,  Mrs.  Samuel 
Goldwyn. 

Norma  Shearer,  Miss  Estelle  Ralston,  Dolores  Del 
Rio,  Mary  Pickford,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Carter,  Mrs.  Leiland 
Atherton  Irish,  Irene  Rich,  Billie  Dove,  Mrs.  Antonio 
Moreno,   Louise  Fazenda,  Mrs.   Samuel  Rork. 

Estelle  Taylor,  Phyllis  Daniels,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Craig, 
Mrs.  Douglas  MacLean,  Mrs.  Alec  B.  Francis,  Mrs. 
George  Fawcett,  Mrs.  Robert  Edeson,  Mrs.  Chester 
Franklin,  Mrs.  Edward  Everett  Horton,  Sr.,  Rose 
Bryant,  Mrs.  Harry  Rapf,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid,  Mrs. 
Frederick  Valentine,  Mrs.  Maurice  de  Mond,  Mrs. 
Frank  Crane,  Mrs.  Lee  Al  Phillips,  Mrs.  Victor 
Schertzinger,  Elizabeth  Lloyd-Smith,  Mrs.  Paul 
Sloane. 

Alice  Joyce,  Agnes  Christine  Johnston,  Winifred 
Dunn,  Bess  Meredith,  Lois  Wilson,  Maud  Fulton, 
Elizabeth  Pickett,  Ethel  Wales,  Marjorie  Williams, 
Alma  Priester  and  Hedda  Hopper. 


Keith  to  Play  All  FN  Pictures 

NEW  YORK.— First  National  Pictures  has  just 
closed  a  contract  with  the  new  Keith  theatre  in 
Rochester  whereby  the  theatre  will  play  all  its  First 
National    product. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyright,   1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  '^Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


Columbia 


THE  MATINEE  IDOL:  Special  cast— 65%.  July 
18-19.  An  excellent  entertaining  picture  from  every 
angle.  Acting  exceptionally  good.  Comedy  clean  and 
thoroughly  amusing.  The  Columbia  "30"  so  far  has 
given  good  satisfaction.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  play  pic- 
tures that  give  general  satisfaction  like  the  Colum- 
bias.  This  one  is  very  good. — John  W.  Crabtree, 
Joyland    theatre,    Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  SPORTING  AGE:  Special  cast^Just  fair. 
Will  please  about  25  per  cent,  that's  all. — A. 
Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 


F  B  0 


FRECKLES:  Special  cast— July  15-16.  A  fine, 
clean,  wholesome  pitcure,  as  are  all  of  Gene  Stratton 
Porters.  The  photography  In  the  first  two  or  three 
reels  is  not  so  good,  but  the  picture  as  a  whole  will 
please  and  draw.  A  good  picture  for  any  night  of 
the  week,  especially  Sunday.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town   patronage. 

THE  MOJAVE  KID:  Bob  Steele — July  14.  My  first 
of  Bob's  pictures  and  a  very  good  little  picture  for 
Saturday  night.  Bob  has  a  r'^nd  personality  and 
there  is  plenty  of  action  in  this.  Five  reels. — Wm. 
E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre.  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

NOT  FOR  PUBLICATION:  Ralph  Ince— July  4. 
Very  good.  Pleased.  Ince  a  fine  actor. — Frank  Sabin, 
Majestic  theatre,  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


First  National 


THE  LIFE  OF  RILEY:  Sidney-Murray— 60%.  July 
16-17.  Glad  Riley  didn't  have  as  many  lives  as  a 
cat.  As  it  was,  his  life  like  to  have  been  the  death 
of  my  audience!  However,  they  would  have  died 
joyous!  Laff???  Never  had  a  crowd  so  tickled  since 
I  have  been  in  business.  This  picture  ain't  nothin' 
but  good,  real  good.  The  title  is  against  it,  but 
get  'em  in.  They  will  sure  enjoy  it.  Second  night 
much  better  than  first  so  comment  must  have  been 
very  favorable.  Play  it,  it'll  advertise  for  you.  Seven 
reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark. — General    patronat:e. 

HAPPINESS  AHEAD:  Colleen  Moore^-A  good  pic- 
ture, good  stoi-y  and  they  liked  Colleen  very  much  in 
this  one. — Whitney  Burr.  Orpheum  theatre,  Lan- 
caster,   Wis. — General    patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  LILY:  Billie  Dove — Here  is  a  good 
star  for  us  and  a  real  picture.  Send  us  another, 
Billie.  Eight  reels. — Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum  theatre, 
Lancaster,    Wis. — General    patronage. 

THE  MAD  HOUR:  Special  cast — I  should  think 
the  grownups  would  get  awfully  tired  of  seeing  these 
"flaming  youth"  pictures.  Fair  picture.  The  last 
part  was  better  than  the  first. — Whitney  Burr,  Or- 
pheum  theatre,    Lancaster,    Wis. — General    patronage. 

CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— July 
4-5.     Good  Western,   although  to  our  notion   not   quite 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence  Picture  Chart." 


as  good  as  "'Gun  Gospel."  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Estee, 
S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,   S.  D. — Small  town'  patronage. 

ROULETTE:     Richard    Barthelmess— This    was    the 

best  Barthelmess  picture  yet,  although  "The  Noose" 
was  very  good. — Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum  theatre, 
Lancaster,   Wis. — General   patronage. 

THE  HAWK'S  NEST:  Milton  Sills— More  like  this 
one  for  Milton  Sills.  Good  entertainment,  good  cast. 
Holds  your  interest.  Seven  reels. — Whitney  Burr, 
Orpheum  theatre,  Lancaster,  Wis.  General  patron- 
age. 

THREE  RING  MARRIAGE:  Special  cast— A  very 
good  circus  picture.  They  liked  it.  Six  reels. — 
Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum  theatre,  Lancaster,  Wis. — 
General   patronage. 


Fox 


SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Gaynor-Farrell— Jan.  18-19 
— April  9-10.  This  is  without  a  doubt  the  finest  pic- 
ture I  have  ever  seen.  Very  clean.  Farrell  and  Gay- 
nor  exceptionally  good.  By  all  means  play  it.  Busi- 
ness wonderful  for  four  days.  Twelve  reels. — P.  J. 
Levesque,  Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — General 
patronage. 


THE  GAY  RETREAT:  Cohen-McNamara— A  good 
feature  comedy. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Ver- 
mont,  111. — ^General   patronage. 

ARIZONA  WILDCAT:    Tom  Mix— July  12-13.    The 

i-egular  good  Mix  picture.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf, Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 


Gotham 


UNITED  STATES  SMITH:    Kenneth  Harlan— July 

6-7.  Gotham  did  a  good  job  on  this  one.  Eddie  Grib- 
bon  has  one  of  the  best  parts  of  his  career.  Busi- 
ness fine  for  the  summer  season.  Seven  reels. — - 
P.  J.  Levesque,  Arcadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — 
General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BRINGING  UP  FATHER:  Special  cast— 80%.  July 
21.  I  fell  for  the  title  and  the  title  is  all  there  is 
to  it.  The  nearest  nothin'  I  ever  had  with  one  ex- 
ception. Seven  awful  reels.  No  laughs.  Well  we 
all  get  a  dud  once  in  a  while,  and  Metro's  pictures 
have  been  so  exceptionally  good  until  this  one  that 
I  won't  give  it  the  h —  it  deserves.  Just  say  you'll 
be  terribly  disappointed  when  you  screen  it,  and  so 
will  your  crowd.  Seven  reels. — John  W.  Crabtree, 
Joyland    theatre.    Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  PATSY:  Marion  Davies- 25%.  July  15-16. 
Goody !  Goody !  we  showed  one  that  everybody 
liked.  Strictly  okay  and  hurrah  for  Marion  I  In 
fact,  three  cheers  for  all,  from  Metro  to  ourselves. 
Even  the  print  suited  us,  and  the  only  insect  in  the 
salve  was  the  scantiness  of  the  crowd  we  were  able 
to  entice  within.  Warm  weather  and  not  enough 
publicity.  Fellows,  give  this  one  lots  of  hoorah  if 
you  haven't  run  it  yet.  Eight  reels. — Tivenan  and 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  Ohio. — Small 
town    patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer— 
21%.  July  8-9.  Very  good  picture,  especially  for 
Sunday.  Personally  thought  this  one  much  better 
than  "The  Actress,"  and  the  few  whom  we  were  able 
to  entice  inside  seemed  to  think  so  too.  Thanks  to 
Miss  Shearer,  et  al.  Like  many  of  Metro's  pictures, 
this  was  a  little  dark,  otherwise  in  excellent  con- 
dition. Due  to  sweltering  weather,  our  receipts  have 
shrunk  so  that  we  are  almost  ashamed  to  give  per- 
centage. Tough  life.  Eight  reels. — Tivenan  and 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  Ohio. — Small 
town  patronage. 

ROSE    MARIE:     Special    cast— 35%.     July    12-13-14. 

Rather  slow  for  four  reels  but  makes  up  for  it  in 
the  last  four.  Good  to  see  House  Peters  again  and 
he  does  good  work,  as  does  Miss  Crawford  also.  No 
Canadian  house  can  go  wrong  on  this  one  as  it  is 
made  for  Canadians.  The  "Indian  Love  Call"  will 
easily  sell  it.  A  gi-eat  song  tie-up.  Eight  reels. — 
S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man'., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Tim  McCoy 
• — 73%.  July  14.  One  of  these  costumes  pictures  that 
they  do  not  like  to  see.  Had  a  number  of  walk-outs 
on  this  one.    Can't  blame  them  as  it  is  not  much  of 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


SAMUEL  ZIERLEd^  presents^ 

DAVID 

VMliORf 

From  the  great  novel  by  Francis  Lynde, 
published  by  Scribner's.  A  big,  vital 
drama  which  centers  around  the  power- 
ful personality  of  David  Vallory.  A 
picture  that  gets  down  to  life's  raw 
fundamentals. 

V/^  PICTURES  CORPORATION 

SAMUEL  ZIERLER_    president 
N      E      \A/  V       O       PL_      »c_ 


a    show.      Seven    reels. — Paul     B.     Hoffman',     Legion 
theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

FORBIDDEN  HOURS:  Ramon  Novarro— Ramon 
is  done  for  in  this  town  since  showing  "Forbidden 
Hours."  Terrible  for  a  email  town.  Took  it  off  the 
second  night.  Why  do  they  have  to  spoil  a  good 
star  like  Novarro  in  such  trash?  No  story,  cen- 
tainly  no  entertainment,  not  when  they  walk  out. 
A  wonderful  star  in  a  picture  like  "Ben  Hur"  then 
to  come  down  to  something  like  this  and  pass  the 
censors — ! ! — Whitney  Burr,  Orpheuon  theatre,  Lan- 
caster, Wis. — General  patronage. 

SKIRTS:  Syd  Chaplin— Not  so  good.  Just  fair  for 
Syd  Chaplin.  Six  reels.  Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum 
theatre,    Lancaster,    Wis. — General    patronage. 

QUALITY  STREET:  Marion  Davies— Well  here  it 
is  again.  It's  surely  a  lemon.  Looks  like  children 
directed  and  acted  this  one.  Someone  will  surely 
learn  better. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Reedsville  Movies, 
Keedsville,   Va. — General  patronage. 

MAN  WOMAN  AND  SIN:  John  Gilbert— Nothing 
wrong  with  this  picture.  We  found  it  better  than 
the  run  of  Metro. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Reedville  Movies, 
Reedville,    Va. — General   patronage. 

BUTTONS:  Jackie  Coogan — Very  good — one  of  the 
best  we  have  had  from  Metro.  Drew  well  after  first 
night. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Reedville  Movies,  Reedville, 
Va. 

SPRING  FEVER:  William  Haines— This  is  a 
splendid  comedy  romance  built  up  with  golf  as  a 
background  and  although  we  haven't  a  golf  course 
within  fifteen-mile  radius  our  people  enjoyed  it  very 
much. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

SPOILERS  OF  THE  WEST:  Special  cast- Well, 
here  comes  an  Indian'  picture  that  passed  muster. 
Nothing  to  find  fault  with,  nothing  in  particular 
wrong  with  the  picture.  It  proved  good  entertain- 
ment. The  Indians  did  fine,  Tim  McCoy  satisfied  and 
Marjorie  Daw  pleased  and  the  West  has  no  fault  to 
find  in  this  picture.  Our  "crabs"  were  satisfied.  Six 
reels. — Giamoca  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  WANING  SEX:  Norma  Shearer— July  17-18. 
An  entertaining  program  picture.  Norma  wears  a 
lot  of  different  clothes  during  the  picture,  which  is 
what  the  ladies  come  to  see.  When  these  dames  get 
so  they  think  any  one  comes  to  see  them  "act"  they 
aje  out.  Seven  reels. — -Wm.  E.  Tragsdprf,  Trags 
theatre,   Neillsville,   Wis. — Small   town    patronage. 


Paramount 


THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— 20%.  July 
9-10-11.  An  excellent  picture  with  many  gripping 
situations,  though  it  canHot  compare  with  "Under- 
world." We  were  not  asked  to  pay  "Underworld" 
prices.  Bancroft  and  the  whole  cast  were  excellent. 
Very  warm  weather  accounts  for  low  patronage. 
Eight  reels.^S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Sel- 
kirk,  Man.,   Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

SHOOTIN'  IRONS:  Jack  Luden— 58%.  July  14.  A 
good  little  Western.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem   theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General   patronage. 

FEEL  MY  PULSE:  Bebe  Daniels— 33%.  July  7. 
Not  much  of  a  show  although  it  has  some  good 
spots  in  it. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre.  Holy- 
rood,  Kan. — Small  to-wn  patronage. 

THE  RACKET:  Thomas  Meighan— This  is  a  good 
picture,  although  it  dragged  a  little.  Could  have 
put  it  in  six  reels  nicely.  Kght  reels. — 'Whitney 
Burr,  Orpheum  theatre,  Lancaster,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 

THE  DRAG  NET:  George  Bancroft— A  good  pro- 
gram picture.  Eight  reels. — ^Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum 
theatre,   Lancaster,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— Very  good  and  drew 
extra  money  to  the  box  office. — W.  C.  Geer,  Princess 
theatre,    Vermont,    HI.- — ^General    patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— Jnly  3-4-5.  Played  three 
days  to  the  poorest  houses  ever.  It  was  no  fault  of 
the  picture  as  the  rainy  weather  caught  us  in  the 
midst  of  harvest  and  as  a  result  no  one  had  time  for 
shows.  Eight  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion 
theatre,   Holyrood,   Kan. — Small   town  patronage. 

PARTNERS  IN  CRIME:  Beery-Hatton— Failed  to 
come  up  to  the  usual  Beery-Hatton  standard  and 
consequently,  while  not  a  flop,  was  far  from  satis- 
factory to  the  patrons.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros., 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  SUNSET  LEGION:  Fred  Thomson— Another 
good  one  from  Paramount  with  Fred  Thomson.  This 
one  pleased. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville. 
Ky. — General  patronage. 

RED  HAIR:  Clara  Bow — This  one  got  business 
with  a  tent  show  for  opposition  ail(J  t<?  4o  this  you 


sure  have  got  something  out  of  the  ordinary.  This 
one  pleased  and  Clara  Bow  gets  you  the  money  every 
time. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — 
General    patronage. 

Pathe-P  D  C 

A  HARP  IN  HOCK:  Rudolph  Schildkraut— 19%. 
July  6-7.  Not  so  good  as  we  thought  it  would  be, 
and  did  not  draw  as  we  expected,  after  Schildkraut's 
success  in  "The  Country  Doctor."  It  is  not  a  bad 
little  picture,  but  did  not  appeal  to  our  particular 
small  towners.  Just  made  film  rental.  However,  we 
were  dark  the  6th,  due  to  delayed  films  on  account 
of  a  wreck,  and  it  was  beastly  hot  the  7th.  Junior 
Coghlan  deserves  mention.  Seven  reels. — Tivenan  and 
Wolfe,  Greenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE    BLUE    DANUBE:     Leatrice   Joy— March    21- 

22.  This  suited  everybody.  The  first  story  Leatrice 
Joy  has  had  for  months.  Played  it  in  Lent.  Busi- 
ness pretty  good.  Seven  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque, 
Acadia  theatre,  Rumford,  Me. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAIN  EVENT:  Special  cast- July  7.  Inter- 
esting fight  picture.  Pleased. — Frank  Sabin,  Majes- 
tic theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 


Tiffany 


THE  ENCHANTED  ISLE:  Henry  Walthal— Six 
reels.  This  was  a  good  animal  show,  in  fact,  it  re- 
minded us  of  Haggenback's.  All  that  was  needed  was 
a  few  clowns.  They  brought  about  everything  into 
this  from  "soup  to  nuts."  The  villain  "villianed" 
and  the  hero  "heroed,"  on  land  or  sea  there  was 
son"ething  doing  every  minute,  even  the  raft  scene 
from  Littles  World  played  at  McVickers  way  back 
in  1886  was  there.  As  a  play  you  might  call  this 
"chop  suey"  or  "hash,"  for  every  field  was  entered 
to  put  this  story  together  and  at  that  all  acted  their 
parts  well,  but  after  the  last  reel  was  shot  onto  the 
silver  screen  we  might  produce  the  following  bene- 
diction :  "A  nice  time  was  had  by  all."  Six  reels. — 
Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — 
General   patronage. 


United  Artists 


MY  BEST  GIRL:  Mary  Pickford— 30%.  July  5-6-7. 
Excellent  Pickford  picture,  but  Mary  does  not  steal 
all  the  credit.  Young  Charlie  Rogers  sure  is  entitled 
to  some  also.  Fair  business  in  spite  of  warm 
weather.  Nine  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central 
theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE    CIRCUS:      Charles    Chaplin— July    9.     Have 

played  many  pictures  costing  one-fifth  as  much  which 
gave  us  as  good  satisfaction.  They  oversold  me.  I 
had  to  raise  to  15c  and  40c,  and  10c  and  25c  would 
have  been  better.  Seven  reels. — Frank  Sabin,  Ma- 
jestic theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 


Universal 


WILD  WEST  SHOW:  Hoot  Gibson— 30%.  July  2-5. 
They  sold  me  this  for  a  special  and  I  think  it  is  the 
poorest  Gibson  I  ever  ran.  Hoot  is  taking  the  same 
trail  as  Mix.  Trying  to  be  funny  instead  of  injecting 
some  real  drama  and  action  into  his  stuff.  Six  reels. 
— S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

WILD  WEST  SHOW:  Hoot  Gibson— July  6-7. 
Good  out  of  door  picture  with  circus  atmosphere. 
Enough  comedy  to  please  even  a  Saturday  crowd. 
Six  reels.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 
— Small   town  patronage. 

PAINTING  THE  TOWN:  Glenn  Tryon— 38%. 
July  13-14.  Nice  little  chunk  of  entertainment  to 
build  a  program  around.  Somehow  we  didn't  ex- 
pect much  of  this — Friday  the  13th  ! — but  did  well 
with  it.  Pooh  for  superstition  I  Just  a  little  dark  in' 
spots,  but  the  condition  of  the  film  was  much  better 
than    we    have    been    getting    from    Universal    lately. 


Ho  LOSSES  in  the  BOX  OFFICE 

ICI^T  REGISTEI^ 

Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  5EVENTH  AVENEW  YoRK 

TucKETS_^/-  Every  Purpose^ Lowest  Market  Prices 


-Ml""'"^ ""I I1NI1IIIH.III«IIMNIIIINIIIIHHI1 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Patsy  Ruth  Miller  officiatee  as  the  female  foil.  Six 
reels. — Tivenan  sind  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Ne- 
vada,  O. — Small  town   patronage, 

THE  THIRTEENTH  JUROR:  Special  cafi^-77%. 
July  12.  Had  a  full  house  on  this,  due,  I  think, 
to  a  one-reel  subject  called  "Conquering  the  Colo- 
rado" (a  Hodge-Podge  Novelty)  which  shows  the 
launching  of  the  boats  of  the  Clyde  L.  Eddy  Colo- 
rado River  Expedition  at  Greenriver  and  as  a  lot 
of  Greenriver  people  were  in  the  picture  they  all 
wanted  to  see  themselves.  Then  there  are  several 
shots  of  the  boats  going  through  some  rapids.  All 
of  this  was  very  interesting  to  the  people  of  Green- 
river. The  feature  picture  was  a  strong  dramatic 
picture,  not  overdone  and  very  good  for  a  change. 
Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hula  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General   patronage. 

ON  YOUR  TOES:  Reginald  Denny— This  is  a 
good  comedy  drama  and  a  good  evening  spent.  Six 
reels. — Whitney  Burr,  Orpheum  theatre,  Lancaster, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  ME  AND  THE  WORLD  IS  MINE:  Norman 
Kerry — May  28-29.  Not  even  a  good  program  pic- 
ture. I  can't  figure  out  why  Universal  called  this 
one  a  special.  Story  very,  very  poor.  Business  lack- 
ing. Eight  reels. — P.  J.  Levesque,  Acadia  theatre, 
Rumford,    Me. — General    patronage. 

SURRENDER:  Special  cast — Uncle  Carl  should 
keep  this  in  his  private  projection  room  and  show 
it  there.  I  don't  think  that  the  show-going  public 
are  interested  in  pictures  of  this  type  at  all.  It's 
just  a  piece  of  cheese. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre, 
Russellville,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME:  Reginald  Denny— One  of 
his  last  year  pictures  that  seemed  to  please.  We  do 
not  consider  it  as  good  as  some  of  the  later  ones. 
— W.  C.  Geer,  Princess  theatre,  Vermont,  111. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


ACROSS  THE  ATLANTIC:  Monte  Blue— July  11. 
A  good  drawing  card  and  Will  give  entire  satis- 
faction. Step  on  it. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre. 
Eureka,    Mont. — Small   town    patronage. 


Miscellaneous 


JESSE     JAMES     UNDER     THE     BLACK     FLAG: 

Jesse  James,  Jr. — July  10.  I  understand  that  thii 
outfit  has  three  companies  on  the  road.  The  one  I 
had  was  number  three  and  I  never  saw  any  harder 
workers  than  the  two  young  fellows  who  accom- 
panied this  unit.  They  have  a  bally-hoo  that  would 
wake  up  the  dead  and  a  flock  of  dummies  they  stick 
up  in  front  which  stop  everyone.  Unfortunately  I 
only  had  them  booked  for  one  night.  Had  the  big- 
gest crowd  since  the  nights  of  "The  Covered  Wagon." 
In  fact,  after  I  had  packed  'em  in  with  a  shoa 
horn,  I  had  to  turn  away  between  two  and  three 
hundred.  This  unit  is  working  upper  Wisconsin, 
Minnesota  and  Upper  Michigan  and  if  any  of  you 
fellows  up  that  way  get  a  chance  to  book  them,  be 
sure  to  do  so  even  if  you  have  to  pay  for  your  reg- 
ular show  for  that  night  and  leave  it  in  the  can. 
The  bally-hoo  they  carry  with  them  does  the  trick 
and  the  picture  can  be  rated  as  pretty  good  froira  an 
historical  viewpoint,  and  their  print  is  practically 
new  and  in  good  shape.  Bight  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 


State  Rights 


WOLF  TRACKS:  Jack  Hoxie— 75%.  Just  a  West- 
ern of  ordinary  calibre  that  went  over  on  the 
strength  of  the  star  in  this  community.  However, 
it  wasn't  so  worse.  Appeal  about  60  per  cent.  Five 
reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark. — General  patronage. 


Short  Subjects 


EDUCATIONAL 
CONQUERING  THE  COLORADO:  Hodge  Podge— 
This  is  a  good  picture.  More  interesting  to  us  than 
to  others  because  we  know  the  men  who  went  down 
the  river  and  saw  them  leave  Greenriver.  One  reel. 
— Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General  patronge. 

F   B    O 

LADIES  PREFER  BRUNETTES:  Jack  Luden— 
Very  good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

METRO-GO  LDWYN-MAYER 

DO  DETECTIVES  THINK:  Laurel-Hardy— If  any- 
one thinks  this  pair  is  not  good,  he  doesn't  know 
comedy.  Never  had  a  poor  one  from  them  yet,  and 
I   have    run    them    all.     This    is    no    exception.     Two 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


LARAMIE  PEAK,  LARAMIE  MOUNTAINS,  WYC,  July  22,  1928. 
DEAR  HER ALEK WORLD: 

If  we  should  take  this  typewriter  under  one  arm  and  a  typewriter  stand  under  the  other 
and  lug  them  up  this  mountain  over  the  rocks  for  7,000  feet  just  to  write  this  Colyum 
on  top  of  the  mountain  you'd  think  we  were  crazy  wouldn't  you?  Well,  that's  what  wc 
would  think  about  it  too,  and  that's  the  reason  why  we  didn't  do  it.  In  our  letter  last 
week  we  promised  what  few  readers  might  read  this  Colyum — for  want  of  something  better  to 
do — a  picture  of  some  real  trout,  but  we  have  been  unable  to  find  one  in  any  of  the  drug 
stores  along  the  line. 

Saturday  afternoon  Charley  Martin  drove  us  up  to  the  Laramie  mountains  with  the 
understanding  that  we  would  catch  him  more  trout  than  he  could  eat — and  Charley  has 
nine  tapeworms — and  only  for  a  cloud  burst  up  the  Laramie  river  Saturday  night  which 
made  the  water  raise  about  three  feet  we  would  have  done  it,  but  as  it  was  we  had  to 
eat  sowbelly  and  come  back  Sunday  afternoon  minus  the  trout. 

Charley  is  an  old  friend  of  ours.  He  lives  at  Kearney,  Neb.,  and  sells  flour  and  chop 
feed  for  a  milling  company  at  Grand  Island  and  every  time  we  meet  him  he  wants  us  to 
go  fishing  with  him.  That  is  how  it  came  that  we  went  to  the  Laramie  mountains  Satur- 
day. Charley  is  what  you  would  call  a  consistent  Democrat.  That's  one  among  a  thousand 
reasons  why  we  like  him,  fishing  is  another. 

*  *    • 

Charley  thinks  that  Thomas  Jefferson  dug  Hood's  Canal  and  put  the  cape  on  Cape  Horn 
and  he  has  been  voting  for  him  consistently  and  religiously  ever  since  the  law  would 
permit.  When  we  were  driving  up  one  of  the  canyons  in  the  mountains  where  the  rocks 
were  piled  thousands  of  feet  above  us  we  said  to  him,  "Charley,  at  one  time  there  must 
have  been  an  awful  upheaval  of  things  to  have  piled  these  rocks  up  in  such  masses  and 
made  this  gorge.  Nature  must  have  been  on  a  tremendous  rampage,"  and  Charley  looked 
at  us  and  said,  "Nature  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  it,  that  hajjpened  under  one  of 
the  Democratic  administrations,  for  you  know.  Colonel,  the  Democrats  always  go  to  the 
bottom  of  things."  "Yes,"  we  replied,  "we've  noticed  that,  and  they  always  take  business 
with  'em."  At  this  Charley  stopped  the  car  and  said,  "Say,  Colonel,  can't  you  ever  get 
anything  besides  business  in  that  Teapot  Dome  of  yours.  Forget  about  business,  we  are 
going  trout  fishing,  look  around  you  and  enjoy  the  scenery,  the  marvelous  works  of  the 
Democratic  party."    That  closed  the  argument. 

«    «    * 

That  night  we  pitched  our  tents  on  the  banks  of  the  Laramie  river  and  slept  on  the 
ground.  We  had  one  rock  under  our  left  hip  joint  and  another  under  the  small  of  our 
back  and  Charley  pulled  all  the  blankets  off  of  us  and  a  chipmunk  crawled  in  the  tent 
and  licked  our  toes — he  was  dead  in  the  morning — and  sometime  in  the  night  Charley 
punched  us  in  the  ribs  and  said,  "Did  you  hear  that.  Colonel?"  "Hear  what,"  we  replied. 
"Don't  you  hear  him?  There's  a  cougar  out  there  trying  to  get  into  our  grub  box."  "Keep 
still,"  we  replied,  "we  hope  he  does,  and  if  he  gets  hold  of  one  of  those  pancakes  you 
made  for  supper  he'll  be  a  dead  cougar  in  the  morning."  This  made  Charley  a  little  sore 
and  he  said  we  could  cook  our  own  breakfast,  damifhewould,  or  something  like  that, 
then  he  slipped  the  pillow  out  from  under  our  head  and  went  to  sleep,  and  we  laid  awake 
the  balance  of  the  night  and  wondered  if  the  time  would  ever  come  when  the  human 
race,  and  a  flour  peddler  and  a  column  writer  would  have  as  much  sense  as  a  dogfish. 
We  stood  it  as  long  as  we  could,  and  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  began  to  sing. 
We  sang,  "Carry  me  back  to  Old  Virginny,"  and  Charley  never  budged,  then  we  sang, 
"Dixie,"  and  still  he  snored,  but  when  we  opened  up  with  "The  Sidewalks  of  New  York," 
he     rared     up     and     shouted,     "Hurrah     for     Samuel     J.     Tilden,"     and     we     inquired, 

"WhotheheUshe?" 

•  •    • 

SIDNEY,  NEB.,  July  23. 

We  ought  to  be  in  Cheyenne  today.  The  big  show  opens  there  this  morning  with  a 
"WHOOPEE,  RIDE  'EM  COWBOY"  and  the  lid  is  off  on  everything  except  the  Ladies' 
Home  Missionary  Society.  The  sheriff  and  members  of  the  police  force  are  deaf,  dumb 
and  blind  and  the  judge  has  adjourned  court  for  one  week.  We  ought  to  be  there,  we 
feel  it  our  duty,  in  justice  to  the  world's  greatest  magazine,  to  have  gone  there  and  given 
the  readers  first  hand  information  on  the  big  show,  but  our  finances  are  limited  to  such 
an  extent  that  we  didn't  care  to  loosen  up  to  the  tune  of  eight  bucks  for  the  privilege  of 
sitting  on  the  curb  all  night  when  we  ought  to  be  in  bed,  and  we  were  informed  that 
that  is  what  we  would  have  to  do.  Our  absence  will  throv/  a  wet  blanket  over  the  fes- 
tivities, we  know  that,  but  Ken  Maynard  is  there  and  so  is  "Rawhide  Rosie"  and  that 
will  help  some.  The  highways  are  lined  with  all  kinds  of  vehicles  all  headed  for  Cheyenne. 
Pa  and  Ma  Jones  from  Ypsalanti,  Mich.,  will  reach  there  tonight  if  their  1916  Ford  holds 
out.  A  delegation  of  boosters  for  Al  Smith  from  Claremore,  Okla.,  passed  us  on  the  road 
and  one  was  shouting  for  Herb  Hoover  and  the  other  three  were  hurrahing  for  Bill 
Rogers,  one  was  waving  a  corkscrew  and  another  a  lemon  squeezer  and  the  driver  saw 
two  roads  and  tried  to  take  'em  both  and  Marie  and  I  took  the  ditch. 

It  is  going  to  be  a  great  show  and  we  ought  to  be  there,  the  welfare  of  the  public 
demands  it,  but  what  is  a  feller  to  do  when  his  expense  check  is  in  McCook,  Neb.,  and 
that's  400  miles  from  Cheyenne.     Out  in  Cheyenne  they  demand  cash,  and  plenty  of  it  and 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man., 
Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

DUMB  DADDIES:  Max  Davidson— Tolerable  good 
Metro,  pretty  fair.  Little  slow  in  starting  but  hits 
sixty  when  she  does  go.  Lots  of  laffs  in  last  reel. 
Consider  this  a  little  better  than  average.  Two 
reels.^John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark. — General   patronage. 

FAMILY  GROUP:  Charlie  Chase— Was  rather 
disappointed  in  this  Chase  comedy  but  his  standard 
is  so  high  that  anything  a  little  off  color  looks 
worse  than  it  really  is.    Two  reels. — S.   B.  Kennedy, 


Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PALACE  OF  HONEY:  Oddity— Very  excellent 
study  of  bee  life,  done  in  an  interesting  manner. 
Some  good  photography  in  this,  close-ups  of  in- 
teresting habits  of  the  honey  makers.  One  reel. — 
Tivenan  and  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

PASS  THE  GRAVY:  Max  Davidson — Fair  comedy, 
but  not  the  sort  that  tickles  the  sturdy  agriculturists 
of  Wyandot  County,  Ohio,  and  their  progeny.  This 
is      a      custard-pie      knock-em-down-and-drag-em-out 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

we  haven't  a  friend  in  Cheyenne  that  we  know  of  that  we  could  panhandle  for  a  handout. 
They  say  it  is  no  disgrace  to  be  poor,  but  it  is  mighty  inconvenient  when  you  want  to  be 
in  Cheyenne. 

JULESBURG,  COL,  July  24. 
They've  got  the  longest  beds  in  the  world  out  here  in  Colorado.  Must  be  a  state  law 
requiring  it.  There  is  one  in  our  room  that  we  betcha  is  16  feet  long,  it  would  have  been 
longer  but  that  was  the  length  of  the  room.  When  Pa  and  Ma  go  to  bed  out  here  Pa 
crawls  into  one  end  and  Ma  cuddles  up  in  the  other  and  they  have  to  use  a  telephone  to 
talk  to  one  another.  Looks  like  that  would  be  mighty  inconvenient,  and  when  Pa  wakes 
up  in  the  morning  and  gets  hungry  he  rings  Ma  up  and  tells  her  it  is  time  to  get  up 
and  get  breakfast,  and  of  course  this  makes  Ma  sore  and  she  bawls  Pa  out  and  says,  "You 
cross-eyed  alligator,  how  dare  you  ring  in  my  ear  when  I  am  asleep,  you  can  get  up  and 
get  your  own  doggone  breakfast."  Suppose  when  Ma  is  bawling  Pa  out  that  way  she 
would  have  a  short  circuit,  what  then?     Gosh,  but  we  are  glad  we  are  living  in  Nebraska. 

*    *    * 

We  stopped  in  Chappell  today  to  call  on  Mr.  R.  C.  Geeting  of  the  Lyric  and  we  came 
very  near  not  getting  to  meet  him.  We  caUed  at  his  residence  and  Mrs.  Geeting  came 
to  the  door  and  gave  us  the  once  over  and  was  just  puckering  up  her  mouth  to  whistle 
for  the  bulldog  when  we  said,  "Just  a  moment.  Madam,  our  name  in  Jenkins,  initials  J.  C, 
not  the  Jenkins  that  killed  the  teacher's  cat  and  tried  to  lay  it  onto  poor  Duncan,  nor  the 
Jenkins  who  was  hung  in  Alabama  for  chicken  stealing,  but  we  are  (if  you  will  pardon 
us  for  seeming  to  boast  of  the  matter)  the  accredited  representative  of  the  world's  greatest 
magazine,  known  the  world  over  as  the  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOTION  PICTURE 
WORLD  and — ,"  but  here  she  began  to  laugh  and  she  grabs  us  by  the  hand  and  yanked 
us  into  the  room  and  then  she  shouted  to  her  husband  to  come  and  see  what  she  had 
found.  We  had  a  regular  gabfest,  and  some  nice  watermelon,  and  we  pronounce  both  of 
them  ace  high  with  the  joker  gone.  The  next  time  we  go  back  we  will  plan  to  stop  all 
night  in  Chappell  and  then  we  can  have  a  regular  visit.     They  are  as  fine  a  couple  as  ever 

chased  a  film  hound   off  the  premises. 

*    *    ♦ 

JULESBURG,  July  25. 

We  are  back  in  Julesburg  tonight.  We  started  this  morning  for  McCook  and  got  as 
far  as  Imperial  and  found  that  the  bridges  on  the  Golden  Rod  highway  were  washed 
out  and  the  mud  was  so  deep  over  the  road  for  about  30  miles  that  all  the  bullfrogs 
were   mired    down   so   we   had   to   backtrack   265   miles    over   a   territory   we   had   already 

covered.     The  state  made  the  mistake  of  building  that  Golden  Rod  highway  too  • 

close  to  Kansas.  Of  course  those  webfooted  Kansas  mudhens,  such  as  Sam  Blair  of  Belle- 
ville, Grasshopper  Sprague  of  Goodland  and  Ray  Musselman  of  Lincoln  don't  mind  it 
but  it  sure  throws  a  chill  into  us  Nebraska  folks.  The  trip  over  and  back  wasn't  without 
its  compensation  though,  for  we  met  R.  E.  Guild  of  the  Princess  at  Holyoke,  Col.,  E.  C. 
Dettman  of  the  Imperial  at  Imperial  and  H.  W.  Dettman  of  the  Alhambria  at  Culbertson, 
Neb.,  three  pheasant  roosters  with  all  their  plumage  on.  If  they  make  'em  any  better 
they  haven't  them  on  exhibition  and  they  needn't  go  into  Kansas  looking  for  them  either. 

Just  out  of  Holyoke  we  picked  up  a  pilgrim  on  the  highway,  a  thing  we  seldom  do. 
He  said  he  was  on  his  way  from  Los  Angeles  to  Superior,  Wis.  We  asked  him  what  his 
line  of  endeavor  was  and  he  said  he  was  a  witness  for  the  Lord.  Then  we  asked  in  what 
case  and  when  the  trial  would  come  off  and  it  went  over  his  head.  He  said  he  was  a 
disciple  of  Aimee  Semple  McPherson  and  we  asked  him  how  Aimee  was  getting  along 
these  days  and  if  she  still  had  the  same  press  agent,  and  there  wasn't  anybody  home.  He 
told  us  that  a  farmer  back  near  Denver  offered  him  a  job  and  he  was  on  the  point  of 
taking  it  but  the  Lord  told  him  not  to  do  it,  that  He  had  other  work  for  him  and  He 
would  provide  for  all  his  wants.  We  asked  him  if  he  didn't  think  it  was  a  little  unfair 
to  expect  the  Lord  to  provide  all  the  pork  and  beans  and  then  slop  the  shoats  and  do  all 
his  other  chores  and  not  expect  him  to  do  anything,  but  he  didn't  savvy.  Then  he  told 
us  about  living  in  Hollywood  and  how  Aimee  Semple  was  garnering  the  sheaves  right  and 
left  and  we  asked  him  if  she  had  ever  broken  into  the  picture  colony  and  he  said  she  hadn't, 
for  she  only  worked  on  fertile  ground  where  there  was  hope  for  redemption.  This  re- 
mark caused  us  to  wonder  if  he  was  as  dumb  as  we  thought  he  was.  Then  we  asked  him 
if  Hollywood  kept  a  record  of  all  the  nuts  that  left  there  and  he  replied  that  it  wasn't 
necessary,  that  none  ever  left,  said  they  aU  stuck.  The  chap  was  a  Finlander  by  trade  and 
when  he  left  us  at  Imperial  we  decided  he  wasn't  as  crazy  as  he  looked. 

«    *    « 

Mrs.  Zorn  operates  the  Alhambria  here  in  Julesburg,  and  Mrs.  Zom  has  four  daughters, 
two  of  whom  are  married,  but  what  we  can't  savvy  is  why  these  Colorado  yaps  will  let 
these  two  young  ladies  go  unchaperoned  through  life  without  any  manly  bosom  to  lay 
their  heads  on.  If  they  will  move  over  in  Nebraska  we  will  guarantee  results  in  30  days. 
It's  a  good  thing  for  the  Zorn  family  that  we  are  not  26  and  single,  otherwise  wedding 
bells  would  drown  out  the  fire  whistle.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  meet  people  like  the  Zorn 
family,  we  hope  to  meet  many  more  like  them.  Look  out,  Kansas,  you  are  liable  to  be 
next,  so  have  something  on  ice. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  Man. 


dump,  and  even  the  subtleties  of  Max  are  clear  out 
of  reach.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  and  Wolfe,  Screen- 
land   theatre,    Nevada,    Ohio. — Small    town    patronage. 

SLEEPING  DEATH:  Oddity— Good.  Intereeting. 
Some  fine  shots  of  African  scenery  and  animals,  al- 
though the  main  subject  is  the  tsetse  fly  and  sleep- 
ing sickness.  One  reel. — ^Tivenan  and  'Vt'olfe,  Screen- 
land   theatre,   Nevada,    O. — Small   town   patronage. 

SPOOK  SPOOFING:  Our  Gang— Not  so  good  for 
a  Gang  comedy.  A  lot  of  monkey-business  in  the 
old  deserted  graveyard,  but  it  was  dark,  dark.    0  yes. 


the  kids  liked  it.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  and  Wolfe, 
Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

PARAMOUNT 

FRENCH  FRIED:  Neal  Burns— There  is  a  dog 
in  this  picture  that  is  a  wonder.  A  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS:  Best  and  newest  news 
shown  here. — L.  M.  Dunlap,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian, 
Tex. — Small   town  patronage. 


Griffith  Claims  First 
Use  of  Sound  Effects 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  31.— D.  W. 
Griffith  claims  to  be  the  Srst  director 
to  use  sound  effects  with  a  picture. 
According  to  him,  the  £rst  sound  ef- 
fects were  used  ten  years  ago  in 
"Dream  Street,"  using  equipment 
similar  in  many  respects  to  Vita- 
phone.  The  picture  and  sound 
effects  are  said  to  have  been  a  hit  and 
won  many  editorial  prophecies  in 
regard  to  its  development.  However 
Griffith  failed  to  secure  ffnancial 
backing  and  the  thing  was  dropped. 
Almost  ten  years  later,  or  today, 
GrifBth  is  beginning  another  picture 
with  sound  effects  —  "The  Love 
Song,"  with  William  Boyd  and  Lupe 
Velez. 


PATHE 

LOVE'S  LANGUID  LURE:  Ben  Turpin— A  very 
funny  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,     Greenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  No.  26,  28,  30.  Good.  Pathe 
is  right  on  the  job  when  it  comes  to  news.  We 
would  be  better  satisfied  with  all  news  reels  if  there 
was*  not  so  much  duplication.  Can't  they  ever 
"scoop"  ?  One  reel. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,    Nevada,    O. — Small   town    patronage. 

SHOULD  SECOND  HUSBANDS  COME  FIRST: 
Max  Davidson — Fair  comedy  but  got  the  laughs. 
First  reel  was  very  dark.  Two  reels. — Ray  P. 
Murphy,  Old  Trail  theatre,  Hebron,  O. — General 
oatronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

RIVAL  ROMEOS:  Oswald,  the  rabbit— Excellent 
cartoon.  Best  in  some  time.  Single  reel. — S.  B.  Ken- 
nedy, Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man'.,  Canada. — Small 
town   patronage. 

SMOTHER  OF  MINE:  Charles  Puffy— Can't  say 
much  for  this  one.  Single  reel. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Cen- 
tral theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

TROLLEY  TROUBLES:  Oswald,  the  Rabbit— Just 
passable.  Better  than  some — not  so  good  as  many. 
Okay  filler.  Half  reel. — Tivenan  and  Wolfe,  Screen- 
land  theatre,  Nevada,   O. — Small  town  patronage. 

NEWLYWED'S  MISTAKE:  Snookums— The  kid's 
antics  were  laughable,  but  the  rest  of  the  picture  is 
just  the  same  old  blah.  Some  of  the  inside  scenes 
a  bit  dark.  Please,  mister,  can't  yon  make  good 
comedies?  Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,   Nevada,    O. — ^Small   town   patronage. 

PASSING  THE  JONES':  Very  good.  Two  reels. 
— Carl  L.  Brown,  Crystal  theatre.  Many,  La. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

PLEASE  DON'T:  February  25.  A  fair  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville.   Mich. — General   patronage. 

ON  THE  FRONT  PAGE:  Just  fair  comedy.  Only 
a  few  laughs  to  a  full  house. — ^E.  N.  McFarland, 
Pinegrove  theatre.  Port  Huron,  Mich. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

THE  MAGIC  GAME:  Photography  poor,  print 
hazy.  Comedy  fair  and  seemed  to  suit  the  kids  in 
audience  better  than,  usual.  Two  reels. — John  W. 
Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

JERRY  THE  DOCTOR:  Good  comedy  in  one  reel. 
Fast  as  a  dose  of  salts  and  had  the  crowd  trotting 
from  one  laugh  to  another. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joy- 
land   theatre.    Corning,    Ark. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  TAIL  OF  THE  MONK:  A  fair  cartoon  com- 
edy, nothing  extra.  One  reel. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joy- 
land  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

WINNING  WINNIE :  Hot  as  a  mustard  plaster  on 
an  old  maid's  back !  Comical  situations  one  after  the 
other  that  bring  down  the  house.  This  series  of 
comedies  means  extra  business.  Play  them,  all  are 
good.  Two  reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre. 
Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 


Callaway  Back   from    Trip 

iNliW  YORK. — W.  E.  Callaway,  Southern  sales 
manager  for  First  National  pictures,  is  back  in  the 
home  office  after  a  10-day  trip  to  Cincinnati,  Cleve- 
lana  and  Pittsburgh.     . 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


^^^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

FIRST  KISS,  THE:  Paramount  drama,  with  Fay 
Wray,  Gary  Cooper,  Lane  Chandler,  Leslie  Fenton, 
Paul    Fix,    Malcolm    Williams    and    Monroe    Owsley. 

Directed  by  Rowland  V.    Lee.     Released 

Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  About  an  energetic  young 
oyster-fisherman  and  a  rich  girl.  One  of  Mary- 
land's first  families,  the  Talbots,  have  gone  to  pot 
— literally,  for  the  old  man's  a  booze-fighter.  Three 
of  the  sons  are  as  worthless,  but  one.  Mulligan, 
tvorks  hard.  He  is  loved  by  the  town's  richest  girl, 
Anne  Lee.  But  one  day,  when  he  kisses  her,  she 
flares  up,  calling  him  "white  trash."  Mulligan  gets 
the  idea — he's  really  far  beneath  her.  Angry  at 
her,  he  determines  to  raise  the  family.  The  old 
■man  helps  out  by  dying,  and  Mulligan  finances  the 
education  of  his  brothers,  robbing  ships  to  do  so. 
But  finally  he  sells  his  dearest  possession,  a 
schooner  he  had  built  as  a  "dream  ship"  for  Anne, 
getting  enough  for  it  to  compensate  for  his  loot. 
But  his  robberies  are  brought  to  light.  Though  she 
still  finds  Mulligan  smarting  under  her  insult,  Anne 
appears  in  court  for  him,  revealing  why  he  stole. 
And  Mulligan  learns  that  it  was  she  who  bought 
the  "dream  ship."  They  sail  away  in  it. 
t     *     * 

FORGOTTEN  FACES:  Paramount  melodrama,  with 
Clive  Brook,  Mary  Brian,  Olga  Baclanova,  William 
Powell,  Fred  Kohler  and  Jack  Luden.  Directed  by 
Victor    Schertzinger.      Released- Length 


TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  crook,  his  wife  and 
his  daughter.  "Heliotrope  Harry"  is  a  bad  man. 
Holds  up  a  gambling  joint.  Going  home,  he  finds 
his  baby  daughter  neglected,  his  wife  ivith  another 
man.  He  shoots  the  man.  Places  baby  on  wealthy 
fam,Uy's  door  step.  Then  gives  up  and  gets  life. 
Chloe,  his  wife,  threatens  to  interfere  with  the 
child's  present  status  as  the  happy  daughter  of 
wealth.  At  first  denied  parole,  Harry  gets  it  by 
saving  the  warden.  He  obtains  a  job  in  the  Deane 
family,  to  watch  over  his  daughter,  no^iv  known  as 
Alice  Deane.  His  wife  he  keeps  teaming  by  pester- 
ing her  tvith  the  odor  of  heliotrope  (an  odor  well 
adapted  to  the  purpose,  no  doubt).  Finally  he  adds 
a  revolver.  Chloe  takes  it,  rushes  to  the  Deane 
home.  Harry  sees  her.  A  shot — and  a  finish  tliat 
Paramount  says,  "in  all  fairness  to  the  picture, 
should  not  be  revealed,"  which,  the  information 
being  for  the  trade,  sounds  like  whatever  one  is 
in  the  habit  of  calling  such  things. 
*  *  * 
MADE  TO  ORDER  HERO,  A:  Universal  Western. 
with  Ted  Wells,  Marjorie  Bonner,  Pearl  Sindelan, 
Jack  Pratt,  Benny  Corbett,  Pee  Wee  Holmes. 
Scotty  Mattraw  and  Dick  L'Estrange.     Directed  by 

Ray  Taylor.     Released...- Lenjrth,   4,120. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  Ted  Wells  Western. 
As  Larry  Day,  Wells  is  a  young  ranch  owner.  Com- 
ing to  visit  him  are  his  sweetheart  and  her  aunt. 
Larry  arranges  for  a  fake  holdup  so  that  he  can 
show  the  aunt  that  he  is  a  hero,  in  order  to  over- 


Mary  Astor  in  a  scene  from  First  Nation- 
al's "Heart  to  Heart,"  tale  of  an  Italian 
princess  who  finds  love  in  her  American 
home  town.  The  cast  includes  Lloyd 
Hughes  and  Louise  Fazenda. 


come  the  aunt's  desire  that  Marjorie  marry  a  so- 
ciety ■man.  But  the  holdup  flops,  and  Larry  is 
■made  to  look  ridiculo^us.  However,  the  two  wo-men 
are  placed  in  real  danger,  whereupon  Larry  shows 
'em  all  whafs  what,  proving  that  he  is  the  correct 
man  for  Marjorie. 

*     *     * 

ROAD  HOUSE :  Fox  melodrama,  with  Maria  Alba, 
Warren  Burke,  Lionel  Barrymore,  Julia  Swayne 
Gordon,  Tempe  Pigott,  Florence  Allen,  Jack  Oakie, 
Eddie  Clayton,  Jane  Keckley,  Joe  Brown  and  Kay 
Bryant.      Directed    by    Richard    Rosson.      Released 

_ Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  The  story  of  a  good  boy 
gone  temporarily  wrong,  sketching  certain  modern 
tendencies.  Larry  gets  a  little  tired  of  doing  the 
same  things  over  and  over,  including  going  about 
with  his  demure  little  sweetheart.  So  he  takes  to 
the  roadhouses,  meeting  Sally,  a  "stall  ■moll"  for  a 
gang  of  thieves.  He  takes  articles  from  his  fath- 
er's store  to  give  her,  arguing  that  his  father 
does  the  same  for  his  stenographer.  His  father 
catches  him  and  they  liave  a  row.  Larry  goes  to 
Sally  and  before  he  realizes  it,  he  is  in  on  a  "job." 
The  gang  robs  a  gambling  joint.  A  shot  rings  out. 
Larry  is  standing  over  the  proprietor  with  a  re- 
volver j'ust  as  his  father  enters.  The  boy  is  charged 
imth  ■murder,  and  in  court  his  father  tells  that  it  is 
all    his    fault    that    his    son    got    into    bad    ways. 


Cleared  of  the  charge,  Larry  is  glad  to  return  to 
his  father  and  simple  sweetheart. 

*  *     * 

SAY  IT  WITH  SABLES:  Columbia  drama,  with 
Francis  X.  Bushman,  Helene  Chadwick,  Margaret 
Livingston,  Arthur  Rankin,  June  Nash,  Alphonz 
Ethier  and   Edna  Mae  Cooper.    Directed  by   Frank 

Capra.     Released Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  man's  past  returns  to 
threaten  his  son,  and  a  murder  follows.  In  order  to 
gi-ve  his  son  a  mother,  Caswell  throivs  over  his 
■mistress,  Irene,  and  marries.  Years  later,  the  son 
brings  his  sweetheart  to  see  his  parents.  She  is 
Irene.  Caswell  tells  Doug  the  truth  about  her.  En- 
raged, tlve  boy  decla/res  he  will  see  her  and  demand 
the  truth  from  her.  Alarmed,  Caswell  follows.  He 
finds  Irene  dead  on  the  floor,  having  been  shot. 
Mitchell,  detective,  arrives.  He  finds  an  earring  in 
the  dead  tuoman's  hand.  A  sable  coat  is  traced  as 
the  gift  of  young  Caswell.  The  boy  tells  his  father 
he  killed  Irene.  To  protect  him,  the  father  de- 
clares he  did  it.  Hoivever,  the  other  earring  is 
found  in  Mrs.  CasiveU's  jewel  case.  She  suggests 
that  a  woman  may  have  killed  Irene — to  get  letters 
that  would  ruin  her  son's  life,  perhaps.  Mitchell 
nods.  Then  he  declares  that  the  case  is  plainly  one 
of  suicide. 

*  *     * 

VARSITY:  Paramount  drama,  with  Charles  Rogers, 
Mary  Brian,  Chester  Conklin,  Phillips  R.  Holmes, 
Robert  Ellis,  John  Westwood  and  Princeton  Uni- 
versity undergraduates.     Directed  by   Frank  Tuttle. 

Released Length _ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  College,  father-son  be- 
sides girl-boy  sentiment,  and  booze.  Pop  Conlan  is 
the  beloved  janitor  at  Princeton.  His  weakness  is 
booze,  and  he  has  been  forced  to  conceal  his  rela- 
tionship to  his  son  on  that  account.  Jimmy,  brought 
up  in  an  orphan  asylum,  enters  Princeton  and  be- 
comes an  honor  student.  But  he,  too,  takes  to 
booze,  -much  to  his  father's  disappointment.  Pop 
will  not  reveal  his  identity  to  his  son,  but  he  tries 
hard  to  keep  Jimmy  from  going  to  the  dogs.  In 
this  he  is  helped  by  Fay,  an  actress,  who  loves 
Jimmy.  But  Jimmy  goes  on  a  protracted  drunk, 
gambles  and  is  accused  of  losing  money  he  has 
been  collecting  for  a  college  fund.  Pop  and  Fay 
get  him  out  of  the  ■mess.  Pop  being  run  over  by  an 
automobile  in  doing  so.  Jim^my  seems  to  have 
learned  his  lesson,  and  he  and  Fay  are  married. 
Fay  has  guessed  that  Pop  is  Jimmy's  father.  But 
as  she  leaves  on  her  honeymoon.  Pop  cautions  her 

WHITE  SISTER,  THE:  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
drama,  with  Lilian  Gish,  Ronald  Colman,  Gail 
Kane,  J.  Barney  Sherry,  Charles  Lane,  Juliette  La 
Violette,  Sig.  Serena,  Alfredo  Bertone,  Ramon 
Ibanez,  Alfredo  Martinelli,  Carloni  Talli,  Giovanni 
Viecola,  Antonio  Barda,  Giacomo  D'Attino,  Michele 
Gualdi,  Guiseppe  Pavoni,  Francesco  Socinus,  Sheik 
Mahomet,  James  Abbe  and  Duncan  Mansfield.  Di- 
rected by  Henry  King.     Released Length 

(Reissue.) 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  This  Gish-Colman  picture 
of  a  few  years  ago,  tells  the  story  of  Angela,  beaii^ 
tiful  maid  of  Italy.  Since  her  noble  father  had 
not  ■married  her  ■mother  civilly  and  because  her 
foster  sister  destroys  his  wiU,  she  is  penniless.  But 
her  lover,  Giovanni,  army  officer,  seeks  her  out,  and 
he  being  ordered  to  Africa  on  an  engineering  ex- 
pedition, Angela  proinises  to  wait  for  him.  Then 
he  is  reported  killed,  and  Angela,  half-crazed,  is 
taken  in  at  the  Hospital  of  the  White  Sisters. 


This  Week's  Press  Sheet 


FARMER'S  DAUGHTER,  THE  (Fox  comedy-drama): 
You  can  arrange  for  a  local  contest  for  the  best  cattle,  vege- 
tables, and  fruit,  running  it  like  a  country  fair.  In  large  cities 
this  is  naturally  not  feasible,  but  it  will  get  results  in  towns 
that  are  gathering  centers  for  the  farm  folk.  For  the  ladies, 
a  contest  can  be  held  for  the  best  bread  or  cake.  Local  mer- 
chants will  benefit  by  this  sort  of  a  fair,  because  the  money 
will  remain  in  the  town.  Therefore,  they  should  be  willing 
to  cooperate  with  awards  and  window  displays.  Call  the  con- 
test "The  Farmer's  Daughter  Fair." 

Another  twist  to  the  idea  is  a  photographic  resemblance 
competition  for  the  girls  who  look  most  like  Marjorie  Beebe, 
who  appears  in  the  picture.  The  conditions  should  include 
the  statement  that  the  winner  will  be  chosen  by  popular  vote 
and  that  no  photographs  will  be  returned  to  the  owners.  The 
newspaper  that  sponsors  such  a  local  enterprise  will  gain 
good  will  from  the  merchants  and  farmers. 


Dress  your  ushers  in  sunbonnets^  and  gingham  and  drive 
them  around  the  town  with  the  following  legend  tacked  to 
the  car:  "Though  I'm  the  farmer's  daughter,  I  am  a  modern 
thoughter.  I  never  rise  to  greet  the  dawn;  Just  stay  awake 
till  night  is  gone.  I  know  a  chicken  from  a  cow,  I  know 
my  vegetables — and  how.  When  in  a  beauty  pageant.  My 
calves  are  my  press  agent.  I  stir  the  city's  calm  belief — Boy, 
I'm  the  farmer's  farm  relief."  Have  the  name  of  your  theatre 
and  the  showing  of  the  picture  also  on  the  car. 

Using  the  main  theme  of  the  picture,  you  can  arrange  a 
ukulele  contest,  the  winner  to  be  chosen  by  popular  acclaim 
of  your  audiences.  Tie-up  with  a  music  dealer.  Contestants 
should  be  required  to  play  the  main  theme  and  one  other 
selection  of  their  choosing.  You  can  pick  the  winners  at 
each  showing  and  have  them  appear  at  the  last  performance 
for  the  final  choosing.  Have  them  play  their  songs  again  and 
let  your  audience  select  the  final  winner. 


■BRMUHIflHIl 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  Whit 

IN  the  death  of  William  J.  (Bill)  Sweeney  last  Thursday  morning,  the  in- 
dustry in  general  and  the  Row  in  particular  lost  one  of  its  most  ardenti 
supporters  and  noble  characters.  Never  swerving  from  a  course  of  honesty 
and  fair  dealing,  Mr.  Sweeney's  influence  stretched  over  a  wide  territory  for 
many  years  in  the  industry.  More  than  one  of  the  industry's  leading  figures 
today  owe  their  success,  in  large  measure,  to  the  counsel  of  Bill  Sweeney.  He 
was  a  man  of  rare  humanness  and  kindliness.  Even  in  the  last  year  of  his  life, 
when  ill  health  brought  him  much  suffering,  he  did  not  lose  the  optimism  and 
sheer  love  of  living  that  marked  his  entire  career.  But  Bill  Sweeney  needs  no 
eulogy.  The  memory  of  him  that  all  of  us  carry  in  our  hearts  is  eulogy  enough 
for  any  man. 


the  first  all-talkie,  on  August  3  for  an  ex- 
tended run,  which  makes  it  the  first  Warner 
picture  to  be  shown  in  a  B  &  K  house  for  an 
extended  run.  There  may  be  some  significance 
in  that.     We  don't  know,  we're  sure. 

Miss  Myrtle  Collins,  switchboard  operator 
in  Jack  Miller's  office,  is  on  a  vacation  at 
Deep  Lake. 

*  *    * 

"Grad"  Sears:  left  Friday  for  a  short  trip 
to  New  York. 

*  *    * 

And  Tom  Gilliam  pushed  off  Saturday  for 
a  week-end  trip  to  Saugatuck,  Michigan,  where 
he  hopes  to  catch  a  few  fish. 

*  *    * 

E.  M.  Saunders  of  the  home  office  of  M  G  M 
was  in  the  Chicago  office  last  week  and  had 
the  pleasure  of  congratulating  Frank  Ishmael 
on  his  seventh  anniversary  as  city  sales  man- 
ager for  M  G  M. 


Art  Smight,  general  sales  manager  of 
Tiffany-Stahl,  was  in  town  last  week.  Eph 
Rosen  has  been  made  manager  of  the  Chicago 
exchange  of  Tiffany-Stahl.  He  was  formerly 
the  Milwaukee  manager. 

*  *    * 

Joe  Hopp  is  now  connected  with  F  B  0  here 
as  a  country  salesman.  He  is  well  known 
both  as  an  exhibitor  and  as  an  exchange  man. 
He  operates  the  Majestic  theatre  at  Rock 
Island. 

*  *    * 

The  Orpheum  circuit  ceased  operation  of 
the  Diversey  theatre  Sunday.  Management  of 
the  theatre  returns  to  Jones,  Linick  and 
Schaefer,  and  the  house  is  soon  to  be  turned 
into    burlesque,    the    shows    to    be    staged    by 


Anshell  Brothers,  who  now  produce  the  shows 
at  the  Rialto  and  Star  and  Garter  theatres. 

*  *     * 

Jack  Kennedy,  auditor  for  F  B  0  with  office 
in  New  York,  was  in  Chicago  last  week.  Both 
he  and  Dickerson  were  given  their  first  game 
of  golf  by  the  F  B  O  boys  and  Kennedy  suc- 
ceeded in  trimming  Dick. 

*  *    * 

Walter  Brown  of  F  B  O  was  home  most  of 
last  week  suffering  from  a  very  serious  eye 
disorder.  A  broken  blood  vessel  caused  blind- 
ness in  one  eye,  which  may  result  in  permanent 
blindness  in  this  eye. 

*  *    * 

The  McVickers  theatre  will  open  vnth  the 
Warner  picture,  "The  Lights  of  New  York," 


Programs 

prepared  by  us 
get  the  public 
interested  in 
your  shows. 

Lit  us  itni.  you 
umu  samj)lci. 

THE  NATIONAL 

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Recognizing  the  fact  that  changes 
in  method  come  in  the  splendid 
advancement  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany continues  its  own  forward 
march  and  maintains  its  supremacy 
in  presenting  to  the  trade 

Eastman  Panchromatic 

Negative 

Type  2 

— a  perfected^  proven  product 
for    the    cinematographer 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


irurroRS  herald  mui  moving  I'l 


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cMoreThanSOO  Theatres 
Are  NOW  Equipped  tiAth 

X  X 


SOO  exhibitors  ivho  knoiv  that  the  industry  is 
moving  soundivard. 

Who  knoiv  that  everyivhere  Fox  Movietone 
Entertainment  has  been  presented,  capacity 
houses  have  resulted. 

Who  kno^ir  that  Fox  is  the  only  producer  with 
6  $2  Movietoned  Broadw^ay  specials  breaking 
house  records  everyivhere. 

Who  knoiv  that  Fox  Movietone  Entertainment 
has  the  greatest  of  Broadivay's  musical  and  dra- 
matic stars— box-oSSice,  money-making  names. 

Who  knoiv  that  Fox  Movietone  Neivs  is  present- 
ing w^orld  events  in  a  sensational  manner. 

Who  ivill  celebrate  the  Fox  Silver  Anniversary 
marking  25  years  of  achievement,  ivith  grosses 
that  only  Fox  productions  could  pile  up. 


^irst  and   Foremost 
in    Sound    on    Film 


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Every  Theatre  Can  Have 

the  original  pre-selective 


Allmaster    Q 
Major     System 
Loewg    Theatre 
Louisville,    Ky. 


Whether  your  next  theatre  is  to  be  a 
huge  one  or  the  tiniest  in  town — you 
should  insist  on  @  Major  System  of 
Lighting  Control.    Send  for  full  details. 

Shrank  C^dam 

ELECTRIC   COMPANY 

ST.  LOUIS 


and  every  theatre  should ! 

You  will  readily  see  the  wide  range  in  size  be- 
tween these  two  switchboards,  yet  each  is  equally 
efficient,  equally  economical  for  the  service  it  is 
to  perform. 


Atlanta,    Ga. 
Baltimore,     Md. 
Boston,   Mass. 
Buffalo,   N.   Y. 
Charlotte,    N.    C. 
Chicago,   111. 
Cincinnati,    Ohio. 
Cleveland,   Ohio. 


—   District   Offices  — 
Dallas,  Texas.  Minneapolis,    Minn. 


Denver,  Colorado. 
Detroit,  Michigan 
Jacksonville,  Fla. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Memphis,   Tenn. 


Newr   Orleans,    La. 
New   York   City. 
Omaha,    Nebraska. 
Philadelphia,    Pa. 
Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
San    Francisco,    Calif. 


Seattle,  Washington 
Tampa,    Fla. 
Tulsa,    Okla. 
Montreal,    Quebec. 
Toronto,    Ontario. 
Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Walkerville,     Ontario 
Winnipeg,    Man. 


Modified 
Major     System 
Little    Thealra 
Dallas,    Texas 


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Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  5  (Vol.  34,  No.  8) 


August  4,  1928 


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OILCANS 

Factories,  North  Tonawanda,  New  York 


BUFFALO 
CHICAGO 

CINCINNATI 


CLEVELAND 
DETROIT 
KANSAS  CITY 


LOS  ANGELES 
NEW  YORK 
PHILADELPHIA 


PITTSBURGH 
SAN  ft;  AN  CISCO 
ST.  LOUIS 


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St  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Experience  is  a  long  road 
. .  but  it  leads  to 


ertormance 


IN  hundreds  of  theaters,  C-H  SimpUcity  Dimmers 
have  given  universal  satisfaction.  Because  of 
this  reputation,  uncompromised  over  a  long  period 
of  years,  experienced  theater  managers,  architects, 
and  electrical  contractors  use  C-H  Dimmers  to 
assure  the  smooth  control  and  color  blending  of 
lights  so  essential  to  modern  presentations. 

Talk  over  the  advantages  of  C-H  Dim^- 
mers  for  your  theater  with  your  architect 
or  contractor — regardless  of  its  seating 
capacity  or  scheme  of  decoration. 

Write  for  the  booklet  "Illumination  Control  for  the 
Modern  Theater"  ivhich  describes  C-H  construc- 
tion advantages  tvhich  have  built  this  reputation 

The  CUTLER^HAMMER  Mfg.  Co. 

Pioneer  Manufacturers  of  Electrical  Control  Apparatus 
1254   St.  Paul  Avenue      MILWAUKEE,   WISCONSIN 


The  neu!  State  Theater,  Johnstown,  Pa.,  is 
equipped  ivith  C-H  SimpUcity  Dimmers — 
mounted  on  a  switchboard  built  by  the 
Metropolitan  Electric  Co.,  hong  Island 
City,  N.  Y.  Hodsen  &  Hill,  of  Philadelphia 
tvere  the  architects  —  Mumphrey  Davies, 
of  Philadelphia  ivas  the  engineer. 


Superiorities  of 
C-H  Simplicity  Dimmers 

Solid  soapstone  bases  have  high  heat 
dispersion  and  insulating  qualities — 
great  continuous  load  capacity — freedom 
from  burn-outs  and  maintenance. 

Contacts  on  both  sides  of  plates  allotv 
tivice  as  many  circuits  in  the  same  space. 
Plates  can  be  taken  out  by  removing  one 
screw.  Plates  of  any  capacity  can  be  sub- 
stituted,  allovuing  easy  adaptation  to  all 
theaters  or  any  remodeling  plan. 

Low-ratio  rack  and  pinion  drive  elim- 
inates play  and  backlash.  110  distinct 
steps  ujith  no  overlapping  of  contacts 
assure  flickerless  dimming  from  full  brilli- 
ancy to  black  out.  Brushes  of  Cophite — a 
non-oxidizing,  self-lubricating  material. 


CUTLER 


HAMMER 


Perfect  IlhtrriiriatioTi  Control  for  the  TSIodem  ^Theater 

kJ  \J  (3182) 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928      ) 


Looking  Ahead 

In  new  Theatres  or  old.  Supreme  Heating 
— combined  with  Supreme  CooUng — makes 
you  independent  of  weather  conditions. 
Positive  Summer  Cooling  and  equally  pos- 
itive Winter  Heating  is  an  assured  fact — 
with  the  Supreme  System. 


Heated  and  Cooled  by  Oupreme 

Two  Months 

of  Hot 
Weather  Still  Ahead 

You're  paying  for  a  Supreme  Cooling 
System  whether  you  have  one  or  not! 

Losing  patronage  if  your  Theatre  isn't 
Cool  and  Comfortable — losing  receipts 
that  would  pay  for  the  complete  Supreme 
Cooling  System. 

It's  Not  Too  Late 

There's  a  complete  Supreme  Cooling 
System  in  stock  to  exactly  meet  your  re- 
quirements. You  can  get  quick  action — 
immediate  delivery.  You're  paying  for  it 
regardless — why  not  have  its  advantages. 
Use  the  coupon  for  quick  results — better 
still,  wire  for  complete  details,  stating 
capacity  of  Theatre. 

(Mail  This  Coupon  Today  Sure) 


Supreme  Heater  &.  Ventilating  Corp. 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Send  complete  information  about  your  Heating  and 
Cooling  Systems. 


Name 

Address 

City State 

□  Check  here  if  interested  in  Cooling  only. 


COOLING 

Size  Theatre x 

Capacity 


HEATING 

Size  Theatre x 

Capacity 

Have  you  a 

Cooling  System? 

What  Make? 


Outstanding  features 

Combined  Summer  Cooling — Winter  Heat- 
ing, an  all  year  round  system. 

Perfect  Ventilation  during  the  Heating 
season. 

Quick — uniform  heating — guaranteed  to  70 
degrees  and  no  drafts. 

Occupies  no  aisle  space — eliminates  rad- 
iators that  occupy  valuable  space  and  are 
uncomfortable  to  folks  sitting  near  them. 

No  danger  of  freeze -up. 

Easily  controlled — easily  converted  to 
Cooling  System — economical  to  operateand 
a  combined  Cooling  and  Heating  System 
for  less  than  the  cost  of  the  ordinary  steam 
system  having  none  of  its  advantages. 

Use  Your  Present  Cooling 
System 

If  you  now  have  a  Cooling  System, 
Supreme  Heating  can  be  attached  easily — 
in  most  cases  without  changing  the  loca- 
tion of  your  Cooling  Blower.  Write  for 
complete  details.  Be  sure  to  mention  size 
and  make  of  Cooling  Blower,  also  it  you 
have  speed  contrbl  pulley  and  send  sketch 
showing  location  of  the  Blower. 


Next  to  mechanical  refrigeration  there 
is  no  other  type  of  Cooling  System  more 
efficient,  more  effective  than  the  Supreme 
System.  Quiet,  powerful  and  economical, 
the  Supreme  Cooling  Blower  will  give 
you  100%  Cooling  results. 


The  Supreme  Boiler  Plate  Steel  Heater 
— an  important  fart  of  the  combination 
Supreme  Cooling  and  Heating  System. 
Absolutely  gastight — guaranteed  for  5 
years  unconditionally  and  the  result  of 
many  years  experience  in  Theatre  Heat- 
ing. 


..Jill. 


-UK.- 


Write  for 
Complete 
Information 


HEATER  &  VENTILATING  CORP. 

STLOUIS  -^  -^  V-S-A- 


Send  in 
the  Coupon 
Today 


Floor  Plans  for  a  1 500  Seat  Capacity 


CHARLES  B.  O'NEILL 
Advertising    Manager 


A  monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  pub- 
lished for  information  and  guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre 
construction,  operation  and  equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  finer  theatres 


HARRY    E.    HOLQUIST 
Eattern   Repretentatium 


BETTER  THEATRES 

EDITORIAL  AND 

ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407    So.    Dearborn    St.     Telephone 

Harrison   0036.      Cable   Address: 

Quigpubco. 

Jay    M.    Shreck,    Managing    Editor 
Charles     B.     O'Neill,     Advertising 

Manager 
George    Clifford,    Business   Manager 

NEW  YORK 

565   Fifth  Ave,    Telephone   Vander- 
bilt  3612-3613 

Harry  R  Holquist 
Eastern  Representative 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617    Holljrwood    Blvd.      Telephone 
Gladstone  3754 

Douglas    Hodges 
West   Coast   Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope   (J.   Caboum,   Editor) 

Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 

Rd.,  W.  C.  2 


The  successful  theatre  today  is  the 
one  that  pays  strictest  attention  to 
its  physical  features.  Cinema  pa- 
trons demand  more  than  pictures. 
They  must  be  given  every  degree  of 
comfort,  convenience  and  atmos- 
phere. 

To  the  enterprising  exhibitor  Better 
Theatres  each  issue  presents  numer- 
ous ideas  and  suggestions  for  in- 
creasing profit  through  better  pub- 
lic service  and   management. 


SUBSCRIPTION    RATES 

United   State   and    possessions — 

$3  per  year 

Canada — $4.50  per  year 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$9  per  year 

Single  copies,  25  cents 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


IN  THIS  issue  the  floor  plans  and  sectional  view  of  the  new  Missoviri 
theatre  in  Columbia  are  presented  through  the  courtesy  of  Boiler 
Brothers,  the  architects;  this  new  house  will  seat  1,500  persons; 
it  is  located  in  a  college  city. 

THE  MODERN  theatre  in  a  small  town  might  well  be  the  caption 
of  the  story  dealing  with  the  new  Eg3T>tian  theatre  in  Scottsbluff, 
Neb. ;  here  is  an  outstanding  house  for  a  town  of  7,000  popula- 
tion, and  this  achievement  might  well  be  emulated  by  others. 

THE  "SCHOOL  of  Synchronization  and  Amplification"  in  this  issue 
takes  under  consideration  another  important  phase  of  the  sound 
picture;  this  is  the  second  of  the  series  which  F.  H.  Richardson  is 
preparing  for  the  readers  of  Better  Theatres. 

HOW  ABOUT  the  manager  of  yesterday  and  today?  Don't  ask 
us,  but  read  the  Parks  article  which  is  published  in  the  Music 
department  in  this  issue;  you  may  not  agree,  but  you  cannot  deny 
that  this  music  critic  and  organist  is  talking  straight  from  the 
shoulder. 


NEXT  ISSUE 
^Modernistic  Design 


•■»p 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


SALES 
OFFICES 

Baltimore,  Md. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Buffalo,  N.  y. 
Chicago,  111. 
Detroit,  Mich. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 
New  York,  N.  Y. 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Portland,  Oregon 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 
San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Seattle,  Wash. 


ONE  right  after  another !  That  is  the  way  Heywood  -  Wakefield 
Theatre  Chairs  are  winning  out  in  the  important  theatre  installations 
of  the  past  two  years.  Publix  is  using  over  40,000  Heywood-Wakefield 
Theatre  Seats  in  new  houses;  Orpheum  Circuit  is  well  satisfied  with  over 
a  dozen  recent  installations;  Pantages  is  reseating  three  important 
houses;  Roxy  is  breaking  all  box-office  records  and  is  as  enthusiastic  as 
ever  about  his  Hejrwood-Wakefield  chairs. 

And  NOW — the  Roxy-Midway,  another  magnificent  and  costly  show- 
house,  has  ordered  the  same  luxurious  chairs  that  have  meant  so  much 
to  box-office  receipts  at  the  original  Roxy. 

Send  for  YOUR  copy  of  our  new  44-page  catalogue  which  illustrates  and 
describes  the  above  chairs  in  detail. 

HEYWOOD«W\KEFIELD 

Theatre  Seatihd  Division 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Planning  a  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
For  the  College  Community 

A  ""^TT^    for  other  small  cities  which  can  patronize  profitably  a  house  seating  1,520.  This 
■^    theatre  in  Columbia,  Mo.,  was  designed  by  Boiler  Brothers  of  Kansas  City  and 
Los  Angeles,  who  have  been  responsible  for  a  number  of  important  houses  in  the  Middle 
West  and  West. 

A     L    L     L     Y      - 


— ( 

r 
<r 


THE  Missouri  theatre  now  being  built 
for  the  Missouri  Theatre  Company  at 
Columbia,  Mo.,  is  expected  to  be  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  state.  Boiler  Brothers 
of  Kansas  City  and  Los  Angeles,  are  the 
architects. 

Columbia  is  the  seat  of  the  University  of 
Missouri,  Stephens  College,  and  Christian 
College,  and  this  fireproof  theatre,  con- 
structed in  accordance  with  the  ordinances 
of  cities  of  the  first  class,  and  lavishly  fur- 
nished and  decorated  in  the  style  of  Louis 
XV,  will  be  attractive  to  students  coming 
from  the  larger  cities  of  the  state.  The 
theatre  will  seat  1,520. 

It  is  located  on  a  corner  site,  the  main 


Main  floor  j>1an  of  the  new  l^issouri  theatre, 
Columbia,  7^o.,  designed  by  Boiler  Brothers. 

entrance  being  on  the  principal  thorough- 
fare of  the  city.  There  are  exit  facilities 
on  the  side  street,  in  addition  to  exit  courts 
on  both  sides  of  the  building.  The  com- 
mercial portion  of  the  building  is  of  one 
story  at  present,  but  preparations  have  been 
made  for  a  six-story  hotel  building. 

Columbia  has  a  considerable  colored 
population,  and  a  separate  entrance  and 
stairway  for  these  patrons  is  provided  on 
the  side  street,  while  the  rear  section  of 
the  balcony,  as  well  as  separate  retiring 
rooms,   are   arranged   for   them. 

The  dressing  rooms,  are  provided  for  in 
a  unit  separated  from  the  stage  by  a  wall, 
which  allows  outside  ventilation  and  light 


for  all  rooms,  in  accordance  with  the  ordi- 
nances. The  stage  is  of  sufficient  size  for 
any  used  attraction  and  will  be  fully 
equipped  with  counter-weight  rigging  and 
modern   electrical   devices. 

A  large  mezzanine  opens  into  the  main 
foyer,  having  the  effect  of  giving  the  foyer 
a  lofty  height.  The  retiring  rooms  are 
in  the  mezzanine. 

A  modern  ventilating  system  will  be  in- 
stalled, with  provisions  for  a  refrigeration 
system,  when   it  is   desired. 

The  opening  is  scheduled  for  about 
September  15. 

[Additional   Pictures  on  following  pases] 


^.' 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


,1  Of  5t  AqL 


The  New 
Missouri 

at 
Columbia 


Left:  The  mezzanine  and  sec- 
ond floor  {>lan  as  designed  hy 
Boiler  Brothers.  Mote  the  s^ace 
which  at  a  future  date  will  he 
devoted  to  a  hotel. 


Left:  The  balcony  and  third 
floor  {>lan,  which  again  indicates 
the  s^ace  which  was  wisely  de- 
signed for  use  as  a  hotel. 


On  Opposite  Page 

Sectional  and  perspective  sketch- 
es of  the  new  T^issouri  theatre. 


I  August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


.,.:,.-JU)       ■ 

,,:     I    ii 


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ix 


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10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


An  exatnjile  of  the 
decorative  ivork  done 
economicaUy  by  the 
Lasher  wi'^e-out  sys- 
tem. The  method  of 
'fainting  such  designs 
has  heen  described  in 
•previous  articles  by 
l^r.  Lasher, 


August  4,  1928 

Your  Decorative 
Scheme 

Hawley  M.  Lasher  has,  in  the  last  three 
issues  of  Better  Theatres,  instructed  you 
on  the  use  of  paints  and  stencils  in  in- 
terior decoration.  It  might  be  well  to 
reflect  on  what  he  has  said  previously, 
and  therefore  you  are  urged  to  turn  back 
to  these  articles  i 

The  Wipe-Out  System  in 
Decoration 

Rapid,  Economic  and  Colorful 
Treatment  of  Foyer 

•         The  "Over-All"  Stencil  in 
Wall  Decoration 


■and  now  the  preparation  of  walls 
for  redecorating 

By  HAWLEY  M.  LASHER 

Instructor  in  interior  decorating,  Illinois  College  of  Painting  and  Decorating 


IN  my  previous  articles  offering  sugges- 
tion on  wall  decorations  and  other  phases 
of  interior  decorating  as  applied  to  the 
theatre,  I  have  taken  up  the  preparation  and 
application  of  materials  to  be  used  in  the 
creation  and  completion  of  the  decoration,  as 
submitted  in  reproductions  of  examples  I  pre- 
pared. I  believe  it  will  not  now  be  amiss  to 
deal  with  the  preparation  of  the  walls,  wood- 
work, etc.,  for  as  is  frequently  the  case,  espe- 
cially in  the  painting  and  redecoration  of 
older  walls  and  wood  work,  a  great  and  un- 
necessary amount  of  time  is  spent  by  the 
decorator  because  of  his  lack  of  knowledge  on 
the  treatment  and  corrective  applications  for 
stains,  lime  spots,  water  erosive,  aniline,  salt- 
peter, tar,  grease,  etc. 

Various  methods  and  formulas  have  been 
in  use  for  ages,  with  varying  success.  I  have 
heard  discussed  and  argued  the  merits  of  cer- 
tain counteractents,  some  practical,  many  use- 
less, expensive  and  time-wasting.  Always  on 
the  alert  for  profitable  knowledge  on  the 
treatment  of  the  foundations  to  be  worked 
upon,  I  have  tested  and  tried  out  many  mix- 
tures, some,  I  must  say,  ridiculous  experi- 
ments, resulting  in  the  conclusion  that  many 
of  the  simpler  and  older  formulae  were  the 
more  reliable.  Consequently,  this  statement 
will  remove  any  idea  that  I  am  attempting  to 
assume  authority  or  take  upon  myself  the  role 
of  originator  of  the  following  suggestions. 

Assuming  we  have  a  new  wall  to  prepare 
for  painting,  with  the  usual  cracks,  pin  holes, 
wounds  and  some  uneven  surface  to  contend 
with — before  giving  the  priming  coat  ''for 
after  the  primer  is  on,  the  surface  should 
never  be  disturbed  or  worked  over  with  plas- 
ter, putty  or  other  fillers)  all  cracks,  holes, 
etc.,  should  be  cut  open  to  a  sufficient  depth 
to  allow  all  loose  plaster  to  be  removed,  leav- 
ing a  firm  edging  around  the  opening,  so  that 
the  repair  plaster  may  have  a  solid  foundation 


to  cling  to,  without  fear  of  Iposening  or  drop- 
ping out  Isecause  of  age,  vibration,  contrac- 
tion or  expansion. 

Too  frequently  the  decorator,  in  order  to 
save  time,  will  add  calcimine,  whiting,  vine- 
gar, glue  or  other  substance  to  the  plaster  of 
paris,  thus  permiting  a  large  mixture  to  be 
made  at  once  without  fear  of  its  setting  or 
hardening  within  a  certain  time,  the  time  of 
hardening  depending  entirely  upon  the  amount 
of  retarding  material  used  in  the  plaster.  This 
method  is  frequently  used  with  disastrous 
consequences,  for  it  not  only  weakens  the  ad- 
hesive properties  of  the  plaster,  but  stops  the 
plaster  in  its  intended  mission  of  sealing 
firmly  the  blemishes  and  wounds  of  the  wall. 
Therefore,  only  an  amount  of  plaster  just  suf- 


1,672,542.  FILM  CUTTING  AND  JOINING 
DEVICE.  Harold  Rohrdanz,  Inglewood,  Calif. 
Filed  Aug.  11,  1925.  Serial  No.  49,656.  2 
Claims.      (Cl.  154—42.) 


'/O  10 

1.  In  a  film  splicer,  a  hinged  leaf,  means 
whereby  a  film  section  may  be  clamped  by  said 
leaf  with  the  end  portion  thereof  projecting 
beyond  one  edge  of  the  leaf,  a  guide  bar 
mounted  for  turntable  and  longitudinal  move- 
ment on  said  leaf,  and  an  abrading  device 
carried  by  said  bar  adapted  to  be  positioned 
to  engage  the  surface  of  the  film  section  pro- 
jecting beyond  the  _  edge  of  the  leaf,  and  a 
spring  acting  on  said  abrading  device  to  nor- 
mally hold  it  both  longitudinally  and  laterally 
from  the  edge  and  end,  respectively  of  the 
clamped   film   section. 


ficient  should  be  mixed  in  clean  water,  so  that 
the  entire  mixture  may  be  used  before  it  loses 
its  strength  by  setting  or  becoming  hot 
through  the  action  of  the  lime. 

Plaster  that  has  once  reached  the  hot  or  set- 
ting stage,  should  never  be  worked  over  or 
used  for  filling  purposes.  It  should  be  thrown 
away,  for  it  would  prove  a  decided  detriment 
to  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  intended.  Quite 
frequently  one  sees  a  wall  newly  decorated  in 
which  the  repairs  on  the  plaster  show  up  very 
distinctly  through  the  paint  and  decoration, 
either  because  of  a  lack  of  knowledge  or  be- 
cause of  carelessness  on  the  decorator's  part. 
In  many  cases  I  have  seen  a  beautiful  wall 
decoration  robbed  of  its  just  value  and  en- 
titled recognition  as  a  work  of  art  through 
the  vividly  apparent  carelessness  of  the  deco- 
rator in  the  most  essential  part  of  the  work. 
There  would  be  crack  and  wounds  not  filled 
to  an  even  smoothness,  whelts  caused  by  the 
piling  of  the  plaster  on  absorbent  spots  or 
places  where  the  hard  surface  plaze  of  the 
plaster  had  been  scraped  down  to  remove  an 
uneven  or  bulging  defect,  and  with  the  repair 
material  applied  and  setting  almost  instantly, 
the  result  was  one  that  made  it  an  almost 
impossible  task  to  smoothen  the  surface 
evenly. 

To  overcome  such  a  condition  and  eliminate 
the  hot  or  absorbent  spots,  a  very  thin  coat  of 
white  shellac  may  be  applied  before  putting 
on  the  plaster.  This  allows  a  sufficient  amount 
of  time  to  attain  an  even,  smooth  and  proper 
surface,  which  means  so  much  to  the  value  of 
the  decoration.  A  slower  and  an  old  reliable 
mixture  is  Swedish  putty,  of  which  there  are 
different  formulae.  Swedish  putty,  when 
properly  prepared,  is  an  absolutely  reliable 
compound  for  the  smoothening  of  uneven  sur- 
faces. It  is  easily  applied,  adheres  tenaciously 
at  whatever  point  it  is  put  on,  and  when 
(Continued  on  page  27) 


Where  the  Small  City  Is  No  Deterrent 
to  the  Theatre  Beautiful 


n 


Town  of  7,000  population  in  the  Middle  West  boasts  of  Egyptian  palace  which 
ranks   with   the   finer   theatres   in   the   metropolitan   centers   of  the   country. 

By  J.  C.  JENKINS 


TO  the  man  who  argues  that  the  small  town,  or  small 
city  rather,  cannot  create  artistic  elegance  in  its  thea- 
tre and   place   it   on   a   par  with  the   houses   in   the 
metropolitan  centers,  Better  Theatres  in  this  issue  offers 

convincing  evidence  to  the  contrary.  

It  was  my  good  fortune,  in  my  travels  for  the 
Herald-World,  to  stop  over  in  Scottsbluff,  Neb., 
a  town  of  perhaps  7,000  population.  Maybe  you 
have  never  heard  of  this  enterprising  little  city, 
and  if  you  have  not  that  is  your  misfortune,  and 
I  promise  that  from  now  on  you  will  hear  of  it 
frequently. 

Scottsbluff  is  in  the  center  of  the  sugar  beet 
country  from  whence  comes  a  great  deal  of  the 
product  which  keeps  America's  sweet  tooth  satis- 
fied. It  is  a  productive  center,  and  this  fact  may 
account  for  a  clientele  which  can  make  possible 
such  a  theatre  as  the  new  Egyptian  in  a  com- 
munity of  only  7,000. 


The  Egyptian  was  built  by  W.  H.  Ostenburg,  who  be- 
lieves that  to  give  the  public  the  right  kind  of  entertain- 
ment in  the  right  kind  of  place  is  not  a  gamble. 

Mr.  Ostenburg's  motto,  which  you  will  read  upon  enter- 
ing the  theatre,  is :  "All  ye  who  enter  here  leave 
worldly  care  behind."  And  the  admonition  of  that 
motto  is  realized,  for  the  atmosphere  of  the  inte- 
rior makes  one  loath  to  leave.  It  encourages 
repeat  attendance  and  a  regular  clientele. 

Now  for  a  description  of  the  theatre  as  I  saw  it. 
It  seats  1,100  persons — 600  on  the  main  floor 
and  500  in  the  smoking  balcony.     In  the  layout 
of  the  theatre  there  is  the  unusual  feature  of  hav- 
ing the  projection  booth  on  the  lower  floor. 

After  passing  through  the  lobby  you  enter  a 
beautiful  and  spacious  promenade.  This  prome- 
nade, pictured  in  Figure  1,  has  been  decorated  in 
a  very  attractive  manner,  with  no  suggestion  of 
the  gaudy  in  either  decorative  scheme  or  archi- 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


\'\ 


*   _  ♦      ♦     *     ♦     i     4     *     ♦     *     i     4  /  |.;'    ♦ ' 


Figure  1 


Figure  2 


i«..  ._.-•-,>.,  ..<,' 


tectural  design.  In  here  you  will  find  the 
house  manager,  the  doorman  and  the 
usherettes. 

Let  me  take  you  now  into  the  audi- 
torium. Will  you  please  refer  to  the 
large  picture  on  the  preceding  page? 
This  picture  was  taken  from  the  smok- 
ing balcony  and  shows  the  artistic 
proscenium,  the  attractive  organ 
grilles,  the  lighting  fixtures  and  the 
Marr  &  Colton  organ. 

The  lighting  fixtures  are  designed 
like  the  old  Egyptian  boats.  Each 
weighs  250  pounds  and  may  be  re- 
moved at  any  time  to  permit  the  use 
of  a  sky  effect  machine. 

In  Figure  4,  you  will  find  a  closeup 
of  the  proscenium,  which  was  taken 
from  in  front  of  the  booth.  Showing 
prominently  in  this  picture  are  the  sun 
rays  above  the  Egyptian  scarab. 

Figure  3,  is  the  mezzanine  lounge,  a 
room  of  which  Mr.  Ostenburg  is  very 
proud.  Hanging  in  this  lounge  are 
beautiful  Egyptian  trapestries  and  dra- 
peries, all  of  which  were  designed 
especially  for  this  theatre.  More  than 
800  yards  of  especially  designed  car- 
pet covers  the  floors  of  the  lounge, 
foyer  and  aisles. 

From  the  mezzanine  lounge  you 
enter  the  smoking  balcony,  the  baby's 
cry  room  and  the  children's  play  room. 
Also  from  this  floor  are  entrances  to 
the  men's  lounging  room  and  the 
ladies'  rest  room. 

The  exterior  is  shown  in  Figure  2. 
It  is  attractive  and  it  invites  the  passer- 
by to  enter. 

The  lighting  effects  are  one  of  the 
features  of  the  Egyptian.  There  are 
2,080  outlets  in  the  theatre  proper.  To 
accomplish  this  it  required  86,000  feet 
of  wiring,  and  with  this  wiring  and  the 
outlets  seven  complete  changes  of 
lighting  effects  may  be  obtained 
through  the  use  of  the  modern  dimmer 
system.  Throughout  the  entire  theatre 
there  is  not  a  white  light. 

The  equipment  in  the  theatre  was 
installed  by  the  National  Theatre  Sup- 
ply Company's  Denver  branch. 

So  that  is  the  modern  theatre  in  the 
small  town  today. 

It  seems  to  me  that  Mr.  Ostenburg 
has,  in  this  beautiful  house  of  his, 
made  provision  for  every  comfort  of 
every  patron,  be  that  patron  a  child, 
a  baby,  a  mother  or,  what  I  might  be 
tempted  to  say,  "the  one  in  the  ball 
and  chains." 

Yet  this  theatre  does  not  end  in  com- 
fort. Comfort  is  its  beginning,  and 
beauty,  charm,  intrigue  of  eye-interest 
and  a  spirit  of  the  out-of-the-ordinary 
the  end.  Imagine  my  feeling  of  sur- 
prise and  delight  upon  entering  this 
theatre.  Expecting  an  ordinary  house, 
as  one  too  often  finds  in  small  towns,  I 
stepped  into  a  place  of  enchantment 
where  soft  lights  of  many  different 
hues  caught  my  eye  as  did  the  huge, 
massive  pillars,  so  typical  of  all  Egyp- 
tian architecture,  the  colorful  decora- 
tions    and     the     many     other    things 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


13 


which  please  the  eye  and  arouse  the 
imagination. 

Notice  the  curtain  as  shown  in  one 
of  the  pictures.  How  different  it  is 
from  curtains  we  see  in  so  many  small 
town  theatres.  This  curtain  further 
carries  out  the  Egyptian  architecture 
and  atmosphere  of  the  theatre.  The 
figures  on  the  curtain  are  true  to  the 
motif  and  practically  no  building  of 
ancient  Egypt  was  complete  without 
carved  figrures  on  its  walls.  In  too 
many  small  town  theatres  we  find  no 
curtain  at  all,  or  perhaps  an  advertis- 
ing curtain  painted  by  some  hobo  sign 
painter  whose  idea  of  art  is  a  street 
scene  where  true  perspective  has  no 
part,  or  a  lily  pond  with  a  couple  of 
long  necked  swans  floating  over  its 
surface. 

Seeing  theatres  and  exhibitors  is  my 
job,  and  I  have  seen  hundreds  of  thea- 
tres in  every  section  of  the  country.  I 
know  it  is  hard  for  a  small  town  ex- 
hibitor, often,  to  plan  and  build  a  beau- 
ful  and  up-to-date  theatre,  but  I  also 
know  that  it  is  possible  and  that  the 
increased  patronage  will  more  than 
pay  for  all  the  trouble  and  expense  of 
building  a  theatre  that  you  and  your 
patrons  may  well  be  proud  of. 

People  in  small  towns  are  proud  of 
their  home  towns  and  they  are  jealous 
of  surrounding  towns.  They  take  great 
pride  in  the  buildings  and  parks  of 
their  communities.  Stop  for  a  moment 
and  think  how  proud  the  people  of 
Scottsbluff  must  be  of  W.  H.  Osten- 
burg  and  his  beautiful  Egyptian.  It  is 
a  show  place.  People  bring  their 
friends  and  visitors  to  see  it.  They  are 
proud  of  it.  They  like  to  brag  of  the 
Egyptian. 

I  wonder  how  many  small  towns  are 
proud  of  their  theatres.  Is  your  thea- 
tre a  place  where  your  patrons  really 
enjoy  themselves?  Do  they  point  to  it 
with  pride,  or  do  they  ignore  it  when 
they  are  showing  strangers  the  beauty 
spots  of  your  town?  These  are  things 
to  think  about.  If  your  patrons  are 
ashamed  of  your  theatre  and  make  ex- 
cuses for  it  to  visitors,  you  had  better 
get  busy. 

I  have  seen  many  small  town  thea- 
tres where  a  great  deal  of  money  was 
spent  on  their  construction,  yet  they 
lacked  charm.  There  was  nothing  in- 
dividual about  them.  They  were  just 
the  usual  house  where  pictures  are 
shown.  With  the  same  amount  of 
money,  had  a  little  imagination  been 
used^  these  houses  could  have  been 
made  to  possess  individuality.  It. does 
not  necessarily  take  a  prohibitive 
amount  of  money  to  make  an  attractive 
theatre. 

If  you  are  about  to  build  a  new  thea- 
tre or  remodel  your  present  one,  spend 
a  great  deal  of  time  and  thought  on 
how  you  can  get  individuality  into 
your  theatre.  Remember,  simplicity 
is  often  a  road  to  individuality. 


Figure  3 


Figure  4 


14 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


SeH&ftmim 

Published  Every  Fourth  Week  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 
Publication  ofiSce:     407  So.  Dearborn  St,  CHICAGO,  U.   S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Assi.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,   1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All    editorial    and    business    correspondence 
should   be   addressed   to   the   Chicago    office 

Other  publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing motion  picture  trade  publication  in  addition  to  Better  Theatres,  published 
as  a  supplement  to  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:  The 
Buyers  Index,   Semiannual. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  5         (Vol.  34,  No.  8)        August  4,  1928 


The  Modern  Theatre 


sound    like    a 


THAT — The  Modern  Theatre — may 
bromide  to  you.  But  is  it? 
After  you  have  perused  this  issue  of  Better  Thea- 
TKES,  after  you  have  digested  its  contents,  we  are  of  the 
opinion  that  your  viewpoint  will  change  slightly — or  even 
radically. 

Let  us  consider  some  of  the  theatres  presented  graph- 
ically in  this  issue : 

First,  we  have  the  Egyptian  theatre,  a  new  house  in 
Scottsbluff,  Neb.  You  never  heard  of  the  town?  Ap- 
parently you  have  been  missing  something,  for  this  enter- 
prising small  city  can  boast  of  one  of  the  finest  theatres 
in  the  country. 

The  new  Egyptian  is  built  in  a  town  of  7,000  population, 
and  seats  1,100  persons.  That  is  "The  Modern  Theatre" 
of  the  modem  town,  and  it  evidences  the  great  advance 
which  has  been  made,  not  only  in  pictures  themselves,  but 
in  the  home  of  pictures. 

Modern — yes,  the  new  Forum  theatre  in  Philadelphia 
is  another  example  of  "The  Modern  Theatre." 

This  house  is  in  French  modernistic,  a  motif  which  lends 
itself  admirably  to  theatre  construction  and  decoration. 
It  is  a  motif  which,  in  our  opinion,  will  find  recognition 
among  the  theatre  builders  of  America. 

The  motion  picture  itself  is  a  leader  in  a  new  art  and 
business,  and  therefore,  it  is  only  reasonably  to  be  expected 
that  it  would  lead  in  other  undertakings. 

The  modernistic  lends  a  new  tone  and  atmosphere  to 
the  theatre,  and  those  who  have  experimented  with  it 
have  been  enthusiastic  and  are  desirous  of  encouraging 
others. 

Again,  there  is  the  new  theatre  at  Columbia,  Mo.,  being 
erected  from  plans  by  Boiler  Brothers.  In  this  issue  the 
architects  offer  for  your  consideration  and  study  the  floor 
plans  and  sectional  draft  of  this  new  house  of  1,500  seats, 
which  will  operate  in  a  university  city. 

A  problem  in  the  building  of  a  modern  theatre  is  the 
house  erected  in  Ohio  by  Smoot.     Here,  again,  the  archi- 


tect was  confronted  by  an  unusual  problem,   and  for  his 
solution  you  will  find  the  plans  in  this  issue. 

No,  the  term  "Modern  Theatre"  is  not  a  bromide.  Nor 
will  it  ever  be  so  long  as  the  theatre  man  and  the  archi- 
tect are  of  the  imaginative  type. 

«      *      * 

The  Architect  and  Insurance 

INSURANCE  in  any  field  is  a  subject  of  vital  interest. 
But  especially  is  this  true  of  the  theatre  field.  No 
explanation  of  this  statement  need  be  made  for  every- 
one realizes  that  in  places  where  the  public  congregates 
extra  precautions  must  be  taken. 

In  an  interesting  article  this  month.  Better  Theatres 
discusses  the  relationship  between  architect  and  insurance. 
It  is  an  interesting  subject,  this  subject  of  insurance,  and 
your  attention  is  called  to  the  significance  of  the  material 
presented  in  this  article. 

You  wouldn't  deliberately  throw  away  a  few  thousand 
dollars.  That  is  taken  for  granted.  You  want  returns  for 
your  money,  even  when  those  returns  are  of  the  heart  and 
when  no  monetary  returns  are  involved. 

Yet,  there  are  theatre  builders  today  who  are  throwing 
money  away  in  high  insurance  rates.  This  is  foolhardy, 
for  if  every  precaution  were  taken  in  the  building  of  a 
theatre  there  would  be  a  drastic  lowering  of  the  rate. 

If  you  are  planning  to  build  a  theatre,  give  this  matter 
sincere  consideration.  Insist  that  your  architect,  even  at 
a  slightly  increased  cost,  include  those  materials  which  are 
fire  resisting  and  which  are  required  by  the  Fire  Under- 
writers. 

You  all  know  the  adage,  "A  stitch  in  time,  etc." 
*     *     « 

The  Synchronized  Field 

WE  cannot  refrain  from  again  mentioning  the  fact 
that  in  Better  Theatres  F.  H.  Richardson  is  con- 
ducting a  "School  of  Synchronization  and  Ampli- 
fication." 

You  will  find  no  other  "school"  of  this  type  in  any  trade 
paper,  and  its  import  has  been  recognized  throughout  the 
trade.  Mr,  Richardson  has  been  "literally  swamped"  (in 
his  own  words)  with  correspondence  since  the  publication 
of  the  first  of  this  valuable  series. 

The  popularity  and  importance  of  the  sound  picture 
is  growing  and  growing  rapidly.  Today  you  may  feel  that 
this  instruction  is  of  no  importance  to  you,  but  if  you  are 
to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  you  must  know  the  significance 
of  synchronized  reproduction. 

Let  Mr.  Richardson,  in  each  issue,  give  you  the  funda- 
mentals of  this  great  invention. 


Better  Theatres  Welcomes 
These  New  Advertisers 

York  Safe  and  Lock  Company,  York,  Pa. 

Manufacturers   of    York   Burglary  Chest  for   the 
protection  of  cash  in  the  box  office. 

The  L.  J.  Gardiner  Company,  1201  West  Goodale  Building, 
Columbus,  O. 
Manufacturers  of  the  Gardiner  Velvet  Gold  Fibre 
Screen,  Gardiner  Reflector  Arc  Lamp,  Gardiner 
Motor  Generators,  Gardiner  Tungar  Rectifier, 
Gardiner  Rheostat,  Gardiner  Panel  Boards, 
Gardiner  Steel  Booth,  Gardiner  Fireproof  Power 
Rewind,  Gardiner  Steel  Rewind  Tables,  and 
Gardiner  Reel  Cabinets. 


August  4.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


15 


Modem 
Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres,  both 
large  and  small  throughout  the 
country  is  to  modernize.  Evidence 
of  this  encouraging  situation  is 
found  in  the  many  installations 
of  equipment  reported  by  leading 
manufacturers. 


Hoffman  and  Soons 

Rheostats 

Keith's  Memorial,  Boston,  Mass. 

Publix  Scollay  Square,  Boston,  Mass. 

Tudor  theatre.  New  Orleans,  La. 

Rialto  theatre,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Strand  theatre,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

New  theatre,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Keith's  Washington,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Branford  theatre,  Newark,  N.  Y. 

Des  Moines  theatre,  Des  Moines,  la. 

Lincoln  theatre,  Trenton,  N.  J. 

De  Witt  theatre,  Bayonne,  N.   T. 

Brooklyn  Strand  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Capitol  theatre,  Bloomsburg,  Pa. 

Carlton  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

U.  S.  Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

S.  S.  RepubHc,  U.  S.  S.  Lines. 

Colonial  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Loew's  Coney  Island  theatre,  Coney  Island, 
N.  Y. 

Loew's  Midland  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Loew's  State  theatre,  St.  Louis,  Mo._ 

Loew's  State  theatre,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Loew's  Palace  theatre,  IndianapoHs,  Ind. 

Loew's  State  theatre,  Richmond,  Va. 

Loew's     Publix     Stadium     theatre,     Woon- 
socket,  R.  I. 

Heywood- Wakefield  Company 
Seats 

Monte     Clair     Theatre     Corporation,     Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Granada  theatre,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Palace  theatre,  Kingston,  Jamaica,  N.  Y. 

Elmhurst  theatre,  Elmhurst,  N.  Y. 

Strand  theatre,  Everett,  Mass. 

Happy  Hour  theatre,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Bellard  theatre,  Bridgeburg,  Ont.,   Can. 

Blair  theatre,  Belleville,  Kan. 

Pekin  theatre,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Dreamland  theatre,  Harrington,  Kan. 

Schines  New  theatre,  Sandusky,  O. 

Rahway  theatre,  Rahway,  N.  J. 

New  Music  Box  theatre,  Seattle,  Wash. 

Civic  Auditorium,  Seattle,  Wash. 

Campanil  theatre,  Antioch,  Cal. 

Lakeside  Company 

Ventilating  Equi{>ment 

Armour  theatre,  North  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
American  theatre,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Mayfair  theatre,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Dixie  theatre,  Linneus,  Mo. 
Grand  theatre,  Paterson,  N.  J. 
Jefferson  theatre,  Springfield,  Mo. 
Anthony   Jim   Circuit,    1012  Keystone   Bank 
building,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Landers  theatre,  Springfield,  Mo. 
Legion  theatre,  Irene,  S.  D. 
Lyric  theatre,  Kenyon,  Minn. 
Marva  theatre,  Pocomoke,  Md. 
Miller  theatre,  Boonville,  Md. 
Opera  House  Company,  Snowhill,  Md. 
Plaza  theatre,  Brookfield,  Mo. 
Palace  theatre,  Winston-Salem,  N.  C. 
Princess  theatre.  Parkin,  Ark. 
Aliquippa  theatre,  Aliquippa,  Pa. 
Strand  theatre,   Oxford,  Kan. 
Trenton  theatre,  Lynchburg,  Va. 

Voigt  Company 
Lighting  Fixtures 

College  theatre,  Bethlehem,  Pa. 
Rialto  theatre,  Beaver  Falls,  Pa. 


KOHLER  Co. 

435  N.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Gentlemen:  After  four  years  our  Kohler 
Electric  Plant  is  still  giving  excellent  serv- 
ice. We  consider  it  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant factors  in  the  operation  of  our  theatre. 


RIDGE  THEATRE 

Park  Ridge,  Illinois 


June  25,  1928 


Besides  depending  upon  it  in  emergencies 
when  the  city  service  is  interrupted,  we  use 
it  for  four  or  five  hours  every  day  while  the 
auditorium  is  being  cleaned.  ^         ^ 

Very  truly  yours,     /f/M%y^ 


Ridge  Theatre^  Park  Ridge,  III..,  equipped  zcith  a  Kohler  Elcctr  ll  Plant  Jor  emergency  lighting 

This  theatre 
can't  "^o  dark" 


booth,  exits,  and  for  other  purposes. 
Kohler    Electric    Plants    are    ap- 
proved as  "standard"  by  the  National 
Board  of  Fire  Underwriters.  They 
are  safe,   clean,  quiet,  economical. 
They  are  powered  by  smooth-run- 
ning  4-cylinder    engines;    generate 
110- volt  direct  current; 
and  have  no  large  bat- 
teries— only  a  small 
starting  battery. 

These  dependable 
plants  are  not  expensive. 
There  are  models  to  suit 
the  needs  of  large  or 
small  theatres,  including 
rural  theatres  where  no 
other  current  is  available. 
Mail  the  coupon  below 
"the  lobby,  aisles,  ticket   MadeaisoiniVa,  2,  and  iok.w. capacities   for  detailed  information. 

Kohler  Co.,  Founded  1873,  Kohler,  Wis.  Shipping  Point,  Sheboygan,  Wis. 

BRANCHES  IN  PRINCIPAL  CITIES 

KOHLER  OF  KOHLER 

Electric  Plants 

Automatic  — 110  Volt  D.  G.— No  Storage  Batteries 

Kohler  Co.,  Kohler,  Wis.— Please  send  me  information  about  the  Kohler  Electric  Plant. 


The  city  of  Park  Ridge,  Illinois, 
could  be  thrown  into  pitch  darkness 
by  a  storm  or  an  accident  at  the 
power  station.  But  the  Ridge  The- 
atre would  still  have  light.  The  ticket 
booth  would  be  taking  in  the  money. 
The  picture  would  be  flashing  on  the 
silver  screen. 

The  Kohler  Electric 
Plant  will  give  you  the 
same  insurance  against 
loss  of  revenue  and  dan- 
ger of  panic  from  stop- 
page oryour  regular  cur- 
rent supply.  //  will  ''cut 
in"  automatically  the 
moment  the  city  current 
fails,  and  supply  ample 
current  for  your  pro- 
jector and  for  lighting 


KOHLER  ELECTRIC  PLANT 


ModelSAl—S  K.   W.;  110  Volt  D.  C. 


Name Street.. 


City,  State Use  in  which  interested.. 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


The 


Working 
portion  of 
Gardiner  Lamp 


Gardiner  Complete  Line  Includes 

The  New  High  Efficiency 

Reflector 
Arc  Lamp 

We  will  place  the  Gardiner  Reflector  Arc 
Lamp  against  any  in  the  field  and  feel 
sure  of  high  vote.  It  combines  all  the 
latest  projection  ideas  and  inventions 
and  the  biggest  lamp  innovations.  In  the 
Gardiner  Lamp  you  will  see  the  newest 
expression  of  the  Gardiner  Policy — the 
finest  at  the  lowest  price.  Gardiner  now 
has  a  complete  line  of  Projection  Equip- 
ment, each  item  of  tested  value,  of  known 
quality. 

Send  for  descriptive  literature  and 

prices.    Get  the   Gardiner  Direct- 

to-you  proposition. 

THE  L.  J.  GARDINER  CO. 

1021  West  Goodale  Blvd. 
Columbus  Ohio 


Side  view  of 
Gardiner  Lamp 


Other  Products 


Gardiner  Velvet  Gold 
Fibre  Screen 

Gardiner  Power  Re- 
winds, Fireproof 

Gardiner  Rheostats 

Gardiner  Steel  Booth 

Tungar  Rectifier 


Gardiner  Panel  Board 

Gardiner  Reel  Cabinets 

Gardiner  Steel  Rewind 
Tables 

Gardiner  Motor  Gen- 
erator 


=Thei 


Low  Prices  —  Known  Quality 


L.  ]♦  Gardiner  Line 


Your  Fall  and  Winter 
TICKET    Requirements 

Let  us  take  care  of  them  now,  and  save  your- 
self both  worry  and  money 

Roll   Tickets 
Machine  Tickets 
Reserved  Seat  Tickets 
Coupon  Books 

■ — and    all   your   other   box    office   equipment    and 
supplies. 

As   one   of   America's    largest   ticket  manufac- 
turers we  can  give  you  a  service  that  will  make 
you  a  forever  friend  and  booster.   We  count  the   biggest   of   'em   among  our  regular   customers,   as 
well    as    several    thousand    smaller    houses    and  chains. 

Send    samples    for   quotations. 

Ask  for  the  boaklet  illustrated  above.     It  is  free. 

The  Arcus  Ticket  Co.,  346  N.  Ashland  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Mention  Exhibitors  Herald 


mmwBooM 


"gMrcus  Ticket  Co. 

348  N.  Ashland  Ave  Chkago.111. 


August  4,  1928 

I 

Sedgwick  theatre,  Mt.  Airy,  Pa.  i 

Mainker's  New  Capitol  theatre,  AUentown,        ' 

Pa. 

(EDITOR'S  NOTE:  This  new  style  of  modern  art 
decoration,  according  to  Voigt,  is  taking  "a  very 
strong  hold  in  this  section  of  the  country."  "In  addi- 
tion to  the  several  theatre  jobs  for  which  we  are  now 
making  modern  art  fixtures,"  the  company  reports, 
"there  are  quite  a  few  jobs  in  prospect  on  which  we 
have  submitted  bids.  Architects  here  are  strong  for 
this  new  style.  The  Voigt  Company  renders  a  com- 
plete service  to  architects  as  well  as  builders  and 
owners  of  new  theatres,  and  old  ones  to  be  improved. 
Suggestions  and  recommendations  isnll  be  submitted 
by  their  designing  staff  upon  receipt  of  blueprint 
plans  and  specifications,  or  a  list  of  the  conditions 
submitted  on  the  form  prepared  for  this  purpose  for 
any   style  of  theatre.") 

The  Page  Organ  Company 
Organs 

Santa  Catalina  Island  Company,  Santa  Cata- 
lina,  Cal. 

Park  theatre,  Tampa,  Fla.  Two  console 
organ. 

Wilier  &  Boshoven,  New  theatre,  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich. 

Young  Amusement  Company,  New  theatre, 
Anderson,  Ind. 

Young  Amusement  Company,  Indiana 
theatre,  Kokomo,  Ind. 

Young  Amusement  Company,  Palace  theatre, 
Marion,  O. 

Opera  House,  Girardville,  Pa. 

Roxy  theatre,  Fay  Amusement  Company, 
Glassboro,  N.  J. 

Wesley  A.  M.  E.  Church,  Akron,  O. 

Humboldt  Square  church,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  Chicago,  111. 

Crystal  theatre  Ligonier,  Ind. 

John  Wesley  A.  M.  E.  church,  Pittsburgh, 
Pa. 

Nichol  &  May,  New  theatre,  Dayton,  O. 

Macedonia  Baptist  church,  Detroit,  Mich. 

John  Gregory,  Springfield,  O. 

Margaret  Vanden  Berg,  Grand  Haven. 
Mich. 

C.  W.  Young,  Bowling  Green,  O.  ) 

R.  Mainker,  Allentown,  Pa. 

Bronx  theatre,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

George  Kilgen  and  Son,  Inc. 

Organs 

Avon  theatre,  Birmingham,  Ala. 
Chase  Street  theatre,  Kane,  Pa. 
Capitol  theatre,  Rockford,   111. 
Towson  theatre,  Towson,  Md. 
Alpha  theatre,   Catonsville,  Md. 
Grenada  theatre,  Racine,  Wis. 
Embassy  theatre,  Walthom,  Mass. 
Leola  theatre,   Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Strand  theatre,  Scottdale,  Pa. 
Palace  theatre,  Stamford,  Conn. 
Bandbox  theatre,  Bronx,  N.  Y. 
Arcade  theatre,   Baltimore,   Md. 
Graham  theatre,   Brooklyn,  N.  Y.    (Gerritt- 
sen  Beach,  L.  I.) 

Strand  theatre,  Hacketstown,  N.  J. 
Wade  theatre,  Morehead  City,  N.  C. 
Westwood  theatre,  Westwood,  N.  J. 
Oakland  theatre,  Marion,  O. 
Grand  theatre,  Madison,  Ind. 
Forum  theatre,   Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Crown  theatre,  Lowell,  Mass. 

National  Theatres  Supply  Company 

Orchestra^hone 

Dreamland  theatre,  Rockford,  111. 

Star  theatre,  Peter  Casenelli,  Bulan,  Ky. 

Dorothy  theatre,  William  Coffelt,  Dorothy, 
W.  Va. 

Strand  theatre,  A.  N.  Robertson,  Mendota, 
111. 

Park  theatre,  American  Motion  Picture 
Company,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Garden  theatre,  Portsmouth,  O. 

Empire  theatre,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Capitol  theatre,  Logan,  W.  Va. 

Hiawatha  theatre,  A.  J.  Hamilton,  Denver, 
Colo. 

Grand  theatre,  G.  Blakeslee,  Lander,  Wyo. 

Mary  Lou  theatre,  G.  H.  Hayob,  Marshall, 
Mo. 

Nile  theatre,  J.  W.  Dodge,  New  Ulm,  Minn. 

Victory  theatre,  A.  F.  Sams,  Jr.,  Salisburg, 
N.  C. 

{Continued   on   page   39) 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


17 


BETTER    PC€JECTI€N 


MM«i«i«M«Mi 


•WiaMH 


••^•••MNPa'^Mi 


The  Vacuum  Tube  Rectifier 
In  Sound  Pictures 

JTT  This  is  Mr.  Richardson's  second  "class"  on  the  synchro  nized  film,  a  course  for  the  projectionist  and  the  exhihi- 
jJ   tor  which  was  started  in  the  last  issue  of  Better  Thea  tres.     The  immediate  response  to  Mr.  Richardson's  in- 
struction in  this  important  phase  of  motion  picture  projection  is  indicative  of  the  value  of  this  school.   It  will  be 
continued  indefinitely  as  a  part  of  the  Herald-World's  complete  coverage  of  the  field  of  synchronization. 

By  F.  H.  RICHARDSON 


HERE,  men,  is  the  second  of  the  series 
of  articles,  the  first  of  which,  dealing 
with  amplification,  seems  to  have 
been  enormously  popular.  At  least  I  have 
been  nearly  swamped  with  letters  of  ap- 
proval.     In    fact    the    postmaster    of    this 


as  an  amplifier.  In  this  article  I  shall  show 
you  how  they  may  be  made  to  work  or 
function  as  a  rectifier,  transforming  A.  C. 
into  pretty  nearly  true  direct  current 
(D.  C).  Rectifiers  are  of  interest  in  con- 
nection    with     Movietone     and     Vitaphone 


times  per  second.  That  is  to  say,  for 
l/120th  of  a  second  the  current  flows  one 
way  and  during  the  succeeding  l/120th  of  a 
second  it  flows  in  the  opposite  direction, 
then  the  next  l/120th  the  first  way  again 
and  so  on. 


DtfiECT      CiJ>?ff£NT 


FULL   WAve 


^ittSKCO^ 


HAL'  VV/Vf 


?     I 


ALTERNArif^S   CURRENT 


FLOW    OF  CUffftEATT 


'■"V  P£CTIFJ£0     A.  C- 

(half  iV^ye) 

FLOiV  OF  Ct/VfS'vr 


ffSCnriED      A.  C. 
(full   WAi/e) 


\f-low  of ct/f>«sn/T 


Types    OF  cuRP£:/\/T 


rSL£T:T/?0/^S     £MITT£D    BY  HOT  FILAM£/vr 
FLOLV     TV  (^/?/o   -fl-WP   F'L'^T£'    w/fC/V   rH£S£ 
Aiffe  f^OS'r/\^£' 


a^rra'^y- 


?|iH 


TO  COAL? 

■    + 


TO   110  K 

60  cycLf 

1.  C.  SUPPLY 


ELEMENTARV  [/ACUUM  rUBE  /fecr/F/EJ? 


small  office  (South  Lyme,  Conn.)  advised 
me  to  rent  a  postoffice,  instead  of  a  mere 
box. 

This  article  will  tell  you  how  a  vacuum 
tube  acts  as  a  rectifier.  As  I  first  advised 
you  I  propose  to  give  you  a  real  under- 
standing of  just  how  the  various  elements 
of  Movietone-Vitaphone  equipment  work. 
When  that  has  been  done  it  will  be  time  to 
link  up  their  action  and  tell  you  how  the 
wheels  work  when  their  "cogs"  are  meshed 
together.  I  think  you  will  find  this  article 
instructive  and  thoroughly  understandable. 
I  hope  so  anyhow.    Let's  go! 

The  last  article  explained  the  action  of 
the  vacuum  tube  when  it  functions  or  works 


equipment  primarily  because  of  the  fact 
that  in  some  types  of  amplifiers  used  in  this 
equipment  they  supplant  or  take  the  place 
of  the  "B"   (plate)  battery. 

In  the  previous  article  it  was  shown  how 
an  electric  current  can  be  thought  of  as  a 
stream  of  electrons  or  particles  of  negative 
electricity  flowing  along  a  wire,  or  around 
a  circuit.  Now  in  D.  C.  this  stream  travels 
or  moves  along  steadily,  always  in  the  same 
direction.  With  A.  C,  however,  the  elec- 
trons chase  back  and  forth  along  the  wire 
or  around  the  circuit  in  opposite  directions 
alternately.  The  majority  of  commercial 
power  and  lighting  systems  operate  on  A. 
C,    which    reverses,    as    just    described,    60 


Figure  1 

The  current  that  flows  during  one  of 
these  l/120th  of  a  second  periods  is  called 
a  half-wave;  the  current  during  two  suc- 
ceeding l/120th  of  a  second  period — that  is 
to  say  during  l/60th  of  a  second — consti- 
tutes a  full  wave. 

Of  course  most  of  you  understand  all 
this,  but  we  must  remember  that  some  do 
not,  and  a  clear  understanding  of  these  dis- 
tinctions is  important  ;f  one  is  to  grasp  and 
understand  what  follows.  A  full  wave  or 
two  full  l/120th  second  alternations  is 
called  a  "cycle"  because  of  the  fact  that 
during  that  period  (l/60th  of  a  second) 
the  current  has  gone  once  each  way  and  is 


Corres-^ondence  for  F.  H.  Richardson,   editor  of  this  dejiart- 
ment,  should  he  addressed  to  South  Lyme,  Conn.,  Box  100. 


18 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


back  to  where  it  started,  hence  has 
completed  one  full  cycle  of  action. 
Hence  the  term  often  heard  and  seen 
in  print :  "60  cycle  current"  or  a  "fre- 
quency of  60  cycles,"  or  "60  cycle 
frequency,"  each  of  which  expres- 
sions means  precisely  the  same  thing. 

We  have  already  seen  that  in  a 
vacuum  tube  the  electrons  all  flow 
from  the  hot  filament  to  the  relatively 
cold  plate,  the  electrons  being  nega- 
tive and  the  plate  positive — none 
flowing  in  the  opposite  direction.  As 
these  electrons  are  what  constitutes 
the  electric  current,  are  always  nega- 
tive and  are  emitted  only  from  the 
hot  filament,  it  follows  that  the  cur- 
rent can  only  flow  through  a  tube  in 
one  way,  namely  from  filament  to 
plate,  and  that  is  the  key  to  the  action 
of  the  vacuum  tube  rectifier  action. 
Figure  2 

In  figure  2  we  see  a  vacuum  tube 
with  a  battery  to  heat  the  filament ; 
one  lead  from  a  110  volt  60  cycle 
A.  C.  supply  is  connected  to  the  fila- 
ment; the  other  through  the  load  to 
the  plate.  Each  lead  will,  of  course, 
be  alternately  positive  and  negative 
as  the  current  reverses. 

A  tube  does  not  need  a  grid  in 
order  to  act  as  a  rectifier,  but  if  it 
happens  to  contain  one,  the  grid  can 
be  turned  to  good  account  by  con- 
necting it  to  the  plate,  as  shown,  thus 
adding  somewhat  to  the  effective  area 
of  the  latter.  If  the  tube  contains  a 
grid  this  connection  eliminates  danger 
that  the  grid  might  accumulate  a 
charge  on  its  own  account,  which 
would  interfere  with  the  stream  of 
electrons  passing  from  the  filament  to  the 
plate.  Now,  bearing  in  mind  what  has  been 
explained  before,  we  can  see  that  during  a 
half-wave  when  the  line  terminal  connected 
to  the  plate  is  positive,  current  will  pass  from 
filament  to  plate  just  as  it  does  in  an  amplify- 
ing tube,  by  virtue  of  the  stream  of  electrons 
attracted  to  the  latter.  But  during  the  next 
half-wave  the  plate  will  be  negative;  the 
electrons  also  being  negative,  will  be  re- 
pelled by  it  and  no  current  can  flow;  the 
negative  plate  blocks  the  path. 

While  this  simple  arrangement  illustrates 
the  principle  of  vacuum  tube  rectification, 
it  would  not  be  of  much  value  as  an  am- 
plifier "B"  battery  eliminator  for  the  fol- 
lowing reasons: 

1.  It  uses  a  battery  to  light  the  Ma- 
in ent. 

2.  The  TeciSed  current  is  at  the 
same  voltage  as  the  supply 
(usually  110  volts)  but  in  ampli- 
£er  operation  higher  plate  volt- 
ages are  generally  desirable. 

3.  Only  alternate  half-wave  is  rec- 
tified, and  this  means  that  the 
recti£ed  current  is  not  coming 
through  steadily,  but  in  chunks, 
with  gaps  between  left  by  the 
half-waves  that  didn't  get  through 
the  rectifier;  this  makes  only  half 
the  power  available,  too. 

Figure  3  shows  the  arrangement  used  to 
avoid  these  drawbacks.  At  the  left  side  of 
the  diagram  are  leads  connecting  to  the  110 
volt  A.  C.  supply.  This  current  does  not 
go  direct  to  the  rectifier  tubes,  but  to  the 
two  transformers,  Tl  and  T2  (transform- 
ers are  used  to  change  the  voltage  of  A.  C. 
power;  as  shown  in  the  diagrams  they  have 
two  windings,  the  primary  winding,  con- 
nected to  the  supply  leads,  and  the  second- 
ary, connected  to  the  circuit  using  the 
power).  Tl  delivers  a  low  voltage  for 
lighting  the  filaments  of  the  vacuum  tubes 
VI  and  V2,  thus  eliminating  the  need  for 
a  battery.  T2  delivers  a  high  voltage  to 
the  plates  and  grids  of  the  tubes,  which 
overcomes  the  second  difficulty  mentioned. 
From  the  middle  of  the  secondary  windings 
of  Tl  and  T2  a  pair  of  wires  carries  the  rec- 


•Cff^re/?    Ty^p 


ri/LL     WAVE     VACUUM   TUBE  f?£CT/n£P 


tified  current  via  the  filter  to  the  load,  con- 
sisting of  the  amplifier  plate  circuit. 

To  explain  the  action  of  this  arrange- 
ment, notice  that  the  plates  of  VI  and  V2 
are  connected  to  opposite  ends  of  the  sec- 
ondary winding  of  T2.  If  there  is  a  voltage 
across  this  winding,  the  two  plates  will 
therefore  be  opposite  in  polarity.  Now 
imagine  an  instant  when  the  A.  C.  voltage 
in  the  secondary  winding  of  T2  is  making 
the  plate  of,  say,  VI  positive.  Then  starting 
from  the  filament  of  VI,  current  will  flow 
to  the  plate  and  grid,  then  to  the  lower  end 
of  the  secondary  winding  of  T2,  out 
through  the  center  tap  to  the  filter  and  ex- 
ternal circuit,  back  to  the  center  tap  on  the 
secondary  of  Tl,  and  through  the  two 
halves  of  the  secondary  winding  back  to 
the  filament  of  VI.  Of  course,  no  current 
will  flow  through  V2.  This  state  of  affairs 
will  continue  until  the  end  of  that  half 
wave;  then  on  the  next  half  wave,  things 
will  be  reversed.  Whereas  the  lower  end 
of  the  secondary  winding  was  positive  pre- 
viously,  now   the   end   that    is   positive   will 


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be  the  upper  end,  connected  to  V2, 
and  current  will  pass  through  this 
tube  and  nothing  through  VI.  But 
just  the  same,  the  current  from  the 
plate  of  V2  will  go  out  through  the 
center  tap  of  T2,  as  it  did  before; 
and  we  see  that  our  rectifier  is  now 
using  both  halves  of  the  A.  C.  wave. 
We  must  be  careful  to  point  out 
that  the  process  just  described  does 
not  produce  true  D.  C,  but  a  hybrid 
current,  called  "rectified  A.  C."  (Fig- 
ure 1),  which  resembles  D.  C.  in  that 
it  always  flows  in  one  direction,  but 
differs  from  D.  C.  in  that  it  is  not 
steady.  Every  half  cycle  it  drops  to 
zero,  then  shoots  up  to  a  maximum, 
drops  to  zero  again  and  so  on.  In 
other  words,  it  is  a  pulsating  current. 
The  reason  for  this  is  that,  as  shown 
in  the  diagram,  Fig.  1,  the  A.  C.  does 
not  suddenly  change  its  direction  at 
the  end  of  each  wave,  but  drops  down 
gradually  to  zero  and  then  increases 
again  in  the  opposite  direction  to  the 
maximum  for  the  next  half  wave, 
just  as  when  you  are  driving  your 
car  forwards  you  cannot  start  to  go 
backwards  in  an  instant ;  you  must 
slow  down,  stop,  and  then  build  up 
reverse  speed.  For  the  same  pur- 
pose, such  as  charging  batteries, 
there  is  no  objection  to  rectified  A. 
C  with  its  ups  and  downs — it  may 
even  be  sufficient  to  use  half  wave 
rectification,  thereby  eliminating  the 
second  tube.  However,  for  amplifier 
plate  supply  we  must  have  true  D.  C, 
even  more  free  from  irregularities 
than  the  current  obtained  from  the 
mains  in  most  D.  C.  Districts.  Other- 
wise, the  output  of  the  amplifier  would  be 
rendered  useless  by  reason  of  the  loud  hum 
accompanying  it. 

To  obtain  from  our  tubes  the  kind  of 
current  we  want  for  amplifier  work,  one 
further  step  is  necessary.  The  rectified  A. 
C.  must  be  made  smooth  and  steady  by 
passing  it  through  the  filter  previously 
mentioned,  which  is  a  combination  of 
choke  coils  and  condensers  that  may  be 
described  as  an  electrical  shock  absorber. 
In  your  car  the  road  bumps  are  prevented 
from  reaching  you  by  the  elasticity  of  the 
tires,  springs  and  cushions,  combined  with 
the  weight  of  the  car  itself.  In  exactly  the 
same  way,  condensers,  acting  as  electrical 
springs,  and  choke  coils,  acting  as  electrical 
inertia,  remove  the  irregularities  from  rec- 
tified A.  C.  and  make  it  into  true  D.  C,  any 
small  ripples  that  may  remain  being  either 
so  weak,  or  else  so  low  or  so  high  in  fre- 
quency, that  they  are  inaudible  in  the  am- 
plifier output. 


The 
Magnascope 


A  projectionist  in  Alissouri,  who  is  too  bash- 
ful to  permit  his  name  to  be  used,  has  this  to 
say — and  says  it : 

"Would  you  advise  me  as  to  whether  or  no  the 
screen  image  can  be  enlarged  by  adding  an  extra 
attachment  to  the  projection  lens  in  use  in  ordinary 
projection,  and  without  changing  the  already  existing 
focus.    If  so  how? 

"Several  theatres  in  a  nearby  city  are  running 
their  short  subjects  on  a  screen  full  stage  size,  then 
reducing  the  feature  to  the  normal  size  screen.  I  am 
told  this  is  done  without  changing  the  projection 
lens  itself,  simply  by  the  addition  of  an  attachment. 

"I  am  working  in  a  small  town  theatre  and  under 
very  adverse  conditions  as  to  projection  equipment. 
Am  not  bragging,  but  have  been  on  the  job  for  seven 
years  and  have  had  several  substantial  increases  in 
the  li'l   ole  pay  envelope." 

If  your  employer  is  fair  enough  to  you  to 
thus  appreciate  and  encourage  good  work  in  a 
substantial  way,  it  would  seem  that  he  would 
be  fair  enough  to  himself  to  have  nothing  but 
the  very  best  projection  equipment,  kept  in 
the  pink  of  condition — which  I  take  it  from 
your  remark  about  adverse  conditions  is  not 
the  case.  He  loses  himself  money  in  needless 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


"overhead"  and  at  the  box  office  when  he  does 
otherwise. 

As  to  the  magnification  stunt,  I  never  heard 
of  it  being  done  in  any  such  way,  nor  do  I 
beheve  it  possible  to  do  it.  If  you  go  to  the 
projection  room  of  those  theatres  I  think  you 
will  discover  that  they  have  a  three  projector 
installation,  and  that  one  projector  is  fitted 
with  a  special  short  focal  length  lens.  That 
is  the  way  it  usually  is  done,  though  it  is,  of 
course,  possible  to  change  lenses  on  one  pro- 
jector of  a  two-projector  installation. 

If  the  projectionists  of  any  famous  or  in- 
famous town,  city  or  village  has  found  an  at- 
tachment by  means  of  which  the  focal  length 
of  a  projection  lens  can  thus  be  changed  we 
would,  I  think,  all  be  delighted  to  know  just 
what  it  is  and  where  it  may  be  had.  However, 
it  is  a  case  of  SHOW  ME  with  this  editor. 


Ordering 
Rheostats 

The  Hertner  Electric  Company,  Cleveland, 
writes  us  as  follows  : 

"With  the  advent  of  the  reflector  type  high  in- 
tensity lamp,  and  the  various  other  lamps  now  used 
in  motion  picture  projection,  and  for  spot  lamps  re- 
quiring approximately  the  same  amperage,  when  or- 
dering rheostats  it  is  imperatively  important  that  you 
specify  not  only  the  generator  voltage  and  the  am- 
perage requirements  of  the  lamps,  but  also  either  the 
make  and  type  of  lamp  or  the  arc  voltage  of  the  lamp 
for  which  the   rheostat  is  required. 

"The  standard  high  intensity  lamp  which  uses  100 
to  125  amperes  seems  to  operate  best  at  60  to  68 
volts,  whereas  the  reflector  type  high  intensity  lamp 
made  by  the  McCuley  Manufacturing  Company  seems 
to  operate  best  at  from  48  to  50  volts.  We  have  no 
recommendation  from  the  Hall  &  Connolly  company 
relative   to   the   best  operating  voltage   of   their  lamps. 

"It  is  well  to  keep  in  mind  the  fact  that  in  order- 
ing rheostats  you  can  easily  give  too  little  informa- 
tion, but  you  cannot  possibly  do  any  harm  by 
giving  too  much.  NINETY  PER  CENT  OF  THE 
TROUBLE  WE  HAVE  HAD  WITH  RELATION 
TO  RHEOSTATS  HAVE  BEEN  DUE  TO  THE 
FACT  THAT  WE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  SUPPLIED 
WITH  EITHER  SUFFICIENT  OR  PROPER  IN- 
FORMATION WHEN  THE  RHEOSTATS  WERE 
ORDERED." 

To  which  the  editor  will  add  the  remark 
that  many  men,  without  any  intent  of  course, 
fail  almost  completely  in  giving  full  data  even 
when  ordering  equipment.  They  seem  not  to 
understand  that  a  man  or  a  company  a  thou- 
sand miles  away  cannot  possibly  know  what 
the  local  condition  is,  or  what  the  equipment 
is,  unless  they  are  told. 

Before  me  lies  this  letter  from  Alabama, 
omitting  everything  but  the  actual  text,  but 
quoting  it  every  bit,  it  reads :  "Dear  Mr. 
Richardson :  I  read  your  department  and  it 
helps  a  lot.  I  cannot  seem  to  get  an  even  light 
all  over  my  screen.  Can  you  tell  me  why? 
Thanking  you  in  advance  I  am." 

And  that  is  nothing  so  very  unusual.  I 
usually  receive  one  or  more  requests  for  help 
almost  as  totally  lacking  in  even  the  most 
common  details  every  day.  May  I  suggest  that 
neither  myself  nor  equipment  manufacturers 
are  mind  readers.  Sending  too  much  data 
does  no  harm  I  guess.  I  don't  know  though, 
for  I've  never  had  the  experience  of  receiving 
too  much  data  yet. 


Don't  Be  So 
Darned  Noisy 

Some  of  you  chaps — a  few  only,  thanks 
be — who  are  projecting  pictures  with  syn- 
chronized sound  seem  to  have  acquired  the 
mistaken  idea  that  because  oodles,  gobs  and 
lots  of  sound  is  available,  it  should  all  be 
used;  either  that  or  you  were  up  too  late  the 
night  before  and  want  a  Fourth  of  July  cele- 
bration to  keep  you  awake. 

Gentlemen,  that  is  of  course  a  bit  facetious 
(good  word  that),  but  in  all  seriousness  you 
should  be  very,  very  careful  in  handling  sound 
volume.  Yours  is  a  truly  responsible  position 
as  synchronized  sound  projectionist.  You  can 
place  before  audiences  truly  wonderful  enter- 
tainment, or  you  can  turn  the  whole  thing  into 
pretty  nearly  a  howling  farce — -and  make  your- 
self into  a  laughing  stock  in  so  doing. 

Some  synchronized  sound  projectionists  are 
committing  the   error  of   leaning  too   heavily 


OES-- 


"ksao 
I 


Kliegl  Spotlight  No.  1700 — an  exception- 
ally powerful,  long  distance,  spotlight, 
floodlight,  and  effect  projector;  com- 
pletely equipped  for  white  and  color 
lighting,  framing,  fading,  and  spotlight 
attachments — providing  in  a  single  unit 
everything  needed  in  the  operation  of  a 
projector;  and  having  all  controls  cen- 
tralized-— and  other  accommodations — to 
facilitate  convenient,  speedy,  and  easy 
operation. 


.  /f  Remarkable  Spotlight 

^"^^  ^-  of  greatly  improved  design  —  more  convenient  controls,  greater  flexibility 
of  operation,  and  higher  lighting  efficiency  —  with  an  entirely  nevi?  principle  of 
spot-flood  control,  wherein  the  arc  lamp  remains  fixed  in  position  and  the  lens 
travels  for  focusing  the  light  beam.  A  125  ampere,  long  distance  projector;  com- 
plete in  every  respect;  providing  in  a  single  unit  everything  required;  spot-,  flood-, 
and  color-lighting;  framing  shutters;  effects  etc.;  compact  design;  sturdily  construc- 
ted —  nothing  fragile  or  complicated  to  break  or  become  inoperative;  hood,  lower 
in  front  —  so  that  operators'  line  of  vision  is  unobstructed;  projects  any  distance 
up  to  150  ft.;  gives  anything  required  from  a  4  ft.  spot  to  a  50  ft.  flood  — and  al' 
colors  desired.  Truly  a  remarkable  spotlight.  Examine  it  at  our  plant  —  or  write 
for  full  details.  Nothing  like  it  has  ever  been  available  heretofore.  It  is  far  supe- 
rior to  any  long-range  spotlight  now  used  in  the  theatre.  We  are  enthusiastic 
about  it  —  and  you  will  be  too  —  when  you  see  it. 


Universal  Euctric  Stage  Li6htin6  Co.,inc 
32t  West  50tfl  Strew 

NEW  VORK*hr.^ 


20 


on  the  fader — of  using  too  much  volume. 
They  cause  a  man  of  normal  proportions  to 
have  a  voice  like  a  fog  horn,  which  is  worse 
than  bad.  And  it  is  all  their  fault,  and  the 
fault  of  no  one  else.  In  that  particular  matter 
there  can  be  no  side  stepping.  The  projection- 
ist alone  is  responsible  for  the  volume  of 
sound.  His  range  downward  is  to  no  sound 
at  all;  upward  it  is  in  many  cases  the  limit  of 
the  apparatus. 

SOUND  SYNCHRONIZED  PRODUC- 
TIONS SHOULD  ALWAYS  AND  INVA- 
RIABLY BE  RUN  IN  THE  THEATRE  BE- 
FORE THEY  ARE  USED.  During  this  run 
an  assistant,  preferably  the  theatre  manager, 
should  be  in  the  empty  auditorium  and  direct 
the  volume,  the  projectionist  making  a  cue 
sheet  of  the  position  of  the  fader  at  each  scene 
or  point,  to  which  one  or  two  points  should 
be  added  when  the  theatre  is  filled  full. 

THAT  IS  THE  ONLY  RIGHT  WAY.  It 
may  be  accepted  as  fact  that  it  will  be  utterly 
impossible  to  correctly  cue  the  fader  from  the 
projection  room,  or  to  handle  it  in  the  best 
possible  way  without  a  cue  sheet. 

That  ought  to  be  pretty  nearly  self  evident. 
The  projectionist  is  not  so  located  that  he  can 
possibly  hear  the  sound  as  the  audience  will 
hear  it.  At  least  he  very  rarely  if  ever  is. 
The  fader  should  be  to  the  projectionist  what 
the  brush  is  to  the  artist.  So  use  it  that  au- 
diences will  applaud,  not  hiss  or  cat-call. 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928        j 


A  Lively 
Livewire 

Frank  Dudiak,  projectionist,  Fairmont  the- 
atre, Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  has  long  been  known 
to  the  editor  as  a  very  lively  livewire.  He 
is  anything  but  a  chair  warmer.  Whoever  it 
is  takes  care  of  his  clothes  certainly  sews  no 
patches  on  the  seat  of  his  trowsers. 

Imagine  my  surprise  to  learn  from  a  news- 
paper item  that  Brother  Dudiak  is  also  a 
cameraman   and    that   he   is   now   filming   the 


Youngest 
Projectionist 


Virginia,  flows  almost  directly  north  to  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  where  it  joins  the  Allegheny  river 
and  the  two  of  them  become  the  Ohio.  There 
are  some  charmingly  beautiful  and  picturesque 
bits  on  the  Monongahela.  I  am  sure  Brother 
Dudiak  will  get  many  well  worthwhile  scenes. 
I  know  all  our  readers  will  join  me  in  wishing 
him  success. 


Gentlemen,  permit  me  to  introduce  you 
to  the  youngest  projectionist  I  have  met 
up  to  date — and  a  lady  at  that.  She  is  in 
the  arms  of  her  maternal  ancestor.  Dick 
Keuster,  projectionist  at  the  Paramount 
theatre,  of  the  Great  White  Way,  New 
York  City,  is  the  responsible  party. 
Looking  at  the  mother  of  the  young  pro- 
jectionist you  will  agree  that  Dick  is 
some  picker,  what?  And  b-o-y  can  she 
cook?    I'll  say  she  can! 

Miss  Keuster  (Helen  by  name)  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Inter- 
national Alliance  of  Pretty  Babies  and 
Gimme  Some  More  Milk  of  the  World. 
She  is  chief  projectionist  in  the  Keuster 
home,  as  dents  in  the  furniture  will  tes- 
tify. Readers  of  this  department  all  know 
Dick  by  his  excellent  contributions  dur- 
ing past  years.   " 


Monongahela  river  for  one  of  the  companies 
which  makes   a  specialty  of   scenics. 
The    Monongahela    starts    down    in    West 


Some  Amazing 
"Rules" 

Recently  I  was  in  the  projection  room  of 
one  of  a  chain  of  theatres.  On  the  wall  was 
a  neatly  framed,  printed  set  of  rather  amaz- 
ing "INSTRUCTIONS  To  OPERATORS." 
They  were  in  fact  so  astonishing  that  I  copied 
them.  They  started  off  with  "Instructions  to 
operators,"  though  whether  telephone,  tele- 
graph, shirt  waist,  bucket  shop,  coal  mine, 
operators  on  straw  hats,  sewing  machine  op- 
erators or  operators  on  ladies'  silk  underwear 
(which  last  has  or  had  a  perfectly  good  union 
in  New  York  City),  was  not  stated.  Guess, 
though,  it  probably  meant  to  be  instructions 
for,  by  rules  governing,  projectionists.  For 
your  benefit  here  they  are : 

1 — No   smoking   allowed. 

2 — Remove   all   punch   marks    from   film. 

3 — Booth    must    be   kept   clean. 

4 — Lamp  houses  and  machine  heads  most 
be  thoroughly  cleaned  each  day. 

5 — A  thorough  oiling  must  be  made  of  all 
parts   before   each   show. 

6 — Electrical  defects  must  be  tested  for  be- 
fore each  day's  performance. 

7 — On  each  reel  the  picture  must  be  framed 
fti  before  running. 

8 — Carbons  must  be  burned  down  as  far 
as    possible. 

9 — A  good  changeoyer  is  an  expression  of 
an  experienced  operator.     Kindly  do  your  best. 

10 — Reels  must  be  placed  in  the  reel  case 
to  avoid  accidents. 

11 — Heads  must  be  dipped  in  kerosene  once 
a  month. 

12 — Know  your  cellar  fuses. 

13 — Make  a  list  of  your  change  over  cues 
after  each  first  show. 

14 — Allow  no  one  in  booth  besides  reel  boy, 
manager  or  union   official.     Every  operator  is 


P 


O 


1 


1 


Circuit  of  Theatres 


has  contracted  for 
the  installation  of 


Sentry  Safety  Control 

in  all  their  theatres 

Proving  again  that  the  exhibitor-leaders  are  following  the  trend 
■which  makes  the  patrons'  safety  of  primary  importance ! 


C  Q  R  P  D  R  AT  I  D  N 


13th  and  Cherry  Sts.,  PHILADELPHIA       1S60  Broadway,  NEW  YORK 
And  All  Branches  of 

NATIONAL  THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY 

The  positive  hre-preventer.    Can  be  attached  to  any  projector.    Costs  only  a  few  cents  a  day 


lai 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


expected  to  cooperate  to  the  fullest  extent, 
so  that  the  public  receives  the  entire  benefit 
of  his  skill.  These  orders  will  be  enforced 
to    the   fullest   extent. 

This  rather  amazing  assortment  was  signed 
by  the  president  of  the  theatre  chain.  I 
wrote  an  article  in  which  I  certainly  did 
roast  him  and  his  supposed  "instructions," 
sending  him  a  copy  for  comment.  He  came 
back  with  this  astounding  statement : 

"The  set  of  rules  I  signed  my  name  to  came 
direct  from  the  headquarters  of  the  Operators' 
Union.  I  accept  your  roast  as  a  good  sport 
should,  and  suggest  that  possibly  you  might 
originate  a  set  of  suitable  rules  for  use  in 
our  projection  rooms." 

Well,  I  just  junked  the  whole  five-page  ar- 
ticle, in  which  the  president  was  named,  not 
once  but  several  times.  One  just  can't  roast 
that  sort  of  a  sport  for  something  he  is  not 
really  to  blame  for.  I'll  accept  his  challenge 
or  suggestion  and  promulgate  a  set  of  pro- 
jection room  rules,  asking  any  of  our  readers 
•who  can  suggest  improvements  to  do  so. 

First,  however,  let  me  briefly  examine  the 
rules  or  instructions  in  controversy. 

No.    1,    seems    hardly    necessary. 

No.  2  is  good  and  I  hope  it  is  done,  BUT  why  not 
have  Friend  Manager  raise  ♦***  with  the  exchange 
which  permits  film  containing  them  to  reach  his 
theatre  ?  ?  ?  ? 

3-^All  right,  except  the  name  is  all  wet — see 
Society   of   Slotion    Picture    Engineers'   nomenclature. 

4 — \Vhat  is  meant  is  all  right,  but  the  wording  is 
bad.  ' 

5 — About  as  bad  an  "instruction"  as  I  ever  saw 
issued.  I  think  all  agree  with  that,  who  have  re- 
ceived   and    had    to   project    oil    soaked   film. 

6 — All    right,    but   poorly   worded. 

7 — Silly   wording. 

8 — Rather  needless,  don't  you  think.  The  man 
who  wastes  carbons  or  anything  else  should  be  just 
plain    fired. 

9 — A  good  changeover  is  NOT  the  expression  of 
experience.  I've  seen  perfectly  rotten  changeovers 
made  by  men  I  know  to  have  had  years  of  experience. 
A  good  changeover  is  evidence  that  there  is  a  care- 
ful painstaking  projectionist  on  the  job,  one  who 
takes    real   pride    in   his   work. 

10 — Very  badly  worded.  Means  little  or  nothing  in 
practice. 

11 — Gosh!  I'll  be  darned  if  I'd  dip  my  head  in 
kerosene  for  anybody,  or  any  job.  I'd  quit  first! 
Anyhow  as  worded  it  is  foolish.  It  is  a  relic  of  the 
old  days  when  the  theory  that  to  submerge  the 
mechanism  in  kerosene  and  give  the  crank  a  dozen 
or  more  turns  while  so  immersed,  would  wash  out 
all  dirt  from  the  bearings.  I  think  nobody  does 
that  stunt  nowadays  and  anyhow  just  to  "dip  the 
mechanism  in  kerosene"  would  do  just  about  abso- 
lutely  no  good   at  all,   except   to   make  a   dirty  mess. 

12 — Why  have  fuses  in  the  cellar  anyhow?  It  is 
very  poor  practice. 

13 — Poorly    worded   but    all    right    otherwise. 

IS — Um!  I'd  like  to  see  what  happens  when  they 
try  to  keep  the  City  Inspector  out!     I  really  would! 

What  I  shall  offer  in  substitute  is  hastily 
compiled  and  probably  far  from  perfect. 
Comment  is  invited,  to  the  end  that  we, 
among  us,  compile  a  really  good  set  of  stand- 
ard projection  room  rules. 

PROJECTION    ROOM    RULES    AND 
REGULATIONS 

1 — No  one  permitted  in  the  projection 
room  except  the  men  on  duty,  the  theatre 
manager,  a  representative  of  the  union  or  a 
duly  authorized  ofiScial  representing  an  author- 
ized   governmental    department. 

2 — Projection  room  and  all  equipment  must 
be   kept   clean    and   in   order  at   all   times. 

3 — All  city  or  state  rules,  regulations  and 
laws   must   be   obeyed. 

_  4 — Projectionists  must  be  on  duty  a  suffi- 
cient time  in  advance  of  time  for  opening  the 
show  to  be  fully  prepared. 

5 — Before  starting  the  first  show  each  day, 
all  projection  room  circuits  and  electrical 
equipment  must  be  thoroughly  tested  for 
grounds. 

6 — Once  each  week  all  switch,  fuse  and 
other  contacts  and  connections  mlust  be  care- 
fully examined  for  defects.  It  is  well  to  feel 
of  switch  and  fuse  contacts  occasionally  after 
extended  use,  to  see  if  they  develop  more 
than  norma]  temperature. 

7 — Projectionists  must  select  the  oil  used 
with  great  care,  because  upon  its  excellence 
in  great  measure  depends  the  life  of  the 
equipment  bearings.  Oiling  must  be  done 
SPARINGLY,  and  with  reasonable  frequency. 
Too  much  oil  will  run  out  of  projector  bear- 
ings, mess  things  up  and  probably  get  on  the 
films.  One  or  two  drops  of  oil  is  all  any 
projector  bearing  can  use.  Motor  generator 
and  projector  oil  wells  should  be  drained  and 
refilled  after  each  70  hours  of  operation. 

,8 — Always  thread  in  frame.  Starting  a 
picture  out  of  frame  is  evidence  of  a  careless, 
incompetent  projectionist.  It  will  not  be  toler- 
ated. 

9 — Reels  of  film  must  be  either  in  the  hands 


of  a  projectionist  or  helper,  in  a  projector 
magazine,  on  the  rewinder  or  in  the  film 
storage  cabinet.  Safety  demands  this.  See 
to  it  that  the  order  is  obeyed. 

10 — Projectionists  are  required  to  remove 
all  punch  or  other  changeover  marks  from 
film,  reporting  their  presence  to  the  office. 
During  the  first  showing  of  all  pictures,  pro- 
jectionists are  expected  to  make  a  change- 
over   cue   sheet    for    use    thereafter. 

11 — Before  starting  the  first  show  each  day 
the  projectionist  in  charge  is  required  to  make 
a  thorough  examination  and  test  of  the  pro- 
jection room  port  fire  shutters,  making  certain 
that  they  are  in  perfect  working  order.  In 
case  of  fire  this  might  mean  the  avoidance  of 


panic  in  the  audience,  with  possible  fatalities. 
Do  not  neglect   it. 

12 — Know  the  location  and  capacities  of  all 
fuses.  Have  an  ample  supply  of  each  size  on 
hand,  available  for  instant  replacements. 

FINAL:  THIS  THEATRE  IS  SELUNG  A 
SCREEN  IMAGE  TO  THE  PUBUC.  IT 
DEPENDS  UPON  YOU  TO  PLACE  IT  BE- 
FORE AUDIENCES  IN  MAXIMUM  PER- 
FECTION. IF  YOU  ARE  CARELESS,  THE 
ENTERTAINMENT  VALUE  OF  WHAT  WE 
HAVE  TO  SELL  WILL  BE  LOWERED. 
YOU  ARE  EMPLOYED  AS  PROJECTIONIST 
UPON  THE  ASSUMPTION  THAT  DURING 
YOUR  HOURS  OF  DUTY  YOU  WILL  GIVE 
US   THE   BEST   POSSIBLE   SERVICE.       WE 


TYPHOON  rOOlINC  QYSTEH 

I      TYPHOON  FAN  CO.    mB     Aa«ivi/-i<j'-"«:T  Wl     NFW  yddk 


345  W.  39 -ST. 


CO. 


VeS 


1928  • 


'•  ,er.o».  ^''—  ^.^t»^-Tr 


oy  »**"'  r^  ^-^^^^  triw  s°^!;^  mZi^-^ 

7,er  ^'"^  ^ers  ^'^V      .^■fjL>'^ 


— "the  best  I  ever 


— for  Organ 
— for  Orchestra 
— for  Voice 

heard 


m 


amplified  music 


99 


It  is  the  same  statement  we  hear  everywhere — the  best.  You  will  say  the  same. 
Phototone  amplifies  music  and  voices  so  remarkably  that  it  is  difficult  to  detect  the 
means  employed.  It  is  as  new  as  the  latest  record.  It  can  be  cued  to  the  picture, 
made  to  play  elaborate  overtures  and  form  a  complete  musical  program.  Now  we  have 
added  an  attachment  that  permits  announcements  to  be  made  via  the  Phototone base- 
ball scores,  election  returns,  paging  for  doctors  or  other  calls  left  at  box  office. 


For  $500.00 

The  Phototone  is  furnished  complete 
with  one  amplifying  console,  with 
double  motors  and  tumtatles,  two 
electric  pickups,  powerful  amplifying 
device,  one  large  horn  with  eitra 
unit,  a  cabinet  with  cue  rack  of 
eighty-four  record  capacity,  and  fifty 
special  selected  records  included. 
Phototone  is  built  for  years  of  serv- 
ice and  wiU  always  be  as  up  to  date 
as  the  newest  records.  Where  condi- 
lions  require  more  than  one  horn, 
they  may  be  added  at  cost  of  twenty- 
five  dollars  each  up  to  sixty  doll.nrs. 
The  price  is  f.o.b.  factory  and  If  in- 
stallation is  made  by  the  factory  en- 
gineer, his  actual  time  and  expense 
is  added  to  the  price  of  the  eauip- 
ment.  Complete  blue  prints  and  in- 
structions are  furnished  where  the 
owner  desires   to  install  it  himself. 


Send  for  complete  details  giving  seating 
capacity  and  inside  dimension  of  your  au- 
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Branch   Offices  Everywhere 


y 


Send 

This 

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North    Vernon,    Ind, 

I    am   interested   in   Phototone.      Send   me   descriptive 
folder  and   interesting  data  without  obligation. 

Name _ _ _ _. 

Address _ _ _ _ _ 

Company _ 

City state. 


•V 


22 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


PAY  YOU  UNION  WAGES.  SEE  TO  IT 
THAT  YOU  DO  CREDIT  TO  YOURSEU-' 
AND  TO  THE  UNION  YOU  REPRESENT. 


Well  I'll 
Be  '*?;;//// 

If  it  wasn't  2,000  perfectly  long  miles  I'd 
go  gunning  for  Projectionist  W.  R.  Gwynn, 
Estes  Park,  Col.  He  actually  had  the  ingrow- 
ing gaul  or  gall — whichever  happens  to  be 
correct — to  send  me  photgraphs  of  snow  banks 
25  feet  deep,  when  the  thermometer  here  is 
literally  frying  in  the  sun.  Right  now  if  I 
smelled  a  sulphur  match  burning  I'd  auto- 
matically think  I  was  dead!  The  nerve  of 
'im! 

"But  anyhow  he  gets  ashamed  of  his  hellish 
deed  for  he  sends  this  interesting  bit : 

"I  want  to  compliment  you  on  the  article  on 
vacuum  tube  action  in  July  7,  issue  of  the  Better 
Theatres  section  of  the  Herald- World  and  the  plain, 
understandable  manner  in  which  the  subject  is  treated. 

"When  it  is  known  that  many,  many  men  projecting 
motion   pictures   have  little   if   any   real   understanding 


of  the  elementary  principles  of  electrical  action,  it  is 
easily  seen  that  your  task  of  explaining  this  new 
phase  of  the  profession  to  them  is  not  an  easy  one. 

"Here  is  something  which  may  interest  you:  Long 
before  the  'Orchestraphone'  and  other  similar  phono- 
graph amplifiers  were  even  heard  of  we  were  ampli- 
fying records  here  using  a  home-made  outfit  which 
rivals  the  best  of  them,  insofar  as  concerns  results. 
In  out-of-door  tests,  announcements  made  through 
a  microphone  could  be  distinctly  heard  for  a  distance 
of  eight  blocks.  Your  future  articles  on  sound  syn- 
chronism   will   be   read   with   much    interest. 

"P.  S.  I  see  20  persons  died  from  heat  prostra- 
tion in  New  York  City  last  week.  Just  for  'orniness' 
I  attach  a  few  photos  showing  the  cool  scenery  around 
here." 

Huh !  I  sincerely  hope  one  of  those  dem- 
mad  snow  banks  falls  on  y' !  However, 
mucha  garcias  for  the  sound  article  com- 
pliment. You  are  right.  It  certainly  is 
SOME  job  to  set  it  forth  clearly  in  language 
the  engineering  staif  can  be  coaxed,  albeit 
with  elevated  noses,  into  lending  their  ap- 
proval to.  And  you  see  I  don't  and  won't 
send  out  anything  until  it  has  been  inspected 
and  approved  by  the  Movietone  engineering 
staff. 


However,  I  think  from  the  great  mass  of 
letters  voicing  unqualified  approval  of  the 
iirst  article  I  certainly  must  be  making  good. 
Hope  you  like  the  rest  of  them  equally  well. 


THE 

REPRODUCO 

PIPE 

ORGAN 


RECENT    INSTALLATIONS: 

Franklin  Theatre,   Syracuse,   N.   Y. 
Grand   Theatre,   McCamey,   Tex. 
Midland  Theatre,   Newark,   Ohio. 
Auditorium  Theatre,   Marietta,   Ohio, 
Grand  Theatre,  Greenfield,  Iowa. 
Utopia  Theatre,   Sheffield,  Pa. 
G.    M.  Johns,   Morgantown,  W.  Va. 

Maple    Heights    Theatre,    Maple    Heights, 
Ohio. 

E.  F.  Penny,   St.  Louis,  Mo. 


IN  BUYING  A  PIPE  ORGAN 

Consider  First 

SIMPLICITY  OF  CONSTRUCTION 

Fewer  parts — Better  parts — mean  Longer  Life,  Less  to 
get  out  of  order,  and  more  dependable  service. 

The  Reproduco  gives  better  music  yet  only  uses  about 
half  as  many  parts  as  most  organs.  Reduces  possibility 
of  trouble  50%,  increases  satisfaction  100%.  Insures 
better  music  at  more  reasonable  cost  per  year. 

TTiere's  a  Reproduco  suitable  for  every  house.  Every 
style  has  Reproduco  Simplicity  and  Service  that  Satisfies. 

1700  Daily  Users 

The  Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  Co. 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  Co., 
715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Send    me    descriptive    booklet    and    names    of    users    of    the 
Reproduco  Theatre  Organs. 


Na 


Gty.. 


..State.. 


Value 
$500 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  print  letters  con- 
cerning the  Bluebook,  but  once  in  a  while  one 
comes  in  which  seems  to  deserve  it.  Roy  L. 
Brewer,  projectionist  at  the  Club  theatre, 
Granby,  Mo.,  writes,  in  part,  as  follows : 

"Have  just  read  the  initial  article  on  Synchronized 
sound  and  motion  pictures  in  the  Better  Theatres 
section  of  Exhibitors  Herald-World.  I  must  say 
it  is  very  interesting.  Can  hardly  wait  for  the 
next  installment.****  Want  to  say  a  word  about  your 
fifth  edition  of  Handbook  of  Projection — -the  Blue- 
book  of  Projection.  I  have  had  14  years  practical 
experience  as  motion  picture  projectionist  in  Missouri, 
Oklahoma  and  Kansas.  I  am  in  •  thorough  earnest 
when  I  say  that  this  set  of  books,  received  some  while 
ago,  has  taught  me  things  I  would  never  have  known 
without  them.  They  absolutely  explain  everything 
about  projection  and  projection  equipment,  down  to 
the  finest  detail.  I  would  not  take  $300  for  my  set 
if  I   knew   I   could   not  get  another." 

That  last  is  not  quite  so  extravagant  as 
seems  at  first  glance.  To  the  man  who  has 
adopted  projection  as  his  profession  it  is  not 
inconceivable  that  what  is  contained  in  the 
Bluebook  would  easly  be  worth  even  so  much 
as  $500.  I  know  I  have  myself  obtained  in- 
formation from  a  book  which  was  worth  fully 
three  times  that  sum  to  me  beacuse  it  made  me 
more  proficient  and  valuable  in  my  work. 

The  letters  coming  in  concerning  the  sound 
synchronization  articles  have  surprised  me  a 
bit.  The  Better  Theatres  number  con- 
taining it  had  not  been  out  a  week  when  they 
began  to  arrive  and  they  have  arrived  in  a 
steady  stream  ever  since.  It  is  very  evident 
the  articles  will  be  very  popular.  Here  is  a 
sample,  from  F.  W.  Kutil,  Woonsocket,  S.  D. 

"Have  read  your  initial  article  on  synchronization 
in  July  issue  of  Better  Theatres.  Can  truthfully 
say  I  have  been  greatly  benefited  by  it.  It  has  made 
sound  amplification  remarkably  clear  to  me.****  Your 
article  has  given  me  a  clear  insight  of  its  operation. 
Thanks,  Mr.  Richardson.  You  have  helped  me  a  lot. 
I  sincerely  hope  you  will  keep  the  good  work  up." 

The  work  will  certainly  be  continued.  Kutil's 
letter  is  just  a  sample  of  hundreds.  Plainly 
the  work  is  wanted  and  is  appreciated,  so  we 
will  go  forward  with  it. 


Loyalty 


Gentlemen  and  brothers,  has  it  occurred  to 
you  that  you  owe  a  certain  very  definite 
amount  of  loyalty  to  those  publications  which 
have  consistently  boosted  for  better  projection 
—for  the  improvement  of  projection  and  the 
equipment  incident  thereto  for  lo  these  many 
years?  It  matters  little  or  nothing  whether 
they  have  done  so  through  what-  they  have 
believed  to  be  their  own  best  interest  or  not. 
The  fact  remains  that  they  HAVE  stood  by, 
and  many  of  you  are  beginning  to  understand 
just  how  much  help  they  have  given. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  I  know  of  one 
which  stood  by  when  it  most  emphatically  was 
NOT  to  its  own  best  interest  to  do  so  and 
that  was  the  Moving  Picture  World,  now  a 
part  of  Exhibitors  Herald-World.  There 
was  not  a  time  in  17  years  that  it  would  not 
have  been  to  its  monetory  interest  to  lay  down 
and  cease  fighting  for  better  conditions  in  pro- 
jection.   That  is  just  plain  cold  FACT. 

That  the  Moving  Picture  World  did  very 
much  to  advance  projection  and  raise  it  out 
of  the  literal  slough  into  which  it  had  fallen 
is  now  pretty  generally  conceded.  That  the 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  is  carrying  on  the 
work  loyally  you  all  know. 

For  a  lesser  time  (five  years)  the  American 
Projectionist  has  done  a  good  and  highly  bene- 
ficial work,  and  I  say  to  you  that  you  most 
emphatically  owe  allegiance  and  at  least  some 
considerable  degree  of  loyalty  to  those  papers 
that  have  HELPED  YOU  by  helping  the  pro- 
fession of  projection. 

How  can  you  show  that  loyalty? 

That  is  easy.  The  only  reason  these  papers 
are  able  to  carry  on  is  because  men  and  com- 
panies with  goods  to  sell  advertise  in  their 
columns  and  surely  you  will  agree  with  me 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


that  quality  of  goods  being  equal,  the  least 
you  can  do  is  to  give  preference  in  purchase  to 
the  goods  of  those  companies  which  are  adver- 
tised in  the  papers  that  have  literally  fought 
your  battles  and  helped  the  profession  by 
which  you  live.  That  is  practical  loyalty.  It 
is  standing  by  those  who  have  stood  by  you. 
It  is  just  plain  RIGHT.  It  is  what  we  call 
playing  the  game. 


A  Queer 
Proposition 


Recently  Frank  Dudiak,  projectionist,  Fair- 
mont theatre,  Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  sprung  the 
proposition  on  me  that  as  the  speed  of  pro- 
jection increased  the  screen  illumination  also 
increased. 

I  promptly  advised  him  that  he  was  full  of 
prunes,  or  words  to  that  effect  Now,  Dudiak, 
who  is  no  dumbell,  but  a  livewire  progressive 
man,  came  back  at  me  with  this: 

"Dear  Brother  Richardson:  In  regards  to  the  ques- 
tion that  I  raised  about,  'as  the  speed  of  the  projector 
is  increased,  the  screen  becomes  more  brilliant.'  Now 
for  the  simplicity  lets  assume  that  the  illumination  of 
the  screen  be  20  candle  foot  power,  with  the  projector 
running  at  70  feet  per  minute,  but  without  any  film 
in  it.  Also  assuming  that  the  three  blades  of  the 
shutter  occupy  one  half  or  180  degrees  of  the  total 
area,  hence  the  illumination  of  the  screen  must  be 
40  candle  power  when  the  projector  is  idle.  Now, 
if  we  would  speed  the  projector  up  to  the  terrific 
speed  of  140  feet  per  minute,  the  shutter  would  be 
travelling  twice  the  previous  speed.  Common  sense 
will  tell  us  that  the  intervals  of  the  shutter  will  be 
twice  as  often  as  it  was  when  the  projector  was 
travelling   at   70   feet   per  minute.     Therefore,   in  my 


BETTER    PROJECTION    PAYS 


PROJECTION   ROOM 

FRANK  DUDIAK.  PucjECTIOuiST 
FAIRMONT  THEATRE.  FAIRMONT     W    VA 


The  editor  of  this  department, 
"F.  H.,"  didn't  request  that  we  use 
this  letterhead,  hut  we  are  doing  it 
anyway,  in  the  face  of  a  possible 
reprimand,  for  we  believe  that  it  is 
indicative  of  the  progress  in  pro- 
jection and  of  the  ^lace  the  projec- 
tionist has  established  for  himself 
in  the  modern  theatre. 


opinion,  that  will  permit  more  light  to  reach  the 
screen,  or  in  other  words  the  screen  will  become  more 
brilliant.  How  much,  I  do  not  know.  I  do  not  even 
know  of  any  method  of  finding  out,  except  by  using 
a  photometer  and  conduct  a  test  at  different  speeds 
of  the  projector,  and  thus  determine  the  effects. 

"Hold  everything.  Brother  Richardson,  I'm  not 
through  yet,  I've  got  something  else  to  say,  contrary 
to  my  own  statement  and  I  am  sure  that  you  will 
agree  with  the  following. 

"To  most  people  the  shutter  does  not  mean  a  whole 
lot,  but  nevertheless,  it  is  just  as  important  as  any 
other  part  on  the  projector.  Let  m  study  the  action 
of  the  shutter  with  regard  to  the  statement  I  have 
just  made. 

"When  the  projector  is  running  at  a  speed  of  70 
feet  per  minute,  the  shutter  will  make  1120  revolu- 
tions admitting  the  light  to  the  screen  intermittently. 
Studying  the  action  of  the  shutter  the  screen  will  be 
illuminated  one  half  of  the  total  number  of  revolution, 
or  560  revolutions  when  using  a  180  degree  shutter. 
Then  again,  if  we  speed  the  projector  up  to  140  feet 
per  minute,  the  shutter  will  make  2240  revolutions, 
and  again  one  half  of  this  number  the  screen  will 
be  black,  while  with  the  other  half  (1120),  the  screen 
will  be  illuminated. 

"It  is  apparent,  that  in  this  explanation  there  don't 
seem  to  be  any  increase  in  the  illumination  of  the 
screen,  but  in  my  first  explanation  there  does  seem 
to  be  an  increase  of  screen  illumination. 

"About  three  months  ago  I  started  studying  the 
action  of  the  shutter,  considering  all  its  points. 

"The  statement  that  I  made  was  the  results  of  my 
studies.  It  already  has  caused  me  more  worry  than 
the  average  manager  has  when  a  supply  salesman 
steps  in  the  front  door.  Even  now  I'm  beginning  to 
see  squirrels,  so  I  believe  in  order  to  get  out  of  this 
mess,  somebody  had  better  use  a  photometer." 

"I'll  close  for  I'm  getting  so  hungry  that  I  could 
almost  eat  meat.  I  will  be  expecting  to  hear  from 
you  in  the  near  future  regarding  this  matter,  but 
keep  away  from  the  squirrels  because  one  of  them 
might  be  me." 

Well,  gentlemen,  I've  my  own  opinion  as  to 
this,  but  just  the  same  it  is  most  interesting. 


as  brother  Dudiak  puts  the  matter  forward. 
I'll  therefore  ask  that  such  of  you  as  may 
feel  inclined  to  set  forth  the  facts. 

It  looks  real  puzzling  and  interesting  because 
— well,  I  won't  say  any  more  but  let  you 
puzzle  your  brains  over  it.  The  answer  is 
pretty  obvious,  but  I'll  admit  I  had  to  take 
The  Princess  (the  name  a  lady  friend  of  mine 
wished  on  the  new  Willys  Knight)  out  and 
take  a  drive  along  quiet  roads  before  I  sud- 
denly said  unto  the  surrounding  scenery: 
"Oh  Hell!  Of  course"  and  turned  around  and 
drove  home  again. 


Reynolds  Takes  Over 

Korrectolite  Company 

Announcement  has  been  made  by  the 
Reynolds  Electric  Company  of  Chicago,  that 
it  has  taken  over  the  Korrectolite  Company. 
General  Manager  Oliver  of  Korrectolite,  has 
joined  Reynolds  under  the  merger. 


1,672,352.  TWO-PLY  CINEMATOGRAPH 
POSITIVE  FILM.  John  Edward  Thornton, 
West  Hampstead,  London,  England.  Filed 
May  4,  1926,  Serial  No.  106,731,  and  in  Great 
Britain  Mar.  18,  1926.  6  Claims.  (CI.  88 — 
16.4.) 


1.  A  two-color  positive  cinematograph  film 
comprising  in  its  construction  two  triuisparent 
supports  of  the  exact  width  of  the  film,  a  layer 
of  slow  drying  stiff  cellulose  cement  paste  t^ 
which  the  supports  are  joined  together,  a  layer 
of  colored  colloid  with  images  printed  in  relief 
in  silver  salts  on  each  support,  and  insoluble 
solid  margins)  at  each  edge  formed  of  the 
printed  colloid  to  the  full  thickness  of  the  film 
material. 


^  WJ^ 


"If  You  Would  Have 
The  Finest" 

COMPLETE  THEATRE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Footlights  Spot  lights 

Borderlights  Service  boards 

Stage  pockets  Panel  boards 

Cove  lighting  Usher  sig^ials 

Exit  and  Directional  Signs 

Write  jar  details  and  estimates 


oj^mca 


DOWN  TOWN   CHICAGO 

SALES    OFFICES 

Suits  323 — 155  N.  Clark  St. 

Phone  State  7966 

NEW    YORK    CITY 
1457    Broadway 

Phene  Wisconsin   4843 


Factory  and  General  Offices 

2219-25  West  Grand  Avenue 
Chicago 

Phone  Seeley  6440-1-2 


TOLEDO,   OHIO 

1220    Madison    Ave. 
Phone  Adams  5318 

MILWAUKEE,    WIS. 
123    Second   St. 
Phone  Grand   1533 


HUB  PRODUCTS  FROM  SERVICE  TO  SOCKET 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


.^X\>V>^\ 


^A.^: 


^^  < 


'^Jj/leets  every  requirement  for  a  theatre** 


LARGE  theatres  and  small  theatres  acclaim 
j\  the    outstanding    performance    of    Page 
Unit  Organs. 

This  is  natural,  because  the  Page  organization 
is  known  for  a  thorough  understanding  of 
theatre  requirements — for  concentrated  spe- 
cialization in  organ  craftsmanship — and  for 
a  proven  ability  to  construct  superb  organs  of 
a  wide  range  of  size  and  function. 


These  are  the  reasons  why  Mr.  Macon  is  so 
sincerely  enthusiastic  in  the  letter  reproduced 
here. 

Mr.  Macon's  organ  is  the  famous  M-X-40, 
ideal  for  smaller  theatres.  It  is  a  complete 
unit  organ  with  two  manuals.  It  can  also  be 
played  by  roll,  taking  two  ordinary  88-note 
piano  rolls.  Thus  it  provides  pipe  organ 
music  of  high  excellence  at  low  cost. 

Whether  you  have  a  large  theatre  or  a  small 
one,  it  will  pay  you  to  investigate  what  a 
Page  Unit  Organ  will  mean  to  your  success. 

THE  PAGE  ORGAN  COMPANY 

523  N.  Jackson,  Street 
Lima,  Ohio 


'yHE  best  music  available  is  an  important 
J-  element  m  the  success  of  any  theatre. 
Good  pictures  are  necessary,  but  no  per- 
formance as  a  whole  can  be  better  than  the 
music  that  accompanies  the  pictures. 


The  Pal  Theatre, 
Vidalia.  Georgia. 


ANS 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


MU/IC  IN  THE  THEATCE 


itmmmmm 


MnsMM 


Managers  of  Yesterday  and  Today 


f 


Music  critic  and  feature  organist  has  his  say-so  about  the  man 
who  sits  behind  the  door  marked,  "Manager's  Office." 

By  HENRY  FRANCIS  PARKS* 


PRIOR  to  the  present  era  of  large  circuit 
theatre  management  with  its  highly 
standardized  modes  of  operation,  compli- 
cated red  tape  and  super-efficiency  theatres 
were  more  a  matter  of  local  capital  and  local 
talent  in  the  ownership  and  management.  The 
relationship  (if  such  a  thing  actually  existed) 
between  the  musical  and  the  purely  economi- 
cal phases  of  the  theatre  was  of  a  distinctly 
different  character  from  that  of  today.  And 
this  prior  period  bridged  the  gap  between  the 
present  day  de  luxe  house  and  the  itinerant 
dramatic  stock  and  repertoire  show  period  of 
over  a  quarter  a  century  ago. 

The  manager  of  these  early  dramatic  and 
repertoire  companies  was  indeed  "Monarch  of 
all  he  surveyed."  Like  the  captain  of  a  ship 
his  word  was  law  and  he  the  last  resort  in 
cases  of  dispute.  Manifold  were  his  respon- 
sibilities which  included  not  only  the  artistic 
and  business  phases  of  his  own  company  but 
the  personal  problems  of  many  of  his  em- 
ployes. He  was,  therefore,  justly  entitled  to 
the  slight  despotism  he  usually  flaunted.  His 
autocratic  demeanor  was  usually  superficial  as 
most  of  his  company  knew  by  intimate  experi- 
ence. He  would  give  the  coat  off  his  back  to 
another  in  trouble.  Gruff  yet  genial,  a  stern 
disciplinarian  though  usually  thoughtful  and 
kind  to  his  Httle  family  of  thespians  and  musi- 
cians he  invariably  enjoyed  the  esteem  and 
affection  of  his  confreres. 
*    *    * 

But,  with  the  passing  of  the  stock  houses, 
airdomes,  and  shows  under  canvas  there  came 
a  new  managerial  complex  into  being — a  type 
peculiar  to  his  own  particular  period.  Usually 
he  was  a  man  of  considerable  and  varied 
talents.  His  were  the  small  tasks  of  meeting 
the  various  travelling  film  salesmen  and  of 
bargaining  for  their  product  at  prices  com- 
patible with  his  box  office  potentiality ;  design- 
ing, writing  the  copy  for,  and  very  often 
drawing,  the  ads ;  hiring  everyone  employed 
in  the  house  from  the  musical  director  to  the 
porter;  developing  and  maintaining  an  orderly 
service  staff;  acting  as  treasurer  and  superin- 
tending the  bookkeeping;  planning  and  pro- 
ducing the  small  specialties  and  picture  pro- 
logues necessary;  finally,  satisfying — -if  such  a 
thing  was  ever  possible — the  heterogeneous 
mixture  of  stockholders  (each  of  whom  con- 
sidered himself  an  individual  boss  and  as  full 
of  sure-fire  ideas  as  a  dog  is  of  fleas)  .  .  . 
merchants,  real  estate  men  and  others  of  quasi 
sympathies  towards  anything  except  ledger 
sheets  in  India  ink.  His  job  was  no  easy  one. 
It  is  no  great  surprise  that  many  managers  of 
this  period  were  well  initiated  into  the  mys- 
teries of  sundry  and  divers  liquid  consolations 
and  immolations.  His  duties,  many  and  ardu- 
ous, weighed  heavily  upon  him  and  his  regard 
for  those  who  worked  union  hours  was  of 
benign  contempt  if  at  all  temnered  but  more 
often  harsh  and  dictatorial.  It  is  really  un- 
necessary to  state  that  artistic  work  by  an 
orchestra,  organist  or  stage  producer  was  im- 
paired under  the  petty  tyranny  of  such  execu- 
tives. The  nervous  tension  at  all  times  evi- 
dent has  burned  up  the  emotional  capabilities 
of  many  a  person  of  the  aesthetic  complex 
who  lived  and  worked  through  this  disquiet- 
ing phase  of  the  picture  theatre's  development. 


Henry  Francis  Parks 

The  building  up  of  vast  chains  had  quietly 
been  going  on  contemporaneously  with  the 
activities  in  other  major  fields  of  endeavor — 
motors,  steel,  public  utilities,  express  and 
transportation.  All  commenced  to  realize 
their  full  significance  shortly  after  the  war. 
As  the  number  of  theatres  increased  unifica- 
tion of  management  was  the  natural  result. 
This  metamorphosis  has  gradually  resolved 
the  industry  into  two  or  three  highly  efficient 
chains  who  have  absorbed  many  an  indepen- 
dent exhibitor,  and  are  becoming  more  and 
more  formidable  as  time  passes.  Apace  with 
standardized  film  production  and  exploitation 
the  circuit  has  nearly  succeeded  in  standard- 
izing the  artistic  phases. 

*     *     * 

So  the  manager  of  a  chain  house  today,  and 
these  represent  the  key  houses  throughout  the 
country  in  most  instances,  is  an  entirely  dif- 
ferent being  from  any  of  his  predecessors. 
He  is  a  rubber  stamp  with  all  of  the  good 
qualities  of  durability  and  resiliency  to  cor- 
porate policies  without  the  bad  phases  of  indi- 
viduality and  over-intelligence.  He  is  usually 
an  exalted  usher  who  can  wear  his  tuxedo 
with  sophistication  and  who  has  plenty  of  IT. 
It  is  his  business  to  be  a  handy  buffer  when 
trouble  comes  up.  He  has  no  authority  to 
hire  or  fire  a  musician,  stagehand  or  operator 
and  very  little  of  the  clerical  help.  He  is  the 
official  watchdog.    The  supreme  "yes"  man. 

With  plenty  of  leisure  time  on  his  hands  his 
Inquisitorial  powers  attain  a  high  state  of 
development  much  to  the  detriment  of  sound 
efficiency.     For,  no  matter  what  progress  civ- 


*Mr.  Parks  is  theatre  music  critic  of  the  Chi- 
cago Daily  News,  solo  organist  and  assistant 
to  the  musical  director,  United  Artists  theatre, 
Chicago,  and  editor  of  The  Aesthete  Magazine. 


ilization  makes,  the  human  element  must 
always  be  reckoned  with.  And  the  human  ele- 
ment resents  such  asinine  interference.  A 
man  will  have  respect  for  intelligence  and  ex- 
perience but  justly  resents  an  overlord  whose 
Alma  Mater  was  of  dubious  standing,  if  at 
all,  and  who  is  but  a  slight  bit  above  his  for- 
mer responsibilities — ushering  in  a  theatre. 

Frankly,  the  theatres  would  run  more  effici- 
ently without  them. 

Place  a  man  upon  his  honor  and  the  greater 
percentage  of  them  will  be  true  to  the  trust. 
Show  your  doubt  of  him  by  permitting  such 
ignominious  practices  and  he  becomes  but  a 
sullen  human  machine  doing  just  what  he  can 
get  away  with  and  no  more.  The  modus 
operandi  of  large  corporations  is  to  give  high- 
sounding  and  empty  titles  to  pacify  these  man- 
agerial incumbents  much  as  do  the  newspapers 
to  their  various  editorial  desks.  Such  choice 
exhibits  as  "Chief  of  Service,"  "Superinten- 
dent," "Manager,"  "Secretary,"  etc.,  with  such 
added  trinkets  in  the  way  of  "Health  Club" 
(sic)  memberships,  a  week's  vacation  with 
pay  ...  all  these  buy  loyalty  and  aid  in  cre- 
ating a  condition  of  satisfaction  over  deserv- 
edly small  salaries,  petty  snooping,  etc.  And 
they  run  away  real  talent. 
*    *    * 

In  fact,  the  hardest  part  of  the  job  is  to 
learn  the  contents  of  the  very  imposing  and 
impressing  book  of  rules  governing  the  con- 
duct of  everyone  in  the  house  which  these 
pseudo  managers  must  enforce.  Of  course, 
the  union  help  usually  laughs  this  stuff  off  and 
pays  little  attention  to  it.  But  it  does  engen- 
der a  highly  satisfied  air  of  self  importance 
and  the  privilege  of  walking  around  the  foyer 
in  a  tuxedo  has  its  unpurchasable  advantages 
in  personal  prestige  and  dignity!  Such  is  the 
manager  of  a  large  corporation  house! 

But  how  different  in  the  small  city  combi- 
nation houses  and  in  those  in  the  larger  cities 
not  as  yet  absorbed.  Two  outstanding  ex- 
amples come  to  mind  of  these  houses — J.  Wil- 
liam Houck,  managing  director  of  the  Ken- 
osha theatre,  Kenosha,  Wis.,  and  William 
Rudolph,  managing  director  of  the  United 
Artists  theatre,  Chicago. 

In  Mr.  Houck's  case  we  find  a  situation 
with  which  many  of  the  managers  of  the 
smaller  city  houses  are  quite  familiar.  Five 
changes  of  vaudeville  per  week  which  he  must 
personally  book ;  a  like  amount  of  film  fea- 
tures and  shorts  necessary  to  be  selected; 
complete  control  of  the  entire  personnel  from 
the  humblest  janitor  to  the  musical  director; 
entire  responsibility  for  the  cash  and  general 
bookkeeping;  arrangement  of  the  entire  bill 
from  stem  to  stern ;  in  fact,  Mr.  Houck  runs 
the  house  as  though  he  were  the  owner.  He 
is  not  a  manager.  He  is  a  theatre  impressario 
of  the  first  rank.  And,  because  of  his  intelli- 
gence and  experience  he  incorporates  a  highly 
sympathetic  comprehension  of  the  various 
human  complexes  which  he  must  harmonize — 
aesthetical,  practical  and  economic.  He  works 
with  his  employes.  Hence  he  gets  results  and 
earns  the  very  high  salary  he  receives. 

Then  take  Mr.  Rudolph's  case.  He  man- 
ages one  of  the  key  houses  for  United  Artists 


26 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


The 


>«&. 


Buck  Private 

of  the 

Projection  Army 


Meet  the  buck  private  of  the 
projection  army  —  THE 
LENS.  All  the  rest  of  the 
army,  from  the  light  switch  to 
the  shutter,  pass  the  buck  to 
the  lens. 

And  just  as  the  performance 
of  an  army  depends  on  the 
men  in  it,  so  does  the  kind  of 
pictures  a  projection  machine 
produces  depend  on  the  lens. 

That  is  why  the  Cinephor 
Lens  makes  an  ideal  part  of 
the  projection  machine.  It  is 
a  well  trained,  strictly  disci- 
plined, sharp  shooter.  It  aims 
to  bring  the  monies  into  the 
box  office  till,  and  it  invari- 
ably scores  a  bull's  eye. 

Once  you  get  a  Cinephor  "in 
the  army  now"  it  is  in  for 
good.  You  pay  nothing  for 
the  term  of  service  except  the 
original  purchase  price. 

If  you  are  looking  for  a  real 
recruit,  enlist  a  Cinephor. 


Bausch  &  Lomb 
Optical  Co* 

652  St.  Paul  St.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


*3EfE 

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/4n<i  *t777  t/iey  come,  the  {lobular  songs  inspired  hy  the  perpendicular  drama. 
And  now  synchronization  is  causing  patrons  to  come  from  ■picture  shows  whis- 
tling a  featured  song  just  as  they  do  coming  from  musical  comedies.  Surely, 
no  volume  on  the  American  folk  song  will  he  allowed  to  ignore  the  motion 
picture  as  a  nightly  source  thereof.  Above  are  presented  ■^arts  of  the 
choruses  of  two  new  theme  songs,  both  adapted  from  Fox  productions,  both 
written  by  Erno  Ra^ee  and  Lew  Pollack  and  both  published  by  DeSylva, 
Brown  and  Henderson.  "Some  Day,  Somewhere  '  is  the  theme  song  of  "The 
Red  Dance,"  featuring  Dolores  Del  Rio  and  Charles  Farrell,  while  "Angela 
Tdia'   inter'prets   "Street  Angel,''    which,   also   featuring   Charles  Farrell,    stars 

Janet  Gaynor. 


Corporation.  His  34  years  of  showmanship 
experience  has  carried  him  through  every 
phase  of  its  romantic  history.  He  knows 
what  can  be  humanly  expected  from  every 
department  in  his  theatre.  He  is  never  too 
busy  to  adjust  the  slightest  misunderstanding 
or  grievance.  And,  he  is  permitted  the  lati- 
tude to  develop  his  managerial  abilities.  In 
short,  he  is  the  manager  of  the  house  and  not 
a  puppet  on  a  string.  Consequently,  he  has 
unusually  high  quality  in  his  personnel.  Such 
characters  attract  and  hold  intelligent  and 
capable  people.  Oil  seeks  its  higher  level  and 
intelligence  only  respects  the  super  strata  of 
its  kind.  One  may  disagree  with  him  yet  it 
does  not  mean  dismissal. 

*    *    * 

Maybe  your  idea  is  better  than  his.  K  so 
he  uses  it  and  gives  you  full  credit  for  it. 
(He  has  done  this  in  my  case  in  many  in- 
stances.) What  is  the  inevitable  result? 
Whole-hearted  cooperation.  Because  of  un- 
forseen  circumstances  I  have  had  him  come 
to  me  at  rehearsal,  3  :00  a.  m.,  and  ask  me  to 
prepare  an  organ  solo  for  the  new  bill  by 
1:15  the  same  day.  In  the  brief  space  of  10 
hours  (including  some  sleep)  I  have  worked 
out  a  presentable  novelty  for  him.  The  same 
thing  is  true  of  our  very  capable  musical 
director,  A.  Leon  Bloom.  Mr.  Rudolph  is 
imbued  with  a  certain  spirit  of  showmanship 
which  carries  one  back  to  the  old  days  of 
personal  friendships  in  the  business.  He  is  a 
gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  digni- 
fied, a  man  whom  you  intuitively  respect  and 
treat  as  you  would  one  above  the  average  in 
intelligence  and  whose  experience  entitles  him 
to  every  consideration.  Although  not  a  musi- 
cian he  instinctively  knows  the  difficulties 
under  which  they  labor  and  treats  them  with 
great  cordiality  and  with  sympathetic  under- 
standing of  their  problems. 

As  for  the  house  personnel  in  general  any 
one  of  them  can  tell  you  how  his  outwardly 
gruff  and  politely  blunt   nature  softens   wher 


that  one  is  in  trouble.  He  has  given  time 
and  money  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  help  the 
men  and  an  employe  always  gets  the  break. 

Of  course,  he  has  been  imposed  upon. 
Probably  will  be  again.  But  he  still  thinks  of 
his  employes  first.  With  unlimited  authority 
were  he  spurious  he  would  have  long  since 
had  a  closed  house.  But,  as  the  old  phrase 
puts  it,  "He  has  been  ripened  by  time  and 
mellowed  by  experience." 

Mr.  Rudolph  could  not  chafe  under  red  tape 
and  produce.  The  wide  latitude  given  him 
has  been  greatly  responsible  for  the  general 
reputation  of  the  house  summed  up  in  the 
words  of  the  very  erudite,  sophisticated  and 
critical  magazine.  The  Chicagoan,  "The  town's 
premiere  cinema."  As  long  as  such  men  live 
and  are  in  control  of  the  theatre  destinies  we 
need  not  fear  standardization  or  artistic  stag- 
nation. 


September  24  Is  Date 

of  Engineers  Meeting 

L.  C.  Porter,  Secretary  of  the  Society  of 
Motion  Picture  Engineers,  announces  that  the 
fall  meeting  of  the  society  will  be  held  at 
Lake  Placid,  N.  Y.,  the  week  of  September  24. 

The  spring  meeting  which  was  held  in 
Hollywood  in  the  early  part  of  May  attracted 
unusual  attention  to  the  activities  of  the 
S.M.P.E.  and  it  is  believed  that  the  fall  meet- 
ing will  be  the  largest  ever  held  by  the  society. 


Sentry  Safety  Control 

Goes  Into  Poli  Circuit 

Sentry  Safety  Control  announces  that  the 
Poli  Circuit  of  theatres,  recently  acquired  by 
Fox,  has  contracted  for  the  installation  of 
this  safety  device  on  its  projection  machines. 
Installation  will  be  made  as  soon  as  possible. 

Sentry  only  recently  enlarged  its  plant  m 
Philadelphia  to  handle  increased  business. 


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from 

Four  Bare  Walls 

to  one  of  America's  finest  houses  I 

TKe  IOWA 

exemplifies    the    great    advantages    of    National's 
One'Contract  Plan ♦     ♦     ♦     ♦     ♦ 


Calvin  Bard 

owner  of  the  New  Iowa,  says: 

".  .  .  it  was  left,  without  restrictions, 
to  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company  to  start  with  four  bare 
walls  and  accomplish  the  100  per 
cent  perfect  job  of  today. 

"I  feel  glad  that  I  selected  this  or- 
ganization to  equip  my  theatre.  I 
am  glad  for  the  harmony  and  effi- 
ciency which  has  prevailed  during 
the  installation.  The  harmony  and 
smooth  working  of  all  details  could 
not  have  been  possible  had  I  dealt 
with   half  a  dozen  individual  firms. 

"My  dealings  with  National  Theatre 
Supply  Company  have  saved  me 
time,  worry,  and  expense. 


^ 


^ 


National's 

One-Contract  Plan 

is  the  ideal  means  of  producing  a 
completely  and  excellently  appointed 
theatre  with  minimum  expense. 

Constant  cooperation  with  the  archi- 
tects during  the  construction  of  each 
One-Contract  Theatre  assures  best 
results  from  projection  and  other 
necessary  equipment — as  well  as  the 
selection  and  adaptation  of  various 
equipment  units  to  the  individual 
requirements  of  the  architect's  de- 
sign. 

Another  important  feature  of  the 
One-Contract  Plan  is  its  arrange- 
ment for  financing  in  part  or  com- 
plete from  the  ground  up. 


s 


^ 


The  new  IOWA,  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  is  an  excellent  illustration  of  the 

many  things  that  make  National  Service  the  most  complete,  the  most 

effective  and  reliable,  ever  available  to  the  theatre  industry 


S/Vational^heatre  Suppl^'^ompau'p 


iflf''i#'^ 


Offices  in  all 
fPvincipal  Cities 


I  III  I'  -.iiiiiij  I  ■'  '".'  1,1 

;i 

Si 


m 


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'i 


In  the"JAYHAWK" of  Topeka 

Here  is  another  of  America's  modern  playhouses  in  which 
the  KILGEN  Organ  holds  the  place  of  honor.  The  man-* 
agement  of  this  beautiful  theatre  seeking  the  best  for  its 
equipment,  wisely  chose  the  KILGEN  Wonder  Organ. 

In  the  "Jayhawk" — as  in  your  theatre — "The  Organ"  is 
of  prime  importance.  It  can  make  or  mar  your  entertainment. 
Only  comparison  can  show  the  superior  vividness  with  which 
the  KILGEN  Wonder  Organ  can  dramatize  your  presentations 
and  musically  enhance  their  charm.  /  /  /  Its  enduring  con-- 
struction  means  continued  care-tree  satisfaction  to  its  owner 


Qtfm 


Send  for  Catalog,  or  write  National  Theatre  Supply  (Company,  Distributors 

GEO.  KILGf^rv  o  90t^,  incy  4v:^o  alon  M>iva.,  a»l.  LOt>i§,  U.  S.  A. 


BRENKERT  LIGHT  PROJECTION  CO. 

St.  Aubin  at  E,  Grand  Blvd.,   Detroit,   Michigan 


For  Information 

Brenkert  Light  Projection  Co. 
St.  Aubin  at  Sast  Grand  Blvd. 
Detroit,  Mich. 

Kindly  send  me: 

n  Descriptive  literature  on  Master  Breno- 

graph 
n   Complete   Brenkert   Catalog 

Name _ _ 

Address 


Rock-Steady  Projection  Demanded 

for  Sound  Pictures 


HAS    NECESSITATED    INSTALLATION 


OF 


SIMPLEX    PROJECTORS 


IN  THE 


STRAND    THEATRE,    NEW    YORK 

WHICH    NOW    MAKES 

BROADWAY    ONE    HUNDRED    PERCENT 


INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 


90  GOLD  STREET,  NEW  YORK 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


1,669,963.  METHOD  OF  TAKING  COM- 
POSITE MOTION  PICTURES.  Paul  W. 
Youngblood,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.  Filed  Feb. 
17,  1926.  Serial  No.  88,844.  1  Claim.  (CI. 
88—16.) 


The  photegraphic  method  consiatincr  in  mak- 
ing a  photograph  of  a  scene,  making  a  photo- 
graphic enlargement  of  certain  portions  of  the 
photograph,  making  a  second  light  having  a 
projection  aperture  associated  therewith,  a 
projecting  mechanism  casing  having  a  wall 
disposed  in  front  of  said  film  carrying  mechan- 
ism, a  projection  lens  mounted  in  said  wall, 
and  an  auxiliary  light  of  less  intensity  than 
said  projection  light  disposed  between  said 
film  carrying  mechanism  and  said  wall  so  that 
the  film  and  aperture  may  be  viewed  from 
behind  said  aperture  for  the  purpose  of  fram- 
ing the  picture. 

1,670,671.  MULTICOLOR  SCREEN  AND 
SUPPORT  FOR  FILMS  AND  PLATES.  John 
Edward  Thornton,  West  Hampstead,  London, 
England.  Filed  Mar.  24,  1926,  Serial  No. 
97,137,  and  in  Great  Britain  Mar.  31,  1925. 
4   Claims.      (CI.   95—2.) 


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1.  A  multi-color-screen  and  support  to  carry 
a  sensitire  layer  for  the  production  of  photo- 
graphic and  kinematograph  pictures  compris- 
ing two  half  screens  and  two  supports  (one 
for  each  half  screen),  the  completed  screen 
being  formed  by  cementing  the  two  parts  to- 
gether thus  forming  a  compound  screen  upon 
a  compound  support  which  is  capable  of  being 
subsequently  sensitized  in  the  usual  manner. 


Lasher  on 
Decoration 

{Continued  from  page  10) 

allowed  to  harden,  it  can  be  sanded  down  to 
a  smooth  surface. 

Only  recently  the  case  of  an  analine  stain 
bleeding  through  two  coats  of  shellac  and 
four  coats  of  paint  was  brought  up  for  dis- 
cussion in  the  Illinois  College  of  Painting  and 
Decorating.  Some  of  the  students  were 
present,  several  of  them  from  the  largest 
shops  in  the  country,  with  years  of  experience 
and  now  taking  up  the  decorating  course,  and 
they  joined  in  the  discussion.  Several  treat- 
ments   of    the    condition    in    question    were 


1/  You  Show  Pictures  You  Need  the 

TRANSVERTER 

Its  superiority  of  operation — a  description  of  the 
various  types — the  simple  rules  which  assure  its 
long  satisfactory  performance — are  all  contained 
in  the  HERTNER  HAND  BOOK,  just  oflf  the 
press. 

A  copy  will  be  mailed  free  to  any  Theatre  Owner, 
Manager  or  Projectionist,  sending  for  it. 


Transverters  are  manufactured 
exclusively  by 


THE  HERTNER  ELECTRIC  COMPANY 


1900  W.  114th  St. 


Cleveland,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 


Distributed  in  the   V.  S.  A,  by 
The    National    Theatre    Supply    Company 


IN  ADDITION  TO  YOUR  PICTURES 
—GET  THIS  ADDED  PROFIT— 

READ    WHAT   THESE    LIVE    THEATRE    OWNERS    ARE 
DOING  WITH  A  CRETORS'  POPCORN  MACHINE 

Eagle    River,    Wis. 
I   can   truthfully  say   tliat  it  bas  not  only  paid  for   Itself,   but 
paid  me  a   good  profit  besides.  EAGLE   THEATRE. 

ROSE    THEATRE  Troy.   N.  T. 

I  find  it  a  big  money  maker  and  also  a  great  convenience  to  my 
patrons.  I  feel  that  if  Motion  Picture  Theatres  would  look  Into 
this  end  of  the  business,  they  would  find  their  bank  accounts 
would  show  a  big  increase,  Jacob  C.  Rosenthal, 

THE    OPERA    HOUSE    Millersburg.    Ohio, 
During   a    thirty-day    period,    we   sold   a   great   deal    more   corn 
than  I  had  any  idea  we  could  and  my  net  profit  far  exceeded  my 
expectations.  Hoy    L.    RusselL 

The   Cretors'   Way   Is  Easy  To   Pay 

C.  CRETORS  &  COMPANY 


612  W.  22nd  St. 


CHICAGO 


28 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


Theatres  that  have 
eliminated  Orchestras 
on  Account  of  Installa- 
tion of  Movietone  and 
Vitaphone,  decorate 
their  Orchestra  Pit 
with 

REISINQ'S 

True  to  Nature 

Artijicial  Vlowers 
and  Vlants 


There  Are  None  Better 

G*  Reising  &  Co* 

227  West  Austin  Avenue 
Chicago,  111. 


Write  ior  Our  Catalogue 


Would  You  Buy 
The  Same  Make  Screen  Again? 


A  COMFORTABLE  majority  of  Da-Lite  owners 
do.  Owner  loyalty  and  owner  boosting  is  the 
best  form  of  advertising  and  proof  of  value  of  any 
merchandise. 

A  reputation  for  quality  does  not  come  by  chance. 
You  must  excel  to  keep  ahead  in  the  race  that  never 
ends. 

When  a  million  dollar  theatre  opens  you  will  usually 
find  a  Da-Lite  Screen,  because  they  want  the  best. 

Write  for  sample  and  catalogue — 


DA-LITE  SCREEN  &  SCENIC  CO. 

922-924    West    Monroe    Street,    CHICAGO,    ILLINOIS 


Arcadia  Has  Special 
Type  of  Lege  Seats 

One  of  the  Southwest's  finest  and 
most  beautiful  theatres  is  the  Arcadia  in 
Dallas,  a  pictorial  story  of  which  was 
presented  in  Better  Theatres   in  June. 

Among  the  many  unusual  features  of 
this  Dent  property  are  the  31  loge  seats 
manufactured  by  the  Heywood-JV ake field 
Company.  These  were  specially  built 
seats,  and  were  patterned  after  the  Hey- 
wood-Wakefield  specially  designed  loge 
seats  in  the  Roxy  theatre  in  New  York. 


offered.  Assuming  that  the  shellac  coating  is 
not  capable  of  being  corrected  dependably,  flat 
black  ground  in  Japan  thinned  with  turpen- 
tine is  quite  effective  as  a  sealer.  Aluminum 
bronze  paint  is  also  used  extensively.  But  the 
latest,  simplest  and  cheapest  sealer  is  cold 
water  paint,  applied  over  the  surface  where 
the  aniline  stains   through. 

A  test  was  made  of  this  method,  it  being 
the  method  of  the  school  to  test  out  new 
ideas  that  may  prove  advantageous  to  the 
decorator.  Having  some  woodwork  in  one  of 
our  rooms  on  which  the  aniline  bled  through 
two  coats  of  shellac  and  numerous  coats  of 
paint,  the  instructor  applied  cold  water  paint 
over  the  entire  surface  of  the  painted  wood- 
work, allowing  it  to  dry  thoroughly,  lightly 
sanding  it,  and  repainting  with  two  coats 
more.  The  result  is  that  no  sign  of  the  stain 
has  thus  far  penetrated  through. 

Tar  and  grease  may  be  sealed  with  shellac; 
metal  rust,  with  red  lead.  To  eliminate  ero- 
sive water  stains,  the  rotted  plaster  should  be 
removed  and  the  refinishing  done  with  a  well 
gauged  plaster,  a  coat  of  flat  paint  being  ap- 
plied over  this. 

As  to  the  most  contrary  and  unconquerable 
stain,  the  salt  peter  stain  (as  long  as  the  salt 
peter  continues  bleeding,  it  remains  a  blot 
wherever  it  appears),  I  hope  to  touch  on  this 
in  a  more  appropriate  connection  in  a  future 
article.  ; 


International  Holds 
Its  Annual  Outing; 
Prizes  to  Employes 

Over  250  employes  of  the  International  Pro- 
jector Corporation  attended  the  outing  of  the 
company  at  Belvedere  Park,  Pearl  River,  N.. 
Y.,  Saturday,  July  21. 

Ralph  Kneuer  as  in  former  years  was  chair- 
man of  the  committee  of  arrangements  and 
to  him  must  be  given  much  credit  for  the 
success  of  the  affair. 

The  entire  party  went  to  Pearl  river  by 
bus  and  private  auto  with  the  company  band 
to  make  the  trip  more  cheerful.  Many  ath- 
letic contests  were  held  with  liberal  prizes  for 
the  winners  and  dinner  and  supper  served  to 
all  those  present. 

In  addition  to  the  many  handsome  prizes 
handed  out,  Harley  L.  Clarke,  president  of 
the  company,  made  a  liberal  cash  contribution 
which  added  greatly  to  the  day's  enjoyment 
by  the  SO  winners  in  this  feature. 

Among  those  who  addressed  the  meeting 
were  W.  C.  Michel,  vice  president  and  treas- 
urer; S.  R.  Burns,  vice  president  and  secre- 
tary of  the  International  Projector  Corpora- 
tion, and  W.  E.  Green,  vice  president  and 
general  manager  of  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company. 

Mr.  Green  who  was  formerly  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  International  Projector  Corpora- 
tion, made  a  special  trip  from  Chicago  to  be 
present  with  his  old  friends  on  this  occasion. 


■HH 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


New  KJiegl  125  anf^ere,  long  range, 
S'potlight,  floodlight,  and  effect  pro- 
jector, com{>letely  equi^^ed  for 
white  and  color  lighting,  framing, 
fading,  standard  effects  and  spot- 
light attachments.  In  a  single  unit 
everything  is  ■provided  that  may  he 
needed  in  the  operation  of  the  pro- 
jector. All  controls  are  centralized 
to  facilitate  s{>eedy,  convenient, 
and  easy  operation. 

Flexibility  Is  One 
Feature  of  Spot 
Devised  by  Kliegl 

GREATER  flexibility  of  operation,  more 
convenient  controls  and  higher  lighting 
efficiency  are  the  dominant  features  of 
a  new  spotlight,  floodlight  and  effect  projec- 
tion, according  to  Kliegl  Brothers,  which  has 
announced  this  new  product. 

This  new  machine,  says  the  company,  em- 
bodies a  new  departure  in  spot-flood  control, 
wherein  the  arc  lamp  remains  stationary  and 
the  lens  is  made  to  travel  for  focusing, the 
light  beam. 

In  announcing  its  new  product,  the  Kliegl 
Company  says : 

"It  is  a  125  ampere,  long-distance  projector, 
complete  in  every  respect,  providing  in  a  single 
unit  everything  required  of  a  projector — spot-, 
flood-,  and  color-lighting,  framing  shutters, 
effects,  etc. 

"The  design  is  compact,  can  be  accommo- 
dated in  a  comparatively  small  space,  and  the 
hood  is  lower  at  the  front  than  at  the  rear 
so  that  the  operators'  line  of  vision  is  unob- 
structed. 

Higher  Lighting 
Efficiency 

"It  projects  the  light  any  distance  up  to 
ISO  feet,  and  gives  anything  required  from  a 
4  foot  perfectly  round  spot  to  a  50  foot  spread 
with  uniform  intensity ;  providing  an  intense 
white  light  having  all  the  qualities  of  strong 
sunlight,  bringing  out  brilliant  colors  in  their 
true  value.  Finer  adjustments  of  the  arc 
afford  a  greater  amount  of  light  projection 
for  a  given  current  consumption,  and  a  shield 
in  front  of  the  arc  prevents  light  from  the 
^Continued  on  page  32) 


Qood  Miisic  ' ' '  how  Cost 


Don't  make  your  audi- 
ences sorry  they  came  by 
giving  them  poor  music 
— you  can  have  the  best 
of  classical  and  the  snap- 
piest of  jazz  with  the 
Selector  Duplex  at  low 
cost. 


SELECTOR 
DUPLEX 
ORGAN 


Uses  a  ten  tune  double 
roll  which  may  have  a 
classic  and  a  jazz,  one 
on  each  side.  No  wait 
for  rewind,  plays  con- 
tinuously. Plays  right, 
priced  right. 


<-. 

W/k 

Send    for    com- 

hII 

plete     information 

?                  ^nl 

now.       Start     the 

^«>.                ■11 

new    season    with 

^             ^H 

right    music. 

aS^ 

NELSON. 
Wl G  GEN 
PIANO 
COMPANY 

1731-45  Belmont  Ave. 
CHICAGO 


«VT# 


EVERY 
ROTH 

Product 
Eeflect^ 


^High  Quality 

^  Thought, 
^Workmanship 
and  Materials 
ihat  go  into 


Construction 
ROTM  BR0THEP5  <{CQ 


I'+OO   W.  ADAMS   ST. 
CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS 

NEW  YORK  OFFICE 

52  VESEY  ST. 

EXPORT  DEPT. 

44  WHITEHALL  ST 
NEW  rORKCITY 


ACTODECTon  mmk 


inAii 

principal  citiej 


30 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


Two  Views  That  Show 
a   Theatre  Beautiful  in 

the  Sfnrit  of  T oday. 


The  Forum, 

A  Theatre 

Modernistic 


The  -picture  above  is 
of  the  foyer  in  the 
new  Forum  theatre  in 
Frankford,  a  district 
of  Philadelphia,  while 
that  below  shows  a 
section  of  the  side 
wall  in  the  audi- 
torium.  Both  tell 
something  of  the 
modernistic  decora- 
tive treatment  as  de- 
veloped by  the  French^ 


August  4.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


A    view    of    the    auditorium,    facing    the 

stage.       Here     at    a    glance     is    French 

Modernism  in  the   theatre. 


Vrendi  l^odernisra — a  New  Motif  in 
Photoplay  Theatre  Design 

W.  H.  Lee,   architect  of  the  Forum  in  Frankford,   Philadelphia,   introduces   a   decorative 

style  of  today,  into  today  s  'playhouse. 


THE  new  Forum  theatre  in  Frankford, 
Philadelphia,  which  was  opened  to 
the  public  on  June  25,  is  said  to  be 
the  first  theatre  in  America  to  employ  the 
modern  French  style  of  decoration.  A  re- 
markable feature  of  this  project  is  that 
the  construction  of  the  entire  building,  to 
the  night  of  the  public  opening,  required 
but  six  months  and  one  week. 

The  community  of  Frankford,  which  is 
within  the  city  limits  of  Philadelphia,  is 
very  progressive  and  is  famous  the  country 
over  for  its  professional  football  team, 
known  as  the  Frankford  Yellow  Jackets. 
The  Forum  Amusement  Company,  which 
operates  the  new  house,  was  anxious  to 
have  a  building  designed  that  would  be 
modern  in  treatment  as  well  as  in  its  ap- 
pointments and  equipment,  and  would 
typify  the  social  and  industrial  life  of  the 
community.  W.  H.  Lee,  the  Philadelphia 
architect,  who  has  designed  twenty  theatres 
in  and  around  Philadelphia  during  the  past 


two    years,    was    commissioned    to    do    the 
work. 

*     *     * 

The  theatre  is  92  feet  wide  and  319  feet 
long  and  seats  1,850  persons  on  one  floor. 
It  has  a  thirty-two  foot  stage,  reading  loft 
and  organ  console  lift.  The  heating,  ven- 
tilating and  cooling  systems  are  of  modern 
type,  designed  to  change  the  air  in  the  audi- 
torium once  every  minute  throughout  the 
year,  under  heating  or   cooling   conditions. 

The  auditorium  conveys  on  entering  an 
impression  of  richness  and  spaciousness 
which,  it  is  said,  would  have  been  difficult 
to  attain  in  any  other  than  the  modern 
French  medium.  The  scheme  is  simple. 
The  great  expanse  of  ceiling,  which  rises 
gradually  from  the  side  walls,  creating  a 
buoyant  effect,  is  carried  on  large  pylons, 
which  are  capped  with  lighting  fixtures 
modern  in  every  respect  and  in  the  form 
of  white  glass  lanterns  suspended  from 
brackets.     A   judicious   use    of   ornamental 


plaster  and  the  decorative  scheme  of  gold 
and  silver  leaf  and  pastel  colors  combine 
to  make  this  room  very  attractive.  The 
side  walls  are  covered  with  specially  de- 
signed modern   French  damask. 

On  the  center  of  the  side  wall  panels, 
there  are  two  large  murals,  measuring  eight 
by  16  feet,  one  depicting  the  motion  picture 
industry  in  the  studio;  the  other,  a  circus 
scene,  including  animals,  tragedians,  etc. 
These  murals  are  featured  during  the  show- 
ing of  a  picture  through  the  playing  of  a 
soft  glow  spot  light,  which  operates  from 
the   ceiling. 

The  grand  foyer  is  32  feet  wide  and  72 
feet  long.  It  is  colonnaded  on  two  sides  to 
the  full  height  of  the  room,  and  each  corner 
is  fitted  with  a  large  spherical-top  niche. 
Two  of  the  spaces  contain  modernistic 
green  and  blue  tile  drinking  fountains, 
while  the  other  two  niches  form  entrances 
to  the  men's  and  ladies'  retiring  rooms. 
{Continued  on  page  42) 


32 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


New   Kliegl   Spot 

{Continued   from   page  29) 


flame  entering  the  optical  system,  eliminating 
ghosts  and  false  light. 

"All  controls,  including  arc,   focusing,   shut- 


ters, color  screens,  and  directional  controls, 
are  centralized  at  the  rear  of  the  spotlight,  in 
full  view  of  the  operator,  and  within  arms' 
length  of  the  operating  position,  affording  the 
greatest  convenience,  speed,  and  ease  of  op- 
eration. 

"The  arc  lamp  remains  in  a  fixed  position, 


rai 


SAVE  SEVERAL 
THOUSAND  DOLLARS 

Exceptional   ORGAN   Bargain 

Due  to  replacement  of  larger  Wurlitzer  Organ,  we  will 
have  available  a  splendid  organ,  w^hich  w^e  will  sacrifice  at 
an  exceptionally  low  price.  Installation  is  still  intact  and 
may  be  heard.     Delivery  may  be  had  September    1  st,   or 

earlier. 

SPECIFICATIONS 
Three  Manual  Twenty-two  Stop  Divided  Organ.  Full  Percussion,  Traps,  Drums. 
A-1    condition.      Installed    in    Orpheum    Theatre,    Cincinnati,    some    two    years 
where  it  may  now  be  heard  m  cctual  usage.    Will  sell  for  $4,000.00  as  is  and 
where  is.     Delivery,  latter  part  o£  August. 

Wire  for  further  particulars 

The  Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Company 


121   East  Fourth  Street 


Cincinnati,  Ohio 


i^l^^. 


ou^^ 


Wl*-' 


Pile  Up 

Additional 

Profits . 


BRING   YOUR  PUBLIC 
BACK  MORE  OFTEN 

THEREBY  INCREASING 
BOX  OFFICE  RECEIPTS 


M>rsrKt Bt/r£A/ti  rMlAlt.£RS   rMRCVGHOar  THE  tJMfreD  STAffSfnOM 


CHICAGO 


NEW   YORK 

126- I30    W.  46™  ST. 


LOS  ANGELES 

lail     5.  VERMONT  AVE. 


SPECIAL  SER.VICE 


FULLY  EQUIPPED  TO  MAKE 
/^NY  KIND  OF  FILM 
/^N    NOUMCEVIENTS 


AF-TiSTiC    ANIMATED 
:    A   O    E   R.  S 

FOB.    FEATURE  -  COMEDY -NEWS- 


;     TRADEMAR-KS,    ETC. 


all  focusing  is  done  by  moving  the  lens,  caus- 
ing no  disturbance  in  the  adjustment  of  the 
arc.  Arc  control  handles  are  fixed  in  posi- 
tion and  do  not  protrude  more  than  a  few 
inches  beyond  the  lamp  housing. 

"Arc  carbons  may  be  adjusted  in  every 
conceivable  way — angularly,  vertically,  and 
horizontally,  and  the  lower  carbon  holder  may 
be  moved  independently  of  the  upper  carbon, 
in  any  lateral  direction.  Six  different  con- 
trols are  provided  so  that  the  arc  can  be 
quickly  and  easily  centered,  irrespective  of 
any  condition  that  may  arise,  and  the  arc 
length  and  crater  adjusted  to  obtain  the  maxi- 
mum effective  light.  Fibre  grips  insulate  the 
arc  control  handles  from  the  heat  of  the  arc 
and  protect  the  operator  against  burnt  fingers. 
Focusing 
Control 

"Condenser  lens  travel  on  a  movable  car- 
riage and  focus  the  light  without  disturbing 
the  arc  lamp.  The  lens  are  made  to  move  by 
simply  turning  a  handle  on  the  side  of  the 
spotlight.  They  travel  quickly,  smoothly,  and 
freely — stay-put  in  any  set  position  without 
being  clamped,  and  are  always  ready  for  in- 
stantaneous change   of   focus. 

"One  lens  takes  care  of  the  full  range  from 
a  four  foot  spot  to  a  50  foot  flood.  The 
simple  movement  of  the  lens,  backward  or 
forward,  along  the  optical  axis  by  means  of 
the  control  handle,  is  all  that  is  required.  A 
pointer  on  the  focusing  control  handle  travels 
over  a  numbered  dial  on  either  side  of  the 
spotlight  and  in  plain  view  of  the  operator. 
It_  indicates  the  position  of  the  lens  and  per- 
mits setting  the  lens  quickly  to  any  desired 
focus. 

"The  lens  carriage  slides  on  two  parallel 
rods,  and  is  attached  to  a  chain,  which  passes 
over  two  sprocket  wheels,  one  at  the  front 
and  the  other  at  the  rear.  The  shaft  of  the 
rear  sprocket  extends  outside  the  housing 
and  to  it  is  attached  the  control  handle. 

"To  the  underside  of  the  chain  a  counter- 
weight is  attached  which  also  slides  on  two 
parallel  rods,  but  always  moves  in  a  direction 
opposite  to  that  of  the  lens  and  thereby  main- 
tains the  center  of  gravity  and  keeps  the  spot- 
light in  perfect  balance  at  all  times. 

"The  frame  in  which  the  lens  is  mounted, 
is  hinged  so  that  the  lens  can  easily  be  re- 
moved for  cleaning  or  replacement,  and  is  also 
so  designed  as  to  allow  unrestricted  expansion. 
Color 
Lighting 

"A  color  box  or  boomerang  on  the  front 
of  the  spotlight  provides  means  for  changing 
the  color  of  the  light  beam.  It  contains  four 
color  frames  for  gelatin  mediums,  controlled 
by  levers  at  the  rear  of  the  spotlight,  and 
ready  for  operation  at  all  times.  There  is 
a  seperate  lever  for  each  color  frame  and 
each  lever  is  keyed  to  correspond  with  the 
color  it  controls.  The  position  of  the  handle 
indicates  the  position  of  the  color  screen  and 
a  quarter  turn  throws  the  screen  in  or  out  of 
position.  The  color  screen  is  free  of  all 
mechanical  connections  and  may  be  readily 
removed  by  simply  raising  the  color  box  and 
lifting  the  screen  out  of  its  slide  grooves;  or, 
if  it  is  to  be  inserted,  simply  dropping  it  into 
its  proper  place.  Gradual  or  quick  changes 
of  color  can  be  produced  and  one  color 
blended  with  another  as  may  be  desired. 
Framing 
and  Fading 

"A  curtain  shutter  and  iris  shutter  set  in 
the  lamp  housing,  and  independently  con- 
trolled from  the  rear,  permit  light  to  be 
framed  to  flood  the  stage  or  orchestra  pit,  and 
to  fade  the  light  on  or  off  at  will.  They  are 
quick  acting  in  operation  and  a  quarter  turn 
of  the  handle  is  sufficient  to  operate  the  shut- 
ters from  full-opening  to  black  out,  or  vice 
versa.  Guide  marks  on  the  back  of  the  hous- 
ing indicate  the  position  of  the  shutters  and 
facilitate  speedy  operation. 
All  Parts 
Accessible 

"All  parts  and  adjustments  are  easy  of  ac- 
(Contitiued  on  page  34) 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Below  is  floor  ■§lan  of  theatre  built 
on  a  ^lot  of  ground  of  unusual  di' 
mensions.  At  left  7S  front  of 
house. 


J—; 


To  Seat  750  in  a  House 
Costing  $42,000 

was  the  problem  of 

HARRY  C.  HOLBROOK 

(Architect) 

^  The  lot  on  which  Mr.  Holbrook  had  to  work  was  41  by  165  feet, 
^  a  very  narrow  stretch  on  which  to  build  a  motion  picture  thea- 
tre. Yet,  this  was  accomplished  by  the  architect  and  Harry  V. 
Smoot  at  Washington  Court  House,  Ohio. 


WHEN  Harry  V.  Smoot,  owner  and 
operator  of  the  Vine  theatre  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  O.,  decided  to  have  another 
house,  he  finally  chose  Washington  Court 
House,  O.,  as  the  right  location  for  it.  And 
then  and  there  he  got  himself  into  a  mat- 
ter requiring  considerable  figuring  out.  He 
found  it  impossible  to  buy  suitable  ground 
in  the  main  business  section  of  Washington 
Court  House.  Looking  around,  he  dis- 
covered a  piece  of  land  on  which  was  lo- 
cated the  oldest  residence  in  the  city.  The 
lot  was  narrow  and  long,  measuring  41 
by  165  feet.  That  would  offer  a  new  prob- 
lem, for  such  a  lot  is  obviously  not  well 
adapted  to  a  theatre  of  economical  seating 
arrangement.  However,  it  was  only  a  half- 
block  from  the  main  street,  and  so  it  was 
selected. 

*     *     * 

Here  Harry  V.  Smoot  let  down  on  his 
worrying  a  little  and  turned  the  difficulty 
over  to  another  Harry— Harry  C.  ,  Hol- 
brook, Columbus,  O.,  architect.  All  Hol- 
brook had  to  do  was  to  design  a  $42,000 
theatre  for  deluxe  performances  and  seating 
750  people  comfortably  and  with  good 
vision  of  the  screen  and  stage,  on  a  lot 
measuring  41  by  165  feet.  The  accompany- 
ing illustration,  showing  the  floor  plan,  tells 
better  than  words  how  Holbrook  did  it. 

The  Fayette  is  of  Spanish  design.  The 
interior  is  built  of  yellow  brick  and  Bedford 
stone,  with  the  roof  of  variegated  Spanish 
tiles. 


Installation  is  now  being  made  for  sound 
pictures. 

The  interior  of  the  Fayette  is  decorated 
in  old  rose  and  ivory,  with  polychrome  color 
effect  worked  out  in  the  ornamental  plaster. 
The  draperies  are  of  deep  red  and  gold, 
and  they  cover  all  openings.  The  lighting 
is  by  means  of  special  chandeliers  and  con- 
cealed coves.  The  entrance  and  outer 
lobby  are  19  feet  wide  and  have  wainscots 
of  Verde  Antique  and  Mariposa  marble. 
The  floors  are  of  rubber  mats  and  marble 
strips. 

^        s|s        sH 

The  stage,  which  is  an  uncommon  fea- 
ture of  a  theatre  seating  only  750,  is  fully 
equipped  for  presentations  and  vaudeville. 
The  dressing  rooms  are  on  the  mezzanine 
floor  on  both  sides  of  the  stage.  The  organ 
loft  is  also  located  there. 

The  front  part  of  the  building  contains 
two  stores  for  rent,  while  there  are  offices 
on  the  second  floor.  On  the  second  floor 
are  also  retiring  rooms.  The  projection 
booth  measures  12  by  22  feet. 

The  seats,  supplied  by  the  Andrews  Seat- 
ing. Company,  are  of  the  deep-cushion  type, 
covered  with  Spanish  leather.  The  heating 
is  by  means  of  force  blast  and  hot  water 
radiation.     The  organ  is  a  six-stop  Page. 

The  Fayette  plays  straight  pictures  five 
days  a  week,  with  a  stage  show  and  pictures 
Saturday  nights. 


34 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


Stage  Equipment 

Quality  -  Performance   -  Economy  of  Operation 

THAT  Is  the  Reason 

Peter  Clark  Equipment  Has  Been 

Selected  for  the  Leading  Theatres 

Everywhere 

PETER  CLARK 

INC. 

544  West  30th  Street,  New  York 


Orchestra  -  Console  -  Stage  Elevators 
Counterweight  Systems  •  Fire  Curtains 


Decoration  and  Equipment 

To 

Insure  a  Successful  House 
Must 

— be  designed  to  harmonize  with  the  architectural  scheme 

— be  carefully  selected  to  secure  pleasing  comfort  and  rest- 
ful relaxation. 

Midwest  Unified  Service  Covers  Every  Requirement  of  Building — Dec- 
orating— Equipment — Furnishings. 

A  Scientific  Service  Harmonizing  the  Work  of  Architect — Engineer — 
Contractor — Decorator  and  Equipment  Men. 

Ornamental  plaster — Fainting — Draperies — Rugs — Lighting  Effects — 
Equipment  from  the  ticket  booth  to  the  pipe  organ. 

One  Contract — Speedier  Progress — Co-Operative  Work 


Write  for  Estimates 


MIDWEST 


ENGINEERING 

6" 
CONSTRUCTION 


CORPORATION 


209  S.  Third  Street 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO 


Main  2033 


Hall  8C  Connolly 
Lamp  Improvement 

Up  until  quite  recently  the  Hall  & 
Connolly  high  intensity  reflector  type 
lamps  have  been  equipped  with  a  nega- 
tive carbon  feed  involving  the  use  of  a 
pilot  or  third  electrode  and  relay. 

This  worked  well  but  the  exact  adjust- 
ment necessary  to  correct  operation  gave 
some  trouble.  Hall  &  Connolly  there- 
fore got  busy  and  have  evolved  a  new 
type  of  negative  carbon  feed  consisting  of 
a  small  electrical  contactor  unit  which 
attaches  to  the  positive  gear  shaft  under- 
neath the  mechanism  plate. 

This  small  unit  may  be  procured  and 
installed  by  the  projectionist  with  but 
little  trouble.  It  does  away  with  the  third 
electrode  and  feeds  the  negative  carbon 
up  positively  and  evenly  in  precisely  the 
same  way  the  negative  of  the  straight 
Hall  &  Connolly  high  intensity  lamp  is 
fed. 

We  recommend  all  users  of  the  Hall 
&  Connolly  high  intensity  reflector  lamps 
which  have  the  third  electrode  feed  to 
procure  this  new  feed,  install  it  and  dis- 
card the  third  electrode.  The  new  one  is 
very  much  better  in  every  way. 

— F.  H.  RICHARDSON. 


Flexibility  Is  One 
Feature  of  Spot 
Devised  by  Kliegl 

(Contmne4  from  page  32) 

cess.  Large  self-closing  spring  doors,  on 
either  side  of  the  lamp  housing,  permit  access 
to  the  arc  lamp  for  changing  carbons  and 
making  adjustments.  Hinged  cover  over  lens 
compartment  gives  free  and  easy  access  to 
lens  for  cleaning  or  replacing.  Hinged  cover 
over  color  box  permits  access  to  color  frames, 
and  all  external  adjustments,  clamp  screws, 
etc.,  are  within  easy  reach. 
Well  Ventilated 
and  Light  Tight 

"Double  wall  construction,  baffles,  ducts,  and 
numerous  vents  insure  a  free  circulation  of 
air,  ample  ventilation,  and  comparatively  cool 
operation.  Exceptionally  large  peep  holes  in 
the  door,  fitted  with  ruby  glass,  and  provided 
with  a  self-closing  shutter,  permit  inspection 
of  the  arc  in  operation,  and  every  precaution 
has  been  taken  to  eliminate  light  leakage  that 
may  be  disconcerting  to  the  operator. 
Perfectly 
Balanced 

"Spotlight  is  perfectly  balanced  in  every 
way.  It  moves  freely  and  easily  in  any  direc- 
tion and  remains  set  in  any  position.  It  'fol- 
lows' with  remarkable  ease.  A  well  designed 
base  and  heavy  pedestal  upright  provide  a 
rigid  and  substantial  support  for  the  spotlight, 
prevent  vibration  and  insure  steadiness^  in 
the  operation.  The  weight  of  the  spotlight 
rests  on  ball  bearings  and  in  effect  all  fric- 
tion between  heavy  moving  parts  is  elimi- 
nated. Practically  no  effort  is  required  on  the 
part  of  the  operator  directing  the  light  beam. 

"Spotlight  can  be  set  to  any  desired  angle 
within  practical  requirements — quickly  and 
easily  fixed  in  position  by  the  turn  of  a  hand 
screw.  It  swings  through  a  vertical  angle 
of  67° — 45°  below  the  horizontal  and 
22°  above,  and  turns  completely  around  in  the 
horizontal  plane  about  its  central  axis.  The 
base  is  telescopic  and  permits  adjustments 
in  height. 
Extra  Colors 
and  Effects 

"The  customary  slide  grooves  are  provided 
on  the  front  of  the  color  box  and  permit 
the  use  of  all  standard  effects,  color  wheels, 
extra  color  frames,  and  special  apparatus." 


August  4.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


His  Silver 
Anniversary 


Joe  Hornstein 


IS  the  motion  picture  industry  an  infant? 
Checking  on  the   silver  anniversaries  of 
those  in  the  industry  leads  one  to  believe 
that    the   motion   picture    is    a    mature    young 
man. 

All  of  which  is  introductory  to  the  fact 
that  Joe  Hornstein,  New  York  manager  for 
National  Theatre  Supply  Company,  is  now  en- 
tering upon  his  twenty-fifth  year  in  this  great 
industry. 

We'll  let  Joe  tell  his  story  for  he  knows  it 
better  than  any  one  in  the  world : 

"On  June  19,  1904,  I  made  my  debut  in  this 
industry,  by  cranking  a  projection  machine  in 
Billy  Inman's  Dance  Hall  at  Coney  Island. 
Believe  me,  Bo,  those  were  the  flicker  days. 
Twelve  dollars  a  week  for  18  hours'  work, 
seven  days  a  week.  When  I  left  them  I  went 
with  Pop  Rock  of  the  Vitagraph  Company  on 
Nassau  street.  They  shipped  me  to  a  small 
town  in  Jersey  to  crank  a  few  pictures  in  back 
of  a  beer  saloon. 

"My  third  job  in  the  motion  picture  industry 
consisted  of  singing  and  projecting  illustrated 
song  slides  through  the  family  entrance  of  a 
Groggery  in   Linoleumville,   S.  I. 

"In  1907  I  was  made  manager,  projectionist, 
chief  mop,  sign  painter,  advertising  manager, 
cashier  and  musical  director  of  a  honkey  tonk 
nicollette  called  the  Hippodrome  on  Fifth  and 
Washington  streets,  Hoboken,  New  Jersey. 
Them  were  the  happy  days,  projecting  a  pic- 
ture without  an}^  booth  on  an  old  Power's  No. 
3  projector  with  a  relief  machine  manufac- 
tured by  Pop  Rock  called  the  Vitagraph,  con- 
sisting of  a  wooden  baseboard,  several  gears 
and  a  star  and  cam  thrown  together.  I  soon 
tired  of  this  regular  routine,  and  started  sell- 
ing motion  picture  supplies,  which  consisted 
of  a  couple  of  rolls  of  tickets  under  one  arm, 
a  half  dozen  tension  springs,  and  a  sprocket 
in  my  vest  pocket,  and  a  dozen  carbons  in  my 
coat  pocket, — up  and  down  14th  street,  which 
then  was  Film  Row. 

"There  used  to  be  an  employment  agency 
for  vaudeville  artists,  piano  players,  and  what 
not,  called  Len  Spencer's  on  14th  street,  and 
I  obtained  desk  room  there,  and  become  sort 
of  a  free  agent  for  everything  in  the  business 
— anything    from    scenery    to    broken    down 


NOT  A  BATTERY 
CHARGER 


Strong  full  wave  rectifiers 

Built  solely  for  motion  picture 
arcs.  Not  adapted  to  the  applica- 
tion. The  lasting  results  are 
proven. 

Over  500  in  Daily  Use 

Made  and  guaranteed  by 


The  Strong  Electric  Company 


2501  Lagrange  Street 


Toledo,  Ohio 


(( 


You  can't  go  wrong  with  a  Strong" 


CONT-EL-ARC 

MOTOR  GENERATORS  FOR  SMOOTH  PROJECTION 


DEALERS:     A  few 
territories  open.   Write 
for  details 


Manufactured  By 


CONTINENTAL  ELECTRIC  CO.,  INC. 
325-327  Ferry  St.      Newark,  N.  J.,  U.S.A. 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


The  Palace  Or- 
phenm,  Milwaukee, 
the  brightest  spot 
on  "The  White 
Way." 


Signs  That  Sell! 

np  HE  brilliantly  lighted  Milne  Made 
-*-  Electric  Signs  are  the  signs  that  sell. 
They  shout  your  show  message  to  the 
crowds  that  fill  your  theatre.  They  attract 
attention  for  they  are  built  by  men  who 
know  and  understand   "showmanship." 

The  best  Theatres  in  the  country  are 
using  MILNE  Signs  because  they  are  con- 
vinced that  this  "showmanship"  is  built 
right  in. 

Send  us  the  name  of  your  theatre  and  let 
us  submit  a  colored  sketch  to  you— no  o6- 
tigntion    on    your   part. 

MILNE  ELECTRIC  SIGN  COMPANY 

614-618  Cherry  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Long    Distance    Phone    Grand    7666 

Chicago  Branch:    4352  Broadway 

Craceland    4289 

MILNE 

SIGNS 

Changeable  Letter  Marquise  or  Canopies 


THE 


HIGH  INTENSITY 
REFLECTOR  ARC 

For  Motion  Picture  Projection 


Type 
HJ.R. 


The  latest  and  greatest  step  forward  in  the  development  of  High  Intensity 
projection. 

Snow  White  High  Intensity  Light.  60  Amperes  equal  in  screen  illumination  to 
120  amperes  with  the  older  High  Intensity  Lamps.  Gives  more  and  better  light  for 
current  expended. 

HALL  &  CONNOLLY,  INC. 

129  Grand  Street  New  York  City 


vocalists,  and  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that 
there  were  not  many  Nicolletes  at  that  time, 
it  was  tough  going. 

"I  sold  the  first  projection  equipment  to 
Adolph  Zukor,  Marcus  Loew,  William  Fox, 
Sol  Brill,  Lee  Ochs,  William  Brandt,  Pop 
Landau  and  various  others,  who  were  real 
pioneers  in  this  business,  who  are  too  numer- 
ous to  mention.  Later  I  became  connected 
with  H.  A.  Mackey,  who  opened  up  the  first 
supply  house,  and  who  was  distributor  for 
the  Edison  Kinetoscope  Projector — working 
on  a  commission  basis,  which  Mackey  soon 
tired  of,  to  use  his  own  terms,  because  I  was 
making  more  money  than  he  was. 

"From  Mackey  I  went  to  work  for  Miles 
Brothers.  Here  were  the  real  pioneers  in 
our  industry.  Herbert,  Harry — now  deceased 
— and  Joe  Meyers,  including  the  Van  Meters, 
and  the  Lucas  Brothers  from  the  South  were 
encouraging  individuals  going  into  the  nicol- 
lette  business.  Miles  Brothers  ran  a  com- 
bined film  exchange,  motion  picture  studio, 
and  motion  picture  supply  house.  Then  the 
first  big  trust  came  along,  namely,  the  Pat- 
ents Company.  Meyers  went  out  of  the 
picture  there. 

"I  looked  around  for  other  fields,  and  in 
consideration  of  the  fact  that  Chalmers,  who 
was  the  publisher  of  the  Motion  Picture 
World,  somehow  or  other  got  hold  of 
Mackey's  business,  I  went  to  work  for  a  new 
company  called  the  Picture  Theatre  Equip- 
ment Company,  which  was  owned  by  H.  T. 
Edwards,  Walter  E.  Green,  sales  manager,  and 
Joe  Hornstein,  salesman,  chief  bottle  washer, 
etc.  I  saw  the  real  hard  days  with  this  com- 
pany. Every  time  pay  day  came  around,  I 
loaded  the  old  motorcycle  with  all  sorts  of 
supplies  and  brought  in  the  cash  so  that  we 
all  could  have  some  money  to  spend  and  to 
take  home  to  our  folks  and  wives. 

"The  Picture  Theatre  Equipment  Company 
prospered  in  a  small  way,  and  later,  we  had 
the  first  large  supply  house — the  United  Thea- 
tre Equipment  Company.  At  that  time  I  was 
in  charge  of  the  New  York  branch,  which 
was  the  nucleus  of  all  the  other  branches. 

"In  1919  I  formed  the  Howells  Cine  Equip- 
ment Company — was  president,  general  man- 
ager,   sales   manager,    and  what   not. 

"On  June  30,  1926,  I  joined  ranks  with  the 
National  Theatre  Supply  Company.  And  that, 
to  date,  is  that." 


Approval  Given  for 
Home  Study  Course 
Of  Theatre  School 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ELMIRA,  N.  Y.,  July  31.— D.  M.  Baltimore, 
director  of  the  Moving  Picture  Theatre  Man- 
agers Institute,  reports  that  the  institute, 
which  was  formerly  located  in  New  York 
City,  operating  then  as  a  resident  school  for 
training  theatre  managers,  has  received  ap- 
proval from  the  New  York  state  department 
of  education  for  its  home  study  course  in 
theatre   management. 

The  course  is  divided  into  34  assignments, 
in  loose-leaf  form,  covering  every  branch  of 
the  motion  picture  business.  The  courses  em- 
brace the  following  subjects: 

Economic  structure  and  historical  back- 
ground of  the  motion  picture  industry,  pro- 
duction, distribution,  projection  for  managers, 
location,  design,  regulation  construction,  light- 
ing, ventilation  of  theatres,  advertising  prin- 
ciples, typography,  mechanics  of  printing, 
copy,  lay-outs,  newspaper  advertising,  pro- 
grams and  house  organs,  outdoor  advertising, 
lobby  display  and  design,  exploitation,  theatre 
organizations,  theatre  staff  and  service,  pro- 
gram building,  theatre  accounting,  law  of  the 
theatre,  theatre  insurance,  goodwill  building, 
theatre   music  and    stagecraft. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


The    artistic    grille    over    the    organ    cham- 
ber   at    the    Palace    theatre    at    Gary,    Ind.. 


WE  had  just  completed  the 
journey  through  the  Kilgen 
Organ  plant,  and  made  an 
inspection  of  the  individual  parts 
of  the  organ,  and  had  started  a 
conversation  in  a  quiet  office  in 
the  front  part  of  the  building. 

My  host  started  the  discussion 
by  asking,  "Did  you  ever  realize 
the  importance  of  the  prpper 
placing  of  a  theatre  organ?" 

I  mentioned  that  I  knew  the 
position  of  an  organ  and  that  its 
placing  had  something  to  do  with 
organs,  but  didn't  know  to  just 
what  extent. 

First  I  was  given  a  little  history. 
Years   ago    when    buildings    were 
erected    that    eventually    were    to 
house    organs    but   no    preparation   was   made 
for  an  organ,  the  builder  later  had  to  fit  it  in 
in  any  way  that  he  possibly  could. 

However,  as  the  years  went  on  and  with 
educational  literature  sent  out  by  the  various 
organ  manufacturers,  it  became  customary  as 
it  is  at  the  present  time  in  new  buildings,  to 
prepare  a  space  for  the  organ  at  the  time  the 
building  was   planned. 

In  this  respect,  the  exhibitor  should  insist 
that  his  architect  confer  with  a  reputable  and 
established  builder  of  organs  before  the  space 
is  laid  out.  There  are  many  good  reasons  for 
this ;  principally,  so  that  every  reasonable 
preparation  can  be  made  at  the  time  the  the- 
atre is  being  planned  so  that  there  will  be  a 
minimum  amount  of  alterations  of  the  build- 
ing itself  when  the  actual  organ  arrives. 


I  Learn  About 
Organs 

The  second  of  these  articles  on  theatre  organ  construction 
and  installation  deals  with  the  important  subject  of  or- 
gan placement  and  location  of  grilles.     The  material  for  thi^ 
series  was  collected  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Kilgen  com- 
pany. 

By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 


There  are  a  great  many  instances  en  record 
in  the  experience  of  this  firm  where  the  organ 
builder  was  not  consulted  at  the  time  the 
chambers  were  built,  which  resulted  in  an  im- 
proper setting  of  the  organ.  One  particular 
instance  that  this  firm  had  experience  with  was 
where  the  exhibitor,  after  a  rather  careful 
investigation  of  the  various  styles  of  theatre 
organs,  had  decided  that  the  best  organ  for 
his  house  would  be  one  costing  about  $20,000. 
But  he  did  not  have  his  architect  consult  an 
organ  builder  in  laying  out  the  chambers,  and 
when  the  theatre  was  built  he  found  that  it 
was  impossible  to  place  an  organ  anywhere 
near  the  size  that  he  had  contemplated,  and 
the  best  he  could  possibly  fit  in  the  space  he 
had  provided  was  an  organ  costing  $10,000, 
which    was    totally    inadequate    in    tone^  and 


variety  for  the  house  which  he 
had  built.  He  faced  the  alterna- 
tive of  an  inadequate  organ  or  of 
various  expensive  alterations  in 
his  house  to  fit  in  the  proper 
organ. 

Another  theatre  in  the  South 
had  provided  suitable  chambers 
for  a  divided  organ,  plenty  large 
enough  and  placed  desirably  from 
every  angle.  However,  in  building 
the  theatre  no  provision  had  been 
made  to  run  a  blow  pipe  from  one 
chamber  to  the  other  to  furnish 
wind  for  both  sections  of  the 
organ,  and  the  building  was  so 
constructed  that  there  was  no  pos- 
sible way  of  running  this  pipe 
through  the  interior  of  the  build- 
ing, and  he  was  told  by  the  organ  company 
that  if  this  pipe  was  run  on  the  outside  of  the 
building  that  the  changes  in  temperature 
would  always  keep  his  organ  out  of  tune.  The 
only  alternative  he  had  was  to  buy  another 
blowing  outfit  so  that  each  chamber  had  its 
own  separate  motor  and  blower,  which  of 
course,  increased  the  price  of  installation. 

There  are  countless  other  instances  of  a 
similar  nature  where  additional  and  unneces- 
sai-y  expense  has  been  thrown  upon  the  the- 
atre because  of  lack  of  prac  ical  expert  advice 
which  the  organ  builder  is  always  glad  to  fur- 
nish to  the  architect  without  obligation.  I 
was  informed  that  Kilgen  main'ains  a  depart- 
ment just  for  the  purpose  of  helping  exhibi- 
tors and  architec  s. 

Fortunately,    the    vast    majority    of    theatre 


38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


architects  realize  that  suitable  chambers  are 
necessary  for  the  proper  installation  of  an 
organ.  An  organ  chamber  is  nothing  more 
than  a  room  large  enough  to  contain  an  organ 
or  a  section  of  it,  which  is  closed  on  all  sides 
except  on  the  side  facing  the  orchestra,  where 
a  large  rectangular  opening  is  left  which  is 
called  the  "tone  opening."  In  this  tone  open- 
ing the  organ  builders  place  swell  or  expres- 
sion shutters  which  are  controlled  from  a 
pedal  in  the  console  or  keyboard  so  that  they 
may  be  opened  or  closed,  wholly  or  in  part, 
slowly  or  with  great  speed,  so  that  the  won- 
der of  the  effects  of  tone  shading  and  accent- 
ing may  be  accomplished  by  the  organist. 

There  may  be  one  or  two  or  more  chambers 
housing  different  sections  of  the  organ,  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  instrument.  In  the 
average  theatre,  there  are  usually  two  cham- 
bers, one  on  each  side  of  the  auditorium,  close 
to  the  proscenium. 

The  tone  of  an  organ  is  vitally  affected  by 
the    manner    in    which    the    chamber    is    built. 


The  interior  surface  of  the  walls  and  ceiling 
of  the  chamber  should  be  covered  with  smooth 
hard  plaster  or  finished  wood  so  that  the  tone 
may  be  thrown  out  properly  in  the  auditorium. 
If  a  very  coarse,  absorbent  surface  is  on  the 
interior  of  these  chambers,  a  large  amount  of 
the  tone  of  the  organ  will  be  absorbed,  and 
the  pipes  will  not  be  heard  in  their  normal 
strength.  In  some  cases — depending  upon  the 
acoustics  of  the  building — it  is  necessary  to 
round  corners  in  the  interior  of  the  chambers 
in  order  to  obtain  proper  tone  strength.  The 
chambers'  themselves  should  be  constructed  in 
such  a  way  that  they  are  sound-proof. 

The  theatre  organ  in  a  properly  built  cham- 
ber always  speaks  with  a  greater  amount  of 
efficiency,  the  effects  of  expression  are  better, 
and  incidentally,  the  organ  is  always  preserved 
in  a  better  way  from  dust  and  dirt,  and  this 
helps  to  keep  down  the  maintenance  cost  and 
prolongs  the  life  of   the  instrument. 

In  front  of  the  tone  openings  of  these 
chambers  described  in  the  foregoing  para- 
graphs, must  be  some  form  of  exterior  decora- 
tion of  the  organ  in  conformation  with  the 
interior  design  of  the  theatre.  The  usual  form 
is  an  artistic  grill  provided  by  the  architect, 
which  may  be  either  draped  or  undraped. 

If  it  is  draped,  the  architect  or  exhibitor 
should  confer  with-  the  organ  builder  on  the 
manner  of  draping  this  tone  opening,  for  in- 
stances are  on  record  where  by  improper  drap- 
ing of  these  tone  openings,  a  large  amount  of 
tone  has  been  killed,  and  the  organ  does  not 
speak  with  its  full  voice  as  it  should. 

An  exceptionally  attractive  way  of  treating 
the  chambers  has  been  designed  in  these  mod- 
ern "atmospheric"  theatres   and  I   found  that 


TLeft:  S{>1  endid  exterior  decoration 
covering  the  organ  chamber  at  the 
Zenith    theatre   in   Jyiilwaukee. 

Right:  Another  method  of  treating 
the  exterior  decoration  of  the  or- 
gan chamber  is  shown  m  the 
Mont  Marte    theatre,    Brooklyn. 


Left:  The  attractive  interior  deco- 
ration at  the  En  Canto  theatre  in 
Havana,  Cuba. 


the  Kilgen  Organ  Company  had  many  con- 
ferences on  this  subject  with  the  leading 
architects  in  the  country,  notably  among  them, 
John  Eberson,  the  originator  of  the  "atmos- 
pheric" theatre. 

An  exceptionally  fine  example  of  the  proper 
treatment  of  the  exterior  of  an  organ  will  be 
found  in  the  Zenith  theatre,  Milwaukee,  the 
New  Palace  theatre,  Gary,  Ind.,  the  Mont 
Martre  theatre,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  the 
famous  El  Canto  theatre,  Havana,  Cuba,  where 
the  organ  installation  has  just  been  completed 
by   the  Kilgen   Company. 

Another  question  which  is  frequently  asked 
of  the  organ  builder  is,  "Shall  the  organ  be 
divided  in  the  theatre?"  This  question  can 
only  be  answered  by  taking  into  consideration 
the  appearance  of  the  theatre,  the  floor  plan 
and  design,  and  of  course,  the  actual  tonal 
design  of  the  organ  itself.  Expert  advice  will 
be  given  by  a  reputable  organ  builder  on  this 
subject.  A  survey  should  be  made  of  this 
before  such  a  question  be  answered,  for  there 
are  times  when  certain  types  of  organs,  good 
in  themselves,  can  be  ruined  by  dividing  them, 
while  at  other  times,  there  is  an  absolute 
necessity  for  dividing  the  organ. 

However,  if  the  organ  is  divided,  the  cham- 
bers should  be  constructed  at  an  angle  so  that 
the  tone  of  each  section  will  be  thrown  to 
some  extent  toward  the  opposite  section,  and 
on  out  into  the  auditorium,  so  that  the  instru- 
ment as  a  whole  will  be  "drawn  together"  and 
speak  with  unity  instead  of  as  separate  sec- 
tions. 

Great  care  must  be  taken  in  arranging  this 
relationship  between  two  chambers  of  an 
organ.  There  are  many  fine  organs  in  the- 
atres that,  because  of  a  poor  arrangement  of 
the  chambers,  speak  in  their  separate  sections 
almost  as  individual  organs  instead  of  one, 
and  the  effect  is  the  same  as  taking  an  orches- 
tra and  dividing  it  in  half  and  putting  half 
of  the  instruments  on  opposite  sides  of  the 
theatre,  when  the  ensemble  of  the  orchestra 
as  a  whole  will  be  completely  destroyed. 

Thought  and  care  must  be  exercised  in  the 
proper  placing  of  the  console  in  relation  to  the 
auditorium,  orchestra,  and  the  organ  cham- 
bers. It  should  be  placed  so  that  it  is  in  direct 
line  with  the  tone  openings,  where  the  sound 
emerges  from  the  organ,  for  if  it  is  placed 
at  an  angle  of  the  wall,  or  out  of  its  line,  no 
matter  how  quick  the  action  of  the  organ  is, 
it  will  always  sound  slow  to  the  ears  of  the 
player,   and   thus    the    best    results    of   picture 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


playing  will  not  be  obtained.  If  this  rule  is 
followed  out,  the  actual  angle  of  the  console 
may  be  in  any  one  of  the  number  of  direc- 
tions. Some  exhibitors  and  orchestra  leaders 
prefer  that  the  organist  directly  face  the  pic- 
ture with  his  back  to  the  audience ;  others 
prefer  that  it  be  placed  obliquely. 

Mr.  Eberson  has  been  quoted  as  saying,  "I 
deem  it  of  great  importance  to  place  the  organ 
console  in  an  oblique  position  in  order  that 
the  audience  may  get  at  least  a  profile  of  the 
organist.  The  inspiration  prompting  our  art- 
ists who  are  playing  organs  is  not  expressed 
by  back  neck  wrinkles,  the  bald  spot  on  the 
head  or  the  long  curl  hanging  down  the  artist's 
back ;  but  rather  by  facial  expression  and 
natural  position  of  the  body  while  exacting 
harmony  and  sweet  tones  from  the  instrument. 
To  give  the  audience  an  opportunity  to  see  the 
organist  'in  action,'  will  bring  about  in  natural 
psychology,  a  presentation  of  the  organ  num- 
ber which  cannot  be  obtained  when  the 
organist  turns  his  back  to  the  audience.  This 
oblique  position  suggested  for  the  console  will 
in  no  way  interfere  with  the  attention  which 
the  organist  must  pay  to  the  screen,  and  will 
opportune  the  organist  when  playing  with  the 
orchestra,  to  see  the  leader  and  observe  his 
commands." 

I  had  no  idea  that  the  position  of  an  organ 
or  the  console,  or  the  construction  of  the 
chambers  had  so  much  to  do  with  the  success 
of  the  fine  organs  which  I  have  heard  in  the- 
atres, and  after  this  interview  I  feel  like  add- 
ing my  words  to  those  of  the  Kilgen  Com- 
pany, advising  exhibitors  most  strongly  to  in- 
sist that  their  architects  consult  the  organ 
builder  on  such  vital  subjects. 

In  my  next  article  I  will  discuss  the  proper 
tonal  design  of  the  theatre  organ  as  it  was 
explained  to  me. 


Modern 
Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres,  both 
Targe  and  small,  throughout  the 
country  is  to  modernize.  Evidence 
of  this  encouraging  situation  is 
found  in  the  many  installations 
of  equipment  reported  by  leading 
manufacturers. 


{Continued   from   page    16) 

North  State  theatre,  S.  S-  Stevenson 
Theatres,  Inc.,  Goldsboro,  N.  C. 

Crystal  theatre,  R.  &  R.  Enterprises,  Dallas, 
Tex. 

Imperial  theatre,  G.  F.  Haven,  Forrest  Citv, 
Ark. 

Amuse-U  theatre,  B.  V.  McDougald,  Monti- 
cello,  Ark. 

Pettit  theatre,  C.  Pettit,  Hominy,  Okla. 

Broadway  theatre,  A.  J.  Di  Flora,  Wilming- 
ton, Del. 

Strand  theatre,  Gallup,  N.  M. 

Whitehouse  theatre,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Princess  theatre,  H.  A.  Nelson,  St.  James, 
Minn. 

Wade's  theatre,  H.  T.  Wade,  Morehead 
City,  N.  C. 

Isis  theatre,  Saenger  Amusement  Companj-, 
Houston,  Tex. 

Palace  theatre,  H.  E.  Bruson,  Bayton,  Tex. 

Folly  theatre,  W.  W.  Henderson,  Camden, 
Ark. 

Pastime  theatre,  H.  D.  Warton,  Warren, 
Ark. 

Juan  Kinzler,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Consolidated  Amusement  Company,  Hono- 
lulu, T.  H. 

Wild  Opera  House,  M.  V.  Jackson,  Nobles- 
ville,  Ind. 

Zenith  theatre.  Northwest  Amusement  Cor- 
poration, Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Empire  theatre.  Empire  Holding  Company, 
Atlanta,  Ga. 


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40 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


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RAVEN  }^/\ 


SCREEN 


is  covered  by 

United  States  and  Canadian  Patents 

Suit  under  U.  S.  Patent  No.    1,315,743  has  been  entered  in  the  United  States  Court, 
Southern  District  of  Ne^v  York  against  a  New  York  distributor 

and 
Legal  action  will  be  taken  against  all  persons  violating  this  patent. 

RAVEN  SCREEN  CORPORATION 


1476  Broadway 


New  York,  N.  Y. 


1,670,672.  CONSTRUCTION  AND  MANU- 
FACTURE OF  MULTILAYER  CINEMATO- 
GRAPH AND  OTHER  FILMS.  John  Edward 
Thornton,  West  Hampstead,  London,  England. 
Filed  Mar.  24,  1926,  Serial  No.  97,138,  and 
in  Great  Britain  Apr.  17,  1925.  2  Claims. 
(CI.   154—40.) 


uJlulo/d 


Ce/U,tl 


1.  A  process  for  amalgamating  and  joining 
together  two  printed  colloid  films  which  con- 
sists in  saturating  each  printed  colloid  film 
separately  with  a  liquid  cement,  containing  a 
gluing  agent  of  a  colloid  character,  a  hygro- 
scopic agent,  an  acid  and  an  insolubilizing 
agent,  drying  each  saturated  film  separately; 
superimposing  the  two  printed  saturated  and 
dried  films  with  the  printed  face  of  one  film 
upon  the  printed  face  of  the  other  film;  clamp- 
ing and  squeezing  the  two  films  together; 
applying  heat  to  melt  the  cement  in  each  film 
and  cause  the  cement  in  the  two  films  to  fuse 
together;  cooling  the  cement  thus  forming  a 
temporary,  but  still  fusible  joint  between  the 
two  films ;  and  finally  converting  the  fusible 
temporary  joint  into  a  non-fusible  permanent 
joint  by  the  gradual  action  of  the  hardening 
and  insolubilizing  agent  contained  in  the 
cement  thus  producing  a  single  film  the  two 
parts  of  which  are  permanently  and  indis- 
solubly  united  with  the  printed  images  inside 
the  film. 


Auditorium  theatre,  C.  R.  Bamford,  Ashe- 
ville,  N.  C. 

Stevenson  theatre,  S.  S.  Stevenson  Theatres, 
Inc.,  Union,  S.  C. 

Princess  theatre,  Arkansas  Amusement  En- 
terprises, North  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Spa  theatre,  Tri-States  Theatre  Corpora- 
tion, Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Princess  theatre,  G.  B.  Flam,  Winnsboro,  La. 

Australian  Films,  Ltd.,  729  Seventh  Ave., 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

British  Columbia  Amusement  Company,  C. 
H.  Carter,  Vancouver,  B.  C,  Can. 

Clinton  Carpet  Company 
Ozite  Rug  and  Carpet  Cushion 

State  theatre,  Pawhuska,  Okla. 
Granada  theatre,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Imperial   theatre,  Jacksonville,  Fla. 
Arcadia  theatre.  Ranger,  Tex. 
Pabst  theatre,    Milwaukee,   Wis. 
New  Antigo  theatre,  Antigo,  Wis. 
Roosevelt  theatre,  Kenosha,  Wis. 
Parkway  theatre,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Downer  theatre,  Downer,  Wis. 
State  theatre,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Grand  theatre,   Madisonville,  Tex. 
Capitol  theatre,   Portland,  Ore. 

J.  H.  Channon  Company 
Stage  Rigging  Hardware 

Masonic  Temple,  Portsmouth,  O.,  stage 
equipment,  fire  curtain  and  draw  curtain 
tracks. 

Chicago  theatre,  Chicago,  equipment  for 
Vitaphone  picture  sheet  and  tracks  for  Vita- 
phone  horn  trucks. 

Tivoli  theatre,  Chicago,  equipment  for  Vita- 
phone  picture  sheet  and  tracks  for  Vitaphone 
horn  trucks. 

Uptown  theatre,  Chicago,  equipment  for 
Vitaphone  picture  sheet  and  tracks  for  Vita- 
phone horn  trucks. 

Blackstone  theatre,  Chicago,  additional 
counterweight  sets. 

Colfax  theatre,  South  Bend,  Ind.,  stage 
equipment. 

Palace  theatre,  Marion,  O.,  stage  equipment 
installed  by  Twin  City  Scenic  Company. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Reflections  in 

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Grand  lobby,  showing  figured  capitals  and  frieze. 
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42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


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When  you  find  this  emblem  on 
lighting  fixtures  you  are  immedi' 
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Third,  that  it  is  priced  lower  than 
the  quality  would  indicate. 

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VOIGT  COMPANY 

Designers    and    Manufacturers 

Decorative  Lighting  Equipment 

For  Theatres 

1743-49  NORTH   12th  STREET 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 


Say  Lad  Started  Sprinkler 
System  During  Performance 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

WORCESTER,  MASS.,  July  31.— 
Police  have  arrested  16-year-old  Ber- 
nard Feeley  of  this  city,  charged  with 
having  started  the  sprinkler  system  at 
the  Olympia  theatre.  Police  allege 
that  Feeley  lighted  matches  and  held 
them  beneath  a  sprinkler  head  in  the 
balcony.  Part  of  the  sprinkler  system 
immediately  started  and  thousands  of 
dollars  of  damage  was  done  by  the 
How  of  water  over  the  walls  and  down 
into  the  orchestra  while  the  regular 
show  was  under  way.  Insurance  and 
sprinkler  company  ofRcials  made  an 
investigation  and  the  arrest  followed. 


The  French 
Modernistic 

(Continued  from   page   31) 

The  women's  retiring  room  contains  in  an 
alcove  a  cosmetic  space  equipped  with  four 
modern  French  dressing  tables  and  mir- 
rors, and  with  a  maid  in  attendance.  This 
room  is  decorated  in  three  tones  of  French 
gray.  The  tones  are  laid  on  the  wall  ver- 
tically and  over-decorated  with  gold  in  the 
fashion  of  antique  Chinese  screens.  The 
furniture  is  specially  designed  in  modern 
French  imported  damask  coverings.  The 
men's  smoking  room  is  done  in  old  Eng- 
lish, with  high  oak  wainscoting  and  a 
barrelled  rough  stucco  ceiling. 

At  each  end  of  the  grand  foyer  two 
murals  have  been  placed  over  the  exit  door 
entries,  depicting  the  sport  activities  of  the 
community.  One  portrays  the  famous 
Frankford  Yellow  Jackets  football  team; 
the  other,  golf  and  tennis,  which  are  very 
popular  in  Frankford.  The  entrance  lobby 
is  two  stories  in  height,  the  ceiling  being 
supported  by  four  huge  quarter-round  cor- 
bels designed  in  modern  French,  with 
decorative  effects  obtained  through  the 
medium  of  gold  leaf  and  soft  pastel  tones. 
The  side  walls  have  been  decorated  in  silver 
Japanese  tea  box  paper  overglazed  in  a  soft 
mulberry  tone.  Over  the  three-sheet  poster 
frame,  which  is  especially  designed  for  this 
building,  two  large  modernistic  murals  have 
been  placed,  depicting  the  industrial  activi- 
ties of  Frankford,  such  as  shipbuilding  and 
textile   manufacturing. 

*     *     * 

Due  to  the  existence  of  the  elevated  rail- 
road in  front  of  this  building,  the  main 
facade  has  been  designed  in  a  simple  man- 
ner. Special  attention,  however,  was  given 
to  the  marquees,  sign  work,  attraction  sign 
and  entrance  doors,  for  advertising  pur- 
poses. Most  of  the  signs  are  of  the  Claude 
Neon  glass  tube  type  in  orange  and  blue. 

Contractors  who  constructed  the  Forum 
are  as  follows: 

Architect,  W.  H.  Lee;  general  contractor, 
David  Lutz  &  Company;  ventilating,  heat- 
ing and  cooling,  American  Heating  and 
Ventilating  Company;  decorations,  Harry 
Brodsky;  plaster  work,  F.  M.  Venzie  & 
Company;  electrical  work,  Elias  Nusbaum; 
electric  fixtures,  Joseph  C.  Frechie  &  Com- 
pany; opera  chairs,  L.  E.  &  E.  C.  Stone; 
organ,  Kilgen;  sign  work,  General  Outdoor 
Advertising  Company;  carpets  and  draper- 
ies, Lit  Brothers;  stage  scenery.  New  York 
Studios;  marble,  Glenwood  Tile  Company; 
electric  switch  board,  Frank  Adam  Elec- 
tric Company;  projection  room  equipment, 
stage  rigging  and  steel  curtain,  National 
Theatre  Supply   Company. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

The  owner  pays  dearly  I 


43 


#][  The  following  cases,  taken  at  random  from  files  of  the  Kentucky 
j1  Actuarial  Bureau,  show  some  of  the  ways  in  which  the  archi- 
tect has  slipped  up  in  serving  his  client  by  failing  to  take  into 
account  the  insurance  requirements  while  planning  the  building: 

Concrete  projection  booth  built  without  provision  to  carry  off 
the  flame  and  smoke  from,  burning  films.  Booth  was  condemned 
and  owner  put  to  much  expense  and  loss  of  rentable  space  to  pro- 
vide necessary  ventilation. 

*  *       * 

Standard  wired  glass  (windows)  for  protection  against  a  severe 
exposure  installed  in  wooden  frames.  The  windows  are  of  no  more 
value  than  ordinary  glass,  and  the  risk  carries  a  heavy  exposure 

charge. 

*  *       * 

A  large  building  designed  for  two  separate  occupants  rated  as 


one  risk  because  blank  interior  wall  does  not  extend  through  roof. 

*  *      * 

Fuel  oil  heating  system  with  supply  tank  improperly  installed  in 
basement.    Charge  in  rate  for  improper  installation. 

*  *       * 

Large  heating  ducts  passed  through  fire  wall  without  automatic 
cutoffs.   A  hazardous  feature,  as  a  fire  in  one  section  can  readily 

pass  into  adjoining  section. 

«       *       * 

Standard  fire  doors  on  communications  between  two  buildings 
hung  on  wooden  frames.    Fire  doors  are  valueless  and  both  build' 

ings  rated  as  one. 

*  *       * 

Underground  gasoline  storage  system  with  fill,  vent  and  inven- 
tory pipes  inside  building.  Heavy  charge  in  rate. 


Wherein  the  Architect  Ma 
In  Fire  Prevention 


THE  time  to  save  a  theatre  from  fire 
is  when  the  plans  are  on  the  drafting 
board,  says  the  Kentucky  Actuarial 
Bureau,  in  an  appeal  to  architects  to  co- 
operate to  the  fullest  extent  in  building  for 
prevention  of  fire  with  its  resultant  heavy 
cost  to  the  theatre  owner  and  possible  loss 
of  life. 

Insurance  executives  agree  that  tirnes 
have  changed — for  the  better — in  combin- 
ing beauty  with  practicability  in  the  con- 
struction of  theatres.  Frequently  archi- 
tects consult  with  insurance  men  nowadays 
before  completing  specifications  for  new 
structures,  a  condition  unheard  of  not  so 
many  years   ago. 

Architects  are  coming  to  realize  more 
and  more  that  they  are  best  serving  their 
clients  when  they  take  into  account  the 
conclusions  reached  by  insurance  science 
and  shape  their  plans  to  include  as  much 
safety  construction  as  the  budget  will 
permit. 

*     *     * 

Provisions  for  safety  construction  are  ac- 
tually cheapest  in  the  long  run  in  several 
respects.  Many  times  inclusion  of  approved 
safety  factors  in  construction  means  no  ad- 
ditional original  cost  whatsoever  and  no 
elimination  of  features  that  go  to  make  up 
the  beauty  of  the  finished  structure.  And 
practically  always  it  is  true  that  where 
there  may  be  a  slight  increase  in  cost  of 
original  cost  of  construction,  the  saving  in 
insurance  rates  thus  accomplished  will 
more  than  offset  the  higher  construction 
outlay  within  a  very  few  years. 

It  is  for  these  reasons,  insurance  men 
declare,  that  a  great  economic  mistake  is 
made  when  safety  requirements  are  ignored 
in  the  original  planning  of  a  theatre.  This 
is  particularly  true  when  one  considers  the 
fact  that  such  neglectful  methods  of  plan- 
ning cause  an  increase  in  the  insurance  rate, 
an  increase  which  is  a  permanent  charge 
against  the  building  and  its  contents. 

Conformance  with  clauses  of  the  city 
ordinance  is  not  enough,  insurance  officers 
point  out.  While  often  the  ordinance  may 
be  even  stricter  than  the  companies'  re- 
quirements for  minimum  insurance  rates, 
the  latter  are  likely  to  call  for  some  fea- 
tures not  touched  upon  by  the  city  fathers, 
features  which  can  be  included  with  event- 
ual saving  to  the  exhibitor.  Likewise,  just 
as  ordinances  differ  from  town  to  town  on 
what  the  councilmen  consider  necessary  for 
safe   conduct   of   entertainment,   so   too    the 


By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 


requirements  of  the  insurance  companies 
for  the  benefit  of  lowest  costs  may  vary  in 
different  localities,  though  they  are  being 
more    and   more    standardized. 

While  there  are  more  and  more  evidences 
of  realization  of  these  facts  by  architects, 
there  is  much  yet  to  be  done  in  bringing 
that  fire-consciousness  to  fullest  realization, 
executives  say. 

For  example,  an  elaborate  and  beautiful 
theatre  with  stage  is  constructed.  The 
item  of  providing  a  ventilator  on  the  stage 
to  draw  smoke  out,  in  case  of  a  fire,  instead 
of  over  the  stage  into  the  audience,  is 
omitted.  The  risk  is  great — and  so  are 
the  insurance  rates,  and  rightly  so.  This  is 
an  actual  case. 

The  architect  plans  a  proscenium  arch 
that  is  a  masterpiece  of  modern  theatre  art. 
All  provisions  for  fire  protection  backstage 
are  made.  But  there  is  none  to  prevent 
the  jumping  of  flames  into  the  orchestra 
pit  and  so  across  to  the  audience.  This  also 
is  an  actual  case. 

In  both  instances,  the  theatre  owner  paid 
many  times  over  the  cost  of  providing  for 
these  safety  devices,  in  higher  insurance 
rates. 

It  is  also  to  be  noted  at  this  point  that 
reconstruction  to  add  those  features  often 
necessitates  a  tremendous  cost,  and  in  some 
instances  is  practically  impossible. 

"Of  course,  we  do  not  build  to  burn — 
purposely!"  says  the  Kentucky  Actuarial 
Bureau.  "Yet,  how  can  we  answer  in  the 
negative  when  we  recall  our  steadily  mount- 
ing fire  loss,  which  has  now  reached  the 
staggering  sum  of  500  millions  a  year, — 
compared  to  which  loss,  that  of  Europe 
fades  into  insignificance?  How  can  we  say 
'No'  when  we  compare  the  1927  fire  rec- 
ords of  New  York  City  and  London,  Eng- 
land?" 

*    *     * 

The  Bureau  then  points  out  that  there 
were  more  than  four  fires  per  1,000  popula- 
tion in  New  York  in  1927  as  against  less 
than  one  in  London,  with  a  $3.30  loss  per 
capita  in  New  York  contrasted  with  40 
cents  a  person  in  London.  In  other  words. 
New  York  had  eight  times  the  per  capita 
loss  of  London. 

The  chief  reason  for  this,  says  the  Bu- 
reau, is  inferior  construction,  an  elemental 
foe  of  fire  prevention,  in  the  theatre  pos- 
sibly even  more  so  than  in  other  types  of 
buildings. 

"In  the  past,  many  architects  have  been 


chiefly  concerned  with  the  three  factors  of 
Appearance,  Arrangement  and  Cost, — giv- 
ing little  consideration  to  the  element  of 
Safety,"  the  Bureau  states.  "Now,  however, 
the  progressive  architect  is  also  considering 
a  fourth  important  factor, — Safety  from 
Fire." 

Besides  the  element  of  possible  loss  of 
life  through  non-safe  construction  of  the- 
atres there  is  the  added  factor  of  continu- 
ous unnecessary  cost  to  the  theatre  owner, 
the  Bureau  warns. 

"The  designer  who  is  not  concerned  with 
the  factor  of  Safety  from  Fire  not  only 
jeopardizes  the  lives  of  the  occupants,"  it 
says,  "but  fails  to  protect  properly  the  in- 
terests of  his  client.  Nearly  all  buildings 
are  insured,  and  the  fire  insurance  rate  is 
based  upon  a  careful  analysis  of  the  con- 
struction, segregation  and  safeguarding  of 
fire  hazards,  protection  of  exterior  and  in- 
terior openings  and  the  protection  afforded 
by  automatic  sprinkler  systems,  standpipes 
and  other  'First  Aid'  devices. 

"Failure  to  consider  these  features  results 
in  an  increased  insurance  rate,  which  in- 
crease is  a  charge  against  the  building  and 
its  contents  as  long  as  the  building  stands. 
The  files  of  the  Kentucky  Actuarial  Bureau 
contain  hundreds  of  surveys  which  attest 
the  penalty  exacted  for  inferior  construc- 
tion." 

*    *    * 

Is  there  any  practical  saving  in  anti-fire 
construction,  despite  the  lower  rate,  when 
one  considers  the  fact  of  increased  cost  of 
building  in  order  to  include  such  preven- 
tion measures?  Definitely,  yes.  The  Bu- 
reau points  out  two  cases  of  very  recent 
construction  —  and  modern  construction. 
The  architect  ignored  insurance  require- 
ments in  the  first  instance,  and  that  was  ex- 
pensive. In  the  second  instance  the  archi- 
tect consulted  the  Actuarial  Bureau  with 
the  result  that  the  building  is  fire  resistive 
and  the  owner  will  enjoy  a  much  lower 
insurance  rate.  Though  the  cases  are  not 
theatres,  they  illustrate  the  point  and  there 
are  plenty  of  parallels — too  many — in  the- 
atre  construction. 

First  case: 

"The  specifications  for  a  $400,000  hotel 
building  called  for  standard  (light)  con- 
crete floors,  but  failed  to  provide  for  ade- 
quate protection  of  the  columns  and  gird- 
ers resulting  in  an  additional  insurance  cost 
on  the  building  of  $2,240  a  year.  The  con- 
{Continued  on  page  46) 


Mimmmm\ 


44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


Left:  The  grand 
foyer,  a  sj>acious 
high,  cnamber. 
The  ceiling  is 
barrel  •  shaded 
and  rises  35  feet 
from  the  floor. 
The  stai  rcas  e 
1  e ads  to  the 
mezzanine. 


August  4,  1928 


Right:  The  organ 
loft  —  and  the 
■picture  very 
effectively  shows 
that  the  Emboyd 
here  {tr  e  s  ent  s 
one  of  the  most 
b  e  auti  f  ul  e  x- 
am^les  of  grill- 
work. 


Below:    A  striking  curtain,  made  of  -pieces  of  velvet,  each  one  so  arranged  as  to  affect  the  light  differently. 


The  Emboyd,  Blending  Italian  and  Spanish  Motifs 

This  theatre  in  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  is  owned  and  operated  by  the  W .  C.  Quimhy  theatrical 
interests.    The  design  ada-^ts  Italian  Renaissance  and  Spanish  Jylission  styles. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


At  left,   a  corridor,   and  above,   the 

lighting    fixture    in    the    mezzanine 

music  corner. 


Above,   the   mezzanine   lighting  fix' 

tures,  and  at  right,  a  cozy  nook  in 

the  lounge. 


H^HT 

n^Sr^ 

miMxmi 

f^^^^sH 

«B«»W(»  ;?^'^»*1«w«' 

P 

^SmKF- 

TT!^ 

r  r^ii^r*  ~"*^^r„ 

'^flHB 

Jj^^,^,,^-^^.,,. 

^^H^H^S 

w^ 

^^^^^^^SH 

1 

r^'-^'^H 

-  Hfeo       ) 

t 

^ 

^^^H^^^L^ 

i       * 

mstimM 

^^^^^^^^■^ 

1 

■i^Fj^ 

M 

nn 

■BlH 

Splendor  and  Room  for  3^000  in  This 
New  Small  City  Theatre 

The  Emboyd  in  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  designed  by  A.  7d.  Strauss  and  Charles  Eberson,  is  a 

house  of  uncommon  s^ace  and  beauty. 


THE  small  city  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind., 
now  has  a  theatre  seating  over  3,000 
in  the  new  Emboyd  erected  there  and 
recently  opened  by  the  W.  C.  Quimby  the- 
atrical interests.  The  Emboyd,  in  which 
are  fused  the  architectural  and  decorative 
motifs  of  Italian  Renaissance  and  Italian 
Mission,  was  desiged  by  A.  M.  Strauss  of 
Fort  Wayne,  and  Charles  Eberson  of  Chi- 
cago. 

The  main  auditorium  is  80  feet  high,  with 
high  arches  along  the  side  walls.  The  lat- 
ter are  inlaid  with  marble,  while  variegated 
light  plays  through  ornamental  grills.  The 
same   type   of   elegance   continues   through- 


out the  house.  The  grand  foyer,  which  has 
a  height  of  35  feet,  is  of  the  barrel-arch 
type,  lighted  indirectly.  Here  is  the  grand 
stairway,  which  leads  to  the  mezzanine 
promenade.  Off  the  promenade  are  the 
women's  retiring  rooms. 

A  commodious  lounge  is  reached  through 
the  foyer,  down  steps  of  black  marble.  This 
room,  about  80  feet  long,  is  of  Spainsh  de- 
sign, with  a  heavy-beamed  ceiling  and  a 
floor  of  colored  tiles.  Off  the  lounge  are 
other  women's  retiring  rooms,  and  at  one 
end,  a  large  smoking  room  with  a  fireplace. 

The  building  is  180  by  150  feet,  is  seven 
stories  high  and  contains  a  hotel.     The  ex- 


terior is  built  of  Pennsylvania  fire  clay 
brick,  trimmed  with  pulsichrome  terra 
cotta.  Rectangular  in  shape,  the  straight 
lines  of  the  building  are  relieved  by  a  con- 
verted pylon  treatment  at  the  corners  and 
over  the  entrances  to  the  hotel  and  the- 
atre. 

The  Emboyd  presents  stage  shows  as 
well  as  pictures  and  has  a  small  symphonic 
orchestra  under  the  direction  of  Wilbur 
Pickett.  The  organ  is  a  Page,  at  which 
Percy   Robbins   presides. 

W-  C.  Quimby,  head  of  the  owning  and 
operating  circuit,  named  the  theatre  after 
his  mother,  whose  name  was  Emily  Boyd. 


46 


Reserved  Seat  Tickets:  for  Theatres  and  all  amuse- 
ment enterprises.  Folded  Machine  Tickets:  for  all 
machines.  Roll  and  Book  Strip  Tickets:  for  every 
purpose.  We  supply  the  leading  theatres  and  amuse- 
ment enterprises  all  over  the  country.  Write  for 
samples  and  prices. 

'WILLlANfS 
&  LICK 

FORT  SMITH,  ARK. 

Specialists  in  Numbered  Printing  Since  1898 


The  Proper  Control  of  Light 
On  Your  Screen 

Picture  filma  vary  as  well  as  enrrant  eondttions. 
Your  projectionist  can  adjust  his  arc  eurrent  to 
always  give  you  a  clear,  bright  pletur*  if  you 
equip  with  PERFECTION.  Current  saving  also  is 
a  result  o(  PERFECTION  equipment,  for  ho  naad 
not  use  full  current  till  the  actual  projection  is 
started. 


PERF$CJiaN 


REMOTE  CONTROL  RHEOSTATS 

An  Ever  Grotdng  List  of  Satisfied  Vterti 


Boxy    Theatre — ^New    York 

City 
Paramount      Tlieatre — ^Neiw 

Tort    Caty 
Elalto    Tlieatre— New   York 

City 
Rlvoll    Theatre— New    Yorit 

City 
Loew's  State  Theatre— New 

York  City 
Loew's  State  Theatre — New- 
art,   N.    J. 
Loew's      Texas      Theatre — 

HouBton.    Texas 
Loew's  86th  St.— BrooMyn. 

N.    Y.  ^       „ 

Loew's  State— Columbus.  O. 
A«tor    Theatre — New    York 

City 


Proctor's      86th      St.— New 
York  City 

Cohan    Theatre — ^New  York 
City 

Publix       Theatre — Buffalo, 
N.   Y. 

New    Caidtol — Binshamton. 
N.  Y. 

Keith's    Theatre — Philadel- 
phia 

Carman  Theatre — Phlla<Jel- 
phia 

P  r  o  o  t  0  r's  Theatre — New 
HocheUe.   N.    Y. 

Proctor's  Theatre — W  h  1 1  e 
Plains,    N.    Y. 

Fox's     Washington — Wash- 
ington,  D.   C. 

—and   many  ethers 


Sold   by   Theatre   Supply  Dealers 

HOFFMANN  &  SOONS 

Mfg.  Division 

387  First  Arenae  New  York  Qty 

Ocntracting    Electrical    Engineers — Moving    Pic- 
ture   Theatre    Electrical    Specialist! 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 

Wherein  Architect 
May  Assist 

(Continued  from  page  43) 

tractor  states  that  standard  protection  could 
have  been  provided  for  a  very  small  in- 
crease in  cost." 

Second  case: 

"Plans  werefor  a  $200,000  office  building 
with  metal  joists  on  steel  supports;  floor 
joists  to  be  covered  with  two  inches  of  con- 
crete on  expanded  metal,  protected  on  the 
underside  with  a  ceiling  of  metal  lath  and 
cement  plaster;  roof  to  be  constructed  in 
an  equivalent  manner;  vertical  and  hori- 
zontal supporting  members  to  be  protected 
with  metal  lath  and  plaster  cement.  After 
consulting  with  this  office  (Kentucky  Ac- 
tuarial Bureau),  plans  were  changed  to  pro- 
vide for  standard  protection  of  supporting 
members  at  an  additional  cost  of  $3,500, 
with  a  resulting  fire  insurance  saving  on 
building  and  contents  of  $1,461  a  year." 

Only  one  feature  of  construction  influenc- 
ing the  rate  of  construction  is  illustrated 
in  the  two  foregoing  examples.  Other 
cases,  more  common  and  drawn  from  the 
files  and  taken  from  random  from  other 
surveys  are  shown  elsewhere  in  this  ar- 
ticle. For  all  of  them  the  owner  of  the 
property  is  paying — and  paying  dearly, 
while  all  could  have  been  voided  by  more 
careful  planning  and   construction. 

"The  more  progressive  architects  are 
guarding  against  these  errors  because  they 
are  taking  into  account  the  fourth  factor 
— Safety  from  Fire,"  the  Bureau  emphasizes 
again. 

"The  medical  profession  has  achieved  a 
wonderful  victory  for  mankind  with  its  age- 
old  doctrine  of  Right  Living,  Sanitation 
and  Health.  Architects  can  do  an  equally 
great  service  if  they  will  preach  Fire  Pre- 
vention, for  property  destroyed  by  fire  is 
gone  forever  and  we  as  a  nation  are  so 
much  the  poorer." 


Meeting  'em  on 
Broadway 

By  HARRY  E.  HOLQUIST 

JH.  KURLANDER,  engineer  of  the 
Brenkert  Light  Projection  of  Detroit,  was 
*  a  visitor  in  New  York  in  connection  with 
a  special  demonstration  arranged  for  several 
hundred  projectionists  of  the  new  Master 
Brenograph.  This  is  the  new  Brenkert  uni- 
versal effect  projector  known  as  Model  F-7. 
^    ^    ^ 

O.  F.  Spahr,  president  of  Enterprise  Optical 
Manufacturing  Company,  was  another  New 
York  visitor.  Spahr's  firm  has  also  just  an- 
nounced a  new  Motiograph  De  Luxe  projector 
embodying  many  new  principles  in  construe^ 

tion. 

*  *    * 

Walter  Green,  general  manager  of  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company,  came  on  from 
Chicago  to  attend  the  annual  outing  of  em- 
ployees of  the  International  Projector  Cor- 
poration, where  he  boasts  a  host  of  old  friends. 
The  aifair,  by  the  way,  was  held  July  21  at 
Belvedere  Park,  Pearl  River,  N.  Y. 

*  *    * 

I  understand  that  Dave  Solomon  of  the 
National  Theatre  Supply  Company  is  driving 
his  new  Hupp  over  the  roads  of  Canada. 
Some  dealer  owes  Ed  Wolk  of  the  Chicago 
Cinema  Equipment  Company  a  commission  on 
that  sale.  If  you  want  a  good  ear-full  on 
what  kind  of  a  car  the  Hupp  is,  just  ask 
Wolk. 

*  *    * 

Ernest  Reif  of  the  Raven  Screen  Corpora- 


August  4,  1928       ' 


MOT^ 


OR 


COSTS 


^^^ER^ 


^0|? 


IS. 


^0% 


^^c^vZ^  ^ 


'OSE 


No 


^'^^Ti 


^QOi 


£R 


^^^Z> 


/5 


Automatic  Devices  Co. 

737  Hamilton  Street 
ALLENTOWN,  PA. 


GRIFFIN  FILM 
CEMENT 

For  Studios,  Film  Exchanges  and 
Motion  Picture  Theatres. 

Patches  made  with  this  cement 
will  not  dry  out,  buckle  up  or  pull 
apart. 

Write  for  descriptive  circular. 
Manufactured  by 

F.  B.  GRIFFIN 

Oshkosh,  Wis. 


MODERN 
ELECTRICS 

FOR  every  type  of  electrical  display  adver- 
tising— exposed  lamp,  glass  letter  and  Neon 
tube — the  Flexlume  Corporation  claims  su- 
premacy. 

In  its  plant,  largest  in  the  world  devoted 
exclusively  to  the  manufacture  of  electrics,  are 
built  giant  roof-top  and  other  spectacular  dis- 
plays, building  front,  marquee  and  interchange- 
able letter  signs  for  outdoors;  electric-lighted 
directional  signs  for  indoors. 

Send  for  free  helpful  booklet,  "Theatre 
Electric  Displays,"  illustrating  in  colors  the 
latest  and  finest  electrical  advertising.  Write 
Flexlume  Corporation,  1835  Military  Road, 
Buffalo,  N.   Y. 


Sales    and    Service 

OlHces  in  chief 

cities  of  tJ.  S. 

and   Can. 


Factories     also     at 
Detroit,     Los    An- 
geles, Oakland  and 
Toronto 


FLEXLUME    ELECTRIC    DISPLAYS 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


ATTENTION  PROJECTIONISTS ! 

New  Intermittent  Sprocket  au»d  Pin  Press 


EBfflffiSl'&ffilffi!^ 


Patented  Nov.  16,  1926,  No.  1606830 

Every  Projectionist  can  remove  and  replace  worn 
intermittent  sprockets  easily,  quickly  and  effi- 
ciently   with    this    new    instrument. 

CAN    BE    USED    ON    ALL   PROJECTORS 
INCLUDING   POWER'S PRICE     $8.50 

Illustrated  booklets  with   instructions  sent  free  to  all 
projectionists  on  request. 

Projection  Improvement  Co. 

Drifton,  Pa. 


"11,222  USERS 
CAN'T  BE  WRONG' 


(Illustrating    the 

Remote   Control 

Board) 


um\m 

Reproducing 

Pipe  Organs 

Using  the  fa- 
m  o  u  s  Two 
Hour-Rolls  with 
Remote  Control 


J.  P.  Seeburg  Company 
1510  DAYTON  SI.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Dept.  B-l 


CJiicaqo 
vStXte   591(^ 


*'''l/«JP"n,^^I,^"'°  r  R  LI  MORS 
Wbothly  9lcte-New6  for  tte- Or^i^t 


tion   is   back  at  his   desk   at   1476  Broadway 
after  an  extensive  sojourn  on  the  Continent. 

4:       «       41 

Word  is  being  passed  around  these  days  to 
the  effect  that  the  industries  technicians  will 
gather  at  Lake  Placid,  N.  Y.,  in  September 
for  the  fall  convention  of  the  Society  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Engineers. 

*  *    * 

R.  P.  Matthews,  vice-president  of  the  Rob- 
ert Alorton  Organ  Company,  is  back  at  his 
desk  at  1560  Broadway  following  a  visit  of 
several  months  at  the  company's  plant  at  Van 

Nuys,  Cal. 

*  *    * 

McMillan,  factory  manager  of  the  E.  E. 
Fulton  Company,  was  in  New  York  in  connec- 
tion   with    revising    the    Fulton    projector    for 

talking  pictures. 

*  *     ♦ 

John  McCrae  of  the  J.  E.  McAuley  Manu- 
facturing Company,  Chicago,  was  another  New 
York  visitor,  being  here  in  connection  with 
business  on   the   new  McAuley  lamp. 


HCAVT  OOI 
ItEINFOKEO      ^ 


ADJUSTINC  StRf^ 


The    New    fCnowles    Diffuser 

New  Air  Diffuser 
Is  Announced  by 
Knowles  Company 

A  new  "Aerovalve"  mushroom  air  dif- 
fuser which,  according  to  its  manufacturer, 
embodies  a  new  principle  of  regulation,  is 
announced  by  Knowles  Mushroom  Ventila- 
tor  Company  of  New  York   City. 

In  its  announcement,  the  Knowles  com- 
pany says:  "The  'Aerovalve'  mushroom  air 
diffuser  is  a  combination  of  the  architect's 
idea,  the  heating  and  ventilating  engineer's 
requisite,  and  the  contractor's  demand.  It 
is  our  interpretation  of  the  uptodate  scien- 
tific air  unit  with  the  simplest  mechanism, 
yet  giving  the  maximum  of  efficiency  and 
sold   for  lowest  possible  price." 

This  new  steel  air  diffuser  is  supplied  in 
three  different  styles.  The  company  has 
issued  literature  fully  describing  the  new 
appliance. 


Waxman  Ends  Vacation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  July  31.— A.  P.  Waxman,  di- 
rector of  advertising  and  publicity  for  Warner 
Bros.,  is  back  from  a  two  weeks  vacation 
divided  between  Long  Beach  and  Atlantic 
City. 

Sells  Rights  to  Fejos  Film 

NEW  YORK. — Zakoro  Film  Corporation  has  sold 
the  California,  Arizona,  Nevada  and  Hawaiian  Island 
rights  to  Paul  Fejos'  "The  Last  Moment,"  to  the 
Supreme  Film  Company  of  San  Francisco,  of  which 
George   Montgomery   is   president. 


To  protect  your  organ  from 
weather  conditions,  and  to 
ward  off  deterioration  caused 
by  summer  dampness  and 
v^inter  coldness  install 

EVENHEETERS 


Cramblet  Engineering  Corp. 
286  Milwaukee  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 


Designing — Painting — Draperies 
Creators  of  Scenic  Effects 

SCENIC 


STUDIOS 

Serving  representative  presentation 
houses     throughout     the     country 


307  West  47th  St. 


New  York  City 


LOU  SAMMS 


Radium  Effects  and  Novelties 
Samples  on  Request 

177  North  State  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


fHEATKI^U 


Send  for 


J.KX:lANCY,i«|3yracuseN.Y 


48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  4,  1928 


New  Theatre  Projects 


KENTUCKY 

LEXINGTON— M.  Switow  &  Sons  Enterprises.  M. 
Switow,  president,  have  plans  by  Frankel  &  Curtis, 
Hernando  Building,  for  proposed  theatre,  with  seat- 
ing capacity  of  1,000,  to  be  located  at  220  East  Main 
street.  Estimated  cost,  $200,000. 
LOUISIANA 

OPELOUSAS — Higginbotham  Amusement  Company, 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  plans  to  erect  new  theatre  at 
Main   and   Bellevue   streets. 

MASSACHUSETTS 

BELMONT— P.  R.  Winters,  84  Trapelo  road,  has 
plans  by  G.  E.  Robinson,  80  Federal  street,  Boston, 
for  one  and  twrf-story  brick  and  concrete  theatre, 
store  and  oflfice  building,  70  by  170  feet,  to  be  lo- 
cated at  Trapelo  road  and  Common  street.  Estimated 
cost,    $150,000. 

HINGHAM — Owner  has  plans  by  Krokyn  &  Browne, 
220  Devonshire  street,  Boston,  for  two-story  brick 
and  stone  theatre,  store  and  office  building  to  be 
located  at  Main  and  South  streets.  Estimated  cost, 
$150,000. 


Quiet  Electric  Ventilator 

Good  ventilation  makes  business  good.  Venti- 
lators for  all  your  fresh  air  requirements. 
Write  for  catalog. 


Lakeside  Company         223  Main  St. 

Hermansville,    Mich. 


EVERYTHING  FOR 
THE  STAGE 


IFFI 

tenic 

TCFIH 


B8TABLI8HED    1908 


Send  for  Catalogue 


Motion   Picture   Patents  My  Specialty 

PATENTS 

William  N.  Moore 

Patent  Attorney 

Loan  and  Trust  Building 
Washington,  D.  C. 
The  first  important  step  is  to  learn 
whether  you  can  obtain  a  patent.  Please 
send  sketch  of  your  invention  with 
$5.00,  and  1  will  examine  the  pertinent 
U.  S.  patents  and  inform  you  Virhether 
you  are  entitled  to  a  patent,  the  cost 
and  manner  of  procedure.  Personal  at- 
tention.     Established  35  years. 

Copyright   your   play   $5.00 
Trade-Mark  your  goods  or  titles  $30.00 


NORTH  ATTLEBORO— New  England  Theatres  Op- 
erating Company,  care  M.  Pinanski,  treasurer,  19  Milk 
street,  Boston,  has  plans  by  Krokyn,  Brown  &  Rosen- 
stein,  220  Devonshire  street.  Boston,  for  two-story 
brick  theatre,  store  and  office  building,  90  by  125 
feet,  to  be  located  near  post  office.  Estimated  cost, 
$150,000. 

MICHIGAN 

DETROIT—Owner  has  plans  by  P.  R.  Pereira,  714 
Polk  Directory  Building,  for  two-story  brick  and  re- 
inforced concrete  theatre,  store  and  office  building, 
125  by  150  feet,  to  be  located  on  Michigan  avenue. 
Estimated    cost,    $250,000. 

DETROIT— A.  G.  Wilson  has  plans  by  Smith, 
Hinchman  &  Grylls,  800  Marquette  Building,  for 
three-story  brick  and  reinforced  concrete  theatre  to 
be  located  on  Madison  avenue.  Estimated  cost,  $2,- 
500,000. 

MISSISSIPPI 

BAY  SPRINGS— W.  O.  Mason  and  O.  E.  Ford  plan 
to  erect  cement-block  theatre  on  Fifth  avenue,  26 
by   60   feet. 

CARTHAGE— Dr.  W.  P.  Edwards  and  George  H. 
Chadwick  will  soon  let  contract  for  brick  moving  pic- 
ture theatre,  26  by  100  feet. 

NEW    JERSEY 

ELIZABETH — Owner  has  plans  by  Eugene  De  Rosa, 
15  West  Forty-fourth  street.  New  York,  for  five-story 
brick  theatre  and  office  building,  82  by  200  feet. 
Estimated   cost,    $500,000. 

NEWARK— A.  M.  Greenfield,  care  Philadelphia 
Union  Building  Company,  9  Clinton  street,  plans  to 
erect  twenty-story  theatre,  store  and  office  building 
at  12-32  Lafayette  street  and  878-80  Broad  street. 
Architect  not  selected.  Estimated  cost,  $5,000,000. 
NEW  YORK 

BROOKLYN — Havemeyer  Marcy  Corporation,  1560 
Broadway,  New  York,  plans  to  erect  theatre,  22  by 
100  feet,  to  be  located  at  205  Havemeyer  street. 
Estimated   cost,   $750,000. 

BROOKLYN — Homack  Construction  Company,  A.  A. 
Schwartz,  president,  152  West  Forty-second  street. 
New  York  has  plans  by  R.  T.  Short,  370  Macon 
street,  for  two-story  brick  theatre  and  store  building, 
84  by  202  feet,  to  be  located  on  Voorhies  avenue. 
Estimated   cost,   $400,000. 

NEW  YORK— The  Little  Picture  House,  Inc.,  care 
M.  E.  Perkins,  president,  has  plans  by  H.  Greenley, 
129  Ea.st  Fifty-fourth  street,  for  proposed  new  theatre 
to   be   located   at   151-53   East   Fiftieth    street. 

NIAGARA  FALLS— A.  M.  Atlas,  307  Falls  street, 
has  plans  by  J.  R.  White,  426  Third  street,  for  one 
and  three-story  moving  picture  and  vaudeville  theatre, 
to  include  stores  and  offices,  to  be  located  at  Buffalo 
and  Roswell  avenues.    Estimated  cost,   $100,000. 

PLATTSBURG— W.  Mayett.  Clinton  street,  con- 
templates erecting  theatre  and  store  building  at 
Marion  and  Clinton  streets.  Architect  not  selected. 
Estimated   cost,    $200,000. 

SOUTHAMPTON— Corporation  forming,  care  E.  C. 
Alexion,  128  West  Ninety-fifth  street.  New  York,  has 
plans  by  Schlanger  &  Ehrenrich,  45  West  Thirty- 
fourth  street.  New  York,  for  two-story  brick  theatre 
to  be  located  on  Main  street.  Estimated  cost,  $175,- 
000. 

OHIO 

CIRCLEVILLE— H.  E.  Clifton  has  plans  by  H.  C. 
Holbrook,  39  West  Broad  street,  Columbus,  0.,  for 
one-story  brick  moving  picture  theatre.  Site  withheld. 
Estimated    cost,    $50,000. 

EAST  LIVERPOOL — Ceramic  Theatre,  W.  Tallman, 
has  plans  by  F.  Elliott,  28  East  Broad  street,  Colum- 
bus,  O.,   for  contemplated  new  theatre. 

LANCASTER — Abrams  &  Kessler,  oare  Hippodrome 
Theatre,  has  plans  by  H.  C.  Holbrook,  39  West  Broad 
street,  Columbus,  O.,  for  one-story  brick  moving  pic- 
ture theatre.    Site  withheld.    Estimated  cost,  $100,000. 

SPPRINGFIELD— The  Public  Amusement  Company, 
J.  G.  Gregory,  president  and  general  manager,  31 
East  Main  street,  has  plans  by  Midwest  Engineering 
and  Construction  Company,  Interurban  Terminal 
Building,  Columbus,  O.,  for  one-story  moving  picture 
theatre  to  be  located  on  South  Fountain  avenue,  be- 
tween Main  and  High.  Estimated  cost,  $40,000. 
OKLAHOMA 

HOBART — Mahone   &    James    plan   to   erect   three- 


The  Gardiner  tungar  rectifier.  This 
rectifier,  manufactured  by  the  Gar- 
diner Comj>any  of  Columbus,  O,,  is 
for  a  110-volt  circuit  and  converts 
alternating  current  to  direct  current 
M^    to   22   amperes. 


story  theatre,  75  by  140  feet.     Architect  not  selected. 
Estimated  cost,   $175,000. 

PENNSYLVANIA 

CLAIRTON — Company  forming,  care  J.  S.  Robb, 
207  Catherine  street,  Duquesne,  Pa.,  has  plans  by 
Charles  J.  and  Chris  Reiger,  Fulton  Building,  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  for  three-story  brick  theatre  and  store 
building  to  be  located  at  St.  Clair  avenue  and  Mul- 
berry Way.     Estimated  cost,  $135,000. 

KULPMONT — Arcade  Amusement  Company,  care 
Dr.  W.  R.  Buckley.  8  North  Maple  street,  Mt.  Carmel, 
Pa.,  has  plans  by  D.  H.  Grootenboer,  Schuylkill  Trust 
Building,  Pottsville,  Pa.,  for  one-story  brick  moving 
picture  theatre  to  be  located  at  Ninth  and  Chestnut 
.streets.      Estimated   cost,    $125,000. 

LANCASTER— J.  E.  Harman,  56  North  Queen 
street,  is  preparing  plans  for  brick  moving  picture 
theatre.  Owner  withheld.  Site  not  selected.  Esti- 
mated  cost,    $60,000. 


Price   $10.50 


"Best" 
safety  shutter 

The  shutter 
drops  when 
fihn  breaks 

at 
intermittent 

BEST 

DEVICES 

CO. 

Film  Building 
Cleveland,  O. 


SERVICE 


CIRCUS  H^RDLO) 

0RTfl'PO5T6R5 


f  EXHIBITORS 

Printing  Service 

711  South  Dearborn  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Protect  Your 
ORGAN 

against  deterioration,  by  maintain- 
ing an  even  temperature  in  the  or- 
gan chambers — with  the  famous 


Electric  Organ  Heater.  Write  for 
further  dettdls  and  prices.  .  .  . 
PROMETHEUS  ELECTRIC 
CORP.,  3  54  West  13th  Street, 
New  York. 


August  4,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


BETTER  THEATRES 
Information  and 
Catalog  Bureau 


"Better  Theatres"  offers  on  this  page  an  individual  service  to 
its  readers.  Detailed  information  and  catalogs  concerning  any 
product  listed  herewith  will  be  sent  to  any  theatre  owner,  man- 
ager, architect  or  projectionist.  Just  fill  in  the  coupon  below 
and  mail  to  "Better  Theatres"  Division  of  Exhibitors  Herald 
and  Moving  Picture  World.  Many  of  the  products  listed  by 
this  Bureau  are  advertised  in  this  issue  of  "Better  Theatres." 
See  Advertisers  Index. 


1  Accounting  (yitenit. 

2  Acouitical    Installation!. 

3  Adapter!,  carbon. 

4  Adding,     calculating    machlnei. 

6  Admisilon  tignt. 

(  Addreuing  machlnei. 

7  Advertising  novelties,   materials. 

8  Advertising  projects, 

9  Air  conditioning  equipment. 

10  Air  dome  tents. 

11  Aisis  lights. 

12  Aisle  rope. 

13  Alarm    signals. 

14  Are  lamps,  reflecting. 

15  Architectural   service. 

16  Are  regulator*. 

17  Artificial   plants,  flowers. 
IB  Art  title*. 

19  Automatic  curtain  control, 

20  Automatic  prolection   cutouts. 

21  Automatic  sprinkler*. 

B 

22  Balloon*.   advertUing. 

23  Banner*. 

24  Baskets,  decorative. 

25  Bell-buzzer  signal   systems. 
2<  Blocks,   pulleys,  stage-rigging. 

27  Blowers,   hand. 

28  Booking  agencies  for  musicians. 

29  Booking   agencies    (state   kind). 

30  Boilers. 

31  Bolts,   Chair  anchor. 

32  Booths,   projection. 
S3  Booths,   ticket. 

34  Box,   loge  chair*. 

35  Bras*  grill*. 

36  Brau  rails. 

37  Brokers-Theatre   promotion. 

38  Bulletin  board*,  changeablo. 


39  Cable. 

40  Cabinets. 

41  Calolum    lights. 

42  Camera*. 

43  Canople*  (or  tronts. 

44  Carbons. 

45  Cartran  sharpener*. 

46  Carbon  wrenche*. 

47  Carpets. 

48  Carpet  cushion. 

49  Carpet  Cleaning  compound. 

50  Carpet  covering. 

51  Cases,  film  shipping. 

52  Cement,  film. 

53  Chair  cover*. 
M  Chair*,  wicker. 

55  Chair*,  theatre. 

56  Change  maker*. 
B7  Changer  over*. 
68  Color  hoods. 

59  Color  wheels. 

60  Condenser*. 

D 

61  Data  strips. 

62  Decorations  (state  kind). 


63  Decorators,  theatre. 

64  Dimmers. 

65  Disinfectants — perfumed. 

66  Doors,  fireproof. 

67  Draperies. 

68  Drinking  fountain*. 

69  Duplicating  machines. 

E 

70  Electric   circuit   testing    Instru- 
ments. 

71  Electris  fans, 

72  Electrical  flowers. 

73  Electric  power  generating 
plants. 

74  Electric  signs. 

75  Electric  signaj  and  control  sys- 
tem*. 

76  Emergency  lighting  plants. 

77  Exit  light  signs. 

F 

78  Film  cleaner*. 

79  Fllmsplicing  machine. 

80  Film  tools  (state  kind). 

81  Film  waxing  machine, 

82  Fire  alarms. 
S3  Fir*  escapes. 

84  Fire  extinguishers. 

85  Fire  hose. 

86  Fire  hos«  reels,  carts. 

87  Fire  proof  curtains. 

88  Fire  proof  doors. 

89  Fire  proofing  material*. 

90  Fixture*,  lighting. 

91  Flashlights. 

92  Flashers,  Electrle  sign. 

93  Flood  lighting. 

94  Floorllghts. 

95  Floor  covering. 

96  Floor  runner*. 

97  Flowers,  artiflclal, 

98  Footlights. 

99  Fountains,  decorative. 

100  Fountains,  drinking. 

101  Frames- poster,  lobby  display. 

102  Fronts,  metal  theatre. 

103  Furnace*,  coal  burning. 

104  Furnace*,  oil  burning. 

105  Furniture,  theatre. 

106  Fuse*. 

G 

107  Generators. 

108  Grilles,   bras*. 

109  Gummed  labels. 

110  Gypsum  products. 

H 

111  Hardware,  stags. 

112  Heating  system,  coal. 

113  Haating  system,  oil. 

I 

114  Ink,  pencils  (or  slide*. 

115  Insurance,  Fire. 

116  Insurance.  Rain. 

117  Interior  decorating  senris*. 

118  Interior  illuminated  signs. 

J 

119  Janlton'  supplies. 


120  Labels,  film  caution. 

121  Lamps,   decorative. 

122  Lamp  dip  coloring. 

123  Lamps,   general   lighting. 

124  Lamps,  Incandescent  projection. 

125  Lamps,   high   intensity. 

126  Lamps,  reflecting  arc. 

127  Lavatory  equipment,  furnish- 
ings. 

128  Lavatory  fixtures, 

129  Ledgers,   theatre. 

130  Lenses. 

131  Lights,  exit. 

132  Lights,  spot. 

133  Lighting  fixture*. 

134  Lighting    Installations. 

135  Lighting    systems,    complete. 

136  Linoleum. 

137  Liquid  soap. 

138  Liquid  soap  container*. 

139  Lithographer*. 

140  Lobby  display  frames. 

141  Lobby  gazing  balls. 

142  Lobby  (urnlture. 

143  Lobby   decoration*. 

144  Lubricants    (state  kind). 

145  Luminous  numbers. 

146  Luminous  signs.  Interior, 
exterior. 

M 

147  Machines,    ticket. 

148  iVIaohinet,    pop   eom. 

149  IMachlne*.  *anltary  vending. 

150  Make  up,  boxe*,  theatrical. 

151  Marble. 

152  Marquise. 

153  Mats,   leather. 

154  Mats   and   runner*. 

155  Mazda  projection  adapter*. 

156  MeUI  lath. 

157  Metal  polish. 

158  Mirror,  shade*. 

159  Motor  generator*. 

160  Motion   picture  cable, 

161  Musical   instruments  (stats 
kind). 

162  Musis  publishers. 

163  Music  rolls. 

164  Music  itand*. 


168  Napklit. 

166  Novelties,  advertising. 

167  Nursery  (urniihints  and 
equipment 

0 

168  Oil  burners. 

169  Orchestral  piece*. 

170  Orchestra   pit   fittlngt,   furnith- 
Ing*. 

171  Organs. 

172  Organ  novelty  slide*. 

173  Organ  lifts. 

174  Organ  chamber  heater*. 

175  Ornamental  fountain*. 

176  Ornamental  metal  work. 


177  Ornamental  metal  theatre 
front*. 

P 

178  Paint,   *creen. 

179  Paper  drinking  cups. 

180  Paper  towel*. 

181  Perfumer*. 

182  Photo  frame*. 

183  Piano*. 

184  Picture  *et*. 

185  Player  piano*. 

186  Plastio  fixture*  and  decorations. 

187  Plumbing  fixture*. 

188  Positive  film. 

189  Posters. 

190  Poster  frame*. 

191  Poster  lights. 

192  Poster  paste. 

193  Portable  projectora. 

194  Pottery  decorative. 

195  Power  generating  plants. 

196  Printing,  theatre. 

197  Programs. 

198  Program  covers. 

199  Program  signs,  illuminated. 

200  Projection    lamps. 

201  Projection  machines. 

202  Projection  machine  parts. 

203  Projection  room  equipment. 

R 

204  Radiators. 

205  Radiator    covers. 

206  Rails,    brass. 

207  Rails,  rope. 

208  Rain    insurance. 

209  Rectifiers. 

210  Reconstruction  service. 

211  Redecorating   service. 

212  Reflectors    (state   kind). 

213  Refurnishing   service. 

214  Regulators,    Mazda. 

215  Reels. 

216  Reel  end  signals. 

217  Reel    packing,   carrying  eases. 

218  Resonant   orchestra    platform. 

219  Reseating  service. 

220  Rewinding   film. 

221  Rheoetats. 

222  Rigging,    stage. 

223  Roofing    material*. 

S 

224  Safes,   film. 

225  Scenery,   *tage. 

226  Scenic  artist*'  senrise. 

227  Screens. 

228  Screen   paint. 

229  Seat   coven. 

230  Seat  Indloatora,  vacant. 

231  Seats,  theatres. 

232  Signs   (state  kind). 

233  Signs,   parking. 

234  Signals,   reel   end. 

235  Sign   flashers. 

236  Sign-cloth. 

237  Sign    lettering   service. 

238  Sidewalk    machines,    corn    pop- 
pers. 


239  Slides. 

240  Slide  ink,  pencils. 

241  Slide  lanterns. 

242  Slide  making  outfits. 

243  Slide   mats. 

244  Shutters,   metal  fire. 

245  Soap  containers,   liquid. 

246  Speed   indicators. 

247  Spotlight*. 

248  Stage  doors-valances,  eto. 

249  Stage  lighting  equipment. 

250  Stage  lightino  systems. 

251  Stage  rigging-blocks,  pulleys. 

252  Stage  scenery. 

253  Stair  treads. 

254  Statuary. 

255  Steel    lockers. 

256  Stereopticons. 

257  Sweeping  compounds. 

258  Switchboards. 

259  Switches,  automatl*. 

T 

260  Talley  counters. 

261  Tapestries. 

262  Tax  free  music. 

263  Telephones,      inter-communloat- 
ing. 

264  Temperature  regulation   system. 

265  Terra  Cotta. 

266  Terminals. 

267  Theatre    accounting    systems. 

268  Theatre  dimmers. 

269  Theatre  seats. 

270  TickeU. 

271  Ticket  booths. 

272  Ticket  ohoppera. 

273  Ticket  holders. 

274  Ticket  racks. 

275  Ticket  selling  machines. 

276  Tile. 

277  Tile  stands. 

278  Tool  cases,  operator's. 

279  Towels,    paper. 

280  Towels,  cloth. 

281  Trailers. 

282  Transformers. 

283  Tripods. 

284  Turnstiles,    registering. 

285  Typewriters. 

U 

286  Uniforms. 

V 

287  Valances,  (or  boxes. 

288  Vases,    stone. 

289  Vacuum  cleanera. 

290  Ventilating  fans. 

291  Ventilating,   cooling  system. 

292  Ventilating    systems,    complete. 

293  Vending    machines,    soap,    tow- 
els, napkins,  eto. 

294  Vitrollte. 

W 

295  Wall  burlap. 

296  Wall  leather. 

297  Watchman's  clocks.  , 

298  Water   coolers. 

299  Wheels,    color. 


USE  THIS  COUPON 


"BETTER  THEATRES"  DIVISION 
Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago 


Gentlemen  : 


I  should  like  to  receive  reliable  information  on  the  following  items : 

(Refer  to  Items  by  Number) 


Remarks  : 


Name. _.. 

State 


Theatre.. 


.  City- 


Seating  Capacity.. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  4,  1928 


Advertised  in  This 

BETTER  THEATRES 

SECTION 

(If  you  desire  something  not  listed  here,  Exhibitors 

Information  and  Catalog 

Bureau  published  in  this  issue  will  get 

it  for 

you.) 

Page 

Page 

Page 

AISLE  LIGHTS 

SLIDES 

Kausalite  Mfg.  Co 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

40 

Nelson-Wiggen   Piano    Co 

1731   Belmont  Ave..   Chicago,  III. 

Operators   Piano   Co 

29 

22 

J.    F.   Ransley _ _ 

54   W.  Randolph  St..   Chicago.  III. 

47 

ANCHOR  EXPANSION  BOLTS 

The  Paine   Co 

2951    Carroll   Ave.,    Chicago,    III. 

40 

715   N.   Kednie  Ave.,   Chicago.  III. 
The  Page  Organ  Co _ 

24 

SOUND  REPRODUCING  DEVICES 

519  No.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio. 

The  Phototone  Company _ 

21 

3.  P.  Seeburg  Piano  Co 

47 

North  Vernon,  Ind. 

AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 

1510  Dayton  St..  Chicago,  III. 

CONTROL 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Co 2nd  Cover,  32 

STAGE  AND  ORCHESTRA  UFTS 

Automatic  Devices  Co 

46 

Cincinnati,  O. 

Peter   Clark,    Inc 

34 

17  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

ORGAN  HEATERS 

534  W.  30th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

DIMMERS 

Cramblet  Eng.   Corp 

47 

STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Company 

3 

286  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,   Wis. 

Milwaukee,   Wis     . 
ELECTRIC  FLASHERS,  COLOR 

Kausalite    Mfg.    Co 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,   Chicago,  III. 

47 

Frank  Adam  Elec.  Co Front  Cover 

3650    Windsor  Ave.,   St.   Louis,   Mo. 

HOODS 

The  Prometheus  Elec.  Corp 

356   W.  13th  St..  N.  Y.  C. 

48 

Belson  Mfg.    Company „ _ 

800  Sibley  St.,   Chicago.  III. 

39 

Reynolds  Electric  Co 

18 

2651    W.    Congress  St.,   Chicago,   III. 

PATENT  ATTORNEYS 

Brenkert  Light  Proj.  Co 

7348  St.  Aubin  Ave.,  Detroit.  Mich. 

Insert 

EQUIPMENT  SUPPLIES 

National  Theatre   Supply  Co 

Insert 

William   N.   Moore 

Loan  &■  Trust  Bldg.,   Washington.  D.  C 

.....  48 

Hub   Electric    Company 

2225  W.  Grand  Ave..  Chicago,  III. 

23 

624  South  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  III 

POP  CORN  MACHINES 

Kliegl  Brothers  

19 

FILM  CEMENT 

C.   Cretores   Co _ 

27 

156  Clinton  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

F.   B.   Griffin 

46 

612   W.  22nd  St..   Chicago.  III. 

Oshkosh,   Wit. 

STAGE  RIGGING  HARDWARE 

FIRE  PREVENTION  DEVICES 

PROJECTION  TOOLS 

J.    H.    Channon    Corp _ 

39 

Sentry  Safety  Control   Corp 

20 

Projection  Improvement  Co 

47 

223    W.  Erie  St..  Chicago.  III. 

1229   Vine  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Drifton,  Pa. 

J.  R.  Clancy 

47 

FLOWERS,  PLANTS — ARTIFICIAL 

PROJECTORS 

Syracuse,  N.    Y. 

G.  Reising  &  Co 

227  W.  Austin  Avt.,  Chicago,  III. 

28 

Enterprise  Optical  Co 4th  Cover 

564    W.   Randolph  St..   Chicago.  III. 

Peter   Clark,    Inc _ _ 

534  W.  30th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

34 

GENERATORS 

International   Proj.    Corp _ 

90  Gold  St..  N.  Y.  C. 

Insert 

STAGE  SCENERY 

Automatic    Devices    Co _ 

46 

Allentown,  Pa. 

Matney  Studios  „ 

47 

Continental  Electric  Co 

35 

RADIUM  LIGHT 

307  W.  47th  Street.  N.  Y.  C. 

323  Ferry  St.,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Louis  E.  Samms  Studios _ 

177  N.  State  St..  Chicago,  III. 

47 

Tiffin    Scenic   Studios _ 

Tiffin,  Ohio. 

48 

Hertner   Electric    Co _ 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

27 

RHEOSTATS 

THEATRE  BUILDING  SERVICE 

Roth  Brothers  &  Co 

29 

1400  W.  Adams'    St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Hoffman    &   Soons 

387  First  Avenue,  New   York  City 

...  46 

Midwest  Engfrg.  &  Const.  Corp 

209  So.   Third  St..   Columbus,  Ohio. 

....  34 

INTERIOR  DECORATIONS 

Continental  Studios,   Inc 

....  39 

SAFES,  THEATRE 

THEATRE  PRINTING,  PROGRAMS 

100  East  Ohio  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

York  Safe  and  Lock  Company _  . 

....  42 

Exhibitors   Printing  Service 

....  48 

LAMPS,  HIGH  INTENSITY 

York,  Pa. 

711  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Hall   &  Connolly,   Inc 

129  Grand  St..  N.   Y.  C. 

36 

SAFETY  SHUTTERS 

Best    Devices    Company 

....  48 

Theatre  Ad  Mat  Service,  Inc _... 

Vniontown,  Penn. 

....  42 

LAMPS,  REFLECTING  ARC 

Film  Bldg.,  Cleveland,  O. 

TICKETS 

The  L.  J.  Gardiner  Co 

1021  West  Goodale  Blvd.,  Columbus,  0. 

16 

SCREENS 

Arcus    Ticket    Co.... 

....   16 

348  N.  Ashland  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Strong    Electric    Co 

2501   Lagrange  St..   Toledo,  Ohio. 

35 

Da-Lite    Screen    Co 

922  W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

....  28 

Weldon,   Williams   &  Lick _ 

Fort   Smith,   Ark. 

....  46 

Raven    Screen    Corp 

....  40 

LENSES 

1476  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 

TRAILERS 

Bausch    &    Lomb 

26 

Rochester,  N.   Y. 

SEATS 

National    Screen    Service 

....  32 

American   Seating  Co Third 

Cover 

126-130   W.  46th  St.,  N.   Y.   C. 

LIGHTING  FIXTURES 

14  E.  Jackson  Blvd..  Chicago,  III. 

The   Voigt   Company 

42 

VENTILATING  EQUIPMENT 

1743  No.  12th  St..  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Heywood-Wakefield  Company  _ 

....      6 

209    Washington  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Blizzard  Fan  Sales  Co _.... 

....  47 

UGHTING  PLANTS 

1514   Davenport  St.,   Omaha,  Neb. 

Kohler  Company 

Kohler.  Wis. 

15 

SIGNS— ELECTRIC 

Lakeside    Company    - 

Hermansville,   Mich. 

....  48 

Flexlume    Corporation    „ 

....  46 

Supreme  Heat  &  Vent.  Co 

....     4 

ORGANS 

Buffalo,   N.    Y. 

1915  Pine  St.,  St.   Louis.  Mo. 

George   Kilgen    &   Son,    Inc 

Insert 

Milne   Elec.    Co 

....   36 

Typhoon    Fan    Co 

....  21 

4016  N.   Union  Blvd..  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

614-18  Cherry  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

345  W.  39th  St..  N.  Y.  C. 

F« 


•  • 


\~jy      I    [lluitrjting      intirior 
ni  extorter  of  S\tj- 
.3ftr/     Tkjtre.      St. 

I   y         jCJipb,        M$SSOUTt, 

Y  ^olUr  Brothers.  Arcfj- 
$iictj.  CompUfily  eq- 
iipptd  with  ijSi 
"Amtncjn"  chairs — 
No.  6o6j.  Abijutiful, 
comfoTfjbli  and  Jur- 
jhUchatrutthujlnut 
uood  pjrfj,  uphoist- 
trtd  back  and  djrk 
nd  moroccoltne  stjt. 
Nohiltjj  bjll  btjrini 
hinfc    insure:    stl:nt 

ment.      Design      and 
finish      in      harmony 
u  ith  decor jtti'i  effects 
/''~^\        '**t'^  jppotntmints. 


'\C 


That  Makes 

Successful  Showmen 

Exclusive  Users  of 

^^A.  S.  C."  Chairs 

QuccEssFUL  showmen  .  .  .  shrewd 
^  buyers  .  .  .  keen  judges  of  value 
and  merit  specify  "American" 
chairs  because  the  price  they  pay 
includes  more  than  the  specifica- 
tions set  forth.  With  a  nation- 
wide distributing  and  installation 
system  .  .  .  every  "American" 
purchase  includes  a  service  that 
never  has  failed  in  an  emergency 
...  a  service  that  guarantees  to 
meet  advertised  opening  dates  .  .  . 
an  organization  big  enough  to 
solve  unforeseen  problems  as  they 
may  arise.  That  large-scale  oper- 
ators look  to  the  service  as  well  as 
the  chair  is  attested  to  by  their 
long  years  of  loyalty  to  and 
patronage  of  this  company. 


American  Seating( 
Company 

12  E.  Jackson  Blvd.,  Chicago,  Illinois 

121  W.  40th  St.,  New  York  City  121 1-H  Chestnut  St.,  Phila. 

63-D  Canal  St.,  Boston 

Theatre  Chair  Builders  to  toe  American  Public  for  Over  "yo  years 


61'/x»/oLessHeat 
on  The  Film 


A  POSITIVE  ACCOMPLISHMENT 
ONLY  WITH  THE  NEW  MODEL  "H" 
MOTIOGRAPH  DE  LUXE  PROJECTOR 

This  modern  improvement,  the  greatest 
achievement  in  years  in  the  building  of  motion 
picture  projectors,  assures  full  reproduction 
on  the  screen  of  the  photographic  beauty  in 
the  film. 

By  eliminating  the  heat, — the  warping, 
buckling,  embossing  and  drying  of  the  mm — 
the  enemies  of  perfect  projection  are  conquered. 

FOR  GREATEST  EFFICIENCY 

IN  YOUR  SOUND  PROJECTION 

USE  THIS  NEW  MODEL  "H" 

FEATURE 


THE  ENTEPRISE  OPTICAL  MFG.  CO. 


564  W.  Randolph  Street 


Chicago,  111. 


The  Motiograph  De  Luxe 
equipped  with  Movietone  Unit. 


The  Annual  Studio  and  Directors  Number 

EXHIBITOM 


HAPPY 
BIRTHDAY- 

M-Q-M  News  in  Sound! 


M-G-M  News  is  one  year  old  today 
MORE  satisfied  customers  in  12  months 
THAN  others  have  won  in  years! 
GROWING  bigger  and  bigger— 
RESOURCg.^  and  staff  doubled! 
AND  nov^— happy  birthday— 

-G-M  MOVIETONE  NEWSI 


Whnls  Vnl    07    Mn    fi  ^Vnl    7A    M«    0\   Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August   20,  1917,   at  the  Post   Office  at  Chicago,  111.,  under  the  act  of  March  i,     i  .  ■%i     into 

fTiiuie  TOI.  ^L,  I'NO.  O  ^,¥01.  .J'J,  l\0.  y)    igjg      Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  25  cents.    AUgUSl  11,  I5>Z» 


K 


VNIJ 


QrJ 


901 


usic  attraction 


alesfortiie  second^ 

earl928,fiaveexceeded 

any  previous  similar  period, tflerebiji 
establisliiii^  a  new  Mm  record. 


ilfl9>^l  Miitm  (/A/r 


osition  of 

^    ,   »^      ^^  . otits un-^ 

;app2y>acAed-BoxOffice\^luG.        ^ 

"Radically  different  from  all  otfter-J 
organs,  it  is  an  indispensable  attrac-i 
tionintlie  successful  operation  of  t^ 
modern  motion  picture  tfieatre. 


rAX?f;nnjiiHr.mtiinf  i^MjgnfttirtniroKxvi* 


unrivaled  music  feature  Jf^is 
tfle  choice  of  an  increasi   ^ 
majority  of  pro^ress>ive  ai 
fi^rsi^hted  sfiowmen  and 
exrviDitors  cverywfiere 


'Rbberb Morton  Console 'V/^ 
£loeio's  6  United 
k  Ai-fisfs  Oh.io 
1^  y/ica-tre^Colum-j 
%S  bus,  Ohio.       J 


fi^  Coast 
to  Coas>t 


TOriteHoday/ 
foTOurNQU)  /A 


PurchasePJ^jt  y 


mmmmr 


KEW   IDEA   VAUDEVILLE       ■   l;|,„ 
L0ltCH*KEY"'nOCKERV  ■  ■,»  ., 


"Robert  Aiorton  Coivsole" 
inXo  eiV  's  Itli(31a.n(i  « 

J/ieatTe, Kansas  CHj/^MiM 


PPP'^wR^s, 


NewYorlt       Chicago         Los  Alleles      SanFrancisco 
IS60  Sroiidbra^     624  So-HicluiMk      ^4SoVennoiit      l6&GoUenGate 


KURT.W. 


«;»• 


^^ 


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PARAMOUNT 
PRESENTS 

THE  WHOLE  SHOW 
PROGRAM— 1928-9 

to  the 

Whole  UNITED  STATES 

in  a 

GIANT  NATIONAL 

NEWSPAPER  CAMPAIGN 

695  Newspapers! 

413  Cities! 

100,000,000  Readers! 


'"'^^ 


'•^: 


^^ 


/ 


/?^1 


.^* 


ii»a^"- 


A. 


\ 


*€. 


K*' 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


greatest   advertising   campaign 


^??^^'-.--T^7T^''T-S'jj^v-.!l--.'!-'-c'!:!!'..'-!.-^.'-'J^7'-' 


■:-'^JAV,!l.r^-:v..-.:;j!,l-.-r-^.',:,l  Jl..^-,.,.-.'^^  ^.'Ml.-J 


starting  »"^,''',.he- 

luce  W  ^'^P  Vo^ViUi""  i"' 

j,r,  .box*'"  ^„der/u>  "t-  P 

r,  I..  Urn'"*  -     .    r.uiDrr-"*  .  _  n' 


Bub«J V>"-'"'*  g^  SHORT 


„,,rb."-l;     ,.„„iwi-i;    „^u-«««- 

-»"'   M."-f""  """"o-."  c.."'-'" 

,urf»""-  CHI 


M»*^  PI  .,1,  the  »evf. 


uh  the  »*=" 
is  Viere  •  •  -.; 

,  „™  Para*""*"  wodr""*  _^ 

I<«i.««"°'  ,  .lie"*  '"  „  ««ni '»  "* 

..ft.*""""  „,..!.<--'"' 

<1  p»r»»'"' 


T.rf;7r^'7p?;:T?^;y!p'?!7;<?;?;Tf^ 


?' 


^  Here  are  two  of  the  full  page  news- 
paper ads.  ^  Special  ads  on  SOUND  also! 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


in  the  history  of  pictures! 


^  First  insertion,  Sunday,  August   12th. 
^Blanketing  the  country.  Your  town,  too! 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


PARAMOUNT 


I 


goes  straight  to  your  customers,  in  newspapers  in  your  own 
city,  with  the  news  of  all  the  big  specials,  the  great  stars 
in  The  Whole  Show  Program  for  1928-9.  fl  Backed  by  11 
years  of  consistent  national  advertising  in  The  Saturday 
Evening  Post,  Country  Gentleman,  Fan  Magazines,  etc. 


Ask  your  Paramount  Exchange  for  details  of 
papers^  etc.^  in  your  town^  ways  of  tying  up^  etc. 


Paramount's  Whole  Show  Program 
Sold   in  Advance   to    Your   Public! 


WHATS 
ALL  THE 

SHOOTING 
FOR? 


-that  for 
calamity  howlers 

LETS  GET  DOWN 
TO  BRASS  TACKS 

"THERE'S  TOO  MUCH  HOOEY  in  this 

■  business  today.  A  lot  of  picture  people 

who  spend  more  time  eating  lunch  than 

tending  to  business  are  giving  out  half- 


cocked  statements  on  what's  happening  in 
this  business-   They  dorit  know! 

THE  only  trouble  is  that  some  exhibitors 
are  puzzled  by  such  hot  air.  They  are 
worried  by  this  schmoos.  Naturally  they 
turn  to  the  one  organization  which  has 
both  feet  solidly  on  the  ground! 

HERE'S  THE 
LOW-  DOWN  I 


do  reasons  why  exhibitors  are  depending  on  M-Q-M 
for  their  continued  prosperity  in  picture  business) 


\  HOW  ARE  YOUR  RECEIPTS? 


DO  YOU  KNOW  what  product  on  the  market  is 
doing  the  most  business  at  the  box-office?  Listen!  A 
box'office  check-up  of  500  percentage  houses,  many 
of  which  play  all  products,  shows  that  M-G-M  pic- 
tures have  taken  the  biggest  share  of  all  business  in 


all  of  these  houses.  It's  natural  that  M-G-M  is  the 
most  sought-after  product  on  the  market. 


2  STARTING  THE  NEW  SEASON  WITH 
^  A  BANG! 

SEPTEMBER  1st  M-G-M  opens  its  new  releas- 
ing season  withWilliam  Haines  in  ''Excess  Baggage." 
Hollywood  is  already  talking  about  it.  Prepare  for 
one  of  the  greatest  pictures  that  has  ever  swept  an 
audience  with  thrills,  heart-throbs  andlaughter.Then 
M-G-M  delivers  in  rapid-fire  succession  "  Our  Danc- 
ing Daughters"  (with  Joan  Crawford)  of  which  the 
Daily  Review  says:  ''A  mop-up  any  way  you  look  at 
it.  100  per  cent  picture" — Lon  Chaney  in  "While 
The  City  Sleeps,"  (it  could  run  on  Broadway  at  $2) 
— Monta  BelPs  ingenious  mystery  thriller,  'The  Bel- 
lamy Trial"  based  on  the  famed  Saturday  Evening 
Post  serial  and  novel.  We  make  this  prediction  now: 
No  company  on  earth  is  in  a  position  to  offer  you 
productions  of  this  calibre  to  start  off  the  new  sea- 
son and  M-G-M  in  78-29'  will  again  be  the  Talk 
of  the  Industry. 


3 


THE  PUBLIC  WANTS  REAL 
STARS! 

THERE  IS  A  DIFFERENCE  between  stars  offered 
you  as  "identifying  descriptions"  (stars  which  have 


4 


been  made  because  there  was  no  title  to  sell  and 
because  the  mere  all-star  classification  was  not  enough) 
and  M-G'M  stars,  each  of  which  is  a  star  in  "draw- 
ing power",  the  greatest  group  of  established  marquee 
names  ever  assembled  by  any  company  in  this  indus- 
try's history.  Compare  these  big  names  with  other 
"identifying  description'^  names:  Lon  Chaney,  John 
Gilbert,  William  Haines,  Marion  Davies,  Greta  Garbo, 
Ramon  Novarro,  Norma  Shearer,  Lillian  Gish,  Karl 
Dane  &  George  K.  Arthur,  Buster  Keaton,  Lew 
Cody  &L  Aileen  Pringle,  Tim  McCoy.  Not  to  mention 
M'G-M  featured  players  whose  drawing  strength  is 
greater  than  the  so-called  stars  ("identifying  descrip- 
tion") of  other  companies.  A  few  M-G-M  featured 
players:  Joan  Crawford,  Lionel  Barrymore,  Renee 
Adoree,  Conrad  Nagel,  Ralph  Forbes,  John  Mack 
Brown,  Nils  Asther,  Anita  Page,  Dorothy  Sebastian, 
Polly  Moran,  Marceline  Day,  Bert  Roach,  etc. 


Extra.'     Metro  ■  Colduyn  ■  Mayer  gets  the  prize  stage  property  of  years  "The  Trial  of  Mary  Dugdn".      The  vehicle, 

'they  all  were  after.     The  vehicle  M-G-M  got.     1 1  months  on  Broadway  and  still  going  strong.     M-G-M  will  be 

first  to  synchronize  with  complete  dialogite  a  current  Broadway  stage  hit,  hot  from  its  metropolitan  triumphs. 

-G-M    ATTITUDE    ON    SOUND 
WINS  EXHIBITOR  CONFIDENCE! 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYERwill  lead  the  field 
in  Movietone  and  Vitaphone»  Depend  on  Young 
Blood,  ever  in  the  forefront  of  this  business.  Ours  is 
a  sound  sound  policy.  No  rash  promises.  Delivery! 
We're  well  along  right  now.    Many  exhibitors  have 


congratulated  M-G-M  on  its  level-headed  handling 
of  the  sound  situation,  its  refusal  to  stampede  ex- 
hibitors  with  exaggerated  sound  announcements. 
M-G'M  knows,  as  all  exhibitors  know,  that  it  will 
be  a  long  time  before  the  majority  of  theatres  are 
sound-equipped.  Far  in  advance  of  that,  M-G-M  will 
be  ready  with  the  last  word  in  quality  sound  pictures, 
features,  shorts,  newsreel  and  other  one-reel  novelties. 
Meanwhile  thousands  of  exhibitors  place  their  secur- 
ity in  M-G-M,  greatest  in  resources,  greatest  in  stars, 
livest  in  promotion,  to  fill  theatres  week  in  and  week 
out  with  box-office  pictures. 


5 


SOUND  STUDIOS  COMPLETED 
BY  M-G- 


WE  ARE  LOOKING  BEYOND  the  novelty  stage 
in  sound.  While  others  have  been  making  elaborate 
promises,  M-G-M  has  been  rapidly  constructing  at 
its  vast  Culver  City,  California,  plant  the  finest  and 
best  equipped  stage  for  sound  synchronization  in 
the  world!  It's  finished.  We're  all  set  to  go.  But  as 
for  making  promises— hell  no!  We'll  deliver!  That's 
M-G-M  policy  always.  And  in  addition  to  our  West 
Coast  sound  studios  watch  for  the  opening  of  the 
great  Cosmopolitan  Studios  in  New  York  City  for 
the  production  of  sound  subjects.  This  puts  M-G-M 
in  a  strategic  position  for  the  creation  of  synchro- 
nized subjects  since  the  Cosmopolitan  Studios  are 
more  accessible  than  any  others  to  the  talent-sources 
of  Broadway. 


JOHN  GILBERT  in 
"THE  COSSACKS" 


WILLIAM  HAINES  in 
•TELLING  THE  WORLD" 


MARION  DA  VIES  in 
■THE  CARDBOARD  LOVER" 


GRETA  GARBO  in 
•THE  MYSTERIOUS  LADY" 


-G-M  CLICKING  RIGHT  NOW  I 

THE  OUTSTANDING  money-making  pictures  of 
the  current  season  are  all  M-G-M,  While  other  com- 
panies talk  pictures,  M-G-M  gives  theatres  John 
Gilbert  in  *The  Cossacks*',  which  Variety  reports 
"biggest  business  on  Broadway'\  and  held  over  for 
second  smash  week  at  Capitol,  N.Y.  It  is  a  sensation 
and  is  doing  the  biggest  business  of  every  town  it 
plays.  William  Haines  in  "Telling  The  WorW  comes 
to  theatres  with  the  backing  of  United  Press  news- 
papers all  over  the  country,  enjoying  advance  pub- 
licity worth  millions  in  the  form  of  serials,  feature 
stories,  photographs  in  the  press.  It  is  doing  record 
business  at  Warfield,  San  Francisco;  Allen,  Cleveland; 
Capitol,  N.  Y.,  and  everywhere.  Other  big  pictures 
for  coming  weeks  that  insure  your  business  in  spite 
of  any  conditions  are  Marion  Davies  in  "Cardboard 
Lover'';  John  Gilbert  in  "Four  Walls";  Greta  Garbo 
in  "Mysterious  Lady",  and  others.  "White  Shadows 
in  the  South  Seas",  which  M-G-M  exhibitors  have 
already  bought  is  so  good  that  it  is  now  playing  at 
the  Astor  on  Broadway  at  $2,  thereby  enhancing  its 
value  to  you! 


7 


SHORT  SUBJECT  SUPREMACY! 

DE  LUXE  HOUSES  one  after  another  are  cutting 
expensive  presentations  and  at  the  same  time  stimu- 
lating attendance  by  building  their  presentations 
around  Hal  Roach  M-G-M  quality -short- subjects* 
No  other  shorts  are  of  sufficient  class  to  merit  this 
handling,  therefore  the  "Our  Gang",  Charlie  Chase, 
Laurel -Hardy   and   Roach   All  Star  comedies   are 
delighting  audiences  in  thousands  of  theatres, 
M-G-M's  distinguished  Great  Events  in  Technicolor 
as  well  as    M-G-M's    UFA    Oddities    are   equally 
important  in  the  building  up  of  today's  programs. 
M-G-M  Shorts  will  be  further  enhanced  by  the 
addition  of  Movietone.    The  M-G-M  Movietone 
News  is  well  under  way. 


SCREEN 

FORECAST 

/92s  '29 


Q  PROMOTION   DIRECT  TO  YOUR 
^  PUBLIC! 

ONCE  AN  M-G-M  EXHIBITOR,  always  an 
M-G-M  exhibitor !  Not  only  because  M-G-M's  pro- 
duct is  great  but  because  M-G-M  believes  in  extend- 
ing its  services  after  you  have  signed  your  contract. 
Space  permits  mention  of  only  a  few  activities  that 


reach  direct  to  your  public  and  help  sell  tickets  at 
your  box-office.  This  year  the  valuable  M-G-M 
SCREEN  FORECAST  is  on  the  screen.  A  thrilling 
reel  has  been  prepared,  showing  actual  shots  from 
the  big,  spectacular  M-G-M  productions  of  next 
season.  A  marvelous  advance  ballyhoo  that  tells 
your  public  of  the  bright,  popular  stars  who  will 
entertain  them  during  the  year  78 -79  in  glamorous 
new  hits.  THE  SCREEN  FORECAST  contains  shots 
from  many  features  and  shorts,  and  besides  being  a 
convincing  piece  of  salesmanship  it's  a  brilliant 
novelty  for  any  theatre  to  run.  M-G-M  continues  to 
reach  millions  of  fans  over  the  radio,  through  the 
M-G-M  Movie  Club  programs  broadcast  over  twenty- 
six  nationwide  stations.  M-G-M  fan  ad-contests  in 
the  national  magazines  are  engrossing  ticket-buyers 
the  country-over.  M-G-M's  system  of  publicity  ser- 
vices means  that  by  actual  check  M-G-M  leads  every 
company  in  the  business  in  the  amount  of  photo- 
graphic and  press  propaganda  obtained  for  M-G-M 
stars  and  pictures. 


NEW     VOCE     E\?.N1N'.     JOLRNAL 


Ffi[CK[[S  UWi 

mm]  i 


WHICH  OF  THESE  "OUR  GANG" 
CHARACTERS  CAN  YOU  PORTRAY? 


r 


/«rl 


r-f^A 


^ 


AlJt.RESS iUySE ..r^ 

1  WANTTOCOirPETEtOK  ROLK  OF 

THE  AflOVR  C(tNTESTANT  IS  COMIXTING  WITS  MT 
FULL  CONSENT. 

sicoiinr«'o7p»V-Nt  or  Ouardwn 


9 


-G-M  GETS  BEHIND  ITS  GREAT 
SHORT  SUBJECTS! 

THE  IMPORTANT  PROMOTION  is  done  by 

M-G'M,  not  alone  in  features  hut  in  short  subjects. 
The  National  "Our  Gang"  Movie  Talent  Test  is  the 
biggest  promotion  ever  put  behind  a  short  subject. 


Tie-ups  with  newspapers  all  over  the  country,  the 
i  selection  of  youngsters  resembling  the  various 

members  of  the  "Our  Gang/^  the  actual  filming  of  a 
comedy  in  each  contest  center  with  the  "Our  Gang" 
winners  in  the  cast — this  represents  a  stunt  of  mag- 
nitude. Right  now,  also,  M-G-M  is  extending  to  ex- 
hibitors its  services  in  the  promotion  of  "Joy  Week", 
fighting  hot  weather  with  ideas,  giving  showmen 
free  of  charge  banners,  slides,  posters  to  put  over 
"Joy  Week"  in  their  theatres.  The  tie-up  between 
Kellogg^s  Pep  and  the  "Our  Gang"  kids  is  only  one 
more  of  the  many  live  ideas  which  M-G-M  week 
after  week  devises  to  help  sell  tickets  at  box-offices. 


10 


LEO'S  WORLD  TOUR  SELLS 
SEATS  FOR  THEATRES! 

BEYOND  THE  rosiest  expectations  of  M-G-M  is 
the  reception  accorded  M-G-M*s  newest  world-wide 
promotion  event  following  the  Trackless  Train.  Leo^ 
the  M-G-M  lion  and  company  trade-mark,  took 
Washington,  D.  C.,  by  storm,  continued  his  trium- 
phal march  through  New  York  City  and  is  now  on 
his  way  across  America  and  thereafter  the  world. 
Pages  of  publicity  attend  him,  focussing  dramatic 
attention  on  M-G-M  and  its  great  galaxy  of  stars 
and  its  imposing  line-up  for  the  year  78-79  which 
follows: 


■I 


LoN   Cham 


JOHN  Gilbert 


Marion  Davies 


Greta  Garso 


Ramon   Novarro 


Roach  All  Star 


THE  IMPORTANT 
LINE-UP! 

M-G-M  in  1028-29 


Jwdwc^A 


41SPECIALS 
SHOW  PEOPLE 

Marion  Davies 

William  Haines 
THE  CARNIVAL  OF  LIFE 

John  Gilbert 

Greta  Garbo 
SPIES 

M-G-M  's  Surprise  Special 
THE  LOVES  OF  CASANOVA 

Europe's  Current 

Roadshow  Sensation 

4  LON  CHANEY 
While  the  City'Slecps 
and  3  others 

3  GRETA  GARBO 

**      Tiger  Skin,  Siriglc  Standard 
and  I  more 


4 


4WILLIAIVi  HAINES 

"       Excess  Baggage 

2 

and  3  more 

4  DANE-ARTHUR 

1 

Camping  Out 

and  3  more 

3 

3  CODY-PRINGLE 

**      The  Baby  Cyclone 

and  2  more 

2  FLASH 

40 

The  Ama:ing  Dog  Star 

in  Grease  Painr 

and  1  more 

gTIM  McCOY 

*>  COSMOPOLITAN 

104 

-^  PRODUCTIONS 

6 

Our  Dancing  Daughters 

Breakers  Ahead 

Mothers  and  Sons 

26 

MARION  DAVIES 

Dumb  Dora 
and  2  more 

RAMON  NOVARRO 

Gold  Braid 
and  1  more 

JOHN  GILBERT 

The  Devil's  Mask 
and  1  more 

NORMA  SHEARER 

Ballyhoo 
and  3  more 

BUSTER  KEATON 

The  Camera  Man 
and  1  more 

LILLIAN  GISH 

The  Wind 

ELECTRIC-LIGHT  HITS 

The  Bellamy  Trial 

The  Wonder  of  Women 

The  Bridge  of  San  Luis  Rcy 

HALROACH  COMEDIES 

10  OUR  GANG' 
10  LAUREL-HARDY 
10  CHARLEY  CHASE 
10  ALL  STAR 

M-G-M  NEWS 

Twice  Weekly 

M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS 

Entirely  in  Techicolor 

M-G-M  ODDITIES 

UFA  world-wide  gems 


Norma  Shearer 


Lillian  GlSH 


t 


Dane-Arthur 


Buster  Keaton 


Cody-Pringle 


Tim  McCoy 


\ 

1 


KEEP  YOUR  SHIRT  ON! 

M-Q-M  IS  your  Theatre  Insurance 

BEAR  IN  MIND  that  U^GM  is  affiliated  with  the 
finest  theatres  in  America. 

OUR  BUSINESS  is  a  producing  business,  but  it  is 
one  with  the  theatre  business. 

WE  MUST  PROTECT  our  investments  and  your 
investments. 

WHATEVER  PROGRESS  is  to  be  made  in  the 
industry  M-G-M  must  make. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER,  first  the  talk  of 
the  industry,  then  the  top  of  the  industry,  is  committed 
to  a  policy  of  dominancey  leaderships  superiority. 

M  ETRO  -  GOI^^^  -  MAYER 

THE  IMPORTANT       ^ISHbIB^       COMPANY 


August  11,  1928 


ONE 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


WITHOUT 
VITAPHOME 


Jl  World  Beater 
Sither  Waif 


O^irst  of  the 
IS  Special 
'ViarnerWinners 


18  SPECIAL  WARNER  WINNERS 

HARD  BOILED  ROSE 

WOMEN  THEY  TALK 

THE    LITTLE   WILD- 

ABOUT 

CAT 

LAND  OF  THE  SIL- 

ONE STOLEN  NIGHT 

VER  FOX 

THE  OUTLAW  DOG 

CAUGHT  IN  THE 

(Temporary) 

FOG 

SHE  KNEW  MEN 

THE  MIDNIGHT  TAXI 

NO  DEFENSE 

BEWARE  OF  BACHE- 

FANCY BAGGAGE 

LORS 

THE  GREYHOUND 

KID  GLOVES 

LIMITED 

FROM  HEADQUAR- 

KING OF  THE  WIL- 

TERS 

DERNESS 

STOLEN  KISSES 

STATE  STREET 

SADIE 

DIRECTED  BY 

ARCHIE  MAYO 

BASEDOW 
THE  STOICT  BV 
MElViaE  CR05MAN 

SCiXffiSXO  BY 

E.T.LOWE  Jr.. 


Cam\n6\    "noah'SARK"      , 

\^\MtHVtt^  I    Madetotot)  any  picture  ever  made/ 


r'^miM///         AL  JOLSON 

looming  !  itirYLE  singing  fool" 


MEMBER   MOTION   PICTURE   PRODUCERS   AND   DISTRIBUTORS   OF   AMERICA,    INC. 


8  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  August  11,  1928 

Now  You  Can  S 
A  Synchronized 

(No.  598-Straight  from  the  Shoulder  Talk  by  Carl  Lai\ 


AND  NOW  "THE  MAN  WHO  LAUGHS''  IS  READY  FOR 
you  to  HEAR  as  well  as  to  SEE> 

NOW  YOU  WILL  HAVE  THE  BEST  OPPORTUNITY  YOU 

ever  had  to  realise  how  much  a  glorious  picture — perfect  in  itself — can 
be  improved  by  the  addition  of  cleverly  directed  sounds* 

WITH  ALL  THE  WILD  TALK  ABOUT  SYNCHRONIZATION 
which  has  had  the  whole  industry  standing  on  its  head,  it  is  no  wonder 
that  confusion  has  been  worse  confounded, 

AND  NOW  OUT  OF  THE  CHAOS  OF  GUESS-WORK  AND 
gossip,  comes  the  supreme  achievement  which  will  prove  without  the 
shadow  of  a  doubt  that  when  even  a  perfect  picture  is  properly  syn- 
chronized with  all  due  regard  for  theatrical  effects,  it  can  be  made  even 
better  than  perfect! 

NEVER  HAS  THERE  BEEN  A  MORE  CONVINCING 
demonstration  of  the  possibilities  of  the  movietone  process  than  you 
will  get  when  you  SEE  and  HEAR  "THE  MAN  WHO  LAUGHS". 

DURING  THE  SCENES  AT  THE  FAMOUS  SOUTHWARK 
Fair,  you  will  hear  the  cries  of  the  barkers,  the  shouts  of  the  happy 


i  August  11,  1928  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  9 

^e  How  Perfect 
Picture  Can  Be 


nmle.  President  of  the  Universal  Pictures  Corporation) 


people,  the  blowing  of  their  horns  and  the  throbbing  of  their  other 
merry-making  noise-machines. 

THROUGHOUT  THE  SCENES  WHEN  GWYNPLAINE  IS 
is  amusing  his  audience — that  audience  which  rocks  with  laughter  — 
you  will  HEAR  the  gales  of  laughter  and  you  will  hear  the  tumultu- 
ous cries  ^^Gwynplaine!  Gwynplaine!'' 

IN  THE  MOB  SCENES,  PANDEMONIUM  IS  LET  LOOSE 
and  the  movie  fan  does  not  live  who  will  fail  to  get  a  terrific  *^kick" 
from  this  grand  combination  of  eye  and  ear  entertainment. 

THE  MUSICAL  SCORE  IS  A  GEM  IN  ITSELF,  BRINGING 
out  with  even  extra  emphasis  the  fine  points  of  this  exquisitely  directed 
picture. 

AND  ONCE  MORE  I  WANT  TO  SAY  TO  THOSE  EXHIBI- 
tors  who  have  no  sound  equipment  in  their  theatres  just  this: — Whether 
your  patrons  simply  SEE  ^*The  Man  Who  Laughs'^  or  whether  they 
both  SEE  and  HEAR  it,  they  will  be  entertained  and  uplifted  in  spirit 
as  no  other  picture  has  aroused  them  for  a  long  time. 

WHETHER  THEY^RE  SILENT  OR  WHETHER  THEY^RE 
otherwise  Universal  has  the  pictures  I 


■!«■■■■  HP* 


Nothing  like  it 


HARRISON'S  REPORTS 


"The  Cop" — with  William  Boyd 

(Palhc.  August  19.  7,054  jt.,  82  to  100  min.) 
There  is  a  hold-up  scene  in  this  picture  which,  for  realism, 
has  not  been  seen  in  pictures  forjicars.  I  doubt  if  a  true-to- 
lifc  hold-up  scene  could  give  oite  greater  thrills.  It  is  so 
cKvcrly  conceived  and  so  well  executed  that  one  gasps  for 
breath  until  it  is  all  over  There  is,  of  course,  a  master  mind 
among  the  crooks,  who  plans  it ,  and  his  men  carry  it  out 
without  a  hitch.  First,  one  car,  at  the  appointed  time, 
drives  in  front  of  the  armored  car  that  carried  thousands 
of  dollars,  and  stops  it.  Then  a  heavy  truck,  driven  by 
another  confederate,  drives  at  high  speed,  bumps  against  the 
armored  car  and  wrecks  it,  tearing  it  apart.  The  crooks 
then  carry  the  money  away  Confederates  posted  in  shops 
and  rooming  houses  with  machine  guns  complete  the  pic- 
ture. There  are  other  thrilling  situations  in  other  parts 
of  t!ic  picture,  but  the  situation  just  described  is  the  most 
thrillinp  The  action  holds  one's  mterest  from  the  very 
hcginiiing.  And  one  is  made  to  feel  friendly  toward  the 
Ikto  by  proper  characterization.  In  the  beginning  he  is 
shown  as  a  draw-bridge  tender.  At  one  time  he  secretes 
a  crook  with  a  bullet  wound  in  his  arm;  he  had  been  chased 
by  the  police  immediately  after  a  hold-up.  But  the  hero's 
kind-heartedness  is  rewarded  by  the  crook's  stealing  his 
coat  and  $25.  while  the  hero  was  out  to  buy  grub  to  feed 
the  crook  with.  The  hero  becomes  tired  of  his  work  and 
joins  the  police  force.  It  was  during  his  beat  that  the 
armored  car  had  been  held  up  and  the  money  stolen,  and 
liis  friend,  also  a  cop,  killed.  He  then  vows  to  catch  the 
murderers,  whose  leader  happened  to  be  the  very  same 
man  that  had  stolen  his  money  and  his  overcoat.  By  follow- 
ing the  heroine,  member  of  the  gang,  he  is  able  to  locate 
the  hiding  place  of  the  master  mind.  But  when  he  gets  into 
the  house,  he  finds  the  master  mind  gone.  However,  he 
lelephones  headquarters  to  cover  the  river  and  to  leave  the 
bridge  to  him.  He  then  suggests  to  the  heroine,  for  whom 
lie  had  felt  an  interest,  because  of  dawning  love,  that  it 
would  be  dangerous  for  her  to  go  to  the  bridge  that  night. 
He  goes  to  the  bridge,  but  finds  the  heroine  there.  He 
realizes  that  she  had  gone  there  not  to  warn  the  crooks  but 
10  tell  him  (the  hero)  that  his  life  was  in  danger  In  a 
pistol  duel  with  the  crook,  the  hero  comes  out  the  victor, 
he  had  aimed  at  and  shot  the  master  crook  in  the  head,  being 
the  only  vulnerable  spot,  his  body  being  protected  by  a 
steel  jacket.  The  wounded  crook  drowns  in  the  river  The 
heroine  promises  the  hero  to  give  up  the  "racket"  (It  is 
implied  that  they  married.) 

The  plot  has  been  founded  on  the  story  by  Elliott  Qaw- 
son ,  It  has  been  directed  with  great  skill  by  Donald  Crisp, 
from  a  screen  play  by  Tay  Gamett  Mr  Boyd  does  good 
work  as  the  hero,  Robert  Armstrong  as  the  master  criminal. 
and  Jacqueline  Logan  as  the  heroine.  Alan  Hale  is  good, 
too.  as  the  chief  of  the  homicide  squad. 

Altliough  a  crook  play,  it  leaves  no  bad  impression. 


BOYD 


A  DONALD  CRISP  Production 

Screen  play   by  Tay  Gamett  from  the  story  by 

Elliott   Clawson.    Produced  by  Ralph  Block  for 

DeMille  Pictures  Corporation 


One  of  the  reasons  why  this 


in  years 

^says  Pete  Harrison 

'"''There  is  a  hold-up  scene  in  this 

picture  which  for  realism,  has  not 

been  seen  in  pictures  for  years.  I 

doubt  if  a  true-to-life  hold-up  scene 

\\       could  give  greater  thrills.     It  is  so 

A    cleverly    conceived    and    so    well 

#6  executed  that  one  gasps  for  breath." 

HarrisoTt's  Reports 


THE  COP" 


>vith  ALAN  HALE, 

JACQUELINE  LOGAN  and 

ROBERT  ARMSTRONG 


Watch  for  amazing  new  R.  C.  A.  PHOTOPHONE   musical 
Note     "SI    ^^d    effect    accompaniment     on    certain    forthcoming 
PATHE  FEATURE  PRODUCTIONS   Season   1928-1929. 


is  PATHE  S  YEAR 


Pathe  gives  ne>v  sic 

big  business  boosters  on 


Famous  Director 
of  Patheseriats        " 


S  P  E  Nl  C  ER. 
B  E  IM  M  ET 


TH8 


ptOPlt 


DireciedJ> 
Story  b5 
Scenario  by 


Eagle  of 
the  night 


featuring 

FRANK  CLARKE 

Greatest  of  aeroplane  stunt  fliers 

Original  story  by  Paul  Cruger 
Directed  by  Jimmy  Fulton 


T>ATHESERIALS,  box-oflSce  magic  workers  for 
fifteen  years,  will  be  the  fireworks  this  season 
for  thousands  of  exhibitors. 
The  fans  like  action— mystery— 
daring  danger!  They  want  to 
be  kept  guessing — talking  — 
wondering — expecting.  They  want  life  in  the  raw — 
realism — red  blood — quick  twists  of  plot — changing 
fortune — big  stakes  —  colossal  rewards  —  dramatic 
dynamite !  These  factors  never  play  to  empty 
seats.  Patheserials  bring  'em  in — keep  'em  coming, 
fix  their  interest  week  after  week. 
Where  a  feature  may  be  gone  and  for- 
gotten, the  Patheserial  goes  on  gather- 
ing momentum — gathering  the  shekels. 


Pathe 

News 


The  Tigers 
Shadow 


Original  story  and  scenario  by 

GEORGE 
ARTHUR  GRAY 

Directed  by  Spencer  Bennet 


^'''Sinal  story  anri. 

^ARTHUR  GRAY 


1ha^aiajut7^lce^,^y^o     MACK 

^PORTtiOHT^^^  SENNETT 

^r^'^J/  Super  Comedies 


TOPICS^!! 

the  DAY  ^^^ 


M 


liif icance  to  serials 

program  of  super  shorts 


Pathe  has  released  71  serials,  money 
makers  all  since  the  golden  harvest  in 
the  days  of  Pearl  White  and  Ruth 
Roland.  This  year  sees  Pathe's  great- 
est serial  program — new  faces,  new 
ideas,  up-to-the-minute  titles,  gripping  themes, 
modern  stories,  thundering  climaxes!  Snap  up 
your  program  with  them!  You'll  be  sitting 
pretty  with  repeat  customers,  and  each  new 
serial  will  see  others  join  the  old  familiar  faces 
at  the  b.  o. 

Summer  time  is  serial  time.  Catch  the 
fans'  interest  with  the  first  chapter  of 
a  Patheserial  and  they  will  stick  to 
the  finish. 


nBlessed-VirgiD  and  Dad's  mboejr  Touj^ 
rkction.  But  don't  ever  make  that  crack  aboot^ 
1  Virgin  before  Dad — he's  half  sold  on  the  ide. 
1  anyway.  Helt  be  down  at  the  church  .trjiiig  to 
'  her  over  as  sure  a3  you  live." 
Natalya,  crossing  herself  devoutly,  turned  out^the  light* 
and  left  the  room.  Edythe  could  hear  the  roar  of  the  .vavcs 
breaking  upon  the  Oak  Street  beach.  At  last  Mori  csaia. 
to  her,  took  her  into  his  arms,  and  she  drifted  awaf  vit^ 
bini,  to  a. dim  ivory  tower,  where  the  very  breeie.  sang: 
"Edythe,  I  love  you." 

{To  he  continued) 


Magic  uords—"To  be  continued!" 
Millions  of  persons  come  to  the 
intriguing  climaxes  above  them  in 
newspapers  and  magazines  and 
eagerly  look  forwatd  to  the  next 
chapter  installments.  They  are 
builders  of  circulation — and  what, 
they  are  doing  for  the  cash  register 
in  the  publishing  office,  they  will 
do  for  you  at  your  box  office  if  they 
follow  a  thundering  climax  to  a 
Patheserial. 


Pafh 


e 


Serials 


vm^^'m 


H\NDY  ( 

ANDY  r 


Sxfi'^z>'J^, 


AND  HIS  PALS 


B^. 


AESOPS 

FILM 
FABLES 


ScoiCi  Solid!  Bi 

Class  Mystery  Shocker  Regales  Sweltering  Throngs 
at  NEW  YORK  RIVOLI  with  Most  Miraculous 
Music . .  Sound  ♦ .  and  Dialogue  Effects  yet  Recorded ! 


I 


1 

1 
'    1 

1 
t 

] 

' 

] 

J 

Clive 


BROOK 


Irene 


RICH 


TULLY  MARSHALL 
EDMUND  BREESE 


But  FBO  has  not  forgotten  the  thousands  of  showmen 
who  have  not  yet  obtained  sound  installations  .  .  . 
You  can  have  it  in  SILENT  FORM  as  well..  Sound 
or  silent  "The  Perfect  Crime"  is  the  outstanding 
mystery  sensation  of^iears. 


§niaih 


Court  room  scene  in  dialogue,  most  sensational 

show  smash  yet  synchronized . .  with  an  amazing 

prologue  and  epilogue  with  Lynn  Overman 

and  Claire  Adams! 


Story  by  WM.  LE  BARON  from 
ISRAEL  ZANGWILUS  novel 


DIRECTED  BY 

BERT  GLENNON 


A  Hit  in  Silent  Form  ♦♦/.,, 
UNITED  ARTISTS,  LOS  ANGELES 
UNITED  ARTISTS,  DETROIT 
But  still  bigger  NOW  in  SOUND  for 
showmen  who  have  installations,       ^-^ 


miii'riS'iSSiiBHm' ' 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


Reading's  a 
Habit 


Reading's  a  Habit. 

There  are  habit-forming  papers  and 
the  other  kind. 

The  habit-forming  paper  is  the  one 
that  makes  reading  a  pleasure. 

Composition,  display  and  mechani- 
cal convenience  are  conducive  to 
reading  pleasure — but  quality  of 
subject  matter  is  the  thing  that  fixes 
the  reading  habit  permanently. 

Everybody  reads  the  Herald- World. 
It  is  more  easily,  pleasurably  and 
profitably  read  than  any  other  mo- 
tion picture  trade  journal.  Natu- 
rally, it  has  more  readers  than  any 
other. 

Naturally,  it  leads  the  field. 
EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 

&^  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 


s^^ecping 


the 


Q>antry 


*»*«'^^.o«iceo««t»«e»**' 


•   1 


Fo%!*®SS 


cia»* 


S'  V-lt '  .*J 


don't 
tie 


W ILLIAM' 


FRANK  BORZAGE'S 


ANCEL 


"With 


JANET  GAYNOR  &  CHARLES  FARRELL 


ROXY 

FIRST  TIME  IN  HISTORY 
OF  THAT  THEATRE ! 

1st  WEEK-New  World's  Record 
for  4  shows  a  day! 

2nd  WEEK—Tremendous! 

3rd  WEEK— Surprised  even  the  box* 
office  prophets! 

4th  WEEK— Watch  it  break  every  ex- 
isting box-office  record 
in  the  ivorld! 


At  McVicker's  Theatre,  Chicago,  "STREET  ANGEL" 

broke  all  existing  house  records 

its  first  inreek! 

Just  coinplete4  a  5  "week. 
capacity  engagement! 


teas  »»««•«*  ^^ance 
jo„r  sons  -^»  „  ^,h«.. 
Mother  Mac»»«"  _^^^ 


r  yjjs.  presents 


F.  W.  MURNAU'S 

SUNRISE 


with 


JANET  GAYNOR  &  GEORGE  O'BRIEN 

NoMT  In  its 

3rd 
Capacity  Week 

at  the 

Roosevelt  Theatre 
Chicago 


playing  to 
Record'Breaking  Attendance! 

"'Sunrise' is  the  one  picture  of  a  decade 
not  to  be  missed." 

— Chicago  Doily  News 


^'m 


®.ve 


A^ILLIAM  |?#X c/V<?/fe/2tA 


with  CHARLES  FARRELL  and 
GRETA  NISSEN 

Howard  Hawks'  Romance  oE  FORBIDDEN  LOVE 

Hotter  than  Saharal 


CAPACITY  WEEKS 

at  th«  GAIETY  THEATRE,  NEW  YORK 

to 

SENSATIONAL  SUMMER 

BUSINESS 

at  $2! 


Mjith 


Mc  C  O  a  M  I  C 

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OLLEEN 
rOORE 


m 


T  I  ME 

^George  titzmamtee 

■  -.p.  K:'0  U  V  .C   T  I   O'n": 

A  FIl^T  MtlONAL  PICTURE 


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The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


Home 
Office: 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

^  MOVING    PICTURE  407So,DearbomSt. 

WORLD   °~ 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


Stage's  plans  to  produce  own  sound  pictures  add  complications  to  situation  already  tangled;  Actors 
Equity  instructs  members  not  to  act  without  approval  of  association ;  Copyright  problem  is  declared 
to  be  still  unsettled ;  Executive  secretary  of  Authors  League  predicts  war ;  Woods  is  enthusiastic  over 
decision  to  film  stage  successes  with  sound. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 

NEWS  ADVERTISEMENTS 

THE  ANNUAL  STUDIO  AND  DIRECTORY  NUMBER— Starts  THE  ANNUAL  STUDIO  AND  DIRECTORY  NUMBER— Laura 

Page  35 — Eighteen  pictures  completed;  Big  Sloman  film  finished  La   Plante,   Dooley,   Vernon   and   Engle,   Doherty,   Long   and   de 

at  U  lot — ^Writer  finds  sound  solution  with  "double  script"  idea —  Limur,   Billie   Dove,   Mack   Sennett,   Finis   Fox,   Colleen   Moore, 

Christie  comedies  synchronizing  all  films  "in  script" — Nightlife  D.    W.    Griffith,    Jack    White,    George    O'Brien,    Harold    Lloyd, 

in  Hollywood  consists  of  18  policemen  and  watchman  at  ice  plant  Clarence  Badger,  Charles  Rogers,  Harry  D'Arrast,  Jean  Hersholt, 

— O'Brien  hailed  as  artist  by  world  for  work  in  "Sunrise" — On  a  Mai  St.    Clair,    Gary   Cooper,   Joseph   Henabery,   Yola   D'Avril, 

Lot  of  the  Lots — "Yes  or  no"  on  "talkies,"  by  supervisor,  player  Gladys  Lehman,  Bodil  Hosing,  Hoot  Gibson,  Ned  Marin,  F.  N. 

and  technician — Niblo  warns  against  stampede  in  production  of  Murphy,  Frank  Tuttle,  Clara  E-''    Thelma  Todd,  Frank  Lloyd, 

sound  films — Wanta  write  titles? — lit's  a  cinch!  Charles  Delaney,  Junior  Coghlan,  Lou  Seiler,  Al  St.  John,  Rufus 

McCosh,   Eugene    Ford,    Stephen    Roberts,    Louis    Sarecky,    Roy 

f^T^'P  A  ■t>'T'-]|«--j7-[YTrpgi  Del  Ruth,  James  Hall,  Jerry  Drew,  Howard  Bretherton,  Irving 

UMliI:J\J\  X  iTlJLil  X  O  Cummings,  Billy  Butts,  Arvid  GiUstrom,  William  Holland,  Arthur 

Synchronized  Pictures  31  Stone,  Alice  White,  Reginald  Denny,  Buddy  Rogers,  Charles  F. 

„:         „                             ' '                                                                     _„  Klein,  Kathryn  Crawford,  S.  R.  Beal,  Ken  Maynard. 

Short  Features  79 

Presentation  Acts    80  ^^^^  ^^^  EQUIPMENT— M  G  M,  Robert  Morton  Organ,  Pa7a- 

The  Theatre  8o  mount,    Warner    Brothers,    Universal,    Pathe,    F  B  O,    Eastman 

Classified  Advertising   93  Kodak,  First  National,  Fox,  Automatic  Ticket  Register,  Photo- 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 95  tone. 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 102 

Service  Talks  by  T.  O.  Service 89  PRESENTATIONS— Fritz  and  Jean  Hubert,  Benny  and  Western,. 

„..,£,..                                                                                        97  Vale  and  Stewart,  Bill  Bennett,  Cornelius  Maffie,  Harry  Zimmer- 

Fictorial  bection  z  /  ^^^^  ^j^.^^  ^^^j^  Feather,  Darling  Twins,  Frankie  Masters,  Fred) 

Letters  from  Readers 94  Kinsley,  Leo  Terry,  Brooks  Costumes,  Ransley  Costumes,  Dean. 

Broac  waj     22  Stevenson,  Leo  Feist,  L.  Carlos  Meier. 


CHICAGO 
407    South   Dearborn    St.  Telephones   Harrison    0036-37-3S 

Cable    Address:     Quigpubco 
EDWIN     S.     CLIFFORD,     General     Manager 
JAY    M.    SHRECK,    Managing   Editor 
GEORGE    CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 
ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,    Sews   Editor 
LOS  ANGELES 
5617    Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone   Gladstone   3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 
West  Coast  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


SUBSCRIPTION   RATES: 


NEW    YORK 

565    Fifth    Avenue  Telephones    Vanderbilt    3612-3613 

JAMES    BEECROFT,    New   York  Advertising  Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,    Netv    York    Editor 

LONDON 

THE  BIOSCOPE 

(J.  Caboum,  Editor) 

Faraday    House 

8-10   Charing  Cross  Rd.,  W.   C.   2 


United    States    and    possessions $3.00    per    year,    Canada S4.50  per  year.       Other   points  of  the  world $6.00  per  year. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and   Audit  Bureau   of  Circulations   statements   furnished   upon   application. 


Single  copies,  25  cent«.. 


J 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


i 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

?B^  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  <Sv5  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  1915;  Moving  Pic- 

TUBS  World,  founded  in  1907;  Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Ebwin  S.  Cliffokd,  Secretary  George  Clifforb,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 

Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 

should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follovir- 

ing    motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 

Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  and 

The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  6      (Vol.  34,  No.  9)      August  11,  1928 


The  Coming  Struggle 

THE  approach  of  the  threatened  labor  struggle  between 
the  industry  and  the  labor  unions  identified  with  the 
theatrical  trades,  which  has  been  frequently  referred  to  in 
these  columns,  apparently  is  being  hastened  by  the  antag- 
onism of  musicians'  unions  against  the  introduction  of 
sound  devices  in  the  theatres. 

The  appearance  of  the  sound  devices,  substituting  for  the 
work  of  musicians  in  the  theatres,  was  bound  to  foment  a 
struggle.  It  is  quite  understandable  that  these  unions 
should  view  with  apprehension  the  coming  of  mechanical 
reproduction  of  music,  bringing  with  it  a  threat,  great  or 
small,  upon  their  employment. 

But  long  before  the  introduction  of  this  new  angle  of  the 
controversy  the  motion  picture  industry  had  found  itself  in 
an  exceedingly  trying  position  relative  to  the  demands  and 
exactions  of  labor  unions  in  connection  with  wages  and 
working  conditions.  The  labor  unions  apparently  have 
been  proceeding  on  the  illusion  that  the  picture  business 
is  an  inexhaustible  gold  mine  and  that  with  only  a  little 
sacrifice  of  profits  constantly  increasing  wage  scales  could 
be  maintained. 

Since  the  earliest  days  of  the  business  labor  demands  and 
exactions,  in  wages  and  in  working  conditions,  have  steadily 
and  substantially  mounted,  without  recessions  and  without 
compromise  in  cases  where  compromise  was  needed.  Re- 
peatedly the  full  effect  and  influence  of  labor  organization 
have  been  applied  on  local  situations  and  the  invariable 
result  has  been  a  complete  triumph  for  the  labor  organiza- 
tions, with  the  industry  left  to  foot  the  additional  bill. 

Labor's  attitude  toward  the  introduction  of  sound  devices 
in  the  theatres  is  now  hastening  the  day,  which  has  been 
forecast  by  many  close  observers  in  the  industry,  when  the 
picture  business,  unitedly  and  nationally,  must  undertake  a 
movement  under  which  it  would  seek  to  work  out  with  the 
unions  wage  scales  and  working  conditions  which  are  rea- 
sonable and  equitable  in  light  of  the  existing  situation. 

Much  confusion  and  difficulty  likely  will  be  encountered 
before  this  is  accomplished,  but  there  seems  no  other  course 


for  the  industry  to  take  if  the  economic  soundness  of  the 
business,  in  this  respect,  is  to  be  safeguarded. 

*  *      * 

Pro^cers  and  Censors 

THE  attitude  generally  of  producers  toward  censorship 
is  a  surprising  thing  and  difficult  to  understand.  When 
their  pictures  go  through  the  censorship  mill  without  en- 
countering serious  harm  they  lapse  into  a  tolerant  or  even 
approving  att'tnde.  But  when  an  individual  subject  suf- 
fers deletions  ti;  it  limit  the  entertainment  and  attraction 
value,  they  immediately  commence  to  take  renewed  inter- 
est in  censorship — for  the  moment. 

Mr.  Howard  Hughes  of  Caddo  Productions,  is  now  seri- 
ously disturbed  over  what  has  happened  to  his  production, 
"The  Racket."  It  is  announced  that  he  is  now  planning  a 
campaign  against  censorship.  But  it  may  be  noted  that 
while  the  censorship  evil  has  long  been  on  the  map  we 
have  heard  no  earlier  protests  from  Mr.  Hughes.  How- 
ever, we  level  no  individual  criticism  against  Mr.  Hughes. 
In  his  apparent  earlier  indifference,  and  in  his  present  pro- 
test, he  is  simply  assuming  the  attitude  which  producers 
generally  indulge  in. 

The  censors'  hostility  toward  "The  Racket"  is  a  fine  ex- 
ample of  what  may  be  expected  from  the  system  of  politi- 
cal censorship.  Naturally,  "The  Racket"  with  its  sharp 
thrusts  at  the  corrupt  political  system  would  rouse  the  ire 
of  political  censors.  .  .  . 

Censorship  has  long  been  a  serious  and  menacing  prob- 
lem of  the  industry.  Constant  watchfulness  and  no  let  up 
in  the  industry's  active  opposition  toward  it  is  the  only 
sane  and  sensible  course. 

*  *      « 

Rowland's  Opinions 

MR.  RICHARD  A.  ROWLAND,  whose  efforts  and  per- 
sonality have  left  an  important  mark  on  the  indus- 
try virtually  since  its  beginning,  in  tendering  his  resigna- 
tion as  production  manager  of  First  National  last  week, 
boiled  down  into  a  single  paragraph  a  statement  which 
the  executive  heads  of  the  industry  might  contemplate 
with  a  great  deal  of  profit. 

Mr.  Rowland  said: 

"In  my  opinion  the  industry  faces  two  economic  prob- 
lems which  must  be  solved.  One  is  the  question  of  nega- 
tive cost  and  the  other  and  most  vital  is  the  overseating 
conditions.  These  two  problems  cannot  be  changed  except 
by  the  heads  of  the  industry  getting  together  and  regulat- 
ing them  so  that  the  industry  will  be  returned  the  proper 
amount  of  dividends  to  which  it  is  entitled  for  the  money 
invested." 

Mr.  Rowland  has  had  a  long  and  intimate  contact  with 
the  most  important  operations  of  the  industry  since  the 
store-front  show  days  and  is  in  a  position  to  formulate  con- 
clusions which  demand  thorough  and  careful  considera- 
tions. 

In  informal  conversations  Mr.  Rowland  has  amplified 
the  opinions  which  he  recorded  in  his  formal  statement. 
While  in  his  formal  statement  he  sets  down  "negative  cost" 
as  the  first  of  the  two  most  important  problems  facing  the 
industry  it  is  to  be  noted  he  insists  that  the  over-seating 
question  is  the  worst  feature  of  the  industry's  present 
situation. 

In  this  connection  he  points  out  that  various  leading 
factors  in  the  industry  have  for  several  years  been  plunging 
headlong  into  theatre  expansions,  reckless  as  to  where  this 
course  was  leading.  And  now  that  various  sections  cannot 
support  the  theatre  investments  that  have  been  plowed  in, 
these  same  leading  factors  are  looking  elsewhere  in  the 
business  for  miracles  to  be  performed  in  order  that  their 
positions  may  be  relieved. 

And  here  Mr.  Rowland  has  made  a  point  that  cannot 
be  escaped. 


r^^w 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Stage's  Move  to  Make  Sound 
Films  Adds  to  Screen  Tangle 

Equity  Orders  Members  Not  to 
Act  Till  Regulations  Are  Met 


Sounds  Like  Dream  of 
P.  A.,  but  It's  heal  to 
Nabbed  Theatre  Bandit 

He  Played  in  "Wheel  of  Chance" 

Then  Played  with  Receipts 

of  Portland 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND  ORE.,  Aug.  7.— "The  Wheel 
of  Chance"  spun  a  new  destiny  for  Robert 
Nolan,  26,  who  has  admitted  the  robbery  last 
week  of  the  Portland  theatre. 

Young  Nolan,  in  a  signed  statement,  said  a 
chain  of  circumstances  connected  with  the 
picture  prompted  him  to  "take  a  chance."  He 
stated  he  had  taken  part  in  the  mob  scene  in 
this  picture.  Drifting  into  Portland,  and 
noticing  that  it  was  playing,  he  decided  to 
see  it. 

While  in  the  theatre  he  stepped  down  to 
the  smoking  room  and  encountered  a  girl  and 
young  man  carrying  apparently  the  day's  re- 
ceipts. He  went  back  to  his  seat  and  after 
viewing  another  reel,  decided  that  he  would 
see  if  he  could  get  the  theatre's  money. 
"Everything  just  seemed  to  work  out  right 
that  night  and  I  had  no  great  difficulty  in 
turning  the  trick,"  he  confessed. 

He  was  picked  up  by  the  police  after  prac- 
tically all  the  money  had  been  spent  in  a  few 
days  on  bootleggers  and  wild  parties,  with 
only  $1.50  left   out   of  $1,176. 

He  was  identified  by  manager  Robert  Blair, 
Harry  Wareham,  house  manager,  S.  E. 
Cheever,  treasurer,  and  Jorene  Healy,  cashier. 


It's  Wonder  He  Didn't 

Give  Them  the  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOPKINSVILLE,  KY.,  Aug.  7.— A  good 
story  was  told  recently  on  rival  theatre  own- 
ers. Manager  Hancock  of  the  Alhambra,  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Rotary  club,  had  a  pass  for 
each  Rotarian  present.  Tom  Jones,  president 
of  the  club,  designated  Bill  Eliott,  of  the 
Princess,  to  distribute  the  passes.  Alf  Eckles 
endeavored  to  get  Bill  to  write  "annual"  across 
the  face  of  each  before  delivering  it,  but  Bill 
toted  fair. 


Albany  Buying  Holds  Off; 
Schine  Circuit  Hesitates 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  7. — Motion  picture  theatre 
owners  in  Albany  and  in  fact  throughout  this 
entire  section  are  still  holding  off  from  buying 
the  new  season's  product  and  little  activity  is 
shown  along  Albany's  Film  Row  these  days. 
The  Schine  circuit  of  over  100  theatres  has 
yet  to  book  any  of  the  new  product,  it  being 
said  that  the  Schine  brothers  up  to  the  present 
time  have  not  signed  a  single  contract. 


$80,000  Fire  Damages 
Garrick  at  Madisonville 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MADISONVILLE,  KY.,  Aug.  7.— Fire  at 
the  Garrick  theatre,  jointly  owned  by  E.  W. 
Dozier  and  F.  M.  Heleman,  caused  a  loss 
estimated  at  $80,000.  The  house  played  pic- 
tures and  also  stage  attractions.  A  $10,000 
organ  was  destroyed.  The  owners  announced 
that  the  theatre  was  insured  and  would  be 
rebuilt. 


Copyright   Laws   Called   Inadequate — Authors   League 
Secretary  Forecasts  War 

By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — The  ingenious  plan  devised  by  Al  Woods,  William  A. 
Brady  and  the  powerful  Shubert  organization  to  combat  the  growing  influence 
of  the  screen,  namely  to  transfer  stage  plays  into  talking  pictures  for  nationwide 
distribution  on  their  own  account,  has  injected  a  new  and  difficult  problem  into 
an  already  badly  tangled  situation. 

^  Woods  Sees  Help  for  Stage  Indvistry 

Woods,  commenting  upon  the  plan,  was  enthusiastic  about  the  future  of  talk- 
ing pictures.  His  investigations  led  him  to  believe  that  the  public  as  well  as  the 
owners  of  motion  picture  theatres  want  plays  with  the  spoken  words  more  than 
any  other  type  of  screen  entertainment.  He  said  he  was  impressed  by  the  prac- 
ticability of  Vocafilm  as  a  medium  for  synchronized  presentation. 
"By  forming  an  arrangement  with  the  New      much    better.     I    say   emphatically    that   there 


York  theatres  and  other  producers,"  he  said, 
"we  will  be  able  to  stem  the  raid  that  is  now 
being  made  by  the  prominent  picture  com- 
panies upon  the  ranks  of  actors  and  actresses 
of  the  spoken  drama.  It  will  work  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  dramatists  as  well  as  of 
the  producers  for  the  reason  that  stage  plays 
now  will  no  longer  be  mutilated  when  trans- 
ferred to  the  screen." 

Equity  Demands  Final 

Enter  the  Actors'  Equity  Association.  Frank 
Gilmore,  executive  secretary  of  that  organiza- 
tion, wasted  no  time  in  announcing  that  con- 
tracts with  actors  who  intend  to  appear  in 
such  screen  presentations  as  Woods  had  in 
mind  must  be  scrutinized  and  approved  by 
Equity.  Without  approval,  he  said,  Equity 
will  refuse  to  recognize  anything  other  than 
the  standard  contract  now  in  force. 

Members  of  the  Actors'  Equity  Association 
have  been  instructed  not  to  act  for  talking 
pictures  until  Equity  regulations  are  agreed 
upon,  said  Paul  Dullzell,  assistant  executive 
secretary. 

"Undoubtedly  this  latest  move  will  hurt  the 
legitimate  actors  very  much,"  said  Dullzell. 
"There  is  a  bad  time  ahead  and  we  must 
protect  our  people.  We  feel  that  it  will  be 
only  a  temporary  depression,  however,  for 
once  the  novelty  of  speaking  films  wears  off, 
people   will   realize   that   flesh   and   blood    are 


must  be  some  arrangement  to  compensate 
actors  and  actresses  for  the  loss  of  road  com- 
panies during  the  next  two  years." 

Hammerstein  Asks  Regulation 

Arthur  Hammerstein,  producer  publicly 
urged  Actors'  Equity  to  insist  upon  regula- 
tions of  talking  pictures,  with  the  following 
statement : 

"I  am  president  of  the  Protective  Managers' 
Association,  which  holds  a  ten-year  contract 
with  Equity.  And,  although  Equity  has  noth- 
ing to  do  with  our  motion  picture  business, 
we  are  desirous  of  having  an  agreement  with 
that  association  by  which  all  talking  movies 
will  be  regulated. 

"Exiuity  pretends  to  set  down  laws  for  the 
legitimate  theatre,  the  musical  theatre  and  the 
reviews.  As  the  things  now  stand,  if  any  of 
us  wish  to  make  a  film  it  is  beyond  the  con- 
trol  of   Equity. 

Authors   Up   in  Arms 

"We  are,  however,  perfectly  willing  to  go 
into  conference  with  the  executives  of  the 
Actors'  Equity  Association  for  the  protection 
of  the  legitimate  theatre,  provided  that  the 
same  rules  we  make  apply  to  actors  who  work 
for  the  big  movie  producers." 

Authors  are  up  in  arms  over  the  new  plan 
as  well  as  actors.  E.  C.  Mills,  of  the  Society 
of  Authors,   Composers  and  Publishers,  is  of 

{Continued  on  page  32) 


Sapiro  Group  and  T  O  C  C  To  Affiliate 

Under  Name  of  B.  S.  Moss  Circuit,  Inc. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — As  the  result  of  numerous  recent  conferences,  a  plan 
is  now  being  drawn  up  to  bring  together  the  Independent  Motion  Picture  Exhib- 
itors' Association,  headed  by  Aaron  Sapiro,  and  the  Theatre  Owners'  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  Ben  S.  Moss  is  slated  to  head  the  new  organization  under  the  name 
of  the  B.  S.  Moss  Circuit,  Inc. 

Sapiro  is  not  to  drop  out  of  the  afHliated  organization,  but  is  expected  to  become 
general  counsel.  He  has  by  no  means  lost  his  interest  in  the  £lm  industry,  and 
it  is  understood  that  he  rather  hopes  to  fulfill  his  plan  of  co-operative  buying  on 
what  might  be  called  a  national  scale,  with  other  units  comparable  to  that  already 
organized  in  New  York. 

The  affiliation  of  the  Sapiro  group  with  the  T  O  C  C  must  not  be  considered 
an  admission  of  defeat  by  either  organization,  but  rather  an  attempt  to  provide  a 
much  stronger  front  for  both.  Sapiro  and  Sol  Raives,  president  of  the  T  O  C  C, 
feel  that  an  affiliation  would  bring  about  closer  harmony  and  co-operation  for 
two  groups  fighting  for  one  thing:  independence  from  outside  domination. 

Details  of  the  plan  are  not  yet  ready  for  publication.  Apparently,  if  the  scheme 
goes  through,  the  plan  will  depend  upon  an  ingenious  method  of  stock  distribu- 
tion.    Moss  igures- that  the  combine  will  provide  a  new  $50,000,000  corporation. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


S 

s 


g 

X 


Mr.  Richard  A.  Rowland 


RICHARD  A.  ROWLAND'S  retirement  as  general  and  produc- 
tion manager  of  First  National  takes  out  of  the  active  forum 
of  the  industry,  momentarily  at  least,  one  of  the  most  out- 
standing personalities  which  the  industry  has  developed. 


Mr.  Rowland  has  been  an  influential  factor  in  the  industry  prac- 
tically since  its  inception — in  production,  distribution  and  exhibition. 
He  has  had  a  wide  experience  in  film  affairs  both  on  the  Continent 
as  well  as  in  the  United  States. 

As  president  and  principal  owner  of  Metro  Picture  Corporation 
he  developed  this  organization  into  one  of  the  chief  contending  fac- 
tors in  the  industry.  While  directing  head  of  Metro  Mr.  Rowland 
produced  "The  Four  Horsemen,"  which  is  generally  regarded  as 
one  of  the  greatest  pictures. 

«      4>      * 

Mr.  Rowland's  chief  exhibition  interests  were  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania where  in  association  with  James  B.  Clark  he  conducted  the  im- 
portant Rowland  and  Clark  circuit  which  eventually  became  a  part 
of  the  Stanley  circuit. 

Throughout  his  connection  with  the  industry  Mr.  Rowland  has 
displayed  an  unusual  faculty  for  building  an  organization  and  keep- 
ing an  organization  imbued  with  a  fighting  spirit.  He  has  held  in 
a  remarkable  degree  the  loyalty  of  the  members  of  his  organization. 

*    *    If 

The  force  of  his  unusual  personality,  coupled  with  an  exceedingly 
democratic  manner,  has  made  him,  through  his  contact  with  the 
business,  one  of  the  most  popular  executives,  both  among  the  leading 
executives  of  the  business  and  with  the  rank  and  file. 

—MARTIN  J.  QUIGLEY. 


Nathan  Friedberg  Killed 
When  Auto  Strikes  Pole; 
Was  Pittsburgh  Pioneer 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  7.— Death  of  Nathan 
Friedberg  in  an  automobile  accident  marks 
the  passing  of  one  of  Pittsburgh's  pioneer  ex- 
hibitors. He  owned  three  theatres.  Fried- 
berg's  chauffeur  also  was  killed  when  the  car 
crashed  into  a  pole. 

Friedberg  had  operated  the  Alhambra  the- 
atre for  fifteen  years,  having  disposed  of  the 
house  two  years  ago.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  conducting  the  Triangle,  Garden, 
and  American. 

He  was  a  members  of  the  board  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Western  Pennsylvania  and 
West  Virginia.  He  at  one  time  was  a  director 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 


Portland  Chief  Requests 
Adequate  Alarm  Systems 
To  Halt  Theatre  Bandits 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  7.— Chief  of 
Police  L.  V.  Jenkins  has  requested  the  man- 
agers and  owners  of  all  theatres  to  install 
adequate  alarm  systems  in  their  playhouses  at 
an  early  date  in  order  to  facilitate  the  han- 
dling of  theatre  roibberies.  This  order  was 
occasioned  by  a  recent  bold  robbery  at  the 
Portland. 


Yeggs  Blow  Strongbox  of 
Merrill,  Getting  $3,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MILWAUKEE,  Aug.  7.— The  Merrill  the- 
atre was  robbed  of  $3,000,  two  days'  receipts, 
last  Monday,  it  vras  disclosed  today.  Arnold 
Saxe,  manager,  left  the  theatre  Sunday  night 
and  everything  was  all  right.  However,  next 
morning  yeggs  had  broken  in  and  blown  up 
the  safe. 


Warner  Stock  Jumps 

To  New  Peak  for  Year 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Stock  of  Warner 
Brothers  Pictures  sped  up  to  59J4  on  the  curb 
market  Friday,  setting  a  new  peak  for  the 
year,  or  an  advance  of  almost  nine  points  in 
a  turnover  of  93,500  shares. 


T.  C.  Reavis  Marries 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SANTA  ROSA,  GAL.,  Aug  7.— T.  C. 
Reavis,  part  owner  of  the  State  and  Qine 
theatres,  married  Irene  Brady,  June  30,  at 
Carson  City,  Nev.,  but  news  of  the  wedding 
has  just  leaked  out.  The  couple  left  last 
week  on  a  world  tour. 


Shauer  and  Meyer  Sail 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— E.  E.  Shauer,  gen- 
eral manager  of  Paramount's  foreign  depart- 
ment, sailed  Wednesday  with  Frank  Meyer, 
general  purchasing  agent,  for  a  month  in 
Europe. 


Third  in  Mae  Marsh  Family 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PASADENA,     Aug.     7.— A     daughter, 
Margaret,    born   to   Mr.   and   Mrs.   Louis  Lee 
Arms  last  Tuesday,  is  the  third  child  of  the 
former  Mae  Marsh. 


Dorothy  Mackaill  Divorced 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7.— Dorothy    Mac- 
kaill, screen  star,  was  granted  a  divorce  from 
Lothar   Mendes    last    Friday. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Regulate  Negative 
Cost,  Overseating, 
Rowland  Proposes 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Leaders  of  the  in- 
dustr>-  must  get  together  and  regulate  negative 
costs  and  overseating  before  the  proper 
amount  of  dividends  can  be  realized  on  the 
investment  in  the  business,  Richard  A.  Row- 
land declared  in  formal  announcement  last 
week  of  his  resignation  as  general  and  pro- 
duction manager  of  First  National.  News 
of  the  retirement  was  carried  in  last  week's 
issue  of  the  Herald- World. 

"Two  years  ago  I  announced  that  I  would 
not  renew  my  contract  with  First  National  at 
its  expiration,"  Rowland  said.  "The  many 
subsequent  changes  in  the  company  have  not 
affected  this  position,  even  though  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy requested  that  I  remain.  I  have  made 
no  previous  announcement  in  deference  to 
the  wishes  of  Mr.  Kennedy  who  requested 
that  none  be  made  until  the  expiration  of  my 
contract,   Thursday,   August  2,   1928. 

Calls  FN's  Position  Enviable 

"After  practically  thirty  years  of  motion 
pictures,  I  am  anxious  to  get  away  from  the 
trials  and  tribulations  of  production  and  have 
more  time  to  myself. 

"In  the  time  I  have  been  with  First  National 
I  am  happy  to  say  it  has  been  established  in 
an  enviable  position  in  the  production  field, 
having  previously  never  produced  any  motion 
pictures.  It  has  one  of  the  finest  studios  in 
the  world  and  one  of  the  greatest  aggregations 
of  stars  and  an  excellent  producing  organiza- 
tion. I  am  extremely  happy  that  Al  Rockett 
will  continue  as  head  of  the  studio.  First  Na- 
tional in  my  opinion  has  the  greatest  lineup  of 
stories  of  any  company,  and  with  Mr.  Depinet 
in  charge  of  distribution,  I  am  positive  that 
First  National  will  see  its  best  year. 

"In  my  opinion  the  industry  faces  two  eco- 
nomic problems  which  must  be  solved.  One  is 
the  question  of  negative  cost  and  the  other 
and  most  vital  is  the  overseating  theatre  con- 
dition. These  two  problems  cannot  be  changed 
except  by  the  heads  of  the  industry  getting 
together  and  regulating  them  so  that  the  in- 
dustry will  be  returned  to  the  proper  amount 
of  dividends  to  which  it  is  entitled  for  the 
money  invested. 

Opposes  Outside  Interference 

"Mr.  Kennedy  is  coming  into  a  new  era  of 
things  and  he,  I  feel,  will  be  very  instru- 
mental in  solving  these  conditions  in  common 
with  the  heads  of  the  other  companies.  This 
would  be  a  step  in  the  right  direction.  It 
would  be  a  fine  thing  for  the  industry  within 
itself  to  solve  these  matters  rather  than  have 
other  powers  regulating  its  affairs. 

"I  wish  to  take  this  opportunity  of  thank- 
ing the  many  friends  and  associates  I  have 
within  and  without  the  organization.  For  a 
long  time  I  have  been  wanting  a  complete 
rest — now  I  am  going  to  take  it.  Perhaps 
after  a  time  I  may  get  the  fever  again.  This 
only  time  can  tell." 


Fred  Flader  to  Direct 
Universal  Chain;  Paine 
Will  Remain  Associate 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Fred  A.  Flader  has 
been  appointed  general  manager  of  Universal 
Chain  Theatrical  Enterprises,  succeeding  the 
operating  cabinet  which,  for  the  last  six 
months,  has  been  directing  the  more  than  300 
houses. 

Charles  B.  Paine,  formerly  head  of  the  cab- 
inet, will  continue  as  associate  to  Flader. 

No   changes   in  the  executive   personnel   of 
the  chain  are  contemplated. 


Chase  Bill  Would  Bring  Censor 
Tyranny,  Petti  John  Warns  U.  S. 

Federal   Commission   Would  Have   Tremendous   Power   Without 

Check,  Industry  Is  Told — Political  Hacks  Would  Draw 

Huge  Salaries,  Create  Expensive  Bureaus 

especial  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — The  bill  seeking  the  creation  of  a  commission  to  con- 
trol, regulate  and  dominate  the  motion  picture  industry,  known  as  the  Hudson 
Motion  Picture  bill  sponsored  by  Canon  Chase,  reformer-churchman,  was  sub- 
jected to  the  microscope  here  today  by  C.  C.  Pettijohn,  chief  counsel  for  the 
Films  Board  of  Trade. 

Called  Most  Radical  Ever  Offered 

Pettijohn  considers  the  bill  to  be  the  most  radical  and  revolutionary  measure 
affecting  the  film  industry  ever  brought  before  Congress.  It  includes  the  salient 
features  of  the  Brookhart  bill,  which  confronted  the  industry  at  the  last  session 
of  Congress,  and  also  those  of  the  important  anti-trust  laws,  the  Federal  Trade 
Commission  Act,  and  certain  portions  of  the  Interstate  Commerce  Commission 
Act.  It  concludes  with  provisions  for  a  national  censorship. 
Canon   Chase's   bill   would   create   a   federal       for  headquarters  in  Washington  and  bureaus 


C.    C.    Pettijohn 


Motion  picture  commission  under  the  De- 
partment of  the  Interior  as  a  division  of  the 
Bureau  of  Educa- 
tion. The  commis- 
sion  would  consist 
of  the  commis- 
sioner of  educa- 
tion and  six  com- 
missioners, two  of 
them  women.  The 
commissioners,  ac- 
cording to  church- 
man's  plans, 
would  be  intelli- 
gent, experienced 
and  otherwise 
qualified  for  their 
pos1;s. 

Pettijohn    point- 
ed   out    that    this 

bill  would  be  a  radical  departure  from  our 
scheme  of  government,  in  that  the  commis- 
sioners would  be  vested  with  tremendous 
power,  without  check,  and  hold  their  jobs  for 
life.  Furthermore,  many  of  the  details  of 
the  plan  are  ambiguous  in  the  bill,  according 
to  Pettijohn,  and  might  place  the  industry 
in  the  hands  of  laymen  without  knowledge  of 
pictures  or  experience  with  them,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  politics. 

Tremendous  Power  Without  Check 

The  bill  would  pay  the  commissioners' 
salaries  of  $9,000  a  year,  with  $10,000  a  year 
for  the  chairman.  According  to  Pettijohn, 
it  would  be  impossible  to  obtain  qualified  ex- 
perts at  this  figure.  The  industry  might  well 
be  turned  over  to  political  hacks,  who  could 
not  be  removed  from  office  for  anything  so 
inconsequential  as  incompetence. 

Another  section  of  the  bill   would  provide 


wherever  the  "public  interest"  should  require. 
In  other  words,  pointed  out  Pettijohn,  any 
number  of  bureaus:  might  be  set  up,  with  the 
cost  of  them  charged  up  to  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry. 

The  bill  is  intended  "to  protect  the  motion 
picture  industry  from  unfair  trade  practices 
and  monopoly."  Pettijohn  maintained  that 
the  Federal  Trade  Commission  has  ample 
power  to  accomplish  this  end.  Indeed,  enough 
suits  already  have  been  brought  against  the 
industry  to  show  that  there  is  no  necessity 
whatever  of  creating  a  new  department  of  the 
government  to  combat  the  evils  of  "monopoly" 
and   "unfair   trade   practices." 

Calls  Proposition  Ridiculous 

The  bill  would  also  provide  for  the  "making 
of  wholesome  motion  pictures  at  the  source 
of  production"  and  for  the  "proper  distribu- 
tion and  exhibition  of  non-theatrical  as  well 
as  theatrical  films."  Here,  of  course,  are  two 
of  the  industry's  great  problems.  People  who 
have  made  a  life  study  of  these  problems  are 
still  seeking  improvements.  Pettijohn  pointed 
out  that  any  six  people  able  to  solve  these 
problems  could  easily  command  a  lot  more 
than  $9,000  a  year.  The  proposition  seems 
to  be,  on  its  face,  ridiculous. 

The  bill  would  make  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry a  public  utility,  transforming  its  com- 
panies one  stroke  of  the  pen  into  public  serv- 
ice  companies. 

Pettijohn  considers  the  bill  fundamentally 
wrong  because  it  is  predicated  on  the  false 
premise  that  the  industry  is  a  public  utility. 
Its  terms  and  provisions  he  considers  vague, 
ambiguous  and  contradictory.  The  entire  plan 
he  considers  unnecessary,  expensive,  unfair. 
Finally,  said  Pettijohn,  "it  might  modestly  be 
suggested  that  the  bill  is  unconstitutional." 


Trade  Commission  Asks  Circuit  Court 

To  Enforce  Ban  on  PFL  Block  Booking 

(Washington  Bureau  of-  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  7. — Enforcement  of  the  Federal  Trade  Commission's 
order  of  July  9,  1927,  prohibiting  block  booking  of  motion  picture  films  by  Para- 
mount Famous  Lasky  Corporation,  is  asked  of  the  United  States  Circuit  Court  of 
Appeals  for'  the  Second  Circuit,  New  York,  by  the  Federal  Trade  Commission  in 
an  application  filed  with  the  court  last  Wednesday. 

The  £ling  of  the  suit  followed  failure  of  the  company  to  submit  a  satisfactory 
report  of  compliance  with  the  block-booking  clause  of  the  order,  which  prohibits 
the  corporation  and  Adolph  Zukor  and  Jesse  L.  Lasky  from  continuing  the  prac- 
tice of  leasing  films  in  a  block  or  group  and  compelling  picture  houses  which 
show  the  films  to  take  all  pictures  in  the  group,  or  none  at  all.  without  regard 
to  the  character  of  the  pictures  or  the  wishes  of  the  house. 

It  is  expected  that  the  case  will  come  up  for  trial  early  in  the  fall,  and  undoubt- 
edly a  decision  of  the  New  York  court  will  be  followed  by  an  appeal  to  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court. 


■■■■HUUfll 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


; 


8 


S» 


BROADWAY— Some  of  the  boys  have 
been  staying  up  pretty  late.  .  .  They're 
trying  to  sign  Texas  Guinan.  .  .  Can  it  be  that 
she  got  herself  indicted  as  a  publicity  stunt? 

^Bebe  Daniels  is  due  here  about  the  time 
this  is  being  read,  if  it  is  being  read.  .  .  Well, 
she'll  be  here  about  this  time  even  if  this  isn't 
being   read.   .   .   Welcome   is   on  the   doormat. 

HTwo  months  for  Nat  Rothstein.  .  .  That 
means  the  advertising  head  of  Universal  is  go- 
ing abroad  for  a  vacation. 

^D.  W.  Griffith's  "Battle  of  the  Sexes"  was 
slipped  into  the  Loew  theatre  in  New  Rochelle 
the  other  night  for  a  preview.  .  .  Reports  were 
most  encouraging.  .  .  Of  course  we're  getting 
so  used  to  this  sex  business  in  titles  that  this 
sounds  like  a  fight  between  automobile  manu- 
facturers. 

IfThe  presidency  of  the  A.  M.  P.  A.  was 
finally  pinned  on  to  George  Harvey  of  Pathe, 
and  this  time  it  stuck.  .  .  Bruce  Gallup 
seconded  the  nomination.  .  .  With  a  sigh  of 
relief  you  could  hear  up  on  top  of  the  Para- 
mount Building,  where  it  seemed  to  be  a  sixty- 
three-mile  gale  going  by. 

TISays  an  enlightened  author  in  the  Daily 
Review,  pipe-dreaming  himself  to  be  a  film 
salesman  talking  to  an  exhibitor :  "Don't  pay 
any  attention  to  those  ads  you  see  in  the 
papers  about  talking  pictures,  about  sound 
effects  and  musical  accompaniment,  it's  all 
the  bunk  even  though  my  boss  did  put  those 
ads  in."  .  .  Can  it  be  that  he  is  referring  to 
all  those  ads  published  in  the  Review? 

IJThe  K-A-0  circuit  is  installing  talking 
equipment  in  its  big  houses,  probably  begin- 
ning at  the  Palace.  .  .  Imagine  the  competi- 
tion that  will  make  for  the  Monday  matinee 
gabbers ! 

^Quinn  Martin,  the  w.  k.  commentator  on 
things  screenic  for  The  World,  is  vacationing, 
alternating  between  Soundview  and  Man- 
hasset  Bay.  Jeff  Holmesdale,  whom  less  for- 
tunate people  know  as  an  English  lord,  Am- 
herst is  the  name,  is  pinch-hitting. 

1[The  best  argument  yet  advanced  for  syn- 
chronized pictures  was  provided  by  the  prop- 
erty man  at  the  opening  of  "Lilac  Time."  .  . 
This  birdie  kept  dropping  huge  hunks  of 
scenery,  or  maybe  it  was  steel  girders,  with 
the  idea  that  this  sounded  like  crashing  air- 
planes. .  .  It  sounded  just  exactly  like  a  very 
annoying  guy  dropping  something  on  your 
foot  on  a  hot  night. 

llWhen  is  somebody  going  to  write  a  theme 
song  that  isn't  all  sugary,  dripping,  dripping, 
dripping? 

ly/oe  Kennedy,  the  intrepid  traveler,  is  due 
back  in  New  York,  with  Bill  LeBaron  and 
other  dignitaries.  .  .  He  says  he  is  still  looking 
for  a  successor  to  Dick  Rowland.  .  .  Appli- 
cants will  please  get  into  double  file  on  the 
right. 

^Si  Seadler  is  off  on  a  vacation. 

^John  Loder,  British  war  hero  signed  by 
Jesse  Lasky  for  Paramount,  arrived  in  New 
York  the  other  day.  .  .  A  very  handsome 
lad,  according  to  the  ladies. 

^Jimmie  Gleason  has  left  Broadway  for  Los 
Angeles,  with  a  bag  full  of  dese  and  dose.  .  . 
Jimmie  will  work  on  Vilma  Banky's  picture 
for  Samuel  Goldwyn  and  you  will  remember 
that  he  signed  with  Universal  a  little  while 
back  to  film  his  "Shannons  on  Broadway." 

'^Al  Woods  has  a  hunch  that  talking  repro- 
ductions of  stage  plays  will  halt  the  raids  be- 
ing made  on  legit  stars  by  the  pictures.  .  . 
Yes  and  no.  .  .  It  might  only  whet  the  ap- 
petite of  some  of  the  reciters. 

lIAmericans  should  study  European  tastes? 
.  .  Not  according  to  Joe  Schenck.  .  .  He  sees 
the  shoe  on  the  other  foot. 

PETER  VISCHER. 


Gilbert  Plays  the  Errant  Son 


THE  story  of  city  night  life  and  a  young  man  whom  it  threatens  to 
destroy,  is  "Four  Walls,"  M  G  M's  new  vehicle  for  John  Gilbert,  in 
which  the  star  appears  sans  Garbo.  Joan  Crawford  has  the  feminine  lead. 
The  production  was  directed  by  William  Nigh. 


John  Gilbert 
and  Joan  Crawford 


Gilbert  and 

Vera  Gordon,  the  mother. 


■ 

»^      :f 

3iii  4 

1 

1^^           S^ 

w 

m 

H^:P,..     .M 

f    - 

^n 

p;.fc  , 

ii#'' 

Bhji^  ^jS^S^^H^B '  wl^           '  .1^ .  V 

If/" 

Flowers  for  the  returning  convict — Carmel  Myers  and  Vera  Gordon 


Religion  provides  a  moment's  light  amusement — Gilbert  and  Miss  Crawford. 


mmmm 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


Trio  Charged  with 
Plct  But  Officials 
Let  Bout  Film  Run 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  7.— Charged  with 
conspiracy  to  violate  the  federal  prize  fight 
film  act  of  1912,  afiidavits  were  filed  Wednes- 
day in  the  United  States  district  court  against 
Walter  Dominique,  operator  of  the  Newcomb 
theatre,  B.  F.  Lazarus,  owner  of  the  building, 
and  B.  F.  Everett,  of  New  York  City,  alleged 
to  have  brought  to  this  city  the  film  of  the 
Tunney-Heeney  fight.  According  to  Edmund 
Talbot,  assistant  district  attorney,  no  effort 
will  be  made  to  discontinue  the  showing  of 
the  picture. 

Some  time  ago  similar  charges  were 
brought  against  a  group  of  men  who  exhibited 
the  Dempsey-Tunney  fight  film  at  the  old 
Dauphine  theatre.  The  film  ran  its  length 
and  the  government  imposed  a  minimum  fine 
on  the  promoters.  Capacity  audiences  were 
the  rule. 


Paramount  Stockholders 
Approve   Capital   Boost 
To  Three  Million  Shares 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— A  proposal  to  in- 
crease from  1,000,000  to  3,000,000  shares  the 
authorized  no  par  capital  stock  of  Paramount 
was  approved  yesterday  by  stockholders.  The 
purpose  is  to  split  the  stock  on  a  3  for  1 
basis,  after  the  record  date  of  payment  of 
the  third  quarter  dividend. 

The  stockholders  adjourned  until  August 
25  because  of  the  possibility  of  changes  by 
the  corporation  authorities  at  Albany,  in  the 
application.  The  directors,  August  13,  will 
decide  the  dates  of  exchange  of   the  stock. 


Asher  Levey  Resigns 
As  Film  Purchaser  of 
Keith-Orpheum  Chain 

Asher  Levey  resigned  this  week  as  film  pur- 
chaser for  the  Keith-Orpheum  circuit,  effec- 
tive August  31.  From  his  Chicago  headquar- 
ters Levey  stated  he  was  considering  several 
proposals  before  making  a  new  affiliation.  Be- 
fore the  present  regime  entered  Keith-Or- 
pheum, Levey  was  also  in  charge  of  theatre 
operation  for  the  chain.  His  successor  is  yet 
to  be  named. 


Netoco  Buys  Gorman 
Interests  in  Portland; 
Plans  2,500'Seat  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  MAINE,  Aug.  7.— The  Leon 
P.  Gorman  theatre  interests  here  have  been 
purchased  by  the  New  England  Theatres 
Operating  Corporation,  giving  Netoco  control 
of  the  Maine  theatre  and  the  proposed  2,500- 
seat  Netoco  State,  which  will  be  done  in  Span- 
ish style,  with  President  Samuel  Pinanski 
supervising  decoration.  The  theatre  will  be 
fitted  for  sound  pictures  and  presentations. 


Dolores  Del  Rio  Given 

Luncheon  in  Chicago 

Dolores  Del  Rio  and  her  director,  Edwin 
Carewe,  were  given  a  luncheon  at  the  Sher- 
man hotel  in  Chicago  Saturday.  More  than 
fifty  newspaper  people  and  prominent  Chica- 
goans  were  present.  The  director  and  star 
spent  several  days  in  the  city,  after  which 
they  left  for  New  York  where  they  will  leave 
for  an  extended  trip  in  Europe. 


DeMille  Closes  Deal  with  MGM; 
Sells  Studio  Interest  to  Pathe 

Producer-Director  Will  Take  Entire  Personal  Staff  to  Culver  City 

Within  Month  and  Start  Series  of  Productions  Soon 

Under  New  Affiliation 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — Ten  months  of  speculation  as  to  the  future  affiliations 
of  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  ended  this  week  when  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  formally 
announced  that  contracts  had  been  signed  with  the  producer-director.  He  sold 
his  interests  in  the  De  Mille  studio  to  Pathe  for  a  consideration  reported  at 
$1,000,000. 

Brings  Entire  Personal  Staff 

De  Mille  will  take  -to  M  G  M  his  entire  personal  staff  and  will  make  a  series 
of  super-productions,  the  company  announced.  The  move  from  the  De  Mille 
studio  will  be  made  within  a  month  and  production  will  follow  soon  after  that. 
The  first  picture  will  be  a  modern  story,  it  was  stated,  but  the  title  was  not 
given. 

While  it  had  been  predicted  that  DeMille  which  scores  and  synchronizes  pictures,  an- 
was  going  to  join  MGM,  as  late  as  last  week  nounces  that  the  company  has  taken  over  the 
it  was  said  that  minor  details  were  holding  fifth  floor  of  the  Mills  building  for  its  library 
up  an  agreement.  These  details  now  have  of  world  rights  music, 
been  cleared  from  the  path. 

Less  than  one  year  ago  it  became  known 
that  De  A'lille  would  sever  connections  with 
Pathe-De  Mille.  At  that  time  he  began  nego- 
tiations with  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  Nicholas 
Schenck  and  Louis  B.  Mayer.  It  was  first 
believed  by  the  trade  that  De  Mille  was  cer- 
tain to  tie  up  with  United  Artists. 

No  denials  to  anything  were  forthcoming. 
He  said  nothing,  but  continued  to  visit  the 
production  magnates.  Up  to  one  month  ago 
little  thought  remained  that  he  would  accept 
the  oifer  to  join  MGM. 

Sells  Studio  Interests 

After  the  contracts  were  signed,  De  Mille 
said : 

"I  have  sold  my  interest  in  the  De  Mille 
studio  to  Pathe,  for  which  company  I  con- 
tinue to  have  the  very  highest  regard.  I  joined 
MGM  because  I  feel  that  organization  offers 
the  best  producing  and  distributing  facilities. 
This  made  my  choice  an  easy  one." 

As  a  producer  for  MGM,  De  Mille  stated 
that  it  is  his  intention  to  specialize  on  produc- 
tions of  the  size  and  importance  of  "The  Ten 
Commandments,"  "The  Volga  Boatman," 
"The  King  of  Kings,"  and  "The  Godless  Girl." 

In  commenting  upon  the  new  affiliation 
Louis  B.  Mayer,  head  of  the  MGM  producing 
organization  in  Culver  City,  said: 

"The  acquisition  of  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  to 
the  MGM  fold  is  one  of  the  most  important 
moves  in  the  history  of  our  company.  The 
name  of  De  Mille  represents  a  type  of  enter- 
tainment that  occupies  a  warm  spot  in  the 
hearts  of  the  motion  picture  public  throughout 
the  world." 


Kennedy  Names  Glazer 
Production  Adviser  at 
F  N  and  Pathe  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Benjamin  Glazer 
has  been  engaged  by  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  as 
his  personal  representative  to  be  production 
adviser  at  First  National  Studio  and  Pathe 
studio  and  in  sole  charge  of  sound  production 
of  both  studios. 

Glazer  recently  completed  his  contract  at 
the  Paramount  studios  where  he  served  as  a 
writer  of  original  stories,  adapter  and  super- 
visor. He  will  assume  his  new  duties  at  the 
Pathe  studio  at  once. 


Poli  Stays  in  Advisory 
Capacity  with  Fox  Chain 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BOSTON,  Aug.  7.— S.  Z.  Poli  is  to  be  re- 
tained in  an  advisory  capacity  with  the  Fox 
theatre  circuit  in  connection  with  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Poli  circuit.  Poli  also  states 
he  will  retain  a  financial  interest  in  the  chain. 
It  is  believed  this  means  Keith-Albee  will 
continue  to  supply  the  vaudeville  and  will 
drop  its  construction  plans. 


Mills  in  New  Offices 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Irving  Mills,  presi- 
dent   of     World    Wide    Music     Corporation, 


John  Barrymore  Signed 
For  First  Vitaphone  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— John  Barrymore  has 
been  signed  by  Warner  Brothers  for  his  first 
talking  picture,  which  is  to  be  made  as  a  spe- 
cial Vitaphone  production.  President  H.  M. 
Warner  announced  today. 


They  Tied  Bull  Outside — 
Which  Wasn't  Bad  Idea 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY.  Aug.  7.— The 
other  day  a  cattle  train  was  wrecked 
in  the  railroad  yards  of  Kansas  City. 
Many  hundreds  of  cattle  were  soon 
running  loose  in  Kansas  City.  With 
such  circumstances  prevailing  it  re- 
mained for  a  large,  shaggy  bull  to 
stampede  down  through  Kansas 
City's  him  row.  It  was  there  the 
bull  was  captured.  Now  the  point 
is  this,  as  most  exhibitors  see  it: 
Why  the  bull  on  Film  Row.' 


William  DeMille  Returns 
For  P  F  L  Sound  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— William  DeMille, 
after  an  absence  of  two  years,  again  will 
affiliate  himself  with  Paramount  and  will  work 
on  sound  pictures,  Jesse  L.  Lasky  announced 
today. 


Fire  at  Metropolitan 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BOSTON,    Aug.    7.— About   an   hour   after 
Friday    night's    show    closed,    fire    broke    out 
backstage    at    the    Metropolitan,    operated    by 
Publix.     Damage  is   estimated  at  $20,000. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


S 


^ 


Sound  Installation  Delay  Affects 
^^  Lilac  Times^^^  N.  Y.  Opening 

Two  Synchronizations  Made  But  Substituted  Effects  Consist  Chiefly  of 
Terrific  Noises — Unions  Deny  Dispute 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — The  difficulty  involved  in  presenting  synchronized 
pictures    at   this   time   was   well   illustrated   at   the    opening   of    "Lilac 
Time,"  Colleen  Moore's  new  spectacle,   at  the  Central  theatre   Friday 
evening. 

<'T    ILAC  TIME"  was  originally  synchronized 


Sing  a  Song  of  Nine  Pills 
Swallowed  in  a  Bunch 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY.  Aug.  7.— Sam 
GoldHam,  one  of  Kansas  City's  vet- 
eran film  salesmen,  had  been  taking 
tablets  for  an  ailing  heart.  The  other 
day  he  tilted  the  box  to  his  lips, 
intending  to  swallow  one  pill — and 
nine  rolled  down  his  throat.  The 
pills  were  poisonous,  so  Samuel  was 
rushed  to  a  hospital  in  a  hurry  and 
his  stomach  was  emptied.  He  now 
is  all  right. 


for  First  National  by  the  RCA  method. 
Then  another  synchronization  was  hurriedly 
made  by  the  Western  Electric  System,  in 
order  to  be  certain  that  the  proper  reproduc- 
ing apparatus  would  be  on  hand.  Both  were 
said  to  be  thoroughly  satisfactory  and  First 
National   officials  were   enthusiastic. 

Synchronism  Effect  Lost 

Then  it  was  suddenly  announced  that  the 
installation  of  the  sound  apparatus  had  not 
been  completed  in  time  and  that  the  picture 
would  therefore  be  presented  with  a  25-piece 
orchestra  and  effects,  to  say  nothing  of  a 
chorus.  The  effect  of  the  synchronization  was 
lost,  and  missed  too,  for  the  effects  consisted 
largely  of  making  terrific  noises  that  all  but 
knocked  the  spectators  out  of  their  seats. 

It  was  then  noised  about  that  labor  troubles 
held  up  the  installation  of  the  reproducing 
apparatus.  Two  unions  are  involved  in  the 
installation  of  sound  apparatus :  the  Interna- 
tional Alliance  of  Theatrical  Stage  Employees 
and  Motion  Picture  Operators  and  the  electri- 
cal workers  of  the  Building  Trades  Union. 
Both  denied  any  part  in  a  dispute,  but  the 
apparatus  was  not  installed  in  time. 

"Lilac  Time"  was  seen  by  quite  a  large  audi- 
ence, very  friendly  to  Miss  Moore.  The  pic- 
ture was  greeted  with  applause. 

Chicago  Electrical  Strike 
Still  Shuts  Off  Sound  Films 

The  Chicago  theatre  still  was  showing  silent 
pictures  this  week  despite  the  original  plan  to 
open  with  synchronized  films  July  30,  and  at 
the  United  Artists  theatre  Cecil  B.  DeMille's 
"King  of  Kings"  opened  last  Friday  night 
without  sound. 

This  situation  was  precipitated  by  the  strike 
of  electrical  workers  which  delayed  comple- 
tion of  installation  of  sound  equipment  in  the 
theatres.  As  stated  last  week,  it  was  indicated 
that  the  strike  of  the  installation  men  was  a 
part  of  union  labor's  general  opposition  to 
talking  pictures  and  mechanical  music. 


Leaves  It  to  Patrons  to 
Rule  on  Reserved  Seats 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  7.— The  Orpheum 
theatre,  first  run  motion  picture  and  vaude- 
ville house,  is  up  against  a  perplexing  prob- 
lem when  it  opens  for  the  season  next  fall. 
The  management — Fred  Spear — is  undecided 
whether  the  theatre-going  public  of  Kansas 
City  desires  a  reserved  seat  policy  at  the 
house. 


Film  Stars  in  Bucket  Line 
As  Fire  Threatens  Homes 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Stars  of 
the  screen  took  to  the  bucket  line 
when  a  fire,  starting  in  an  unoccupied 
house  in  Laurel  canyon  last  week, 
spread  to  the  brush  and  threatened 
their  homes.  Celebrities  joined 
neighbors  with  bucket  and  hose  in 
drenching  the  roofs  and  in  beating 
out  the  brush  fire. 


Last  season  the  theatre  tried  out  the  policy 
of  reserving  seats  on  Saturdays,  Sundays  and 
holidays  only.  Therefore,  through  stories  in 
daily  newspapers,  Spear  has  requested  that  the 
public  send  letters  to  the  management  and  ex- 
press a  desire  concerning  the  question.  The 
majority  will  determine  the  policy.  Spear  said. 


Carnivals  Renew  Menace 
To  New  York  State  B,  O. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  7. — Summer  carnivals 
again  are  proving  a  menace  to  motion  picture 
theatres  in  Troy,  Watervliet,  Cohoes  and 
Rensselaer.  In  Watervliet,  there  have  been  at 
least  six  carnivals  thus  far  this  summer. 
Prize  fights,  staged  weekly  in  Albany  and 
Troy  and  attracting  thousands,  also  are  said  to 
have  made  heavy  inroads  on  the  theatre. 

Reports  reaching  Albany  from  summer  re- 
sort towns  indicate  better  business  done  the 
past  week  than  at  any  previous  time  during 
the    summer. 


General  Pictures  Is  Busy 
Shooting  at  San  Mateo 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  MATEO,  CAL.,  Aug.  7.--General 
Pictures  Corporation,  new  organization  with 
Oscar  A.  Price  as  president  and  general  man- 
ager as  well  as  in  direct  charge  of  produc- 
tion, went  into  action  recently  with  the  start 
of  shooting  of  "The  Bachelor's  Club,"  being 
made  by  Richard  Talmadge  Productions. 

General  Pictures  was  formed  to  produce  for 
independents  and  take  over  the  studio  proper- 
ties in  San  Mateo,  formerly  the  Graf  Broth- 
ers Studios.  The  Graf  interests  are  amalga- 
mated in  the  new  corporation. 


Fred  Stone  Badly  Hurt 
When  His  Plane  Falls; 
Both  Legs  Are  Broken 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Fred  Stone,  veteran 
comedian  of  stage  and  screen,  may  be  lost 
to  the  theatre  for  the  next  year  at  least  as 
the  result  of  severe  injuries  received  in  the 
crashing  of  his  airplane  last  Friday.  Accord- 
ing to  reports  from  New  London,  Conn.,  the 
accident  occurred  when  the  motor  of  the  bi- 
plane went  dead  while  Stone  was  making  a 
solo  flight  in  his  biplane  and  the  machine 
crashed  in  a  nose  dive  near  Groton  airport. 

The  reported  injuries  include  a  double  com- 
pound fracture  of  the  left  leg,  fractured  right 
thigh,  fractured  lower  jaw,  dislocation  of  the 
left  ankle  and  right  shoulder,  and  lacera- 
tions. 

S  one,  of  course,  is  known  primarily  for  his 
work  on  the  stage,  but  he  also  made  a  few 
pictures  some  years  ago.  including  "Under  the 
Top"  and  "The  Goat"  in  1919,  "The  Duke  of 
Chimney  Butte"  in  1921,  and  "Billy  Jim"  in 
1923. 


Air  Mail  Rates  Reduced 
To  Nickel  for  One  Ounce 

Air  mail  rates  were  reduced  last  week  to 
five  cents  for  the  first  ounce  or  fraction  and 
ten  cents  for  each  additional  ounce.  This 
means  an  addition  of  only  three  cents  postage 
over  ordinary  mail  to  send  a  letter  by  air  mail, 
with  a  saving  of  one  to  three  days.  The  old 
rate  was  ten  cents  for  the  first  half-ounce. 


Stanley  Appoints  Buhler 
Pittsburgh  District  Boss 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  7.— Frank  W. 
Buhler,  directing  manager  of  the  Stanley 
Company's  theatres  in  the  Philadelphia  dis- 
trict, has  been  appointed  general  manager  of 
the  houses  in  the  Pittsburgh  district,  with 
headquarters  in  Pittsburgh,  effective  this  Fri- 
day. Earl  L.  Crabb  becomes  the  district  man- 
ager. 

Edward  Heiman,  formerly  of  the  Brooklyn 
Strand,  and  John  Firnkoess  of  the  Stanley- 
Fabian  circuit  are  added  to  the  Stanley  com- 
pany cabinet  as  assistants  to  A.  Sablosky, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  East- 
ern Pennsylvania  and  Southern  New  Jersey. 


Raonl  Walsh  Reweds 

Raoul  Walsh,  director,  flew  to  Tiajuana 
and  married  Mrs.  Lorraine  Walker  Thursday 
the  day  after  the  decree  of  his  final  divorce 
from   Miriam   Cooper   was   entered. 


Hermann  Starr  Sails 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW    YORK,     Aug.     7.— Hermann     Starr 
leaves    tomorrow    on    the    Olympic    to    start 
sales   drives  in  London,   Paris  and  Berlin  on 
the    new    Warner    product. 


West  Coast  Chain  Shifts 
Portland,  Seattle  Staffs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  7.— Floyd  Max- 
well, who  has  been  manager  of  West  Coast 
Theatres'  Broadway  for  the  past  two  years' 
will  assume  the  management  of  the  Portland 
Thursday,  succeeding  Robert  Blair,  who  will 
become  manager  of  the  Seattle  in  Seattle. 
Eddie  Hitchcock,  in  charge  of  advertising  and 
publicity  for  the  Portland,  will  head  the  new 
publicity  department  for  the  entire  Portland 
division  assisted  by  Bart  Wheeler.  F.  T. 
Thomas,  who  succeeds  Maxwell  as  manager 
of  the  Broadway,  comes  from  California 
where  he  was  closely  identified  with  some 
of   the   leading   houses    using   Afovietone. 


Irene  Bordoni  III 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PARIS,    Aug.    7. — Irene    Bordoni,    musical 
comedy    star,    is    reported    critically    ill.      She 
was  operated  upon  for  appendicitis  last  week. 


Exhibitor  Hurt  in  Plane 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  7.— 01  lie  Stacey,  man- 
ager of  the  Majestic  theatre,  narrowly  escaped 
death  last  week,  when  an  airplane  in  which 
he  with  others  was  riding,  crashed  near  Red 
Hook,  N.  Y.  Stacey  suffered  a  fractured  leg, 
a  broken  collar  bone  and  other  injuries. 


■f  1 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


MR.  QUIGLEY  says 
Editorially: 

"Labor's  attitude  toward  the  in- 
troduction of  sound  devices  .... 
is  now  hastening  the  day  .... 
when  the  picture  business  .... 
must  undertake  a  movement  under 
which  it  would  seek  to  work  out 
with  the  unions  wage  scales  and 
working  conditions  which  are 
reasonable  and  equitable  in  light 
of  the  existing  situation." 

•  •      * 

"Censorship  has  long  been  a 
serious  and  menacing  problem  of 
the  industry.  Constant  watchful- 
ness and  no  let  up  in  the  industry's 
active  opposition  toward  it  is  the 
only  sane  and  sensible  course." 

*  *     • 

"In  informal  conversations,  Mr. 
Rowland  has  amplified  the  opin- 
ions which  he  recorded  in  his 
formed  statement.  While  in  his  in- 
formal statement  he  sets  down 
'negative  costs'  as  the  first  of  the 
two  most  important  problems  fac- 
ing the  industry  it  is  to  be  noted 
he  insists  that  the  over-seating 
question  is  the  worst  feature  of  the 
industry's  present  situation." 


Allied  Amusements  Picks 
A,  M.  Bowles  as  Chairman 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  7.— The  annual 
meeting  of  the  Allied  Amusement  Industries 
of  California,  Inc.,  held  at  the  headquarters 
of  the  organization  in  the  Golden  Gate  The- 
atre Building,  resulted  in  the  election  of  the 
following  as  a  board  of  governors :  Irving 
C.  Ackerman,  of  Ackerman  &  Harriss ;  Joe 
Blumenfeld,  Blumenfeld  Circuit;  T.  M.  New- 
man, Golden  State  Theatre  &  Realty  Co., 
Sam  Levin,  Levin  Theatre  Circuit ;  Cliff 
Work,  Orpheum  Theatre ;  Rodney  Pantages, 
Pantage  Theatre  Circuit ;  Richard  Marshall, 
Duffy  Theatres;  J.  C.  McCann,  T.  &  D.  Jr. 
Enterprises,  Inc. ;  Louis  R.  Greenfield,  Green- 
field Theatres ;  Sol  Levis,  Strand  Theatre,  and 
A.  E.  Arkush,  Arkush  Circuit. 

A.  M.  Bowles,  manager  of  the  Northern 
California  interests  of  West  Coast  Theatres, 
was  chosen  chairman,  succeeding  Irving  C. 
Ackerman,  who  had  served  several  terms ; 
Louis  R.  Greenfield  was  chosen  trustee-treas- 
urer, and  Thomas  D.  Van  Osten,  was  chosen 
secretary-manager  for  the  ninth  consecutive 
term. 


Saxes  and  Brachman  Sue 
Midwesco,  Asking  $58,500 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MILWAUKEE,  Aug.  7.— The  Midwesco 
Company,  operating  more  than  a  score  of 
motion  picture  theatres  in  Milwaukee  and 
Wisconsin  built  by  the  Saxe  company,  were 
made  defendants  in  three  suits  by  John  and 
Fred  Saxe  and  Oscar  Brachman  who  seek 
a  total  of  $58,500,  charging  breach  of  con- 
tract. 

It  is  charged  that  the  Midwesco  company 
agreed  to  purchase  $58,500  worth  of  stock 
from  them  in  the  Capitol  Amusement  Com- 
pany at  Madison  and  that  the  contract  has 
not   been    fulfilled. 


Reformers  "Mentally  Sick",  Say 
Editors;  Fight  on  in  Two  States 

Censor  Is  as  Supreme  an  Egoist  as  Could  Possibly  Exist,  Declares 

Kansas   City   Star — Louisville   Writer   Tells   of 

"Seeing"  Good  Sermons  on  Screen 

Tvi^o  important  editorial  denunciations  of  opponents  of  Sunday  shows,  in  one 
of  which  the  socalled  reformers  are  defined  as  being  "mentally  sick,"  were 
evoked  last  week  by  agitation  in  towns  in  Kentucky  and  Missouri  against  the 
opening  of  theatres  on  the  Sabbath. 

Kentucky  Reformers  Hold  Whiphand 
Efforts  to  open  have  made  little  progress  in  Kentucky  towns  where  blueness 
has  been  the  rule  since  the  beginning  of  the  industry.  At  Middlesboro  war- 
rants were  served  on  the  personnel  of  the  Gaines  theatre.  There  were  arrests 
at  Paducah.  In  Louisville,  where  city  and  suburban  theatres  generally  are  not 
interfered  with,  the  community  has  blocked  shows  at  the  Parkland  in  a  section 
formerly  a  separate  township. 


In  Missouri,  ministers  of  Columbia  are  wag- 
ing a  Sunday  closing  war  on  the  theory  that 
this  town  is  responsible  for  "moulding  the 
morals"  of  5,000  students  at  the  University  of 
Missouri.  The  merchants  declare  business  is 
seriously  hurt  by  the  young  people  going  to 
other  cities  for  their  pictures  and  hold  that 
90  per  cent  of  the  population  favors  Sunday 
shows. 

Laid   to   "Unhappy   Childhood" 

The  Kansas  City  Star,  without  referring 
to  any  specific  case,  says  the  following  re- 
garding reformers  and  censors : 

'The  average  reformer  is  not  a  hypocrite. 
He  is  an  honest  man,  driven  by  the  sincerest 
convictions  to  try  to  regulate  the  lives  of 
others.     But  he  is  mentally  sick. 

"The  'cens'or  mind'  commonly  results  from 
an  unhappy  childhood.  The  result  is  that  the 
censor-minded  person,  suffering  from  such  a 
childhood  fixation,  goes  into  adult  life  seeing 
wrong-doing  where  the  normal  man  sees  only 
innocent  diversion,  and,  being  unable  to  adapt 
himself  to  the  ways  of  the  world,  he  tries  to 
force  the  world  to  adopt  his  own  code. 
Unqualified  to  Judge 

"He  leads  a  sort  of  detached  and  isolated 
life,  which  makes  him  strikingly  unqualified  to 
judge  what  the  effects  of  a  play  or  novel  or 
picture  may  be  upon  the  morals  of  the  ma- 
jority. He  is  conservative,  suspicious  of 
change,  seclusive  and  out  of  tune  with  life. 
And  just  because  he  has  so  little  knowledge 
of  the  ways  of  the  world,  he  overvalues  his 
own  limited  experiences  absurdly.  All  in  all, 
the  censor  is  as  supreme  an  egotist  as  could 
possibly  exist. 

"But  why  does  the  'censor-minded'  exert 
such  an  influence  in  restricting  the  lives  of  the 
normal  majority?  It  is  because  he  possesses 
the  single-tracked  determination  of  the  fanatic. 
Any  neurotic  compulsion,  no  matter  what  its 
kind,  has  more  force  and  energy  behind  it 
than  a  normal  non-neurotic  desire.  The  com- 
pulsive neurotic  has  no  peace  of  mind  until  he 
gives  way  to  his  compulsion. 

"The  normal  majority,  on  the  other  hand,  is 


careless  of  such  efforts  at  regulation  until  they 
have  gained  force.  Being  comparatively  free 
from  relentless  compulsion  it  is  indifferent. 
In  that  lies  its  weakness." 

"Can't    Drive    People    to    Church" 

The  situation  at  Parkland,  Ky.,  brought  the 
following  letter,  signed  by  an  Ella  Snidell,  to 
the  Courier- Journal : 

"It  seems  as  though  the  old  fight  is  on  again 
as  to  whether  the  picture  show  in  Parkland 
be  allowed  to  open  on  Sunday  or  not. 

"I  noticed  in  the  paper  a  few  days  ago  that 
'five  ministers  and  five  laymen'  from  Parkland 
had  called  on  Mayor  Harrison,  asking  him  t& 
keep  the  show  closed  on  Sunday,  that  the 
people  of  Parkland  did  not  want  a  Sunday 
show. 

"In  the  first  place,  they  made  a  wrong 
statement.  They  should  have  said  the  'church- 
people,'  or  better  than  that,  'some  of  the 
church  people,'   do  not   want  a  Sunday  show. 

"The  ministers  cannot  speak  for  all  of  Park- 
land a  bit  more  than  I  can.  People  that 
want  to  go  to  church  will  not  go  to  see  a 
picture,  and  if  they  don't  want  to  go  to 
church,  and  do  want  to  see  a  picture,  closing 
this  one  up  will  not  make  them  go  to  church. 
It  will  send  them  uptown  to  the  picture  shows. 
You  cannot  make  people  go  to  church. 
Good    Sermons    on    Screen 

"I  understand  that  Sunday  is  the  biggest 
day  for  the  picture  show  and  that  a  show 
closed  on  Sunday  cannot  afford  the  best.  I 
also  understand  that  the  management  of  the 
Parkland  show  plans  to  show  religious  pic- 
tures on  Sunday.  I  am  a  church  member  and 
attend  church  regularly.  I  would  not  care  to 
go  to  a  Sunday  show.  But  for  the  boys  and 
girls  (and  adults)  that  do  go,  would  it  not 
be  better  to  have  a  Sunday  show,  with  suitable 
pictures,  and  good  clean  shows'  all  through 
the  week,  than  to  have  the  same  old  cheap, 
low-class  pictures,  and  the  place  not  opened 
on  Sunday? 

"And   I   am  broad-minded   enough   to  think  . 

(Continued  on  page  94) 


J.  M,  Schenck  Brands  Retirement  Report 

As  Both  ^'Ridiculous  and  Unwarranted'* 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  4. — Reports  that  Joseph  M.  Schenck  is  retiring  from  the 
presidency  and  chairmanship  of  United  Artists  are  "ridiculous  and  unwarranted." 
This  is:  Schenck's  cable  reply  to  rumors  that  have  been  circulated  in  the  West. 
Schenck  is  returning  next  month  from  Europe. 

Besides  Schenck's  re-election.  United  Artists  announces  the  following  officers 
chosen  by  the  stockholders:  Vice-presidents,  Dennis  F.  O'Brien,  Harry  D.  Buck- 
ley and  Alexander  Lichtman;  Vice-president  and  treasurer,  Arthur  W.  Kelly;  Sec- 
retary, Albert  H.  T.  Banzhaf;  Assistant  secretary,  Frank  A.  Beach;  Assistant 
treasurer,  Mary  Rusk.  Directors  include  Schenck,  O'Brien,  Nathan  Burkan, 
Banzhaf,  Buckley,  Christopher  J.  Dunphy,  James  A.  Mulvey  and  Bertram  S.  Nay- 
fack.  The  only  new  director  is  Dunphy,  New  York  banker  and  Eastern  business 
representative  of  Gloria  Swanson. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


> 
^ 


Paramount  Carries  Newspaper  Ad 
Drive  to  Millions  Sunday 

Listing  of  413  Publications  in  695  Cities  Shows  Campaign  Will  Extend  Into 

All  Important  Centers  of  U.  S. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — Every  principal  city  in  the  country  will  be  covered 
in  the  nationwide  newspaper  campaign  of  Paramount  which  starts  Sun- 
day in  695  papers  in  413  cities,  it  is  shown  in  a  listing  'of  the  cities, 
the  newspapers  in  the  tieup,  and  their  circulation.  Millions  of  readers  will  bo 
reached. 

WHERE  several  papers  in  one  city  are  be- 
ing used,  one  paper  will  carry  the  an- 
nouncement, which  will  measure  seven  col- 
umns in  full  depth,  on  Sunda}-,  August  12, 
another  paper  a  few  days  later  and  the  third 
the  following  Sunday.  There  will  be  different 
copy  for  each  paper.  Special  ads  will  appear 
in  all  cities  where  the  first-run  playing  Para- 
mount is  equipped  for  synchronization.  Atten- 
tion also  will  be  called  to  the  eleventh  annual 
Paramount  Week. 

Followmg  is  the  list  of  cities  where  the 
announcement  will  be  carried,  with  names  of 
newspapers  and  their  circulation : 

BOSTON. — Boston,  American  301,689,  Herald  and 
Traveler  262,965,  Post  404,661 ;  Brockton,  Enter- 
prise 23,667,  Times  11,534;  Fall  River,  Globe  10,295, 
Herald-News  22,108;  Haverhill,  Gazette  16,213;  Hol- 
yoke,  Transcript-Telegram  16,524;  Lawrence,  Tele- 
gram, 8,706,  Tribune  and  Eagle  23,909;  Lowell, 
Courier  Citizen  and  Leader  20,534;  Sun  19,736; 
Lynn,  Item  16,831,  Telegraph-News  17,222;  New 
Bedford,  Standard  29,065,  Times  21,373;  Northamp- 
ton, Gazette  7,365 ;  Springfield,  Union  and  Republi- 
can 68,534;  Taunton,  Gazette  9,275;  Worcester,  Post 
29,600,  Telegram  and  Gazette  100,156;  Concord, 
Monitor-Patriot  6,279;  Keene,  Sentinel  3,994;  Man- 
chester, Union  and  Leader  31,026;  Nashua,  Tele- 
graph 6,366;  Providence,  41,763,  Bulletin  72,254; 
Brattleboro,   Reformer   3,336. 

NEW  HAVEN.— Ansonia,  Sentinel  7^083;  Bridge- 
port, Herald  42,153,  Post  and  Telegram  44,739; 
Bristol,  Press  4,699;  Danbury,  News  7,617;  Hartford, 
Courant  58,713,  Times  56,077;  Meriden,  Record 
8,363;  Middletown,  Press  8,494;  New  Britain,  Her- 
ald 13,577;  New  Haven,  Journal-Courier  20,087, 
Register  50,846,  Times-Union  20,336;  New  London, 
Day  12,887;  Norwalk,  Hour  6,769;  Norwich,  Bulle- 
tin and  Record  13,000;  Stamford,  Advocate  11,010; 
Torrington,  Register  5,309 ;  Waterbury,  Democrat 
10,660,  Republican  and  American  28,823;  Willi- 
mantic.   Chronical   3,250. 

PORTLAND  (Me.).— Bangor,  News  29,977;  Lew- 
iston.  Journal  and  Sun  30,394 ;  Portland,  Press-Her- 
ald and  Telegram  75,531. 

NEW  YORK.— New  York,  American  1,099,735, 
Graphic  282,254,  Herald-Tribune  302,365,  Journal 
680,681,  News  1,226,561,  Sun  276,668,  Telegram 
226,984,  Times  392,300,  Worid  334,482. 

NEW  JERSEY.— Elizabeth,  Journal  25,566;  New- 
ark, Call  79,253,  News  128,394,  Star-Eagle  100,032; 
Passaic,  Herald  15,753,  News  15,035;  Paterson,  Call 
19,104,  Press  Guardian  16,802. 

ALBANY.— North  Adams,  Transcript  10,461; 
Pittsfield,  Berkshire  Eagle  18,308;  Albany,  Knicker- 
bocker Press  and  News  83,327,  Times-Union  46,539; 
Amsterdam,  Recorder  and  Democrat  7,532 ;  Malone, 
Telegram  4,675;  Middletown,  Times-Herald  10,679; 
Oneonta,  Star  8,509;  Ogdensburg,  Republican  Jour- 
nal 6,032;  Plattsburg,  Republican  5,338;  Schenec- 
tady, Gazette  23,196,  Union-Star  16,873;  Troy,  Rec- 
ord 23,174,  Times  10,121;  Utica,  Observer-Dispatch 
34,771,  Press  26,370;  Watertown,  Standard  18,061, 
Times   18,611. 


BUFFALO. — Auburn,  Advertiser-Journal  and  Cit- 
izen 10,148;  Batavia,  News  9,365;  Binghamton, 
Press  36,511,  Sun  22,712;  Buffalo,  Courier-Express 
122,531,  News  152,684,  Times  125,480;  Cortland, 
Standard  5,736;  Dunkirk,  Observer  4,415;  Elmira, 
Advertiser  and  Star  and  Gazette  34,686 ;  Geneva, 
Times  5,725;  Ithaca,  Journal-News  7,660;  Jamestown, 
Journal  9,642,  Post  12,004;  Lockport,  Union-Sun  and 
Journal  8,462;  Niagara  Falls,  Gazette  76,140;  Glean, 
Herald  4,746,  Times  8,600;  Oswego,  Palladium-Times 
10,811;  Rochester,  Democrat  and  Chronicle  83,708, 
American  65,315,  Times-Union  80,441;  Syracuse, 
American  80,017,  Herald  80,846,  Post  Standard, 
59,219. 

PHILADELPHIA-WILKES  BARRE.— Wilming- 
ton, Every  Evening  16,902  Journal  and  News  34,345; 
Atlantic  City,  Press  and  Union  41,033;  Camden, 
Courier  and  Post  64,341  ;  Trenton,  State  Gazette  and 
Times  59,596;  Allentown,  Call  33,477,  Chronicle  and 
News  12,186;  Bethlehem,  Globe  and  Times  15,160; 
Easton,  Express  34,884;  Harrisburg,  News  and  Pa- 
triot 75,032,  Telegraph  44,808;  Hazelton,  Plain 
Speaker  and  .Standard  Sentinel  20,685 ;  Lancaster, 
New  Era  and  Intelligencer  Journal  54,000;  Lebanon, 
News  and  Times  10,722;  Norristown,  Times-Herald 
13,175;  Philadelphia,  Bulletin  548,952,  Inquirer  277,- 
880,  News  136,876,  Public  Ledger  586,371,  Record 
130,250;  Plttston,  Gazette  4,700;  Pottstown,  News 
8,566;   Pottsville,  Journal   10,463,   Morning  Paper  and 


Republican  15,109;  Reading,  Eagle  40,045,  Times 
31,429;  Scranton,  Republican  38,503,  Times  43,679; 
Shamokin,  Dispatch  4,952,  News  4,758;  Shenandoah, 
Herald  6,630;  Wilkes  Barre,  Record  26,832,  Times 
Leader  27,595 ;  Williamsport,  Sun  and  Gazette  and 
Bulletin  29,990;  York,  Dispatch  20,202,  Gazette  and 
Daily  20,145, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C— Washington,  Herald 
135,560,  News  57,445,  Post  80,691,  Star  106,862, 
Times  75,767;  Baltimore,  American  174,485,  News 
145,011,  Post  90,486,  Sun  196,611;  Cumberland, 
Times  14,794;  Hagerstown,  Herald  and  Mail  13,264; 
Salisbury,  Times  3,078;  Norfolk,  Ledger  Dispatch 
43,192,  Virginia  Pilot  44,194;  Richmond,  News 
Leader  67,449,  Times  Dispatch  60,375;  Roanoke, 
Times  and  Wodd  New^s  33,251;  Bristol,  Herald 
Courier  and  News  Bulletin  12,396. 
«     «     * 

ATLANTA. — Birmingham,  News  and  Age  Herald 
114,117,  Post  63,000;  Montgomery,  Journal  and 
Times  22,509,  Advertiser  23,037;  Atlanta,  Constitu- 
tion 123,909,  Georgian  69,245,  Journal  131,186;  Au- 
gusta, Chronicle  12,344,  Herald  14,796;  Columbus, 
Enquirer-Sun  6,236,  Ledger  12,406;  Macon,  News 
15,918,  Telegraph  27,552;  Charleston,  News-Courier 
and  Post  31,081;  Chattanooga,  News  32,440,  Times 
33,496;  Knoxville,  Journal  32,661,  News-Sentinel  36,- 
763  ;   Nashville,   Banner  60,442,  Tennessee  31,279. 

MEMPHIS.— Fort  Smith,  Times  Record  24,996; 
Hot  Springs,  New  Era  3,774,  Sentinel-Record  4,489; 
Little  Rock,  Democrat  29,882,  Gazette  49,585;  Jack- 
son, News  17,350;  Memphis,  Commercial  Appeal 
165,916,    Press-Scimitar   91,949. 

CHARLOTTE.— Ashville,  Citizen  19,371,  Times 
17,695;  Chariotte,  News  20,933,  Observer,  42,489; 
Durham,  Herald  13,018,  Sun  7,156;  Greensboro, 
News  33,722,  Record  8,274;  High  Point,  Enterprise 
6,255;  Raleigh,  News  and  Observer  38,631,  Times 
12,697;  SaHsbury,  Post  8,424;  Wilmington,  News 
Dispatch  4,327,  Star,  8,302 ;  Winston-Salem,  Journal 
and  Sentinel  34,753;  Columbia,  Record  14,027,  State 
26,008;   Greenville,  News  27,183. 

JACKSONVILLE.— Daytona  Beach,  News-Jour- 
nal 9,905;  Jacksonville,  Times-Union  60,236,  Journal 
20,437;  Lakeland,  Ledger  and  Star-Telegram  7,829; 
Miami,  Herald  38,651,  News  32,221;  Orlando,  Re- 
porter-Star 8,860,  Sentinel  8,366;  St.  Petersburg,  In- 
dependent 9,336,  Times  15,559;  Tampa,  Times  27,804, 
Tribune   42,482. 

*     *     ■* 

NEW  ORLEANS.— Mobile,  Register  37,499;  New 
Orleans,  Item  79,845,  States  34,080,  Times-Picayune 
128,689;    Shreveport,   Journal   20,638,   Times   51,721. 

DALLAS. — Amarillo,  News-Globe  23,606;  Beau- 
mont, Enterprise  and  Journal  46,389 ;  Dallas,  Dis- 
patch 35,891,  News  99,019,  Times-Herald  61,538; 
Fort  Worth,  Press  29,063,  Star  Telegram  and  Rec- 
ord 124,709;  Houston,  Chronicle  92,327,  Post  Dis- 
patch 66,023,  Press  41,796;  Waco,  News-Tribune  and 
Times  Herald  30,138;  Wichita  Falls,  Record-News 
and  Times  46,542. 

SAN  ANTONIO. — Austin,  American-Statesman 
19,700;  El  Paso,  Herald  and  Times  41,403;  Galves- 
ton, News  and  Tribune  21,790;  San  Antonio,  Ex- 
press  60,673,   Light   63,353. 

DETROIT. — Battle  Creek,  Enquirer  and  News 
13,314;  Bay  City,  Times  18,502;  Detroit,  Free  Press 
276,016,  News  346,876,  Times  326,795;  Flint,  Jour- 
nal 43,762;  Grand  Rapids,  Herald  32,642,  Press  90,- 
684 ;  Jackson,  Citizen-Patriot  28,647 ;  Kalamazoo, 
Gazette  28,577;  Lansing,  State  Journal  40,437;  Mus- 
kegon, Chronicle  18,226;  Tontiac,  Press  23,234  Port 
Huron,   Times-Herald  20,630;   Saginaw,   News   26,980. 

CHICAGO. — Aurora,  Beacon-News  19,667  ;  Bloom- 
ington.  Paragraph  20,000;  Champaign,  News-Gazette 
13,294;  Chicago,  American  352,276,  Herald-Examiner 
1,667,364,  News  435,749,  Tribune  1,125,721;  Danville, 
Commercial-News  24,000;  Decatur,  Herald  26,762, 
Review  25,777;  Elgin,  Courier-News  33,690;  Evans- 
{Continiied   on  page  100) 


State  Ban  on  Dog  Tracks 
Aids  Louisiana  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  7.— Except 
for  the  many  night  clubs  the  thea- 
tres will  have  easy  sailing  this  season 
as  the  state  legislature  has  put  out 
of  existence  the  dog  tracks,  not  only 
in  the  city  of  New  Orleans  but  the 
entire  state  as  well. 


Injunction  Asked 
In  Fight  Against 
Barring  of  Minors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MONTREAL,  Aug.  7.— The  initial  step  in 
the  campaign  of  the  exhibitors  of  the  Province 
of  Quebec  against  the  new  law  prohibiting 
the  attendance  of  children  under  16  years  of 
age  at  moving  picture  theatres  was  taken  Fri- 
day when  legal  proceedings  were  entered  to 
restrain  the  court  magistrate  from  hearing 
charges  against  a  number  of  theatre  owners 
for  alleged  infractions  of  the  new  regulation*. 
James  Duhamel,  proprietor  of  the  Passe 
Temps  theatre,  was  the  petitioner  in  the  writ 
of  prohibition.  Charges  against  50  other  the- 
atre managers  of  Quebec  cities  are  being  held 
over  pending  the  hearing  of  this  test  case. 
The  question  raised  is  whether  the  Quebec 
Provincial  Legislature  has  power  under  the 
British  North  America  Act,  which  is  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Dominion,  to  legislate  in  the 
sense  that  it  has  done  in  prohibiting  the  ad- 
mission of  all  children  from  moving  picture 
theatres. 


Paramount  News  Fetes 
First    Birthday    with 
Host  of  Well  Wishes 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Celebration  of  the 
first  anniversary  of  the  Paramount  News 
brought  to  Emanuel  Cohen,  editor,  messages 
of  congratulations  from  leaders  in  many 
walks  of  life.  Among  them  were  Frank  B. 
Kellogg,  Harry  S.  New,  T.  Douglas  Robin- 
son, E.  Trubee  Davidson,  Everett  Sanders, 
Rear  Admiral  W.  A.  McWitt,  T.  V.  O'Con- 
nor, Rear  Admiral  F.  C.  Billard,  Major  C.  F. 
Thompson,  Claude  L.  Ashley,  Maj.  Gen. 
George  S.  Gibbs,  John  T.  Alsop,  Jr.,  John 
Guild,  Governor  Vic  Donahey,  Governor  F.  D. 
Sampson,  J.  J.  Fayette,  J.  W.  English,  Sid- 
ney M.  Nutt,  W.  T.  Murray. 


No  Casualties   When 

Colonial  Is  Bombed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-Werld) 
SEATTLE,  Aug.  7. — Roof  timbers  were 
cracked,  the  ventilator  shaft  was  cracked  and 
the  plaster  was  loosened  as  a  result  of  the 
setting  off  of  another  bomb  in  the  Colonial 
theatre  here.  It  exploded  at  the  end  of  the 
last  show  and  there  were  no  casualties. 

This  is  the  second  bombing  of  the  Colonial 
and  the  seventh  bombing  of  theatres  in  Seat- 
tle this  year  directed  at  John  and  Joseph 
Danz.  It  is  believed  by  police  that  the  bomb 
was  thrown  from  a  nearby  building. 


Kennedy  Returning  to 

New  York  from  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Joseph  P.  Kennedy, 
president  of  F  B  O  Pictures  Corporation,  has 
left  Hollywood  and  is  returning  to  New  York, 
after  a  four  weeks'  trip  to  the  West  Coast. 


Law  Repealed  for  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TORONTO,  Aug.  7.— A  bylaw  which  pro- 
hibited the  erection  of  any  theatre  in  the 
Vaughan  Road  section  of  Toronto  has  been 
repealed  to  pave  the  way  for  erection  of  a 
$80,000  picture  house  by  Bert  Grant.  Harry 
D.   Martin  has  prepared  the  plans. 


Calbeck  Leases  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

MILFORD,  IND.,  Aug.  7.— N.  Calbeck  of 
the  Community  theatre,  Syracuse,  has  leased 
the  Comus  theatre  here,  and  will  reopen  it 
again  within  a  week  or  two. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


^e^ 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION  ^tt^ 


The  alert  photographer  killed  two  birds  with  one  stone,  as  it 
were,  when  these  two  film  celebrities  were  discovered  disembark- 
ing in  New  York.  And  thus  we  have  posing  for  the  not-to-be- 
dispenscd-with  camera  ceremony,  Raoul  Walsh,  the  eminent  actor- 
director,  and  June  CoUyer,  who  is  listed  among  the  rising  young 
screen  actresses  and  who  made  such  a  notable  showing  in  the 
Fox   production,   "Hangman's   House." 


Back  in  Hollywood  after  trips  of  importance  Eastward,  John 
Monk  Saunders,  Paramount  writer  and  author  of  "Wings";  Fay 
Wray,  Paramount  star  who  has  become  Mrs.  Saunders  since 
leaving  Hollywood  to  go  on  location  near  Chesapeake  Bay  for 
"The  Last  Kiss";  and  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  vice-president  of  Paramount 
in  charge  of  production,  who  has  been  talking  talking  pictures 
with  the  home  office  executives  in  New  York. 


Another  traveller  of  recent  date  is  Hal  Roach, 
who  is  pictured  above  being  greeted  upon  his 
arrival  in  New  York  by  Fred  C.  Quimby,  who  is 
in  charge  of  the  shorts  department  of  M  G  M, 
for  which  company  the  comedy  producer  pre- 
pares his  laugh-makers.  Mrs.  Roach  accom- 
panied her  husband. 


Face  to  face  with  Al  Jolson. 
Jolson,  who  made  a  thrilling 
thing  of  the  Vitaphone  picture, 
"The  Jazz  Singer,"  has  been 
signed  to  a  contract  by  Warner 
Brothers.  His  next  production 
is  "The  Singing  Fool." 


Have  you  tried  this  one  yet?  You'd  better — 
it's  the  latest  thing.  Looks  hard,  doesn't  it?  It 
is.  'Tis  said,  in  fact,  that  to  play  tennis  on  roller 
skates  is  just  that  much  harder  than  without 
them.  Ruth  Taylor,  the  Paramount  blonde  of 
gentlemanly  fame,  herewith  demonstrates  her 
prowess. 


■Hf   W 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


S 


An  aerial  shot  of  a  set  on  the  F  B  O  lot,  showing  how  a  scene  of  such  large 
dimensions  is  brought  to  the  screen  in  perfect  detail.  This  night  club  episode 
is  in  "Sinners  in  Love,"  a  swift  drama  of  fast  life.  The  cast  is  headed  by 
Olive  Borden,  Huntly  Gordon  and  Seena  Owen,   while  George  Melford  is 

directing. 


^ 


A  concentration  of  unusual  people,  engaged  in  what  seems 
to  us  an  unusually  laudable  procedure.  Bebe  Daniels, 
Paramount  star,  is  shown  as  hostess  at  the  studio  to  the 
famous  'round-the-world  flyers  (left  to  right),  Edward 
Schlee,  William  Brock  and  George  Haldeman. 


An  imposing  photograph  of  a  village  of  cliff  dwellers.  This  extraordinary 
community  attained  motion  picture  significance  recently  as  the  locale  of 
sequences  in  a  new  release  in  Universal's  1928-29  series  of  "Collegian" 
stories,  the  novel  shorts  introduced  by  Carl  Laemmle,  Jr.,  last  year.  The  tech- 
nical staff  and  cameras  are  the  mites  discernible  high  up  at  the  left. 


Louise  Fazenda  cools  off  between  scenes  with  what  prohi- 
bition has  made  America's  greatest  rival  to  the  highball. 
The  noted  comedienne,  who  has  just  completed  a  featured 
role  in  Warner  Brothers'  "Noah's  Ark,"  is  now  working 
in  the  Vitaphone  mystery  play,  "Terror." 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


Smiles  of  confidence  smiled  by  James  W.  Home,  director  for  Buck  Jones, 
and  by  the  adventurous  Buck  himself.  These  broad  grins  were  registered 
while  on  location  for  "The  Big  Hop,"  Jones'  initial  independent  production, 
which  has  just  been  completed.  Distribution  is  said  to  have  been  already 
contracted   for  in  all   sales  districts   of  the   country. 


Author  and  star  of  Educational's  new  series  of  aviation 
stories — Thomson  Burtis  and  Reed  Howes,  on  location  at 
Mojave,  Cal.  The  series,  entitled  "Russ  Farrell,  Aviator," 
is  adapted  from  Burtis'  tales  in  The  American  Boy.  The 
air  sequences  are  now  being  shot. 


— ^ 

^^it^^^^t^^^^^^^^^^^^K^'iJi^^ 

'  ^^Sig 

A  dashing  portrait  of  the  effervescent  Sally  O'Neil,  who 
has  exploited  so  successfully  the  many  charms  of  Erin. 
Miss  O'Neil  has  the  title  role  in  Universal's  "The  Girl  on 
the  Barge,"  a  Rupert  Hughes  story  starring  Jean  Hersholt 
and  directed  by  Edward  Sloman. 


Boy,  page  Mr.  Rickard.  For  it's  scenes  like  this  that  make  pugilism  a  finan- 
cial wow.  This  one's  from  M  G  M's  "Beau  Broadway,"  and  Hugh  Trevor  will 
be  pronounced  victor  as  soon  as  Jim  Jeffries  gets  through  counting.  The 
production  is  a  Cody-Pringle  vehicle  directed  by  Mai  St.  Clair.  Other  play- 
ers are  Sue  Carol,  Kit  Guard  and  Heinie  Conklin. 


wmwrnrnmBKlt* 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


i 


S 

s 


I 


Kennedy  Signs  Ideal  Films  Again  to 
Distribute  F  BO  in  Britain 

Two  Hundred  Theatres  in  Gaumont  British  Corporation,  Affiliated  with 
Ideal — Third  Year  of  Sales  Arrangement 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— F  B  O  product  will  be  distributed  in  the  United 
Kingdom  for  the  third  year  in  succession  by  Ideal  Films,  Ltd.,  of  Eng- 
land, as  a  result  of  negotiations  just  completed  by  Joseph  P.  Kennedy, 
president  of  F  B  O,  with  Simon  Rowson  of  Ideal  Films,  one  of  the  oldest  and 
leading  distributors  in  Great  Britain.  Ambrose  S.  Bowling,  manager  of  F  B  O 
Export  Corporation,  and  Sol  G.  Newman,  F  B  O  representative  in  London,  also 
were  factors  in  the  arrangement. 


IT  was  in  September,  1926,  that  Kennedy 
first  arranged  with  Ideal  to  handle  F  B  O 
product.  The  step  was  called  of  material 
significance  in  establishing  more  friendly  re- 
lations in  the  industry  between  America  and 
Britain.  Then  in  August,  1927,  F  B  O  distribu- 
tion by  Ideal  in  the  United  Kingdom  again 
was  arranged. 

200   Theatres   in   Circuit 

Importance  of  the  third  year  arrangement 
is  accentuated  by  the  fact  that  in  the  past 
two  years  the  number  of  theatres  under  the 
control  of  Gaumont  British  Corporation  with 
which  Ideal  is  affiliated,  has  risen  to  200.  First 
came  the  acquisition  of  the  Davis  group  of 
houses,  called  the  largest  circuit  in  Britain. 
Next  the  Denman  theatres  were  acquired,  and 
then  came  the  amalgamation  of  General  The- 
atres   and    British   Gaumont. 

The  200  houses  include  some  of  the  best  in 
England,  and  next  October  a  3,000-seat  the- 
atre is  to  be  opened  at  Croydon,  in  the  Davis 
chain. 

Big  Market,  Says  Rowson 

When  contracts  between  F  B  O  and  Ideal 
were  signed,  Simon  Rowson  cabled  Dowling: 

"The  F  B  O  product  has  met  and  is  meet- 
ing with  phenomenal  success  throughout  the 
United  Kingdom.  There  is  as  great  a  market 
in  England,  Ireland,  Scotland  and  Wales  for 
the  melodramas,  comedy  dramas,  westerns  and 
short  subjects  which  F  B  O  is  producing  as 
there  is  in  America. 

"The  trade  in  the  United  Kingdom  is  keenly 
aware  of  the  great  progress  that  F  B  O  has 
made  under  the  brilliant  leadership  of  Mr. 
Kennedy.  The  F  B  O  product  has  met  with 
such  phenomenal  success  in  the  United  King- 
dom during  our  two  years'  alliance  that  we  are 
looking  forward  to  an  even  more  successful 
season  than  we  have  had  in  the  past." 

Among  the  outstanding  successes  in  the 
United  Kingdom  this  year  have  been  "Not  for 
Publication,"  "Shanghaied"  and  "Clancy's 
Kosher  Wedding." 

The  campaign  for  the  distribution  of  the 
FBO  1928-29  product  marks  the  17th  birth- 
day celebration  of  Ideal,  which  controls  fifteen 


Colored  Medical  Films 
To  Supplant  Volumes? 

The  physician  or  surgeon  of  the 
future  will  have  a  library  of  colored 
motion  picture  films  instead  of  musty 
books.  Dr.  Franklin  H.  Martin  of 
Chicago  stated  on  his  arrival  in 
Paris  last  week  to  arrange  for  the 
filming  of  outstanding  operations, 
according  to  newspaper  dispatches 
from  the  French  capital. 

This  prediction  is  in  line  with  the 
arrangement  made  with  the  Ameri- 
can College  of  Surgeons  a  year  ago 
by  Will  Hays  and  the  motion  picture 
industry.  Dr.  Martin  is  director- 
general  and  president-elect  of  the 
surgeons'  association. 


exchanges.  The  management  of  Ideal,  which 
operates  independently,  is  under  the  control 
of  Simon  Rowson  and  Edward  R.  Russell. 
Simon  Rowson  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
the  Gaumont  British  Corporation. 


Good  Films  Will  Dominate 
Patron  Interest  Always, 
Sam  Sax  Tells  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Good  films  always 
will  dominate  the  interest  of  the  patrons  of 
motion  picture  theatres,  and  "there  never  will 
be  a  time  when  the  'all-talkie'  will  surpass  the 
silent  drama  at  the  box-office,"  Sam  Sax, 
president  of  Gotham,  declared  last  week  in 
candidly  admitting  that  such  steps  as  his  com- 
pany is  taking  in  regard  to  synchronizing  its 
pictures  are  merely  by  way  of  swinging  along 
with  the  present  tide. 

"On  all  sides  one  senses  the  sudden  halt  in 
business  initiative — both  production  and  exhi- 
bition— because  of  the  uncertainty  of  the  fu- 
ture silent  pictures  as  opposed  to  synchronized 
films,"  Sax  said.  "Apart  from  the  serious 
condition  this  inertia  is  leading  to  in  the  mar- 
keting of  pictures,  the  situation  is  the  most 
absurd  thing  in  the  world.  It  is  no  secret  that 
the  vast  majority  of  exhibitors  couldn't  have 
their  houses  wired  for  sound  installations  for 
almost  a  year,  even  if  these  were  ordered  to- 
morrow. 

"The  exact  position  of  sound  right  now  is 
that  it  is  something  that  may  possibly  be 
counted  on  as  a  universal  thing,  somewhere 
in  the  far  future.  For  the  present,  it  is  hav- 
ing its  phase  in  the  headlines  just  as  presenta- 
tions had  its  inning  about  two  years  ago.  It 
stands  to  reason  that  unless  the  present  de- 
mand for  screen  fare  is  attended  to,  there 
will  be  real  cause  for  tears  later,  regardless 
of  whether  'sound'  eventually  comes  to  stay 
or  not.     The  show  must  go  on." 


Coast  Exhibitors  Tie  Up 
To  Gotham  and  Excellent 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  7.— The  North- 
west Independent  Exhibitors  Association  an- 
nounces a  cooperative  arrangement  with 
Greater  Features  whereby  this  organization 
hereafter  will  distribute  Gotham  and  Excel- 
lent attractions  among  their  130  members  in 
the  Oregon  territory.  To  J-  J.  Fleming, 
Portland  secretary,  goes  considerable  credit 
for  growth  of  this  Northwest  organization. 


Dodge  Named  Manager  of 
United  Artists,  Cleveland 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CLEVELAND,  Aug.  7.— Harry  Dodge  is 
the  new  manager  of  United  Artists'  Cleveland 
exchange,  which  now  takes  in  Pittsburgh, 
Cleveland,  Detroit  and  Cincinnati.  Indian- 
apolis, formerly  with  Cleveland,  now  is  in 
I  he  Chicago  group  from  Omaha  and  Minne- 
apolis. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

PARAMOUNT — "Forgotten  Faces,"  a  Paramount 
film  with  Clive  Brook,  directed  by  Victor  Schertzinger. 

CAPITOL — "The  Mysterious  Lady,"  a  Metr9-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  production  starring  Greta  Garbo,  directed 
by  Fred  Niblo. 

RIVOLI— "The  Perfect  Crime,"  an  F  B  O  special 
with  Clive   Brook,   directed  by   Bert  Glennon. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "Shackleton:  A 
Tragedy  of  the  South  Pole,"  an  official  film  record 
of  the  English  explorer's  final  journey  into  the  Ant- 
arctic. 

HIPPODROME— "Powder  My  Back,"  starring 
Irene  Rich. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

STRAND — "Glorious  Betsy,"  with  Conrad  Nagel,  a 
Warner  Bros,  production  revived  for  another  week. 

RIALTO — "Loves  of  an  Actress,"  starring  Pola 
Negri,   revived  for  another  week. 

CAMEO — "A  Woman  of  Paris,"  starring  Adolphe 
Menjou;  also  "Caligari,"  revived  for  another  week. 

S5TH  STREET  PLAYHOUSE— "Berlin,  the  Sym- 
phony of  a  Big  City,"  revived  for  another  week. 

CRITERION — "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
12,  1927. 

EMBASSY — "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  opened 
May   17,    1928. 

WARNERS— "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse,"  Warner 
Brothers,  opened  June   15. 

GLOBE — "The  Red  Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25. 

ROXY — "Street  Angel,"  Fox,  revived  July  14. 

ASTOR — "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas," 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  opened  August  1. 

CENTRAI^-"Lilac  Time,"  First  National,  opened 
August    3. 


12  European  Producers 
Open  New  York  Offices 
To  Spur  Booking  in  U,  S. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Affiliated  European 
Producers,  Inc.,  is  the  name  of  a  combine 
including  twelve  Continental  organizations 
which  has  established  temporary  offices  at  729 
Seventh  avenue,  with  the  aim  of  making  spe- 
cial eff^orts  to  place  the  best  European  pictures 
in  American  theatres. 

M.  J.  Gourland  is  direct  representative  of 
the  producers.  Associated  with  him  is  Irvin 
Shapiro,  Bernard  Sholtz  will  be  general  sales 
manager.  Permanent  American  offices  will  be 
opened  in  the  fall  and  German  and  French 
producers  will  be  here  to  formulate  a  cam- 
paign. 

The  first  release  will  be  "Alraune,"  which 
will  carry  the  title  "Unholy  Love"  in  its 
American  distribution. 


Skouras  Books  Fox  Solid 
Into  32  St,  Louis  Houses 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  7.— Fox  product  for  1928- 
29  has  been  booked  100  per  cent  into  the 
32  thePlres  of  Skouras  Brothers  and  Harry 
Koplar.  James  R.  Grainger,  general  sales 
manager,  completed  the  deal  while  here. 


Switow  Back  on  Job 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOUISVILLE,  Aug.  7.— Michael  Switow, 
of  the  Switow  Theatrical  Enterprises,  operat- 
ing a  string  of  theatres  in  Kentucky  and 
Southern  Indiana,  has  recovered  from  a  nerv- 
ous breakdown,  and  is  back  on  the  job  again. 


Making  Trinity  Serial 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.   7.— Harrv  Ravier  is 
directing  a  ten-episode  serial  for  Trinity  Pic- 
tures, taken  from  a  Cecil  Burtis-Hill  original, 
"Sailors   of   the    Seven   Seas." 


Alberta   Vaughn   Wins 

COPENHAGEN.— The  Cinema  Qub  of  Copenhagen 
has  chosen  Alberta  Vaughn  of  FBO  as  its  favorite 
American   star. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


?9. 


What  About  Critics? 

We  hear  a  lot  of  hullabaloo  these 
days  about  the  poor  actors  and  directors 
being  out  of  luck  with  the  advent  of 
the  "talkies,"  but  what  about  the  mo- 
tion picture  critic?  We  all  know  that 
many  of  them  write  none  too  intelli- 
gently about  the  silent  drama,  and  now 
that  the  "talkies"  are  gaining  in  impor- 
tance and  numbers  will  they  be  able  to 
hold  their  jobs? 

The  question,  though  of  no  great  im- 
portance to  the  industry,  is  worth  a 
bit  of  idle  speculation.  Will  the  film 
critic  have  to  give  way  to  a  new  type 
of  critic,  who  has  a  knowledge  of 
voice  as  well  as  pantomime?  Perhaps 
an  entirely  new  school  of  film  criticism 
will  be  evolved.  It  is  possible  that  the 
dramatic  critics  of  the  legitimate  stage 
will  be  drafted  to  "talkie"  criticism. 
But  what  a  blow  that  would  be  to  these 
boys.  They  have  always  looked  down 
from  a  great  height  upon  the  moving 
picture  as  the  lowest  form  of  art.  Well, 
we  shall  see. — Whit. 


A I  Jolson    Signs 

Long  Term  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Al  Jolson  has 
signed  a  long  term  contract  to  star  in  Vita- 
phone  productions  for  Warner  Brothers.  His 
contract  with  Warner  Brothers,  now  provides 
for  his  remaining  in  pictures  permanently. 
According  to  Jolson's  new  arrangement  with 
Warner  Brothers,  he  will  not  give  up  the 
stage  but  will  make  trips  to  the  studio  in 
Hollywood  at  specified  intervals  in  order  to 
assure  a  consistent  output  of  his  productions. 


Riiz  in  Macon  to 

Use  W.  E.  System 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MACON,  GA.,  Aug.  7.— The  Ri:-z  theatre 
is  to  be  equipped  with  Western  Electric  sys- 
tem of  sound.  Installation  will  be  completed 
before  the  end  of  the  month.  The  equipment 
includes  not  only  the  synchronous  devices  but 
the  double  turn-table  for  non-synchronous 
sound  devices.  It  is  expected  that  the  first 
presentations  will  be  non-synchronous.  The 
Ritz  is  operated  by  United  Theatre  Enter- 
prises, headed  by  Arthur  Lucas  and  William 
K.  Kenjins,  both  of  Atlanta. 


Alice  Day  Is  Cast  in 

Denny's  First  Talking  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Alice  Day  has 
been  selected  for  an  important  role  in  "Red 
Hot  Speed,"  Reginald  Denny's  first  talking 
picture  for  Universal.  Several  others  also 
have  been  added  to  the  cast,  including  Thomas 
Ricketts,  Charles  Byer,  Fritzie  Ridgway  and 
Burr  Mcintosh. 


FBO  Completes  First  "Talkie 

Now  Synchronizing  Five  Others 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— FBO  has  completed  its  first  talking  picture,  "The 
Perfect  Crime,"  and  is  now  at  work  synchronizing  five  other  specials  which  will 
contain  synchronized  music,  sound  effects  and  dialogue.  They  are  "Hit  of  the 
Show,"  "Gang  War,"  "Blockade,"  "The  Circus  Kid"  and  "Taxi  13."  These  six  pic- 
tures may  be  run  on  either  the  Photophone  or  Movietone  systems,  it  is  said. 
"The     Perfect     Crime"     has     already    been       dialogue     sequences     together     with     mystery 


given  a  two  weeks'  test  engagement  at  the 
United  Artists  theatre,  Detroit,  and  opened 
at  the  United  Artists  Publix  Rivoli  theatre 
in  New  York  August  4  for  a  week's  run  and 
opened  simultaneously  at  the  Rivoli  in  Balti- 
more. The  picture  contains  an  entire  court 
room  scene  in  dialogue  giving  the  attack  of 
the  prosecuting  attorney,  the  defense  of  his 
rival,  the  plea  of  a  condemned  boy  and  other 


sound   eft'ects. 

"The  Perfect  Crime"  was  written  by 
William  LeBaron  and  is  based  on  Israel 
Zangwill's  story,  "The  Big  Bow  Mystery." 
Clive  Brook  and  Irene  Rich  head  the  cast 
which  includes  Tully  Marshall,  Edmund 
Breese  and  Gladys  McConnell.  The  produc- 
tion  was   directed   by    Bert  Glennon. 


Pathe  News^  Features  to  Have 
Sound; Dialogue  in  "Godless  GirV^ 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — Two  RCA  Photophone  sound  recording  equipments 
have  been  shipped  by  the  General  Electric  Company  to  the  Pathe  studios  at 
Culver  City,  and  accompanying  the  equipment  is  a  staff  of  engineers.  Immedi- 
ately upon  arrival  work  will  be  started  retaking  some  scenes  with  talk  in  Cecil 
DeMille's  special,  "The  Godless  Girl." 


This  is  in  line  with  Pathe's  plans  for  pro- 
ducing a  large  portion  of  its  entire  1928-29 
product  in  sound.  Already  work  has  been 
begun  for  applying  sound  to  Pathe  News.  Ray 
Hall,  editor  of  the  News,  has  been  working 
for  weeks  on  the  details  of  an  organization 
that  will  apply  sound  effects  to  the  Pathe 
News. 

Every    department    of    production,    features 


24-Sheets  Sing  Mammy 
Songs!  Well,  Why  Not? 

The  following  note  comes  from 
Dave  Bader,  accessory  sales  man- 
ager of  Universal,  and  it  shows  that 
among  other  things  Dave  has  a  sense 
of  humor.  And  after  all  perhaps 
Dave  is  right  at  that! 

"Now  that  the  industry  is  wild 
over  synchronization,  I  am  expecting 
any  day  that  we  accessory  guys  will 
have  to  start  worrying  about  SYN- 
CHRONIZED  ACCESSORIES. 
Photos  may  soon  have  to  talk,  pos- 
ters may  soon  sing,  and  heralds 
chant.  Banners  may  have  to  croon 
mammy  songs. 

"If  so,  the  poor  24-sheet  will  have 
to  be  a  100  piece  symphony  orches- 
tra or  it  won't  attract  a  bit  of  atten- 
tion! Ye  Gods!  This  is  a  'sound' 
business  anyway,  so  why  be  'silent' 
about  it?" 


as  well  as  shorts,  has  been  actively  engaged 
for  months  developing  plans  and  perfecting 
methods  for  the  application  of  sound,  it  is 
said. 

Features  on  which  musical  synchronization 
is  either  under  way  or  else  set  for  early  ap- 
plication include  the  following:  "Show  Folks," 
"The  Spieler,"  "Ned  McCobb's  Daughter," 
"Annapolis,"  "N  o  i  s  y  Neighbors,"  "T  h  e 
Leatherneck,"  "Square  Shoulders,"  and 
"Listen  Baby."  "The  King  of  Kings"  has  al- 
ready been  synchronized  with  Photophone. 


Second  "All-Talkie'' 
Opens  August   15 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— "The  Terror,"  the 
second  all  talking  picture  produced  by  War- 
ner Bros.,  will  have  its  world  premiere  at  the 
Warner  theatre  here,  Wednesday,  August  15. 
The  production  represents  a  definite  step  for- 
ward in  the  progress  of  talking  films  by  being 
the  first  picture  in  which  titles  of  every  kind 
are  eliminated,  it  is  claimed. 

Although  "Lights  of  New  York,"  Warner 
Brothers  first  all  talking  picture,  contained 
dialogue  spoken  by  every  character,  never- 
theless there  were  introductory  and  explana- 
tory titles.  In  "The  Terror,"  however,  even 
the  name  of  the  picture,  the  production  credits 
and  the  cast  of  character  will  be  conveyed 
through  Vitaphone  and  not  a  printed  word 
will  be  seen  from  start  to  finish,  according 
to  the  company. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


n 


s 

k 


S: 


Universal  Plans  Expenditure  of 
$1^230^000  on  Sound  Buildings 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7. — Carl  Laemmle  has  authorized  the  expenditure  of 
$1,250,000  for  the  construction  of  four  sound-proof  stage  units  in  Universal  City 
and  laboratories  and  studios  at  Fort  Lee  in  New  Jersey  for  the  production  of 
Universal  synchronized  pictures.  Construction  is  already  under  way  on  Univer- 
sal's  first  sound-stage  unit  at  Universal  City. 
Universal  has  already  synchronized   two  of       they   must   be    well    conceived,    well    directed, 

well  enacted  and  well  photographed.  All  the 
music,  or  sound  or  talking  in  the  world  will 
not  take  the  place  of  the  four  cardinal  prin- 
ciples of  the  motion  picture — story — direction 
— action — photography." 


its  specials  for  the  coming  season — "Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin"  and  "The  Man  Who  Laughs," 
using  the  Movietone  system.  Synchronization 
Laughs"  was  also  synchronized  with  an  aug- 
mented New  York  Symphony  Orchestra  and 
the  Dixie  Jubilee  singers.  "The  Man  Who 
Laughs"  was  also  synchronzed  with  an  aug- 
mented New  York  Symphony  Orchestra  and 
Emo  R  apee's  lyric,  "When  Love  Comes  Steal- 
ing In,"  has  been  used  as  the  theme  song. 

Laemmle    Issues    Warning 

"Talking  pictures  will  be  permanently  suc- 
cessful only  when  an  entirely  new  technique 
is  utilized  in  their  production,"  says  Carl 
Laemmle.  "There  is  a  novelty,  it  is  true  about 
hearing  the  human  voice  on  the  screen,  which 
is  a  distinctly  box-office  draw  at  this  moment, 
but  as  soon  as  the  novelty  of  this  phenomenon 
has  worn  off  and  audiences  have  become  ac- 
customed to  hearing  the  characters  talk,  they 
will  no  longer  overlook  the  crudities  of  the 
technique  of  what  is  commonly  called  the  talk- 
ing picture  of  today." 

In  line  with  this,  Laemmle  has  issued 
a  warning  to  all  production  forces  in  regard 
to  the  company's  production  of  silent  pic- 
tures.    It   reads    as    follows: 

"The  company  has  formulated  definite  plans 
for  a  careful  and  well  regulated  sound  picture 
schedule.  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  and  "The 
Man  Who  Laughs"  already  have  been  syn- 
chronized. The  results  are  marvelous.  Our 
Sound  and  Talking  Picture  activities  are  be- 
ing handled  by  experts.  "Red  Hot  Speed," 
"The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Atlantic  City," 
"Show  Boat,"  "The  Last  Warning,"  "Broad- 
way," "The  Girl  on  the  Barge"  and  many 
others  are  being  or  will  be  made  with  sound 
or  synchronized. 

Has  Already  Completed  35 

"But  all  of  our  pictures  will  be  released  to 

thousands  of  theatres  unequipped  for  sound. 
No  Universal  picture  must  depend  upon  the 
novelty  of  sound  and  dialogue  to  get  by. 
Each  picture  must  stand  on  its  own  feet  as 
excellent   entertainment. 

"Universal  is  fortunate  in  that  35  of  the 
promised  67  features  for  1928-1929  are  already 
completed.  They  are  outstanding  pictures, 
every  one  of  them.  We  must  make  sure  that 
the   remainder  are  of  the   same  high   quality. 

"This  warning  is  addressed  to  You,  Mr. 
Scenario-man,  and  to  You,  Mr.  Director,  and 
to  You,  Mr.  Camerman,  and  to  You  and  You 
and  You,  whatever  your  job  is.  With  or  with- 
out sound  and  talking,  Universal  pictures  must 
have  good   stories  with   suspense   and   appeal. 


RCA  President  Says 
Sound  Pictures  Are 
Now  Interchangeable 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— David  Samoff, 
president  of  R  C  A  Photophone,  Inc.,  stated  to- 
day that  complete  interchangeability  of  sound 
picture  films  made  by  Movietone  and  Phono- 
phone  processes  have  been  achieved.  Mr. 
Sarnoflf's    statement    was    as    follows: 

"As  a  convenience  to  exhibitors  and  with 
a  view  of  obtaining  complete  interchangeabil- 
ity of  sound  films  made  by  the  Movietone  and 
the  Photophone  processes,  RCA  Photophone 
has  now  adopted  a  sound  track  800  mills  in 
width,  but  which  retains  the  Photophone 
method  of  recording.  Tests  made  in  studio 
and  theatre  with  a  variety  of  sound  motion 
picture  subjects  prove  conclusively  that  Pho- 
tophone films  not  only  play  interchangeably  on 
Movietone  projectors  but  also  give  normal 
and  satisfactory  speech  and  musical  quality 
perfectly  synchronized.  The  80-mill  Photo- 
phone sound  track  requires  no  modification 
whatever  of  the  Movietone  sound  projector; 
neither  is  the  operating  procedure  of  Movie- 
tone changed  in  any  way. 

"I  know  of  no  reason,  technical  or  other- 
wise, why  sound  films  recorded  by  the  Photo- 
phone process  cannot  be  satisfactorily  played 
on  either  Photophone  or  Movietone  machines 
installed  in  theatres.  Also,  the  Photophone 
company  has  no  objection  to  sound  films  re- 
corded by  the  Movietone  process  being  played 
on  Photophone  machines  installed  in  theatres." 


Gloria  Selects  Byron  for 

Part  in  First  Sound  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Walter  Byron 
has  been  selected  by  Gloria  Swanson  as  her 
leading  man  in  her  first  synchronized  motion 
picture,  "The  Swamp,"  to  be  released  by 
United  Artists.  Byron,  an  English  actor,  is 
said  to  have  had  considerable  stage  experi- 
ence. The  picture  will  have  sound  effects  and 
dialogue  sequences. 


Herald'  World  Makes  Survey  of 
Status  of  Sound  Film  Market 

How  great  will  be  the  demands  for  sound  pictures  during  the  coming  season?  To  deter- 
mine this.  Exhibitors  HeraldrW orld  for  the  past  few  weeks  has  conducted  a  nation-wide 
survey  among  chain  theatres.  The  results  of  this  survey  will  be  published  in  the  August  18 
issue.  This  survey  has  brought  forth  the  opinions  on  sound  pictures  from  the  directors  of 
many  of  the  country's  largest  and  smallest  theatre  chains.  The  results  of  the  survey  will  be 
of  interest  to  every  person  in  the  industry.  Watch  for  it  in  the  August  18  issue  of  Exhibitors 
Herald-World. 


Stagers  Film  Plans 
Clash  With  Equity, 
Adding  to  Tangle 

(Contniued  from  page  19) 

the  opinion  that  existing  copyright  laws  are 
inadequate  to  meet  the  present  situation.  Miss 
Louise  Sillcox,  executive  secretary  of  the 
Authors  League  of  America,  was  free  to  pre- 
dict a  war. 

In  this  connection  it  might  be  noted  that 
the  Authors  League  has  drawn  up  a  new  con- 
tract for  the  transference  of  talking  rights. 
Under  this  new  contract  talking  rights  have 
already  been  acquired  to  three  Broadway  suc- 
cesses. Universal  has  obtained  the  synchro- 
nism rights  to  "Broadway,"  having  previously 
purchased  the  film  rights.  Warner  Brothers 
have  acquired  talking,  in  addition  to  screen 
rights,  to  "The  Desert  Song,"  and  United 
Artists  has  safeguarded  "Nightstick."  The 
new  contract  permits  the  change  of  dialogue 
with  the  approval  of  the  author.  It  pro- 
vides a  50-50  split  between  producers  and 
authors. 

Plans   Still   Tentative 

Obviously,  the  plan  still  needs  to  be  worked 
out.  The  Shuberts,  Woods  and  Brady  have 
evolved  an  elaborate  scheme,  but  it  is  still  in 
the  experimental  stage.  For  instance,  what 
are  they  going  to  do  about  the  screen  rights 
to  their  plays,  which  sometimes  are  quite  valu- 
able. Are  these  to  be  thrown  away  in  ex- 
change for  the  chance  to  make  their  own? 

Incidentally,  as  announced  last  week,  there 
will  be  associated  with  the  Shuberts,  Woods 
and  Brady  several  other  wellknown  producers 
whose  names,  for  the  present,  are  withheld. 
The  new  organization  has  a  working  agree- 
ment with  several  authors,  so  that  when  the 
new  program  goes  into  production,  it  is  likely 
that  subjects  not  seen  on  the  stage  will  be 
screened  and  recorded  by  Vocafilm.  There 
will,  necessarily,  be  a  large  producing  and 
technical  staff,  details  of  which  are  to  be 
announced.  Negotiations  are  underway  for 
an  arrangement  with  one  of  the  first  line  dis- 
tributing corporations.  In  the  deal,  Vocafilm 
Corporation  was  represented  by  David  R. 
Hochreich,  president.  Hochreich  will  remain 
in  this  capacity. 

Stage  Productions  Listed  , 

Among  Woods  productions  on  his  schedule 
for  the  coming  season,  which  are  to  be  so 
treated,  are :  "Jealousy,"  starring  Fay  Bainter 
and  Glenn  Hunter,  Florence  Reed  in  "The 
Legacy,"  the  new  Shipman-Hymer  play. 
"Fast  Life,"  "A  Man  With  Red  Hair,"  "Scot- 
land Yard,"  "The  Great  Jewel  Robbery"  and 
"The  Censor's  Holiday."  Other  Woods  pro- 
ductions to  be  screened  are :  Florence  Reed 
in  "The  Shanghai  Gesture,"  "Crime,"  "Ann 
Harding  in  "Stolen  Fruit"  and  the  Potash 
and  Perlmutter  series. 

All  of  Brady's  impending  plays  are  included 
in  the  program,  such  as  "Camera"  and  Grace 
George  in  "Divorce  a  la  Mode,"  and  in  all 
probability,  those  of  Brady  and  Wiman. 

The  Shuberts,  producers  of  both  dramas 
and  musical  works,  will  present  all  their  forth- 
coming productions  on  the  screen.  These  in- 
clude the  two  Willard  Mack  plays  "Gang 
War"  and  "Paid  Off,"  the  Marcin-Shipman 
play  "Trapped,"  "Big  Pond"  in  association 
with  E.  H.  Knopf  and  W.  Farnsworth  and 
"Congratulations,"  the  Stanley  Weyman  oper- 
etta, "The  Red  Robe,"  "Chopin,"  the  operetta 
based  on  the  life  and  music  of  the  composer 
of  this  name,  "A  Good  Fellow,"  a  musical  play 
from  the  French,  the  new  Kalman  operetta 
now  running  in  Vienna  entitled  "The  Duchess 
of  Chicago,"  and  numerous  others  that  have 
not  yet  been  announced  for  stage  production. 
"My  Maryland,"  "Countess  Maritza,"  "Lovely 
Lady"  and  "The  Silent  House"  are  also  in- 
cluded. 


L 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTLTRE  WORLD 


33 


7  Detroit  Houses 
Soon  to  Be  Ready 
For  Sound  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  7.— This  talk  about  syn- 
chronization of  pictures  is  no  idle  talk  here. 
One  by  one,  the  larger  houses  are  having 
their  auditoriums  wired  for  the  different 
devices  so  that  they  can  present  talking  pic- 
tures whenever  they  desire.  Technicians  have 
arrived  here  from  New  York  to  adapt  the 
Michigan  theatre  for  the  new  medium. 

Work  is  progress'ing  rapidly  at  the  house, 
and  is  expected  to  be  completed  in  about  two 
weeks.  Both  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  will 
be  provided,  and  a  novelty  is  to  be  introduced 
in  the  form  of  a  device  which  will  allow  for 
the  presentation  of  voice  without  film  accom- 
paniment. 

Installation  of  sound  devices  already  has 
been  accomplished  at  the  United  Artists  the- 
atre, but  no  talking  films  have  been  shown  as 
yet.  It  is  expected  that  "Two  Lovers," 
adapted  from  the  novel  "Leatherface,"  will  be 
the  first  offering.  This  film  was  scheduled  for 
showing  at  the  United  Artists  some  time  pre- 
viously, but  was  recalled  from  the  market  so 
that  the  producers  could  incorporate  sound,  it 
is  said.  The  Hollywood  theatre,  one  of  the 
largest  of  neighborhood  houses  here,  already 
is  wired  and  waiting  for  a  new  battery  of 
projection  machines.  When  the  Fox  theatre 
opens  wide  its  portals  early  this  fall,  audiences 
wil  find  a  complete  set  of  talking  devices  in 
operation.  As  the  Capitol,  Madison  and  State 
are  already  wired  and  presenting  talking  at- 
tractions, it  won't  be  long  before  the  majority 
of  picture  goers  here  will  be  confronted  with 
sound  pictures  on  every  side. 


LeBaron  Goes  East 

to  Confer  on  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

"HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— William  Le 
Baron,  vice-president  of  FBO  Pictures  Cor- 
poration in  charge  of  production,  is  on  his 
way  to  New  York  for  a  series  of  conferences 
with  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  president  of  FBO, 
and  J.  I.  Schnitzer,  senior  vice-president,  on 
talking  pictures.  He  will  remain  for  several 
weeks,  mapping  out  a  production  campaign 
for  the  "talkies."  While  in  New  York,  Le 
Baron  will  search  for  suitable  talent  for  the 
talkies. 


Serve  Refreshments 
to  Theatre  Standies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Los  Angeles  as 
well  as  Hollywood  is  talking  about  the  novel 
stroke  of  showmanship  recently  applied  by 
Warner  Brothers  theatre  in  Hollywood  to 
make  its  patrons  comfortable.  Cold  drinks 
and  sandwiches  are  now  served  at  regular 
intervals  to  standers  on  the  sidewalk  waiting 
to  buy  tickets  at  the  box-ofhce. 

To  contribute  to  the  comfort  of  its  guests 
until  they  can  gain  admission,  the  theatre  now 
has  a  special  detachment  of  employees  to 
serve  them  refreshments  free  of  charge. 


F  IS  Has  24  Page  Press 

Sheet  on  ^'Lilac  Time" 

First  National  has  produced  a  24  page  press 
sheet  for  the  Colleen  Moore  special,  "Lilac 
Time,"  which  opened  August  3  in  New  York 
at  the  Central  theatre.  It  is  said  to  be  one 
of  the  biggest  press  sheets  ever  put  out  by 
First  National. 


Back  in  1923 

4TT  Back  in  1923  Dr.  Lee  De  Forest  introduced  his  system  of  sound  pictures. 
jj  But  the  country  then  was  not  ready  for  his  invention.  De  Forest  tried  in 
vain  to  interest  capitalists  in  his  Phonofilni.  Many  considered  him  as  "a 
voice  crying  in  the  ivilderness."  Today,  just  five  years  later,  his  prophesies 
have  come  true.  The  following  article  presents  interestingly  De  Forest's  views 
on  synchronized  pictures  today. 


By  PETER  VISCHER 

DR.  LEE  DE  FOREST,  pioneer  in  the  field  of  synchronized  and  talking  pic- 
tures, has  been  observing  the  film  industry's  keen  interest  in  sound  repro- 
duction with  mixed  feelings.  He  took  occasion  here  today  to  point  to 
an  address  he  delivered  on  sound  films  back  in  1923,  when  his  Phonofilm  made 
its  first  appearance. 

the  standard  projection  machines  is  very  sim- 
ple and  at  the  same  time  effective  and  does 
not  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  screening 
of  silent  pictures.  The  amplifying  equipment 
is  contained  in  one  small  steel  cabinet,  taking 
up  very  little  space  in  the  booth  and  gives 
ample  volume  with  clarity  of  tone  to  fill  the 
largest  theatre  so  that  the  audience  can  hear 
equally  well  in  every  part  of  the  house.  Abso- 
lutely no  batteries,  storage  or  dry,  are  em- 
ployed." 

The  litigation  between  Mr.  De  Forest  and 
the  Fox-Case  Corporation,  which  was  resumed 
last  month,  will  not  come  up  again  until  the 
fall.  Latest  reports  here  have  it  that  De 
Forest  will  soon  begin  to  make  a  new  series 
of  Phonofilm  feature  pictures,  utilizing  the 
old  studios  on  48th  street  here. 


De  Fores't  had  been  reading  various  opti- 
mistic interviews  with  film  leaders  on  the 
possibilities  in  sound  pictures.  He  noted  one 
after  another  who  saw  a  great  future  in  syn- 
chronization. 

"Five  years  ago,"  he  commented,  "my  opin- 
ions on  the  vast  possibilities  in  sound  pictures; 
met  a  very  skeptical  reception.  In  fact  it  has 
only  been  in  the  six  months  just  passed  that 
anyone,  save  only  the  Warner  Brothers  and 
William  Fox,  has  had  much  confidence  in  the 
future   of   sound  pictures. 

Prophesies  Come  True 

"It  is  naturally  a  source  of  satisfaction  to 
me  in  re-reading  the  skeptical  statements 
made  five  years  ago  to  realize  that  what  is  now 
the  conviction  of  the  leaders  of  the  film  in- 
dustry was  voiced  by  W.  E.  Waddell  and  by 
myself  at  that  early  date.  The  amount  to 
which  sound  effects  could  be  successfully  ap- 
plied to  otherwise  silent  pictures  was,  I  am 
sure  you  will  admit,  rather  carefully  pointed 
out  at  that  time,  as  confirmed  by  the  present 
success  of  such  pictures  as  'The  Jazz  Singer,' 
'Glorious   Betsy,'   and   others. 

"The  great  pity  of  it  all  is  that  there  is  an- 
other instance  (not  by  any  means  limited  to 
Phonofilm,  for  the  same  thing  held  in  radio 
broadcast)  when  a  pioneer  who  was  consid- 
ered as  that  time  merely  'A  voice  crying  in 
the  wilderness'  should  have  ultimately  to  look 
to  the  federal  courts  to  protect  his  inventions. 
Protection  against  gigantic  aggregations  of 
capital  which  he  had  vainly  sought  to  inter- 
est at  a  time  when  his  opinions  on  the  future 
of  talking  pictures  were  regarded  with  entire 
skepticism  or  indifference  by  the  men  who  are 
now  seeking  to  benefit  most  from  those  early 
inventions. 

"In  my  scrap-book  I  still  cherish  a  very  in- 
teresting opinion  vented  by  no  less  an  author- 
ity than  Quinn  Martin  in  1924:  'Talking 
pictures,  it  is  said,  have  been  perfected — so  is 
Castor  Oil !'  I  underscored  this  quotation  at 
the  time  with  the  remark  that  I  hoped  Mr. 
Martin  would  live  long  enough  to  take  large 
doses  of  this  same  castor  oil.  I  believe  he  is 
thriving  on  it  now! 

Phonofilm  is  Interchangeable 

"Phonofilm  is  the  original  method  of  re- 
cording and  reproducing  picture  and  sound 
on  the  same  film  and  thus  securing  perfect 
synchronization  together  with,  as  the  Phono- 
film is  now  constructed,  perfect  reproduction 
of  sound  and  naturalness  of  tone.  The  sound 
equipment  is  designed  to  also  synchronize 
films  now  being  made  by  the  leading  pro- 
ducers, i.  e.,  Photophone  and  Movietone,  as 
well  as  Phonofilm. 

"The  Phonofilm  is  the  only  method  of  sound 
pictures  that  comes  within  the  means  of  the 
average  theatre  owner  to  install — the  original 
cost  of  the  equipment  being  very  much  less 
than  that  demanded  by  the  makers  of  other 
systems,  in  fact,  one-half  to  one-third  as  much. 

"The  Phonofilm  attachment  as  installed  on 


"Lights  of  New  York'' 
Jams  Albany  House 
In  Hottest  Weather 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  7.— With  the  mercury 
standing  in  the  nineties,  the  talking  picture 
"Lights  of  New  York,"  the  first  100  per  cent 
"talkie"  to  be  shown  in  Albany,  demonstrated 
its  power  of  attracting  the  crowds  last  vv^eek 
at  the  Mark  Strand  theatre,  and  caused  more 
than  one  theatre  owner  in  the  Albany  district 
to  give  serious  consideration  to  what  this  type 
of  picture  will  mean  to  the  theatre  in  the  near 
future. 

The  weather  in  Albany  last  week  was  of 
the  sort  that  would  ordinarily  have  left  any 
motion  picture  theatre  high  and  dry  for  busi- 
ness. But  at  the  Mark  Strand  there  were 
crowds  standing  nightly  that  not  only  jammed 
the  lobby  but  extended  a  block  or  so  into  the 
street.  It  was  the  greatest  demonstration  of 
the  drawing  power  of  the  talking  picture  that 
could  possibly  have  been  given  in  Albany. 
The  matinees  were  also  very  heavy. 

Theatre  owners  in  Albany  and  Troy  are 
at  their  wits'  ends  these  days,  not  knowing 
what  to  do  in  connection  with  the  fall  and 
winter  season.  Practically  every  theatre 
owner  is  considering  the  advisability  of  in- 
stalling the  necessary  apparatus  that  will  per- 
mit him  to  show  talking  pictures. 


Work  Begins  on  Blue's 

First  Talking  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Monte  Blue's 
first  talking  picture,  "Conquest,"  has  gone  into 
production.  The  initial  scenes  were  filmed 
this  week  under  the  direction  of  Michael  Cur- 
tiz  with  H.  B.  Warner  and  Lois  Wilson  play- 
ing chief  support  to  the  star.  This  Vitaphone 
Road  Show  concerns  itself  with  a  drama  of 
Arctic  adventure. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


I 


I 


I 


Paramount  Begins  New  Season; 

To  Synchronize  40  to  50  of  72 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7. — August  11  marks  the  beginning  of  a  season  for  Para- 
mount that  in  many  respects  is  the  greatest  and  most  unusual  in  the  long  history 
of  this  organization.  During  this  season  72  feature  pictures  wOl  be  made,  from 
40  to  50  of  which  will  be  synchronized  with  sound  and  in  some  instances  dialogue 
effects. 

possibilities  are  unlimited.  An  entire  new 
group  of  actors  can  now  come  to  the  screen. 
The  old  favorites  can  come  back,  with  the 
added  attraction  of  their  long  silenced  voices. 
Plays  that  never  lent  themselves  to  screening 
can  now  be  filmed  with  the  aid  of  spoken 
dialogue. 

"While  talking  pictures  are  arousing  public 
enthusiasm,  the  non-talking  pictures  must  be 
improved  to  withstand  that  competition.  So 
producers  who  do  not  concentrate  on  the 
'talking  screen'  will  bend  every  effort  to  create 
silent  drama  of  higher  merit  than  ever  before. 
In  my  20  years  in  this  business,  I  have  never 
seen  such  enthusiasm  on  the  part  of  the  pro- 
ducer. He  feels  that  a  big,  new  development 
is  dawning  in  the  film  industry,  or  art,  or 
whatever  you  want  to  call  it.  For  all  these 
reasons,  I  feel  we  can  honestly  predict  a  really 
greater  movie  season." 


At  the  present  time  nine  productions  are 
being  filmed  at  the  Paramount  studios  in 
HollyAvood,  several  others  are  scheduled  to 
start  within  the  next  few  days  and  six  more 
are  being  edited,  titled  and  made  ready  for 
release. 

Two  productions  began  this  week,  both  of 
which  will  have  sound  effects.  They  are  Emil 
Jannings'  "Sins  of  the  Fathers,"  and  the 
Richard  Arlen-Nancy  Carroll  picture,  a  story 
of  backstage  happenings,  directed  by  Dorothy 
Arzner,  one  of  the  two  women  directors  in 
pictures. 

Seven  units  have  been  at  work  during  the 
past  month.  Five  of  these  productions  are 
being  synchronized  with  sound.  They  are 
"The  Docks  of  New  York,"  "Moran  of  the 
Marines,"  "Interference,"  "The  Fleet's  In"  and 
Varsity."  Dialogue  sequences  will  also  be 
heard  in  "Interference"  and  "Varsity."  The 
other  two  productions  are  "The  First  Kiss," 
and  "Take  Me  Home,"  starring  Bebe  Daniels. 

The  Christie  studios  are  at  work  on  the 
Douglas  MacLean  feature,  as  well  as  several 
two-reel  fun  subjects,  all  of  which  will  have 
sound  effects.  Harold  Lloyd  is  selecting  a 
story  for  his  next  vehicle.  Thomas  Meighan 
recently  completed  "The  Mating  Call,"  to  be 
released  by  Paramount  and  to  follow  "The 
Racket." 

Chief  among  the  productions  in  the  studio 
cutting  rooms  are  "Just  Married,"  from  Anne 
Nichols'  farce,  co-starring  Ruth  Taylor  and 
James  Hall ;  "Beggars  of  Life,"  the  hobo 
story  with  Wallace  Beery ;  and  the  part  Tech- 
nicolor Zane  Grey  production,  "The  Water 
Hole,"  with  Jack  Holt  and  Nancy  Carroll. 
"Just  Married"  and  "Beggars  of  Life"  are 
being  synchronized  with  sound  effects,  as  are 
also  "The  Patriot,"  the  Ernst  Lubitsch  pro- 
duction starring  Emil  Jannings ;  Erich  von 
Stroheim's  "The  Wedding  March,"  with  Fay 
Wray;  and  Esther  Ralston's  "Sawdust  Para- 
dise." 


Warners  to  Open 

Sound  Sales  Abroad 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Herman  Starr, 
Warner  Brothers  executive,  sails  for  Europe 
on  the  Olympic  tomorrow  for  his  semi-annual 
trip  abroad  in  the  interests  of  Warner's  for- 
eign distribution.  His  itinerary  will  include 
London,  Paris  and  Berlin,  and  in  each  of 
these  cities  he  will  inaugurate  the  sales  drives 
on  Warner  Brothers  new  program  of  talking 
pictures. 


Talking  Films  Bring 
More  Progress  in 
Year,  Says  Trendle 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  7. — This  year  will  see  the 
most  interesting  progress  in  screen  entertain- 
ment ever  recorded  in  any  single  year  in  the 
last  20  years,  in  the  opinion  of  George  W. 
Trendle,  vice-president  of  the  John  H.  Kun- 
sky  Theatrical  Enterprises,  Inc. 

Trendle's  prediction  was  made  in  launching 
Detroit's  annual  "Greater  Movie  Season,"  sig- 
nahzing  the  opening  of  the  1928-29  season. 
When  the  motion  picture  came  into  existence 
it  was  scoffed  at  as  a  novelty  that  would  soon 
die  away,"  Trendle  said.  "But  as  the  years 
passed,  there  were  constant  improvements  and 
each  development  served  to  give  longevity  to 
the  so-called  'fad'  of  picture-going.  Pictures 
became  more  lavish,  actors  more  proficient, 
the  public  support  grew,  making  possible  more 
elaborate  expenditures  to  make  better  pic- 
tures. In  our  opinion  the  screen  has  reached 
a  new  milestone  and  the  coming  year  will  see 
innovations  and  improvements. 

"Chief  of  these  innovations  is  the  talking 
picture.  It  is  truly  in  its  infancy,  but  each 
talking    picture    shows    improvement    and    the 


In  Two  "Talkies,"  But 
Fifteen  Years  Apart 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Arthur 
Housman,  a  member  of  the  support- 
ing cast  of  Warner  Brothers  Vita- 
phone  production,  "The  Singing 
Fool,"  claims  the  distinction  of  hav- 
ing had  his  voice  registered  for  the 
first  talking  picture  ever  made, 
filmed  15  years  ago  in  New  York  by 
the  old  Edison  company.  The  short 
reel  showed  a  minstrel  troupe  in  ac- 
tion, with  Housman  as  the  interlocu- 
tor. 


Sparks  Houses  All 

To  Be  Wired  Soon 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.,  Ausj.  7.— Penin- 
sula Theatres,  Inc.,  the  operating  company 
formed  by  E.  J.  Sparks  to  take  over  the  Uni- 
versal chain  of  Florida  houses  which  he  re- 
cently acquired,  will  soon  have  sound  equip- 
ment in  all  its  houses.  The  first  two  theatres 
scheduled  for  sound  equipment  are  the  Jeffer- 
son, St.  Augustine ;  and  Beacham,  Orlando, 
both  of  which  are  set  to  inaugurate  sound 
accompaniment,  August  27.  Non-synchronous 
Western  Electric  systems  will  initiate  the 
"sound"  program,  although  it  is  expected  that 
complete  synchronous  equipment  will  be  in- 
cluded in  the  installation. 


This  is  said  to  be  the  first  big  cooperative 
advertising  tieup  ever  put  over  with  the 
New  York  Times.  Whether  or  not  this  is 
true,  it  is  a  fine  piece  of  work  for  the 
opening  of  "Lights  of  New  York"  in  New 
York.  Notice  the  streamer  head  at  the 
top  of  the  page.  Many  theatres  over  the 
country  are  using  the  cooperative  ad  tie- 
up  for  putting  over  sound  pictures  with 
excellent  results. 

Lexington  House  to 
Install  Photophone 

(Special  to  the  Her-ild-World) 

LEXINGTON,  KY.,  Aug.  7.— Since  the  re- 
modeled and  greatly-improved  Ben  Ali  theatre 
reopened  a  few  weeks  ago,  the  Phoenix 
Amusement  Company  is  pushing  a  similar 
program  of  improvement,  at  the  Strand  the- 
atre. It  appears  now  that  considerably  more 
money  will  go  into  the  job  than  was  first 
anticipated. 

The  company  has  just  purchased  a  three 
manual  Wurlitzer  organ.  The  Strand  has  not 
heretofore  had  an  organ. 

Moreover,  Photophone  equipment  is  to  be 
installed.  It  is  expected  that  the  installation 
will  be  completed  by  the  time  other  work  on 
the  theatre  is  finished.  No  definite  date  has 
been  set  for  the  opening  but  every  effort  will 
be  made  to  have  the  Strand  ready  for  opening 
in  September.  Present  plans  call  for  the  pres- 
entation of  "King  of  Kings"  as  the  initial 
offering  for  the  new  season. 


Warners  Complete 

Rin-Tin-Tin  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Rin-Tin-Tin's 
latest  starring  picture  for  Warner  Brothers, 
temporarily  titled  "The  Outlaw  Dog,"  is  fin- 
ished with  the  exception  of  the  sound  se- 
quences for  the  Vitaphone  print.  Director 
Ross  Lederman  is  now  making  these  while 
the  non-Vitaphone  print  is  being  assembled  in 
the  cutting  room  of  the  Warner  Studio. 


Curtiz  Assigned 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Michael  Curtiz 
has  been  designated  by  J.  L.  Warner  to  direct 
Dok)res  Costello's  starring  vehicle,  "Madonna 
of  Avenue  A,"  one  of  the  special  productions 
to  reach  the  screen  this  year  supplemented  by 
Vitaphone. 


The  Annual  Studio  and  Directors^  Number  of 


\^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

''Hollywood." 


5  Cents  for  5  Minutes 
Of  Pictures — Ho  Hum! 

Drop  a  nickel  in  a  slot  and  get  £ve 
minutes'  worth  of  motion  pictures. 
That's  what  newspaper  dispatches 
from  New  York  say  will  be  the 
policy  of  Ave  little  theatres  to  start 
soon.  Ho  hum!  How  short  the  days 
are  getting! 


Cinemusicomedy  Films 
To  Be  Made  by  Small 
Will  Feature  Notables 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  August  7.— Edward  Small 
is  now  entering  on  a  series  of  productions 
-which  he  calls,  briefly,  "cinemusicomedy" 
vehicles.  Fannie  Brice,  George  Sidney,  Alex- 
ander Carr,  Billie  Rose,  Milt  Gross  and  other 
notables  are  to  be  featured  in  the  production 
of  these  talkies. 

Small  reports  having  signed  Fannie  Brice 
to  appear  in  one  feature,  in  which  some  of 
Tier  famous  songs  will  be  introduced.  Milt 
Gross  will  write  an  original,  to  be  made  en- 
tirely in  dialogue  and  which  will  star  George 
Sidney  and  Alexander  Carr.  Vera  Gordon 
lias  also  affixed  her  signature  to  a  contract  to 
appear  in  the  Gross  story. 

Production  plans  involving  the  collaboration 
of  lyric  writers,  song  and  melody  creators, 
"headed  by  Billie  Rose,  are  also  under  way, 
with  Rose  already  at  work. 


Estelle  Taylor  in  East; 
Completes  F  B  O  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7.— Estelle  Taylor 
is  now  in  New  York  to  fulfill  a  contract  with 
David  Belasco  to  appear  on  the  stage  with 
her  husband.  Jack  Dempsey,  in  "The  Big 
Fight,"  a  play  by  Max  Mercin. 

Miss  Taylor  had  planned  to  leave  July  24, 
but  was  delayed  in  order  that  she  might  finish 
-work  in  "The  Singapore  Mutiny"  an  F  B  O 
picture  in  which  she  is  co-starred  with  Ralph 
Ince.  When  the  final  scenes  were  finished, 
she  found  herself  with  just  30  minutes  in 
-which  to  catch  her  train. 


Frances  Lee  Supporting 
Maclean  in  Sound  Film 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7.— Frances  Lee 
has  been  signed  to  play  Douglas  MacLean's 
leading  woman  in  his  next  Christie-MacLean 
■vehicle,  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  which  is  to  be 
synchronized  with  spoken  lines  and  other 
sounds.  E.  Mason  Hopper  will  direct  and 
Al  Cohn  will  supervise  editorially. 

The  comedian  is  securing  supporting  players 
-with  stage  experience. 


18  Pictures  Completed;  Big 
Sloman  Film  Ended  at  U  Lot 

Mackaill  and  Mulhall  in  Seiter  Picture,  "Waterfront";  Many  Small 

Budgets  Noted  in  Survey  of  Weekly  Turnout;  Hena- 

bery  Begins  New  Tryon  Comedy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-ll'orld) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.—  Studios  turned  out  18  pictures  last  week,  with  Ed- 
die Sloman's,  "Girl  on  the  Barge"  probably  the  biggest  of  the  lot.     Other  big 
productions  were,  "Mask  of  the  Devil"  and  "Waterfront." 

The  first  is  a  Universal  production  made  almost  entirely  in  the  neighborhood 
of  New  York  state ;  and  the  others  are  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's  and  First  Na- 
tional's, respectively. 

Hersholt  and  O'Neil  in  U  Film 
The  starring  roles  in  the  Universal  picture  are  played  by  Jean  Hersholt  and 
Sally  O'Neil.     Sloman  followed  his  own  thorough  plans  in  making  the  picture 
one  of  the  finest  he  has  ever  directed,  it  is  reported. 
Victor  Seastrom   directed  Jack  Gilbert  and       Lederman   directs   Rin-Tin-Tin   in  "The   Out- 


Alma  Rubens  in  the  M-G-M  opera. 

In  the  First  National  picture  Dorothy  Mac- 
kaill and  Jack  Mulhall  have  the  featured  roles. 
It  is  another  big  production  which  was  made 
on  location.  William  Seiter  spent  several 
weeks_  with  his  cast  in  the  vicinity  of  San 
Francisco. 

Many  of  the  productions  completed  last 
week  are  owned   by   small  companies. 

Harry  Pollard  is  working  on  "Show  Boat" 
with  Laura  LaPlante  and  Joseph  Schildkraut 
heading  the  cast.  Barbara  Kent  and  James 
Murray  are  co-featured  in  "The  Shakedown," 
directed  by  Willie  Wyler.  Nat  Ross  is  still 
working  on  "The  Collegians"  with  George 
Lewis  and  Dorothy  Gulliver.  "The  Mystery 
Rider,"  starring  WilHam  Desmond  and  di- 
rected by  Jack  Nelson,  makes  nine  pictures  in 
production  at  Universal. 

Del    Ruth    Directs    "Conquest" 

Warner  Brothers  studio  is  actively  engaged 
on  five  pictures.  Roy  Del  Ruth  started 
"Conquest,"  with  a  strong  cast  headed  by 
Monte  Blue  and  Lois  Wilson.  "My  Man," 
the  Fannie  Brice  Vitaphone  special,  is  under 
the  direction  of  Archie  Mayo ;  "The  Redeem- 
ing Sin"  is  another  Vitaphone  special  featur- 
ing Dolores  Costello  and  Conrad  Nagel,  di- 
rected by  Howard  Bretherton ;  "The  Home- 
towners,"  which  Bryan  Foy  is  directing,  fea- 
tures Richard  Bennett,  Irene  Rich,  Doris  Ken- 
yon    and    Robert    Edeson    in    the    cast.      Ross 


Piano  Box  Playhouse 
Is  Honejrmooners'  Home 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

BELOXI,  MISS.,  Aug.  7.— An 
oversized  piano  box  transformed 
into  a  child's  playhouse  is  the  honey- 
moon home  of  Arch  Borge,  whose 
wages  as  a  New  York  film  theatre 
doorman  are  paying  for  his  painting 
study,  and  Eunice  Lyle  of  the  stage. 


law  Dog."  Matty  Kemp  and  Evelyn  Pierce 
are  in  the  cast. 

"Runaway  Girls,"  the  one  picture  in  produc- 
tion at  the  Columbia  Studios,  is  being  di- 
rected by  Mark  Sandrich.  Shirley  Mason, 
Arthur  Rankin,  Hedda  Hopper  and  Alice 
Lake  have  featured  roles. 

De  Mille  has  two  pictures  working: 
"Marked  Money,"  directed  by  Spencer  Ben- 
nett, stars  Junior  Coghlan  with  Virginia  Brad- 
ford, George  Duryea  and  Tom  Kennedy  in 
the  cast.  Howard  Higgin  is  directing  Phyllis 
Haver  and  Alan  Hale  in  "Singapore  Sal." 

Two  Pictures  at  First  National 

On  the  First  National  lot,  William  Beau- 
dine  is  directing  "Do  Your  Duty"  with 
Charles  Murray,  Doris  Dawson  and  Charles 
Delaney.  "The  Haunted  House,"  under  the 
direction  of  Benjamin  Christensen,  features 
Flora  Finch,  Chester  Conklin,  Thelma  Todd 
and  Larry  Kent. 

Irving  Cummings  has  started  a  picture  at 
the  Fox  Studios.  "The  Woman"  is  the  title 
and  it  features  Mary  Astor,  John  Boles  and 
Ben  Bard. 

Fox  has  three  other  pictures  in  production 
this  week :  "The  River,"  with  Charles  Far- 
rell  and  Mary  Duncan  under  the  direction  of 
Frank  Borzage ;  "Riley,  the  Cop"  which  John 
Ford  is  directing  with  Farrell  MacDonald  in 
the  leading  role,  and  "Fog,"  featuring  George 
O'Brien  and  Lois  Moran  with  Charles  Klein 
directing. 

"Hell's   Angels"   Still   Working 

Howard  Hughes  is  still  shooting  aerial  se- 
quences for  "Hell's  Angels."  It  is  the  only 
picture  in  production  at  the  Metropolitan 
Studios. 

Five  productions  are  occupying  the  atten- 
tion of  a  like  number  of  directors  at  the 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Studios.  Tod  Brown- 
ing is  making  "West  of  Zanzibar"  with  Lon 
Chaney    starred.      Jack    Conway    is    directing 

{Continued  on  page  36) 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


ON  A   LOT  OF   THE  LOTS 


By  FRAZIER 


! 


HOLLYWOOD. — Richard  Aden  has  graduated  from  the  "sap"  school  ac- 
cording to  his  own  words.  He  has  been  feeding  the  wise  eggs  in  Holly- 
wood long  enough.  In  the  future  when  he  loses  his  fine  Scotch  col- 
lie dog,  which  has  his  return  address  on  the  collar,  he  does  not  give  a  re- 
ward, but  tells  the  chap  to  keep  him  instead.  When  the  dog  gets  out,  if  he 
does,  he  makes  a  bee-line  for  Dick's  home.  So  why  pay  a  reward?  The  dog 
has  a  long  pedigree  and  is  a  high  jumper  so  he  can  be  depended  upon  to  return 
if  he  gets  the  chance.  This  happened  once  and  Dick  is  waiting  for  someone 
to  steal  him  again  to  see  if  it  will  happen  twice. 


Watch  Bob  Elliott  Awhile! 

Bob  Elliott  is  making  great  headway  in  pic- 
tures since  leaving  the  well  known  stage  suc- 
cess "Broadway."  His  first  work  was  in 
"Lights  of  New  York,"  which  was  followed 
by  "The  Ahbi."  He  was  next  cast  as  the  de- 
tective in  Colleen  Moor's  "Happiness  Ahead" 
and  now  has  a  great  part  with  Irvin  Cum- 
mings'  production  tentatively  titled  "The 
Woman."  His  part  is  always  outstanding  and 
now  may  mount  to  even  greater  heights  in 
talking  sequences  due  to  his  long  stage  ex- 
perience. 

Mrs.  B.  H.  Rogers,  mother  of  Charles 
(Buddy)  Rogers  of  Paramount  studios,  ac- 
companied by  her  daughter  Mrs.  John  Bin- 
ford,  are  visiting  the  young  star.  They  are 
from  Olathe,  Kan.  They  will  spend  the  re- 
mainder of  the   summer  on  the  coast. 

*  *     * 

Brov/ei  Becomes  a  PFL  Director 

Otto  Brower,  formerly  first  assistant  under 

William    Wellman,    director    for    Paramount 

studios,  has   been  promoted  to   director.     He 

will   start   on   his   initial  production   directing 

Jack   Holt   in    "Avalanche."     CharHe   Barton, 

who  was  also  recently  promoted,  will  be  Brow- 

er's  assistant.     The  picture  will  be  under  way 

in  the  next  few  days. 

^     ^    ^ 

Earle  Foxe,  the  song  writing  actor,  when 
not  working  at  the  Fox  studios,  is  busy  writ- 
ing lyrics  for  sheet  music.  At  this  time  he 
is  putting  the  words  to  Louis  Shurtlifif's  "Hot 
Ice,"  a  haunting,  lingering  melody,  which  will 
be  published  through  the  cooperation  of  James 
Hall  of  Paramount,  composer  of  "Mine  All 
Mine"  and  several  other  well  known  successes. 

*  *     * 

Denny  Goes  Yachting 

Reginald  Denny,  Universal's  comedy  star, 
has  departed  on  a  short  ocean  voyage  aboard 
his  yacht  "Barbarine."  He  will  return  in  a 
few  days  to  start  work  on  "Red  Hot  Speed," 
an  original  story  by  Gladys  Lehman,  which 
Joseph  Henabery  will  direct 

*  *     * 

Joseph  Franklin  Poland  is  spending  most 
ef  his  time  these  days  studying  the  technique 
of  sound  synchronization  and  various  effects 
which  he  intends  incorporating  in  his  first  su- 
pervising effort,  "It  Can  Be  Done."  Glenn 
Tryon  is  starring.  Fred  Newmeyer  is  han- 
dling the  megaphone. 

Although  only  22  years  old,  Lew  Sargent 
has  spent  15  years  in  pictures.  He  first 
started  with  Famous  Players-Lasky  when  7 
years  of  age.  He  is  at  present  a  featured 
player  with  Darmour  Productions. 

*  *     * 

Walter  Camp,  president  of  Inspira- 
tion Pictures,  Inc.,  was  nominated 
for  an  associate  membership  in  that 
nationally  famous  Tuna  Club  of  Cata- 
lina.  At  a  meeting  last  week,  his 
name  was  proposed  by  William  de 
Mille,  and  immediately  accepted.  He 
is  now  at  "Wrigley  Isle"  on  a  short 
vacation,  but  secretly  endeavoring  to 
win  the  much  coveted  prize — the 
gold  button. 

*  *     * 

Mary  Philbin,  upon  her  completion  of  "Sal- 


vage," which  Wesley  Ruggles  directed  for 
Universal,  was  selected  to  co-star  with  Con- 
rad Veidt  in  "The  Play  Goes  On,"  according 
to  announcement  from  Carl  Laemmle,  Jr. 
Paul  Fejos  will  direct. 

^  ^  ^ 
We  are  all  on  our  toes  waiting  the  release 
of  "Hell's  Angels,"  the  $2,000,000  aviation 
thriller  which  already  has  been  nine  months 
in  the  making,  but  according  to  "Line"  Quar- 
berg  publicity  director  for  the  Caddo  Com- 
pany, "it  won't  be  long  now."  He  states  the 
picture  is  scheduled  for  its  first  showing  in 
New  York  in  November  prior  to  a  nation- 
wide road  tour. 

*     *     * 

Nancy  Carrol,  will  find  her  work  in  musical 
comedies  much  to  her  advantage  in  "Man- 
hattan,"   which    Dorothy   Arzner   is   directing 


All  Warner  Pictures 
Shot  with  2  Negatives 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK.  Aug.  7.— All  pic- 
tures produced  at  Warner  Brothers 
studios  are  being  shot  with  two  do- 
mestic negatives,  one  of  which  is 
cut  for  the  Vitaphone  print,  the 
other  for  the  print  designed  for  show- 
ing without  Vitaphone.  Just  as  last 
year,  all  Warner  pictures  will  be 
available  with  or  without  Vitaphone 
musical    accompaniment. 


for  Paramount.  Her  dance  steps  are  being 
made  in  sound,  as  well  as  two  of  her  songs, 
which  were  especially  written  for  her  by  Vic- 
tor Schertzinger,  composer  of  "Marcheta"  and 
several  other  well  known  melodies. 

*  *     * 

Betty  Compson's  popularity  on  the  Para- 
mount lot  is  a  good  example  for  her  large 
following  in  the  screen  world.  Upon  com- 
pletion of  several  days'  work  it  is  her  custom 
to  give  to  all  who  ask,  an  autographed  photo. 
She  recently  autographed  more  than  100  while 
working  in  "Docks  of  New  York"  with  George 

Bancroft. 

*  *     * 

Janet  MacLeod,  popular  Pacadena  society 
girl,  promises  to  become  one  of  filmdom's 
most  popular  comediennes,  according  to  Mar- 
shall Neilan,  who  engaged  her  for  a  part  in 
Bebe  Daniels'  current  vehicle,  "Take  Me 
Home,"  which  he  is  directing  for  Paramount. 
Yvonne  Howell  is  assisting  Janet  in  the  com- 
edy relief. 

*  *     * 

Gene  Hornbostel,  technical  director  for  Tec- 
Art  Studio,  left  this  week  for  New  York,  to 
take  a  course  in  talking  pictures.  He  will  de- 
vote most  of  his  time  to  the  study  of  sound 
and  talking  in  connection  with  colored  films. 
He  plans  to  be  gone  about  a  year. 


18  Pictures  Completed; 
Big  Slotnan  Film  Ended 
at  U ;  Hersholt  in  Star 

{Continued  from  page  35) 

William  Haines,  Karl  Dane  and  Lionel  Barry- 
more  in  "Alias  Jimmy  Valentine." 

"A  Woman  of  Affairs,"  which  co-stars  John 
Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo,  is  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Clarence  Brown.  "Gold  Braid,"  star- 
ring Ramon  Novarro  and  directed  by  George 
Hill,  is  just  getting  under  way,  as  is  "Little 
Angel,"  Norma  Shearer's  latest,  which  Sam 
Wood  is  directing. 

Dix   Working  at  Paramount 

At  the  Paramount  studios  five  companies 
are  working  at  the  present  time.  Marshall 
Neilan  has  completed  "Take  Me  Home"  which 
starred  Bebe  Daniels. 

Joseph  von  Sternberg  is  directing  George 
Bancroft  and  Betty  Compson  in  "Docks  of 
New  York."  Edward  Berger  is  making  "Sins 
of  the  Fathers"  with  Emil  Jannings  and  Ruth 
Chatterton  heading  the  cast.  Richard  Dix  is 
starred  in  "Moran  of  the  Marines:"  with 
Frank  Strayer  directing.  "Interference,"  di- 
rected by  Lothar  Mendez,  co-features  Clive 
Brook  and  Evelyn  Brent,  and  there  is  an  un- 
titled picture  being  directed  by  Dorothy  Arz- 
ner with  Richard  Arlen  and  Nancy  Carroll 
featured. 

Tiffany-Stahl  has  two  pictures  working. 
"The  Rainbow,"  directed  hyReginald  Barker, 
with  Dorothy  Sebastian,  Lawrence  Gray  and 
Sam  Hardy  featured  in  the  cast,  and  "The 
Floating  College"  with  Sally  O'Neil  and 
Buster  Collier  co-starred  under  the  direction 
of  George  Crone. 

Technicolor  Feature  at  Tec  Art 

"Lief,  the  Lucky,"  a  Technicolor  special,  is 
the  only  picture  working  at  the  Tec  Art 
Studios.  Roy  Neill  is  directing  and  the  cast 
is  headed  by  House  Peters,  Leroy  Mason  and 
Pauline  Starke. 

United  Artists  also  has  a  single  picture  in 
production,  the  Goldwyn  picture  which  co- 
stars  Ronald  Colman  and  his  new  leading 
woman,  Lily  Damita.  Herbert  Brennon  is  di- 
recting. 

Gibson   Company  to   Chicago 

Four  pictures  went  into  production  at  the 
Universal  plant  this  week.  "Red  Hot  Speed," 
in  which  Reginald  Denny  is  supported  by 
Alice  Day,  is'  under  the  direction  of  Joseph 
Henabery.  "It  Can  Be  Done,"  featuring  Glenn 
Tryon  and  Sue  Carol,  is  directed  by  Fred 
Newmeyer. 

Paul  Fejos  is  making  "The  Play  Goes  On" 
with  Conrad  Veidt,  Mary  Philbin  and  Leslie 
Fenton.  Hoot  Gibson  is  in  Chicago  produc- 
ing his  next  picture,  "King  of  the  Rodeo." 
Henry  McRae  is  directing  Hoot,  and  Kathryn 
Crawford  is  playing  opposite.  Joseph  Levi- 
gard  is  directing  Ted  Wells  in  a  Western 
called   "Grit   Wins." 


Studio  City  Breaks  Local 
Tax  Payment  Records 

(Special  to  the  Herald- World) 
HOLLYWOOD.  Aug  7.— The  assessed 
valuation  of  the  district  in  which  Studio  City 
is  located  was  $1,466,350  in  1927-28.  In  1928- 
29  the  same  district  is  assessed  at  $2,922,600, 
an  increase  of  $1,505,250,  or  a  50  per  cent 
increase  in  one  year.  Local  records  for 
prompt  payment  of  taxes  have  been  broken  by 
this  district,  delinquencies  in  the  last  year  be- 
ing on  69  parcels  of  land  out  of  a  total  of 
4,020  parcels. 


MGM  Buys  "Perfecto" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,    Aug.    7.—   Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer    has    purchased     Gouverneur    Morris' 
Cosmopolitan  story,  "Perfccto." 


Vitaphone  Stage  Burns, 
Loss  Estimated  at  $1000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Vitaphone  stage 
number  8  at  the  Warner  Brothers  studio 
burned  last  week  causing  a  loss  of  more  than 
$1,000.  The  fire  was  caused  by  defective 
wiring. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


COLLEEN  MOORFS 
^ULAC  TIME" 

playing  two-a-day  at  $1.50 
top  Broke  the  House  Record 
of  the  Carthay  Circle  Theatre 

in  Los  Angeles 
by  $2,310  in  its  opening  week 


It  Broke  the  Second  Week 
Record  by  $1,897  and  It's 
Going  to  Keep  on  Breaking 
Records. 


Here's  A  Real  Box  Office 
Tonic 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928        j 


I 


5 

I 


$ 


BiLLiE  Dove 

"The  American  Beauty" 


Current  Release 

"The  Yellow  Lily" 


Coming 

"The  Night  Watch" 


mmgmfm 


^n^PEL-     Ken  Maynard-eO-A^  ^^^,rij;  ,    \q^ 
"«-^   ^If  very    PO-'"     ^e.v  ^^^>^  >r>-        % 


'W«l   Raiders. 

if   s.«  "W  >»"    .    V.-- „  -„,„ 


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=  »r.nTF-       Ken     Maynar 
THE     I»^^^^'^,,f  U  ?o?^ys  want  West 
February  3-4.     ^.^  '  j;f  J°a  real  bet.     They  . 
Maynard  and  y°"  "  J^^  ;„    a  separate  class^ 
and   are  good   ''"d  are  ^.^^_    ^e  ^ 

better   gvve  us   ^^^j^^eatre.    Kimball.    S. 
Rudolf    Duba.    Koyai 
eral  patronage. 


;Vd— Z»7o-    _ 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVAUER:  Ken  Maynard— 
This  gruy  makes  Fred  Thomson  look  like  he  needs 
a  new  outfit.  We  have  yet  to  see  a  bum  Ken  May- 
nard picture.  They  please  us  because  they  please 
the  box  office. — Halliburton  &  Burne,  Texline  theatre, 
Te.xline,    Tex. — Small    town    patronage. 


i  2. 


LET  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TELL  THE  STORY!! 


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SHOW:  ■  -ien"'"M    "  '    "       "  '^-t-on'        ^"^'"'and 

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GUN   GOSPEL:     Ken   )    h 


''eels 


stuff 
ay. 
ve 


best   wesvei"  <=-<•'    —     »-»cronaD-» 
one  of   Maynard's  pictures  <.  te. 

held  his   report  under  the  heading  .- 

,     m     *«.«    Tor -3 


^.,;j   be""a^-  oiTe  ?„^^U.«:     W"  m'^""-"' --onlTe:'  "''^"'"\d»-    ^^^ 
i-ona^-      ^  'neatro    ^.T'      Seven       *,      ""n   st^^.^  <i^^  '^^•ci      .,  ^^*^A\\  ®t„6e 


Any   exhibitor   that   uses       He  can  2^  ^^   attraction"'"    ''"' 

Maynard  is  passing  up  o     C\^n         ^"'"^  do  h\^  "  ""    after   we"'.?"    '^e  -bellC 


<'        ^        *  S-Tb   * 


'°nj  '/Off 


d  L^aTa  ^urrr^^^arT^e  is  some  no, 
r/y   you  1"   at' him.   and  as   a  conibinatio- ^^^ 
Maynard  are  h^d  to  beat.  Seven  r^>^-'^  x/*  "  ^ 

THE  RED  RAIDERS:  Ken  Maynard— A  v  ^"^V 
picture,  and  pleased  majority  but  where  <^ ^S^ 
sends    a    note   by    carrier   pigeon    that      ^•.  ^       O        .^  j;  >>,. 

'-  '  "^  i?'  .<o*'    a     "?  -  ^  W 

bTirzar'd  and  20  below  temr    ,  {►y-^,  ^^^.v^oodroad,  |  ^"      | 

•  -    ." .0    <^v*^ojN-'    patronage,  g  |  j  flj 

SENOR     D>-    ot:Av^"^V*n     Maynard-4  |  g  ^  .' 

^^     ^♦V  star.     I   can't  pr  ^1      i 


,d 


-Snia// 


towr 


\  '"*   Is  ^     e^  .  ^]tv»%  ot  ^  r, 


•Vo-. 
■■toe 


^^>r^-^s^^°^ 


i"^°^ 


senas    a    note    uy    >x»i»ici    j^.o 

a  pretty  good  hand— well,  it  looks  ^'  ^  \^<i-  .(?■'' _^ 
for  an  Indian  to  be  able  to  ''  ,4^^  ^"^ >%?-■'  '..t 
note  in  1868.  Seven  reels-  o^V«°t<^  tXlr^i^ 
^1.- A  ^r,A  on  y^ir,j,r  tomr    ,  ^^k.c^     V ^^iV^uoodroad, 


(.n'S'%  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:     Ken  Mav 

.i?!s,^      er?.^.?!.        March   ifi.  17       dii.^      ..TT^        ".enMay 


?  .» ^  ^■ 


LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:     Ken  Maynard-.2 
March   16-17.     All    M      ,ard   shows  are  good  and 
^   no   exception      .  ^   ^nt   from   all   other   Weste; 
IL.^..  "It.  ^^    ■  V  -^^  %      Ken    always  satisfies   , 
4."    ?o  '^  Give  us  o"*-^ 


that's   what  we 


.tf) 


V\l 


Ken  Maynard 

King  of  All  Outdoors 


ii  w   J)  4 


■\.4;-' 


ig^. 


Ci"*- 


W^^-r 


'•■  <-. 


^'^i^.H^^^ 


^^^S^K^^^ 


."'•--.  :;::.-.^o'« 


^%*i.^.^''°AV 


ard- 


iSf 


— :t^^:^S^f55"-K"^^'^'"--^~- 


&.^-?s' 


i  *x  V  "l*     c    , 


e/',     '^''-c^^y^a^^^y,      "':'""'='■    '•        ^'     ^-?>-"vy''-   star.     I   can't  pr        ^       - 

"^t  J"^    e.^^'tf.     ./'     this    star       C^^V^.J*^?  picture    without    ca    §  ^  S  S 

•IK  ^    S-^\^-^^<    •'a'  for  a  Western,  and    ^-c  S* 

wert     eP,.5>'^..    this    onp       Ken's    hors<    ..  |  S  .^ 

,f,"  «         -—Aubrey   -.^  ^  ^njjen,   Cres.  ^,2-5  5 

•->     V'>^       Tex.-^V\\-n    patron  i^>.^ 

.         '„  f^"   Jlfay„ 
-^V>-.^-    if54">%C-iH''-^^^  't¥/V-     V   '    'f"fe'««°^«AIDERZ^GUN-'GSEr>K'^^««. 


^-<5.^;ciii  t 


all  shows  and      •>  ^■^  %>  ^  -  bett< 
society  sex  ^  •*  -  ■- 

Seven    tp  <^  ^  \' 

S.   D.-       .1,%\t^ 
'  '«  "  %  era"*      ^■\'>  'i-- \      \^  •« 

^.  •,   tf  3  o>      . . q.  •<,  ■^  <s,.  •     ■?>  A  V  "n 


sras-s? 


:i  rt'^'oyal     - 


o  gins,  ? 


Sth:^' 


% 


p  .'^  S  (c  E , 


RAIDERS— GUN  GOSPEL: 


A   P  :>  ?  p-  5-  „  r 

'*^     ^•^     M 


■n^ 


V 


>    \^^o' 


*,  s**' 


s-.-§p 


^^f^^ns 


^tiu 


■^>iaj^_ 


c«.^ 


^'^.i^-^fa.^-^^^ 


/^'i/  ,;;-.&. 


"'«:«i:rout,  T.^-* 

patronage,     -r,?^ 


'0(t 


Jf. 


e^tf, 


^et. 


.^^'^::-^^-''''^ 


^"tion  T^f'-d  ai       - 


«^V.^'-/ 


*efl 


Jf< 


a^. 


.     hi^L   *^e.w-    ^^'ciL  ^s 


'°«  t?,  ^o, 


^^/' 
.*/// 


1e  {, 


las 


"'•eiv: 


^     -^^      Vbeley-    ^^^^       ,e^,_,    ^.ppa..^-  Oo  ^7"-  Pretty   ^-ar, 

P-    "'on't  t';!""    "-ey    ha''  '"^'«t  on^rt""^   fro 

^;.»  theatre.    SpS^^eiJ^   ^-^^^B " 

^  p    -      iSeven    -"^sn-t   „^— sPei."     ^^^"ard_jv-  ^  '    Minn      r^' 

a,^'--  ai^**-.-     ^     ie  a  f  ^^ftfife'   *o^«    •   ^"'•C  1^ '^■'^^ 


as   ' 


-^  £ooiTr-£«OH^ 


eta 
•^nera; 


i.  Set     ^''<i  ^        y 


-4V 


*at^o    '^ 


<">. 


''a^ 


^«,^   «lHOW:     Ken  M     Keep  it  up  Ken.     Send  mc  a  photo  andTJ^     °    'f'  ?   -> 
THK  WAGON   SH"7:,,„,n.     A       exclusive   in   mv  Inl.hv  _r    i,r  T"  ,.^"^  i  ^'"  »'ve  it  *0„ 


^^At  ;"'■«_  i 


■oC"^- 


'en,.  '•''>      ""'an  1  •"^ai.n 


■   -fan. 


^afla 


^H-  ^^-•^SnnTstern 


aary  13.     A  — —  ^y^t  win     ^ 

^kT usual  type  and  one_^    ^    ^.ies, 


,,,„.     A       exclusive   in   my  ,obb7-a  W    Becker    Ele'Ilt'  ^'^  '* 
tHat^-i^^Jje^Burwell.   Neb^General  patron^:.  ^"''''°  ^""^ 


Charles  R.  Rogers  Productions 
Harry  J.  Brown,  Associate 


««f* 


v»' 


J*.»" 


^Ji  -is'*. 


First  National  Release 
The  President  Group 


V  >? 


p  "J*  >•  w 

(ft   <i    o  -? 

^  ^  B  T" 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1927 


Ned  Marin  superrisor 


"The 
Yellow  Lily" 


"The 
Night  Watch" 
"Waterfront" 


Louis  A*  Sarecky 

Supervising 

FBO  Productions 


Comedy  Is  Easiest 
To  Adapt  to  Sound 
In  Fraser's  Opinion 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— To  what  type  of 
picture  can  sound  be  more  easily  applied? 

In  the  opinion  of  William  R.  Fraser,  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Harold  Lloyd  Corpora- 
tion, the  comedy  is  more  adaptable  than  any 
other  form  of  production.  He  says,  in  ex- 
planation : 

"It  will  take  very  little  change  in  technique 
to  adapt  comedy  as  it  is  produced,  for  ex- 
ample, by  Harold  Lloyd,  to  sound  synchroni- 
zation, except,  of  course,  in  the  technical 
work,  such  as  in  photographing  and  staging. 
In  looking  over  the  pictures  produced  by  Mr. 
Lloyd  in  the  past  five  years,  practically  every 
one  could  have  been  readily  adapted  to  sound 
films  with  virtually  no  change  in  their  con- 
struction. 

Doubts  Use   of   Dialogue 

"I  doubt  for  the  present  that  any  attempt 
will  be  made  in  the  comedy  field  to  go  in  for 
dialogue.  It  will  be  unnecessary  if  sound  is 
coordinated  with  action,  for  the  motion  pic- 
ture comedv  is  essentially  a  work  of  action, 
anyway.  If  too  much  time  is  taken  for  dia- 
logue the  comedy  is  slowed  up  to  a  point 
where  it  fails  to  get  over  with  an  audience. 
Dialogue  is  splendid  for  farce  comedy,  or 
comedy  drama,  but  for  comedy  such  as 
'Speedy,'  'The  Freshman'  and  others  in  the 
Lloyd  list,  action  is  the  one  ingredient  that 
matters. 

"  'Speedy'  would  have  been  made  to  order 
for  sound  synchronization,  with  its  episodes 
in  the  Yankeee  Stadium,  Coney  Island,  and  its 
thrilling  chase  through  the  streets  of  New 
York. 

"  'The  Freshman'  with  its  big  football  se- 
quences, its  dance  episodes,  and  its  entire  col- 
lege atmosphere,  would  have  provided  ideal 
outlets  for  sound  accompaniment.  'Safety 
Last'  also  would  have  provided  an  excellent 
setting  for  combination  of  film  and  sound. 
As  a  matter  of  fact  you  can  take  the  entire 
array  of  Lloyd  productions  since  'Grandma's 
Boy,'  including  'Dr.  Jack,'  'Hot  Water,'  'Why 
Worry,'  'Girl  Shy,'  'For  Heaven's  Sake'  and 
'The  Kid  Brother'  and  they  all  would  have 
lent  themselves  readily  to  the  simultaneous 
association  of  pictures  and  sound. 

Investigate  All  Angles 

"Mr.  Lloyd  has  made  no  definite  plans  as 
yet  with  regards  sound  for  his  next  produc- 
tion, on  which  he  will  start  to  work  soon. 
However,  all  angles  of  the  situation  will  be  in- 
vestigated to  meet  whatever  demands  are  made 
with  absolutely  the  best  mechanics  possible. 

"Mr.  Lloyd  and  his  staff  have  about  com- 
pleted the  outline  of  his  next  story  and  are 
most  enthusiastic  about  its  possibilities.  In 
its  present  form  it  suggests  a  wide  range  of 
comedy  appeal,  and  offers  the  star  keen  pros- 
pects for  the  type  of  characterization  in  which 
he  appeals  most,  similar  in  a  measure  to  his 
boy  in  'Girl  Shy,'  'Grandma's  Boy'  and  'The 
Freshman.'  " 


Warner  Brothers  Chooses 
Bretherton  for  Vita  Film 

(S fecial  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Howard  Breth- 
erton, now  directing  "The  Redeeming  Sin,"  a 
Vitaphone  special  starring  Dolores  Costello 
with  Conrad  Nagel  in  the  leading  male  role, 
appears  to  be  launched  on  an  envious  career 
under  the  Warner  Brothers  banner. 

Bretherton  has  been  directing  less  than  two 
years,  but  served  a  long  apprenticeship  in 
various  phases  of  motion  picture  production. 
Before  being  elevated  to  full  directorship  by 
Warner  Brothers,  he  was  one  of  their  most 
able  film  editors.  Before  that  he  was  a  screen 
player  and  an  assistant  director. 


■^^PW-"!«™^iW 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICT  ORE  WORLD 


41 


Lent's  *'Last  Warning" 
Enters  Editing  Stage; 
Unitone  Sound  Planned 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
UNIVERSAL  CITY,  Aug.  7.— Final  scenes 
of  Universal's  mystery  production,  "The  Last 
Warning,"  starring  Laura  La  Plante  under 
the  direction  of  Paul  Leni,  have  been  photo- 
graphed and  the  picture  is  now  being  edited. 

The  story  is  an  adaptation  of  the  stage 
production  of  the  same  name  by  Thomas  F. 
Fallon.  It  revolves  around  the  staging  of  a 
play  in  a  haunted  theatre.  The  picture  has 
received  photographic  and  story  treatment 
similar  to  that  in  "The  Cat  and  the  Canary," 
with  the  same  star-director  combination.  Odd 
camera  angles,  weird  settings  and  eccentric 
acting,  in  keeping  with  the  mystery  plot,  are 
provided.  In  addition  to  this  the  picture  is 
expected  to  have  Unitone  sound  effects. 

The  production,  which  was  supervised  by 
Carl  Laemmle,  jr.,  has  a  cast  including 
Montagu  Love,  Margaret  Livingston,  Bert 
Roach,  John  Boles,  Roy  D'Arcy,  Mack  Swain, 
Burr  Mcintosh,  Carrie  Daumery,  George  Sum- 
merville,  Torben  Meyer,  D'Arcy  Corrigan, 
Bud  Phelps,  Tom  O'Brien,  Fred  Kelsey  and 
others. 


Ralph  Graves  to  Play 

In  Novarro  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Ralph  Graves  has 
been    added    to    the    cast    of    "Gold    Braid," 
Ramon  Novarro's  new  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
romance  of  naval  aviation. 

Graves  will  play  "Steve,"  a  young  naval 
officer,  in  the  new  picture,  which  George  Hill 
will  direct.  Anita  Page  is  to  play  the  heroine 
and  a  notable  cast  will  appear.  Much  of  the 
picture  will  be  filmed  in  the  air,  in  government 
planes. 


Premiere  of  "Vfhite  Shadows" 
Proves  Quite  Graumanesque 

Sid  Makes  Debut  as  Film  Actor  in  Short  Reel;  Movietone  Intro- 
duces Players  of  the  Cast;  Fox  News  with 
Sound  Gets  Great  Acclaim 

By  J.  M.  LOUGHBOROUGH 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7.  —  With  a  Sid  Grauman  premiere  more 
Graumanesque  than  ever,  "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas,"  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer's  first  sound  picture,  was  presented  at  the  Chinese  theatre 
Friday  evening,  August  3  at  $5  top.  Folks  fought  tD  get  in,  and  crowds  filled 
Hollywood  boulevard.  A  platoon  of  police  was  kept  busy  all  evening  hold^ 
ing  the  curious  ones  in  check. 

Sid  Makes  Debut  as  Film  Actor 


It  was  a  magnificent  affair  in  every 
the  re-opening  of  the  Chinese  and  lik 
exhibitor  in  the  field  of  the  talkies, 
picture  actor. 

A  short  Movietone  served  to  introduce  the 
stars  of  the  big  production,  Monte  Blue  and 
Raquel  Torres,  and  the  director,  Wm.  S.  Van 
Dyke.  In  this  same  film  Grauman  acted  as 
master  of  ceremonies.  Sid  proved  that  he  is 
a  good  actor  as  well  as  a  good  scout.  Talkie 
producers  would  do  well  to  keep  an  eye  on 
him.  Faultlessly  attired,  his  hair  looking  like 
Paderewski's  did  20  years  ago,  Grauman 
swept  out  from  behind  plush  curtains,  faced 
the  audience  and  with  a  Fairbanks  smile  and 
a  Conrad  Nagel  voice,  announced  the  appear- 
ance of  Monte  Blue.  Monte  movietoned 
front  and  center,  and  introduced  Van  Dyke. 
Then  came  Raquel. 

O.   O.   Mclntyre   in  Rolls 

There  were  many  surprising  bits  of  show- 
manship in  connection  with  "White  Shadows 


way,  this  premiere,  which  also  marked 

ewise  the  entry  of  Sid  Grauman  as  an 

Not  only   that  but   Sid   appeared  as  a 

in  the  South  Seas,"  but  as  Pete  Smith  of 
M  G  M,  was  in  evidence  in  the  lobby,  he  and 
Grauman  get  the  credit.  For  instance,  there 
was  a  battery  of  motion  picture  cameras,  sent 
by  M  G  M.  Directed  by  James  Cruze  the 
cameramen  took  pictures  of  the  crowd  for 
a  forthcoming  M  G  M  production.  Then  there 
was  another  battery  of  movie  and  still  men 
taking  pictures  of  the  stars,  who  turned  out 
with  more  brilliancy  than  the  stellar  show 
to  be  seen  on  a  clear  night  at  the  Mount 
Wilson  Observatory.  Also,  there  were  other 
celebrities.  O.  O.  Mclntyre  for  instance 
rolled  up  in  his  new  Rolls  Royce  and  looked 
more  like  a  production  executive  than  a 
columnist.  The  eyes  of  "Once  Over"  were 
full  of  fire  and  he  acted  like  a  kid.  Milt 
Gross,  the  "Nize  Baby"   boy  also  came   for- 


vv^^' 


^^^t>>..tot 


^\< 


s^ 


t^st^ 


vvo 


^^ 


\^^^ 


^:vo^ 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


f 


THELMA  TODD 


"The  Wrecking  Boss" 


"The  Haunted  House" 


ward,    giving    the    reminder    of    how    Charles 
Chaplin  looked  at  Milt's  age. 

Irene  Rich  was  so  full  of  furi  and  pep  that 
she  actually  did  a  bit  of  £eminine  "clowning" 
before  the  camera.  Karl  Dane,  looking  like 
one  of  Ibsen's  characters,  got  a  big  hand. 
Director  Van  Dyke  entered  the  theatre  with 
David  Wark  Griffith.  Louis  B.  Mayer  ap- 
peared with  his  charming  wife  and  their  hand- 
some daughters.  L.  B.  looked  proud,  but  he 
walked  in  meekly,  dodging  both  radio  micro- 
phone and  cameras.  So  did  H.  B.  Franklin, 
of  West  Coast  Theatres,  who  brought  his 
wife  and  son,  the  latter  a  "chip  off  the  young 
block."  Most  of  the  notables  spoke  over  the 
radio,  which  was  in  charge  of  Fred  Niblo. 

Movietone   News  Proves  "Great" 

Fox  Movietone  News  was  the  first  number 


Who    wouldn't    be    thinking   about    Al    Smith 
these   days? 

Picture   Starts  with  Punch 

"White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas"  started 
out  with  a  tremendous  "punch."  The  situa- 
tion :  A  white  man,  physician  of  ability,  but 
a  human  derelict  on  a  South  Sea  Island,  re- 
senting the  intrusion  of  white  traders,  who 
were  corrupting  the  natives  with  bad  liquor 
and  bad  trading  for  pearls.  There  were  some 
marvelous  shots  of  these  natives  diving  for 
pearls,  encountering  sharks,  an  octopus,  and 
untold  dangers,  only  to  trade  their  valuables 
for  worthless  trinkets. 

The  chief  white  trader  on  the  Island,  re- 
senting the  denunciations  of  Dr.  Matthew 
Lloyd  (Monte  Blue)  the  white  derelict,  has 
him  kidnaped  and  lashed  to  the  steering  wheel 
of  a  ship  filled  with  the  bodies  of  men  killed 
by  bubonic  plague.  The  ship  encounters  a 
typhoon  and  Dr.  Lloyd  is  cast  on  another 
South  Sea  Island,  on  which  the  foot  of  a 
white  man  has  never  trod.  Here  Lloyd  finds 
a  veritable  garden  of  Eden,  is  hailed  as  a  god 
by  the  child-like  natives,  falls  in  love  W"ith 
a  South  Sea  maiden,  and  takes  her  as  his 
wife.  All  is  happiness  until  the  white  trader, 
Lloyd's  old  enemy,  appears  with  his  crew  and 
decides  to  establish  headquarters  there. 
Lloyd  starts  a  fight  and  is  shot  and  killed  by 
one  of  the  traders.  Thus  the  Samoan  bride 
loses  her  "white  god."  It  is  a  sad  but  logical 
ending  to  really  marvelous  sound  picture. 

Director  Van  Dyke,  who  not  long  ago  was 
struggling  in  the  field  of  the  "quickies,"  has 
covered  himself  with  glory  in  this  picture 
and  now  stands  in  the  front  ranks  of  his  pro- 
fession. In  "White  Shadows  in  the  South 
Seas,"  one  feels  that  all  other  pictures  dealing 
with  primitive  people  have  been  far  over- 
shadowed ;  that  this  is  something  which  puts 
Flaherty's  mighty  "Nanook  of  the  North" 
into  the  background.  There  are  scenic  shots 
which  are  tremendously  impelling.  There  is 
acting  which  is  natural,  simple  and  convincing. 
Monte  Blue  is  at  his  best.  Raquel  Torres  is 
the  South  Sea  maid  you  dream  about.  Robert 
Anderson,  as  Sebastian  the  trader,  fulfils  all 
expectations  of  that  type  of  sea  tiger. 

Most   Varied  Program 

Undoubtedly  this  premiere  had  one  of  the 
most  varied  programs  ever  offered  in  a  motion 
picture  theatre.  The  idea  of  having  the  stars 
appear  in  a  special  Movietone  was  original 
and  done  attractively.  Another  Fox  Movie- 
tone entertainment  was  Qark  &  McCullough 
in  "'The  Interview,'  a  speaking  comedy  de 
luxe.  All  of  the  Movietonp  short  subjects 
proved  beyond  a  doubt  that  this  form  of  en- 
tertainment catches  popular  fancy. 

Credit  for  the  photography  of  "White 
Shadows"  goes  to  Clyde  De  Vinna,  George 
Nogle  and  Bob  Roberts.  John  Colton  wrote 
the  subtitles.  Ray  Doyle  and  Jack  Cunning- 
ham compiled  the  story  from  Frederick 
O'Brien's  novel.  This  is  a  Cosmopolitan  Pro- 
duction. 


of  the  evening.  Here  is  something  really 
great  in  the  line  of  talking  pictures.  A  sound 
sequence,  showing  a  huge  army  tank  mowing 
down  a  forest,  was  awe-inspiring.  Sid  Grau- 
man's  prologue,  dealing  with  South  Sea  life, 
followed.  In  this  were  featured  the  Brox 
Sisters,  Kenneth  Olds,  Hawaiian  dancer,  and 
a  troupe  of  Samoan  Chieftains. 

Followed  then  the  Marveltone,  hailed  as 
"the  motion  picture  that  thinks."  What  the 
audience  thought,  is  another  matter.  Inter- 
esting, but  too  long.  It  dealt  with  the  old 
"psychic"  stuff — two  girls  blindfolded,  one 
playing  a  piano,  the  other  a  violin,  playing 
numbers  "by  request"  of  the  audiense.  Of 
course,  "Ramona"  was  first,  with  "East  Side 
West    Side,"    coming    along    in    short    order. 


Laemmle  Appoints  Kohner 
''Ambassador"  to  Europe 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Carl  Laemmle, 
president  of  Universal  Pictures  Corporation, 
announced  this  week  that  he  has  appointed 
Paul  Kohner,  youthful  executive  of  that  cor- 
poration, as  his  "ambassador"  to  Europe. 
Kohner  will  leave  immediately  and  will  visit 
every  important  city  abroad  in  order  to  gain 
first  hand  information  on  the  foreign  film 
situation.  In  Russia  he  will  negotiate  with 
Soviet  chiefs  with  a  view  to  purchasing  the 
wealth  of  screenable  story  material  which  they 
are  known  to  possess  and  to  interchange  film 
productions. 

Kohner's  engagement  to  Mary  Philbin  was 
recently  announced  and  the  couple  plan  to 
meet  within  three  months  in  Germany  to  be 
married. 


ri'i  Jtm.   .^"^^W 


Auffust  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


Trade  Body  Fails 
To  Prove  Charge, 
Says  West  Coast 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  7.— Allegations  of 
the  Federal  Trade  Commission  as  carried  in 
its  formal  complaint  have  not  been  upheld  by 
the  testimony  at  hearings,  say  the  West  Coast 
Theatres,  Inc.,  and  other  organizations  named 
as  respondents  in  the  case.  This  is  declared 
in  the  brief  filed  with  the  commission,  taking 
exception  to  the  report  of  the  trial  examiner, 
and  asking  dismissal  of  the  case. 

"Before  the  commission  can  make  any  valid 
order  under  Section  5  (of  the  Federal  Trade 
Commission  Act),  it  must  be  shown,  first,  that 
the  respondents  and  their  competitor-exhibi- 
tors are  engaged  in  interstate  commerce,  and, 
second,  that  the  respondents  have  been  gnilty 
of  unfair  methods  in  such  interstate  commerce 
with  respect  to  their  competitor-exhibitors  so 
engaged  in  interstate  commerce,"  it  is  de- 
clared in  the  brief. 

Examiner's  Report  Attacked 

The  brief,  as  announced  last  week,  also 
attacks  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Federal  Trade 
Commission,  declaring  that  the  record  con- 
clusively shows  that  the  commission  has  no 
jurisdiction  of  the  respondents. 

The  report  of  the  trial  examiner  is  attacked, 
the  particular  attention  of  the  commission  be- 
ing called  to  the  finding  that  "while  it  made 
at  times  what  practically  amounted  to  threats, 
threats  were  not  ordinarily  necessary  to  en- 
able it  to  dominate  the  field  of  purchase,  and 
therefore  the  exhibitor  field  in  southern  Cali- 
fornia. Its  growth  toward  monopoly  was 
sufficient." 

"How  pregnant  this  findinsr  is  with  surren- 
der and  capitulation,"  the  brief  asserts.  "What 
subterfuge  in   the  word  'practically.' 

Calls  Testimony  Discarded 

"Fully  alive  to  the  insufficiency  of  the  testi- 
mony of  the  exhibitor  witnesses,  and  of  the 
absence  of  any  evidence  of  threats  or  with- 
drawals of  patronage  by  West  Coast,  the  ex- 
aminer in  this  finding  reluctantly  but  in  fact 
discards  the  testimony. 

"Casting  around  with  partisan  zeal  for  some 
theory  of  his  own  upon  which  to  base  an 
order,  regardless  of  the  absence  of  any  evi- 
dence of  the  presence  of  any  conspiracy  or 
cooperation,  regardless  of  the  complete  fail- 
ure of  proof  of  the  charges  of  the  complaints, 
the  examiner  grasps  at  the  theory  a  tendency 
toward  monopoly  was  sufficient  to  throw  out 
and  diffuse  some  undefined,  intangible,  hyp- 
notic power  which  would  unconsciously  influ- 
ence producers  and  managers  to  cooperate 
with  and  to  carry  out  the  unvoiced  suggestion 
of  respondents. 

"This  theory  is  as  tenuous  as  its  premise  is 
unsound  and  unsupported  by  the  record." 


U  "Show  Boat"  Group 
Off  for  Month's  Work 
On  Sacramento  River 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYVVOOD,  Aug.  7.— Universal's  com- 
pany filming  the  super-production  of  Edna 
Ferber's  novel,  "Show  Boat,"  have  left  for 
a  month's  location  on  the  Sacramento  river 
in  Northern  California,  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement  by    President   Carl    Laemmle. 

Part  of  the  Sacramento  river  was  changed 
to  resemble  the  Mississippi  for  long  stretches. 
Several  Mississippi  river  towns  were  built 
along  the  shore ;  a  show  boat  and  a  score  of 
Mississippi  river  steamers  of  the  period  of 
1885   have  been   constructed. 

Among  the  company  of  several  hundred 
making  the  trip  are  Harry  Pollard,  director ; 
Laura  LaPlante  and  Joseph  Schildkraut,  who 
play  the  two  leading  roles   of   Magnolia   and 


Yola  D'Avril 

in 

"The  Wrecking  Boss" 


Ravenal,  respectively,  and  Alma  Rubens,  Otis 
Harlan,  Emily  Fitzroy,  Elise  Bartlett,  Jack 
McDonald,  Neely  Edwards,  Gertrude  Howard, 
Jane  La  Verne,  Ralph  Yearsley,  George 
Cheseboro,  Harry  Holden,  Max  Asher,  J. 
Thornton  Baston,  Jim  Coleman,  Carl  Herl- 
inger,  Frank  Whitson,  Harry  Lorraine, 
Blanche  Craig,  Theodore  Lorch,  Stephen 
Fechit,  Richard  Coleman,  Scotty  Mattraw  and 
Joe  Mills.  Gilbert  Warrenton  is  in  charge  of 
the  cameramen  while  Bob  Ross  heads  the  as- 
sistant directors,  who  include  Fred  Franks, 
John  Schusterman,  Ed  Rowe  and  Sergei  Pet- 
schnikoff. 


»> 


Grecian  Beauty  with  U 

(Special  to  th.-?  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Elene  Aristi, 
Grecian  beauty  who  played  in  the  Paul  Leni 
picture,  "The  Last  Warning,"  has  been  signed 
by  Universal. 


Clifton  Will  Direct 
"The  Devils  Apple  Tree 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Elmer  Clifton, 
having  completed  "Beautiful  But  Dumb," 
starts  direction  this  week  of  another  Tiffany- 
Stahl  special.  "The  Devil's  Apple  Tree," 
starring  Dorothy  Sebastian.  The  background 
of  this  picture  will  reveal  picturesque  scenes 
in  the  jungle  of  New  Guinea,  which  Clifton 
photographed  last  year  during  his  trip  around 
the  world.  Sound  effects  will  also  be  added, 
such  as  the  cry  of  the  tiger,  the  tom-tom  of 
the  native  drums  and  many  other  jungle 
noises. 


Leni  Renews  with  U 

(S fecial  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Paul  Leni,  director, 
has  renewed  his  contract  with  Universal. 


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8 


s 
s 
s 


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44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


''Lilac  Time'*  Breaks  2nd  Week 
Record  at  Carthay  Circle  Theatre 

Henry  s  Installs  Telephone-Camera  to  Catch  Thieves  and  Refuses  to  Serve 

Film  People  Empty  Glasses;  Cemetery  Stocks  Rise 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Colleen  Moore's  "Lilac  Time"  broke  another 
box  office  mark  at  the  Carthay  Circle  theatre  in  the  second  week  of  its 
world  premiere.    It  was  a  week  that  incidentally  brought  the  mercury 
higher  than  it  has  been  since  I  have  been  in  this  village. 

The  margin  was  $1,825  over  any  previous  second  week  of  the  house.  The  first 
week  of  "Lilac  Time"  broke  the  house  record  and  passed  it  by  $2,300. 

THE  weather  has  been,  as  I  have  said,  very 
bad;  the  business  conditions  in  California 
are  poor;  and  the  showgoing  spirit  is  low. 
Despite  these  handicaps  the  picture  is  proving 
one  of  the  biggest  attractions  that  has  played 
a  California  house  in  many  months. 


*    *    * 

If  you're  studio  broken  (not  broke)  you  eat 
these  days  at  the  Montmartre  at  noon  and  at 
Henry's  at  night.  The  Montmartre  has  its 
orchestra  and  Tom  Mix  for  features;  Henry's 
has  Charlie  Chaplin  and  its  pulchritudinous 
waitresses. 

The  morning  newspapermen  arrive  at 
Henry's  about  1:30  a.  m.  for  their  eggs  and 
bacon.  After  a  deadline  last  night  a  red- 
headed gal  from  Thimbleton,  Iowa,  pointed  to 
Al  Cohn,  the  scenario  writer,  and  said,  "O, 
mother,  there  is  Chester  Conklin  without  his 
moustache." 

This  is  the  same  restaurant  that  placed  an 
odd  looking  dial  telephone  behind  the  cashier's 
box  last  week.  The  mouthpiece  of  the 
"phone"  is  in  reality  a  highly  powerful  camera 
lens  with  a  wire  connection  to  a  button  under 
the  cash   register.     In   case  a   film   comedian 


suddenly  turns  real  tragedian  the  cashier 
touches  the  button  and  the  offender  is  photo- 
graphed in  his  act.  The  management  probably 
has  had  cause  to  be  distrustful  of  its  guests 
or  else  has  endeavored  to  add  a  Chaplin  touch 
to  the  place. 

The  waitresses  will  inform  you  that  the 
silverware  is  to  be  used  once  and  left  on  the 
table  upon  leaving. 

Another  rule  of  the  house  is  that  empty 
glasses  will  not  be  served  to  patrons.  But  in 
case  you  empty  your  water  glass  in  one  way 
or  another  the  attendant  will  bring  you  an- 
other glass  filled  with  water,  not  removing  the 
empty  glass  from  your  table. 

Very  little  liquor  is  smuggled  into  the  place, 
however. 

*    *    * 

Tyler  Brooke,  the  film  comic,  approached 
a  new  gateman  at  the  Fox  lot  recently  and 
asked  for  admission.  He  simultaneously 
stepped  through  the  big  iron  gate. 

The  gateman  reached  for  Brooke's  coat  col- 
lar and  halted  the  actor.  "No  visitors  allowed 
on  this  lot.  Mister!" 


"But,"  said  Brooke,  "I  am  working  here  in 
a  picture." 

The  gateman  closed  the  gate  in  Brooke's 
face :  "Stay  out  of  here !  I  know  who  you 
are.     You^e  Larry  Semon." 

*  *    * 

Says  Mary  Pickford  of  the  story  she  is 
working  on  for  her  next  picture:  "It  will 
be  a  grown  up  but  not  over  sophisticated 
story.  There  is  more  tragedy  and  heartache 
in  the  love  of  an  18-year-old  girl  than  in  that 
of  world  wise  elders.  Youth  lacks  the  experi- 
ence that  teaches  older  people  resignation; 
youth  has  not  learned  that  life  has  consolation 
for  all  sorrows,  and  that  is  why  young  love 

is  the  most  tragic." 

*  *    * 

Here's  another  slant  on  conditions  in  these 
post-merger  days: 

Reed  Howes  trudged  into  court  last  week 
to  ask  the  judge  to  lop  off  a  chunk  of  the 
alimony. 

"When  the  ruling  on  alimony  was  made," 
he  said,  "I  thought  I  could  pay  it.  But  I  didn't 
figure  on  the  business.  In  the  good  old  days 
pictures  cost  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
and  took  months  to  make.  Now  the  producers 
are  spending  $10,000  on  one  picture  and  mak- 
ing it  in  a  week."  The  court  cut  the  $500  to 
$250. 

*  *    * 

Cemetery  sextons  report  that  about  1,000 
film  people  are  making  monthly  payments  on 
mausoleums  which  they  themselves  will  oc- 
cupy. This  twist  of  realism  has  developed 
a  hundredfold  in  Hollywood  during  the  past 
18  months,  they  say. 

*  *    * 

Dave  Epstein  left  Thursday  for  a  10  days 
trip  to  Chicago. 

New  Christie  Writers  Busy 

HOLLYWOOD. — New  writers  at  the  Christie 
studio  are  Henry  McCarty,  working  on  the  sound 
script  for  "The  Carnation  Kid,"  and  Reed  Heustis 
and  Harry  Freed,  writing  for  Billy  Dooley  and 
"Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl"  stories. 


NOW  IN  Production 
"RED  HOT  Speed" 
STARRING  Reginald  Denny 
DIRECTED  by  Joseph  Henabery 
ORIGINAL  Story  by 

GLADYS  LEHMAN 

UNIVERSAL  Movietone 


1 


5 


I 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


GEORGE  O'BRIEN 

recently    completed   the    Vitaphone 

sequences  of  "Noah's  Ark"  at 

Warner  Brothers. 


August  11,  1928        I 


^^mm 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Laura  LaPlante 


"The  Last  Warning" 


Universal 


"Show  Boat" 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  II,  1928 


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4 

i 


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e 


"Yes  or  No"  on  "Talkies" 


■By  Supervisor^  Player  and  Technician- 


HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7. — The  actress  says  that  the  stage  only  carries  to  the  eighth  row  but  that  the  talking  picture  is  the 
most  expressive  of  all  histrionic  work;  the  supervisor  says  talking  pictures  have  a  definite  limit;  and  the  technician  says  talk- 
ing pictures  are  an  inevitable  development  of  screen  art  and  technique. 


Marion  Morgan  says: 

"Sound  is  the  natural  evolution  of  pictures. 

"All  plastic  art  tends  toward  naturalism  in 
its  upward  groping — man  has  only  nature  to 
copy,  to  imitate.  Genius  in  each  of  the  living 
arts,  Michael  Angelo,  Rembrandt,  Wagner, 
Shakespeare,  reached  its  pinnacle  when  it 
touched  nature  in  its  fullest  and  noblest  form. 

"God  has  given  us  nature  and  man — that  is 
our  picture  book — beyond  that  we  do  not  see 
with  these  human  eyes — beyond  that  we  can- 
not go  with  this  human  mind.  Each  inven- 
tion that  comes  daily  in  this  inventive  period 
is  but  the  rearranged  imagings  of  that  which 
already  is.  The  airplane  is  a  mechanical  im- 
itation of  the  flying  bird— wings,  head,  tail 
— with  power  in  its  man-made  motor  instead 
of  the  natural  animal  power  in  the  bird. 

"Man  in  his  primitive  cave  made  guttural 
sounds  of  fear,  desire,  satisfaction — later  he 
made  pictographs  in  the  rock  wall — crude  im- 
ages of  thought — an  arrow — an  animal — a 
stone — then  his  grunt  sounds  became  more  re- 


"Wings"  Finishes  51st  Week 
In  New  York,  20th  in  London 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.  — Para- 
mount's  "Wings"  is  just  concluding 
its  51st  week  at  the  Criterion,  and 
in  London,  where  it  was  booked 
originally  for  eight  weeks,  it  has  now 
done  its  20th  at  the  Carlton.  Box 
office  £gures  for  the  50th  week  in  the 
Criterion  were  given  as  $11,200.  In 
Trenton  it  did  $9,755,  at  Oakland, 
Cal.,  $12,575. 


fined — they  took  definite  form  so  that  a  war 
whoop  brought  forth  all  his  neighbors  with 
advanced  weapons  such  as  arrows  or  spears. 
He  sent  his  ultimatum  on  a  piece  of  bark  or 
skin  with  pictures  that  were  slowly  evolving 
into  a  sound  language.  The  chiefs  met  and 
made  sounds  to  each  other  that  express'ed  the 
pictures  on  the  tree  bark. 

"Sight  and  sound,  inseparable  in  natural 
evolution,  go  hand  in  hand  in  the  struggle  for 
complete  full  expression  of  man.  With  human 
sound  at  its  f  ullest^a  Caruso ;  with  man-made 
sound  at  its  highest — the  Metropolitan  Sym- 
phony Orchestra;  the  human  figures  on  the 
stage  picturized  a  story  for  us.  And  still  the 
flowering  of  expression  goes  on.  The  fact 
that  we  have  gone  far,  proves  that  we  shall 
still  go  far — even  though  human  eyes  and 
human  minds  may  have  to  release  their  lim- 
ited vision  to  higher  means  of  thought  and  its 
portrayal. 

"The  moving  picture  is  the  modern  inven- 
tion of  the  camera  which  records  the  cave 
man's  wall  warrior  actually  going  to  war  in 
place  of  remaining  still.  It  is  man's  desire  to 
express  life  in  his  pictographs,  and  now  that 
we  have  an  Adolphe  Menjou  and  a  Clara  Bow 
actually  moving — loving — dying — we  naturally 
desire  to  hear  what  they  say  when  they  are 
thrilling  us  with  their  loving  or  dying. 


"In  this  age,  creation  is  expressing  herself 
through  invention  and  one  might  as  well  try 
to  halt  jazz  music  or  skyscrapers — they  are 
the  steps  of  progress  leading  toward  a  fullness 
of  expression  which  may  only  find  itself  and 
its  reason  for  being  long  after  its  pioneers 
are  forgotten. 

"I  see  a  complete  recording  of  man  in 
movement,  color,  perspective  and  speech — be- 
yond that  we  can  only  imagine.  This  is  the 
day  of  the  inventive  mind,  but  the  visions  and 
discoveries  of  the  mechanic  or  scientific  crea- 
tive mind  will  be  the  stage  setting  for  the 
creative  artist  to  'strut  his  stuff'  whether  it  be 
a  Barrymore,  a  Mumau,  a  Ziegfeld,  or  a 
Reinhardt — 

"Let's  go  with  the  parade!" 


Nancy  Carroll,  Paramount  star,  says: 

"Talking  and  sound  effects,  as  known  in 
screenland,  will  be  one  of  the  biggest  innova- 
tions ever  introduced  into  one  industry  and 
the  change  is  worry  to  the  complete  royster. 

"The  idea  being  new,  serves  to  bring  out 
the  'stay  at  homes'  who  would  rather  listen 
to  the  radio,  after  a  strenuous  day  at  the 
office  or  shop,  but  to  be  up  on  all  that  is  cur- 
rent, visit  the  place  that  can  give  them  the 
most  for  their  money  and  evening's  time. 
Pleasure  can  be  had  from  many  angles,  but 
novelty  has  the  most  human  appeal.  Talking 
pictures  will  not  last,  but  the  public  will  be 
greatly  improved  by  sound  effects.  For  in- 
stance, many  people  may  not  have  heard  a 
steamboat  whistle,  or  the  wail  of  a  night  bird. 
This  will  all  be  brought  out  in  sound,  with 
much  acclaim.  As  an  afterthought,  think  what 
it  will  mean  to  pictures  where  it  is  necessary 
to  register  sound  on  trains,  winds,  howls,  and 
various  other  noises  which  will  be  recorded 
into  a  picture. 

"Stage  plays  in  drama  or  burlesque,  or  even 
grand  opera,  are  handicapped  by  not  being  able 
to  portray  the  various  settings  that  Avould  be 
more  interesting  to  the  average  audience.  The 
screen  is  in  a  position  to  change  the  scenery 
at  will,  and  also  have  the  desired  atmosphere. 
The  stage,  with  the  best  of  lighting  effects, 
cannot  bring  out  the  expression  of  the  actors, 
beyond  the  eighth  row.  The  reason  for  this 
is  that  the  average  patron  cannot  see  how  the 
words  of  the  players  react  on  the  artists  in 
the  supporting  roles.  In  pictures,  closeups 
do  the  work  and  with  talking  or  sound  effects, 
the  screen  is  compelled  to  portray  the  feel- 
ings of  those  of  the  cast,  if  sound  is  to  be 
used. 

"Printed  titles  of  the  past  will  soon  be  elim- 
inated altogether,  but  ■will  have  even  a  greater 
effect  when  spoken,  the  voice  of  the  artist  will 
portray  the  feeling.  There  are  many  ways 
of  saying  a  thought,  but  with  expression,  there 
is  no  misunderstanding  as  to  the  meaning. 

"Inasmuch  as  the  complete  industry  is  the- 
orizing, we  all  have  our  thoughts,  but  it  is 
my  strong  belief  that  the  talking  picture  is 
here  to  stay." 


Corinne  Barker  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Corinne  Barker, 
actress  of  stage  and  screen,  died  in  Mount 
Sinai  hospital  yesterday  after  an  operation. 


Charlie  Furthman,  production  supervisor  for 
Paramount,  says: 

"The  talking  picture  is  the  greatest  thing 
ever  invented,  but  will  reach  its  pinnacle  in 
a  few  short  years,  if  that  long.  The  color 
reels  were  a  great  thing  when  first  introduced 
into  pictures,  but  lasted  only  a  short  while. 
The  same  thing  will  happen  to  talking  pic- 
tures but  not  so  with  sound. 

"The  talking  picture  is  for  class  and  for 
class  only.  Think  what  it  would  mean  to  the 
film  industry  to  localize  their  picture.  The 
producers  could  not  afford  to  limit  the  sale 
of  their  film  to  the  United  States  alone,  with 
international  exchanges  begging  for  the  busi- 
ness. The  sound  must  be  in  tones  for  the 
complete  world  to  understand,  and  what  would 
happen  if  an  American  actor  tried  to  tell  his 
story  to  an  Egyptian  audience,  even  though 
the  thought  be  the  same,  the  time  would  take 
longer  and  also  expression  would  be  neces- 
sary to  carry  out  the  thought. 

"The  public  in  general  does  not  care  to  hear 


All  European  Capitab 
To  See  Dolores  Del  Rio 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  7.— Dolores 
Del  Rio,  now  in  New  York  enroute 
overseas  on  a  trip  sponsored  by  Ed- 
win Carewe,  her  producer-director, 
will  be  presented  in  every  capital  of 
Europe.  There  are  fourteen  countries 
on  the  itinerary.  Traveling  in  the 
party  are  Miss  Del  Rio.  Edwin  Ca- 
rewe, Miss  Del  Rio's  mother,  Mrs. 
J.  L.  Asunsolo,  her  maid,  Albert  Ben- 
ham,  Carewe's  secretary,  and  Harry 
D.    Wilson,    personal    representative. 


the  actors  speak.  They  have  formed  an  opin- 
ion of  the  stars,  and  think  what  would  happen 
if  the  big,  he-man  hero,  spoke  in  a  small 
squeakjf  sotto  voice.  This  happens,  at  least  it 
would,  if  every  picture  were  made  in  all  talk- 
ing form. 

"Another  thought  for  the  general  theatre- 
goer: Many  people  are  more  or  less  'hard 
of  hearing.'  Never  has  it  been  known  these 
days  and  times  when  you  can  get  a  seat  in  a 
popular  theatre  at  the  spot  a  patron  would 
like.  Suppose  that  talking  pictures  were  at 
the  height  and  the  details  could  not  be  under- 
stood unless  the  complete  dialogue  was  under- 
stood? The  complete  plot  would  invariably  be 
lost.  The  patron  has  to  be  satisfied,  but  with 
sound,  it  would  be  different  for  the  public  is 
used  to  various  scenes  and  would  gather  the 
connection  without  the  sound  effects.  This 
will  be  a  very  material  difference  in  the  eyes 
of  patrons  thus  handicapped. 

"Children,  one  of  the  biggest  box  office 
angles,  will  not  be  able  to  understand  plots 
which  are  depicted  in  talking  sequences,  but 
understand  every  known  sound,  will  be  one  of 
the  greatest  thorns  to  producers  of  the  talking 
picture.  They  love  the  sound  of  the  horses' 
hoofs,  the  yell  of  the  Indian  or  the  shooting 
of  a  gun,  but  will  not  be  able  to  understand 
the  great  words  of  a  lawyer  or  the  fine  words 
of  an  artistocrat.  This  will  all  have  to  be 
worked  out  to  gain  the  revenue  once  enjoyed 
by  the  original  moving  picture  houses." 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICrURE  WORLD 


49 


NOW:  "The  Love  Song" 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928         I 


\ 


Jack  White  Productions 


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Auffusl  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Ben  Lyon  Will  Have 
Leading  Role  in  New 
F  B  O  Air  Production 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Ben  Lyon,  popu- 
lar young  star,  has  begun  his  free  lance 
career  auspiciously.  William  Le  Baron  has 
engaged  him  to  play  the  featured  lead  in 
FBO's  Gold  Bond  Special,  "The  Air  Legion," 
under  the   direction   of   Bert   Glennon. 

It  would  seem  that  Ben  is  destined  to  stay 
"up  in  the  air,"  for  he  is  again  a  hero  air- 
pilot  after  playing  for  the  past  nine  months 
a  similar  featured  lead  in  Howard  Hughes' 
Caddo  Production,  "Hell's  Angels."  Martha 
Sleeper  and  Tony  Moreno  are  also  featured 
in  "The  Air  Legion." 


Greater  Movie  Season 

Will  Begin  August  IS 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— When  Greater 
Movie  Season  opens  on  August  18,  all 
branches  of  the  motion  picture  industry  expect 
to  be  solidly  united  to  make  it  the  greatest 
possible  success.  Studio  executives,  theatres, 
actors  and  directors  are  all  pledged  to  aid. 

The  origin  of  the  Greater  Movie  Season 
plan  is  credited  to  an  executive  of  the  Par- 
amount Famous  Lasky,  Herman  Wobber,  who 
suggested  that  the  industry  should  celebrate 
the  coming  of  a  new  season  with  its  new 
products.  The  movement  has  now  grown 
until  it  has  become  one  of  the  most  adver- 
tised campaigns  in  any  industry. 


$1,000,000  Movietone  Layout 
Will  Be  Built  on  Coast  by  Fox 

Winfield  Sheehan  Also  Announces  Signing  of  Players,  Writers  and 

Stage  Directors  for  Synchronized  Picture  Production; 

Construction  of  Studio  Now  Underway 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7. — Winfield  Sheehan  today  revealed  plans  of  Fox 
Films  for  a  Movietone  plant  costing  $1,000,000,  which  will  cover  40  acres  of 
ground  at  the  Fox  Hills  Studios  in  Westwood.  It  is  the  first  Movietone  an- 
nouncement to  be  made  by  Sheehan. 

Construction  has  recently  begun  and  will  be  brought  to  completion  within 
a  few  weeks,  it  is  believed.  The  plant  will  include  several  technical  buildings 
and  an  administration  building. 

Players  Are  Signed  to  Contracts 
Sheehan  also  stated  that  the  following  players  have  been  placed  under  con- 
tract   for   Movietone    productions :     Gilbert    Emery,    Lumsden    Hare,    Cliiiford 
Dempsey,    Robert    Clark,    Paul    McCullough,    Sylvia    Field,    Paul    Fung,    Ben 
Homes,  Chick  Sale,  Arnold  Lucy  and  Helen  Twelvetrees. 
Writers    and    stage   managers    signed    today      is  best  known  for  his  work  in  "The  Gorilla." 


Seattle  Keeps  Lead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Seattle  continued  to 
hold    first    place    in    First    National's    summer 
billing  dri\e  at  the  end  of  the  eighth  week. 


include  the  following :  Tom  Barry,  Edmund 
Joseph,  Charles  Judels,  Edwin  Burke,  Earle 
Lewis  McGill,  David  Stampner,  Eugene  Wal- 
ter, Donald  Gallagher,  Marcel  Silver  and 
Helen  Ware. 

Shubert  Producer  on  Staff 

Miss  Ware  is  author  of  "Paid  in  Full"  and 
Barry  is  a  celebrated  writer  of  plays.  Judels 
was  general  stage  producer  for  Shuberts  for 
five  years  and  produced  musical  comedies  for 
that   organization. 

Burke  and  Joseph  are  writers  of  vaudeville 
sketches  and  Stampner  was  composer  of  mu- 
sic for  all  the  Ziegfeld  shows  for  the  last  10 
years.  AfcGill  was  associated  with  Jed  Harris, 
producer   of   "Broadway."     Donald    Gallagher 


Helen  Ware  will  act  as  coach  and  director  of 
the   younger   players. 

Appeared  in  Freshman  Plays 

Emery  was  with  Frohmans  for  years  and  in 
George  Tyler's  Revivals.  Hare,  actor  and 
director,  is  now  staging  "Elmer  Gantry." 
Dempsey  played  the  role  of  the  detective  in 
"The  Gorilla."  Sylvia  Field  is  playing  in 
"The  Royal  Family."  Arnold  Lucy  is  a 
prominent  character  actor  on  Broadway. 
Helen  Twelvetrees  is  a  young  ingenue  con- 
sidered a  find,  and  Paul  Fung  is  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Kansas  and  is  directing 
plays  and  actors  in  a  Chinese  theatre  in  New 
York. 


'The  Kid's    K  A  T  H  R  Y  N    "King  of  the 
Clever"        CRAWFORD         Rodeo" 


Charles  F.  Klein 

Directing  George  O'Brien 
and  Lois  Moran 


in 


€$ 


THE  FOG 

(Tentative  Title) 


» 


Now  Under  Contract  to 
Wm.  Fox 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


(( 


Legion  of  the  Condemned*' 
"Three  Sinners" 
"The  Magnificent  Flirt" 

Jean  deLimur 
Continuity 

Now  Preparing 

"Dirigible" 

for  William  Wellman 


"Take  Me  Home" 
with  Bebe  Daniels 

Directed  by  Marshall  Neilan 

Ethel  Doherty 
Scenarist 

Ernest  Vajda's  story 
Temporary  Titled 

"Manhattan" 

with  Richard  Arlen 
and  Nancy  Carrol 


"Sawdust  Paradise" 

Directed  by  Luther  Reed 
Starring  Esther  Ralston 

Louise  Long 
Screen  Writer 

Screen  Play  with 
Hope  Loring 
"Interference" 

with  Clive  Brook,  William  Powell 
Evelyn  Brent  and  Doris  Kenyon 
Directed  by  Lothar  Mendez 


I 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


IN  PARAMOUNT' CHRISTIFS 
NEW  "SOUND"  COMEDIES 


BILLY  DOOLEY 

The  creator  of  hilarious  fun  on  land  and 
sea,  in  his  latest  synchronized  pictures: 

"The  Dizzy  Diver" 
"Oriental  Hugs",  and 
"A  She  Going  Sailor". 


BOBBY  VERNON 

The  College  Cut  Comedian  in  his  latest 
comedies  now  synchronized  with  funny 
sound  effects  and  peppy  music. 

"Stop  Kidding" 

"The  Sock  Exchange" 

"Hot  Sparks" 


BILLY  ENGLE 

Third  season  as  one  of  the  featured  Christie 
Comedians,  with  an  inimitable  style,  all 
his  own. 

Now  appearing  in  the  outstanding  new 
series  of  backstage  humor, 

^^Confessions  of  a  Chorus  GirP' 


I 


"■I 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928  i 


\ 


t 


S 


3 


Nihlo  Warns  Against  Stampede  in 
Production  of  Sound  Films 

Declares    Public    Interest   in   Motion   Pictures    Will    be    Jeopardized   by 
Mediocre  Talking  Films — "Turn  Theatres  Into  Garages" 
By  JEROME  M.  STRAUSS 

HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7. — Fred    Niblo    is    looking    to    talking    pictures 
through  anything  but  rose-colored  glasses.     "Go  slowly  and  cautiously" 
is  the  advice  of  this  director. 
"When  I  see  this  great  industry  plunging  blindly  into  unknown  lands,  I  am 
frightened,"  he  said.     "Frankly,  I  am  afraid. 

'  'T  WOULD  like  to  sound  a  warning  against 
-'-  this    stampede.      At    least,    let    us    take 
time  to  consider  where  we  are  going. 

"I  do  not  believe  that  public  interest  in  the 
silent  film  is  flagging  to  the  point  where  in- 
novations are  demanded.  The  trouble  lies 
in  theatre  overdevelopment,  more  seats  than 
can  possibly  be  filled.  Turn  half  our  theatres 
into  garages  and  there  will  be  no  complaint 
on  the  score  of  patronage. 

Mediocre  Talking  Pictures 


"The  silent  drama  has  had  a  great  clientele. 
Shall  we  jeopardize  this  by  tinkering  with 
the  type  of  pictures  that  has  built  up  this 
following?  Shall  we  drive  film  patrons  from 
theatres  by  presenting  them  with  mediocre 
talking  pictures? 

"What  of  the  quality  of  the  conversation 
in  the  'talkies'?  What  will  the  actors  say? 
Who  will  write  it  for  them?  As  it  is  there 
is  a  shortage  of  good  writers  in  the  industry. 
Where  will  we  find  Oscar  Wildes  and  Bernard 
Shaws  to  write  dialogue  for  the  'talkies'? 

"The  public  loves  youth  and  beauty  on  the 
screen.  Shall  we  sacrifice  youth  and  beauty 
to  voice?  And  a  good  voice  in  a  talking 
picture  will  be  a  canned  voice,  nevertheless. 

"What  will  become  of  our  foreign  market? 
What  will  become  of  our  foreign  stars,  with 
imperfect  knowledge  of  our  language?  And 
what  will  become  of  some  of  our  greatest 
actors,  who  are  not  especially  favored  as  to 
voice?  I  fear  that  many  an  idol  of  the  silent 
drama  may  have  a  tongue  of  clay — or  rather 
of   brass — in   talking  pictures. 

"One  of  the  greatest  assets  of  pictures  is  the 
musical  score.  Whatever  happens,  let  us  re- 
tain this,  either  by  sound  device  or  orchestra. 


"Motion  pictures  are  modern  fairy  tales. 
They  are  essentially  the  art  of  pantomime. 
Music  heightens  illusion,  speech  may  destroy 
it. 

Sound  Only  at  First 

_"I  would  suggest  that  we  go  in  for  sound 
pictures  before  embarking  upon  talking  pic- 
tures. Reproduction  of  sounds  may  be  very 
effective.  I  would  have  liked  sound  effects 
for  such  scenes  in  'Ben-Hur'  as  the  galley 
fight  and  the  chariot  race. 

"I  have  said  I  would  like  to  see  half  our 
theatres  turned  into  garages.  I  would  rather 
see  them  turned  into  juvenile  playhouses. 

"Second  to  theatre  overbuilding,  I  regard 
the  policy  of  trying  to  appeal  to  all  types  of 
minds  as  the  worst  curse  of  the  industry.  An 
intelligent  adult  may  read  Schnitzler,  his  lit- 
tle boy  'The  Youth's  Companion.'  But  the 
intelligent  adult  and  his  little  boy  go  to  the 
same  show. 

"If  we  make  Schnitzler  for  the  screen,  and 
eliminate  the  subtleties  for  the  sake  of  the 
child,  we  have  neither  Schnitzler  nor  'The 
Youth's   Companion.' 

"If  the  intelligent  adult  and  his  little  boy 
went  to  different  theatres  or  to  different  per- 
formances— one  with  plays  for  the  adult  mind, 
the  other  with  plays  for  the  juvenile  mind — 
then  we  could  draw  the  line  somewhere  in 
making  pictures. 

"Certain  theatres  already  have  made  a  start 
in  this  direction  by  giving  children's  matinees. 

"I  have  done  considerable  viewing  with 
alarm,"  said  Niblo  in  closing.  "Despite  ev- 
erything, I  believe  the  industry  rests  on  a 
firm  foundation.  I  want  to  see  it  stay  there 
to  continue  to  rest  on  the  fundamentals  that 
have  made  it  so  great." 


Nightlife  in  Hollywood  Consists  of  18 
Policemen  and  Watchman  at  the  Ice  Plant 

And  You  Oughta  See  the  Windmill  in  the  Center  of  Town,  Says  PFL  Star; 

The  Village  Is  Full  of  Youngsters 

By  BEBE  DANIELS 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7. — Hollywood  is  a  city  with  houses  and  people  in  it,  and 
streets  running  North  and  South  and  East  and  West,  and  lawns  and  trees  and  flowers, 
and  a  Rotary  Club.  It  is  Troy,  New  York,  with  the  exception  that  its  residents  make 
motion   pictures    instead    of    shirts   and   collars. 

Hollywood  men   wear  knickers   for  the   same        still    pumps    water    for  -the   last    remnant    of    a    citrus 

reason  that  railroad  engineers  wear  overalls. 
They  are  practical  to  work  in.  Hollywood 
cafes  serve  wheat  cakes  in  the  morning,  pine- 
apple and  cottage  cheese  salad  for  lunch  and 
desiring  patrons  can  have  liver  and  onions 
for  their  evening  meal.  Or  even  corned  beef 
and  cabbage.  The  drinks  are  tea,  coffee  and 
milk. 

The  night  life  of  Hollywood  is  confined  to 
18  policemen  and  the  watchman  at  the  ice 
plant.  There  is  no  third  trick  operator  at 
the  depot,  for  Hollywood,  having  no  railroads, 
has  no  station.  Every  other  street  light  is 
turned  out  at  midnight  and  if  revelers  and 
roisterers  want  something  to  eat  after  that 
hour  it  is  just  too  bad.  Unless  there  is  a 
snack  at  home  in  the  ice  box. 


Hollywood   is    one    of   the   few   cities    of    the    world 


ranch  that  is  bravely  holding  out  against  the  advances 
of  realtors.  In  front  of  the  public  library,  which  is 
just  back  from  Hollywood  Boulevard,  there  is  a 
drinking  fount  for  horses.  But  there  are  no  horses. 
Nevertheless  the  water  supply  is  ever  fresh  and  the 
birds    like    it 

Blase  Hollywood  still  cranes  its  neck  every  time 
an  airplane  passes  overhead.  Hollywood's  idea  of 
a  perfectly  wonderful  time  is  a  drive  to  the  beach, 
a  swim  in  the  surf  and  a  rest  on  the  sand,  with 
fried  chicken  or  a  steak  at  some  roadside  "mammy 
shack"    on    the    way    back    home. 

Hollywood  has  more  young  people  than  any  other 
city  of  corresponding  size  in  the  world — and  has 
less  trouble  with  them.  The  young  folks  of  Holly- 
wood are  not  idlers.  They  work  for  their  livings, 
and  they  work  hard. 

Hollywood  has  a  better  horse  shoe  pitching  club 
than  Long  Beach.  Repeated  tournaments  between  the 
two   cities   have    proved    it. 

Hollywood's  chief  topic  of  conversation,  other  than 
the  weather,  is  "remember  when?"  "Remember 
when  that  corner  could  have  been  bought  for  $200?" 
"Remember    when    Jesse    Lasky    took    over    that    old 


council  passed  the  ordinance  against  keeping  cows 
and  hogs  within  the  city  limits?  "  Of  course  Holly- 
wood remembers  when.  Even  the  youngest  genera- 
tion can  recall  those  things.  They  happened  such  a 
short   time   ago. 

Hollywood  loves  good  music  more  than  any  other 
town  I  know.  Its  series  of  summertime  "symphonies 
under  the  stars,"  in  Hollywood  Bowl,  are  inspiring 
examples    of    what    a    community    can    accomplish. 

Hollywood  is  my  home  town.  I  get  the  thrill  of 
pride  whenever  I  write,  "Bebe  Daniels,  Hollywood, 
California,"  on  a  hotel  register.  My  Hollywood 
friends  are  loyal  friends.  I  like  the  way  the  police- 
man at  the  corner  of  the  Boulevard  and  Western 
says,    "Hello!" 

Hollywood  is  a  well  dressed  community  because  the 
Hollywood  shops  are  smart  shops  and  the  merchants 
are  alert.  Few  women  of  my  acquaintance  buy  their 
outfits  elsewhere.  Many  women  whom  I  know,  who 
live  elsewhere,  come  to  Hollywood  for  their  shopping. 

Hollywood  dinner  parties  are  a  delight,  for  the 
conversation  is  stimulating  and  refreshing.  No  one 
has  ever  been  known  to  leave  his  bridge  partner  in 
a  one  no  trump,  doubled.  Seven  o'clock  in  the 
morning  tennis  engagements  are  kept.  And  often 
the  day  winds  up  with  a  ride  over  the  bridle  paths 
of   Griffith   Park. 

Hollywood  as  I  know  it,  is  a  doggoned  nice  place. 
And     I     know    Hollywood. 


Koenig  Is  Given  New 
Contract    as    Warner 
General  Studio  Chief 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7.— Always    an    ag- 
gressive  leader   and   organizer,    William    Koe- 
nig,    general     studio     manager     at     Warner 
Brothers,    is    one    of 
the  vital  personalities 
contributing     to     the 
phenomenal    progress 
made    by    this    studio 
during   the   past   few 
years. 

Only  recently  the 
Warners  evinced 
their  satisfaction  with 
this  executive's  initi- 
ative and  capability 
by  signing  him  on  a 
new  contract  that  in- 
sures his  continuance 
in  office  for  them. 

Koenig  possesses  a 
remarkable  record  of 
achievement.  Motion  picture  exhibitor,  amuse- 
ment promoter,  theatre  organizer,  manager 
and  circuit  manager,  he  has  during  his  entire 
lifetime  been  identified  directly  with  the  thea- 
tre. The  ramifications  of  his  work  have  iden- 
tified him  prominently  with  musical  comedy, 
dramatic  stock,  the  circus,  opera,  carnivals  and 
sporting  events.  Each  in  turn  has  found  him 
an  aggressive  worker  and  an  eager  and  able 
leader. 


William     Koenig 


Thousand  Theatres  Book 
F  N*s  "Captain  Ramper" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— One  thousand  the- 
atres have  booked  "The  Strange  Case  of  Cap- 
tain Ramper,"  in  advance  of  its  release 
August  12,  Ned  E.  Depinet,  general  sales 
manager  of  First  National,  announced  last 
week.  The  picture  was  made  in  Berlin  by 
Defu. 

It  also  was  announced  that  five  thousand 
theatres  have  booked  Richard  Barthelmess' 
"The  Patent  Leather  Kid,"  while  Depinet  esti- 
mates as  many  more  will  show  it.  It  opened 
a  year  ago  at  the  Globe  at  $2  top. 


Expects  Films  to  Solve 
Fate  of  Victim  in  Arctic 

Films  of  the  Nobile  Arctic  expedition  will 
settle  the  question  of  the  fate  of  Dr  Finn 
Malmgren,  said  Dr.  Adolf  Hoel  of  the  ice- 
breaker Krassin,  according  to  dispatches  from 

Norway. 


that    has    a    windmill    near   its    center.      The    windmill    barn    at    Selma    and    Vine?"      "Remember    when    the 


Warrenton  Renews 

NEW    YORK. — Universal    has    renewed    the    con- 
tract of  Gilbert   Warrenton,  its  star  photographer. 


L 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


with  Clara  Bow 

"RED  HAIR^' 

with  Clara  Bow 


NOW 
"THREE  WEEK  ENDS" 

with  Clara  Bow 

all  directed  by 

CLARENCE  BADGER 

for  Paramount 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


^j«**^*^^^>-. 


STOP! 


LOOK! 


and 


LISTEN! 


For  the  New 

MACK  SENNETT 

Sound  Comedies 


Now  in  Preparation  at 

STUDIO  CITY  -  CALIFORNIA 


L 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


FINIS  FOX 

Screen  Author 


"RESURRECTION" 
"RAMONA  -  REVENGE" 

Norv  Preparing 

"EVANGELINE" 


All  Edwin  Carewe-Dolores  Del  Rio  Productions 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


FRANK  TUTTLE 


Directed 


U 


Varsity" 

Charles  (Buddy)  Rogers' 

First  Starring  Picture 

For  Paramount 


JEAN  HERSHOLT 

Now  Starring  in  an  AU-Movietone 
Production  for  Universal 


I 

^ 


w 


August  11,  1928                            EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD                                                   59 

it 

Just  Completed 

Directed  by 

"The  Fleet's  In" 

Malcolm  St.  Clair 

for  Paramount 

With  Clara  Bow 

Next  Production 

^^The  Canary 

Murder  Case^^ 

"HOOT  GIBSON^* 

now  making 

"King  of  the  Rodeo" 

At  the  Annual  Chicago  Rodeo 

for 

Hoot  Gibson  Productions 

1 

k 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1927 


Wanta  Write  Titles? — It's  a  Cinch! 


HOLLY  Vy  00  D.— When  pictures  were 
really  in  their  infancy — say  15  years  ago — 
Dwinelle  Benthall  and  Rufus  McCosh  decided 
to  be  scenaro  writers — just  like  that. 

There  was  an  advertisement  which  promised 
to  teach  one  "How  to  Write  Scenarios"— for 
$5.00. 

The  complete  course  was  bought,  duly 
studied  and  the  scenarios  written  per  instruc- 
tions. They  are  still  for  sale.  Unfortunately 
the  Edison,  the  Lubin  and  the  Imp  Studios, 
which  were  in  full  blast  in  those  days,  failed 
to  appreciate  thern — and  the  romantic  dreara 
of  a  picture  career  seemed  over,  having  cost 
$5.00  and  a  small  fortune  in  stamps.  For 
them    the    every   day   drama   of    a    newspaper 


ofiice  had  to  suffice.  .Dwindle  was  on  the  staff 
of  the  old  Baltimore  American,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  conservative  papers  in 
America.  She  interviewed  celebrities,  visiting 
cardinals,  princes,  authors,  millionaires,  seven 
day  wonders  and  stars  of  the  stage  and 
screen. 

Rufus  didn't  care  very  much  about  the 
stars,  but  he  did  like  to  see  pictures — and  at 
every  opportunity  he  saw  pictures  and  re- 
membered them. 

Their  background  was  more  or  less  theat- 
rical and  literary.  John  T.  Ford,  owner  of 
Ford's  Opera  House  in  Baltimore  and  of  the 
famous  Ford's  theatre  in  Washington,  where 
Lincoln  was  assasinated  was   Dwinelle's  great 


uncle.  They  naturally  became  interested  in 
the  little  theatre  movement  and  were  active 
in  acting,  writing  and  directing  for  the  Vaga- 
bond theatre,  one  of  the  first  of  the  little 
theatres. 

As  motion  picture  editor  on  The  American, 
Dwindelle  reviewed  pictures,  sorted  and  read 
the  reams  of  publicity  sent  out  by  the  various 
press  agents  and  studios  and  "learned  about 
pictures  from  them." 

Her  interest  was  divided  between  writing 
and  acting,  and  after  a  year  or  two,  which 
took  her  across  the  continent  twice,  she  de- 
cided to  stay  in  Hollywood  one  summer. 

There  was  an  opportunity  to  write  pub- 
licity for  Thomas  Ince.  In  the  fall  there  was 
an  opportunity  in  the  scenario  department  at 
Universal. 

Now  she  was  really  learning  about  pictures. 
After  two  years  in  the  scenario  department 
she  reached  her  goal — titling.     "It  had  always 


Dwinelle    Benthall 


Rufus    McCofth 


seemed  to  me  one  of  the  most  vital  things  in 
pictures,"  she  says,  "making  words  part  of 
the  whole." 

"That  was  five  years  ago — April  Fool's  day 
— 1923  to  be  exact.  My  first  assignment  was 
an  Irish  comedy  directed  by  King  Baggot. 
It  was  a  successful  picture." 

Since  then  she  has  been  titling  pictures  coffi- 
tinuously.  All  kinds.  Some  of  the  worst  and 
some  of  the  best — but  with  it  all  came  facility 
— and  understanding  of  cutting  and  editing — 
of  construction  and  reconstruction — a  knowl- 
edge of  films  plus  the  knowledge  of  words 
and  the  handhng  of  them  which  had  been 
gained  in  the  newspaper  world. 

Clarence  Brown's  "Acquittal,"  "Smoldering 
Fires,"  and  "The  Goose  Woman,"  were  all 
titled  by  her  in  those  Universal  years,  and 
they  are  still  remembered  favorably  by  fans 
and  the  profession. 

After  "The  Goose  Woman,"  she  and  her 
husband  decided  that  titling  and  editing 
could  be  made  a  business  and  run  on  business 
principles.  They  established  their  office  in 
Hollywood  and  were  soon  busy  on  "Tte  Lady 
of  the  Harem"  and  "The  Blind  Goddess,"  for 
Lasky,  followed  by  numerous  pictures  for 
various   studios. 

Two  years  ago  they  did  "The  Silent  Lover" 
starring  Milton  Sills — for  First  National  and 
are  just  finishing  their  twentieth  picture  for 
that  company— "The  Night  Watch,"  starring 
Billie  Dove,  before  beginning  on  Milton  Sills' 
latest  vehicle  "Hard  Rock." 

Pictures  titled  by  this  pair  include  drama, 
comedy,  folk  story  and  domestic  drama.  One 
point  of  which  the  critics  have  made  special 
mention  is  the  natural  quality  of  their  titles, 
whether  descriptive  narrative,  straight  drama, 
straight  comedy,  dialect  or  wise  cracks !  All 
these  have  their  place  in  the  picture  whether 
talkies  or  silent.  Trained  to  write  dialogue, 
pointed  concise  and  constructive  they  feel  that 
the  present  day  title  writer  has  little  to  fear 
from  the  trend  to  talkies.  It  will  take  some 
adjustment,  study,  harder  work  for  the  time 
being  but  rnaking  pictures  is  a  business  just 
like  any  other  business  in  which  those  with 
the  "know  how"  have  the  inside  track. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


Salomon  Is  Elevated 
By  Warner  Brothers; 
Assistant    to    Koenig 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOD,  Aug.  7.— Appointment  of  A. 
M.  "Doc"  Salomon  as  assistant  studio  manager 
at  Warner  Brothers  elevates  this  capable  ex- 
ecutive  to   an  impor- 

tant    position  '  in    the 

talking    picture    divi- 
sion of  this  studio. 

Salomon's  new  posi- 
tion, effective  in  July, 
ranks  him  next  below 
William  Koenig,  gen- 
eral studio  manager. 
As  such,  Salomon 
will  figure  dominant- 
ly  in  the  rapidly  ex- 
panding talking 
picture  production  ac- 
tivities of  Warner 
^       Brothers. 


A.    M.     (Doe)    Salomon 


Formerly  superin- 
tendent of  the  studio 
with  duties  concerned  chiefly  with  the  property 
and  transportation  departments,  Salomon  has 
been  identified  with  Warner  Brothers  since 
their  entrance  into  the  film  production  field. 
Previously  he  was  affiliated  as  a  salesman  with 
J.  L.  Warner,  now  vice  president  in  charge  of 
production,  in  San  Francisco,  where  the  latter 
operated  a  film  exchange. 


Baker  Wins  Promotion 
After  Several  Years  of 
Effort  at  Clxristie  Plant 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  August  7.— Christie  Stu- 
dios announte  the  promotion  of  Eddie  Baker, 
actor  and  assistant  director,  to  a  co-director. 
He  is  now  co-directing  a  Sandy  MacDuff  pic- 
ture with  Walter  Graham,  veteran  of  the 
Christie  forces. 

In  order  to  reach  this  place  Eddie  literally 
had  to  fight  his  way  up.  He  has  fought  Bobby 
Vernon,  Billy  Dooley,  Jack  Duffy  and  other 
Christie  players  by  the  hour.  All  in  fun,  with 
the  cameras  cranking,  of  course,  but  the  mu- 
tual bruises  and  bumps  sustained  by  Baker 
and  his  film  enemies  have  been  none  the  less 
painful. 

Among  his  successful  roles  are  the  parts  he 
played  with  Bobby  Vernon  in  "Short  Socks," 
"Footloose  Wimmen,"  "Sweeties"  and  "Splash 
Yourself,"  and  with  Billy  Dooley  in  "Row, 
Sailor,  Row"  and  "The  Dizzy  Diver." 


f9 


Del  Rutfi  Gets  New  Kind 
Of  Drama  with  "Conquest 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— "Conquest"  an 
adventure  story  starring  Monte  Blue,  which  is 
being  produced  as  a  Vitaphone  special  by 
Warner  Brothers,  is  under  the  direction  of 
Roy  Del  Ruth,  who  has  heretofore  demon- 
strated his  talent  for  light  comedy  drama. 

This  is  a  new  type  of  assi^ment  for  Del 
Ruth  and  he  is  said  to  be  ably  demonstrating 
his  versatility.  His  capable  direction  of  "The 
Terror,"  a  highly  melodramatic  Vitaphone 
production,  together  with  his  remarkable  rec- 
ord in  the  comedy  drama  field,  led  to  his 
selection  by  Warner  Brothers  to  direct  "Con- 
quest." 


Walsh  Weds  in  Mexico 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Raoul  Walsh 
chartered  an  airplane  Thursday  and  flew  to 
Agua  Caliente,  near  Tia  Juana,  Mexico,  where 
he  was  married  to  Lorraine  Helen  Walker  by 
Judge  Marinda  in  the  governor's  suite  at  the 
Agua  Caliente  hotel.  The  ceremony  was  in 
Spanish  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allan  Dwan  were 
witnesses.  Miss  Walker  is  a  motion  picture 
actress. 


s 


COTT 


R.B 


EAL 


Unit  Manager 


George  Fitzmaurice  Productions 

First  National  Studios 

Burbank,  Gal. 


r 


"Lilac  Time" 


"The  Barker" 


J 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


WARNER  BROTHERS  ELECTRICAL  DEPARTMENT 


F.  N.  MURPHY,  Electrical  Engineer 


Vitaphone  Division 


L.  M.  COMBS,  Asst. 


F.  N.    Murphy    (inset) 
L.    M.    Combs 

H.    Farlow 
L.   Dowell 

G.  Satterfield 
J.    Ohl 

C.    Ferguson 
C.    Alexander 
J.    Murphy 
L.    Greene 
L.   A.   McCain 


E.    Fields 
B.    Harrington 
H.    Robough 
B.    Allen 
A.    Tondreau 
W.    Beers 
A.   Munson 
G.   Beckwith 
Al   Dwyer 
H.    Putnam 
M.   Gustay 


T.   Kelley 
C.    Root 
G.     Mansfield 
H.    Lockwood 
B.   Howard 
B.I  Wagner 
B.    Clarke 
R.   Owen 
T.   Fairbanks 
R.  Thompson 


G.    Morton 

E.  Archer 

F.  Campbell 
H.    Gross 

G.  Allen 
R.   King 
P.    Burnett 
T.   Hale 

W.  Watkins 
J.   McCannon 
W.   Grady 


E.   Mattieson 
P.  Wolf 
J.    Peters 
W.    Burkholter 

C.  Hutchison 
R.   Chase 

D.  Farlow 
B.   Rogers 

E.  Gretton 
E.    Westcott 
J.  Evans 


"DRY  MARTINI" 


Just  completed  for 
Fox  Studios 


Directed  by  H.  D'Abbadie  D'Arrast 

"Service  for  Ladies" 

"Gentlemen  of  Paris" 

"Serenade" 

For  Paramount 


! 


_ 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


6?, 


Many  heads  of  producing  units  and  stars  take  part  in  ground  breaking  for  Metropolitan's  all  sound  film  stages  and  new  group  of  recording 
buildings.  Thirteen  different  producing  units  are  affected  by  the  new  development  at  Metropolitan.  Left  to  right:  R.  E.  Ward  (Austin 
Company),  J.  P.  McGotvan,  R.  L.  Russell  (Austin  Co.),  Francis  Ford,  Ben  Lyon,  Douglas  MacLean,  Phil  H.  Ryan,  manager  of  Metropolitan, 
A I  Christie.  Buddy  Post,  Harold  Lloyd,  Al  Cohn,  Charles  Christie.  Howard  Huges,  head  of  Caddo  Company;  J.  S.  Ward  of  Electric  Research 
Products;  W.  R.  Eraser,  George  Gray,  H.  C.  Humphrey,  Electrical  Research  Products;  A.  H.  Carlos,  Burton  King,  Trem  Carr,  Renaud  Hoffman, 
Leo  Cahane,  Joseph  H.  Engle,  H.  D.  Edwards. 


First  of  Russ  Farrell 
Series  Is  Completed  by 
C  R,  Rogers  and  Brown 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— "The  Skyway- 
man,"  the  first  of  the  Russ  Farrell  series  of 
featurettes  being  produced  by  Charles  R.  Rog- 
ers and  Harry  J.  Brown  for  Educational  Pic- 
tures and  starring  Reed  Howes,  has  been 
completed. 

This  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  six  which 
are  to  be  produced  using  the  popular  juvenile 
fiction  character,  Russ  Farrell,  and  made  fa- 
mous by  Thompson  Burtis  in  The  American 
Boy  as  well  as  in  novel  form. 

The  entire  group  of  pictures  are  on  aviation 
with  Reed  Howes  playing  the  role  of  the 
young  daring  aviator,  Russ  Farrell.  "The 
Skywayman"  was  made  at  Universal  studios, 
the  Glendale  Airport  and  Dry  Lake,  Cali- 
fornia. Those  who  appeared  in  support  of 
Reed  Howes  were  Marjorie  Daw,  Thomas 
Santschi,  Roy  Stewart,  and  Lieut.  Robinson. 
Harry  J.  Brown  directed. 


tt 


Submarine"  New  Title  of 
Columbians  Holt  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— The  picture 
which  Frank  Capra  has  just  completed  for 
Columbia  under  the  title  of  "Into  the  Depths" 
will  be  released  as  "Submarine."  The  title 
was  chosen  with  the  -co-operation  of  every 
member  of  the  Columbia  studio  staff.  It  is  an 
underwater  spectacle  starring  Jack  Holt  and 
will  be  released  with  sound  accompaniment 
within  two  months. 

In  a  number  of  the  spectacular  underwater 
sequences,  Jack  Holt  goes  below  the  surface 
in  a  diving  outfit.  Ralph  Graves  and  Dorothy 
Revier  have   featured   roles. 


Daughter  Born  to  Actress 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,     August     7.— A     daughter 
was    born    to    Mae    Marsh    on    July    31st    at 
Pasadena.     In  private  life  Miss  Marsh  is  Mrs. 
Louis  Lee  Arms. 


Kurt  Huber  in  U,  S, 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Kurt  Huber,  newly 
appointed  member  of  the  UFA  board,  is  here 
visiting  F.  Wynne-Jones,  president  of  UFA 
Films,  Inc.,  in  the  United  States. 


Ground  Is  Broken  for  Sound 
Stage  at  Metropolitan  Studio 

Group  of  Buildings  Also  Will  Be  Erected  to  House  the  Western 
Electric  Mechanical  Apparatus  Required  in  the  Mak- 
ing of  Synchronized  Productions        / 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7. — Indicating  the  rapidly  growing  activity  which 
the  advent  of  synchronized  and  talking  pictures  is  causing  in  Hollywood,  a 
large  project  was  started  last  week  when  ground  was  broken  for  Metropolitan's 
two  all-sound  stages  and  group  of  buildings  which  will  house  the  Western 
Electric  mechanical  apparatus  required  in  the  making  of  all  kinds  of  sound 
films. 

Representing  the  dozen  or  more  producing  companies  which  will  be  affected 
by  the  establishment  of  sound  film  stages  at  Metropolitan  a  large  group  of  pro- 
ducers took  part  in  the  first  excavations  for  the  buildings.  Among  these  were 
Harold  Lloyd,  W.  R.  Eraser,  Al  and  Charles  Christie,  Howard  Hughes,  Phil  H. 
Ryan,  Joseph  H.  Engle,  A.  H.  Carlos,  J.  P.  McGowan,  Francis  Ford,  Burton 
King,  Trem  Carr,  Douglas  MacLean,  Ben  Lyon,  George  Gray,  Renaud  Hoff- 
man, L.  Cahane,  Buddy  Post,  H.  D.  Edwards,  and  others. 
Electric  Research  Products,  a  subsidiary  cor-      stalling    all     sound     recording    equipment     at 


poration    of    Western    Electric,    which    is    in- 


William  R.  Eraser  (left)  of  the  Harold 
Lloyd  Corporation,  and  Charles  Christie 
plan   new  sound  stages   at  Metropolitan. 


Metropolitan,  was  represented  by  J.  S.  Ward 
and  H.  C.  Humphrey;  and  the  Austin  Com- 
pany of  California,  which  is  starting  construc- 
tion of  the  new  group  of  buildings,  repre- 
sented by  R.  E.  Ward  and  R.  L.  Russell,  su- 
pervised the  start  of  work  on  Hollywood's 
first  sound  stages. 

Indicating  the  fact  that  work  will  be  speeded 
up  to  take  care  of  actual  production  of  sound 
films  as  soon  as  possible,  work  of  construc- 
tion was  actually  started  by  the  Austin  Com- 
pany, contracts  having  been  signed  after  ap- 
proval of  the  plans  by  the  Christie  brothers 
only  two  days  previously. 

The  producing  units  affected  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  talking  stages  and  equipment  at 
Metropolitan  are  Harold  Lloyd  Productions, 
Christie  Comedies,  Caddo  Productions,  Doug- 
las MacLean,  Pathe,  Charles  Hutchinson,  Bur- 
ton King,  Trem  Carr,  Cliff  Broughton,  First 
Division,  Batchelor,  Mascot,  Varco,  Nat 
Spitzer,  Anchor,  Carlos  Productions,  J.  P.  Mc- 
Gowan, H.  D.  Edwards,  Francis  Ford  and 
other  unit  producers. 

The  producing  of  sound  pictures  at  Metro- 
politan by  the  several  companies  affected  will 
increase  the  activity  of  these  studios  consider- 
ably for  the  coming  season. 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


DIRECTING 
CHRISTIE  COMEDIES 

Synchronized  with  sound  effects  and  peppy  music. 


N 

I 

■0 


WILLIAM  HOLLAND 

Directing  the  snappy  series  of  back  stage 
farces,  "Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl," 
with  Frances  Lee.  Also  Billy  Dooley  in 
the  adventures  of  a  goofy  gob. 


ARVID  GILLSTROM 

Directing  some  of  the  snappiest  numbers 
of  the  Christie  Season:  Jack  Duffy  as 
Sandy  MacDuff  in  "Hot  Scotch";  Billy 
Dooley  in  "Oriental  Hugs";  Bobby  Ver- 
non in  "Footloose  Wimmen." 


Frank    N.    Murphy 


100%  Usage  of 
New  Lighting  Is 
Urged  by  Murphy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Improvements  in 
lighting  directly  affecting  the  quality  of  mo- 
tion pictures  photographically,  which  has  been 
marked  during  the 
past  year,  will  con- 
tinue to  exert  a  vital 
influence  in  the  re- 
finement of  the  pic- 
ture product,  in  the 
opinion  of  Frank  N. 
Murphy,  Warner 
Brothers  electrical  en- 
gineer. 

As  one  of  the  most 
enthusiastic  sponsors 
of  Mazda  lighting, 
Murphy  contends  that 
improvement  in  pho- 
tography necessarily 
hinges  closely  upon 
general  adoption  of 
this  equipment  and  its  more  intelligent  use  for 
the  reason  that  it  permits  the  use  of  vastly  im- 
proved film  stock. 

*    *    * 

Recognizing  this,  Murphy  has  sponsored  the 
100  per  cent  use  of  this  type  of  lighting,  War- 
ner Brothers  being  the  first  to  adopt  it  for 
general  use.  The  production  of  sound  pic- 
tures is  responsible  to  some  extent  for  the 
rapid  change,  according  to  Murphy  who  states 
that  the  sputter  of  carbon  lights  constituted 
a  definite  hindrance  to  successful  recording. 
Hence  when  Warners  transferred  their  Vita- 
phone  activities  to  the  West  Coast,  Murphy, 
who  was  assigned  to  the  task,  equipped  the 
soundproof  stages  with  the  incandescent  light- 
ing. Subsequently  it  was  adopted  generally 
at  the  studio. 

Murphy  has  been  with  Warner  Brothers 
since  the  earliest  days  of  the  organization.  He 
brought  with  him  a  remarkable  knowledge  of 
lighting  and  electrical  engineering,  secured 
through  wide  experience  as  a  chief  electrician 
for  Pavlowa  and  a  number  of  other  stage 
stars.  At  present  he  is  in  charge  of  everything 
electrical  and  mechanical  at  the  studio,  includ- 
ing the  film  laboratories,  the  new  $3,000,000 
Warner  theatre  in  Hollywood,  and  the  studio's 
radio  station  which  is  one  of  the  most  power- 
ful and  modern  on  the  West  Coast. 

Incidentally,  it  is  interesting  to  know  that 
the  electrical  equipment  at  the  studio  is  valued 
at  $1,000,000. 

The  late  Sam  Warner  and  Murphy  were 
the  initial  sponsors  of  the  radio  station  which 
was  installed  in  1925  and  has  been  improved 
and  enlarged  materially  since.  It  was  Mur- 
phy who  installed  it  completely  in  23  days 
after  a  big  electric  company  had  bid  to  do 
the  work,  asking  16  weeks.  It  was  he  also 
who  designed  and  supervised  the  installation 
of  the  new  theatre  lighting  equipment,  which 
is  considered  one  of  the  most  innovational  in 
its  field. 

Murphy,  it  is  interesting  to  know,  attended 
school  only  through  the  fifth  grade.  What 
has  frequently  been  termed  his  genius  is  at- 
tributable to  a  keen  mind,  long  hours  of  work, 
night  study  and  education  in  the  hard  school 
of  experience. 


''Potemkin"  Director  May 
Come  to  America  for  U  A 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— S.  M.  Eisenstein, 
who  directed  "Potemkin,"  may  come  to 
America  to  make  a  picture  for  United  Art- 
ists. Joseph  M.  Schenck  left  Berlin  f^  Rus- 
sia Friday. 


August  11.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


GARY  COOPER 


iii  • 


lilac  Time" 

First  National 


"The  First  Kiss" 

Paramount-Famous-Lasky 


"Half-A-Bride" 

Paramount-Famous-Lasky 


Joseph  Henabery 

Now  Directing 

"Red  Hot  Speed" 


with 


Reginald  Denny  and 
Alice  Day 

Universal  Production 


Just  Completed 

"The  River  Woman"  for  Gotham 

Starring  Lionel  Barrymore  and 

Jacqueline  Logan 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


CHARLEY  DELANEY 


"Showgirl" 
First  National 


"The  River  Woman" 

Gotham 


Fox  Completes  Cast  for 
*'Fog,"  Crook  Melodrama 
With  O'Brien,  Lois  Moran 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Five  new  addi- 
tions to  the  cast  of  "Fog"  yesterday  completed 
the  imposing  list  of  players  in  that  William 
Fox  production,  now  being  directed  by 
Charles  Klein. 

The  new  names  were  Fritz  Feld,  Andy 
Clyde,  Crawford  Kent,  Robert  E.  Homens 
and  John  Kelly.  Previously  announced,  and 
occupying  the  leading  roles  are  Lois  Moran 
and  George  O'Brien.  Earle  Foxe,  Don  Terry 
and  Maria  Alba  have  important  supporting 
parts. 

"Fog"  is  an  original  crook-melodrama  by 
Charles  Francis  Coe,  who  wrote  "Me,  Gang- 
ster" and  other  Saturday  Evening  Post  stories, 


among  them  "The  River  Pirate"  soon  to  be 
released  by  Fox.  "Fog"  is  the  first  feature 
length  picture  which  Charles  Klein  has  di- 
rected. The  supervision  goes  to  Kenneth 
Hawks ;  the  scenario  was  prepared  by  Ewart 
Adamson ;  Lucien  Andriot  has  been  assigned 
the  position  of  chief  cameraman,  and  the  as- 
sistant director  is   Virgil  Hart. 


Snell  Writes  Continuity 
For  "Cohens  and  Kellys" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Earle  Snell,  Uni- 
versal's  chief  comedy  writer,  is  preparing  the 
continuity  of  "Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Atlantic 
City,"  which  goes  into  production  this  month. 
This  is  Snell's  first  assignment  after  his  re- 
turn from  a  three  week's  vacation  in  the 
Northern  part  of   the  state. 


Allen  Conceives 
Two  Story  Studio 
On  Educational  Lot 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7.— From    the    view 
the  tourist  in  Hollywood  gets  of  E^iucationai 
Studios,  on  Santa  Monica  boulevard,  the  huge 
comedy  making  plant 
appears    to    resemble 
the  average  studio  in 
the    film    city. 

But  behind  the 
stucco  wall  that  bor- 
ders the  sidewalk 
there  are  many  nov- 
elties and  innovations 
that  make  these  stu- 
dios unique. 

The  passerby  may 
notice  that  the  stage 
buildings  appear 
somewhat  taller  than 
the  average  studio 
stage  building  in 
Hollywood.  They  are 
taller — for  two  of  the  newest  stages  on  the 
grounds  are  two  stories  instead  of  the  con- 
ventional one  story  structures  found  in  other 
studios. 

The  two  story  stage  was  a  conception  of 
E.  H.  Allen,  general  manager  of  Educational 
Studios. 

The  stages  in  these  buildings  are  on  the 
second  floor.  The  lower  floors  are  devoted 
to  storage  rooms,  garages,  repair  and  paint 
shops  and  property  rooms.  By  elevating  his 
stage  floors,  Mr.  Allen  provides  almost  50,000 
square  feet  of  useful  covered  space  to  his 
studio  plant. 

A  feature  that  instantly  strikes  the  visitor 
to  Educational  Studios  is  the  exceptional 
cleanliness  and  well  kept  appearance  of  the 
grounds.  Every  prop  and  "flat"  not  in  actual 
use  is  stored  in  one  of  the  compartments  be- 
neath a  stage  building.  Trucks,  busses, 
camera  cars  and  utility  cars  are  always  under 
shelter.    Not  even  a  lumber  pile  is  in  evidence. 


E.  H.  Allen 


Robert  Frazier  Cast 
For  a  Part  in  McCoy's 
''Sioux  Blood"  for  MGM 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Robert  Frazier 
has  been  cast  for  the  Indian  brother  in  Tim 
McCoy's  forthcoming  starring  vehicle,  "Sioux 
Blood,"  which  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will 
film  in  Glacier  National  Park. 

McCoy  and  Frazier  will  play  two  brothers, 
separated  as  babies,  one  raised  by  white  men 
and  the  other  by  Indians.  Josephine  Dunn 
will  be  the  heroine  of  the  story  and  a  tribe 
of  450  Blackfeet  Indians  will  appear. 

John  Waters  will  direct  the  new  picture, 
one  of  two  to  be  filmed  at  the  national  reserva- 
tion. The  other,  "Humming  Wires,"  is  a 
romance  of  the  first  transcontinental  telegraph. 
Chief  Big  Tree,  famous  Indian  actor,  who 
appeared  with  McCoy  in  "War  Paint"  will 
also  appear  in  "Sioux  Blood." 


Howard  Hughes  Lends 
John  Darrow  to  M-G-M 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— John  Darrow, 
Howard  Hughes'  "discovery,"  has  been  lent 
to  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  for  an  important 
supporting  role  with  Ramon  Novarro  in  "Gold 
Braid,"   a   naval   aviation   production. 

Darrow  recently  completed  a  prominent  part 
in  "Hell's  Angels,"  and  is  receiving  praise  for 
his'  performance  as  the  cub  reporter  in  "The 
Racket,"  Caddo's  underworld  thriller.  He  is 
under  contract  to  Howard  Hughes. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


67 


Loetv  and  U  A  to 
Open  Louisville's 
State  August  18 

Opening  of  Loew's  and  United  Artists' 
State  theatre  at  Louisville,  August  18,  is  one 
of  the  highlights  of  theatre  construction  news 
of  the  week.  This  house,  costing  around  a 
million,  will  be  equipped  for  synchronized  pic- 
tures. 

A  new  and  better  Princess  theatre  is  to  rise  at 
Mount  Dora,  Fla.,  on  the  ashes  of  the  structure  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  July  4.  .  .  .  The  Gentilly  Amuse- 
ment Company  at  New  Orleans  has  bought  a  tract 
for  the  first  theatre  in  Gentilly  Terrace.  .  .  .  The 
Parkway  theatre  of  Sylvester  Groves  and  associates 
is  to  open  in  the  fall.  .  .  .  Tlie  Kevil  Theatre  Com- 
pany has  been  incorporated  at  Kevil,  Ky.,  likewise 
the  Yellow  Creek  Picture  Show  Company  at 
Anco,  Ky. 

Roy  P.  Rosser  has  taken  over  the  Dixie  at  Aber- 
deen, N.  C,  and  the  Carolina  at  Hamlet,  N.  C,  from 
Charles  W.  Picquet.  .  .  .  Frank  Plagin  is  planning 
a  1,000-seat  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  Alamo 
theatre  at  Gainesville,   Ga. 

The  old  Chrystal  theatre  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  is 
being  remodeled  to  reopen  August  15.  .  .  .  The  Jef- 
ferson at  Huntington,  Ind.,  has  been  purchased  by 
tlie    Principal   Theatre    Company    of   California. 

Samuel  H.  Levin  has  arranged  for  construction  of 
a  2,000-seat  theatre  of  Chinese  design  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. Herb  Royster  has  become  manager  of  the 
Clemmer  at  Spokane.  Famous  Players  Canadian  has 
made  an  oflfer  of  $250,000  cash  for  the  Windsor 
Capitol   Theatre,    Ltd.,    at    Windsor,    Out. 


Marion  Davies  Wins 
Factor  Popularity  Contest 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— From  a  list  of 
200  popular  names,  Marion  Davies  was  the 
winner  of  the  Max  Factor  star  popularity 
contest  with  a  majority  of  3800  votes.  Miss 
Davies,  who  is  at  the  present  time  traveling; 
in  the  East,  will  not  be  present  at  the  award- 
ing of  the  prize;  a  make-up  set  presented  to 
the  winner  by  Max  Factor.  This  set  will  be 
on  display  at  the  Max  Factor  shrine  of  make- 
up at  the  Long  Beach  Pacific  South-West 
exposition. 

Factor  will  also  make  a  replica  of  the  ac- 
tress' dressing  room,  where  make-up  demon- 
strations will  take  place  under  the  personal 
supervision  of  Ruth  E.  Conrad,  consultant 
cosmetician,  and  who  has  assisted  Max  Factor 
in  making  up  some  of  America's  most  popular 
stars  of  the  stage  and  screen. 


Goulding  Resumes  Work 
With  Novarro's  "Pagan' 

(Special  to  the  Hera'd-World) 
CULVER  CITY,  Aug.  7.— "The  Pagan," 
John  Russell's  storj'  of  the  tropics,  with 
Ramon  Novarro  as  star,  will  be  Edmund 
Goulding's  first  production  since  his  return 
from  New  York  to  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
studios.  Goulding  will  film  the  play  after 
Novarro  finishes  "Gold  Braid,"  his  forthcom- 
ing vehicle.  "The  Pagan"  is  a  story  of  a 
young  island  hero  in  the  tropics,  transplanted 
to  civilization. 

Goulding,  who  directed  "Love,"  in  which 
John  Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo  scored,  and 
other  successful  productions,  is  also  a  play- 
wright of  note,  and  has  returned  from  New 
York,  where  he  made  arrangements  for  a 
stage  play.  He  is  author  of  "Dancing  Moth- 
ers," famous  both  on  screen  and  stage. 


Lucien  Prival  Goes 

On  Short  Hiking  Trip 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Lucien  Prival, 
who  is  enjoying  a  short  rest  between  pictures 
with  Caddo  Productions,  with  whom  he  is  un- 
der contract,  has  gone  on  a  hiking  trip  with 
his  brother,  Benno  Prival,  well  known  New 
York  artist  now  visiting  in  the  city. 


Howard  Hughes  Plans  to  Wage 
Fight  Against  Censor  Boards 

Youthful  Producer  Is  Seeking  the  Support  of  Will  H.  Hays  in  His 
Nationwide  Campaign  Which  Is  Prompted  by  Inter- 
ference with  "The  Racket" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7. — Plans  for  a  nationwide  battle  against  municipal 
and  state  censorship  of  motion  pictures  are  being  formulated  by  Howard 
Hughes,  23-year-old  producer,  as  a  result  of  asserted  interference  with  "The 
Racket"  for  political  reasons. 

Following  conferences  with  his  attorney,  Neil  McCarthy,  the  producer  of 
"The  Racket"  has  determined  to  wage  a  fight  to  the  finish  against  the  action  of 
various  censors  throughout  the  country. 

Hughes  has  been  advised  that  New  York  State  censors  eliminated  25  sub- 
titles, that  the  picture  was  banned  completely  in  Portland,  Ore.,  and  Dallas, 
Tex.,  and  that  other  city  and  state  boards  have  "mutilated  and  emasculated" 
the  picture  by  unfair  censorship. 


"Freedom  of  speech  and  the  press,  and 
even  the  stage,  is  recognized  in  America,  and 
certainly  it  should  apply  to  the  screen,  as 
well,"   declared    Hughes. 

The  youthful  producer  is  seeking  the  sup- 
port of  Will  Hays  in  his  battle  against  the 
alleged  unfair  "political"  censorship  and  has 
sent  the  following  telegram  to  the  movie  czar 
in   New  York  : 

"Our  picture  'The  Racket'  which  is  gener- 
ally agreed  to  be  a  faithful  reproduction  of 
the  stage  play  and  entirely  devoid  of  sex  has 
been  mutilated  and  emasculated  by  the  New 
York  state  censors  who  eliminated  20  sub- 
titles for  purely  political  reasons.  The  film 
has  been  completely  banned  by  the  Portland, 
Oregon,  censors,  apparently  motivated  by  the 
same  political  self-consciousness.  There  should 


be  some  legitimate  and  legal  recourse  against 
such  an  interference.  To  prevent  further 
tampering  with  'The  Racket'  and  interference 
with  the  exhibition  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  we  propose  to  carry  our  fight  direct 
to  the  county  and  state  governments  resorting 
to  the  courts  if  necessary.  This  picture  is  a 
disclosure  of  dishonest  politics  only.  It  is  a 
portrayal  of  the  fundamental  integrity  of  the 
police  departments  and  the  politicians  inter- 
ested in  clean  government  who  support  the 
police.  Can  we  count  on  your  support  and  the 
backing  of  the  producers  association  against 
this  obviously  unfair  and  uncalled  for  censor- 
ship? As  far  as  we  know  this  is  the  first  time 
in  motion  picture  history  that  a  film  has  been 
disapproved  by  the  censors  from  lolitical  mo- 
tives only.  It  will  establish  a  dangerous  prec- 
edent if  it  is  allowed  to  go  unchallenged." 


AL  ST.  JOHN 

under  personal 
MANAGEMENT  OF 

AL  ROSEN 


Latest  Releases 

"Call  Your  Shots" 
"Whoopee" 

Educational  Pictures 


68 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


Just  finished  titling 
their  twentieth  First  National  picture 

"The  Night  Watch" 

Billie  Dove 
Directed  by  Alexander  Korda 


Now  at  work  on 
"Hard  Rock" 

Milton  Sills 
Directed  by  Eddie  Cline 


Stephen  Roberts 

Starts  His  Fifth  Year 

Director  of 
Educational  Comedies 

See 

^^Call  Your  Shots'' 


ROY  DEL  RUTH 

Director 
Warner  Brothers  Pictures 

takes  this  opportunity  to  compliment 

ARCHIE  MAYO 

on  his  direction  of 

**State  Street  Sadie'' 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


69 


Eugene  J.  Forde 

director 

completing  the 

fourth  Tom  Mix 

production 

F  B  O  Release 


Experienced 

Movietone 

Director 


r~ 


JAMES  HALL 

Has  Just  Completed  a  Feature  Role   in 

"The  Fleet's  In" 


Howard  Bretherton 

Director 

"Caught  in  the  Fog" 

Vitaphone 
In  Production 

"Redeeming  Sin^^ 

Dolores  Costello^Conrad  Nagel 

Vitaphone  Special 
Warner  Brothers  Releases 


^r 


70 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


1 


I 


5 


F 


O^^rien  Hailed  an  Artist  by  World 
For  Work  in  ^^Sunrise^^ 

Hollywood  Reluctant  to  Take  Us  Seriously  Until  Work  Commands  It;  It 
Remained  for  Europeans  to  Find  Fox  Star 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7. — This  town  is  reluctant  to  take  us  seriously  un- 
til our  work  commands  it.  George  O'Brien's  work  in  "Sunrise"  has 
proved  the  turning  point  in  his  life.  Until  that  role  O'Brien  was  known 
in  Hollywood  as  a  juvenile  star  who  was  simply  handsome,  athletic  and  clean 
looking. 

After  "Sunrise"  the  world  told  Hollywood  it  is  cockeyed.  O'Brien  is  one 
of  the  finest  actors  the  place  possesses.  Hollywood  withheld  its  approval  un- 
til his  work  commanded  it. 

AFTER  American  directors  for  years  have 
been  searching  vainly  for  material  for 
men  to  portray  dramatic  things  of  a  serious, 
intelligent  nature,  a  German,  F.  W.  Murnau, 
came  to  Fox  Studios,  and  said,  "this  studio 
has,  among  its  own  people,  one  of  the  best 
actors  I  have  ever  seen.  It  is  George 
O'Brien." 

American  directors  did  not  find  O'Brien.  A 
German  found  him.  After  Murnau  found 
him  and  displayed  him  to  the  world,  another 
European,  Michael  Curtiz,  asked  for  him  for 
the  big  role  in  the  picture  Curtiz  has  hoped 
to  make  for  20  years.  Curtiz  obtained  him 
and  cast  him  in  "Noah's  Ark,"  Warner  Broth- 
ers' $2,000,000  picture. 

Following  are  excerpts  from  the  press  in 
Great  Britam  and  Europe,  praising  O'Brien's 
work  in  "Sunrise." 


DER  MONTAG:  "A  play  of  two  people!  The 
man:  George  O'Brien;  and  the  wife:  Janet  Gaynor, 
two  characterizations  of  a  grand  scope.  Far  above 
the  average  screen  portrayal.  Through  this  picture, 
both  the  players  vnU  become  world-renowned. 
George    O'Brien    establishes   himself   as   the   outstand- 


ing   American    screen    actor,    equal    to    Jannings    and 
Veidt." 

* 

LIGHT  BILDBUEHNE:  "Murnau's  direction  is 
a  masterpiece  of  screen-craft,  abounding  with  pic- 
torial and  historical  finenesses.  George  O'Brien  and 
Janet  Gaynor  act  with  sincere  devotion  and  with 
marvelously  restrained  expression  and  gestures." 
* 

REICHSFILMBLATT:  "The  players  are  the 
best  material  in  the  hands  of  the  director-artist. 
George  O'Brien,  the  man  vdld  in  his  passion,  con- 
vincing in  his  mental  agony  of  evil  intention,  grip- 
ping in  his  repentful  love,  full  of  soul  after  the 
storm." 

* 

BERLINER  MORGENPOST:  "The  players  are 
flexible  material  moulded  by  Murnau.  The  Man, 
George  O'Brien,  in  other  pictures  just  a  sympathetic 
juvenile  hero,  is  all  soul  in  his  spiritual  agony,  and 
JEascinating  in  his  boyish  joy.  The  delicate,  pretty 
Janet  Gaynor,  vidth  her  bright,  wide-open  child-like 
eyes  is  a  great  artist  who  radiates  a  striking  per- 
sonality." 

* 

BERLINER  LOKAL  ANZEIGER:  "The  picture 
is  the  masterpiece  of  a  German  director,  who  mas- 
ters his  art  not  only  with  alert  intelligence  but  also 
with  an  understanding  heart.  Before  our  eyes,  he 
exteriorates  the  very  heart  and  soul  of  his  players, 
so  that  we  can  read  what  is  going  on  within  them. 


BILLY  BUnS 


latest  releases 


"None  But  the  Brave" 

Al  Ray  Picture 
Fox  Films 


"Wild  West  Romance" 

Lefty  Hough,  Director 
Fox  Films 

In  Production 

"Alias  Jimmy  Valentine" 

Jack  Conway,  Director 
Metro-Goldw3ai-Mayer 


And  a  different  world  appears,  as  his  film  characters 
perceive  it.  All  this  is  conceived  and  picturized  with 
a  sincerity  and  an  artistic  devotion  that  keeps  the 
audience  spellbound.  And  so  much  more,  as  the 
master-director  has  two  master-players,  George 
O'Brien  and  Janet  Gaynor,  from  whom  he  draws 
the  most  subtle,  the  highest  of  screen  portrayal — 
and  with  the  last  fade-out  there  set  in  a  roaring  ap- 
plause of  an  inspired,  beatified  audience." 
* 

NEUE  BERLINER  ZEITUNG:  "Murnau  cre- 
ated a  work  of  inspiring  quality  and  effective  moods. 
It  is  amazing  what  Murnau  has  accomplished  with 
George  O'Brien — how  tfiis  player  acts,  so  true,  so 
human,  so  full  of  expression. 
* 

FILM  JOURNAL:  "We  perceive  ingenious  op- 
tical visions!  And  in  the  center  of  all:  two  players 
who,  guided  by  Murnau's  masterly  and  subtle  hand, 
have  been  uplifted  to  the  sublimest  performance  of 
characterization.  George  O'Brien  is  heavy  and  im- 
pressive, all  heart  and  soul.  Janet  Gaynor's  per- 
formance is  utterly  touching.  Her  face  is  madonna- 
like. 

* 

DEUTSCHE  ALLGEMEINE  ZEITUNG:  Direc- 
tion and  acting  are  excellent.  First  of  all  George 
O'Brien's  scenes  before  he  attempts  to  kill  her — 
Jannings-like.  O'Brien  shrinks  back  and  breaks  down 
when  he  faces  the  atrocity  of  the  attempted  crime. 
Janet  Gaynor's  portrayal  is  full  of  heart  and  soul, 
sincere,  human  and  without  any  artificiality." 
* 

BERLINER  NACHTAUSGABE:  "'Sunrise'  is  a 
great  ingenious  masterpiece,  original  as  to  script, 
direction  and  acting.  Novel  treatments  in  many 
ways.  Optical  revelations  as  we  saw  them  in  the 
"Last  Laugh."  George  O'Brien  and  Janet  Gaynor 
are   remarkable." 

BRITISH  PAPERS 

KINEMATOGRAPH:  "George  O'Brien  and 
Janet  Gaynor  are  splendid  and  leave  a  'never-to-be- 
forgotten'   impression." 

* 

LONDON  DAILY  MIRROR:  "Through  their 
marvelous  acting  in  'Sunrise,'  two  film  artists  who 
previously  were  little  known,  have  become  famous. 
They  are  George  O'Brien  and  Janet  Gaynor,  the 
hero  and  heroine  whom  F.  W.  Murnau  selected  to 
play  the  parts  after  testing  hundreds  of  other  appli- 
cants." 

* 

EVENING  NEWS:  "George  O'Brien  has  never 
done  better  work ;  he  is  the  farmer.  Miss  Gaynor  is 
the  wife." 

* 

THE  STAR :  "Mr.  Murnau  in  spite  of  his  niew 
era  aspirations,  was  sufficiently  a  story  teller  to  ex- 
tract the  fullest  effect  from  his  two  chief  characters 
and  he  had  the  best  of  material  in  George  O'Brien, 
who  breaks  the  ground  with  his  partly  tragic  role,  and 
Janet  Gaynor,  who  spems  inspired  in  the  pleasant 
homeliness  of  her  acting." 
* 

THE  SUNDAY  TIMES:  "The  principal  actor, 
Mr.  George  O'Brien,  conveys  powerfully  and  with 
great  theatrical  effect,  the  suggestion  of  animal  pas- 
sions,   brutality    and   energy." 

* 

WEEKLY  DISPATCH:  "As  the  man,  George 
O'Brien  is  a  revelation  and  Margaret  Livingston  acts 
with  a  good  deal  of  convincing  wickedness  as  the 
woman   from   the    city." 

* 

REYNOLD'S  WEEKLY:    "George  O'Brien  plays 
the   farmer  with    restraint    and  power." 
* 

DAILY  FILM  RENTER:  "George  O'Brien,  a 
strong  farmer  man,  helpless  in  the  toils  of  the  temp- 
tress, then  irresolute  and  then  determined,  is  a  well 
interpreted  study,  while  minor  players,  excellently 
chosen,   give  sound  interpretations." 


Roberts,  Ace  Director, 
Making  16  Educationals 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— With  the  inaugu- 
ration of  Education's  most  ambitious  comedy 
program  it  is  fitting  that  Stephen  Roberts  is 
announced  as  the  ace  director  of  Mermaid 
comedies  under  the  supervision  of  Jack  White. 
During  the  past  three  years  Roberts  has  been 
conceded  one  of  the  most  successful  comedy 
directors  in  pictures. 

This  year  he  has  been  selected  by  Educa- 
tional to  direct  no  less  than  sixteen  pictures 
featuring  such  comedians  as  Al  St.  John, 
Monte  Collins,  Wallace  Lupino,  George  Davis 
and  Jack  Miller.  Roberts  has  just  completed 
his  first  two  comedies  featuring  Al  St.  John. 
"Call  Your  Shots"  is  the  title  of  the  first  and 
the  second  is  "Whoopee." 


Pickford  Story  Started 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7.— John    Grey   and 
Allan    McNeil    are    collaborating    with    Sam 
Taylor    in    writing    a    dramatic    comedy    for 
Mary  Pickford's  next. 


Ausust  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


71 


Lincoln  Stedman 
Busy  As  New  Head 
Of  Thalian  Society 

(Sl'ccial  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  7.— Lincoln  Stedman 
is  busy  with  his  duties  as  new  president  of 
the  Thalians,  with  \'iolet  LaPlante  as  vice- 
president,  Diane  Ellis  recording  secretary, 
Florence  Lake  corresponding  secretary,  and 
Charles  Bohney  as  treasurer. 

The  Thalians,  now  boasting  a  membership 
of  160,  was  organized  over  two  years  ago.  The 
members  were  recruited  from  the  ranks  of 
film  stars,  writers,  directors'  and  producers  of 
the  younger  set,  and  unmarried.  Raymond 
Keane  was  the  first  president,  and  Joan 
Crawford,  IMadge  Bellamy,  Jobyna  Ralston, 
Dick  Crawford,  George  Lewis,  Lincoln  Sted- 
man, Mervyn  LeRoy,  Cleve  Moore  and  Carl 
Laemmle,  Jr.,  were  among  the  chartered  mem- 
bers. 

The  latest  elections  were  held  July  26  at  the 
new  clubrooms  in  the  Max  Factor  Beauty 
Temple  of  Hollywood.  These  quarters  have 
been  especially  built  and  equipped  by  Max 
Factor  for  the  use  of  the  Make-up  Artists 
Association  and  the  Thalians.  It  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  250,  a  stage,  and  a  raised 
platform,  15x20,  for  the  officers.  This  room 
is  very  handsomely  furnished  and  draped. 
The  adjoining  room  is  24x42  and  can  be  used 
for  dancing  and  entertainment.  This  room 
is  also  equipped  for  the  projection  of  film. 

Former  President  William  Dillon  officiated 
at  the  elections.  The  new  board  of  directors 
includes  Carl  Laemmle,  Jr.,  Martha  Sleeper, 
Duane  Thompson  and  Ronnie  Rondell. 
William  Dillon  is  chairman  of  the  membership 
committee,  and  Leonard  Smith  is  publicity 
director. 


Gloria  Swanson  Picks 

Walter  Byron  as  Lead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Gloria  Swanson's 
leading  man  in  her  third  independently  pro- 
duced motion  picture,  tentatively  titled  "The 
Swamp,"  will  be  Walter  Byron,  the  young 
English  actor  who  was  brought  to  Hollywood 
a  few  months  ago  by  Sam  Goldwyn. 

Miss  Swanson's  announcement  that  Byron 
would  appear  opposite  her  in  the  picture, 
which  was  written  and  is  to  be  directed  by 
Erich  Von  Stroheim  for  United  Artists  re- 
lease, followed  the  completion  of  a  deal  in 
which  Goldwyn,  to  whom  Byron  is  under  con- 
tract, agreed  to  lend  the  player  for  the  new 
picture. 


Poland  Supervises  Film, 
Writes  Another  in  Between 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Joseph  Franklin 
Poland  is  doing  double  duty  these  days.  Be- 
sides personally  supervising  Glenn  Tryon's 
current  production,  "It  Can  Be  Done,"  Poland 
is  writing  an  original  for  Reginald  Denny, 
the  temporary  title  of  which  is  "Clear  the 
Deck."  It  is  planned  to  make  this  Denny's 
next  picture  following  "Red  Hot  Speed," 
which  starts   this'  week  at  Universal. 


Now  with  Pathe  Review 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— One  of  Pathe 
News  most  famous  cameramen,  Tracy  Math- 
ewson,  has  transferred  from  the  News  to 
Pathe  Review,  it  was  learned  upon  his  arrival 
in  New  York  from  Atlanta  for  a  conference 
with  Terry  Ramsaye,  editor  in  chief  of  East- 
ern production  for  the  company. 


JERRY  DREW 

Ideal  Comedies 


X 


Sr,  '-^^o'  Q.>  ./  CoSyo,  %Z   ^-  M°% 


Directed    by 

Charles  Lament 


IRVING  CUMMINGS 

"Dressed 

To 

Kill" 

Wm.  Fox  Films 


1^^ 


72 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


4 


s 

s 


J> 


m  wnich  numor  enters  into  a 
oughly  good  story  idea  played  by  people  who 
can  act  farce,  light  comedy  or  a  little  broader 
type  of  situations  that  will  require  skill.     Such 


The  "Confessions"  takes  you  back  stage.    Bill  Holland  is  directing  the  girls  from  the  "Good 
News"  company  in  this  scene  for  the  second  of  this  new  Paramount-Christie  series. 

Christie   Comedies  Synchronizing 
All  Films  ''in  Script 

Pictures  Noiv  in  Production  Will  Have  Talking  Sequences  Written  in; 

First  Is  Dooley  Comedy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7. — With  the  first  group  of  Paramount-Christie 
Comedies  already  synchronized  and  ready  to  play  in  wired  houses,  and 
complete  sound  stages  and  equipment  going  into  the  studios  in  Holly- 
wood, plans  are  under  way  for  rather  startling  developments  along  novel  lines 
before  the  releasing  season  of  1928-29  is  completed.  The  first  is  Billy  Dooley 
in  "The  Dizzy  Diver,"  released  by  Paramount  August  IL 

THE  Christie  production  of  cemedies  for  the  pared  in  which  humor  enters  into  a  thor- 
new  releasing  year  is  already  well  advanced. 
Up  to  the  time  when  recording  devices  are 
installed  and  working  in  the  studios,  completed 
comedies  are  being  given  a  wide  variety  of 
music  and  sound  effects  through  the  medium 
of  records  similar  to  the  Vitaphone  discs,  pre- 
pared by  Victor  Talking  Machine  Company  in 
conjunction  with  Nat  Finston,  Paramount' s 
musical  director.  In  all  of  the  stories  now  in 
production  sound  ideas  are  incorporated  into 
picture  scripts  from  the  ground  up,  while  the 
pictures  are  being  shot.  This  will  give  to  some 
of  the  comedies  released  in  October  and 
November  certain  opportunities  for  sound,  in- 
cluding talking,  music,  funny  noises  and 
effects,  which  can  be  taken  advantage  of  better 
even  than  in  the  first  group  released. 

Later  in  the  season,  when  equipment  is  all 
in,  the  sound  stuff  will  be  recorded  directly 
during  production  at  the  studios  through  use 
of  Western  Electric's  systems  of  film  and  disc 
recording. 

Christie's  organization  has  realized  the  ne- 
cessity of  making  a  form  of  entertainment 
which    will    be    ideally    suited    to    the    houses 

which  are  wired  and  also  to  the  thousands  of  "SOUNDING     OUT" — Al     and     Charles 

theatres  which  will  present  the  silent  versions'.  Christie  (right  and  left)  and  George  W. 

Therefore,  good  stories  in  comedies  are  even  Weeks,  who  is  handling  the  Eastern  office 

more  in  demand  than   before.     The  cycle   of  of  the  Christie-Paramount  product,  plan- 

slapstick  and  wild  gags  is  said  to  have  passed,  ning   the   Christie-Paramount  sound  pro- 

and   a    form    of    entertainment    is    being    pre-  gram  for  the  new  year. 


comedies  are  designed  to  cater  to  adults  and 
people  of  a  high  degree  of  intelligence  as  well 
as  the  juvenile  element  in  theatres.  It  is  this 
line  of  screen  material  for  which  the  Christie 
organization  was  particularly  noted  at  the  time 
when  Christie  comedies  began  to  attain  popu- 
larity. 

It  is  Christie's  contention  that  sound  stuff 
has  perhaps  its  greatest  field  in  two  reelers. 
These  pictures  have  always  stood  for  story, 
action  and  laughs,  and  it  is  these  elements 
which  the  fans  crave  in  screen  entertainment. 
The  fairly  short  pictures  permit  the  free  use 
of  dialogue  which  might  perhaps  become  tire- 
some if  carried  to  too  great  lengths  in  feature 
pictures.  Talking,  properly  handled,  will  not 
slow  up  the  action,  but  will  heighten  the  in- 
terest while  speeding  the  action  up. 

One  of  the  Christie  series  on  which  special 
attention  is  being  given  to  sound  effects  and 
music  is  the  "Confessions  of  a  Chorus  Girl." 
In  one  of  the  series  now  being  made  the 
chorus  of  pretty  girls  from  the  "Good  News" 
show  appears.  The  dancing,  and  audience,  also 
the  action  on  the  stage,  heightened  by  the 
music  which  is  laid  on  the  background  should 
produce  the  effect  of  a  real  musical  show  and 
the  proper  atmosphere  in  which  these  stories 
are  told. 

Likewise  Jack  Duffy  as  Sandy  MacDuff  will 
have  his  bagpipes  in  the  series  of  Scotch  com- 
edies, Dooley  will  have  submarines,  battleships, 
and  all  of  the  hundreds  of  water  effects  which 
go  with  the  nautical  comedies. 


Staff  Is  Arrested 
Twice  in  Fight  for 
Shows  on  Sundays 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  Aug.  7.— The  fight  of  ex- 
hibitors at  Martins  Ferry,  Ohio,  for  Simday 
performances  entered  into  the  second  week 
with  continued  wholesale  arrests  of  managers 
and  other  employes  of  the  Fenway  and  Elzane 
theatres.  Sunday,  July  29,  the  men  were  held 
in  jail  tmtil  habeas  corpus  proceedings  could 
be  brought.  It  is  believed  that  Mayor  Duff 
and  Chief  Muhleman  absented  themselves 
from  Martins  Ferry  on  purpose.  Back  at  the 
theatres  again  they  were  arrested  and  released 
on  bonds. 

Grand  jury  investigation  is  foreseen,  as  the 
matter  was  referred  to  Prosecutor  Paul  V. 
Waddell  at  St.  Clairsville. 

At  Ashland,  much  interest  centers  in  the 
referendum,  August  14,  on  repealing  the  anti- 
Sunday  show.  The  referendum  tickets  have 
been  prepared  and  the  Ashland  Theatre  Own- 
ers Association  is  waging  an  active  campaign. 
Fred  Edwards  is  chairman  and  Harry  Carl, 
secretary.  The  association  has  sent  out  a 
letter  to  voters,  advising  them  that  unless 
proper  entertainment  is  available  the  city's 
industries  will  not  get  the  best  type  of  em- 
ployes. 


Lewis  Stone  Signed  for 
Role  in  Gilbert-Garbo  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Lewis  Stone  has 
been  signed  to  play  a  prominent  part  in  "A 
Woman  of  Affairs"  in  which  John  Gilbert  and 
Greta  Garbo  are  to  co-star  for  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  it  was  announced  yesterday. 

Stone,  who  appeared  in  "The  Private  Life 
of  Helen  of  Troy,"  will  play  the  role  of 
"Hugh  Trevelyan"  in  the  filmization  of  the 
Michael  Arlen  story  which  Clarence  Brown 
is  directing.  In  signing  Stone  for  the  pail, 
M  G  M  adds  strength  to  the  supporting  cast 
of  the  new  feature  which  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  elaborate  productions  undertaken 
this  season. 

Stone  will  join  the  cast  at  once,  production 
already  being  underway. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


73 


Louise  Fazenda  Now 
In  Free-Lance  Field; 
5  Years  with  Warners 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.    7.— Louise    Fazenda 

has  decided  to  enter  the  free-lance  field  with 

the  completion  of  her  five-year  contract  under 

the  Warner  Brothers 

banner. 

While  under  con- 
tract, the  popular 
comedienne  worked 
quite  freely  among 
several  studios,  de- 
voting only  approxi- 
mately half  of  her 
time  of  late  to  War- 
ner Brothers  produc- 
tions. Her  unique 
talent  in  the  feature 
production  field  ap- 
peared ceaselessly  in 
demand. 

Now  as  a  free 
lance  player  with  au- 
thority to  choose  her  roles  from  the  offerings, 
the  possibility  that  she  may  cast  aside  the 
kitchen  maid  makeup  in  which  she  is  most 
widely  known,  to  embark  in  "straight"  char- 
acterizations is  openly  scouted.  As  a  star  in 
her  own  right,  and  a  player  who  is  consistent- 
ly "wanted"  there  appears  to  be  little  doubt 
that  whatever  she  may  elect  to  do  her  fans 
will  see  her  to  advantage  regardless. 

Playing  most  recently  in  her  first  talking 
picture  as  a  member  of  the  all-star  cast  of 
"The  Terror"  for  Warner's,  she  is  rumored 
to  have  attained  another  sensational  achieve- 
ment. 


Louise    Fasenda 


Josephine  Dunn  Chosen 
Heroine  for  Tim  McCoy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CULVER  CITY,  Aug.  7.— Josephine  Dunn, 
who  played  opposite  William  Haines  in  "Ex- 
cess Baggage,"  has  been  cast  as  the  heroine  of 
"Sioux  Blood,"  Tim  McCoy's  forthcoming 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  play  of  American  In- 
dian life.  Miss  Dunn  will  play  the  daughter 
of  an  army  ofiicer  in  a  frontier  post  during 
the  days  of  Indian  warefare  in  the  Middle- 
west.  McCoy  will  play  a  young  officer  whose 
brother  had  been  adopted  in  infancy  into  an 
Indian  tribe  with  which  he  had  grown  up. 

John  Waters  will  direct  the  new  production, 
to  be  filmed  at  Glacier  National  Park  in  Mon- 
tana. A  tribe  of  Blackfeet  Indians  will  appear 
with  McCoy  in  the  new  production. 


John  Mack  Brown  Gets 
''Woman  of  Affairs"  Role 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CULVER  CITY,  Aug.  7.  — John  Mack 
Brown,  who  just  completed  the  leading  role  in 
"Annapolis,"  has  been  assigned  to  play  an  im- 
portant part  in  "A  Woman  of  Affairs,"  in 
which  John  Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo  are  co- 
starred. 

In  the  filmization  of  the  Michael  Arlen 
story,  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  player  will 
enact  the  role  of  "Davis  Furness"  under  direc- 
tion of  Clarence  Efrown.  Lewis  Stone,  Marc 
McDermott  and  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  also 
are  in  the  supporting  cast. 


it 


Paddling  Coeds"  Finished 
For  U  ''Collegians"  Series 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

UNIVERSAL  CITY,  Aug.  7.— "Paddling 
Coeds,"  one  of  Universal's  "Collegians"  pic- 
tures, has  been  completed,  according  to  Carl 
Laemmle,  Jr.,  production  supervisor  of  the 
series. 

George  Lewis  and  Dorothy  Gulliver  are  ap- 
pearing in  the  leading  roles,  and  in  the  sup- 
porting cast  are  Eddie  Phillips  and  Churchill 
Ross. 


JUNIOR  COGHLAN 

"Let  'er  Go  Gallegher"      por  Pathe-DeMille  "Marked  Money" 


LOU  SEILER 

Directing 


FOX  FILMS 


I  i 


) 


d 


74 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


i 


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s 

s 

t 


Writer  Finds  Scnind  Solution  With 
"Double  Script"  Idea 

George  Crone  Says  Perfection  of  Sound  Pictures  Is  Jeopardized  by  Com- 
petition and  Haste;  "Rush  Has  Become  Hysterical" 
By  DAPHNE  MARQUETTE 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  7. — George  Crone,  director,  has  never  made  a 
sound  picture. 
But  this  does  not  confute  the  statement  that  George  Crone  knows  a 
lot  about  the  amazing  possibilities  encompassed  by  the  sound-producing  device 
in  picture  making,  and  the  tremendous  difficulties  to  be  encountered  in  using  it. 
'T^HOSE  who  are  engaged  in  the  actual  pro-       evident.    The  silent  picture  loses  something  on 


-*-  duction  of  sound  pictures  can  only  predict 
a  remarkable  future  for  them.  They  are  over- 
coming as  rapidly  as  possible  the  complex 
problems  which  arise  on  all  sides. 

Take  one  side,  for  instance,  the  continuity 
situation.  All  are  agreed  that,  for  the  time 
being  at  least,  when  a  sound  picture  is  made 
a  silent  one  will  also  be  made  from  the  same 
story  for  foreign  release  and  for  theatres  not 
equipped  with  the  reproducing  device.  These 
silent  pictures  will  follow  their  oral  twins  in 
story  as  closely  as  practicable  and  will  be  shot 
simultaneously.  However,  certain  scenes  will 
be  required  for  the  silent  picture  which  will 
not  'be  necessary  where  the  titles  are  spoken. 

For  example :  In  a  bedroom,  the  doctor 
encourages  a  blind  girl  by  telling  her  the  com- 
ing operation  is  certain  to  restore  her  sight. 
As  he  exits  from  the  room,  the  girl  follows 
him  to  the  door  without  his  knowing  it.  She 
hears  him  tell  her  father,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  closed  door,  that  there  is  only  one  chance 
in  a  hundred  of  restoring  her  sight.  The  ad- 
vantage of  the  sound  picture  in  staying  with 
the  closeup  of  the  girl  while  she  builds  her 
emotion  over  what  she  is  hearing  is  at  once 


account  of  the  necessary  switch-back  to  show 
the  scene  in  the  hall  where  the  doctor  is  talk- 
ing to  the  father.  His  message  is  conveyed 
to  the  audience  by  a  written  title.  To  cover 
this  scene,  the  action  for  the  silent  picture,  the 
action  for  the  sound  picture  and  all  the  spoken 
titles  should  appear  on  the  same  page  of  the 
script. 

The  first  scenarios  presented  for  the  shoot- 
ing of  these  double  pictures  led  to  no  end  of 
confusion  for  the  director.  Some  of  them 
needed  the  aid  of  an  income  tax  expert,  a 
Philadelphia  lawyer  and  a  crossword  puzzle 
fiend  to  help  untangle  the  script. 

This  complex  problem  of  a  scenario  which 
could  carry,  in  a  clear  concise  manner,  both 
the  oral  and  silent  story  presented  itself  early 
to  George  Crone,  who  has  prepared  scenarios 
for  other  directors  and  who  has  directed  pic- 
tures from  another's  script.  In  a  study  of  the 
difficulties  which  must  necessarily  present 
themselves  in  this  new  departure  in  picture- 
making,  Mr.  Crone  figured  that  one  of  the  first 
steps  toward  eliminating  trouble  was  to  evolve 
a  different  system  of  writing  the  double  script. 
And  toward  this  end  he  worked.    He  has  now 


applied  for  a  patent  on  an  idea  which  is  as 
simple  as  it  is  unique,  and  which  he  believes 
will  save  both  time  and  money  for  the  direc- 
tors and  producers  of  sound  pictures. 

When  asked  how  he  happened  to  hit  on  his 
idea,  he  replied,  "I  didn't  happen  to  hit  on  it. 
I've  been  applying  stage  technique  to  picture 
stories  for  10  years,  and  this  is  just  a  natural 
evolution  from  such  a  practice." 

This  young  director  believes  that  without 
doubt  the  sound  picture  is  here  to  stay.  He 
believes,  however,  that  the  competition  between 
the  studios  to  get  them  out  in  a  hurry  may 
cause  a  terrific  set-back  in  bringing  them  to  an 
artistic  and  money-making  perfection. 

"The  rush  to  complete  sound  pictures  has 
grown  to  an  almost  hysterical  point,"  says  Mr. 
Crone,  "and  the  same  mistakes  are  feeing  made 
over  and  over  again  in  many  of  the  studios. 
This  new  era  in  picture  making  history  should 
be  approached  with  painstaking  care — almost 
with  trepidation,  and  surely  with  careful 
study." 

George  Crone  was  with  the  Douglas  Mac- 
Lean  Productions  for  several  years,  acting 
both  as  a  director  and  supervisor. 


Ben  Lyon  Finishes 

With  ''Heirs  Angels 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Ben  Lyon's  flying 
ability,      developed     while 
Angels,"    Howard    Hughes 
landed    him    an    important 
FBO. 

He  has  been  signed  to 
part  in  "The  Air  Legion," 
cial  to  be  directed  by  Bert  Glennon.  Lyon  has 
been  playing  in  "Hell's  Angels"  since  last 
October.  He  completed  his  role,  the  biggest 
of  his  career,  last  week.  This  also  marked  the 
end  of  his  contract  with  Howard  Hughes,  and 
the  actor  is  now  a  member  of  the  free-lance 
fraternity. 


9f 


working  "Hell's 
air  special,  has 
assignment    with 

play  the  leading 
an   aviation   spe- 


F 


Charles  (Buddy)  Rogers 

Paramount  Studios 


ALICE  WHITE 

Now  Starring  in 

"Showgirl" 

for  First  National 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


75 


Detroit  Designates 
August  Season  of 
Greater  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  Aug.  7.  — Detroit's  1928-29 
"Greater  Movie  Season"  will  open  here  Sat- 
urday in  virtually  all  of  the  local  screen  the- 
atres, with  producers  and  managers  announc- 
ing many  special  features  for  the  month  of 
August.  H.  M.  Richey,  president  of  the  Mich- 
igan Theatre  Owners'  Association,  in  a  re- 
view and  forecast  of  the  past  and  coming  sea- 
sons, pointed  out  that  the  prediction  of  a 
"great  movie  season"  for  this  year  was  ful- 
filled. 

"The  past  year  brought  forth  many  ex- 
ceptionally fine  pictures,"  Mr.  Richey  said. 
"It  saw  Detroit  become  more  enthusiastic  than 
ever  before  over  screen  entertainment.  The 
outstanding  innovation  of  the  year,  of  course, 
was  the  rapid  rise  of  talking  pictures.  There 
was,  also,  an  elaboration  of  stage  and  musical 
features  lending  new^  attraction  to  screen 
progress.  The  coming  year  promises  even 
more   spectacular   improvements." 


Export  Trade  in  May 
Exceeds  April  Totals 
In  Quantity  and  Value 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  7.— Export  trade  of 
the  United  States  in  motion  picture  films  in 
May,  totaling  25,578,169  linear  feet  valued  at 
$677,974,  exceeded  that  of  April,  both  in  quan- 
tity and  value,  and  also  exceeded  the  ship- 
ments of  May,  1927,  in  quantity,  although  fall- 
ing slightly  below  the  total  of  that  month  for 
value,  according  to  figures  just  compiled  by 
the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Com- 
merce. 

The  May  shipments  were  nearly  2,000,000  feet 
greater  than  those  of  the  preceding  month,  and  the 
value  showed  an  increase  of  over  $25,000,  while,  as 
compared  with  May,  1927,  the  quantity  showed  an 
increase  of  over  4,000,000  feet,  although  the  value 
was   approximately   $105,000   less. 

Exports  of  motion  picture  film  in  May  by  classes 
were  as  follows:  Positives,  19,112,379  feet  valued  at 
$467,192;  raw  stock,  6,118,700  feet  valued  at  $136,- 
290;  negatives,  347,090  feet  valued  at  $74,492.  Our 
leading  markets  for  positives  were  Australia,  taking 
over  1,000,000  feet.  The  most  important  markets  for 
raw  stock  were  France,  taking  1,800,000  feet,  and  the 
United  Kingdom,  taking  1,600,000  feet,  while  the  lat- 
ter also  qualified  as  the  leading  market  for  ship- 
ments of  negatives. 


>f 


Universal  Signs  Keefe 
For  "Cohens  and  Kellys 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.   7.— Cornelius  Keefe 
has  been  signed  by  Universal  for  the  juvenile 
lead  in  "The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Atlantic 
City"  which  William  J.  Craft  will  direct. 

In  the  cast  are  George  Sidney,  Vera  Gordon, 
Kate  Price,  and  Mack  Swain.  The  company 
leaves  next  week  for  Atlantic  City  where  the 
picture  will  be  filmed. 

Keefe  left  for  his  home  in  Brookline, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  will  visit  for  a  few 
days  with  his  parents  before  joining  the  Uni- 
versal company  in  Atlantic  City  August   12. 


INCORPORATIONS 

ALBANY,  Aug.  6. — Only  six  companies  incorpora- 
ted in  the  motion  picture  business  in  New  York 
state  the  past  week: 

Hi-Mark  Han-a-phone  Corporation,  with  Nat  Na- 
thanson,  George  K.  Rolands,  Frank  B.  Fortes,  New 
York  City;  Brooklyn  Riviera  Theatre,  Inc.,  Solomon 
M.  Strausberg,  Rebecca  Strausberg,  George  M. 
Carle,  Brooklyn;  VanBeuren  Enterprises,  Inc.,  $10,- 
000,  Clayton  J.  Heermance,  S.  Whitney  Landon, 
Ethel  Borut,  New  York  City;  Hoffberg-Cornfeld,  Inc., 
$10,000,  Jacob  Hoffberg.  Blanche  Berger,  New  York 
City;  Sammie  Cornfeld,  Berlin,  Germany;  Fitzer- 
Buffalo  Corporation,  $75,000,  Mitchel  Fitzer,  Nathan 
Abelson,  James  P.  Martin,  Syracuse;  Fielder's  Film 
Facts,  Inc.,  $10,000,  Edward  C.  Fielder,  Ormonde  W. 
McClave,   Ruth  A.   Conlan,  New  York  City. 


Byrd  Cameraman  Feted 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  1.— Joe  Rucker, 
head  of  Paramount's  news  reel  service  here 
and  selected  to  accompany  the  Byrd  expedi- 
tion to  the  South  Pole,  was  tendered  a  picnic 
by  Herman  Wobber,  Pacific  Coast  represen- 
tative of  Paramount,  before  he  left. 


Three  Directors  Signed 
For  Columbia  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Frank  Capra  has 
been  assigned  to  direct  Bert  Lytell  in  "The 
Lone  Wolf's  Daughter"  for  Columbia.  Erie 
C.  Kenton  is  signed  to  direct  "The  Street 
Illusion,"  and  John  Adolfi  to  direct  "Sinners' 
Parade." 


27  Stern  Bros.  Comedies 
For  Next  Year  Are  Made 
Available    for    Summer 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— The  entire  list  of 
Stern  Brothers  27  comedies  in  two  reels  on 
hand  for  next  season  is  to  be  made  available 
to  exhibitors  at  once  for  emergency  bookings 
for  the  "dog  days"  of  the  remainder  of  the 
summer,  Vice-president  Abe  Stern  announced 
last  week. 


Doris  Dean  Sues  Ar buckle 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  7.— Doris  Dean  filed 
suit     yesterday     for     divorce     from     Roscoe 
"Fatty"  Arbuckle. 


ARTHUR  STONE 

"Chicken  A  La  King"— Fox  Featured  Player 


Reginald  Denny 


starring 
in 


"Red  Hot  Speed" 


Universal  Movietone  Production 


Latest  Release 

"The  Night  Bird" 


/ 

r 


^ 


76 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


! 


5 


\ 


Buddy,  born  Charles,  Rogers,  at  home  in 
Hollywood.  The  Paramount  featured  player 
is  shown  with  the  Boggs  family,  with  whom 
he  lives.  It  is  the  family  of  a  fraternity 
brother  from  the  University  of  Kansas,  which 
"graduated"  Rogers  into  a  film  career.  Pic- 
tured are  Mrs.  Boggs,  Buddy,  Deane  Boggs 
and  Miss  Elva  Boggs. 


Alberta  Vaughn,  an  outstanding 
representative  of  the  lively, 
roguish  school  of  charm,  who  is 
being  starred  in  F  B  O's  1928-29 
series  of  thrillers  adapted  from 
the  yarns  by  H.  C.  Witwer  in 
Cosmopolitan  Magazine  and 
serially  titled  "Racing  Blood." 


Speaking  of  "intriguing"  smiles — which 
we  weren't,  but  why  shouldn't  we? — here 
is  Nancy  Carroll,  one  of  Paramount's 
younger  set,  and  on  this  occasion,  a 
Paleolithic  flapper.  She  is  opposite  Jack 
Ho!t  in  Paramount's  "The  Water  Hole." 


Above:  A  daring 
rescue  in  the  turbulent 
waters  of  a  Universal 
swimming  pool.  How- 
ever, the  concrete 
won't  appear  when  this 
"Collegian"  produc- 
tion is  shown.  George 
Lewis  is  the  chap  res- 
cuing Yvonne  HowelL 
Director  Nat  Ross  is 
on  the  platform  with 
Eddie  Phillips  just 
below. 


Left:  Few  places  in 
Europe  as  popular  for 
vacations  as  the  moun- 
tains, and  in  Germany 
the  high  altitudes  of 
Silesia  ofier  eminent 
attractions  in  coolness 
and  entertainment. 
Here  are  two  film 
players  enjoying  them, 
Rina  Marsa  and  Dita 
Parlo,  UFA  stars. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


77 


Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 

Production  Directory 

[Number  immediately  following  title  denotes  production  number] 


"Marked  Money"  Spencer   Bennett  Junior    Coghlan 

Virginia    Bradford 
George  Duryea 
Tom    Kennedy 

"Singapore    Sal"  Howard   Higgin  Phyllis   Haver 

Alan  Hale 
Fred  Kohler 
Dan    Wolheim 


First  National  Studios 


"Do  Your  Duty" 


"Hie   Haunted 
House" 


William  BeaudineCharles  Murray 
Doris  Dawson 
Charles  Delaney 


Benjamin 
Christensen 


Flora  Finch 
Chester  Conklin 
Thelma  Todd 
Larry   Kent 


Fox  Studios 


•The  Woman" 


"The  River" 


Irving  CummingsMary  Astor 
John  Boles 


Frank  Borzage 


"RUey,  the  Cop"   John    Ford 


•Fog" 


Charles   Klein 


Ben    Bard 

Charles  Farrell 
Mary  Duncan 

Farrell  MacDonald 
Nancy  Drexel 
David   Rollins 

George   O'Brien 
Lois  Moran 


Metropolitan  Studios 


"Hell's  Angels"     Howard  Hughes    Greta  Nissen 

James  Hall 
Ben  Lyon 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


"West  of 
Zanzibar" 

"Alias    Jimmy 
Valentine" 

"A  Woman   of 
Affairs" 

"Gold   Braid" 

"Little  Angel" 


Tod   Browning 
Jack   Conway 

Clarence  Brown 

George  Hill 
Sam  Wood 


Lon   Chaney 
Warner  Baxter 
Mary  Nolan 

William  Haines 
Karl  Dane 
Lionel   Barrymore 

Greta  Garbo 
John  Gilbert 

Ramon  Novarro 

Norma   Shearer 


Paramount  Studios 


"Take  Me  Home"  Marshall  Neilan 


"Docks  of  New 
York" 


•'Sins  of  the 
Fathers" 

•"Moran  of  the 
Marines" 

•Interference" 


Untitled 


Joseph  von 
Sternberg 

Edward  Berger 

Frank   Strayer 

Lothax  Mendez 

Dorothy  Arzner 


Bebe  Daniels 
Neil  Hamilton 

George  Bancroft 
Betty  Compson 
Baclonova 

Km  11  Jannings 
Ruth  Chatterton 

Richard  Dix 
Ruth  Elder 

Clive  Brook 
Evelyn  Brent 
Williajm  Powell 

Richard  Arlen 
Nancy  Carroll 


STORY 

DIRECTOR               CHIEF                  BRAND 
PLAYERS                NAME 

STARTING 
DATE 

Columbia  Studios 

"Runaway  Girls" 

Mark  Sandrich     Shirley  Mason 
Arthur   Rankin 
Hedda   Hopper 
Alice   Lake 

July  17 

DeMille  Studios 

July  12 


July  17 


July  20 


July  26 


July  25 
June  10 

July  6 

July  30 


Nov.  4 


June  21 

July  2 

July  31 

August  5 
August  4 


June  25 

June  25 

July  7 

July  16 

July  19 
July  26 


STORY 


DIRECTOR 


CHIEF 
PLAYERS 


BRAND 
NAME 


Tiffany-Stahl  Studios 


"The  Rainbow" 


'The  Floating 
College" 


Reginald  Barker  Dorothy   Sebastian 
Lawrence  Gray 
Sam  Hardy 


George  Crone 


Sally  O'Neil 
William   Collier,  Jr. 


Tec-Art  Studios 


'Lief,  the  Lucky"  Roy  Neill 


House   Peters         Technicolor 
Leroy  Mason 
Pauline  Starke 


United  Artists  Studios 


'The   Rescue"        Herbert  Brennon   Ronald  Colman 

Lily  Damita 


Universal  Studios 


Warner  Brothers  Studio 


'Conquest" 


'My  Man" 


'The  Outlaw 
Dog" 


'The   Home- 
towners" 


Roy  Del  Ruth 


Archie  Mayo 


Ross  Lederman 


Bryan  Foy 


"The  Redeeming    Howard 
Sin"  Bretherton 


Monte  Blue 
Lois  Wilson 
H.  B.  Warner 
Edmu»d  Breese 
TuUy  Marshall 

Fannie  Brice 
"Big  Boy"   Williams 
Edna  Murphy 
Andre  De  Segurola 
Richard  Tucker 
Billy  Seay 

Rin-Tin-Tin 
Matty  Kemp 
Evelyn  Pierce 

Richard  Bennett 
Irene  Rich 
Doris  Kenyon 
Robert   McWade 
Robert  Edeson 

Dolores   Costello 
Conrad  Nagel 
Georgie  Stone 
Lionel   Barrymore 
Phillip  De  Lacy 


STARTING 
DATE 


July  16 
August  2 


July  18 


June  20 


"The  Collegians" 

Nat  Ross 

George  Lewis 
Dorothy  Gulliver 

May  14 

"Show  Boat" 

Harry  Pollard 

Laura  La  Plante 
Joseph  Schildkraut 

July  16 

The  Shakedown' 

'Willie  Wyler 

Barbara  Kent 
James  Murray 

July  16 

"The  Play  Goes 
On" 

Paul  Fejos 

Conrad  Veidt 
Mary  Philbin 
Leslie  Fenton 

July  30 

'It  Can  Be  Done' 

'  Fred  Newmeyer 

Glenn  Tryon 
Sue  Carol 

Jv(ly26 

"Red  Hot  Speed" 

Joseph  Henaberry  Reginald  Denny 
Alice  Day 

August  1 

"King   of   the 
Rodeo" 

Henry  McRae 

Hoot  Gibson 
Kathiyn  Crawford 

July  25 

"Grit   Wins" 

Joseph  Levigard 

Ted  Wells 

August  4 

"The   Mystery 
Rider" 

Jack  Nelson 

William  Desmond 

June  28 

July  30 


June  19 


July  2 


July  9 


July  14 


78 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


\^ 


I 


NEW    PICTURES 


s 
s 

k4 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  info^r- 
mation  on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

MAN  WHO  LAUGHS,  THE:  Universal  drama  with 
Mary  Philbln,  Conrad  Veidt,  Julius  Molnar,  Jr., 
Josephine  Ci'owell,  Torben  Meyer,  George  Siegmann, 
Brandon  Huret,  Olga  Baclanova,  Nick  de  Ruiz,  Sam 
de  Grasse,  Stuart  Holmes,  Cesare  Gravina,  Edgar 
Norton,  Charles  Puffy,  Frank  Puglino  and  Carmen 
Costello.        Directed      by      Paul      Leni.         Released 

_ Length    10,185. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Trenchant  with  drama  is 
this  story  of  a  titled  clown  a/nd  blin^  girl  in  the. 
reign  of  Queen  Anne  in  England.  Kidnapers  aban- 
don a  boy  li'hose  face  lias  been  mutilated  into  a 
horrible  grin  by  political  enemies  of  his  father. 
In  the  circus  van  of  Ursu^  he  finds  shelter  for  him- 
self and  a  motherless  baby  girl.  The  girl  grows  up 
to  be  the  beautiful  Dea,  blind  maid,  and  the  boij 
is  now  Givynplaine,  famious  cloivn.  .\n  atta.che  of 
the  queen's  court  finds  Owynplaine  has  a  just 
claim  to  a  title.  Anne  sees  this  as  a  means  to 
discipline  her  half-sister.  Duchess  Josiana,  restores 
Gwynplaine  to  his  wealth  and  tries  to  force  hi.s 
marriage  to  Josiana.  The  attache  reports  him  dead 
and  banishes  the  circus  from  England.  Gwynplaine 
renounces  the  title  and  hurries  after  the  troupe. 
Vrsus'  trained  wolf  brings  the  pursuing  attache  to 
his  merited  death,  and  Gwynplaine  reaches  his  be- 
loved Dea. 


MATING  CALL,  THE:  Paramount  drama  with 
Thomas  Meighan,  Evelyn  Brent,  Renee  Adoree, 
Alan  Rbscoe,  Gardner  James,  Helen  Foster,  Luke 
Cosgrave,  Cyril  Chadwiek,  Will  R.  Walling.  Di- 
rected     by      James      Cruze.        Released _ 

Length _ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Meighan  comes  home  to 
learn  that  Evelyn  Brent,  his  war-bride,  has  an- 
nulled their  m.arriage  and  rewed,  the  party  of  this 
second  part  being  Alan  Roscoe.  But  not  so  good 
for  Evelyn.  She  returns  from  England  with  the 
knowledge  that  Roscoe  has  been  unfaithful  and 
tries  to  win  bajck  Meighan  which  can't  be  done. 
Meighan  wa/>its  a  wife  to  help  him  with  the  farm 
and  the  solution  seems  to  rest  with  Renee  Adoree, 
immigrant  girl,  who  agrees  to  the  marriage  in 
order  to  get  into  America.  But  when  they  get  to 
the  farm  Meighan  finds  she  is  a  Russian  aristocrat 
a/nd  her  supposed  parents  are  really  servants. 
Roscoe  gets  back  into  the  plot  when  Helen  Foster, 
who  has  had  an  unfortunate  affair  with  him,  tries 
to  drown  herself  in  a  lake  and  is  rescued  by 
Meighan  and  Gardner  James,  her  best  friend 
Roscoe  tries  to  pin  the  blayne  on  Meighan  and 
incites  a  secret  society  to  attack  him.  Evelyn  tells 
the  undercover  society  the  truth  and  the  members 
start  for  Roscoe's  office  only  to  find  him  dead  from 
a  bullet  from  Helen's  father.  Meighan  meanwhile 
has  gone  to  protect  Renee,  but  she  has  disap- 
peared. He  discovers  her  talcing  a  moonlight  swim 
in  the  lake,  and  despite  her  charges  that  he  is  a 
sneak    for    invading    the    privacy   of    her    nocturnal 


A  scene  from  a  new  story  of  the  ways  of 
gangs  in  today's  big  cities,  "Gang  War." 
an  F  B  O  production  directed  by  Ralph 
Ince.  Above  are  shown  the  featured  play- 
ers, Olive  Borden  and  Jack  Pickford. 

dip,  he  carries  her  to  the  house,  ivhere  all  is  cleared 
up   and  love   is   awakened. 

*  *     * 

QUICK  TRIGGERS:  Universal  Western  with  Fred 
Humes,  Derelys  Perdue,  Robert  Chandler,  Wilbur 
Mack,  William  H.  Baimbridge,  Orpha  Alba,  Gilbert 
"Pee  Wee"  Holmes,  Scotty  Mattraw,  Dick 
L'Estrange  and  Benny  Corbett.  Directed  by  Ray- 
mond Taylor.     Released  July  15.     Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Horse  thieves  and  love. 
Of  course  they  don't  always  go  together,  but  when 
they  do  there's  cu;tion  to  pay.  It  seems  that  Larry 
Day  (Humes)  as  foreman  of  the  Three  X  ranch 
loses  the  trail  of  a  band  of  horse  rustler's  but 
finds  a  pretty  girl.  Which  sounds  to  tis  as  better 
than  an  even  break.  The  riderless  horse  of  a 
rustler  is  followed  to  the  home  of  the  girl's  father 
and  he  is  arrested.  Between  love  of  Larry  and 
affection  for  her  father  she  determines  upon  a 
desperate  course  of  aetion,  ivhich  includes  a  final 
battle   with   the  desperadoes. 

*  *     * 

SUNRISE;  Fox  drama  with  George  O'Brien,  Janet 
Gaynor,  Bodil  Rosing,  Margaret  Livingston,  Far- 
rell  Macdonald,  Ralph  Slipperly,  Jane  Winton, 
Arthur  Housman,  Eddie  Boland.     Directed  by  F.  W. 

Murnau.      Released _ Length „ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  The  characters  are 
nameless  and  so  is  the  location,  as  the  story  is 
supposed   to   be  typical  of  the   times.     .4   city  siren 


tempts  a  farmer  to  drown  his  wife  but  his  con- 
science asserts  itself  and  he  rows  her  back  to 
shore.  She  flees  in  horror  amd  takes  refuge  in  a 
church,  where  a  wedding  is  being  performed.  She 
learns  that  he  can  be  trusted  again  and  they  sta/rt 
a  second  honeymoon.  On  their  return,  again  in  a 
rowboat,  she  disappears  in  a  storm.  Reaching 
shore  in  the  morning  he  goes  to  kiU  the  siren  but 
learns  that  his  wife  is  alive  and  hurries  to  her. 


STREET  ANGEL:  Fox  drama  with  Janet  Gaynor, 
Charles  Farrell,  Guido  Trento,  Henry  Armetta, 
Natalie  Kingston,  Louis  Liggett,  Milton  Dickenson, 
Helena  Herman,  David  Kashner,  Gino  Conti,  Jennie 
Bruno.  Directed  by  Frank  Borzage.  Released 
Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  story  of  poverty,  jails 
and  circus,  with  old  Naples  as  a  background.  With- 
out funds  to  buy  needed  medicine  for  her  mother, 
Angelina  tries  to  "cruise"  the  streets,  but  fuUlely. 
Then  she  attempts  to  steal  change  from,  a  spaghetti 
stand  and  the  police  spy  her.  She  escapes  and  is 
given  refuge  with  a  circus  troupe.  She  becomes  a 
performer.  A  young  artist  across  the  road  draws 
her  attention  and  the  attraction  is  decidedly  mutual, 
for  he  also  joins  the  circus.  He  paints  her,  as  a 
saint.  The  sight  of  two  policemen  causes  her  to 
lose  her  balance  in  an  act.  She  falls,  is  injured 
and  the  artist,  Oino,  takes  her  to  Naples.  Hopes 
and  income  don't  match  amd  Gino  sells  the  picture 
of  Angelina.  The  rent  day  again  comes,  as  such 
things  have  a  habit  of  doing,  and  the  landlady  is 
upbraiding  Angelina  when  in  comes  Gino  with  an- 
nouncement tliat  at  last  he  has  obtained  a  com- 
mission to  paint  a  mural  and  that  the  next  day 
is  reserved  for  the  wedding.  But  a  policeman 
comes  for  Angelina  with  a  warrant  for  her  arrest, 
unknown  to  Oino.  She  asks  an  hour  of  grace, 
and  then  vanishes.  Gino  goes  to  pieces  and  takes 
to  frequenting  low  dives.  Angelina  is  released 
from  prison  and  hunts  him  in  vain.  At  last  he 
sees  her,  on  the  waterfront  and  huddled  against  a 
wall.  He  believes  she  has  become  a  woman  of  the 
streets  and  rushes  toward  her  to  kill  her.  She 
runs  into  a  church  amd  hides  behind  a  pillar  at  an 
altar.  On  it  is  the  painting  he  made  of  her.  He 
drags  her  beneath  the  painting.  The  candles  form 
a  halo  above  her  head  and  at  last  he  knows  the 
truth.     They  kneel  before  the  altar. 


COWBOY  KID,  THE:  Fox  Western  with  Rex  Bell, 
Mary  Jane  Temple,  Brooks  Benedict,  Alice  Belcher, 
Joe  De  Grasse,  Sid  Crossley,  Billy  Bletcher.  Di- 
rected    by     Clyde     Carruth.       Released...„ 

Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  tale  of  dynamite,  bank 
vaults  and  armored  cars,  in  which  Jim  Barrett 
hones  for  excitement — and  gets  much.  He  saves 
Janet  Orover  from  a  trio  of  bad  men  amd  gets  a 
job  as  bank  guard  and  messenger  as  a  reward, 
from  her  dad.  Jim  is  kidnapped  and  the  bank 
vault  dynamited.  A  run  on  the  bank  starts  and 
Grover  ivires  for  funds.  A  shipment  is  sent  in 
an  armored  car.  Jim,  returning  to  consciousness, 
hears  .Janet's  radio  appeal  for  help  when  the  ship- 
ment is  overdue.  He  gets  to  the  road  in  time  to 
prevent  the  dynamiting  of  the  armored  car,  gains 
entrance  to  the  car  by  a  ruse,  and  drives  through 
the  gang,    reaching  the  bank  just  in  time. 


This  Week's  Press  Sheet 


NIGHT  WATCH,  THE  (First  National  drama):  Here  is  a 
teaser  stunt  that  embodies  a  comedy  angle  as  well  as  definitely 
lining  up  with  your  regular  advertising  on  the  picture  when  it 
breaks.  The  following  copy  can  be  effectively  employed  on 
special  mailing  cards  or  intensive  distribution  as  throwaways 
among  the  male  populace  of  your  city.  In  the  event  you  cover 
the  residential  districts  with  the  handbills,  it  will  prove  a  far 
more  effective  stunt  if  you  will  enclose  them  in  envelopes  bear- 
ing the  single  line  of  copy:  "FOR  THE  MAN  OF  THE 
HOUSE."  Inside  the  envelope  should  read:  "Do  you  trust 
your  wife?  If  your  suspicions  have  been  aroused  take  advantage 
of  the  'Night  Watch,'  a  confidential  service  for  husbands.  You 
can  learn  full  details  by  phoning  (theatre  phone  number)  or 
calling  at  (Street  number  of  theatre)."  .  .  .  An  interesting, 
arousing,  advance  billing  campaign  using  the  following  copy  for 
snipe    ones    and    half-sheets,   window    and  tack    cards,   will   put 


over  the  title  of  the  picture  and  at  the  same  time  act  as  an 
effective  teaser  stunt:  "Lonesome  wives,  beware.  'The  Night 
Watch'  is  checking  up  on  you  while  your  husbands  are  away." 
.  .  .  Two  logical  tieups  present  themselves  through  the  use  of 
two  assortments  of  "The  Night  Watch"  stills,  and  when  attrac- 
tively mounted  on  neatly  executed  sign-cards  with  the  tieup 
copy  suggested  here,  offer  excellent  attention-arresting  window 
display  material.  Stills  numbers — 5P,  6P,  7P,  and  8P  show 
Billie  Dove  in  poses  with  a  beautiful  life-like  baby  doll.  Your 
local  merchant  can  select  a  similar  doll  from  his  stock,  name 
it  the  "Billie  Dove  Doll"  and  give  the  same  a  direct  tieup  value. 
Following  copy  given  here  covers  dolls  in  general:  "Billie  Dove 
now  at  the  (name  of  theatre)  helps  to  popularize  dolls  for 
grownups.  It's  the  fad  of  the  day!  You  don't  have  to  feed  'em 
and  there  is  no  over  'The  Night  Watch.'  " 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


79 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is   the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation   on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK    OF   AUGUST    12 

EDUCATIONAL— "Goofy  Birds,"  Bowers,  two; 
"He  Tried  to  Please,"  Collins-Hutton,  Cameo, 
one;   "The  Peep  Show,"   Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PARAMOUNT — "Stop  Kidding,"  Christie-Vernon, 
two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  2,  two; 
"Sunny  Italy,"  Aesop  Fable,  one;  "His  Unlucky 
Night,"  Bevan-Dent,  Sennett,  two;  Pathe  Reriew 
No.  33,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  33,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— "King  of  Shebas,"  Snappy,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  1,  Adventure,  two; 
"Busting  Buster,"  Stem  Bros.,  two;  "The  Getaway 
Kid,"   Western,   Curwood,  two. 

WEEK   OF   AUGUST    19 

EDUCATIONAL— "The  Fighting  Orphans— Eve- 
ning Mist,"  Bruce  Outdoor  Sketches,  one;  "Just 
Dandy,"   Drew,    Mermaid,    two. 

F  B  O — NewslaflE  No.  26,  one. 

FOX — "Her   Mother's    Back,"   Imperial,   two. 

PARAMOUNT — "The  Dizzy  Dive,"  Christie-Dooley, 
two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  3,  two; 
"A  Cross-Country  Run,"  Aesop  Fable,  one; 
"Canned  Thrills,"  Sportlight,  one;  "Smith's  Res- 
taurant," two ;  Pathe  Review  No.  34,  one ;  Topics 
of  the  Day  No.   34,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— "Hot     Dog,"    Oswald,     Snappy,    one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  2,  Adventure,  two;  "She's 
My    Girl,"    Stem    Bros.,    Let    George    Do    It,    two; 
"The  Ruse,"  Western,  Perrin,  two. 
WEEK   OF   AUGUST  26 

EDUCATIONAL — "Wedded  Blisters^"  Lupino-Boyd, 
Tuxedo,  two;  "Troubles  Galore,"  Collins-Ruby  Mc- 
Coy,  Cameo,  one. 

F  B  O — "Jessie's  James,"  Racing  Blood  Series,  AI 
Cooke,  two. 

PARAMOUNT — "Hot  Scotch,"  Duffy,  Sandy  Mac- 
Duff,    Christie,   two. 

PATHE— "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  4,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Chicken,"  Deluxe,^  Sen- 
nett, two;  Pathe  Review  No.  35,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day  No.  35,  one. 

UNIVERSAL-^"A  Hurry  Up  Marriage,"  Harold 
Highbrow  series,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  3; 
Adventure,  two;  "Husbands  Won't  Tell,"  Mike  and 
Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Danger  Trail,"  West- 
ern, Newton  House,  two. 

WEEK     OF     SEPTEMBER     2 

EDUCATIONAL — "Skating  Home,"  Confessions  of  a 
Chorus    Girl    series,    Christie,    two. 

PATHE— "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapt.  5,  two;  Aesop 
Fable,  one;  "South  Sea  Saga,"  Sportlight,  one; 
"His  Royal  Slyness,"  Harold  Lloyd  (reissue),  two; 
Pathe  Review  No.  36,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No. 
36,    one. 

UNIVERSAL— "Sky  Scrapper,"  Snappy,  Oswald, 
one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  4,  Adventure,  two; 
"The  Junior  Year,"  Collegians,  third  series,  two; 
"Newlyweds'  Hard  Luck,"  two;  "Speed  and  Spurs," 
Bob   Curwood,  Western,  two. 


Orpheum  Billings  Grow  on 

Short  Films,  Scott  Finds 

Several  of  the  Orpheum  theatres  are  in- 
creasing their  bookings  of  short  features, 
Harry  Scott,  Pathe  short  subjects  sales  man- 
ager, reported  to  the  home  office  on  his  re- 
turn  from   his   Middlewestern  trip. 

Business  is  very  good,  considering  the 
stretch  of  sweltering  weather,  Scott  found. 
Theatres  having  cooling  plants  have  shown 
a   definite  lead   in  attendance. 


First  ''Toots  and  Casper*' 

"Toots  and  Casper"  make  their  screen  bow 
with  "Buttercup"  in  the  first  of  the  series, 
just  completed  by  Earl  T.  Montgomery  for 
F  B  O  release. 


Many  Patrons  Prefer  Shorts^  Says 
One;  Draw  Trade^  Another  Finds 

"/  believe  that  there  are  a  number  of  patrons  who  are  more  interested  in 
SHORTS  than  they  are  in  the  feature.  Also  know  that  certain  of  the  SHORTS 
are  business  getters  and  are  entitled  to  their  share  of  advertising." 

"The  short  feature  does  help  us  a  lot.  We  use  a  comedy  every  night  we  show, 
which  is  three  nights  a  week.  However,  there  are  some  comedies  that  draw  more 
than  others.     .     .     .     Small  features  draw  business." 

The  first  of  the  foregoing  paragraphs  is  Ray  W.  Musselman's  statement  to 
this  department  of  his  Short  Feature  Creed.  Musselman  has  the  Princess  thea- 
tre at  Lincoln,  Kan.,  "a  dot  on  any  map,"  as  his  letterhead  aptly  describes  the 
town.  The  second  is  from  Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green  of  the  Gem  theatre  at  Green- 
river,  Utah. 


These  two  champions  of  the  short  feature 
as  a  necessary  element  in  any  well-rounded 
program  differ  in  their  methods  of  exploi- 
tation and  in  the  amount  of  advertising  prod- 
uct they  allot  to  short  product,  but  they 
agree  with  the  others  whose  comment  is 
being  published  in  this  series  in  the  Herald- 
World. 

Gives    Shorts   Half   of   Ads 

Musselman  gives  short  subjects  50-50 
ranking  with  long  features  in  his  advertising. 
Mrs.  Green,  in  a  small  town  with  no  news- 
paper, allots  them  14  per  cent  of  space  in  one- 
sheets,  programs  and  heralds. 

"In  several  instances,"  she  writes  "when 
we  have  had  an  Our  Gang  comedy  with 
Pola  Negri  we  have  had  better  than  the 
average  house.  But  if  we  used  Pola  Negri 
alone  without  the  Our  Gang  comedy  we 
would  not  have  had  a  good  house. 

"We  are  in  a  small  town  and  if  we  have 
a  good  comedy  the  children  want  to  come, 
so   the  parents   have   to   bring  them. 

"We  advertise  comedies  about  14  per  cent 
of  the  total  advertising.  We  do  .not  have  a 
newspaper  in  this  town,  so  we  advertise  them 
by    one-sheets. 

Programs  Sent  All  Patrons 

"We  also  advertise  by  program.  (Mrs  Green 
enclosed  a  program  for  the  month  of  July 
which  unfortunately  cannot  be  reproduced. 
It  is  8>2  inches  wide  by  6  deep,  on  heavy 
orange  card,  with  a  blank  boxed  space  in 
the  center,  presumably  for  home  memoranda. 
The  short  feature  has  practically  equal  space 
with  the  long,  the  only  difference  being  that 
the  title  of  the  long  feature  is  in  bold  type 
and   its    stars    are   named.) 

"One  of  these  (programs)  is  s'ent  to  each 
patron  along  with  what  heralds  we  have  on 
the  pictures  of   the  coming  month. 

"A  news  reel  does  not  draw  much  here  be- 
cause we  are  so  late  getting  it.  Otherwise 
small    features    draw   business." 

Each  Type   Has   Own  Play 

An  interesting  and  decidedly  worthwhile 
bit  of  comment,  that.  So,  too,  is  that  from 
Musselman,  who  goes  into  the  details  of  how 
he  promotes  each  kind  of  short  feature,  com- 


pared with  the  long.  After  declaring  that 
"short  subjects,  in  my  theatre,  are  given  equal 
advertising  with  my  features  and  specials," 
Musselman   writes: 

"News  (International) — One-sheet  is  dis- 
played for  one  week  previous,  as  I  show 
News  that  is  fifteen  days  old. 

"Comedies — Gang,  Gumps,  Mermaids  get 
equal  publicity   with    feature. 

"Serials — Big  exploitation  on  beginning, 
lobby  display  and  newspaper  space,  along  with 
feature   until   the   end. 

"Novelties — Lobby  display  in  advance,  also 
newspaper  space." 


Newspictures 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  90— Gene  Tunney  quits  prizering— 
Vienna  greets  singing  society  of  the  world — Airman 
in  New  Jersey  plays  tag  with  fast  train. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  101— New  Alpine 
line  opens  Bavarian  wonderland — Beauties  of 
France  are  unfolded  to  cyclists  on  race  tour — 
Device  picks  up  airmail   for  plane 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  102—30,000 
Chinese  pledge  aid  for  united  nation — Courtney  and 
three  others  are  rescued  on  ocean  hop — New  Jer- 
sey honors   Wilmer   Stutz,  pilot. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5418— Pacific  Southwest  exhibi- 
tion opens — German  breaks  U.  S.  air  glider  record 
— Blimp  rescues  men  from  upturned  boat. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5419— German  sportsmen  hold 
biggest  fete  at  Cologne — Saratoga  open  in  all  its 
glory — Kansas  City  college  swimmer  tries  for  record 
circling  Manhattan. 

M  G  M  NEWS  NO.  101— French  help  Germans  set 
glider  record — Airplane  bridge  is  society  women's 
latest — Five  tons  of  dynamite  tear  rock  off  high- 
way. 

MGM  NEWS  NO.  102 — Open  pits  supplant  cages  in 
European  zoo — Movable  playgrounds  are  welcomed 
by  children — Europe's  speed  demons  race  on  peril- 
ous track. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  3— Leo  Diegel  \vins  Do- 
minion open  gold  crown  at  Toronto  for  third  time 
— Tunney  quites  ring — Return  of  Italia  survivors 
closes  tragedy  of  Arctic. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  64— German  glider  stays  aloft 
for  American  record — Woman  run  over  by  ten 
autos  just  laughs — Bombardment  planes  maneuver 
in  clouds. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  6S— 400,000  singers  hail  Schu- 
bert anniversary — Sailors  play  ball  on  floating  fly- 
ing field — Bold  knights  joust  for  ladies  fair. 


80 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


Y^ 


I 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 

Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 


i      You   Ought   to   Accept    Suggestions 


STAGE     SHOWS 

New  Orleans  Saenger 

Week  Ending  August  3 

The  engineer  of  "The  Fast  Mail,"  the  current  Pub- 
lix  show,  delivered  several  good  players,  notably  The 
De  Groohs,  featured  in  singing,  dancing,  jesting  and 
versatile  playing  of  musical  instruments,  etc. 

However,  the  Foster  Girls  comprising  the  chorus 
saved  the  Publix  presentation  from  a  flop  and  with 
the  aid  of  Mildred  Schmidt,  a  local  girl,  and  Eddie 
Hill,  a  real  comedian,  a  fairly  good  bill  was  presented. 

"The  Fast  Mail"  is  supposed  to  represent  the  devel- 
opment of  the  mail  service  in  the  United  States  be- 
ginning with  the  pony  riders,  up  to  and  including  our 
present   air  mail   system,    depicted   in   films. 

Art  Landry,  the  personality  leader,  introduced  the 
performers  as  "packages"  from  foreign  countries. 
Eva  Thornton,  a  ballad  singer,  was  good.  The  Phelps 
Twins  were  a  fine  dance  team,  and  Luster  Bros,  in 
very   good   acrobatic  stunts. 

The  Foster  Girls  appeai-ed  in  many  different  and 
beautiful  dances  and  marches  with  wardrobe  the 
finest  seen  on  the  Saenger  stage  in  many  presenta- 
tions. 

Eddie  HUl  is  fat,  good  natured,  and  looks  like  a 
politician,  but  despite  all  this,  amused  the  audience 
■with  wise  cracks  and  a  few  tuneful  songs,  all  fresh, 
without  the  taint  of  the  moth  ball. 

Mildred  Schmidt,  a  local  girl,  sang  and  danced  in  a 
graceful  manner  and  has  the  makings  of  a  finished 
presentation  artist. 

A  feature  of  the  entertainment  was  the  farewell 
of  personality  leader  Art  Landry,  who  paraphrased 
Good  Night  into  Good-Bye,  assisted  by  Miss  Schmidt. 
Landry  sails  for  New  York  August  8,  being  succeeded 
by  Jack  Stanley  as  personality  leader. 

Castro  Carazo  and  the  Saenger  Grand  orchestra  en- 
tertained with  Victor  Herbert's  Impressions,  a  musical 
grouping  of  selections  from  his  works. 

The  Movietone  made  its  first  appearance  in  this 
city  at  this  theatre  this  week  and  is  entertaining. 


Kansas  City  Pontages 

Week  Ending  August  3 

Mae  Murray  and  her  Brazilian  band,  consisting  cf 
William  Muffa,  Alberta  Dellena  and  Bonanova,  was 
the  feature  attraction  of  the  Pantages'  stage  program. 
Incidentally  the  week's  attendance  hit  a  new  high 
mark  for   summer. 

There  is  nothing  to  hint  of  elaborateness  in  Miss 
Murray's  number.  The  curtain  rises  upon  a  dimly 
lighted  stage  and  the  Brazilian  string  orchestra  com- 
pletes one  number  and  is  well  along  on  another  as 
Miss  Murray  comes  gliding  out.  Her  entire  appear- 
ance is  confined  to  lively  dance  steps  and  continued 
encores  from  enthusiastic  audiences.  She  handles 
herself  vrith  "pep"  aplenty  and  makes  the  audiences 
feel  that  she  enjoys  their  presence  as  much  as  they  do 
her — which  is  probably  a  fact,  at  that,  considering 
that  the  admission  price  was  raised  from  35  to  50 
cents  at  night. 

Raymond  Bond,  with  Helen  Sullivan  &  Co.,  offer  a 
novel  playlette  titled  "Good  Night,"  which  has  plenty 
of  humor.  Scott  Brothers  &  Vernon  are  seen  in  a 
sketch  titled  "Good  Time  Charlie,"  which  has  several 
original  lines  and  goes  over  well.  Alice  Melville 
proves  herself  to  be  a  clever  ventriloquist  with  a 
pleasing  change  of  voice  from  soprano  to  deep  bass. 
"The  Spirit  of  St.  Louis"  ie  the  sketch  offered  by 
Dorothy  ImhA  &  Co. 

iContinued  on  page  82) 


Frankie  Masters 


Old  Black  Joe  surely  started  something  when  he 
began  to  strum  his  banjo  many  years  ago — at  that 
time  banjo  music  was  considered  merely  a  pastime 
for  tired  slave-hands  on  the  levees — today  it  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  sorts  of  entertainment  on 
the  presentation  stage.  Frankie  Masters,  whose  like- 
ness appears  above,  is  a  graduate  of  the  banjo  who 
first  became  popular  in  Chicago  as  the  singing  ban- 
joist  with  Bennie  Krueger  and  his  band — now 
Frankie  heads  his  own  band  at  the  Norshore  theatre, 
Chicago,  as  the  romantic,  singing  Master  of  Cere- 
monies. 


Stars  of  the  Week 

Famous  stage  and  screen  names  of  the  week  in 
Chicago  are  as  follows:  Jackie  Coogan  appearing  in 
person  as  an  extra  added  attraction  in  the  B.  &  K. 
theatres,  Waring's  Pennsylvanians  also  touring  B.  & 
K.  ;  Billy  Glason  and  the  Darling  Twins  of  musical 
comedy  fame  also  with  B.  &  K.  ;  Orville  Rennie 
of  The  Student  Prince  at  the  Oriental  ;  Don  Armand 
and  Capella,  John  Charles  Gilbert  and  Ruth  Marie 
Ziegfeld's  Follies  at  the  Granada ;  while  Roseray 
and  Capella,  John  Charles  Gilbert  and  Ruth  Marie 
Marcotte  of  Blossom  Time  are  at  the  Marbro. 
Margaret  Anglin  of  the  legitimate  is  at  the  Palace 
and  Nazimova  at  the  State-Lake. 


Others  on  Staff 
May  Have  Good 
Staging  Plans 

Stores  Give  Employees  Prizes  for 

Ideas — Same  Should  Apply 

to  Show  Business 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

It  is  often  said  that  two  minds  are 
better  than  one,  and  no  truer  words 
were  ever  spoken.  However,  we  be- 
lieve that  several  minds  working  in 
harmony  are  much  better  than  one  or 
even  two.  Since  bandshows  have  be- 
come a  popular  fad  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture theatres,  it  has  been  noticed  that 
the  majority  of  the  productions  are 
usually  conceived  and  staged  by  one 
man  week  in  and  week  out.  Although 
most  of  the  large  presentation  cir- 
cuits have  a  complete  staff  of  techni- 
cal experts,  it  is  very  seldom  that 
their  advice  and  suggestions  are  put 
into  use.  Usually  the  final  word 
comes  from  the  front  office  or  the 
production  chief  who  lays  out  the 
show  on  paper. 

It  is  evident  that  no  business  can  go  on 
successfully  without  a  general  to  lead  the 
procession  on.  Nevertheless,  it  is  wise  and 
also  good  showmanship  to  employ  the  serv- 
ices of  subordinates.  It  is  surprising,  some- 
times, how  the  office  boy  and  the  stenographer 
can  supply  the  manager  with  a  good  idea 
worth  developing. 

Stores  Accept  Employees'  Suggestions 

Most  of  the  large  manufacturing  establish- 
ments and  department  stores  make  a  rule  to 
accept  any  and  all  suggestions  offered  by  their 
employees.  They  even  offer  a  prize  for  these 
suggestions  and  if  you  have  ever  been  on  a 
visiting  tour  to  any  of  these  department  stores 
and  factories,  you  will  notice  that  some  of 
them  carry  boxes  with  signs  offering  prizes 
for  ideas  dropped  into  them. 

Although  the  show  business  is  somewhat 
different  than  the  commercial  world,  it  is 
nevertheless  conducted  on  a  similar  basis  and 
it  also  offers  something  for  sale.  In  this 
case,  it  is  not  merchandise  but  entertainment 
and  service  which  should  be  carefully  planned 
and  delivered  to  the  customers. 

One  Man  Can't  Do  It  All 

In  all  probability,  the  larger  theatre  circuits  have 
a  board  of   counsellors  who  go  into  conference  once 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


81 


A  Real  Hit/ 

"^YOO'llE 
A  R,EAL 
SWEETHEART 

ty  Irving  Ceasar  aCliff  Friend 


Ifewi  NoveU  iind  Nifty/ 


4y  OUS  KAHN 
e-TED    FlOR_lTO 


A  Dallad  That's  Different! 

lAST  NIGHT 
I  DREAMED, 
YOU  HISSED  Mt 

GusKahn  e-Carmen  Lombardo 


Cute/  ClGderJ  Catchyi 


^  Nf  A  MlUta  &  CHeSTSKCOHtlf 


That  Great  Harmony  Ballad/ 

H  Toi^e  UP 

YOUR  PICTURE 
WHEN  YDU  SAID 
GOOD  BYB'^ 

V  OOUY  MORSE  &ANDREW  DONNEUy 


eiLBSR-r    ""^  WAYtte 


LEO.  FEIST,  INC 

231  w.40^*»ST. 
N.YC. 


a  week  or  more  as  to  what  shall  be  offered  the  the- 
atre patrons  for  the  next  show.  However,  from  the 
standpoint  of  a  patron  seeing  shows  every  week  and 
hearing  various  comments,  it  is  doubted  whether 
these  advisers  really  take  their  work  seriously,  for 
it  seems  that  the  majority  of  the  stage-shows  reek 
of  sameness.  It  is  not  necessarily  the  fault  of 
the  producer  that  his  shows  are  not  a),ways  enter- 
taining and  correct  from  the  standpoint  of  .stage  pro- 
duction. It  is  even  remarkable  how  he  can  keep  up 
the  pace  of  producing  a  new  idea  evevy  week  or 
every  other  week  without  having  a  chaos  of  thoughts. 
This  is  one  of  the  reasons  why  many  of  the  shows 
seen'  at  the  various  deluxe  picture  houses  seem  to 
repeat  not  only  in  routines  but  music  theme  and  cos- 
tume,  which   also   covers   the  scenic   effects. 

Musical  comedy  producers  carry  a  large  staff  of 
writers  and  a  research  department  that  enables  the 
new  production  to  have  perfection  from  every  angle. 
Sometimes  it  takes  a  year  or  more  to  successfully 
produce  one  of  these  musical  shows,  after  combining 
the  ideas  and  suggestions  which  are  in  other  words 
a  collaboration  of  thoughts  from  several  writers, 
and  in  some  instances  include  the  producers  and 
players  of  the  piece.  All  thoughts  and  energies  are 
centered  on'  the  aforementioned  productions,  and  in 
most  cases  when  completed  and  shown  to  the  public 
are  as  nearly  perfect  from  the  amusement-standpoint 
as  it  is  humanly  possible.  However,  the  same  thing 
cannot  be  duplicated  by  a  producer  of  presentation 
shows,  simply  for  the  reason  that  if  working  alone, 
his  creations  become  hackneyed  and  are  always  along 
the  stereotyped  lines  with  just  a  mere  change  of 
scenery  and  costumes  and  new  faces  in  the  roles. 

Naturally,  the  chain  organizations  must  operate  a 
system  whereby  practically  the  same  show  will  rotate 
their  circuit  but  nevertheless  this  does  not  prevent 
them  from  accepting  ideas  from  the  various  members 
of  their  several  staffs,  be  it  their  office  force  or 
technical  men.  Even  when  the  shows  are  on  the 
road  they  may  be  improved  by  a  few  changes  that 
can  easily  be  seen  by  the  stage-crew  and  those  from 
the  front.  Sometimes  these  small  changes  may  im- 
prove a  particular  show  100  per  cent  and  may  be 
the    cause   of    putting   it    over   successfully. 

Public  Has  Ideas  Too 

Our  advice  and  suggestions  to  any  exhibitor  as 
well  3B  the  production  staff  to  presentation  unite  is 
to  accept  whatever  suggestion  is  given  and  let  the 
man  in  charge  use  his  judgment  which  one  is  the 
best  to  be  exercised.  The  idea  of  one  for  all  and 
all  for  one  should  be  employed  in  this  business  as 
well  as  any  other.  And  the  laymen  that  pay  their 
admission  into  your  theatre  have  as  much  right 
to  tell  you  their  desires  and  suggest  how  your  busi- 
ness should  be  run,  as  your  staff,  for  after  all,  they 
are   really   the   ones   that   keep  you   in   business. 


lOJSAiS 

5oTiieibing 
about 

?Everyo7?e 


I  PRESENTATION 


Greetings!  .  .  .  Organists.  .  .  .  Band  Leaders  and 
Presentation  Acts.  .  .  .  Before  giving  you  all  an  ac- 
count of  my  journey  through  the  beautiful  State  of 
Colorado  let  me  first  say  that  I  missed  all  my  friends 
last  week  who  are  regular  members  of  "Our  Friendly 
Chat  Club"  and  will  try  to  make  up  for  the  last  meet- 
ing by  telling  you  some  real  adventures  encountered 
over  the  Colorado  mountain  trails.  ...  In  order  to 
begin  right,  let's  start  from  the  very  first.  .  .  .  'When 
we  arrived  in  Denver  on  the  morning  of  July  23rd, 
we  made  for  the  nearest  hotel  to  wash  some  of  the 
coal  off  our  faces.  .  .  .  Then  after  a  fine  order  of 
"ham  and"  we  began  to  get  the  mountain  fever  and 
started  off  by  taking  a  bus  ride  to  Lookout  Mountain. 
...  65  miles  of  mountain  beauty  including  the  sum- 
mer home  of  George  M.  Pullman.  .  .  .  While  up  there 
we  visited  Buffalo  Bill's  tomb  and  Museum,  which  is 
being  managed  by  Johnny  Baker,  Bill's  foster  son. 
.  .  .  The  erection  is  a  gift  of  the  city  of  Denver 
in  memory  of  the  beloved  Col.  Cody.  .  .  .  After  hav- 
ing lunch  in  Troutdale-in-the-Pines  to  Ray  Brenden- 
burg's  music  right  close  by  we  returned  to  the  city. 
.  .  .  That  afternoon  we  had  dinner  at  the  well  known 
Blue  Parrot  Inn,  in  Denver.  ...  A  blue  and  red 
parrot  very  much  alive  greets  you  as  you  enter  the 
front  door.  ...  An  attendant  there  told  us  the  parrot 
was  72  years  old  and  was  there  since  the  inn  opened 
for  business.  .  .  .  This  sort  of  rounded  up  our  first 
day's  visit  in  Denver  and  the  next  morning  we  took 
off  on  the  local  train  to  Cheyenne,  Wyo.,  where  three 
hours  later  we  arrived  in  time  to  see  the  opening  day 
performance  of  the  yearly  Frontier  Days  show.  .  .  . 
Talk  about  the  wild  and  woolly  West.  .  .  .  This  was 


it.  .  .  .  We  entered  a  local  cafe  for  lunch  and  all 
around  us  were  cowboys  in  their  regular  Western 
outfits  that  made  our  street  clothes  feel  like  a  fish  out 
of  water.  .  .  .  However,  we  proceeded  to  the  Frontier 
Field  in  a  bus  and  for  the  first  time  in  our  young 
but  experienced  lives  we  really  and  truly  witnessed  an 
honest  to  goodness  Rodeo  which  is  "The  daddy  of  them 
all."  .  .  .  This  sport  originated  in  Cheyenne  32  years 
ago  and  today  it  still  depicts  the  old  West.  .  .  .  Ken 
Maynard,  the  First  National  Western  daredevil  star, 
was  the  guest  of  honor  and  he  also  did  some  clever 
riding  stunts  on  his  fine  horse.  ...  All  in  all,  a  good 
time  was  had  by  everyone  and  everybody  made  lots  of 
"whoopee."  .  .  .  The  next  day  we  found  ourselves 
back  in  Denver  sightseeing  the  city.  .  .  .  We  must 
say  that  Denver  really  has  some  beautiful  parks  and 
homes.  .  .  .  One  of  the  interesting  sights  was  the 
U.  S.  mint,  where  all  the  silver  dollars  are  made.  .  ,  . 
At  night  we  visited  the  Publix  theatre  called  the 
Denver  and  found  out  that  Jimmy  Ellard  is  conduct- 
ing the  stage  band  there.  .  .  .  'While  there  we  had  a 
nice  long  talk  with  Irene  Taylor,  who  is  featured  in 
the  Publix  "Pagodaland"  unit.  .  .  .  Oh,  yes,  we  for- 
got to  tell  you  that  we  met  the  Australian  Waitea  in 
Cheyenne.  .  .  .  They  were  playing  at  the  Princess,  a 
Pantages  theatre.  .  .  .  And  going  over  Lookout  Moun- 
tain we  ran  across  Mr.  Rehmer  from  Kansas  City, 
Murray  Bloom's  cousin.  .  .  .  What  a  email  world  this 
really  is,  after  all.  .  .  .  Oliver  Alberti,  who  was  in 
Salt  Lake  City,  is  now  conducting  a  stagehand  at  the 
Colorado  theatre  in  Denver.  .  .  .  Howard  E.  Tillotson 
is  musical  conductor  of  the  orchestra  at  the  Orpheum 
theatre  in  Denver,  and  Gordon  Roberts  the  featured 
organist.  .  .  .  Our  next  stop  wae  at  Colorado  Springs. 
.  .  .  Tlie  place  made  famous  by  its  summer  and  winter 
resorts.  .  .  .  The  city  itself  is  only  a  village,  but  the 
suburbs  are  beautiful.  .  .  .  After  going  by  the  popular 
Broadmoor  Hotel  we  decided  that  our  pocketbook  was 
more  in  keeping  with  the  "For  Rent"  class,  so  we 
hiked  out  to  a  little  town  east  of  the  Springs  called 
"Manitou."  .  .  .  Few  people  know  of  it.  .  .  .  Even 
we  did  not  know  of  such  a  place.  .  .  .  However,  it's 
very  famous  to  some  for  its  fine  spring  water.  .  .  . 
And  so  we  became  natives  pro  tern  of  Manitou.  .  .  . 
Our  room,  from  which  this  despatch — or  letter — was 
written  on  plain  writing  tablet  is  right  on  top  of  a 
hill  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Manitou,  famous  for  its 
scenic  incline.  ...  At  night  the  lights  scattered  all 
over  the  mountainside  are  really  a  sight  of  beauty. 
.  .  .  Manitou  is  also  famous  for  its  bathe  and  spring 
waters.  .  .  .  The  village  is  located  right  at  the  foot 
of  Pike's  Peak.  ...  It  was  named  after  Chief  Man- 
itou, an  Indian  who  was  the  first  inhabitant  57  years 
ago,  when  the  village  was  first  founded.  .  .  .  The 
chief  is  still  alive  and  although  he  is  nearly  90  years 
old  he  ■walks  around  the  streets  and  sells  his  photos 
to  tourists.  .  .  .  We  had  him  autograph  yours  truly 
one  the  other  day.  .  .  .  Chief  Juan  Jose,  another 
old  Indian  from  New  Mexico,  who  lives  with  the 
Manitou  tribes,  carries  a  wand  given  him  by  President 
Lincoln  for  his  share  of  bravery  in  the  Civil  War. 
.  .  .  The  mountains  here  are  full  of  Indians.  .  .  . 
The  old  Cliff  Dwellings  are  the  present  camping 
grounds  for  them.  .  .  .  Well,  folks,  after  passing 
through  the  Petrified  Forest  and  Cripple  Creek,  the 
greatest  gold  mining  district  in  the  world,  we  got 
ourselves  up  enough  nerve  to  go  to  Pike's  Peak.  .  .  . 
One  morning  we  started  for  it  in  a  Pierce-Arrow 
with  Doc  Shepard  of  Chicago,  who  drove  over  every 
foot  of  the  18  mile  stretch  just  as  careful  as  if  the 
road  was  on  Michigan  Boulevard  instead  of  around 
the  mountain.  ...  It  was  thrilling  and  interesting. 
.  .  .  After  10  miles  of  it  we  were  above  the  clouds 
and  oh,  boy,  it  was  cold!  ...  It  reminded  me  of  a 
wintry  day  back  in  old  Chi.  .  .  .  Anyway,  after  two 
hours  we  reached  the  top,  just  14,109  feet  high  and 
really  the  highest  auto  highway  in  the  world.  .  .  . 
The  guy  that  wrote  "I'm  Sitting  on  Top  of  the 
World"  must  have  been  up  to  Pike's  Peak,  for  that 
is  as  near  to  heaven  as  many,  including  myself,  will 
ever  expect  to  get.  .  .  .  Oh,  yes,  we  forgot  to  tell 
you  that  we  also  visited  the  Royal  Gorge.  .  .  .  And  it 
really  is  wonderful.  ...  It  is  remarkable  to  see  the 
many  beautiful  handiworks  of  Mother  Nature.  .  .  . 
And  Colorado  is  without  a  doubt  God's  country.  .  .  . 
We  advise  anyone  to  take  their  vacation  there,  for  it's 
great  in  every  respect.   ...  A  haven'  for  tired  souls. 


DEAN  STEVENSON 

And  His  Boqts 

Featured  at  the 

Marshall  Square  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


J   .i 


w< 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


5 

^ 
^ 

N 


I 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discuss  important  matters  bearing 
upon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION    ACTS— To    the    Editor:      I    am 

leaving  Auguet  the  fourth  for  a  month  or  six  weeks 
vacation  and  expect  to  visit  points  in  Oklahoma  and 
Colorado — that  is,  if  the  "Collegiate"  holds  together 
that  long.  Therefore  you  -nill  kindly  send  my  copy  of 
Exhibitors  Herald  and-  Moving  Picture  World  to  the 
following  address :  Jake  Hammond,  c/o  W.  F.  Ham- 
mond, Nowata,  Okla. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Your  let- 
ter of  the  7th  reached  here  while  I  was  away  on  a 
vacation  and  having  just  returned,  I  am  answering 
same. 

Things  are  going  very  nicely.  We  have  a  new  song 
called  "King  for  a  Day,"  which  looks  like  an  even 
more  phenomenal  song  than  "Laugh,  Clown,   Laugh." 

"Old  Man  Sunshine"  is  already  on  the  way  towai-d 
being  a  big  hit  and  I  am  sure  that  the  new  Remick 
Music  Corp.   is  going  to  have  a  banner  year. 

Sincerely — Cliff  Hess,  Remick  Music  Corp.,  219-221 
W.  4Gth  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I  just 
placed  a  new  song  with  Milton  Weil  called  "Will 
You  Always  Call  Me  Sweetheart?"  also  one 
with  Harold  Rossiter  called  "The  Song  of  the 
Chimes."  Both  songs  will  be  plug  numbers  and 
they  are  going  after  them  right  away.  They  art 
at  the  printers  now  and  as  soon  ae  copies  are  out 
I  wish  to  run  an  ad  as  before  only  mentioning  the 
above    songs. 

Sincerely — Eddie    Hanson,    Chicago,    IIU      Organist. 


THE  GREATER  DRUNKARD 
DANCERS 


JEAN 


HUBERT 


FRITZ 


Repeating  Publix  Theatres  as  a  featured 
attraction   in 

"HULA  BLUES'' 

(A  Publix  Unit) 

DIRECTION  WM.  MORRIS  AGENCY 


STAGE     SHOWS 


(Contitmed   from  page   80) 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  August  4 

"Belasco's  Follies"  was  a  big  hit  at  the  Harding 
theatre  this  week,  if  you  ask  us,  and  it  was  Al's  hard 
work  throughout  the  performance  that  made  it  what 
it  was.  Belasco  is  well  liked  here  and  on  his  last 
appearance  he  received  a  big  applause. 

The  Abbott  Girls  were  first  on  the  program  and 
they  did  their  usual  dance  that  always  gets  themselves 
a  nice  hand. 

Then  from  the  pit  the  orchestra  played  a  pretty 
melody  called  "Just  Across  the  Street  from  Heaven," 
they,   too,   received  a  nice  hand. 

AI  did  a  little  comic  act  in  which  he  introduced 
Anita  La  Pierre,  who  offered  for  her  first  nimiber  a 
French  song.  It  was  Al  again  that  helped  put  over 
this  number.  Although  Anita  has  a  fine  voice  and 
everything  that  goes  with  it,  Belasco  helped  out. 

Once  more  the  famous  Abbott  Girls  came  out,  this 
time  doing  a  tricky  dance  on  top  of  a  little  box.  In 
this  number  Scotty  Weston  also  appeared,  doing  a 
few  steps. 

Belasco  next  put  on  a  comic  act  that  had  the  entire 
audience  in  an  uproar.  No  foolin',  this  number  was 
good   and    received    a  bursting   applause. 

A  comedian  whose  name  was  not  mentioned  or  this 
reporter  missed,  was  next,  but  nevertheless,  he  was 
good   and   was  well   appreciated. 

Chilton  and  Thomas,  two  dancers,  created  a  great 
deal  of  interest  for  their  clever  dancing.  The  two 
had  to  come  back  for  an  encore. 

For  the  finale,  Belasco  sang  "In  a  Little  Dream 
House,"  with  the  Abbott  Girls  and  rest  of  cast  on  the 
stage. 


San  Francisco  Warfield 

Week  Ending  August  3 

"Spangles"  was  the  scintillating  stage  act  presented 
at  the  Warfield  theatre  this  week  and  in  arranging 
it  Fanchon  and  Marco  doubtless  had  warm  weather 
in  mind,  as  it  proved  one  of  the  most  undressed 
revues  yet  offered  by  them. 

The  stage  curtain  went  up,  disclosing  a  beautiful 
spangled  net  curtain  with  a  black  background  that 
all  but  concealed  the  oi-chestra.  The  Sixteen  Pyramid 
Beauties,  clad  in  golden  spangled  attire,  came  out 
dancing  and  went  through  their  steps  with  real  grace, 
after  which  the  net  curtain  went  up,  revealing  the 
orchestra.  The  colored  lighting  effects  employed  to 
light  the  urn-topped  marble  pillars  and  stairways 
proved    unusually   effective. 

Rube  Wolf,  as  master  of  ceremonies,  introduced 
Muriel  Gardner,  acrobatic  toe  dancer,  who  made  a  fine 
appearance  in  green  and  gold  spangled  attire.  Her 
act  was  followed  by  a  band  number  entitled  "Beau- 
tiful," and  which  the  orchestra  has  dedicated 
to  its  leader,  although  Rube  declares  he  does  not 
know  why.  The  song  had  much  to  do  with  Rube's 
caddy  and  a  young  man  in  caddy  attire  appeared  with 
a  load  of  golf  sticks  and  sang  it.  Rube  also  played 
the   air  as  a  trumpet  solo. 

The  harrow  team  drag  was  next  danced  by  a  clever 
couple,  and  this  was  followed  by  an  act  by  the  simul- 
taneous acrobatic  dancers,  Edith  and  Evelyn.  They  offer 
a  "Parisian  Pranks"  number  in  which  they  wear  little 


Bill  Bennett 

Featured     Organist 
BELPARK 

AND 

VARSITY 
THEATRES 
CHICAGO 


but  a  string  of  beads  and  an  extremely  transparent 
robe  of  green   gauze,  topped  by  a  fanciful  headdress. 

Tv7o  boys  from  Chicago,  where  men  drink  and 
shoot  straight,  arrive  on  the  scene  and  do  a  drunken 
dance  that  is  delightfully  unconventional,  ending  with 
a  lively  number.  We  believe  their  names  were 
Stanley  and  Dimes. 

Vladimir  Rassouchin,  a  conductor  on  the  Market 
Street  Railway,  and  a  recent  musical  find  of  Rube 
Wolf,  made  his  debut  as  a  pianist.  He  played  Rach- 
maninoff's "Prelude"  in  C  Sharp  Minor  and  displayed 
real  artistry,  following  this  with  a  composition  of  his 
own  entitled  "When  I  Was  in  Spain."  He  received 
a  tremendous  reception  and  thanked  the  audience  for 
its  approval  and  Wolf  for  the  opiX)rtunity  to  appear. 

The  spangled  net  curtain  went  down  and  Max 
Bleickwell,  tenor,  sang  while  the  Sixteen  Pyramid 
Beauties,  in  nautch  girl  attire,  posed  on  the  marble 
stairways.  The  curtain  went  up  again  on  a  gorgeous 
scene  almost  blinding  in  its  brilliance.  The  act  eame 
to  an  end  with  the  girls  going  through  a  dance,  on 
the   stairways. 


Pittsburgh  Penn 

Week  Ending  August  4 

The  stage  presentation  was  the  R.  H.  Bumside 
production  for  Publix  entitled  "Ocean  Blues."  The 
outstanding  entertainment  in  this  offering  was  the 
api>earance  of  the  20  Foster  Beauties,  late  of  Earl 
Carroll's  Vanities.  They  proved  to  be  the  best  look- 
ing and  best  trained  chorus  seen  on  any  Pittsburgh 
stage  in  many  weeks. 

Mabel  Hollis,  billed  as  "100  Pounds  of  Blues,"  made 
a  big  hit  when  she  rendered  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under 
the  Moon." 

Moss  and  Frye,  the  Original  Blackbirds,  offered  a 
clever  duologue,  and  wound  up  their  offering  with  a 
"blues"  duet  which  all  but  stopped  the  show. 

Scanlon,  Denno  Bros,  and  Scanlon,  "Four  Merry 
Gobs,"  scored  with  songs  and  dancing.  They  put  on 
a  classy  soft  shoe  dance  ■svhich  went  big.  At  the  close 
of  their  number,  one  of  the  four  doffed  a  wig  and 
proved  to  be  a  woman.  This  gave  the  audience  quite 
a  surprise. 

An  added  attraction  was  Miss  Personality,  the  tal- 
ented young  winner  of  the  Pittsburgh  Press-Publix 
opportunity  contest.  This  young  lady,  Sally  Serraff, 
offered  the  "blues"  selection,  "Dinah,"  and  got  a  big 
hand  at  every  performance. 


Detroit  Grand  Riviera 

Week  Ending  August  4 

"Fads  and  Follies"  was  the  stage  presentation  at 
the  Grand  Riviera  this  week.  It  was  devised  and 
staged  by  Fred  J.  Ireland,  and  was  a  colorful  presen- 
tation in  an  out  of  the  ordinary  setting. 

"Monk"  Watson,  that  popular  and  versatile  young 
man,  made  his  last  bow  to  Detroit  audiences  before 
taking  his  talent  and  versatility  to  other  fields.  The 
Keystone  Serenaders,  who  have  performed  at  the 
Riviera  for  lo,  these  many  moons,  are  to  remain, 
according  to  present  plans  of  the  management. 

Hazel  Kennedy  was  a  petite  little  miss  who  offered 
musical  and  dancing  specialties,  and  proved  more 
than  able  to  live  up  to  her  name  of  a  "pocket  edition 
of  musical  comedy."  Lydell  and  Gibson  announced 
themselves  as  "Just  Vaudevillians,"  and  put  on  a 
hodge-podge  of   musical  nonsense  that  was  well  liked. 

Wright  Douglas  &  Co.  had  a  sketch  entitled  "The 
Handicap,"  and  the  Riviera  Wonder  Girls  did  a  nice 
routine  of  dance  numbers.  Merle  Clark  had  an  organ 
specialty. 


L  CARLOS 
MEIER 

Featured 
Organist 

Ascher's 
TERMINAL 

Theatre 
CHICAGO 


'^•wt^rr" 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


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1437  B'waj 
N.  Y.  Citr 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


83 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  3 

"Levee  Lovers."  the  Publix  stage  show  at  the  Cap- 
itol this  week,  offered  pleasing  song  and  dance  in  a 
Southern  setting,  with  Del  Delbridgre,  master  of  cere- 
monies, in  the  costume  of  "Kunnel  Colfax  of  Virginia, 
suh." 

The  show  is  built  around  a  talented  Negro,  George 
Dewey  Washington,  a  baritone  of  exceptional  ability. 
Washington  has  been  here  before,  at  the  Michigan 
theatre,  and  on  his  first  appearance  his  beautiful 
voice  and  good  stage  presence  placed  him  at  once 
with  the  other  fine  artists  of  his  race,  Roland  Hayes 
and  Paul   Robeson. 

Even  if  the  rest  of  the  show  did  take  on  the  appear- 
ance of  an  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  Little  Eva  and 
Simon  Legree  weren't  present.  The  nearest  approach 
to  that  perennial  favorite  came  in  the  appearance 
of  the  Lucille  Sisters,  who  billed  themselves  as  a  cou- 
ple of  "Topsies,"  and  who  sang  harmony  numbers 
nicely. 

Then  there  was  Jerrie,  a  dancing  accordionist,  and 
Jack  Joyce,  a  monopede  dancer.  Delbridge  led  his 
bandsmen  through  a  number  of  foot  stirring  melodies 
and  the  Capitol  Girls  danced  smartly  and  well. 

Samuel  Benavie  led  the  Capitol  Symphony  Orchestra 
in  "Magic  Melodies."  with  Joan  Ruth  Price,  soprano, 
as  soloist.  Benavie  has  one  of  the  finest  symphony 
orchestras  in  the  city,  and  with  the  able  assistance  of 
Miss  Price,  presented  a  number  that  was  much  appre- 
ciated. 

The  Capitol,  which  has  been  showing  short  Vita- 
phone  subjects  in  the  last  few  weeks,  had  another 
novelty  this  week  featuring  May  McAvoy  and  Richard 
Carle.  The  title  was  "Sunny  California."  and  it 
made  a  big  hit  with  the  audiences.  Another  added 
attraction  was  the  first  local  showing  of  the  Tunney- 
Heeney  fight   pictures. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  August  4 

The  round  of  the  clock  has  been  made  again,  bring- 
ing another  new  bandmaster,  AI  Morey,  to  preside 
over  the  dainties  served  by  the  Howard.  From  four 
to  five  months  serve  to  represent  the  clock  by  which 
the  Howard  seems  to  right  about  face  a  new  director. 
One  gratifying  thing  is  that  each  one  brings  a  ver- 
satile personality,  thus  drawing  high  favor  with 
Atlanta  audiences. 

Al  Morey  clicked  big  the  first  night  and  upon  that 
usually   hangs  the   story. 

The  presentation,  "Havana,"  a  colorful  mixture  of 
senors  and  senoritas,  brought  a  good  hand. 

Billy  Beard,  comedian,  hailed  as  "The  Party  from 
the  South,"  enjoyed  a  rounded  ovation,  while  Wally 
Jackson,  another  headline  funster  in  his  baggy  togs, 
likewise  pleased. 

Naum  Coster  and  Norma  Hewlltt,  singers,  rendered 
a  number  which  went  over  well.  The  audience  would 
have  liked  more  of  these  two. 

Last,  but  not  least,  the  Petroff  Girls  showed  expert 
training   in   some  intricate   Spanish   numbers. 

Al  and  his  orchestra  offered  a  special  number  alto- 
gether satisfactory,  judging  by  the  audience's  audible 
approval. 

The  Howard's  symphony  orchestra  rendered  a  neat 
piece  of  work  in  accompanying  a  Vitaphone  number, 
"Chief  Caupolican."  So  deft  were  they  the  audience 
was  a  bit  puzzled  as  to  whether  there  was  any  other 
music,  that  is,  Vitaphone  synchronization,  than  con- 
ductor Myers  Segal  and  his  orchestra.  Julia  Dawn, 
guest  organist,  continues  in  popularity  with  her  nov- 
elty opuses. 


Chicago  Senate 


Week  Ending  August  4 

"Carnival  Nights"  is  the  name  given  the  stageshow 


FRANKIE  MASTERS 


"The 

Romeintic 

Singing 

Band  Leader" 

Now  at  the 
NORSHORE 

Theatre 
CHICAGO 

(Ealaban  &  Katz) 


Dr.  Cottone  Becomes 

Roxy's    Chief 

Organist 

Before  leaving  for  a  fishing  trip,  S.  L. 
Rothafel  announced  the  engagement  of  Dr. 
Melchiorre  Mauro-Cottone  as  the  chief  organ- 
ist of  the  Roxy  theatre.  New  York.  Dr. 
Mauro-Cottone  began  his  engagement  July 
28th  in  the  world's  largest  theatre,  coming 
from  the  Capitol  theatre  of  New  York  for- 
merly known  as  the  largest  theatre  in  the 
world    before    the    Roxy    was    built. 

Dr.  Mauro-Cottone  was  the  first  musician 
to  introduce  the  interpretation  of  serious  or- 
gan-music in  motion  picture  theatres  under 
Roxy's  direction.  He  is  a  composer  of  note 
and  has  many  achievements  to  his  credit  as  an 
organist  both  in  Europe  and  this  country. 
He  holds  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Music  from 
the  University  of  California,  and  the  medal 
of  honor  conferred  by  the  Italian  government. 

The  division  of  popular  organ-music  at  the 
Roxy  will  still  remain  headed  by  Lew  White 
of  the  White  Institute  of  Organ,  while  Dr. 
Mauro-Cottone  will  be  entirely  in  charge  of 
the  classiscal  division,  and  will  carry  on  the 
broadcasting    and    Sunday    afternoon    concerts. 


at  the  Senate  this  week.  The  setting  is  a  "water- 
street"  of  Venice  all  set  for  a  big  carnival,  but 
the    gondolas    are    missing    and    that   rather   spoils    it. 

"Angela  Mia"  is  the  featured  song  and  Mark 
Fisher,  that  master  of  ceremonies  leader  with  the 
wonderful  personality  and  clear  tenor  voice,  opens 
the  show  with  this.  The  Senate  Ballet  followed  with 
a    novel    dance    routine. 

The  orchestra  next  plays  a  peppy  number,  "Crazy 
Rhythm,"   and   it   was    just   good   hot   music. 

Bee  Sarchi  came  on  next  singing,  "I  Ain't  Saying 
a  Word."  She  is  not  much  of  a  singer,  and  after 
watching  her  little  tap  dance,  I  can  only  say  her 
dancing  is  little  better.  She  seemed  to  be  undecided 
whether  to  imitate  Peggy  Bemier  or  Ginger  Rogers. 
Maybe  after  she  makes  up  her  mind  she'll  be  a 
little  better. 

Next  came  the  drummer  from  Mark  Fisher's  or- 
chestra. Jack  Peacock  Kelly.  I  was  watching  him 
from  the  moment  the  curtain  went  up  and  I  thought 
he  was  quite  clever  enough  without  his  xylophone 
number.  You'll  think  he's  a  good  drummer,  but  wait 
'til  you  hear  him  play  the  xylophone.  His  first 
number  is  "Hungarian  Rhapsody"  and  it  brought  him 
an  encore.  This  time  he  played  "Too  Busy"  and 
"When  You're  Smiling."  The  crowd  wasn't  satis- 
fied with  that  so  he  had  to  encore  "When  You're 
Smiling"  again.  I'll  bet  he  can  dance  too.  In  fact 
he  has  to  do  some  dancing  to  get  from  one  end  of 
that  xylophone  to  the  other  as  fast  as  he  does.  He 
is  really  good.  Oh  I  just  awf  ullly  good.  Maybe 
he'll  be  a  band  leader  in  his  own  name  soon.  We 
hope  so. 

Two   acrobats,   I   think  their   names   are   Beechi   and 


Rubaiyat  are  next.  They  do  the  usual  acrobatic 
stunts  and  a  little  slow-motion  work  which  won  them 
a  hand. 

The  Ballet  Girls  came  on  next  with  a  number  called 
"Sleepy  Baby"  Bee  Sarchi  singing  the  number.  The 
girls  each  carried  a  chair  and  a  doll  and  did  a 
few  steps.  Then  they  descended  the  stage  stairs,  with 
the  dolls,  to  the  main  floor,  with  the  dolls'  eyes — 
or  their  heads,  I  couldn't  make  out  which — illumi- 
nated. 

The  orchestra  played  "Angela  Mia"  again  and  of 
course,  Mark  sang  it.  He  received  a  deafening  round 
of  applause,  so  he  sang  "You're  a  Real  Sweet- 
heart." If  he  sought  to  quiet  the  house  with  that. 
he  was  badly  mistaken.  They  just  howled  for 
more,  so  he  asked  what  they'd  like  to  hear.  "When 
You're  Smiling"  was  shouted  almost  in  unison. 
They  weren't  satisfied  when  he  finished  that,  but 
Mark  wouldn't  sing  any  more  and  announced  the  next 
number  which  nobody  heard  nor  wanted  to  hear. 
Most  everybody  on  the  West  Side  would  just  as 
soon   listen   to  Mark   Fisher's   singing   all   evening. 

However,  the  next  number  didn't  need  any  intro- 
duction as  it  was  none  other  than  Buck  and  Bubbles 
and  the  crowd  gave  them  a  big  hand.  These  two 
are  all  right  if  you  see  them  only  once.  Their  act 
is  the  same  thing  it  was  a  year  ago.  Same  jokes 
and  all.  Bubbles — the  long  fellow — does  some  good 
tap  dancing  though,  and  Buck — the  short  fellow — 
plays  some  mean  notes  on  the  tin  pan  piano  and 
pulls  some  funny  tactics.  That's  the  long  and  short 
of    that. 

The  finale  shows  the  Ballet  Girls  in  some  really 
gorgeous  costumes — the  orchestra  playing  "Angela 
Mia"  and  Mark  Fisher  singing.  It  isn't  an  exception- 
ally good  show,  but  Mark  Fisher  and  his  drummer 
are   well    worth    seeing. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  11 

Paul  Oscard's  "Pow-Wow"  opens  this  week  with  a 
dramatic  prologue  "In  the  Land  of  the  Sky-Blue 
Water"  and  is  followed  by  "The  Legend  of  the 
Evening    Star." 

Paul  Keast,  Helen  Packard,  Harry  Losee  and  the 
Felicia  Sorel  Girls  contribute  to  this  opening  number 
to  the  tune  of  "Evening  Star"  introducing  singing 
and   chorus    dancing. 

Paul  Ash  and  the  stagehand  offer  the  "favorite 
number"  of  the  Royal  Northwest  Mounted,  which  is 
the  popular  "Get  Your  Man" — enlisting  novelty  work 
by  the  members  of  the  outfit.  The  orchestra  is 
dressed  in  redcoats  and  campaign  hats,  on  the  order 
of  the   Canadian  N.   W.   M. 

Horton  Spurr  offei's  his  eccentric  acrobatic  novelty 
dance,  finishing  with  excellent  head-work  and  draw- 
ing an  encore.     He  deserves  the  big  hand  he  gets. 

Ginger  Rogers,  a  clever  little  girl  offers  a  special 
song  to  Paul  Ash,  called  "I  Ain't  Sayin'  a  Word." 
She  goes  into  a  conversation  with  Ash,  and  wins  the 
laughs.  "So  Will  I"  is  her  second  number, — a  crying 
song, — and  with  a  little  more  baby  talk,  she  leaves  a 
good  impression. 

The  Felicia  Sorel  Girls,  present  an  Indian  totem- 
pole    dance — the    number    is    put    over     in     beautiful 


FRED    KINSLEY 

Supervisor  of 

ORGAN  SOLO  PRESENTATIONS 

For    the    entire 

KEITH-ALBEE-ORPHEUM  CIRCUIT 


CORNELIUS    MAFFIE 

Gennett  Recording  Artist 

Now  Featured  Organist  at  Publix's 

METROPOUTAN  Theatre,  HOUSTON,  TEXAS 


SOLOS  AND  COMMUNITY  STUNTS 

HARRY   ZIMMERMAN 

FEATURED  ORGANIST 

BELMONT  ,I^m.  CHICAGO 


(Orpheum  Circuit) 


84 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


5 

s 


Indian  costumes  with  scenic  background  very  appro- 
priate. 

Ed  and  Morton  Beck,  the  two  window  cleaners, 
oflfer  their  special  singing  number  "Massaging  the 
Window  Pane"  imitating  famous  musical  comedy 
stars.  One  of  the  partners  goes  from  the  ridiculous 
to  the  sublime  and  offers  a  dramatic  bit  in  connec- 
tion with  the  popular  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh."  It 
is  not  the  regular  recitation  written  for  this  song, 
but  is  evidently  a  special  script — it  is  a  very  heavy 
piece  of  work,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  bits  of 
dramatic  acting  ever  witnessed  at  the  Paramount. 
He  goes  over  for  a  big  hand  and  stops  the  show. 

A  chorus  dance  and  song  is  offered  by  the  girls, 
"White  Eagle"  and  introduces  the  finale,  in  which 
Paul  Keast,  Helen  Packard,  Harry  Losee  and  the 
Sorel  Girls,  all  of  whom  opened  the  show,  now  bring 
it  to  a  close.  Langdon  McCormick's  forest  fire 
effect  is  used  for  this  show,  and  to  members  of  the 
profession,   that  is   enough   said. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  4 

In  the  Oriental  show  this  week  called  "Cairo," 
there  is  something  that  may  hint  of  a  new  form  of 
appeal  in  stage  presentations.  It  is  the  appeal  of 
bare  feminine  flesh  displayed  in  a  manner  similar  to 
the  way  the  revues  do  it.  Don't  get  the  idea  it  was 
bad,  for  it  wasn't,  but  perhaps  it  might  be  the  first 
hint  of  what  is  to  come.  Who  knows?  And  the  ads 
called   the  show   "daring." 

"Cairo"  is  given  a  beautiful  setting,  it  being  a 
typical  looking  street  scene  in  an  oriental  town. 
The  show  opens  with  the  Kosloff  Dancers  doing  the 
same  stuff  they  did  several  weeks  ago.  We  like  their 
stuff,  but  wouldn't  care  to  see  it  too  often.  They 
got  a  good  hand. 

The  Darling  Sisters  follow  singing  a  medley  of 
"Smile"  songs  built  around  "When  You're  Smiling." 
They  go  into  a  high  kicking  dance.  They  get  a  fair 
hand.  They  are  followed  by  a  band  nimiber,  "Orien- 
tal Fantasy,"  which  is  a  knockout.  Al  plays  one  of 
his  many  instruments  during  the  number.  Plenty  of 
applause. 

Al  Norman  is  next  with  one  of  the  queerest  dances 
you  ever  saw.  His  legs  must  have  universal  joints, 
and  it's  hard  to  tell  whether  he's  coming  or  going. 
Of  course  he  got  a  big  hand  for  his  really  novel 
dance.  Paul  Small  follows,  singing  "Ten  Little  Miles 
from  Town,"  "You  Have  No  Idea"  and  "Halfway  to 
Heaven."  Paul  is  given  quite  an  ovation,  this  being 
his  first  appearance  at  the  house  in  a  long  time.  He 
is  still  the  same  Paul  Small  that  he  used  to  be.     Dur- 


ing the  rendition  of  the  songs  he  and  Al  stood  side 
by  side  with  their  arms  locked  around  each  other 
like  a  couple  of  school  girls.  The  Kosloff  Girls  follow 
with  another  high  jumping,  swirling,  ducking,  dodging 
contest. 

Then  comes  Al's  first  find,  Helen  McDevitt,  singing 
"Somebody's  Sweet  Is  Sweet  on  Me"  and  "Old  Man 
Sunskine."  She  gets  a  number  of  encores  and  seems 
to  be  getting  over  o.  k.  with  the  Oriental  patrons. 
She  is  followed  by  a  band  number,  "The  St.  Louis 
Blues,"  during  which  AJ  dispenses  some  hot  note's  on 
his  clarinet.     Encore. 

Billie  Giason  is  next  with  his  usual  stuff,  much  of 
it  being  jokes  with  whiskers,  but  he  puts  them  ovei- 
for  laughs.  He  sings  endless  verses  of  "We  Anacr- 
icans"  for  several  encores  and  finishes  by  making  the 
audience  applaud  for  Hoover  and  Smith.     Oh,  well— 

The  finale  is  a  slave  mart  scene,  making  a  very 
pretty  scene,  and  here  is  where  the  girls  with  little 
on  appear.  Three  of  them  are  grouped  in  one  of 
those  artistic  poses  as  slave  girls.  They  had  plenty 
on,  but  less  than  is  usually  noticed  in  picture  houses. 
The  finale  music   is  "Kashmiri,"   which   is  beautiful. 


Chicag^o  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August  5 

They  were  standing  'em  out  at  the  Chicago  this 
week  and  the  reason  undoubtedly  was  that  Jackie 
Coogan  and  his  pater  were  headlined. 

Their  act  was  not  what  one  might  call  exceptional 
— ^but  it  didn't  need  to  be.  People  were  there  to  see 
Jackie  and  the  dad,  and  that  was  worth  the  price — 
and  a  few  shekels  in  the  B.   &  K.   pocketbook. 

The  routine  primarily  consisted  of  chatter  between 
dad  and  son,  with  Jack,  Sr.,  reverting  to  his  stage 
days  and  tapping  out  a  few  steps.  Despite  his  years 
away  from  the  footlights,  the  pater  can  throw  a 
wicked  foot.  Jackie  also  did  some  steps,  among  them 
the  varsity  drag. 

The  Coogan  routine  was  mortised  into  the  Publix 
unit,  "Cameos,"  which  wasn't  hard  to  sit  through, 
especially  the  playing  by  the  band  under  the  direction 
of  Eddie  Perry,  the  harmonizing  by  the  Lett  Sisters 
and  Louise  and  the  work  of  the  16  Foster  Girls. 

The  Letts  and  Louise  used  "When  the  Morning 
Glories  Wake  Up  in  the  Morning"  and  "Keep  On 
Smiling"  as  two  of  their  selections.  This  trium- 
virate knows  its  stuff  and  is  an  asset  to  any  bill. 

The  Spider  Web  novelty  of  the  Foster  Girls,  in 
which  they  performed  on  a  huge  spider  web  in  the 
rear  of  the  stage,  was  great  and  brought  due  recog- 
nition. 

If  there  was  a  sour  note  on  the  bill,  and  the  audi- 


CHIEF  EAGLE  FEATHER 


World's  Only  American-Indian 
TAP  DANCER 

Making  Second  Tour  of 
PUBLIX  THEATRES 

As  a  Featured  Attraction  in 

"A  Movie  Party" 
A  CHICAGO-PUBLIX  UNIT 

Direction — Max   Turner — William   Morris   Agency 


Leo   Terry 

Featured  Organist 

with 

GREAT  STATES  THEATRES,  INC. 


DARLING    TWINS 

Now    Playing    Return    Engagements    for 
Balaban  &  Katz 

O 

Featured  in    "CAIRO"    a   Chicago   Publix   Unit 
Direction — William   Morris   Agency 

^^a  ^^2 

ence  didn't  seem  to  think  so,  it  was  the  comedy  vio- 
linists whose  names  could  not  be  understood  from  the 
"vantage"  point  which  this  reporter  occupied.  As 
stated,  the  audience  howled,  so  they  must  have  been 
good,  and  after  all,  it's  the  audience  appeal. 
All   in  all,  a  good   show. 


Philadelphia  Carman 

Week  Ending  August  4 

The  etageehow  at  the  Carman  this  week  is  entitled 
"Rainbow  Follies,"  for  just  wiiat  reason  is  not 
apparent. 

The  Eight  Scrova  Girls  head  the  stage  attractions 
as  they  gracefully  whirled  through  several  difficult 
dances.  In  the  first  number  the  girls  did  a  routine 
dance  in  milkmaid  costumes  with  sunbonnets  and 
milkpails. 

The  two  Horton  Sisters  dressed  as  farmerettes  in 
blue  trousers  and  big  hats,  sang  "Happy  Go  Lucky 
Days"  very  appealingly.  The  two  girls  are  easy  to 
look  at  and  the  audience  gave  them  a  good  hand. 

The  Serova  Gitls,  this  time  in  western  costumes 
with  orange  shirts  and  big  hats,  used  their  guns 
freely  in  a  real  Western  dance  which  paved  the 
way  for  the  "Cowboy  Comics,"  Kirk  and  Lawrence, 
who  made  a  hit  at  the  Stanley  last  week  and  whose 
antics  on  two  "bucking  broncho"  hobby  horses  caused 
shrieks   of   laughter. 

The  Horton  Sisters  looking  particularly  attractive 
in  orange  dresses,  sang  "That's  My  Weakness  Now." 

The  next  number  showed  a  gypsy  camp  with  the 
eight  Serova  Girls  in  brilliant  costumes  with  tambour- 
ines and  flowing  ribbons  in  a  gay  gypsy  dance.  The 
men  grouped  in  the  background  around  the  campfire 
proved  to  be  Ben  Haraid's  Six  Red  Devils,  who 
tumbled  and  whirled  about  the  stage  in  a  remarkable 
exhibition  of  strength  and  difficult  acrobatic  stunts, 
all  i)erformed  with  evident  enjoyment  and  pride  in 
their  skill  which  made  it  a  pleasure  to  watch  them. 
They  got  a  good  hand.        -   .        ,- 

The  Movietone  News  reproduced  the  sound  and 
movement  of  a  gigantic  new  army  tank  plowing 
through   the  trees   in   a   Maryland  forest. 


Balaban  &  Katz  Change 
Policy  Also 

According  to  newspaper  announcements,  Balaban 
&  Katz  are  changing  the  opening  days  of  the  fol- 
lowing theatres :  Chicago,  Uptown,  and  Tivoli,  from 
Mondays  to  Saturdays.  The  reason  for  this  change 
has  not  been  made  publicly  known,  but  it  is  be- 
lieved the  move  was  prompted  by  the  Marks  Bros., 
an  independent  organization  w^ho  operate  two  deluxe 
theatres  and  three  small  neighborhood  houses  in' 
Chicago. 

Marks  Bros,  also  changed  their  opening  days  sev- 
eral weeks  ago  from  Mondays  to  Saturdays.  One  of 
their  deluxe  houses,  called  the  Granada,  is  just  twro 
miles  north  of  the  Uptown  theatre,  a  B.  &  K. 
house,  while  their  Marbro  house  is  one  mile  west  of 
the  Senate,  an  L.  &  T.  house  now  operated  under 
the  B.   &  K.  management  with  the  Publix  affiliation. 


Marks  Get  Fur  Show 

The  annual  Fur  Show  which  is  usually  conducted 
by  the  Chicago  Fur  Associations  in  conjunction  vrtth 
some  theatre  organization,  is  being  presented  this 
year  by  Marks  Bros,  instead  of  Balaban  &  Katz  as 
heretofore. 

In  the  last  year  or  two,  this  attraction'  has  more 
or  less  lost  interest  in  the  public  eye  due  to  the  jKJor 
staging  and  talent  surrounding  the  affair.  However, 
the  event  is  always  of  interest  to  the  public  and  it 
is  presumed  that  the  attraction  will  be  a  considerable 
drawing   card   for   the   new    sponsors. 


VALE  &  STEWART 


Direction 
Lyons   &  Lyons 


Featured 

with 

"Dancing  Feet" 

A  Publix  Unit 

Now  on 

Tour 

Regards  to 
Max  Turner 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


85 


For  the  laet  ten  summers,  the  Leland  House  ax 
Schroon  Lake  in  the  Adirondack  Mountains  has  been 
the  haven  for  the  boys  in  the  music  business  when 
they  went  on  their  vacations.  This  year  finds  the 
place  as  popular  as  ever,  with  Cliff  Friend,  Lewi  Pol- 
lock, Sam  Coslow,  Joe  Keit,  Lou  Davis,  Joe  Higgins 
and  a  good  many  of  the  other  boys  up  there.  Having 
a  marvelous  golf  course,  a  beautiful  lake  and  won- 
derful food  seems  to  be  the  three  outstanding  reasons 
for  the  popularity  of  the  Leland  House. 

•  •     * 

What  might  be  a  step  back  to  civilization  insofar 
as  modern  dance  orchestras  are  concerned,  is  Arnold 
Johnson's  new  orchestra,  who  open  again  at  the  Park 
Central  Hotel  next  week.  This  orchestra  contains  no 
brass.  The  three  saxophone  players  double  on  violins 
and  plus  the  first  and  second  violins,  the  orchestra 
has  the  possibilities  of  playing  a  song  with  five  fid- 
dles. Adding  a  cello,  banjo,  drums,  piano  and  string 
baas,  you  can  easily  see  how  different  this  orchestra 
will  sound  in  comparison  to  the  modern  jazz  band  of 
today.  It  certainly  will  be  a  relief  and  very  soothing 
to  the  ears.  It  reminds  me  of  the  days  when  Joe 
Smith  and  his  orchestra,  then  playing  at  the  Waldorf- 
Astoria  Hotel,  was  the  reigning  monarch  of  all  or- 
chestra leaders.  I,  for  one,  certainly  hope  that  the 
days  of  string  ensembles  return,  as  there  are  very 
few  orchestras  today  that  I  personally  can  go  for. 

•  •     • 

Possibly  a  precedent  in  the  music  business,  is  the 
fact  that  the  music  of  the  new  "Earl  Carroll  Vani- 
ties," opeming  in  New  York  next  week,  is  being  pub- 
lished by  four  different  publishers,  and  what's  funny 
about  the  situation  is  that  each  one  of  these  publish- 
ers are  sure  that  they  are  publishing  the  hit  of  the 
show.  I  have  to  laugh — because  I  am  publishing  it, 
and  the  name  of  it  is  "You  Alone." 

•  *     • 

Arthur  Martell  still  holds  sway  up  in  Boston  as 
one  of  its  leading  organists.  Originally  brought  to 
the  Metropolitan  theatre  for  a  two  weeks  run,  he 
has  been  held  over  now  for  two  years,  and  has  so 
imbedded  himself  into  the  hearts  of  all  Boston  that 
they  refuse  to  let  him  leave.  Martell  may  as  well 
buy  himself  a  home  and  settle  down  in  Boston,  for  it 
looks  as  if  he  is  there  to  stay. 

•  •     • 

Something  new  in  the  way  of  ukulele  arrangements 
on  popular  music  has  been  discovered  by  an  enterpris- 
ing yomng  chap  from  the  Pacific  Coast  named  Ray 
Canfield.  Heretofore,  sheet  music  issued  by  the  pub- 
lishers contained  ukulele  accompaniment  only,  but 
Caafield  has  shown  them  that  they  can  increase  their 
sales  in  sheet  music  by  making  the  ukulele  part  bear 
the  melody  including  the  harmony,  instead  of  only 
the  harmony,  as  it  wae  before. 

•  *     • 

A  young  chap  who  has  had  a  rapid  rise  in  recent 
years  is  Phil  Boutelje.  Being  a  corking  arranger, 
and  understanding  the  music  business  thoroughly  from 
all  angles,  he  sits  today  in  the  main  office  of  the 
Ptiblix  Theatres  Corporation  and  directs  some  250 
odd  orchestras  playing  in  the  various  Publix  theatres 
throughout  the  country.  Boutelje  is  very  persevering 
and  exacting  in  all  that  he  undertakes,  and  for  this 
reason  he  is  making  such  a  success  of  his  position. 
«     «     * 

Will  Osborne  and  his  "Manhatters"  are  the  feature 
at  that  delightful  roadhouse,  "Hunter  Allen  Inn." 
This  organization  is  composed  of  eight  of  the  most 
versatile  musicians  in  the  country,  having  in  their 
ensemble  an  unusually  fine  vocal  trio  on  the  type  of 
"Paul  Whiteman's  Rhythm  Boys,"  also  several  very 
fine  solo  voices  and  soloists. 

•  *    • 

Another  change  along  the  "Alley!"  George  Hall 
and  his  orchestra  have  replaced  Hal  Kemp  at  the 
Manger  Grill  here  in  New  York.  George  and  his  boys, 
who  previously  had  a  three  year  consecutive  engage- 
ment at  the  Arcadia  Ballroom  on  Broadway,  sets 
quite  a  record  for  a  run  of  this  kind.  They  will 
broadcast  through  the  National  Broadcasting  System 
four  nights  weekly. 

P.   S.— That's  all. 


STAGE     SHO 

■  ' 

Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Oriental)  calls  his  organ 
presentation,  "Now  We're  on  the  Air,"  and  the 
elides  contain  a  line  of  stuff  about  broadcasting. 
He  plays,  "Keep  on  Smiling,"  "Kamona,"  as  it 
sounds  on  the  radio  with  several  other  stations  cut- 
ting in.  This  drew  a  good  laugh  as  the  audience 
tried  to  sing  the  mixed  up  words ;  "Laugh,  Clown, 
Laugh,"  and  next  he  plays,  "Dewey  Day,"  and 
"That's  My  Weakness,"  at  the  same  time,  with  the 
boys  requested  to  sing  one  and  the  girls  the  other. 
He  finishes  with  "Too  Busy,'  'and  "Chloe."  Sellers 
goes  over  well   with  the   Oriental   crowd. 


Edward  House  (Chicago  Harding)  was  guest  organ- 
ist at  this  theatre  and  made  a  big  hit  with  the  people 
for  his  clever  solo.  It  consisted  of  fine  songs  and 
played  in  the  same  manner.  Some  of  the  songs  he 
played  were  "Last  Night  I  Dreamed  I  Kissed  You." 
"Too  Busy,"  "I  Love  You,"  "Dolores,"  "Constanti- 
nople" and  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart." 


John  and  Betty  Hammond  (New  Orleans  Saenger) 
have  as  their  organlogue  of  the  week  "In  a  Monastery 
Garden,"  a  pretty  presentation  with  many  popular 
and  classic  tunes  that  displayed  the  versatility  of  the 
two. 


Dick  Liebert  (Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  Penn)  had  as  his 
organlogue  "The  Straw  Vote,"  a  clever  burlesque  on 
the  election  fight.  A  clever  and  novel  stunt  to  use 
all  over  the  country  while  the  public  interest  is  cen- 
tered on  the  Smith-Hoover  campaign. 


Tom  Grierson  (Shea's  Buffalo,  Buffalo)  leaves 
nothing  to  chance  in  preparation  for  his  solos.  He 
makes  his  own  arrangements  from  start  to  finish, 
using  merely  the  theme  of  most  of  the  music  provided. 
His  latest  arrangement  of  "Ah  I  Sweet  Mystery  of 
Life,"  played  in  waltz  time,  with  variations  in  thirds 
and  sixths,  has  again  been  the  talk  of  this  interesting 
little  old  show  town.  Grierson,  by  the  way,  never 
uses  sheet  music  on  the  console.  He  is  a  firm  be- 
liever in  the  theory  that  if  a  number  is  worth  playing 
at  all,  it  is  worth  rehearsing  properly  and  presenting 
in  a  manner  that  is  not  usually  accepted  as  an  insult 
to  the  audience. 


Les  Hoadley  (Milwaukee  Wisconsin)  at  the  organ 
this  week  played  "Pilgrim's  Chorus,"  "Down  Where 
the  Sun  Goes  Down,"  and  "Little  Grey  Home  in  the 
West."  The  numbers  were  rendered  in  a  fine  manner 
and  the  crowd  liked  it  very  much. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  is  back  after  his 
vacation  and  his  presentation  is  built  around  the  vaca- 
tion idea.  He  plays  "Beloved,"  a  travesty  on  "Ra- 
mona"  called  "Pneumonia,"  "In  My  Bouquet  of  Memo- 
ries," "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  "Get  Under  the 
Moon"  and  several  others.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
presentations  Keates  has  had  in  some  time.  There 
were  many    laughs   caused   by   a  lot   of   trick   verses. 


BENNY  and  WESTERN 

And  Their 

WHISK-BROOM  DANCE 

Now  Featured  in 
John  Murray 

Anderson's 

"Milady's  Fan" 

A   PUBLIX   UNIT 


Direction 
Wm.  Morris 
Agency 


SI?  ?A 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Ramona" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Angela  Mia" — (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams"— (Jack  Mills). 

"You're'  a  Real  Sweetheart— (Leo 
Feist). 

"Just  Like  a  Melody,  Front  Out  of 
the  Sky" — (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gum- 
blc). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me"— (Leo  Feist). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Get  Out  and  Gel  Under  the  Moon" 
■ — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh"  —  (llemick 
Music  Corp.). 

"Thafs  My  Weakness  Now"  — 
(Shapiro-Bernstein). 

"Chlo-E"— (Villa  Moret). 

GOOGILY  GOO— (Leo  Feist)— All  about  a  newly 
married  couple  and  their  love  making.  It  seems  the 
fellow  next  door  has  been  eavesdropping  and  has 
heard  their  conversation,  which  according  to  the  song, 
is  quite  silly.  However,  when  in  love  we  all  act  that 
way.  A  cute  song  written  as  a  fox  trot.  By  Benny 
Davis  and  Dudley  Wilkinson. 
«     «     « 

YOU  CAN'T  BLAME  ME  FOR  THAT— (F.  B. 
Haviland  Pub.  Co.)— An  ain't  we  got  fun  type  of 
song  with  plenty  of  extra  choruses  that  should  be 
good  for  singing  orchestras.  The  writers  have  writ- 
ten quite  a  few  big  songs  in  the  past.  By  Harry 
Pease  and   Ed   G.    Nelson. 


THE   GATEWAY  OF  DREAMS— (Chappell-Harms) 

—A  high  class  song  of  the  type  that  this  firm  has 
been  quite  successful  with.  It's  really  beautiful  and 
should  get  quite  a  play  with  the  high  class  singers. 
Words  by  J.  Will  Callahan,  music  by  Granville 
English. 


BO-PEEP— (L.  B.  Curtis  Pub.)— A  modern  version 
of  the  famous  fairy  tale.  The  writer  is  well  known 
as  being  resiK>nsibIe  for  the  big  orchestra  hit  San. 
A  very  good  idea  and  well  written.  Words  and 
music  by  Loyal  Curtis. 

6        «        « 

DONT  YOU  REMEMBER   SALLY— (Milton  Weil) 

— We  are  about  due  for  a  Sally  hit  and  it  looks  like 
this  song  has  a  chance.  This  type  of  song  is  com- 
mercial and  should  make  the  publisher  some  money. 
The  writers  are  local  boys,  as  is  the  publisher.  By 
Walter  Hirsch,  Bemie  Grossman  and  Milton  Samuels. 

•  *     • 

TEN  LITTLE  MILES  FROM  TOWN— (Irving  Ber- 
lin)— A  short  distance  from  town  and  yet  so  differ- 
ent. However,  in  Chicago  ten  miles  away  would 
still  keep  you  in  town.  The  lyrics  are  excellent,  as 
is  usual  with  the  famous  Gus  Kahn.  The  melody,  too. 
is  O.  K.  Music  by  Elmer  Schoebel. 
«     «     « 

JUST  ANOTHER  NIGHT— (Donaldson,  Douglas  & 
Gumble) — A  beautiful  waltz  by  the  famous  Walter 
Donaldson,  who  is  also  publishing  this  song.  With 
his  new  catalogue  Donaldson  has  proven  that  he  can 
write  any  kind  of  a  song.     More  power  to  him. 

*  *     * 

MY  ARMS  ARE  OPEN— (Ager-Yellen  &  Bomstein) 
— The  hit  song  of  the  new  Earl  Carroll  Vanities 
which  is  now  playing  in  the  East.  A  very  pretty 
song  that  ought  to  sell.  Words  by  Ned  Washington 
and  Ed  Lowry,  music  by  Michael  H.  Cleary. 
4:     «     « 

DONT  WAIT  UNTIL  THE  LIGHTS  ARE  LOW— 
(Forster  Music  Pub.) — Carmen  Lombardo  of  the 
famous  Lombardo  orchestra  is  coming  to  the  front 
as  a  hit  writer.  This  orchestra  is  at  present  on  the 
road  but  will  be  back  on  the  radio  in  September. 
They  will  no  doubt  create  a  demand  for  this  song,  as 
it  has  merit.     Words  by  Howard  Johnson. 


^t^i^    /3^ 


86 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


^^ 


THE    THEATRE 


5 

S 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public"  and  "Better  Business  Builders." 

Olson  Puts  Personality  in  Advertising 

"The  Theatre"  has  long  felt  that  not  enough  personality  is  being  put  in  theatre  advertising  and  exploitation.  We 
wanted  evidence  of  the  fact  that  personality  in  advertising  will  pay  big  dividends,  so  we  wrote  to  Hal  G.  Olson,  director 
of  advertising  and  ptdjlicity  for  the  Adler  Theatre  Company  of  Marshfield,  Wisconsin,  for  we  knew  that  Olson  had  been 
working  along  these  lines  for  a  long  time.  The  result  is  "The  Theatre"  presents  herewith  a  story  on  personality  in 
advertising  that  will  prove  a  revelation  to  many.     Olson's  story  follows: 


PUTTING  personality  in  theatre  adver- 
tising touches  a  subject  very  close  to  my 
heart  and  one  that  I  will  sv^ear  by  in  the 
small  towns  at  least  and  I  will  endeavor  to 
tell  you  why. 

Years  ago  when  I  started  selling  "shoot- 
*em  up"  in  the  city  grind  house  I  tried  every- 
thing from  soup  to  nuts  and  was  finally  edu- 
cated to  the  fact  that  my  lobby  was  my  one 
best  bet.  So  aside  from  running  my  theatre 
on  a  business-like  basis  I  concentrated  on 
this  one  phase  of  advertising  and  preached 
it  to  all  and  sundry. 

Later  I  was  transferred  to  a  suburban  house 
just  a  few  miles  from  the  city  and  proceeded 
to    play    my    lobby    strong    as    ever    but    soon 


These  boys  distribute  Olson  s  advertising 
matter  each  week,  and  they  always  have 
the  small  sandwich  signs  on  their  rounds. 
Each  one  blows  a  small  whistle  after 
leaving  the  announcements  on  a  door  step. 


Doax  Fzlendi 

For  tbe  past  eeveral  montbo  I  havt 
and  havs  finally  hit  upon  a  plan  < 
that  I  Imow  irlll  bo  a  hug*   buoooqi 


July  33,    1928. 


been  trying  to  nork  out  a  problem 

,at  should  appeal  to  you  -—  &  plan 

If  I  have  youx  support   In  putting 


I  have  long  baan  undar  tha  impraeelon  that'  tl 

la  the  rural  dlstrlota  have  been  naglaotad  ei 

billing  le  concerned.      I  toow  that  a  great  m; 

not   subaoriba  for  tho  Uarehfiald  Dally.      I  h. 

on  TOTloua  oooasloaa,   but  have  not  heea  able  to  deterislne   Juet  hon  aonj 

theatro  fans  I   get   to',   or  how  much  of   thla  advertlolng  le  going  to  nasti 

Horn   for  oy  Inoplratlonl 

I  plan  to  write  up  a  nice  enappy,  newey  little  latter  tuica  each  month. 
This  latter  will  advise  you  of  the  coming  attraatlona  that  axe  better 
than  average;  but  more.  It  will  contain  a  fund  of  information  relative 
Vi  Bollyirood,  the  aoreen  atars,  eta.  It  nlll  aleo  contain  bits  of  eenei 
and  nonaense  'that  will  be  a  reeil  Interest  to  you.  I  an  only  too  glad 
Id  give  this  time  In  the  interest  of  you,  our  rural  friends,  providing 
you  show  enough  interest  to  let  me  laow  that  you  appreciate  tnls  eervlci 
by  cialllng  oe  a  card,    telling  me   to  put  your  najne  on  my  mailing  lli 


la  addition  to  the  features  nentionod,  I  am  going  to  maintain  a  servloe 
department  for  your  benefit.  Any  queatlono  you  wleh  to  aak  pertaining 
to  the  Uovle  Stare  or  any  phaee  of  the  Uotion  Picture  Industry  will  be 
answered   in  the  next   lasue  of  our  paper. 


her  betl 
you  to   help  rae   select  a  i 
vice   It  will  render,   you 
mall- It   to      " 
Bitting  the 
theatre. 

Owing   1 


want  to   chrlaten  t^ls  little   eheet  and  want 
table'  name.      Knowing  the  nature  of   the   ser- 
_ji  saleot  a  name  you  think  appropriate  and 
/o   Adler  Theatre,  MajBhfleld.      The  patron  sub- 
ieot  will  recalT*  a  "30  d&y  puaa  to  either  local 


ana«ion,    i   am  goiai 
aly  list  a  few  of 


•  outstanding  attractions 


Son  folks,   don't  lay   thle  aelde  and  forget  It.      6lt  down  at  onoa  ant 
drop  Die  a  few  lines  telling  no  what  you  think  of  my  Idea  and  don't 
forget   to   include  a  name  for  our  eemi-monthly  ohat. 


'ith  kindest  personal  regarda,   I   < 


ADLER  THEATHE  00.'"  , 

Director  of  Publlolty. 


ADLSR  THEATRE 

TRIO  THSiTRI 

Won-raes                   JXay  23-24 

Hon.                          July  23 

Ballaoe  Beery  a,  Hay  Hatton 

SHORTY  BDTTOH,    Soreen  Star 

in 

and  world  famoua  fancy  roper 

■WIFE  BAVERS" 

Id  PERSON  and  on  the   screen. 

Thura.                      July  28 

Frl-Sat                   July  27-38 

BIG  CIRCUIT  VAODEVILLS 

lea  Uaynard  -  •OPLAHD  RIDER* 

&  Deluxe  Photoplay 

Frl-8at                     July  27-38 

Sun.                          July  29 

Richard  Dlx 

"MD3LE/   FROU  AHMEHTIERES- 

•EAaT  com  EAST  CM* 

every  Uonday  —  Seata  10-15tf 

Clara  Bow  in  Red  Hair 

Every  SelDSaday  —  ill  Seata  ICxf 

July  30-31   Aug  1 

Friday  —  FHKI  CHISA  HICHT. 

Olson  puts  personality  in  his  advertising 
with  this  service  to  rural  patrons,  sent 
out  twice  monthly.  This  is  the  first  letter. 
It  announces  the  beginning  of  the  service. 

found  that  my  prospective  patrons  passed  my 
house  on  street  cars  bound  for  the  city  and 
amusement.  It  was  a  hell  of  a  pass  when  1 
was  forced  to  turn  from  my  love  to  billboards, 
heralds  and  whatnots  to  get  my  patrons  in- 
terested before  they  digested  the  ads  in  the 
city  daily,  but  I  finally  got  over  that  one. 

Then  to  make  matters  worse,  I  took  to  the 
small  towns  for  a  livelihood  and  found  that 
billboards,  handbills  and  street  ballyhoos 
would  never  bring  forth  the  shekels  I  was 
called  upon  to  produce  and  was  forced  to 
turn  to  the  goodwill  angle  which  I  had  always 
considered  a  very  nice  thing  if  it  didn't  cost 
anything.  I  studied  this  phase  a  great  deal 
and  got  enough  results  to  assure  me  that  it 
was    really   worthwhile. 

After  a  few  months  in  my  first  small  town 
I  moved  to  another  and  sent  my  picture  to 
the  weekly  paper  who  published  it  in  a  mys- 
tifying manner,  questioning  who  I  was,  why  I 
was   coming   to   town,   etc.     The   first  night   I 


stood  in  front  of  the  theatre,  half  the  town 
addressed  me  by  my  first  name.  This  would 
have  been  forgotten  had  I  not  followed  it  up. 
I  never  passed  up  a  chance  to  get  before  the 
public,  to  get  mention  in  the  paper  or  spread 
goodwill  in  every  little  possible  manner.  I 
was  out  to  make  myself  so  damn  well  known 
that  when  people  thought  of  the  theatre  they 
automatically  thought  of  me  and  my  theatre. 
I  know  for  a  fact  that  a  number  of  my 
friends  who  were  forced  to  go  to  the  opposite 
house  on  account  of  a  tieup  on  some  par- 
ticular attraction  took  a  round-about  course 
so  I  could  not  see  where  they  were  going. 
This  town  sold  me  on  the  importance  of  good- 

{Continucd  on  page  87) 


This  flying  figure  of  Hoot  Gibson  can't 
help  but  attract  attention,  can  it?  It's  just 
one  of  the  24rsheet  cutouts  that  Olson 
makes  and  uses.  Opportunity  to  use  a 
poster  for  a  cutout  never  escapes  Olson. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Put  Personality 

In  Advertising 

(Continued   from  page  86) 

will  and  personality  and  I  have  played  it  to 
the  limit  ever  since.  I  could  go  on  forever 
setting  forth  little  stunts  designed  and  exe- 
cuted for  goodwill  but  the  following  two 
ideas  I  have  put  over  will  illustrate  the  value 
of  personality  in  advertising. 

I  have  just  started  a  plan  to  reach  the  rural 
communities.  It  is  a  mimeographed  letter  sent 
out  twice  a  month  to  1,500  farming  people. 
This  letter  is  written  in  a  personal  style, 
chatty  and  informal.  It  tells  interesting 
stories  about  moving  pictures  and  also  what  I 
call  a  service  department.  In  this  service  de- 
partment I  answer  all  questions  that  are  asked 
in  letters  from  the  rural  people.  The  first 
letter  sets  forth  the  purpose  of  the  weekly 
letter.     Part  of  it  follows : 

*  *     * 

"I  plan  to  write  up  a  nice,  snappy,  newsy 
little  letter  twice  each  month.  This  letter 
will  advise  you  of  the  coming  attractions 
that  are  better  than  average;  but  more,  it 
will  contain  a  fund  of  information  rela- 
tive to  Hollywood,  the  screen  stars,  etc. 
It  will  also  contain  bits  of  sense  and 
nonsense  that  will  be  a  real  interest  to 
you.  I  am  only  too  glad  to  give  this  time 
in  the  interest  of  you,  our  rural  friends, 
providing  you  show  enough  interest  to  let 
me  know  that  you  appreciate  this  service 
by  mailing  me  a  card,  telling  me  to  put 
your  name  on  my  mailing  list.  That's  all — 
I'll  do  the  rest  and  I  know  that  you  will 
appreciate  this  little  paper  as  we  go  along. 

"In  addition  to  the  features  mentioned, 
I  am  going  to  maintain  a  service  depart- 
ment for  your  benefit.  Any  questions  you 
wish  to  ask  pertaining  to  the  movie  stars 
or  any  phase  of  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry will  be  answered  in  the  next  issue 
of  our  paper." 

*  *     * 

I  also  offered  a  number  of  free  admissions 
for  suggestions  for  the  best  name  for  the 
little  paper.  During  the  first  week  after  this 
first  letter  was  mailed,  I  received  89  letters 
and  they  are  still  coming  in.  They  are  all 
very  sincere  and  explain  that  they  appreciate 
the  ser\'ice.  Two  patrons  have  offered  to  pay 
postage  if  I  would  be  sure  to  continue.  The 
names  suggested  for  the  letter  run  from  the 
sublime  to  the  ridiculous  and  would  take  a 
lot  of  space  were  I  to  list  them. 

*  *     * 

My  mailing  list  for  this  service  was  pro- 
cured through  the  use  of  a  two  for  one  ticket 
with  which  I  flooded  the  territory  in  June 
just  before  the  hot  weather  hit.  After  weed- 
ing out  duplicates  I  have  a  list  of  more  than 
800  selected  names ;  in  addition  to  this  I 
picked  700  from  my  regular  list  of  all  rural 
patrons  which  I  procured  from  a  large  de- 
partment store  shortly  after  coming  here. 

The  1500  sheets  cost  me  $1.00.  My  office 
girls  do  the  mimeographing  on  my  own 
machine ;  the  letters  are  sent  out  second  class 
at  one  and  one  half  cents  each,  making  a 
total  of  $23.50  for  the  1,500,  including  stock 
and  printing. 

My  second  idea  for  putting  personality  in 
advertising  is  a  weekly  chat  or  column  run 
each  Saturday  in  the  local  paper,  and  it  is 
proving  a  great  thing.  It  is  simple  and  un- 
pretentious but  I  find  that  it  gets  my  message 
to  that  vast  army  of  readers  who  purposely 
shun  all  direct  advertising  copy.  To  test  its 
worth  I  used  the  announcement  of  our  "I 
Scream  Club"  meeting  in  the  column  the  day 
before  the  meeting  without  mention  in  any 
other  form  and  we  had  the  biggest  turn-out 
since  the  club  was  organized. 

After  the  second  week  of  the  Saturday  Chat 


SMmmons 


1  Main  Street.  City  of  Washin 


Supreme  Court  of  Entertainment, 
of  Daviess,  State  of  Indiana: 

To     rou       WHEREVER  YOU  ARE: 

You  are  hereby  summoned  to  appear  at  the  LIBERTY  THEATER.  Tuesday  ' 
dpy,     JULX.  17  or  18.        ,  1928    ,  between  the  hours  of  7  to  11    P.   M„   to  ; 

Witness,     of     "CHICAGO"  ROXIE  HART     K9.      STATE  0*F  ILLIUQiS 

##.   Hart     --     Phyllaa  Haver         to  answer  the  question,  "Would  you  have  i 
same  as  ohe  did  Just  for  &  tbrlll  And  ad7enture---and  LOVE?" 


Failure  to  appear  in  answer  to  thu  Summons  will  i 
f  the  true  story  of  a  modem  JazzH:razed  Wife, 


I  the 


1  of  1 


m^ 


IN  TESTIMONY   WHEREOF,   I   hereunto   subseribe   my 
nante,  and  affix  the  seal  of  the  said  SUPREME  COURT  of 
Entertainment  at  my  office,  in  the  City  of  Washington,  the 
.  ISth         day  of      July.    ..     ,1928   . 

«.  N.  N ELLIS. 

LIBERTY  THEATER. 


Legal  looking  summons  sent  by  R.  L. 
Nellis,  manager  of  the  Liberty  theatre, 
Washington,  Ind.,  to  members  of  the  bur 
and  all  business  men  to  advertise  "Chi- 
cago," the  Pathe  picture,  starring  Phyllis 
Haver. 


I  began  receiving  letters,  calls  and  many 
stopped  me  on  the  street  or  at  the  theatre 
while  a  few  took  their  questions  to  the  local 
daily.  They  have  come  to  regard  me  as  a 
walking  delegate  from  Hollywood  and  expect 
me  to  answer  everything  and  anything.  For 
the  most  part  these  questions  come  from  the 
younger  people  of  high  school  age  and  refer 
to  the  age  of  stars,  whether  they  are  married 
or  single,  and  who  is  or  is  not  related  to 
whom,  etc.  Some  of  the  older  patrons  have 
inquired  as  to  the  cost  of  certain  productions. 
None  of  them  have  been  very  difficult  to 
answer  as  I  have  a  lot  of  that  information 
on  hand. 


Movietone  Opening 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  7— Western  Elec- 
tric sound  reproducing  apparatus  has  been 
installed  in  the  Saenger  theatre.  New  Orleans, 
and  Movietone  News  made  its  debut  in  that 
house  July  28.  It  is  expected  that  Para- 
mount's  first  sound  picture,  Richard  Dix  in 
"Warming  Up"  will  go  into  the  Saenger  with- 
in a  week  or  two. 


H.  J.  Thacker,  M.  B.  I.  No.  20,  and  man- 
ager of  the  Hippodrome  and  Temple  the- 
atres, Newport,  Ky.,  comes  through  with 
another  good  lobby  display.  Recipe  for 
making  it  is :  Take  a  "The  Circus"  3-sheet 
and  mount  on  beaver  board.  Cut  hole 
through  sheet  and  board  as  in  picture  at 
right.  Place  miniature  tent  behind  hole. 
Paint  hand  pointing  toward  hole  on  sheet 
with  work  "look"  above  hand.  Place 
clown  dolls,  borrowed  from  toy  store,  in- 
side tent,  as  shown  above.  Simple,  is/i'f 
If,  but  Thacker  says  the  display  is  the 
best  attention- getter  he  has  made.  People 
do  like  to  peek,  you  know.  Anyone  can 
make  this  lobby  display  at  practically  no 
expense  for  "The  Circus." 


Texas  Theatre  Uses 
Many  Fine  Merchant 
Tie  up  s;  They  Pay 

Cooperative  advertising  is  rated  at  its  full 
value  by  the  Texas  theatre,  San  Antonio,  and 
every  possible  chance  for  such  advertising 
in  the  local  papers  is  taken  advantage  of  by 
the  theatre.  Recently  a  tie-up  was  made  with 
one  of  the  largest  local  furniture  stores  where 
that  institution  was  to  give  away  every 
W^ednesday  3,000  autographed  photographs  of 
the  film  star  appearing  at  the  Texas  the  cur- 
rent week.  This  stunt  is  to  function  for  a 
complete  year  with  a  permanent  windov^f  dis- 
play in  the  furniture  store,  which  is  located 
directly  across  the  street  from  the  outstanding 
competitor  of  San  Antonio  and  cooperative 
ads  run  four  days  a  week  by  the  furniture 
store  carrying  mats  of  the  stars. 

In  addition  to  the  above  two  methods,  the 
Household  Furniture  Company  sends  out 
with  every  letter  and  bill  an  advertisement 
of  the  current  picture.  This  insures  the 
Texas  four  cooperative  ads  throughout  the 
week  other  than  those  which  are  run  by  the 
theatre  itself. 

Various  other  methods  of  cooperative  ad- 
vertising are  used  by  the  Texas  from  time 
to  time.  Recently  upon  playing  Paramount's 
"Dragnet"  three  local  firms  ran  advertisements 
on  the  feather  turban  worn  by  Evelyn  Brent 
in  that  picture  and  on  Dragnet  Hosiery,  be- 
sides putting  out  20,000  cooperative  ads  on  the 
picture  and  the  product. 

Every  possible  chance  for  obtaining^  this 
type  of  newspaper  and  other  representations 
is  grabbed  up  by  the  Texas — and  this  theatre's 
success  in  obtaining  more  than  its  share  of 
cooperative  advertising  is  explained  by  the  fact 
that  both  the  theatre  and  the  firm  tiein^-up 
receive  mutual  results. 


Wiring  Loetv  's  Grand 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  Aug.  7.— Installation  of  sound 
picture  apparatus  is  progressing  raoidlv  at 
Loew's  Grand.  Fox  Movietone  made  its  debut 
in  that  house  on  August  6. 


88 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


n 

/ 

1 

5 

^ 

^ 


! 


A  cutout  machine,  a  projectograph  and  the  work  they  do!  These  two  machines  were  made  by  W.  L.  Gelling,  resident 
manager  forEast  Texas  Theatres,  Inc.,  at  Nacogdoches,  Texas.  The  first  picture  at  the  left  shows  both  cutout  machine 
and  projectograph.  The  second  photograph  shows  how  a  sewing  machine  head  is  welded  on  a  quarter  horse-power 
motor  for  operating  the  coping  saw  which  is  held  in  the  poAtion  of  the  needle.  The  third  and  fourth  photographs 
show  ivork  turned  out  by  the  projectograph  and  cutout  machine.    A  description  of  both  machines  is  given  on  this  page. 


You  Can  Easily  Construct  Own 

Machine  for  Making  Cutouts 

Perhaps  you  have  been  wanting  a  machine  for  making  cutouts  from  24-sheets. 
If  you  have,  this  article  sent  to  "The  Theatre"  will  tell  you  how  to  construct  your 
own.  It  comes  from  W.  L.  Gelling,  resident  manager  for  East  Texas  Theatres, 
Inc.,  at  Nacogdoches,  Texas.  Gelling  also  tells  how  to  use  a  projectograph  which 
he  has  constructed.     Here's  what  he  has  to  say  in  describing  his  two  machines: 


I  have  been  reading  Exhibitors  Herald  and 
Moving  Picture  World  for  over  eight  years 
now  and  during  that  time  have  found  many 
helpful  hints  and  suggestions  in  it.  I  am 
therefore  taking  the  liberty  of  submitting  a 
couple  of  ideas  of  my  own  which  are  proving 
extremely  valuable  to  me,  and  others  may  be 
able  to  employ  them  to  like  advantage. 


One  is  a  machine,  simple  and  inexpensive 
in  construction,  for  making  cutouts.  This  is 
easj'  to  handle  and  is  a  whizz  when  it  comes 
to  cutting  out  letters,  figures,  etc.  It  consists 
of  a  sewing  machine  head  welded  to  a  quarter 
horse-power  motor,  and  suspended  from  a 
barn  door  track  with  travelers  carrying  the 
weight    of    the    motor.      See    inclosed    photos. 


Temperatures! 

PORTLAND  [City]  98^ 
PORTLAND  [Theater]  72^ 
BROADWAY  Theater  72' 


Why  Sweller? 

Here  'Are  Theater  Treats 

In  Cool  Retreatt! 


What  shall  we  call  these  young  ladies?     "Sandwich  girls"  doesn't  seem  quite  proper.    How- 
ever, when  manager  Edward  A.  Furni  sent   them  out  walking   all  over  town   with   these 
painted  rain  coats,  the  Palace-Orpheum  did  good  business  with  the  Pathe  picture,  "Walking 
Back,"  featuring  Sue  Carol.     Sorry  we  can't  show  you  the  girls'  pretty  faces. 


Simple,  surely,  but  effective,  assuredly! 
What  better  means  could  be  used  in  an 
ad  to  get  over  the  "cool"  idea  to  your 
patrons?  The  ad  increased  patronage  for 
the  twO'  West  Coast  theatres,  the  Portland 
and  Broadivay  in  Portland,  Ore.  You 
might  use  this  idea  when  the  next  heat 
wave  rolls  your  way. 

The  whole  is  counter-weighted  and  moves  up 
and  down  on  a  three-quarter  inch  pipe  which 
in  turn  revolves  in  roller  bearings  at  top 
and  bottom.  The  block  of  wood  to  which  the 
travelers  are  attached  by  screws  contains  a 
roller  bearing  which  makes  the  motor  uni- 
versal in  motion. 

It  is  possible  to  move  the  cutter  over 
a  radius  of  six  feet.  The  presser  foot  of  the 
sewing  machine  head  rests  on  the  beaver  board 
to  be  cut  out  and  a  coping  saw  is  used  in 
the  position  which  the  needle  of  the  sewing 
machine  would  occupy.  The  material  to  be 
cut  rests  on  a  frame  or  table  made  up  of  three 
slats  of  one  by  three  material.  This  allows 
for  the  saw  cutting  through  the  material  to  be 
cut  without  interference. 

The  other  idea  is  a  suggestion  in  connection 
with  the  projectograph  described  in  your 
columns  a  few  weeks  ago  for  use  in  transfer- 
ring clippings  from  press  sheets,  for  example, 
and  enlarging  them  for  lobby  cards.  Instead 
of  using  the  mirror  for  correcting  the  direc- 
tion of  the  print  which  we  found  caused  dis- 
tortion, we  fit  the  clippings  in  a  frame,  then 
varnish  it  to  make  it  transparent  and  place  in 
projector,  using  a  400  watt  lamp  to  project  the 
picture.  I  enclose  some  samples  of  the  results 
we  have  thus  been  enabled  to  secure. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


89 


^^^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window." 


D 


"STATE  STREET  SADIE" 
EAR  FOLKS: 


As  you  must  know,  one  who  resides  in  a 
given  city  attaches  a  certain  super-importance 
to  pictures  put  forth  as  representative  of  that 
place.  Thus,  Mr.  De  Mille's  "Chicago"  was  of 
kneener  interest  to  me  than  would  have  been 
the  same  picture  captioned  "New  York,"  "Los 
Angeles"  or  "Rapid  City,  South  Dakota."  And 
if  any  of  you,  who  reside  in  cities  that  have 
not  been  duly  picturized,  are  of  the  opinion 
that  this  intimacy  of  locale  is  advantageous 
to  the  picture  at  hand,  you  are  mistaken.  One 
goes  to  the  theatre  showing  such  a  picture  pre- 
pared to  find  it  very  bad  indeed;  on  the  occa- 
sion when  one  does  not  find  it  so,  logically 
enough,  it  must  be  concluded  that  the  picture 
is  extremely  good.  In  either  case,  an  opinion 
indited  for  the  attention  of  exhibitors  through- 
out these  numerous  and  somewhat  United 
States  is  pretty  likely  to  be  unreliable.  I 
always  feel  better,  when  aiming  my  L.  C.  Smith 
at  a  producer's  valuable  property,  if  I  have 
made  this  kind  of  a  statement  in  preface. 

I  went  to  the  Orpheum  theatre  to  see  "State 
Street  Sadie"  on  a  very  warm  night.  The  Or- 
pheum is,  as  theatres  average  in  downtown  Chi- 
cago, a  very  warm  theatre.  And  the  seats  are 
narrower,  and  I  invariably  find  myself  wedged 
between  a  200-pound  gentleman  on  my  left  and 
a  200-pound  lady  on  my  right.  Under  these 
circumstances,  a  picture  has  to  be  pretty  good. 
"State   Street   Sadie"  was.     And,   of   course,   is. 

One  of  the  reasons,  no  doubt,  lies  in  the  fact 
that  "State  Street  Sadie"  is  not  represented  as 
occurring  in  Chicago.  Instead,  the  place  seems 
to  be  New  York.  The  title  of  the  picture  is 
merely  the  nickname  applied  to  Myrna  Loy, 
who  is  the  girl  in  the  picture.  (She  might 
quite  as  well  have  been  nicknamed  Kansas  City 
Kate,  Missouri  Valley  Mamie  or  Boston  Blanch, 
but  that  is  unimportant.  And  of  course  State 
Street  is  supposed  to  be  a  more  criminal  thor- 
oughfare than  any  to  be  found  in  any  of  these 
cities.) 

The  picture  is,  as  you  know,  another  of  those 
which  we  may  as  well  characterize  as  of  "the 
speaking  screen"  now  as  later.  (This  seems  to 
me  to  be  the  most  convenient,  graceful  and  re- 
spectable of  the  designations  applied  to  the  new 
type  of  product.)  In  it  the  talking  is  done  by 
Conrad  Nagel,  "William  Russell  and  two  or 
three  others.  It  is  well  done,  too,  although,  of 
course,  none  of  these  folks  are  Lionel  Barry- 
more,  whose  speaking  for  the  pictures  is  as  far 
above  any  other  screen  speaking  I  have  heard 
as   "The   Lion   and   the   Mouse"    is    above    the 


T.  O.  Service 


majority  of  subjects  thus  far  produced  for  the 
speaking  screen. 

The  story  is  about  crooks,  burglary,  murder, 
detection  and  things  like  that.  It  ends  with 
such  a  mass  attack  by  police  as  was  used  in  the 
ending  of  "Underworld." 

"RED  LIPS" 

A 

.X^jLL  JOLSON  used  to  sing  a  song  with  a 
snappy  chorus  which  began,  "Red  lips — come 
kiss  by  blues  away,"  and  continued  in  that  vein, 
and  in  the  Jolson  manner  of  singing  a  song, 
to  a  conclusion  which  always  won  many  en- 
cores. Now  it  isn't  at  all  likely  that  this  first 
line  of  Mr.  Jolson's  jazz  hit  had  anything  to  do 
with  suggesting  to  Universal  the  manufacture 
of  a  picture  that  would  do  what  Mr.  Jolson 
so  urgently  requested,  but  "Red  Lips"  does 
send  the  blues  scooting  and  it  does  entertain. 
It  particularly  entertains  such  an  audience  as 
can  be  found  at  any  time  of  afternoon  or  even- 
ing in  the  Oriental  theatre  of  this  town,  where 
gather  the  young  and  quick  of  pulse  and  where 
performs  young  Mr.  Kvale,  a  jazzician  who  has 
all  but  obscured  memory  of  the  riot  quite  so 
young  Mr.  Ash. 

The  lips  referred  to  in  the  caption  are  those 
of  Miss  Marian  Nixon.  These  lips,  too,  are 
extremely  prominent  in  the  pictures — that  is, 
prominent  in  participation,  not  in  formation  or 
anything  like  that,  for  to  the  limits  of  my 
knowledge  Miss  Nixon's  are  as  admirably  con- 
stituted labial  appendages  (i.  e.,  osculatory 
equipment)  as  are  to  be  found  in  a  personally 
conducted  inspection  of  Hollywood.  But,  as  I 
was  saying — - 

Miss  Nixon  is,  in  the  picture,  a  gay  young 
thing  with  right  enough  ideas  and  forthright 
habits.  She  travels  briskly  and  lightly,  al- 
though straight,  and  in  her  travels  she  encoun- 
ters an  extremely  capable  young  athlete  who  is 
Buddy  Rogers  when  off  the  set.  They  do 
what  collegiate  youngsters  always  do,  in  pic- 
tures, and  Buddy  all  but  fails  to  get  into  the 
track  meet  wherein,  at  the  crucial  moment,  he 
wins  the  880  and  sends  his  team  to  victory  over 
the  despised  but  frequently  victorious  rivals. 

BODIL  ROSING  CALLS 

JP  AITHFUL  to  the  promise  made  at  the  con- 
clusions of  last  week's  remarks,  I  shall  now  re- 
late the  visit  of  Bodil  Rosing  (whose  name  you 


will  note  I  have  learned  to  spiel  with  complete 
accuracy)  to  this  office.  It  was  a  very  pleasant 
affair. 

The  visit  occurred  on  the  morning  of  July 
31,  toward  noon.  Other  members  of  the  staff 
were  at  the  printery,  putting  through  its  final 
stages  of  preparation  the  book  which  you  read 
last  week.  Left  at  headquarters  to  answer 
phone  calls  and  things  like  that  (I  have  the 
secret  suspicion  that  I'm  regarded  as  not  being 
very  useful  at  press  time),  I  sat  and  talked  to 
Mrs.  Rosing  and  Mrs.  Rosing  sat  and  talked 
to  me. 

Curiously  enough,  we  turned  our  conversa- 
tion to  the  subject  of  the  speaking  screen. 
(Let's  adopt  that  as  the  standard  name  for  it.) 
Mrs.  Rosing  mentioned  the  status  of  the  new 
stages  being  erected  in  Hollywood,  she  nar- 
rated interesting  incidents  pertaining  to  various 
personalities  who  will  or  will  not  take  part  in 
the  audible  sequences,  and  I  aired  a  few  hith- 
erto unpublished  views  of  my  own.  We  got 
along  famously. 

One  of  the  conclusions  arrived  at  seems  to 
me  to  be  worthy  of  chronicling.  I  told  her  of 
my  plan  to  have  a  tripod  and  microphone  set 
up  in  a  stage  playhouse  and  the  stage  play  re- 
produced for  the  widespread  public.  (This  was 
before  the  stage  people  announced  their  inten- 
tion of  doing  just  that  thing.)  Mrs.  Rosing 
thought  it  would  not  Work  out  so  well,  be- 
cause the  result  would  be  not  a  motion  picture 
at  all  but  a  stage  play.  We  talked,  then,  of 
compromises  which  fnight  be  worked  out,  using 
this  portion  of  stage  play  technique  and  that 
portion  of  screen  technique  to  compose,  when 
combined,  a  hybrid  entertainment  which  might 
be  very  good.  We  agreed,  smiling  a  bit,  that 
while  it  would  be  physically  possible  to  drive 
across  the  stage  of  a  Broadway  theatre  in  slow 
succession  all  the  covered  wagons  used  in  mak- 
ing "The  Covered  Wagon,"  it  would  be  very 
improbable  that  any  of  the  payees  would  be 
left  in  their  seats  to  see  the  last  wagon  across. 
Despite  the  precedent  of  "The  Strange  Inter- 
lude." 

And  I  told  Mrs.  Rosing  how  well  you  like 
her  work,  she  accusing  me  of  exaggeration, 
exactly  as  a  properly  modest  actress  should, 
and  she  told  me  the  Danish  interpretation  of 
her  rather  unusual  name.  I  shall  not  attempt 
to  tell  you  that,  for  names  mean  so  little  and 
personalities  mean  so  much.  Better  that  you 
just  look  upon  Mrs.  Rosing's  screen  mothers 
(her  next  is  that  of  Hoot  Gibson's  maternal  an- 
tecedent in  "The  Big  Rodeo")  and  enjoy  them 
for  what  they  are.     That  is  enough  for  anyone. 


90 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


! 


5 

^ 
^ 

N 

^ 


V^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 

Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key   to   abbreviations   used   in   denoting    the   type   oj  pictures 


C"— Comeify 
Lh'-'Drama 
R — Romance 


F Farce 

M^—M  elodrama 
W — Western 


My— Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length     Title  and  Playert 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Ticlier 


1928 

6400 
6450 
6500 
6300 
8000 
«QOe 
6900 


Chesterfield 

Adorable  Cheat,  The,  Lila  Lee-Mclntosb June  1 

Below    the     Deadline Feb.  28 

Campus    Knights   Aug.  15 

Ciroumatantial    Evidence  Oct.  30 

House  of  Shame,  The ;. June  30 

Roaring   Forties,   The Apr.  15 

South   of   Panama Dec.  15 


1928 


June  9 


Columbia 


1927 

5831     Alias  the  Lane  Wolf  (D),  Lytell-Wllson Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (M),   Bosworth-Logan. Aug.  10 

By  Whose   Hand    (MyD),   Cortez-Gllbert Sept.  15 

College   Hero,   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon Oct.  9 

Fastiion   Madness.  Windsor-Howes. _ Dec.  8 


S843 
5432 
66  28 
B513 
5645 
5750 
6524 
5569 
5892 
1000 
5895 
6435 
6054 
6108 
6357 
6426 
6791 


Isle  of  Forgotten  Women  (D),  TearIe-Sebastlan_Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   LyteU-Wilson 

Opening    Night,   The    (D),   Wlndsor-J.   Bowers....Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-Allen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  _ 

Siren,  The.  T.  Moore-Revler Deo.  20 

Stage  Kisses  (D),  Harlan-Chadwlok. Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Kevier 


Jan.  7 

Oct.  1 
July  23 

1927 

Dec.  3 

Dec  31 

Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 

Jan.  14 

..... 

....July  31 

— 

MaT7li 

Jan.  14 

Aug.  28 

Jan.  21       Jan.  21 
Jan.  7         


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Tlcktr 


1928 

6860 
6600 
6305 


6536 
6600 

1927 


..._Oct.  21 


Sweet  Rosle  O'Grady  (CD),   Mason 

Tigress,   The   (M),  Holt-Revier 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),   Kevler-Agnew _ 

Warninq,  The  (M).  Hnlt-Rpvier. Nov.  26 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The  (MD),  Alice Day-LevrU 


Dec.  3 

-July  21 


1928 

5459     After 


_...52.72% 


1928 


6537 
6928 


6925 


the    Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth 

Beware  of  Blondes   (MD),  Revler-Matt  Moore 

Broadway    Daddies,   Jacqueline  Logan..- 

Desert  Bride,   The   (MD),   Betty  Compson 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Keynolds-Ford- 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew 

Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love-Walker 

Modern   Mothers   (CD),  Helene  Chadwick. 

Name  the  Woman    (D),   Stewart-Gnrdon 

Say  It  With  Sables  (D),  Bushman-Cbadwlck _ 

So  This    Is   Love,  Mason-Collier _ _.Feb.  6 

Sporting    Age,    The,    Bennett -Herbert Mar.  2 

That  Certain  Thing.  Dana-Graves _ Jan.  1 

Wife's   Relations,  The,  Mason-Glass Jan.  13 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baiter-Llvingston Feb.  18 


_Mar.  26 

..Jan.  25 
-Mar.  14 
-June  9 


_Tuly21 

Apr.  14 

...May  26 

Feb.  25 

Apr.  7 


6440 

6464 
6047 
6350 
6472 

1927 

2000     Angelus,  The   (D).- 

2000     Real   Charleston,   Lesson  Novelty- 
Wooden  Shoes,  International 


....Tune  19 
.  Aug.  4 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


..May  15 
..Apr.  24 
-May  8 


1927 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings.. 


Emblem  Films 


1927 


1927 


1927 

5980 
6805 
6912 
6645 
6792 

7393 
6337 
6750 
5867 


Excellent 


1927 


Back  to   Liberty    (D),    Walsb-Hall Nov.  IB 

Bowery  Cinderella.  A   (D),  O'Malley-Hulette. May  1 

Broadway    Drifter    (D),   Walsh-Hall Nov.  1 

Broadway   Madness    (D),  De  la  Motte-Keltb 

His    Rise   to    Fame    (D),   Walab-Shaw 

Kick-off,   The   (D),   Hyama-Amann 

Nest,  The   (D),   Frederick-Herbert _ 

Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Roberta.-. 
Winning  Oar,  The  (D).  Walah-Hall— 


-Apr.  14 


Feb.  15 

Aug.  1 

Jan.  15 

June  1 


ilar.  17 


Your  Wife   and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holmei. Sept.  1        Mar.  17 


4765 
4858 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5S72 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


A   Bit  of  Heaven    (D),  Washburn-Lee _ May  15 

Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschl-J.  Norman — 

Making  the  Varsity,   Rex  Lease-Hulette -July  15 

Manhattan    Knights,  Barbara  Bedford Aug  10 

Satan   and  the  Woman    (D),  Windsor-Keefe. Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic,  The,  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),    Chadwick-Delaney Mar.  30 

FBO 

Aflame  in  the  Sky    (M),  Luden-Lynn. -...Dec.  18 

Bandit's   Son.    The    (W),    Bob   Steele Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,    The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage    (D),   Banger. Aug.  7 

Cherokee   Kid,   The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn. — Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding  (CD),  Geo.  Sidney — Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter Aug.  21 

Desert    Pirate    (W),   Tom   Tyler. Dec.  25 

Flying    U    Ranch,   The   (W),  Tom  Tyler- Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,   The   (C),   Lois  WUson — Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),   OrviUe  CaldweU. Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder  No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne. — Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-VaUi Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey    Grogan    (D),   Frankie  Darro _Deo.  27 

Mojave  Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon   of  Israel    (D),  Maria  Corda -... 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince. Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Ranger Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince Oct.  19 

Slingshot   Kid,  The   (M),  Buzz  Barton -Dec.  4 

South  Sea  Love   (D),  Patsy  Miller Dec.  10 

Svrift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger. Dec.  11 


1928 


Feb.  25 


1927 


Dec.  10       

Dec  10       

Dec.  3         Oct.  8 


Nov.  26 


Nov.  26 


..Sept.  10 
..Sept.  10 


Nov. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Nov. 
Dec. 


July  30 
..July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 


64.60% 


Aug.  20 


iug.  6 

...July  » 
—July  23 


.Dec 
Deo. 
Dec. 
Dec 

Nov. 
Dec 


Aug.  20 


1928 


6144 

4769 
6771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6039 
5967 

4793 
4760 
6329 
4898 
4805 


Alex  the   Great   (M),   Skeets  Gallagher May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton - -...Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway — Mar.  18 

Breed  of  the  Sunsets   (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago  After  Midnight   (M),  Ince-Mendez — Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson. Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis May  11 

Dead  Man's  Curve  (D),  Fairbanks.  Jr Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,   The  (D),  Belle  Bennett.- Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger...- June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild  (D),  Ranger Feb.  5 

Flghtin'    Redhead    (W),    Buzz  Barton July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox.  Jr Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger   (MD),  Bob  Steele — 

Her  Summer    Hero    (CD),   Blane-Trevor —.Feb.  12 

Hit  of  the  Show,  The  (C),  Joe  Brown- Olmstead  .— — . 

Law  of  Fear  (D).  Ranger _ -...Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in    Paris   (C),   Cooke-Quard. Jan.  SI 

Little  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buzz  Barton. Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  OrviUe  Caldwell_May  28 

Man  In  the   Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele - May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler...- Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  R.  Miller. .Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love...- July  15 

Skinner's  Big    Idea    (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Stocks  and   Blondes  (CD),  Logan-Gallagher 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Feb.  26 

Trail  of  Cotrrage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele -..July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott - - Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W),  Tom  Tyler...- June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W).  Buzz  Barton Jan.  22 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Dec  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 

-June  19 
Jan.  21 

..-July  21 
Feb.  11 
Dec  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


Apr.  28 

Apr.  14 

-July  14 


Dec  21 


1927  First  Division 

5400  Comrades,    Costello-Hughes    Jan.  1 

5960  Death   Valley  (W),  CarroU  Nye Sept.  1 

5600  Eager  Lips,  Garon Oct.  1 

5900  Finnegan's   Ball    (C),   Mack  Swain Sept.  15 

5800  Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short Nov.  15 

5700  Ladybird,  Compson  - Aug.  1 

5750  Naughty,  Garon  Nov.  1 

6700  Polly  of  the    Movies,   Short-Robards Oct.  15 

6700  Ragtime   (D),  De  La  Motte _ _ Sept.  1 

5700  Return   of  Boston    Blackle    (D),  Glenn-PaImer....Aug.  1 

5000  Say  It  with   Diamonds,  Betty  Compson _ -Aug.  15 

5700  Temptations   of   a   Shop    Girl,    Compson Nov.  1 

1928 

5500  Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells - Apr.  1 

Free  Lips  (MD),  June  Marlow -____ 

6300  Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson Mar.  1 

6200  Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells. Mar.  18 


1927 


Aug.  20 


..Oct.  15 


Jan.  7 

Nov.  26 


Sept  S        


1928 


.July  14 
Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


91 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1927 

6300 

6333 

6433 

6222 

6766 

8730 

7724 

6386 

6588 

6802 

5282 

7133 

6288 

6118 

6190 

6524 

6400 

6720 

5718 

5550 

5255 

7388 

BS21 

6542 

5434 

6520 

6040 

6431 

6734 

11414 

5982 

6897 

6400 

6210 

6477 

6606 

5800 

6648 

7179 

6000 

7400 

7419 

5774 

6668 

7833 

6336 

6324 

6409 

1928 

7404 
6500 


First  National 


All   Aboard   (C),   Hlnes-Murphy Jilay  8 

American   Beauty   (CD),  Dove-Hughes. Oct.  9 

An  Affair  of  the    Follies   (D).  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CD),  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D),   Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D),  N.  Talmadge-Roland _ Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),    Sherman-MackaiU Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,   The   (D),  JIackalll-Mulhal] Oct.  16 

Dance   Magic   (D),   Lyon-Starke. June  12 

Drop    Kick,    The   (D),    Barthelmess-IleTier. Sept.  25 

Framed    (D),    Sills-Eyngston June  19 

Gorilla,  The  (My).  Murray  Kelsey _ -Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),   Maynard-Falre Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-Kent _ — —Deo.  25 

High    Hat    (CD),   Lyon-Brian Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (0),  HInes-Daw -Nov.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine,  The  (D),  C.  GrlCath-Buahman-jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley,    The   (C).  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladies    (CD),    Nilsson-Stone July  3 

Long    Pants    (C),   Lansdon-Bonner. Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),  Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  Dove-Roland Deo.  18 

Lunatic  at   Large,  The    (C),    Errol-Mackalll Jan.  2 

Man  Crazy  (CD).  MackalU-Mulhall — Nov.  27 

Masked  Women,  The  (D).  Nilsson-Blinn-H'nsen-.jan.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice  (C).  Moore-Reed. June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone -Mar.  27 

No   Place  to  Go   (C),  Hughes-Astor Oct.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall Mar.  6 

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D),  Barflmess-O'Day.. 

Perfect  Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke Jan.  16 

Poor  Nut,  The   (C),  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman — 

Red    Raiders,   The    (W),   Maynard-Drew -...July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West  (D),  Astor-Roland — Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  Sllls-Astor. Oct.  2 

See  You  in  Jail   (C).  MulhaU-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile   (C),  Mulhall-Mackall] Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-Dove -Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-Collier Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   Dove-Lyon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Rogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three   Hours  (D),  Qrlfflth-Bowers Dec.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes,    Moore-Harlan  Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  SiUs-Kenyon. Dec.  11 

Venus  of  Venice    (CD),   Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White  Pants  Willie   (C),  Hines-Hyams July  24 


...Apr.  2 

Nov.  19 

Oct.  22 
..3Iar.  5 

Nov.  12 

Nov.  26 
...May  21 

May  2 

May  21 

Nov.  12 

Oct.  29 
Aug.  13 

"July  9 

Jan.  7 

Dec  17 

Dec.  3 

Mar.  19 

Nov.  26 

Oct.  29 

Jan.  8 

...Oct.  1 

1927 

'47.20% 

56.10% 

48.00% 
65.00% 
'61.54% 


...Sept.  24 

...Apr.  9 

...June  25 


53.58% 


Nov.  26 


..J-eb.  5 


Nov.  12 


Dec.  3 


....Feb.  12 
....July  16 

May  14 
....Dec.  10 
....Apr.  9 
....Aug.  20 
—JaiL  22 
....Sept.  10 
....July  23 
....Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 
...May  14 
...Apr.  23 
....Sept.  17 
....Sept.  3 
...July  2 
....May  28 

Apr.  16 
...Jan.  1 
...Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 
....Aug.  6 
....Apr.  16 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.86% 

45.80% 

1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Ticker 


6484     Rich   But   Honest    (CD).  Beebe May  22 

6870     Secret  Studio.   The   (CD),   Borden -...June  19 

10726  Seventh   Heaven,   The   (R),  Farrell-Gaynor Oct.  30 

5467     'Shame  (M),  John  Gilbert Nov.  27 

Silk   Legs   (CD).  Madge  BeUamy -Dec.  18 

Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix _ -Oct.  2 

Singed    (D),   Baxter-Sweet _ Aug.  21 

Slaves  of   Beauty   (D),  Herbert-Tell June  5 

Stage   Madness   (D),  Valli _ Jan.  9 

St.    Elmo   (M),  John  Gilbert _ -Oct.  9 


5446 
5009 
5792 
5412 
5620 
4943 
4675 
4299 
6293 
5510 
5620 
4953 


Dec.  31 
Dec.  17 


Tumbling  River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn. Aug.  21 

Truxton    King.  Gilbert - -Oct.  30 

Two  Girls  Wanted   (CD),  Janet  Gaynor.- -Sept.  11 

Upstream   (D),  Foxe Jan.  30 

Very   Confidential    (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Nov.  6 

War   Horse   (W),   Jones : - Feb.  6 

11109  What    Price    Glory    (CD),   MoLaglen-Lowe -..Aug.  28 

5783     Whispering  Sage  (W).  Jones -..Mar.  20 

6629     Wizard,  The   (MyD),   Lowe-Hyams Dec.  11 

5531     Wolf  Fangs   (D),   Thunder   (Dog) Nov.  27 

1928 

4612  Branded  Sombrero,  The  (W),  Buck  Jones Jan.  8 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

4987  Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mix Jan.  15 

5708  Don't  Marry,   Moran-Hamilton..._ -.June  3 

6566  Dressed  to    Kill.   Lowe-Astor Mar.  18 

5109  Escape,  The  (D).  RusseU-ValU Apr.  29 

3038  Gateway  of  the  Moon,  The   (D),  Del  Rio Jan.  1 

5882  Girl  in   Every  Port,  A   (CD),  Victor  McLaglen....Jan.  29 

6430  Hangman's   House,   McLaglen-CoUyer. May  13 

4618  Hello  Cheyenne,  Tom  Mix May  13 

6188  Honor  Bound,  O'Brien-Taylor -...May  13 

4399  Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W),  Tom  Mix. Mar.  11 

5782  Love    Hungry  (CD).  Moran-Gray _ Apr.  15 

6679  News    Parade,   Stuart-PhllUps 

5071  No  Other  Woman   (D),  Dolores  Del  Rio...- June  10 

Painted   Post   (W),  Tom  Mix.- 

5260  Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy Apr.  22 

Road    House   (MD),   Barrymore-Burke _... 

Sharp  Shooters    (CD),  O'Brien-Moran Jan.  15 


..June  4 
..June  26 
..May  28 
-Nov.  26 

Oct.  29 
..July  18 
..June  11 
..Jan.  29 

...Aug.  27 


71.33% 


Jan.  14 


..Feb.  12 

..Nov.  12 
..Feb.  19 

..Apr.  9 
Dec.  3 


71.00% 
50.61% 


1928 


Jan.  21 
.June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 

..May  26 
June  23 

-JulyT 


June  30 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


..May  26 
May  19 
Feb.  4 
June  23 


5380 
5629 
5355 


5937 
5030 
4921 
5480 


Soft   Living    (CD),   Bellamy-Brown Feb.  5 

Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan Mar.  4 

Street  Angel,  Gaynor.... _ 

Sunrise    (D),   George   O'Brien - _ .'.- 

Thief   In  the  Dark,   A,  Meeker-Hlll-Beebe. May  20 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong,  Phlpps-McNamara...- Mar.  25 

Wild    West    Romance    (W),  Rex   King - June  10 

Woman  Wise  (C),  Russell-CoUyer Jan.  8 


..Aug.  4 
Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


Feb.  18 


5800 
5744 
6374 

8030 
6172 
6344 

7100 
7433 


7541 
6957 

7694 
6592 
6608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5485 
8188 

5827 
6212 
6874 

5087 

7187 

1927 

4665 
4777 
4556 
5425 
6078 
6333 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8154 
5524 
4545 
5617 
5515 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
5599 
5507 
8538 
5415 
5440 
5500 
7734 
7677 
5327 
6898 
5876 
5893 


Barker,  The   (D),  SUls,  MackaUL 

Big    Noise.   The    (CD),   Conklin-White Mar. 

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sills-KenyotL -Feb. 

Butter  and    Egg    Man,   The,   Jack  Mulhall 

Canyon    of   Adventure    (W).   Maynard _ Apr.  29 

Chaser.  The  (C).  Langdon Feb.  12 

Chinatown    Charlie   (C),   Hines-Lorraine - Apr.  15 

Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W).  Ken  Maynard 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Johnny  Burke-SaUy  Ellers     

Flying   Romees   (C),   Murray-Sidney Feb.  26 

French    Dressing   (CD).   Warner-Wilson Jan.  15 

Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D),  Corlnne  Griffith. _ -.._ 

Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleen-Moore-Lowe June  30 

Hawk's  Nest,  The   (M),  Slllton  Sills -May  6 

Heart  to   Heart,   Lloyd  Hughes-Todd 

Heart  Trouble   (CD),  Harry  Langdon...- _ 

Harold  Teen    (CD),  Lake-Brian Apr.  29 

Heart  of  a  Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 
Sherman  . _ _ _Mar.  18 

Helen   of   Troy    (CD),    Stone-Corda-Ccrtez. Jan.  8 

Ladies   Night   (CD),  MackaUl-MulhalL Apr.  1 


..-.July  14 

25      

26       Mar.  10 


Apr.  7 

.  July  28 


Feb.  11 

Feb.  18 

.June  23 

July? 

Apr.  7 

Deo.  10 

May  26 

May  26 

JulyT 

.July21 

Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 

Dec.  24 

Dec.  17 

..-Aug.  4 


June  15 
Aug.  4 


Lady   Be   Good    (CD),  Mulhall-Mackaill May 

Lilac   Time    (D),    Moore-Cooper Apr. 

Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Come    (D),    Bar- 

theimess-O'Day     - Apr. 

Mad    Hour    (D),   O'Neil-Kent-Sherman Mar. 

Noose,   The   (D).  Barthelmess-Joyce. Jan. 

Sailors'   Wives    (CD),  Hughes-Astor Jan. 

Shepherd  of  the   Hills   (D),  Francls-O'Day -Jan. 

Strange    Case    of    Captain     Ramper,    The    (D), 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),  Hughes-Astor May 

Wagon   Show,    The    (W),   Maynard Mar. 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip,    The    (D),   Forbes-MackaiU 

Whip  Woman,  The   (D),  Taylor-Moreno Feb. 

Wright  Idea,  The  (CD),  Johnny  Hlnes 

Yellow  Lily,  The  (D),  Dove-Brooks „ May 


June  2 

Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Deo.  10 
Dec.  24 
Dec  8 

..July  21 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

...June  2 

..July  14 
Feb.  11 

-July  7 
Apr.  28 


May  12 


63.25% 
78.23% 


July21 


Fox 


_Nov.  20 
—Sept.  25 
—Nov.  13 
—Mar.  13 
_Aug.  28 
—Aug.  14 


Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  Mix..- 

Blackjack  (W),  Buck  Jones 

Blood  Will  Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones 

Broncho  Twister  (W),  Mir 

*Cameo    Kirby   (D),   John  Gilbert 

Chain   Lightning   (W),  Buck  Jones 

Circus  Ace,  The.  Mix June  26 

Come  to  My  House   (CD),  Olive  Borden Dec.  25 

Cradle    Snatchers    (FC),   Fazenda June  5 

East  Side,   West  Side    (D),   O'Brien-Valll Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,   The    (C),   Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W),    Jones June  12 

Heart  of  Salome   (My),  Rubens May  8 

High  School  Hero  (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril   (W),  Jones May  1 

•Honor  First  (D),  John  Gilbert. Sept.  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl,    The    (CD),   OUve  Borden Sept.  18 

Ladies   Must   Dress  (CD),  Virginia  Valll Nov.  20 

Love   Makes  'Em   Wild    (D),  Harron „ -Mar.  6 

Loves   of  Carmen    (D).  McLaglen-Del  Rio Sept.  4 

Madam  Wants  No  Children,  Cordla - Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valll Feb.  20 

Monkey  Talks    (D),  Lemer Feb.  20 

Musio  Master  (D),  A.  B.  Francis Jan.  23 

One    Increasing   Purpose    (D),  Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of  Red   River   (W),  Mix 

Paid  to   Love    (D),   O'Brien-Valli Aug.  14 

Pajamas    (CD),    Borden-Gray Oct.  23 


-Nov.  12 
-Apr.  2 


1927 


63.00? 


— June  18 


Jan.  7 
Jan.  7 


..June  4 
Oct.  22 


Tune  11 

May  9 

Oct.  29 

May  14 


40.70% 


— May  21 

Sept.  24 

Nov.  19       Dec.  17 


..Oct.  8 
...Apr.  16 
..Jeb.  26 
...Mar.  5 
-.Jan.  22 
...Jan.  15 
...Apr.  23 
...Aug.  6 
-.Dec.  10 


48.60% 
61.58% 


Publicity  Madness  (CD),  Moran-Lowe.. 


-Oct.  2 


1927 

6987 
5800 
6000 
6200 
5950 
6500 
6700 
6750 

1928 

5268     Bare 


Gotham 


Blondes  by  Choice   (C),  Claire  Windsor Oct.  1 

Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  Graves-Olmstead. —Nov.  16 

Final   Extra  (M).  De  la  Motte 

'Frisco  Nights   (D),  Percy  Marmont —..Dec.  1 

Girl  from    Rio,   The   (D),  Carmel  Myers Sept.  1 

Heroes  of  the  Night  (M),  Landis-Nixon. 

Rose  of   Klldare,   The   (D),  Helene  Chadwick. Aug.  15 

Satin  Woman,  The  (D),  Mrs.   Wallace  Beld. Aug.  1 


May  19 
Jan.  28 
Dec.  31 


-July  T 

..July21 
June  2 


1927 


Deo.  10 
Nov.  26 


Sept.  24 
..Feb.  6 


Nov.  19 
Nov.  19 


Aug.  13 


1928 


6000 


5900 

1927 


Knees    (D),    Corblne - Feb.  1 

Branded    Man.   The    (D),   Delaney-Marlowe -May 

Chorus    Kid,  The    (D),  All   Star Apr.  1 

Danger    Patrol,    The    (D),   All   Star Apr. 

Devil's  Tower,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt. May 

Hell  Ship  Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid-Beery June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landls-Murphy May 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

Trail   Riders   (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt _ Apr. 

Trailin'   Back   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Mar. 

Turn   Back  the   Hours   (M),  Myma  Loy. Mar.  1 


Feb.  11 


Krelbar  Productions 


1927 


6199     Broadway    After    Midnight,   Betz Oct.  29 

1927 


6667 
4709 
0312 
8730 
6439 


5821 
6050 
6125 
7395 
6408 
4658 
6909 
8156 


5687 
6110 
5291 
6280 
5957 
7603 
7627 
6337 
6581 
6640 
6309 
7805 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Cody-Pringla Aug.  27 


Adam  and  Evil  (CD) 

Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  McCoy Jan.  14 

After   Midnight   (D),  Shearer-Gray Aug.  20 

Annie   Laurie   (D),    Lillian  Gish _ —Sept.  17 

Becky    (CD).   Sally  O'Neil _ Nov.  12 

12000  Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  Novarro —.Oct.  8 

12550  Big    Parade.    The    (M),    Gilbert-Adoree. Sept.  10 

5902     Body  and  Soul  (D),  L.  Barrymore Oct.  1 

Bugle  Call,  The  (D),  Jackie  Coogan ; Aug.  6 

Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan - Dec  24 

Callahans  and   Murphys  (CD),  DressIer-Moran..„Jime  18 

Captain  Salvation    (M),  Hanson _ May  14 

Fair  Co-ed,   The    (CD),   Marion  Davies Oct.  15 

Foreign   Devils  (W),  Tim  McCoy _ Sept.  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Neil Apr.  2 

Garden   of  Allah,  The    (D),   Terry-Petrovitch. Nov.  5 

In  Old   Kentucky   (D),  H.  CosteUo Oct.  29 

Little    Journey    (CD),   All    Star Jan.  1 

London   After  Midnight   (D),  Lon  Chaney Dec.  3 

Lovelorn,    The,    Sally   O'Neil Dec.  17 

Lovers  (D).  Novarro-Terry _ Apr.  9 

Man,   Woman  and  Sin   (D).  John  Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney.- Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu   (M),  Lon  Chaney - Mar.  26 

Quality  Street,  Davies-Nagel —  Dec  31 

Red  Mill   (C),  Davies — Jan.  29 

Road  to  Romance,  The  (D),  Novarro-Day -...Sept.  24 

Rookies    (C),  Dane- Arthur Apr.  30 

Show,  The   (M),  Gilbert-Adoree. _.-Jan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,   Slide    (CD),   Haines-O'NeiL Mar.  12 

Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw. Dec  10 

Spring   Fever   (C),  William  Haines —.Oct.  22 

Tea  for  Three    (C),   Cody-Prlngle —.Dec  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (D),  Lionel  Barrymore Nov.  26 

Tillie  the  Toiler   (C),   Davies —May  21 

Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  Gilbert July  9 

Understanding    Heart    (D),  Crawford. Feb.  26 

Unknown,    The    (M),    Chaney June  4 


...Aug.  13 

Jan.  14 

-..Aug.  27 

...May  21 

Nov.  26 

...Nov.  12  " 

Nov.  26 

Nov.  19      . 

Dec  31       — 

-...July  16 

July  2 

Nov.  10        Oct.  29 


6705 
6273 
5252 
6160 
7899 
6657 
5517 

1928 

6908  Actress,    The,    Norma    Shearer- Forbes Apr.  28 

6805  Across  to  Singapore    (MD),   Novarro-Crawford—.Apr.  7 

5010  Baby    Mine.   Arthur-Dane _ Jan.  21 

6838  Big    City,    The,    Chaney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

6344  Bringing  Up  Father,  Farre*'  '"oran-Olmstead. Mar.  17 


Apr.  23 

Nov.  19  Sept.  10 
Nov.  26       Dec  3 

Jan.  15 

Dec  17       Dec.  17 

Dec.  31       

May  2 

Dec.  3         Dec.  17 

Sept.  10 

-...June  4 

Jan.  7  

Feb.  19 

Nov.  19       

May  9 

Mar.  19 

Apr.  2 

Dec  24 

Nov.  12  Dec.  10 
Dec  24  Nov.  12 
Dec  3  Dec.  3 

June  11 

...- - July  30 

. May  14 

. - June  13 


1927 

62.00% 

50.31% 
45.63% 

95.25% 
80.20% 

61.57% 
53.00% 

48.09% 
68.70% 
5L50% 
60.00% 


50.90% 
43.46% 
65.60% 

39.20% 
39.50% 


-May  26 


66.83% 
"'64.9]% 
~68.39% 
~67.31% 

43.61% 

~68.r6% 
65.16% 
56.93% 
68  76% 

1928 


Apr.  28 

Jan.  28  Feb.  11 

Feb.  25  Apr.  7 

Mar.  31  


92 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


I 

! 


54S2 
5661 

854S 
5482 
6057 
7300 
8340 

4987 
7743 
7045 
6402 

6760 
6395 
7365 
7289 
5014 
7745 
6476 
9566 
5901 
8134 


5011 
4433 


Certain  Young  Man,  A,  Novarro-Day. May 

Circus  Rookies  (CD),  Dane-Arthur. Mar. 

Cossacks,  The,  Adoree-Gilbert-Torrence — May 

Crowd,  The,  Boardman-Murray-Boaoli Mar. 

Detectives,   Dane-Arthur  - _...June 

Diamond    Handcuffs,    Boardman-Nagel May 

Divine  Woman,   Garbo-Hanson-Sherman Jan. 

Enemy,   The,   Gish-Dane-Forbes _ _ Feb. 

Excess  Baggage   (0),  WiUiam  Hainea. 


June  2        June  23 


Mar.  10 
June  9 


Forbidden   Hours   (D).  Novarro-Adoree June 

Latest  from  Paris,  The,   Shearer-Forbes Feb. 

Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murphy-Hisle Apr. 

Mademoiselle  from   Armentleres,   Bstelle  Brody- 

John  Stuart  June 

Skirts,   Syd  Chaplin. ~ - — 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford Jan. 

Love,  Garbo-Gilbert - Jan. 

Patsy,  The,  Davies-Caldwell-Gray Mar. 

Riders  of  the  Dark Apr. 

Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray. Feb. 

Smart   Set,   Haines-Day-Holt-Bosworth Feb. 

Student  Prince,   The   (R),  Novarro-Shearer. — Jan. 

Under  the  Black  Eagle,  Forbes-Dog  Flash Mar. 

West  Point    (CD),  Haines-Crawford. _ Jan. 

White  Shadows  of  the  South  Sea  (MD),  Monte 

Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Pringle. -...Jan.  28        Feb.  11 

Wyoming,   McCoy-Sebastian  Mar.  24      Apr.  14 


14        Jan.  21 
18       Mar.  10 

June  23 

16       Mar.  17 
4  Feb.  18 

14       Apr.  21 

2        May  26 

June  2 

21  Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  5 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


-July  7 

Apr.  28 

_.._... 

Jtme  2 

Jan.  21 
May  5 

July  28 

Mar.  10 
May  12 

Jan-  14 





Apr.  14 

Feb.  18 

Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 

Jan.  21 


1927 

6199 
6951 


Paramount 


1927 


5 


? 

* 


5597 
5878 
7175 
6040 
6536 
6662 
5408 
T447 
6287 
6296 
5399 
6376 
6017 
6889 
6415 
7091 
6862 
6452 
8656 
7656 
6439 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
6258 
6877 
5798 
4551 
6599 
6187 
6680 
6306 
6247 
69S2 
9443 
5614 
6368 
6634 
B209 
6170 
5515 
6015 
6179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4925 
6319 
7643 
8486 
6869 
6935 
5866 


Afraid  to  Love  (C),  Vidor Apr.  9 

Barbed   Wire    (D),   Negri-Brook — Sept.  10 

Beau  Geste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery — Aug.  1 

Blind  Alleys  (M),  Meighan. Mar.  12 

Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C).  Menjou. Jan.  24 

Cabaret  (CD),  Gilda  Gray Mar.  26 

Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.  Beery- Mar.  5 

Chang   (D),  Special  cast - _ Sept.  3 

Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow A.pr.  2 

City   Gone  Wild   (M).  Meighan-MUlner Nov.  12 

•Covered   Wagon,  The  (M),  Kerrigan-Wilson Aug.  6 

Evening  Clothes   (C),  Menjou— Mar.  19 

Fashions  for  Women   (CD),  Ralston Mar.  26 

Fireman  Save  My  Child   (C),  Beery-Hatton. Aug.  1 

Gay  Defender,  The  (CD),  Richard  Dli Dec.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-0'Hara...-Oct.  15 

Get  Your   Man    (CD),  Clara  Bow Dec.  10 

Honeymoon   Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vidor Dec.  3 

Hotel  Imperial   (D),  Negri Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),   Bow-Brook. Aug.  27 

It   (C),   Clara  Bow Feb.  19 

Jesse   James    (D),   Fred  Thomson Oct.  22 

•Kid   Brother   (C),  Lloyd. Oct.  4 

Kiss  in   a  Taxi    (C),  Daniels Feb.  26 

Knockout    Reilly    (CD),   Dix. _ Apr.  16 

Last  Waltz,  The  (D),  Special  cast Not.  26 

Let    It  Rain    (C),  MacLean. _ Jan.  3 

Love's   Greatest   Mistake   (CD),  Brent _.._ Feb.  12 

Man    Power   (D),   Dix _ - July  9 

Metropolis    (D),    Special   cast Aug.  13 

Mme.   Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Gish.- Aug.  13 

Nevada  (W),  Cooper-Todd_ _ Sept.  10 

New    York    (M),    Cortez- Wilson Feb.  5 

Now  We're  in  the  Air  (C),   Beery-Hatton Oct  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vidor-Shotwell...Sept.  24 

Open    Range   (W),  Lane-Chandler Nov.  5 

Paradise  for  Two   (C),  Dlx-Bronson. Jan.  17 

Potters   (CD),  W.   C.  Fields Jan.  31 

Ritzy   (CD),  Eronson _..- Apr.  9 

Rolled  Stockings   (CD),  Hall-Brook. Juno  18 

Rough   House    Rosie   (C),  Bow _ May  14 

Rough   Riders,  The  (D),  Astor-FarreU Oct.  1 

Rubber  Heels  (FC),  Ed.   Wynn. _ -..June  11 

Running   Wild    (C),   Fields-Brian. Aug.  20 

Senorita   (F),   Daniels Aug.  30 

Serenade    (D),    Menjou-Wray _ - Dee.  24 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carrer. - Aug.  6 

Shanghai    Bound    (D),   Dli-Brian...- Oct.  16 

She's  a  Sheik   (C),   Hebe  Daniels...- - Nov.  12 

Shootin'   Irons  (W),  Luden-Blane -.  Oct.  8 

Soft   Cushions    (C),   MacLean-Carol Aug.  27 

Special   Delivery   (C),  Eddie  Cantor Apr.  16 

Spotlight,   The   (CD),   Ealston-Hamilton. - Not.  19 

Stark  Love   (D),   Special  cast Sept.  17 

Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),   Daniels-HaU...- Sept.  17 

Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklin-Bancroft Sept.  24 

Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  Ralston. July  2 

Time  to  Love   (FC),  Raymond  Griffith. June  18 

Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fields-Conklin. -.Deo.  17 

Underworld  (M),  Bancroft-Brent Oct.  29 

Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (D),  Jannlngs-Beimett...Oct.  1 

Wedding  Bills   (F),  Raymond  Griffith May  7 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meighan-Mlllner...- Sept.  3 

Whirlwind  of  Youth   (D),   Lois  Moran -Apr.  30 

Wings    (M).   Charles   Rogers.- Oct.  29 

Woman  on   Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri..— 


Jan.  7 
Dec.  31 


Nov.  26 


..Apr.  23 
-Aug.  3 

-Mar.  5 
-Jan.  15 
-May  9 
-Apr.  16 
-May  2 
-May  2 
-Dec.  10 

-Apr.  9 
-Apr.  9 
-Dec.  10 
-Not.  12 
-Oct.  8 

Dec.  17 
-Jan.  8 
-Sept.  10 
-Feb.  12 
-Oct  22 
-Jan.  29 
-Apr.  2 
-Apr.  23 
-Nov.  19 
-Mar.  12 
-Feb.  26 
-Aug.  6 
-Mar.  12 

Aug.  6 

-Feb.  6 
-Dec  17 
-Sept.  24 


57.21% 
62.04% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

60.30% 
51.86% 
68.00% 


49.60% 
62.63% 

67.83% 

65.85% 
66.77% 

65.91% 
38.61% 
65.61% 

55.59% 

61.18% 


71.00% 
70.25% 


-Jan.  29 
-Jan.  22 
-June  25 
-July  30 
-June  4 
-Mar.  19 
-July  16 
-June  18 
-May  14 


48.36% 


Dec.  31 
Jan.  21 


-Sept.  3 
Not.  12 
Not.  26 


54.72% 
47.60% 
57.64% 


Jan.  7 


-Aug.  27 
-May  9 
-Dec.  3 
-Mar.  19 
-Sept  17 
Oct.  22 
-July  23 
-July  9 

-Sept.  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


6960 

1928 

5897    Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA. - Mar.  31 

6536     Beau  Sabreur   (M).   Cooper-Brent _ —Jan.  7 

Beggars   of    Life    (MD),   Wallace  Beery-Brooks- 

Arlen   


-June  11 

-Aug.  20 

Oct.  1 


44.08% 


66.27% 


52.83% 
59.78% 

57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


6930 
6665 
7866 
6364 
6839 

6402 
6852 

6871 
6263 

6038 

6792 
1234 


Big    Killing    (CD),   Beery-Hatton. May  19 

Doomsday,    Vldor-Cooper    _ Feb.  18 

Drag  Net,   The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-PoweU 

Easy   Come,    Easy    Go,   Richard  Dix. Apr.  21 

Feel   My  Pulse.  Daniels-Arlen „ _ Feb.  25 

First   Kiss,  The  (D),  Wray-Cooper _ 

Fifty-Fifty   Girl.   The,   Daniels-Hall May  12 

Fools  for  Luck    (CD).  Flelds-Conklin. May  7 

Forgotten   Faces   (MD),  Brook,  Brian. „ _ _... 

Gentlemen    Prefer    Blondes    (C),   Taylor- White—.Jan.  28 

Half  a   Bride    (D),  Ralston-Cooper June  16 

Hot   News.    Hebe   Daniels 

His  Tiger   Lady.  Menjou-Brent June  9 

Kit   Carson    (MD),   Fred  Thomson 

Ladies  of  the   Mob,  Clara  Bow _ June  30 

Last  Command,   The   (D),  Emll  Jannlngs Jan.  21 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  7 


-July  7 


Jan.  21 

-May  26 

May  19 

Feb.  25 

..Aug.  4 

Mar.  31 

Apr.  7 

..Aug.  4 

Dec.  10 


Mar.  10 


Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Aug.  4 
Feb.  18 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Ticker 


7415 
6837 

5741 
7910 
6600 
5582 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7060 
6733 
5991 
5834 


6509 
5435 


Legion  of  the  Condemned,  Wray-Cooper.. 
Love  and   Learn,  Ralston-Chandler 


. — Mar.  10 
— Jan.  14 

Loves  of  an   Actress   (D),   Pola  Negri 

Night   of    Mystery    (D),    Menjou. -..Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17 

Partners  in  Crime   (C),  Beery-Hatton...- Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny -Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson. - Jan.  21 

Racket.   The   (D),  Thomas  Meighan June  30 

Red   Hair    (CD),  Bow-Chandler...._ Mar.  10 

Sawdust   Paradise,   The,  Esther  Ralston. -...Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D),  Negri-Hersholt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,   Bancroft Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Haniilton....Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold   Lloyd Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods,   Dix-Olmstead Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D),  Jannings-Wray - May  26 

Sunset   Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),   Negri-Baxter Apr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured   Romance,   Fields-Conklin. Feb.  18 

Under   the   Tonto    Rim,   Arlen-Brian - - Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  Jack  Holt -...June  23 

Varsity   ( D ) ,  Rogers-Brian - - 

Water   Hole,   The   (W),   Jack  Holt - 

Warming    Up,    Richard   Dix. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers   (C),  Beery-HattoiL Jan.  7 

Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D),  Negri-Kerry - __ 


Jan.  21 
..June  23 


-Apr.  21 
Feb.  26 


Feb.  18 
Feb.  25 
Jan.  7 
Dec.  10 


Feb.  18 


Mar.  3 
June  9 


Feb.  18 

Feb.  18 

Mar.  3 



Apr.  28 

Apr.  21 

Feb.  18 

Feb.  18 

Apr.  28 

May  26 

Apr.  7 

■Miy  5 

Feb.  25 

-June  9 
Mar.  31 

-June  23 
May  26 
Jan.  28 


July  7 
Feb.  4 


1927 

5596 

6553 

4335 

5326 

4875 

4512 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

8586 

6599 

8002 

6403 

6568 

6859 

3303 

5867 

4968 

7913 

4750 

5990 

6035 

4620 

6788 

4890 

4076 

4864 

5324 

13300 

4131 

4752 

6472 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4575 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

5880 

4562 

4546 

4338 

5397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

6610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 
5753 
4803 
5927 
6589 
4833 
5408 
4530 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6630 
5888 
4600 
5659 
5054 
5494 
6626 

6902 
7040 
5423 


Pathe 


Almost   Human    (CD),   Reynolds Dec  26 

Angel  of   Broadway,   The   (D),  Leatrice  Joy Oct  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5 

Border  Blackbirds   (WD),  Maloney - - Aug.  28 

Born   to    Battle    (W),   BiU  Cody Sept  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19 

Combat   (D),   Walsh Oct  23 

Country   Doctor,  The    (D),  Schildkraut -..- Aug.  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The   (W).  Wally  Wales. Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,   The   (W),  Leo  Maloney Dec  11 

Discord   (D).   Dagover-Ekman „ —.Nov,  20 

Dress   Parade  (D),   Boyd. Not.  11 

Fighting   Eagle,  The  (M),  La  Bocaue-Haver Aug.  29 

Flying   Luck   (C),  Monty  Banks Dee.  4 

Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  GoudaL Not.  7 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prevost _ 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   PoUard Dec.  11 

Girl  in  the  Pullman,  The  (C).  Prevost Oct  31 

Gold  from   Weepah    (W),  BiU  Cody Not.  20 

Golden    Clown,   The   (D),   Gosta-Ekman. _ Dec.  18 

♦Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd...- Deo.  11 

Harp  in   Hock,  A   (0),  Schildkraut-Coghlan. Oct  10 

Heart  Thief   (D),   Schlldkraut-De  Puttl -..- 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison Aug.  7 

His   Dog   (D),  Schildkraut -...July  21 

His   Foreign   Wife   (D),  MacDonald-Murphy Not.  27 

Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan Not.  13 

Interferin'   Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  BlU,  Jr. Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Paire 

King  of  Kings   (D),  All  Star 

Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W),  Jack  Padjan. Dec.  25 

Little   Firebrand   (C),  Thornton _ July  3 

Main   Event,  The   (D),   Reynolds -..- Nov.  21 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fair. Dec.  19 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost - 

Nobody's  Widow   (FC),  Joy-Hay-Haver.. 


..Aug.  4 
-July  21 
May  26 


Dec.  24 

Nov.  19 


1927 


Nov.  6 
-June  4 
-Sept  10 


-June  17 
-Oct  15       


Jan.  14 


72.70% 


Not.  19 


Nov.  5 
..Sept.  17 


Not.  19 


Not.  5 
-Feb.  19 
-Not.  5 

Nov.  5 


60.40% 


Not.  12 


Not.  5 
.-May  21 
.-Sept.  3 
.-July  24 


No   Man's    Law   (W),   Rex _ May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buffalo  BiU,  Jr.-..Oct.  16 

Pals  In   Peril   (W).  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr June  26 

Phantom   Buster,  The   (W),  Roosevelt..- ....Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Travel) _ Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M),  Hutchison. May  22 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary   (C),  Robson .. - 

Ride  'Em  High   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Oct  9 

Roarin'  Broncs,  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr Not.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Love. 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prevost -...Dee.  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W),  Wales - July  31 

Soda- Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  WaUy  Wales Sept.  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hutchison. - - June  12 

Turkish    Delight,   Schildkraut-Paye - Nov.  11 

Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    (M),   Joy _ 

White   Gold   (D),   Qoudal _ 

White  Pebbles   (WD),   WaUy  Wales Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife,  The  (C),  Hayer Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M).  Bradford Oct  31 

Yankee  Clipper   (M),  Boyd. — 


Alice  Through  a   Looking  Glass Feb.  12 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney Feb.  12 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W),  Buffalo  BIU,  Jr Jan.  8 

Blonde  for  a  Night,  Prevost Feb.  27 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Joy — Mar.  12 

Boss  of   Rustlers   Roost,   The,  Don  Coleman. Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Stomper,  The,  Don  Coleman Feb.  25 

Bullet   Mark,   The,   Jadt  Donovan Mar.  25 

Chicago     (M),    Phyllis   Haver Mar.  5 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Jan.  29 

Crashing   Through,   Jack  Padjan.. Feb.  6 

Desperate  Courage    (W),   Wales - Jan.  15 

Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  RocQue. May  15 

Laddie   Be   Good   (W),  BiU  Cody Jan.  1 

Leopard  Lady,  The  (M),  Logan _ _ Jan.  23 

Let  'Er  Go,  Gallagher!  (M),  Junior  Coghlan Jan.  16 

Marlie,    the    Killer,    Klondike 

Midnight  Madness,  Logan.- 

Night  Flyer,  The,  Wm.  Boyd 

On  to  Reno   (D),  Prevost-Landla. 


-May  21 
-Aug.  6 
-Oct  8 


Jan.  7 


.Apr.  9 


.-Aug.  6 
-Oct  1 
—June  11 


Not.  19 


-July  17 
-June  18 
-Apr.  9 
-Aug.  20 
Not.  5 


-May  14 


61.72% 

192S 


May  12 

Mar.  3 
Feb.  18 
May  12 
Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec.  24 
Feb.  4 


Perfect   Gentleman,   A    (C),  Monty  Banks- 
Red   Mark,  The  (D),  Glass,  Quartoar 

Ship   Comes   In,    A,   Rudolph  Schildkraut. 
Skyscraper,   Boyd 


-...Mar.  4 

-..May  26 

—.Feb.  5 

—Jan.  2 

— Jan.  15 


May  19 

M»y  M 

"■ 

Jan.  28 

MajT  17 

' 

• 

Jan  28 

Stand  and   Deliver,  Rod  La  Rocque_ 
Tenth   Avenue,  Haver-Varconl 


-June  4 
-Apr.  9 
-Feb.  20 


(Continued    on    page    101) 


-July  14 
June  16 


May  IS 
-July  14 


-Jane  1 


i^ 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


93 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


1 


i 


The    Recognized    National     C 1  assii  ied    Advertising    Medium 


Help  Wanted 


WANTED — Capable  musical  director  and  master  of 
ceremonies  for  presentation  and  pit  work,  principally 
pit  work.  Must  have  best  of  references  and  own 
library.  Good  proposition  for  right  party.  Address 
295,  Exhibitors  Herald-World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,   III. 


Position  Wanted 


Projectionist  and  radio  technician  familiar  with 
sound  recording  amplification  and  experimental  work 
is  open  for  a  position.  Address  Box  297,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Theatre  Organist,  experienced,  large  library.  B.  M., 
Yale  1912.  Married,  sober,  union.  Good  recom- 
mendations. Address  Box  298,  Exhibitors  Herald- 
World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

OPERATOR — Nine  years"  experience.  Wants  steady 
position.     Address  J.  T.   Kennedy,  Gilbertville,  Mass. 

THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald- World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  HI. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical  College,  61   E.  Van  Buren,  Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,   Pa. 


Engagements  Wanted 


AT  LIBERTY— D.  C.  Nelson  Organize  Dance  Or- 
chestra Versatile  Musicians.  Red  Hot  with  up-to- 
date  Dance  Rhythm.  Will  go  anywhere.  Write  or 
wire  455  East  42nd  Place,  Chicago,  111.,  Phone  Oak- 
land 4669. 


Theatre  Wanted 


EXPERIENCED  EXHIBITOR,  FINANCIALLY 
RESPONSIBLE,  WANTS  TO  BUY  OR  LEASE 
SMALL  TOWN  THEATRE.  GIVE  DETAILS 
FIRST  LETTER.  ADDRESS  BOX  294,  EXHIB- 
ITORS HERALD-WORLD,  407  S.  DEARBORN  ST., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Cameras  for  Rent 


AKELEY-Bell  Howell  (Professional).  Rent  any- 
where. Address  Wood,  124  E.  Market  St.,  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana. 


Theatre  to  Lease 


Theatre  to  lease  or  trade,  1,000  feet,  modern,  fully 
equipped,  with  stage.  Population  18,000.  Great  oppor- 
tunity for  the  right  showman.  Or  will  sell  store,  office 
and  theatre  building  or  trade  far  other  improved 
property.  Address  Box  299,  Exhibitors  Herald- World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE — Theatre  in  county  seat  town  of  800. 
Open  seven  nights  a  week,  seats  four  hundred  and 
fifty.  Address  B.  F.  Schimke,  Philip,  S.  Dak. 


FOR  SALE — Modern  theatre  in  town  of  2,000.  No 
competition.  For  particulars  write  H.  W.  Van  Atta, 
Leroy,  111. 


FOR  SALE— For  $14,000,  CAPITOL  THEATRE, 
Montgomery,  Ala.  House  is  well  equipped  with  Super 
Junior  Reproduco  Organ,  Arctic  Nu-Air  System,  2 
Motiograph  DeLuxe  Machines,  etc.,  and  is  advan- 
tageously located  between  two  good  hotels,  with  new 
10-story  hotel,  to  open  September  1,  just  across  the 
street.  Lease  on  Capitol  is  worth  $18,000  and  thea- 
tre cost  me  $6,000  more  than  I  am  asking  for  it. 
Am  forced  to  sell  on  account  of  ill  health.  Address: 
J.   H.   Wheeler,  Capitol  Theatre,  Montgomery,  Ala. 


Any  Real  Showman  desiring  to  invest  $25,000.00 
for  business  bonded  to  show  40  per  cent  return  for 
capable  attention.  Address  P.  O.  Box  1306,  Atlanta, 
Ga.  Note — No  Competition,  showing  both  Colored- 
White,   Drawing   Population  25,000. 


FOR  SALE — Theatre  in  city  of  fifty  thousand 
Western  New  York.  Requires  little  cash  for  deal.  Ad- 
dress Box  296,  Exhibitors  Herald- World,  407  S.  Dear- 
born   St.,   Chicago,   111. 


Films  for  Sale 


"The  Dungeon"  (7)  ;— "Deceit"  (6)  ;— "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions;— also — "Truth 
About  Women"  (6)  ; — "Temptation"  (7)  ; — "Marriage 
Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  productions.  Come- 
dies, Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc.  Guaranteed 
Pictures  Company,  729  Seventh  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


Managers  Schools 


Learn  Modern  Theatre  Management  at  home,  as  a 
business  or  vocation.  Catalog  H  shows  you  how. 
Moving  Picture  Theatre  Managers  Institute,  Inc., 
Elmira,   N.   Y. 


Equipment  for  Sale 


Quitting  Business,  Selling  Everything  Cheap.  Pow- 
ers 6-B  Projectors  Generator  Set,  Change  Breaker, 
Ticket  Chopper,  Dimmer,  Electric  Power  Plant  and 
one  of  the  best  record  Music  Amplifiers  made.  Come 
look  it  over  or  write  what  you  want.  Address  T.  J. 
Watson,  Freeport,  111. 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 


FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL!  250  each  business  letterheads — en- 
velopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  proc- 
ess printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address   SoUidays,  XH-124,   Knox,  Ind. 


Your  Classified  Ad  Will  Do  the  Work 

Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World  has  helped  hundreds  of  Theatre  owners  in  solving  many  a  problem.  The 
classified  advertising  department  has  placed  organists  all  over  the  country,  has  helped  in  obtaining  equipment,  in  selling 
equipment,  and  in  solving  many  another  problem  that  seemed  difficult.  The  rates  are  but  10c  per  word  payable  with 
order,  10%  discount  if  run  for  3  insertions.  See  this  week's  classified  pages.  Maybe  you  are  in  need  of  something  that  is 
being  advertised  this  week.     The  cost  is  small,  the  results  are  great. 


94 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


I 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — One  Wurlitzer  style  "O"  double  roll 
pipe  organ  slightly  used.  Looks  and  runs  like  new. 
25  rolls  new  music.  $1,100.00.  Address  Bonny  the- 
atre,  Mansfield,   Mo. 


OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  sare  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe  Organs, 
Address  S.  B.  McFadden.  Havana,  111. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 


Projector  Repairing 


BEST    GRADE    repair   work.      Prices   right.      Free 

relief    heads.       Prompt    service.      Address    Guercio    & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
tonable  prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished  20   years. 


SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,  Chicago,  III. 


Equipment  Wanted 


BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15. 
Address   5U1    Rockwood,    Dallas,    lexas. 


Bulldogs. 


8 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


Have    the   Tooth   Pulled 

NEEPAWA,  MAN.,  CANADA.— To  the 
Editor  :  I  have  been  reading  your  magazine 
for  some  time  now  and  am  especially  inter- 
ested in  the  reports  of  "What  the  Picture 
Did  for  Me."  Some  are  very  interesting  and 
to  the  point,  while  others  sound  as  though 
the  writers  had  been  up  late  the  night  before 
or  were  suffering  from  a  sore  tooth.  But  as 
a  whole  they  are  a  benefit  to  the  exhibitor. 

The  film  salesmen  say  they  are  the  bunk 
but  then  if  a  person  believed  all  they  told 
us  we'd   sure  know  a  lot ! 

I'll  tell  you  the  life  of  any  exhibitor  is  not 
all  a  bed  of  roses.  One  has  more  competition 
than  the  proverbial  cranberry  merchant.  If 
it  is  not  a  dance,  it  is  a  carnival,  or  a  baseball 
tournament,  a  hockey  game  or  maybe  a  bene- 
fit affair  for  some  institution  and  in  this 
country  we  have  about  six  months  or  maybe 
more  of  sub-zero  weather  to  contend  with, 
too. 

Had  several  film  salesmen  along  this  week 
trying  to  book  us  up  for  the  rest  of  our 
natural  life  and  a  few  dates  on  beyond.  I 
think  there  should  be  an  open  season  on  these 
birds. 

I'll  give  you  a  report  on  a  few  of  the  pic- 
tures we  have  shown  recently. — Gibbs  & 
Shore,  Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Canada. 

We're  Apologetic 

EASTON,  MD.— To  the  Editor  :  On  page 
33  of  your  publication  of  July  21,  I  note  a 
cut  from  a  photograph  of  Mr.  Roland  V. 
Lee,  director  of  Paramount's  "First  Kiss," 
separating  Leslie  Fenton  from  Lane  Chand- 
ler with  a  "lobster  hook."  Now  is  the  time 
to  announce  that  we  Eastern  shoremen  get 
"all  het  up"  when  you  refer  to  oyster  nippers 
as    a    "lobster    hook." 

You  might  refer  to  them  as  bivalve  snatch- 
ers,  tongs,  paws  or  nippers,  but  never  "lob- 
ster." 

Again,  we  had  the  extreme  pleasure  of 
meeting  the  cast,  and  amiable  and  cultivated 
director  of  "The  First  Kiss"  and  assure  you 
most  emphatically,  that  there  was  nothing 
lobsterish  about  the  organization.  That  any 
of  them  should  get  in  an  argument  about  the 
Chesapeake  oyster  or  luscious  soft  crab  might 
he  within  reason  and  justified,  but  as  to  pry- 
ing them  apart  with  a  "lobster  hook"^ — ^never ! 
Best  regards. — E.  A.  Plummer,  New  theatre, 
Easton,  Md. 


Reformer  '^Mentally  III," 
Say   Editors;   Exhibitors 
In  2  States  Wage  Fight 

(Continued  from  Page  25) 

that  when  the  ten  men  that  called  on  the 
mayor  and  made  the  statement  they  did,  they 
are  turning  non-church  members  and  goers 
against  the  church. 

"Personally,  I  do  not  see  how  Mr.  Mayor 
can  close  one  picture  show  without  closing 
them  all.  And  that  will  never  be  done.  Let 
us  have  good  services  for  those  that  want  to 
go  to  church,  and  let  us  have  good,  clean,  up- 
lifting pictures  for  those  that  want  to  go  to 
see  the  movies  on  Sundays.  For  my  part,  I 
have  'seen'  some  mighty  good  sermons  on  the 
screen,  and  I  have  heard  some  mighty  poor 
ones  from  the  pulpit." 


New  Orleans  Archbishop 
Appears  Over  Movietone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  _7.— The  program 
at  the  Saenger  theatre  beginning  this  week 
is  marked  by  a  voice  that  has  never  been 
heard  in  a  theatre  before,  that  of  Archbishop 
Shaw  of  New  Orleans.  The  consent  of  the 
archbishop  to  be  seen  and  heard  over  the 
Movietone  is  regarded  as;  a  signal  compHment. 


Gotham  Specials  Booked 
By  Eastern  First-Runs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— "Hellship  Bronson" 
and  "United  States  Smith,"  Gotham  specials, 
have  just  been  booked  by  Matty  Radin,  East- 
ern sales  manager,  into  first-runs  including 
the  Mark  Strand,  Syracuse;  Ritz,  Albany; 
Grand,  Pittsburgh ;  Eastman's  Piccadilly, 
Rochester,  and  the  -Fox,  Philadelphia. 


ti 


Street  Angel's"  Four 
Weeks  Set  Roxy  Record 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Fox's  "Street 
Angel,"  now  in  its  fourth  week  at  the  Roxy, 
is  setting  its  own  records,  being  first  to  run 
that  long  at  the  Roxy.  ReceiDts  were  esti- 
mated at  $370,000  for  the  first  three  weeks, 
with  465,000  attendance. 


John  Loder,  English  Star, 
Arrives  for  P  F  L  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW   YORK,   Aug.   7.— John   Loder,   Eng- 
lish star,  arrived  last  week  on  his  way  to  the 
Paramount  studios  in  Hollywood.    Loder  was 
signed  in  Europe  last  June  by  Jesse  L.  Lasky. 


Actor  Is  Found  Dead  in 
Coffin  He  Made  Himself 

Victor  Kassaj,  oldest  actor  in 
Hungary,  made  his  own  bed  and  lay 
in  it — a  coffin,  according  to  news  dis- 
patches from  Budapest.  Kassaj  was 
found  dead  in  the  home-made  casket 
in  which  he  had  slept  for  many  years, 
fearing  death  was  approaching. 


McCawley  Asks  Exhibitors 
To  Aid  Fight  for  Governor; 
Beat  Missouri  Seat  Tax 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug._  7.— Potential  power 
of  the  screen  as  a  political  factor  has  been 
recognized  in  Missouri.  The  following  letter 
signed  by  Irene  Jane  Slate,  has  been  sent 
to  all  Missouri  exhibitors  by  campaign  man- 
agers of  Senator  Alfred  L.  McCawley,  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  governor  of  Missouri : 

"To   the   Movie   Theatre   Owners   of   Missouri: 

"You  v/ill  perhaps  remember  Senator  Alfred  L. 
McCawley,  Democratic  candidate  for  governor,  who 
took  such  a  firm  stand  in  the  senate  of  Missouri 
against  the  passage  of  House  Bill  No.  1,  which  im- 
posed a  tax  of  10  per  cent  on  the  price  of  tickets  to 
motion  picture  houses,  baseball  parks  and  other 
places  of  amusement. 

"Except  for  the  opposition  of  Senator  McCawley  it 
is  generally  believed  that  this  bill,  having  passed 
the  house  at  the  request  of  Governor  Baker  in  his 
official  message,  would  have  passed  the  senate,  also, 
and  would  be  the  law  of  Missouri  today. 

"Senator  McCawley  in  his  campaign  is  stressing 
and  pledging  unalterable  opposition  to  this  form  of 
taxation  and  to  any  increase  in  state  revenue  taxes 
for  any  purpose.  It  appears,  therefore,  that  Senator 
McCawley's  candidacy  is  virtually  a  referendum  on 
that    position. 

"For  years  I  have  been  identified  with  the  movie 
theatre  business.  Moreover,  I  have  carefully  ob- 
served the  policies  proposed  by  candidates  for  state 
office,  and  as  far  as  I  know  there  is  no  other  candi- 
date for  governor  who  has  taken  a  stand  against  the 
nuisance  tax.  Your  support  of  Senator  McCawley 
will  be  in  favor  of  fairness  to  all  tax  payers  and  in 
opposition  to  discrimination  against  our  business  or 
any  other." 


Fire;  New  Equipment  in 
Hurry;  Theatre  Reopens 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

FIREBAUGH,  CAL.,  Aug.  7.— The  Rex 
Theatre  was  recently  partly  destroyed  by  fire, 
with  the  projection  equipment  a  total  loss. 
Frank  Sargosa  at  once  got  into  touch  with 
equipment  dealers  in  San  Francisco  and  soon 
had  the  theatre  in  operation  again. 


Brower  Now  Full  Director 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD.— Selection  of  Otto  Brower 
to  direct  Jack  Holt's  "The  Avalanche"  marks 
his  promotion  to  a  full  directorship. 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


95 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


CopTright,  192S 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports.** 


Columbia 


SWEET  ROSIE  O'GRADY:  Shirley  Mason— One 
of  the  sweetest  pictures  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
showing.  Be  sure  to  have  the  song  sung  with  the 
picture.  Good  Irish-Jew  story. — Adam  Hornung, 
Victor  Opera  House,  Victor,  Mont. — General  patron- 
age. 

ALIAS  THE  LONE  WOLF:  Bert  Lytell— Fair  pic- 
ture. Overestimated  by  producer.  Holds  intei'est  as 
well  as  "The  Lone  Wolf."— E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon 
theatre,    Bellingham,    Wash. — General    patronage. 

THE  WARNING:  Jack  Holt— July  14.  Very  good 
picture.  Holt  a  favorite  etar  here.  Six  reels. — Mrs. 
C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FALSE  ALARM:  Special  cast— Very  good  fire 
picture  of  ordinary  program  kind. — Adam  Hornung, 
Victor  Opera  House,  Victor,  Mont. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  CLOWN:  Special  cast — A  very  good  prograjn 
picture  and  something  different,  with  a  circus  back- 
ground. Six  reels. — Adam  Hornung,  Victor  Opera 
House,  Victor,  Mont. — General  pati'onage. 

FIFTY  THOUSAND  DOLLAR  REWARD:  Ken 
Maynard — July  12.  My  patrons  were  disappointed  in 
this  Ken  Maynard  picture.  Several  told  me  it  was 
not  as  good  as  others  I  had  ehown  from  First 
National.  Five  reels.- — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre. 
Villa  Grove,  111. — General   patronage. 


Excellent 


THE  NEST:  Pauline  Frederick— July  14-15.  Good 
home  life  picture  well  worth  running.  Eight  reels. 
— H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal.— Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  NEST:  Pauline  Frederick— July  22-23.  Rank 
— no  action — poor  plot.  Not  suitable  for  first  run. — 
M.    W.    Mattecheck,    McMinnville,    Ore. — General    pat- 


FB  0 


CONEY  ISLAND:  Lois  Wilson— 64%.  April  16. 
Doesn't  show  very  much  of  Coney  Island,  but  a  good 
picture  just  the  same. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aikeri  Mills  the- 
atre,   Bath,   S.    C. — General   patronage. 

NOT  FOR  PUBLICATION:  Ralph  Ince— 60%. 
April  9.  A  fair  program  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C— 
General  patronage. 

SOUTH  SEA  LOVE:  Patsy  Ruth  Miller— July 
21-22.  This  picture  drew  fairly  well  and  that  is  what 
we  want  but  I  thought  it  was  one  of  the  most  im- 
probable pictures  that  I  ever  saw.  Acting  was  fairly 
good.  Seven  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre, 
Gait,   Cal. — Small   town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  COURAGE:  Ranger— July  13.  Just  a 
little  dog  pictm-e.  Will  do  very  well  to  amuse  the  kids. 
Not  worth  the  price  I  paid  for  it  as  I  didn't  make 
film  rental  on  it.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star 
theatre.    Villa    Grove,    111. — General    patronage. 

THE  CHEROKEE  KID:  Tom  Tyler— June  19-20. 
Good    little    Western.      Nothing    to   holler   about   but 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence Picture  Chart." 


better  than  a  lot  of  them.  Five  reels. — ^H.  W. 
Batchelder,  Gait  theatie,  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town 
patronage. 

RED  RIDERS  OF  CANADA:  Special  cast— July 
19-20.  An  extra  good  Northwest  Mounted  Police 
story  and  picture.  In  fact,  the  story  is  as  good  as 
any  Curwood  I  have  ever  had  and  the  beautiful 
scenery  also  helps  to  make  it  good  entertainment. 
Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

DRIFTING  SANDS:  Bob  Steele— July  10-11.  Very 
good  rough  and  tumble  Western.  The  kids  and  men 
like  them  and  they  are  about  all  I  get  any  way 
this  hot  weather.  Five  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder, 
Gait  theatre,  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town  patronage 


First  National 


THE  UPLAND  RIDER:  Ken  Maynard— 20%.  July 
16-17-18.  This  is  the  best  Maynard  we  have  run  in 
sometime.  Plenty  of  action,  comedy  well  placed  and 
a  cross  country  race  that  makes  the  grand  national 
look  slow.  The  only  complaint  is  too  much  improb- 
able stuff.  Tarzan  does  the  only  real  acting  in' 
this    picture.       Six    reels. — S.     B.     Kennedy,    Central 


theatre,   Selkirk,  Man.,   Canada. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LADIES  NIGHT  IN  A  TURKISH  BATH:  Mulhall- 
Mackaill — 40%.  July  17.  A  fine  farce  comedy. 
Pleased  them  all.  Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  the- 
atie,   Greenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. . 

HER  WILD  OAT:  Colleen  Moore— 73%.  April  19. 
Just  a  little  disappointing  but  maybe  that's  because 
we  expect  so  much  of  Colleen  Moore's  pictures.  You 
couldn't  call  it  rotten  by  the  farthest  stretch  of  the 
imagination,  and  it  should  be  a  good  program  pic- 
ture for  any  exhibitor.  No  special. — H.  B.  Grice, 
Aiken   Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.   C. — General  patronage. 

WHITE  PANTS  WILLIE:  Johnny  Hines— 67%. 
April  12.  A  comedy  that  should  please  all.  It  is 
very  good. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath, 
S.    C- — General   patronage. 

VAMPING  VENUS:  Murray-Fazenda— If  anyone 
could  enlighten  me  why  they  made  this  thing  I 
would  be  pleased.  As  a  rule  we  can  bank  on  getting 
a  good  comedy  from  Charley  Murray  or  Louise 
Fazenda,  but  this  thing  was  simply  the  worst  that 
has  been  stuck  on  me  for  some  time.  The  cast 
are  all  good  actors  and  why  they  let  any  fool  di- 
rector stage  this  thing  is  beyond  me.  It  is  a  shame 
to  take  an  exhibitor's  good  money  for  some  fool's 
idea  of  what  it  takes  to  make  a  comedy.  That 
strong  bozo  had  ought  to  have  hit  the  director  over 
the  head  and  put  him  out  for  good  instead  of  Mur- 
ray which  caused  Murray  to  have  one  of  the  most 
terrible  dreams  that  has  ever  been  recorded  on  the 
screen.  If  Murray's  next  picture  is  not  any  better 
than  this  one,  it  is  good  night,  Murray,  with  me  and 
I  don't  mean  maybe.  About  three-fifths  of  my  crowd 
got  up  and  walked  out  and  such  as  that  makes  a 
man  wish  that  he  had  stayed  at  Alexandria,  Minn., 
until  after  people  had  forgotten  all  about  this  lenaon. 
Miss  Thelma  Todd,  for  the  love  of  ■  Mike,  put  some 
clothes  on  before  you  start  your  next  picture.  Seven 
reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara,  Community  theatre,  Elgin, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

CHINATOWN  CHARLIE:  Johnny  Hines— Good 
program  comedy  drama. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

THE  LOVE  MART:  Billie  Dove— Say  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  run  a  picture  like  this,  you  don't  have 
to  hide  when  our  people  are  coming  out  after  seeing 
this.  I  believe  that  Billie  Dove  is  the  most  beauti- 
ful woman  on  the  screen'  today.  The  clientele  are 
strong  for  her  here.  I  have  never  seen  her  in  one 
of  those  undressed  pictures  and  there  is  always  some 
sense  to  the  story  and  her  acting  is  always  first 
class  and  no  smutty  scenes  and  titles.  Go  ahead, 
Billie,  and  stick  to  good  c'.ean  stories  and  Icpve  the 
smutty  stiiff  to  the  putty-headed  low-minded  type. 
And  you  will  be  the  world's  most  favorite  screen 
star  when  the  other  type  are  scrubbing  the  boards  for 
you  to  walk  on.  Yes,  this  picture  was  good  and 
we  want  more  of  that  class  and  a  whole  lot  less 
of  the  other  kind  of  junk.  If  there  is  anything 
that  makes  a  man  feel  good  it  is  to  run  a  good  clean 
picture  and  see  your  people  come  out  smiling,  you 
are  sure  that  they  have  got  their  money's  worth, 
by  heck.  Nine  reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara,  Community  the- 
atre,  Elgin,   Neb. — Small   to'wn   patronage. 

THE  LOVE  MART:  Billie  Dove— Splendid  pic- 
ture,  but  played   on   our   off   night   so   only   drew  half 


%mismsubstitut2MKukm/ 


96 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


i 


I 


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Ij 

4 


5 


! 


attendance.  We  have  no  transient  ti-ade  so  can  de- 
pend on  not  mox-e  than  half  our  patrons  coming  to 
two  shows  a  week. — DinSmore  &  Son,  Majestic  the- 
atre,   Weiner,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— Good 
Western  for  Saturdays. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL:  Special  cast— Good  comedy 
drama.  Jack  very  pleasing,  also  Alice  Day.  The 
story  is  interesting  from  first  to  last.  You  can't  go 
wrong  on'  this.  Not  big  but  enjoyable. — Philip 
Band,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patron- 
age. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moor^Good.  We 
are  playing  our  First  National  contract  on  Mon- 
day and  Tuesday  nights  and  only  get  half  a  crowd. 
Friday  and  Saturday  are  the  only  real  show  nights 
in  our  town.  If  every  night  could  be  Saturday  night 
the  exhibitors  would  be  in  clover.  Dinsmore  &  Son, 
Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — General  patronage. 


Fox 


I 


THE  PLAY  GIRL:  Madge  Bellamy— 60%.  July 
14.  Good.  Peppy  and  full  of  laughs. — -C.  M.  Staples, 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General  patron- 
age. 

HANGMAN'S  HOUSE:  Victor  McLaglen— 55%. 
July  18.  A  good  picture,  but  not  one  to  attract  a 
crowd.  Splendid  photography  but  story  interest 
seemed  too  much  divided  between  McLaglen  in  a 
minor  part  and  lesser  stars  in  the  principal  parts. 
— G.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci, 
Ariz. — General   patronage. 

BLOOD  WILL  TELL:  Buck  Jones— 50%.  July 
21.  A  good  action  picture.  Satisfied  our  Saturday 
audience. — -Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  GAY  RETREAT:  Cohen-McNaraara— July  24. 
A  splendid  comedy.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star 
theatre.  Villa  Grove,   111. — General  patronage. 

WHY  SAILORS  GO  WRONG:  Cohen-McNamara 
— July  27-28.  Good  in'  spots.  Silly  in  places,  and 
direction  about  like  you  expect  in  a  one  reel  comedy. 
At  that,  om-  people  seemed  to  enjoy  it  from  the 
laughs  we  heard.  Six  reels. — W.  C  Geer.  Princess 
theatre,   Vermont,  111. — General  patronage. 

TUMBLING  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— July  21.  Just  a 
fair  Western,  but  Tom  Mix  always  is  a  good  draw. 
Five  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove, 
111. — General    patronage. 

TUMBLING  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— Excellent,  was 
the  verdict  of  my  patrons.  Pleased  more  than  any 
picture  for  some  time.  Mix  is  popular  here.  Five 
reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. 
■ — Small  town  patronage. 

PUBLICITY  MADNESS:  Edmund  Lowe— A  good, 
light,  breezy  comedy  drama.  Six  reels. — J.  A. 
Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small 
town   patronage. 

PUBLICITY  MADNESS:  Edmund  Lowe— July  6. 
A  good  comedy  drama.  Six  reels. — E.  Pfeiffer,  P'rln- 
cess  theatre,   Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVES  OF  CARMEN:  Dolores  Del  Rio— June 
27-2'8.  Dolores  does  good  acting  and  without  her, 
picture  would  not  be  much.  Very  rough  and  sug- 
gestive and  does  not  appeal  to  over  50  per  cent  of 
the  women.  Nine  reels. — E.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  the- 
atre,   Chilton,   Wis. — Small   town   patron'age. 

SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Special  cast— July  17-18-19. 
Very  good  picture,  if  you  can  get  them.  I  have  no 
luck  with  Fox  pictures.  I  can't  get  them  in.  This 
picture  fell  flat  for  me.  The  same  as  "'What  Price 
Glory."  I  lost  money  on  both.  Print  and  photog- 
raphy okay.  Twelve  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  the- 
atre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

SHARP  SHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien-July  13-14. 
A  very  good  picture  which  has  plenty  of  comedy  and 
good  action.  Contains  some  smutty  scenes  which  is 
common  in  Fox  pictm-es.  A  poor  box  office  bet  for 
me. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SILK  LEGS:  Madge  Bellamy— July  8-9.  A  good 
program  picture  with  plenty  of  legs.  Six  reels. — R. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WOLF  FANGS:  Special  cast^Probably  above  the 
average  picture  of  its  kind.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

UNDER  THE  BLACK  EAGLE:  Flash— 86%.  July 
21.  A  new  kind  of  dog  picture.  Instead  of  the  usual 
cheapness  this  dog  is  assisted  by  a  good  cast,  good 
story  and  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  quality  production. 
The  dog  gained  the  sympathy  of  the  audience,  the 
villain  was  properly  hissed  and  altogether  the  crowd 
seemed  to  enjoy  it. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
theatre,    Morenci,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 


THE  CROWD:  Special  cast— 25%.  July  26-27-28. 
They  call  this  the  big  parade  of  peace.  They  should 
call  it  the  big  parade  of  pimk.  Metro  sure  has  their 
nerve  to  call  this  a  special.  It's  even  poorer  than 
an  average  program  picture.  Slow,  draggy  tale 
of  every  day  life.  Patrons  see  enough  of  this  every 
day  without  getting  it  in  the  disguise  of  entertain- 
ment. Many  walkouts.  Nine  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada.— Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— 70%.  July  12. 
Reminds  us  of  "The  Unholy  Three"  and  while  not 
as  good,  it  is  nevertheless  his  best  to  date  this  year, 
at  least  for  us. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre, 
Morenci,   Ariz. — General   patron'age. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— Good  crook  pic- 
ture. Cast  does  good  work. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  the- 
atre,   Selma,    Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney-July  22-23.  A 
very  good  picture.  Drew  better  second  day  than 
first.  Lon  Chaney  a  favorite  star  here.  Six  reels. 
—Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— 83%.  July  24. 
Good  to  the  end.  Don't  fail  to  book  this  one  if 
you  are  trying  to  please  your  patrons.  We  did  not 
get  held  up  on  rental  which  usually  takes  the  joy 
out  of  most  good  pictures.  Nine  reels. — Ne'wman  & 
Gordy,  Ne-Go  theatre,  Toronto,  Kan. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— 20%.  July  23- 
24-25.  An'  excellent  Haines  but  rather  improbable. 
The  drill  scenes  at  the  Academy  are  impressing  and 
the  humor  is  smart  and  ur)-to-date.  Think  it  is 
rather  time  for  a  character  change  with  Haines,  as 
the  "mean  streak"  characterizations  are  doing  him 
no  good.  Nine  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  the- 
atre,  Selkirk,  Man'.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— The  bird  that 
says  this  is  not  a  good  picture  is  all  wet.  It  is  a 
mighty  fine,  splendidly  directed,  well  acted,  well 
staged  production  and  Norma  certainly  is  sweet 
enough  to  kiss  and  she  gets  kissed,  plenty !  But, 
it's  a  costume  picture,  and  did  not  draw.  Seven 
reels. — ^P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — General  patronage. 

BABY  MINE:  Dane-Arthur — Here  is  one  where 
we  went  wrong  entirely.  We  advertised  it  this  if : 
"If  you  don't  want  to  be  shocked,  don't  come!"  and 
we  drew  more  than  ordinary  business.  They  came 
to  be  shocked  maybe  one  or  two  prudes  were,  hut 
the  crowd  laughed  their  heads  off  at  the  silly,  ludi- 
crous, and  absurd  situations  constantly  occurring 
throughout  the  farce  comedy  as  the  six  reels  un- 
folded it.  It  is  true,  there  were  a  few  sub-titles  that 
might  have  been  subdued  a  little.  They  were  quite 
broad  we  will  admit,  but  the  point  is  that  this  is  a 
broader  world  than  some  years  back  when  they  really 
put  over  the  speaking  stage  words  that  were  good 
and  rotten.  But  from  the  reports  of  some  of  our 
brother  exhibitors  we  thought  that  we  would  each 
need  a  45  to  protect  ourselves  after  the  show  was 
over,  whereas  the  audience,  many  of  them  were  still 
laughing  out  loud  as  they  walked  down  under  the 
white  lights.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal 
theatre.   Tombstone,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 

WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  FATHER:  Special  cast- 
July  20.  Nothing  to  it  and  bordering  on  the  smut. 
— M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinnville,  Ore. 
— General   patronage. 

THE  SMART  SET:  William  Haines — This  should 
have  been  called  "The  Smart  Alec"  as  it  originally 
was.  Boys,  he's  so  dam  smart  in  this  one  you  want 
to  knock  his  block  off.  It's  sure  a  goofy  picture,  but 
they  seem  to  never  tire  of  Haines  in  this  role — so 
I  hope  they  don't  decide  to  make  a  preacher  or  some- 
thing out  of  him  some  _  time.  Seven  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer- 
July  2'2-23.  A  pretty  good  comedy  drama.  Norma 
is  no  drawing  card  for  me.  This  fell  flat  at  the  box 
office.  Print  and  photography  good.  Seven  reels. — 
P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General 
patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer- 
June  29-30.  Delightful  entertainment.  Excellent  for 
the  whole  family  to  see.  Not  a  suggestive  situation 
or  subtitle  from  beginning  to  end.  Give  us  many 
more  like  it.  Miss  Shearer.  Six  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— 
July  6-7.  Chaney  at  his  best.  A  shivery  mystery 
drama  that  scares  them  to  death  ;  but  they  like  to  be 
scared.  Drew  big  Saturday  crowd.  Six  reels. — ^E. 
M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town 
patronage. 

IN  OLD  KENTUCKY:  Special  cast— July  22-23. 
Pretty  good  race  track  story.  Have  had  better. 
From  some  of  the  superlative  reports  which  have 
appeared   on   this    picture,    it   would    seem    that   some 


of  the  boys  have  been  inhaling  some  of  the  prairie 
mayonnaise  with  which  the  Metro  press  books  have  a 
superabundance.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  FRONTIERSMAN:  Special  cast— A  mighty 
good  Indian  frontier  story  with  Tim  McCoy  doing 
good  stuff.  Claire  Windsor  makes  good  heroine. 
A  good  show. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

TEA  FOR  THREE:  Special  cast— July  17.  A  good 
comedy  drama. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SPRING    FEVER:      William    Haines— July    10.      A 

very  good  picture  which  will  appeal  especially  to 
golf  fans  but  will  also  please  others.  Has  plenty  of 
comedy  and  a  good  love  story. — E.  Pfeiffer,  Prin- 
cess theatre,   Chilton,   Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 


Paramount 


SUNSET  LEGION:  Fred  Thomson— 80%.  July  16. 
The  best  Thomson  for  some  time.  Plenty  of  action 
with  the  old  time  touches  of  comedy.  Seven  reels. — - 
C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. 
— General   patronage. 

THE  SUNSET  LEGION:  Fred  Thomson— July 
25-26.  Fred,  old  boy,  you're  great  in  this.  You 
draw  more  of  the  feminine  gender  than  all  the  other 
Western  stars  put  together.  Seven'  reels. — E.  M. 
Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

TILLIE'S  PUNCTURED  ROMANCE:  Special  cast 
— 37%.  July  10.  Oh  blah!  It  started  nowhere  and 
ended  farther  from  anywhere  and  we  all  slept  peace- 
fully in  the  meantime  except  for  one  snicker. — C.  M. 
Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

TILLIE'S  PUNCTURED  ROMANCE:  Special  cast 
— ^Paramount  evidently  are  not  so  proud  of  this  one 
as  I  notice  they  failed  to  put  their  life  size  trade- 
mark on  the  beginning  and  end  as  they  usually  do. 
Evidently  my  patrons  knew  what  to  expect  and 
stayed  home.  Too  bad  they  fizzled  with  two  good 
stars.  But  they  sure  did  fizzle  and  then  some.  Six 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
— General  patronage. 

HONEYMOON  HATE:  Florence  Vidor— 25%.  July 
24.  A  good  clean  program  picture.  Entertaining 
but  no  drawing  power. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,   Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

A  WOMAN  ON  TRIAL:  Pola  Negri— 34%.  July 
19.  Good  for  those  that  like  her  but  we  don't  care  so 
much  for  her.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem   theatre,    Greenriver,    Utah. — General   patronage. 

BARBED  WIRE:  Pola  Negri— 50%.  July  18.  A 
splendid  picture,  better  than  a  lot  of  the  war  spe- 
cial features.  Star  and  support  fine.  Satisfactory — 
yes. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

BARBED  WIRE:  Pola  Negri— A  very  good  pic- 
ture of  prison  camps  during  the  war,  and  hatreds. 
A  very  good  love  story  'with  Clive  Brooks  and  Pola 
Negri  as  the  lovers.  Clyde  Cook  supplies  the  laughs. 
Seven  reels. — E.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town   patronage. 

TIME  TO  LOVE:  Raymond  Griflith^0%.  July 
21.  A  good  comedy.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

UNDER  THE  TONTO  RIM:  Special  casf^A  big 
improvement  over  the  last  two  Zane  Grey's.  In  fact, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  Jack  Holt  is  missing 
I'd  class  it  as  way  above  the  usual  run  of  Westerns. 
Some  fine  scenery  that  I  don't  remember  of  seeing 
in  pictui-es  before.  Plenty  of  action  and  some  com- 
edy. Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

UNDER  THE  TONTO  RIM:  Special  cast— Some 
pretty    Arizona    scenei-y    and    the    usual    Zane    Grey 


Mo  Losses  \n  the  Box  Office 

Ticket  Registei^ 


Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  SEVENTH  Ave.New  York 

TjCKeTS_^)- Every Purposeo£ Lowest  Market  Prices 

'""""""'""""""" ' ' '"" m«m<j:^^^^  mmmimimmmmmmmum Mil 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


97 


story.     Six  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,   Ciystal  theatre, 
Tombetone,    Ai-iz. — General    patronage. 

FOOLS  FOR  LUCK:  Fields-Conklin — Little  pro- 
gram picture.  Pai'amount  asks  and  gets  too  much 
for  this  pair.  They  have  no  drawing  power  what- 
ever.— J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  STREET  OF  SIN:  Emil  Jannings— July  20-21. 
Very  good,  but  cannot  compare  with  this  star's 
previous  releases.  Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,    Paoli,   Ind. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  LAST  COMMAND:  Emil  Jannings— 'Wrote 
an  opinion  on  this  a  few  days  ago  which  I  don't  be- 
lieve did  the  picture  justice.  After  looking  at  it 
through  six  shows  have  decided  it  is  one  damtfine 
picture,  even  if  it  is  a  foreign  story  and  even  if 
I  did  lose  ten  bucks  by  playing  it.  Eight  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo.^ 
General    patronage. 

SPORTING  GOODS:  Richard  Dix— July  24-25. 
A  good  picture,  but  tent  show  got  all  the  business. 
I  lost  money  on  this.  Print  and  photography  good. 
Six  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold, 
la. — General   patronage. 

THREE  SINNERS:  Pola  Negri — ^Very  good.  Pola 
Negri's  best  in  some  time. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  the- 
atre, Selma,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  PIONEER:  Jack  Holt— Good 
Western  production  for  Saturdays. — J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma  theatre,   Selma,   Cal. — Geneaal  patronage. 

NEVADA:  Gary  Cooper— June  29-30.  A  very 
good  Western  like  all  Zane  Grey's.  GaiT  Cooper  very 
good.  Was  well  liked  by  good  Friday  and  Saturday 
audiences.  Eight  reels. — R.  Pfeifler,  Princess  the- 
atre,  Chilton,   Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 

JESSE  JAMES:  Fred  Thomson— July  20-21.  A 
very  good  action  picture  and  drew  big  business  two 
nights  and  pleased  all  classes. — R.  Pfeifler,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SERVICE  FOR  LADIES:  Adolphe  Menjou— July  3. 
A  good  program  picture.  Our  first  Menjou  was  sure 
a  flivver  at  the  box  office.  Poorest  night  this  year. 
— R.  PfeifEer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

GET  YOUR  MAN:  Clara  Bow-^uly  22-23.  An- 
other good  Bow  picture  to  big  business. — R. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix— July  7.  Good  pic- 
ture.— R.  PfeifEer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
. — Small  town  patronage. 

NOW  WE'RE  IN  THE  AIR:  Beery-Hatton— July 
4-5.  A  good  comedy. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town   patronage. 

EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast— Good  but  a 
little  too  rough  to  please  some  of  the  women  and 
girls.  Personally,  we  considered  it  fine. — Dinsmore 
&  Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— Old  picture, 
but  we  can  say  this  for  Paramount :  They  never 
send  any  bad,  rainy  films.  Picture  pleased  extra 
well,  although  it  does  not  resemble  the  real  story  in 
the  least. — ^Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner, 
Ark. — General   patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


HOLD  'EM  YALE:  Rod  X^Rocque — I  put  on  a 
four  piece  jazz  orchestra  and  just  got  by.  Business 
terrible!  Had  "News"  and  "Oddity"  and  gave  full 
show  but  couldn't  do  anything.  Too  hot,  too  hot, 
too  many  autos  jazzing  out  into  the  cool  byways. 
Can't  blame  'em.  The  play  pleased  the  majority, 
and  the  younger  element  got  quite  a  kick  out  of  it. 
To  me  it  was  hugely  disappointing.  First  reel 
dark.  AH  interiors  dark  at  times.  The  story  is 
there!  The  direction  only  fair.  Seemed  director 
didn't  know  college  stuff.  There  was  no  more  Yale 
background  than  clothes  on  the  statue  of  Mercury. 
The  so-called  Yale  boys  were  not  dressed  like  stu- 
dents nor  young  enough.  At  the  boxing  match  be- 
tween Harvard  and  Yale,  the  audience  was  not  a 
group  of  collegians  but  the  usual  Hollywood  "soups," 
men  and  women — ^not  a  young  face  in  the  crowd. 
Mr.  Director,  better  study  Carl's  "Collegians"  and 
see  how  it  is  done.  The  main  actors  are  good  and 
story  is  good,  but  somehow  the  punch  isn't  there. 
There  is  one  mighty  clever  scene  where  Rod  hides 
behind  girl  and  detective  sees  Rod's  hand  used  in 
place  of  the  girl's  and  what  that  hand  does  is  a 
soream.  This  saved  the  day.  Not  in  it  with  "Brown 
of  Harvard."  You  will  just  get  by  as  a  special 
and  as  a  program  picture  it  is  okay. — Philip  Eand, 
Rex  theatre,   Salmon,   Idaho. — General   patronage. 

THE  LEOPARD  LADY:  Special  cast— Better  than 
the  average  P  D  C  stuff  this  past  year.  There  is 
suspense  and  thrills. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre, 
Bellingham,   Wash. — General   patronage. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


MINDEN,  NEB.,  July  29,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 

Rain,  rain,  rain.  We  are  marooned  here  in  Minden  with  bridges  washed  out  and  the 
ducks  and  mudhens  are  roosting  on  top  of  the  court  house  and  the  bullfrogs  are  climbing 
the  telephone  poles.  Talk  about  arid  countries,  Noah  would  need  to  take  no  soundings  were 
he  sailing  Southwest  Nebraska  today,  and  there  isn't  a  spot  this  side  of  Laramie  Peak  where 
his  anchor  would  take  hold.  The  mud  reminds  us  of  Southeast  Kansas  and  the  weather  of 
Nashwauk,  Minn.,  and  Crockett  Brown  will  understand  what  that  is  like.  This  is  the  first 
time  in  our  experience  when  our  B.  V.  D.'s  in  July  felt  like  burlap  panties  on  Christmas 
morning,  and  if  it  doesn't  snow  before  night  it  will  rain  before  noon. 

Everytime  the  Democrats  get  to  going  right  good  we  have  this  kind  of  weather.  They  are 
strong  believers  in  moisture,  and  we  note  by  the  press  despatches  this  morning  that  Al  Smith 
and  William  Allen  White  of  Kansas  have  locked  horns  and  the  elements  are  weeping  all 
over  the  country.  When  Al  steps  on  the  tail  of  a  Jayhawker's  coat  it  is  bound  to  start  some- 
thing and,  if  Al  had  been  a  student  of  literature  and  had  read  William  Allen's  "What's  the 
Matter  with  Kansas"  he'd  have  been  loath  to  have  taken  the  bat  and  stepped  up  to  the  plate 
when  there  were  two  out  already.  It  looks  now  like  this  presidential  ball  game  is  going  to 
make  the  World's  Series  look  like  a  two  spot  and  the  Tammany  and  407  South  Dearborn 
street  fans  will  be  using  mentholatum  and  wrapping  red  flannels  around  their  throats  before 
the  game  is  over.  Betcha  Jay  and  Eagle  Eye  Joe  won't  be  able  to  speak  above  a  whisper  on 
November  7,  and  Thomas  0.  Service  and  Bill  Weaver  will  say,  "I  told  you  so." 

Rain  and  cloudy  weather  aren't  without  an  occasional  ray  of  sunshine,  and  we  had  that  ray 
of  sunshine  when  we  called  on  A.  D.  Brigner  of  the  Auditorium  theatre  at  Oxford.  To  meet 
"Brig",  as  the  boys  all  call  him,  is  just  like  meeting  one  of  the  boys  who  used  to  go  down 
to  the  "Ole  Swimmin'  Hole"  with  us  back  in  the  Kankakee  river  in  Indiana  in  1849,  or 
thereabouts,  and  Mrs.  Brig's  dinner,  to  which  we  were  cordially  invited,  was  just  like  a 
holiday  dinner  at  the  Ambassador  when  you  had  tipped  every  waiter  in  the  house.  There 
wasn't  a  thing  that  could  be  thought  of  in  the  way  of  good  things  to  eat  that  wasn't  on  that 
table,  not  a  durn  thing,  and  a  Chicago  newsboy  would  have  been  willing  to  jump  off  the 
pier  into  the  lake  on  December  21,  to  have  had  that  slice  of  sponge  cake  and  dish  of  ice 
cream  that  was  served  as  the  final  course.  How  we  succeeded  in  getting  away  from  that 
table  and  wabbling  out  on  the  front  porch  to  smoke  one  of  "Brig's"  perfectos  will  always 
remain  a  mystery. 

Brig  has  a  son,  Harry,  and  Harry  is  about  the  age  of  Eagle  Eye  Joe  only  not  so  old  by  a 
couple  or  three  years,  and  Harry  is  a  fisherman,  and  when  we  described  our  fishing  trip  at 
Alexandria  and  the  fish  Whit  pulled  out,  his  eyes  bulged  out  and  he  told  his  Dad  that  the 
next  time  they  held  that  convention  up  there  he  had  to  go,  and  judging  from  the  smile  on 
Brig's  face  there  will  be  at  least  two  of  the  family  represented  and  it  is  quite  likely  that 
Mama  will  be  in  the  party  also.  If  all  exhibitors  were  like  Brig  and  his  family  we  would 
want  to  live  long  enough  to  even  see  another  Democratic  administration,  and  that  looks 
like  a  long  time,  although  some  accuse  us  of  being  a  Republican,  but  we  can't  see  where 
they  get  it.  We  want  Harry  to  occupy  one  end  of  our  boat  and  Eagle  Eye  Joe  the  other  on 
one  of  Minnesota's  lakes  and  after  that  we  don't  care  what  happens. 

We  often  miss  a  lot  in  this  life  by  passing  up  opportunity.  We  stopped  at  a  filling  station 
yesterday  to  get  gas  and  after  we  had  settled  the  bill  an  overland  excursionist  stepped  up  to 
us  and  said,  "My  friend,  if  you  will  pardon  my  seeming  familiarity,  if  I  mistake  not  my 
earthly  horoscope  indicates  to  me  that  you  are  sojourning  Eastward,  and  if  such  be  the  case, 
it  occurs  to  me  that  two  compatible  natures,  such  as  ours,  could  gather  a  fund  of  knowledge 
by  a  friendly  communion  with  one  another  should  I  occupy  a  seat  at  your  right  in  that 
beautiful  limousine  of  yours."  We  gave  him  the  once  over  and  said,  "Look  here.  Dusty,  are 
you  trying  to  panhandle  us  for  a  ride?"  and  you  should  have  seen  the  pained  expression 
that  came  over  his  face  when  he  replied,  "My  dear  sir,  you  do  me  a  great  injustice.  Pan- 
handle is  hardly  the  proper  word,  for  be  it  known  that  on  various  occasions  I  have  been 
invited  to  ride  with  Royalty,  and  on  some  occasions  have  accepted,  but  only  when  I  felt 
that  my  counsel  and  associations  would  be  appreciated,  such  as  I  am  sure  woidd  be  in  your 
case."  Then  we  said,  "Well,  by  gosh.  Weary,  you  have  won  a  ride,  lay  that  bandanna  bundle 
and  your  walking  stick  in  that  back  seat  and  get  in  there."  We  looked  this  bird  over  and 
thought,  well  here  is  not  only  a  professional  but  a  character,  we  may  learn  something.  After 
we  started  out  we  asked  him  what  profession  he  had  relinquished  in  order  to  carry  the 
encyclopedia  of  knowledge  to  a  thirsting  world,  and  he  replied,  "Your  question,  sir,  is  a 
proper  one,  coming  as  it  does  from  one  whose  voice  has  no  doubt  resounded  throughout  the 
halls  of  congress  and  whose  wisdom  and  counsel  have  been  the  guiding  star  that  has  led 
this  nation  out  of  a  morass  of  ignorance  and  onto  the  plane  of  knowledge  and  wisdom  that 
has  made  this  country  the  envy  of  all  nations  on  earth  and — ."  "Cut  the  bull,  Dusty,  cut 
the  bull,"  we  replied,  "and  go  on  with  your  story."    "Well,"  he  replied,  "to  make  a  long 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


THE  RUSH  HOUR:  Marie  Prevost— July  24.  A 
dandy  comedy  drama. — ^M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  the- 
atre,  McMinnville,    Ore. — General    patronage. 

LET  'ER  GO  GALLAGHER:  Junior  Coughlan — 
Did  a  good  mid-week  business.  There  is  real  en- 
tertainment in  the  picture. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon 
theatre,    Bellingham,    Wash. — General    patronage. 


Tiffany-Stahl 


THE  GIRL  FROM  GAY  PAREE:  Special  cast- 
Absolutely  no  good  for  a  small  town.  High  brow 
stuff,  and  too  much  smut  to  please.  Let  it  alone, 
small  towns !  Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty 
theatre,   Pleasanton,   Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

NIGHT    LIFE:      Special    cast- Not    much    to    this. 


Much  ado  about  nothing  that  small  town  patrons 
don't  care  about  in'  the  least.  These  Tiffany  pic- 
tures are  big  city  stuff,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Jack  London  sea  pictures.  People  want  entertain- 
ment, not  drinking  and  necking  parties.  Seven  reels. 
— J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — 
Small   town    patronage. 

THE  HAUNTED  SHIP :  Special  cast— A  very  good 
sea  picture  by  Jack  London.  It's  rough,  but  it 
pleased.  Five  reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre, 
Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  tov\m  patronage. 

ONCE  AND  FOREVER:  Patsy  Ruth  Miller— Only 
a  fair  picture.  These  Tiffany's  don't  please  a  small 
town  patron.  No  action,  no  nothing.  Six  reels. — 
J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — 
Small   town  patronage. 


98 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

journey  interesting  (as  Cleopatra  said  to  Mark  Antony)  you  might  not  suspect  it,  but  there 
is  royal  blood  coursing  in  my  veins,  I  am  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Duke  of  Bilgewater 
(he  had  evidently  been  reading  Mark  Twain's  'Huckleberry  Finn')  and  as  a  member  of 
royalty  I  look  upon  menial  servitude  with  abhorrence  and  have  always  shunned  the  appear- 
ance of  evil."  "Yeah,"  we  replied,  "we  judge  as  much  from  your  appearance,  and  we  sur- 
mise that  your  pilgrimage  has  taken  you  to  many  foreign  countries  as  well  as  to  many 
back  doors,"  and  at  this  he  smiled  a  little  and  replied,  "Plato,  thou  reasonest  well."  At  this 
point  in  the  dialogue  we  arrived  at  the  next  town  and  drove  up  and  stopped  in  front  of 
a  cafe.  Dusty  read  the  sign  and  sighed,  "Ah,  how  that  name  calls  to  my  mind  dear  old 
Paree,  and  how  my  illustrious  ancestors  would  rejoice  were  I  there  tonight  to  revel  with 
them  in  wine,  women  and  song."  "Say,  Duke,"  we  broke  in,  "how  would  a  platter  of 
corned  beef  and  cabbage,  garnished  with  a  couple  of  Bermuda  onions  and  surrounded 
with  a  few  side  dishes  of  fried  potatoes,  sweet  corn  and  tomatoes,  with  a  slice  of  watermelon 
as  a  chaser,  listen  to  you"?  The  Duke  looked  at  me  -with  a  surprised  smile  and  replied, 
"My  friend,  that  question  of  yours  not  only  convinces  me  that  you  are  a  man  of  excellent 
wisdom  but  you  are  a  reader  of  minds  as  well,  and  it  is  a  traditional  custom  of  our  royal 
family  never  to  refuse  an  invitation  to  dine,  and  as  near  as  I  can  figure  distance  it  is  just 
45  feet  from  where  this  car  sits  to  yon  nearest  table  and  I  shall  humbly  follow  whither 
thou  leadest."  After  lunch  we  bade  the  Duke  goodbye  and  said,  "Duke,  we  have  come  to 
the  parting  of  ways,  and  here's  hoping  that  the  fleas  will  never  get  through  your  second 
undershirt."  The  Duke  smiled  a  little  and  said,  "Your  anxiety  for  my  welfare  is  entirely 
unfounded,  I  assure  you,  for  if  they  should  they  will  encounter  the  third  one."  Then  he 
swung  his  bundle  over  his  shoulder  and  sauntered  down  the  street  humming  "Rosie 
O'Grady."  Some  people  might  not  have  gotten  much  fun  out  of  the  Duke  but  to  us  he 
was  a  riot,  he  could  talk  faster  than  we  could.  We  have  put  some  garlic  and  a  chunk  of 
limburger  cheese  in  the  car  and  closed  it  up  tight. 

Still  it  rains.  Marie  isn't  webfooted  and  she  can't  swim  and  the  weather  man  only  knows 
when  we  will  get  out  of  this  town.  When  we  do  we  are  going  to  start  for  Kansas  and  if 
Sam  Blair  of  Belleville  hasn't  fixed  up  those  roads  we  are  going  to  ask  his  widow  not  to 
spend  all  of  his  life  insurance  on  a  tombstone. 

We  would  like  to  be  in  Holly^vood  tonight,  not  that  we  care  anything  in  particular  about 
the  town,  but  we  would  like  to  get  a  Hollywood  sign  to  go  on  Marie's  front  and  rear  end, 
for  every  California  car  we  meet  has  a  Hollywood  sign  and  they  seem  to  get  the  right-of- 
way  over  the  rest  of  us.  The  police  in  most  of  these  towns  will  allow  a  car  with  a  Holly- 
wood sign  to  park  in  the  intersection  if  they  want  to. 

We  have  got  clear  out  of  the  fishing  zone  and  there  isn't  a  thing  to  look  forward  to  except 
a  letter  from  Eagle  Eye  Joe  (which  he  never  writes)  and  that  gathering  of  the  Great  Un- 
washed at  Detroit  Lakes  next  June,  and  that  is  a  long  way  off.  Christmas  among  strangers 
is  about  as  enjoyable  as  the  hired  girl  feeding  you  castor  oil  when  you  are  getting  over 
the  mumps,  she  always  uses  a  big  spoon,  and  the  only  hope  we  have  is  that  someday  we 
^vill  find  a  hotel  waitress  who  can  say  something  besides  "Roast  beef  with  brown  gravy, 
roast  pork  with  dressing,  stewed  chicken  with  dumplings."  The  guy  that  invented  stewed 
chicken  ought  to  be  shot.  The  only  thing  a  chicken  is  good  for  is  to  eat  grasshoppers  and 
angleworms  and  muss  up  the  front  porch.  We  haven't  got  to  see  many  exhibitors  the  past 
week  for  the  whole  bunch  of  durn  scallawags  have  gone  to  the  mountains  on  a  vacation, 
and  that's  where  everybody  ought  to  be  that  have  any  sense. 

A  waitress  in  a  cafe  said  to  us  the  other  day,  "Excuse  me  for  looking  at  you  so  much. 
Mister,  but  you  remind  me  so  much  of  my  dear  dead  husband  who  passed  away  four  years 
ago  last  November,"  and  we  replied,  "Isn't  that  a  long  time  to  retain  the  image  of  one  man 
in  your  memory,  seems  to  us  that  there  would  have  flitted  across  your  mind  the  image  of 
several  guys  in  that  length  of  time,  was  he  white  or  black?"  but  she  went  on,  "His  name 
was  Ole  and  he  was  a  redheaded  Swede,"  and  we  replied,  "Thank  the  Lord,  there  is  one 
Swede  less,  will  you  kindly  leave  your  number  and  bring  us  another  glass  of  iced  tea?" 
Every  time  we  think  of  Kansas  mud  we  are  reminded  of  what  Uncle  Leazer  Biggs  said 
to  Aunt  Polly  when  he  broke  his  leg,  "It  might  be  worse,  Polly,  but  I  don't  know  how  the 
hell  it  could." 

We  were  out  in  the  wet  grass  today  and  we  got  chiggers,  what's  good  for  'em? 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  man. 


United  Artists 


THE  ORCUS:  Charlie  Chaplin— 35%.  July  19- 
20-21.  Good,  but  there  is  always  a  "but"  in  these 
United  Artists  pictures.  When  Charlie  got  his  wages 
I  had  to  look  and  look  for  mine.  In  other  words, 
they  get  the  money  and  we  get  the  experience. 
Well,  I  have  had  my  fill.  There  are  plenty  of  good 
stars  and  good  pictures  that  will  make  more  money 
for  me.  Seven  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  the- 
atre,  Selkirk,   Man.,    Canada. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  CIRCUS:  Charlie  Chaplin— A  mighty  good 
picture,  better  I  thought  than  "The  Gold  RUsh"  for 
there  was  not  so  much  Chaplinesque  pathos  in 
"The  Circus."  People  don't  like  art  and  pathos  in 
comedies.  They  want  action.  This  has  it.  Drags  in 
one  spot,  i.  e.,  the  William  Tell  act,  everywhere  else 
there  is  speed.    We  lost  heavily.     Charlie  doesn't  draw 


any  more.  Perhaps  he  comes  too  seldom  before  the 
public.  One  picture  a  year  makes  Chaplin  too  dear  ! 
Cost  is  in  the  big  figures,  losses  also.  If  you  can  get 
a  decent  price  book  it,  but  if  you  play  big  you  may 
lose  big  as  I  did.  We  charged  40-20  cents  and  al- 
ways before  charged  50-25  cents. — Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,  Salmon  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

THE  DOVE:  Noi-ma  Talmadge— 50%.  July  22-23. 
This  is  a  big  picture.  Beautiful  scenery.  The  star 
too  good  an  actress  for  the  story.  Noah  Beery  stole 
the  picture.  He  certainly  was  great.  The  picture 
satisfied  about  50  per  cent.  Here  at  box  office  it 
was  a  failure,  a  flop. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  the- 
atre,   Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  DOVE:  Norma  Talmadge— July  15-16.  A 
good  enough  picture,  but  many  were  disappointed  as 
they  don't  like  Norma  in  this  tyjie  of  picture.  Much 
too   rough    for   Norma's    fans.      Business   satisfactory, 


but  expected  Norma  would  draw  more. — R.  PfeifiEer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio — July  1-2.  A  very 
good  picture.  Will  appeal  more  to  women  as  it  is 
very  sad.  Greatest  drawing  card  of  the  year  .  Broke 
all  records  for  this  year.  Capacity  business  on  two 
hottest  nights  of  the  year,  Sunday  and  Monday.  A 
box  oflice  natural.  Best  bet  on  the  market.  Eight 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

MY  BEST  GIRL:  Mary  Pickford— Mary's  best  in 
sometime  and  gets  some  extra  business. — J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

MY  BEST  GIRL:  Mary  Pickford— July  15-16.  A 
very  pleasing  picture.  Thoroughly  enjoyed  by  my 
audience. — M.  W.  Mattecheck,  Lark  theatre,  McMinn- 
ville.    Ore. — General    patronage. 

TUMBLEWEEDS:  William  S.  Hart— Return  en- 
gagement. Couldn't  make  it  pay  on  a  Saturday. 
Wow !  Darn  good  picture  though.  If  you  have 
never  played  it  be  sure  and  get  it. — ^Philip  Rand, 
Rex  theatre,   Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 


Universal 


GALLOPING  FURY:  Hoot  Gibson— 62%.  April 
2S,  Just  a  good  Western.  All  Hoot's  pictures 
can  be  counted  on  to  give  entertainment.  Six  reels. 
— H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C. — 
General  patronage. 

OUT   ALL   NIGHT:      Reginald   Denny— 69%   April 

23.  Universal  gave  us  a  dandy  picture  to  start  our 
Complete  Service  with  them.  A  most  delightful 
comedy.  Six  reels. — H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre, 
Bath,    S.    C. — General    patronage. 

BACK  TO  GOD'S  COUNTRY:  Renee  Adorec^ 
62%.  April  30.  Holds  its  own  with  previous  pro- 
ductions of  this  story.  All  right.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C— 
General     patronage. 

PAINTED    PONIES:      Hoot    Gibson— 100%.      July 

24.  Ran  this  on  Utah's  Pioneer  Day  to  a  full 
house.  The  picture  is  the  best  Hoot  has  made  to 
our  notion.  Comedy,  rodeo  scenes  and  Slim  Som- 
merville  is  great.  How  Jbbout  a  photo.  Hoot?  Six 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river    Utah. — General    patronage. 

PAINTED  PONIES:  Special  cast— All  about  a 
merry-go-round,  a  rodeo,  a  village  fool  with  his 
everlasting  sling-shot,  crooks,  a  murder  mystery 
and  Hoot  in  some  great  ridin'.  The  girl  not  much. 
Lots  of  action,  comedy  variety.  One  of  Hoot's  very 
best. — Philip  Rand,  Kex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — ■ 
General    patronage. 

PAINTED  PONIES:  Hoot  Gibson— July  23-24. 
This  is  an  extra  good  Gibson  picture.  Some  good 
Rodeo  stuff  in  it.  I  would  class  it  above  his  aver- 
age. Six  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre. 
Gait,   Cal. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BORDER  CAVALIER:  Fred  Humes— 65%. 
May  3.  It's  a  pleasure  to  watch  him  ride.  He 
seems  part  of  the  horse.  A  good  Western.  Five 
reels.— H.  B.  Grice,  Aiken  Mills  theatre,  Bath,  S.  C. 
— ^General  patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BUGGY  RIDE:  Laura  La 
Plante — 50%.  July  19.  This  is  fine  comedy  drama. 
Pleased  them  all. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,     Mich. — General    patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BUGGY  RIDE:  Laura  La 
Plante — July  17-18.  Good  little  comedy.  Nothing 
big  but  clean  and  all  right  to  show  to  anyone.  Six 
reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — 
Small    town    patronage. 

GOOD  MORNING,  JUDGE:  Reginald  Denny- 
July  26.  One  of  Denny's  best.  Very  good.  Business 
very  poor  but  no  fault  of  the  picture.  Too  much 
outdoor  amvisements.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox, 
Star    theatre.    Villa    Grove,    111. — General    patronage. 

THE  SMALL  BACHELOR:  Special  cast— I  saw 
adverse  reports  on  this  one  in  the  Herald-World 
columns  but  did  not  think  that  it  could  be  so 
lacking  in  entertainment  as  it  proved  to  be.  Abso- 
lutely nothing  to  it  to  appeal  to  my  audience. 
Thrown  together  in  silly  fashion  and  one  that  will 
probably  get  you  records  for  walkouts,  as  it  did 
for  this  house.  Then  Carl  says,  "You'll  be  glad 
to  pay  more !"  Friend  Carl  had  better  look  this 
one  over  and  shelve  it. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia 
theati'e,     Columbia    City,    Ind. — General    patronage. 

THAT'S   MY   DADDY:      Reginald   Denny— July    14. 

Our  thanks  to  Mr.  Denny  for  his  happy  thought  in 
making  this  picture.  We  didn't  need  the  numerous 
fine  comments  to  make  us  realize  that  this  was  one 
of  the  finest  family  pictures  we  had  ever  played. 
The  little  girl  in  this  would  steal  the  picture  from 
anyone.  Denny  seemed  to  enjoy  that  fact  himself 
which    made   it   all   the   better.     Our   audience   would 


August  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


99 


have  torn  the  theatre  down  if  that  baby  hadn't 
found  her  daddy.— C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
theatre,    Morenci,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 

RAMBLING  RANGER:  Jack  Hoxie— July  21.  A 
good  Hoxie  picture  which  drew  in  great  shape 
against  a  circue  and  a  road  show.  Five  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — 
Small    town    patronage. 

THE  MYSTERY  CLUB:  Matt  Moore— Good  crook 
picture.  Did  good  business  and  we  bought  it  right. — 
E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. — 
General   patronage. 

THE  CAT  AND  CANARY:  Laura  La  Plante— 
Very  good  mystery  stoi-y,  spooky,'  creepy  and  has 
the  audience  guessing  who  the  ghost  is  until  the 
very  end.  All  characters  do  splendid  work.  Eight 
reels. — Adam  Hornung,  Victor  Opera  House,  Victor, 
Mont. — General  patronage. 

A  MAN'S  PAST:  Conrad  Veidt— Personally  I 
did  not  care  for  this  picture  and  heard  no  comment 
from  anyone  except  my  employees  who  thought  it 
pretty  fair.  It's  a  rather  slow  moving  story  with 
a  French  locale.  I'd  class  it  just  another  picture, 
neither  bad  nor  extra  good.  Played  it  on  a  double 
bill. — Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,    Mo. — General   patronage. 

WILD  BEAUTY:  Rex— July  20-21.  Good  Satur- 
day night  picture,  clean  and  entertaining.  The 
horse  "Thunderhoof"  is  wonderful.  Six  reels. — 
P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General 
patronage. 

FINDERS  KEEPERS:  Laura  La  Plante— Good 
program  picture. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma, 
Cal. — General    patronage. 

LES  MISEEABLES:  French  cast— June  26-27. 
A  very  well  acted  and  interesting  picture,  but 
foreign  pictures  don't  take  well  here.  Eight  reels. — • 
H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal.— Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS:  Special  cast- 
July  15-16.  Very  good  picture.  Many  favorable 
comments.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  run  good  pictures 
and  have  your  patrons  tell  you  so.  Eight  reels. — 
Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111.— 
General    patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  IN  PARIS:  Spe- 
cial cast — Very  good.  Those  who  saw  it  liked  it, 
but  it  did  not  draw  any  extra  attendance.  Would 
have  lost  money  had  I  not  raised  admission.  Nine 
reels. — Adam  Hornung,  Victor  Opera  House,  Victor, 
Mont. — General   patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


THE  DESIRED  WOMAN:  Irene  Rich— 25%. 
July  20.  Just  another  picture  played.  Good  pro- 
gram, but  did  not  draw  expenses.  Star  and  cast 
fair.  Story  not  the  kind  to  draw  business  here. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  LION  AND  THE  MOUSE:  Barrymore- 
McAvoy — We  ran  this  with  Vitaphone.  It  did  more 
business  for  us  than  "The  Jazz  Singer."  It  is  a 
good  Vitaphone  picture,  the  best  so  far,  to  my  notion. 
— E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. 
— General   patronage. 

BEWARE  OF  MARRIED  MEN:  Irene  Rich— This 
is  the  same  old  plot  of  the  frivolous  husband  and 
his  jealous  wife,  much  chasing  in  and  out  of  bed- 
rooms, etc.,  with  Clyde  Cook  doing  a  dumb  detec- 
tive role.  It's  plenty  silly,  but  just  nutty  enough 
to  get  a  lot  of  laughs,  and  darned  if  I  don't  believe 
most  of  them  liked  it.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughn, 
Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General  p::.tronage. 

THE  LITTLE  SNOB:  May  McAvoy— July  18-19. 
A  fair  program  picture. — R.  PfeifEer,  Princess  thea- 
tre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LITTLE  IRISH  GIRL:  Dolores  Costello— 
July  24-25.  A  story  in  which  a  bunch  of  grifters 
get  grifted.  The  picture  is  better  entertainment 
than  you  would  guess  from  the  title.  Seven  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — 
Small  town   patronage. 

BRIDE  OF  THE  STORM:  Dolores  Costello— A 
very  good  sea  picture  with  some  very  nice  scenes. 
Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleas- 
anton.   Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 


State  Rights 


many  scenes  are  naturally  too  much  the  same. 
Played  the  latter  on  a  very  warm  night  and  the 
scenes  of  burning  buildings  nearly  drove  ou]-  patrons 
out.  The  power  of  suggestion  made  them  think  they 
were  roasting.  Moral — play  these  in  cold  weather. — 
Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — 
General   patronage. 

HIS  RISE  TO  FAME:  George  Walsh— A  prize 
ring  story,  well  received.  Star  made  better  impres- 
sion than  he  did  in  "The  Kick  Off." — Dinsmore  & 
Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  KICK  OFF:  George  Walsh— Good  picture 
that  would  have  been  much  better  if  Walsh  was 
better  looking,  but  he  can  never  be  called  handsome. 
Even  the  small  boys  asked  why  they  didn't  put  in  a 
better  looking  star  for  the  part. — Dinsmore  &  Son, 
Majestic    theatre,    Weiner,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

QUARAN-nNED  RIVALS:  Special  cast— This  lit- 
tle feature  pleased  a  bigger  majority  of  our  folks 
than  many  specials.  AH  parts  good  and  the  plumber 
was  a  riot. — Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic  theatre. 
Weiner,    Ark.^General    patronage. 

THE  RAT:     Mae  Marsh— 69%.     July  22.     A  man 

traveling  through  wanted  to  show  this  on  a  60/40 
per  cent  basis  rental.  We  made  a  little  more  than 
expenses.  The  picture  is  not  much  in  our  notion'. 
It's  a  story  of  Apache  love  in  Paris  with  scenes 
in  Paris.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,   Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 


Serials 


BACK  TO  LIBERTY:  Edmund  Breese— June  30- 
July  1.  Good  picture ;  just  a  bit  draggy.  A  little 
too  much  posing  by  star  but  all  told  I  thought  it 
good.  Seven  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder,  Gait  theatre. 
Gait,    Cal. — Small   town   patronage. 

FRENZIED  FLAMES,  SMOKE  EATERS:  CuUen 
Landis — Two  good  fire  pictures  with  a  likeable  young 
star.      Should    not   be    played    too    close    together    as 


HEROES  OF  THE  WILD  (State  Rights)  :  Special 
cast — New  serial.  Fine  film  and  as  good  as  any  we 
have  run,  but  serials  are  not  popular  in  our  town. 
This  ought  to  do  well  where  Western  features  go 
good,  as  it  shows  class. — Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic 
theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — General   patronage. 

THE  MYSTERY  PLOT  (State  Rights)  :  Special 
cast — Pretty  good  serial  but  old,  consequently,  the 
film  was  a  little  rainy.  But  as  we  ran  the  whole 
serial  in  connection  with  a  good  feature  and  a 
newsreel  each  episode  at  an  admission  of  five  and 
ten  cents,  there  were  no  kicks.  We  tried  out  these 
five  and  ten  cent  nights  as  an  experiment.  Got 
good  crowds  but  not  enough  money,  so  will  not  do 
it  again. — Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner, 
Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  CAMEO  (Pathe)  :  Allene  Ray- 
No.  2.  Interesting  serial  with  a  pretty  smart  police 
dog  helping  things  out.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan, 
Sun  theatre,   Kansas   City,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 

MAJOR  HAMMOND  ADVENTURES:     One  or  two 

okay,  balance  were  a  detriment  to  our  program. — 
C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — 
General  patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

BLAZING  AWAY:  Lloyd  Hamilton— A  football 
game  between  two  rival  taxicab  gangs.  I  consider 
it  pretty  weak.  Hamilton  is  about  done,  I  guess, 
and  evidently  Educational  knows  it.  I  see  he's  miss- 
ing on  their  1928-29  schedule.  Two  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

COUNT  ME  OUT:  There  are  plenty  of  good  solid 
laughs  in  this  little  single  reeler. — S.  B.  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DAZE  AND  KNIGHTS:  Felix— Just  a  cartoon. 
Single  reel. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Sel- 
kirk,   Man.,    Canada. — Small   town    patronage. 

FELIX  SWITCHES  WITCHES:  Felix  the  Cat- 
Very  good  subject  of  this  series.  One  reel. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

LISTEN  SISTER:  Lupino  Lane — One  of  the  best 
comedies  we  ever  played.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  LOST  LAUGH:  Not  many  laughs  in  this 
one.  The  title  is  not  misleading.  Single  reel.— 
S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Can- 
ada.— Small   town   patronage. 

SWORD  POINTS:  Lupino  Lane— Good.— J.  L. 
Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General  patron- 
age. 

THERE  IT  IS:  Charlie  Bowers— Disappointed. 
Not  enough  laughs  but  lots  of  trick  stuff. — J.  L. 
Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General  patron- 
age. 

FBO 
BEAUTY    PARLOR    SERIES:     Cooke-Guard— Gen- 


erally better  than  the  previous  series,  "The  Wise- 
crackers."  Eight  chapters.  "Fresh  Hair  Fiends" 
pulled  some  good  laughs.  Two  reels. — C.  M.  Staples, 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General  patron- 
age. 

MICKEY'S  PARADE:  Mickey— July  3-4.  This  is 
one  of  the  best  of  the  Mickey  series,  kept  the  kids 
yelling  any  way.  Two  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder, 
Gait  theatre.  Gait,  Cal. — Small  town  patronage. 

WANDERERS  OF  THE  WAISTLINE:  Three  Fat 
Boys — These  fat  men  are  sometimes  good  and  this  is 
one  of  the  times.  Two  reels. — H.  W.  Batchelder, 
Gait   theatre.    Gait,    Cal. — Small   town   patronage. 

FOX 

FOX  NEWS:  A  fair  news  reel  only.  They  rent 
them  so  old  that  like  another  exhibitor  said,  "so 
old  it's  history."  One  reel. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty 
theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  KANGAROO  DETECTIVE:  A  very  good 
animal  comedy.  Two  reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty 
theatre,   Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

RUMORS  FOR  RENT:  Helen  and  Warren— Here 
is  something  mighty  clever  and  funny  that  will  sure 
tickle  your  funny  bone.  Carries  a  true,  well  con- 
nected stoi-y.  Two  reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty 
theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  STEEPLE  CHASER:  Good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

BARNUM  AND  RINGUNG,  INC.:  Our  Gang- 
Very  clever  comedy,  not  as  funny  as  some  of  the 
others,  but  they  will  like  it.  Two  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

BLOW  BY  BLOW:  Max  Davidson— Only  fair.— 
J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

DOG  DAYS :  Oddity— All  about  trick  dogs.  Pretty 
good  but  not  so  darn  good.  Rather  short. — Philip 
Rand,  R'ex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patron- 
age. 

EDISON,  MARCONI  &  CO.:  Our  Gang— A  real 
old  time  Gang  comedy.  When  they  start  out  in  their 
speed  wagons  things  sure  hum  surefire.  Two  reels. — 
S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Can- 
ada.— Small    town    patronage. 

EDISON,  MARCONI  &  CO.:  Our  Gang— Better 
than  usual.  A  real  laugh  getter.  Two  reels. —  C.  M. 
Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz.^  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

EDISON,  MARCONI  &  CO.:  Our  Gang— Very 
good,  lots  of  laughs. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

40,000  MILES  WITH  LINDBERGH:  Very  good. 
Very  interesting  and  educational.  Every  theatre 
should  run  it.  Good  photography.  Three  reels. — 
Adam  Hornung,  Victor  Opera  House,  Victor,  Mont. — 
General   patronage. 

LADY  OF  VICTORIES:  Agnes  Ayree— Very  beau- 
tiful historical  color  subject.  Glad  to  see  Agnes 
Ayres  again.  She's  awfully  easy  on  the  eyes,  I 
think.  Two  reels. — ^P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas   City,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

ODDITIES:  Well  named  and  for  this  reason  one 
of  the  best  one-reel  subjects  available. — C.  M.  Staples, 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PASS  THE  GRAVY:  Best  comedy  I  ever  saw. 
Good  plot,  finest  pantomine,  the  boy  and  girl  imi- 
tating a  hen  and  rooster  and  a  chicken  with  its  head 
off.  Max  Davidson'  is  in  it  and  how !  Martha  Sleeper 
is  very  much  in  it — watch  her.  Some  girl,  that 
Martha,  pretty  as  a  peach  and  how  she  can  troupe. 
For  Pete  sake,  play  this  and  play  "Chick,  Chick, 
Chicken"  on  your  orthophonic.  Only  no  one  will 
hear  for  the  house  will  be  in  an  uproar.  Metro  has 
the  best  comedies,  even  better  than  Paramount  and 
these  two  are  so  far  ahead  of  Universal  that  Carl 
Laemmle  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  himself.  If  you 
want  the  best,  buy  Metro,  then  buy  Paramount. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General 
patronage. 

VIRGIN  QUEEN:  A  colored  subject  that  lends 
class  to  any  theatre.  The  Sid  Walter  Raleigh  story 
is  ideal  and  in  colors  will  make  many  friends. 
Many  fine  comments.  Two  reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy, 
Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.,  Canada. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

DR.  QUACK:  Good.  We  find  nearly  all  Para- 
mount comedies  good,  without  cheap  or  shoddy  back- 
grounds. Two  reels. — Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic 
theatre,    Weiner,    Ark. — General    patronage, 

THE  ELEGY:  Philippe  De  Lacy— This  is  the  first 
novelty    we've    had    from    Paramount    and    did    not 


100 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928 


! 


n 


s 


care  for  it.  No  comedy  and  no  subtitles.  It  might 
be  all  right  for  the  ones  that  can  understand  it. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green.  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

MAD  SCRAMBLE:  A  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

MAD  SCRAMBLE:  Neal  Burns— The  title  de- 
scribes it.  Two  reels. — Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic 
theatre,   Weiner,   Ark. — General   patronage. 

MOONEY  MARINER:  Billy  Dooley— The  hero  is 
shot  out  of  a  projectile  on  a  trip  to  the  moon  by 
some  scientists.  He  lands  in  a  turkish  bath  and 
radios  back  his  discoveries.  Good  comedy.  Has  a 
wealth  of  background  and  settings. — Philip  Rand, 
Rex  theatre,   Salmon,   Idaho. — General   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  94:  Not  so  good.  Air- 
mail, aeroplane,  G.  O.  P.  Same  old  stuff.  With 
cameramen  all  over  the  world  why  not  give  us 
scenes  from  everywhere.  Washington,  D.  C.,  is 
played  up  too  much.  Paramounts  news  seems  of 
late  to  run  one  third  air  stuff,  one  third  submarine 
and  navy  and  one-third  Washington.  Let's  have  a 
change  of  menu. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General   patronage. 

SPORTLIGHTS;  We  have  played  these  continu- 
ously for  four  years  beginning  with  the  first  issue 
and  are  not  ready  to  discontintie  them  yet!  One 
reel. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  G.  A.  theatre,  Morenci, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

SWISS  MOVEMENT:  A  funny  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SWISS  MOVEMENTS:  If  you  don't  want  to  hear 
the  kids  yell,  better  not  play  this.  The  bear  episode 
in  the  second  reel  made  them  shriek  with  joy.  Wish 
some  of  you  small  town  exhibitors  would  tell  how 
to  keep  the  kids  and  the  half-grown  boys  and  girls 
fairly  quiet  without  having  an  official  bouncer.  We 
don't  mind  legitimate  noise,  at  the  proper  time,  but 
the  continual  disturbance  that  riles  other  patrons. — 
Dinsmore  &  Son,  Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — 
General  patronage. 

PATHE 

DUCK  SOUP:  Madeline  Hurlock— This  is  pretty 
good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  thea- 
tre,  Greenriver,   Utah. — General   patronage. 

FOR  SALE,  A  BUNGALOW:  A  very  funny  one. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,   Mich. — General    patronage. 

PATHE  REVIEW  NO.  U:  This  is  certainly  one 
darn  fine  subject.  The  Pathe  Review  is  now  one 
of  the  best  short  subjects  on  the  market.  Some 
of  the  stuff  is  wonderful.  One  reel. — P.  G.  Vaughn, 
Sun    theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

TIFFANY 

MEMORIES:  Another  solar  classic  that  was  good. 
One  reel. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  KING  OF  SPORTS:  A  color  classic  that 
was  very  good  but  these  are  not  appreciated  by  most 
small  town'  patrons,  more  so  in  this  town.  We  run 
them  in  place  of  comedies,  but  that's  a  sad  mistake. 
It  can't  be  done.  Patrons  demand  a  good  comedy. 
One  reel. — J.  A.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small    town    patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ANDY  KNOWS  HIS  ONIONS:  Fair.  Too  much 
vamp  stuff. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. 
— General  patronage. 

BUSTER'S  WHIPPET  RACE:  Fair  comedy.  Tige 
was  not  in'  this,  some  other  dog  substituted. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  Second  series— Slipping 
badly.  Two  reels.— C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  thea- 
tre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General   patronage. 

FISHING  SNOOKUMS:  These  Snookums  comedies 
go  over  good  with  the  little  fellows  and  some  of 
the  older  ones.  We  like  to  please  the  little  fellows 
some  of  the  time,  so  we  run  one  of  these  each  month. 
We  like  them  ourselves  because  a  baby  comedy  nat- 
urally cannot  show  smut,  as  so  many  of  the  others 
think  it  necessary  to  do.  But  they  are  a  little  too 
high  in  price  for  us.  Two  reels. — Dinsmore  &  Son, 
Majestic  theatre,  Weiner,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  LAP:  "Collegians"— This  is  great. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  NEWLYWED'S  SUCCESS:  Snookums— Not 
as  good  as  the  last  three  or  four  I've  played.  Two 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
— General  patronage. 

OH,  WHAT  A  KNIGHT,  NECK'N  AND  NECK: 
Oswald  the  Rabbit — Two  very  good  cartoons,  got  a 
number  of  laughs.  Half  reel. — P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — General    patronage. 


Cities,  Newspapers  and  Circulations 

Listed  in  Paramount 's  National  Drive 


(Continued   from   page    26) 


ton  News-Index  7,541 ;  Galesburg,  Register-Mail 
19,691  ;  Joliet,  Herald-News  20,213 ;  Peoria,  Journal 
and  Transcript  38,286,  Star  30,957;  Quincy,  Herald- 
Whig  29,746;  Rockford,  Register-Gazette  17,434,  Re- 
public 11,636,  Star  18,713;  Springfield,  State  Journal 
31,401,  State  Register  32,008;  Elkhart,  Truth  13,559; 
Gary,  Post-Tribune  17,085;  Hammond,  Times  20,207; 
South  Bend,  News-Times  26,175,  Tribune  24,015. 

MILWAUKEE.— Iron  Mountain,  News  6,596; 
Marquette,  Mining  Journal  8,049;  Fond  du  Lac, 
Commonwealth  Reporter  13,685;  Green  Bay,  Press- 
Gazette  16,239;  Kenosha,  News  10,747;  La  Crosse, 
Tribune  and  Leader  Press  13,809;  Madison,  Capital- 
Times  25,667;  Wisconsin  State  Journal  24,317;  Man- 
itowoc, Herald-News  8,035,  Times  5,262;  Milwaukee, 
Journal  159,314,  Sentinel  184,709,  Wisconsin  News 
110,340;  Oshkosh,  Northwestern  14,595;  Racine, 
Journal-News  11,604,  Times-Call  10,152;  Sheboygan, 
Press   14,610. 

COLUMBUS.— Columbus,  Citizen  89,550,  Dispatch 
117,077;  Mansfield,  News  12,078;  Marion,  Star  14,- 
216;  Newark,  Advocate  and  American  Tribune 
14,575;  Stuebenville,  Herald-Star  18,891;  Zanesville, 
Times  Recorder  and  Signal  30,094;  Charleston,  Ga- 
zette 26,468 ;  Clarksburg,  Exponent  and  Telegram 
31,079;  Fairmont,  Times  8,075;  Morgantown,  New 
Dominion  7,066;  Parkersburg,  News  8,884,  Sentinel 
9,896;    Wheeling,   News   19,466,   Register  9,806. 

*  *     * 
CLEVELAND.— Akron,     Beacon    Journal     62,022, 

Times-Press  57,882;  Alliance,  Review  10,373;  Ash- 
tabula, Star  and  Beacon  10,444;  Canton,  News 
36,094,  Repository  40,350;  Cleveland,  News  200,269, 
Plain  Dealer  231,617,  Press  229,678;  E.  Liverpool, 
Review  11,882;  Elyria,  Chronicle-Telegram  8,884; 
Findlav,  Courier  and  Republican  11,708;  Lorain, 
Journal  8,875,  Times-Herald  8,342;  Sandusky,  Regis- 
ter 10,612,  Star  Journal  9,369;  Toledo,  Blade  124,232, 
News  Bee  92,498,  Times  33,417;  Warren,  Tribune- 
Chronicle  18,639;  Youngstown,  Telegram  37,666, 
Vindicator   36,139. 

PITTSBURGH.— Altoona,  Mirror  29,117;  Con- 
nellsville.  Courier  8,746,  News  6,930;  Erie,  Dispatch- 
Herald  31,012,  Times  33,041;  Ogdensburg,  Review 
and  Tribune  11,262;  Johnstown,  Democrat  20,714, 
Tribune  32,784;  McKeesport,  News  16,140;  Mead- 
ville,  Tribune-Republican  8,014;  New  Castle,  News 
16,686;  Oil  City,  Derrick  7,507;  Pittsburgh,  Post- 
Gazette  230,397,  Press  281,757,  Sun  Telegraph  324,- 
092;  Sharon,  Herald  7,752,  News  Telegraph  8,823; 
Washington,   Observer  and  Reporter   17,689. 

CINCINNATI.— Ashland,  Independent  9,130; 
Lexington,  Herald  18,099,  Leader  20,436;  Chillicothe, 
News-Advertiser  4,776;  Scioto  Gazette  6,623;  Cin- 
cinnati, Enquirer  175,136,  Post  214,401,  Times-Star 
160,065;  Dayton,  Herald  and  Journal  94,595,  News 
58,130;  Hamilton,  Journal  10,959,  News  10,440; 
Ironton,  Tribune  8,794;  Lima,  News  19,830,  Star  and 
Republican  13,617;  Middletown,  Journal  6,465,  News- 
Journal  6,820;  Springfield,  News  20,402,  Sun  16,875; 
Bluefield.  Telegraph  and  Sunset  News  21,005;  Hunt- 
ington,   Herald-Advertiser   34,960. 

*  *     * 
INDIANAPOLIS.— Anderson,       Bulletin       10,559; 

Herald  11,682;  Evansville,  Courier-Journal  31,165, 
Press  23,135;  Fort  Wayne,  Journal  Gazette  41,757, 
News-Sentinel  44,699;  Huntington,  Press  4,795;  In- 
dianapolis, News  129,480,  Star  137,164,  Times  65,609; 
Kokomo,  Dispatch  11,719,  Tribune  9,462;  Lafayette, 
Journal  and  Courier  22,170;  Logansport,  Press 
10,001,  Pharon-Tribune  12,114:  Marion,  Chronicle 
9,124,  Leader-Tribune  10,183;  Muncie,  Star  24,052; 
New  Castle,  Courier  4,641 ;  Richmond,  Item  32,991, 
Palladium  13,448;  Terre  Haute,  Post  20,015,  Star 
25,199  Tribune  23,236;  Vincennes,  Commercial  6,007, 
Sun  5,022;  Louisville,  Courier-Journal  135,404,  Her- 
ald-Fost   71,505. 

KANSAS  CITY.— Arkansas  Citv,  Traveler  8,490; 
Atchison,  Globe  7,275;  CoiTeyville,  Journal  8,886; 
Eldorado,  Times  4,665;  Emporia,  Gazette  6,148; 
Hutchinson,  Herald  and  News  27,268  ;  Independence, 
Reporter  5,314;  Lawrence,  Journal-World  3,841; 
Leavenworth,  "Times  6,807 ;  Manhattan,  Chronicle 
and  Mercury  4,653;  Parsons,  Republican  4,513,  Sun 
4,418;  Pittsburg,  Headlight  and  Sun  12,876;  Salina, 
Journal  11,701;  Topeka,  Capital,  41,802,  State  Jour- 
nal 20,236;  Wichita,  Beacon  48,453,  Eagle  69,458; 
Winfield,  Courier  and  Free  Press  4,925 ;  Chillicothe, 
Constitution-Tribune  4,632;  Joplin,  Globe  and  News- 
Herald  40,921;  Kansas  City,  Journal-Post  156,623, 
Star  284,216;  Kirkville,  Empress  and  News  4,833; 
St.  Joseph,  News  Press  and  Gazette,  65,969  ;  Sedalia, 
Capital  and  Democrat  8,620 ;  Springfield,  Leader 
26,021,   News  21,632. 

*  «     « 

ST.  LOUIS.— Alton,  Telegraph  10,962;  Belleville 
Advocate  6.942,  News  Democrat  8,007;  Cairo,  Cit 
zen  4,907;  Centralia,  Sentinel  6,371;  East  St.  Louis 
Journal  12,976;  Harrisburg,  Register  4,721;  Herrin 
Journal  2,250;  Matoon,  Journal  Gazette  and  Com 
merical  Star  5,813;  Mt.  Carmel,  Republican  Regis 
ter  3,746;  Mt.  Vernon,  Register-News  6,273;  Paris 
Beacon-News  5,493;  Owensboro,  Inquirer  7,024 
Messenger  9.126;  Paducah,  News  Democrat  11,446 
Cape  Girrardeau,  So.  E.,  Missourian  7,431  ;  Colum 
bia,     Missourian     3,330,     Tribune     4,779;      Hannibal 


Courier-P'ost  6,722 ;  Jeft'erson  City,  Capital  News 
7,136,  Post-Tribune  6,003;  St.  Louis,  P'ost  Dispatch 
339,752,   Star  122,011,  Times  69,482. 

OKLAHOMA       CITY. — Altus,       Times-Democrat 
2,592 ;    Ardmore,    Ardmorite    5,300 ;    Bartlesville,    En- 
terprise  4,576,   Examiner  4,252;    Blackwell   News  and 
Tribune     13,344;     Chickasha,     Express     3,705;     Frie, 
News   9,074;   Lawton,   Constitution   3,500;   McAlester, 
News-Capital     3,790;     Miami,     News     Record     7,737 
Muskogee,     PTioenix    and    Times    Democrat     23,857 
Oklahoma    City,   Oklahoma   News   46,795,    Oshkosho 
man    and    Times    163,852;    Okmulgee,    Times    9,960 
Pawhuska,    Journal    3,152;    Ponca    City,    N'ews   7,125 
Shawnee,  News  11,096;  Tulsa,  Tribune  49,618,  World 
64,602. 

DENVER. — Colorado    Springs,    Gazette    Telegraph 

11,957;   Denver,   Post  257,995,   Rocky  Mt.   News  94,- 

057;     Fort     Collins,     Express-Courier     4,533;     Grand 

Junction,    Sentinel   4,619;    Scottsbluff,   Journal   3,387; 

Albuquerque,   Journal   11,126,  N.   Mex.   State  Tribune 

12,529. 

*     *     * 

SALT  LAKE  CITY. — Boise,  Idaho  Statesmen 
15,345;  Anaconda,  Standard  12,035;  Butte,  Miner 
21,487;  Great  Falls,  Tribune  16,437;  Missoula,  Mis- 
soulian  6,768 ;  Salt  Lake  City,  Deseret  News  36,237, 
Telegram   24,926,  Tribune  70,393. 

SAN  FRANCISCO.— Chico,  Enterprise  2,383; 
Eureka,  Humboldt  Standard  3,114,  Humboldt  Times 
6,246;  Fresno,  Bee  25,018,  Republican  29,305;  Mo- 
desto, News-Herald  10,425 ;  Oakland,  Post-Enquirer 
59,427,  Tribune  80,239;  Richmond,  Independent  31,- 
150,  Record-Herald  3,117;  Sacramento,  Bee  50,109, 
Union  14,111;  San  Francisco,  Call  108,501,  Bulletin 
81,506,  Chronicle  110,036,  Examiner  136,372,  News 
83,748;  San  Jose,  Mercury  Herald  19,154;  San 
Mateo,  Times  and  News  Leader  4,036 ;  Santa  Rosa, 
Press-Democrat  and  Republican  12,442;  Stockton, 
Record  18,474;  Hawaii.  Honolulu,  Advertiser  15,959, 
Star-Bulletin  17,149;  Rena,  Gazette,  6,568,  Nevada 
State  Journal   7,521. 

LOS  ANGELES.— Phoenix,  Gazette  12,867,  Re- 
publican 25,750;  Tucson,  Arizona  Star  6,053,  Citizen 
4,541  ;  Bakersfield,  Californian  9,765 ;  Hollywood, 
Citizen  10,216,  News  9,495;  Long  Beach,  Sun  14,- 
609;  Los  Angeles,  Examiner  422,817,  Express  129,- 
589,  Herald  206,879,  Illustrated  Daily  News  106,777, 
Record  54,705,  Times  214,092;  Pasadena,  Star-News 
17,379;  Riverside,  Press  6,009;  San  Bernardino,  Sun 
and  Telegram  13,045;  San  Diego,  Sun  20,109,  Union 
34,797 ;  San  Luis  Obispo,  Tribune  and  Telegram 
4,314;  Santa  Ana,  Register  10,920;  Santa  Barbara, 
News  6,921,   Press   5,644. 

SEATTLE. — Lewiston,  Tribune  4,925  ;  Aberdeen, 
World  7,049;  Bellingham,  18,370;  Centralia,  Chron- 
icle 3,610;  Everett,  Herald  14,045,  News  4,118; 
Hoquiam,  Washingtonian,  4,383 ;  Seattle,  Post  In- 
telligencer 154,380,  Star  67,566,  Times  115,271;  Spo- 
kane, Chronicle  41,962,  Spokesman-Review  56,677; 
Tacoma,  Ledger  31,652,  News  Tribune  36,392,  Times 
21,631;  Wentachee,  World  3,095;  Yakima,  Herald 
10,972,    Republic    6,671. 

PORTLAND  (Ore.). — Astoria,  Astorian  2,217, 
Budget  2,694;  Eugene,  Guard  6,709,  Register  7,128; 
Marshfield,  S.  W.  Oregon  News  3,924;  Medford, 
Mail-Tribune  4,462;  Portland,  News  48,924  Oregon- 
ian  154,673;  Oregon  Journal  126,353,  Telegram  46,- 
753  ;  Salem,  Capital  Journal  9,289,  Oregon  Statesman 
6,196;  Walla  Walla,  Bulletin  6,016. 

MINNEAPOLIS.— Albert  Lea,  Tribune  5,357; 
Duluth.  Herald  42,407,  News-Tribune  31,008;  Min- 
neapolis, Journal  160,012,  Star  66,931,  Tribune  164,- 
160;  Rochester,  Post-Bulletin  10,151;  St.  Cloud, 
Journal  Press  4,366,  Times  7,089 ;  St.  Paul,  Pioneer 
Press  131,600,  News  89,355;  Winona,  Republican 
Herald  12,880;  Bismarck,  Tribune  4,051;  Fargo, 
Forum  23,605;  Grand  Forks,  Herald  19,382;  Minot, 
News  and  Optic  Reporter  7,267 ;  Eau  Claire,  Leader 
and  Telegram   12,421;    Superior,   Telegram   21,439. 

SIOUX  FALLS.— Spencer,  News  Herald  3,051; 
Fairmont,  Sentinel  3,743;  Worthington,  Globe  1,400; 
Aberdeen.  American  News  10,516;  Huron,  Huronite 
5,686;  Mitchell,  Republican  9,381;  Sioux  Falls, 
Argus  Leader  33,839;  Watertown,  Puljlic  Opinion 
5,489. 

DES  MOINES.— Moline,  Dispatch  12,600;  At- 
lantic, News-Telegraph  4,100;  Burlington,  Gazette 
11,856.  Hawkeye  13,837;  Cedar  Rapids,  Gazette  and 
Republican  32.194;  Clinton,  Herald  21,000;  Creston, 
Advertiser  4,290;  Davenport,  Democrata  and  Leader 
and  Times  38,040 :  Des  Moines,  Register  and  Tri- 
bune, 224,092 ;  Dubuque,  Telegraph  Herald  and 
Times  Journal,  34,304;  Fort  Dodge.  Messenger  and 
Chronicle  10.763;  Keokuk,  Gate  City  8.672;  Mar- 
shalltown.  Times  Republican  10,303;  Mason  City, 
Globe-Gazette  and  Times  15,044;  Oskaloosa,  Herald 
5,375;  Ottumwa,  Courier  27,664;  Sioux  City,  Jour- 
nal 50.896,  Tribune  56,360;  Traer,  Star-Clipper 
3,526;    Waterloo,    Courier   17,603,    Tribune    13,586. 

OMAHA.— Council  Bluffs,  Nonpareil  16,311;  Bea- 
trice, Sun  5,247;  Falls  City,  Journal  3,379;  Grand 
Island,  Independent  8,152;  Hastings,  Tribune  6,777; 
Lincoln,  Journal  37,336,  Star  33,349;  McCook,  Ga- 
zette 2,500;  Norfolk,  News  8,967;  North  Platte, 
Telegraph  2,400;  Omaha,  Bee-News  130,761,  World- 
Herald    115,312. 


AuKiist  11,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


101 


(Continued   from    page    92) 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released      New  Comment 

Pictures 


Ticker 


1927  Rayart 

5035  Walking    Back   (M).    Sue  Carol May  20 

6089  Cruise  of  the   Helion    (D).  All  star. — _ _ - 

5076  Heroes   in    Blue    (M).  Bowers-Eand _...NoT. 

5916  Law  and  the  Man.  The  (D),  Santsclii-Rockwell..Dec. 

5960  Light  in  the  Window,  A    (D),   Walthal _„ 

5970  On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Nov. 

5502  Silent    Hero    (M).    Bonaparte - 

4200  Wanderer  of  the   West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec. 

1928 


1927 


..Sept.  24 


..Not.  12 
-Aug.  29 


1928 


6673 
6076 
4533 

5976 
5853 
4797 


5262 
4548 
5608 
4571 
5906 


4627 
5490 
6260 


Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Cbas.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey  Jones    (CD),   Price-Lewis Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The   (D),  Kussell-Fair Jan. 

Devil's  Tewer,  The   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt..- June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera  Reynolds-Hllllard..  July 

Gypsy  of   the   North    (D),    Gordon-Hale Apr. 

Heart    of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-AKnew....Mar. 

Lightning  Shot  The   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Man  from  Headquarters,  The  (D),  Comeinu 

Keefe-E.  Roberts  Aug. 

Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landis-E.  Murphy..May 

Mystery  Valley   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

My    Home    Town    (D),    Brockwell-Glass -...Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    (W).    Buddy   Roosevelt Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf.  The   (D),  Costello-Lease-Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch _ — Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster- Olstead Aug. 

Trail   Riden   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt April 

Wild    Born    (W),  Tex  Maynard Mar. 

You   Can't  Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe Jan. 


Sterling 


1927 

5563  Closed    Gates   (M),  Harron-Novak. 

5400  Outcast  Souls   (D),  Lewis-Bonner Dec.  15 

5500  Pretty   Clothes    (D),    J.    Ralston-Walker Oct.  15 

Stranded    (D),   Mason. - Aug.  15 

1928 


1927 


Marry  the    Girl    (CD).. 


_May  28 

Nov.  12       

Deo.  31        

Jan.  7  Sept.  10 

Feb.  4 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released      New  Comment 

Pictures 


Ticker 


1927 

5754 
6669 
7300 
4887 
6482 
5233 
4752 
5800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


1928 
1927 


6448 
5614 

1928 

6147 


5209 


5297 
6553 


5102 
5735 


6652 
5361 


Backstage     (CD),     Bedford »__ 

Beauty   Shoppe    (CD),    Busch. _ 

College    Days    (CD),    M.    Day _ 

Enchanted    Island    (D) _ - — — 

Fools  of    Fashion    (CD),   Busch - 

Girl  from   Gay  Paree,   The    (F),   Slierman. Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.   Love—Dec.  1 

Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederlclt 

Lightning    (W),   J.   Ralston Sept  1 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron -.-.Nov.  1 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Ruth  Miller. Oct.  15 

Sin   Cargo    (D),   Mason - 

Snowbound     ( FC),    BIythe - - 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),  Starke-Harlan...- Deo.  15 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) - 

Wild   Geese    (D),  Belle  Bennett -...Nov.  15 

Women's   Wares   (D).    Brent-Lytell Oct.  1 


Applause  (D),  Sally  O'Neill Sept.  30 

Bachelor's    Paradise    (R).    .<!iiiv    O'.NVil Mar    15 

Big  Top.   The    (CD),   Sally  O'Neill Oct.  30 

Cavalier.  The   (D),   Talmadge-Bedford Sept. 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman      (R),     Southern- 

Pldgeon  -.  May  1 

Devil's  Apple  Tree,  The  (D),  Dorothy  Sebastian.-Sept.  20 

Devil's  Skipper.  The.  Bennett i-Vh.  1 

George  Washington  Cohen    (CD),  Jessel-Palmer.Aug.20 

Geraldine  Latrd   (D),  Belle  Bennett Nov.  10 

Ghetto,  The   (CD).  Jessel-Gwen  Lee Aug.  1 

Grain   of   Dust,  The    (D),  Cortez-Windsor July  10 

Green  Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen June  10 

House  of  Scandal    (D),  Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Cortez-Moran....May  15 

Lingerie  (CD),  White-McGregor _ July  1 

Nameless    Men,  Moreno Feb.  15 

Naughty  Duchess,  The  (D),  H.  B.  Warner Aug.  10 

Power  of  Silence,  The  (D),  Belle  Bennett Aug.  20 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea    (D),  Cortez-Myers June  20 

Queen  of  Burlesque,  The  (CD),  Belie  Bennett... Sept.  10 

Scarlet  Dove,  The   (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters     (D),    Snuthern-AIcGregor .Tune  1 

Squads    Right    (CD),   Gribbon-Stone Nov. 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron .Mar.  1 

Tragedy    of    Youth,    Miller-Oollipr Jan.  1.1 

Twelve   Pound   Look.  The   (D),  Eve  Southern. Oct  20 

Three   Keys  to  a  Door  (MD),  Ricardo  Cortez Oct.  10 

Toilers.  The,  Fairbanks.  Jr.-Ralston Aug. 

Woman   Against   the   World,   A _ Jan.  1 


....July  9 

....July  18 
....Nov.  6 
....June  25 
....Oct.  9 


Nov.  27 


..Dec.  11 
..July  30 


Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


Dec.  10 


1928 


United  Artists 


1927 

5000  College  (C).  Keaton-Cornwall _ Sept   10 

7500  General,   The    (C),   Keaton _ 

7311  Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson _ 

8550  Magic  Flame,  The   (M),   Colman-Banky Sept  24 

9120  Resurrection     (M),    La    Rocque.. 


9000  Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson. _ Nov. 

7456  Topsy   and    Eva    (C),    Duncan   Sisters 

8250  Two  Arabian   Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolheim 

8000  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (D),  Banky-Colman_ - 

1928 

6400    Circus,    The    (C),    Charlie    Chaplin. 

7000— Devil    Dancer,   The,  Gilda  Gray- 


— Sept  17 
....Feb.  12 
-..Mar.  19 

Sept.  24 

....Apr.  16 
—Nov.  19 
..-Aug.  13 
—Oct  29 
Deo.  4 


Mar.  3 


1927 

45.90% 


73.65% 

1928 


9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M).— June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge Jan.  7 

8350  Drums  of   Love    (D),  JIary  PhUbin. Mar.  31 

7300  Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D),  C.  Grifflth-Ray. Feb.  4 

Two   Lovers.  Banky-Colman Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D),   Del   Rio Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie    Thompson    (D),    Gloria    Swanson. Jan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,  Buster  Keaton 

Tempest    (M),   John   Barrymore Aug.  11 


Apr.  28 

-...Nov.  26 

Jan.  7 

—July  21 


.Tune  16 

-..  >rar  26 
—July  7 


1927 

5751 

5777 

4427 

7190 

5B23 

5503 

6929 

5711 

6958 

7713 

11000 

5S62 

6135 

6159 

5918 

6170 

5416 

6045 

7015 

6166 

4393 

6218 

4251 

7173 

5598 

4136 

5192 

6459 

4167 

1928 

4259 
6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
6081 
4426 
5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 

6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 

1927 

5803 
6330 
0281 
5897 
6408 
5003 
6767 
6284 
5978 
6800 
6302 
5613 

6271 
5200 
6230 
5397 
5569 
6352 
6310 
6485 
7961 
6337 
5492 
6295 
5685 
6124 
6218 
6412 
7647 
5813 

1928 

6052 
5380 


Universal 


Back   to    God'i   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier— Sept  4 

Beware  of   Widows    (FC),    La  Plante.— June  19 

Border  Cavalier,   The    (W),   Humes-Pierce Sept  18 

Cat  and   Canary,   The   (My),  La  Plante _ Sept.  11 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-Harlan Oct.  9 

Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot  Gibson Nov.  20 

Held  by  the  Law  (M),  Lewis - Apr.  10 

Hero  for  the   Night,    A,   Tryon-Miller. Dec.  18 

Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),    Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

Les  Miserables   (M),  Gabrio-Toulont Oct.  30 

Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long   Version)-.- Oct.  30 

Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane - Sept.  18 

Man's    Past,    A    (D),    Veidt-Kent Dec.  2S 

Men    of    Daring    (W),    Hoxie June  5 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth Nov.  27 

Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-Nixon. - Sept  4 

Painted    Ponies    (W).    Hoot    GibsoiL Sept.  25 

Painting   the    Town    (FC),    Tryon Aug.  7 

Sensation    Seekers    (D).    Dove —.Mar.  20 

Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante Oct  2 

Sky   High  Saunders,   Al  Wilson. _ -...Nov.  6 

Small    Bachelor,   The    (C),   Beranger-Kent Nov.  6 

Straight   Shootin'    (W),    Wells Oct  16 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton _ Apr.  24 

Thirteenth    Juror,   The    (D),  Busliman-Nilsson...Nov.  13 

Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson - Sept.  4 

Wild   Beauty    (CD),   Rex -..Nov.  27 

Wrong   Mr.    Wright,   The    (F),    Hersholt..- Feb.  27 

Wolf's   Trail,    Dynamite,   the  dog Oct  2 


Air    Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    WUson Jan.  1 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD).    Hersholt- Marlowe Jan.  22 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes May  6 

Buck    Privates,    de    Putti - - June  3 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The   (W),  Dynamite Jan.  29 

Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W).   Wells Feb.  12 

Cohens  and    Kellys   in   Paris    (C),   Sidney Jan.  15 

Count  of   Ten,    The,   Ray-Ralston-Gleason. June  6 

Fearless    Rider.  The    (W),   Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La   Plante Feb.  5 

Four    Footed    Rangers,    The    (W),  Dynamite. Mar.  25 

Good    Morning   Judge _ Apr.  29 

Greased   Lightning   (W) ...July  29 

Grip   of   the    Yukon,    The,    AU  star. Aug.  30 

Hot  Heels,   Glen  Tryon May  13 

Hound    of   Silver   Creek,    The   (W),    Dynamitc.May  20 

Lonesome    (CD),    Tryon-Kent...- — — 

Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-Philbin.  Feb.  25 

Jazz    Mad,    Herslioit-Nixon-Lewis June  3 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    WeUs .Tune  3 

Midnight    Rose,    de    Putti-Harian. Feb.  26 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson Feb.  26 

Put    'Em    Up    (W).    Humes _ Mar.  11 

Quick  Triggers    (W),   Humes July  15 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot  Gibson. Jan.  29 

Riding  for    Fame,   Hoot  Gibson Aug.  19 

Shield  of    Honor.   The,  AU  star Feb.  19 

Society   Cowboy,   A.   Hoot  Gibson July  8 

Stop   That    Man,  All  star Mar.  11 

Surrender,    Philbin-Mosjukine Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon...  Apr.  1 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent Feb.  5 

Thunder    Riders,    The,    Wells Apr.  8 

13   Washington  Squsire,    All  star _ Apr.  8 

Trick  of   Hearts.   A,  Hoot  Gibson. _ — Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We   Americans,    All  star - May  16 

Wild   West  Show,   Hoot   Gibson. -May  20 


Nov.  12 


Aug.  6 
..May  9 


Dec.  17 

Nov.  26 
Dec.  24 

Jan.  14 
Deo.  17 


Nov.  13 
Dec.  IT 


Jan.  14 
Nov.  19 


May  14 


.Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 
Nov.  19 

..Aug.  27 


1927 

61.00% 
44.10% 

67.66% 
43.57% 


Sept.  a 

..Apr.  9 


Nov.  19 
Feb.  4 
Dec.  3 


..Oct.  1 
July  23 
..June  25 
..Jan.  29 
Aug.  20 


62.31% 




....Feb.  19 

45  18% 

Dec.  3 

Dec.  24 

....Mar.  5 

1928 

.-June  25 

.Tune  16 
Mar.  XO 



Feb.  4 

Apr.  21 

June  30 

Jan.  28 

Apr.  21 

Apr.  28 

i 


Apr.  28 
May  26 
.Tune  23 
-July  21 
Feb.  31 
May  19 
Aug.  4 
Mar.  17 
Mar.  17 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


May  5 
Apr.  21 


^ 


Warner  Brothers 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue _ 

Brass    Knuckles    (D),   Blue-Bronison Dec.  3 

Bush    Leaguer,   The    (CD),   Monte   Blue Aug.  20 

Dearest    (D),   Rich 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Rich. Aug.  27 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Ein-Tin-Tin. Oct.  29 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Miiler - - Sept.  18 

Gay  Old  Bird   (FC),  Fazenda — 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy Nov.  5 

Glorious    Betsy    (CD),    Dolores  Costelio - 

Good   Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.  Costelio Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs   at   the    Front    (C),    Wilson-H. 

Conkiin   - — Dec.  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),   Rin-Tin-Tin. 

Husbands  for  Rent,  All  star Dec.  31 

If    I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel - Dec.  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy - 


-July  23 


1927 

50.20% 


-June  18 


July  9 

Mar.  12 

Dec.  31       

May  26 

Dec.  31        Nov.  26 


— Feb.  26 


68.94% 


Sept.  17 


Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Rin-Tin-Tin— 
Matinee  Ladies   (C),    McAvoy.. 

Mill    Bid.    A    (M),   D.    Costelio 

Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7 

Old   San    Francisco    (M),  D.    Costello-Oland. Sept.  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte   Blue —  Sept  17 

Reno    Divorce,   A    (D),   May   AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor  Izzy   Murphy   (F),  (3eorge  Jessell Oct.  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A   (C).  Fazenda-C.   Coolc-Sept  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Rich-Ferris- - Nov.  9 

Simple    Sis    (M),    Fazenda - _ 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel - Sept  3 

Third    Degree  (M),   D.   Costelio 

Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Kin-Tin-Tin. 


-Apr.  28 
-June  11 
-Oct  1 
-Apr.  23 

June  4 

May  14 

-June  25 

Oct.  8 

Oct  29 

Dec.  10 

Oct.  15 

-June  11 


.-Jan.  8 
_  May  21 


N 


1928 


Across  the   Altantic,   Blue-Murphy Feb.  25 

Beware  of  Married   Men,   Irene  Rich Jan.  14 

City  of  Sin,  The,  Loy-Miljan-Wong.. 


5164  Domestic    Trouble    (CD),    Cook-Fazenda Mar.  24 

7077  Jazz  Singer,   The,  Al  Jolson .Feb.  4 

Lion   and   the   Mouse,   The,   L.   Barrymore _ 

5331  Little  Snob,   The,   May  McAvoy Feb.  11 

61S5  Powder   My    Back    (C),    Rich-Ferris Mar.  10 

4777  Race  for   Life,  Rin-Tin-Tin .Tan.  28 

4820  Rinty  of  the    Desert,  Rin-Tin-Tin Apr.  21 

6531  Tenderloin,    Dolores    Costelio 


-.-Apr.  14 


) 


Feb.  18 
May  19 


-May  19 


..Apr.  28 


102 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  11,  1928        ij 


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CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  fFhit 

CC.  WALLACE  resigned  as  district  manager  of  United  Artists  Satur- 
day. As  yet  his  successor  has  not  been  announced  by  the  company. 
•  According  to  Wallace,  he  resigned  to  take  a  long  vacation  and  rest,  not 
having  had  one  in  14  years.  He  and  his  family  will  start  at  once  on  an  auto- 
mobile tour  of  the  East. 

who  won  only  because  of  more  experience  in 
championship  tournaments.  And  maybe  you 
think  Jack  is  not  proud  of  her!  Well,  he 
should  be  for  he  is  not  only  her  father,  but 
trainer   as  well. 


When  we  read  that  the  disciple  of  uplift, 
Gene  Tunney,  had  tossed  away  his  champion- 
ship, we  dashed  over  to  the  Castle  theatre  to 
see  him  in  his  last  fight,  and  the  excellent 
picture  afforded  something  even  better  than  a 
ringside  seat.  The  photography  is  perfect, 
and  not  one  blow  is  left  unseen.  The  picture 
is  being  distributed  for  Illinois  by  Jerry 
Abrams,  but  Mrs.  Abrams  and  Pal  have  re- 
turned temporarily  to  the  exchange  to  handle 
the  business.  Mrs.  Abrams  does  the  work 
and  Pal  barks  every  time  a  booking  is  made. 

*  *     * 

Joe  Hopp  seems  to  have  "hopped"  right  into 
the  F  B  O  harness  for  he  has  already  closed 
several  spots  which  have  been  shut  to  F  B  O 
for  the  past  two  years. 

^    ^    ^ 

Colvin  W.  Brown  and  John  Flinn  of  Pathe 
arrived  in  Chicago  Saturday  to  spend  a  few 
days.  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  also  of  Pathe  and 
a  number  of  other  companies  too  numerous 
to  mention,  was  awaited  in  Chicago  on  his  way 
back  to  New  York  from  the  Coast. 
^    ^    ^ 

The  Chicago  exchange  of  F  B  O  has  re- 
ceived prints  of  four  of  the  company's  big 
pictures  on  the  1928-29  program.  They  are 
"The  Perfect  Crime,"  "Hit  of  the  Show,' 
"Gang  War,"  and  "Stocks  and  Blondes." 
These  four  pictures  are  now  ready  for  screen- 
ing at  the  exchange. 

*  *     * 

H.  H.  Burns  of  Simansky  and  Miller's 
Savoy  theatre  is  driving  with  his  wife  and 
daughter  in  their  new  Chevrolet  to  Elmira, 
New  York,  and  Niagara  Falls. 

*  *     * 

C.  E.  Bond  returned  from  New  York  last 
week.  Grad  Sears,  with  whom  he  went,  is 
still   in  the  Big  Town. 

^     ^     ^ 

Stanley     Hatch,     First     National     Western 
sales   manager,    stopped  over   in   Chicago   last 
week  on  his  way  to  New  York. 
^     ^     ^ 

William  Rosenthal,  special  representative 
for  United  Artists,  is  in  the  city  on  a  sales 
trip  that  will  take  him  to  a  number  of  cities 
throughout  this  territory. 

Miss  Eugenia  Sampson,  the  15  year  old 
daughter  of  Jack  Sampson,  recently  won 
second  place  in  the  Michigan  State  tennis 
tournament  at  Muskegon.  She  was  defeated 
by  a  25  year  old  college  graduate,  and  the 
Grand  Rapids  papers  in  reporting  the  game 
said  that  Eugenia  played  a  better  game  and 
had  a  much  better  stroke  than  her  opponent 


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PHOTOTONE 

Greatest    Amplified    Reproducer 

Ask  Any  Exhibitor  Already  Using  It 

and  Get  in  Touch  with 

L.  V.  KUTTNAUER 

84S  So.  'Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,   III.      Harrison  0737 


Harry  Lubliner  has  bought  the  Wilson  thea- 
tre and  will  operate  it  himself. 

*  *    * 

Fred  Kresler  is  building  a  new  theatre  at 
Rensselaer,  Indiana. 

^     *     * 

Joe  Lyon  and  his  wife  are  touring  through 
Canada  in  their  Packard.  When  the  motor 
trip  is  completed  they  will  spend  the  remainder 
of  the  summer  in  the  woods  of  Northern 
Wisconsin,  which  is  Heaven  to  Joe. 

^  ^  ^ 
Pathe  was  honored  last  week  by  a  number 
of  visiting  executives  of  the  company;  among 
them  were  Stanley  Jacques,  division  manager ; 
Harry  Scott,  short  subjects  sales  manager; 
and  J.  C.  McAloon,  manager  of  exchange 
operations. 

^    ^    ^ 

J.  O.  Prescott,  formerly  with  the  Poli  and 
Butterfield  circuits,  has  been  appointed  man- 
ager   of    the    Capitol    at    Whiting    by    A.    J. 

O'Breshk. 

*  *    * 

The  Shubert  Theatre  Corporation  last  week 
leased  the  Woods  theatre  for  a  period  of  15 
years.  The  Shuberts  also  plan  to  lease  two 
more  theatres  which  are  to  be  erected  within 
the  next  year.  This  will  give  the  Shuberts 
eight  theatres  in  Chicago. 

*  *     * 

Ned  (Doc)  Rafelsky,  who  runs  the  Rogers 
and  Oak  theatres,  and  his  wife  have  returned 
from  a  fishing  trip  in  Wisconsin. 

^        ^        :}; 

Harry  Tague  of  the  Ashland  and  Madhn 
theatres  is  taking  a  series  of  short  vacations 
this  summer,  and  has  just  returned  from 
Madison,  Wisconsin.  His  next  trip  will  be  to 
Grand  Rapids. 

^       ^       H^ 

Henry  Goldson,  of  the  Plaza,  and  his  wife 
are  making  a  trip  to  Mount  Clemens,  Mich- 
igan, and  then  will  continue  on  to  New  York. 

^      ^      H^ 

Cecil  Maberry,  who  covers  more  territory 
than  anybody  we  know  of,  was  in  town  last 
week. 

^       :|c       ^ 

The  Polka  Brothers  expect  to  open  their 
Deerpath  theatre  in  Lake  Forest  in  the  near 
future. 

*  *        s|c 

J.  G.   Kemptgen,  office  manager  of  M  G  M 
stepped  out  on  a  week's  vacation  of  fishing  in 
Wisconsin  and  Minnesota. 
^    ^     ^ 

Max  Schwartz  is  baching  it  these  days  while 

his  wife  is  spending  a  few  weeks  at  St.  Joseph, 

Michigan.      We    suggest    that    somebody   keep 

an  eye  on  Max. 

^    ^     ^ 

We  were  in  the  M  G  M  office  Saturday  and 
Eddie  Brichetto  breezed  in   with  a  smile  that 


Mind  Your  Queues  with 
Sandwiches,  Says  Warner 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— They 
want  to  stand  in  line  now,  at  the 
Warner  Brothers  theatre  here.  The 
answer  is:  Cold  drinks  and  sand- 
wiches are  served  to  the  waiting 
patrons  at  the  suggestion  of  J.  L. 
Warner,  studio  head  who  also  super- 
vises management  of  the  theatre. 
Only  one  thing  remains  now  to  be 
served.     You  guessed  it — costs. 


would  dispel  gloom  over  a  radius  of  fifty 
mil-es.  That  new  Ford,  which  we  have  re- 
ported delivered  several  times,  had  at  last  been 
turned  over  to  Eddie.  He  was  as  happy  as 
a  boy  with  a  new  top. 

*  *    * 

Miss  Hazel  Brown,  assistant  to  Irving  Mack, 
was  severely  injured  in  a  taxi  accident  last 
week,  while  on  her  vacation.  A  fractured 
skull   makes  her  recovery  doubtful. 

*  *    * 

Dave  Bader  of  Universal  was  in  Chicago 
last  week  on  his  vacation. 

ifi       ^       ^ 

Harry  Miller,  formerly  manager  of  the 
Admiral  theatre,  is  now  manager  of  the 
Englewood. 

^     ^'     ^ 

Harry  Corbett  is  the  new  general  manager 
of  National  Theatres,  and  is  resident  man- 
ager of  the  Capitol. 


Policeman  Routs  Bandits 
After  Battle  in  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BOSTON,  Aug.  7.— More  than  $700  in  cash 
in  the  safe  of  the  Rialto  Theatre  in  the  Ros- 
lindale  section,  was  saved  from  bandits  by 
the  prompt  action  of  Patrolman  Vaughn  McA. 
Hewey.  Met  with  several  shots,  he  took 
refuge  behind  a  row  of  seats,  emptied  his 
pistol,  then  called  help.     The  robbers  fled. 


Warners  Sign  Powers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  7.— Francis  Powers, 
known  for  many  years  as  a  plajrwright,  an 
actor  and  a  director,  has  been  appointed  by 
J.  L.  Warner  as  a  title  and  dialogue  writer 
for  Warner  Brothers  Vitaphone  pictures. 


To  Film  Town 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  7.— Joseph  Rothman 
of  Caravel  Films,  Inc.,  has  gone  to  Kohler, 
Wis.,  an  internationally  known  village,  where 
he  will  make  a  film  showing  the  activities  of 
this  community. 


Hazards  of  carbon  monoxide  gas  are  shown  in  a 
one-reel  picture  just  completed  by  the  United  States 
Bureau  of  Mines,   Department  of  Commerce. 


Boost  Your  Business 

with  Filmack  Trailers 

The  best  place  to  talk  to  your  patrons  is 
right  in  your  own  theatres.  And  you  can  get 
your  message  across  with  wonderful  effect  if 
you  let  a  Filmack  Trailer  do  the  talking!  We 
get  up  special  trailers  for  all  purposes.  Write 
us  about  your  needs !  The  chances  are  90 
times  out  of  a  100  we  have  just  what  you 
want  in  stock.  If  not,  we'll  write  the  special 
copy.  All  trailers  shipped  same  day  order  is 
received.  You'll  be  agreeably  surprised  at  the 
high  class  work  and  quick  service.  Filmack 
Company,  730  So.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

—Adv. 


Recognizing  the  fact  that  changes 
in  method  come  in  the  splendid 
advancement  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany continues  its  own  forward 
march  and  maintains  its  supremacy 
in  presenting  to  the  trade 

Eastman  Panchromatic 


emtive 


Typ 


e  2 


— a  perfected^  proven  product 
for    the    cinematographer 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


J 


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XHIBITORS  iIER.\LD  and  MOVING  PlCTl  RE  WORL 


I 


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Further  Proof  of 


supremacy; 

marks  brothers 

Chicago's  smart  showmen  also  book  Fox 
Pictures  for  their  2  De  Luxe  theatres 


The 

GRANADA  and 
MARBRO 


CLIMB  ABOARD  THE  FOX  SILVER 

ANNIVERSARY  PROSPERITY  SPECIAL 

crOU  CANT  GO  WRONG! 


^. 


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PICTURES  ARE 
BREAKING  RECORDS 
From  Coast  to  Coast 


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BDTOM 


THE  "TALK"  OF  THE 
INDUSTRY! 

U^hen  the  Lion  roars  the  World  listens !  M-G-M  takes  ov  er 
Cosmopolitan  Studio,  N*  ¥♦,  for  sound— M-G-M  Sound 
Studio,  largest  in  world,  completed  in  California— ^^White 
Shadows  in  the  South  Seas^^  in  sound  opens^^at  $2  at  Astor 
on  Broadway  and  Grauman^s  Chinese  Tneatre;  Los  Angeles, 
both  absolute  sell-outs  —"Trial  of  Mary  Dugan^^  is  first 
jIM-G-M  complete  dialogue  film— M-G-M  gife  amazing  stage 
talent  for  short  sound  numbers— Hal  Roach  studios  sound 
equipped— Milt  Gross'  ''Nize  Baby''  with  talking  sequences 
|-M-G-M  Movietone  News  announced— majority  of  M-G-M 
features  and  shorts  to  be  synchronized* 


UrtJij_irj  09  M«  7 /V^I   ^A    NT      in\    Entered  as^secoHd-class-matter,  Attguit  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,    t  i  to    i 

nnoie  vol.  9£,  no.  j^VOI.  04,  INO.  lU;     7479.     Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  25  cents.    AUgUSt  lO,  I 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


I         August  18,  1928  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV 

i2new  season 


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"Warming  Up"* 

Richard    Dix     SOUND    picture. 
Already  breaking  records. 

"Loves  of  an  Actress"* 

Pola  Negri  SOUND  love  drama  with 
marvelous  operatic  score. 

"Sawdust  Paradise"  * 

Esther  Ralston  epic  of  carnival  life 
with  Hobart  Bosworth.  SOUND. 


ff 


k" 


Just  Married' 

Anne    Nichols'  stage  hit. 
James  Hall,  Ruth  Taylor. 

TModel  From  Montmartre" 

Famous   Paris   Artists'  Ball  on  the 
screen. 


JANMNGS- 
lABITSCll 

"THE 
PATRIOT' 


In  SOUND 
In    August 


"WINGS^ 


In  SOUND 
In  September 


"Forgotten  Faces" 

Clive    Brook,    Wm.    Powell,     Mary 
Brian,  Baclanova. 

"The  First  Kiss" 

Gorgeous  romance  with   Fay  Wray 
and  Gary  Cooper. 

"The  Water  Hole" 

Zane  Grey's  greatest  story.    Techni- 
color.   Jack  Holt,  Nancy  Carroll. 

"Beggars  of  Life"* 

SOUND.  Famous  hobo  saga.  Wallace 
Beery,  Louise  Brooks,  Richard  Arlen. 

"Docks  of  New  York"* 

SOUND.     George    Bancroft,    Betty 
Compson,  Baclanova. 


VON  STROHEIMS 

"WEDDING 
MARCH" 


.iC       In  SOUND 

Coming  in  October 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


6  Cliris^ 


soi]^t> 


X%  otlier  VP^^^ 


Quality 


Sliorls 


Billy  Dooley* 

The  goofy  gob  with  the  fiinny  sailor 
suit  in  "Dizzy  Diver"  and  "Oriental 
Hugs." 

Jack  Duffy*  ^ 

and  his  Caledonian  cuties  in  '^'Hot 
Scotch"— "Sandy  MacDuff"  Con^edy. 


Bobby  Vernon* 

The  kollege  kut  komedian  in  "Stop 
Kidding"  and  "Sock  Exchange." 

"Confessions  of  a  Chorus 

Girl,"*  "Skating  Home,"  with 
Frances  Lee  and  Christie  Beauties. 


^  Plus  12  other  de  luxe  short  features  in  sound  in  the  quality  Paramount 
style!  ^  Whether  you  play  sound  or  silent  prints,  PARAMOUNT  is  the  one 
company  guaranteeing  a  continuous  flow  of  QUALITY  product  in  1928-29. 
40  to  50  Paramount  1928-29  Features  in  Sound,  Christie  Comedies,  and 
coining:  Paramount  News  in  Sound,  Paramount  Stage  Shows  on  the  Screen. 
f  ''Wings,"  ^'Wedding  March,"  35  de  luxe  Specials,  25  Star  Hits,  Paramount 
News,Quality  Short  Features  in  Paramount's Whole  ShowProgram  for  1928-29! 


T*— «  *.♦♦♦♦  M>*«W* 


NO         OTHER         COMPANY 
STARTS      1928-29      LIKE      THIS! 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

And  Still 

Th^y  Rally 

Around 


Pinklestein  &  Rubin  ~  Publix  Theatres 


in 


cMinneapoUs  and  St.  fPaiil 
also  the  Finklestein  &  Rubin  Circuit 

BOOK 

FOX  PRODUCT 

joining  the  parade  of  powerful  circuits  who  have 
already  signed  for  a  banner  box-office  year! 

With  6  $2  Specials  ready  — proven  by  Broadway 
long  runs  and  popular  price  engagements— plus  a 
line-up  of  Movietone  Entertainments  that  spell 
money— plus  a  smashing  hit  every  week— plus  Fox 
Movietonews,  why  shouldn't  they? 

Vhese  smart 

showmen  must 

he  right! 


Silver  Anniversary 
begins  August  28th— 
Celebrate  Success  with 


■sun 


THE  SCREEN   SENSA1 


N  OF  THE  SEASON! 


I 


I 


^^  LYA  Je  Plini 
D4)NMVARAD0 

WARNER  ClAND 


I 


w^ 


■:?»*' 


♦JfcA 


:^i>y 


z?^y^^^ 


■./•■ 


/■   m 


'A 


'9^%^ 

''<*^    ^ 


Columb/a  WW/fave 


wMaumm:M 


talk  shackei 

nation  wid 

Held  over. N.  Y.  RIVOLI. . . 


COMING 


FBO's    SECOND 
DIALOGUE  SWEEP ! 

HIT  of  the  #HOM/" 

Watch  for  Further  Surprise  Announcements! 


. . .  becond  bLLL  UU 1 


% 


•  •  • 


-''  "■^^SS^''   ^^^C^^'   v,«^-'  V„ 


/     ^  4       N 


Sound  or  Silent:  "Perfect  Crime**  is  tlie  year*s 
greatest  mystery  thriller.,,  with  smasiiing  trial 
scene  and  prologue  and  epilogue  in  talk! 

But  FBO  emphasizes  again:  DONT  BE 
PANICKED  BY  SOUND...  REMEMBER  YOU 
ARE  STILL  IN  THE  MOTION  PICTURE 
BUSINESS  AND  THAT  YOU  NEED  THE 
BEST  IN  SILENT  ATTRACTIONS! 


6Uve 

BROOH 

Irene 

RICH 

TULLY  MARSHALL 
EDMUND   BREESE 

Story  by  WM.  LE  BARON  from 
ISRAEL  ZANGWILL'S  novel 

DIRECTED  BY 

BERT 
GLENNON 


More  NET  PROFITS  mth  FBO  PICTURES 


^ 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


W.  Ray  Johnston 

P 


^T^&sa^vts 


N 
UNUSUAL 

snroRjv  OF" 

IiSITR.IGUE: 
AKD 

:OMANCE 


,  A  RA^ART-- 

I^ICTURE 


"The  City  of  Purple  Dreams" — a  mystifying  title — a  colorful  story  that  will  fascinate  and  grip  your  audience 
till  the  last  foot  of  film  is  screened.  Adapted  from  the  prize  winning  novel  by  Edwin  Baird.  It's  a  story  of 
a  man  who  fights  against  destiny — a  story  of  a  beautiful  woman — a  picture  that  thrills  as  well  as  entertains. 
With  an  exceptional  cast  including  Barbara  Bedford,  Robert  Frazer,  David  Torrence,  Jacquelin  Gadsdon  and 
Paul  Panzer. 

Directed  by  Duke  Worne 


A  TREM  CARR  PRODUCTION 


FUSCITART 

.   PICTURES   .1 


FOREIGN  DISTRIBUTORS: 
RICHMONT  PICTURES 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


€4 


nhe  Most  ^Intelligent  Burlesques 
in  the   m   Movie  World  Today' 


!tufiirur  Xt^onel^fticdie* 


Have  you  ever  noticed  how  the  critics'  re- 
views get  stronger  and  stronger  with  each 
new  release?  For  example,  "SWORD 
POINTS";  then  "FANDANGO,"  and 
"HECTIC  DAYS."  And  now,  the  greatest  of 
them  all — 

"ROAMING       V 
ROMEO" 


"Here's  an  instance  when  the 
dictionary  is  referred  to  to 
find  a  good  assortment  of 
adjectives  that  will  do  justice 
to  the  worth  of  a  picture. 
You  have  often  been  advised 
that  a  picture  was  good  in 
words  like  'hot  stuff,'  'splen- 
did program  fare,'  'laugh 
knockout,'  etc.  With  the  ad- 
vent of  this  Lupino  Lane 
comedy,  however,  we  drag 
out  the  superlatives  and  ear- 
nestly recommend  it  as  one  of 
the  best  comedies  of  the  year. 
There  are  loads  of  laughs. 
Y ou  stumble  over  them  every 
minute  or  so.  The  world  of 
merriment  that  they  have 
packed  into  this  short  sub- 
ject makes  it  emphatically  dis- 
tinctive.  It  is 'the  spice  of  the 
program,'  all  right,  and  how. 


"Lupino  Lane  is  an  artist 
when  it  comes  to  giving  a 
clever  burlesque.  He  gently 
nudges  Roman  history,  its 
modes  of  life  and  amusements. 
Deftly  gagged  with  effective 
satiric  touches,  the  comedy 
is  joyous,  genial  — a  genuine 
laugh  tonic.  .  . . 

"The  story  is  nicely  pat- 
terned and  embroidered  with 
the  unexpected.  Two  galley 
slaves  escape  to  a  Roman 
villa,  where  they  pose  as  gladi- 
ators. It  is  here  that  the  laugh 
hysterics  begin  to  creep  in, 
growing  in  volume  until  they 
are  quite  the  thing.  .  .  . 

"Lane's  burlesques  are  the 

most  intelligent  in  the  movie 

world  today.  Give  his  latest 

a  nice  gold  star." 

,  From  Motion  Picture  News 


"One  of  the  best  bits  of  burlesque  that  has 
ever  been  put  over  in  a  two-reel  comedy  .  .  . 
enough  to  keep  'em  rocking  with  laughter . . . 
You  can  check  this  off  right  now  as  one  of 
the  best  short  comedies  of  the  season.  For 
straight  burlesque  there  is  nothing  any  bet- 
ter on  the  screen."  .  . . , 


EDUCATIONAL  FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc. 


Member.  MotioQ  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors 
of  America,  Inc.,  Will  H.  Hays,  President 


From  Film  Daily 


L*There  are  many  thrills 


I 


and  the 


^  p  melodrama  •  •  • 

-held  in  suspense  through 

I  intense  suspense  •  •  •  the 

acting  are  of  the  first 


cAnother  reason  whv  this  is 


in  this  crook 


spectator  is 
out  •  •  •  at  times 
direction  and 
order  '* 

HarrisofCs  Exports 


Pathe's  \fear 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


"Ask  Anybody!" 

Packard  Says — 

"Ask  the  Man  who  owns  one" 

The  Herald- World  Says — 

"Ask  Anybody!" 


^ 


SK  your  friend,  our  friend,  or 
even  our  closest  competitor,  or 
any  man  in  the  trade  you  meet  in 
the  street. 


The  secret  of  the  Herald-World's 
success  is  that  it  is  no  secret  at  all. 

Everybody  knows  why  the  Herald- 
World  leads  the  motion  picture 
trade  paper  field — because  every- 
body knows  the  Herald- World. 

But  perhaps  a  shorter  way  to  the 
same  answer  is 


Ask 
Yourself! 


One  of  the  REALLY  BIG  pictures 

THE  DIVINE  LADY 


facts  ahout  LADY  HAMILTON,  Heroine  of 

"THE  DIVINE  LADY" 


1 


Slapped  a  King. 

14 

Saved  a  nation. 

15 

Was  born  in  poverty. 

16 

Became  the  companion  of  a  Knight. 

17 

Was  next  supported  by  Charles  Greville, 
son  of  an  Earl. 

18 

Was    "sold"    by    Greville    to    his    uncle, 

19 

Lord  Hamilton. 

Married  Lord  Hamilton  to  thwart  Gre- 
ville. 

20 

O    Became   the   most   celebrated  beauty   of 


her  time. 


^    Was  one  of  the  greatest  sirens  of  history. 

1 C^    Was    loved    by    Romney,    one    of    the 
■*-^    world's  greatest  painters. 

1-i     Is  the  subject  of  fifty  world-famous  paint- 
X    ings  by  Romney  worth  ^100,000  each — 
and  of  perhaps  fifty  more  by  other  artists. 


12 
13 


Fell   in   love   with  Lord  Nelson,   famous 
hero  of  the  Battle  of  Trafalgar. 


Was  the  scandal  of  Europe. 


21 

22 


23 


Influenced  the  destiny  of  nations  as  the 
confidante  of  famous  statesmen. 

Held  sway  through  her  ravishing  beauty 
wherever  she  travelled  on  the  continent. 

Enthralled  Kings  and  Queens  with  her 
glorious  voice. 

Was  one  of  the  greatest  foreign  diplo- 
mats in  England's  service. 

Had  the  most  beautiful  shoulders  of  all 
the  women  of  England. 

Was  a  favorite  at  the  decadent  court  of 
the  King  and  Queen  of  Naples. 

Induced  the  King  of  Naples  to  lend  as- 
sistance to  Nelson's  battered  fleet  in  the 
war  against  the  French. 

Was  scorned  by  London  society  and  the 
English  court  because  of  her  affair  with 
Nelson. 

Saved  her  country  from  defeat  by  send- 
ing Nelson  back  to  the  sea  to  fight  the 
Battle  of  Trafalgar,  which  brought  his 
death. 

Was  imprisoned  for  debt  after  Nelson's 
death. 


i^^y   Escaped  to  France. 
^  ^    Died  in  poverty. 


T^ICHARD  A.   ROWLAND  presents 

CORINNE     GRIFFITH     in 

'THE    DIVINE    LADY" 

with  H.  B.  WARNER  and  VICTOR  VARCONI      —     a  FRANK  LLOYD  Production 


■■y™«fpfc-'fc--.JV 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


«i4  MOVING  PICTURE 


Home 

Office: 

407  So,  Dearborn  St, 

Chicago 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


Sound  installers  end  strike  after  four  weeks'  tieup  that  prevented  premieres  of  synchronized  pictures 
at  Balazan  &  Katz's  Chicago  and  United  Artists  theatre;  Talking  film  equipment  development  is 
credited  by  editorial  writer  with  placing  organiz  ed  musicians  on  defensive  and  saving  civic  sym- 
phony orchestra  for  Chicago  public. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Exhibitors    voice     desire     for     all     sound    pictures     produced, 

HERALD-WORLD    survey    shows — Importance    of    acoustics    in 

studio — Complete  sound  pictures  announcement. 

Joseph    P.    Kennedy    signs    to    take    complete    control    of   First 

National   for    five    years — Rumors    and    rumors    of    rumors    are 

exploded. 

Law  barring  interstate  shipment  of  prizefight  pictures  takes  more 

blows  on  chin  but  remains  on  statute  books. 

Radio  motion  pictures  will  go  on  air  from  KDKA  in  few  weeks 

— Lack  of  projection  booth  is  blamed  for  prison  farm  fire. 

DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized   Pictures    29 

The  Studio   46 

Short  Features  51 

Presentation  Acts   52 

The  Theatre  58 

New  Pictures   62 

Classified  Advertising   61 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 69 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 74 


FEATURES 


Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 61 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges ,.....,  46 

Pictorial  Section  25 

Letters   from   Readers 68 

Quick  Reference  Picture  Chart 36 

Broadway 18 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

SOUND,  FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— Bristolphone,  Johns- 
Manville,  Warner  Brothers,  Nordicphone,  Fox,  MGM,  Tiffany- 
Stahl,  Paramount,  Pathe,  Columbia,  Rayart,  Educational,  F  B  O, 
First  National,  Thomas  Meighan,  Charles  Lamont,  Harold 
Beaudine,  Excellent  Pictures,  Automatic  Ticket  Register,  Milton 
M.  Stern. 

PRESENTATIONS— Donaldson,  Douglas  and  Gumble,  Inc., 
Harold  J.  Lyons,  Albert  F.  Brown,  Doc  Webb,  Irene  Taylor, 
Ginger  Rogers,  Roy  Dietrich,  Henri  A.  Keates,  Ransley  Studios, 
Dean  Stevenson,  Brookes  Costumes,  Eddie  Hanson. 


eaiCAGO 

407    South   Dearborn    St.  Telephones   Harrison    0036-37-33 

Cable    Address :     Quigpubco 
EDWIN     S.     CLIFFORD,     General     Manager 
JAY   M.    SHRECK,    Managing   Editor 
GEORGE    CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 
ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,   Netcs   Editor 
LOS  ANCELES 
sen   Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone   Gladstone  3734 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 
West  Coast  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


\EW    YORK 

36S   Fifth  Avenue  Telephones   Vanderbilt   3612-3&13 

JAMES  BEECROFT,  ATew  York  Advertising  Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,    New    York    Editor 

LONDON 

THE  BIOSCOPE 

(J.  Caboum,  Editor} 

Faraday    House 

8-10   Charing  Cross  Rd.,  W.  C.   2 


SUBSCRIPTION    RATES:     United    States    and    possessions — $3.00    per    year,    Canada — S4.50  per  year.      Other  points  of  the  world — $6.00  per  year.     Single  copies,  23  cants. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations  statements  furnished  upon  application. 


^ 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

ajji  MOVING  PICTURE 

WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  6>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  1915;  Moving  Pic- 
ture WoRiJ>,  founded  in  1907;  Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 
The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifforb,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  and 
The  BfTYEKs  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92.  No.  7    (Vol.  34,  No.  10)    August  18,  1928 


Paging  the  Director 

THE  man  to  put  over  sound  pictures  has  not  yet  pre- 
sented his  card.  The  man  who,  in  the  last  analysis, 
wdll  provide  definite  proof  of  the  value  and  impor- 
tance of  synchronized  sight  and  sound  is  not  yet  known 
to  the  industry. 

So  far  we  know  that  there  are  amazing  new  materials  to 
work  with.  We  can  see  their  possibilities,  or,  if  we  are 
cynical  or  disappointed  in  love  or  perhaps  nothing  more 
than  just  conservative,  we  can  see  their  hopelessness.  We 
have  executives  who  see  these  possibilities  with  us,  or  at 
the  worst  executives  willing  to  drift  along  with  the  roaring 
tide.  We  have  salesmen  who  can  sell  synchronized  pic- 
tures. We  have  exhibitors  who  want  to  buy.  We  have  tech- 
nicians w^ho  want  to  improve,  actors  who  want  to  act. 

We  have  a  public  eager  to  see  and  hear.  The  experience 
of  "Lights  of  New  York"  alone,  without  the  substantiation 
that  has  come  since,  makes  it  obvious  that  the  public  is 
keen  to  see  and  hear  sound  pictures.  So  keen,  indeed,  that 
astute  observers  of  the  public  taste  like  the  Shuberts,  Al 
Woods,  and  the  sonorous  William  A.  Brady  have  sniffed 
gold  in  the  wind  and  have  announced  plans  for  the  trans- 
fer of  their  stage  plays  into  sight  and  sound.  This  is,  all 
too  obviously,  the  beginning  of  the  sound  era  in  pictures. 

But  we  have  not  yet  discovered  how  to  make  a  talking 
picture.  We  know  how  to  play  musical  accompaniment  for 
pictures,  yes,  or  how  to  make  the  curly-haired  Italian 
whistle.  We  have  even,  through  years  of  experience  in  the 
Winter  Garden,  learned  how  to  make  Al  Jolson  sing 
mammy  songs.  But  we  have  not  yet  learned  how  to  make 
our  characters  talk  in  pictures.  Or  if  any  one  of  us  has 
learned  these  things,  then  he  has  not  yet  put  his  knowledge 
to  the  test. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  (or  perhaps  the  word  should 
be  "remember")  that  in  the  early  days  of  pictures  there 
were  many  who  saw  the  hopelessness  of  the  films.   So  crude 


were  the  early  experiments,  in  the  light  of  our  present  de- 
velopment of  the  cinema,  that  it  was  impossible  for  some 
to  imagine  motion  pictures  as  the  medium  of  an  art,  or 
even  a  vulgar  means  for  making  money. 

However,  the  films  have  been  made  into  an  art.  And 
they  have  been  made  into  box  office  successes.  Though 
there  was  little  more  than  an  idea  and  a  mechanical  con- 
trivance to  work  with,  magnificent  successes  have  been 
achieved.  It  is  needless  to  pursue  this  line  of  argument,  or 
list  even  a  meager  half  dozen  of  the  monuments  along  the 
road. 

The  films  achieved  successes  because  men  were  found 
with  the  genius — call  it  imagination,  if  you  will,  or  plain 
horse  sense — to  use  the  materials  in  their  hands.  Men  were 
found  with  the  brains  to  use  mechanics,  actors,  scripts, 
music  and  a  hundred  and  one  odds  and  ends  and  mold 
them  into  works  of  art  or  money-makers  and — Allah  be 
praised ! — sometimes  even  into  both. 

Now,  then,  we  have  a  new  tool  to  work  with.  Only  a 
short-sighted  artisan  would  leave  it  lying  on  the  ground, 
untested.  Only  a  fearful  unprogressing  workman,  satisfied 
in  the  past,  would  shy  away  from  this  new  tool. 

A  great  director  will  grasp  at  the  opportunity  to  use 
sound  in  his  pictures,  just  as  he  grasped  at  every  new  idea 
and  every  new  opportunity  that  came  his  way  in  the  past. 
He  will  welcome  this  new  medium  of  expression,  as  he  wel- 
comed the  opportunity  to  use  angled  camera-shots  or  any 
other  development  of  the  modern  film. 

The  picture  that  will  really  test  the  value  of  sound  in 
motion  has  not  yet  been  made.  Certainly  it  isn't  a  picture 
in  which  sound,  music  or  dialogue,  has  just  been  tacked  on 
to  a  normal  picture.  Certainly  it  isn't  a  film  sjoichronized 
three  months  later  in  Philadelphia.  Certainly  it  isn't  a  pic- 
ture that  will  burst  upon  us  full-grown. 

The  director  who  will  make  a  great  synchronized  picture 
has  not  yet  presented  his  card.  But  when  he  does,  he  will 
bring  something  to  open  the  eyes  and  fears  of  an  incredu- 
lous public.  He  will  bring  something  to  be  accepted  as 
definite  proof  that  the  films  are  big  enough  and  forward 
enough  and  progressive  enough  to  use  every  means  at  their 
command  to  give  the  public  the  best  motion  picture  en- 
tertainment that  can  be  made. 


Worrying  the  Actors 


T^ 


kHE  Actors  Equity  Association,  through  one   of  its 

■      spokesmen,   sees   bad   times   ahead   for   its   charges. 

J-  Equity  looks  upon  the  Shubert- Woods-Brady  plan 
for  filming  stage  plays  as  they  are  given  in  their  New  York 
houses  as  just  another  means  for  cutting  into  the  actor's 
opportunities.  Such  a  plan  will  kill  the  road,  is  the  fear 
of  Equity. 

Equity  might  console  itself.  The  road  couldn't  be  much 
deader  than  it  is  now.  The  present  situation  is  hardly  one 
to  cling  to. 

The  history  of  inventions  is  filled  with  fears  and  disap- 
pointments. Many  new  ideas  have  been  greeted  with  riots, 
and  yet  instead  of  closing  opportunities  they  invariably 
opened  new  ones.  Talking  pictures  are  not  likely  to  make 
life  more  and  more  unbearable  for  actors  and  actresses ;  on 
the  contrary,  they  will  very  possibly  open  new  opportuni- 
ties for  those  worthy  of  them. 

Equity  can  hardly  be  blamed  for  keeping  a  tight  rein  on 
the  present  situation,  for  it  is  hardly  one  that  can  be 
viewed  by  actors  with  equanimity.  On  the  other  hand,  a 
broad-visioned  policy  of  guidance  might  prove  to  be  far 
more  helpful  than  a  fearful  and  nervous  clinging  to  a  pre- 
carious past. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


17 


Sound  Installers  End  Strike 
After  4  Weeks'  Chicago  Tieup 


And  There  Were  Rumors 
And  Rumors  of  Rumors 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— An  extra- 
ordinary number  of  rumors  have 
been  Boated  on  Broadway  during  the 
past  week,  upsetting  the  industry  un- 
necessarily. First  it  was  rumored 
that  the  Paramount  organization  and 
Fox  were  in  competition  to  buy  War- 
ner Brothers  and  Vitaphone;  this 
was  denied  on  all  sides  but  had  the 
effect  of  upsetting  Warner  stock  on 
the  market. 

The  second  rumor  of  outstanding 
importance  concerned  First  National, 
Pathe  and  FBO,  and  came  about 
rather  naturally  as  the  result  of 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy's  return  from  the 
West  Coast.  It  was  rumored  once 
more  that  the  three  would  be  drawn 
together,  possibly  under  the  control 
of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica. This,  too,  was  denied  on  all 
sides. 

The  New  York  Sun  prints  this  line 
at  the  bottom  of  all  prizefight  stories: 
"Don't  Bet  on  Fights."  Anybody 
with  sound  sense  ought  to  keep  this 
in  mind  while  reading  motion  picture 
rumors:     "Don't  Believe  Rumors." 


Exhibitors  Active  Buying 
New  Fall  Pictures,   Say 
N.  Y,  State's  Exchanges 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  14. — Several  exchanges  re- 
port that  exhibitors  in  northern  and  central 
Xew  York  are  beginning  to  buy  the  new  fall 
product.  The  Fox  exchange  reports  business 
as  being  ahead  of  a  year  ago  this  time,  while 
the  First  National  exchange  reports  a  like 
condition.  Some  of  the  exchanges  say  that 
exhibitors  in  the  smaller  places  are  showing 
more  inclination  toward  buying  the  new  prod- 
uct than  those  in  the  cities. 


''Hole-in-Wair  Theatres 
Erased,  Says  ButterReld 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  14.— Ten  "hole-in-thc 
■wall"  theatres  have  been  eliminated  from 
territory  served  by  Butterfield's  80  houses 
in  i2  Michigan  cities  through  changes  of 
conditions  in  the  past  year,  W.  S.  Butter- 
field  declared  on  his  return  from  a  two 
weeks'  vacation. 

Butterfield  theatres  in  the  principal  cities 
will  be  ready  to  show  synchronized  pictures 
by  October  1,  installations  now  being  un- 
derway,  he   said. 


Macgowan's  Father  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SPRINGDALE,   CONN.,   Aug.    14.— Eli   F. 
Macgowan,    father   of    Claude   H.    Macgowan, 
Columbia's  general  manager,  died  here  at  the 
age  of  84  years. 


Murnau  Recuperating 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
PASADENA,    Aug.    14.— F.   W.    Murnau, 
Fox  director,   is  recuperating  at  a  hospital 
here,  following  an  appendicitis  operation. 


Musicians  Are  on  Defensive 

Now,  Says  Editorial  Writer 

Synchronism    Credited    with    Saving    Civic    Orchestra, 
Halting  Union's  Dictatorship 

Resumption  of  work  on  installation  of  sound  equipment  in  Balaban  &  Katz 
theatres  last  week  brought  virtually  to  an  end  a  strike  in  Chicago  which  had 
reflected  the  general  opposition  of  labor  to  synchronization  and  mechanical 
music. 

Ends  Four  Weeks'  Delay 

While  the  final  terms  of  settlement  were  still  to  be  worked  out,  the  effect 
was  to  clear  the  air  of  a  labor  difficulty  that  began  more  than  four  weeks  ago 
and  held  up  the  introduction  of  synchronized  shows  at  the  Chicago  theatre 
and  the  United  Artists  house. 


The  week  also  brought  forth  several  edi- 
torial articles  in  newspapers  on  the  probable 
effects  of  sound  on  the  screen  and  stage  in- 
dustries. While  there  was  hit-and-miss  guess- 
ing in  the  editorials,  they  also  showed  a  seri- 
ous attitude  toward  the  business. 

Musicians   on    Defensive 

Synchronization  is  credited  with  saving  the 
Chicago  symphony  orchestra  in  an  editorial 
in  the  Tribune.  Consummation  of  a  new 
wage  agreement  for  three  years  prompted  this 
comment  regarding  sound  films : 

"The  development  creates  an  entirely  new 
situation  insofar  as  the  'movie'  theatres  and 
orchestras  are  concerned.  The  musicians' 
union,  instead  of  being  the  musical  dictator 
of  the  local  motion  picture  world,  has  been 
suddenly  thrown  on  the  defensive.  Instead 
of  seeking  new  employing  groups  like  the  Or- 
chestral Association  to  conquer,  Mr.  Petrillo 
and  his  associates  are  facing  the  hardest  kind 
of  fight  to  retain  their  old  conquests. 

"Under  such  conditions,  it  is  not  amiss  to 
point  out  that  the  real  savior  of  the  Chicago 
symphony  orchestra  is  the  Western  Electric 
'talkie'    plant    at    Hawthorne." 

Marvelous,   Terrifying   Fact" 

Ashton  Ste\ens,  dramatic  critic  of  the  Chi- 
cago Herald-Examiner,  quotes  from  the  news 
story  in  which  the  Herald-World  informed 
the  trade  of  the  strike  of  installers  of  sound 
equipment,  in  declaring  that  "it  will  be  a  long 
time  before  the  talking  picture  has  the  circula- 
tion of  the  silent  one,  and  organized  labor  is 
doing  nothing  to  hasten  that  time." 

Stevens  holds  that  "what  the  'talkies'  will 
do  to  the  movies  is  a  serious  question,"  and 
that  as  far  as  the  "legit"  is  concerned,  "the 
'talkie'  ought  to  better  the  stage  by  putting 
a    premium    on    the    stage's    refinements    and 


subtleties."     Stevens  declares  that  "the  'talkie' 
is   a  marvelous   and   terrifying   fact." 

Doubts  End  of  Stage 

The  Kansas  City  Star,  which  has  acted  as 
more  or  less  of  a  guardian  for  the  motion 
picture  industry  and  the  stage  in  the  Kansas 
City  territory,  launched  into  an  editorial  dis- 
cussion the  other  day  concerning  the  possibil- 
ity of  talking  pictures  entirely  eliminating  the 
spoken  drama  from  the  stage.     The  editorial : 

"Shall  we  have  even  less  of  the  spoken 
drama  as  a  result  of  the  talking  movies?  The 
question  is  pertinent.  The  spoken  drama,  na- 
tionally speaking,  already  has  been  almost  sub- 
merged by  the  films  and  vaudeville,  and  its 
fight  to  retain  a  respectable  place  in  the  arts 
is  further  hampered  by  the  increased  cost  of 
transportation. 

Possible   Blow  to  Stock  Seen 

"The  voca-film  is  not  new,  but  it  has  been 
greatly  extended  through  the  almost  perfect 
synchronizing  of  the  action  and  speech.  Now 
we  are  informed  a  group  of  New  York  pro- 
ducers has  gained  a  virtual  monopoly  of  the 
inventions  effecting  this  synchronization,  and 
that  they  purpose  to  make  talking  movies  of 
as  many  as  possible  of  worthwhile  new  plays 
and  notable  revivals.  There  is  an  assumption 
in  such  an  enterprise  that  there  will  be  a  sat- 
isfactory demand  for  these  filmed  plays 
throughout  the  country.  If  there  is,  then  to 
whatever  extent  the  filmed  versions  shall 
supersede  the  spoken  versions,  to  that  extent 
the  real  drama  will  suffer. 

"It  is  possible  that  public  support  of  such 
films,  with  their  low  prices,  might  make  it  dif- 
ficult for  road  companies,  stock  companies  and 
even  the  community  theatres  to  keep  up  the 
spoken  drama  in  its  national  character.  We 
(Continued   on  page  68) 


'Triskers''  at  Frisco  Get  $1,000  Loot 

In  Three  Robberies  Staged  in  One  Week 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  14. — Stickup  men  have  been  busy  of  late,  with  mov- 
ing picture  men  the  victims  in  three  instances,  these  robberies  taking  place  within 
a  week. 

Rube  Wolf,  master  of  ceremonies  at  the  Warfield  theatre,  was  the  first  victim. 
He  was  held  up  by  two  men  while  putting  his  car  away  in  a  garage,  following  the 
evening  performance.  The  men  took  a  diamond  ring  valued  at  $450,  a  $10  bag 
and  $210  in  currency.     Then  they  locked  him  in  the  garage. 

A  day  later  Irving  C.  Ackerman,  of  Ackerman,  Harris  &  Oppen,  operating  a 
chain  of  theatres,  was  held  up  near  his  home  and  compelled  to  surrender  a  wrist 
watch  valued  at  $75  and  his  wallet  containing  $75. 

Later  in  the  week  two  bandits  visited  the  Allendale  theatre  and  robbed  the 
manager,  Edward  Gage,  as  he  was  counting  the  box  office  receipts,  making  away 
with  about  $300. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


!][  NEW  YORK.— The  New  York  World 
^  is  now  publishing  reviews  of  dramatic 
openings  a  full  day  late.  ...  To  give  re- 
viewers time  to  think.  .  .  .  This  has  not  yet 
been  extended  to  picture  reviews  nor  to 
sports,  nor  to  President  Coolidge's  speeches. 
.  .  .  Presumably  these  little  matters  don't  re- 
quire thought. 

II  Bob  Kelley  is  running  around  with  gen- 
erous offers  for  the  ear-muff  privilege  at  sum- 
mer houses  showing  synchronized  pictures. 
.  .  .  Killing  two  birds  with  one  stone,  as  it 
were. 

H  Apparently,  judging  merely  from  a  pub- 
licity gag  at  the  A  M  P  A  luncheon,  there  is 
a  fairy  story  about  to  be  filmed. 

H  More  than  the  usual  number  of  rumors 
are  flying  around.  .  .  .  And  getting  into  print. 
.  .  .  Paramount  is  buying  Warner.  .  .  .  Fox 
is  tired  of  buying  Warner  ...  R  C  A  is  buy- 
ing everybody.  ...  Is  anybody  buying  a  beer? 

^  Any  old  rumor  gets  on  the  front  page  these 
days.  .  .  .  And  about  52  days  later,  when  one 
out  of  a  hundred  or  so  blind  stabs  comes  true, 
you'll  hear  the  clak-clak  of  backs  being 
slapped,  like  trained  seals  at  the  circus. 

H  Betty  Bronson  is  leaving  town  soon  to  go 
to  Berlin  and  appear  in  "Peer  Gynt"  for 
UFA.  .  .  .  She  will  be  away  about  four 
months.  .  .  .  But  we  get  our  break.  .  .  . 
Camilla  Horn  is  on  her  way  back 

^  Emil  Jannings  is  coming  to  the  Rialto  in 
"The  Patriot"  on  Friday.  Apparently  there 
won't  be  more  than  about  37,862  who  want 
to  see  the  opening.  .  .  .  The  patriot  is  firing 
the  first  gun  of  the  new  season.  .  .  .  Well, 
you  can't  drive  us  in  from  the  country  so  soon. 

^Douglas  B.  Murray,  the  bright  young  man 
who  helped  build  the  Roxy,  has  been  engaged 
as  Roxy's  production  manager.  .  .  .  His  first 
job  will  be  on  "Four  Sons,"  which  finally 
pushed  "Street  Angel"  out  of  the  big  house. 

H  "Wings"  is  the  fifth  picture  to  celebrate 
a  year  on  Broadway.  .  .  .  The  others  were 
"The  Ten  Commandments,"  "The  Covered 
Wagon,"  "The  Big  Parade"  and  "Ben  Hur." 

^  Understand  the  bidding  is  pretty  hot  for 
the  motion  picture  rights  to  "The  Ladder," 
which  is  enjoying  a  long  run.  .  .  .  Maybe  "en- 
joying" isn't  the  word,  but  it's  a  long  run 
anyway. 

H  Joe  Kennedy's  next  step  takes  him  to  Eu- 
rope. .  .  .  He  sails  the  middle  of  this  month. 
.  .  .  Probably  going  to  take  over  Gaumont, 
Argosy  and  UFA  and  combine  them  into 
something  very  snappy. 

^Katherine  Zimmerman,  critic  of  the  Tele- 
gram, is  in  England  visiting  her  folks. 

If  According  to  the  newsstand  boys,  the  fan 
magazines  have  been  having  their  troubles 
this  summer.  .  .  .  It's  not  the  heat,  it's  the 
talkies. 

1[The  Motion  Picture  Club  is  due  for  a  big 
opening  about  the  first  of  September.  .  .  . 
Now  you'll  know  just  where  to  find  every- 
body, when  you  want  to  find  everybody. 

^  Monta  Bell  is  spending  two  nights  a  week 
telling  the  radio  bugs  all  about  it. 

H  It  looks  like  a  terrible  season  for  the  so- 
called  legitimate  drama,  but  the  pictures  aren't 
complaining  .  .  .  yet. 

PETER  VISCHER. 


So  He  Took  the  $20— 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MEMPHIS,  Aug.  14. — C.  G.  Lawing,  man- 
ager of  the  Ace  theatre,  reported  yesterday 
that  someone  had  entered  and  robbed  the  safe 
of  $20.  The  combination  had  been  worked 
but  he  could  not  learn  how  entrance  was 
gained  to  the  building. 


Putting  One  Over  on  Nature 


■  jT   Mother  Nature  must  be  rubbing  her  eyes  and  wondering  if  she  is  dreaming.      When 

j|    Tristram  Tapper  used  three  seasons  of  the  year  in  his  "The  River",  Frank  Borzage,  Fox 

director,  and  Harry  Oliver,  technical  director,  had  a  problem,  unless  they  were  going  to  take 

three-fourths  of  a  year  to  make  the  production.     They  had  to  combine  fall  and  winter  in  a 

northern  construction  camp  with  balmy  California  summer. 

^TT   They   did  it.      Oliver   built   the  set   shown   herewith,    with   a   mountain   stream   cutting 
jj   through  banks  lined  with  pine  trees  and  with  bunk  houses  against  snow-capped  peaks. 
The  houseboat  is  Charles  Farrell's  home;  Mary  Duncan's  is  a  cabin  on  the  shore.     Fall  se- 
quences were  started  in  June.     Now  the  winter  scenes  are  being  made,  and  the  illusion  of 

cold  is  obvious. 


The  Boy — Charles  Farrell. 


I 


MAKING   THE  PRODUCTION— Left   to  right:   Harry  Oliver,  technical  director  who 

designed  the  sets;  Frank  Borzage,  director  of  "The  River";  Ernest  Palmer,  cameraman; 

Dwight  Cummings,  continuity  writer;  and  Tristram  Tupper,  author. 


The  Girl — Mary  Duncan. 


I 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


19 


Kennedy  Takes  Full  Control  of 
First  National  for  Five  Years 

Continues  As  Directing  Head 
Of  F  B  O,  Pathe,  K  A  O  Chain 

Derr  Is  Expected  to  Handle  Many  Details  of  Operation 

of  First  National 


Sound  Film  "Craze*'  to 
Last  5  Months,  Schenck 
Quoted  by  London  Press 

Danger  Is  Public  May  Be  Poisoned, 

British  Papers  Say  He 

Warned  Trade 

"I  do  not  believe  the  present  talking-picture 
craze  is  more  than  public  curiosity  in  a  nov- 
elty," the  British  trade  press  quotes  Joseph 
M.  Schenck,  president  of  United  Artists,  as 
saying  in  London.  "It  is  a  novelty  and  it  is 
a  badly-done  one.  I  prophesy  they  will  not 
last  more  than  four  or  five  months. 

Says  Public  May  Be  Poisoned 

"I  have  heard  Vitaphone  features  and  I  find 
them  artificial  and  too  mechanical.  For  topi- 
cals  Movietone — which  I  like  best — and  Vita- 
phone  are  excellent.  But  for  full  length  fea- 
ture pictures  it  is  unnatural  and  robs  the  pic- 
ture of  sincerity  by  its  mechanical  qualities. 

"The  danger  is  that  the  public  may  be  poi- 
soned by  the  'talkies.' 

"VVe  have  equipped  sound  studios  for  sound 
films   and   synchronized   music   and   sound   ef- 
fects for  which  I  think  there  is  a  great  future. 
"Dud"  Orchestras  to  Go 

"At  the  same  time  I  do  not  think  that  the 
big  key  theatres  will  ever  give  up  their  or- 
chestras and  musicians  need  not  fear  mechan- 
ical music  in  the  way  some  people  believe. 

"Synchronized  music  will  simply  kill  the 
two-man  'dud'  orchestra  of  small  houses. 

"Short  'talkies'  may  take  the  place  of  costly 
presentations  which  are  a  ghastly  and  expen- 
sive  failure  in  America." 


James  A.  Allison  Dead; 
Headed  Coupon  Company 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  14.— James  A.  Al- 
lison, whose  father,  Noah  Allison,  founded  the 
Allison  Coupon  Company,  one  of  the  large 
makers  of  tickets  and  coupons,  and  who  him- 
self had  charge  of  the  company  at  one  time, 
died  recently  at  his  estate  on  the  edge  of 
Indianapolis.  He  was  55  years  old  and  had 
been  ill  less  than  a  week,  bronchial  pneumonia 
developing  from  a  heavy  cold  which  he  con- 
tracted while  on  a  business  trip  in  the  East. 

Allison  was  also  known  throughout  the 
country  as  one  of  the  founders  with  Carl  G. 
Fisher  of  the  Indianapolis  Motor  Speedway, 
where  each  year  the  500-mile  races  are  run. 


Mysterious  Fire  Costs 
Film  Ad  Service  $110,000 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  14.— Fire  of  un- 
determined origin  caused  $110,000  damage 
to  the  building  and  property  of  the  United 
Flm  Ad  Service.  Burning  films  threw  a 
cloud  of  heavy,  black  smoke  high  against 
the  sky,  attracting  hundreds  of  spectators 
and  motorists,  who  created  a  traffic  jam 
that  made  it  difficult  for  the  fire  depart- 
ment. The  flames  are  believed  to  have 
started  in  the  developing  room  in  the  base- 
ment. 


Projectionists  Get  Raise 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  14. — Projectionists  in  Al- 
bany will  receive  an  increase  in  pay  from 
September  1,  under  the  provisions  of  a  three- 
year  agreement  entered  upon  last  year,  pro- 
viding an  annual  increase  of  about  one  dollar 
a  week. 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World)  \ 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14. — After  some  weeks  as  advisor  in  an  unofficial  capac- 
ity, Joseph  P.  Kennedy  signed  papers  here  Friday  which  give  him  absolute  con- 
trol of  First  National :  affairs  for  the  next  five  years. 

Continues  in  Other  Posts 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of  First  National  held  here,  Kennedy 
signed  a  contract  which  puts  him  in  command  for  the  period  stated.  Announce- 
ment of  the  ;signing  was  made  by  Irving  D.  Rossheim,  president  of  the 
company. 


Kennedy's  contract  followed  close  upon 
his  return  from  California,  where  he  closely 
inspected  the  West  Coast  plant  of  First 
National  and  instituted  a  number  of  re- 
forms and  reorganizations.  Obviously,  his 
work  in  the  West  met  with  approval. 

Derr  To  Handle  Operation 

Invariably  reticent  about  his  operations, 
Kennedy  declined  to  comment  upon  his 
contract.  He  will  continue,  of  course,  as 
the  directing  head  of  Pathe,  F  B  O,  and 
the  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  circuit  in  addi- 
tion to  his  duties  at  First  National.  His 
most  immediate  concern,  however,  lies  in 
a  trip  to  Europe  with  Mrs.  Kennedy;  they 
sail  August  18  on  the  He  de  France.  Pre- 
sumably, one  so  active  as  Kennedy  will 
not  neglect  the  opportunity  to  do  business 
while  abroad. 

It  is  generally  understood  here  that  many 
of  the  details  of  First  National  operation, 
certainly  during  Kennedy's  absence,  will 
be  handled  by  E.  B.  Derr. 


sound  way  of  doing  business,  as  one  party  or 
the  other  may  die,  change  positions  or  break 
faith.  Any  exhibitor  who  is  following  this 
practice  is  traveling  toward  a  dangerous  situa- 
tion. 

"Have  all  special  understandings  reduced  to 
the  old  'black  and  white'  and  see  that  every 
copy  of  the  application  reads  the  same.  If 
you  are  buying  pictures  for  one  house  and 
running  them  in  another,  by  special  oral  agree- 
ment, both  yourself  and  the  salesman  know 
it  is  wrong.  At  least,  it  is  unbusinesslike  and 
your  business  structure  is  surely  being  built 
on  shifting  sands." 


Oral  Agreements 
Unsound,  Woodhull 
Warns  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Buying  film  by 
oral  agreements  with  salesmen  is  all  wrong 
and  an  unsound  way  of  doing  business,  R.  F. 
Woodhull,  president  of  the  M  P  T  O  A,  ad- 
vised exhibitors  today. 

"I  am  impelled  to  sound  this  warning  once 
again  because  of  two  or  three  recent  decisions 
rendered  by  arbitration  boards  against  exhib- 
itors," he  said.  "In  the  first  place,  very  few 
concerns  in  any  line  recognize  oral  statements 
by  their  representatives ;  secondly,  it  is  an  un- 


Exhibitor,  Beaten,  Plans 
Redress  Against  Bluecoat 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  14.— Edward  G. 
Sourbier,  owner  of  the  Lyric  and  other  the- 
atres, and  a  former  member  of  the  city  board 
of  public  safety,  is  planning  to  seek  legal  re- 
dress against  the  policeman  who  recently 
knocked  him  down  and  beat  him  at  a  down- 
town intersection.  At  three  local  corners 
traffic  rules  provide  for  pedestrians  crossing 
the  street  only  when  all  other  traffic  has  been 
stopped.  Sourbier  says  the  policeman  became 
belligerent  when  he  violated  this  provision. 
Police  allege  Sourbier  was  insolent. 


Portland  Women  Quit  as 
Censor  Board  Members 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  14.— Mrs.  Frank 
O.  Northup  and  Mrs.  Walter  Cook  have  sub- 
mitted their  resignations  as  members  of  the 
municipal  board  of  motion  picture  censors. 
No  reason  was  given  for  their  action.  Both 
thanked  the  third  member  of  the  board,  Floyd 
Maxwell,  representing  motion  picture  theatres, 
for   his    cooperation. 


Ohio  MPTO  Sounds  Out  Candidates  for 

Governor  on  Stand  on  Sunday  Pictures 

The  MPTO  of  Ohio  has  sent  out  a  questionnaire  to  all  candidates  before  the 
primaries  for  nomination  for  governor  asking  their  attitude  on  Sunday  motion 
picture  performances.  The  questionnaire  explains  that  Sunday  shows  are  per- 
mitted in  more  than  100  cities  and  towns  in  over  55  counties  of  Ohio,  representing 
80  per  cent  of  the  state's  population. 

James  T.  Begg  assured  the  exhibitors  that  he  would  not  oppose  any  legislation 
which  sought  to  modify  the  blue  laws.  Edward  L.  Turner  gave  the  same  reply. 
Myers  Y.  Cooper  and  Martin  L.  Davey  had  not  as  yet  seen  the  questionnaire. 

At  Ames,  Iowa,  Joe  Gerbracht,  manager  of  the  Ames  Theatre  Company,  was 
fined  $75  and  costs  by  Mayor  F.  H.  Schleiter  for  showing  motion  pictures  on 
July  29  and  August  5,  Sundays. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


_ji     i¥-       ' 

"^.' 

**^     ^  ^* 

■"■"■p^  J[n[^L'              ■  M 

.•\»»'l*     '    w- 

|L^^^^^^H|Pii^         1 

"Radio  movies,"  newest  step  in  mechanical  achievement  beyond  tele- 
vision, is  the  brain-child  of  Dr.  Frank  Conrad,  assistant  chief  engi- 
neer, Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is 
shown  here  with  the  television  motion  picture  projector,  the  scan- 
ning disc  being  directly  in  front  of  him. 


Above  is  the  "heart"  of  the  television  transmitter.  The  scatming 
disc  is  shown,  as  well  as  the  dot  of  light  which  is  thrown  upon  the 
motion  picture  film,  in  the  center.  Above  the  scanning  disc  is  seen 
the  synchronizing  tube  which  keeps  the  disc  turning  at  a  predeter- 
mined speed. 


KDKA  Sends  Radio  Motion  Pictures 
Regularly  Within  Few  Weeks 

Leading  Scientists  See  Successful  Test  of  Invention  Conceived  Only  Two 

Months  Ago  at  Westinghouse 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

EAST  PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  14.-^Radio  motion  pictures  are  an  accom- 
plished fact.  In  the  mere  two  months  : since  Dr.  Frank  Conrad  of  the 
Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manufacturing  Company  got  a  working 
idea  of  combining  sight  and  sound  transmission,  so  rapid  has  been  the  develop- 
ment that  Westinghouse  ofificials  declare  regular  sending  of  motion  pictures 
from  KDKA  will  start  in  a  few  weeks. 


LEADERS  in  radio  met  here  Wednesday  to 
review  the  laboratory  progress  and  make 
definite  plans  for  expansion  of  television, 
facsimile  radio,  power  tubes',  Photophone  and 
broadcast  motion  pictures. 

The  party  included  RCA — David  Sarnoff, 
vice  president  and  general  manager,  E.  F. 
Alexanderson,  Dr.  Alfred  Goldsmith,  C.  H. 
Taylor  and  J.  L.  Ray;  National  Broadcasting 
Company — Merlin  Hall  Aylesworth,  president ; 
RCA  Photophone,  Inc. — E.  E.  Bucher,  vice 
president;  General  Electric — W.  R.  G.  Baker; 
Westinghouse,  H.  P.  Davis,  vice  president, 
Dr.  Conrad,  S.  M.  Kintner,  C.  W.  Horn  and 
F.  E.  Eldredge. 

Sees    Radio    Films    for   Homes 

The  first  demonstration  of  radio  motion  pic- 
tures was  the  climax  of  the  meeting,  the  radio 
waves  being  picked  up  on  a  receiver  in  the 
Westinghouse  Television  laboratory  and  re- 
produced before  the  group  assembled  there. 
Davis  predicted  that  there  will  be  a  time  when 
radio  listeners  can  sit  in  their  homes  and  have 
motion  pictures  projected  on  their  individual 
radio  receiver. 

Radio  motion  pictures  are  a  step  beyond 
previous  developments  in  television  and  re- 
quired the  invention  of  a  number  of  appli- 
ances in  addition  to  a  great  deal  of  scientific 
calculation,  synchronism  of  various  high- 
speed mechanisms,  and  accurate  control  of 
light  and  radio  waves.  Yet  the  principles 
of  the  art,  as  explained  by  Westinghouse  en- 
gineers, are  not  beyond  ordinary  comprehen- 
sion. 

Photography  in  its  simplest  form  consists 
of  the  reproducing  of  spots  of  light  and 
shadow  in  the  same  arrangement  as  they  ap- 
pear in  the  subject  photographed.  The  screen- 
ing of  a  motion  picture,  of  course,  requires 
that  a  roll  of  film  be  operated  at  a  speed 
which  sends  sixteen  pictures  a  second  before  a 
projecting  beam  of  light.  Because  of  the 
structure   of    the    human    eye,    if    a   series    of 


pictures  follow  each  other  at  the  rate  of  16 
or  more  a  second,  the  human  eye  sees  it  as  a 
single  moving  picture. 

Transferred   to   Radio   Wave 

All  this  the  broadcasting  of  radio  movies 
requires,  with  the  addition  that  the  spots  of 
light  must  be  transformed  into  frequencies, 
some  of  which  are  in  the  audible  range, 
transferred  to  a  radio  wave  and  broadcast 
as  electrical  energy.  In  receiving  the  pic- 
tures, the  process  is  reversed,  the  electrical 
energy  is  picked  up,  and  the  frequencies  re- 
turned to  lights  and  shadows,  which  when 
viewed  present  the  radio   motion  picture. 

In  the  first  step,  a  pencil  of  light  traverses 
each  frame  at  the  rate  of  60  times  a  sixteenth 
of  a  second.  This  process  produces  a  60 
line  picture,  as  clear  as  the  usual  newspaper 
halftone  illustration. 

The  pencil  of  light  is  produced  by  a  scanner, 
which  is  a  disc  with  a  series  of  minute  square 
holes  near  its  rim.  The  disc  is  so  arranged 
that  all  light  is  excluded  from  the  film  except 
that    which    goes    through    the    square    holes. 


Picture  Broadcasting 
Regulation  Considered 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  14.— The 
Federal  Radio  Commission  has  desig- 
nated Commissioners  O.  H.  Caldwell 
and  Harold  Lafount  to  draft  regula- 
tions for  control  of  the  sending  of 
pictures  or  facsimiles  by  radio  sta- 
tions in  the  broadcast  band. 

Caldwell  has  suggested  that  picture 
transmission  be  lirnited  to  daylight 
hours,  with  a  maximum  of  half  an 
hour  after  6  p.  m.  local  standard  time. 


Sale  of  German's  Radio 
Invention  to  R  C  A  Reported 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BERLIN,  Aug.  14.— August  Karo- 
lus,  professor  of  physics  at  Leipzig 
University,  is  reported  to  have  sold 
to  R  C  A  his  invention  for  radio  mo- 
tion pictures  which  includes  the  so- 
called  Karolus  cell  said  to  turn  light 
rays  almost  instantaneously  into 
electric  current. 


The    disc    turns    very    fast,    and    as    it    turns 
passes  the  beam  of   light  across  each   frame, 
with   the    result    that    an  individual    beam    of 
light  touches  every  part  of   the  frame. 
Rare  Metal  Used 

The  beam  of  light  passing  through  the  film 
falls  upon  an  electric  eye  or  photo-electric 
cell,  which  is  not  unlike  an  oversized  in- 
candescent lamp.  Within  the  cell,  however, 
is  a  metal  whose  electrical  resistance  varies 
with  the  light  falling  on  it.  Caeseum,  a  rare 
metal,  is  used  in  the  Westinghouse  cell.  The 
amount  of  light  falling  on  this  cell  determines 
the  amount  of  current  passing  through  it. 
The  result  is  that  each  individual  beam  of 
light  sends  an  electrical  impulse  which  varies 
directly  according  to  the  amount  of  light  or 
shade  in  the  film  through  which  it  passed. 

The  beams  of  light  have  now  become  elec- 
trical impulses  and  are  sent  to  the  broadcast- 
ing station.  Here  the  beams  assume  definite 
and  varied  frequencies,  some  of  which  are 
audible.  Dr.  Conrad  states  that  these  fre- 
quencies range  from  somewhere  near  500  to 
approximately  60,000.  Since  the  human  ear 
is  limited  to  frequencies  of  approximately  15,- 
000,  much  of  the  radio  motion  picture  wave 
is  inaudible. 

Can  Be  Sent  Across  Continent 

At  the  broadcasting  station  these  frequen- 
cies are  transposed  on  a  radio  wave  and  trans- 
mitted exactly  as  the  ordinary  music  or  voice. 
The  radio  signals  now  can  be  sent  across  a 
room,  or  across  the  continent.  Their  distance 
range  is  limited  only  by  the  broadcasting  sta- 
tion's equipment. 

In  the  Westinghouse  demonstration,  the. 
signals  traversed  a  distance  of  about  four 
miles ;  two  miles  from  the  laboratory  to  the 
broadcasting  station  by  wire  and  two  miles 
back  to  the  laboratory  by  radio. 

To  turn  these  radio  waves  back  into  light, 
an  arrangement  which  permits  the  use  of  a 
mercury  arc  lamp  is  used.  By  this  adapta- 
tion the  weak  radio  currents  control  the  ac- 
tion of  the  many  times  more  powerful  cur- 
(Continued  from  page  68) 


i^ 


11^ 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


Paul     Bern 


Paul  Bern  Starts 
Production  Duties 
At  Pathe's  Studio 

(Sl'ecial  to   the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Paul  Bern  starts 
work   tomorrow    as   a   Pathe   producer   under 
the  terms  of  his  new  contract.    At  M  G  M  he 
was    first    scenario 
editor-in-chief,  then 
supervisor     of     story 
production.    Before 
joining     Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer    he    had 
been   a   producer    for 
Paramount,    making 
"Flower    of    the 
Night,"    "The   Dress- 
maker    from     Paris" 
and  two  Agnes  Ayres 
pictures. 

His  varied  training 
in  the  production  end 
of  the  industry  in- 
cludes stock  actirig 
and  stage  directorship 

on  the  "legit,"  film  laboratory  work,  cuttmg  as- 
sistant film  directorship,  scenario  editing, 
script  writing.  He  wrote  "The  Dove"  for 
Norma  Talmadge  and  "The  Beloved  Rogue' 
for   John  Barrymore 

In  Pathe's  production  department  he  will 
be  associated  with  WilUam  Sistrom  and 
Ralph  Block. 

Greater  Movie  Season 
Doubles  Detroit  B.  O, 
Over  First  Week  in  '27 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  Aug.  14.— Nearly  twice  as  many 
persons  attended  motion  picture  theatres  m 
this  city  the  week  ending  August  11,  the  first 
week  of  the  annual  Greater  Movie  Season 
celebration,  than  attended  the  opening  week  of 
the  season  last  year. 

Figures  compiled  by  H.  M.  Richey,  man- 
ager of  the  M  P  T  O  of  Michigan  show  that 
the  intense  heat  of  the  last  week  here  worked 
as  a  stimulus  to  theatre  attendance  instead  of 
deterrent.  Those  theatres  with  cooling  plants 
established  high  records  for  August  busmess. 
"Detroit  has  become  'sold'  on  the  idea  that 
the  moving  picture  season  opens  in  August 
and  that  the  theatres  and  producers  make  a 
special  effort  to  provide  extraordinary  shows 
during  this  month,"  Richey  said.  "August, 
1928,  will  be  remembered  in  Detroit  as  a 
month  of  unusual  enthusiasm  among  motion 
picture  fans.  The  presentation  of  the  first 
all-talking  picture  at  the  State  theatre  and  the 
appearance  of  special  features  on  the  stage 
all  tend  to  prove  to  the  public  that  Detroit's 
movie  season  gets  under  way  in  August  in- 
stead of   the  traditional  September." 


New  Zealand  Exhibitors 
Oppose  British  Quotas 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  14.— Leaders  of  the 
industry  in  New  Zealand  are  reported  to  be 
opposed  to  proposed  enforcement  by  legisla- 
tion of  the  s:creening  of  a  quota  of  British 
pictures  at  all  New  Zealand  theatres,  on  the 
grounds  of  government  interference  and  vio- 
lation of  all  principles  of  ordinary  trade. 
British  films  already  are  being  admitted  free. 


Columbia  Exchange  Named 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  14.— Affiliated  Distribut- 
ing Company  is  the  name  given  officially  to 
Columbia's    new    branch    here    until    further 
notice. 


Fight  Law  Takes  More  Blows 
On  Chin  But  It  Stays  on  Books 

United  States  Attorneys  at  New  Orleans  Decide  to  Drop  Prosecu- 
tions— Showings  Continue  at  Portland,  Ore, — Kill 
Useless  Statutes,  Says  Paper 

Once  more  the  trade  is  treated  to  the  spectacle  of  an  archaic  and  inimical 
law  being  permitted  to  remain  upon  the  statute  books  despite  the  ignoring  of 
that  law  by  officials  as  a  direct  result  of  the  opposition  of  the  public  to  the 
measure.  The  law  barring  interstate  shipment  of  prizefight  films  took  several 
more  hard  blows  on  the  chin  last  week  in  the  case  of  the  Tunney-Heeney 
pictures. 

Decide  to  Waive  Prosecution 

United  States  attorneys  at  New  Orleans  have  decided  to  abandon  prosecu- 
tions of  booking  agents  and  exhibitors.  At  Portland,  Ore.,  the  government, 
because  of  lack  of  evidence,  is  taking  no  action  to  bar  the  showing  at  two  thea- 
tres. The  Kansas  City  Star  urges  that  "there  might  be  more  respect  for  all 
laws  if  these  useless  ones  were  lopped  off  the  legal  tree." 
At  Louisville,  a  theatre  manager,  alter  plead-      dence  against  persons  who  imported  pictures 


ing  not  guilty,  was  held  to  the  October  term 
of  the  federal  court. 

Waive    Conspiracy    Charge 
Against  Small  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  August  14.— Abandon- 
ment of  prosecutions  of  booking  agents  and 
exhibitors  of  prizefight  films  has  been  decided 
on  tentatively  by  Wayne  G.  Borah,  United 
States  attorney,  and  Edmond  E.  Talbot,  as- 
sistant United  States  attorney,  following  a 
series  of  conferences. 

The  attitude  of  the  United  States  attorney 
and  his  staff  was  said  to  be  that  while  exhibi- 
tors and  booking  agents  could  be  held  tech- 
nically guilty  of  violating  the  act  prohibiting 
interstate  traffic  in  prizefight  films,  other  ex- 
hibitors and  booking  agents,  equipped  with 
legal  advice,  had  been  able  to  arrange  for 
showings  in  a  manner  which  would  not  make 
them  liable  to  prosecution.  While  the  law 
was  passed  to  suppress  the  showing  of  prize- 
fight films  it  specifically  prohibits  the  trans- 
portation of  such  films,  or  prints  or  pictures 
in  interstate  commerce. 

The  federal  prosecutors  will  bring  indict- 
ments against  all  persons  engaged  in  the  di- 
rect violation  of  the  law  by  transporting  or 
causing  to  be  transported  prize  fight  films, 
but  will  not  seek  to  build  conspiracy  cases 
against  these  socalled  "smaller  exhibitors." 

Last  week  department  of  justice  agents  filed 
charges  against  Henry  Lazarus,  operator  of 
the  Newcomb  theatre ;  Walter  Dominique,  a 
booking  agent ;  and  B.  F.  Everett,  of  New 
York,  charging  them  with  conspiracy  to  vio- 
late the  fight  film  act.  The  case  was  referred 
to  Borah's  office  and  it  was  brought  to  the 
prosecutor's  attention  that  larger  exhibitors 
here  had  arranged  subsequent  to  the  arrival  of 
the  films  in  New  Orleans  for  the  showing 
of  the  pictures. 

Evidence  Lacking, 
Screenings  Continue 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  14.— Lack  of  evi- 


of  the  Tunney-Henney  prizefight  into  this 
state  prevents  the  government  from  taking 
any  action  against  the  showing  here  at  the 
Rivoli  and  Peoples  theatres,  where  they  are 
having  a  good  run,  accompanied  by  other  sec- 
ond-run pictures  at  25  cents  top. 

There  is  no  law  against  showing  the  pic- 
tures, according  to  George  Neuner,  U.  S.  dis- 
trict attorney. 

Lop  Useless  Laws  Off 
Legal  Tree,   Says  Paper 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  14.— "As  the  pictures 
were  prepared  for  exhibition,  we  presume  that 
it  will  be  necessary  for  the  management  of 
the  Gayety  theatre  to  go  through  all  the  fool- 
ish and  necessary  maneuvers  to  circumvent  a 
law  that  continues  to  stand  merely  because 
some  forgotten  legislator  phrased  it  inaccur- 
ately," said  the  Kansas  City  Star  in  referring 
to  the  Tunney-Heeney  fight  pictures  at  the 
Gayety. 

"As  we  listened  to  Graham  McNamee's  vivid 
word  picture  of  the  fight  over  the  radio  we 
reflected  on  the  inconsistency  of  a  law  that 
won't  permit  the  interstate  shipment  of  fight 
pictures,  yet  allows  full  details  to  be  broadcast 
to  every  home,  girls'  seminary  and  lawn  social. 
There  might  be  more  respect  for  all  laws  if 
these  useless  ones  were  lopped  off  the  legal 
tree." 

Louisville    Manager 
Held  to  U.  S.  Court 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOUISVILLE,  Aug.  14.— Through  his  at- 
torney, Walter  S.  Lapp,  Joseph  Steurle,  man- 
ager of  the  Walnut  theatre,  Saturday  pleaded 
not  guilty  to  violation  of  the  prizefight  film 
act  before  the  United  States  commissioner, 
who  held  him  to  the  October  term  of  federal 
court  under  bond  of  $1,000.  The  case  involves 
showing  pictures  of  the  Tunney-Heeney  fight. 
The  warrant  against  Steurle  was  issued  Fri- 
day and  charged  transporting  and  receiving 
the  films. 


Dog  Races  Slip  Back  into  Texas  Despite 

Injunction;  '^Tip-off"  Advertising  Is  Used 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SAN  ANTONIO,  Aug.  14. — Slipping  into  Texas  on  the  sly,  dog  racing  again  is 
popping  up  at  various  points  throughout  the  state.  Three  weeks  ago,  with  only 
"tip-off"  advertising,  a  track  was  opened  eight  rniles  from  San  Antonio  on  Sunday, 
with  a  turnout  of  500.     Edwin  Seay  is  promoting  the  San  Antonio  races. 

In  South  Bend  county,  near  Houston,  when  races  were  started,  an  injunction 
against  them  was  granted.  No  legal  action  has  been  taken  against  the  San  Antonio 
races,  although  State's  Attorney  General  Pollard  has  been  notiSed  of  the  fact  that 
they  are  in  operation,  which  is  an  illegality  under  the  state  gaming  laws. 

Representatives  of  theatre  chains  are  watching  with  eagle  eye. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Bargain  Matinee  Made  Big  Seller 
With  Novel  Drive  for  Month 

Manager  of  This  Theatre  Doubles  Patronage  and  Holdouts  Before  1  P.  M. 

Become  Regular  Thing 

(This  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  articles  on  "My  Greatest  Problem  and  How  I  Overcame  It", 
to  appear  from  time  to  time  in  the  Herald-JForld.  While  sta:ff-  correspondents  are  contribut- 
ing the  articles,  exhibitors  are  invited  to  write  direct  with  their  own  descriptions  of 
outstanding  shoivmanship  experiences.) 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

S.\N  ANTONIO,  Aug.  14. — William  C.  O'Hare,  manager,  came  into  the 
Texas  theatre  last  February  under  difficulties.  He  was  confronted  with 
the  problem  of  constructing  a  working  organization,  of  making  red  ink  an 
unknown  commodity  to  the  bookkeeper,  and  institutionalizing  the  Texas  policy. 
But  his  biggest  problem,  he  was  informed,  would  be  to  build  up  the  twenty-five 


cent  bargain  matinees. 

UP  until  that  time,  this  institution  had  been 
regarded  as  merely  a  morning  price  and 
had  not  been  gi\-en  full  exploitation  as  the 
biggest  appeal  to  the  woman  patron.  True, 
when  the  theatre  first  opened  a  year  and  one- 
half  ago,  a  campaign  was  put  on  in  a  small 
wa}-  through  newspapers  and  posting. 
Month's    Campaign   Waged 

O'Hare  called  a  preliminary  meeting  of  his 
entire  staff  and  outlined  his  plans,  telling  them 
to  sleep  on  the  idea  for  a  week  and  come  back 
with  unusual  ideas.  One  week  later,  a  real 
promotion   campaign  was  organized. 

The  result:  After  a  month  and  one-half 
of  driving,  with  checkup  meetings  being  held 
at  least  three  times  a  week,  O'Hare  was  able 
to  show  that  bargain  matinee  patronage  had 
doubled  and  holdouts  were  being  experienced 
five  days  a  week  before  1  p.  m. 

Here  are  some  of  the  mediums  O'Hare 
used: 

A  stock  24  sheet  was  designed  in  four  col- 
ors, lithographed,  plugging  the  matinee,  leav- 
ing space  for  four-sheet  snipe  on  the  current 
attraction.  The  Texas'  50  stands  were  cov- 
ered with  this  paper,  and  it  is  still  being  used. 

A  revision  slug  was  used  in  all  newspaper 
advertising  for  one  month  outlining  every  fea- 
ture the  patron  could  see  at  the  bargain  mati- 
nee. 

Trailers  Used  Four  Weeks 

Special  trailers  over  a  period  of  four  weeks 
were  used.  One  of  these  was  written  by  John 
Friedl,  district  manager  for  Publix  in  Texas. 
The  first  flash  shows  a  package  with  a  line 
"Value  Sixty  Cents"  marked  out,  with  a  line 
"Cost  to  You  Twenty-five  Cents."  The  pack- 
age in  the  next  frame  opens  showing  the 
various  units  of  entertainment  offered. 

Every  piece  of  printed  matter  carried  the 
bargain  matinee  slug. 

The  marquee  carried  bargain  matinee  copy 
in  lights.  A  huge  panel  in  striking  colors  was 
placed  in  front  of  the  box  office  from  8  a.  m. 
until  1  p.  m.  Panels  were  made  to  hang  in 
the  lounge  rooms,  rest  rooms,  mezzanine,  patio 
and  the  foyers.  An  essay  contest  was  held 
w-ith  the  high  schools.  One  thousand  14x44 
tack  cards  were  placed.  Window  cards  were 
placed  in  all  stores  surrounding  San  Antonio's 
five  suburban  theatres,  selling  patrons  the  idea 
they  obtained  about  five  times  as  much  enter- 
tainment for  the  same  price  at  the  Texas. 

Special  stories  were  run  in  the  local  papers. 


Seiter  Gives  Rigid  Tests 
For  All  in  New  Picture 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  14.— Every 
candidate  for  a  role  in  First  Nation- 
al's "Outcast"  was  tested  in  the  cos- 
tume, action  and  setting  required  for 
his  or  her  scenes,  under  a  new  theory 
of  William  A.  Seiter,  who  is  direct- 
ing Corinne  Crifhth's  latest  starring 
picture. 


A  tieup  was  obtained  with  a  photographer 
whereby  each  morning  for  a  month  a  coupon 
good  for  one  5x7  photograph  was  presented 
to  the  first  ten  women  attending  the  bargain 
matinee. 

Organizations  requesting  reservations  for 
parties  were  advised  that  the  bargain  matinee 
was  the  best  to  attend.  Letters  were  sent  to 
all  clubs  and  local  women's  clubs. 

Any  theatre,  says  O'Hare,  can  take  its  bar- 
gain matinee  and  with  hard,  well  planned  pro- 
motion, organize  it  to  such  a  point  that  it  will 
break  box  office  records. 


Columbia  Starts 
$5,000  Contest 
On  Film    Titles 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— A  $5,000  title  story 
contest  has  just  been  launched  by  Columbia 
to  acquaint  the  public  with  the  titles  of  "The 
Perfect  36,"  the  product  for  1928-29.  The 
contest  will  close  December  31,  with  the  win- 
ners to  be  announced  in  March. 

The  36  titles  are  to  be  woven  into  a  logical 
sequence,  telling  a  story  of  their  own.  Co- 
lumbia officials  will  be  the  judges.  A  48-page 
rotogravure  booklet  is  being  distributed  by 
the  Columbia  exchanges  and  through  the 
mails. 

Awards  range  from  $1,000  in  cash  to  $5 
consolation  prizes.  Awards  include  a  new 
model  sedan,  combination  Radiola  and  Vic- 
trola,  Eastman  motion  picture  camera  and 
projector.  In  case  of  tie,  duplicate  prizes  will 
be  awarded. 


Harding  Scene  Deleted 

From  Hoover  Picture 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14. — Scenes  showing 
the  late  President  Harding  appointing  Herbert 
Hoover  his  secretary  of  commerce  were  miss- 
ing when  the  campaign  picture  prepared  by 
Will  Irwin  was  shown  yesterday.  Irwin  de- 
clared the  elimination  was  made  only  to  cut 
down   the   film   to   four   reels. 


Wallace  Beery  Is  Sued 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug,  14.— Blackmail  is  the 
answer  of  Wallace  Beery's  attorneys  to  a 
$1,000,000  suit  filed  by  Juanita  Montanya, 
former  extra,  who  was  arrested  two  years 
ago  charged  w^ith  trespassing  with  a  gun  near 
Richard  Dix's  home. 


Thomas  W.  Logan  Dead 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

OTTAWA,  Aug.  14.— Thomas  W.  Logan, 
manager  of  the  Capitol,  London,  Out.,  died 
just  after  the  close  of  the  performance  Satur- 
day night. 


Dolores  Del  Rio  and  her  mother  stopped 
over  in  Chicago  for  a  few  days  last  week 
on  their  way  to  New  York  and  Europe. 
While  here  Dolores  was  honored  with  a 
luncheon  at  the  Sherman  hotel.  She  was 
accompanied  by  her  director,  Edwin 
Carewe.     (Herald-JForld  photo.) 

F  B  O's  First  Sound 
Picture  Held  Over  at 
Rivoli  for  Third  Week 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— F  B  O's  first  syn- 
chronized picture,  "The  Perfect  Crime,"  has 
been  held  over  at  the  Rivoli  for  the  third 
week  after  breaking  the  theatre's  records  in 
the  toughest  month  of  the  year.  The  picture 
also  is  setting  new  box  office  figures  at  the 
Rivoli  in  Baltimore.  The  trial  scene,  with 
sound,  has  been  particularly  well  received. 

Playing  without  sound  at  the  United  Artists 
theatre  in  Los  Angeles  and  the  United  Artists 
in  Detroit,  the  production  also  reached  new 
receipt  totals. 


Governor  Broke  Faith 

St.  Louis  Musicians  Say 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  14.— Governor  Sam 
Baker  of  Missouri  and  his'  police  board  in 
St.  Louis  were  accused  of  breaking  faith  with 
organized  labor  by  Stephen  J.  Butler,  business 
agent  for  Musicians  Union  No.  2,  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  St.  Louis  Trades  and  Labor  Union 
at  LTnity  Hall,  St.  Louis,  Sunday,  August  12. 

Butler  made  his  attack  on  the  governor 
and  police  commissioners  during  a  debate  on  a 
resolution  against  "canned  music"  in  motion 
picture  houses,  theatres  and  other  amusement 
places  and  against  an  advance  in  admission 
prices  contemplated  by  some  theatres  in  St. 
Louis. 


Judge  Closes  Theatre 

For  Admitting  Children 

(Special  to    the   Herald-World) 

QUEBEC  CITY,  Aug.  14.— The  threat  of 
the  Quebec  provincial  government  that  exhibi- 
tors who  violate  the  new  law  forbidding  ad- 
mission of  children  under  16  years  would  be 
punished  by  cancellation  of  their  theatre 
license  was  carried  into  effect  at  Quebec  City 
Friday,  when  Hon.  Judge  Lachance  abrogated 
the  theatre  operating  license  of  the  Arlequin 
theatre  and  also  imposed  a  fine  of  $10. 


Stone  Will  Dance  Again 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  LONDON,  CONN.,  Aug.  14.— Fred 
Stone,  stage  and  screen  comedian,  will  dance 
again  by  Christmas,  he  said  Sunday.  He  was 
severely  injured   in  an  airplane  accident. 


Talkie  at  Loew's  State 

(Special    to    the    Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  14.— Pola  Negri's 
"Loves  of  an  Actress,"  synchronized  with 
Movietone,  opens   Sunday  at   Loew's  State. 


■B3>^ 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


Babies  in  Arms  Barred 
From  Theatres  in  Mexico 

(Sfccial  to   the  Hcrald-World) 

MEXICO  CITY,  Aug.  14.— Parents 
will  have  to  leave  their  babies  with 
brother  or  stay  home  themselves. 
President  Calles  has  decreed  in  or- 
dering motion  picture  theatres  to  bar 
patrons  carrying  babies  of  less  than 
two  years.  Calles  says  theatres  in- 
terfere with  the  babies'  sleeping  and 
feeding. 


Indian  Committee  Fights 
Preferential    Treatment 
For  British  Productions 

Suggests  Cinema  Department,  End 
of  Tax  on  Low  Admis- 
sions 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  14.  —  Preferential 
treatment  for  British  films  in  India  is  opposed 
by  the  Indian  Committee  in  its  report  on  the 
ground  that  no  political  or  economic  justifica- 
tion for  such  a  step  exists,  according  to  a 
report  from  Trade  Commissioner  Charles  B. 
Spofford,  Calcutta,  to  the  Department  of  Com- 
merce. 

Creation  of  a  cinema  department  to  form 
part  of  a  commerce  department  of  India's 
Government  is  recommended  in  the  report  of 
the  committee.  The  department  would  consist 
of  an  advisory  committee  with  a  central  film 
bureau  as  the  executive  branch.  The  majority 
advisory  committee  would  be  made  up  of  non- 
Indian  officials,  with  the  minority  government 
officials  all  nominated  by  the  viceroy.  The  ex- 
ecutive branch  would  consist  of  a  secretary 
and  technical  staff.  Expense  of  the  cinema 
department  would  be  met  by  imposition  of  ad- 
ditional 5  per  cent  import  duty  on  exposed 
film,  according  to  the  report.  It  also  recom- 
mended the  removal  of  the  import  duty  on 
raw  film  but  continuance  of  existing  duty  on 
studio  equipment. 

Removal  of  the  entertainment  tax  on  lower 
priced  admissions  and  compulsory  exhibition 
of  educational  films  not  exceeding  15  minutes 
is  also  recommended,  as  well  as  a  central 
board  of  censors  located  in  Bombay  to  reg- 
ister and  certify  all  films,  thus  preventing 
piracy.  Government  legislation  is  preferred 
if  necessary  to  prevent  non-Indians  acquiring 
large  film  interests.  A  majority  suggested 
imposition  of  a  qualified  quota  system  and 
Government  loans,  but  a  strong  minority 
stoutly  opposed  all   such   measures. 


W,  M.  James  Re-elected 
By  Amusement  Managers 
Meeting  at  Cedar  Point 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

CEDAR  POINT,  OHIO,  Aug.  14.— W.  M. 
James  of  Columbus  was  re-elected  president 
of  the  National  Amusement  Managers'  Asso- 
ciation at  the  annual  convention  last  week 
with  75  attending.  The  exhibitors  and  amuse- 
ment managers  present  were  principally  from 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan  and  other  Middle- 
western  states.  Others  re-elected  were  Del 
Andrews,  Muncie,  Ind.,  secretary;  and  Gus 
Sun,  Springfield,  Ohio,  treasurer. 

The  organization  was  formed  23  years  ago 
as  a  result  of  efforts  of  Gus  Sun  to  unite 
theatrical  managers  for  the  benefit  of  theatres 
of  all  kinds.  Since  that  time  it  has  become 
an  organization  largely  of  motion  picture  the- 
atre managers. 

Following  the  business  session,  the  crowd 
chartered  a  lake  steamer,  going  to  Pelle 
Island,  where  a  general  good  time  was  had. 
P.  J.  Wood,  manager  of  the  M  P  T  O  of  Ohio, 
was  a  guest. 


New  Issues  Make  Big  Turnout 
At  Toronto  Vital,  Says  WoodhuU 

Definite  Program  Must  Be  Attained  to  Settle  Problems  of  Coping 

With  Synchronism  and  Labor  Challenge,  M  P  T  0  A 

Head  Tells  Exhibitors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug-.  14. — Exhibitors  have  an  opportunity  at  the  Toronto 
convention  in  October  to  present  a  united  front  for  settlement  of  many  prob- 
lems which  make  this  year  unprecedented  in  its  challenge  to  successful  show- 
manship, according  to  R.  F.  WoodhuU,  president  of  the  M  P  T  O  A. 

Sound  Presents  New  Problem 

Newest  of  the  questions  which  must  be  answered  is  the  adaptation  of  exhibi- 
tion  methods   to    synchronism,    WoodhuU    declared.     The    labor    situation,    he 
added,  also  calls  for  concerted  action,  with  radical  economic  changes  in  sight, 
and  decisions  for  mutual  benefit  imperative. 
Music    tax    legislation    and   overseating    are      conditions.     It  is  needless  to   say  that  as   the 


among  other  problems  that  make  a  complete 

attendance    at    Toronto    of    prime    importance 

to  the  industry,  the  M  P  T  O  A  leader  warned. 

Definite  Program  Urged 

"There  are  many  intricate  situations  and 
perplexing  problems  now  before  the  motion 
picture  industry,"  WoodhuU  stated.  "These 
can  best  be  solved  and  differences  of  opinion 
resolved  so  that  a  definite  program  can  be 
reached  through  a  merging  of  forces  such  as 
will  be  presented  at  the  coming  ninth  annual 
convention  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  at  Toronto,  Canada,  on 
October  16th,  17th  and  18th. 

"We  have  the  talking  picture  situation 
which  is  convulsing  the  industry.  Who  can 
tell  just  what  it  will  comprehend  in  the  im- 
mediate future,  what  hitherto  stable  elements 
it  will  displace  and  what  radical  changes  in 
production  and  exhibition  programs  it  will 
force? 

"What  about  the  labor  situation  in  our  busi- 
ness? Economic  conditions  in  the  United 
States  now  leave  us  in  the  position  that  there 
are  five  applicants  for  every  four  jobs.  No 
particular  interest  or  set  of  individuals  is  re- 
sponsible for  this.  It  is  the  result  of  labor 
saving  devices,  efficiency  programs  for  speed- 
ing up  in  industry  and  kindred  causes  that 
form  an  integral  part  of  our  present  day  life. 

Sees  Radical  Changes  Ahead 

"We  are  due  for  radical  economic  changes 
and  many  who  must  become  a  part  of  this 
evolution  are  groping  in  the  dark. 

"Labor  cannot  now  logically  demand  more 
than  it  has  and  those  of  its  members  engaged 
in  and  about  our  business  must  yield  to  the 
economic  pressure  of  the  new  condition.  They 
are  not  responsible  for  the  present  situation. 
Neither  are  the  theatre  owners.  Therefore 
the  reasonable  thing  to  do  is  to  face  this  prob- 
lem of  natural  progress  honestly  and  arrive 
at  conclusions  of  mutual  benefit. 

"Some  elements  seem  inclined  to  rush 
blindly  on  without  considering  these  changed 


Gotta  Quit  Kickin' 
Lasky  Bam  Around 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Jesse 
L.  Lasky  might  resurrect  the  old 
song  and  make  it  "You  gotta  quit 
kickin'  my  barn  around,"  but  it 
wouldn't  do  any  good.  The  old  barn 
in  which  "The  Squaw  Man"  was 
made  14  years  ago,  is  hunting  a  new 
resting  spot  on  the  Paramount  lot, 
because  it  had  to  make  room  tor 
Paramount's  new  sound  projection 
stage  system.  Some  years  ago  it  was 
moved  from  its  original  site  to  a 
proud  position  on  the  Paramount 
studio  property. 


wheels  of  progress  turn,  the  theatre  owner 
who  carelessly  increases  his  overhead  or  the 
craftsman  who  demands  more  than  the  traffic 
will  bear,  will  be  forced  out  of  the  picture. 
This  question  must  and  will  be  considered  at 
this  convention.  It  must  be  brought  to  as 
close  an  adjustment  as  present  conditions  will 
warrant.  Theatre  owners  are  urged  to  come 
to  Toronto  and  help  solve  these  two  prob- 
lems." 

"If  you  have  any  new  ideas  on  Music  Tax 
legislation  generally,  over  seating  or  other 
situations,  come  along  with  your  plans," 
WoodhuU  tells  exhibitors.  "We  can  settle 
things  best  by  pleasing  the  greater  number. 
To  do  this  the  greater  number  must  state  its 
position." 


Greater  Movie  Season 
Of  West  Coast  Circuit 
Starts  Rolling  Saturday 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  14.— Greater 
Movie  Season  will  open  Saturday  under  the 
auspices  of  West  Coast  Theatres.  A.  M. 
Bowles,  division  manager,  is  chairman  of  the 
local  campaign  and  the  publicity  is  being  con- 
ducted under  the  direction  of  Frank  Whit- 
beck,  who  recently  returned  from  New  York. 
Greater  Movie  Season  is  credited  originally 
to  Herman  Wobber,  district  manager  for 
Paramount,  and  of  late  years  has  been  made 
a  feature  by  West  Coast  Theatres.  This 
year's  special  offerings  will  be  featured  by 
sound  pictures  and  will  thus  have  a  special 
significance. 


Finney  Is  Named  Head  of 
U  A  Exhibitors'  Service 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Vic  Shapiro  of 
United  Artists,  has  engaged  Edward  Finney 
to  take  charge  of  the  exhibitors'  service 
division  of  the  advertising  and  publicity 
department.  Finney's  experience  was  ob- 
tained with  Sanj  Goldwyn,  Metro,  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  and  Associated  Exhibitors. 
Later  he  was  assistant  manager  of  a  mail 
order  concern. 


Thomas  F.  Logan  Is  Dead; 
Headed  Advertising  Firm 

Death  of  Thomas  F.  Logan,  president  of 
Lord,  Thomas  and  Logan,  advertising  agency 
with  offices  in  Chicago,  New  York  and  Lon- 
don, was  a  shock  to  his  many  associates  on 
both  sides'  of  the  Atlantic.  He  died  at  his 
home  at  Ardsley-on-Hudson,  New  York.  R 
C  A  Photophone  was  one  of  the  agency's  ac- 
counts in  the  motion  picture  field. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Prison  Farm^s  Lack  of  Booth  Blamed 
For  Fire;  Inmates  Near  Death 

Projectionist  in  Second  Blaze   in  Texas  Pays   with  Life   After   Saving 
Patrons — Theatre  Is  Destroyed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DALLAS,  Aug-.  14. — Failure  of  the  state  prison  farm  near  Hobby,  Texas, 
to  provide  proper  booth  equipment  is  blamed  for  a  fire  Thursday  that 
brought  to  several  inmates  burns  and  injuries  that  may  prove  fatal  and 
caused  heavy  loss  both  in  prison  properties  and  in  damaged  prints. 


IN  another  fire,  at  the  Plastex  theatre  in 
Pleasanton,  Texas,  Guy  Metcalfe,  S4-year- 
old  projectionist,  paid  with  his  life  for  at- 
tempting to  put  out  the  flames  and  prevent 
disorder  among  the  100  patrons.  He  was 
covered  with  a  stream  of  burning  celluloid 
as  he  tried  to  smother  a  container  of  burn- 
ing films  and  then  jumped  from  a  second- 
story  window.  He  was  rushed  to  a  hospital 
but  lost  the  fight  for  life.  The  theatre  was 
destroyed  but  no  patron  was  seriously  injured. 

No   Booth  at  Prison  Farm 

The  state  prison  farm  tragedy  was  laid  in 
part  to  a  burning  cigaret,  tossed  to  the  floor 
by  a  patron.  When  the  flames  came  into 
contact  with  exposed  films,  there  was  a  rapid 
spread  of  the  fire. 

Don  Douglas,  secretary  of  the  Dallas  Film 
Board  of  Trade,  declared  the  prison  farm  did 
not  have  a  booth  or  other  necessary  safety 
appliances. 

Comment  from  one  exchange  manager  was 
that  his  exchange  would  refuse  to  sell  any 
account   not  having  proper   booth    equipment. 

Damage  Adjustment  a  Problem 

How  the  damage  adjustment  will  be  made 
is  a  matter  of  speculation.  Fire  regulations 
in  city  ordinances,  it  was  pointed  out,  are 
rigid  regarding  theatres'  handling  of  film,  and 
the  trade  was  surprised  to  hear  a  report  that 
prison  officials  had  admitted  that  because  of 
other  heavy  duties  at  the  institution  they  had 
neglected  to  provide  facilities  for  film  opera- 
tion. 


Major  Gale  Defies  Head 
Of  Trade  Board  to  Oust 
Him  from  Advisory  Unit 

Sale  of  Tivoli  Cinema  in  London 

by  MGM  to  PCT  Is 

Sensation 

(By  London  Correspondent) 

LONDON,  Aug.  3  (By  Mail).— The  ballot 
arranged  by  the  C  E  A  in  order  to  nominate 
candidates  for  the  Films  Act  Advisorj^  Com- 
mittee, on  which  vacancies  occur  owing  to  the 
enforced  resignations  of  T.  Ormiston,  W.  N. 
Blake  and  presumably  Major  Gale,  has 
resulted  in  a  choice  of  H.  Victor  Davie,  presi- 
dent of  the  CEA;  F.  H.  Cooper,  vice-presi- 
dent, E.  Trounson  of  Liverpool,  F.  W. 
Morrison  of  Newcastle,  G;  F.  McDonald  of 
Birmingham  and  R.  Bennell  of  Scotland. 

The  fly  in  the  ointment  is  Major  Gale,  who 
maintains  that  he  has  not  resigned,  and  that 
the  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade  has  no 
power  to  demand  his  withdrawal.  It  is  likely, 
however,  that  following  an  official  request 
from  the  President  Sir  Philip  Cunliffe  Lister, 
Gale  will  repair  the  omission  and  formally 
resign.  *    *    * 

A  report  issued  by  the  British  Empire  Film 
Institute,  stressing  the  effects  of  the  British 
Quota  law,  says  that  since  the  new  system  has 
been  in  force  112  British  films  have  been  reg- 
istered by  the  Board  of  Trade  against  872 
foreign  ones.  The  average  number  of  British 
films  was  28  a  year. 

*    *    * 

A  theatre  sensation  was  provided  by  the 
sale   of   the   Tivoli    Cinema,    in   The    Strand, 


London,  which  has  passed  out  of  the  control 
of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  into  the  hands  of 
PCT  the  pioneer  British  Circuit  with  which 
Will  Evans  is  associated,  together  with  Lord 
Beaverbrook  and  Lord  Ashfield.  This  hall, 
comparatively  new,  seats  2,000.  It  was  here 
that  "Ben-Hur"  had  its  premier  run,  which 
lasted  a  year. 

Though  it  is  not  known  definitely  what  this 
transfer  may  portend,  it  is  plain  that  MGM 
intends  soon  to  press  its  new  cinema,  now 
nearing  completion  on  Leicester  Square,  into 
use  as  a  long  run  house.  The  New  Empire, 
as  it  is  to  be  called,  will  seat  over  3,000  and  is 
expected  to  be  ready  in  September.  It  is  un- 
derstood that  the  delay  in  bringing  this  hall 
along  has  been  occasioned  very  largely  by  the 
fact  that  American  architects  drew  the  plans, 
with  the  result  that  the  first  set  were  found 
to  be  out  of  conformity  with  London  County 
Council  rules,  and  had  to  be  sent  back  to  the 
States  for  drastic  revision. 


UFA  Releasing  First  Five 
Of  26  Completed  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Starting  to- 
morrow, UFA  Eastern  Division  Distri- 
bution, Inc.,  will  release  five  of  the  26  com- 
pleted UFA  pictures  for  the  coming  sea- 
son. The  five  are  "The  Apaches  of  Paris," 
"Milka  of  the  Snowlands,"  "Bondage," 
"Guilty"  and  "When  Duty  Calls." 


John  Loder  on  Coast 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,     Aug.     14.— John     Loder, 
English   screen  actor,  has   reached   the   studio 
country  to  appear  in  Paramount  pictures. 


Two  Closing  for  Repairs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  14.— The  Strand 
and  Globe,  two  Saenger  first-run  theatres, 
close  Sunday  for  extensive  repairs. 


T  S  Engages  Ann  Christy 

(Special   to   the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Tiffany-Stahl  has 
engaged  Ann  Christy  to  feature  in  "Love 
Charm,"  a  Color  Classic. 


What's  Best  Picture  to 
See  as  Tooth  Is  Yanked? 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

BOSTON,  Aug.  14.— And  just  as 
the  dentist  was  about  to  pull  the 
wisdom  tooth  his  assistant  in  the 
office  projection  booth  began  show- 
ing  .   .   . 

What  we  started  to  say  was  that 
Dr.  James  H.  Daly,  in  charge  of  a 
summer  clinic  at  Tufts  Dental 
School,  conducted  a  laboratory  ex- 
periment to  show  that  motion  pic- 
tures can  do  much  to  distract  the 
attention  of  a  patient  from  the  dis- 
comforts of  a  dentist's  chair. 
"Steamboat  Bill,  Jr."  was  the  picture 
shown,   says   the  Boston    Traveler. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

PARAMOUNT— "Just  Married,"  a  Paramount  film 
featuring  James  Hall  and  Ruth  Taylor,  directed  by 
Frank   Strayer. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "Crime  and 
Punishment,"  featuring  the  players  of  the  Moscow 
Art  Theatre,  directed  by  Robert  Wiene. 

HIPPODROME — "Harold  Teen,"  a  First  National 
picture  with  Arthur  Lake  and  Mary  Brian. 

CAMEO^"Fortune's  Fool,"  produced  and  starring 
Emil  Jannings,  directed  by  Rudolph  Schunzel,  Film 
Arts  Guild  presentation. 

RIALTO — "The  Patriot,"  a  Paramount  special,  star- 
ring Emil  Jannings,  directed  by  Ernst  Lubitsch. 

EMBASSY — "The  Scarlet  Lady,"  a  Columbia  special 
featuring  Lya  de  Putti,  directed  by  Alan  Crosland. 

WARNER — "The  Terror,"  a  Warner  Brothers  all- 
talking  special,  with  Edward  Everett  Horton  and 
May   McAvoy,   directed  by  Roy  Del  Ruth. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

ROXY — "Four  Sons,"  a  Fox  production.  Movietone, 
revived   for   another  week. 

STRAND — "Glorious  Betsy,"  Warner  Brothers,  re- 
vived August  4.  ,    .  , 

CRITERION — "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
12    1927 

GLOBE — "The  Red  Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25.^ 

ASTOR — "White     Shadows    in    the     South     Seas, 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  opened  August  1. 

CENTRAL — "Lilac   Time,"    First   National,    opened 

CAPITOL — "The    Mysterious    Lady,"    Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer, opened  August  4  „     -c-  t>  r.  a 
RIVOLI — "The     Perfect     Crime,"     F  B  O,     opened 

August  4. 

Three-fourths  of  F  B  O 
Product  Is  Completed; 
Seven  Others  Starting 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Three-fourths 
of  the  1928-29  product  of  FBO  has  been 
completed  by  William  LeBaron,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  production,  in  further  evidence 
of  the  rapid  steps  forward  being  made  by  the 
company  under  the  leadership  of  Joseph  P. 
Kennedy. 

Seven  new  pictures  are  just  going  into  pro- 
duction, including  "The  Air  Legion,"  "Stolen 
Love,"  "His  Last  Haul,"  also  Tom  Mix's 
second  production,  and  "Come  and  Get  It" 
and  "The  Freckled  Rascal." 


Warners*  Opening  Release 
Is  "State  Street  Sadie'' 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Now  comes  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  first  four  productions  to  be 
released  by  Warner  Brothers  on  the  new  sea- 
son's list.  They  are  "State  Street  Sadie," 
Aug.  25 ;  "Women  They  Talk  About,"  Sept. 
8;  "Caught  in  the  Fog,"  Sept.  22,  and  "The 
Midnight  Taxi,"  Oct.  6. 


'^Scarlet  Lady"  Premiere 
Given  at  Embassy  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.^Columbia's  "The 
Scarlet  Lady"  is  being  roadshown,  starting 
tonight  with  its  world  premiere  at  the  Em- 
bassy theatre.  Lya  de  Putti,  Don  Alvarado 
and  Warner  Oland  have  the  leads. 


Ambrose  Dow  ling  Sails 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Ambrose  S. 
Dowling,  manager  of  F  B  O  Export  Cor- 
poration, will  sail  Saturday  for  an  extended 
business  tour  of  Europe. 


Mexican  Distributor  Visits  FBO 

NEW  YORK.— Luis  Lezama,  distributor  of  F  B  O 
product  in  Mexico,  has  been  a  visitor  at  the  home 
office. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


Y^ 


M' 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


The  blind  can  "see"  motion  pictures  now. 
That  thought,  expressed  in  an  essay  con- 
test on  Movie'^one,  staged  by  Fox,  won 
for  Miss  Rosalie  Florence  Cohen,  Cornell 


Before  returning  East  "Jimmy"  Walker,  New 
York's  genial  and  sartorial  mayor  de  luxe, 
stopped  at  the  First  National  lot  and  was  a 
guest  of  Colleen  Moore,  star  of  "Lilac  Time." 
Two  winners. 


The  voice  that  helped  make  John  Barry- 
more  a  sterling  stage  star  will  be  stilled  no 
longer.  The  Warner  Brothers  player,  as 
announced,  has  signed  for  a  Vitaphone 
production. 


A   new   mount   is   the   big   thrill   in  the   life   of   a   horseman,    and 

apparently  this  Arabian  mare  from  the  Billington  Ranch  of  Southern 

California  is  every  bit  as  interested  in  his  first  picture  as  was  Tim 

McCoy,  M  G  M  star,  whose  latest  is  "Morgan's  Raiders." 


Looks  like  "a  great  time  will  be  had  by  all  of  those  who  are  present," 

Richard  Dix  of  Paramount  may  be  saying  as  he  meets  Ruth  Elder, 

first  heroine  of  trans-Atlantic  flying.     Miss  Elder  is  leading  woman  for 

the  star  in  "Moran  of  the  Marines." 


26 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE   WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Presentation  personages  gather  for  an  im- 
promptu chat  at  Randolph  and  Dearborn, 
Chicago.  From  his  new  roadster  Al  Kvale, 
M.  C.  (Oriental)  is  viewing  some  stage  handi- 
work of  Verne  Buck,  M.  C.  Seated  are 
Milton  Watson  and  Peggy  Bernier  (Mrs. 
Watson).  Ray  Gallo  is  on  the  running 
board.  M.  C,  of  course,  means  Maestro  of 
Comedy. 


To  write  the  phrase  "My  Man" 
identifies  this  new  screen  star  as 
immediately  as  do  the  two  words 
Fannie  Brice.  The  song  which 
she  "made"  contributes  the  title 
of  her  first  Vitaphone  produc- 
tion for  Warner  Brothers,  which 
is  as  it  should  be. 


Whether  she  gets  to  the  beach  really 
doesn't  figure  in  the  case;  in  any  event  it 
was  a  happy  thought  that  prompted  her 
to  pause  beside  the  car.  Who?  Oh, 
Anita  Page,  now  in  M  G  M's  "Our 
Dancing  Daughters." 


-.^^../•^^■ 


Sunkist!  We  don't  note 
any  particular  tan  on 
Mary  Brian,  Paramount 
player,  so  we  take  that  to 
refer  to  the  fruit.  Roy  E. 
McKay,  left,  and  Harry 
Gordon,  president  of  the 
Covina  Citrus  Association, 
are  watching  George 
Anderson  do  the  crating. 
Sunkist!     Hmmm! 


Left:  Pedigreed,  all.  Mrs. 
Arthur  Stone,  wife  of  the 
Fox  comedian,  is  trying 
out  one  of  W.  K.  Kel- 
logg's  Arabian  horses 
from  the  string  at  his 
ranch  at  Pomona,  Cal., 
where  he  has  a  score  or 
so.  Stone  was  featured 
%vith  Nancy  Carroll  in 
"Chicken  a  la  King." 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


"Wotta  life!"  We  purloin  the 
graphic  phrase  from  an  observ- 
ing cartoonist,  who  could  have 
interpreted  no  better  the  ennui 
possible  to  small  comediennes. 
This  small  comedienne  is  Mary 
Ann  Jackson  of  the  Roach- 
M  G  M  "Our  Gang." 


Above:  An  exchange, 
its  manager  and  staff 
in  an  interesting  corner 
of  the  world,  the 
Straits  Settlements. 
The  branch  is  First 
National's  in  Singa- 
pore. Joe  Fisher,  the 
manager,  is  shown  at 
the  center  of  his  group 
of  aides,  including  Miss 
Fisher,  secretary. 


Right:  Speaking  of 
Singapore — as  we  were 
— here  is  a  scene  from 
a  piece  of  screen  fic- 
tion related  to  that 
region,  "The  Singa- 
pore Mutiny."  The 
picture  shows  the  set 
of  the  ship's  stoke- 
hold. The  production, 
an  F  B  O,  stars  Ralph 
Ince,  who  also  directs. 


M 

•  t 

Italian  diplomats  and  their  aides  visit  the 
UFA  studio  at  Neubabelsberg,  in  connection 
with  the  producing  and  distributing  merger 
recently  effected  by  that  important  German 
company  and  Italian  Luce.  The  personages 
shown  are  (No.  1)  Director  Grau  of  UFA, 
(No.  2)  Secretary  of  State  Balbo  of  Italy, 
and  (No.  3)  Ambassador  Marescotti,  Italian 
envoy    to    Germany. 


There's  a  white  man  in  the  offing,  ap- 
parently. In  fact,  we  know  there  is,  for 
the  maid  is  Raquel  Torres  in  M  G  M's  tale 
of  matters  tropical,  "White  Shadows  of 
the  South  Seas."    Monte  Blue  is  the  white 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Seven  Theatre  Bombings  in  Seattle 
Bring  Demand  for  Cleanup 

Lucky  Escape  from  Deaths  "Twisted  Into  Excuse  for  Official  Sloth,"  Says 
Times — Guards  Protect  Danz  Houses 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  14. — Seven  theatre  bombings  in  Seattle  since  the  first  of 
I  the  year  have  prompted  an  editorial  demand  in  the  Seattle  Times  that  the 
police  and  sheriff's  office  put  an  end  to  the  outrages.  Mayor  Frank 
Edwards  has  offered  a  reward  of  $1,000  for  the  capture  of  the  man  who  bombed 
the  Colonial,  latest  of  the  objectives  of  the  terrorists. 
CHERIFF    CLAUDE    G.    BANNICK    has      or  business  quarrels  among  men,  but  they  are 


•^  placed  his  forces  at  the  disposal  of  the  po 
lice,  and  John  Danz,  owner  of  the  Colonial 
and  other  attacked  theatres,  declared  guards 
had  been  stationed  around  the  houses  to  warn 
of  possible  bombings  and  every  other  precau- 
tion to  safeguard  theatregoers  had  been  taken. 

Official  Sloth  Charged 

The  editorial  article  stated : 

"Once  again  a  Seattle  theatre  has  been 
bombed.  It  is  the  seventh  bombing  since  the 
first  of  the  year,  and  it  makes  at  least  six  too 
many  from  any  point  of  view.  It  is'  conceiv- 
able that  one  such  demonstration  may  have 
occurred  that  was  unpreventable  by  the 
authorities ;  but  the  fact  that  all  succeeding 
similar  demonstrations  have  been  directed 
against  the  one  'string'  of  theatres  gives  fair 
indication  of  official  negligence  and  fault. 

Public  Demands  Cleanup 

"Public  opinion  in  Seattle  has  never  been 
tolerant  of  felonious  assault  on  life  or  prop- 
erty; yet  the  record  of  what  has  been  done 
throughout  this  s'eries  of  theatre  bombings 
suggests  considerable  misapprehension  of  pub- 
lic opinion  on  the  part  of  those  agencies  upon 
which  we  depend  for  the  protection  of  life 
and  property.  It  is  only  by  the  mercy  of  God 
that  no  one  has  been  maimed  or  killed ;  and 
yet  that  kindly  dispensation  of  Providence 
seems  somehow  to  have  been  twisted  into  ex- 
cuse for  continued  official  indifference  and 
s'loth.  The  record  reads  as  if  the  authorities 
were  determined  not  to  be  stirred  to  effective 
action  by  anything  short  of  tragedy. 

"This  will  not  do,  gentlemen  of  our  city 
and  county  governments.  Though  happily  the 
tragedy  for  which  we  seem  to  have  been  wait- 
ing has  thus  far  been  averted,  the  people  of 
Seattle  now  make  peremptory  demand  that 
you  shall  wait  no  longer.  They  are  not  con- 
cerned about  the  inward  details  of  individual 


Mae  Murray's  "Sesame" 
Fails  to  Open  the  Books 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

MEMPHIS,  Aug.  14.— Mae  Mur- 
ray, screen  star  appearing  in  a  week's 
vaudeville  engagement  at  Pantages 
theatre,  created  a  sensation  at  the 
matinee  Tuesday  by  declaring,  "This 
will  be  my  last  appearance  on  a 
Pantages  stage." 

This  announcement  is  said  to  have 
resulted  from  the  management's  re- 
fusal to  allow  Miss  Murray  to  ex- 
amine its  books  for  the  last  six 
months.  A  spokesman  for  Pantages 
declared  he  regarded  Miss  Murray's 
actions  as  an  outburst  of  tempera- 
ment. 

"We  agreed  to  let  her  see  the 
books  covering  the  week  of  her  en- 
gagement and  we  told  her  she  might 
place  as  many  checkers  on  the  door 
as  she  desired,"  he  stated. 

Matters  evidently  were  adjusted. 
Miss  Murray  appeared  at  both 
evening  performances. 


very  gravely  concerned  for  their  own  protec- 
tion and  for  the  reputation  of  their  city, 
which  already  has  suffered  serious  injury. 

"In  the  first  place,  of  course,  it  is  the  busi- 
ness of  the  police  department  of  Seattle  to 
put  an  end  to  these  outrages;  to  take  such 
steps  right  now  that  nothing  of  the  kind  shall 
again  occur.  But  we  also  recall  that  it  was 
not  very  long  ago  that  the  county  sheriff  and 
his'  forces  were  making  much  stir  within  the 
city  limits  against  other  violations  of  law ;  and 
we  would  suggest  that  here  is  opportunity  for 
the  sheriff  and  his  men  to  be  of  real  service 
in  case  of  police  failure  or  refusal  to  insure 
the  safety  of  the  people  in  every  place  of  pub- 
lic assemblage  and  at  all  times. 

"The  rights  and  wrongs  of  this  matter  ad- 
mit of  no  debate.  There  is  no  room  for  any 
argument.  Bombing  must  cease.  No  issue 
of  any  kind  with  which  our  officials  have  to 
deal  calls  as  loudly  for  instant  and  conclusive 
action.  The  people  of  Seattle  will  not  stand 
for  any  more  palliation  or  paltering." 


ff 


"Wings"  to  Be  Released 
In  September;  "Patriot/ 
"Wedding  March"  Follow 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Despite  the  fact 
that  Paramount  considers  "Wings"  good  for 
a  long  time  yet  for  roadshowing  though  just 
having  completed  a  year  at  the  Criterion  Sun- 
day, the  aviation  epic  will  be  releas'ed  gener- 
ally the  third  or  fourth  week  of  September. 
The  roadshow  department  will  cancel  road- 
show bookings.  Full  synchronized  accompani- 
ment will  be  provided. 

"The  Patriot,"  ■with  Emil  Jannings,  will  be 
released  at  about  the  same  time.  It  has  its 
premiere  in  the  Rialto  theatre  Friday.  Erich 
von  Stroheim's  "The  Wedding  March"  will 
be  released  the  first  week  of  October. 

More  than  11,000  individuals  have  paid  $1.10 
for  standing  room  to  see  "Wings"  at  the  Cri- 
terion, according  to  A.  Griffith  Grey,  head  of 
the  Paramount  roadshow  department.  "Wings" 
also  holds  the  record  of  a  $32,000  advance 
sale,  or  two  weeks'  capacity  of  the  theatre. 

Electrical  Trade  Opens 
Trade  Show  in  October 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14— The  motion  pic- 
ture business  is  expected  to  be  well  rep- 
resented in  the  electrical  trade  show  open- 
ing in  October,  particularly  in  view  of  the 
synchronization  developments  of  the  past 
year.  Electrical  contractors,  wholesalers, 
retailers  and  buyers  will  participate  in  this 
first  electrical  trade  show,  to  be  held  Octo- 
ber 17-19  at  the  Grand  Central  Palace. 


James  Pierce  Weds 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14— James  Pierce, 
who  played  ape  man  in  motion  pictures,  has 
just  married  Joan  Burroughs,  daughter  of 
Edgar  Rice  Burroughs,  who  wrote  the  Tarzan 
series. 


Every  Child  Likes  a  Fire 
But  Not  in  His  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LAFAYETTE,  LA.,  Aug.  14.— Fire 
which  broke  out  in  the  Royal  theatre 
while  350  school  children  were  attend- 
ing the  Saturday  matinee  caused  dam- 
age estimated  at  $5,500,  partly  covered 
by  insurance,  and  threatened  for  a 
time  the  destruction  of  the  business 
section  of  Lafayette.  The  fire  started 
in  the  projection  booth.  Good  judg- 
ment in  the  conduct  of  the  staff  of 
the  theatre  averted  disorder. 


New  Resonant  Cement 
Wall  Tested;  Invention 
Originates  New  Sound 

Panels  Honeycombed  with  Disc-like 
Air  Spaces  by  Emile  Berliner 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  14.— A  resonant 
cement  wall,  creation  of  Emile  Berliner,  which 
marks  a  new  departure  in  theory  of  acoustical 
construction  for  theatres,  won  the  approba- 
tion of  scientists  at  a  test  at  Drexel  Institute 
last  week.  Experts  on  acoustics  agreed  that 
further  experimentation  was  warranted,  as 
they  coincided  in  the  opinion  that  the  inven- 
tion improved  reception  at  the  Drexel  audi- 
torium. 

Panels  Honeycombed  by  Cells 

William  A.  Heilprin,  local  representative  of 
Berliner,  whose  workmen  had  prepared  pan- 
els that  took  up  about  one-fourth  of  the  side 
wall  space  of  the  auditorium,  declared,  as  pos- 
sible explanation  of  the  invention: 

"The  panels,  of  fireproof  permanent  mate- 
rials, present  a  smooth,  sanitary  _ surface,  sus- 
ceptible of  being  painted  or  finished  to  imi- 
tate stone.  Outwardly  flat,  these  panels  are 
virtually  honeycombed  with  disc-like  air  spaces, 
or  cells;  and  the  flat  portion  of  the  wall  in 
front  of  the  circular  spaces  is  in  reality  a  large 
diaphragm  that  vibrates  when  vocal  or  mu- 
sical  sounds  strike  it. 

New  Sound  Originated 

"Sound  waves  which  strike  these  panels  are 
not  reflected  in  beams  or  shafts  of  sound  as 
would  be  the  case  with  masonry  or  plaster 
walls.  Nor  are  these  sound  waves  absorbed 
as  they  would  be  by  hair  felt  or  draperies. 
The  sound  is  thrown  back  to  your  ears  in  a 
diffused  form,  ampHfying  the  volume,  without 
disagreeable  reverberation  caused  by  the  be- 
lated arrival  of  reflected  sounds. 

"The  diaphragms  reflect  some  of  the  sound 
in  the  thoroughly  diffused  sprays,  while  some 
of  the  sound  energy  is  transmitted  into  me- 
chanical vibratory  motion,  which  actually  orig- 
inates new  sound,  having  the  identical  pitch. 
This  alteration  of  sound  wave  energy_  into 
beneficial  form  is  the  vital  point  of  this  in- 
vention. The  old  method  obliterated  the  major 
portion  of  the  sound;  the  new  method  con- 
trols and  utilizes  it." 

The  invention  is  viewed  as  of  particular  sig- 
nificance in  view  of  the  rapid  development  of 
film    synchronization. 

Heat  Overcomes  Nine 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— The  heat  in 
Death  Valley  is  reported  to  have  overcome 
nine  members  of  the  troupe  of  Tiffany-Stahl 
making  "The  Rainbow,"  including  Reginald 
Barker,  director. 


Hamlin  Is  Recovering 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
NEW   YORK,    Aug.    14.— Thomas    Hamlin, 
publisher   of    "Film   Curb,"   is   in   the   country 
recuperating    and     will    return    to    his     desk 
August  27.     He  was  operated  upon  May  27. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


Wired  Theatres  Will  Play  All  Available 
Sound  Films,  Herald- World  Survey  Shows 

By  WILL  WHITMORE 
All  we  can  get! 

This  is  a  typical  answer  to  the  question,  "How  many  sound  pictures  will  you  play  during  the  coming  season?"  This  is 
one  of  the  questions  asked  in  the  Herald-World  survey  recently  conducted  to  determine  the  status  of  sound  pictures  today. 
Results  show  a  wide  variance  of  opinion  among  exhibitors,  especially  the  small  town  exhibitors,  most  of  whom  have  adopted 
a  policy  of  watchful  waiting. 


But  this  extensive  survey  conducted  among 
chains  and  independent  exhibitors,  both 
large  and  small,  shows  one  thing  definitely 
and  conclusively — houses  that  are  now 
wired  and  those  that  will  be  wired  this 
season  will  play  the  sound  picture  this 
season — all  of  the  product  that  is  available 
for  them.  At  present  more  than  600  houses 
are  wired  and  are  showing  sound  pictures. 
By  the  end  of  the  year  there  will  probably 
be  1,000  theatres  wired  for  sound.  Electrical 
Research  Products  Corporation,  alone,  will 
be  in  a  position  to  equip  at  least  2,000  addi- 
tional theatres  during  the  coming  year. 
RCA  has  made  no  definite  announcement 
concerning  its  production  plans  for  Photo- 
phone,  but  it  is  believed  that  the  company 
will  be  producing  equipment  on  a  much 
larger  scale  within  a  short  period.  Photo- 
phone  and  the  Western  Electric  reproduc- 
ing system  are  now  interchangeable  for  the 
reproduction  of  sound  pictures,  according 
to  David  SarnofF,  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of   RCA. 

Here's  What  They  Say 

In  regard  to  the  demand  for  the  sound 
picture  during  the  coming  season,  let's  see 
what  some  of  the  chain  theatres  have  to  say. 
"We  will  play  as  many  feature  length  sound 
pictures  as  are  available,"  reports  the  Inter- 
state Theatre  Corporation,  Boston.  This 
company  has  contracted  for  two  Western 
Electric  systems.  "We  believe  the  talking 
picture  will  replace  the  silent  drama,  and 
regard  the  sound  picture  as  the  salvation 
of  the  small  town  houses.  They  can  now 
compete  with  the  key  cities." 

Alfred  Gottesman  Theatres  in  New  York 
City  are  exhibiting  sound  pictures  in  three 
theatres  at  present  and  will  need  as  many 
sound  films  this  year  as  can  be  bought.  This 
company  believes  the  sound  picture  will  re- 
place the  silent  picture.  The  Nolan  Theatre 
circuit,  Denver,  Colorado,  is  now  operating 
two  wired  theatres  and  has  contracted  for 
two  Western  Electric  systems.  This  circuit 
reports  it  will  need  three  feature  sound  pic- 
tures weekly. 

Publix  reports  that  sound  pictures  are 
now  being  shown  in  85  theatres  throughout 
its  huge  chain,  and  that  contracts  have  been 
made  for  all  theatres  to  be  wired.  To  the 
question,  "how  many  feature  length  pictures 
will  you  play  during  the  coming  season," 
the  Publix  reply  is,  "All  we  get."  This 
organization  believes  the  talking  picture  will 
replace  the  silent  drama,  according  to  the 
answer  made  to  the  Herald- World  survey. 

Cohen  Brothers  circuit,  Detroit,  has  con- 
tracted for  one  installation  and  reports  it 
will  play  all  of  the   sound  pictures  for  the 


coming  season.  This  circuit  does  not  be- 
lieve the  sound  picture  will  replace  the 
silent  variety. 

The  Twin  Cities  Theatre  Circuit,  Cen- 
tralia,  Washington,  reports  that  it  will 
probably  play  25  sound  pictures  in  one  thea- 
tre this  year.     It  is  the  belief  of  this  circuit 


Sound  Offers 
New  Problems 
For  Solution 


By   PETER   VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— The  most 
significant  development  in  the  motion 
picture  industry  in  recent  years,  the 
synchronization  of  sound  with  screen, 
has  brought  up  innumerable  questions 
of  pressing  importance. 

All  sections  of  the  country  are  taking 
to_  sound,  as  the  public  demands  to  see 
this  latest  curiosity  of  the  film  industry. 
Taken  somewhat  unawares  by  the  start- 
ling suddenness  with  which  the  demand 
for  sound  pictures  arose,  the  industry 
is  attempting  to  give  the  public  what  it 
wants. 

Most  of  the  leaders  of  the  industry 
are  frank  in  their  enthusiasm  for  sound 
pictures';  they  feel  that  the  new  devel- 
opment is  here  to  stay,  will  lead  to  bet- 
ter and  greater  pictures,  will  attract 
more  people  than  ever  before  into  the 
nation's  growing  cinema  houses.  Those 
leaders  of  the  industry  who  are  in- 
clined to  be  more  conservative,  who  are 
not  ready  at  this  time  to  express  their 
confidence  that  sound  pictures  are  a 
permanent  feature  of  the  industry,  are 
nevertheless  going  along  with  the  tide. 

As'  a  result  there  has  been  feverish 
activity  all  along  the  line.  The  produc- 
ers have  prepared  some  synchronized 
pictures,  and  still  have  many  excellent 
silent  pictures  to  sell.  The  exhibitors 
want  sound  pictures  but  many  of  them 
lack  equipment.  The  equipment  houses 
were  and  are  working  overtime  trying 
to  supply  the  demand  for  their  products. 

An  extraordinary  number  of  difficul- 
ties have  arisen.  Actors  and  directors 
are    needed    who   will    be   competent   to 

{Continued   on  page   44) 


that  "the  producers  are  producing  too  many 
sound  pictures  this  year  and  that  they  will 
wear  off  the  novelty  and  kill  it." 

Will  Need  52  Pictures 

;G.  L.  Hooper,  president  of  the  National 
Theatres  Company  of  Topeka,  Kansas,  re- 
ports that  one  installation  has  been  con- 
tracted for  and  that  52  pictures  will  be 
needed.  "No,  emphatically,"  says  Hooper, 
"the  sound  picture  will  not  replace  the 
silent   one." 

A  lengthy  report  comes  from  L.  H. 
Grandjean  of  Dent  Theatres,  Inc.,  of  Dallas, 
Texas.  This  circuit  is  now  showing  sound 
pictures  in  El  Paso,  Waco,  Wichita  Falls 
and  Amarillo,  Texas,  and  contracts  have 
been  made  for  Western  Electric  systems  in 
10  additional  towns.  "Practically  the  entire 
product  of  sound  pictures  will  be  used," 
reports  Grandjean.  "Emphatically  no,"  is 
his  reply  to  whether  or  not  the  sound  pic- 
ture will  replace  the  silent  picture,  and  he 
backs  up  his  statement  with  the  following: 

"Explaining  the  emphatic  NO  to  this 
question — those  of  us  who  have  been  here 
long  enough  to  remember  the  10,  20,  30 
stock  days  know  that  it  was  not  only  the 
price  of  the  legitimate  shows  that  handi- 
capped the  spoken  drama.  The  legitimate 
stage  show  never  did  and  never  will  have 
mass  appeal — regardless  of  box  office  tariff. 
And  it  is  too  much  to  expect  that  the  reten- 
tion of  dialogue  and  substitution  of  shadow 
shape  for  the  flesh  and  blood  actor  will 
more  than  effect  a  compromise. 

"Certainly  the  talking  picture  will  have 
far  greater  audiences  than  the  stage  play 
and  certainly  it  is  here  to  stay  and  to  be- 
come a  great  cultural  asset — a  greater  cul- 
tural asset  than  the  silent  drama  could  ever 
be.  And  here  lies  the  reason  why  it  shall 
probably  never  attain  the  universal  appeal 
of  the  silent  drama.  The  person  of  limited 
intelligence  sees  a  motion  picture,  places  his 
own  construction  on  it  and  probably  enjoys 
the  evening  as  well  or  better  than  his  more 
intelligent  neighbor.  There  is  no  effort — 
it's  a  great  recreation  for  everybody.  Sound 
effects  will  not  disturb  this  appeal.  It  may 
indeed  enhance  it. 

"But  language — that's  another  matter. 
The  Hal  Reid  melodrama  crowd,  the  Avery 
Hopwood  bedroom  farce  crowd — will  they 
stand  for  a  talky  Lonsdale  play?  Will  they 
react  to  the  whimsicality  of  Barry?  Will 
they — but  why  greater  length?  Assuredly 
they  will  not. 

"The  talking  movie  will  have  its  appeal 
and  will  undoubtedly  lure  to  the  movie 
houses   hundreds    and    thousands    who    pre- 

{Continued   on  page  44) 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


The  Acoustical  Problem  in  Sound  Film 

Producing  Studios 


10 


IF  sound  films  or  talking  movies  are  to  be 
reproduced  in  the  average  moving  pic- 
ture theatre  with  any  degree  of  fidelity 
to  the  original  source  of  entertainment  it 
is  essential  that  the  acoustics  of  the  pro- 
ducing studio  shall  be  adjusted  to  a  very 
precise  standard. 

Fortunately,  the  problem  of  architectural 
acoustics  has  been  reduced  to  an  exact  and 
practical  science  through  the  researches  of 
the  late  Wallace  Clement  Sabine,  formerly 
Hollis  Professor  of  mathematics  and  nat- 
ural philosophy,  Harvard  university,  and 
the  soundness  of  the  science  has  been 
proven  through  very  nearly  18  years  of 
practical  experience  in  de- 
signing and  correcting  the 
acoustical  properties  of  prac- 
tically every  conceivable 
type  of  building  interior. 

Furthermore,  the  acousti- 
cal problem  in  sound  film 
studios  is  not  unlike  the 
acoustical  problem  in  radio 
broadcasting  studios,  the 
difference  being  largely  a 
difference  in  scale,  so  that 
it  would  be  well  for  sound 
film  producers  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  broadcasting 
background  and  simply 
carry  it  through  to  its  logi- 
cal conclusion. 

*     *     * 

Sound  produced  by  any 
source  spreads  in  spherical 
waves  in  all  directions  and 
its  loudness  or  intensity 
diminishes  as  the  square  of 
the  distance  from  the 
source.  In  a  sound  film 
studio  the  sound  of  music 
and  speech  should  reach  the 
recording  apparatus  without 
any  distortion  which  might 
be  produced  by  reflection 
from  adjacent  walls  or 
screens  or  from  the  walls, 
floor  and  ceiling  of  the 
studio  itself. 

Therefore,    we    can    con- 
ceive of  an  ideal  studio  as 
being   an   open   spot   in   the 
country  where   recording  can  be  done  in  the 
open  air  and  without  some  of  the  disadvan- 
tages that  enclosures  produce. 

However,  bearing  in  mind  the  law  of 
diminishing  intensity,  it  is  evident  that  the 
outdoor  studio  would  possess  one  great 
disadvantage,  in  not  producing  sufficient  in- 
tensity at  the  microphone  for  sounds  pro- 
duced at  varying  distances  from  the  micro- 
phone. The  effect  of  the  walls,  floor  and 
ceiling  of  a  room  is  to  confine  sound  energy 
within  a  given  area  which  would  otherwise 
be  lost  in  the  open  air.  Since  all  building 
materials  possess  the  quality  of  reflecting 
sound  to  a  high  degree,  it  is  evident  that 
any  sound  produced  within  a  confined  space 
must  go  through  a  process  of  multiple  re- 
flection, from  walls  to  ceiling,  ceiling  to 
floor,  floor  to  walls  again,  many  times,  be- 
fore the  sound  energy  is  completely  dissi- 
pated. Due  to  the  relatively  low  velocity 
of  sound,  this  reflecting  process,  which  has 
been  given  the  technical  name  of  reverbera- 
tion, requires  the  element  of  time.  It  re- 
sults in  the  accumulation  of  sound  energy, 
and  has  a  distinct  advantage  in  producing 
a  condition  of  almost  equal  intensity  or 
loudness  throughout  even  good  sized 
rooms. 


By  RAYMOND  V.  PARSONS* 

The  open  air  studio  would  possess  an- 
other great  disadvantage  in  that  it  would 
be  difficult  to  exclude  extraneous  noises — 
the  noises  of  traffic,  railways,  industrial 
noises — from  the  microphone. 

The  disadvantage  of  confining  walls,  floor 
and  ceiling  lies  in  the  fact  that  modern  in- 
terior finishes  reflect  too  much  sound,  and 
in  a  recording  studio,  particularly,  this  re- 
flected sound  has  the  effect  of  blurring  and 
distorting  the  original  sound,  with  the  re- 
sult that  reproduced  speech  and  music  bears 
all  the  earmarks  of  reverberation  and  dis- 
tortion. 

At  the  average  pitch  of  speech  and  music 


FRE(  iUENCT  -  CYCJ  ,ES  PER  SECQ  ID 


64 


128 
C„ 


256  512  1024 

SCIENTIFIC  MnSICAL  PITCH 


2048 
C^ 


(a  frequency  of  512  cycles  per  second) 
cement  floors  and  walls  absorb  only  iy2 
per  cent  of  sound — 98^  per  cent  of  the 
sound  striking  them  being  reflected. 

At  the  same  frequency,  unpainted  brick 
walls  absorb  3  per  cent  of  sound — 97  per 
cent  being  reflected.  Painted  brick  walls 
absorb  only  1J<J  per  cent;  gypsum  plaster 
on  hollow  tile  absorbs  2  per  cent;  unpainted 
wood  floors  absorb  6  per  cent;  varnished 
wood  floors  absorb  3  per  cent;  glass  2^  per 
cent,  and  linoleum  3  per  cent. 

However,  all  of  these  materials  absorb 
varying  amounts  of  sound  depending  upon 
the  pitch  of  the  sound  and,  generally  speak- 
ing, most  modern  interior  finishes  absorb 
considerably  more  sound  of  frequencies 
above  512  cycles  per  second  than  at  fre- 
quencies below  512'  cycles. 

All  sound  produced  in  the  course  of  or- 
dinary speech  and  music  is  complex  in  na- 
ture in  that  it  consists  of  the  fundamental 
tones — the  predominating  frequency — and 
several  over  tones  of  higher  frequencies. 
The  relative  intensity  and  number  of  these 
over     tones     determines     the     quality     and 

*  Acoustical  Engineer,  Johns-Manville  Corporation. 


character  of  the  sound.  They  are,  in  fact, 
distinguishing  marks  which  enable  us  to 
identify  different  musical  instruments  and 
individuals.  Consequently,  it  is  essential 
for  satisfactory  reproduction  that  the  rela- 
tive intensity  of  all  the  over  tones,  either 
in  speech  or  music,  should  be  maintained 
and  recorded  with  their  original  character- 
istics. Thus,  there  should  be  a  nice  balance 
in  a  recording  studio  between  sufficient  re- 
flection to  secure  adequate  loudness  and 
uniformly  distributed  intensity,  and  suffi- 
cient absorption  to  relieve  distortion  of  any 
kind,  and  the  absorption  should  be  nearly 
uniform  over  the  entire  scale  of  pitch. 

There  are  a  great  many 
materials  which  possess  high 
sound  absorbing  character- 
istics that  can  be  substituted 
for  the  usual  interior  fin- 
ishes of  buildings.  Some  of 
these  must  be  immediately 
rejected  for  recording 
studios  because  they  are 
combustible.  Others  possess 
the  quality  of  absorbing 
from  two  to  three  times  as 
much  sound  between  fre- 
quencies of  500  to  4000 
cycles  per  second  than  they 
do  between  frequencies  of 
60  and  500  cycles  per  sec- 
ond, and  thus  they  have  a 
tendency  of  washing  out 
over  tones  and  partials,  de- 
stroying that  important 
characteristic  which  we 
know  as  tone  quality. 
*     *     * 

Sound  is  absorbed  by  the 
qualities  of  porosity  and 
flexibility  in  a  material,  the 
porosity  of  the  mass  and 
the  flexibility  of  the  mass  as 
a  whole.  Generally  speak- 
ing, high  pitched  sounds  are 
absorbed  more  through  sur- 
face porosity,  and  low 
pitched  sounds  through  the 
yielding  of  the  interior  fin- 
ish as  a  whole.  Polished 
marble,  for  instance,  has 
very  little  surface  porosity 
yet  it  absorbs  1  per  cent  of  sound  at  a  fre- 
quency of  512  cycles  per  second.  There 
is  sufficient  energy  in  sounds  of  ordinary 
speech  intensity  to  cause  a  wall  of  solid 
marble  to  yield  under  the  impact  of  the 
spoken  voice. 

The  sound  absorbing  qualities  of  practically 
all  modern  building  materials  have  been  de- 
termined, and  most  of  them  have  been 
measured  over  the  entire  scale  of  pitch,  so 
that  if  the  exposed  area  of  all  the  materials 
comprising  the  interior  finish  of  a  studio 
is  known  or  can  be  measured,  it  is  simply  a 
mathematical  problem  to  determine  the 
acoustical  effect  of  the  interior  finish  upon 
sounds  of  all   frequencies. 

In  the  accompanying  graph  the  period  of 
reverberation  in  seconds  has  been  plotted 
against  the  frequencies  in  cycles  per  second 
and  the  scientific  musical  pitch  for  a  typ- 
ical sound  film  studio  in  which  ordinary 
building  materials  have  been  used  for  the 
interior  finish. 

We  are  assuming  that  this  typical  studio 

would  be  75  feet  wide  x  150  feet  long  and 

that    it    would    have    an    average    height    of 

48  feet   from  floor  to  ceiling,  which  would 

{Continued  on  page  45) 


4096 


I  August  18,  1928  EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  31 


WM.  H.  BRISTOL  TALKING 
PICTURE  CORR 

ANNOUNCES 

THE  BRISTOLPHONE 

(A  Disc  System) 

The  only  patented  synchronizing  and  reproducing 
apparatus  embodying  a  unique  electrical  re-synchro- 
nizing device. 

PRODUCERS! 

BRISTOLPHONE  studios  and  laboratories  are  fully  equipped 
to  record  and  synchronize  your  productions! 

EXHIBITORS! 

THE  WILLIAM  H.  BRISTOL  TALKING  PICTURE  CORP., 

manufacturers  of  BRISTOLPHONE,  is  prepared  to  equip  your 
theatre  with  complete  apparatus  for  the  presentation  of  all  sound 
pictures  on  disc  records! 

INTERCHANGE  ABILITY ! 

BRISTOLPHONE  records  are  interchangeable  with  leading 
disc-recording  systems. 

SIMPLICITY! 

The  mechanical  simplicity  of  BRISTOLPHONE  insures  a  fool- 
proof presentation  of  all  synchronized  sound  films. 

COSTS! 

Economy  is  the  w^atchw^ord  of  BRISTOLPHONE.  Low^  cost  of 
installation  is  only  one  of  the  many  features  w^hich  make 
Bristolphone  the 

World's  Foremost  Synchronizing  Device! 

— 0 — 

Producers  and  Exhibitors  are  invited  to  inspect 

'The  Bristolphone'^ 

Wm*  H*  Bristol  Talking  Picture  Corp* 

Waterbury,  Conn* 

Telephone:  Waterbury  216 
For  details  and  further  information,  write,  wire,  or  telephone 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


22  Features  on  Fox  Program 

for  '28-29  Will  Have  Sound 


Fox  Synchronized  Features 


PRODUCTION 
"Street  Angel" 

"The  River  Pirate" 

"Four  Sons" 

"Fazil" 

"Mother  Knows  Best" 

"Plastered  in   Paris" 

"Me,   Gangster" 
"The  Air  Circus" 

"Mother   Machree" 

"Sunrise" 

"The  Baggage 
Smasher" 


PLAYERS 
Janet    Gaynor 
Charles   Farrell 
Victor   McLaglen 
Lois    Moran 
Nick  Stuart 
Margaret  Mann 
June  Collyer 
James  Hall 
Charles   Farrell 
Greta  Nissen 
Madge    Bellamy 
Louise  Dresser 
Barry    Norton 
Sammy  Cohen 
Jack   Pen  nick 
Ivan   Linow 
Lola  Salvi 
Don  Terry 
June  Collyer 
Farrell    Macdonald 
Louise   Dresser 
David    Rollins 
Sue  Carol 
Arthur   Lake 
Belle   Bennett 
Victor  McLaglen 
Janet  Gaynor 
George  O'Brien 
Victor   McLaglen 
June  Collyer 


DIRECTOR 

Frank  Berzage 

William  K.  Howard 

John   Ford 

Howard    Hawks 
J.    G.   BIystone 

Benjamin    Stoloff 

Raoul   Walsh 
Howard   Hawks 

John    Ford 

F.    W.   Murnau 

James  Tinling 


PRODUCTION 
"Making  the  Grade" 

"The   Red   Dance" 
"Joy   Street" 
"Dry   Martini" 
"Riley  the  Cop" 

"Captain  Lash" 

"The  One  Woman 
Idea" 

"Wise  Baby" 
"All   Velvet" 

"False  Colors" 
"Strong  Arm" 


PLAYERS 
Edmund   Lowe 
Lois  Moran 
Dolores   Del    Rio 
Charles  Farrell 
Ivan   LInow 
Lionel   Barrymore 
Maria  Alba 
Arthur  Stone 
Mary  Astor 
Matt  Moore 
Sally   Eilers 
Farrell   Macdonald 
Nancy    Drexel 
David    Rollins 
Louise    Fazenda 
Victor  McLaglen 
Mary  Duncan 
Farrell    Macdonald 
Edmund   Lowe 
Mary   Duncan 
Earle  Foxe 
Madge   Bellamy 
Victor   McLaglen 
Nancy  Carroll 
Edmund    Lowe 
Margaret   Mann 
Lois  Moran 
George   O'Brien 
Lois   Moran 


DIRECTOR 
Alfred    E.    Green 

Raoul  Walsh 
Irving  Cummlngs 
Harry   D'Arrast 
Jobn   Ford 

John  Ford 

Howard   Hawks 

James  Tinling 
Howard   Hawks 

William  K.  Howard 
J.    G.   BIystone 


*      *      * 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

^^  ^^  NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14. — Comprehensive  plans  for  Movietone  produc- 
^O^^  tion  covering  the  season  of  1928-29,  have  been  announced  by  Fox  Fihn 
Corporation.  The  organization  will  have  a  million  dollar  Movietone 
plant  covering  40  acres  at  Fox  Hills,  Cal.  Work  is  being  rushed  to  completion  on 
four  new  sound  stages  and  a  group  of  administration  and  technical  buildings. 
These  stages  are  in  addition  to  those  already  in  use  at  the  company's  Hollywood 
and  New  York  studios. 


Twenty-two  of  the  new  season's  fifty-two 
features  announced  for  release  will  have 
Movietone  synchronization.  The  major  por- 
tion of  these  are  already  completed.  These 
include  the  Broadway  specials  "Street  Angel," 
"Four  Sons,"  "Frazil,"  Mother  Machree," 
"The  Red  Dance"  and  "Sunrise." 
Bellamy  in  One 

Among  others  to  be  seen  and  heard  early 
next  season  are  "Mother  Knows  Best,"  with 
Madge  Bellamy,  Louise  Dresser  and  Barry 
Norton ;  "The  River  Pirate"  with  Victor  Mc- 
Laglen, Nick  Stuart  and  Lois  Moran ;  Sammy 
Cohen  and  Jack  Pennick  in  "Plastered  in 
Paris" ;  "Me,  Gangster"  with  Don  Terry,  June 
Collyer  and  Arthur  Stone  directed  by  Raoul 
Walsh ;  Howard  Hawks'  "The  Air  Circus" 
with  Louise  Dresser,  David  Rollins,  Sue  Carol 
and  Arthur  Lake;  "Making  the  Grade,"  a 
George  Ade  story  with  Edmund  Lowe  and 
Lois  Moran  which  has  just  been  completed ; 
"Dry  Martini"  directed  by  Harry  D'Arrast 
with  Mary  Astor,  Matt  Moore  and  Sally  Eilers 
featured;  John  Ford's  production,  "Riley  the 
Cop"  with  Farrell  Macdonald,  Nancy  Drexel, 
Louise  Fazenda  and  David  Rollins. 

To  further  its  ambitious  sound  program  the 
company  last  week  signed  a  stage  producer 
and  21  leading  Broadway  writers,  directors 
and  players  who  will  turn  their  talents  to  the 
sight  and  sound  films.  Albert  Lewis,  who 
staged  "The  Jazz  Singer,"  "Rain"  and  other 
outstanding  successes,  is  the  producer.  Some 
of  the  others  are  Charles  Judels,  Donald  Gal- 
lagher, Marcel  Silver,  Eugene  Walters,  Tom 
Barry,  Edwin  Burke  and  Dave  Stamper. 
Helen  Ware,  long  a  stage  star,  will  act  as 
coach  in  developing  talent  for  Movietone. 
Among  the  prominent  players  are  Chic  Sale, 
Clark  and  McCuIlough,  Lumsden  Hare,  Sylvia 
Field  and  Gilbert  Emery. 

Silent  Comedies  "Out" 

Twenty-six  Fox  comedies,  hitherto  an- 
nounced by  Fox  Film  Corporation,  have  been 
withdrawn    from    the    program    and    in    their 


place  will  be  released  two  reel  Movietone 
comedies,  of  which  three  have  been  completed. 
These  are  "The  Family  Picnic"  with  Raymond 
McKee  and  Kathleen  Key,  now  showing  at 
the  Globe  theatre  in  New  York  in  conjunction 
with  "The  Red  Dance" ;  "Four  A.  M."  with 
Sammy  Cohen,  Jack  Pennick,  Marjorie  Beebe, 
Ben  Bard  and  Tyler  Brooke ;  and  "Mystery 
Mansion,"  written  and  directed  by  Harry  Delf, 
with  Sumner  Getchel,  Toy  Gallagher  and  Ford 
West  in  the  cast. 

Fox  Movietone  News  now  has  increased  its 
field  units  to  twenty-one  outfits  stationed 
throughout  the  world  covering  news  events 
every  day.  To  date  thirty-six  weekly  issues 
have  been  completed. 

Twenty-six  short  Movietone  entertain- 
ments are  now  ready  for  release.  In  these 
subjects  appear  such  personalities  as  George 
Bernard  Shaw,  Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh, 
Benito  Mussolini,  Robert  Benchley,  Richard 
Bonelli  of  the  Chicago  Civic  Opera  Com- 
pany, and  the  following  stage  headliners : 
Gertrude  Lawrence,  Beatrice  Lillie,  Chic 
Sale,  Raquel  Meller,  Winnie  Lightner,  Ben 
Bernie  and  his  orchestra,  the  Kentucky  Jubilee 
Choir,  Pat  Rooney,  Marion  Bent  and  Pat 
Rooney,  3rd,  Clark  and  McCuIlough,  Ruby 
Keeler  and  Joe  Cook. 


Town  of  10,000  to 

Have  Sound  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
GOSHEN,  IND.,  Aug.  14.— It  is  claimed 
by  Goshen  that  it  will  be  the  first  city  of 
10,000  population  to  install  talking  picture 
equipment.  Oscar  Hansen,  manager  of  the 
Jefferson  theatre,  has  announced  that  he  has 
arranged  for  the  installation  of  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone  equipment,  but  though  the 
contract  was  signed  with  the  makers,  it  is 
expected  to  be  January  before  the  equipment 
is  received,  due  to  the  rush  of  business. 


Movietone  Shorts 

Following  Is  a  short  description  of  each  of  the   Fox 
Movietone  short  releases   to   date: 

1.  Lindbergh  take  off  and  reception  in  Washing- 
ton. Picture  shows  historic  take  off  at  Mitchell 
Field,  L.  I.  reproducing  the  whirling  of  the 
motor  and  the  shouts  of  approbation  from  the 
crowds.  Then  follows  the  reception  and  speeches 
in  Washington:  his  meeting  with  Coolidge  and 
politically  great. 

2.  Gertrude  Lawrence  singing  "I  Don't  Know." 
"Ranger  Song"  sung  by  J.  Harold  Murray  and 
"Spring  Fever"  a  piano  duet  by  the  Rio  Rita 
girls. 

3.  Voices  of  Italy.  St.  Peters  Vatican  Choir  sing- 
ing sacred  music.  Medieval  Latin  Chants. 
Benito  Mussolini,  dictator  of  Italy  and  founder 
of  the  Fasclsti  movement  speaks  in  Italian  and 
English  of  the  bond  between  this  country  and 
his  own. 


4.  American  Legion  Im  Paris.  Speeches  by  Marshall 
Foch  and  General  Pershing  and  the  great  parade 
down  the  Champs  Elysees  amid  the  cheers  of 
former    French    comrades   in    arms. 

5.  Chic  Sale  in  a  characteristic  comedy  sketch 
entitled  "They  Are  Coming  to  Get  Me."  He 
portrays  an  escaped  lunatic  who  lands  in  the 
pulpit  of  a  church  and  delivers  the  sermon  of 
a   tardy   minister. 

6.  Raquel  Meller  appears  in  two  Movietone  shorts. 
In  the  first  she  sings  "Flor  de  Mai"  and 
"Corpus  Christi  Day"  and  in  the  second  she 
sings  "La  Mujer  del  Torero"  and  "Noi  de  La 
Mare." 

7.  Winnie  Lightner — Songs,  "Nagasaki  Butterfly" 
and  "Everybody  Loves  My  Girl." 

8.  Ben  Bernie's  Orchestra  plays  the  following: 
"A  Lane  in  Spain,"  "Are  You  Going  to  Be 
Home"   and    "Scheherazade," 

9.  West  Point  Drill — Speech  by  Colonel  March  B, 
Stewart,  superintendent  of  the  academy  followed 
by  the  clocklike  drill  and  parade  of  the  Cadets. 

10.  Kentucky  Jubilee  Choir  singing  "Old  Kentucky 
Home."   and    "Swing    Low,   Sweet   Chariot" 

11.  Nina  Tarasova  singing  "There  Once  Were  Happy 
Days." 

12.  Anatole  Friedland's  Ritz  Revue,  "On  the  Beach 
in  Atlantic  City." 

•     ♦    * 

13.  "The  Treasurer's  Report"  featuring  Robert 
Benchley.  the  well  known  author  of  "Love 
Conquers  All"  and  dramatic  critic  of  "Life." 
In  this  picture  Benchley  plays  the  part  of  a 
church  treasurer.  Benchley  will  also  appear  in 
"The  Sex  Life  of  the  Polyp"  an  animal  which 
has  the  same  startling  properties  as  the  Amoeba 
— that  of  repraducing  itself  by  separating  into 
two  parts,  which  parts  separate  into  two  again, 
etc. 

14.  "The  Hut"  featuring  Nina  Tarasova  and  the 
Russian  Cathedral  Choir,  A  musical  production, 

15.  Beatrice  Lillie,  comedienne,  singing  "Rambling 
Along  the  Highway"  and  "The  Roses  Have 
Made   Me   Remember." 

16.  "In  a  Music  Shoppe"  a  musical  production 
based  on  the  life  of  the  American  composer, 
Stephen    Collins    Foster, 

17.  Pat  Rooney,  Marion  Bent  and  Pat  Rooney, 
3rd,  In  a  series  of  songs  and  dances  typical  of 
the   Rooney  family. 

18.  George  Bernard  Shaw,  celebrated  Irish  play- 
wright, in  a  short  speech  in  which  the  gifted 
Shavian  imitates  Mussolini  and  makes  a  few 
pertinent  remarks  about  the  impression  his 
readers  get  of   him, 

19.  Richard  Bonelli,  leading  baritone  of  the  Chi- 
cago Civic  Opera  Company,  singing  the  Pro- 
logue from    "Pagliacci," 

20.  "The  Family  Picnic."  with  Kathleen  Key  and 
Raymond  McKee.  The  first  two-reel  comedy  to 
be  made  with  full  sound  effects. 

21.  Clark  &  McCuIlough,  celebrated  stage  comedi- 
ans in   a  farce,   "The   Interview," 

22.  Ruby  Keeler,  dancer  doe«  a  tap  dance  showing 
the  adaptability  of  this  form  of  entertainment 
on    the    screen. 

23.  Joe  Cook,  star  of  "Rain  or  Shine"  in  a  short 
sketch,    "At  the  Ball   Game." 

24.  Betty  Compson,  featured  in  the  Broadway 
musical  success  "Funny  Face"  in  a  series  of 
dances. 

25.  "Four  A.  M,"  with  Marjorie  Beebe,  Sammy 
Cohen.  Tyler  Brooke.  Ben  Bard  and  Henry 
Armetta.  A  two-reel  comedy  with  full  sound 
effects  directed    by  William  Conselman, 

26.  "Mystery  Mansion,"  with  Sumner  Getchel,  Toy 
Gallagher  and  Ford  West,  written  and  directed 
by   Harry    Delf. 


Horn  beck  Theatres 
To  Be  Sound  Wired 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOGANSPORT,  IND.,  Aug.  14.— Murl  B. 
Hornbeck,  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Horn- 
beck  Amusement  Company  of  Logansport,  has 
announced  that  his  company's  theatres  in  this 
city  all  will  be  equipped  shortly  with  Movie- 
tone and  Vitaphone. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


Johns  'Manville 
offers  its  1 7  years 

of  sound  control  experience 

to  the 

Talking  Picture  Industry 


Upon  accurate  control  of  sound  depends  the  success  of  the 
production  of  the  talking  picture  in  the  studio  —  and  its 

reproduction  in  the  theatre 


"T 


HE  science  of  acoustics  is  an  exact 
one  .  .  .  The  control  of  noise,  the 
-1-     barring  of  reverberations  and 
echoes,  the  exclusion  of  sounds  from  out- 
side— all  are  absolutely  essential  to  the 
proper  production  of  sound  films. 

Casual  treatment  of  studios  with  ma- 
terials intended  for  other  uses  is  virtually 
useless  so  far  as  any  effective  control  ot 
sound  is  concerned.  Instead  it  is  essen- 
tial to  use  proper  acoustical  treatment 
carefully  and  scientifically  designed  for 
its  purpose,  and  applied  by  experts. 

The  trained  acoustical  engineers  of 
Johns-Manville,  when  dealing  with  sound 
in  a  studio,  can  control  it  completely 
from  origin  to  film  or  record. 

In  fact,  it  is  possible  today  to  design 
producing  studios  which  are  very  nearly 
ideal  from  an  acoustical  standpoint,  and 


to  design  or  correct  theatres  so  that  sound 
films  may  be  reproduced  in  them  under 
very  nearly  ideal  conditions,  almost 
regardless  of  the  size  of  the  audiences 
present. 

Johns-Manville's  position  as  experts,  as 
leading  technicians  in  acoustics,  is  un- 
questioned. For  years  we  have  applied 
our  treatment  in  auditoriums.  Many  im- 
portant radio  broadcasting  studios  have 
Johns-Manville  Sound  ControlTreatment. 

Our  engineers  have  made  a  special  study 
of  the  proper  methods  of  correcting  acous- 
tics and  controlling  sound,  not  only  in 
studios  producing  sound  films,  but  also  in 
theatres  showing  such  pictures.  We  wel- 
come inquiries,  and  will  be  glad  to  discuss 
any  such  problems  with  those  interested. 
Address  Johns-Manville  Corporation,  292 
Madison  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


)|oh 

^      ACO 


MASTER 


M  ASBESTOS  0  "IT 
anvill< 


ns-ivianviiie 

OUSTICAL  AND  SOUND 
CONTROL  TREATMENT 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Paramount^  With  Big  Program^ 
Definitely  Committed  to  Sound 

^    ^    ^ 
Among  Paramount's  Synchronized  Features 


•Wings" 

"The    Wedding    March" 

•'Loves   of  an   Actress" 

"Burlesque" 

"me    ouudry    Murder   Case" 


"The   Carnation    Kid" 


"The   Patriot" 

"Warming    Up" 

"Interference" 

"Abie's    Irish    Rose" 

"The  Woman  from   Moscow" 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

p*  f\  NEW  YORK,  Aug|  14. — With  the  release  within  the  next  few  weeks 
'^11  of  "Wings,"  "The  Patriot"  and  "The  Wedding  March,"  all  with  syn- 
%^  \y  chronized  sound  effects.  Paramount  will  give  to  motion  picture  theatres 
equipped  for  sound  projections  its  three  most  important  productions  in  recent 
years. 

The  general  release  of  these  specials,  together  with  the  announcement  that  of 
the  70  feature  pictures  on  Paramount's  new  schedule,  50  or  more  will  be  synchro- 
nized, many  of  them  with  talking  sequences,  indicates  the  company's  thorough 
commitment  to  go  the  limit  with  sound. 

Sound  and  talking  picture  production  al- 
ready is  under  way  at  the  Hollywood  studio, 
and  sound-proof  stages  are  expected  to  be 
completed  within  a  few  days  at  the  Long 
Island  studio. 

Two   Negatives  on  Each  Film 

S.  R.  Kent,  general  manager  of  Para- 
mount, in  a  statement  has  just  pointed  out 
that  as  sound  production  goes  forward 
vigorously,  theatres  without  sound  equip- 
ment will  be  taken  care  of  just  as  before. 
Both  sound  and  silent  prints  will  be  avail- 
able for  all  the  50  pictures  made  with 
sound.     Air  Kent  said: 

"Each  individual  attraction  is  being  made 
to  sell  profitably  to  the  public  either  silent 
or  in  sound.  In  either  form  they  are  Para- 
mount box  office  quality  to  the  last  foot. 

"The  Christie  Comedies  output  of  i2  short 
features  can  be  played  either  silent  or 
sound.  Paramount  News  will  soon  appear 
in  a  sound  edition.  But  Paramount  News 
in  its  present  form,  which  in  a  year,  has 
become  the  industry's  leading  news  reel, 
will  continue  to  be  available  to  all  houses. 
Additional  shorts,  silent  and  sound,  will  be 
announced. 

"Paramount's  guarantee  to  the  19,000 
theatres  not  now  equipped  with  sound,  as 
well  as  those  with  installations,  is  continu- 
ous flow  of  the  best  pictures  this  company 
has  ever  released." 

Paramount's  decision  to  release  its  three 
specials  to  picture  houses  was  made  to 
give  them  productions  of  the  highest  class 
with  sound,  where  they  are  equipped  for  it, 
at  the  opening  of  the  season  when  they  are 
most  in  need  of  such  quality  films. 

Complete   Score  with  "Wings" 

"Wings"  will  go  out  with  the  complete 
musical  score  and  battle  sound  effects  as 
shown  during  its  current  run  of  more  than 
a  year  on  Broadway.  "The  Patriot"  will 
have  its  individual  score,  effects  and  dia- 
logue. "The  Wedding  March"  will  have 
music  and  effects,  and  also  will  have  se- 
quences in  technicolor. 

"Wings"  will  be  released  either  the  third 
or  fourth  week  in  September,  according  to 
the  announcement.  "The  Patriot"  will  have 
its  world  premiere  at  the  Rialto  theatre, 
Times  Square,  on  August  17.  "The  Wed- 
ding March"  is  to  be  released  the  first  week 
in    October. 

A  week  ago  Jesse  L.  Lasky  announced 
the  organization  of  a  new  department  to 
produce  short  features  with  sound  at  the 
Hollywood  studios.  This  will  be  the  first 
time  in  Mr.  Lasky's  career  as  a  producer 
that  he  has  created  such  a  department. 
Short  feature  types  will  be  expanded  and 
varied  far  beyond  present  limitations,  he 
indicated.     Among   the   first   short    features 


at  the  Long  Island  studio  will  be  stage 
unit  presentation  acts  for  smaller  theatres. 

William  De  Mille,  director  and  film  pro- 
ducer and  distinguished  author  of  legiti- 
mate stage  plays,  has  just  been  retained  by 
Paramount  to  contribute  his  highly  special- 
ized knowledge  to  sound  pictures.  De 
Mille  was  one  of  the  earliest  associates  of 
Mr.  Lasky  in  his  productions,  and  has  been 
away  from  Paramount  two  and  a  half 
years,  being  with  his  brother,  Cecil  De 
Mille.  He  will  be  associated  with  Roy  J. 
Pomeroy,  director  of  sound  effects  at  the 
Hollywood  studio.  Paramount's  major 
sound  production  will  be  on  the  West 
Coast. 

In  the  Long  Island  studio,  which  will  be 
devoted  almost  exclusively  to  sound  pic- 
tures, Monta  Bell,  production  executive,  re- 
cently announced  the  appointment  of  Owen 
Davis  as  editor  in  chief.  Mr.  Davis  is  one 
of  the  most  prolific  and  one  of  the  most 
successful  writers  of  stage  plays  in  America 
and  he  has  been  in  the  Paramount  organi- 
zation the  greater  part  of  the  time  in  re- 
cent years  and  has  a  wide  knowledge  of 
pictures. 

Paramount's  first  releases  with  sound 
were  "Warming  Up,"  the  Richard  Dix  base- 
ball picture,  and  the  later  "Loves  of  an 
Actress"  with  Pola  Negri.  Other  releases 
W'ith  sound  are  to  follow  rapidly,  the  com- 
pany  announces. 

"Interference"  now  in  production,  with 
plans  calling  not  only  for  synchronized  mu- 
sic and  effects  but  dialogue  as  well.  This 
is  the  play  which  was  one  of  the  outstand- 
ing Broadway  hits  behind  the  footlights 
last  season  and  has  a  cast  headed  by  Clive 
Brook,  Evelyn  Brent,  William  Powell  and 
Doris  Kenyon.    Lothar  Mendes  is  directing. 

"Burlesque"  to  Be  Sounded 

"Burlesque,"  which  played  throughout 
the  season  on  Broadway  with  smashing- 
success  will  be  made  later  with  sound.  The 
material  is  considered  particularly  suitable 
for  such  use.  Other  pictures  now  in  work 
which  will  be  released  with  sound  are  Anne 
Nichols'  "Abie's  Irish  Rose;"  "The  Canary 
Murder  Case"  from  the  best  selling  mystery 
story  by  S.  S.  Van  Dine,  starring  William 
Powell  as  the  detective;  and  Pola  Negri's 
"The  Woman  from  Moscow."  Douglas 
MacLean,  the  comedy  star,  has  just  com- 
pleted casting  for  "The  Carnation  Kid," 
first  feature  length  picture  to  be  made  by 
him  at  the  Christie  studio  for  Paramount 
release.  It  will  have  full  sound  effects  and 
dialogue. 

Paramount  will  make  a  sound  trailer  for 
each  feature  length  picture  so  equipped. 
The  first  completed  trailer,  made  up  as  ad- 
vance   agent    for    "Warmingi  Up,"    included 


His  Eyes  Are  Crossed 
But  Tonsils  Are  O.K. 

(Special    to    the   Hcrald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  14.— "Bah. 
I'm  not  worried  about  those  talking 
movies''  said  Ben  Turpin  here  the 
other  day.  "Not  I.  Listen,  I  have 
a  voice.  The  other  actors  go  to 
speaking  classes.  I  took  my  lessons 
on  a  huckster  wagon.  You  have  to 
talk  plain  in  selling  've-ge-tables' 
and   'bah-na-noes.'  " 


excerpts  from  the  sound  prologue,  inci- 
dental music,  vocal  rendition  of  the  theme 
song  and  sounds  from  the  carnival  and 
baseball  game. 

Sound  picture  production  is  expected 
to  bring  even  closer  together  the  Para- 
mount and  Publix  organizations.  In  the 
past  they  have  concentrated  on  their  indi- 
vidual functions  of  production  and  ex- 
hibition, respectively.  Now  the  Publix 
organization  will  be  used  to  produce  sound 
features  for  Paramount. 

Approximately  50,000  musicians  are  em- 
ployed in  Publix  theatres,  among  whom  _ 
are  about  1,000  who  have  gained  wide  at- " 
tention  for  creative  ability.  Heading  the 
list  is  Nathaniel  W.  Finston,  chief  of  the 
music  department,  who  formerly  spent 
seven  years  with  various  talking  machine 
companies  including  Victor  and  Columbia. 
In  the  organization  also  are  Frank  Harling, 
composer  of  the  widely  sung  "Deep 
River;"  Dominicko  Savina,  composer;  Wal- 
ter Donaldson,  one  of  the  most  successful 
in  his  field;  L.  Wolfe  Gilbert,  who  has 
many  popular  song  hits  to  his  credit,  and 
Dave  Stamper,  for  fifteen  years  with  Zieg- 
feld's  Follies. 

Other  outstanding  music  and  production 
men  in  the  Publix  organization,  now  to 
become  available  for  Paramount  sound  pic- 
tures are,  Herman  Hand,  orchestrator  for 
Sousa;  Paul  Whiteman  and  Walter  Dam- 
rosch,  Einar  Swan  and  Adolph  Deutsch, 
jazz  arrangers,  and  George  Drumm,  who 
has  been  writing  motion  picture  music 
score  for  twenty  years. 

The  distribution  of  Paramount  sound  pic- 
tures will  be  made  through  nine  special 
sound  exchanges  to  be  located  strategically 
throughout  the  country.  They  will  operate 
separately  from  the  present  exchanges,  al- 
though in  the  same  buildings.  Their  loca- 
tions will  be  Boston,  New  York,  Philadel- 
phia, Atlanta,  Dallas,  Chicago,  Cincinnati, 
Kansas  City  and  San  Francisco. 


Criterion  Reopens 
With  Long-Run  Policy 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  14.— Harold  B. 
Franklin,  president  of  West  Coast  Theatres, 
this  week  announced  that  the  Criterion  thea- 
tre, would  reopen  on  August  16,  and  would 
play  a  long  run  policy  at  popular  prices. 
Among  the  attractions  already  booked  are : 
"Street  Angel,"  "Wings,"  "Wedding  March," 
"King  of  Kings,"  "The  Patriot"  and  "Lost  in 
the  Artie."  The  Criterion  will  have  a  20  piece 
orchestra  under  the  direction  of  Bakaleinikoff. 
It  also  will  feature  short  talking  subjects, 
the  first  of  which  will  be  William  Fox's  "The 
Family  Picnic."  Movietone  News  Weekly  will 
be  used.  The  Criterion  is  to  be  known  as  the 
banner  long  run  popular  price  West  Coast 
theatre.  The  Metropolitan  theatre,  Los 
Angeles,  this  past  week  played  its  first  sight- 
sound  production,  when  "Caught  in  the  Fog," 
a  Warner  Brothers  Vitaphone  production 
opened.  Many  West  Coast  theatres  have 
already  been,  and  others  are  being,  equipped 
with  "talkie"  devices. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


How  Publix  Put  Over  Sound  in  Texas 

Five  Publix  theatres  in  Texas  recently  inaugurated  sound  pictures  and  the  state  is  still  resounding  with  an  adver- 
tising and  publicity  campaign  that  ranks  as  one  of  the  greatest  the  state  has  ever  seen.  On  Saturday,  July  28,  these 
five  theatres,  the  Worth,  Fort  Worth;  the  Texas,  San  Antonio;  Palace  Dallas;  Metropolitan,  Houston,  and  the  Queen, 
Austin  opened  simultaneously  with  the  Paramount  picture,  "Warming  Up,"  starring  Richard  Dix. 

IN  Fort  Worth  patrons  formed  lines  out- 
side the  theatre  an  hour  before  the  theatre 
opened.  The  Palace  in  Dallas  did  the  big- 
gest opening  day  in  the  history  of  the  theatre. 
The  other  houses  did  business  on  a  compara- 
tive scale. 

The  campaigns  in  all  houses  were  under  the 
supervision  of  John  J.  Friedl,  district  man- 
ager of  Publix  deluxe  houses  in  Texas.  Ad- 
vertising budgets  were  cast  to  the  four  winds 
and  the  publicity  directors  of  each  house  were 
instructed  to  put  on  campaigns  regardless  of 
cost,  within  reason,  of  course. 

The  huge  compaigns  began  three  weeks  in 
advance,  resorting,  in  large  measure  to  insti- 
tutional advertising.  Advertising  and  publicity 
copy  was  carried  in  small  towns  as  distant  as 
300  miles  in  one  instance. 

The  campaign  of  the  Texas  theatre,  San 
Antonio,  is  a  good  example  of  those  run  in 
the  other  cities  and  was  used  as  the  criterion 
in  the  building  of  campaigns  in  Dallas,  Fort 
Worth  and  Houston.  This  campaign  follows : 
.  Billing 

Regular  fifty  24  sheets  posted  four  days 
advance.  Thirty-five  special  block  24  sheets 
from  N.  Y.  posted  week  advance.  Two  hun- 
dred block  three  sheets  posted''  week  in  ad- 
vance. One  hundre;]  tack  cards  posted  around 
local  ball  parks  on  week  advance.  Five  22x 
28's  one  week  in  advance  and  current.  One 
hundred  inserts  current.  Two  24  sheets  posted 
on  stand  in  .'ro  it  of  grandstand  at  ball  park 
during  doi'.ble  header  game. 

Advance  Lobby 

Three  weeks  advance  shadow  box  effect  in 
p3*-io  announcing  the  coming  of  perfected 
Movietone  and  Vitaphone.  Two  weeks  ad- 
vance colorful  cutout  panel  in  lobby,  with 
metallics  and  selling  copy  on  coming  of  sound 
pictures.  Huge  cutout  circle  in  back  of  box 
office  one  week  in  advance  on  Paramount's 
first  sound  picture,  using  stills  and  striking 
color  effects.  Fifty  cutout  star  stills  of  Dix, 
mounted  on  poster  board  with  panel  for  sell- 
ing copy  one  week  in  advance  in  prominent 
spots  throughout  theatre,  copy  reading  "Next 
week  Paramount's  first  sound  picture — you'll 
see — you'll  hear — you'll  talk!"  Two  10  foot 
panels  on  pilasters  in  front  of  theatre  facing 
patrons  as  they  leave  theatre,  announcing  the 
new  sound  picture  and  coming  attraction. 
Eight  foot  shadow  box  in  patio  one  week  in 
advance  using  tissue  letter  on  cutout  compo 
board  in  various  colors  with  lights  behind. 

Current  Lobby 

Banner  extending  across  Houston  Street 
from  the  Texas  to  opposite  building  with  sell- 
ing copy  on  Dix  in  first  Paramount  sound 
picture.  Red  and  white  awning,  five  feet  eight 
inches  deep,  hung  entirely  around  three  sides 
of  marquee,  painted  in  dark  green  lettering 
with  selling  copy  on  sound  picture  and  the 
first  sound  attraction.  Strings  of  red  and 
white  lights  hung  from  top  of  theatre  marquee, 
carrying  out  general  color  scheme  of  the 
front.  Additional  illumination  on  front  of 
theatre  furnished  by  two  spot  lights  on  op- 
posite building  from  theatre,  focused  on  front 
of  theatre. 

Illuminated  letters  hung  under  front  arch 
of  theatre— "See  and  hear  Richard  Dix  in 
'Warming  Up'  Paramount's  first  sound  pic- 
ture." Triangular  effect  box  covering  tem- 
perature recording  thermometer  in  front  of 
theatre — about  seven  feet  high  with  copy  on 
the  three  sides  on  stage  show,  picture  and 
sound.  This  box  to  revolve  by  motor.  Two 
pilasters  in  front  of  theatre,  boxed  in  with 
compo  board  in  striking  and  harmonious  color 
effects  with  sales  copy  on  sound  pictures,  leav- 


Advertising  used  by  the  Texas  theatre,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  as  a  part  of  the  huge  campaign 
that  introduced  sound  pictures  and  the  Paramount  picture,  "tFarming^  Up,"  starring  Richard 
Dix,  to  the  Texas  patrons:  The  "Texas  News"  page  shown  was  a  special  stunt  circulated 
in  advance  by  newsboys  as  an  "extra."  In  the  center  is  shown  a  sticker  used  in  San 
Antonio's  soda  fountains.     The  other  illustrations  are  advance  ads  used  in  the  newspapers. 


ing  open  for  the  display  of  regular  one  and 
three  sheet  frames.  Extra  emergency  box 
office  in  front  of  theatre  in  anticipation  of 
crowds — ^this  stunt  paving  way  for  additional 
stories  and  cuts  in  local  newspapers. 

Newspapers 

Stories  in  all  papers  on  Sunday  two  weeks 
in  advance  of  opening,  announcing  the  instal- 
lation of  perfected  sound  equipment  in  the 
Texas.  Stories  of  Paramount's  first  sound 
picture  again  Sunday,  one  week  in  advance 
of  opening  elaborating  upon  the  inauguration 
by  the  Texas  of  the  world's  greatest  pictures, 
synchronized  with  sound  effects  and  music. 
Advance  advertising  began  one  week  in  ad- 
vance  in   special    announcement   and   in   Sun- 


day's papers  and  in  announcement  slug  in 
regular  Texas  ad.  Special  announcement  ads 
run  throughout  week  in  all  papers,  emulating 
those  ads  which  were  run  by  Paramount  thea- 
tre, New  York.  Small  ads  run  on  sport 
pages  of  all  papers  on  Sunday  after  opening 
on   Saturday. 

Stories  on  all  sport  pages  throughout  ad- 
vance and  current  week  on  various  features 
of  the  new  Dix  picture.  Layouts  Sunday  in 
all  papers,  exclusive  of  the  regular  Sunday 
layout,  on  the  magnificent  program  being  of- 
fered by  the  Texas  and  the  innovation  of 
sound  pictures  in  addition  to  all  other  units  of 
its  great  program.  Quarter  page  ads  in 
Classified     Section     of     the     Light — free     of 

(Continued  on  pageAS) 


t 


PICTURES  Inc. 


Dominate  the- 
TalhifK^  Picture  Field 


ACTS.  Only  Vitaphone  can  give  you,  now,  more  than 

400  completed  acts.  Acts  with  Stage  Stars,  acts  with  Opera  Stars,  acts 
with  Concert  Stars,  acts  with  Picture  Stars,  acts  with  Radio  Stars  and 
acts  with  Ja2z  Band  Stars.  Only  Vitaphone  is  in  actual  production  of 
a  steady  supply  of  such  acts  each  and  every  week. 


TALKING  PICTURES.  Only  Warner  Bros,  can  give 

you,  now,  Vitaphone  Talking  Pictures  that  talk  winter  profits  during 
summer  weather.  Only  Warner  Bros,  can  continue  to  give  you  box 
office  Talking  Pictures  week  after  week  throughout  the  entire  year. 

TALKING  TRAILERS.  Only  Warner  Bros,  supply 

Talking  Trailers  on  each  Talking  Picture.  These  Talking  Trailers  are 
supplied  at  cost.  They  have  been  unanimously  acclaimed  as  the  most 
effective  exploitation  in  all  the  history  of  motion  pictures. 

TWO  NEGATIVES.   Only  Warner  Bros,  make  every 

picture  with  two  negatives.  One  for  Vitaphone  Theatres  and  one  for 
Non-Vitaphone.  No  picture  is  screened  at  all  unless  the  story  war- 
rants the  assurance  that  it  can  stand  on  its  own  merits  as  a  picture. 
It  must  merit  value  at  the  box  office  as  a  Warner  Bros.  Picture  before 
it  is  made  into  a  Warner  Bros.  Vitaphone  Picture.  That  is  the  test. 

r 

FUTURE.  Vitaphone  exhibitors  can  rest  assured  of 

a  continuous  supply  of  Talking  Pictures.  Non-Vitaphone  exhibitors 
can  rest  assured  that  they  will  not  be  neglected  and  that  they  will 
have  a  consistent  supply  of  money-making  pictures.  Warner  Bros, 
and  Vitaphone  were  the  pioneers  of  Talking  Pictures.  They  led  the 
field.  They  lead  the  field.  They  have  given  Exhibitors  and  will  con- 
tinue to  give  them  a  continuous  supply  of  continuous  successes. 


BROS 


Yf^^WE^lC^^ 


MEMBER  MOTION  PICTURE  PRODUCERS  AND  DISTRIBUTORS  OF  AMERICA,  INC. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


^ 


I 


L 


Speech^  Music  and  Effect  to 

Be  Used  in  FB  O  Productions 


F  B  O's  Synchronized  Features 


'The  Perfect  Crime" 
"Taxi    13" 
"Gang  War" 


"The  Hit  of  the  Show" 
"The   Circus    Kid" 
"Blocltade" 


6  NEW  YORK,  Aug  14. — Six  talking  pictures  have  been  scheduled  by 
F  B  O  Pictures  Corporation  on  its  1928-29  program.  The  six  pictures  which 
will  have  musical,  talking  and  sound  accompaniment  are  all  specials,  and 
include  "The  Perfect  Crime"  already  completed  and  now  in  its  second  week  at 
the  Rivoli  theatre.  New  York;  "The  Hit  of  the  Show,"  "Taxi  13,"  "The  Circus 
Kid,"  "Gang  War"  and  "Blockade." 

The   RCA    Photophone   is    being   used    for  on  either  Photophone  or  Movietone  machines 

the  sA'nchronization  of  F  B  O  pictures.     Com-  installed    in   theatres.     Also,    the    Photophone 

plete  interchangeability  of  sound  hlms  made  by  company  has  no  objection  to  sound  films  re- 

I^Iovietone  and  Photophone  processes  has  al-  corded    by    the    Movietone    being    played    on 


ready  been  achieved,  according  to  a  recent 
statement  issued  by  David  Sarnoff,  president 
of  R  C  A  Photophone,  Inc.,  Mr.  Sarnoff  said : 

"As  a  convenience  to  exhibitors  and  with  a 
view  of  obtaining  complete  interchangeabil- 
ity of  sound  films  made  by  the  Movietone  and 
the  Photophone  processes,  RCA  Photophone 
has  now  adopted  a  sound  track  800  mills  in 
width,  but  which  retains  the  Photophone 
method  of  recording.  Tests  made  in  studio 
and  theatre  with  a  variety  of  sound  motion 
picture  subjects  prove  conclusively  that  Photo- 
phone films  not  only  play  interchangeably  on 
Movietone  projectors  but  also  give  normal 
and  satisfactory  speech  and  musical  quality 
perfectly  synchronized.  The  800  mill  Photo- 
phone sound  track  requires  no  modification 
whatever  of  the  Movietone  sound  projector; 
neither  is  the  operating  procedure  of  Movie- 
tone changed  in  any  way. 

Sees  No  Objection 

"I  know  of  no  reason,  technical  or  other- 
wise, why  sound  films  recorded  by  the  Photo- 
phone process  cannot  be  satisfactorily  played 


Photophone  machines  installed  in  theatres." 

"The  Perfect  Crime"  is  the  first  talkie  pro- 
duction in  which  an  entire  court  room  trial 
scene  is  reproduced  in  dialogue.  The  attack 
of  the  prosecutor,  the  defense  of  his  rival,  the 
plea  of  the  condemned  boy,  the  collapse  of  the 
girl  wife,  the  shrieks  of  newsboys,  the  verdict 
of  "guilty — first  degree!"  are  all  reproduced 
with  a  fidelity  and  reality  that  has  never  yet 
been  heard  or  seen  on  the  screen.  In  addition 
to  the  talking  sequences,  thrilling  mystery  ef- 
fects have  been  incorporated  in  the  produc- 
tion, including  the  groan  and  rush  of  the 
wind  and  the  crack  of  lightning  and  roll  of 
thunder. 

"Crime    Is    Forerunner" 

"The  Perfect  Crime"  is  only  a  forerunner  of 
what  exhibitors  may  expect  from  F  B  O  in  its 
lineup  of  talking  pictures.  For  these  exhibi- 
tors who  already  have  installations  and  are 
able  to  run  synchronization  pictures,  F  B  O, 
with  its  six  specials,  is  prepared  to  furnish  an 
imposing  lineup  of  show  merchandise. 


Re-synchronizing  Device  Is  Feature 

of  Bristolphone;  Set  to  Cost  $4,500 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 


WATERBURY,  ^  CONN.,  Aug.  14.— The 
Bristolphone,  the  simple  and  practical  motion 
picture  and  sound  device  invented  by  William 
H.  Bristol  and  manufactured  here  by  his  com- 
pany, has  a  feature  that  will  catch  the  atten- 
tion of  all  interested  in  synchronized  pictures. 
The  Bristolphone  has  an  electrically  controlled 
re-synchronizing  device,  which  makes  it  possi- 
ble in  a  flash  to  get  the  picture  and  the  sound 
back  in  harmony  should  they  ever  get  out. 

One  of  the  difficulties  with  synchronization 
centers  about  this  all-important  point.  Many 
a  time  a  picture  and  its  sound  have  been  tem- 
porarily divorced,  and  there  is  nothing  to  do 
but  run  the  film  through  all  out  of  gear  and 
start  in  again,  hoping  for  better  luck  next 
time. 

With  the  Bristolphone  this  bugaboo  of  the 
cinema  is  done  away  with.  Should  the  pic- 
ture and  its  sound  get  momentarily  out  of 
accord,  which  is  not  impossible,  all  the  opera- 
tor has  to  do  is  to  turn  a  little  wheel  and 
bring  the  two  back  into  synchronization.  This 
is  accomplished  in  such  a  manner  that  it  is 
hardly  noticed  by  the  audience,  for  the  ad- 
justments are  made  by  speeding  or  slowing  up 
the  film — not  the  sound. 

The  Bristolphone  is  being  made  at  the  great 
factory  of  the  Bristol  Company  here,  a  vast 
plant  in  operation  for  35  years  manufacturing 
Bristol  recording  instruments  for  tempera- 
ture, pressure,  time  and  electricity.  Literally, 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  these  instruments 
have  been  sold  and  their  fame  is  world-wide. 

Mr.  Bristol,  the  inventor  of  the  Bristol- 
phone,   was    a    professor    of    mathematics    at 


Stevens  Institute  of  Technology  from  1888  to 
1908.  About  12  years  ago  he  began  intensive 
research  in  electrical  and  mechanical  engi- 
neering looking  toward  the  development  of 
synchronized  pictures,  and  the  Bristolphone 
is   the  result. 

The  Bristolphone,  according  to  its  inventor, 
is  not  complicated  at  all.  It  can  be  applied  to 
any  good  projector.  If  attached  to  a  Stand- 
ard Simplex,  for  instance,  the  synchronizing 
motor  goes  on  a  shelf  attached  to  the  side  of 
the  machine,  attached  with  bolts  in  holes  al- 
ready existent.  On  a  turntable  alongside,  at- 
tached only  by  a  flexible  cable,  appears  an- 
other synchronizer  and  a  small  motor.  This 
device  is  easily  attached. 

Mr.  Bristol  said,  in  an  exclusive  interview 
here,  that  all  details  regarding  prices  and  in- 
stallations have  not  yet  been  arranged.  He 
rather  expected  that  the  complete  outfit  would 
cost  $4,500  to  install,  with  a  moderate  charge 
for  rental.  The  device,  he  added,  will  be  in- 
terchangeable with  the  leading  systems. — P.  V. 


Wire  Seattle  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  14.— M.  H.  (Mike)  New- 
man, managing  director  of  Universal's  chain 
of  theatres  in  the  Northwest  is  authority  for 
the  statement  that  effective  September  1,  the 
Winter  Garden  theatre  here  will  be  equipped 
with  sound-reproducing  devices,  and  the 
future  showing  of  pictures  there  will  be  en- 
hanced by  spoken  lines  and  synchronized 
musical  scores  with  no  increase  in  prices. 


The  Bristolphone 


All  Future  Christie 
Comedies   to  Have 
Dialogue  Sequences 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— All  Christie 
comedies  to  be  produced  from  the  present 
date  forward  will  be  filmed  with  actual  talk 
included  as  well  as  the  synchronized  mu- 
sical and  sound  effects,  production  now  be- 
ing stopped  on  all  pictures  which  do  not 
include  actual  dialogue  sequences. 

During  the  first  part  of  the  production 
season  the  comedies  which  have  already 
been  filmed  include  sound  effects  and  mu- 
sic throughout,  especially  created  on  rec- 
ords synchronized  with  the  film  by  Victor 
Talking  Machine  Company  and  Para- 
mount's  musical  department. 

Christie's  own  machinery  and  other 
equipment  for  recording  in  the  studios  in 
Hollywood  is  being  shipped  this  week  from 
the  East  and  work  is  progressing  rapidly 
on  the  sound-proof  stages.  In  the  period 
while  installations  are  being  made,  all  pro- 
duction of  two-reel  comedies  will  be 
stopped  in  order  that  as  much  of  the  prod- 
uct as  possible  can  be  recorded  directly  in 
the  stud'os  with  talk  and  other  original 
sound  effects. 

It  is  expected  that  this  lull  in  production 
will  be  over  by  October  1  and  that  on  that 
date  the  actual  start  of  talking  comedies 
will  be  made.  During  this  period  the 
Christie  studios  will  be  closed  in  prepara- 
tion for  the  filming  of  talking  pictures  and 
completing  story  material  for  them. 


"Lights  of  New  York'' 
Given  4  Weeks  Run 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aue.  14.— Denoting 
the  tremendous  popularity  of  the  100  per  cent 
all-talking  offerings  in  the  Northwest,  "Lights 
of  New  York"  continues  to  draw  the  big 
crowds  in  its  fourth  week  at  the  popular 
"Blue  Mouse"  houses  in  Portland,  Seattle  and 
Tacoma. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


Progressive,  But 
Not  Hysterical,  Is 
Policy  of  Schenck 

H^      ^      ^ 

U  A  Sound  Pictures 


"Nightstick" 

"The    Rescue" 

"The  Awakening" 

"Two    Lovers" 

"The    Woman    Disputed" 

"Lummox" 

"She  Goes  to  War" 

"The   Iron    Mask" 


"The   Swamp" 

"The  Love  Song" 

"Tempest" 

"The   Battle  of  the  Sexes'- 

"Revenge" 

"Three   Passions" 

"City  Lights" 

"Heil's  Angels" 


(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

-|  Q     NEW      YORK,      Aug.      14.— United 

I  y\  Artists'  sound  policy  has:  been  out- 
-'-^^  lined  by  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  president, 
as  "progressive  but  not  hysterical."  Thus  18 
new  pictures  will  be  synchronized  with  music 
and  sound  effects,  both  Western  Electric  de- 
vices being  employed ;  but  dialogue  will  be 
used  in  fewer  films'  and  only  one  picture  now 
is  announced  as  a  complete  talkie.  This  is 
"Nightstick,"  which  Roland  West  will  film. 
Gloria  to   Be  Heard 

Voices  of  Gloria  Swanson  and  Ronald  Col- 
man  will  be  heard  in  "The  Swamp"  and  "The 
Rescue,"  respectively.  Lily  Damita,  Samuel 
Goldwyn's  imported  French  player,  will  be 
heard  in  "The  Rescue"  also.  Lupe  Velez  will 
sing  an  Irving  Berlin  song  in  "The  Love 
Song,"  new  David  Wark  Grififlth  production ; 
and  1,000  voices  of  film  soldiers'  will  sound 
"La  Marseillaise"  through  the  movietone 
microphones  for  this  picture.  "Marie,"  an- 
other Berlin  song  especially  written  for  the 
occasion,  will  be  sung  in  Vilma  Banky's  "The 
Awakening."  Berlin  has  been  signed  by 
Joseph  M.  Schenck  to  an  exclusive  contract  to 
write   songs    for    United   Artists'   Pictures. 

Hugo  Reisenfeld  also  has  been  signed  by 
United  Artists  in  connection  with  sound  in 
pictures.  This  conductor  has  scored  "Temp- 
est," "Two  Lovers,"  "The  Battle  of  the 
Sexes"  and  other  new  United  Artists:  pic- 
tures, with  music  and  many  sound  effects.  He 
will  also  score  "The  Rescue,"  "The  Awaken- 
ing" and  other  Samuel  Goldwyn  pictures. 
Mary  Pickford's  new  picture.  Norma  Tal- 
madge's  "The  Woman  Disputed,"  Dolores  del 
Rio's  "Revenge,"  John  Barrymore's  Ernst 
Lubitsch  production,  Herbert  Brenon's  "Lum- 
mox," Rex  Ingram's  "Three  Passions,"  Henry 
King's  inspiration  production,  "She  Goes  to 
War,"  and  other  United  Artists  pictures  will 
be  scored  also. 

Sound  for  "City  Lights" 

Charlie  Chaplin  may  have  an  Irving  Berlin 
song  in  "City  Lights"  but  in  any  case  the 
picture  will  have  sound  effects  and  synchro- 
nized score.  Douglas  Fairbanks's  "The  Iron 
Mask"  will  have  synchronized  score  and  novel 
uses  of  sound,  according  to  the  star,  who  was 
a  famous  stage  actor  before  he  entered  films ; 
there  will  be  no  dialogue  in  it.  "Steamboat 
Bill,  Jr.,"  the  Buster  Keaton-Ernest  Torrence 
comedy,  has  not  been  synchronized.  "Hell's 
Angels"  will  have  sound  effects,  color,  and  a 
score. 

The  following  personalities  in  United 
Artists  pictures  have  had  stage  experience: 
Mary  Pickford,  Charlie  Chaplin,  Douglas 
Fairbanks,  John  Barrymore,  Ronald  Colman, 
Louis  Wolheim,  Walter  Byron,  Lupe  Velez, 
Lily  Damita.  The  following  directors  have 
been  associated  with  the  stage :  D.  W.  Griffith, 
Morris  Gest,  Fred  Niblo,  Herbert  Brenon, 
Edwin  Carewe,  Roland  West,  Ernst  Lubitsch. 
The  following  personalities  of  United  Artists 
spoke  by  radio  to  millions  of  people,  in  the 
Dodge  Hour:  Norma  Talmadge,  Charlie 
Chaplin,  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Dolores  del  Rio, 
John  Barrymore,  David  Wark  Griffith.  Miss 
del  Rio  also  sang  "Ramona"  on  a  Victor 
record,  in  English  and  in  Spanish. 

Sound  stages  costing  $250,000  are  now  being 
installed  at  the  United  Artists  in  Hollywood. 


Announcing 

The 

NORDICPHONE 


\  NEW  Swedish  sound  device,  for 
the  synchronizing  of  pictures. 
The  recording  of  the  human  voice, 
and  sound  effects.  The  Nordic- 
phone  is  of  the  disc  type,  and  uses 
the  fiber  stylus. 

THERE  IS  NO  SCRATCH 
NO  MECHANICAL  GRIND 

'T'HE  Nordicphone  will  be  dem- 
onstrated to  the  trade  as  soon 
as  an  auditorium  can  be  secured. 


Look  for  future  announce- 
ments in  the  trade  press. 


NORDICPHONE  CO. 

Stockholm 


/' 


^ 


U.  S.  Representative 
N.  Hanson 


) 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Producing  Vitaphone  Films 


Equipment  for  recording  the  sound  upon  wax  records. 


The  sound-proof  camera  booth. 


Vitaphone  Projection  equipment. 


Microphones  suspended  above  actors  pick  up  their  voices. 


Vitaphone  Is  Now 
In  Its  Third  Year; 

All  Films  Effect 

*  *  * 

Synchronized  Warner  Product 


TITLE 

PLAYERS 

DIRECTOR 

"The  Jazz  Singer" 

Al   Jolson 

Alan    Crosland 

"Tenderloin" 

Dolores  Costello 

Michael  Curtiz 

"The    Lion    and   the 

May   McAvoy 

Lloyd    Bacon 

Mouse" 

Lionel  Barrymore 

"Glorious   Betsy" 

Dolores  Costello 

Alan   Crosland 

"Lights  of   New  York' 

Helene  Costello 
Cullen    Landis 

Bryan  Foy 

"The  Terror" 

May   McAvoy 
Edward    Everett 
Norton 

Roy   Del   Ruth 

"The   Singing    Fool" 

Al  Jolson 

Lloyd  Bacon 

"My    Man" 

Fannie   Brice 

Archie    Mayo 

"The   Desert  Song" 

All-star 

"Conquest" 

Monte  Blue 

Michael   Curtiz 

H.   B.   Warner- Lois 

Wilson 

"The  Redeeming  Sin" 

Dolores  Costello 

Howard  Bretherton 

George       M.       Cohan's 

Richard   Bennett 

Bryan  Foy 

Great    Success    "The 

Doris   Kenyon 

Home    Towners" 

"Madonna  of  Avenue 

A" 
"Stark   Mad" 

Dolores  Costello 

Michael   Curtiz 

H.    B.   Warner 

Lloyd   Bacon 

Louise    Fazenda 

Third    Dolores    Oostello 

Archie   Mayo 

Picture  "State  Street 

Myrna    Loy 

Dolores  Costello 

Sadie" 

Conrad   Nagel 

"Women    They    Talk 

Irene  Rich 

Lloyd    Bacon 

AlMUt" 

Audrey  Ferris 

"Caught  in  the   Fog" 

May  McAvoy 
Conrad   Nagel 

Howard  Bretherton 

"The  Midnight  Taxi" 

Helene  Costello 
Antonio   Moreno 

John   Adolf) 

"Land   of  the  Silver 

Rin-Tin-Tin 

Ray    Enright 

Fox" 

"Beware   of   Bachelors' 

Audrey  Ferris 

Roy  Del  Ruth 

William   Collier, 

Jr. 

"Kid   Gloves" 

Conrad   Nagel 

"From   Headquarters" 

Monte   Blue 

"Stolen    Kisses" 

May   McAvoy 

Ray  Enright 

"Hard-boiled   Rose" 

Myrna   Loy 

F.   Harmon  Weight 

William  Collier. 

Jr. 

"The  Little  Wildcat" 

Audrey   Ferris 
James   Murray 

Ray  Enright 

"One  Stolen   Night" 

Betty    Bronson 

John   Adolf) 

William   Collier, 

Jr. 

"The    Million    Dollar 

Rin-Tin-Tin 

Ross  Lederman 

Collar" 

"She    Knew   Men" 

"No   Defense" 

Monte   Blue 

"Fancy  Baggage" 

Audrey  Ferris 

"The  Greyhound 

Monte  Blue 

Howard  Bretherton 

Limited" 

"King    of  the    Wilder- 

Rin-Tin-Tin 

ness" 

*      *      * 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

^^  NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Vitaphone  had 
"S/S  its  second  anniversary  on  August  6  of 
this  year.  It  was  on  that  night  in  1926 
that  the  new  device  for  synchronizing  motion 
pictures  was  presented  to  the  public  at  the 
Warner  theatre  in  New  York  City.  Devel- 
oped by  the  Bell  Telephone  Laboratories  and 
the  Western  Electric  Company,  Vitaphone  pro- 
duced, electrically,  the  music,  song  and  speech 
of  artists  and  performers  on  a  screen  as  they 
appeared  to  render  it. 

The  introduction  of  Vitaphone  to  the  public 
required  courage  and  imagination.  Today  as 
the  entire  industry  is  accepting  the  arrival  of 
sound  into  pictures,  Warner  Brothers  and 
Vitaphone  are  advancing,  fortified  by  two 
years  of  actual  production  knowledge  and  the 
optimism   of   the   pioneer. 

In  August,  1926,  Warner  Brothers,  as 
licensees  of  the  Western  Electric  Company, 
proclaimed  themselves  ready  to  present  for 
public  approval  the  most  epoch-making  devel- 
ment  in  screen  history.  Previous  experiments 
in  talking  pictures  from  time  to  time  had 
proved  commercial  failures  and  it  was  sus- 
pected that  this  demonstration  would  be  just 
one  more  like  the  rest.  But  it  was  no  shallow 
interest  that  Warner  Brothers  had  in  Vita- 
phone. They  backed  the  dexHce  to  the  limit 
— expending  tireless  efforts  and  vast  resources 
and  their  own  reputation.  The  immediate  tri- 
umph of  Vitaphone,  both  as  a  scientific  and 
(Continued  on  page  48) 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Incorporations  Hit 
Slump  in  New  York 
As  Result  of  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  14.— The  influence 
of  talking  pictures  is  making  itself  felt  these 
days  in  the  Department  of  State  at  Albany 
through  which  all  companies  incorporating  file 
their  papers.  During  the  last  two  or  three 
months,  there  has  been  a  very  noticeable 
slump  in  the  number  of  producing  companies 
that  incorporate  week  by  week. 

The  same  holds  true  with  companies  in- 
corporating for  the  erection  of  a  motion  pic- 
ture theatre.  A  year  or  so  ago,  each  week 
witnessed  the  incorporation  of  from  five  to 
ten  producing  companies  and  two  or  three 
theatres.  At  the  present  time  new  companies 
incorporating  in  New  York  state  are  few  and 
far  between  from  the  producing  end,  and  there 
are  very  few  new  theatres  incorporated  and 
in  course  of  erection. 

Theatre  owners  in  central  and  northern 
New  York  are  about  divided  these  days  as 
to  the  advisability  of  installing  the  necessary 
equipment  that  will  permit  the  showing  of 
"talkies."  While  there  has  been  plenty  of  dis- 
cussion of  late  relative  to  the  drawing  power 
of  talking  pictures,  there  have  been  no  theatres 
in  this  section  which  have  really  reached  the 
point  of  installing  equipment. 


South   Bend    Gets 

New  House,  Sound 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

SOUTH  BEND,  IND.,  Aug.  14.— The  new 
Colfax  theatre  here,  got  away  to  an  auspicious 
start  and  incidently  showed  that  city  the  first 
talking  pictures.  The  New  York  Paramount 
theatre  orchestra  was  secured  for  the  opening 
under  the  direction  of  Nathaniel  Finston. 
"Loves  of  an  Actress"  was  the  film  used  for 
opening. 

The  theatre  will  give  two  shows'  each  eve- 
ning. The  theatre  was  built  by  the  H.  G. 
Christman  Company  and  is  operated  by  Pub- 
lix.  The  house  is  equipped  for  Vitaphone 
and  Movietone.  Maurice  A.  Baker  will  be 
managing  director.  He  goes  to  South  Bend 
from  Richmond,  Virginia,  where  he  had 
charge  of  the  Mosque  theatre. 


State,  Detroit,  Has 

Midnight  Matinee 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT  Aug.  14.— The  State  theatre 
here,  first  house  in  Detroit  to  be  devoted 
exclusively  to  talking  pictures,  followed  the 
example  of  many  burlesque  houses  by  giving 
an  added  midnight  performance  this  week. 
The  occasion  was  the  opening  of  the  first  all- 
talking  picture,  "Lights  of  New  York."  An- 
ticipating record-breaking  attendance,  due  to 
the  great  interest  here  in  sound  pictures,  the 
State  management  arranged  for  a  midnight 
show  an  Saturday,  August  11,  the  opening 
date.  And  the  house  was  well  nigh  filled 
for  the  midnight  show. 


Artclass  Officials  to 

Consider  Use  of  Sound 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.—  A  conference 
of  all  Artclass  officials  has  been  called  to 
consider  the  feasibility  of  embodying  sound 
pictures  in  their  program  for  the  coming 
year,  according  to  an  announcement  of  Max 
Weiss,  president  and  general  manager. 


''Trial  of  Mary  Dugan  "  to  Be 

MGM's  First  All  Talking  Film 

*        if;        :{i 

Among  M  G  M's  Sound  Features 


'Whit*  Shadows   in   the   South   Sea»" 

'Excess   Baggage" 

"The  Trial  of  IHary  Dugan" 


"Nize   Baby" 


"Dancing    Daughters" 
"While  the  City  Sleeps" 
"The   Bellamy  Trial" 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  after  exhaustive  tests,  has  de- 
cided upon  both  the  disc  and  film  methods  of  synchronization  to  use  in  producing 
its  sound  pictures  for  this  season.  No  sooner  had  this  been  decided  upon  than 
every  branch  of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  producing  and  distributing  organiza- 
tions made  the  slight  but  necessary  changes  which  were  required  to  handle  in 
the  most  satisfactory  way  this  new  addition  to  the  entertainment  value  of  motion 
pictures. 


The  Cosmopolitan  studios  in  New  York 
recently  were  acquired  by  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  company,  and  are  now  being  remodeled 
for  use  as  a  sound  studio.  Here  M  G  M  will 
make  short  entertainment  features,  utilizing 
the  talent  from  the  vaudeville  and  speaking 
stage.  No  feature  pictures  will  be  made  here, 
it  is  said,  except  those  which  would  be  pro- 
duced in  whole  or  in  part  in  New  York  any- 
how. 

Large    Stage    Being    Built 

On  the  West  Coast,  even  more  important 
constructive  steps  are  being  taken.  One  of 
the  largest  stages  in  the  world  entirely  de- 
voted to  sound  synchronization  is  now  being 
erected  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios 
in  Culver  City.  Here  those  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  pictures  which  will  be  partially  or  en- 
tirely fitted  with  sound  accompaniment  will 
be  made. 

In  the  comedy  field  for  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  Hal  Roach  has  bent  every  effort  to 
make  the  plop  of  the  hurled  pie  heard  in  the 
land. 

"White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas,"  is 
Metro-Goldwyn-A'Iayer's  debut  in  the  sound 
picture  field.  This  Cosmopolitan  production, 
now  showing  to  a  $2  top  at  the  Astor  thea- 
tre, New  York,  and  in  Sid  Grauman's  Chinese 
theatre,  Los  Angeles,  was  synchronized  with 
music  and  effects  by  David  Mendoza  and  Wil- 
liam Axt  under  the  supervision  of  Major  Ed- 
ward Bowes.  It  was  immediately  hailed  as  a 
sensation  by  press  and  public.  Short  subjects 
in  sound  were  also  included  in  the  program  at 
both   these   theatres. 

"Mary  Dugan"  All  Talkie 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's  first  all-talking  pic- 
ture will  be  "The  Trial  of  Mary  Dugan."  Pur- 
chase of  the  screen  rights  to  this  popular 
play,  including  Movietone  and  Vitaphone 
rights,  was  announced  a  few  weeks  ago,  after 
contracts  had  been  signed  by  Al  Wood,  the 
producer,  and   Nicholas   M.   Schenck,  head   of 


Herald-World  Is  Aid 
To  Sound  Ad  Writer 

Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  Street, 
Chicago,  Illinois. 
Gentlemen: 

Thanks  a  lot  for  letting  me  use 
your  £les  on  Vitaphone  and  Movie- 
tone. The  material  in  your  sections 
on  SYNCHRONIZED  PICTURES 
is  a  great  help  in  preparing  complete 
copy  for  trailers,  posters,  and  heralds. 
Yours  very  truly, 

William  H.  Adler, 

Dept.  of  Adv.  and  Publicity, 

Lubliner  &  Trim  Theatres,  Inc., 

Chicago,  Illinois. 


the  film  concern.  Bayard  Veiller,  the  author, 
will  supervise  the  motion  picture  adaptation, 
which  will  be  produced  in  the  near  future. 
The  picture  probably  will  be  made  by  the  film 
method  of  sound  projection. 

The  cinema  "Mary  Dugan"  will  reach  the 
screen  at  the  same  time  that  the  Broadway 
play  is  being  given  first  runs  in  every  section 
of  the  country.  The  Woods  office  has  already 
announced  that  at  least  six  road  companies 
will  begin  individual  tours  of  the  stage  pro- 
duction early  in  the  fall,  in  addition  to  the 
companies  now  presenting  the  piece  in  New 
York  and  Los  Angeles. 

Product  Is  Announced 

Almost  all  of  the  more  important  of  the 
forthcoming  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  releases 
will  be  synchronized  with  musical  and  sound 
effects.  "Dancing  Daughters,"  "Excess  Bag- 
gage," "While  the  City  Sleeps,"  "The  Bellamy 
Trial"  and  "Nize  Baby"  are  definitely  an- 
nounced for  musical  and  sound  synchroniza- 
tion. 

Short  features  tentatively  announced  for 
synchronization  include  "Imagine  My  Embar- 
rassment," "Early  to  Bed,"  "The  OF  Gray 
Horse,"  an  Our  Gang  comedy,  "School  Be- 
gins," also  an  Our  Gang,  and  probably  30 
more  comedies  from  the  Hal  Roach  studios. 

All  of  the  Great  Events  series  will  be  pro- 
duced with  sound.  All  the  Oddities  will  also 
be  handled  with  unique  sound  accompaniment 
and  effect*. 

Vocalized  short  features,  handled  by  the 
film  method  of  producing  sounds,  will  include 
a  special  variety  program,  with  selections  from 
the  following:  iVIary  Eaton  and  Oscar  Shaw, 
Louise  Groody  and  Eddie  Allen,  Keller  Sis- 
ters and  Lynch,  Mabel  Wayne  (composer  of 
"Ramona"),  Colonial  Sextette,  Lucas  Sisters, 
Sunshine  Sammy,  Walter  Roesner  and  the 
Capitolians,  Paul  Tiesen's  string  orchestra, 
Arnaut  Brothers  (musical  clowns),  Elsa  Ersi 
and  Nat  Ayer,  and  Miller  and  Lyle. 

The  M  G  M  News  will  also  be  produced  in 
connection  with  Movietone. 


F  N  to  Start  Work 
On  First  Dialogue 
Picture, '  'Changeling ' ' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— First  National 
is  preparing  to  start  work  on  the  first  talk- 
ing picture  from  this  studio.  "Changeling," 
a  George  Fitzmaurice  production  featuring 
Dorothy  Mackaill.  It  is  from  an  original 
story  by  Donn  Byrne,  and  opens  in  a 
courtroom  where  a  woman  is  on  trial  for 
murder,  where  the  talking  sequences  of  the 
picture  will  start.  A  shipwreck,  a  desert 
island  sequence  and  scenes  aboard  ocean 
liners  offer  other  opportunities  for  unique 
sound   effects   in   the   story. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Colleen  Moore ^s  "Lilac  Time^^ 

Is  FN^s  Initial  Effect  Picture 

^    ^    ^ 
Among  F  N's  Synchronized  Features 


"Lilac    Time" 

"The    Divine    Lady" 

"The  Whip" 

"The  Squall" 

"Paid    For" 

"Scarlet  Seas" 

"The   Night  Watch" 

"The  Other  Tomorrow" 

"Hard    Rock" 

"The   Eagle's  Trail" 

"Show  Girl" 

"Seven    Footprints  to  Satan" 


"Changeling" 

"The    Barker" 

"The    Goodby    Kiss" 

"Outcast" 

"Saturday's  Children" 

"Diversion" 

"The  Heart  of  a  Princess" 

"Pleasure  Bound" 

"The   Spotter" 

"Captain   of  the  Strong" 

"The   Haunted   House" 

"Sh!  The   Octopus" 


^  -4  NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— "Lilac  Time,"  a  special  George  Fitzmaurice 
"^  I  production  starring  Colleen  Moore,  is  the  first  sound  picture  released 
%^  JL  by  First  National.  It  opened  with  sound  effects  at  the  Carthay  Circle, 
Los  Angeles,  July  16,  and  is  still  running  to  packed  houses.  As  soon  as  the  equip- 
ment is  properly  installed,  there  will  be  a  sound  accompaniment  for  the  run  of 
"Lilac  Time"  at  the  Central  theatre.  New  York,  where  it  opened  August  3. 

Other  important  "Lilac  Time"  bookings  with  "Diversion"  and  two  others ; 
sound  are  the  Roosevelt  theatre,  Chicago; 
New  Grand  Central,  St.  Louis,  and  the  Madi- 
son theatre,  Detroit,  all  on  August  10;  Burns 
theatre,  Colorado  Springs,  August  12 ;  Stanley, 
Pittsburgh,  August  13 ;  Stillman,  Cleveland, 
August  18;  Aztec,  San  Antonio,  September  1, 
and  the  Liberty,  Wheeling,   September  10. 


"Changeling"   Will   Talk 

The  first  dialogue  picture  to  be  produced  by 
First  National  will  be  "Changeling,"  Donn 
Byrne's  story  to  be  directed  by  George  Fitz- 
maurice.   This  will  go  into  production  within 


Now  We'll  Hear  Those 
Funny  Fables  Animals 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— The  roars, 
barks  and  meows  of  elephants,  dogs 
and  cats  are  soon  to  be  a  part  of 
theatre  entertainment,  it  seems,  for 
the  Van  Beuren  Enterprises  has  an- 
nounced that  "Dinner  Time,"  one  of 
the  "Aesop's  Film  Fables,"  has  been 
synchronized  with  RCA   photophone. 

All  the  animals  of  the  jungle  as 
pen-and-inked  in  animation  in 
Aesop's  Fables  will  annunciate  aloud 
in  their  more  or  less  natural  "voices," 
it  is  said.  A  background  of  orches- 
tral music  is  offered  throughout  the 
reel. 


Billie  Dove  in  "The  Night  Watch,"  "The 
Heart  of  a  Princess,"  "The  Other  Tomorrow," 
"Pleasure  Bound" ; 

Milton  Sills  in  "Hard  Rock,"  "The  Spotter," 
"The  Eagle's  Trail"  and  "Captain  of  the 
Strong" ; 

Alice  White  in  "Show  Girl,"  J.  P.  McEvoy's 
story  of  backstage  life; 

Three  mystery  dramas,  "The  Haunted 
House"  by  Owen  Davis ;  "Seven  Footprints  to 
Satan,"  W.  A.  Merritt's  mystery  novel,  and 
"Sh!  The  Octopus,"  a  recent  Broadway  suc- 
cess. 

"First  National  doesn't  contemplate  sound 
production  in  the  East  at  this  time,"  said  Irv- 
ing D.  Rossheim,  president  of  the  company. 
"We  are  sure  that  the  finest  equipment  and  the 
best  talent  can  be  secured  in  Los  Angeles  and 
that  Hollywood  will  soon  be  built  up  as  a 
center  of  sound  production  as  it  now  is  the 
center  of  motion  picture  production." 


a  week  or  so  at  the  West  Coast  studios,  where 
the  necessary  equipment  is  being  installed. 

Among  the  First  National  pictures  now  be- 
ing prepared  for  the  new  process,  are  three 
Colleen  Moore  specials  in  addition  to  "Lilac 
Time" ; 

Corinne  Griffith  in  "The  Divine  Lady,"  in 
which  the  Battle  of  Trafalgar  will  be  repro- 
duced in  sound ; 

"The  Barker"  with  Milton  Sills,  Dorothy 
Mackaill  and  Betty  Compson,  in  which  all  the 
sounds  and  dialogue  of  the  carnival  will  be 
reproduced ; 

"The  Whip"  with  Dorothy  Mackaill ; 

Dove  in  Sound  Special 

A  Eillie  Dove  special,  directed  by  George 
Fitzmaurice ; 

"The  Good-Bye  Kiss"; 

"The  Squall,"  made  from  the  famous  Broad- 
way play; 

"Changeling,"  Donn  Byrne's  story; 

Corinne  Griffith  in  "Outcast,"  "Paid  For," 
"Saturday's  Children"  and  one  other  as  yet 
untitled ; 

Richard     Barthelmess     in     "Scarlet     Seas," 


Louisville  Is  Strong 

For  Sound  Pictures 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

LOUISVILLE,  Aug.  14.— It  appears  that 
all  first  run  theatres  in  Louisville  are  turn- 
ing to  Vitaphone.  Vitaphone  at  the  Strand 
theatre  has  now  been  a  strong  success  for 
many  months.  Fred  Dolle  recently  an- 
nounced that  he  intended  putting  in  Vita- 
phone at  the  Alamo  theatre,  Louisville,  and 
has  already  wired  his  twc^  new  suburban 
houses,  the  Uptown  and  Parks.  It  is  also 
reported  that  Libson  on  behalf  of  the 
Keith  interests,  has  arranged  to  put  Vita- 
phone in  at  the  Rialto,  Majestic  and  Mary 
Anderson. 

Warners  Complete 

3  More  Road  Shows 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Three  War- 
ner Brothers'  road  shows  for  release  this 
season  were  completed  this  week.  All  of 
them  are  pictures  in  which  Vitaphone 
sound  will  figure  prominently.  The  first 
to  be  finished  was  "The  Singing  Fool,"  with 
Al  Jolson,  directed  by  Lloyd  Bacon.  Fan- 
nie Brice  has  also  completed  work  on  "My 
Man"  in  which  the  comedienne  makes  her 
first  motion  picture  appearance.  This  has 
been  directed  by  Archie  Mayo.  The  third 
is  "The  Redeeming  Sin,"  starring  Dolores 
Costello. 


The  signing  of  the  contract  which  will 
give  everybody  a  chance  to  see  and  hear 
Ted  Lewis,  the  tragedian  of  Jazz,  in  a 
Warner  Brothers  Vitaphone  road  show, 
"Is  Everybody  Happy?"  Sam.  Morris, 
general  manager  of  distribution  for  War- 
ners, is  seen  closing  the  contract  with 
Ted. 


i6TT99 


C/"  Has  Several 
Sound  Features 

Ready  for  Screen 

*  *  * 

Among  Universal's  Sound  Films 


"The   Minstrel   Man" 

"The  Man   Who   Laughs" 

"The   Last  Warning" 

"Man,    Woman   and   Wife" 

"Red    Hot  Speed" 

"Broadway" 

"The  College  Hero" 


"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin" 

"Lonesome" 

"The   Girl   on  the   Barge" 

"Give  and  Take" 

"Cohens  and   Kellys  at  Atlantic 

City" 
"Showboat" 

*      *      * 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

■<  Q  NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Universal  is 
I  r\  letting  no  grass  grow  under  its  feet 
■^^^  in  the  sound  picture  field.  Compre- 
hensive plans  long  have  been  under  way  and 
the  present  finds  the  Carl  Laemmle  organiza- 
tion with  several  synchronized  pictures  ready 
for  the  screen  and  a  munber  of  others  near- 
ing  the  market.  Also,  several  all  talking  pic- 
tures are  in  the  making  or  about  to  enter  pro- 
duction. 

Universal  is  using  the  Movietone  sound  on 
the  film  method.  One  complete  sound  stage 
unit  already  is  in  operation  at  Universal  City 
and  three  more  have  been  okayed  by  Mr. 
Laemmle  for  immediate  construction. 

"Uncle  Tom"  Sounded 

The  first  big  step  taken  by  Universal  was 
the  synchronization  of  its  two  biggest  pic- 
tures, "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  and  "The  Man 
Who  Laughs."  Work  on  these  pictures  has 
been  completed.  The  synchronized  version  of 
"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  was  previewed  by  New 
York  exhibitors  at  the  Globe  theatre,  Broad- 
way and  46th  street,  last  week  and  hailed  as 
a  marvelous  rendition.  A  noted  and  aug- 
mented New  York  symphony  orchestra  was 
used  in  supplying  the  musical  setting.  Also, 
the  Dixie  Jubilee  singers  were  recorded  in 
the  plantation  melody  scenes.  The  baying  of 
bloodhounds,  the  harmonious  whistle  of  the 
steamboats,  and  other  sounds  of  ante-bellum 
life  in  the  South  were  incorporated.  The  pic- 
ture is  being  booked  now. 

The  synchronized  version  of  "The  Man 
Who  Laughs,"  made  under  similar  conditions, 
will  be  ready  for  previewing  in  a  few  days. 

Universal  also  is  taking  steps  to  include 
talking  sequences  in  "Lonesome,"  the  remark- 
able picture  made  by  Dr.  Paul  Fejos.  It  also 
will  be  supplied  with  musical  backgrounds  and 
sound  effects. 

Mystery  to  Be  Synchronized 

Four  other  Universal  pictures,  on  which 
camera  work  has  been  completed,  will  be  sjm- 
chronized  in  the  immediate  future.  They  are 
"The  Last  Warning,"  the  Laura  La  Plante- 
Paul  Leni  mystery  picture,   just  completed  at 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


"LIGHTS   OF 
NEW  YORK" 

The  First  All-Talk  Morion 

Picture  To  B«  Made! 

The  Screen's  GrKiiwsi 

AcKicv:ment! 

OLYMPIC 

THEATRE      STtUflENVILLE  OHIO 

AUG.  13-18-1928 


*LieHT/ 
NOV 


Two  sides  of  an  envelope  used  as  a  stunt 
for  "Lights  of  New  York,"  the  Warner 
Brothers'  all-talking  picture,  by  W^illiam 
L.  Hendricks,  managing  director  of  the 
Capitol  and  Olympic  theatres,  Steuben- 
ville,  Ohio.  In  the  envelope  were  placed 
several  packs  of  matches.  The  envelopes 
and  matches  were  supplied  to  all  stores 
in  town  selling  tobacco  a  week  in  ad- 
vance of  the  run  and  during  the  run  of 
the  picture.  This  is  a  "sure-fire"  gag  that 
will  create  a  lot  of  attention. 

the  Coast;  "The  Girl  on  the  Barge,"  just  com- 
pleted from  the  Rupert  Hughes  story;  "Man, 
Woman  and  Wife,"  the  latest  Eddie  Laemmle 
picture ;  and  "Give  and  Take,"  a  recent  fea- 
ture with  George  Sidney  and  Jean  Hersholt. 
Then,  Universal  will  supply  sound  and  talk- 
ing sequences  to  two  important  pictures  just 
going  into  production.  Much  of  the  dialogue 
and  sound  will  be  made  at  the  same  time  as 
the  pictures.  They  are  "Red  Hot  Speed," 
Reginald  Denny's  new  picture,  just  starting  at 
the  Coast,  and  "The  Cohens  and  Kellys  at 
Atlantic  City,"  which  will  go  into  production 
next  week  at  Atlantic  City. 

Other  Universal  pictures  will  be  announced 
for  sound  effects,  music  and  dialogue  within 
the  next  month,  it  is  stated. 

It  also  is  interesting  to  note  that  a  novelty 
two-reeler  is  now  in  production  at  Universal 
City  as  an  all-talkie.  It  is  "East  Side,"  being 
directed  by  Leigh  Jason,  with  Jean  Hersholt 
and   an    all-star    cast. 

Universal,  however,  is  going  ahead  vigor- 
ously with  its  silent  picture  program,  and  as- 
sures a  steady  supply  of  good  pictures  for 
1928-1929. 

Summary  of   Plans 
Universal  has  announced  that  18  features  of 
the    1928-1929    release    schedule    will    be    syn- 
chronized, some  with  music  and  sound  effects 
only  and  some  as  all-talking  pictures. 

Definite    information    has    been    announced 
about  the  following  nine : 
Music  and  sound  effects : 
"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."   Synchronization  com- 
pleted. 
"The  Man  Who  Laughs."    Synchronization 

completed. 
"The    Last    Warning."     Picture    now    being 

synchronized. 
"The  Girl  on  the  Barge."   Picture  now  being 

synchronized. 
"Man,  Woman  and  Wife."    To  be  synchro- 
nized soon. 
"Give  and  Take."    To  be  synchronized  soon. 
Music  and  Sound,  plus  Talking  Sequences  : 

"Lonesome."  Talking  sequences  being  made. 
All  Talking  Pictures : 

"Red  Hot  Speed"    (Reginald  Denny).     En- 
tering production. 
"The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Atlantic  City." 

Soon  to  enter  production. 
In  addition:    Universal  promises  some  short 
subjects  with  sound. 

"East  Side,"  a  novelty  2-reeler,  is  now  being 
made  at  Universal  City  with  an  all-star  cast 
headed  by  Jean  Hersholt.    A  talkie. 

It  is  also  contemplated  that  "Showboat"  and 
"Broadway"  will  be  made  with  sound,  and 
Universal  also  is  preparing  for  the  production 
of  two  big  sound  pictures,  probably  for  re- 
lease in  1929,  "The  College  Hero,"  screen 
musical  comedy,  and  "The  Miracle  Man." 


It's  All  a  Fake 

The  Sound  Game  Is  a  Bag  of  Tricks 


By  DAVID  H.  BROCKMAN 

Synchronising  Coiidnctor  for  Recording  Laboratories  of  America 


WHILE  the  ink  is  drying  on  this  issue  of 
the  Herald-World  more  than  one  mo- 
tion  picture  producer  is  getting   ready 
to  pay  five  figures  to  find  out  what  you  already 
know  if  you  have  read  the  title  of  this  article. 

The  business  of  recording  synchronized 
sound  for  theatre  reproduction  requires  an 
endless  bag  of  tricks,  and  everyone  who  goes 
in  for  recording  will  spend  a  lot  of  somebody's 
money  finding  out  what  these  tricks  are. 

]\Iusical  sense,  dramatic  sense  and  horse 
sense  are  indispensable  to  the  recording  con- 
ductor, but  they  are  not  sufficient.  The  opti- 
mists who  are  gaily  embarking  on  the  sea  of 
sound  armed  only  with  these  old  fashioned 
virtues  will  pay  a  high  price  to  learn  that 
experience  is  needed  also. 

It  is  not  enough  to  have  a  "feeling"  for 
what  is  right  and  wrong  in  sound.  One  must 
know  how  the  microphone  is  going  to  feel 
about  it. 

The  microphone  is  a  highly  sensitive  hearing 
de\ice.  But  the  microphone  is  not  an  ear. 
The  sound  that  goes  into  this  remarkable  de- 
vice is  not  necessarily  the  sound  that  will 
come  off  the  record.  In  order  to  reproduce  a 
desired  sound  effect,  much  different  sound 
frequently  has  to  be  introduced.  It  is  the  syn- 
chronizing conductor's  business  to  know  which 
wrong  sound  will  reproduce  a  right  effect,  or 
something  near  it. 

A  great  many  common  errors  and  methods 
of  overcoming  them  have  been  card  indexed 
by  those  who  have  made  an  intensive  experi- 
mental study  of  synchro-sound  during  the  past 
few  years.  Without  his  catalog  of  flukes  and 
fakes  the  conductor  is  lost.  And  most  of  the 
catalog  must  be  carried  in  his  head,  for  the 
varieties  of  trouble  are  too  complex  to  be  ade- 
quately indexed. 

I  was  with  Vitaphone  from  its  inception  and 
worked  on  many  sound  experiments  over  a 
period  of  three  years.  In  the  early  days 
trouble  was  infinite.  Expensive  sequences  were 
frequently  done  over  a  dozen  or  more  times 
with  the  greatest  care,  but  each  time  ruined 
through  some  slight  lack  of  foresight  or 
knowledge. 

The  entire  overture  of  "The  Better  'Ole," 
recorded  at  a  cost  of  perhaps  $10,000,  had  to 
be  shelved  and  was  never  released. 

One  day  a  record  was  made  of  Eddie  Con- 
rad and  Marian  Eddv  in  a  comedy  skit.  At 
the  climax  of  the  act  Marian  serenaded  Eddie, 
who  expressed  his  appreciation  of  her  art  by 
stepping  to  the  edge  of  the  balcony  above  her 
and  pouring  a  pail  of  water  down  her  throat. 

Something  went  wrong  with  the  recording 
apparatus  and  the  actress  had  to  put  on  dry 
clothes  and  do  it  over.  The  second  time  some- 
bodv  dropped  something  and  spoiled  the  rec- 
ord again.  Eight  times  the  skit  had  to  be  acted 
and  recorded.  The  eighth  time  it  went  off  as 
smooth  as  a  whistle  and  everybodv  went  home. 
When  it  was  reproduced  the  falling  water 
sounded  like  popping  corn. 

It  has  since  been  discovered  that  a  cymbal 
at  a  distance  from  the  microohone  would  have 
given  the  right  effect,  but  this  could  be  used 
only  in  a  silent  picture  later  timed  to  sound. 

In  a  thoughtless  moment  I  used  the  phrase, 
"as  smooth  as  a  whistle."  Which  reminds  me 
that  there  is  nothing  rougher  than  a  whistle. 
High  piping  instruments  are  death  to  the  re- 
cording microphone.  An  orchestra  must  be 
seated  so  that  flutes  and  first  violins  are  at  a 
distance  if  used  at  all.  A  shrill  note  will  some- 
times blast  the  microphone  and  spoil  the  re- 
sult of  hours  of  recording.  This  loss  runs  into 
venerable  figures  with  musicians  at  fifty  dollars 


a  day  and  overhead  to  match. 

The  silverbell  note  of  the  glockenspiel  is 
another  terror.  The  sound  of  breaking  glass  is 
the  signal  to  throw  the  record  in  the  ashcan 
and  begin  over. 

Kettle  drums  are  fairly  safe  but  bass  drums 
cannot  be  used  unless  they  are  mounted  on 
springs  to  prevent  their  vibrations  from  being 
taken  up  by  the  floors  and  walls.  This  effect, 
unnoted  by  the  human  ear,  is  equivalent  to  an 
earthquake  to  the  "mike." 

Recording  pitfalls  number  into  the  thou- 
sands. Some  of  them  have  been  overcome.  The 
others  must  be  avoided.  One  must  be  aware 
of  the  hundreds  of  things  that  can't  be  done 
before  playing  tag  on  a  tightrope.  The  record- 
ing conductor  is  in  the  same  fix.  He  treads  a 
narrow  path.  He  needs  to  know  the  limita- 
tions of  his  instrument  and  contrive  to  get  the 
result  he  wants  within  the  scope  of  its  charted 
possibilities. 


Reisenfeld  Scores 
U  A  Pictures  for 
Music  and  Effects 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Synchronized  prints 
on  "Tempest,"  the  John  Barrymore  film  for 
United  Artists,  v«ll  be  available  to  exhibitors 
on  August  25.  Hugo  Reisenfeld  has  com- 
pleted the  score  and  sound  effect  synchroniza- 
tion, which  will  be  heard  for  the  first  time 
when  the  picture  is  shown  at  popular  prices 
at  the  RivoH,  New  York,  August  18.  On  Sep- 
tember 7  synchronized  prints  on  "Two  Lovers," 
final  Colman-Banky  picture,  will  be  available. 
Dr.  Reisenfeld  has  also  scored  this  Samuel 
Goldayn  picture. 

All  United  Artists  Pictures  will  be  released 
on  announced  schedule  time,  Al  Lichtman  says, 
and  sound  is  keeping  pace  with  production  and 
distribution  so  that  no  delays  will  ensue. 
Eighteen  pictures  are  being  synchronized  with 
scores  and  sound  effects,  either  on  film  or 
disc.  D.  W.  Griffith's  "The  Battle  of  the 
Sexes,"  completed,  now  is  being  scored  by 
Reisenfeld.  Next  he  will  do  Norma  Tal- 
madge's  "The  Woman  Disputed."  Both  of 
these  films  will  be  ready  with  sound  for  Sep- 
tember release  nationally. 

Stories  for  two  new  United  Artists  pictures 
have  just  been  selected.  Both  are  based  on 
Russian  tales,  the  first  written  by  Alexander 
Pushkin,  the  second  by  Nickolai  Gogol.  Both 
pictures  will  be  filmed  vdth  sound,  with  dia- 
logue. Rod  La  Rocque  will  be  featured  in 
"The  Shop,"  based  on  the  Pushkin  story. 
"Taras  Bulba,"  Gogol's  storj',  will  be  filmed 
as  a  United  Artists  special. 


''Titanic,  ''Caddo  Film 
To  Be  Synchronized 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— The  Caddo  Com- 
pany has  decided  to  incorporate  the  latest 
sound  innovations  in  its  projected  ocean  spec- 
tacle, "Titanic."  The  decision  to  add  sound 
effects  to  the  sea  film,  which  will  be  based  on 
an  original  story  by  Wilson  Mizner  and  Carl 
Harbaugh,  and  will  be  directed  by  Lewis  Mile- 
stone, will  delay  production  on  the  picture  un- 
til fall. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


When  Sound  Hits  Great  Open 
Spaces  of  Accessories 

Mammy  songs  will  be  the  order  of  the 
day,    and   heralds    will    sing    arias,    etc. 


By  DAVE  BADER 

Accessory  Sales  Manager,  Universal 

SOUND,  oh  sound,  where  is  thy  sing 
We   accessory  guys   are  having   our  worries  right  now!     Day   and  night 
we're  haunted  by  the  thought  that  maybe  100  piece  orchestras  will  have  to 
be  engaged  to  make  our  24  sheets  attract  attention!     Only  the  other  day  I  called 
up  a  vocalist  and  asked  her  fee  in  case  we  need  a  mezzo — not  mess-o — soprano 
to  sing  for  our  1  sheets. 


Five-piece  jazz  bands  may  be  needed  for 
banners,  a  banjoist  and  saxophonist  will  prob- 
ably have  to  be  engaged  for  the  large  roto 
heralds  and  maybe  we  can  get  by  with  just 
a  cornetist  for  our  smaller  heralds.  I  hope 
so,  because  I  know  a  cornetist  can  attract  lots 
of  attention.  We  have  one  near  us  who  prac- 
tices every  night  until  after  midnight.  If  I 
can  get  him,  I  can  use  him  single-handed  for 
the   14  sheets ! 

*     *     * 

There  is  only  one  thing  I  am  afraid  of. 
Blue-law  fanatics  may  pass  a  law  against  sax- 
ophones being  used  in  connection  with  post- 
ers. Of  course,  I  don't  really  blame  them — 
but  then  a  saxophonist  must  live.  Accessories 
will  naturally  keep  up  with  synchronization 
— and  I'm  thinking  that  the  sound  of  flying 
hoofs  on  hard  gravel  is  going  to  sell  a  lot 
of  extra  western  paper.  Then  the  aviation 
paper  can  be  improved  a  great  deal  by  the 
sound  of  shirling  propellers — and  posters  for 
baby  pictures  will  certainly  be  very  effective 
if  baby  talk  is  introduced.  Now  and  then,  a 
good  loud  baby  yell — will  do  wonders.  It  will 
certainly  wake  up  a  lot  of  wood  whittlers  in 
some  of  the  smaller  towns.  Think  what  it 
will  mean  to  the  exhibitor  who  has  a  circus 
for  competition.  Cowboys  whooping — show 
girls  singing — comedians  cracking  wise — will 
all  help  to   compete  with  the  circuses  IF 

That  "IF"  makes  me  shudder,  for  if  the 
circuses  get  on  to  the  value  of  synchronized 
accessories  it's  curtains  to  the  theatres  when 
they  (the  circuses)  hit  town.  Just  imagine  if 
Barnum  and  Bailey's  circus  came  into  town 
and  posted  about  5,000  lurid  posters — WITH 
SOUND.  Can  you  visualize  in  your  wildest 
fancy  what  the  screams  of  monkeys,  the  yells 
and  roars  of  lions  and  tigers  and  the  wild 
sounds  of  elephans  will  do  to  the  movie  busi- 
ness? I  shiver  just  thinking  about  it!  Ten 
different  bands  will  play  together  from  their 
places  on  the  boards,  the  wagons  will  bump 
and  bounce  from  their  places  on  the  posters 
and  the  whole  blooming  circus  will  march  to 
the  tune  of  synchronized  paper.  The  small 
exhibitor  might  just  as  well  close  up  his  house 
when  the  circus  comes  to  town — UNLESS 
VITAPHONE  OR  MOVIETONE  refuses  to 
sell  them  synchronization  rights  on  accessories. 
*    *    * 

Only  the  other  day  I  saw  a  couple  of  acces- 
sory managers  out  to  lunch  with  someone  who 
looked  like  Paul  Whiteman,  and  I  figured 
right  then  and  there  that  maybe  Paul's  going 
to  be  landed  by  the  poster  boys.  Morgan 
Litho.  will  be  tying  up  Belle  Baker,  Irene 
Franklin,  Vincent  Lopez,  the  Vanities,  Follies, 
and  other  entertainers  so  that  they  can  be  used 
in  connection  with  the  preparing  of  posters. 
Morgan  isn't  asleep,  by  any  means.  Neither 
are  the  other  lithographers.  No  doubt  the 
herald  printers,  the  makers  of  colored  lobbies, 
etc.,  will  be  going  out  into  the  open  market 
for  talent  in  connection  with  colored  and  roto 
heralds,  11  x  14  and  22  x  28  photos  and  they'll 
find  competing  with  them  the  lithographers 
of  banners  and  window  cards.  What  would 
be   more  logical   than   a   window   card   calling 


people's  attention  to  the  windows  they  are 
placed  in.  Synchronization,  dear  readers,  will 
do  it !  Window  cards  made  up  for  comedians 
can  make  these  so-call  comedians  say  funny 
things  like,  "Who  was  that  lady  I  saw  you 
with  last  evening?"  Banners  and  window 
cards  made  up  for  crook  stories  can  draw  a 
lot  of  attention  to  the  theatre  using  them 
by  having  a  gun  go  off  every  10  seconds  or 
thereabouts.  A  Chicago  machine  gun  might 
be  used  effectively  if  exact  10-second  require- 
ments are  needed  for  this  novel  way  of  at- 
tracting  attention. 

Accessories  for  a  love  story  can  be  en- 
hanced many  times  over  when  the  day  of 
synchronized  accessories  dawns.  What  could 
be  sweeter  than  having  the  hero  sing  a  love 
ditty  to  his  heroine — and  she  in  turn  sings 
her  answer  to  him  in  a  high  contralto  voice? 
The  possibilities  on  synchronized  accessories 
are  tremendous ! 

Dog  and  horse  pictures  are  fortunate  in  that 
unusual  accessories  can  be  prepared.  Photos, 
as  well  as  posters  and  heralds,  can  have  syn- 
chronized "bow-wows"  and  "neigh-neighs." 
Rin-Tin-Tin's  and  Rex's  popularity  should  be 
enhanced  1,000  times  when  the  big  day  comes 
for  us  accessory  guys ! 

College  pictures  are  going  to  go  over  like 
two  or  three  hurricanes,  without  a  doubt.  Ev- 
erywhere accessories  will  be  heard  cheering 
and  yelling,  and  this  should  certainly  help  get 
'em  in.  "Sic  'em  Harvard! — kill  'em  Yale!" 
and  other  soul-stirring  cries  will  rend  the  air 
everywhere,  and  thousands  upon  thousands  of 
college  grads  and  other  folks  are  going  to  be 
thrilled  to  the  bone.  The  result  will  be  thou- 
sands upon  thousands  of  new  customers !  A 
new  era  for  the  motion  picture  industry. 
*    *    ♦ 

All  in  all,  the  possibiHties  are  so  tremendous 
I  grow  dizzy  as  I  think  about  them.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  fact,  synchronization  has  such  outstand- 
ing merits  as  far  as  advertising  is  concerned, 
that  it  is  unlimited.  Publix  presentations  may 
soon  be  brought  to  one's  home  on  an  envelope 
and  fan  magazines  will  tell  you  the  stories  of 
our  stars.  Writers  will  become  orators,  town 
criers,  and  synchronized  announcers.  True 
confessions,    interviews,    etc.,    will    scintillate 

with    gossip Enough    of    that,    for    we'll 

have  plenty  to  worry  about  thinking  of  the 
talking  heralds,  the  singing  posters,  the  croon- 
ing banners  and  the  symphony  orchestra  bill- 
boards. Mammy  songs  will  be  the  order  of 
the  day,  night  and  all  other  time.  Arias  from 
"Faust,"  "The  Barber  of  Seville,"  "La  Tosca," 
and  so  forth  will  help  sell  accessories  as 
never  before  when  the  inventor  of  this  thing 
we  accessory  guys  are  worrying  about,  gets 
out  of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Mentally 
Unbalanced. 

I  know  I'll  do  my  little  bit  to  keel)  him 
there,  because  accessory  managers  will  then 
have  to  have  a  lot  of  histrionic  talent  to  sell — 
and  I  can't  even  play  a  harp! 


Wired  Theatres  to 
Play  All  Ava ila h le 
Film,  Survey  Shows 

(Continued  from  page  29) 

viously  disdained  the  screen.  But  the  vast 
legions  of  simon  pure  screen  fans  will  prob- 
ably want  theirs  minus  language.  Let's 
see  what  we  shall  see." 

Boon  to  Small  Towns 

D.  E.  Fitton,  president  of  the  Ozark  The- 
atres Corporation,  Harrison,  Arkansas,  has 
the  following  to  say: 

"I  do  not  believe  sound  pictures  will  sup- 
plant the  silent  drama.  There  will  have  to 
be  great  improvements  in  present  sound 
pictures,  as  I  see  it,  before  the  cities  will 
consider  them  after  the  present  craze  is 
over.  I  do  not  believe  patrons  in  the  cities 
will  be  satisfied  with  "canned"  music  inside 
of  a  few  months.  I  predict  a  falling  off  in 
business  where  talking  movies  are  used.  I 
do  believe  this  would  be  a  boon  to  the  small 
towns,  if  they  could  be  installed  at  a  reason- 
able price,  since  the  small  towns  cannot 
afford  to  maintain  orchestras,  and  this 
would  give  them  excellent  orchestration. 
Talking  movies  in  my  opinion  will  not  come 
to  stay.  Personally  I  am  not  going  to  'rock 
the  boat'  and  by  this  time  next  year,  it 
should  be  demonstrated  without  a  doubt, 
what  is  what." 

The  results  of  the  survey  show  that  the 
small  exhibitor  is  intensely  interested  in 
sound  pictures,  but  he  frankly  admits  he 
does  not  know  what  to  expect.  He  is  a  bit 
nervous  over  the  new  development,  and 
many  of  them  are  inclined  to  be  skeptical. 
C.  R.  Metzger,  treasurer  of  the  Allen  and 
Metzger  circuit  in  Indianapolis  says,  "The 
talking  picture  is  a  temporary  fad  and  only 
partially  clicking.  I  hear  as  many  unfavor- 
able comments  to  the  sound  pictures  as 
favorable  and  favorable  only  as  to  'talkie' 
novelty."  On  the  other  hand  an  official  of 
the  Phoenix  Amusement  Company  of  Ari- 
zona, Phoenix,  reports  it  is  his  belief  the 
talking  picture  will  replace  the  silent  one, 
"but  at  same  time  am  waiting  to  see  results 
in  large  houses." 

Among  the  smaller  houses  this  waiting 
policy  seems  to  be  quite  general.  The  sur- 
vey shows  that  this  waiting  policy  is  a 
result  of  the  price  of  installation  now 
charged. 

Sound  Offers 

New  Problems 


For  Solution 


Australian  Sales  Officer  Arrives 

NEW    YORK. — F  B  O    home    office    is    entertaining 
William    Scott,    representative   in    Australia. 


{Continued  from  page  29) 

use  the  new  medium,  to  say  nothing  of  special 
soundproof  stages  where  they  can  work.  The 
Actors  Equity  Association  has  become  inter- 
ested, anxious  to  protect  its  charges.  The 
musicians  have  protested,  fearful  that  syn- 
chronized pictures  would  mean  the  end  of 
orchestras.  Electricians  have  been  concerned. 
Stage  carpenters  have  wondered  where  they 
get  off. 

The  situation  has  been  further  complicated 
by  a  decision  on  the  part  of  certain  managers 
of  legitimate  stage  productions — led  by  the 
powerful  Shubert  organization,  with  its  many 
houses,  Al  Woods,  and  Wilham  A.  Brady — to 
jump  into  sound  pictures  while  the  jumping 
was  good.  They  have  decided  to  make  talking 
pictures  of  their  stage  productions  as  given  in 
New  York  to  be  shown  through  the  country  at 
low  prices,  and  expect  to  make  their  first  soon. 

The  situation  in  regard  to  synchronized  pic- 
tures is  by  no  means  clear.  But  it  is  all- 
important,  and  for  that  reason  this  issue  of 
Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture 
World  is  devoted  to  it. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


Acoustic  Problem 
In  Sound  Picture 
Producing  Plants 


include 
trusses. 
Curve 


{Continued    from    page    30) 
the    height    of    the    exposed    steel 


A  shows  the  acoustical  condition 
that  would  exist  if  the  floor  was  unpainted 
wood,  the  walls  unpainted  common  brick 
and  the  ceiling  finished  with  common 
plaster  on  tile.  It  has  been  further  assumed 
that  there  would  be  approximately  25,000 
square  feet  of  scenery  exposed  in  the  room 
and  that  150  persons  are  present. 

It  will  be  noted  that  under  these  condi- 
tions the  reverberation  is  very  high  at  a 
frequency  of  125  cvcles  and  rather  high  at 
2000  cycles,  but  that  at  500  cycles,  the 
average  pitch  of  speech  and  music,  rever- 
beration is  much  lower  though  still  too 
high  for  clear,  distinct  audition.  If  this 
room  were  to  be  used  as  an  auditorium, 
the  reverberation  should  not  exceed  1.9 
seconds.  For  studio  purposes  the  rever- 
beration should  not  be  greater  than  one 
second  and  preferably  less. 

Curve  B  represents  the  acoustical  condition 
that  would  exist  if  all  the  walls  and  ceiling 
were  finished  with  a  cattle  hair  felt  Y^  inch 
thick  protected  with  an  open  porous  fabric 
like  canvas  or  burlap.  Such  an  absorbent 
because  of  its  high  surface  porosity  absorbs 
a  great  deal  more  sound  in  the  upper  reg- 
ister than  in  the  lower  register,  and  as  will 
be  seen,  by  the  graph,  the  reverberation 
at  128  cycles  would  amount  to  Z.?)  seconds, 
while  at  512  cycles  it  would  be  reduced  to 
0.78  seconds.  This  type  of  treatment  was 
used  in  the  first  radio  broadcasting  studios, 
and  it  is  apparent  from  a  study  of  the 
curve  why  these  studios  were  called  dead 
and  lifeless  by  speakers  and  singers  alike. 
The  cause  is  not  too  much  absorption  but 
rather  unbalanced  absorption.  Radio  engi- 
neers would  speak  of  reproduced  speech  or 
music  in  such  a  studio  as  going  "bass,"  and 
this  same  characteristic  is  the  most  notable 
fault  of  the  first  sound  films  that  were  pro- 
duced. 

Curve  C  represents  the  installation  of  ap- 
proximately 70,000  square  feet  of  an  insu- 
lating lumber  on  the  walls  and  ceiling  of 
this  same  studio.  While  most  insulating 
lumbers  have  exceptionally  fine  straight  line 
absorption  characteristics  in  their  raw  state 
and  if  they  are  installed  under  proper  condi- 
tions, it  is  evident  that  they  are  not  suffi- 
cient to  reduce  the  reverberation  to  the  re- 
quired degree. 

Curve  D  represents  the  installation  in  the 
same  studio  of  a  sound  absorbing  interior 
finish  composed  of  a  2  inch  thick  acoustic 
felt  made  of  asbestos  fibre  and  hair  in 
which  the  surface  has  been  finished  with  a 
special  acoustical  paint  to  reduce  its  sound 
absorbing  efficiency  in  the  upper  register  and 
provide  straight  line  absorption  characteristics. 
(The  paint  would  at  the  same  time  produce 
excellent  light  reflecting  characteristics.) 
Such  a  studio  would  be  very  nearly  ideal 
acoustically  for  recording  purposes  because 
the  reverberation  would  be  very  nearly  the 
same  over  the  entire  scale  of  pitch,  yet  all 
of  the  walls,  floor  and  ceiling  would  still 
possess  sufficient  reflecting  qualities  to  pro- 
vide an  adequate  average  intensity  through- 
out the  studio.  Adequate,  scientifically  de- 
signed absorption  of  this  nature  is  expen- 
sive in  first  cost,  but  it  not  only  makes 
possible  true,  vibrant  records,  but  also  pro- 
vides a  certain  amount  of  flexibility  in  the 
arrangement  of  microphones  in  relation  to 
actors  that  will  economize  time.  And  it 
would  be   "soprano-proof." 

In  many  shots,  actors,  microphones  and 
cameras  must  be,  to  a  certain  extent,  con- 
fined within  small  areas  by  the  sets,  and 
under    these    conditions    the    effect    of    the 


sound  absorbing  finish  of  the  studio  proper 
will  only  be  effective  over  what  might  be 
considered  the  ceiling  area  of  the  set. 
Thus,  the  confining  walls  and  screens  of 
the  set  would  have  the  effect  of  producing 
reverberation  even  in  an  acoustically  cor- 
rected studio.  The  remedy,  of  course,  is 
to  use  this  same  acoustical  or  sound  absorb- 
ing finish  for  the  screens  and  setups.  The 
acoustical  felt  background  can  be  papered 
or  painted  as  effectively  as  any  other  type 
of  background. 

Sound-absorbing  screens  should  also  be 
mounted  on  rollers  to  form  backgrounds 
for  the  recording  apparatus,  and  in  many 
cases  flexible  sound  absorbing  mats  and  flys 
should  be  used  to  augment  the  sound  ab- 
sorbing interior  finish  of  the  space.  For- 
tunately, such  a  sound  absorbing  finish 
lends  itself  well  to  this  flexibility.  Fortu- 
nately too,  it  is  possible  to  compute  mathe- 
matically, and  with  a  considerable  degree 
of  accuracy,  the  acoustical  condition  of 
such  a  setup  so  that  a  great  deal  of  time 
need  not  be  wasted  in  "cutting  and  trying" 
to  determine  the  acoustical  condition  of  the 
setup. 

Not  only  must  the  acoustical  condition 
of  the  setups  be  properly  designed,  but  all 
extraneous  sounds  should  be  eliminated 
from  the  studio.  The  walls,  floor  and  ceiling 
of  the  studio  building  should  be  very  mas- 
sive and  heavy  if  single  wall  and  single 
ceiling  construction  is  contemplated.  The 
sound  insulating  efficiency  of  any  wall  or 
ceiling  construction  is  almost  proportional 
to  its  weight.  Thus,  heavy  brick  walls  and 
concrete  slab  ceilngs  should  be  used  if  the 
studio  must  be  located  on  streets  where 
traffic  and  industrial  noises  exist. 

If  lighter  forms  of  construction  must  be 
used  from  a  standpoint  of  economy,  double 
walls  and  double  ceilings  should  be  used — 
in  other  words,  the  studio  should  be  in  the 
nature  of  a  box  within  a  box,  and  it  is  es- 
sential that  the  inner  and  outer  walls  should 
rest  on  independent  foundations  and  that 
the  roof  of  the  outer  wall  should  be  abso- 
lutely independent  of  the  ceiling  of  the  stu- 
dio which  should  be  supported  by  the  inner 
wall.  There  must  be  no  tie  of  any  nature 
between  the  separate  walls  and  ceilings. 
Electrical  conduits  and  water  pipes  should 
be  brought  in  underground  and  the  floor 
of  the  studio  proper  should  preferably  be 
built  on  a  mat  of  sand  to  prevent  the 
transmission  of  vibrations  from  adjacent 
street  car  lines  and  traffic  through  the  soil 
into  the  studio. 

If  the  studio  is  to  be  lighted  by  windows, 
heavy,  double-glazed  windows  of  plate  glass 
or  thick  wire  glass  should  be  installed  in 
both  the  inner  and  outer  shells.  The  ven- 
tilating equipment  should  be  so  designed  as 
to  prevent  the  noise  of  the  rush  of  air  and 
the  noise  of  the  mechanical  equipment  from 
entering  the  studio.  Entrance  to  the  studio 
should  be  through  double  doors  and  the 
door  framing  should  not  be  in  nature  of  a 
tie  between  the  inner  and  outer  walls.  The 
inner  door  should  be  supported  by  the  inner 
wall,  and  the  outer  door  should  be  sup- 
ported by  the  outer  wall  and  these  doors 
should  be  practically  air-tight  if  they  are 
to  be  sound  tight.  Otherwise,  sound  ab- 
sorbing vestibules  should  be  installed  at  all 
entrances  and  exits. 

The  actual  construction  of  the  sound- 
film  studio  is  just  as  important  as  the 
selection  of  the  materials  entering  into  it, 
so  that  construction  superintendents  should 
be  selected  who  have  thorough  understand- 
ing of  the  problems  and  who  will  make  it 
their  business  to  see  that  the  theories  in- 
volved are  religiously  observed  in  the  ac- 
tual building  construction. 

So  much  for  the  production  end  of  the 
business. 

This  phase  of  the  problem  was  covered 
in  the  July  7  issue  of  the  Better  Theatres 
section  of  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving 
Picture  World,  under  the  title  of  "Acoustics 
and  the  Talking  Picture." 


Puhlix  Puts  Sound 
Across   in    Texas 
With  Big  Campaign 

{Continued    from    page    35) 

charge — announcing  the  two  modern  miracles 
— sound  pictures  at  the  Texas  and  Light  Clas- 
sified Advertising,  both  of  which  bring  maxi- 
mum results.  Autographed  baseball  from 
Richard  Dix  sent  to  Sport  Editor  of  Light, 
insuring  stories  and  cuts,  ball  photographed 
held  by  one  of  the  acts  from  stage  show, 
run  in  paper  during  current  week. 

Screen 

Announcement  trailer  on  the  installation  of 
perfected  sound  devices  in  the  Texas,  run 
three  weeks  advance.  First  announcement  of 
Paramount's  first  sound  picture  run  two  weeks 
in  advance  on  Texas  screen.  Special  Movie- 
tone trailer  with  Sam  Katz's  speech,  together 
with  New  York  Richard  Dix  trailer  run  one 
week  in  advance  as  separate  unit  of  program. 
Addition  trailer  on  stage  show  and  other  units 
of  program  put  in  policy  trailer  spot  for  that 
week. 

Miscellaneous 

Three  hundred  baseball  caps  given  out  by 
Earl  Abel  at  Saturday  morning  Organ  Club 
to  kids.  These  caps  imprinted  with  copy  on 
sound  picture.  Stories  in  papers  to  the  effect 
that  all  kids  seen  on  street  by  Texas  theatre 
officials  during  week  with  these  caps  on  will 
be  presented  with  a  pass  to  see  "Warming 
Up."  Tie-up  with  American  Bell  Telephone 
Company  whereby  they  send  out  slips  in  all 
correspondence  one  week  in  advance  of  open- 
ing picture,  announcing  the  greatest  achieve- 
ment in  the  history  of  this  organization,  the 
development  and  perfection  of  sound  picture 
devices. 

Tabloid  newspaper  put  on  streets  two  days 
before  opening,  this  sheet  distributed  by  local 
boys  as  if  it  were  an  "extra,"  30,000  printed. 
Tieups  with  all  music  stores  on  "Out  of  the 
Dawn"  theme  song  of  picture,  during  advance 
and  current  week,  together  with  window  dis- 
plays and  newspaper  advertising  and  heralds 
in  packages.  Stickers  given  to  every  newsboy 
in  town,  pasted  on  the  corner  of  front  pages 
of  their  papers,  one  day  before  picture  opens 
at  Texas.  "Out  of  the  Dawn"  organ  slides 
plug  "Warming  Up"  featured  by  Earl  Abel 
at  the  organ  one  week  in  advance  of  opening 
of  picture.  Hangers  on  front  of  100  street 
cars,  announcing  the  inauguration  of  sound 
pictures. 

Fifty  local  boys,  members  of  Knothole 
Gang,  organized  into  Publix  Boys  Club  for 
the  distribution  of  heralds  throughout  city. 
These  boys  furnished  card  admitting  them  to 
the  theatre  any  time.  Club  to  be  maintained 
regularly  for  the  distribution  of  heralds. 
Forty  thousand  on  the  innovation  of  sound 
picture,  distributed  throughout  city  on  Wednes- 
day, preceeding  opening,  by  Publix  Boys  Club. 
Forty  thousand  follow  up  heralds  distributed 
by  Publix  Boys  Club  throughout  city  on  Fri- 
day, stressing  further  the  importance  of  the 
inauguration  of  sound  pictures  in  the  Texas. 

Announcement  one  week  in  advance  opening 
on  Paramount's  first  sound  picture  over  local 
radio  station.  Fifteen  minute  talk  on  sound 
pictures  at  the  regular  Tuesday  night  Texas 
theatre  broadcasting  hour.  Tieups  with  three 
local  laundries,  whereby  shirt  boards  for  a 
period  of  two  weeks  were  imprinted  with 
sales  copy  on  sound  pictures  at  the  Texas. 
Double  truck  in  San  Antonio  Light  on  mod- 
ern miracle,  introducing  the  innovation  of 
sound  pictures  in  the  Texas.  Stickers  on  all 
soda  fountains  in  town,  on  Richard  Dix 
Sundae,  with  sales  copy  on  sound  picture. 
Trailers  run  on  Princess  and  Empire  screen 
one  week  in  advance  and  current  on  sound 
pictures  at  the  Texas.  All  luncheon  clubs  and 
hotel  boxes  made  with  slips  on  innovation  of 
sound  pictures. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Y^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  departmenty 

^'Hollywood:* 


Christie  to  Make  Balance  of  Films 
With  Sound;  Brief  Shutdown 

Warners  Buy  "On   Trial"   for  All   Talking   Piece;   Sheehan  Announces 

Five  Dialogue  Pictures  Ready  January  1 ;  Russian  Ban  Lifted 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14. — Christie  Studios  will  close  at  the  end  of  this 
week  until  September  1,  it  was  announced  today.     The  purpose  of  the 
closing  is    to   halt   all   production   until   sound   equipment   is   installed 
which  will  enable  the  company  to  shoot  all  the  comedies  with  effects  or  with 


dialogue. 

CONSTRUCTION  is  underway  at  the 
A'letropolitan  studios  for  the  soundproof 
stage,  which  has  been  leased  by  Christies. 
This  stage  is  expected  to  be  ready  for  use 
within  17  or  18  days. 

Practically  half  the  year's  product  of  32 
comedies  has  been  made  at  the  old  Sunset 
boulevard  plant.  Equipment  will  be  placed  in 
this  studio  also  for  the  making  of  sound  pic- 
tures. 

Christie  will  also  be  using  the  Studio  City 
property  for  production  after  September  1  but 
the  regular  headquarters  of  the  company  will 
not  be  moved  to  that  studio  until  several 
months  from  now  when  the  Sunset  location 
is  abandoned. 

^      H^      ^ 

Pauline  Starke  and  Lytell 
to  Appear  in   Vita   Talker 

V/arner  Brothers  today  announced  the  pur- 
chase of  "On  Trial,"  stage  play,  which  will 
be  screened  on  a  big  scale  as  an  all-talking 
Vitaphone  picture. 

Production  will  begin  before  September  1. 
The  cast  will  include  Pauline  Starke,  Bert 
Lytell,  Lois  Wilson,  Holmes  Herbert,  and  will 
be  directed  by  Archie  Mayo.  The  picture  was 
w-ritten  a  few  years  ago  by  Elmer  Rice. 


Five   Fox    Talking  Pictures 
for  Release  January  1 

Winfield  Sheehan  announced  today  that 
Fox  Films  will  have  completed  five  big  Movie- 
tone productions  by  January  1,  1929.  The  pur- 
chase of  the  stories  has  recently  been  com- 
pleted and  work  on  them  has  begun. 

The  five  include :  "Behind  That  Curtain," 
"Through  Different  Eyes"  and  "Badges."  The 
fourth  is  an  underworld  story  with  no  title 
determined ;  and  the  fifth  is  a  drama,  un- 
titled. 

"Behind  That  Curtain"  is  a  stage  play  that 
has  already  been  scenarized  and  is  in  produc- 
tion at  the  Western  avenue  lot. 

Sheehan  bought  "Through  Different  Eyes" 
outright,  screen  rights,  stage  play  rights'  and 
all.  It  is  possible  that  the  story  will  be 
given  a  New  York  presentation  on  the  stage 
after  the  Movietone  has  been  made,  but  that 
is  merely  one  of  Hollywood's  vague  rumors. 

"Badges"  as  I  recall  it  is  the  excellently 
liked  stage  play  that  Gregory  Kelly  appeared 
in  for  a  long  run,  following  "The  Butter  and 
Egg  Man."     If  so  it  is  the  last  play  he  ever 


did  before  his  death  and  was  probably  among 
the  best  he  ever  had. 


Lloyd   Films    Win    Lift    of 
Ban  by  Soviet  Decision 

William  R.  Eraser,  general  manager  of 
Harold  Lloyd  Corporation,  received  a  cable 
today  from  Moscow,  Russia,  stating  that  the 
ban  on  American  made  pictures  has  been 
lifted  to  some  degree.  Eraser  was  informed 
in  the  message  that  four  Lloyd  pictures  are 
now  to  be  released  throughout  the  Soviet. 
The  decision  was  made  by  Sovkino,  the  of- 
ficial body  on  motion  picture  affairs,  and  re- 
fers to  the  following  comedies :  "Safety 
Last,"  "Dr.  Jack,"  Grandma's  Boy,"  and 
"Sailor  Made  Man." 


Dan  J.  O'Brien,  San  Francisco's  chief  of 
police,  and  a  cinema  father  as  well,  has  joined 
the  forces  against  censorship  which  have  been 
organized  by  Howard  Hughes,  Caddo  pro- 
ducer. 

His  letter  to  Hughes  follows: 

"I  have  learned  that  'The  Racket'  has 
been  marred  in  some  cities  on  the  assump- 
tion that  it  protrayed  the  actual  work  of  a 
police  department  in  an  unfair  manner. 

"Perhaps  after  20  years  in  police  work  the 
last  eight  having  been  spent  as  chief  in  a 
city  that  is  well  knovsni  and  enjoys  an  en- 
viable reputation  throughout  the  world,  my 
mind  is  not  so  keen.  Be  that  as  it  may  I 
saw  'The  Racket'  on  the_  legitimate  stage 
more  than  once  and,  as  in  the  picture,  I 
thought  it  showed  to  a  superlative  degree 
the  havoc  that  is  wrought  by  allowing  poli- 
tics  to   enter   into   any   police    department. 

"It  is  not  my  desire  to  argue  with  the 
heads  of  any  other  police  departments,  as 
each  has  its  own  responsibilities,  but  I  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  of  communicating 
with  you  when  I  learned  of  the  picture  being 
barred  and  giving  you  my  personal  impres- 
sions and  reactions  regarding  it." 


Jack  Cohn  Heads  Studio 
While  Brother  Is  Abroad 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Jack  Cohn, 
treasurer  of  Columbia,  arrived  from  New 
York  last  week,  to  take  charge  of  produc- 
tion during  Harry  Cohn's  absence.  The 
latter  announces  that  the  studios  will  con- 
tinue to  function  to  capacity  under  the 
supervision  of  his  brother.  Jack,  while  he 
himself  is  abroad. 


— and  the  Student, 
Alas,  Has  Come  Into 
His  Own  at  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Paramount 
took  the  lead  on  their  competitors  when 
they  engaged  four  young  writers  from  Yale 
to  write  stories  and  dialogue  for  future 
talking  films.  These  boys  have  all  had  ex- 
perience in  a  practical  way,  and  to  finish 
from  the  Yale  School  of  Fine  Arts,  means 
a  thorough  trained  man. 

Pride  Completes  Two 

Leo  Pride  was  the  first  of  the  four  to 
arrive.  He  immediately  started  to  write 
originals.  At  the  present  time  he  has  com- 
pleted two  features,  which  are  awaiting  ap- 
proval. 

T.  J.  Ahearn  has  also  a  couple  to  his 
credit. 

J,  Audrey  Clark  has  recently  completed 
a  story  which  will  star  Clara  Bow,  if  ac- 
cepted. 

Writes  Jannings  Vehicle 

Bill  Robson,  former  director  of  publicity 
for  the  Yale  Dramatic  Association,  has  re- 
cently submitted  a  story  for  Emil  Jannings, 
which  if  accepted  will  show  Jannings  in  a 
complete  new  light. 

Studios  are  always  seeking  new  faces  and 
ideas  for  productions,  and  with  talking  pic- 
tures all  the  vogue,  new  writers  with  orig- 
inal stories  are  in  demand.  Yale  has  turned 
out  some  of  the  most  brilliant  writers  of 
the  day,  men  who  are  familiar  with  dia- 
logue, diction  and  all  details  necessary  to 
the  picture  world. 


Small  to  Make  Dialogue 
Dialect  Film  with  Sidney 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World)  "" 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Edward  Small 
is  preparing  to  produce  a  new  type  film  which 
will  feature  George  Sidney,  Alexander  Carr 
and  Vera  Gordon.  Milt  Gross  is  on  an  orig- 
inal story  in  which  the  well-trained  talents 
of  his  three  players  will  be  given  new  scope. 
Small's  "Idiomatic  film"  will  be  a  unique,  all- 
dialogue  production. 

Billy  Rose,  song  writer,  is  working  on  new 
songs  for  a  "cinemusicomedy"  feature  which 
Small  plans  to  produce  along  unprecedented 
lines. 


Caddo  Pilot  in  Maynard 
Plane  on  "Fast  Return" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— C.  K.  Phillips, 
veteran  pilot  in  the  $2,000,000  Caddo  produc- 
tion, "Hell's  Angels,"  returned  to  Hollywood 
Thursday  after  a  record-making  flight  to  Den- 
ver. Phillips,  flying  a  light-powered  sport 
biplane  owned  by  Ken  Maynard,  flew  over  the 
regular  air  mail  route,  making  the  return  flight 
in  16  hours. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


"THE  MIRACLE  MAN"  was  GREAT 


« 


THE  RACKET 

Is  Greater 


99 


Ag^  1^  1-1    A  1-1^  STAR  CAST 

CjKL  A  1  PICTURE 

^^  DIRECTOR 

THOMAS  MEIGHAN 

IN  THE  GREATEST  OF  ALL  UNDERWORLD  PICTURES 


LOUIS  WOLHEIM 
GEO.  E.  STONE 


SUPPORTED  BY 

MARIE  PREVOST 
LEE  MORAN 


SKEETS  GALLAGHER 
LUCIAN  PRIVAL 


Directed  by  LEWIS  MILESTONE 


A  CADDO  Production  Released  by  Paramount 

It's  the  same  story 
EAST    —    WEST    —    NORTH    —    SOUTH 


•*  'The  Racket"  makes  a  motioa  pic- 
ture play  of  really  worthwhile  pro- 
portions, and  I  advise  the  film 
patrons  of  this  town  to  go  without 
delay  and  see  a  motion  picture  actor 
playing  sensibly  and  with  fine,  dig- 
nified control  in  a  story  which  seems 
almost  to  fit  him  in  every  detaiL  It 
is  a  pity  that  so  able  a  performer  as 
Mr.  Meighan  does  not  find  more 
often  the  opportunity  to  show  what 
he   can   do.*' 

— Quinn  Martin  in  the  New  York 
World. 

•*Mr.  Meighan  does  his  best  work  in 
several  years  in  ^ha  Racket,*  and 
proves  again  that  he  is  a  realistic 
actor   without    a   rival." 

—John  S.  Cohen,  Jr.,  in  New  York 
Sun. 

*^The  high  mark  for  melodramatic 
aspirants    to    shoot   at." 

— New  York  Times. 


**  *The    Racket'    is    one 
of    the   crook   films.'* 


of    the    best 


-Harrison  Carroll  in  Los  Angeles 
Herald, 


'*  *The  Racket'  is  Thomas  Meighan's 
best   film   in   many   a  day." 

■ — Cleveland  News. 

*'A  corker.  Mark  it  down  as  one  of 
the  best  of  the  underworld  films  that 
are  flooding  the  market.  A  Class 
A    attraction." 

— Film  Daily. 

**A  good  story  plus  good  direction 
plus  a  great  cast  is  responsible  for 
another  great  underworld  film. 
Thomas  Meighan  has  his  best  role 
in  years." 

■ — Variety. 

''Thomas  Meighan  has  regained  his 
pristine  halo  due  to  his  wonderful 
showing    in    *The    Racket.'  " 

— Duluth  Herald. 

"Thomas  Meighan  is  presented  in  the 
most  logical  and  picturesque  role  of 
his    screen    career    in    *The    Racket.'  " 

— Bangor,  Me.,  Commercial. 

**One  of  the  outstanding  stories  of 
the  year." 

— New  York  Evening  Post. 


"Splendidly  entertaining.  Keen,  a:rld, 
truthful,    speedy." 

• — New  York  American. 

"Lines  three  deep  in  front  of  the 
Paramount  Theatre  on  hottest  day 
of    year  I" 

— Harrison's  Reports. 

"There's  a  picture,  'The  Racket,'  at 
Loew's   State   this  week." 

— New  Orleans  States. 

"Out  of  the  maelstrom  of  under- 
world pictures  there  has  come  one 
splendid    picture,    'The    Racket.*  " 

— Louisville  Times. 

"Best  picture  that  ever  p'ayed 
Paramount  Theatre  since  it  o  pened. 
One   of   best   pictures   of  year  I" 

— New   York  Journal. 

"For  sheer  entertainment,  gripping 
and  absorbing,  this  picture  may  ba 
heartily    recommended.'* 

— New  York  Mid-Week  Pictorial. 

"More  genuine  than  'Underworld.' 
Best   Meighan   in    five   years." 

—New  York  World. 


I 


h 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


IN       CONFERENCE 

By  BOB  EARLY  ■  ■  i 


HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14. — Having  suddenly  acquired  a  "sound"  basis,  the 
motion  picture  industry  is  in  the  most  chaotic  condition  in  its  brief  but 
turbulent  history.  And  of  course  sound  is  the  cause  of  it  all.  Were  it 
not  fraught  with  tragedy  the  situation  would  be  comical,  what  with  producers 
running  around  in  circles  trying  to  find  a  short  cut  to  talking  pictures,  sound 
"experts"  springing  up  all  over  the  back  and  front  yards  like  mushrooms,  theat- 
rical producers  hilariously  welcoming  a  millennium  and  distributors  wiring 
frantically  to  Hollyw^ood  for  something,  anything — just  so  it  has  noises,  vocal 
sounds  preferred. 


nPHE  latter  gentlemen  seem  to  have 
-••  started  it  all — those  boys  back  East 
who  know  just  what  the  public  wants  and 
who  are  wonders  at  giving  advice,  and  usu- 
ally awful  flops  when  they  are  given  a  hand 
in  production.  It  is  they  who  have  brought 
about  this  hysterical  era.  "We  don't  want 
old  fashioned  silent  pictures"  they  cry; 
"give  us  talkies  and  give  'em  fast."  And 
the  poor  producer  always  willing  to  give 
the  selling  boys  what  they  want  tries  vainly 
to  make  a  talking  picture  without  any  of 
the  tools  to  make  'em  with. 
_  Meanwhile  the  Western  Electric  con- 
tinues to  sign  up  producers  for  "talkie" 
equipment  for  huge  sums  of  money  and 
promising  nothing  except  that  equipment 
will  be  provided  when  possible.  No  matter 
what  happens  to  the  picture  business,  Wes- 
tern Electric  will  fare  well  financially.  It 
costs  $100,000  before  cards  are  dealt  which 
is  some  stiff  ante,  and  after  that  there  is 
a  royalty  of  $500  a  reel.  Nearly  all  of  the 
studios  are  building  studios  to  house  equip- 
ment but  only  two  of  them  will  have  the 
necessary  machinery  when  their  buildings 
are  completed — ^Christie  and  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer.  The  Christie  boys  got  the 
bulge  on  the  other  producers  by  being  put 
on  Western  Electric's  preferred  list  and 
M  G  M  already  has  part  of  its  equipment 
on  the  ground  but  not  installed.  The 
Christies  will  be  ready  for  talkie  production 
in  a  few  weeks  and  as  they  will  conduct  a 
leasing  business  in  conjunction  with  their 
Metropolitan  studio,  producers  are  flocking 
to  them  with  requests  for  talkie  service.  It 
is  understood  that  Al  Cohn  who  is  super- 
visiting  the  Christies'  current  talkie  feature 
starring  Douglas  MacLean  will  be  placed 
in  charge  of  all  sound  productions  turned 
out  by  Christies  for  Paramount  or  anyone 
else. 

Paramount  and  Fox  are  the  only  two 
companies  on  the  Coast  actually  putting 
vocal  sound  into  pictures,  except  of  course 
Warners,  but  neither  of  those  companies  is, 
so  far  as  known,  working  on  an  a.11  talkie 
production,  so  that  it  is  more  than  likely 
that  the  Christie-MacLean  picture  "The 
Carnation  Kid"  will  be  the  first  all  talkie 
released  by  any  of  the  big  companies.  Para- 
mount is  to  have  it. 

STAGE  PRODUCERS  PROVIDE  COMEDY 

Announcement  that  the  big  New  York 
stage  producers  headed  by  Al  Woods  are 
to  withhold  their  material  from  the  picture 
industry  and  make  their  own  talkies  out 
of  their  stage  pieces,  furnished  some  of  the 
comedy  relief  for  the  situation.  The  an- 
nouncement was  taken  quite  seriouslv  by 
somd    in    the    business    who    are    unfamiliar 


with  the  trick  of  making  a  talking  movie. 
Those  in  the  know  nearly  laughed  their 
heads  off.  No  stage  play  can  be  put  on  the 
screen  without  meticulous  preparation,  ac- 
cording to  those  who  have  given  the  sub- 
ject the  closest  scrutiny.  They  cite  the 
recent  case  of  an  abortive  attempt  to  film 
"Burlesque"  by  Paramount  in  New  York. 
The  first  act  of  the  play  was  filmed  just  as 
played  on  the  stage  with  all  of  the  dialogue 
and  music  as  done  before  the  footlights. 
The  result  was  terrible,  they  say. 

WE  ARE  KNOCKING  WOOD 

A  survey  of  the  crime  situation  in  Los 
Angeles  (including  Hollywood)  shows  that 
31  murders  were  committed  since  the  first 
of  the  year  and  in  not  a  single  case  was 
anyone  in  the  picture  business  even  slightly 
involved.  And  in  not  one  instance  was  it 
even  hinted  that  the  movies  had  inspired 
the  crime. 

A  STAR  THAT  NEVER  SHONE 

It  looks  very  much  as  though  a  palpi- 
tating public  is  not  to  see  the  Marquis 
Henry  de  Falaise  on  the  screen,  outside  of 
the  news  weeklies.  Some  weeks  ago  it  was 
announced  that  the  Marquis,  who  is  the 
husband  of  Gloria  Swanson,  had  been 
signed  to  star  in  a  series  of  pictures.  Tests 
had  been  made  of  "Hank"  and  it  was  said 
that  he  "screened  like  a  million."  The  at- 
titude of  Mrs.  Falaise  was  a  subject  of 
much  speculation  and  some  of  her  friends 
declared  that  she  was  averse  to  having 
Hank  on  anybody's  program.  A  few  days 
ago  announcement  was  made  that  the  Mar- 
quis had  been  appointed  by  Joseph  P.  Ken- 
nedy as  a  "good  will  ambassador"  or  some- 
thing of  the  sort,  to  Europe.  According  to 
the  story  he  is  to  spend  the  next  six  months 
or  so  boosting  Hollywood's  chief  product 
"over  there."  Mr.  Kennedy  is  financial 
sponsor  of  Gloria's  next  production,  so  it 
is  barely  possible  that  there  is  some  con- 
nection between  the  two  announcements. 

C.   B.'S  NEW  HOME 

Announcement  that  C.  B.  DeMille  would 
go  to  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  brought  about 
the  wise-crack  that  forty  bucks  would  be 
cheap  for  a  ringside  seat  at  the  first  con- 
ference between  C.  B.  and  L.  B. 


Kennedy  Sails  Saturday 
For  Vacation  in  Europe 

(Special   to   the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Joseph  P.  Ken- 
nedy, president  of  F  B  O,  sails  Saturday  for 
a  trip  to  Europe  with  Mrs.  Kennedy. 


CHARLES  LAMONT 


Directing  the  First  of 
the  Dorothy  Devore  Series 


For  Educational 


Vitaphone  Is  Now 
In  Its  Third  Year; 
All  Films  Effect 

{Continued  from  page  40) 

artistic  achievement,  is  recorded  in  the  press 
of  the  country  and  is  universally  known. 

The  system  and  apparatus  employed  by  Vi- 
taphone are  the  result  of  many  years'  re- 
search by  the  engineers  of  the  Bell  Telephone 
and  the  Western  Electric  Company.  Through 
their  discoveries  it  is  now  possible  to  repro- 
duce music,  song  and  speech  of  characters  on 
a  screen ;  music  especially  played  to  accom- 
pany a  certain  picture  is  electrically  repro- 
duced in  synchronism  with  the  action  on  the 
screen ;  and,  in  general,  the  visual  and  audible 
presentation  of  performers  is  given  mechan- 
ically and  electrically  at  any  place  or  at  any 
time,  without  their  actual  presence  in  the 
theatre  or  hall. 

Microphones,  which  are  placed  out  of  the 
range  of  the  camera  and  yet  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  players,  pick  up  the  sound  vibra- 
tions created  by  the  music  of  an  orchestra  or 
the  speech  of  an  individual.  Where  the  ren- 
dition is  that  of  a  single  player  or  singer, 
one  microphone  is  sufficient,  but  in  the  per- 
formance of  a  large  orchestra  like  the  New 
York  Philharmonic,  six  or  more  microphones 
may  be  used. 

*     *     * 

From  the  microphone  the  fluctuating  elec- 
trical current  passes  through  wires  to  the  con- 
trol room  where  it  passes  through  an  ampli- 
fying system.  Amplifier  panels  of  the  West- 
ern Electric  Address  System  type  are  used  in 
this  connection.  Because  the  current  set  up 
by  the  fluctuations  of  sound  pressure  at  the 
diaphragm  of  the  microphone  are  too  minute 
to  operate  the  registering  device  which  cuts 
the  grooves  on  the  soft  wax  disk  which  serves 
as  a  master  record,  the  amplifier  system  is 
introduced  to  take  the  small  current  at  its 
input  end  and  by  means  of  distortionless  vac- 
uum tubes,  amplify  it  to  the  requisite  strength. 

There  is  also  a  monitoring  system  here  used 
in  connection  with  regulating  the  volume  of 
sound,  a  volume  indicator,  and  panels  for 
testing  purposes  which  have  nothing  directly 
to  do  with  the  registering  equipment. 

From  the  ampHfying  system  the  current 
passes  to  the  recorder.  Here  the  fluctuating 
current  is  translated  into  mechanical  vibra- 
tions. These  mechanical  vibrations — faithful 
facsimiles  of  the  sound  vibrations  which  re- 
acted on  the  diaphragm  of  the  microphone — • 
are  recorded  on  a  disk  of  soft  wax  by  means 
of  a  stylus  made  of  sapphire  and  shaped  oval- 
fashion  like  the  end  of  a  spoon.  By  means  of 
mechanical  filters  all  extraneous  vibrations  are 
eliminated  and  the  movements  of  the  stylus 
are  so  governed  that  all  tones  are  registered 
with  fidelity. 

^    ^    ^ 

Two  alternating  current  motors,  of  the 
synchronous  type,  made  to  run  at  the  same 
speed,  give  the  camera  and  the  turntable,  on 
which  a  master  disk  revolves  (in  another  part 
of  the  studio  building)  motive  powers  to  syn- 
chronize the  picture  and  the  music  perfectly. 
To  record,  the  motors  are  started  and  gain 
full  speed  together  and  continue  to  run  _  to- 
gether. Connected  to  the  recording  arm  is  a 
suction  tube  which  draws  the  cut  wax  particles 
up  and  away  from  the  disk. 

It  is  comparatively  simple  and  easy  to  op- 
erate the  reproducing  apparatus.  The  average 
motion  picture  operator  can  be  taught  how  to 
handle  a  Vitaphone  show  in  a  week  or  less, 
while  the  average  theatre  electrician  can  easily 
be  taught  to  replace  a  bad  vacuum  or  make 
minor  adjustments  in  the  apparatus.  The 
turntable  is  located  immediately  adjacent  to 
the  picture  projector,  both  of  which  are  driven 
by  the  same  motor,  the  speed  of  which  _  is 
controlled  by  speed-control  mechanism  which 
keeps  the  tempo  constant. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


Sax  Announces  Plans 
For  10  Audio  Films; 
Device  Deal  Pending 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug  14.— Coincidental 
with  the  signing  of  pending  contracts  in 
New  York  between  Lewis  J.  Selznick  and 
Sam  Sax  for  the  use  of  Picturetone,  a  new 
sound  device,  Harold  Shumate,  supervising 
producer  for  Sam  Sax  and  Gotham  Pro- 
ductions, last  week  announced  a  $4,000,000 
production   program. 

Thirty-six  pictures  have  been  planned 
and  among  the  players  already  signed  are: 
Jacqueline  Logan,  Alice  Day,  Barbara  Bed- 
ford, Noah  Beery,  Lionel  Barrymore,  Betty 
Bronson,  Charles  Delaney  and  John  Miljan. 

Ten  films,  including  five  specials,  will  be 
synchronized  fully  with  others  on  the  pro- 
gram utilizing  sound  effects.  "A  Modern 
Sappho,"  by  Seville  Dorian,  is  to  be  filmed 
with  a  symphonic  score  conceived  espe- 
cially for  the  picture  in  collaboration  with 
dialogue  already  prepared  by  Harold 
Shumate. 


Clifton,  Flood  and  Crone 
on  Tiffany-Stahl  Films 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.  — Tiffany-Stahl 
studios  are  engaged  in  the  production  of  three 
pictures.  Elmer  Clifton  is  shooting  an  untitled 
story  of  the  South  Seas,  featuring  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller  and  Malcolm  McGregor.  James  Flood 
has  started  "The  Family  Row,"  starring  Claire 
Windsor,  with  Roy  D'Arcy  in  the  supporting 
cast.  Sally  O'Neil  and  Buster  Collier  are 
floating  in  and  around  Ensenada,  where  George 
Crone  is  making  "The  Floating  Cottage." 


Garnett  Directs  Original 
With  Hale  in  "Spieler'' 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.  —  Immediately 
upon  completion  of  his  co-featured  role  oppo- 
site Phyllis  Haver  in  "Singapore  Sal,"  Alan 
Hale  will  start  work  on  "The  Spieler,"  in 
which  he  is  to  do  the  title  role.  Tay  Garnett 
will  direct  this  Pathe-De  IMille  feature  from 
his  own  script. 


Ten  with  Sound  Effects  Now  in 
Production;  Five  Are  "Talkies" 

50  Pictures  in  Shooting  Stage  on  West  Coast;  D.  W.  Griffith  Starts 

"Love  Song"  as  First  with  Synchronization;  Warner 

Brothers  Begin  Two  Vocals 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14. — Despite  the  clamor  for  sound  and  talking  pic- 
tures only  ten  scripts  now  in  production  call  for  actual  sound  effects,  accord- 
ing to  announcements  of  studio  officials. 

Five  Said  to  Be  Talking  Pictures 

Five  of  these  are  Warner  Brothers  films  which  have  talking  sequences. 
The  other  five  are  said  to  have  no  talking  sequences  but  will  have  sound 
effects. 


The  five  Warner  pictures  are  "Conquest," 
with  Monte  Blue,  "My  Man"  with  Fannie 
Brice,  "The  Outlaw  Dog"  with  Rin-Tin-Tin, 
"The  Hometowners"  with  Irene  Rich,  and 
"The    Redeeming    Sin,"    with    Conrad    Nagel. 

First  National's  "The  Haunted  House"  in 
which  Chester  Conklin  and  Thelma  Todd  ap- 
pear is  to  have  sound  effects  only.  Reginald 
Denny's  current  opera,  "Red  Hot  Speed,"  is 
a  sj'nchronized  picture  for  Universal  release. 
Joseph  Henabery  directs. 

"Shakedown"   in   Sound 

Another  sound  picture  at  Universal  is  "The 
Shakedown,"  in  which  James  Murray  and 
Barbara  Kent  are  working  under  the  able 
direction  of  Willie  Wyler. 

Of  the  50  pictures  working,  13  were  started 
within  the  last  five  days.  "The  Love  Song," 
which  D.  W.  Griffith  is  making  at  United 
Artists,  will  be  synchronized  with  singing  and 
sound  practically  all  the  way  through,  with 
accompaniment  but  with  no  talking  sequences. 
Bill  Boyd,  Jetta  Goudal  and  Lupe  Velez  are 
in  the  cast.     Lupe  is  the  vocalist. 

Warners  Start  Two 

Warner  Brothers  started  two  Vitaphone 
productions  this  week :  "Stolen  Kisses,"  di- 
rected by  Ray  Enright,  features  May  McAvoy 
and  Reed  Howes,  with  Claude  Gillingwater, 
Arthur  Hoyt  and  Edna  Murphy  in  the  cast. 
"Hardboiled  Rose"  is  under  the  direction  of 
F.  Harmon  Weight  and  the  cast  includes 
Myrna  Loy,  William  Collier,  Jr.,  John  Miljan 
and    Gladys    Brockwell. 

William  J.  Cowen  began  shooting  on  "Ned 


McCobb's  Daughter"  at  the  DeMille  studios. 
Irene  Rich  is  the  star  and  is  supported  by 
Robert  Armstrong,  Theodore  Roberts  and 
Carol  Lombard. 

The  second  recent  Corinne  Griffith  picture 
to  be  made  at  First  National  went  into  pro- 
duction under  the  direction  of  William  A. 
Seiter.  Edmund  Lowe  is  playing  opposite 
Corinne. 

Columbia  started  two :  "Street  of  Illusion," 
directed  by  Erie  C.  Kenton,  with  a  cast  which 
includes  Virginia  Valli,  Ian  Keith  and  Ken- 
neth Thomson;  and  "Sinner's  Parade,"  with 
Dorothy  Revier  and  Victor  Varconi,  under 
the  direction  of  John  Adolfi. 

Storm    Directing   Ranger 

Jerome  Storm  is  directing  the  dog,  Ranger, 
in  a  picture  called  "Tracked"  at  the  F  B  O 
studio ;  and  Lynn  Shores  started  "Stolen 
Love"  with  Marceline  Day  and  Owen  Moore. 

A  Universal  company,  under  the  direction 
of  William  Craft,  has  gone  to  Florida,  where 
they  have  started  shooting  on  "The  Cohens 
and  Kellys  in  Atlantic  City."  Mack  Swain  is 
with  George  Sidney  in  this  new  "Cohens 
and  Kellys"  picture.  Kate  Price  and  Cornelius 
Keefe  are  in  the  cast. 

Of  the  remaining  three,  Tiffany-Stahl  has 
two  and  Paramount  one.  Otto  Brewer  is  di- 
recting Jack  Holt  and  Doris  Hill  in  "Ava- 
lanche" on  the  Lasky  lot.  James  Flood 
started  work  on  "The  Family  Row"  for 
Tiffany-Stahl.  Claire  Windsor  is  the  star  of 
the  picture.     Elmer  Clifton  is  directing  Patsy 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


Harold  Beaudine 

at  Liberty 

Five  Years  Directing 
Christie  Comedies 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Jack  White  Outlines  Policy  of  Both 
Audible  and  Silent  Comedies 

'''Talking  Pictures  Diversion  from  Silent  Pictures  Only — Will  Never  Take 
Place  of  Pantomime"  Producer  Declares 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14. — "There  is  no  danger  of  the  dialogue  replacing 
two  reel  silent  comedies  with  audible  short  features,"  said  Jack  White, 
short  feature  producer,  today.    "There  is  no  need  to  be  'dubious.'     Short 
feature  producers  may  well  choose  a  definite  policy  and  stick  to  it. 
<<tT   is   true   that   dialogue   injected   into    a      sometimes  it  is  extremely  difficult.    Of  course, 


fast  two  reel  comedy  would  retard  the 
action  to  a  degree  that  would  be  greatly  in- 
jurious. But  there  is  and  will  always  be  a 
big  market  for  two  reel  comedies  without 
dialogue. 

"Dialogue  has  its  place  in  short  features 
and  will  be  a  way  to  a  greater  market.  But 
the  short  reels  that  have  dialogue  will  de- 
pend on  words  rather  than  action  for  their 
humor.  There  will  be  a  greater  field  for  both 
types  of  comedy  in  the  future  and  which  un- 
questionably will  replace  the  terrific  over- 
heads   of    presentations. 

^     ^     ^ 

"Audiences  demand  that  their  entertainment 
offer  a  new  idea  with  every  snow.  That  de- 
mand results  in  the  fundamental  axiom  of 
the  show  business — diversion.  Programs  must 
be  varying  and  diverting. 

"An  exhibitor  who  shows  two  reel  dialogue 
pictures  will  also  be  called  upon  to  show  two 
reel  silent  comedies  regularly.  Dialogue  com- 
edies, rather  than  replacing  any  part  of  the 
program,  are  material  that  will  add  to  the 
program.     Each  is  in  an  individual  class. 

"Producers  must  await  the  general  reaction 
of  the  theatre-going  public  to  know  best  what 
is  wanted.  There  will  be  various  demands  of 
the  public  and  we  must,  as  we  always  have, 
provide  the  audience  with  exactly  what  they 
request. 

"Despite  all  the  excitement  in  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  performers  and  patrons  it  remains 
that  the  element  of  pantomime  is  greater  than 
the  element  of  dialogue  in  creating  entertain- 
ment. But  we  can  have  both  talking  and  silent 
pictures  as  diversion  from  each  other. 

"At  present  less  than  2  per  cent  of  the  total 
number  of  motion  picture  houses  in  the  United 
States  are  equipped  for  talking  pictures ;  the 
others  _  can't  get  talkie  equipment  for  some 
indefinite  time.  For  the  present,  we  are  con- 
centrating on  greater  silent  pictures  for  the 
majority,  so  they  may  compete  successfully 
with   any  other   forms   of    entertainment." 


One-Eyed  Connollys 
Meet  Their  Nemesis 
At  Paramount  Gate 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— A  new  species 
has  grown  and  flourished  in  Hollywood,  cap- 
ital of  filmland.  It  is  the  genus  gate  crasher. 
In  dealmg  with  gatemen,  however,  the  gate 
crasher  is  dealing  with  no  ordinary  person. 
Such  a  nemesis  is  Harvey  Pugh,  head  of  the 
information  department  and  postmaster  at  the 
Paramount  studios  in  Hollywood. 

Decides    400    Requests    Daily 

Pugh  passes  on  an  average  of  400  requests 
a  day  for  entrance  into  the  lot.  Of  this  num- 
ber it  is  estimated  that  almost  a  third  have 
no  real  business  there.  Two  other  gates,  be- 
sides the  infor;mation  desk,  are  presided  over 
by  Pugh's  forces,  and  they  also  turn  away  an 
imposing  quota  of  applicants  each  day. 

"Usually,  it  is  easy  to  spot  the  gate  crasher," 
Pugh  remarks  in  discussing  the  situation,  "but 


we  have  to  be  careful  and  courteous  at  all 
times,  as  a  goodly  proportion  of  the  people 
who  come,  have  real  business  in  the  studios. 
Many  others  whom  we  are  forced  to  deny 
entrance,  only  want  to  wander  around  or  per- 
haps transact  personal  business,  in  some  in- 
stances, only  to  have  a  star  autograph  a  photo. 

Do   Not   Discourage   Genius 

"Fake  cards,  bearing  high  sounding  titles, 
used  to  be  a  favorite  device  of  the  gate  crasher, 
but  we  have  learned  that  important  people 
make  arrangements  from  studio  officials  be- 
fore coming  out." 

Hollywood  studios  do  not  discourage  the 
real  geniuses.  There  are  many  ways  of  get- 
ting interviews  with  the  right  people,  if  there 
is  good  reason,  or  cause.  The  casting  heads 
take  care  of  aspiring  stars,  and  department 
heads  are  assigned  to  possibihties  along  other 
lines. 

But  gate  crashing  is  an  art  and  very  few 
successful  ones  can  boast  of  "putting  it  over" 
on  Harvey  Pugh,  the  eagle-eyed  overseer  of 
the  Paramount  studio. 


Ten  with  Sound  Effects 
Are  Now  in  Production; 
Talking  Scenes  in  Five 

(Conti'iiucd  from  preceding  page) 

Ruth  Miller  and  Malcolm  McGregor  in  an 
untitled  picture  on  the  same  lot. 

Six  pictures  were  completed  this  week.  Tod 
Browning  finished  "West  of  Zanzibar"  for 
M-G-AI.  It  is  a  Lon  Chaney  picture  with 
Warner  Baxter  and  Mary  Nolan  in  the  cast 
"Alias  Jimmy  Valentine"  was  also  completerl 
at  M-G-M.  It  is  the  latest  William  Haines 
vehicle. 

\Varner  Brothers  finished  two,  "The  Out- 
law Dog,"  a  Rin-Tin-Tin  picture  under  the 
direction  of  Ross  Lederman,  and  "The  Home- 
towners,"  which  Bryan  Foy  has  been  direct- 
ing with  Richard  Bennett,  Irene  Rich  and 
Doris  Kenyon  heading  the  cast.  Both  were 
Vitaphone  productions. 

Mark  Sandrich  has  completed  "Runaway 
Girls,"  his  first  feature  production  for  Colum- 
bia studios.  Shirley  Mason  and  Arthur  Rankin 
are  the  featured  players. 


"Wright  Idea*'  Opens 

On  Coast  September  2 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— "The  Wright 
Idea,"  Johnny  Hines'  latest  picture,  will  com- 
mence its  first  Los  Angeles  showing  at  the 
Hillstreet  theatre  September  2. 


Lon  Young  Back  East 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  14.— Lon  Young  is 
back  from  the  coast  with  the  negative  and 
first  print  of  "The  House  of  Shame," 
second  release  of  Chesterfield,  of  which  he 
is  production  supervisor. 


ON  A  LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


Regarding : 


Bob    Yost 
Max    Autrey 
Emmett   Flynn 
Lia  Tora 
Douglas   Doty 
Ray    Flynn 
R.  William  Neill 
John   Ford 
Al  Green 
Paul  Leni 
William    deMille 
Irving    Cummings 
Al  Santell 


Mai    St.    Clair 
Otto  Brower 
Jack  Holt 
Doris    Hill 
Charlie  Barton 
Estelle   Richeter 
Frank   Roderick 
Lucille   Lyon 
L.   Gregory  Dowling 
Charles   R.    Rogers 
"Tex"    DriscoU 
Pauline   Starke 
LeRoy  Mason 


HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Fox's  publicity  depart- 
ment is  handicapped,  due  to  a  vacationing  staff. 
This  is  all  in  preparation  for  Greater  Movie  Season, 
starting:  August  18.  Those  enjoying  the  beaches, 
mountains,  etc.,  are  Anna  Mae  Hart,  secretary  to  Bob 
Yost,  Tammie  Johnson,  Harry  Collins,  Max  Autrey 
and   Frank   Murray. 

* 

Emmett  Flynn,  Fox  director,  is  preparing  an  un- 
titled feature  starring  Lia  Tora,  the  Brazilian  beauty, 
whom  Fo.x  recently  signed  under  a  long  term  contract. 
The  story  is  an  original  by  Flynn  and  Douglas  Doty 
and  is  classed  as  a  new  type  of  sophisticated  melo- 
drama.   The  cast  has  not  been  announced.     Ray  Flynn 

will  assist  in  directions. 

* 

Directors  on  sets,  in  many  instances,  have 
articles  or  traits,  which  vdll  identify  them. 
For  instance :  R.  William  Neill,  a  rocking 
chair;  John  Ford,  his  pipe;  Al  Green,  a  stick; 
Paul  Leni,  a  Chinese  cymbal ;  William  deMille, 
a  slouch  hat;  Irving  Cummings,  a  two-piece 
string  musical  unit.  Al  Santell  encourages 
his  cast  by  clapping  his  hands  at  the  finish 
of  a  scene.  Mai  St.  Clair,  shakes  his  assist- 
ant's hand,  and  so  it  goes. 
* 

Otto  Brower,  with  his  staff,  is  in  Arizona  seeking 
locations  for  his  first  directorial  effort  under  the  Para- 
mount banner.  He  will  start  soon  on  "Avalanche," 
starring  Jack  Holt,  with  Doris  Hill.  Charlie  Barton 
is  the  assistant  director. 

Estelle  Richeter,   Fox  studios,  has  been  transferred 
from   the   accounting   office  to   the   casting   department 
as  assistant  to  Frank  Roderick.     She  replaces  Lucille 
Lyon,  who  has  gone  East. 
* 

L.  Gregory  Dowling,  for  four  years  secretary  to 
Charles  R.  Rogers,  First  National  studios,  will  leave 
tomorrow  for  St.  Louis  to  take  charge  of  a  bank. 
He  is  the  son  of  John  Dowling,  president  of  the  St. 
Louis  Savings  and  Trust  Company.  Accompanied  by 
his  wife,  who  was  formerly  Carol  Murray  of  Kansas 
City,  they  will  drive  through,  stopping  over  a  few 
days  to  visit  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Dowling. 
* 

"Tex"  Driscoll,  well  known  cowboy  around  the 
"w.iter-hole"  (the  picture  puncher's  hangout),  has 
been  added  to  the  cast  of  R.  William  Neill's  "The 
Thrall  of  Leif  the  Lucky,"  which  he  is  directing  at 
Tec-Art  studio.  Pauline  Starke  and  LeRoy  Mason 
have  the  leading  roles.  This  is  the  first  sound-color 
picture  ever  to  be  filmed.  

FRAZIER. 


Al  Rogell  Returns  from 
Cheyenne  with  Maynard 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Al  Rogell  is 
shooting  interiors  on  two  Ken  Maynard  pic- 
tures for  Charles  R.  Rogers  Productions. 
Rogell  recently  returned  from  Cheyenne, 
Wyo.,  where  he  shot  the  exterior  scenes  for 
the  two  pictures.  In  Cheyenne  he  photo- 
graphed the  famous  pioneers'  rodeo  held  an- 
nually in  that  town.  The  second  picture,  "The 
Glorious  Trail,"  is  a  story  based  on  the  build- 
ing of  the   telegraph. 

Gibson  Returns  from  Rodeo 
In  Chicago;  with  Company 

-(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  14.— Hoot  Gibson 
arrived  here  late  last  week  after  a  three 
weeks  visit  to  Chicago  where  he  and  his 
company  shot  scenes  for  "King  of  the  Rodeo." 
A  company  of  25  accompanied  him. 


Paramount   Fetes   Bar   Association 

HOLLYWOOD. — The  Paramount  studio  played  host 
to  100  members  of  the  American  Bar  Association  in 
convention  in  Los  Angeles. 


.2s>i 


MAKE  YOUR  PROJECTION 

THE  BEST  (N  TOWN  I 


BETTER  PROJECTION 

is 

PATRONAGE  INSURANCE 

Here  is  the  information  that 

every  showman  needs  for  best 

results. 

VOLUME  I 

Into  Volume  I  is  incorporated  all  the  fundamentals  of 
projection  including  the  closely  allied  subjects  of  elec- 
tricity and  optics. 

Every  subject  is  profusely  illustrated  with  diagrams 
and  pictures.  In  the  front  of  the  volume  is  a  unique 
index  divided  by  prominent  main  heads  and  sub  heads 
under  which  appears  a  generous  list  of  appropriate, 
practical  questions,  together  with  the  folio  number  of 
the  page  or  pages  upon  which  the  answers  will  be 
found. 

Some  of  the  many  subjects  to  be  found  in  this  Volume 
are:  Projection  Angle,  Arc  Light  Source,  Carbons,  Con- 
densers, Electrical  Action,  The  Film,  Generators,  Fuses, 
Insulation,  Lenses,  Light  Action,  Optical  Terms  —  theif 
meaning.  Picture  Distortion,  Projection  Room,  Practical 
Projection,  Resistence  as  applied  to  the  projection  cir- 
cuit. Screens,  Spotlights,  Sivitches,   Wiring,  etc. 

VOLUME   II 

This  volume  is  devoted  almost  entirely  to  the  explan- 
ation, care  and  use  of  well  known  projection  room 
equipment. 

Like  Volume  I  it  is  well  illustrated  with  diagrams 
and  close-ups  of  all  the  equipment  described.  It  is  also 
equipped  with  the  same  detailed  question  and  answer 
form  of  index,  making  possible  the  ready  location  of 
each  subject. 

An  idea  of  the  subject  matter  covered  in  this  volume 
may  be  had  from  the  following :  Arc  Controllers,  Brinkert 
.Apparatus,  Bosch  and  Lotnb,  Cinephor,  and  Simplex 
Condensers,  Curtain  Machines,  Current  Rectification, 
Dowsers,  High  Intensity  Lamps,  (Powers,  Ashcraft,  H. 
E.  General  Electric),  Mazda  Projection,  Mercury  Arc 
Rectifiers,  Motor  Generators,  Projectors  (General  In- 
structions), Projectors,  Special  Instructions  on  Potvers, 
Simplex,  Motiograph,  and  Baird,  Reflector  Arc  Lamps 
—  (Powerlight,  Peerless,  Motiograph,  Morelite,  Strong 
and  Hallberg),  Screen  Surfaces  —  their  characteristics, 
Transforrners,    etc. 


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5th  Edition  Two-Uolume 

HANDBOOK  OF  PROJECTION 

{''The  Blue  Book  of  Projection") 
For  Eighteen  Years  The  Standard  International  Authority 


Into  this  stupendous  work  of  over  1100  pages  has 
been  gathered  everything  of  importance  concerning 
projection. 

Beautifully  bound  in  gold  stamped,  flexible,  blue 
Leatherette  covers,  it  constitutes  an  invaluable  piece  of 
literature  worthy  of  ownership  by  every  theatre  man- 
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August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Y^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 
"Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK   OF   AUGUST   26 

EDUCATIONAL — "Wedded  Blisters,"  Lupino-Boyd, 
Tuxedo,  two;  "Troubles  Galore,"  Collins-Ruby  Mc- 
Coy, Cameo,  one. 

F  B  O — "Jessie's  James,"  Racing  Blood  Series,  Al 
Cooke,  two. 

PARAMOUNT — "Hot  Scotch,"  Duffy,  Sandy  Mac- 
Duff,   Christie,  two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  4,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Chicken,"  Deluxe,  Sennett, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  35,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  35,  one. 

UNIVERSAI^— "A  Hurry  Up  Marriage,"  Harold 
Highbrow  series,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  3; 
Adventure,  two;  "Husbands  Won't  Tell,"  Mike  and 
Ike,  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The  Danger  Trail,"  West- 
ern, Newton   House,   two. 

WEEK   OF   SEPTEMBER   2 

EDUCATIONAI^-"Hot  Luck,"  Big  Boy  Juvenile, 
two;   "Thrills   of  the   Sea,"  Our  World  Today,   one. 

PARAMOUNT — "Skating  Home,"  Confessions  of  a 
Chorus   Girl  series,   Christie,  two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  5,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "South  Sea  Saga,"  Sportlight, 
one;  "His  Royal  Slyness,"  Harold  Lloyd  (reissue), 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  36,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.    36,   one. 

UNI  VERS  AI^-"  Sky  Scrapper,"  Snappy,  Oswald,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  4,  Adventures,  two;  "The 
Junior  Year,"  Collegians,  third  series,  two;  "Newly- 
weds'  Hard  Luck,"  two;  "Speed  and  Spurs,"  Bob 
Curwood,  Western,  two. 

WEEK   OF   SEPTEMBER   9 

EDUCATIONAL — "Pirates  Beware,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Girlies  Behave,"  Jerry  Drew,  Ideal,  two; 
"Cook,  Papa,  Cook,"  Murdock-Hutton,  Cameo,  one; 
"On  the   Move"   Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PATHE^"The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  6,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Campus  Carmen,"  Sennett, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  37,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  37,  one. 

UNIVERSAL — "Hollywood  or  Bust,"  Arthur  Lake, 
Snappy,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  5,  Adven- 
ture, two;  "Rubber  Necks,"  Let  George  Do  It,  Stern 
Bros.,  two;  "Riders  of  the  Woods,"  Cobb  Western, 
two. 


Newspictures 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  91— Wrecked  Polish  fliers  are 
picked  up  swimming  off  Portuguese  coast — Coolidges 
see  iron  ore  taken  from  Mesaba  Range  in  Minnesota 
— Great  throng  sees  Ninth  Olympiad  in  Amsterdam. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5420— Forty-six  nations  join  in 
Olympic  games — Courtney  and  flying  crew  are 
brought  back  on  rescue  ship — Pullman  autobus  is 
last  word  in  luxury. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5421 — France  keeps  Davis  tennis 
cut  as  Tilden  fails — Crash  kills  Brouhin,  French 
ace,  on  eve  of  ocean  hop — Shoe-bill  stork  is  expert 
of  slow  motion. 

M  G  M  NEWS  NO.  104 — American  yacht  wins  race 
across  Atlantic  for  Queen  of  Spain  cup — Nobile 
homeward  bound  after  Arctic  tragedy  —  Rare 
orangutan  for  Calcutta  zoo. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  4— Coolidge  sees  world's 
largest  iron  pits  at  Hibbing,  Minn. — Capt.  George 
Wilkins  inspects  plane  for  trip  to  Antarctic — • 
Former  steeplejack  climbs  Chimney  Rock,  N.  C, 
1,000  feet. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  66— Dog  show  crowds  see  whip- 
pets race  at  East  Hampton,  L.  I. — Pawnee,  Kan., 
relives  its  frontier  days — -Big  thermos  bottle  pours 
molten   steel. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  63— Courtney 
and  aids  reach  New  York  after  plane  rescue  in 
midsea — White  sails  sparkle  at  Marblehead  (Mass.) 
regatta — Santa   Barbara   fetes   Spanish   days. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  5— Commander  Byrd, 
introduced  by  Mayor  "Jimmy"  Walker  of  New 
York,  bids  goodby  over  the  air  before  flying  to 
South  Pole — Olympic  records  fall  — ■  Courtney 
reaches  U.   S. 


Neglecting  Short  Films  Is  Mistake^ 
Experiences  of  Exhibitors  Prove 

Some  Theatre  Owners  Thank  Lucky  Stars  They  Have  Short  Features  to 

Save  Day  When  Long  Pictures  Fizzle,  Review 

of  Letters  Shows 

Any  exhibitor  who  neglects  short  features,  whether  in  shaping  his  program 
or  in  advertising  that  program,  is  making  a  serious  mistake,  in  the  light  of  the 
experiences  of  successful  exhibitors  whose  letters  to  this  department  of  the 
Herald- World  have  been  appearing  in  a  series  for  the  past  month  and  a  half. 

Find  Short  Features  Direct  Aid  to  B.  O. 

Long  since  these  exhibitors  have  found  that  using  short  product  merely  as 
filler  has  a  deadly  effect  on  business.  And  they  have  learned  more  than  that. 
The  box  office  has  shown  them  that  when  they  give  the  short  film  its  proper 
proportion  of  their  newspaper  advertising  there  is  a  building  of  patronage  and 
consequently  a  higher  return  in  receipts. 


Presuming  that  an  exhibitor  is  on  the  look- 
out day  in  and  day  out  for  ways  and  means 
to  increase  his  business — and  if  he  can  afford 
to  run  a  theatre  without  caring  whether  he 
makes  as  much  money  as  possible,  he's  too 
fortunate  to  be  classed  as  an  exhibitor — the 
findings  of  these  theatre  owners  who  have 
made  short  features  pay  by  paying  attention 
to   them  should  be  decidedly  of  value. 

Localities  Have  Special  Problems 

It  is  obvious:,  of  course,  that  different  lo- 
calities have  their  peculiar  problems.  This 
department  has  had  comment  from  a  few  the- 
atre owners  that  their  special  campaign  on 
a  particular  short  picture  has  not  brought  the 
public  reaction  expected.  Exhibitors  who 
have  had  uniform  success  with  such  cam- 
paigns will  tell  them  that  they  have  missed  a 
bet  somewhere  in  their  exploitation. 

There  also  have  been  isolated  instances  of 
exhibitors  who  have  stated  flatly  that  the 
short  feature  meant  nothing  on  their  pro- 
Rrams.  Yet  in  one  of  those  cases,  mentioned 
in  a  previous  series  in  this  department,  an 
illuminating  response  by  the  exploitation  di- 
rector of  one  of  the  large  distributors,  who  had 
been  visiting  one  of  these  exhibitors,  showed 
that  the  latter  did  not  even  know  what  short 
feature  was  playing  at  that  moment  inside  the 
door! 

One  is  tempted  to  wonder  how  many  such 
there  are,  and  to  what  extent  their  views  or 
even  their  receipts  are  of  any  value  as  an  in- 
dicator of  the  drawing  power  of  any  kind 
of  production.  One  wonders  how  even  a  one- 
year-on-Broadway  picture  would  fare  under 
such   conditions   in   his   town. 

Re'urning  to  the  series  at  hand,  the  briefest 
recapitulation  of  the  findings'  of  exhibitors 
who  are  thanking  their  lucky  stars  that  they 
have  had  short  features  to  rescue  the  show 
from  a  fizzling  long  production  presents  some 
interesting  angles  of  the  business  of  showing 
pictures  at  a  profit.     Here  are  some  of  them : 


"Short  features  are  business  getters  and  busi- 
ness builders  .  .  .  and  deserve  space  in  your  ad 
along  with  the  feature." — Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. 

"Even  in  our  short  experience  we  have  had 
more  than  one  program  saved  by  good  short 
features.  We  are  going  to  devote  probably 
about  one-third  of  our  advertising  to  shorts." — 
Tivenan  &  Wolje,  Screenland,  Nevada,  Ohio, 

"I  have  certain  patrons  that  I  make  a  prac- 
tice of  notifying  by  phone  or  a  personal  call, 
that  I  have  a  comedy  with  a  certain  star  on 
such  a  date,  and  they  never  fail  to  come  out." — 
Stanley  B.  Kennedy,  Central,  Selkirk,  Manitoba. 

"My  successful  operation  of  eight  theatres 
has  been  largely  due  to  the  careful  selection  of 
short  subjects.  .  .  Some  short  subjects  receive 
as  much  newspaper  space  as  my  feature." — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun,  Kansas  City. 

"Funny  comedies  and  late  newsreels  are  a 
necessity  nowadays  to  make  any  picture  pro- 
gram complete." — P.  G.  Held,  Strand,  Griswold, 
Iowa. 

"If  one  could  be  assured  of  first-rate  com- 
edies they  would,  undoubtedly,  prove  a  valu- 
able asset  to  one's  program." — Frank  E.  Sabin, 
Majestic,  Eureka,  Mont. 

"Short  subjects,  in  my  theatre,  are  given  equal 
advertising  with  my  features  and  specials." — 
Ray   W.   Musselman,  Princess,   Lincoln,   Can. 

"Small  features  draw  business." — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem,  Greenriver,  Utah. 

And  so  on.  Note  that  these  cases  cover  all 
parts  of  the  country,  so  there  is  no  territorial 
preference.  Note  also  that  some  ask  for  im- 
proved product. 

Now  this  question  presents  itself,  and  it's 
one  for  you  exhibitors  to  answer.  To  what 
extent  does  special  exploitation  of  outstand- 
ing short  features  speed  up  the  box-office? 
Your  comment  will  be  treated  frankly  and 
completely  by  this  department. 


) 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Y^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  Department, 

"Stage  and  Pit" 

Are  You   Pleasing  Your  Patrons? 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  17 

Gene  Rodemieh  and  the  Publix  Playboys  stage 
revue,  "Bitter  Sweet  Blues,"  with  Wilson  and  Wash- 
bum,  Wells  and  Winthrop,  Grace  Duffay,  and  Dezso 
Retzer,  with  an  accompanying  chorus,  offered  an 
exceptional  presentation.  The  program  was  han- 
dled in  musical  comedy  style,  with  Gene  Rodemieh 
acting  as  master  of  ceremonies,  and  with  action 
intermingled  with  clever  dancing,  singing  and 
entrancing    music. 

The  show  opened  with  the  Wilson  and  Washburn 
duo  singing  "Bitter  Sweet  Blues,"  four  boys  and 
four  girls  appearing  as  the  chorus  from  side  stage. 
Dressed  in  glittering  spangles  the  chorus  went 
through  a  series  of  clever  dance  steps  led  by  the  duo. 

Wilson  and  Washburn  a  sister  team  were  the  fea- 
t\ire  of  the  program  putting  on  a  series  of  highly 
entertaining  song  numbers  and  clever  impersonations. 
They  are  brought  on  the  stage  in  one  number  in  a 
huge  imitation  oyster  shell,  wheeled  by  two  attend- 
ants. Wilson  played  the  small  piano  enclosed  while 
Washburn   sat  on  top  of  the  piano  and  sang. 

Wells  and  Winthrop  ne.rt  entered  doing  a  fast 
whirlwind  dance  consisting  of  a  series  of  clog  steps 
in  perfect  unison.  Wilson  came  on'  singing  only  to 
be  interrupted  by  Gene  Rodemieh  and  a  series  of 
word  jests  followed.  Immediately  following.  Wash- 
burn came  on  dressed  in  a  man's  full  evening  dress 
and  rendered  "Goodby  Broadway,  Hello  Montreal." 
Her  imitation  of  an  inebriate  was  so  well  done  that 
she  was  forced  to  take  several  encores  in  front  of 
a   drop  to   calm   the   patrons. 

The  "eerpintine"  dance  with  12  blonde  beauties 
and  four  males  took  a  great  hand.  Their  spangled 
suits  with  the  wonderful  lighting  effects  added  much 
to  their  reception. 

Grace  Du  Faye  feature  dancer  of  the  show,  per- 
formed wonderfully.  Her  series  of  slow  motion 
steps  were  done  with  superb  control,  and  the 
twists,  backrolls,  kicks,  and  stunts  she  performed 
held  the  patrons  spell  bound,  so  she  did  not  receive 
a  hand  until  she  had  completed  her  act,  then  she 
received  a  tremendous  ovation.  She  was  the  sweetest 
of  the  "Bitter  Sweet  Blues"  as  said  Gene  Rodemieh 
when   introducing  her. 

Entering  into  the  finale,  Dezso  Retzer  was  intro- 
duced as  the  funniest  man  on  the  stage  today.  He 
lived  up  to  his  name  by  holding  the  patrons  in  a 
const&nt  uproar  by  his  funny  antics  and  humorous, 
but  clever,  acrobatic  stunts.  Assisted  by  Gene  Rode- 
mieh he  carried  on  an  amusing  byplay  of  words. 
The  hit  of  the  evening  occurred  when  he  staged  a 
wrestling  match  with  himself,  which  is  clever,  and 
of  the  highest  order,  nevertheless  exceedingly  hum- 
orous. 

The  grand  finale  started  with  an  orchestra  selec- 
tion by  (Jene  Rodemieh  and  his  Publix  Playboys 
featuring  a  number  arranged  by  the  pianist,  Sam 
Liner.  Following  this  rare  bit  of  music,  the  entire 
cast  appeared  with  Wells  and  Winthrop  in  the  lead, 
after  which  Wilson  and  Washburn  appeared  to  take 
the  lead.  The  curtain  dropped  with  a  series  of 
whirlwind  backward  summersaults  by  Dezso  Retzer 
and    Grace    Du    Faye. 

The  bill  was  much  above  the  average  and  coupled 
with  high  class  talent  and  exceptionally  elaborate 
lighting  effects  was  100  per  cent.  Gene  Rodemieh 
deserves   commendation   for   his   continued   originality. 

Added  features  were  Geissler  and  the  Grand  Or- 
chestra. 


Good  Kickers! 


Jack  Spangler  is  seen  here  attempting  to  hold  his 
sisters  foot  so  that  Kay  will  not  kick — however  Kay 
Spangler  is  a  good  dancer  and  an  extra  fine  kicker 
and  both  have  proven  their  abilities  as  terpischorean 
artists  in  many  musical  shows — the  Spanglers  are 
late  features  of  Earl  Carroll's  Vanities  and  just  com- 
pleted a  tour  of  Publix  and  now  are  resting  before 
returning  to  Broadway  to  again  embark  on  the 
musical   comedy   ship. 


Keith-Orpheum  to  Renew 
Unit  Road  Shows 

The  Tower  theatre,  located  on  Harper  and  63rd 
Street,  Chicago,  L.  &  T.'s  south  side  house  operated 
in  conjunction  with  the  Keith-Orpheum  circuit,  re- 
sumes its  vaudeville  and  picture  program  policy 
this  week  after  several  months  of  musical  stock.  Ac- 
cording to  newspaper  announcements,  the  neighbor- 
hood has  requested  that  the  former  policy  be  re- 
sumed and  hereafter  a  policy  of  feature  pictures  and 
high  class  vaudeville  will  be  presented  at  popular 
prices. 

It  is  also  expected  that  the  annual  units  travel- 
ing as  a  road  show  will  be  resumed  and  shall  ro- 
tate over  the  Keith-Orpheum  circuit.  This  is  in  the 
form  of  a  presentation,  or  what  is  better  known  as  a 
stagehand  show  working  together  as  one  complete 
evening's   entertainment. 


The  Show  World 
A  livays  A  nswers 
Public  Demand 

Nearly  All  Theatres  Now  Offer 

Some  Sort  of  Film  and 

Stageshow 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

A  question  has  arisen  from  a  letter 
sent  to  a  dramatic  critic  of  a  Louis- 
ville newspaper  by  an  exhibitor  who 
is  voicing  the  desires  and  demands  of 
his  patrons.  The  letter,  which  is  pub- 
lished at  the  end  of  this  article,  is  an 
appeal  seconded  by  the  attendance  of 
a  certain  theatre  in  the  same  town. 
The  argument  opens  up  again  an  old 
problem  that  has  puzzled  exhibitors 
for  many  years,  since  the  present 
form  of  stage  entertainment  has  come 
into  use.  The  outcome  is  obvious, 
for  it  is  rather  hard  to  tear  down 
something  that  has  taken  years  to 
build  up,  but  when  one  takes  into  con- 
sideration the  sudden  growth  and 
change  in  the  amusement  world,  it  is 
reasonable  to  assume  that  the  old  can 
easily  be  replaced  by  the  new,  in  this 
day  and  age. 

Although  there  should  be  no  cause  for 
alarm,  the  question  in  mind  is  yet  serious 
enough  to  stir  up  considerable  agitation  with 
audiences  unless  the  matter  is  given  proper 
attention.  The  manner  in  which  the  afore- 
mentioned exhibitor  and  newspaper  are  han- 
dling the  situation  is  one  worthy  of  considera- 
tion and  should  by  all  means  be  given  a  trial. 

Twenty-five  or  thirtj^  years  ago,  vaudeville 
was  the  chief  pastime  for  the  average  wage- 
earner  to  seek  pleasure  in  the  theatre.  At 
that  time,  for  a  mere  sum  of  25  cents  and 
even  less  in  some  parts  of  the  country,  it  was 
possible  to  witness  what  is  now  termed  a 
"big-time  show."  However,  the  amusement 
world  has  gone  through  considerable  changes 
since  that  time,  and  what  was  at  one  time 
considered  "big-time"  and  "small-time"  attrac- 
tions are  now  no  longer  classified  in  two 
different  groups,  but  come  all  under  the  head- 
ing of  "amusement." 

Speciality  artists  from  all  over  the  world 
were  discovered  and  brought  to  this  country 
by  the  various  executives  of  the  leading  vaude- 
ville   circuits    for    the    sole   purpose   of   enter- 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


taining  their  audiences  and  giving  them  some- 
thing new  each  week.  Then,  novelty  acts  such 
as  acrobatics,  jugglers  and  other  sorts  of 
silent  performers  were  the  rage  of  the  variety 
stages  and  required  real  artistry  to  hold  their 
own  spot  on  any  bill.  Today,  these  same 
types  of  performers,  with  the  aid  of  a  stage 
producer,  the  costuming  and  scenic  depart- 
ments as  well  as  the  orchestral  effects,  give 
the  specialty  acts  considerable  support  and 
background  that  enables  them  to  stand  out 
from  the  stage  production.  It  means  that  no 
artist  is  a  specialist  any  longer  except,  of 
course,  in  his  own  individual  field  of  acting 
for  entertainment,  as  a  rule,  whether  it  be 
in  a  musical  comedy  theatre  or  in  a  deluxe 
picture  house,  is  now  sold  on  the  basis  of 
audience  satisfaction  with  the  show  as  a  whole. 

Variety  Was  Always  the  Spice  of  Life 

The  late  B.  F.  Keith,  founder  of  the  Keith 
Circuit,  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest 
circuits  of  variety  sponsors,  conceived  the  idea 
that  variety  is  the  spice  of  life  and  therefore 
vaudeville  was  born.  The  word  itself,  in  the 
French  language  means  variety,  and  since  the 
inception  of  the  Keith  circuit  it  has  been 
known  as  such  even  in  the  rival  circuits. 

In  those  days,  motion  pictures  were  still  a 
matter  of  the  future  and  not  until  the  begin- 
ning of  the  twentieth  century  did  they  threaten 
to  give  the  stage  keen  competition.  In  the 
earlier  stages,  the  films  were  ridiculed  and  not 
much  alarm  was  shown  simply  because  of  the 
belief  that  they  would  be  short-lived.  Al- 
though the  motion  picture  business  is  now 
about  25  years  old  and  about  fifth  in  the  field 
of  industries,  it  is  still  in  its  infancy  but 
quite  a  healthy  child. 

As  a  rule,  every  so  often  the  public  be- 
comes fickle  and  demands  a  change  whether 
it  be  styles,  living  conditions  or  entertainment, 
and  of  course  when  that  time  comes,  which  in 
this  case  it  has,  something  radical  has  to  be 
done  to  please  them.  Thus  the  stage  band- 
show  policy  came  into  its  own  about  four 
years  ago  and  from  it  branched  forth  the 
■present  form  of  stage  presentations  or  what 
is  better  known  as  motion  picture  prologues. 

Vaudeville  Trys  a  Come-Back 

It  has  been  evidenced  that  vaudeville  is 
trying  to  stage  a  come-back — that  is,  the 
regular  two-a-day  policy  is  making  every 
attempt  possible  to  keep  its  little  nook  "in  the 
light  of  public  favor,"  and  for  this  reason  the 
heads  of  the  various  vaudeville  organizations 
are  to  be  complimented  for  the  wonderful 
stand  they  have  taken  in  this  matter,  but 
public  trend  cannot  so  easily  be  swayed  after 
becoming  accustomed  to  the  liberal  programs 
offered  by  the  deluxe  motion  picture  theatres. 

Motion  picture  theatres  have  made  it  pos- 
sible for  the  masses  to  see  at  popular  prices 
stars  who  hitherto  have  been  reserved  for  the 
classes,  and  that  accounts  for  the  over- 
whelming popularity  of  picture  house  pro- 
grams all  over  the  country,  which  is  so  hard 
to  supplant  overnight.  However,  it  is  wise 
for    exhibitors    to    watch    very    carefully    the 


theatre  situation  in  their  own  community  in 
order  to  prevent  the  greatest  danger  in  the 
theatre  world  that  is  now  menacing  the  motion 
picture  industry,  and  that  is  overseating  your 
town. 

For  your  benefit,  we  are  reproducing  a  por- 
tion of  the  letter  which  appeared  in  one  of 
the  local  Louisville  newspapers : 

"Aproyos  of  this  question,  the  following 
letter   was    received    this    week: 

"Dear  Boyd  Martin:  I  hope  your  paper 
will  use  its  influence  to  restore  the  reserved 
seat  system  in  our  vaudeville  theatre.  I 
have  talked  to  many  of  my  friends  who, 
like  myself,  were  former  regrulars  at  Keith's 
Mary  Anderson  in  the  old  days  of  big-time 
vaudeville  and  two  shows  a  day.  We  were 
subscribers  and  occupied  the  same  seats 
weekly.  Now  we  have  to  take  a  chance ;  stand 
in  line  and  perhaps  get  seats  together  when 
once  inside.  The  result  is  we  seldom  go  any 
more. 

"I  feel  certain  there  is  a  very  great  de- 
mand, in  our  community  at  least,  for  a  re- 
turn to  the  reserved  seat  for  all  performances. 

"Won't  you  publish  this  letter  in  your  Sun- 
day dramatic  column?  I  feel  certain  others 
will  write  on  the  same  question  and  I  should 
like  to  hear  how  other  vaudeville  fans  feel 
about   the   idea.      Very   respectfully, 

DAN   C.   METZ." 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  fomin  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discass  important  matters  bearing 
npon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Are  here 
in  Luzern,  Switzerland,  and  having  a  wonderful  time. 
How  is  everything  in  Chicago?  Are  playing  at  the 
Kwisaal  theatre.  Hope  you  are  feeling  well  and 
don't  work  too  hard.  Best  wishes. — Dick  &  Edith 
Barstow,  %  American  Express  Co.,  11,  Rue  Scribe, 
Paris    (9E)    France. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  We  are 
opening  a  new  picture  show  house  here  in'  Grants- 
burg  ;  will  have  an  electrograph,  and  records  will  be 
mostly  pipe  organ.  We  came  here  from  Chicago 
and  have  heard  a  great  deal  of  community  singing 
— and  love  it.  That  is  something  positively  un- 
known here ;  it  would  be  brand  new.  Here  is  my 
question :  Is  it  possible  to  put  community  singing 
across    with   an    Electrograph    furnishing   the    music  ? 

I  wrote  the  Ransley  Studios  about  elides  but 
could  not  find  their  street  address  so  do  not  know 
whether  n\y  letter  will  reach  them  or  not.  Thank- 
ing you,  I  am,  respectively — Jesse  I.  Whipple,  Grants- 
burg,   Wis. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I  used 
for  my  organ  solo  last  week  the  set  of  slides  called 
"Songs  of  Yesterday  and  Today"  featuring  "Can't 
You  Hear  Me  Say  I  Love  You."  I  used  this  novelty 
in  connection  with  an  old  time  vaudeville  and  movie 
show  which  we  had  on  the  stage  and  called 
"Nicholedeon."  On  account  of  its  being  so  very  ap- 
propriate, it  went  over  very  well.  In  addition  to  this 
I  named  my  radio  program  for  those  days  "Songs 
of  Yesterday  and  Today"  which  helped  to  stimulate 
interest  in  the  entire  show.     Sincerely, 

Melvin   Peacock,   Sheboygan,   Wis. 


DONALDSON-DOUGLAS  &  GUMBLE,  Inc. 
-  WALTER  DONALDSON'S  SONGS  - 

Now  Represented  in  CHICAGO  by 

WILLIE   HOROWITZ 

Pay  us  a  visit  or  write  to  us  at 

308  Woods  BIdg.— 54  W.  Randolph  St.— Tel.  Dearborn  7025 

You  should  be  using  these  TWO  BIG  HITS: 

"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky"  and  "Because  My  Baby  Don't  Mean 

Maybe  Now" 


LOS41IS 

about 
Everyone 


EXHIBITORS!  ...  the  current  issue  of  the 
HERALD-WORLD  should  be  of  great  interest  to  you 
...  it  carries  the  first  complete  synchronized  prod- 
uct announcements  and  also  results  of  an  exhaustive 
survey  among  the  E.xhibitors  conducted  by  the  HER- 
ALD-WORLD .  .  .  speaking  of  talking  films  we 
have  word  from  Mark  Fitzgerald,  production  manager 
of  the  Alexander  Film  Co.,  that  they  are  considering 
the  sound  effects  at  their  new  studio  in  Colorado 
Springs  .  .  .  the  firm  is  one  of  the  leading  producers 
of  advertising  films  and  the  writer  recently  visited 
their  plant  ...  J.  Don  Alexander  is  president  and 
E.  S.  Winship  is  in  charge  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity .  .  .  C.  E.  Olson  is  the  chief  art  director  and 
C.  J.  Shaw  is  in  charge  of  the  art  work  ...  all  the 
films  are  directed  by  Sidney  Morris  after  Paul 
Whitaker  the  Editorial  chief  gives  his  okay  for  the 
story  to  be  screened  .  .  .  while  still  on  the  subject  of 
"Sound"  let  us  say  that  Movietone  has  made  a  great 
scoop  by  synchronizing  Herbert  Hoover's  acceptance 
speech  which  is  of  interest  to  the  entire  country  .  .  . 
Marks  Bros,  of  Chicago  have  signed  up  the  foUovring 
talking  pictures  for  their  theatres:  "Sunrise"  .  .  . 
"Four  Sons"  .  .  .  "The  Singing  Fool"  .  .  .  "Mother 
Machree"  .  .  .  "Capt.  Lash"  .  .  .  "Tenth  Ave."  .  .  . 
and  the  100  per  cent  talking  films  "The  Terror" 
and  "The  Time,  the  Place  and  the  Girl"  .  .  .  they 
also  have  several  stage  stars  contracted  to  appear  in 
person  .  .  .  among  them  are  John  Steele  and  Julian 
Eltinge  .  .  .  "Our  Gang"  kids  are  now  making  per- 
sonal appearances  in  presentation  theatres  ...  so  are 
Jackie  Coogan  "the  kid"  and  Francis  X.  Bushman, 
Jr.,  .  .  .  the  American^  Venus  Beauty  Contests  now 
being  held  in  Chicago  by  30  theatres  is  coming  to  a 
close  .  .  .  the  city-wide  semi-finals  is  being  conducted 
at  the  L  &  T  Congress  theatre  .  .  .  Sam  Herman  is 
supervising  the  event  .  .  .  Al  Belajsco  has  been 
transferred  to  the  Branford  theatre  in  Newark  .  .  . 
Jack  "Peacock"  Kelly  has  replaced  him  as  M.  C. 
and  band  leader  at  the  Senate  and  Harding  theatres, 
Chicago  .  .  .  Jack  was  drummer  for  Mark  Fisher 
and  now  he  will  rotate  with  him  .  .  .  Lou  Kosloff 
is  leading  the  stage  band  at  the  Uptown  until  Verne 
Buck  takes  his  place  with  B  &  K  as  band  leader 
.  .  .  Lou's  place  at  the  Chicago  is  being  taken  by 
Eddie  Perry  until  he  returns  ...  it  is  understood 
that  Buck  and  Bennie  Krueger  will  rotate  at  the 
Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres  .  .  .  Nell  Kelly,  the 
first  woman  to  act  as  Master  of  Ceremonies  on  the 
Coast  is  now  playing  B  &  K  theatres  .  .  .  Paul 
Small  is  back  at  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago  .  .  . 
Ginger  Rogers  is  being  held  over  at  the  Paramount 
theatre,  New  York  .  .  .  Paul  Ash  is  responsible  for 
the  success  of  both  Paul  and  Ginger  and  in  fact 
many  others  in  the  presentation  field  .  .  .  Ruth  Etting 
is  making  a  few  limited  appearances  in  picture  houses 
before  rehearsing  for  her  new  Ziegfeld  Follies  .  .  . 
Bob  Nelson  is  starred  with  Charles  Kaley  this  week 
at  the  Granada  theatre,  Chicago  ...  in  the  cast 
Rector  and  Cooper  are  featured  .  .  .  the  Darling 
Twins  are  back  in  Chicago  and  are  filling  in  a  few 
weeks  with  B  &  K  before  getting  ready  for  another 
show  .  .  .  Kerenoff  and  Maree  are  now  featured  in 
"Kat  Kabaret"  a  Publix  unit  .  .  .  Harm  and  Nee, 
known  as  the  two  Cadets  open'  with  B  &  K  next 
week  .  .  .  Ruth  Marie  Mareotte  was  the  featured 
soprano  in  Marks  Bros.'  Fur  Show  presentation  .  .  . 
Arthur  J.  Lamb,  composer  of  "Asleep  in  the  Deep" 
has  passed  beyond  ...  so  has  the  father  of  Bernard 
Cowham  .  .  .  "may  their  souls  and  the  souls  of  all 
faithful  departed  .through  the  mercy  of  God  rest  in 
peace"  .  .  .  word  comes  from  Pauline  Gaskin's 
mother  advising  us  that  Pauline  is  ill  .  .  .  Douglas 
B.  Murray  has  replaced  Max  Manne  as  production 
manager  at  the  Koxy  theatre  .  .  .  Arthur  Richter 
is  enjoying  a  much  needed  rest  in  the  sunny  land  of 
California  .  .  .  Gus  Kahn  and  Walter  Donaldson  have 
been  commissioned  by  Eddie  Cantor  to  write  his  next 
Ziegfeld  show  .  .  .  Bemie  Grossman  is  now  in  charge 
of  Spier  &  Coslow's  Chicago  office  .  .  .  Willie 
Horowitz  in  Charge  of  Donaldson's  Chicago  office 
will   move   into   larger   quarters    soon. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


I  !w 


STAGE     SHOWS 

San  Francisco  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  10 

Frank  Cambria's  "Galloping  On"  wae  this  week's 
stage  offering  at  the  Granada  Theatre,  and  a  lively 
act  it  -was,  although  it  was  the  specialties  that  made 
it  the  hit  it  proved  to  be.  Incidentally,  the  act  was 
different  from  anything  offered  of  late  in  that  the 
principals  wore  a  lot  of  clothes,  the  character  of  the 
offering   calling   for  a   lot   of   wearing  apparel. 

The  curtain  went  up  on  an  elaborate  scene  repre- 
senting the  interior  of  a  baronial  hall,  with  six 
couples  in  hunting  costume  singing  a  rollicking  song 
of  the  chase.  At  the  conclusion  of  this  the  fine 
old  hall  vanished  into  thin  air  revealing  Frank  Jenks 
and  his  Red  Hot  Band,  also  in  hunting  attire,  play- 
ing "A  Hunting  We  Will   Go." 

Felicia  Sorel's  Dancing  Girls,  clad  as  nymphs  of 
the  wood,  danced  as  only  nymphs  do,  and  were  fol- 
lowed by  a  couple  from  the  chorus,  who  offered  a 
musical   love  scene. 

Frank  Jenks  announced  that  the  act  was  "Gal- 
lopin'  On,"  or  hunting  foxes  in  the  woods  and  hors- 
ing around  in  general,  although  there  were  neither 
foxes   nor  horses  in  sight. 

He  then  led  his  band  through  a  rendition  of  the 
new  Villa  Moret  offering  "Ready  For  the  River," 
giving  it  a  real  indigo  cast.  He  not  only  recited  the 
words  to  slow  music,  but  sang  them,  as  well.  Mem- 
bers of  the  orchestra  were  asked  what  river  they 
preferred  as  a  resting  place  and  a  violinist  spoke  in 
favor  of  the  Missouri,  (rendering  the  "Missouri 
Waltz."  Another  selected  the  Mississippi,  playing 
a  banjo  solo,  another  the  Swanee  River,  and  still 
another  the  Danube.  The  Ohio  also  came  in  for 
attention,  each  selection  being  accompanied  by  ap- 
propriate music. 

Ben  Blue  was  introduced  and  presented  his  fam- 
ous dying  duck  and  skating  dances  among  others. 
He  received  a  great  hand.  The  Singing  Blacksmiths 
offered  a  medley  of  Irish  airs,  ending  with  "The 
Anvil   Chorus,"  of  Verdi. 

Alfred  Latell,  as  the  comic-strip  dog  "Bonzo," 
offered  some  lively  pup  pranks  that  were  well  re- 
ceived. The  act  came  to  a  close  with  an  old  English 
Festival  following  the  fox  hunt,  a  feature  being  the 
old-time  songs  and  the  bright  costumes. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  August  3 

On  the  stage  Frank  Fay's  "Encore"  again  feature-d 
Ruth  Petty,  who  won  the  St.  Louis  Star's  Person- 
ality Girl  contest.  Miss  Petty  has  signed  a  contract 
with  the  Publix  chain.  The  show  concluded  with  a 
very  clever  finale  consisting  of  scenes  from  popular 
motion    pictures. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  August  5 

This  week  marks  the  second  w:eek  of  the  Uptown's 
policy  of  symphonic  orchestra  presentations  under  the 
direction'  of  Ulderico  Marcelli,  and  from  the  fine  ap- 
plause received  at  this  show  it  appears  that  the  policy 
is  meeting  with  the  entire  approval  of  the  Uptown 
patrons.  The  entire  presentation  is  built  around  the 
symphonic  arrangement  of  "Old  Folks  at  Home," 
■which  is  rendered  by  the  large  orchestra  which  rises 
from   the   pit.      This   is   followed   by   a   cornet   solo   of 


"Old  Kentucky  Home."  Mrs.  Preston  Sellers  accom- 
panies  the   orchestra   on   the   organ. 

At  the  end  of  the  overture,  the  curtain  parts  to 
reveal  la  decorative  scrim  behind  which  a  chorus  of 
voices  is  heard  singing  "Deep  River."  The  scrim 
rises  to  disclose  a  huge  reception  or  music  room  of  a 
colonial  plantation  home.  A  balcony  runs  the  length 
of  the  stage  below  tall  windows  which  appear  to  open 
out  on  a  moonlight  night.  Stairs  at  either  side  lead 
down  from  the  balcony  to  the  stage  level.  A  group 
of  singers  are  seen  on  the  balcony  and  the  ballet  are 
on  the  stairs  at  either  side. 

Kathryn  Lewis  and  Charles  Chesney  sing  "Swanee 
Moon,"  and  then  the  ballet  girls  descend  to  do  a  tap 
routine.  AH  are  dressed  in  Southern  colonial  cos- 
tumes. This  is  followed  by  a  violin  solo  of  "Carry 
Me  Back  to  Old  Virginia,"  rendered  by  Ben  Simon, 
assistant  orchestra  conductor.  Then  for  no  good  rea- 
son at  all,  it  seems,  two  young  fellows,  Gus  and  Wells, 
enter  in  comic  soldier  attire  and  do  a  soft  shoe  mili- 
tary dance.  The  number,  although  fairly  good,  is 
thoroughly  out  of  place  and  breaks  the  spirit  of  the 
entire  presentation.  Next  three  couples  sing  "Blame 
It  on  the  Moon,"  with  Chesney  and  Lewis  leading. 

For  the  finale  the  ballet  enter,  each  carrying  a 
banjo  and  chair.  As  they  are  seated  the  entire  com- 
pany sing  "Swanee  Moon,"  with  all  of  them  playing 
their  banjos.  A  huge  moon  is  seen  glowing  in  the 
sky   through  the  tall   windows. 

It  is  a  fine  presentation  worthy  of  any  house.  The 
rest  of  the  show  consists  of  Waring's  Pennsylvanlans, 
which  was  reported  in  these  pages  before. 


Detroit  Grand  Riviera 

Week  Ending  August  11 

The  Keystone  Serenaders  and  Fred  J.  Ireland's 
Riviera  Wonder  Girls  took  a  vacation  this  week, 
and  so,  instead  of  the  usual  band  show,  there  were 
five  acts  of  vaudeville  at  the  Grand  Riviera. 

The  bill  was  headed  by  the  Butler-Santos  Co.  with 
samples  of  modern  varieties  of  songs  and  dances. 
It  proved  to  be  a  good  tabloid  revue,  with  lots  of 
flash. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  Phillips  and  Norman 
Phillips,  Jr.,  shared  honors  in  a  laughable  skit 
"Parents."  Have  you  any  children?  That's  where 
the  laughs  came  in,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips'  trials  and 
tribulations  with  the  irrepresible  Junior  being  good 
for   much   comedy. 

The  Hungarian  Troupe  demonstrated  the  proper 
method  of  putting  on  risley  acrobatics.  Brooks  and 
Ross,  as  "Two  Boys  and  a  Piano,"  harmonized  well 
and  Lane  and  Harper,  in  "Bits  of  Wit,"  had  a  new 
refreshing  line  of  humor. 


Pittsburgh  Penn 

Week  Ending  August  11 

The  Publix  Unit,  "West  Point  Days,"  staged  by 
Frank  Cambria,  was  the  attraction  here  this  week. 
A  beautifully  dressed  offering,  with  a  large  com- 
pany,  and   scored   a   big  hit. 

The  Gamby-Hale  Girls  in  several  dance  ensembles, 
and  the  Cadet  Male  Chorus  with  several  vocal  offer- 
ings proved  to  be  well-trained  and  injected  real 
class    into   the   presentation. 

Joseph  Griffin,  owner  of  a  beautiful  tenor  voice, 
scored   with   his   rendition    of    "A   Faded   Flower." 

Born  and  Lawrence,  billed  as  "Clowns  in  Clogs," 
appeared  in  grotesquely  funny  costumes,  and  stopped 
the  show  on'  several  occasions  with  their  side-split- 
ting dances.  Also  a  short  duologue  with  new  gags 
which  went  big. 

Sally   Sarraf,   winner    of    the    "personality"    contest 


COMMUNITY  SINGING 


ORIGINAL  ORGANLOGUES 


HAROLD   J.  LYON 

ORGANIST-SOLOIST 

MILLION  DOLLAR  STATE  THEATRE— JOHNSTOWN,  PA. 
Organ  Recitals  broadcast  daily  through  Station  WHBP 


IRENE   TAYLOR 

(The  "IT"  of  Blues) 

Featured  in  Publix  "PAGODALAND"  Unit 
Playing  Entire  PUBLIX  Circuit 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


was   held    for   a   second   week,    and   sang   "St.    Louis 
Blues." 

Elias  Breeskin,  one  of  the  country's  most  famous 
violinists,  this  week  took  charge  of  the  Penn  Sym- 
phony Orchestra,  his  first  offering  being  "Marche 
Slav."  His  appearance  at  this  house  was  hailed 
with  delight. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  11 

"Winter  Sports"  a  Boris  PetrofE  stage  revue,  opens 
with  the  orchestration  of  "Winter"  played  by  the 
Capitolians  and  Walt  Boesner  at  the  baton.  It  is 
danced  by  the  Juvenile  Steppers,  a  class  from  a  local 
dancing  school  who  show  much  promise  of  talent. 
Eight  of  this  class,  four  boys  and  four  girls,  offer 
a    tap    chorus    dance   to    finish    off    this    number. 

Joseph  Regan,  noted  Irish  tenor,  offers  "Mary 
Ann,"  "Was  it  a  Dream"  and  "Irish  Eyes"  the  last 
being  a  much   deserved  encore. 

Steve  Savage,  a  pantomimic  and  eccentric  danter 
is  making  his  New  York  debut,  puts  over  his  series 
of  novel  steps  and  makes  a  hit. 

A  group  of  twelve  Alexander  Oumansky  dancing 
girls  appear  in  a  special  fencing  number — their  dance 
and  sword-play  is  quite  entertaining,  and  their  cos- 
tumes beatuiful. 

The  Capitolians  offer  "In  My  Bouquet  of  Memories" 
with  vocal  and  electrical  novelties  interwoven'  about 
the  theme.  The  stage  is  darkened,  and  the  orchestra 
boys  carry  flower  lights  to  accentuate  each  stanza 
of   the  song,   making  an   attractive  number. 

Fuzzy  Knight,  a  pianist  whose  "pianologues"  are 
original  and  full  of  clever  comedy,  prompts  the 
query  as  to  where  his  keeper  is.  The  man's  absolute 
insane  and  nonsensical  "comedy"  is  absolutely  dis- 
couraging to  lovers  of  the  human  race.  For  some 
reason,  his  stuff  made  a  hit  with  the  rest  of  the 
audience  so  we  kept  our  peace  and  let  him  ride.  He 
works  ■with  a  small  piano,  and  tries  to  sing  a  song 
— his  work  baffles  reporting  except  to  say,  it's  not 
funny,  but  impossible.  Credit  him  with  scoring  for 
big  applause. 

The  Alexander  Oumansky  Girls  do  a  "Snow  Flake" 
toe  dance,  with  good  high  kicking  and  ample  dis- 
play of  feminine  limb-charm.  The  dance  can  be 
readily    called   artistic    and    gets    over   big. 

The  big  finale,  true  to  Capitol  style,  is  another 
extravaganza  of  scenic  and  lighting  effects  and  beg- 
gars description.  Suffice  to  say  it's  a  snow-storm, 
with  a  big  snow-man  in  the  background,  the  music 
being    the    theme. 


Salt  Lake  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  4 

The  Fanchon  and  Marco  stage  presentation  of- 
fered at  the  Capitol  theatre  of  this  city  during  the 
past   week   has   been   of   an   exceptionally   high   order. 

Diminuitive  and  attractive  Sally  Rand,  who  is  a 
Baby  Wampus  star  from  Hollywood,  with  her  com- 
pany present  the  act  titled  "Sally  From  Hollywood." 
Featured  in  this  act  were  Harvey  Karles  who  as- 
sisted with  the  numbers  especially  featuring  Miss 
Rand.  Treen  and  Barnet,  a  comedy  team,  the  Crosby 
Brothers  who  offered  some  splendid  entertainment  in 
the  form  of  step  dancing,  and  a  male  ensemble  of 
twelve  who  pleased  the  audience  imensely  with  their 
step   dancing. 

Ralph  Pollock,  who  is  now^  master  of  ceremonies  at 
the  Capitol  theatre,  with  his  band  offered  some  very 
pleasing  numbers,  featuring  "Dream  House"  and  "I 
Can't  Do  Without  You,"  which  latter  number  was 
sung  very   artistically   by   Pollock. 


HENRI  A.  KEATES 

'The  Organist  Who  Put  Community 
Singing  on    o:^^^^     the  Map" 


Oriental  Theatre,  Chicago 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STACS 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'way 
N.  Y,  OlF 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  18 

The  etageehow  for  the  current  week  at  the  Para- 
mount opens  with  "Russian  Fantasy"  staged  by  Paul 
Oscard,  directed  by  Joseph  Klein,  and  enlisting  the 
talent  of  Stepanoff  of  the  Russian  Imperial  Ballet. 
Russian  Meistersingrers  Quartette,  Paramount  Dance 
Ensemble,  Fomin  Brothers  and  the  Paramount  Or- 
chestra. 

The  revue  follows,  entitled  "Bitter  Sweet  Blues" 
with  Paul  Ash  as  master  of  ceremonies. 

Wilson  and  Washburn,  a  sister  act,  sing  "Bitter- 
sweet Blues"  in  stage  set  in  two,  candy-box  scene, 
their  close  harmony  voices  blending  sweetly.  The 
number  is  danced  by  the  Dave  Gould  Boys  and  Girls. 

"Constantinople"  is  offered  by  the  stage-orchestra, 
and  comedy  effects  are  supplied  by  members  of  the 
band. 

Wilson  and  Washburn  are  wheeled  in,  sitting  in- 
side a  big  candy  box,  and  offer  their  singing  with 
piano  numbers.  Their  wow  number  was  "Get  Out 
and   Get  Under  the  Moon." 

Wells  and  Winthrop  are  programmed, 
caught  at  this  show. 

Washburn  leads  the  chorus  boys  and 
"Sugar  Cane  Stomp"  a  nifty  dance  in 
breviated  costumes. 

Ginger  Rogers  does  a  bit  of  talk  with  Paul  Ash, 
introducing  her  trained-flea  joke,  then  goes  into  an- 
other   nameless    song.      She    clicks    favorably. 

Paul  Ash  and  the  stagehand  offer  "If  You  Don't 
Love  Me,"  which  is  a  cleverly  executed  selection,  and 
receives  Iwunteous   applause. 

Grace  Du  Faye  puts  over  some  acrobatic  contor- 
tion dancing  which  is  immediately  pronounced  as  a 
roaring  success. 

Wilson,  of  Wilson  and  Washburn,  can  be  called 
the  hit  of  the  show,  in  her  impersonation  of  a 
drunk  singing  "Good-bye  Broadway,  Hello  Montreal" 
— one  of  the  cleverest  young  girls  seen'  here  for 
some  time.     Stopped  first  and  second  show  Saturday. 

Deszo  Retter,  acrobat,  dancer,  and  what-not,  offers 
the  comedy  to  the  unit  with  his  clever  falls  and 
pantomine  nonsense.  He  doesn't  feel  well,  but  other- 
wise has  his  five  senses. 

The  finale  was  a  big  candy-box  scene  enlisting 
the  entire  ensemble.  Paul  Ash  is  not  programmed  or 
advertised  for  next  week,  in  Joe  Santley's  musical 
comedy  unit  "Wonderful   Girl." 


but    not 

girls     in 
cute    ab- 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  4 

A  California  garden  is  the  scene  for  "Sun  Kissed 
Kapers,"  this  week's  offering  by  Richy  Craig  and 
His  Gang.  It  opens  with  Bebe  Barri's  Rockets  com- 
ing onto  the  stage  and  doing  snappy  dancing.  The 
background  shows  long  rows  of  orange  trees  and  a 
big  moon.  The  orchestra  is  dressed  in  black  overalls 
and  straw  hats.  A  couple  of  cases  of  oranges  are 
out  on  the  stage. 

First  is  Maxine  Lewis  who  sings  a  couple  of  popu- 
lar numbers  among  them  "I  Wonder"  and  "That's 
My  Weakness  Now."  She  has  lots  of  pep  and  the 
crowd  encores  time  and  again.  The  Barri  Girls  then 
come  on  for  another  short,  snappy  dance  that  has 
lots  of  i>ep  to  it. 

Jack  Joyce,  one  legged  dancer  and  einger  gets 
the  most  encores  of  anyone  on  the  program.  With 
his  one  leg  he  certainly  shows  people  how  to  dance. 
He's  lighter  on  one  foot  than  lots  of  people  are  on 
two.  He  can  sing  and  joke  well,  too,  and  knows 
the  art  of  love  making. 

The  Gang  then  plays  "Some  of  These  Days"  with 
Jack  Richmond,  tenor,  singing  the  chorus.  He's 
dreeed  in  a  Spanish  costume  and  the  Barri  Dancers 
come  out  toward  the  end  and   dance  while  he  sings. 

Next  is  George  Dewey  Washington,  dramatic  singer. 


ROY  DIETRICH 


"The  Silver 
Voiced  Director" 

Featuring 

STAGEHAND 

PRESENTATIONS 

At  the 

"Playhouses   of   the 

World" 

Rotating 
Between 


CAPITOL  and  AVALON 
CHICAGO 


Our  Gang  in  Person 
a  Great  Draw 

By  special  arrangement  with  Hal  Roach 
and  M  G  M,  Publix  Theatres  Corporation  are 
presenting  the  original  members  of  Our  Gang 
Comedies.  The  popular  kids,  Farina, 
"Fatty,"  Joe  Cobb,  Mary  Ann  Jackson,  Harry 
Spear,  Jean  Darling,  Wheezer,  and  Pete  the 
dog,  are  making  personal  appearances  in  the 
deluxe  picture  houses  of  both  Publix  and 
Loew   key   city   theatres. 

Starting  this  week.  Our  Gang  begin  a 
three-weeks  engagement  for  Balaban  &  Katz 
in  their  Chicago,  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres. 

From  past  reports,  it  is  learned  that  this 
extra  attraction  has  drawn  considerable 
crowds  in  all  the  theatres  they  have  played 
so  far,  and  this  goes  also  for  all  the  bad 
weather  performances  through  the  south- 
eastern time.  This,  in  addition  to  Jackie 
Coogan,  Sunshine  Sammy  and  several  other 
motion  picture  stars  who  are  now  miaking  a 
tour  of  presentation  theatres,  helps  establish 
the  "Greater  Movie  Season"  idea  in  the  minds 
of  the  picturegoers. 


who  is  a  big  favorite  here.  He  sings  a  number  of 
popular  songs  among  which  is  "Down  Where  the 
Sun   Goes  Down." 

Jerry,  a  boy  who  plays  an  accordion'  certainly 
shows  them  how  to  dance  while  playing  the  accordion. 
He  works  in  lots  of  medleys  on  the  instrument  and 
gets  a  big  hand  from  the  crowd. 

The  finale  is  the  Barri  Girls  dancing  and  the 
orange  garden  all  lighted  up.  Thousands  of  oranges 
can  be  seen  on  the  many  orange  trees.  A  good 
program   with    plenty   of   snap. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  August  11 

Walter  Hires  in  a  skit  entitled,  "A  Large  Party 
From  Hollywood,"  headed  the  stage  presentation  at 
the  Mainstreet.  Hire's  number  consisted  of  dialogue 
entirely,  but  the  audiences  seemed  to  like  him  and 
his  jokes  and  sense  of  humor  went  over  in  good 
style. 

Davison's  Louisville  Loons,  the  stage  orchestral 
attraction,  rendered  an  overture  and  novelty  num- 
ber with  Harlan  Christie,  titled  "A  Movie  Party." 
Christie  was  seen  as  a  newsboy,  selling  papers  to 
Davison,  who  looked  in  the  theatre  section'  for  news 
concerning  each  prior  to  its  appearance.  The  stunt 
seemed   to  go  over  well  with   the  audiences   all   week. 

Shapiro  and  O'Malley  offered  a  skit  entitled  "How 
Does  He  Stand  It?"  in  which  humor  and  a  bit  of 
everything  were  blended.  Geraldine  and  Joe  were 
conceded  by  daily  newspapers  to  be  the  best  child 
act  which  has  come  along  in  many  a  moon.  The 
youngsters,  in  song,  dance  and  jokes  are  clever — 
nothing  else.  Margie  Clifton  and  Partner — the  part- 
ner being  the  husband — are  seen  in  a  balancing  act 
which  consists  of  several  feats  that  are  a  bit  more 
difficult  than  the  average  run. 


Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending  August  10 

Dick  Powell  leads  the  stage  presentation,  a  Publix 
show  called  "Seeing  Things."  Musical  numbers  are 
provided  by  Allan  Raymond,  a  singer.  John  Max- 
well has  a  novelty  piece  and  comedy  is  offered  by 
Castleton  and  Mack. 

Another  interesting  feature  of  the  program  is  the 
marionette  show   of   Les   Klicks. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  10 

This  week  was  designated  as  "Greater  Movie 
Week"  in  Detroit  theatres,  so  what  could  be  more 
natural  than  for  Del  Delbridge,  that  popular  master 
of  ceremonies,  to  name  his  show  "A  Greater  Movie 
Party  ?" 

Del  had  a  group  of  exceptional  group  of  Publix 
stars  for  his  party,  and  the  stage  setting  was  un- 
usual. Headline  honors  were  split  equally  between 
Chief  Eagle  Feather,  the  one  and  only  aborigine  tap 
dancer,  and  Murray  and  Alan,  that  darn  fool  pair, 
with  their  1,001  odd  verses  about  "Three  Thousand 
Years  Ago." 

Eagle  Feather,  a  chief  of  the  Cherokee  tribe,  ap- 
peared in  his  beautiful  doeskin  costume,  with  its 
marvelous  headdress  of  ermine  skins.  He  is  a  dog- 
gone good  tap  dancer  and  puts  over  his  steps  as  no 
one  else  can,  except  perhaps,  his  teacher,  George 
Primrose,  the  old-time  minstrel. 

There  is  much  to  be  said  for  Murray  and  Alan. 
As  comedians  and  singers  they  are  in  a  class  by 
themselves.  Like  the  lamented  team  of  Gallagher 
and  Shean,  the  boys  have  a  song  nXimber  which 
goes  over  big,  but  which,  when  analyzed,  proves  to 
be  merely  a  number  of  verses  of  nonsense  kidding 
historical  events.  The  boys  have  played  here  before, 
always  get  a  big  hand  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  they 
will  be  back  soon.  The  audiences  cheer  them  on' 
every  performance,  hoping  to  hear  all  the  verses  of 
the  song.  Maybe  the  team  will  take  so  many  en- 
cores some  day,  they  will  nin  out  of  verses.  The 
supply  seems  unlimited,  however. 

The  other  acts  on  the  program  were  of  high  stand- 
ard, too.  There  was  Blair  Stewart,  who  won  a 
large  following  with  his  sweet  tenor  voice ;  the  Janet 
Sisters,  who  sang  and  danced  prettily ;  and  Rose 
■Valyda  with  some  new  "blues"  songs.  The  Capi- 
tolonians,  under  Delbridge's  direction,  played  melo- 
dious tunes  and  the  Capitol  Girls  danced  delightfully. 

Samuel  Benavie  directing  his  symphony  orchestra, 
had    a    fascinating    Spanish    number    as    his   overture. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  August  11 

Distinctively  beautiful  in  costumes  and  scenery, 
backed  with  first  class  performers,  "Dancing  Feet," 
Publix's  offering  went  over  fine  at  the  Howard  this 
week. 

Al  Morey  took  a  step  higher  with  his  second  week's 
work  and  his  personality  fitted  the  presentation  un- 
usually  well. 

Headlining  was  Henry  Rose,  Broadway  funster  who 
proved   himself   originality   plus  with    his   puns. 

Harry  'Vale  and  Willie  Stewart  clearly  showed 
themselves  apt  steppers  from  the  big  city  and  drew 
good  hands  for  their  intricate  dance  novelties. 

Martha  Vaughn  was  placed  in  an  exquisite  tableaux 
picture  and  rendered  "An  Old  Fashion  Melody." 
Her  voice  was  well  liked.  This  skit  stood  out  for 
its  lovely  settings  and  colonial  costumes.  Eight 
chorines  interpreted  the  melody  as  Miss  Vaughn  sang. 

Lead  by  Al.  the  Howard's  stage  orchestra  gathered 
a  good  hand  with  "So  Tired."  The  show  clicked 
well. 


Portland  Portland 

Week  Ending  August  IS 

A  refreshing  stage  show,  another  Fanchon  and 
Marco  idea,  "College  Capers"  brought  good  business 
to  the  popular  playhouse,  and  included  Halfred 
Young,  late  star  of  Student  Prince  who  was  most 
acceptable  with  new  songs  ;  Nita  Martion  Trio  regist- 
ered well,  and  Jack  Kates  and  Sterling  Ward  with  a 
line   up  cherry  patter. 

Both  Don  and  Iris  Wilkins,  did  their  share  to 
make    'em   happy,    on   the  giant  organ. 


Albert  F.  Brown 

Featuring  ORGAN-SCRIM  Presentations 

"REPRESENTS  THE  NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT" 
Granada  and  Marbro  Theatres,  Chicago 


BALABAN 

AND  KATZ 

CHICAGO 


EDDIE  HANSON— SOLO  ORGANIST 

Composer,  "WILL  YOU  ALWAYS  CALL  ME  SWEETHEART?"  published  by  Milt  Weil; 

"THE   SONG   OF  THE   CHIMES,"    published   by  Harold    Rossiter Fellow    Organists   send 

for   Copies   and    Slides Am   Vacationing   till    September   in   the   Wilds    of   Wisconsin    with 

Bernie  Cowham  and  Al  Gullickson,  two  more  pedal  pushers  who  have  long  been  my  pals 

Address  until  September  First, 

EDDIE  HANSON — 132  East  Forest  Avenue — NEENAH,  WISCONSIN 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928  I 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  August  18 

Fantasie  De  Papillon,  an  asthetic  dance  with 
Nicholas  Daks,  Patricia  Bowman,  and  thp  Rosy 
Ballet  Corps. 

Henri  Therrien,  heard  here  before  and  well  loved 
for  his  excellent  voice,  sings  "I  Passed  by  Your 
Window"  assisted  by  Irene  McBride.  Scenery  to  fit  the 
lyric  of  the  song. 

Berinoif  and  Eulalie  in  "Adagio  Chinois" — which 
means  adagio  dancing  in  Chinese  costumes  and 
scenery,  are  already  as  successful  at  Roxy's  as  the 
Grand  Orchestra,  are  assisted  by  M.  Vodnoy  and  the 
Misses   Herman,   Malfatto,   Kildentoft   and   Lainer. 

A  La  Chasse,  using  "A  Hunting  We  Will  Go"  for 
the  musical  score,  is  danced  by  our  favorite  preci- 
sion geniuses,  the  32  Markert  Roxyettes.  They  are 
as  good  as  ever,  in  their  red  jackets,  and  the  forest 
set  is  well  put  on. 

The  prologue  for  the  film,  "Four  Sons"  is  titled 
"Mutterchen"  (meaning  little  mother)  which  is  the 
musical  theme  throughout  the  movietone  picture — 
and  is  offered  by  Gladys  Rice,  Harold  Van  Dnzee 
and  the  Roxy  Male  Quartette,  behind  a  scrim  drop 
with    special    lighting    effects. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  10 

Frank  Beaston  headed  another  good  Publix  show 
at  the  Michigan  this  week  entitled  "Step  This  Way," 
in  which  little  Mitzi  Mayfair  showed  the  way  to 
step.  The  little  girl  was  good  and  did  some  very 
clever    acrobatic    dancing. 

Frank,  as  usual,  took  an  important  part  in  the 
production  and  gave  his  regular  weekly  lesson  in 
syncopation  with  that  dance  piece  with  the  stirring 
march   rhythym   "Constantinople." 

One  little  girl,  introduced  as  a  local  lady,  didn't 
have  her  name  in  the  ads,  but  her  work  as  a  petite 
little  commedienne  certainly  warranted  it.  Exhaus- 
tive research  by  your  reporter  disclosed  that  she  is 
Elinor  Charier,  and  that  she  hopes  to  rise  high  in  her 
profession.  If  she  keeps  up  to  her  present  high 
standard  of  comedy,  her  wishes  undoubtedly  will  be 
fulfilled. 

Another  charming  lass  is  Edith  Griffith,  blues 
singer,  who  comes  from  the  musical  comedy  fold 
to  sing  songs  for  the  Michigan  customers.  High 
class  harmony  was  supplied  by  the  Dictators  Quartet, 
and  variety  was  furnished  by  Bob,  Bob  and  Bobbie. 
A  clever  canine  is  Bobbie,  for  he  proves  to  be  a 
juggler  of   no  mean  ability. 

R.  H.  Burnside  created  the  production  for  Publix, 
and  he  added  one  novelty  in  the  way  of  dance  rou- 
tine which  was  much  appreciated.  The  Foster  Girls 
have  long  been  welcomed  here  for  their  dancing,  so 
Burnside  proceeded  to  surprise  the  weekly  audiences 
with  a  mixed  ensemble  of  Foster  Girls  and  Boys. 
It's  a  better  than  usual  dance  act. 

Eduard  Werner,  conducting  his  Michigan  Sym- 
phony Orchestra,  selected  for  the  overture  "Caprice 
Italienne,"  in  which  he  was  assisted  by  Arch  Cannon, 
a  tenor,  who  displayed  a  splendid  voice  in  the  ac- 
companiment. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  August  4 

The  pictuie  at  the  Stanley  this  week  was  good 
and  the  show  as  a  whole  was  up  to  the  usual  stajid- 
ard,  but  in  spite  of  the  delightful  temperature  of 
the  theatre,  the  audience  showed  the  effect  of  the 
heat. 

The  stage  presentation',  entitled  "It  Might  Happen," 
was  in  charge  of  Jack  Kaufman,  master  of  cere- 
monies.     The    decorations    were    futuristic    in    char- 


Roxy  Stageshow  Uses 
"Four  Sons'*  Theme 

S.  L.  Rothafe],  manasring  director  of  the 
Roxy  Theatre,  New  York,  assisted  by  his  pro- 
duction staff,  arranged  a  stage  presentation 
last  week  that  conformed  with  the  photoplay 
called   "Four  Sons." 

The  presentation  was  called  "Mutterchen," 
a  dramatization  from  the  theme-song  of  the 
film  which  in  our  language  means  "Little 
Mother."  The  prologue  was  elaborately 
staged  with  novel  scenic  and  costume  effect 
that  was  atmospheric  of  the  film.  The  cast 
was  headed  by  Gladys  Rice  and  Harold  Van 
Duzee,  soloists,  assisted  by  the  Roxy  male 
quartet. 


acter  and  the  costumes  of  the  Eight  Ada  Kaufman 
Girls  as  they  appeared  in  different  dances  suggested 
the  imagined  dress  of  the  women  of  2028.  They 
first  appeared  in  pantelets  ruffled  from  waist  to 
ankle,  with  pointed  ruffled  caps.  The  street  cos- 
tume of  2028  was  represented  as  being  quite  scant 
with  narrow  rufiies  for  skirts  while  the  bustle  was 
also  shown  as  having  returned  to  favor. 

John  Steel,  the  well  known  American  lyric  tenor 
in  person  was  featured  this  week.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  Oliver  Gushee  at  the  piano.  Mr.  Steel  has 
one  of  those  delightfully  sympathetic  tenor  voices  that 
express  the  feeling  of  the  song  so  well.  He  sang 
"Roses  of  Picardy,"  an  Irish  lyric  and  "Eili,  Eili." 
The  audience  called  him  back  again  and  again  but 
after   two   encores    he   only    bowed    his    appreciation. 

Cogert  and  Motto  offered  an  original  imitation  of  a 
jazz  band,  using  only  their  hands  and  voices.  They 
also  imi)ersonated  the  Duncan  Sisters  and  Siamese 
Twins  and  their  falsetto  voices  and  kittenish  actions 
drew  a  laugh. 

Reckless  Recco  made  a  great  many  futile  attempts 
to  do  something  in  the  way  of  acrobatic  stunts  but 
never  accomplished  anything.  The  effect  was  sup- 
posed to  be  humorous  but  it  became  monotonous  and 
ineffective. 

Billy  Rolls  can  do  hand  turns  as  easily  as  most  of 
us  walk.  He  did  some  difficult  stunts  with  chairs 
and  the  audience  applauded  heartily,  which  means 
something  on  a  hot  night. 

Grace  Johnson  sang  several  "blues"  songs  in  the 
usual  harsh,  unmusical  manner.  Dolores  did  some 
tap  dancing  which  was  good  but  nothing  out  of  the 
ordinary. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  August  18 

The  show  at  the  Sheridan  this  week  opens  with  a 
ballet  routine  and  follows  with  a  band  number,  "Too 
Busy,"  with  Verne  Buck  playing  the  sax.  Good  ap- 
plause. Bob  Allen  follows  singing  "You  Remember 
Sally,"  to  a  good  hand,  part  of  which  may  be  ac- 
counted   for   by   his   good   looks. 

The  Wills  Twuis  follow  singing  "I  Must  Be  Dream- 
ing," and  then  go  into  a  fair  tap  dance,  following 
with  a  tap  Varsity  Drag.  This  is  followed  by  a 
dance  by  a  young  lady  dressed  as  a  jockey  and  an- 
other doing  a  gypsie  dance.  The  show  takes  on  new 
life  when  Harm  and  Nee,  the  two  young  blues  sing- 
ers come  out  to  do  their  stuff.  They  could  have  gone 
on  endlessly  as  far  as  the  audience  was  concerned, 
and  as  it  was  they  sang  "Old  Man  Sunshine,"  "You're 
a  Real  Sweetheart,"  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the 
Moon,"  and  as  a  final  encore  "Pretty  Little  Baby." 
These  boys   have  been   at  the   Sheridan   many  times. 


GINGER  ROGERS 

"A  Rarebit  of  Spice" 

Again    with    PAUL    ASH,    this    time    at   the    PARAMOUNT 
THEATRE,  NEW  YORK 

Staying  over  for  a  while 

Thanks   to    ihe   WILLIAM    MORRIS   AGENCY 


44 


DOC"   WEBB 

Original  Organ  Novelties 

at  the 

MARSHALL  Square  Theatre,  CHICAGO 


and  their  popularity  seems  to  grow  each  time  they 
step  on  the  stage.  No,  doggonit,  they  sang  "We'll 
Think  of   You"  ae  the  final  encore. 

This  is  followed  by  a  band  number,  "Just  Like  a 
Melody  Out  of  the  Sky,"  with  Verne  and  a  member  of 
the  band  singing  it  to  a  big  applause.  A  very 
pretty    number   excellently   rendered   by   the   band. 

The  Sheridan  Girls  on  again  doing  a  gypsie  rou- 
tine with  the  two  girls  mentioned  above  doing  a 
gypsie  and  a  Russian  dance.  They  put  a  lot  of 
pep  in  the  finish  and  we  thought  the  finale  had 
come.  This  number  seemed  a  bit  out  of  place  for 
some  reason.  This  is  followed  by  a  blackface  act. 
We  didn't  get  his  name  and  after  he  was  through, 
we  weren't  much  interested.  He  attempts  to  put 
over  a  bit  of  wise  cracking  that  fails  to  crack  very 
much  and  sings  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  and  a  comic 
song,  "Oh  My  Operation."     We'll  leave  it  at  that. 

The  band  next  goes  into  a  very  beautiful  arrange- 
ment of  music  from  "Blossom  Time,"  with  Bob  Allen 
singing  "Song  of  Love"  to  a  girl  in  his  arms.  As 
he  finishes  a  scrim  is  lowered  and  the  feature  pic- 
ture, "Heart  to  Heart"  is  flashed  on  the  scrim. 
This  makes  a  very  good  prologue  finish  for  the 
picture. 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August   11 

There's  nothing  but  cats  in  the  show  this  week,  it 
being  called  "Kat  Kabaret."  The  setting  is  a  roof 
of  a  large  building  with  a  night  background  of  build- 
ings and  lights,  quite  effective.  As  the  show  opens 
two  men  dressed  in  cat  costumes  enter  to  go  through 
all  the  regulation  meows,  screams,  spittings,  and 
maneuvers  of  a  couple  of  cats  making  love.  This 
drew  a  good  laugh.  Then  the  Albertina  Rasch  Girls, 
also    dressed    in    cat    costumes    do    a    clever    routine. 

Nagel  and  Omar,  the  two  "cats"  who  opened  the 
show,  are  on  again  in  the  same  costumes  to  give 
more  antics  perfectly  imitative  of  cats.  One  jumps 
through  a  hoop  and  the  other  does  good  hand  balanc- 
ing stunts.  Their  motions  and  actions  are  startingly 
cat-like.  The  act  ends  with  a  whirlwind  finish  for 
a  good  hand. 

Eddie  Perry  and  the  band  follow  with  a  band  num- 
ber, "Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed  Me,"  during 
which  Ned  Miller,  tenor,  sings  the  lyric.  The  Pat- 
terson Twins  follow  with  the  usual  high-kicking  team 
dance.     They  take  one  bow  for  a  fair  applause. 

Kcrenoff  and  Marcc  follow  with  a  fine  adagio  num- 
ber. They  are  dressed  as  a  cat  and  canary.  Marie 
is  rolled  on  the  stage  in  a  huge  gilded  cage  by 
Nagel  and  Omar  and  Kerenoff.  When  Maree  as  the 
canary  is  released  from  the  cage  the  dance  begins. 
There  are  some  spectacular  dives  and  the  act  finishes 
for  a  good  hand. 

The  Albertina  Rasch  Girls  are  on  again  in  another 
"cat"  routine.  Six  are  costumed  ;n  black  cat  cos- 
tumes, the  other  six  in  white.  This  toe  routine  is 
one  of  the  best  seen  lately.  Jack  North  follows  with 
his  regular  number  of  songs  sung  to  the  tune  of  his 
banjo,  the  songs  being  "Sophie,"  "Vegetables,"  and 
"I'm  in  Love  With  You  Again."  For  encores  he 
does  an  imitation  of  Jack  Barrymore  doing  the 
Charleston  and  ends  with  another  comic  song. 

The  show  ends  with  all  the  acts  on  for  a  short 
routine    and    with    everybody    singing    "Krazy    Kat." 

Note:  Eddie  Perry  shows  much  more  confidence  on 
the  Chicago  stage  and  speaks  his  lines  far  better  than 
he  did  when  he  appeared  several  weeks  ago. 


$3950.00  WURUTZER 
UNIT  ORGAN 

Wurlitzer  Unit  Organ  consisting  violin, 
flute,  trumpet,  vox  humana,  xylophones, 
chimes,  glockenspiel,  drums,  with  com- 
plete effects  such  as  fire  gong,  steamboat 
whistle,  siren,  etc.  Organ  can  be  heard 
now  playing  in  theatre.  Delivery  can  be 
made  approximately  September  15. 
Terms.  Telephone  Harrison  0893  or 
write  O.  J.  Harm  for  specifications,  624 
So.  Michigan  Ave.,  Room  1219,  Chicago, 
111. 


DEAN  STEIi^ENSON 

And  His  Boys 

Featured  at  the 

Marshall  Square  Theatre 

CHICAGO 


^a^m 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


U  P     ^pd  "^    ORGAN     SOLOS 


'fi 


ID    ALLE>L 


I'ti 


Known  as  the  "human  dynamo"  and  loved  by 
everyone  in  the  music  business,  Al  Beilin,  the  main- 
stay of  the  Irving  Berlin  firm  in  this  country,  takes 
a  crack  at  this  column.  Here's  what  Beilin  has  to 
say: 

•  *     • 

"Was  up  fishing  for  a  couple  of  days  up  to  Lake 
Geneva,  where  Henri  Keats  and  wife  spent  three 
weeks  vacation  and  of  all  the  all  around  outdoor 
sportsmen,  Keats  holds  it.  As  a  golf  player — we 
played  the  New  Country  Club,  at  Lake  Geneva  and 
right  behind  us  was  a  foursome  of  farmers  planting 
potatoes  where  Keats  got  through  with  a  shot. 

•  *     * 

"When  fishing  he's  the  only  man  that  can  fall 
asleep  with  a  half-pound  of  minnows  on  his  hook. 
As  a  three  cushion  billiard  player,  he  made  one  and 
has  never  gotten  through  talking  about  it.  Milton 
Watson  was  with  us  with  a  brand  new  set  of  clubs 
and  an  old  ball,  but  lost  the  ball  and  went  home. 
Watson  also  fished  all  morning  and  caught  three 
carloads  of  weeds  and  pickled  herring. 

•  •     * 

"I  know  everybody  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  Harry 
Robinson,  who  has  been  with  Remick's  for  years,  has 
joined  the  Chicago  office  of  Irving  Berlin,  Inc.  Am 
certainly  happy  to  have  him  with  me,  as  Harry  is 
one  man  in  the  business  that  is  a  small  man  with  a 
lot  of  big  friends. 

•  •     • 

"Sid  Berman  just  came  back  from  his  vacation 
and  he  looks  like  the  'Primrose  Four.'  He  was  fish- 
ing in  a  lake  that  has  been  minus  fish  for  the  last 
seventeen  years  and  the  only  thing  he  caught  was  a 
good  sunburn  and  a  lot  of  rest. 

•  •     « 

"Walter  Donovan,  professional  manager  of  our 
Chicago  ofHce,  has  finally  got  a  plug  song  with  Irv- 
ing Berlin,  Inc.,  entitled:  'Somebody  Sweet  Is  Sweet 
On  Me' — Gus  Kahn  wrote  the  lyric.  Speaking  of 
Gus— I  just  finished  talking  to  him  on  the  'phone, 
and  he  is  leaving  for  New  York  to  write  the  Eddie 
Cantor  show  with  Walter  Donaldson.  Gus  is  leaving 
Sunday,  and  he  only  has  fifty  seven  songs  to  finish 
before  leaving — it  looks  like  he  will  finish  the  last 
manuscript  as   the  Century  leaves  Chicago. 

•  •     * 

"However,  speaking  of  fishing.  Max  Winslow  has 
been  fishing  since  the  first  of  the  summer  up  at  the 
Thousand  Islands,  and  from  good  reports  I  under- 
stand Irving  Berlin,  Saul  Bomstein  and  Max  Wins- 
low  went  fishing  last  week  and  after  they  got 
through  they  opened  up  a  fish  store  where  they 
feature   'can   salmon.' 

•  *     • 

"Murray  Ritter  just  came  back  from  his  vacation 
and  Joe  Santly  left  the  mintue  he  put  his  foot  in  the 
door  and  Joe  Hiller  is  waiting  at  the  door  for  Santly 
to  come  back  so  he  can  jump. 

•  «     « 

"Johnny  Farrell,  the  new  national  open  champion 
has  the  reputation  of  being  the  best  dresser  in 
America,  but  along  side  of  Milton  Charles  he  looks 
like  a  comedian  in  a  double  act. 

•  •     • 

"The  best  golf  remark  that  I  have  heard  was 
made  by  Henri  Keats,  organist  at  the  Oriental  The- 
atre, he  made  the  remark :  'not  to  hit  the  ball  so 
far  and  you  can  find  it.' 

•  *     • 

"This  is  my  first  attempt  at  writing,  so  if  Larry 
Spier,  the  boy  that  writes  this  column  every  week 
accepts  my  coltunn,  it  will  be  a  miracle  I 

•  •     • 

"In  conclusion,  let  me  send  my  best  to  the  Ashs 
at  the  Paramount,  hope  their  baby  is  getting  along 
fine,  also  the  Crawford  Trio  and  their  organs. 

•  *     • 

"If  Ben  Rocke  reads  this  column,  I  feel  siire  if  he 
sees  Mr.  Ash  and  Mr.  Crawford,  there  is  a  positive 
sale  for  him  in  a  cheap  nice  looking  double  breasted 
felue  suit." 

AL  BEIUN. 

P.  S. — And  the  above  is  typical  "Alabeilin."  Some 
day  in  the  near  future,  I'll  get  Al  to  give  us  a  few 
more   laughs. 

Larry  Spier. 


Arthur  Martel  (Boston  Metroiwlitan)  at  the  con- 
sole offered  an  unusual  solo  for  "The  Song  of  the 
Builder,"  an  unusual  shoi't  film  made  from  the  poem 
of  Edgar  A.  Guest.  This  as  well  as  all  his  solos  was 
enjoyed  by  the  patrons. 


Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit,  Mich.,  Michigan)  moved 
to  the  stage  with  his  portable  console  to  offer  his 
organ  number.  The  solo  proved  to  be  Eubenstein's 
"Reve  Angelique,"  a  Russian  arrangement  of  haunt- 
ing beauty.  Carl  Pavese,  harpist  assisted  in  the 
number. 


Donald  Miller  (Detroit,  Mich.,  Capitol)  presented 
for  this  week's  stunt  "My  Window  of  Dreams"  a 
clever  organ  offering  featuring  many  of  the  late 
song  hits.  Mr.  Stewart  assisted  in  the  selection  by 
giving   a   vocal   solo. 


Alexander  Schreiner  (Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  Capi- 
tol) completed  the  high  class  program  by  presenting 
fine  music  and  selections  that  were  in  accord  with 
the  stageshow  and  the  photoplay  "Forgotten   Faces." 


Dick  Leibert  (Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Penn)  scored  as  usual 
with  his  clever  weekly  organloque.  This  week  it 
was  entitled  "It  Happens  in  the  Best  of  Families." 
The  crowd  really  enjoyed  it  and  let  Dick  know  it 
by   being   kind  with   applause. 


Julia  Dawn  (Atlanta,  Ga.,  Howard)  still  continues 
to  draw  crowds  and  applause  here  as  guest  organist. 
This  week  she  offered  a  fine  solo  that  blended  well 
with  the  stage  presentation. 


Merle  Clark  (Detroit,  Mich..  Grand  Riviera)  gave 
his  weekly  organ  stunt  and  this  one  rounded  out  a 
good  musical  selection  for  the  entire  presentation  of 
stage  and  screen  attractions  that  really  pleased. 


Melvin  Peacock  (Sheboygan,  Wis.,  Sheboygan)  re- 
ports that  his  organ  solo  for  last  week  was  called 
"Songs  of  Yesterday  and  Today"  with  slides  that 
featured  "Can't  You  Hear  Me  Say  I  Love  You." 
He  used  this  as  a  novelty  in  connection  with  an  old 
time  vaudeville  bill  and  films  at  this  theatre  that 
went  over  with  a  bang.  The  stage  show  was  called 
"Nichelodeon."  The  entire  program  was  very  ap- 
propriate and  received  considerable  newspaper  com- 
ment in  addition  to  his  regular  radio  tieup. 


Eddie  Hanson  (Chicago,  Tivoli)  reports  that  he 
used  a  stunt  called  "Stage  Struck"  last  week  for 
his  solo  that  won  considerable  laughs  and  applause. 
The  program  consisted  of  "You're  a  Real  Sweet- 
heart," "Too  Busy,"  "My  Darling,"  "Constantinople" 
and  "Will  You  Always  Call  Me  Sweetheart,"  one 
of  his  own  com^position.  The  solo  was  for  com- 
munity   singing    purposes    only    and    how    they   sang. 


Chaunccy  Haines  (Chicago,  Norshore)  used  a 
stunt  called  "Writing  a  Song"  for  his  solo  last  week. 
Milton'  Charles  had  something  like  it  a  few  weeks 
ago  also.  The  tunes  played  were  all  popular  to 
special  lyrics  that  gave  Milt  Ager  and  Jack  Yellen 
song  writers  a  nice  send  off.  The  songs  played  with 
slides  were  "If  You  Don't  Love  Me,"  "My  Darling," 
"Ready  for  the  River,"  and  "Constantinople." 
Although  it  was  a  community  sing  very  few  had  the 
pep  or  the  inclination  to  sing  at  the  show  reported. 


Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Chicago)  plays  "That  Old 
Sweetheart  of  Mine,"  during  which  three  beautiful 
scrim  scenes  are  shown  with  a  boy  and  girl  posing 
and  singing.  The  first  scrim  represents  the  spring- 
time of  a  young  couple's  love,  the  second  the  summer 
and  the  third  the  autum.  The  presentation  ends 
with  the  couple  seen  in  the  center  part  of  the  scrim 
floating  in  a  cloud  effect,  as  if  they  are  going  on 
through  eternity  loving  one  another.  The  way  the 
presentation  has  been  worked  out  and  staged,  it  is 
quite  clever  and  beautiful.  First  of  its  kind  seen 
at  the  Chicago  in  some  time. 


SIP  S4 

atout 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Raniona" — (Leo  Feist). 
"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 
"You're    a   Real   Sweetheart" —  (Leo 
Feist). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed   You  Kissed 
Me" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky" 
— (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumble). 
"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (Remick). 
"That's   My    Weakness   Novo" — (Sha- 
piro-Bernstein). 

"Angela  Mia" — (De   Sylva-Brown    & 
Henderson). 

"Beloved" — (Irving  Berlin). 
"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon"— 
(Irving  Berlin). 
"Evening  Star" — (Leo  Feist). 
"Was  It  a  Dream?" — (Harms). 
"Chloe"— (Villa  Moret). 
JUST    A    DANCE    PROGRAM    OF    LONG    AGO— 
(Al     Piantadosi) — Three     waltzes    out     of    six     prove 
that  this   is   a   very   old   program.      Every   dance   with 
the    same    one    also    proves    the    old    idea.       A    very 
pretty    ballad     that    reminds     one    of     "Among     My 
Souvenirs."      By    Lou    Hercher,    Don    Rockwell    and 
George  A.  Kelley. 

*  *     * 

ANGELA  MIA  (My  Angel) — (D«  Sylva,  Brown  & 
Henderson) — The  theme  song  of  the  "Street  Angel," 
a  Fox  film  special,  has  jumped  until  now  it  is  one 
of  the  best  sellers  in  this  territory.  The  writers 
have  been  making  theme  songs  a  specialty,  being 
responsible  for  "Diane"  and  "C^armaine."  Music 
by    Erno   Rapee,    lyric    by    Lew   Pollack. 

*  •     • 

SOMEBODY  ELSE  (May  Be  Telling  Her  Some- 
thing She'd  Love  to  Hear  from  You) — (Harold  Ros- 
siter) — A  very  good  title  with  a  waltz  melody.  The 
title  being  quite  long  tells  the  story.  Well  written. 
Words   by   Joe   Goodwin,   music   by    Larry   Shay. 

*  »     » 

WHY    (DO    I    LOVE    YOU    LIKE    I    DO)— (Spier 

and  Coslow) — A  question  that  is  tough  to  answer. 
That's  love  and  nothing  or  no  one  can  change  it. 
A  good  foxtrot  with  an  appropriate  lyric.  Words 
and   music   by    Gold-Hays   and   Rockwell. 

«     «     « 

WILL  YOU  ALWAYS  CALL  ME  SWEETHEART 
—  (Milton  Weil) — The  writer  is  a  local  organist  for 
Balaban  &  Katz.  He  has  written'  a  very  good  song 
that  should  sell.  It's  of  the  old  fashioned  type.  By 
Eddie  Hanson. 

»     *     « 

WHAT'S  THE  REASON— (Harms,  Inc.)— From 
reports  this  show  is  very  big  in  the  East  and  this  is 
one  of  the  big  songs  in  the  show.  The  writers  are 
very  well  known  as  production  writers.  From  Green- 
wich Village  Follies.  Lyrics  by  Max  and  Nathaniel 
Lief.     Music  by  Perkins. 

*  *     • 

'TAINT  SO,  HONEY,  'TAINT  SO— (Irving  BerUn) 

— A  modern  song  based  on  a  Negro  spiritual.  Has 
a  very  catchy  melody  and  should  be  great  for  singing 
orchestras.     By  Willard   Robison. 

*  *     » 

EVENING  STAR  (HELP  ME  FIND  MY  MAN)— 
(Leo  Feist) — A  beautiful  song  that  really  should  be  a 
hit.  The  music  and  lyric  are  both  perfect  and  with 
the  proper  exploitation  should  go  to  the  top.  Both 
writers  are  well  known.  Words  and  music  by  Roy 
Turk  and  Fred  E.  Ahlert. 

*  «     * 

HALLELUJAH     I'M     A     BUM— (Bibo-BIoedon     & 

Lang) — Why  one  should  be  happy  about  being  a 
bum  is  beyond  me,  but  then  everyone  has  his 
o'wn  idea  of  life.  This  song  is  already  out  on  all 
records  and  this  will  no  doubt  create  a  demand  for 
the  sheet  music.  Version'  by  Jack  AVhite. 
«     *     • 

HALF    WAY    TO     HEAVEN— Waterson-Bcrlin    & 

Snyder) — This  is  not  the  story  of  the  Wrigley  bldg. 
or  Tribune  tower  but  is  a  description  of  what  these 
boys  think  of  their  home.  It's  paradise  to  them. 
One  of  the  writers  will  be  remembered  for  his  "Girl 
That  Men  Forget"  and  the  other  for  his  "Mary  Lou." 
Words  by  Al  Dubin.     Music  by  J.  Russell  Robinson. 


C^  ^. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public"  and  "Better  Business  Builders.'* 

Analyze  Your  Business;   Plan  for   1928-29 

By  Will  W  hitmore 

The  beginning  of  the  new  season  is  upon  us.  Serious,  progressive  exhibitors  are  asking  themselves  right  now,  "What 
am  I  going  to  do  with  the  new  season?"  Not,  "What  is  this  season  going  to  do  to  me?"  They  are  analyzing  last  sea- 
son's business  to  find  the  leaks  so  that  they  may  be  stopped  this  year.  They  are  studying  every  phase  of  their  business, 
and  they  are  right  now  laying  their  plans  to  eliminate  every  weak  spot,  to  cut  out  every  unnecessary  expense  and  to 
strengthen  and  build  up  every  factor  in  their  operation  that  has  proven  worthwhile  in  the  past.  They  are  planning 
right  now  for  a  more  successful  1928-29  season. 


FEW  businesses  have  succeeded  without 
definite  plans  of  action.  Few  individual 
triumphs  have  been  achieved  without  plan 
and  a  definite  campaign  of  action.  Lind- 
bergh's great  flight  from  New  York  to  Paris 
was  achieved  only  because  he  had  a  plan  to  go 
by.  He  knew  exactly  what  he  wanted  to  do. 
Every  phase  of  his  flight  was  planned  mi- 
nutely; he  was  prepared  to  meet  every  emer- 
gency. He  mapped  his  course  and  won !  Have 
you  mapped  your  course   for   1928-29? 

We  know  of  any  number  of  exhibitors  w"ho 
conduct  their  business  along  these  lines.  They 
study  their  business  to  eliminate  each  fault 
individually.  This  can  be  done  only  by  thor- 
ough analysis,  and  the  tackling  of  each  prob- 
lem individual  K". 

For  instance,  probably  every  theatre  in  the 
coimtr\-  has  one  day  in  the  week  that  is  con- 
sistently bad,  week  in  and  week  out.  This  is 
a  definite  leak.  It  causes  serious  inroads  on 
the  annual  profit.  Here  is  a  definite  concrete 
problem.  Can  business  on  that  day  be  built 
up?  A  chain  of  theatres  in  Wisconsin  was 
confronted  with  that  very  problem.  It  has 
solved  it  in  a  very  successful  fashion  by  giv- 
ing away  silverware  to  women  on  that  par- 
ticular night  each  week  over  a  period  of  26 
weeks. 

Boosts  Business  of  Entire  Week 

Right  now  that  poor  night  shows  as  much 
or  more  profit  than  the  other  nights  of  the 
week.  And  throughout  this  chain  business  has 
been  boosted  for  the  week  as  a  whole  bj'  this 
one  campaign.  It  was  found  that  trailers  run 
on  this  night  enticed  people  into  the  theatre 
the  following  nights  of  the  week.  Here  was 
a  concrete  problem.  It  was  met  very  success- 
fully by  a  definite  plan  of  action.  The  pro- 
gressive exhibitor  is  tackling  every  problem  in 
just  this  individual  way.  It  requires  an  analj-- 
sis  of  the  business  and  then  a  plan  of  action 
to  overcome  the  trouble. 

Another  exhibitor  saw  that  poor  Fridaj' 
nights  were  eating  into  his  profits.  He  began 
studying  and  found  that  high  school  activi- 
ties were  keeping  his  patrons  away.  If  it 
wasn't  a  dance,  it  was  a  basketball  game  or 
something  else.  To  eliminate  this,  he  started 
Friday  night  stunt  nights  for  high  school 
students.  He  gave  part  of  his  receipts  on 
several  Friday  nights  to  the  athletic  fund  of 
the  school.  He  began  to  boost  student  activi- 
ties and  to  cooperate  with  the  students  in  all 
their  affairs.  His  student  patronage  has  in- 
creased tremendously.  Analyze  your  business 
from  every  angle.     Find  the  weak  spots  and 


THE  CAPITOL  TIMES 


A  weekly  netispaper  published  by  the 
Capitol  theatre,  Iron  Mountain,  Mich., 
which  is  a  neivspaper  first  and  a  theatre 
house  organ  second.  It  varies  in  size 
from  four  to  six  pages,  and  is  chock  full 
of  advertising.  Its  strength  lies  in  the 
fact  that  it  is  full  of  local  news.  It  has 
a  circulation   of  4.500   homes. 

then  plan  to  eliminate  them.     That  is  the  way 
the  real  showman  goes  about  it.  . 

How  About  the  Old  Folks 

Now  let's  study  the  business  from  another 
standpoint.  Are  you  getting  proper  patronage 
from  all  ages  of  people.  Perhaps  the  old  folks 
are  not  coming  in  the  right  number.  Perhaps 
you  haven't  been  showing  enough  pictures  that 
appeal  to  matured  patrons.  Well,  that  takes 
a  lot  of  study.  Perhaps  you  can  determine 
this  by  getting  out  a  questionnaire  to  all  pa- 
trons. Mix  with  your  patrons.  Learn  their 
likes  and  dislikes,  and  book  your  pictures 
accordingly. 

But  there  are  other  ways  to  appeal  to  the 
grownups,  as  exhibitors  have  demonstrated. 
How  about  the  church  groups.  Let's  see  if 
we  can't  appeal  to  them.     It  can  be  done  by 


tying  up  with  the  church  organizations.  Put 
on  benefits  for  the  Woman's  Bible  class. 
Probably  the  Baptist  or  Presbyterian  church 
wants  new  carpets.  All  right  ofler  to  have  a 
special  show  for  them  and  donate  a  percent- 
age of  the  receipts.  That'll  bring  in  a  lot  of 
people  who  have  got  out  of  the  habit  of  visit- 
ing your  house.  Get  them  started  and  they'll 
keep  coming. 

Then  there  are  the  lodges,  the  American 
Legion,  the  woman's  club,  and  a  dozen  other 
organizations  to  play  to  and  cooperate  with. 
This  is  important.  It  builds  goodwill  and 
goodwill  builds  the  box  office.  Plan  to  get  the 
older  people  this  year.  There's  a  way  and  you 
can  do  it,  as  many  of  you  have  found. 

An  exhibitor  in  Northern  W^isconsin  found 
that  too  many  of  his  patrons  were  not  learn- 
ing what  his  shows  were  in  time  to  plan  to 
see  them.  He  was  not  reaching  the  public 
with  his  advertising.  People  were  constantly 
telling  him,  "I  hear  you  had  a  good  show  last 
night.  I'm  sorry  I  missed  it,  but  I  didn't 
know  it  was  coming  in  time  to  plan  for  it." 
Something  had  to  be  done. 

More  Readers  Help  Business 

He  realized  he  had  not  been  using  enough 
readers  in  the  local  paper.  He  had  been  negli- 
gent in  giving  the  paper  the  stories.  The 
paper  was  willing  to  run  more,  in  fact  they 
wanted  more  material  about  pictures,  so  the 
exhibitor  got  busy.  Now  he  sends  the  paper 
each  week  a  certain  amount  of  copy  each  week 
on  a  certain  day,  so  that  the  paper  can  de- 
pend upon  him.  He  has  been  doing  this 
rehgiously  for  the  last  six  months  and  his 
business  has  shown  a  good  increase. 

Bringing  in  the  rural  patrons  is  always  a 
problem.  One  exhibitor  has  solved  it  by  get- 
ting out  a  mimeographed  letter  twice  a  month 
to  a  list  of  1,500  people  in  the  rural  territory. 
Another_  has  the  mailman  stick  a  program  in 
each  mailbox  along  his  route  each  week.  This 
exhibitor  has  found  that  the  rural  people  will 
come  to  his  theatre  if  he  shows  some  interest 
in  reaching  them  and  telling  them  what  his 
program  is. 

As  every  exhibitor  knows,  there  are  many 
individual  factors  in  theatre  operation  that 
can  be  improved  upon.  Take  them  up  indi- 
vidually. Study  and  analyze  them  from  past 
experience,  and  plan  to  better  each  condition. 

Think  it  over.  Make  a  thorough  analysis 
of  your  business  this  last  season  and  make 
your  plans  now  for  1928-29. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


Wisconsin  Houses 
Fight  Hot  Weather 
With  Good  Stunts 

In  the  territory  in  and  around  Milwaukee 
you  will  find  some  real  showmen.  These  are 
hitting  the  old  summer  slump  idea  right  in 
the  eye  with  many  good  campaigns  and  stunts 
which  are  successfully  enticing  patrons  into 
their  theatres.  Probably  no  where  in  the 
world  is  there  country  more  tempting  to  out- 
door life,  yet  these  exhibitors  are  bringing  in 
the  patrons  because  they  are  planning  and 
using  means  for  bring  them  to  their  theatres. 
Following  are  a  few  of  the  stunts  these  show- 
men are  using : 

Road   Signs  Boost   Trade 

Special  signs  being  used  by  Midwes'co  the- 
atres in  Wisconsin  calling  the  attention  of 
tourists  and  motorists  to  the  fine  shows  play- 
ing the  town  at  Alidwesco  theatres,  and  this 
idea  is  working  out  very  well.  Good  shows 
are  also  scheduled  which  further  helps  to  get 
the  tourist  business.  The  result  is  that  the 
houses  are  having  the  best  summer  on  record. 


CHlCAGO*DAn.Y    TR1BU>T:;.  THURSDAY.     AUGUST     9.     19M. 


Prizes   Helps   Summer   Trade 

Otto  Lang,  manager  of  the  Venetian  the- 
atre, Emil  Franke,  manager  of  the  State  the- 
atre and  Robert  L.  Gross,  manager  of  the 
Riviera  theatre,  all  of  the  Milwuakee  theatre 
Circuit,  Inc.,  are  boosting  summer  attend- 
ance with   an   excellent   exploitation   stunt. 

They  have  all  formed  a  tieup  with  a  few 
radio  dealers  and  during  the  hot  summer  days 
radios,  ukuleles,  and  other  musical  instru- 
ments are  given  away.  The  radio  dealer 
gets  excellent  publicity  on  the  event  as'  his 
name  is  posted  all  over  town  and  the  theatre 
gets  a  lot  of  increased  trade  in  its  respective 
section. 


Boosts  Matinee  B.  O. 

Playing  upon  the  desires  of  children  to 
possess  dogs  of  their  own,  S.  Gross,  manager 
of  the  Downer  theatre,  Milwaukee,  recently 
increased  the  attendance  at  his  Kiddies  Satur- 
day matinees  by  giving  away  a  fine  police 
dog.  The  stunt  was  given  a  lot  of  publicity 
two  weeks  prior  to  the  awarding  date  and 
when  the  day  came  there  were  a  lot  of  ex- 
cited kids   attending  the  Downer  theatre. 


Birthday  Idea  Attracts  Attention 

Eugene  Arnstein,  manager  of  the  Lake  the- 
atre, Milwaukee,  is  running  a  Birthday  Con- 
test idea  in  connection  with  the  Advance,  a 
weekly  newspaper  on  the  south  side  of  Mil- 
waukee. Every  person  who  has  a  birthday 
can  fill  in  a  blank  which  appears'  in  the  news- 
paper, mail  it  to  the  theatre  manager,  and 
on  the  day  of  his  or  her  birthday  will  be 
admitted   free  to  the   theatre. 

This  plan  which  has  been  in  operation  for 
about  two  months  has  been  very  successful. 
Good  newspaper  stories  are  run  on  it  in  the 
Advance,  and  hardly  a  day  goes  by  but  what 
Arnstein  gets  12  to  15  letters  from  people 
on  the  idea. 


German  Signs  Help 

When  "The  Raider  Emden"  played  in  Mil- 
waukee, A.  Saxe  of  the  Merrill  theatre  used 
a  good  promotional  idea  in  order  to  boost  at- 
tendance. He  had  the  majority  of  his  adver- 
tising in  the  front  of  the  theatre  in  German 
which  attracted  a  lot  of  attention  from  all 
passersby. 

Furthermore  the  theatre  went  into  the 
German  newspaper  advertising  columns  rather 
heavily  with  the  result  that  the  theatre  was 
packed  every  day.  The  stunt  went  over  big 
because  the  advertising  staff  of  Midwesco  the- 
atres and  Saxe  realized  that  there  is  a  very 
large  German  population  in  Milwaukee  and 
that  they  patronize  all  German  plays  in  large 
numbers.  The  idea  worked  out  very  well  and 
even  those  who  could  not  read  German  were 
attracted  by  the  German  signs.  It  brought  to 
them  the  breath  of  Germany. 


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♦SiSW™.,- 

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WE 

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Djura  -»■"— f-- 


CONGRESS       .JJ.^.-  REfiAL  £V^'.-'^ 


Chicago  Theatre  Advertising 

Takes  Another  Turn  for  Worse 


Chicago  theatre  advertisers  seem  to  go 
get  drunk  on  black  ink  and  dizzy  with 
ads  go  on  one  page  is  almost  startling  at 
Mix  them  together,  and  what  have  you 

Well,  perhaps  it  isn't  as  bad  as  that,  but 
we'll  leave  it  to  you.  Take  a  look  at  the 
reproduction  above,  of  the  full  page  of  the- 
atre advertising  clipped  from  the  Chicago 
Tribune.  Rather  terrible,  isn't  it?  And  we 
haven't  picked  out  the  most  horrible  example, 
either.  This  page  is  more  or  less  typical  of 
the  pages  which  have  been  hitting  the  Chi- 
cago public  between  the  eyes  when  it  opens 
its  morning  paper  for  the  last  few  weeks. 

Some  time  ago  this  publication  had  quite  a 
few  words  to  say  about  Chicago  theatre  adver- 
tis:ing.  Soon  after  that  the  theatre  page  in 
Chicago  papers  took  on  an  altogether  differ- 
ent appearance — more  attention  being  paid  to 
proper  use  of  white  space  and  sensible  layout. 
Then  gradually  things  took  a  turn  for  the 
worse,  until  the  pages  now  look  like  the  one 
above. 

What's  the  cause  of  it  all?  From  a  careful 
study,  it  would  appear  that  the  whole  trouble 
is  caused  by  most  everyone  playing  the  little 
game    of    follow   the    leader.     This   has    been 


on  periodic  sprees  ever  so  often.     They 
weird   layouts.    The  result  when   all  the 
times.     The  ads,  singly,  are  bad  enough, 
got  ? — Monstrosity. 

especially  evident  the  last  few  months'.  Let 
one  fellow  come  out  with  an  original  layout 
and  immediately  the  whole  flock  trails  right 
in  behind.  If  one  advertiser  makes  a  splurge 
of  black  ink,  the  next  morning's  paper  will 
be  a  riot  of  black  splotches. 

Let's  take  a  look  at  the  reproduction  above 
again.  As  far  as  readability  and  attrac- 
tiveness are  concerned,  the  Keith-Albee-Or- 
pheum  ad  in  the  lower  right  hand  corner  is 
the  best  ad  on  the  page.  It  is  really  a  good 
ad,  presenting  in  small  space  the  programs 
of  five  theatres.  Compare  it  with  several  of 
the  other  ads,  with  their  jumble  of  circles, 
ben  dey  backgrounds,  half  tones  and  line 
drawings.  No  advertiser,  of  course,  is  in- 
terested in  how  the  page  as  a  whole  will  look. 
His  one  interest,  naturally,  is  to  get  a  play 
for  his  own  ad,  but  if  each  advertiser  would 
give  some  thought  to  the  entire  page,  he  would 
probably  in  the  end  be  successful  in  getting 
the  play  he  wants  and  that  he  does  not  get  by 
trying  to  beat  the  other  fellow  in  the  use  of 
black  ink  and   dizzy  layouts. 


y 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


MATRIMONY      WEEK! 


NOTE: — During  the  past  few  weeks  in  New  England  states  alone  thousands  have  been  divorced 
and  many  others  have  gained  some  kind  of  legal  separation.  Notwithstanding  this  fact  hundreds 
have  been  married  to  try  what  others  have  failed  at.  With  this  thought  in  mind,  the  Management 
of  the  Amherst  Theater  have  booked  a  series  of  pictures  dealing  with  this  subject,  namely  Matri- 
mony. We  have  put  aside  the  Week  of  August  6 — 11  and  will  call  it  Matrimony  Week. 
Far  be  it  from  us  to  claim  the  solution  of  this  great  problem  ;  but  if  we  have  done  something  to 
get  closer  to  the  solution  and  at  the  same  time  give  our  patrons  six  pleasant  and  enjoyable  days  of 
entertainment  we  shall  be  more  than  satisfied.  The  Management. 


Mon=Tue,Aug.6=7  Wedn'day  Aug.  8  Thu=Fri,  Aug  9-10   Saturday,  Aug.  II 


Be  honest  with  your- 
selves  Married    Folks  ! 
how    many   times 
ha\  e  vou  said  or  thought 


Oh,  Girls  !  Heavens  Sake 
Watch  ^'our  Step  ! 


"inifRESINOU"  "BEWARE  OF 


When  a  young  wife   and 
hubby  sigh — "If   1    were 
only  single!"  and  then  act 
as  though  they  were 
That's  Flirting' 
Let  MAY  McAVOY  and 

CONRAD    NAGEL 

take  you  thru  an  hour  of 

delightful  romance 

Screened  at  3-30  and  8-30 

AND 

Si;eets   Gallagher 
ALEX  THE  GREAT 

:^c^eened  at  230  and  7-30 

Comedy  News 

ice  auto  votes  with  each  paid 
admission 


?> 


Starring 


H:„  IRENE  rich 


Screened  at  2-50,  7-ioand-S5o 

Cartoon  Scenic  News 

500  auto  votes  with  each  paid 
admission 


MARY  ASTOR 

and 

LLOYD  HUGHES 

in 

i;ring 
^  marriage 

Action  of  a  3-ring  circus 
drama  of  an  underworld 
gang  fued,  thrills  of  a  big 
top  love  story.  Three 
great  shows  in  one. 
Screened  at  2-50,  7-10  and  S-J5 

Comedy  News 

100  auto  votes  with  each  paid 
admission. 


What   do   you   do   while 

Hubby  plays  goif "' 

Are  you  a 

"GOLF 
WIDOW 

You  don't  have  to  under 
stand  golf  to  enjoy  this 
picture.  A  golf  mad 
hubby  helps  a  beautiful 
blonde  out  of  a  water 
hazard  but  lands  in  the 
rough  with  friend  wife. 
Cast  includes  \'era  Rey- 
nolds and  Harrison  Ford. 

Screened  at  2-50,  7-10  and  8-45 

Comedy  News 

100  auto  votes  with  each  paid 
admission 


FREE!  Sat.  Eve..  August  11  at  8-15  the  Management  will  positively  give  away  to  any 
one  wants  it.  FREE,  a  Real,  Live,  Bottle  Fed  Baby  for  adoption— NOT  a  Cat,  Dog  or  Doll. 
Best  of  Parentage.  Who  wants  to  adopt  him  and  take  him  home''  When  you  see  him 
you  will  want  him.     All  applicants  must  be  present  when  he  is  presented. 


Raymond  E.   Smith,   manager   of  the  Amherst  theatre,  Amherst,  Mass.,  found  at   the   last 

moment  he  had  pictures  for  one  whole  week  dealing  with  marriage,  but  that  didn't  bother 

Smith.     No,  Sir.     He  used  his  head,  and  ns  a  result  the  town  had  a  lot  to  say  about  his 

"Matrimony  Week."     That's  good  showmanship. 


Flower  Matinee  Is 
Goodwill  Builder  for 
Sheboygan  Theatre 

Reinhold  Wallach,  managing  director  of  the 
Sheboygan  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  re- 
cently staged  a  very  good  exploitation  stunt 
in  connection  with  "That's  My  Daddy"  fea- 
turing Reginald  Denny.  It  is  similar  to  one 
reported  recently  in  "The  Theatre"  and  used 
by  Fred  E.  Johnson  of   Cambridge,   Ohio. 

During  the  time  that  the  picture  played  at 
the  theatre,  Wallach  advertised  that  every 
child  who  would  bring  a  bouquet  of  flowers 


to  the  theatre  would  be  admitted  free.  If 
anyone  doubts  that  this  idea  didn't  bring  the 
kiddies  down  to  the  theatre,  he  certainly 
should  have  been  there  to  witness  the  crowd 
of  hundreds  of  kids  who  took  advantage  of 
the  event. 

A  parade  was  also  staged  which  attracted 
a  lot  of  attention,  the  kids  all  marching  on 
the  streets  around  the  theatre.  After  the 
show  was  over,  Wallach  took  all  the  flowers 
and  brought  them  to  A  Home  for  the  Aged 
in  that  city  and  gave  them  to  the  inmates. 

The  newsrpapers  of  the  city  considered  it  a 
very  charitable  event  and  gave  him  some  fine 
stories  on  the  act.  In  this  way  Wallach 
boosted  the  patronage  of  his  theatre  and  also 
created  a  lot  of  good  will. 


Remember  the  story  "The  Theatre"  carried  about  Fred  E.  Johnson  of  the  Colonial  theatre, 
Cambridge,  O.,  and  his  flower  matinee.  Well,  Reinhold  Wallach,  manager  of  the  Sheboygan 
theatre  at  Sheboygan,  Wis.,  has  since  tried  it  with  equally  good  results,  as  the  photo  above 
shows.  Children  were  admitted  at  the  matinee  for  the  price  of  a  bouquet  of  flowers.  The 
flowers  later  were  taken  to  an  old  folks  home. 


Four  Pictures  in  Row 
On  Marriage;  Smith 
Has  Matrimony  Week 

What  would  you  do  if  you  discovered  that 
all  your  pictures  for  one  week  dealt  with  the 
subject  of  matrimony? 

That's  the  problem  which  recently  con- 
fronted Raymond  E.  Smith,  manager  of  the 
Amherst  theatre,  Amherst,  Massachusetts. 
"The  pictures  were  booked  in,  and  only  when 
I  started  to  write  the  program  copy  did  I 
realize  that  they  all  hit  on  the  subject  of 
marriage,"  says  Smith.  "It  was  too  late  then 
to  cancel  them  so  I  thought  that  perhaps  we 
could  make  a  few  extra  dollars  by  using  our 
difficulty  by  playing  to  the  curious." 

Here's  what  Smith  did.  He  simply  called 
the  week  "Matrimony  Week."  Now  that's 
using  the  head  for  something  besides  a  hat- 
rack.  In  his  weekly  program  he  put  the  fol- 
lowing at  the  top  of   the  page : 

"Note — During  the  past  few  weeks  in  New 
England  states  alone  thousands  have  been 
divorced  and  many  others  have  gained 
some  kind  of  legal  separation.  Notwith- 
standing this  fact  hundreds  have  been 
married  to  try  what  others  have  failed  at. 
With  this  thought  in  mind,  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Amherst  theatre  has  booked  a 
series  of  pictures  dealing  with  this  subject, 
namely,  Matrimony.  We  have  put  aside 
the  week  of  August  6  to  11  and  will  call  it 
Matrimony  Week.  Far  be  it  from  us  to 
claim  the  solution  of  this  great  problem; 
but  if  we  have  done  something  to  get 
closer  to  the  solution  and  at  the  same 
time  give  our  patrons  six  pleasant  and 
enjoyable  days  of  entertainment  we  shall 
be  more  than  satished." 

How  is  that  for  taking  advantage  of  a  bad 
situation?  It  shows  that  Smith  can  use  his 
head,  and  that  he  knows  more  than  a  little 
about  showmanship.  It  also  shows  what  can 
be  done  when  any  theatreman  will  use  his 
head. 

There's  another  idea  here.  Why  not  do 
something  like  this  with  intention.  That  is 
book  pictures  of  the  same  general  subject  for 
one  week  and  then  boost  the  idea.  It  ought 
to  be  a  good  stunt,  at  least  for  one  time. 


He  Tells  Town  of 

"Telling  the  World'' 

When  G.  E.  Braddock,  manager  of  the 
Tivoli  theatre,  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  played 
the  M  G  M  picture,  "Telling  the  World,"  he 
must  have  used  the  title  of  the  picture  as  a 
motto  for  putting  over  the  picture,  for  he, 
without  doubt,  told  everybody  in  the  world 
about  him  that  the  picture  was  playing  the 
Tivoli.     Here's  what  Braddock  has  to  say: 

"I  thought  you  would  be  interested  to  know 
how  I  put  "Telling  the  World'  over.  I  got 
busy  with  the  Evening  Dispatch  and  secured 
their  cooperation  with  a  three-quarter  page 
tieup  and  a  four  column,  10  inch  reader  on 
Monday,  and  carried  the  story  in  serial  form 
every  day  until  the  day  of  showing.  This  was 
put  over  without  cost.  I  also  had  printed 
small  heralds,  like  a  savings  bank  book,  and 
had  these  distributed  by  stuffing  in  a  weekly 
called  'Smiles.'  These  were  placed  in  every 
home.  This  was  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
Citizens'  Bank,  Michigan  City,  Indiana.  They 
paid  half  the  cost  of  printing  and  distributing. 

"I  also  tied  up  with  the  telephone  company. 
Their  girls,  during  the  dinner  period,  would 
call  up  people  and  tell  them  about  the  fine 
picture  coming  to  the  Tivoli.  This  was  done 
with  the  cost  of  a  few  passes.  I  also  tied  up 
with  a  radio  store.  The  outcome  of  this  ex- 
ploitation was  a  packed  house,  matinees  and 
nights.  With  a  little  trouble  and  practically 
no  expense,  anyone  can  put  it  over." 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


V^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window.*' 


"LIGHTS  OF  NEW  YORK" 

JJeAR  FOLKS: 

If  you've  been  subjected  to  the  trade  whisper 
which  says,  in  undertones,  that  "Lights  of  New 
York"  is  terrible — and  if  you  haven't  heard  it 
you  must  have  been  away — prepare  to  be  told 
that  there  is  no  ground  for  the  rumor  and 
that  the  picture  is  extremely  good.  I  did  not 
expect  to  see  anything  so  good  come  of  the 
speaking  screen  for  at  least  another  year.  And 
I,  as  I  may  or  may  not  have  mentioned  pre- 
viously, belong  to  the  old  school  and  am  of 
the  belief  that  motion  pictures  should  be  seen 
and  not   heard. 

The  picture  that  is  called  "Lights  of  New 
York"  is  in  many  respects  like  a  stage  play. 
There  are  fewer  changes  of  scene,  less  outdoor 
stuff,  and  of  course  not  nearly  so  many  captions 
as  are  to  be  found  in  the  standard  motion  pic- 
ture. There  are  about  as  many  actors  as  usual, 
though,  and  the  fact  of  their  speaking  didn't 
seem  to  me  to  interfere  with  their  acting.  The 
story  is  one  of  those  underworld  yams  with 
which  we  are  at  least  adequately  supplied  at 
this  time  and  it  is  about  as  good  as  the  next 
one,  or  a  little  better. 

I  saw  the  picture  at  McVickers,  which  is  a 
good  theatre,  with  a  representative  Chicago 
audience,  which  is  a  good  audience.  I  had  a 
very  pleasant  evening.  I  see,  for  the  first  time, 
that  there  is  a  definite  field  for  the  speaking 
screen  and  that  it  is  being  invaded  intelligently 
and  carefully.  There  is  a  musical  accompani- 
ment that  runs  along  with,  never  against,  the 
dialogue.  The  scenic  changes  are  managed 
adroitly.  The  performers  are  good  enough, 
without  being  too  good,  and  the  general  effect 
is  excellent.  I  gather  the  impression  that  who- 
ever started  the  rumor  about  the  picture  be- 
ing terrible  was  speaking  with  something  other 
than  the  picture — or  the  welfare  of  the  business 
— in  mind. 

"FOUR  WALLS" 

XTLNOTHER  crime  story  of  the  week  is 
"Four  Walls."  John  Gilbert  is  the  chief  crimi- 
nal in  this  one,  until  he  reforms,  and  Joan 
Crawford  is  the  chief  criminal's  chief  sweetie. 
The  place  is  probably  New  York. 

Mr.  Gilbert  is  excellent,  of  course,  as  the 
dominant  gangster  of  the  early  scenes,  but  he 
is  excellent,  too,  as  the  reformed  and  sorely 
tempted  young  man  in  the  later  and  more  im- 
portant sequences.  Miss  Crawford's  reforma- 
tion  occurs   at  the   end  of  the   story,   and    of 


T.  O,  Service 

course  she  is  vivid,  compelling  and  believable 
all   the  way   through. 

I  did  not  believe  that  a  picture  which  has 
as  its  theme — or,  if  you  will,  moral — the  re- 
formation of  criminals  by  dint  of  imprison- 
ment, could  be  made  entertaining.  This  one 
is.  The  sermonizing  is  brief,  as  to  words,  effec- 
tive as  to  whole,  by  reason  of  its  being  phrased 
almost  entirely  in  action. 

"THE  FOREIGN  LEGION" 

X  CANNOT  tell  you  how  relieved  I  am  to 
discover  that  they  have  discontinued  the  public 
bathing  of  Mr.  Norman  Kerry's  no  doubt  quite 
interesting  torso.  He  bathes,  visibly  at  least, 
in  neither  this  picture  nor  "Man,  Woman  and 
Wife."     Isn't  that   splendid? 

Well,  "The  Foreign  Legion"  is  a  story  about 
a  soldier  who  gets  into  all  sorts  of  trouble  be- 
cause of  a  woman  who  is  the  sort  of  woman 
who  gets  a  soldier  into  all  sorts  of  trouble. 
Norman  Kerry  is  the  soldier,  Lewis  Stone  is 
his  commanding  officer  and — unknown  to  him 
until  much  too  late  to  do  anything  about  it — 
his  father.  And  the  place  is  the  desert,  with 
its  sandstorm  and  its  delightfully  contrasted 
native  cities  which  always  seem  to  be  made  up 
entirely  of  cafes  where  everybody  drinks  all 
the  time  and  nobody  gets  drunk. 

Mr.  Kerry  is  very  good  in  this,  as  is  Mr. 
Stone — or  perhaps  the  gentlemen  should  be 
named  in  the  reverse  of  that  order — and  the 
other  people  in  it  are  good,  too,  and  that  seems 
to  make  it  a  pretty  good  picture.  Perhaps  the 
fact  that  I  intend  to  join  the  Foreign  Legion 
when  my  hair  gets  a  little  whiter,  and  my  sins 
find  me  out,  prejudices  me  in  favor  of  these 
pictures. 

"MAN,  WOMAN  AND  WIFE" 

±\S  stated  above,  Mr.  Kerry  does  not  bathe, 
publicly,  in  "Man,  Woman  and  Wife,"  either. 
Therefore,  so  to  speak,  both  of  these  are  good, 
clean  pictures,  paradoxical  as  that  may  be.  My 
present  concern,  however,  is  that  I  cannot  for 
the  life  of  me  remember  what  Mr.  Kerry  does 
do  in  "Man,  Woman  and  Wife."  Nor,  for  that 
matter,  what  anyone  else  does.  (It's  induit- 
ably  the  humidity.) 

Which  goes  to  show,  you  see,  that  one  should 
not  see  five  pictures  in  one  week  if  two  of  the 
pictures  contain  the  same  star,  for  one  is  likely 


to  get  all  balled  up  and  forget  everything  ex- 
cept that  Mr.  Kerry  didn't  scrub  his  tummy. 
I  seem  to  be  positive  of  that. 


I 


"LILAC  TIME' 


F  the  person  signing  himself  "a  paid  sub- 
criber"  and  addressing  to  the  New  York  office 
of  this  paper  a  letter  disagreeing  with  my  praise 
of  Colleen  Moore  in  "Happiness  Ahead"  wUl 
take  off  the  cheaters  and  give  me  his  address, 
I  will  write  him  a  personal  (plenty)  letter  stat- 
ing that  he  ain't  seen  nothin'  yet.  I'll  say  that 
he  should  see  "Lilac  Time"  and  then,  if  still 
out  of  harmony  with  this  infallible  index  to 
what's  what  in  screen  entertainment,  he  may  go 
his  dreary  way  to  the  special  hell  that  contains 
people  who  write  anonymous  letters. 

Miss  Moore,  I  repeat,  made  in  "Happiness 
Ahead"  the  best  picture  of  her  consistently  bet- 
tered series  beginning  with  "The  Ninety  and 
Nine"  and  ending,  I  trust,  never.  Miss  Moore, 
I  add,  has  made  in  "Lilac  Time"  a  bigger  pic- 
ture, a  more  actionful  picture,  a  greater  pic- 
ture— I  suppose — and  a  picture  almost  as  good 
as  "Happiness  Ahead."  Perhaps  the  sound  ef- 
fects, as  I  believe  they're  called,  got  in  my 
way.  Anyway,  the  other  picture  seemed  to  be 
a  little  warmer,  a  little  truer,  and  a  little  more 
like  the  human  kind  of  picture  Miss  Moore 
ought  to  have. 

This,  curiously  enough,  with  no  discredit  at 
all  to  "Lilac  Time"  or  its  effects.  The  picture 
is  very  good,  in  the  sense  that  "Wings"  and 
"The  Legion  of  the  Condemned"  were  good, 
and  the  sound  effects  are  good  in  the  sense 
that  any  other  sound  effects  are  good.  And 
Gary  Cooper  is  good  as  ever  as  the  airman,  as 
are  the  others  who  constitute  the  personnel 
of  the  squadron,  the  citizenry  and  the  foe. 

With  good  luck,  and  health.  Miss  Moore  will 
make  many  more  pictures  and  I  shall  see  them. 
I  can  think  of  nothing  at  this  time,  barring 
blindness,  which  will  keep  me  from  looking, 
in  turn,  at  each  and  every  pictiure  in  which 
this  lady  appears.  But  if  she  abandons  these 
elaborate,  expensive,  pretentious  and  showy 
productions  to  those  stars  who  need  that  sort 
of  thing  to  get  them  across,  and  continues  in 
intimate,  pithy,  personality  pictures  like  "Hap- 
piness Ahead" — wherein  the  Moore  girl  is  more 
important  that  the  scenery,  the  story  or  any- 
thing and  everything  else — I  shall  look  at  each 
of  her  pictures  twice  and  loudly  direct  all 
within  sound  of  tongue  or  typewriter  to  do 
likewise. 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Y^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

FLYN'  COWBOY,  THE:  Universal  Western  with 
Hoot  Gibson,  Olive  Hasbrouck,  Harry  Todd,  Wil- 
liam Bailey,  Buddy  Phillips,  Ann  Carter.     Directed 

by    Reaves    Eason.      Released. Length 

5109. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  There's  quite  a  combina- 
tion gathering  at  the  Bar-X  Dude  ranch — Bill  Ham- 
mond, a  regular  fellotv;  Connie  Lamont,  an  East- 
ern girl,  and  two  Chicago  thugs,  who  '  ivant 
Connie's  pearls.  Bill  stages  a  fake  kidnaping  for 
fun.  Connie  pretends  to  hate  Bill  for  the  trick 
and  plays  up  to  one  of  the  gentlemien  thugs.  When 
Bill  puts  on  a  one-man  Wild  West  show,  Connie 
goes  away  with  the  crook,  and  has  a  friend  tell 
Bill  she  has  been  kidnaped.  The  girl,  however, 
tells  the  truth,  and  Bill  gives  the  crooks  a  sound 
lacing.  They  escape.  Then  Bill  learns  they  have 
stolen  the  jewels.  He  trails  them  and  recovers  the 
gems,   and   incidentally   Connie. 


BEYOND  THE  SIERRAS:  M  G  M  Western  with 
Tim  McCoy,  Sylvia  Beecher,  Eoy  D'Arey,  Polly 
Moran,  Richard  R.  Neill,  J.  Gordon  Russell.  Di- 
rected     by      Nick      Grinde.        Released _ 

Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Department  of  Justice 
operatives  and  land  thieves  in  pioneer  days  of 
Southern  California.  Tim  McCoy  tries  to  warn 
Don  Carlos  del  Valle,  brother  of  the  beautiful 
Rosa  and  holder  of  a  Spanish  lamd  grant  on  which 
is  a  gold  mine,  that  Owens  is  planning  to  steal 
the  hacienda,.  Like^vise  he  attempts  to  warn  Rosa 
but  at  this  moment  Owens  et  al  break  in  and  claim 
the  property  on  a  forged  deed.  Owens  forces 
Don  Carlos  to  a  duel  with  pistols  but  McCoy,  in 
a  mask,  takes  his  place  and  kUls  one  of  Owens' 
conspirators.  Don  Carlos  is  assassinated  in  the 
midst  of  a  duel  with  rapiers  with  Owens.  Owens 
takes  over  the  ranch  and  mine  while  Rosa  still 
believes  McCoy  is  a  thief.  Finally  the  latter  under 
mask  and  cloak  woos  her.  Meanwhile  McCoy  takes 
ea^ch  gold  shipment  from  Owen's  gu/vrds.  So  the 
thief  kidnaps  her.  McCoy  makes  the  rescue  and 
then  doffs  the  disguise  which  he  had  used  while 
courting  Rosa  because  he  knew  of  her  antipathy  to 
Americans. 

*     *     * 

NONE  BUT  THE  BRAVE:  Fox  comedy  romance 
with  Charles  Morton,  Sally  Phipps,  Farrell  Mac- 
donald,  Sharon  Lynn,  Tom  Kennedy,  Billy  Butts, 
Alice    Adair,     Tyler     Brooke.       Directed    by    Albert 

Ray.     Released Length. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  CoUege  cockiness  versus 
the  he-m^an's  job  of  winning  a  place  in  the  world. 
Charlie  Stanton's  campus  trophies  don't  mean  much 
in  business  but  finally  he  lands  an  insurance  job 
and  is  assigned  to  "write"  John  Craig,  to  whom 
insurance  men  are  anathema  and  nothing  else  but. 
He    wins    Craig's    confidence,    however,    and    drives 


One  of  the  moments  in  Universal's  com- 
edy-drama, "How  to  Handle  Women," 
when  the  drama  gets  the  upper  hand  on 
the  comedy.  Shown  in  this  scene  are  the 
featured  players,  Glenn  Tryon  and 
Marian  Nixon. 


him.  to  the  seashore  when  Craig's  chauffeur  is  taken 
ill.  They  help  Mary  across  a  railrodd  track  with 
her  aged  flivver  but  Charlie  forgets  Craig's  car. 
Which  is  why  the  train  smashes  it  and  Craig  de- 
nounces him.  Charlie  taJces  the  finest  rooms  at  the 
hotel,  for  appearances'  sake,  but  his  company  cuts 
him  off.  He  turns  life  guard.  Charlie  falls  in  love 
with  Mary,  who  operates  a  hot-dog  stand,  but  he 
quarrds  with  her  and  she  blames  him  when  she 
fails  to  win  a  beauty  contest.  A  boy  of  eight  who 
tries  to  tell  Charlie  what's  what  is  brushed  aside, 
falls  and  is  hurt.  Charlie  makes  a  last  bid  to 
amount  to  something  by  entering  an  obstacle  race. 
He  sacrifices  victory  to  sajve  the  life  of  another 
contestant.  Craig,  who  promoted  the  race,  gives 
Charlie  a  substantial  reward,  all  of  which  proves  a 
good  starter  for  Charlie,   Mary  and  the  boy. 


WILD  WEST  ROMANCE:  Fox  Western  with  Rex 
Bell,  Caryl  Lincoln,  Neill  Neely.  Billy  Butts,  Jack 
Walters,  Fred  Parke,  Albert  Baffert,  George  Pearce 
and   Ellen    Woodsten.     Directed  by  R.    Lee  Hough. 

Released  April   8.     Length  . — . 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  The  first  of  the  Rex 
Bell  Westerns.  Here's  the  plot:  As  Phil  O'Malley, 
Bell  is  a  cowpuncher.     And  the  first  thing  he  does 


is  to  rescue  a  boy  thrown  off  a  train  on  which  he  is 
snitching  a,  ride.  Phil  adopts  him  and  calls  him 
Kid.  They  witness  a  holdup,  and  Phil  suspects  that 
the  gang  leader  is  Martin,  the  town's  young  bad 
man.  But  when  he  tries  to  prove  it,  Martin  gets 
out  of  it,  making  Phil  look  ridiculous.  'They  become 
greater  enemies  when  both  fall  in  love  with  Ruth, 
daughter  of  a  traveling  preacher.  Soon  Martin  pulls 
another  holdup.  This  time  the  sheriff  pursues  him. 
Martin  races  to  Phil's  tent  and  puts  some  of  the 
bonds  in  his  pocket.  But  the  Kid  sees  and  transfers 
them  to  Martin's,  where  the  sheriff  finds  them. 
Ruth  decides  that  she  was  wrong  in  thinking  Phil 
ridiculous. 

•  «  * 
JUST  MARRIED :  Paramount  comedy  with  James 
Hall,  Ruth  Taylor,  Harrison  Ford,  William  Austin, 
Ivy  Harris,  Tom  Ricketts,  Maude  Turner  Gordon, 
Lila  Lee,  Arthur  Hoyt,  Wade  Boteler  and  Mario 
Carillo.      Directed    by    Frank    Strayer.       Released 

Length _ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  A  comedy  of  mixed 
staterooms  and  honeymooners,  and  about-to-be- 
honeymooners.  It's  a  tough  break  for  LUa  Lee, 
dress  m.odel  in  a  Parisian  shop,  when  she  learns 
that  Ruth  Taylor,  for  whom  the  shop  is  making  a 
trousseau,  is  about  to  be  wed  to  William  Austin, 
ivho  jilted  Lila.  When  Ruth  and  Austin  set  sail 
for  New  York  for  the  wedding  Lila  boa/rds  the 
ship,  to  break  up  the  affair.  So  does  James  Hail 
who  fell  in  love  with  Ruth  at  the  dock.  Hall's 
friends,  Harrison  Ford  amd  Ivy  Harris,  also  are 
on  the  liner,  starting  their  honeymoon.  Through  a 
mistake  Ruth  and  Hall  are  given  the  same  state- 
room; he  is  brought  in  slightly  over-alcoholic  while 
she  sleeps,  and  in  the  morning  there  is  a  real 
awakening.  Hall  borrows  a  suit  from  Harrison 
Ford,  and  on  the  back  of  it  has  been  chalked 
"Just  Married."  Gossip  says  Hall  and  Ruth  are 
posing  as  honeymooners,  and  Ruth  also  hears  that 
Hall  is  the  husband  of  Lila.  Ruth  breaks  her  en- 
gagement  to  Austin,  who  tells  her  aunt  and  uncle. 
Meanwhile  Ldla  has  slipped  into  the  stateroom.  She 
meets  Austin  and  tells  Ruth's  relatives  all  about 
him.     Hall  proves  his  true  love  for  Ruth. 


VIRGIN  LIPS:  Columbia  drama  with  Olive  Borden, 
John  Boles,  Marshall  Ruth,  Alexander  Gill,  Rich- 
ard Alexander,  Etne  Veo,  Harry  Semels,  Arline 
Pretty    and    William    Tooker.      Directed   by    Elmer 

Clifton.      Released Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Oil  and  mining  interests 
send  Barry  Blake,  American  ace,  to  help  the  San 
Puerto  government  capture  Carta,  bandit  leader. 
Garcia,  a  spy  for  Carta,  disables  Barry's  plane 
just  as  the  aviator  learns  that  Carta  is  near  the 
town  of  El  Diablo.  Barry  makes  the  spy  ascend 
with  him  anyway.  The  plane  crashes  near  the  El 
Diablo  cafe,  and  the  spy  is  unconscious.  Barry 
names  Norma,  an  American  girl  tricked  to  Central 
America  by  promise  of  a  dancing  engagement,  to 
be  nurse  for  the  spy.  Barry  disguises  himself  as  a 
bartender  and  joins  the  bandit.  Barry  gets  a 
phone  message  through  to  the  aviation  field  and  a 
company  of  cavalry  hotfoots  it  off  for  the  rescu^e. 
The  spy  reveals  his  true  identity  and  goes  to  tell 
the  bandit  but  Barry  seizes  him.  The  bandit 
orders  Barry  executed  but  Norma  soajcs  him,  and 
the  bandit  instead  becomes  the  prisoner.  Then 
the  three  battle  the  bamdit  band  until  the  cavalry 
arrives.  Which  proves  Cupid  arrows  straighter 
than  bandit  bullets. 


This  Weeh's  Press  Sheet 


DANGER  STREET  (F  B  O  drama) :  A  street  flash  cam- 
paign is  suggested,  to  be  put  over  in  the  week  before  the 
showing  is  to  start.  It  can  be  put  over  alone,  but  of  course 
if  the  cooperation  of  the  local  police  and  town  officials  is  ob- 
tainable, why  so  much  the  better.  One  plan  is  to  get  a  tennis- 
court  marker  and  fill  it  with  red  paint.  Have  a  youngster 
push  this  around  town,  leaving  a  red  trail  in  each  street,  and 
with  each  trail  leading  to  the  theatre.  Another  method  is  to 
get  your  job  printer  to  strike  off  a  few  thousand  red  arrows 
and  tack  them  to  every  post  and  building  where  permitted. 
Then  have  signs  printed  with  the  following  copy,  substituting 
the  word  "arrows"  for  "trail"  if  you  use  the  former  method: 

"DANGER  STREET  lies  at  the  End  of  'The  Red  Trail!' 
See  this  great  drama   of  the  one-way  road  Adventure  at  the 


(theatre  name)." 

Another  street  flash  is  achieved  by  getting  permission  from 
the  chief  of  police  to  place  the  wrecks  of  three  or  four  autos 
at  the  most  dangerous  comers  in  town.  The  only  cost  likely 
is  just  in  hauling  the  wreckage  from  a  junkyard  to  the  thea- 
tre and  back  after  the  showing.  Leave  a  placard  with  the 
following  message  in  the  middle  of  the  wreckage: 

"WARNING!  This  is  the  reward  for  those  who  play  on 
DANGER  STREET.  See  This  Great  Drama  at  the  (theatre 
name)." 

Another  suggestion  is  to  get  permission  from  the  authorities 
to  place  a  banner  across  the  ends  of  your  street  changing  its 
name  to  "Danger  Street."  This  can  tie  up  with  posters  read- 
ing,    "This  Way  to  Danger  Street." 


Au<iust  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


63 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key   to   abbreviations   used  in  denoting   the   type   of  pictures 
C— -Comedy  F^-^Farce 

M—^Melodranta 


O^Drama 
R^Romanem 


W — Western 


My— Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length    Title  and  Ptayen 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1928 

MOO 
5450 
B500 
S39e    Circumstantial    Evidence 


Chesterfield 


Adorable  Cheat,   The,  LUa  Lea-McIntoslL. 

Below    the    Deadline 

Campus    Knights 


1928 


8000 
<00« 
S900 


House  of  Shame,  The.... 

Roaring   Forties,   The 

South   of   Panama 


June  1 

Feb.  28 

— Aug.  15 

Oct.  30 

— June  30 

Apr.  15 

— Dec.  15 


1927  Columbia 

5831    Alias  the  Lane  Wolf  (D),  Ljrtell-Wilscn. Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (IVI).   Bosworth-Logan. Aug.  10 

By  Whose  Hand    (IHyD),  Cortez-Gilbert Sept.  15 

College   Hero,    The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes. Deo.  8 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Women   (D),  Tearle-Sebastlan_Sept.  27 
Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   LyteH-Wilson 


1927 


Opening   Night,   The    (D),   Wlndsor-J.   Bower8_.NoT.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business  (F),  Davidson 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-AUen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  „ 


6843 
S432 
6628 
S513 
564S 
5730 
6524 
6569 
5892 
1000 
5996 
6435 
6054 
6108 
6357 
6426 
5791 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The  (MD),  Alice  Day-Lemls 

1928 

5459     After   the    Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth.. 

Beware  of  Blondes   (IMD),  Revier-Matt  Moore    

5537     Broadway    Daddies,   Jacqueline  Logan 

5928     Desert  Bride,   The   (IHD),  Betty  CompsoiL Mar.  26 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Reynolds-Ford 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew Jan.  25 


Jan.  7         Oct.  1 
Dec.  3         July  23 
Dec.  31       


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 


Jan.  14 


..July  31       

..May  14       


Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Kevier Dec  20       Jan.  21 

Stage  Kisses  (0).  Harlan-Chadwlck. Nov.  2         Jan.  7 

Stolon  Pleasures  (CD),  Bevler _ 

Sweet   Rosie  O'Grady   (CD),   Mason 

Tigress,   The   (M),  Holt-Eevier- Oct.  21 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Eevler-Agnew.. 
Warning,  The  (M),  Holt-Rcvier _ 


..Aug.  28 
Jan.  21 


..Oct.  2 


..52.73% 


..Nov.  26 


Dec.  3 
-July  21 


July  21 


1928 


5925 


S440 
5464 
6047 
6350 
6472 


Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love- Walker Mar.  14 

Modern   Mothers   (CD),  Helene  Chadwick. June  8 

Name  the  Woman    (D),  Stewart- Gordon- 


Say  It  With  Sables  (D),  Bushman-Cbadwlek. 

So  This   Is  Love,  Mason-Collier Feb.  6 

Sporting    Age,    The,   Bennett-Herbert Mar.  2 

That  Certain  Thing,  Dana-Graves Jan.  1 

Wife's   Relations,  The.  Mason-Glass Jan.  13 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baxter-Uvingston Feb.  18 


Apr.  14 

-.May  26 

Feb.  25 

Apr.  7 

—June  19 

.Aug.  4 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


1927 

2000     Angelus,  The   (D) 

2000     Real   Charleston,  Lesson  Novelty. 

Wooden  Shoes,  International 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


....May  15 
..Apr.  24 
_May  8 


1927 

6250    Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannlngs- 


Emblem  Films 


..Dec.  3 


1927 

5980 
6805 
6912 
6«4S 
E792 


Excellent 


7393 
63ST 
6760 
6867 


Back  to   Uberty    (D),   Walsh-Hall Nov.  16 

Bowery  Cinderella.  A  (D),  O'Malley-Hulette May  1 

Broadway   Drifter   (D),  Walsh-Hall Nov.  1 

Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith 

His  Rise  to    Fame   (D),   Walah-Skaw Feb.  15 

Kiek.olT,  The   (D),  Hyams-Amann 

Neat,  The  (D),  Frederick-Herbert Aug.  1 


1927 


1927 


1927 


-Nov.  26 


.Apr.  14 


Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Boberta Jan.  15 

Winning  Oar,  Th»  (0),  Walsh-Hall Juno  1 

Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holraei Sept.  1 


Mar.  17 


Length    Title  and  Play^* 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


TIolMr 


1928 

6860 
6600 
6305 


6536 
6600 


A  Bit  of  Heaven   (D),  Washburn-Lee May  15 

Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschi-J.  Norman 

Making  the  Varsity,   Rex  Lease-Hulette July  15 

Manhattan   Knights,  Barbara  Bedford Aug  10 

Satan  and  the  Woman    (D),  Wlndsor-Keefe. Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic  The.  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harrl3._July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),    C^iadwick-Delaney Mar.  30 


1928 


Feb.  25 


Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


1927 


4765 
4858 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame  In  the  Sky   (M),  Luden-Lynn. _...Dec.  18 

Bandit's   Son,    The    (W).    Bob   Steele __ Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider.   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage   (D).   Ranger. — Aug.  7 

Cherekee   Kid.   The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn. Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding   (CD),  Geo.  Sidney Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter -Aug.  21 

Desert   Pirate    (W),   Tom   Tyler— Dec.  25 

Flying   U    Ranch,   The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,   The   (C),   Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),   Orvllle  Caldwell..- Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder  No.  9  (D),  Ed  Hearne. Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-Talli Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (0),   Frankie  Darro —Dec.  27 

Mojave   Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele -Sept.  25 

Moon   of   Israel    (D),   Maria  Corda— — 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince. Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange...- - _ — — -.... 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Ranger. Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),   Ralph  Ince...- Oct.  19 

Slingshot   Kid,  The  (M),  Buzz  Barton...- -Dec.  4 

South  Sea  Love    (D),  Patsy  Miller Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger Dec.  11 


Dea  10       

Dec  10       

Dec.  3         Oct  8 


Nov.  26       — 

Sept.  10 

Sept.  10 

Dec.  24 


Nov.  26      July  30 

July  2 

Nov.  19       Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 

Aug.  20 

Aug.  6 

July  9 

July  23 

..Dea.  10 

Deo.  3 

Dec.  3 

Dec  10 

Nov.  12 

Dec.  10 


54.60% 


Aug.  20 


1928 


5144 

4769 
5771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6059 
5967 

4793 
4760 
6329 
4898 
4805 


Alex  the   Great   (M),   Skeets  Gallagher. May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton _ -.-Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway Mar.  18 

Breed   of  the  Sunsets   (W),  Bob  Steele-.- Apr.  1 

Chicago  After   Midnight  (M),  Ince-Mendez. Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson...- Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve   (D),  Fairbanks,  Jr Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademju-k,   The  (D),  Belle  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger.... June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild   (D),  Ranger. - Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W),    Buzz  BartoiL July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox,  Jr Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD),  Bob  Steele - 

Her  Summer    Hero    (CD),   Blane-Trevor Feb.  12 

Hit  of  the  Show,  The  (C),  Joe  Brown-Olmstead  

Law  of  Fear  (D),  Ranger. _ Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in   Paris   (C),   Cooke-Buard. Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buzz  Barton. -.Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D).  Orvllle  CaldweU-May  28 

Man  in  the   Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele - May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton - Apr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  R.  Miller. Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele - Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love July  15 

Skinner's   Big    Idea    (M),   Bryant  Washburn. Apr.  24 

Stocks  and   Blondes  (CD),  Logan- Gallagher. 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Feb.  26 

Trail  of  Courage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott - _ Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W),  Tom  Tyler June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  Barton Jan.  22 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Dec  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 

.June  19 
Jan.  21 

.July  21 
Feb.  11 
Deo.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


Apr.  28 
Apr.  14 
.July  14 


I 


1927 

5400 
5960 
5600 
5900 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5600 
5700 


First  Division 


1927 


Comrades,    Costello-Hughes    

Death   Valley  (W),  CarroU  Nye 

Eager  Lips,  Garon— - 


Finnegan's  Ball    (C),  Mack  Swain 

Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short 

Ladybird,  Compson  

Naughty,  Garon  

Polly  of  the  Movies,  Short-Robards 

Ragtime  (D),  De  La  Motte- 


Sept.  1 

— .  Oct.  1 


..JLUg.  20 


Sept.  15 

Nov.  15 

Aug.  1 

Nov.  1 

OoL  15 

Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston   Blackie   (D),  Glenn-Palmer— Aug.  1 

Say  It  with  Diamonds,  Betty  Ctompson Aug.  15 

Temptations   of  a  Shop   Girl,   Compson Nov.  1 


..OcL  15 


Jan.  7 
Nov.  26 


Sept.  3 


1928 

5500     Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells.. 


1928 


Free  Lips  (MD),  June  Marlow- 
6300  Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson- 
620O    Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells.- 


-Apr.  1 


-Mar.  1 
-Mar.  16 


-July  14 
Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


y 


llj 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Lsngth    Title  and  Playen 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1927 

(300 
6333 
6433 
6222 
6765 
«T30 
7724 
63S6 
6588 

esoe 

6282 

T133 

«2S8 

SllS 

6190 

6624 

8400 

6720 

6718 

6550 

5255 

7388 

(521 

6542 

6434 

8520 

6040 

(431 

6734 

11414 

6982 

6897 

(400 

6210 

6477 

6606 

58O0 

6548 

7179 

6000 

7400 

7419 

5774 

5668 

7833 

6336 

6324 

<40d 

1928 

T404 
6500 


First  National 


All  Aboard   (C),  Hlnes-Murphy May  8 

American   Beauty   (CD),  Dove-Hughes. Oct.  9 

An  Affair  of  the   Follies   (0),  Dove-Huglies Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CD),  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway    Nights    (D),   Wllson-Haidy May  15 

Camille  (D),  N.  Talmadge-Eoland _ —Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),   Sherman-Mackalll Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,   The   (D),  MackaUl-MulhaU Oct.  16 

Dance  Magic  (D),   Lyon-Starke June  12 

Drop    Kick,    The   (D),   Barthelmess-Eevler Sept.  25 

Framed    (D),    Sills-Kingston June  19 

Gorilla,  Tho  (My),  Murray  Kelsey —Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),   Maynard-Faire. Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-Keift. Deo.  25 

High    Hat    (CD),   Lyon-Brian Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (C),  Hlnes-Daw. _ —Nov.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine,  The  (D),  C.  Qrlflltli-Bushman-jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley,   The    (C),  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladles    (CO),   Nllsson-Stone juiy  3 

Long    Pants    (C),   Langdon-Bonner. Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),  Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  Dove-Roland- Dec.  18 

Lunatic  at   Large,  The    (C),   Errel-MackaU] Jan.  2 

Man  Crazy  (CD),  MackalU-Mulhall Nov.  27 

Masked  Women,  The  (D),  Nllsson-Bllnn-H'nsen_jan.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice   (C),  Moore-Reed. June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No  Place  to  Go   (C),  Huglies-Astor Oct.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall Mar.  6 

Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D),  Barflmeas-O'Day.. 

Perfect  Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke Jan.  16 

Poor  Nut,  The  (C),  Murray-Mulhall _ Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman „ 

Red    Raiders.   The   (W),  Maynard-Drew. July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West  (D),  Astor-Roland. Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  SUls-Astor. Oct.  2 

See  You  in  Jail   (C),  Mulhall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile   (C),  Mulhall-Mackalll Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Huglies-Dove —Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-Collier „ - Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),  Dove-Lyon _ June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Eogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three   Hours  (D),  Grifflth-Bowers Dec.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes,    Moore-Harlan  „ Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (0),  SlUs-Kenyon. Dec.  11 

Venus  of  Venice   (CD),  Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White  Pants  Willie  (0).  Hines-Hyams July  24 


..Apr.  2 

Not.  19 

Oct.  22 
..Ma.1.  5 

Nov.  12 

Not.  26 
..May  21 

..May  2 
..May  21 

Nov.  12 

Oct.  29 
Aug.  13 

July  9 

..Jan.  7 

Dec.  17 
Dea  3 


Not.  26 


Mar.  19 
Oct,  29 
.  Jan.  8 
..Oct.  1 
_Sept  24 
..Apr.  9 
..June  25 


1927 

47720% 

56.10% 

48.00% 
65.00% 
61.64% 


53.58% 


..Feb.  5 


Not.  26 


Not.  12 


Dec.  3 


...Feb.  12 
...July  16 

May  14 
...Dec  10 
...Apr.  9 
...Aug.  20 
...Jan.  22 
...Sept.  10 
...July  23 
...Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 
...May  14 
...Apr.  23 
-.Sept  17 
...Sept.  3 
...July  2 
...May  28 

Apr.  16 
...Jan.  1 
...Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 
...Aug.  6 
...Apr.  16 


6800 
6744 
6374 

i030 
6172 
6344 

71O0 
7433 


Barker,  The   (D),  SUls,  MacfcallL 

Big   Noise,  The   (CD),   Conklln-Whlte _ Mar. 

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sllls-Kenyon. —Feb. 

Butter  and    Egg    Man,   The,   Jack  Mulhall _ _ 

Canyon   of   Adventure    (W),   Maynard Jlpr. 

Chaser,  The  (C),  Langdon „ Feb. 


..July  14 
Mar.  10 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.86% 

45.80% 

1928 


Apr.  7 
.July  28 


29 

12 

Apr.  16 


Chinatown    Charlie   (C),   Hines-Lorralne... 
Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Maynard. 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Johnny  Burke-Sally  EUeri _ 

Fkying   Romeos   (C),   Murray-Sidney Feb. 

French   Dressing  (CD),  Wamer-Wllson Jan. 

Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D),  Corlnne  Grlfflth 

Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleeu-Mooro-Lowe June 

Hawk's  Nest,  The  (M),  Milton  Sills May 

Heart  to   Heart.  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd. 


7541 
6957 

7694 
6592 
6608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5485 
8188 

5827 
6212 
6874 

6087 

7187 

1927 

4665 
1777 
1556 
6425 
6078 
63S3 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8164 
6524 
4645 
5617 
6515 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
659» 
6507 
8538 
6415 
6440 
6500 
7734 
T677 
6327 
(898 
6876 
5883 


Heart  Trouble   (CD),  Harry  Langdon _ _ 

Harold  Teen    (CD),  Lake-Brian Apr.  29 

Heart  of  a  Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 

Sherman  _ Mar.  18 

Helen   of  Troy   (CD),   Stone-Corda-Cortez. Jan.  8 

Ladies   Night   (CD),  MackaUl-MulhalL Apr.  1 

Lady   Be  Good    (CD),  Mulhall-MackaiU May  12 

Lilac   Time    (D),   Moore-Cooper. _...Apr.  22 

Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    C^me    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day    Apr.  8 

Mad    Hour    (D),   O'Neil-Kent-Sherman Mar.  4 

Noose,   The   (D),  Barthelmess-Joyce Jan.  29 

Sailors'    Wives    (CD),   Hughes-Astor _ Jan.  22 

Shepherd  of  tiie   Hills   (D),  Francis-O'Day -Jan.  1 

Strange    Case    of    Captain     Ramper,    The    (D), - 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),   Hughes-Astor. May  27 

Wagon    Show,    The    (W),   Maynard Mar.  11 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip,    The    (D),    Forbes-MackalU _ 

Whip  Woman,  The  (D),  Taylor-Moreno Feb.  5 

Wright  Idea,  The  (CD),  Johnny  Hlnes 

Yellow  Lily,  The  (D),  Dove-Brooks _. May  20 


Feb.  11 
Feb.  18 
-June  23 
..July? 
Apr.  7 
Deo.  10 

May  28 
May  26 
_July7 
..July21 
Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


Deo.  17 
„Aug.  4 


June  16 
Aug.  4 


Feb.  4 


June  2 

Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Dea  10 
Dec  24 
Dec  8 

..July  21 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

..June  2 

..July  14 
Feb.  11 

-July? 
Apr.  23 


May  12 

..      63.25% 

Jan.  21 

78.23% 

July21 

Fox 


Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  Mis.. 

Blackjack   (W).  Buck  Jones..._ 

Blood   Will   Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones 

Broncho  Twister  (W),  Mix. 

•Cameo    Kirby    (D),   John  Glll)ert 


—Nov.  20 
—Sept.  25 
-Not.  13 
-Mar.  13 
-Aug.  28 


1927 


63.00% 


Chain   Lightning    (W),  Buck  Jones Aug.  14 

Circus  Ace.  The,  Mix June  26 

Come  to   My  House   (CD),  Olive  Borden Dec.  26 

Cradle    Snatchers    (FC),    Fazenda June  5 

East  Side,   West  Side    (D),   O'Brien-VaUl Oct.  9 

Gay    Retreat,   The    (C),    Cohen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good    as    Gold    (W),    Jones _ _ Jime  12 

Heart  of  Salome   (My),  Rubens May  8 

High  School   Hero  (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril  (W),  Jones _ May  1 

•Honor  First  (D),  John  GUbert.- _ Sept.  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl.    The    (CD),    OUve  Borden Sept.  18 

Ladies   Must   Dress   (CD),  Virginia  VaUl. Nov.  20 

Love   Makes  'Em    Wild    (D),   Harron. Mar.  6 

Loves   of  Carmen    (D).  McLaglen-Del  Rio _...Sept.  4 

Madam   Wants  No  Children,  Cordia Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valll. „....Feb.  20 

Monkey   Talks    (D),   Lemer Feb.  20 

Muilc  Master  (D),  A.  B.  Francis Jan.  23 

One   Increasing   Purpose    (D),   Lowe Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of   Red   River   (W),  Mix.. 


Jan.  7 
Jan.  7 


..June  4 
Oct  22 


Nov.  19 


—Tune  11 
.-May  9 
-Oct  29 
.-May  14 

-May  21 

-Sept  24 

Dec.  17 


40.70% 


Paid  to   Love    (D),   O'Brlen-VaUl Aug.  14 

Pajamas    (CD),    Borden-Oray Oct.  23 

Publicity  Madness  (CD),  Moran-Lowe Oct.  2 


...Oct.  8 
...Apr.  18 
..Jeb.  26 
...Mar.  5 
...Jan.  22 
...Jan.  15 
..JLpr.  23 
...Aug.  6 
...Dec.  10 


48.60% 
61.58% 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticksr 


54  8« 

5870 

10726 

5467 

5446 

5009 

5792 

5412 

6620 

4943 

4675 

4299 

6293 

5510 

5620 

4953 

11109 

5783 

5629 

6531 

1928 

4612 


Rich  But  Honest  (CD),  Beebe- 
Secfet  Studio,  The  (CD),  Borden.. 


..May  22 
-June  19 


Seventh   Heaven,   The  (R),  Farrell-Gaynor Oct.  30 

•Shame  (M),  John  Gilbert Not.  27 

Silk  Lefls  (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Dec  18 

Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix. Oct  2 


Deo.  31 
Dec  17 


Singed    (D),  Baiter-Sweet 

Slaves  of  Beauty  (D),  Herbert-TeU.- 
Stage  Madness   (D),  Valll 


Aug.  21 

June  5 

Jan.  9 

Oct  9 

.—..Aug.  21 

Oct.  30 

Sept  11 


4987 
5708 
6566 
5109 
S038 
6882 
6430 
4618 
6188 
4399 
5782 
6679 
5071 

5260 

5380 
5629 
5355 


St.    Elmo  (M),  John  Gilbert 

Tumbling   River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn 

Truxton    King,  Gilbert _... 

Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Janet  Gaynor 

Upstream  (D),  Foie _ Jan.  30 

Very   Confidential   (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Not.  6 

War  Horse  (W),  Jones...- Feb.  6 

What   Price   Glory    (CD).  McLaglen-Lowe Aug.  28 

Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones Mar.  20 

Wizard,  The   (MyD),  Lowe-Hyams. Dec.  11 

Wolf  Fangs   (D),  Thunder  (Dog)._ Nov.  27 

Branded  Sombrero.  The  (W).  Buck  Jones. Jan.  8 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mix Jan.  15 

Don't  Marry,  Moran-Hamilton June  3 

Dressed  to   Kill.  Lowe-Astor Mar.  18 

Escape,  The  (D),  Russell-Valli Apr.  29 

Gateway  of  the  Moon,  The   (D),  Del  Rio -...Jan.  1 

Girl  in   Every  Port,  A  (CD),  Victor  McLaglen....Jan.  29 

Hangman's   House.   Mcliaglen-Collyer May  13 

Hello  Cheyenne.  Tom  Mix. May  13 

Honor  Bound,  O'Brien-Taylor _ May  13 

Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W).  Tom  Mix...- Mar.  11 

Love   Hungry  (CD).  Moran-Gray. _ Apr.  15 

News   Parade.   Stuart-PhUlips. 

No  Other  Woman  (D),  Dolores  Del  Rio..— June  10 

Painted  Post  (W),  Tom  Mix 


..June  4 

-June  25       

-May  28  71.33% 

-Nov.  26       

Oct  29        1 

-July  16       . 

-June  11      

..Jan,  29       


-..Aug.  27 


-J-eb.  12 

-JIOT.  12 

...Feb.  19 


..Apr.  9 
Dec  3 


71.00% 
60.61% 


Jan.  21 
-June  23 
Feb.  11 
Junes 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


1928 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


6937 
5030 
4921 
5480 

1927 

6987 
6800 
6000 
620O 
5950 
6500 
6700 
6750 

1928 

5268 


Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy 

Road    House   (MD),  Barrymore-Burke 

Sharp  Shooters   (CD),  O'Brlen-Moran 

Soft  Living    (CD),   Bellamy-Brown. 

Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan 

Street  Angel,  Gaynor. 

Sunrise    (D),   George  O'Brien. 

Thief   In  the  Dark.  A,  Meefcer-HiU-Beebe. 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong,  Phlpps-McNamara 

Wild    West   Romance    (W),  Rex  King. 

Woman  Wise  (C).  BusseU-Collyer 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 
7  28 
June  23 
JuIyT 


..May  26 


May  19 


Feb.  4 


June  23 


Apr.  22       


-Jan.  15 
-Feb.  5 
..Mar.  4 


-Aug.  4 
Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


Feb.  18 


..May  20 
-Mar.  25 
..June  10 
..Jan.  8 


May  19 


-JnlyT 

_July21 

June  2 


Gotham 


Blendes  by  Cholee   (C),  Claire  Windsor Oct.  1 

Cheer  Leader,  The  (CD),  Graves-Olmstead. Not.  16 

Final  Extra  (M),  Do  la  Motte. 

'Frisco  Nights   (D),  Percy  Marmont- Dec.  1 

Girl  from   Rio,  The   (D),  Carmel  Myere Sept  1 

Heroes  of  the  Night  (M),  Landls-Niion. 

Rose  of  Klidare,  The  (D),  Helene  Chadwlct Aug.  16 

Satin  Woman,  The  (D),  Mrs.  Wallace  Beld Aug.  1 


1927 


Dec  31 


-Jeb.  19 


Dec.  10 
Not.  26 


Sept.  24 
-Feb.  5 


Not.  19 
Not.  19 


Aug.  13 


1928 


6000 


6900 

1927 

6199 

1927 

6667 

4709 

6312 

8730 

6439 

12000 

12550 

5902 

5821 

6050 

6126 

7305 

6408 

4658 

6909 

8156 


5687 
6110 
5291 
6280 
5957 
7603 
7627 
6337 
6581 
6640 
6309 
7865 
6280 
6705 
6273 
5252 
6160 
7899 
6657 
5517 

1928 

6998 
6805 
6010 
6838 
6344 


Bare   Knees   (D),   Corblne Feb.  1  Jan.  7 

Branded    Man,   The    (D),  Delaney-Marlowe. May  

Chorus   Kid,  The   (D),  All  Star Apr.  1 

Danger   Patrol,    The    (D),   All   Star Apr.  

Devil's  Tower,  The  (W),  Buddy  Rooseyelt May  

Hell  Ship  Bronson,  Mrs.  Wallace  Beid-Beery June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot,  The  (W),  Buddy  Rooseyelt -May 

Midnight  Adventure,  A  (D),  Landls-Murphy May 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt — July  

Trail   Riders  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Apr.  

Trailin'   Ba'ck  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Mar.  

Turn   Back  the   Hours  (M),  Myma  Loy. Mar.  1  Feb.  11 

Krelbar  Productions 

Broadway  After   Midnight,   Betz.. _ 


1927 


Not.  26 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Adam  and  Evil  (CD),  Cody-Prlngle. - Aug.  27       

Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  McCoy Jan.  14 

After  Midnight  (D),  Shearer-Gray Aug.  20 

Annie   Laurie   (D).   Lillian  Qish Sept.  17 

Becky    (CD),   Sally  O'NeU _ Not.  12 

Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  Novarro _ Oct.  8 

Big   Parade.    The    (M),    GUbert-Adoree. Sept  10 

Body  and  Soul  (D).  L.  Barrymore - Oct.  1 

Bugle  Call,   The  (D),  Jackie  Coogan _ Aug.  6 

Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan Dec  24 

Callahans  and   Murphys  (CD),  Dressler-Moran.-.June  18 

Captain  Salvation    (M),  Hanson.- - May  14 

Fair  Co-ed,   The    (CD),   Marion  Davles Oct  15 

Foreign   Devils  (W),  Tim  McCoy _ Sept.  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'NeU Apr.  2 

Garden   of  Allah,   The    (D),   Terry-Petrovitch. Nov.  5 

In  Old   Kentucky   (D),  H.  CosteUo Oct.  29 

Little    Journey    (CD),   All   Star Jan.  1 

London   After  Midnight   (D>,  Lon  Chaney Dec.  3 

Lovelorn,    The,    SaDy  O'NeU Dec.  17 

Lovers   (D),  Novarro-Terry _ Apr.  9 

Man,   Woman  and  Sin   (D),  John  Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney _ Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 

Quality  Street,  Davies-Nagcl...- -.Dec  31 

Red  Mill   (C),  Davles - Jan.  29 

Road  to  Romance,  The  (D),  NoTarro-Day -...Sept  24 

Rookies    (C),  Dane-Arthur _ Apr.  30 

Show,  The  (M),  GUbert-Adoree —.Jan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,   Slide   (CD),  Halnes-O'NelL Mar.  12 

Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw Dec  10 

Spring   Fever   (C),  William  Haines Oct.  22 

Tea  for  Three    (C),   Cody-Prlngle -...Dec  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (0),  Lionel  Barrymore Not.  26 

Tillie  the  Toiler   (C),   Davles —May  21 

Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  GUbert- July  9 

Understanding    Heart    (D),  Crawford. Feb.  26 

Unknown,    The    (M),    CSianey June  4 


-_Ang.  13 


1927 
62.00% 

50.31% 
45.63% 


Actress,    The.    Norma    Shearer-Forbes Apr.  28 

Across  to  Singapore    (MD),  NoTarro-Crawford—.Apr.  7 

Baby   Mine,  Arthur-Dane Jan.  21 

Big    City,    The,    Chaney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

Bringing  Op  Father,  FarreP"oran-01mstead. Mar.  17 


.-Not.  IJ 

95.25% 

80.20% 

Not.  26 

Not.  19      . 

61.57% 

Dec  31 

-July  16 

63.00% 

Nov.  10 

-July  2 
Oct  29 

48.09% 
68.70% 
61.60% 

..Apr.  23 

60.00% 

Not.  19 

Sept.  10       . 
Dec  3 
..Jan.  15 

Not.  26 

50.90% 
43.46% 

Dec.  17 
Dec.  31 

Dec  17 

65.60% 

Dec.  3 

...May  2 
Deo.  17 
Sept  10 

39.20% 
39.60% 

.-June  4 

66.83% 

Not.  19 

..Feb.  19 

54.91% 

..May  9 
-Mar.  19 

68.39% 

Nov.  12 
Dec  24 

..Apr.  2 
.-Dec  24       . 

Dec.  10 

Not.  12       . 

Dec.  3 
..June  11 
-July  30 
-May  14 
..June  13 

67.31% 
43.61% 

Deo.  3 

68.15% 

65.16% 



68.93% 
68  76% 

1928 

Apr.  28 
Jan.  28 
Feb.  25 
Mar.  31 


-May  26 


Feb.  11 
Apr.  7 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


Luigth    Title  and  Playeri 


New 
Picture* 


Comment 


54S3 

5661 

8S48 
5482 
«057 
7300 
8340 

4987 
T743 
1045 
IM02 

II760 
IK95 
TS65 
rS89 
6014 
T745 
6476 
9566 
5901 
8134 


8011 
4435 


Certain  Young  Man,  A,  Noy»iTO-D»y May  19 

Circus  Rooliie*  (CD),  Dane-Arthvu'. Mar.  31 

Conackf ,  Tlie.  Adoree-GUbert-Torrence. May  12 

Crowd,  Tlie,  Boardmaa-Murray-Boacb Mar.  3 

Oetectlvn,   Dane-Arthur  — June  9 

Diamond    Handcufli,    Boardman-Nagel May  6 

DiviBa  Woman,  Garbo-HaoBOD-Sberman Jan.  14 

Eaeray,   The,   Glsh-Dane-Forbes. TeX>.  18 

Exceu  Baggage  (D),  William  Hainea 

Forbidden   Hours  (D),  Norarro-Adoree — June  16 

Latest  from  Pari*.  The,   Sbearer-Forbes.- Feb.  4 

Laugli.  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murpliy-Hisle.- Apr.  14 

Mademoiselle  from    Armentleres,   Estella  Brody- 

Jobn  Stuart Juno  3 

Sldrts.   Syd  Chaplin. 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford Jan.  21 

Love,  Gartw-Gilbert Jan.  2 

Patsy,  The,  Davies-Caldwell-Oroy Mar.  10 

Riders  of  the  Oark Apr.  28 

Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray. Feb.  11 

Smart   Set,    Halnes-Day-Holt-Bosworth Feb.  26 

Student  Prince,  The   (R),  Novarro-Shearer Jan.  SO 

Under  the  Blade  Eagle,  Forbes-Dog  Flash Mar.  24 

West  Point   (CD),  Haines-Crawford. Jan.  7 

White  Shadow*  of  the  South  Sea  (MO).  Ubate 

Blue 

Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Pringle. Jan.  28 

Wyoning,  McCoy-Sebastian Mar.  34 


1927  Paramount 

«199  Afraid  to  Love  (C),  Vldor_ Apr.  t 

6951  Barbed  Wire   (D),   Neeri-Brook Sept.  10 

8879  Beau  Geste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery Aug.  1 

M97  Blind  Alleys  (M),  Meighan. Mar.  IS 

H78  Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C),  Menjou Jan.  24 

1175  (Jabaret  (CD),  GUda  Gray Mar.  26 

•040  Casey  at  the   Bat   (C).  W.  Beery Mar.  5 

•536  Chang  (D),  Spedal  cast Sept.  3 

•662  Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow Apr.  X 

C408  City  Gone  Wild  (M).  Melghan-Mlllner Nov.  12 

1447  'Covered  Wagon,  The  (M),  Kerrigan- WUson. Aug.  6 

•287  Evening  Clothes   (C),  Menjou. Mar.  19 

•296  Fashions  for  Women  (CB).  Balston. Mar.  26 

•399  Fireman  Save  My  Child    (C),  Beery-Hatton Aug.  1 

•376  Gay  Defender,  The  (CD),  Kichard  Dlx. Dec.  10 

•017  Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-0'Hara..-Oct.  15 

•889  Get  Your  Man    (CD),  CUra  Bow Dec.  10 

•415  Honeymoon   Hate  (CD),  Florence  Vldor....- Deo.  3 

»091  Hotel  Imperial   (D),  NerrI Feb.  26 

•862  Hula    (CD),   Bow-Brook Aug.  27 

•452  It   (C),  Clara  Bow Feb.  19 

8656  Jesse    James    (D),  Fred  Thomson Oct  22 

7656  'Kid   Brother  (C),  Lloyd. Oct.  4 

6439  Kiss  In   a  Taxi    (C>,  DanleU. Feb.  26 

7080  Knockout    Reilly    (CD).   Dtx.....„ Apr.  16 

6940  Last  Waltz.  The  (D).  Special  cast Xov.  26 

6052  Let   It  Rain   (C),  MacLean..._ Jan.  S 

6007  Love's   Greatest    Mistake   (CD),  Brent Feb.  13 

5617  Man    Power   (D),   DLx _ July  9 

8039  Metropolis    (D),    Special   oast Aug.  IS 

7180  Mme.   Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Glsh Aug.  13 

8258  Nevada  (W),  Cooper-Todd. Sept.  10 

6877  New    York    (M).    Cortez-Wllson. Feb.  6 

5798  Now  We're  in  the  Air  (C),  Beery-Hatton. _..Oct  22 

4551  One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vldor-ShotwaL..Sept.  24 

6599  Open    Range   (W),  Lane-Chandler. Nov.  6 

6187  Paradise  for  Two    (C),  Dlx-Bronson Jan.  17 

6680  Potters   (CD),  W.   C.  Fields Jan.  31 

6306  Ritzy   (CD).  Bronson. Apr.  9 

6247  Rolled  Stockings   (CD),  HaU-Brook June  18 

6952  Rough   House    Rosie   (C),  Bow May  14 

•443  Raugh   Riders,  The  (D),  Astor-Farrell Oct  1 

6614  Rubber  Heels  (FC),  Ed.  Wynn. June  11 

6368  Running    Wild    (C).   Fields-Brian. Aug.  20 

6634  Senorita   (F),    Daniels Aug.  30 

•Z09  Serenade    (D),    Menjou-Wray Dee.  24 

6170  Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjon-Carver. Aug.  6 

5515  Shanghai    Bound    (D),   Dlx-Brlan. Oct.  15 

6015  She's  a  Sheik   (C),  Bebe  Daniels Nov.  12 

6179  Shootin'   Irons  (W),  Luden-Blane Oct.  8 

6838  Soft   Cushions    (C),   MacLean-Carol Aug.  27 

5524  Special   Delivery   (C),  Eddie  Cantor Apr.  16 

4934  Spotlight,   The   (CD),   Ealston-HamUtotL Not.  19 

6209  Stark  Love   (0),   Special  cast Sept  17 

6124  Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),   Danlela-Hall Sept  IT 

6006  Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklln-Bancroft Sept  24 

6497  Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  EaUton. July  2 

4926  Time  to  Love  (FC),  Raymond  Griffith. June  18 

6319  Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fielda-ConMln. Dec  17 

7643  Underworld  (M),  Bancroft-Brent Oct.  29 

•486  Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (D),  Jannlngs-Bennett..Oct.  1 

•869  Wedding  Bills   (F),  Eaymond  Griffith May  7 

6935  Were's  All  Gamblers  (D).  Melghan-MiUner. Sept  3 

5866  Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),   Lois  Moran. .A.pr.  30 

Wings    (M),   Charles   Rogers Oct  29 

5960  Woman  on   Trial    (D),  Pola  Negri 

1928 

5897  Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA. Mar.  31 

6536  Beau  Sabreur   (M),   Cooper-Brent Jan.  7 

Beggar*  of    Life    (MD),   Wallace  Beery-Brooks- 

Arlen 

6930  Big   Killing   (CD),  Beery-Hatton. May  19 

6665  Doomsday,    Vldor-Cooper    Feb.  18 

7868  Drag  Net,  The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-Powell 

6364  Easy  Come,    Easy   Go,  Richard  Dlx. Apr.  21 

6889  Feel  My  Poise,  Danlels-Arlen Feb.  25 

First  Kiss,  The  (D),  Wray-Cooper 

6402  Fifty-Flfty   Girl.    The,  Daniels-Hall May  12 

6852  Fools  for  Luck  (CO),  Fields-Conklia May  7 

Forgotten   Faces   (MD),  Brook,  Brian. 

6871  Gtntiemen    Prefer   Blondes    (C).  Taylor- White_ Jan.  28 

•263  Half  a  Bride  (D).  Balston-Cooper June  16 

Hot   News,   Bebo  Daniels 

6038  His  Tiger  Lady.  Menjou-Brent Jtme  9 

Kit  Carson    (MD),   Fr»d  Thomson 

•T9S  Ladies  of  the  Mob,  Clara  Bow .^une  30 

•234  Last  (^mnand,  Tha   (D),  Smll  Jannincs. Jan.  21 


June  2        June  23 


Mar.  10 
June  9 

Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
.June  23 
Mar.  17 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 

May  26 
.June  2 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  6 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  35 


—July  7 

Apr.  28 


Jan.  21 

-JulyT 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  14 


Jan.  7 
Dec.  31 


Nor.  26 


Jan.  14 


Dec.  31 
Jan.  21 


-JulyT 


Jan.  21 

-May  26 

May  19 

Feb.  25 

-Aug.  4 

Mar.  31 

Apr.  7 

..Aug.  4 

Dec.  10 


-June  9 
Mar.  31 

-Jane  23 
May  26 
Jaa.  2S 


-.Jime  2 
Jan.  21 
May  6 


July  28 
Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan   14        

Apr  14 

Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 
Idar.  3 


67.41% 


-Apr.  23 
.Aug.  3 


1927 

67.21% 
62.04% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

60.30% 
51.86% 
68.00% 


-Mar.  5 
-Jan.  15 
-May  9 
-Apr.  16 
-May  2 
-May  2 
-Dec  10 

-Apr.  9         

..Apr.  9         -. - 

-Dec  10  49.60% 

-Nov.  12  62.63% 

-Oct  8  _ _ 

67.83% 

Dec  17 
-Jan.  8 

-Sept  10  65.85% 

-Feb.  12  66.77% 

-Oct  22        

-Jan.  29  65.91% 

-Apr.  2  38.61% 

-Apr.  23  65.61% 

-Not.  19        

..Mar.  12  56.69% 

-Feb.  26        

-Aug.  6  61.18% 

-Mar.  12 

Aug.  6 


-Feb.  6 
-Dec  IT 
-Sept  24 


71.00% 
70.25% 


-Jan.  29        -. 

-Jan.  22  48.36% 
-June  25 

-July  30 

-June  4         

-Mar.  19  54.72% 

-July  16        

-June  18  47.60% 

-May  14        

67.64% 

-Sept.  3         

Not.  12       

Not.  26       


-Aug.  27 
-May  9 
-Dec.  3 
-Mar.  19 
-Sept  17 
Oct.  22 
-July  23 
-July  9 


44.08% 


66.27% 


-Sept.  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  T 


-June  11 

-Aug.  20 

Oct  1 


62.83% 
59.78% 

57.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


June  16 


Mar.  10 


Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Aug.  4 
Feb.  IS 


June  16 


July  I 
Feb.  4 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


T415 
6837 

5741 
7910 
6600 
6582 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7060 
5733 
5991 
5831 


6509 
6435 


Legion  of  the  Condemned,  Wray-Cooper Mar.  10 

Love  and  Learn,  Balston-Chandler. Jan.  14 

Loves  of  an  Actress   (D).  Pola  Negri 

Night   of    Mystery    (D),    Menjou. Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D).    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  IT 

Partners  in  Crime   (C),  Beery-Hatton Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson. Jan.  21 

Racket.  The   (D),  Thomas  Meighan June  SO 

Red    Hair    (CD).  Bow-Chandler. Mar.  10 

Sawdust  Paradise.   The,  Bstber  Ralston. Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D),  Negri-Hersholt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,   Bancroft Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Hamllton-.Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold  Lloyd. Apr.  7 

Sporting    Goods.   Dlx-Olmstead Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D).  Jannings-Wray May  26 

Sunset  Legion    (W),  Fred  Thomson. Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),  Negri-Baxtor - Apr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured   Romance,   Fields-Conklln. Feb.  18 

Under   the   Tonto    Rim.    Arlen-Brlan _ Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer.  The  (W),  Jack  Holt June  23 

Varsity  ( D ) .  Rogers-Brian 

Water   Hole.  The   (W).   Jack  Holt 

Warming    Up.    Richard    DLi. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers   (C),  Beery-Hatton. Jan.  T 

Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D).  Negrl-Kerry 


Jan. 

21 

June  23 

Feb. 

18 

Feb. 

25 

Jan.T 

Dec. 

10 

Apr.  21 
Feb.  26 


Mar.  3 
June  9 


Feb. 

18 

Feb. 

18 

Mar 

3 

28 

Apr. 

Apr. 

21 

Feb. 

18 

Feb. 

18 

Apr. 

28 

May  26 

Apr.  7 

May  5 

Feb.  25 





..jLXLg.  4 

—  July  21 
May  26 

....June  19 


-Feb.  18 


1927 

5596 

6555 

4335 

6326 

4875 

4512 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

8586 

6599 

8002 

6403 

6568 

6859 

3303 

5867 

4968 

7913 

4750 

5990 

6035 

4620 

6788 

4890 

4076 

4864 

5324 

13500 

4131 

4762 

6472 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4575 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

5880 

4562 

4546 

4338 

5397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

5610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5927 
6589 
4833 
6408 
4550 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6650 
5888 
4600 
5659 
5954 
6494 
6626 

6902 
7040 
5423 


Pathe 


Not.  6 
-June  4 
-Sept  10 


-Dec.  10 


Not.  5 
..Sept.  17 


Almost   Human    (CD),   Reynolds. _ Deo.  26  Dec.  24 

Angel  of   Broadway,   The   (D),  Leatrlce  Joy Oct.  3  Not.  19 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5  

Border  Blackbirds   (WO),  Maloney Aug.  28  

Born  to    Battle    (W),   BlU  Cody- - Sept.  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19  Jime  17 

Combat   (D),  Walsh. Oct  23  

Country    Doctor,  The    (D).  Schildkraut Aug.  22  

Desert  of  the  Lost,  The  (W).  Wally  Walea Dec.  iS  Jan.  14 

Devil's  Twin,  The  (W),  Leo  Maloney Dec  11  

Discord    (D).  Dagover-Ekman. __ -...Nov.  20  

Dress   Parade  (D),   Boyd. Nov.  11  Not.  19 

Fighting   Eagle,  The  (M).  La  Rocque-HaTer Aug.  29  

Flying  Luck   (C).  Monty  Banks Dec.  4  — — 

Forbidden  Woman.  The   (M).  Jetta  GoudaJ. Not.  7  Nov.  12 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  PreTost 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard Dec.  11  — — 

Girl  in  the  Pullman,  The  (C),  Prevost Oct  31  Not.  19 

Gold  from   Weepah    (W).  BUI  Cody - Not.  20 

Golden   Clown.   The    (0).   Gosta-Ekman Deo.  18  

'Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd...- Dec.  11  

Harp  in  Hock.  A  (0).  Schildkraut-Coghlan. Oct  10  Not.  12 

Heart  Thief   (0).   Schlldkraut-De  Puttl - 

Hidden    Aces    (M).    Hutchison. Aug.  7  

His   Dog   (D).  SchUdkraut „ July  21  

His   Foreign   Wife    (D),  MacDonald-Murphy Nor.  27 

Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan. „ _ Not.  13  

Interferin'  Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr. Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Faire • 

King  of  Kings   (D),  All  Star - _ - 

Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W).  Jack  Fadjan. Dec.  25  Jan.  14 

Little   Firebrand    (C).  Thornton _ __ Julys 

Main   Event.  The  (D),   Reynolds _.._ _...Not.  21  Not.  19 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W).    Wales June  12  

My  Friend  from  India  (F).  Pangbom-Falr. Deo.  19  Dec.  24 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost .- 


Not.  5 
..Feb.  19 
..Not.  5 

Not.  5 


Not.  6 
-May  21 
..Bept.  3 
..July  24 


-Aug.  2T 
..Jan.  1 
-Mar.  10 


-July  2 

Not.  5 

-June  12 


Nobody's  Widow   (FC).  Joy-Ray-HaTer. 

No   Man's    Law   (W).  Rex May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo,  The  (W).  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr.....Oet.  16 

Pals  In    Peril    (W).  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr „ June  26 

Phantom    Buster.  The  (W),  Rooseyelt -...Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Trarel). _ _ Aug.  T 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M).  Hutchison - May  22 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary   (C).  Robson. 

Ride  'Em  High   (W).  Buddy  Roosevelt Oct  9 

Roarin'  Broncs.  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr. Nov.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C).  Ford-LoTe - _ 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prevost Dec.  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W),   Wales July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W).  Wally  Wales Sept.  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hutchison. June  12 

Turkish    Delight.   Schildkraut-Faye Nov.  11 

Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    (M),   Joy _ 

White  Gold   (D),   Goudal 

White  Pebbles   (WD).   Wally  Wales Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife,  The  (C),  Hayer - Oct.  24 


..May  9 
..Jul  16 

..May  2 
..Oct.  8 
..June  25 
..Aag.  20 


..May  21 
-Aug.  6 
-Oct.  8 


Jan.  7 


..Apr.  9 


-Aug.  6 
..Oct  1 
-June  11 


Not.  19 


Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M). 
Yankee  Clipper  (M),  Boyd. 


Bradford. Oct  31 


-July  17 
-June  18 
..Apr.  9 
-Aug.  20 
Not.  6 


-May  14 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass 

Apache   Raider,   The.  Leo  Maloney 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W).  Buffalo  BUI.  Jr 

Blonde  for  a  Night.  Prerost 

Blue  Danube.  Leatrlce  Joy._ 

Boss  of   Rustlers   Roost.  The.  Don  Coleman.. 

Brone'  Stomper.  The,  Don  Coleman. 

Bullet  Mark,   The,   Jack  Donovan 

Chicago    (M),    Phyllis   Hayer 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W).  Buddy  Roosevelt. 


-..Feb.  12 
—  Feb.  12 

Jan.  8 

Feb.  27 

—Mar.  12 

Jan.  22 

....Feb.  36 
—Mar.  35 


May  12       


-...Mar.  5 
—Jan.  29 

Feb.  5 

-...Jan.  15 
—.May  15 
...Jan.  1 
....Jan.  23 

Let  'Er  Go.  Galiagherl  (M),  Jnalor  Coghlan Jan.  16 

Marlie,    the    Killer.    Klondike Mar.  4 

Midnight  Madness,  Logan May  26 


Mar.  3 
Feb.  18 
May  12 
Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec  24 
Feb.  4 


Crashing   Through,   Jack  Padjan 

Desperate  Courage  (W),  Wales — 
Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocauc- 
Laddie  Be  Good  (W).  BiU  Cody- 
Leopard  Lady,  The  (M).  Logan.- 


May  19       May  26 


Jan.  28 
Jan.  23 


Night  Flyer.  The.  Wm.  Boyd 

On  to  Reno  (D).  Prerost-Lsuidla 

Perfect   Gentleman.   A    (G),  Monty  Banks- 
Red   Mark.  The  (D),  GUss.  (Juartoar 

Ship   Comes   In,    A,    Rndolph  Schlldkrant. 
Skyscraper,  Boyd- 


Mar.  17 


..Feb.  5 
-Jan.  3 
-Jan.  16 


Stand  and   Deliver,  Bod  La  BooqosL. 
Tenth  Avenue,  HaTar-VarconL-— ___ 


-Juns  4 
-Apr.  9 
-Feb.  20 


-July  14 
Jon*  16 


May  13 

-JulyU 


-June  3 


1927 


-Oct  15 

72.70% 


60.40% 


M.<0% 


61.72% 

192« 


X 


11 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Playeri 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


t: 


1927 

S035 
6089 
5076 
5916 
6960 
6970 
6502 
4200 

1928 

6089 
6673 
6076 
4633 


Rayart 


1927 


6976 
5853 
4797 


5262 
4548 
5608 
4571 
5906 


4627 
5490 
6260 


Walking   Back  (M),  Sue  Carol 

Cruise  of  the   Helion    (D),  All  star _ _. 

Heroes   in    Blue    (M),  Bowers-Rand _ —..Nov. 

Law  and  the  Man.  The  (D),  Santschi-Eockwell..D€C. 

Light  in  the  Window,  A    (D),   WalthaJ _ 

On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Not. 

Silent    Hero    (M),    Bonaparte _ -.. 

Wanderer  of  the   West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec. 

Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Clias.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey  Jones   (CD).   Price-Lewis - Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The  (D),  Russell-Fair Jan. 

Devil's  Tewer,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt — ,Tune 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera Reynolds-HUllard.. July 

Gypsy  of   the   North    (D),    Gordon-Hale -...Apr. 

Heart   of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew....Mar. 

Lightning  Shot  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt. May 

Man  from  Headquarters,  Tha  (D),  ComeUni 

Keefe-E.  Roberts lug. 

Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landis-E.  Murphy-May 

Mystery  Valley   (W).   Buddy  Roosevelt July 

My    Home    Town     (D),    Brockwell-Glass _...Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    (W),    Buddy   Roosevelt Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf.  The   (D),  Costello-Lease.Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster-Olstead Aug. 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt April 

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard Mar. 

You   Can't  Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe. Jan. 


Jday  20      Jan.  28 


Sept.  24 


-Aug.  29 


1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


Sterling 


1927 

6563  Closed    Gates   (M),  Harron-Novak. _ _ 

5400  Outcast  Souls    (D),   Lewis-Bonner Dec.  15 

5500  Pretty   Clothes    (D).    J.    Ralston-Walker. Oct.  16 

Stranded    (D),   Mason. Aug.  15 

1928 


Marry   the    Girl    (CD) _.. _ 


1927 

6754 
5669 
7300 
4887 
6482 
5233 
4752 
6800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


6448 
5614 

1928 

6147 


5209 


5297 
6553 


5708 


6102 
6735 


6652 
6361 


6283 


Backstage     (CD),     Bedford 

Beauty   Shoppe    (CD),    Busch. _ _ 

College    Days    (CD),    M.    Day _ - 

Enchanted    Island    (D) — 

Fools   of    Fashion    (CD).   Busch..._ 

Girl   from   Gay  Paree,   The    (F),   Sherman Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship.    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.    L0Te....Dec.  1 

Josselyn's    Wife    (D).    Frederick 

Lightning    (W),   J.    Ralston Sept.  1 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron _ _. Nov.  1 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Ruth  Miller. -..Oct.  15 

Sin   Cargo    (D),    Mason 

Snowbound     (FC),    Blythe - _ 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),   Starke-Harlan...- Dec.  15 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) - 

Wild    Geese    (D).  BeUe  Bennett -...Nov.  15 

Women's  Wares   (D),   Brent-Lytell - Oct.  1 

Applause  (D).  Sally  O'Neill Sept.  30 

Bachelor's    Paradise    (R).    Sally    O'Neil Mar.  15 

Big  Top.   The    (CD),   Sally  O'Neill Oct.  30 

Cavalier,   The   (D),   Talmadge-Bedford Sept. 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman      (R).     Southem- 

Pldgeon  —  May  1 

Devil's  Apple  Tree,  The  (D),  Dorothy  Sebastian..Sept.  20 

Devil's  Skipper,  The.  Bennett Feb.  1 

George  Washington  Cohen    (CD),  Jessel-Palmer.Aug.20 

Geraldine  Laird   (D),  Belle  Bennett - Nov.  10 

Ghetto.  The   (CD),  Jessel-Gwen  Lee - Aug.  1 

Grain   of   Dust,   The    (D),   Cortez-Windsor .July  10 

Green   Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen June  10 

House  of  Scandal    (D),   Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Cortez-Moran..-May  15 

Lingerie   (CD),  White-McGregor .Tuly  1 

Nameless    Men,  Moreno Feb.  15 

Naughty  Duchess,  The  (D),  H.  B.  Warner Aug.  10 

Power  of  Silence,  The   (D),  Belle  Bennett Aug.  20 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea    (D),   flortez-Myers June  20 

Queen  of  Burlesque,  The  (CD),  Belle  Bennett....Sept.  10 

Scarlet  Dove,   The  (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters     (D),    Southern-McGregor -...Tunel 

Squads    Right    (CD),   Gribbon-Stone Nov. 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron Mar.  1 

Tragedy    of    Youth.    Miller-rollier - Jan.  15 

Twelve   Pound   Look,  The   (D),  Eve  Southern. Oct.  20 

Three   Keys  to  a   Door  (MD),  Ricardo  Cortez Oct.  10 

Toilers.  The.  Fairbanks.  Jr. -Ralston — Aug. 

Woman  Against  the  World,  A _ .Tan.  1 


-May  28 

Nov.  12       

Dec.  31 

Jan.  7  Sept.  10 


..July  9 
..July  16 
..Nov.  6 
..June  25 
-Oct.  9 


1927 

1928 
1927 


-Dec.  11 
..July  30 


Mar.  10       -... 

Deo.  24       Dec.  10 


1928 


1927 

6000 
7500 
7311     Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson... 


United  Artists 


1927 


College  (C),  Keaton-Comwall Sept.  10 

General,   The    (C).   Keaton 


sf 


8550  Magic   Flame,  The   (M),   Colman-Banky Sept.  24 

9120  Resurrection     (M),    La    Rocque 

9000  Sorrell    and    Son     (D).    Wamer-Nilsson. _ Nov. 

7456  Topsy    and    Eva    (C),    Duncan   Sisters - 

8250  Two  Arabian    Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolheim 

8000  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (D),  Banky-Colman. 

1928 

640O  Circus.    The    (C),    Charlie    Chaplin. 

7000 — Devil   Dancer,   The,  Gilda  Gray _ _ 

9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M) June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge Jan.  7 

8350  Drums   of    Love    (D).   Mary   Philbln. Mar.  31 

7300  Garden   of  Eden,  The  (D).  C.  Grlfflth-Ray Feb.  4 

_ —  Two   Lovers,  Banky-Colman Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D),    Del   Rio - Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie    Thompson    (D).    Gloria    Swansea Jan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,  Bu/iter  Keaton 


-Sept.  17 
-Feb.  12 
-Mar.  19 
-5ept.  24 


Apr.  18 

Nov.  19 

Aug.  13 

Oct.  29 

Dec.  4 


45.90% 


73.65% 

1928 


Apr.  28 

Nov.  26 

-...Jan.  7 
July  21 


Tempest    (M),    John    Barrymore 


-Aug.  11 


-.June  16 
-.May  26 
-July  7 


1927 

5751 

5777 

4427 

7190 

5623 

6503 

6929 

5711 

6958 

7713 

UOOO 

5862 

6135 

6159 

5918 

6170 

5416 

6045 

7015 

6166 

4393 

6218 

4251 

7173 

5598 

4136 

5192 

6459 

4167 

1928 

4259 
6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
6081 
4426 
5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 

6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 


Universal 

Back   to    God's   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier— Sept.  4 

Beware  of   Widows    (FC),    La  Plante. June  19 

Border  Cavalier,   The    (W),   Humes-Pierce Sept.  18 

Cat  and  Canary,  The   (My),  La  Plante Sept.  11 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-Harlan Oct.  9 

Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot   Gibson Nov.  20 

Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis — Apr.  10 

Hero  for  the   Night.    A,   Tryon-Miller Deo.  18 

Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),   Kerry-Moran Dec.  4 

Les  Miserables  (M),  Gabrio-Toulont Oct.  30 

Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long   Version) Oct.  30 

Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane Sept.  18 

Man's    Past,    A    (D),    Veidt-Kent Dec.  2S 

Men    of    Daring    (W).    Hoxie June  5 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth Nov.  27 

Out    All    Night    (C).    Denny-Nixon Sept.  4 

Painted    Ponies    (W).    Hoot   Gibson Sept.  25 

Painting   the    Town    (FC),    Tryon Aug.  7 

Sensation    Seekers    (D),    Dove Mar.  20 

Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante -..Oct.  2 

Sky   High  Saunders,  Al  Wilson - Nov.  6 

Small    Bachelor,   The    (C).   Beranger-Kent Nov.  6 

Straight   Shootin'    (W),    Wells Oct.  16 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton - Apr.  24 

Thirteenth    Juror,   The    (D),  Bushman-NiIsson...Nov.  13 

Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson. Sept.  4 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),   Rex Nov.  27 

Wrong   Mr.   Wright,   The    (F),   Hersholt Feb.  27 

Wolf's   Trail,   Dynamite,   the  dog. Oct,  2 


Not.  12 


Aug.  6 

-May  9 


1927 

6L00% 
44.10% 


Dea  17 
Nov.  26 
Dec.  24 

Jan.  14 
Dec.  17 


May  14 


67.08% 


..Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 
Nov.  19 

..Aug.  27 


43.57% 


Nov.  13 
Dee.  ir 


Jan.  14 
Nov.  19 


Sept.  a 

..Apr.  9 

-Oct.  1 
July  23 
..June  25 
..Jan.  29 
Aug.  20 


62.31% 


Dec.  3 

Dec.  3 

.-Feb.  19 

45  18% 

Dec.  24 

Mar.  5 


Air    Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    WUson. Jan.  1 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe Jan.  22 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes .May  6 

Buck    Privates,    de    Putti - June  3 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The  (W),  Dynamite Jan.  29 

Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W),   Wells _ -..Feb.  12 

Cohens  and    Kellys   in   Paris    (C),   Sidney Jan.  15 

Count  of   Ten,    The,   Ray-Ralston-Gleason June  6 

Fearless    Rider,  The   (W),  Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La  Plante Feb.  5 

Four    Footed    Rangers,   The    (W),  Dynamite. Mar.  25 

Good    Morning   Judge Apr.  29 

Greased   Lightning   (W) - -.-July  29 

Grip    of  the    Yukon,    The,   AU  star. _ Aug.  30 

Hot  Heels,   Glen  Tryon - May  13 

Hound    of   Silver   Creek.    The   (W),    Dynamite-.May  20 

Lonesome    (CD),    Tryon-Kent...- 

Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine.  Kerry-Phllbin.  Feb.  25 

Jazz    Mad.    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewis June  3 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    WeUs June  3 

Midnight    Rose,    de    Putti-Harlan Feb.  26 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson Feb.  26 

Put   'Em    Up    (W),   Humes Mar.  11 

Quick  Triggers    (W),   Humes July  15 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot   Gibson. Jan.  29 

Riding  for    Fame,   Hoot  Gibson Aug.  19 

Shield  of   Honor,   The,  All  star Feb.  19 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson July  8 

Stop  That   Man,  AU  star - Mar.  11 

Surrender,    Philbin-Mosjukine. Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-TryoiL-.Apr.  1 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent _ Feb.  5 

Thunder    Riders.    The,    WeUs...- ; Apr.  8 

13   Washington  Square,   All  star..- Apr.  8 

Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Gibson Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We   Americans,    All  star. May  16 


1928 

.-.Tu"e  25 

Mar.  10 

Feb  4 

Apr.  21 

Jime  30 

Jan.  28 

Apr.  21 

Apr.  28 

- 

Apr.  28 
May  26 
.Tune  23 
-July  21 
Feb.  31 
May  19 
Aug.  4 
Mar.  17 
Mar.  17 


Feb.  25 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


Wild    West  Show,   Hoot   Gibson 


May  20 


May  5 
Apr.  21 


1927 

5803 
6330 
6281 
5897 
6408 
5003 
6767 
6284 
5978 
6800 
6302 
5613 

6271 
5200 
6230 
5307 
5569 
6352 
6310 
6485 
7961 
6357 
5492 
6295 
5685 
6124 
6218 
6412 
7647 
5813 

1928 

6052 
5380 


Warner  Brothers 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue 

Brass    Knuckles    (D),  Blue-Bronson Dec.  3 

Bush    Leaguer,   The    (CD),   Monte   Blue. Aug.  20 

Dearest    ( D),    Rich - 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Rich. Aug.  27 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Rln-Tin-Tin Oct.  29 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Miller...- _ Sept.  18 

Gay  Old  Bird   (FC),  Fazenda. - - 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy Nov.  5 

Glorious   Betsy    (CD),   Dolores  Costello 

Good   Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.   Costello Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs    at   the    Front    (C),    Wilson-H. 

ConUlin   - — —  Dee.  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),    Rin-I'in-Tin 

Husbands  for  Rent,  All  star Dec.  31 

If   I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel Dec.  17 

Irish     Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy _. 


-July  23 


1927 

50.20% 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


Dec.  31 


-May  26 
Nov.  26 


Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Rln-Tin-Tin -Sept.  17 

Matinee  Ladies   (C),    McAvoy - 

Mill    Bid.    A    (M),    D.    Costello — 

Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7 

Old    San    Francisco    (M),  D.   Costello-Oland Sept.  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte   Blue Sept.  17 

Reno    Divorce.   A    (D),   May  AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor   Izzy   Murphy  (F),  (Jeorge  Jessell- Oct.  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A    (C).  Fazenda-C.   Cook...Sept  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Rloh-Ferris Nov.  9 

Simple    Sis    (M),    Fazenda - - - 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel Sept.  3 

Third    Degree  (M),   D.   Costello.- 

Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Rin-Tin-Tln...- 


Feb.  26  68.94% 

Apr.  28       

June  11      - 

Oct.  1         

Apr.  23       _ 

June  4        

—-May  14 

„___Jtme  25      

Oct.  8         

Oct.  29       

Dec.  10 

Oct.  15       


-June  11 


-Jan.  8 
.May  21 


5164 
7077 

5331 
6185 
4777 
4820 
6531 


Across  the    Altantic,   Blue-Murphy -Feb.  25       Feb.  18 

Beware  of   Married   Men,  Irene  Klch Jan.  14       Feb.  11       

City  of  Sin,  The,  Loy-MllJan-Wong 

Domestic    Trouble    (CD),    Cook-Fazenda Mar.  24       Apr.  14 

Jazz  Singer,   The.  Al  Jolson Feb.  4 

Lion   and   the   Mouse,   The,  L.   Barrymore 


1928 


Little  Snob,   The,  May  McAvoy Feb.  11 

Powder    My   Back    (C),    Rioh-Ferris Mar.  10 

Race  for  Life.  Rin-T^n-Tin .Tan.  28 

Rinty  of  the    Desert,  Rin-'Kn-Tin - Apr.  21 

Tenderloin,    Dolores   Costello .'. 


May  19 


Feb.  18 
May  19 


-Apr.  28 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


67 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The    Recognized    National    Classified    Advertising    Medium 


Position  Wanted 


Projectionist  and  radio  technician  familiar  with 
sound  recording  amplification  and  experimental  work 
IS  open  for  a  position.  Address  Box  297,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,   407    S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

OPERATOR — Nine  years'  experience.  Wants  steady 
position.      Address  J.    T.   Kennedy,   Gilbertville,   Mass. 

THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 
407    S.    Dearborn    St.,    Chicago,   111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want' 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald- World, 
407   S.    Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical   College,   61    E.   Van   Buren,   Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,   210   N.    7th   St.,   Allentown,   Pa. 

ORGANIST — Competent,  desires  change  of  city. 
Complete  library.  Union,  experienced.  Address  Box 
284,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407    S.    Dearborn    St.,    Chicago,    111. 

ORGANIST — Ten  years  experience,  union,  married. 
Can  cue  pictures  just  right.  Was  broadcasting  organ- 
ist for  Station  WIBA  at  Madison,  Wis.  Can  give 
best  of  references.  Character  excellent.  Address  Box 
300,  Exhibitors  Herald- World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,  III. 

Experienced  Powers-Simplex  movie  operator  wants 
steady  position.  Age  28.  Married.  Methodist.  Sat- 
isfactory references.  Address  Leslie  Grove,  Newark, 
O. 


Partner  Wanted 


Can  get  choice  A-1,  long  time  lease,  house  35x100. 
Must  have  $5,000.  Write  or  wire  for  particulars.  J.  C. 
Rood,   27   Church   St.,   Ashtabula,   O. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED — To  buy  or  lease  small  town  picture 
theatre,  Wisconsin  only.  Experienced  showman.  Ad- 
dress  Edwin  Rogers,  Adler  Flats,   Marshfield,   Wis. 


Theatre  to  Lease 

Theatre  to  lease  or  trade,  1,000  feet,  modern,  fully 
equipped,  with  stage.  Population  18,000.  Great  oppor- 
tunity for  the  right  showman.  Or  will  sell  store,  office 
and  theatre  building  or  trade  for  other  improved 
property.  Address  Box  299,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

FOR  RENT — An  unusual  opportunity  to  rent  a 
new  1,600  seating  capacity  theatre,  located  in  Bethle- 
hem, Pa.  Population  68,000,  only  vaudeville  house  in 
the  city.  Fully  equipped.  Long  term  lease.  Address 
A.  Potruch,  94  W.  Broad  St.,  Bethlehem,  Pa. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


First  $2,000  cash  gets  completely  equipped,  going 
theatre   in   good   town.      Apopka   theatre,   Apopka,    Fla. 

FOR  SALE— For  $14,000,  CAPITOL  THEATRE, 
Montgomery,  Ala.  House  is  well  equipped  with  Super 
Junior  Reproduco  Organ.  Arctic  Nu  Air  System,  2 
Motiograph  DeLuxe  Machines,  etc.,  and  is  advan- 
tageously located  between  two  good  hotels,  with  new 
10-story  hotel,  to  open  September  1,  just  across  the 
street.  Lease  on  Capitol  is  worth  $18,000  and  thea- 
tre cost  me  $6,000  more  than  I  am  asking  for  it. 
Am  forced  to  sell  on  account  of  ill  health.  Address: 
J.   H.    Wheeler  Capitol   Theatre,   Montgomery,  Ala. 

Any  Real  Showman  desiring  to  invest  $25,000.00 
for  business  bonded  to  show  40  per  cent  return  for 
capable  attention.  Address  P.  O.  Box  1306,  Atlanta, 
Ga.  Note — No  Competition,  showing  both  Colored- 
White,  Drawing  Population  25,000. 

FOR  SALE— Theatre  in  city  of  fifty  thousand 
Western  New  York.  Requires  little  cash  for  deal.  Ad- 
dress Box  296,  Exhibitors  Herald- World,  407  S.  Dear- 
born St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Films  for  Sale 


■'The  Dungeon"  (7); — "Deceit"  (6); — "Birthright" 
(10); — three  all  star  Negro  productions; — also — 
"Truth  About  Women"  (6);- — "Temptation"  (7); — 
"Marriage  Morals"  (7); — Other  miscellaneous  produc- 
tions. Comedies,  Serials,  Travel,  Educational,  etc. 
Guaranteed  Pictures  Company,  729  Seventh  Ave.,  New 
York   City. 


Managers  Schools 

Learn  Modern  Theatre  Management  at  home,  as  a 
business  or  vocation.  Catalog  H  shows  you  how. 
Moving  Picture  Theatre  Managers  Institute,  Inc., 
Elmira,  N.  Y. 


Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,    1018    Wabash    Ave.,    Chicago,    111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,    12-14   E.    Ninth    St.,   Chicago,   111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,   643  Carondelet  Street,  New   Orleans,   La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


LARGE  STOCK^-Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,   Chicago,  111, 


Stationery 


SPECIAL:  250  each  business  letterheads — enve- 
lopes $3,75  (cash  postpaid),  "Neargravure"  process 
printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  Sollidays,  KH   124,  Knox,   Ind. 

For  Sale 

OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington   &   Co.,    Scranton,   Pa. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe  Organs. 
Address   S.    B.    McFadden,   Havana,   III. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair   Trading   Co.,    Inc.,    140   W.    21st   St.,   New   York. 

Projector  Repairing 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonalDle  prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished  20  years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,   Chicago,  111. 

Equipment  Wanted 

BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered   Bull   Pups,  $15. 
Address  501   Rockwood,  Dallas,  Texas. 


Bulldogs. 


Your  Classified  Ad  Will  Do  th^  Work 

Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World  has  helped  hundreds  of  Theatre  owners  in  solving  many  a  problem.  The 
classified  advertising  department  has  placed  organists  all  over  the  country,  has  helped  in  obtaining  equipment,  in  selling 
equipment,  and  in  solving  many  another  problem  that  seemed  difficult.  The  rates  are  but  10c  per  word  payable  with 
order,  10%  discount  if  run  for  3  insertions.  See  this  week's  classified  pages.  Maybe  you  are  in  need  of  something  that  is 
being  advertised  this  week.     The  cost  is  small,  the  results  are  great. 


/' 


68 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


— and  Now  Sound 

HAZEN,  ARK.,  To  the  Editor:  Having 
been  a  theatre  operator  since  the  days  when 
a  two  reel  serial  and  a  one  reel  comedy  made 
a  complete  show,  and  having  been  a  consistent 
reader  of  your  valuable  paper  since  it  was 
first  published,  I  should  like  to  say  a  few 
words  in  regard  to  the  much  discussed  subject 
of  sound  with  pictures. 

As  regards  to  small  town  theatre,  I  see 
where  some  of  the  boys  are  getting  excited, 
and  no  wonder  with  the  talk  of  equipment 
costing  thousands  of  dollars,  and  rentals  go- 
ing to  the  sky,  it  looks  like  all  their  patrons 
would  be  run  off  to  the  cities,  and  the  small 
towner  would  be  entirely  out  of  luck  and 
patrons. 

In  my  opinion  it  is  going  to  be  a  great 
thing  for  the  small  house.  We  have  been 
unable  to  stand  the  expense  of  organists  or 
orchestras,  and  have  been  compelled  to  depend 
entirely  on  mechanical  music  of  some  kind, 
which  it  was  difficult  or  impossible  to  get  to 
follow  the  picture.  With  music  and  sound 
effects  on  the  film  this  will  be  eliminated  and 
proper  music  or  effects  will  naturally  follow 
the   picture   without   trouble   or   mistakes. 

Now  as  to  expense,  don't  worry.  Regard- 
less of  the  great  sums  that  are  being  paid  to 
get  this  in  the  large  houses,  the  cost  to  the 
small  theatre  is  going  to  be  very  nominal 
indeed.  Nothing  is  needed  but  a  radio  push- 
pull  amplifier,  using  A.  C.  tubes,  a  powerizer 
for  "B"  power  and  your  horn  or  speaker. 
The  turn  tables  for  use  with  Vitaphone  may 
be  constructed  by  yourself  for  a  few  dollars, 
and  there  you  are. 

As    regards    to    the    Movietone    system,    it  ■ 
Would   be   necessary   to   have   a   small   attach- 
ment   for    your    machines    which    should    not 
cost    to    exceed    the    price    of    a    reflector    arc 
unit. 

Rentals  on  sound  films  for  the  smallest 
houses  will  be  no  more  than  for  the  silent 
variety.  It  will  not  cost  the  producers  a  cent 
more  to  make  a  print  from  the  sound  nega- 
tive than  it  does  from  the  other,  and  as  the 
smallest  houses  never  did  pay  a  rental  that 
was  large  enough  to  pay  very  little  more  than 
the  cost  of  the  prints,  it  will  be  the  same  with 
sound. 

Of  course,  I  am  refering  above  to  the  very 
smallest  houses  who  gross  from  $50  to  $100 
per  week. 

Now  a  word  of  warning  to  you  exhibitors 
in  the  above  class.  Do  not  be  stampeded  into 
putting  a  mortgage  on  the  family  homestead 
in  order  to  install  equipment  for  sound,  you 
will  get  it  in  due  time  and  get  it  cheap,  in  the 
meantime  saw  wood  and  advertise.  You  will 
continue  to  do  plenty  of  business  with  the 
silent  films. — F.  L.  Clarke,  Cozy  theatre, 
Hazen,   Ark. 


Censor  Explains  Stand 

WINNIPEG,  MAN.,  To  the  Editor:  In 
your  issue  of  July  14th,  1928,  there  appears  an 
article  entitled  "Censors  Vary  in  Opinion  on 
'Dawn'  in  Canada."  The  last  paragraph  of 
the  article  sta'e.s'  that  Gladstone  declines  to 
give  his  reason  for  banning  the  picture  out- 
right. 

Now  I  want  to  say  that  this  statement  is 
en'irely  at  variance  with  the  facts  of  the  case 
and  to  convince  you  how  misleading  the  state- 
ment is  I  am  herewith  enclosing  a  carbon 
copy  of  the  form  on  which  my  reasons  for 
rejection   are    stated. 

This  picture  was  viewed   for  censorship  on 


June  25th  and  on  June  26th  I  handed  the 
original  of  this  copy  to  Mr.  Chalu,  manager 
of  the  Canadian  Educational  Film  Exchange, 
Ltd.,  who  submitted  it  for  censorship  and  who 
happened  to  be  in  the  office  at  the  time  it 
was   taken   from  the  typewriter. 

I  have  no  idea  whatever  how  this  impres- 
sion was  gained  because  in  every  case  the 
reasons  for  rejection  are  given  to  the  Film 
Exchange  interested  as  soon  as  the  decision 
is  arrived  at. 

I  have  no  desire  whatever  to  start  any  con- 
troversy over  this  matter,  but  I  think  you 
will  agree  with  me  that  it  puts  me  in  rather 
a  false  light  in  the  eyes  of  the  public  and  I 
hope  you  will  accept  this  explanation  in  the 
same  spirit  in  which  it  is  offered. — W,.  E^ 
Gladstone,   Winnipeg,   Man. 


"What   Should  We  Do?" 

CALHAN,  COL.— To  the  Editor:  I  have 
been  reading  your  Herald  for  the  past  two 
years  and  can  say  I  enjoy  every  issue. 

No  doubt  the  above  is  old  stuff  to  you  as 
undoubtedly  all  exhibitors  feel  the  same  about 
the  Herald,  but  here  is  the  question  that  I 
feel  should  come  out  in  the  Herald.  "What 
Is  the  Small  Town  Exhibitor  to  Expect  in 
Talking  Movies?"  By  small  town,  I  mean  the 
house  with  150  or  200  seats. 

I  would  like  to  see  the  Herald  prophet's 
article  on  this  subject. — R.  H.  Ries,  Calhan 
theatre,  Calhan,  Col. 


See    "S3mchronized   Pictures" 

BURLINGTON,  lA.— To  the  Editor:  I 
would  like  to  see  a  discussion  in  your  pub- 
lication on  the  advisability  of  acquainting  the 
public  with  the  de  ails  of  sound  pictures.  That 
is — should  the  public  be  acquainted  with  the 
mechanism  or  should  it  be  left  a  mystery  for 
them  to  puzzle  over,  discuss  and  figure  out  the 
best  they  can. 

There  are  many  exhibitors  who  are  now 
planning  advertising  campaigns  on  the  sound 
pictures  to  whom  this  discussion  should  be 
enlightening. — H.  D.  Barnes,  Rialto  theatre, 
Burlington,  la. 


Sound  Installers  Close 
4  Weeks'  Chicago  Strike 

(Continued   front   page    17) 

might,  in  time,  find  a  good  drama  in  any  but 
the  largest  cities  about  as  rare  as  grand  opera. 

"However,  we  do  not  believe  such  a  possibil- 
ity should  be  really  disturbing.  When  motion 
pictures  have  been  able  to  reproduce  clamor, 
mechanical  noises,  the  impressive  din  that  sup- 
plements great  visual  demonstration,  they  have 
achieved  excellent  results.  But  the  reproduc- 
tion of  speech  has  not  been  satisfying,  al- 
though interesting  as  a  novelty.  The  spoken 
word,  which  we  are  accustomed  to  hear  in  the 
theatre  with  fine  shadings  of  intellectual  and 
emotional  meaning,-  is  comparatively  hollow 
when  reproduced  mechanically.  We  believe 
there  always  will  be  a  demand  for  the  spoken 
drama  sufficient  to  maintain  it  on  a  respect- 
able plane  of  dignity  and  public  appreciation. 

"If  mechanically  relayed  speech  were  suf- 
ficient to  supply  our  wants,  there  would  be 
no  end  to  which  we  might  not  go.  Perhaps 
we  should  get  along  with  a  very  few  preach- 
ers, for  the  films  could  choose  the  best  of 
them — or  those  who  might  'register'  best — 
picture  them  in  action  and  reproduce  their 
sermons,  so  that  all  a  church  would  need 
would  be  a  good  screen  and  motion  picture 
machine.  Now  if  the  preacher  or  lecturer 
would  be  .unable  to  deliver  his  spiritual  or 
intellectual  message  in  this  manner,  neither 
would  the  actor  be  able  to  deliver  his  tragic 
poetic  or  humorous  message.  Aside  from 
other  considerations,  we  believe  the  demand 
for  good  speech  in  itself  would  lie  sufficient 
to  maintain  the  spoken  drama,  whicli  furnishes 
our  best  example  of  spoken  diction." 


"Face  On  Bar  Room  Floor" 
Now  Favorite  Film  Star 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  14. — A  new  use 
for  a  bar  room  has  been  found  at 
Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  where  a  hotel  is 
being  made  into  a  moving  picture 
theatre  by  H.  L.  Mausert.  The  booth 
housing  the  projection  machines  is 
being  erected  in  the  former  bar  room. 


Radio  Motion  Pictures 
ToGoOutfromKDKA 
Within  Next  Few  Weeks 

(Continued  from  page  20) 
rent  operating  the  arc  lamp.  This  action 
may  be  compared  to  the  action  of  a  radio  tube, 
where  the  weak  radio  current  on  the  grid  of 
the  tube  controls  the  action  of  the  independent 
and  more  powerful  plate  current. 

Scanning  Discs   Synchronized 

Thus  the  mercury  arc  lamp  goes  bright  or 
dim  as  fast  as  the  current  changes  and  its 
light  at  any  instant  is  in  proportion  to  the 
light  that  the  electric  eye  sees  in  the  same 
instant.  To  return  the  dots  of  light  to  their 
original  pattern,  another  revolving  disc  or 
scanner  is  also  used  which  is  similar  to  the 
transmifang  scanner. 

The  use  of  a  mercury  arc  lamp  permits  the 
radio  pictures  to  be  thrown  upon  a  ground- 
glass  or  screen,  the  first  time  this  has  been 
done  with  television  apparatus. 

Both  these  scanning  discs  turn  at  exactly 
the  same  speed ;  the  hole  in  the  receiving 
disc  must  be  exactly  in  the  same  relative 
position  as  the  corresponding  hole  in  the  trans- 
mitting disc.  In  other  words,  they  must  be 
synchronized. 

Synchronism  by  Radio 

Westinghouse  engineers  were  the  first  to 
develop  a  feasible  method  of  synchronism  and 
their  method  was  by  means  of  radio.  From 
transmitting  equipment,  which  may  be  located 
in  the  broadcasting  station,  they  transmit  a 
constant  frequency  wave  of  5,000  cycles.  This 
wave  is  produced  by  a  tuning  fork  and  trans- 
mitted over  a  special  carrier  wave  from  the 
broadcasting  station.  The  constant  frequency 
note  is  received  on  a  special  receiver  and  by 
means  of  special  apparatus  controls  the  speed 
of  synchronous  motors,  which  drive  the  scan- 
ning discs  of  both  transmitting  and  receiving 
radio   motion  picture   equipment. 

Westinghouse  officials  state  that  the  ap- 
paratus, when  produced  commercially,  will  be 
sold  through  the  Radio  Corporation  of 
America. 


F  BO  Is  Booked  Solid 
Into  Comerford  Circuit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  14.— F  B  O  prod- 
uct has  been  sold  100  per  cent  to  the  Comer- 
ford  circuit,  with  its  94  theatres  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  deal,  called  the  largest  in  F  B  O 
history,  was  completed  by  Jerome  Safron, 
manager  here. 


Kohner  Sails  Soon 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

UNIVERSAL  CITY,  Aug.  14.  — Paul 
Kohner  is  sailing  soon  for  Germany  where  he 
will  be_  Carl  Laemmle's  personal  representa- 
tive, with  headquarters  at  L^niversal's  office, 
Mauerstrasse  83-84,  Berlin. 

Benton's  Mother  Dead 

(Special   to    the  Hcrald-World) 

ALBANY,  _  Aug.  14.— William  Benton,  of 
Saratoga  Springs,  who  owns'  a  number  of  mo- 
tion picture  theatres  along  the  border  of 
northern  New  York,  lost  his  mother  by  death 
last  week. 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


69 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyright,    1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


Columbia 


OPENING  NIGHT:  Claire  Windsor— 30%.  July 
26.  A  good  picture  of  tlie  dramatic  type  but  not 
too  heavy.  E.  Alan  Warren  is  good  in  his  part. 
Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river,   Utah. — General    patronage. 

WHERE  TRAILS  BEGIN:  Johnnie  Walker— 60% 
July  25-26.  This  Silverstreak  is  getting  a  "rep" 
here.  He  is  a  wonderful,  good  dog  actor  and  they 
are  giving  him  good  stories.  I  have  always  been 
"off"  dog  pictures  but  these  Silverstreak  pictures 
are  having  so  many  favorable  comments  that  I 
guess  there  are  two  kinds  of  dog  pictures — just  dog 
pictures  and  "Silverstreak"  pictures.  Six  reels. — 
J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre,  Corning,  Ark. — 
General    patronage. 

MEN  OF  THE  NIGHT:  Gareth  Hughes— July  31. 
Good  crook  story.  Didn't  have  much  of  a  crowd. 
Six  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General    patronage. 

FASHION  MADNESS:  Claire  Windsor— Some  nice 
scenery  in  this  but  I  would  like  to  know  how  the 
producers  expect  the  public  to  believe  the  fact  that 
two  women  were  supposed  to  pull  a  big  he-man  like 
Reed  Howes  on  a  sled  over  10  miles  of  rough  dirt. 
— Frank  Johnson,  Opera  House,  Louisville,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


F  B  0 


THE  MOJAVE  KID:  Bob  St,eele— 90%.  June  30. 
Very  good  Western.  Scenery  good,  film  good,  action 
is  good.  I  consider  it  one  of  my  best  Westerns. 
Six  reels. — F.  A.  Roiss,  Grand  theatre,  Orrin,  N.  D. 
— General    patronage. 

THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY:  Special  ca«t— 
60%.  July  2'8.  This  picture  is  interesting,  but  one 
reel  was  in  bad  condition.  Seven  reels. — F.  A.  Reiss, 
Grand   theatre,    Orrin,   N.   D. — General    patronage. 

BREED  OF  COURAGE:  Ranger— 6%.  July  25. 
Fine  picture  to  poorest  business  in  some  time. 
Ranger  is  a  great  dog  and  the  supporting  cast  did 
very  well  to  make  this  a  good  everring's  entertain- 
ment. Five  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball,   S.    D. — General    patronage. 

CONEY  ISLAND:  Special  cast— July  18.  My 
audience- enjoyed  this  picture  showing  inside  workings 
of  Coney.  The  girl  dancer  was  the  hit  of  the  even- 
ing.— F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — ■ 
Small    town    patronage. 

THE  TEXAS  TORNADO:  Tom  Tyler— July  21. 
Good  Western.  Lots  of  action.  Five  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

WIZARD  OF  THE  SADDLE:  Buzz  Barton- 
July  7.  Fair  Western.  Will  get  by.  Buzz  Barton 
is  going  to  be  a  great  Western  star.  Five  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 


First  Division 


DEATH  VALLEY:  Special  cast— 10%.  July  18. 
Very  fine  picture  which  brought  us  a  regular  mid- 
week ci'owd  against  a  tent  attraction,  so  we  feel  more 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report). 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence Picture  Chart." 


than  pleased.  Story  good  and  well  acted.  Six  reels. 
—Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— Gen- 
eral patronage. 


First  National 


HAPPINESS  AHEAD:  Colleen  Moore— 94%.  July 
19-20.  One  of  the  finest  pictures  Miss  Moore  ever 
made.  Entirely  different  from  anything  she  has 
done  before,  and  made  many  new  friends  for  her. 
Thanks  to  Colleen  for  another  fine  picture  liuring 
the  dull  season.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  In- 
gram's theatre,  Ashland,  Ala.— Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  UPLAND  RIDER:  Ken  Maynard— 90%. 
July  14.  Like  all  the  other  Maynards,  this  one  had 
about  everything  a  good  Western  should  have.  The 
cross  country  race  in  this  one  is  also  a  new  idea 
in  Westerns  and  was  very  good.  You  can't  go 
wrong  in  playing  any  of  the  First  National  May- 
nards. Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  the- 
atre,   Ashland,    Ala. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  GORILLA:  Charles  Murray— 85%.  July  28. 
As  an'  experiment.  I  tried  out  this  spooky  mystery 
detective  comedy  picture  on  Saturday  night  in  place 
of    usual    Western    program.      The    results    were    be- 


yond expectations.  I  drew  almost  capacity  house 
while  competitor  with  Western  program  suffered. 
The  picture  is  good  and  will  please  'em  all — hard- 
boiled  or  soft — they  all  like  it.  The  advertising  will 
draw.  Eight  reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  the- 
atre.   Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— 82%.  July  5. 
Very  good  picture  with  a  poor  ending.  Barthelmess 
sure  carries  his  part  well.  Very  sad  story  in  some 
places.  Eight  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre, 
Indian    Orchard,    Mass. — General    patronage. 

LITTLE  SHEPHERD  OF  KINGDOM  COME:  Rich- 
ard Barthelmess — 80%.  Patrons  disappointed  due  to 
insincere  acting  by  all  concerned.  Dick's  name  will 
pull  'em  and  we  think  this  picture  will  jeopardize 
his  prestige.  Eight  reels. — Geo.  Cohen,  Princess  the- 
atre.   West   Union,    la. — General   patronage. 

HOME  MADE:  Johnny  Hines- 70%.  July  13-14. 
Good  and  my  patrons  like  it  for  a  change  from 
Westerns  on  Friday  and  Saturday.  Hines  has  a 
good  line  of  comedy,  light  but  amusing  and  his  pic- 
tures are  clean  most  of  the  time. — Ray  W.  Mussel- 
man,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 70%. 
July  30-31.  It  drew  business  and  seemed  to  satisfy 
as  there  were  a  number  of  clever  subtitles  that 
brought  forth  the  laughter.  I  would  rate  it  as  good 
and  believe  that  it  will  please  better  than  the  ordi- 
ary  run  of  program  pictures.  Seven  reels. — Ray  W. 
Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small 
town   patronage. 

FLYING  ROMEOS:  Murray-Sidney— 62%.  Aug.  2. 
Personally,  thought  it  silly,  but  seemed  to  satisfy 
the  patronage.  Seven  reels. — John'  Kamuda,  Grand 
threate,  Indian   Orchard,   Mass. — General  patronage. 

LITTLE  SHEPHERD  OF  KINGDOM  COME: 
Richard  Barthelmess — 56%.  July  25-26.  Very  good, 
and  while  the  picture  doesn't  end  as  the  book.  It 
is  one  that  will  please.  The  cast,  as  a  whole,  did 
very  good  work  in  the  picture  and  I  would  advise 
anyone  to  buy  and  book  it.  Eight  reels. — Kay  W. 
Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan.  Small 
town  patronage. 

HOME  MADE:  Johnny  Hines— 55%.  July  30-31. 
Crowd  much  disappointed  with  this.  Considerably 
below  Hines'  usual  standard  in  comparison  with  all 
I  have  played  before.  Can't  figure  what's  wrong 
with  it,  but  it  doesn't  click.  Second  night  with 
favorable  weather  and  no  competition',  fell  way  off 
usual  business.  It  pleased  about  40  per  cent.  Seven 
reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark. — General  patronage. 

THE  POOR  NUT:  Jack  Mulhall— 40%.  July  25. 
A  good  program  picture.  The  star  great.  I  did 
not  think  he  could  do  it.  But  he  did,  and  satisfac- 
torily at  that. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines— July  7.  Good 
little  comedy.  Johnny's  pictures  are  always  good. 
Good  print.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny 
theatre,    Mansfield,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

THE  BLONDE  SAINT:  Special  cast— Story  a  bit 
disconnected,  but  in  my  opinion  good.  The  outside 
scenery  around  the  old  temple  and  the  mountain' 
scenery    did    much    to    help    the    picture    after    a    bad 


) 


70 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


AdelineLeitzbach's  splen- 
did story  of  the  sublime 
climax  of  a  tempestuous 
love-affair.  The  radiance 
of  the  supreme  hour 
transmuted  into  a  heart- 
thrilling  picture.  En- 
grossing, lovely,  superb! 

V/^  PICTURES  CORPORATION 

SAMUEL   ZIERLEI^    president 
NEW  Y        O         P_        K-. 


-SEASON- 


start.  This  is  not  a  picture  for  the  whole  family, 
however. — Frank  Johnson,  Opera  House,  Louifiville, 
Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard 
— Consider  this  one  of  the  best  of  this  season's 
Maynards.  Glad  to  see  Al  Rogrell  back  on  the  job 
as  director.  Those  directed  by  Harry  J.  Brown  fell 
way  below  the  standard  set  by  Rogell.  Six  reels. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  DROP  KICK:  Richard  Barthelmess— Good. 
Better  than  program  quality. — Frank  Johnson,  Opera 
House,    Louisville,    Neb. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Maynard 
— July  24.  This  is  a  dandy  Western.  Ken  May- 
nard excellent.  Tarzan,  the  horse,  is  wonderful. 
Pleased  all  my  patrons.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,    Emlenton,    Pa. — General    patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— July  10. 
This  is  the  best  Colleen  Moore  picture  we  have  had 
yet.  My  patrons  all  liked  it.  Colleen,  I  would  like 
an  autographed  photo  of  you.  Seven  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  POOR  NUT:  Special  cast— July  13-14.  Ju=t 
an  ordinary  program  picture.  Not  a  special  at  all. 
Good  acting  but  didn't  like  Jack  Mulhall  in  such  a 
part.  Will  always  think  of  him  as  a  "Poor  Nut" 
and  he  was  one  of  my  favorites  too.  It's  too  bad. 
Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre, 
Mansfield,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

SHEPHERD  OF  THE  HILLS:  Special  cast- 
July  29-30.  Well,  boys,  this  is  a  natural.  Holds 
my  house  record  for  the  year  and  a  few  of  the  big 
ones  played  this  year  include.  "What  Price  Glory," 
"Seventh  Heaven,"  "Ben  Hur"  and  "The  Big  Par- 
ade." I  have  never  played  a  Harold  Bell  Wright 
picture  that  wasn't  a  bell  ringer.  Eight  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. 
— Small  town   patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  LILY:  Billic  Dove— This  drew 
well  and  apparently  pleased.  But  personally,  I'd 
like  to  see  Billie  in  a  few  pictures  dealing  with 
American  life.  I'm  sick  of  Russia.  Clive  Brook 
is  stiff  as  a  ramrod  in  this  one.  I  wanted  to  kick 
him  to  see  if  he'd  come  to  life.  Seven  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 


Fox 


SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Special  cast— 100%.  A 
little  late,  yes.  We  turned  this  picture  over  to  the 
local  American  Legion  on  a  percentage  and  showed 
to  over  600  people.  The  population  of  the  town 
is  officially  640.  Use  your  own  judgment.  Our  gross 
on  this  picture  will  never  be  surpassed.  Compared 
with  our  previous  high  gross,  this  picture  would 
rate  at  about  250  per  cent. — Frank  Johnson,  Opera 
House,    Louisville,   Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE:  Special  cast— 80%. 
July  6-7.  A  very  good  picture.  A  little  better  than 
some  specials.  Everybody  pleased.  Nine  reels. — 
F.  A.  Reiss,  Grand  theatre,  Orrin,  N.  D. — General 
patronage. 

SILVER  VALLEY:  Tom  Mix— 78%.  July  20-21. 
Good  and  can  be  classed  with  the  general  run  of 
this  star's  pictures.  Plenty  of  action  and  comedy 
for  all  and  with  an  Animal  Comedy  added,  it  made 
a  good  Saturday  program.  Six  reels. — Ray  W. 
Musselman,  Princess  theatre.  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small 
town  patronage. 

HANGMAN'S  HOUSE:  Victor  McLaglen— 72%. 
July  29.  A  fair  picture,  but  not  good  enough  with 
a  star  like  McLaglen.  Personally,  thought  it  punk. 
Seven  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre,  Indian 
Orchard,    Mass. — General    patronage. 

EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE:  George  O'Brien— 34%. 
July  16-17.  Good,  but  didn't  get  the  business.  Guess 
they  thought  this  was  one  of  the  old  ones  and  they 
wouldn't  turn  out. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess 
theatre,   Lincoln,   Neb. — Small   town   patronage. 

CHAIN  LIGHTNING:  Buck  Jones— July  26-27. 
Good  Jones  picture.  All  Jones'  pictures  are  good 
this  year.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,   Neillsville,  Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  DARE  DEVIL'S  REWARD:  Tom  Mix— Very 
good  Western.  Drew  as  much  for  us  on  July  20  and 
21  as  the  biggest  specials  do  in  the  winter  season — 
Frank  Johnson,  Opera  House,  Louisville,  Neb. — 
Small  town   patronage. 

EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE:  O'Brien-Valli— July 
6-7.  Another  Fox  picture  that  iileased  all  that  saw 
it. — Gibbs  &  Shore,  Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man., 
Canada. — General  patronage. 

FLEETWING:  Special  cast— July  2«.  A  horse  and 
sheik  picture  with  a  locale  out  in  the  desert.  In- 
teresting picture  and  proved  good  entertainment. 
Different    than    the    ordinary    run    of    Saturday    right 


stuff.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf.  Trags  the- 
atre,  Neillsville,   Wis. — Small   town  patronage. 

HANGMAN'S  HOUSE:  Victor  McLaglen— Would 
call  this  only  a  fair  program  picture.  Sort  of  an 
Irish  proposition  that  didn't  seem  to  impress  my 
audience  very  strong.  Not  a  good  role  for  McLaglen. 
Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

HELLO  CHEYENNE:  Tom  Mix— July  2-3.  Just  a 
good  Western  and  that  is  about  all  I  can  say.  Our 
patrons  like  Mix,  and  especially  Tony. — Gibbs  & 
Shore,  Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  NEWS  PARADE:  Nick  Stuart— July  31- 
August  1.  A  neat  and  entertaining  picture  of  the 
trials  and  tribulations  of  a  newsreel  cameraman. 
Nick  has  a  pleasing  personality  and  Sally  Phipps 
doesn't  hurt  the  picture  any  by  her  presence.  If 
you  can  get  'em  with  that  title,  you  please  'em. 
Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,   Wis. — Small   town   patronage. 

SEVENTH  HEAVEN:  Gaynor-Farrell— July  20-21. 
A  real  good  picture  from  any  viewpoint.  We  boosted 
this  one  and  were  not  ashamed  to  be  seen  as  our 
patrons  passed  out  after  the  show.  Unanimous 
opinion  was  that  this  was  the  best  picture  we  have 
shown  in  a  long  time  and  Fox  did  not  want  the 
whole  house,  lock,  stock  and  barrel,  for  it. — Gibbs  & 
Shore,  Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  SHARPSHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien— I,  per- 
sonally, thought  it  poor,  but  had  some  good  com- 
ments. Six  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre, 
Indian    Orchard,    Mass. — General    patronage. 


Gotham 


THE  GIRL  FROM  RIO:  Carmel  Myers- 65%. 
July  23-24.  This  Carmel  is  sure  the  candy!  Picture? 
Huh  !  who  cares  what  the  picture  is  like  when  there's 
a  good  lookin'  Carmel  in  it  ?  Picture  is  good,  how- 
ever. Starts  off  in  technicolor,  and  has  very  artistic 
settings  throughout  the  picture.  Photography  fairly 
good.  Advertising  exceptionally  good.  Picture  will 
please.  Seven  reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  the- 
atre.  Corning,   Ark. — General  patronage. 

BARE  KNEES:  Virginia  Lee  Corbin— 8%.  July  24. 
Good  little  show  of  the  now-a-days  modern  flapper 
and,  oh  boy,  it's  interesting  from  start  to  finish. 
Hot  weather  and  too  many  tent  shows  to  compete 
with.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball,  S.   D. — General  patronage. 

BLONDES  BY  CHOICE:  Claire  Windsor— 8%. 
July  31.  Dandy  little  program  for  a  good  time  to 
be  had  by  all.  Claire  sure  is  as  good  as  any  on 
the  screen  in  this  one  and  the  girls  came  to  see 
her.  Six  reels. — ^Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball,   S.   D. — General    patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

TELLING  THE  WORLD:  William  Haines— 85%. 
July  29-30.  Great.  Haines  never  misses.  His  name 
is  box  office.  Seven  reels. — Geo.  Cohen,  Princess  the- 
atre.  West   Union,   la. — General   patronage. 

LOVELORN:  Sally  O'Neil— 78%.  August  3.  Very 
good  picture  but  fell  flat  at  the  box  office.  Some 
good  acting  in  this  picture.  Seven  reels. — John 
Kamuda,  Grand  theatre,  Indian  Orchard,  Mass. — 
General   patronage. 

RIDERS  OF  THE  DARK:  Tim  McCoy— 65%.  July 
27-28.  Pretty  poor.  Tim  sure  is  a  fightin'  son-of-a- 
gun  in  this  and  he  could  lick  the  world,  if  they 
stood  waiting  to  be  dry  popped,  as  that  gang  of 
bad  men  did  in  this  picture.  Boy,  how  he  bowled 
them  over.  I  have  one  more  Tim  McCoy  to  run 
and  hope  it  is  better.  Six  reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman, 
Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— 47%.  July  29-30. 
Well,  what'll  we  say  ?  This  is  a  good  picture — if 
you  like  it.  Don't  think  it  quite  hit  the  spot  with 
our  Sunday  crowd,  as  most  of  them  marched  out 
looking    down    their    noses.      Chaney    draws    them    in 


Mo  Losses  in  the  Box  Office 


WITH 


T,      /02)tll) 
ICKET     ~ 


\B\^ 


Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  Seventh  Ave.New  York 

TuCRCTS_^  Every  PuKposeof  Lowest  Market  Prices 

■"""""■"■"""'"■■■'""■■' i"im.Jiiii)nim<S^g^Smmill,llll,llllli,MIMI»llll|i|,lll,«llllllllllllllll,»M 


August  18,  192{ 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


71 


for  UB.  but  frankly,  didn't  like  him  in  this  role  so 
well.  First  reel  etarte  the  picture  off  like  a  con- 
tinued chapter  in  a  serial.  This  was  another  Metro 
that  we  could  not  show  up  well  with  our  light.  Eieht 
reek. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada, 
O. — Small  town  patronage. 

BRINGING  UP  FATHER:  Farrell  MacDonald— 
40%.  July  23-24.  Not  so  good.  Some  comedy,  some 
that  wasn't.  I  think  that  Metro  should  buy  a  paper 
with  these  characters  in  it  and  cast  accordingly. 
Their  idea  of  Jiggs,  Maggie  and  Dinty  Moore  is  a 
poor  one. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre, 
Lincoln,   Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

FOREIGN  DEVILS:  Tim  McCoy— 40%.  July 
27-28.  Fair.  Tim  should  have  remained  in  the 
army.  Print  in  jioor  shape.  Five  reels. — Geo.  Cohen, 
Princess  theatre.  West  Union,  la. — General  patron- 
age. 

MADEMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERES:  Spe- 
cial cast— 39%.  July  22-23.  Well,  this  is  a  Gau- 
mont-British,  so  we  did  not  expect  too  much  and 
were,  therefore,  not  disappointed.  British  films  are 
evidently,  quite  evidently,  not  made  with  the  ,primai-y 
design  of  pleasing  the  Yankee  taste.  By  no  means 
another  "Big  Parade,"  although  it  would  have  been 
fine  with  American  treatment.  Very  good  paper  on 
this,  and  with  the  title  it  rates  about  100  per  cent 
drawing  power.  Majority  of  patrons  satisfied.  Six 
reels. — Tivenan'  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada, 
O. — Small  town   patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer — Not  as  good  as 
"Latest  from  Paris."  Not  good  for  small  town. 
Just  "perhaps"  for  city.  Too  slow. — Frank  John- 
son, Opera  House,  Louisville,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage, 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lillian  Gish— Good  Scotch  story 
with  some  good  settings.  Did  not  draw  the  crowd. 
Eight  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre,  Indian 
Orchard,   Mass. — General    patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney — Disappointing  both 
in  pulling  power  and  satisfaction.  Am  afraid  it 
hurt  Chaney  to  give  him  a  weak  picture  like  this. 
Scarcely  took  in  enough  to  cover  film  rental  Wednes- 
day and  Thursday,  with  no  competition,  heavy  ad- 
vertising and  good  weather. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  Play- 
house theatre,   Fairhope,   Ala. — General   patronage. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan — A  good  pic- 
ture, but  not  quite  up  to  the  Coogan  standard.  The 
name  of  Jackie  Coogan  drew  them  in.  Six  reels. — 
S.  R.  Cook,  Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.  D. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane-Arthur— July  27-28. 
A  fairly  good  comedy,  but  nothing  to  write  home 
about.  Played  it  Friday  and  Saturday  and  had  two 
good  crowds.  They  all  come  out  for  the  weekend 
shows  anyway.  Karl  Dane  is  well  liked,  but  the 
majority  don't  fall  for  Arthur. — Gibbs  &  Shore, 
Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Canada. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

DETECnVES:  Dane- Arthur— August  3.  Rather 
cheap.  Six  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theati-e, 
Grand  Prairie,   Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 

THE  DIVINE  WOMAN:  Greta  Garbo— July  26. 
Just  a  fair  picture.  Not  much  good  for  small  towns. 
Metro  wants  too  much  for  these  pictures.  Seven 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer- 
Had  many  favorable  comments.  One  of  Metro's  best 
pictures.  Seven  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre, 
Indian   Orchard,    Mass. — General   patronage. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— A 
very  good  mystery  story  based  on  impossible  facts. 
Pleased  and  business  was  fair.  Seven  reels. — S.  R. 
Cook,  Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

LOVE:  Gilbert-Garbo — Not  bad,  but  certainly  has 
no  box  office  kick. — Russell  C.  Dey,  Reedville,  Movies, 
Reedville,   Va. — General    patronage. 

THE  LOVELORN:  Sally  O'Neil— July  28.  This  is 
a  good  picture.  Well  liked  by  my  patrons,  espe- 
cially the  younger  set.  Six  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,   Emlenton,   Pa. — General   patronage. 

ROSE  MARIE:  Joan  Crawford— Good.  At  last 
we  receive  a  real  special  in  this  day  when  all  pic- 
tures are  supposed  to  be  specials. — Frank  Johnson, 
Opera  House,  Louisville,  Neb. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

ROSE  MARIE:  Joan  Crawford— July  25-26.  If 
you  believe  it,  it  is  so!  We  made  them  believe  it 
on  this  one,  but  between  us  I  don't  believe  it  is  so. 
Eight  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand 
Prairie,   Tex. — Small   town  patronage. 

SKIRTS:  Syd  Chaplin— Was  very  much  surprised 
at  the  drawing  power  of  this  picture,  and  it  certainly 
got  the  laughs.  I  consider  it  a  good  "nutty"  com- 
edy, even  if  it  was  made  in  Ehigland.  Directing 
and  photography  very  good.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood patronage. 

SPOILERS   OF   THE   WEST:     Tim   McCoy— August 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


RED  CLOUD,  NEB.,  August  3,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Noah,  "Prepare  an  ark  and  take  therein  thy  family  and  all  the  living 
things  of  the  earth,"  or  something  like  that,  and  then  it  set  in  and  rained  for  40  days  and 
40  nights  and  Noah  cruised  around  for  the  better  part  of  the  baseball  season  before  he 
found  a  place  to  land.  That  was  some  years  back,  but  that  would  be  good  advjce  today  out 
here  in  Southern  Nebraska  and  Northern  Kansas.  One  flood  has  to  hurry  up  to  make  room 
for  the  next  one,  otherwise  they  would  overlap.  We  drove  into  Bellville,  Kan.,  expecting 
to  cover  that  state  and  had  to  drive  right  back  onto  Nebraska's  gravel  roads  or  else  wallow 
in  Kansas  mud.  Here  we  are  in  Red  Cloud  and  last  night  it  rained  1.83  inches  and  is  still 
raining  with  no  prospects  of  letting  up  and  no  place  we  can  drive  except  over  territory 
we  have  already  covered.     Whatalife,  whatalife. 

Sam  Blair  at  Bellville  is  erecting  a  big  hole  in  the  ground  and  we  accuse  him  of  going  to 
build  a  theatre  over  it.  Sam  won't  talk  much  about  it,  only  smiles  when  he  is  interviewed, 
but  he  talks  louder  when  he  smiles  than  when  he  talks.  He  can't  think  of  anything  but  his 
new  theatre  and  his  wife  told  us  that  he  is  so  wrapped  up  in  his  theatre  project  and  has 
become  so  absent  minded  that  she  feeds  him  sawdust  for  corn  flakes  and  he  doesn't  know 
the  difference.  We  advised  against  this,  for  suppose  that  sawdust  would  go  to  Sam's  head, 
then  what?  The  Lord  knows  that  it  is  woody  enough  now.  Anyhow,  Sam  has  plans  for  a 
showhouse  that  will  be  the  chief  topic  of  conversation  for  all  Northern  Kansas  when  it  is 
completed.  Sam  is  all  right  on  rough  details  but  we  surmise  that  Mrs.  Blair  is  the  one  who 
will  work  out  those  finer  touches  that  will  add  beauty  and  comfort  to  the  place. 

The  recent  rains  have  removed  any  doubt  in  Nebraska  of  the  biggest  corn  crop  in  the 
history  of  the  state.  In  any  direction  one  goes  he  sees  a  sea  of  corn  as  far  as  the  eye  can 
reach.  It  is  all  tasseled  out  and  the  ears  are  forming  and  with  this  abundance  of  moisture 
all  danger  of  hot  winds  has  passed  and  now  the  only  thing  to  worry  about  is  a  place  to 
store  the  corn,  all  of  which  indicates  that  business  will  be  good. 

We  ordered  our  mail  sent  to  Norton  and  Phillipsburg,  Kan.,  and  now  the  only  way  to 
get  there  is  by  airplane  and  there  would  be  no  place  to  land  when  we  got  there.  Wish 
Noah  was  here. 

We  saw  a  bunch  of  colored  boys  playing  Jungle  Polo  in  the  basement  of  the  hotel  and 
one  boy  said,  "Peers  like  dese  bones  am  gone  democratic,  ah  jes  caint  win  nuffin  no  mo, 
come  on  heali  Herb  Hoover,  do  yo  stuff  for  papa."  If  you  want  some  fun  just  listen  to 
a  bunch  of  colored  crap  shooters,  they  talk  to  the  bones  like  a  mother  talks  to  the  baby. 

A  few  nights  ago  we  saw  Norma  Talmadge  in  "The  Dove"  and  we  want  to  go  on  record 
as  saying  that  what  we  don't  know  about  pictures  would  make  several  large  sized  volumes. 
We  are  making  this  admission  for  two  reasons,  one  that  it  is  a  fact  and  the  other  that  it 
may  forestall  anything  Thomas  0.  Service  might  want  to  say  bearing  on  that  point  after  he 
reads  what  we  have  to  say  about  "The  Dove." 

"The  Dove"  opens  up  in  the  first  two  reels  with  a  scene  in  a  dive  on  the  "Red  Coast" 
wherein  a  bunch  of  one-fourth  clad  women  with  a  three-fourths  souse  are  doing  the  tango, 
and  other  contortions,  for  the  edification  of  a  motley  gathering,  the  most  of  whom  belonged 
South  of  the  California  line,  and  one  of  the  principal  swaggers  around  the  room  trying  to 
make  love  to  Norma  on  the  oft  repeated  statement  that,  "I'm  the  best  damn  caballero  on 
the  Red  Coast."  He  was  about  as  repulsive  a  looking  Greaser  as  the  screen  has  recorded  in 
many  a  day  and  Miss  Talmadge  seemed  to  have  no  serious  disposition  to  discourage  him  in 
his  attempted  lovemaking. 

We  have  always  had  Miss  Norma  placed  at  the  head  of  our  list  of  screen  favorites  and 
to  see  her  in  such  stuff  as  "The  Dove"  is  not  only  shocking  to  us  but  painful  as  well,  for  to 
us  it  seems  to  be  pulling  an  idol  down  to  the  level  of  the  dance-hall  debutant. 

Just  why  the  picture  was  made  we  haven't  discovered.  What  uplifting  thought  there  was 
in  it,  if  any,  must  have  gone  over  our  head,  and  the  fact  that  it  passed  the  board  of  censors 
is  another  proof  of  the  inefficiency  and  uselessness  of  that  body.  Now  we  have  proven 
what  we  said  in  the  first  instance,  that  we  know  nothing  about  pictures,  which  you  no  doubt 
discovered  ere  this,  but  our  individual  guess  is — and  we  would  very  much  dislike  to  see  that 
time  come — that  if  they  continue  to  put  Miss  Talmadge  in  such  pictures  as  "The  Dove"  the 
time  is  not  far  off  when  she  will  be  classed  among  those  who  once  were  but  who  now  aren't. 

Miss  Talmadge  is  capable  of  the  best  roles  on  the  sceen.  She  has  been  a  strong  factor 
in  the  building  up  of  screen  entertainment,  more  so  in  our  judgment  than  any  other  actress, 
and  to  see  one  of  our  screen  idols  playing  such  roles  as  in  "The  Dove"  makes  us  stop  and 
meditate  on  the  frailties  of  the  human  race.  We  wouldn't  call  it  depravity  on  part  of 
the    casting    director,   but   a    misconception    as    to    what    constitutes    screen    entertainment. 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


4.  Very  refreshing  after  a  siege  of  ordinary  West- 
erns. No  mortgage,  no  crooked  foreman,  no  mines, 
no  rustlers.  A  pleasure  to  show  these.  Six  reels. 
—J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre.  Grand  Prairie,  Tex.— 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  STUDENT  PRINCE:  Novarro-Shearer— July 
11-12.  This  is  a  wonderful  picture.  Had  a  pretty 
good  crowd  on  first  day  but  didn't  get  many  on 
the  second  day.  Ten  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theato- 
rium,   Emlenton,   Pa. — General   patronage. 

THE  STUDENT  PRINCE:  Novarro-Shearer— July 
13-14.  A  fair  picture  but  not  what  it  was  cracked 
up  to  be.  If  Metro  had  made  it  in  seven  or  eight 
reels  instead  of  10.  our  audience  would  have  liked 
it  better.  No  box  offiee  attraction  for  us.  Just  av- 
erage receipts  for  a  so-called  special. — Gibbs  &  Shore, 
Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Canada. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  THIRTEENTH  HOUR:  Special  cast— An- 
other   good  story   of   scares   and   gasps.      Drew    fairly* 


well.      Five   reels. — S.    R.    Cook,    Althea   theatre,   Dun- 
seith,  N.   D. — General   patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— Well,  the  direc- 
tor and  scenario  writer  took  many  liberties  with 
this  picture,  but  reel  one  carried  an  endorsement  of 
the  war  department  of  the  United  States,  so  if  they 
are  satisfied  to  put  over  the  "bologna"  that  way 
it's  all  okay  with  us — with  the  exception  that  it 
was  overdone  in  the  effort  to  get  over  the  point  in 
the  picture.  There  is  this  to  say,  it  was  a  very 
interesting  picture  and  well  acted,  and  brought 
much  laughter,  but  we  would  like  to  sit  right  back 
of  two  army  officers  who  were  graduates  of  West 
Point  and  hear  their  comments  on  this  picture.  We 
imagine  their  comments  would  make  an  Indian  cigar 
sign  laugh.  Eight  reels. -^Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal 
theatre.    Tombstone,    Ariz. — General    patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— Very  good.  The 
best  we  have  had  from  Metro. — Russell  C.  Dey, 
Reedville  Movies,   Reedville,   Va. 


a^.'  .ZT":  ■''.''JT""~.,j 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(.Continued  from  preceding  page) 
Should  they  put  our  favorite  actress  in  another  picture  like  "The  Dove"  we  are  going  to 
kick  about  it  whether  they  like  it  or  not,  we  can't  stand  for  it. 

Did  you  ever  read  Arthur  Brisbane's  column  of  Philosophy?  Well,  you  ought  to  read  it. 
Every  time  Arthur  takes  his  typewriter  in  hand  he  says  several  mouthsful.  For  instance 
he  said  the  other  day,  "Science  offers  an  idea  in  prohibition  enforcement.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  break  down  the  speakeasy  door.  Simply  shoot  a  little  gas  through  the  keyhole 
and  the  speakeasyites  will  come  hurrying  out  of  their  own  accord,  but  the  simpler  way  is  to 
jail  the  bootlegger's  customers.  The  bootlegger  can  square  things  with  the  police  and 
prohibitioni  officers  but  the  millions  of  bootleggers'  customers  couldn't  do  it.  Jail  the 
customers  who  buy  the  alcohol  and  you  will  stop  the  buying."  Rather  drastic  but  it  looks 
logical  to  us.  We  always  did  feel  that  the  vendee  of  an  outlawed  product  was  equally 
guilty  with  the  vendor,  for  without  vendees  there  could  be  no  vendors. 

Then  Arthur  cuffs  the  prize  fight  game  a  little.  He  says,  "Gene  Tunney,  whom  certain  prize 
fight  fans  don't  like  because  he  has  brains  and  they  haven't,  will  retire  from  the  ring. 
That,  it  is  said,  will  'hurt  the  game,'  which  is  too  bad.  No  matter  what  champion  they 
may  develop  to  collect  money  from  fools,  it  could  never  be  proved  that  he  could  have  beaten 
Tunney."    Ouch,  when  Arthur  hits  'cm  he  hits  'em  right  between  the  eyes. 

The  time  was  when  they  put  people  in  stocks  in  the  public  places  for  trivial  offenses  and 
tied  old  women  to  the  stake  and  whipped  them,  and  in  some  instances,  burned  them  on 
some  trumped-up  charge  of  witchery,  and  we  are  wondering  when  fifty  or  seventy-five 
thousand  people  gather  in  a  room  reeking  with  the  fumes  of  bad  whiskey  and  worse 
language  at  from  five  to  fifty  dollars  per  to  see  a  couple  of  pugs  maul  each  other  for  30 
minutes,  if  we  have  wandered  very  far  afield  from  those  old  Puritanical  days.  We  boast 
of  our  "Advanced  Civilization"  but  we  are  a  nation  of  boasters.  Look  Arthur  Brisbane 
and  Tex  Rickard  over  and  take  your  choice,  we  picked  ours  quite  sometime  back. 

Some  wisecracker  said,  "They  used  to  wear  'em  down  to  their  insteps  but  now  they  wear 
'em  up  to  their  step-ins,"  which  reminds  us  to  say  that  if  things  keep  on  going  up  we  will 
have  to  get  some  green  goggles  or  get  off  the  road.     Our  eyesight  is  as  good  as  it  ever  was. 

It  won't  be  long  now  until  the  pumpkins  begin  to  turn  yellow,  the  fodder  will  be  in  the 
shock,  the  katydids  will  be  rasping  their  wings  together,  the  blackbirds  will  be  flocking 
preparatory  to  emigrating,  the  bluewing  teal  will  come  down  with  the  first  "norther"  and 
this  scrivener  of  damphoolishness  will  be  wandering  hither  and  yon  preaching  the  gospel 
that  it  is  better  to  read  the  HERALD-WORLD  and  win  than  to  argue  with  your  mother-in- 
law  and  lose,  and  otherwise  disturbing  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  a  bunch  of  guys  who 
ought  to  have  sense  enough  to  know  the  condition  of  their  iceboxes  before  we  call.  There- 
fore, BE  IT  RESOLVED,  that  since  we  haven't  had  a  thing  to  eat  since  morning,  an 
anxious  public  will  have  to  hold  its  breath — (and  nose) — until  we  have  supplied  the  wants 
of  the  inner  man.  We  smell  corned  beef  and  cabbage  and  the  only  thing  to  mar  our 
happiness  is  the  absence  of  the  "Duke  of  Bilgewater"  to  join  us  in  a  regular  feed. 

Some  lady  just  rang  our  room  and  said,  "Hello,  are  you  asleep?"  and  we  replied,  "Well 
not  that  you  can  notice,  we  are  as  wide  awake  as  we  ever  were  in  our  life,"  and  she 
inquired,  "Is  this  Charles?"  and  we  answered,  "No  ma'm  we  are  sorry  to  say  it  isn't, 
Charles  isn't  half  as  handsome  a  man  as  we  are,"  and  she  said,  "Oh,  excuse  me,"  and  we 
did.  We  are  wondering  if  she  saw  us  in  the  lobby  and  thought  our  name  was  Charles. 
From  this  on  it's  "Charles." 

We've  got  a  hunch,  and  when  we  get  a  hunch  it  is  evidence  conclusive  to  our  mind  at 
least  that  there  is  something  in  our  gourd  besides  space.  You  may  not  agree  with  this 
theory,  most  people  don't,  but  whether  you  do  or  not  makes  no  particular  difference  to  us, 
as  we  are  rated  by  those  who  know  us  best  as  a  rather  independent  sort  of  a  cuss  anyway, 
our  wife  will  tell  you  that  much,  for  she  says  that  if  we  don't  want  to  change  our  undershirt 
this  week  we  won't  do  it  until  next,  and  maybe  not  then,  depends  altogether  on  how  we 
feel  about  it,  but  our  hunch  is  that  before  they  make  a  success  of  talking  pictures  the 
casting  directors  will  have  to  give  some  heed  to  the  quality  of  the  voice  and  the  intelligence 
behind  it  as  well  as  to  pretty  faces  and  shapely  limbs.  "Bathing  Beauties"  offer  no  assurance 
that  talking  pictures  will  be  a  success,  but  they  might  be  at  that,  let's  try  'em  out  and  if 
they  fail  we  can  still  pick  'em  according  to  shape.  Then,  too,  we've  got  another  hunch  (we 
are  full  of  'em  tonight,  that  lady  just  rang  us  again  and  insisted  that  we  are  Charles)  and 
that  is  that  Jay  will  resort  to  profanity  if  we  don't  ring  off,  and  Jay  is  a  good  Methodist  but 
he  don't  work  at  it  much  this  hot  weather,  therefore,  out  of  consideration  for  Jay,  etc.,  etc. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  man. 


Paramount 


HOT  NEWS:  Bebe  Daniels— 80%.  July  12-13.  A 
really  fine  picture  from  Bebe.  Consider  it  her  best 
in  a  long  time.  Plenty  of  action",  thrills  and  comedy. 
Out  of  the  ordinary  and  will  please  all  classes. 
Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ash- 
land,   Ala. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  SPOTLIGHT:  Esther  Ralston— 66%.  July  21. 
Not  as  good  as  some  of  her  other  pictures,  but  it  is 
not  a  bad  picture  .at  that.  Six  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoff- 
man, Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan'. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

HONEYMOON  HATE:  Florence  Vidor— 65%.  July 
16-17.  A  good  program  picture.  William  Austin 
ai?ain  very  clever.  Six  reels. — B.  F.  Ingram,  In- 
gram's theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LADIES  OF  THE  MOB:  Clara  Bow— 60%.  July 
,29.  "Ladies  of  the  Mob"  as  an  underworld  play  is 
well    consti-ucted    and    the    cast   is    complete.      Richard 


Arlen  wins  the  approval  of  an  audience  for  his  act- 
ing and  they  rather  like  him  as  a  crook.  But  this 
play  has  an  added  interest  for  us  on  account  of  the 
rising  fame  of  Clara  Bow,  of  whom  the  public  has 
been  disposed  to  make  a  pet  because,  it  is  said,  this 
is  a  new  role  which  has  been  made  for  her,  possibly 
for  the  reason  of  injecting  some  contrast  in  her 
acting  so  as  to  maintain  her  present  ascendancy  and 
to  save  from  staleness  the  coquetries  which  dis- 
tinguish Clara  Bow,  including  also  a  feminine  charm 
coupled  with  an  energy  and  female  ingenuity  de- 
scribed by  Elinor  Glyn  by  the  inane  title  "It."  As 
a  woman  of  the  underworld  who  delineates  the 
passion  and  fierce  attachment  to  her  lover  for  which 
it  is  said  women  in  that  strata  of  life  are  noted, 
what  is  her  art  value  in  this  role  ?  She  looks  the 
part  and  plays  it  well ;  and  she  is  good  wherevea- 
you  place  her,  yet  there  are  half  a  dozen  actresses 
on  the  screen  who,  in  a  role  of  that  kind,  can  do 
quite  as  well.  It  is  my  observation'  that  she  has 
reached  her  zenith  and  perhaps  she  will  do  better 
'with     Clara     Bowettes    or    Elinor    Glyniums    than     in 


familiar  roles  of  the  underworld.  As  to  her  box 
office  value  in  this  role  (which  is  not  new  to  her), 
the  drop  in  receipts  is  not  entirely  explainable  by 
the  weather. — A.  J.  Gibbons,  Illinois  theatre.  Me- 
tropolis,   111. — General    patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  PIONEER:  Jack  Holt— 50%. 
July  26.  This  is  a  mighty  good  picture.  Story  good. 
Star  always  good  in  any  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

SPOTLIGHT:  Esther  Ralston— 47%.  July  28. 
A  good  picture,  but  not  as  good  as  her  other  pictures 
where  she  does  not  wear  a  wig.  "We  are  looking 
forward  to  her  next  one.  Thanks  for  the  picture, 
Esther.  Six  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  the- 
atre,   Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

METROPOUS:  Special  ca6t-^0%.  July  27.  This 
is  a  wonder.  Splendid  story,  fine  acting.  If  you 
haven't  played  it  buy  it  and  your  patrons  will  be 
well  satisfied.  It's  so  big  there  isn't  room  to  tell 
it.  You  have  got  to  see  it. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

METROPOLIS:  Special  cast— 30%.  July  22.  This 
sure  was  good  and  different  from  any  other  story 
along  the  regular  run.  Inventions,  science  and 
prediction  of  future  to  come.  Realistic  inventions 
to  replace  a  human  body  with  a  steel  machine  and 
get  the  work  done  just  the  same.  Eight  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  REILLY:  Richard  Dix— 17%.  July 
27-28.  Good  picture  with  Dix  and  we  think  they 
were  all  satisfied.  No  comments,  no  kicks,  so  that's 
that.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

BEAU  SABREUR:  Special  cast— July  18-19. 
Played  two  days  to  very  poor  business.  They  just 
don't  care  for  this  type  of  picture.  The  picture 
itself  is  well  acted  and  directed,  but  it  was  just  a 
flop  for  us. — Paul  B.  Hoffmann,  Legion  theatre, 
Holyrood,    Kan. — Small    town    patronage. 

EASY  COME,  EASY  GO:  Richard  Dix— Very  light 
story,  which  seemed  to  please,  but  Paramount  will 
have  to  dig  up  more  story  material  for  this  fel- 
low or  it  won't  be  long  till  he  will  be  in  Thomas 
Meighan's  class.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — Neighborhood    patronage. 

FOOLS  FOR  LUCK:  Chester  Conklin  W.  C.  Fields 
— Just  a  very  ordinary  program  picture.  Seven  reels. 
— Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — 
General   patronage. 

NEVADA:  Cooper-Todd— July  25-26.  A  real  good 
Western  that  went  over  good.  Cooper  has  a  good 
horse  and  he  knows  his  onions.  This  picture  was 
not  full  of  that  high  speed  action  that  one  sees  in 
most  Westerns.  Some  wonderful  scenery  too. — 
Gibbs  &  Shore,  Opera  House,  Neepawa,  Man.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

NIGHT  OF  MYSTERY:  Adolphe  Menjou— July 
30-31.  Rather  dull.  Six  reels.— J.  S.  Walker,  Texas 
theatre.  Grand  Prairie,  Tex. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

OLD  IRONSIDES:  Special  cast— A  mighty  fine 
production  from  every  angle,  and  historically  in- 
teresting for  all  good  Americans.  While  the  sea 
battles  are  a  bit  confusing  at  times,  nevertheless,  I 
call  it  first  class  entertainment  for  young  and  old. 
Did  not  draw.  Very  hot  nights  and  streets  torn 
up — probably  the  reason  why.  Eight  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighbor- 
hood  patronage. 

RED  HAIR:  Clara  Bow — All  it  takes  to  make  a 
Clara  Bow  picture  a  howling  success  is  to  have  her 
take  off  a  few  clothes.  In  this  picture  she  takes 
everything  off — so  you  know  it  must  be  good — and  it 
is.  In'  fact  it's  her  best  picture  since  "It."  Clar- 
ence Badger  did  a  neat  job  of  directing.  Seven  reels. 
— P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  SECRET  HOUR:  Pola  Negri— July 
23-24.  I  could  find  only  one  report  on  this 
and  that  exhibitor  said  it  was  "smut,"  so 
taking  his  word  for  it,  together  with  the  tille 
and  remembering  some  of  the  star's  pictures 
of  a  few  years  ago,  I  thought  I  had  a  hot  one 
and  advised  my  family  patrons  to  stay  away. 
Instead  of  doing  it,  they  all  came  and  brought 
their  friends  and  then  they  got  to  see  a  darn 
good  clean  picture  that  could  be  shown  in  any 
church.  Eight  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas 
theatre,  Grand  Prairie,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

SHOOTIN'  IRONS:  Jack  Luden— July  10.  Just 
a  fair  Western.  Nothing  to  brag  about.  Star  un- 
known, consequently  it  didn't  draw.  We  are  used 
to  the  Ken  Maynard  Western  and  are  spoiled  for 
any  other  kind.  Six  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny 
theatre,    Mansfield,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

SOMETHING  ALWAYS  HAPPENS:  Esther  Ral- 
ston— July   27.      A   very   pleasing   little   picture.      Five 


1^ 


August  18,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


73 


reels. — J.    S.    Walker,    Texas    theatre.    Grand    Prairie, 
Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 

SWIM,  GIRL,  SWIM:  Bebe  Daniels— July  17.  This 
is  one  of  the  best  comedies  I  ever  saw.  Just  full 
of  thrills  and  laughs  and  absolutely  clean.  A  brigrht. 
clear  print  too.  but  didn't  have  any  crowd.  Can't 
see  why.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny 
theatre.    Mansfield,    Mo. — General    patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


DRESS  PARADE:  William  Boyd— July  21.  This 
was  an  attractive  picture  but  I'd  rather  see  Bill 
Haines  do  the  same  kind  of  stuff. — F.  B.  Sabin, 
Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  LEOPARD  LADY:  Jacqueline  Logan— Did 
not  pull  especially  well,  but  it  gave  general  satis- 
faction. Foreign  circus  atmosphere  and  plausible 
story  with  good  direction  and  A-1  photography  make 
this  a  special. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  Playhouse  theatre, 
Fairhope,   Ala. — General   patronage. 


Rayart 


THE  RETURN  OF  BOSTON  BLACKIE:  Strong- 
heart — 15%.  July  20-21.  Dandy  mystery  drama  with 
Strongheart  doing  his  best,  suppoi-ting  cast  very  good. 
Should  please  any  audience.  Direction  splendid, 
story  vei-y  interesting  from  stai't  to  finish.  Seven 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 


Tiffany-Stahl 


SIN  CARGO:  Shirley  Mason— Just  another  pic- 
ture of  its  kind.  Created  no  impression,  favorable 
or  unfavorable,  as  we  listened  in  on  the  audience 
passing  out.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  CiTStal 
theatre.    Tombstone,    Ariz. — General    patronage. 


United  Artists 


RAMONA:  Special  cast— 100%.  July  29-30.  If 
there  ever  was  a  100  per  cent  picture  this  is  one. 
Stars  and  cast  splendid.  Satisfied  them  all. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio — General  comment 
favorable  and  it  pulled  better  than  expected. — Geo. 
E.  Fuller,  The  Playhouse  theatre,  Fairhope,  Ala. — - 
General   patronage. 

THE  CIRCUS:  Charles  Chaplin— This  is  a  flop 
in  a  small  town.  Believe  this  is  due  partly  to  the 
fact  that  as  a  circus  picture  it  is  too  drab  and  de- 
pressing and  it  is  not  what  people  expected.  Also 
had  frequent  criticism  of  Charlie's  domestic  troubles. 
I  will  not  play  him  again. — Geo.  E.  Fuller,  Play- 
house theatre,   Fairhope,  Ala. — General  patronage. 


Universal 


WE  AMERICANS:  Special  cast— 80%.  July  25-26. 
One  of  the  best  in  our  house  for  quite  a  spell.  It's 
a  melting  pot  picture  and  okay.  Step  on  the  adver- 
tising. Nine  reels. — Geo.  Cohen,  Princess  theatre. 
West  Union,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER:  Special  cast— 58%. 
July  27-28.  Very  good.  A  happy  blend  of  historical 
fact  and  fancy  which  i-esults  in  a  de  luxe  Western. 
Many  patrons  expressed  satisfaction.  We  hardly  feel 
justified  in  calling  this  a  special,  although  we  paid 
more  than  usual  for  it  and  feel  that  we  got  plenty 
foi"  our  money.  Were  handicapped  in  having  this 
on  premium  night,  for  which  we  have  a  set  price. 
A  little  of  the  photography  under  par,  otherwise 
okay.  Nine  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre.   Nevada,   O. — Small  town   patronage. 

GALLOPING  FURY:  Hoot  Gibson— 50%.  July  28. 
A  good  Western  Saturday  picture.  Lot  of  good 
comedy. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FAST  AND  FURIOUS:  Reginald  Denny— 44%. 
July  20-21.  Well,  this  was  fair.  Not  up  to  expecta- 
tions after  Universal's  ballyhoo  and  Denny's  reputa- 
tion. Got  by  all  right,  but  as  this  was  the  open- 
ing gun  of  our  "China  Night"  campaign,  would  have 
preferi-ed  something  to  make  our  patrons  enthuse  a 
little  more.  Our  first  experiment  with  premiums  and 
started  off  well,  considering  torrential  rains  after 
blistering  heat.  Think  it  will  help  us  through  the 
doldrums.  Six  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,   Nevada,    O. — Small   town   patronage. 

WE  AMERICANS:  George  Sidney— 20%.  July 
29-30.  Very  good  picture  that  should  please  all,  but 
we  just  wonder  if  it  did.  Nobody  said  anything  to 
knock  it  or  praise  it  and  the  second  night  was  very 
poor,  so  we  just  don't  know  how  to  get  them  in. 
Maybe  a  free  show  would  get  them,  but  we  feel 
sorry   for   we   can't   run    on    reputation   only.     There 


is  some  expense  to  every  business.  Nine  reels. — 
R'udolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

THE  CAT  AND  CANARY:  Laura  La  Plante— 
Very  good  program  picture,  but  did  not  draw.  Seven 
reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre.  Indian  Orchard, 
Mass. — General    patronage. 

GREASED  LIGHTNING:  Ted  Wells— Just  a  clean 
Western  which  seemed  to  satisfy  the  people.  Five 
reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre,  Indiana,  Or- 
chard,  Mass. — General   patronage. 

A  HERO  FOR  A  NIGHT:  Glenn  Tryon— July  28. 
Laughable  comedy  of  a  goofy  mail  order  aviator. 
No  rhyme  nor  reason'  but  quite  funny. — F.  E.  Sabin, 
Majestic  theatre,  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN:  Laura  La  Plante— Old, 
but — no,  I'm  not  going  to  say  it's  "old  but  good," 
because  it  isn't.  A  big  flop  here,  and  bought  and 
played  it  as  a  special.  Eight  reels. — S.  R.  Cook, 
Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.   D. — General   patronage. 

PAINTING  THE  TOWN:  Glenn  Tryon— A  riot. 
Tryon  absolutely  cannot  be  beat  as  a  comedian. 
Although  a  dandy  picture  it  is  not  quite  as  good  as 
"A  Hero  for  a  Night." — S.  R.  Cook,  Althea  theatre, 
Dunseith,   N.   D. — General    patronage. 

THE  RAWHIDE  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— Beet  Hoot  to 
date  and  a  dandy  Western.  Six  reels. — S.  R.  Cook, 
Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  SHIELD  OF  HONOR:  Ralph  Lewis— July  14. 
Fairly  good  program  picture  of  the  Los  Angeles  air 
patrol  and  what  happens  to  crooks  who  oppose  its 
lone  flyer. — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka, 
Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SHIELD  OF  HONOR:  Ralph  Lewis— Dandy 
air-police  picture  with  some  good  scenes  of  police 
troops.  Six  reels. — S.  R.  Cook,  Althea  theatre,  Dun- 
seith, N.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  THIRTEENTH  JUROR:  Special  cast- 
August  1-2.  An  old  stoi-y  told  in  an  entirely  new 
manner.  Very  satisfactory. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas 
theatre,  Grand  Prairie,  Tex. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  WILD  WEST  SHOW:  Hoot  Gibson— A  very 
good  program  picture  with  a  few  laughs.  Very  good. 
Book  it  now.  Six  reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  the- 
atre, Indian  Orchard,   Mass. — General  patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


TRACKED  BY  THE  POLICE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 68%. 
July  18-19.  Good  and  Rin  Tin  Tin  always  gets  me 
some  extra  business.  He  can  do  his  stufl!  consistently 
and  can  get  them  in  for  me,  so  I  will  run  all  of 
his  pictures  so  long  as  he  can  make  good  at  the  box 
oflice. — Ray  W.  Musselraan,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln, 
Kan. — Small  town   patronage. 

HEART  OF  MARYLAND:  Special  cast— 44%. 
July  28.  Didn't  go  at  all  and  had  many  unfavor- 
able comments  on  it.  Not  much  of  a  story  and  not 
much  action.  Seven  reels.  —  Paul  B.  Hoffmann, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

SLIGHTLY  USED:  May  McAvoy— A  rollicking  tale 
of  young  love.  A  good  picture  for  any  night.  Seven 
reels. — John  Kamuda,  Grand  theatre,  Indiana 
Orchard,  Mass. — General  patronage. 


Serials 


BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD:  (Pathe)  Hayden 
Stevenson — First  of  series.  Started  off  well.  This 
is  a  new  department  for  us,  as  we  have  never 
before  run  a  serial.  A  large  class  of  our  patrons 
are  taking  to  it  like  a  thirsty  Dutchman  to  a  stein 
of — well,  you  know  what ! — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screen- 
land   theatre,   Nevada,    O. — ^Small   town   patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  ARROW:  (Universal)  Francis  X. 
Bushman',  serial — Good  serial.  Plenty  of  outdoor 
scenery  which  is  what  goes  good  here  in  the  small 
town.  Have  just  finished  fourth  episode  and  crowd 
is  slowly  slipping,  though  it  is  no  fault  of  the 
serial. — Frank  Johnson,  Opera  House,  Louisville,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 

STRICTLY  KOSHER:  Izzi  and  Lizzi— Fair  comedy, 
but  too  much  of  one  kind  of  action  and  not  many 
laughs.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.  D. — General  patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

BETWEEN  JOBS:  Lloyd  Hamilton— The  best 
Hamilton  we  have  played  in  a  long  time.  Two  reels. 
—Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 


KITCHEN  TALENT:  A  good  pie  throwing  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

NEVER  TOO  LATE:  Larry  Semon— Fair  Cameo 
comedy.  One  reel. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  STUNT  MAN:  Larry  Semon— Sure  glad 
Larry  only  made  two  comedies  for  Educational.  He 
and  Lloyd  Hamilton  have  gone  to  the  dogs  for  some 
reason  or  other.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — Neighborhood    patronage. 

F  B  O 

ASSORTED  NUTS:  Jack  Luden— AH  the  Bill 
Grimm  Progress  series  have  been  good.  Two  reels. 
— Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greertriver, 
Utah. — General   patronage. 

MICKEY'S  MINE:  Mickey  McGuire— Good.  Pleased 
the  children.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,   Pa. — General   patronage. 

PANTING  PAPAS:  Three  Fat  Boys— Plenty  of 
fun  with  the  fat  boys  at  any  time,  and  this  was  no 
exception.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

FOX 

TOO  MANY  COOKIES:  A  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

METRO-GO  LDWYN-MAYER 

DUMB  DADDIES:  Max  Davidson— Whoop  la  1  An- 
other one  that  tickled  their  funnybones.  One  of  the 
best  we  have  had  from  Max.  "Spec"  O'Donnell  is 
entitled  to  some  of  the  laurels.  Two  reels. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small 
town   patronage. 

THE  FIGHT  PEST:  Charley  Chasc^One  of  the 
best  comedies  I've  played  this  year.  It  certainly  got 
the  laughs.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  the- 
atre,   Kansas    City,    Mo. — Neighlx)rhood   patronage. 

FIGHTING  FATHERS:  Max  Davidson— Good.  Too 
expensive  for  small  towns.  Two  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patron- 
age. 

A  HAPPY  OMEN:  Oddity— Sorfie  more  South 
America  and  the  jolly  underclad  natives.  All  about 
boiled  caterijillars,  witch  doctors,  and  "sich-like." 
Some  fair  scenic  shots — otherwise  boresomely  educa- 
tional. One  reel. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,   Nevada,    O. — Small   town   patronage. 

LEAVE  'EM  LAUGHING:  Laurel-Hardy— It  did 
— and  pepped  up  an  otherwise  mediocre  program. 
Would  perhaps  have  been  better  if  this  expressive 
pair  could  have  pulled  a  few  laughs  from  our  pessi- 
mists in  the  first  reel.  They  got  most  of  the  kick  out 
of  the  traffic  cop's  unruly  pants  in  the  second  reel. 
Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre, 
Nevada,    O. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  LION  HUNT:  Oddity— Not  much  good.  Too 
dry.  One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlen- 
ton, Pa. — General   patronage. 

NATURE'S  WIZARDRY:  Oddity  —  Just  fair. 
\yould  never  have  been  missed,  although  better  than 
textbook  education.  One  reel. — Tivanan  &  Wolfe, 
Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

PERFUME  AND  NICOTINE:  Oddity— Rather  dry. 
One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General   patronage. 

PUTTING  PANTS  ON  PHILLIP:  Laurel-Hardy— 
Good.  Two  reels. — Fi-ank  Johnson,  Opera  House, 
Louisville,   Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  VIRGIN  QUEEN:  Based  on  the  story  of 
Sir  Walter  Raleigh  laying  his  coat  over  the  mudhole 
for  the  queen  to  walk  upon.  A  very  fine  subject. 
I  consider  it  one  of  the  best  of  the  series.  Two 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Neighborhood   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

DR.  QUACK:  Jimmie  Adams — Fair.  Two  reels. 
— Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General    patronage. 

NIFTY  NAGS:  Jack  Duffy — Jack  sure  makes  'em 
laugh,  and  that  is  what  we  like  to  hear.  We  know 
they  are  enjoying  the  show.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

SWISS  MOVEMENT:  Jimmie  Adams — Just  a  fair 
comedy,  nothing  to  rave  about.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

PATHE 

HUBBY'S  QUIET  LITTLE  GAME:  Pretty  good 
comedy.  Ran  this  with  "Student  Prince."  Two 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


) 


^Ki^Sfii^aMBHiMiaC^ 


74 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  18,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  Whit 

CLYDE  W.  ECKHARDT,  division  manager  for  Fox  Films,  was  elected 
president  of  the  Chicago  Film  Board  of  Trade  at  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  board  held  last  Tuesday.  Other  officers  elected  are  N.  F.  Agnew. 
Paramount  manager,  vice-president ;  Irving  W.  Mandel,  manager  of  Security 
Pictures,  secretary ;  Earl  Silverman,  manager  of  Warners,  treasurer.. 
Eckhardt,  H.  S.  Lorch,  Mandel,  C.  Harthill,  Felix  Mendelssohn  and  Earl 
Silverman  were  chosen  as  a  board  of  directors.  J.  D.  Abramson  was  appointed 
executive  secretary  for  the  seventh  consecutive  term. 


Jack  Sampson  has  resigned  as  sales'  man- 
ager for  Jerrj'  Abrams  and  is  now  manager 
of  the  Palace  and  Parthenon  theatres,  two 
of  the  string  of  theatres  under  the  opera'.ion 
of  the  Chicago  Title  and  Trust  Company. 
Clarence  W.  Phillips,  formerly  with  Tiffany- 
Stahl  in  Chicago,  has  succeeded  Sampson  as 
sales  manager  for  Jerry  Abrams.  He  is  well 
known  along  the  row  and  to  Illinois  exhibi- 
tors. 

*  *     * 

The  first  Monday  of  "The  King  of  Kings" 
run  at  the  United  Artists  theatre  broke  all 
Monday  records  for  the  house  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one  Monday's  record  made  by  "The 
Circus."  And  by  the  way  have  you  seen  that 
cloth  banner  on  the  theatrs'?  Dan  Roche  says 
it's  the  biggest  clolh  banner  ever  exhibited  on 
a  theatre.  Well,  it  is  a  whopper,  and  covers 
one  whole  side  of  the  building.  Four  hun- 
dred negro  school  kids  will  see  the  picture 
some  time  this  week. 

*  *     * 

Bob  Lucas  reports  that  Tommy  Greenwood 
has  broken  the  course  record  on  a  golf  layout 
in  DeKalb.  It  seems  Tommy  made  a  28, 
18,  and  10  on  the  first  three  holes.  However, 
Lucas  bought  the  "King  of  Kings"  so  perhaps 
Greenwood's  game  was  not  so  disastrous  after 
all. 

^     ^     ^ 

Frank  Schaefer  was  ill  last  week  with  an 
attack  of  yellow  jaundice. 

*  *     * 

Nate  Ru.tenberg  of  the  Panorama  and  Key- 
stone theatres  has  just  returned  from  a  vaca- 
tion trip  to  Denver,  Salt  Lake  and  Yellow- 
stone. 

*  *     * 

Arthur  Schoenstadt  and  Mis's  Gwendolyn 
Marie  Straus  were  married  las!  week  at  the 
Ambassador  in  Atlantic  City.  The  bride  is 
the  niece  of  S.  W.  Straus.  They  are  spending 
their  honeymoon  at  Lake  Louise  and  Banff. 
^     ^     ^ 

George  Miller,  his  wife  and  Tess  Heraty 
spent  the  week  end  at  Jack  Miller's  summer 
home  in  Lake  Geneva. 

*  *     * 

Mrs.  Len  Ullrich,  her  daughter,  Gertrude, 
and  son  Leonard,  left  Saturday  on  a  four 
weeks'   motor   trip   through   the   East. 

:l=      *      * 

Those  young  film  cut-ups  of  the  "Our 
Gang"  comedies  distributed  by  M  G  M  come 
to  Chicago  Saturday  to  begin  appearances  at 
the    Chicago,    Uptown    and    Tivoli    theatres. 


MILTON  M.  STERN 

The  Row's  Insurance  Man. 

Life,  Accident,  Auto,  Fire  & 
Casualty  Lines 

1180  E.  63rd  St.      Phone  Fairfax  7200 


While  here  they  will  be  given  a  luncheon  at 
the  Morrison  hotel, 

^     ^'     ^ 

We  had  an  interview  with  Harry  Rapf, 
associate  producer  for  M  G  M,  Saturday.  He 
was  returning  to  Hollywood  from  New  York 
where  he  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  s.udying 
sound  production.  Rapf  is  very  enthusiastic 
over  the  sound  pictures',  but  says  that  as 
soon  as  the  novelty  wears  off,  pictures  will  be 
judged  by  their  merit  alone,  and  that  the 
sound  picture  must  be  as  good  in  every  way 
as  the  silent  picture  in  order  to  make  good. 
^     ^     ^ 

The    first    "Curiosities,"    a    product    of    the 
VanBeuren      Enterprises,      released      through 
F  B  O,    goes   into    the   LTnited   Artists'   theatre 
during  the  run  of  "The  Tempest." 
^     ^     ^ 

First  National's  special,  "Lilac  Time,"  star- 
ring Colleen  Moore,  began  a  run  at  the 
Roosevelt  theatre  doing  between  $4,100  and 
$4,500  the  first  day.  The  picture  has  been 
.  given  one  of  the  most  attractive  lobby  dis- 
plays even  seen  in  Chicago.  The  picture  is 
synchronized  with  the  Western  Electric  disc 
method. 

*  *    * 

Irving  Mack  is  spending  a  10  days'  vaca- 
tion at  Poynette,  Wisconsin. 

*  *     * 

S,  E.  Pirtle  of  Birdstown  was  a  visitor  to 
the  First  National  exchange  last  week. 

*  *     * 

Marks  Brothers  have  con'.racted  for  Fox 
pictures  for  the  1928-29  season.  Final  con- 
tracts were  also  closed  with  B  &  K  and  Fox 
last   week. 

*  *     * 

Harry  Balaban,  of  the  Balaban  and  Katz 
Theatrical  Enterprises,  and  Miss  Marian  Rice 
Avere  married  last  Tuesday  evening.  Miss 
Rice  is  the  daughter  of  David  Rice,  who  has 
just  recently  been  made  division  manager  for 
Universal's  California  Theatres,  with  head- 
quarters' in  Los  Angeles. 

^     ^    ^ 

The  Evening  American  has  conducted  a 
prize  contest  to  determine  the  best  name  for 
talking  pictures,  and  the  word,   "talkies,"  was 

chosen. 

*  *     * 

A  $1,500,000  building  is  to  be  constructed  in 
Lombard,  construction  starting  the  first  of 
next  month,  which  will  house  a  theatre,  of- 
fices, and  apartments.  The  project  is  being 
undertaken   by   a    syndicate   headed   by   A.    B. 

Knight. 

*  *     * 

Phil  Reisman,  general  sales  manager  of 
Pathe,  has  just  closed  a  deal  with  the  Cos- 
ton  Circuit  for  all  Pathe  features  and  short 
subjects.  The  Coston  Circuit  includes 
about  75  houses  and  the  Pathe  pictures  go 
into  all  of  them  100  per  cent.  Another  im- 
portant booking  was  with  Marks  Brothers 
for  the   Granada  and   Marbro  co\ering  fea- 


The  Vote's  the  Thing; 
It  Creates  Interest 

(Special    to    the  Herald-World) 

KANSAS  CITY.  Aug.  14.— The 
Orpheum  theatre  will  keep  its  re- 
served seat  policy  if  it  listens  to  the 
requests  of  its  patrons.  About  one 
week  ago  Fred  Spear,  manager,  an- 
nounced through  the  daily  newspa- 
pers that  he  would  permit  the  patrons 
to  determine  the  future  policy  of  the 
house,  which  shows  first  run  pictures 
and  presents  vaudeville.  The  result 
was  overwhelming.  The  real  goal, 
however — the  creation  of  additional 
interest  in  the  theatre  on  the  part  of 
patrons  —  was  reached  with  colors 
flying. 


ture   product  and  embracing  both  synchro- 
nized and  unsynchronized  pictures. 

*  *  * 
Harold  Murphy,  formerly  with  National 
Theatres,  has  just  become  affiliated  with  the 
Stanley-Fabian  Theatre  Corporation  and  is 
now  handling  the  Hudson  county  houses  for 
the  company  in  New  Jersey. 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE 
DID  FOR  ME 

(Contifiued  from  page   73) 


LOVE  MY  DOG:  Our  Gang— Fine  little  comedy 
with  plenty  of  laug-hs  and  clever  gags.  Two  reels. 
— F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre,  Eureka,  Mont. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

PLAYING  HOOKEY:  Our  Gang— A  good  Gang 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  the- 
atre,   Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

WHEN  A  MAN'S  A  PRINCE:  Ben  Turpin— Not 
so  funny.  Two  reels. — F.  E.  Sabin,  Majestic  the- 
atre.  Eureka,    Mont. — Small  town   patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ANY  OLD  COUNT:  Murphy-Tincher— Very  good 
mirth  provoker.  Caused  more  laughs  than  the  usual 
Gump  comedy.  We  have  only  one  kick,  could  not 
get  a  bright  picture  with  our  light.  Two  reels. — 
Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BRAND  OF  COURAGE:  Newton  House— Fine  little 
Western  that  filled  in  the  program  dandy.  Plenty 
of  action.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D. — General   patronage. 

BRIGHT  LIGHTS,  NECK  N'NECK,  BANKER'S 
DAUGHTER.  HAREM  SCAREM,  EMPTY  SOCKS: 
Oswald  the  Rabbit — All  good  comedies,  in  fact  our 
best  one  reel  comedies.  A  cheer  is  always  sent  up 
when  these  comedies  are  flashed  on  the  screen. — 
S.  R.  Cook,  Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.  D.— Gen- 
eral patronage. 

MODEL  GEORGE:  Sid  Saylor— A  good  comedy, 
better  than  the  usual  George.  Two  reels. — S.  R. 
Cook,  Althea  theatre,  Dunseith,  N.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  NEWLYWEDS'  FRIENDS:  Just  about  holds 
up  the  average  of  Newlyweds  comedies.  By  no  means 
a  knockout,  although  it  drew  some  laughs.  Sunny 
McKeen  (Snookums)  is  95  per  cent  of  the  picture. 
Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre, 
Nevada,  O. — Small  town  patronage. 

PICKING  ON  GEORGE:  Just  a  fair  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

SEALED  ORDER:  Jack  Perrin— Fine  two  reel 
Western  which  filled  the  program  dandy  and  made 
them  feel  satisfied.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,    Kimball,    S.    D. — General    patronage. 

WHEN  GEORGE  HOPS:  A  funny  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

THIS  TICKLISH  PREDICAMENT:  It  came  in 
two  reels,  and  the  reels  came  in  two,  so  it  must  have 
been  rotten.  Pretty  punk  slapstick  mostly.  Two 
reels. — J.  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning, 
Ark — General   patronage. 


Recognizing  the  fact  that  changes 
in  method  come  in  the  splendid 
advancement  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany continues  its  own  forward 
march  and  maintains  its  supremacy 
in  presenting  to  the  trade 

Eastman  Panchromatic 

Negative 

Type  2 

— a  perfected^  proven  product 
for    the    cinematographer 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


-^r_ 


EXIIinnORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


ADVICE/ 


«HE  ne^wsreel  of  today,  SPEAKS  as 
'  ifvell  as  pictures  the  s'w^if  t  moving 
panorama  of  ivorld  events. 

By  January  1st,  Fox  Movietone^rs 
ivill  have  creMrs  throughout  the 
ivorld  covering  Europe,  South 
America,  Africa,  Asia  and  every  im- 
portant key  city  in  the  United  States. 

A  fortune  has  been  invested  in  de- 
veloping sound  for  neifvs  ^rork  and 
sound  recording  iipparatus  —  to  ob- 
tain, speedily  and  accurately,  inter- 
esting neivs  from  the  remotest 
corners  of  the  gl<ibe« 

HAVE  YOU  HE^Ril  THE  NEWS? 
You  can  ^  you  book 


FOX 
MOVIETONEWS 


''It  speaks  for  Itself!** 


EXeiBITOIR 


V«B^ 


GREAT  AS  M-G-M  PICTURES  HAVE 
BEEN  AND  ARE,  IN  1928-29  THEY  WILL 
BE  EVEN  GREATER- 

The  Septemher  releases  are  now  ready 
screening.      Both    SOUND    and    SIL^ 

WILLIAM  HAINES  IN  EXCESS  BAGGAGE.  Without 
doubt  one  of  the  finest  pictures  to  See,  Hear  (ot^  botfi)  that  has 
ever  been  made* 

OUR  DANCING  DAUGHTERS  with  JOAN  CRAWFORD.  A  sensation 
in  previews.  The  Biggest  Hit  Syracuse  and  Baltimore  have  had  in  a  season. 
Both  exceptional  pre-release  engagements. 

LON  CHANEY  in  ''WHILE  THE  CITY  SLEEPS,"  as  thrilling, 
fascinating  and  unusual  as  "The  Unholy  Three/' 

THE  BELLAMY  TRIAL.  The  greatest  courtroom  drama  ever 
enacted  (talking  sequences  now  being  added  to  make  it  even  greater).  AND 
OODLES  MORE  OF  GREAT  ENTERTAINMENT  IN  THE  PRODUCT  THAT  GLORIFIES 
THE  AMERICAN  SCREEN. 


L 


ETRO-GOLDWi 


AYER 


Whnli>  Vnl   Q9    Nn   S/Vnl    1A    Mn    11\    Entered  as  second-class   matter,  Auyust   20,   1917,   at   the  Post   Office  at  Chicago,   III.,   under  the  act  of  March  3,     i  .  «r    iaio 

•iiioie  »oi.  3^,  1>0.  O^VOI.  54,  INO.  li;     1S79.     Fublished  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.     Subscription  $3.00  a  year.     Single  copies,  25  cents.     AugUSt  Z5,  19Z8 


iMi 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


PARAMOUNT        "^^^  wedding    March"  and  "The 

Patriot,"  all  available  in   the  next 
POLICY  1928-29        .hree  months 

^  Fifty  or  more  of  these  features  will  be  synchronized,  most  of  them 
with  talking  sequences. 

^  Both  silent  and  sound  prints  will  be  available  on  all  50.  Each  in- 
dividual attraction  is  being  produced  to  sell  profitably  to  the  public 
either  silent  or  in  sound.  In  either  form  they  are  Paramount  box- 
office  quality  to  the  last  foot. 

^  The  Christie  Comedies  output  of  32  class  short  features  can  be 
played  either  silent  or  in  sound.  Paramount  News  will  soon  appear 
in  a  sound  edition.  But  Paramount  News  in  its  present  form,  which 
in  a  year  has  become  the  industry's  leading  news  reel,  will  continue 
to  be  available  to  all  houses.  Additional  shorts,  silent  and  sound, 
will  be  announced. 

^  Paramount  guarantees  to  the  19,000  theatres  not  now  equipped 
with  sound  as  well  as  to  those  with  installations  a  continuous  flow 
of  the  best  pictures  this  company  has  ever  released. 

^  Whether  you  need  sound  or  silent  pictures,  or  both.  Paramount  is 
your  one  backbone  service,  your  one  main  reliance,  in  1928-9. 


:^ 


¥'-- 


S-5  -.' 


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Atigust  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


I 


WiNGS 


11 


^Paramount 
picture 


TRADE^-^C^T^if  w  MARK 


Cparamount 


\iidures 


celebrates  this  week  ONE  SOLID  YEAR 
OF  CAPACITY  BUSINESS  AT  $2  at  the 
Criterion  Theatre,  New  York.  ^  ■^  4-  4- 


will  be  released  to  picture  houses 
IN  SOUND  in  September,  Set  your 
dates  now!  •J•4-•^^4••^>^•^•^•^4•* 


THE  GREATEST  BOX-OFFICE  ATTRAC- 
TION IN  MOTION  PICTURE  HISTORY! 
And,  of  course,  PARAMOUNT!  •^  ^  *  4- 


Lucien  Hubbard  Production         Directed  by  William  Wellman         Clara  Bow,  Charles  Rogers,  Richard  Arlen,  Gary  Cooper 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


GREAT  pictures  do 
GREAT  business 


"BACLANOVA  is  one  of  the 
coming  great  stars  of  the 
screen."     — Jesse  L.  Lasky 


in  any  season 


? 


Available   NOW  for   all 
theatres  everywhere. 


NOTE  THESE  DATES! 

August 

Gala  $5  N.  Y.  Premiere 

JANNINGS  -LUBITSCH 

"THE  PATRIOT" 

September 
"WINGS" 

October 
VON  STROHEIM'S 

"THE 
WEDDING  MARCH" 


^  Turnaway   business   all   week 

at    the   Paramount   Theatre 
despite  terrific  heat  and  strong- 

est  opposition  of  the  year. 


I 


as  usual,  has  the  great  pictures! 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc.     Will  H.  Hays,  President. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Gentlemen 

UNIVERSAL  S 
MARVELOUS 


BANQUET  / 
IS  SERVED/ 


■HHiilll 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Augost  25,  1928 


NOW  GOING  ON  mah 

NatkmVlide  Jknumstn 


RECENT  developments  in  the  industry  place  UNIVERSAL  so  far  ahead  in  the  short  subject  field  that  there 
is  now  not  even  a  close  second.  For  22  years  UNIVERSAL  has  topped  the  entire  field.  For  22  years 
thousands  of  exhibitors  have  looked  to  and  depended  entirely  on  UNIVERSAL  for  these  subjects,  and  now 
with  Carl  Laemmle  himself  on  the  firing  line  at  the  studios,  every  exhibitor  throughout  the  Nation,  leu-ge  and 
small  alike,  can  look  to  and  depend  entirely  on  UNIVERSAL  for  the  highest  quality  super  shorts  of  the  in- 
dustry: Shorts  that  have  following  of  millions  of  people — that  are  famous  for  their  drawing  power  at  the  box 
office. 

Beginning  immediately — at  every  Universal  Exchange  from  coast  to  coast — a  great  QUALITY  DEMON- 
STRATION of  SUPER  SHORTS  is  now  taking  place.  See  these  short  subjects  with  your  own  eyes — COM- 
PARE THEIR  QUALITY — the  pictures  themselves  will  do  ALL  the  talking. 


COLLEGIANS 

Millions  everywhere  know  Carl  Laemmle  Jr.'s 
Collegians.  Booked  by  such  representative  first 
run  houses  as  The  Indian  Theatre,  Indianapolis; 
Strand,  Montreal;  Majestic,  Shamokin,  Pa.;  Strand, 
Akron;  Regal,  Hartford.  A  Super-Short  Series 
shown  in  lights  all  over  the  country.  The  biggest 
short  subject  money  getter  in  the  world — nothing 
compares  with  them. 


SNOOKUMS 


Stern  Bros.  Newlyweds  baby,  "Snookums"  the  box- 
office  baby.  A  hit  with  millions  of  people.  A 
definite,  cash-in-the-box  Super  Short.  Here  are 
two  additional  first  run  theatres  to  book  "Newly- 
weds";  Orpheum  Theatre,  New  Orleans;  Majestic 
Theatre,   Shamokin,   Pa. 


LET  GEORGE  DO  IT 

Another  sure-shot  newspaper  cartoon  comedy,  by 
Geo.  McManus,  that's  pepper  for  the  program. 
"Let  George  Do  It"  is  another  Universal  Short 
booked  by  such  first-run  houses  as  Keith's  Theatre, 
Toledo,  and  the  Majestic,  Shamokin. 


BUSTER  BROWN 

Stern  Bros.  "Buster  Brown"  comedies  are  so  well 
known  that  to  merely  mention  the  name  is  enough. 
This  super-short  is  first  run  fare  and  no  mistake 
Buster  and  Tige  are  sure-fire!  Shown  now  in 
thousands  of  theatres. 


PIRATE  OF  PANAMA 

Bad  Men  in  the  Exotic  Jungles  of  Panama.  Full 
of  thrills  and  adventure.  Each  one  of  the  12 
episodes  will  sit  'em  on  the  edge  of  their  chairs. 
Absolutely  sure-fire — just  can't  miss. 


GO     TO     YOUR     UNIVERSAL     EXCHANGE 


MIKE  AND  IKE 


Mike  and  Ike  Comedies,  Rube  Goldberg's  cartoon 
characters  in  films — are  fast-sure-fire  fun  that  al- 
ways keeps  the  house  filled.  The  Orpheum  The- 
atre, New  Orleans,  and  Keith's  Theatre,  Toledo, 
are  the  type  of  houses  booking  these  Universal 
Shorts.     Both  important  first-run  theatres. 


FINAL  RECKONING 

One  of  the  best  hung-together  serijJs  ever  offered. 
One  chapter  pulls  'em  in  for  the  next.  From  the 
writings  of  the  greatest  boys'  author  who  ever  lived, 
G.  A.  Henty.  Far  and  way  above  the  average 
serial  in  quality. 


MYSTERY  RIDER 

Another  gripping  mystery  story  in  10  chapters. 
The  first  starts  them — the  other  nine  keeps  them 
coming.  Crammed  with  speed  and  Western  action, 
the  kind  that  keeps  the  crowds  excited. 

TODAY    AND    SEE    THESE    SUPER-SHORTS 


j        August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Mversal Exdmnges  - 

on  cf  UNIVERSAi*  S 


TARZAN  THE  MIGHTY 

These  big  first-run  houses  tell  the  tale  of  "Tarzan": 
Keith's  105th  St.  Theatre,  Cleveland;  New  Garden, 
Baltimore;  Skouras'  Indiana,  Indianapolis;  The 
Alhambra,  Sacramento;  The  Broadway,  Richmond; 
The  Capitol,  Dallas.  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  is  on 
its  way. 


LAEMMLE  NOVELTIES 

Now  being  booked  by  the  country's  biggest  first' 
run  theatres.  A  few  include  Roxy  Theatre,  New 
York;  United  Artists  Theatre,  Los  Angeles;  United 
Artists  Theatre,  Detroit;  El  Capitan  Theatre,  San 
Francisco.     What  additional  evidence  is  needed? 


OSWALD 

The  Lucky  Rabbit.  First  choice  cartoon  strip 
comedy  for  all  first-run  theatres.  Used  for  kid- 
appeal,  "supper  shows"  and  program  pepper.  Will- 
mer  and  Vincent,  Allentown,  one  of  hundreds  of 
recent  Oswald  bookings. 


Tenderfoot  Thrillers 

One  of  the  greatest  lines  of  2 
reel  western  ever  conceived  and 
filmed.  Production  costs  were 
second  to  quality — ^which  has  re- 
sulted in  a  real  de  luxe  edition 
of  Short  Westerns.  Your  box 
office  will  tell  the  tale. 


Diamond  Master 

A  serial  by  that  great  author, 
Jacques  Futrelle.  One  of  the 
most  dramatic  chapter  plays  ever 
screened.  Suspense  is  its  key- 
note. A  hair  raiser  for  your 
patrons. 


HORACE  IN  HOLLYWOOD 

This  great  series  of  1 3  one-reelers  with  the  original . 
"Harold  Teen"   in  the  person   of  Arthur  Lake  is 
big-league.     Lake  is  a  big  bet  everywhere — a  fea- 
ture star  in  short  subjects  for  you. 


JACK  HOXIE  (Re-issues) 

The  demand  from  many  sources  for  these  Jack 
Hoxie  re-issues  has  been  too  great  to  ignore.  The 
fans  simply  had  to  have  them.  Every  one  is  sure 
to  ring  the  bell!     Action — action  and  more  action. 


Harry  Carey  (Re-iss.) 

Has  gone  over  big  in  his  recent 
feature  picture,  "The  Trail  of 
'98,"  and  his  other  successes. 
His  Universal  re-issues  are  "nat- 
urals" and  just  had  to  be. 
Book  them! 


FOREST  RANGERS 

Like  the  "Stunt  Cowboy"  and  "Tenderfoot  Thrill- 
ers," the  "Forest  Rangers"  are  pictures  that  have 
been  built  and  filmed  for  the  express  purpose  of 
making  them  the  best  possible  to  produce.  A 
smashing  adventure  series. 


I 


STUNT  COWBOY  SERIES 

Real  money  was  spent  on  this  series  of  12  cow- 
boy shorts.  Everybody  loves  these  fast  riding  and 
hard  shooting  pictures.  Wonderful  for  the  regular 
or  supper  show  business. 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL 

"On  the  job  when  it  happens"  would  be  a  good 
slogan  for  "International  Newsreel."  The  greatest 
film  news  gathering  organization  insures  Inter- 
nationaJ  the  livest,  most  interesting  big-breaks  hot 
off  the  griddle!  Strictly  first-run  fare  for  hundreds 
of  leading  theatres. 


Members  of   Motion   Picture   Producers   and   Distributors  of  America — WILL  H.  HAYS,   President 


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G3mpany  can  give  you 
2  Road  Show  specials 

Such  as — 

/TCEET  ANGEL 
ECLR  f€NS 

EA  Z  I  L 

XLNCI/E 

MOTHER  MACHCEE 

THE  RED  DANCE 

TDE  AID  CIDCDX 

H€TDED   DNCWT  DETT 


Aing  //. 


"FOUR  SONS^^ 

SMASHES  World's  Record  at  the 

ROXY— $143,906.75  net 


for  one  week- 


tops  "What  Price  Glory"  j 


f 


Scores 
Hit  at 


Mark 


Strari 

N.Y. 


Hot,  July  iveather— the 
period  oS  vacations  — 

Against  these  odds,  Rod  LaRocque  in  "Hold 
*Em  Yale"  breezed  through  a  week  at  the 
Strand,  packing  'em  in,  standing  'em  up  in 
the  lobby,  lining  'em  up  in  the  street  and 
sending  them  away  from  the  theatre  as  happy 
as  a  Yale  crowd  after  a  Yale  victory  on  the 
gridiron. 

"Hold  *Em  Yale**  has  everything*  The  critics 
laud  it  in  the  language  of  the  hox'office — 


■^  ,v 


im&v':>if^'jm 


^■«sfm>^-i'}ta3k 


ocQue 


\ 


\ 


with 

JEANETTE  LOFF,  TOM  KENNEDY, 

JOSEPH  CAWTHORN   and    HUGH 

ALLAN 

A  HECTOR    TURNBULL    PRODUCTION 

ADAPTED  BY  GEORGE  DROMGOLD  FROM  "AT 

YALE"  BY  OWEN  DAVIS 

Directed  by  EDWARD  H.  GRIFFITH 
DeMILLE  STUDIO  PRODUCTION 


Bland  Johaneson  in 
the  Netu  York  'Mirror, 

"Rod  is  a  riot  in  'Hold  *Em  Yale.' Harold 
Lloyd,  Harry  Langdon,  all  the  big'time 
comedy  boys,  can  take  some  lessons  from 
LaRocque,  erstwhile  romantic  actor,  who 
plays  some  of  the  funniest  comedy  which 
has  hit  the  screen  ....  The  picture  opens 
with  a  laugh,  closes  with  a  laugh,  and  is 
drenched  in  laugh  all  through  the  middle." 

Mark  Barron  in 
New  York  Herald'Trihune 
"A   humorous,  whimsical   romance   of 
college  life." 


New  York  Evening  Graphic 
"Should   be   a   box-office   success  for   Pathe  .  . 
Packed  with  excitement,  carries  a  pleasing  love 
story." 

Regina  Cannon  in  tKe  Neiv  York  American 
**  'Hold  'Em  Yale'  is  the  most  entertaining  of  the 
new  pictures  on  Broadway  .  .  Has  its  quota  of 
thrills,  laughs  and  love  interest." 

New  York  Telegraph 
"Saturday   night   they    were  standing  six  deep 
waiting  for  seats  .  .  and  the  crowd  that  the  pic- 
ture attracted  thoroughly  enjoyed  it . .  The  trade- 
mark rooster  has  something  to  crow  about." 


This  Is  Pathe's  Year— Hit  After  Hit  Right  Through  The  Seasons 


WATCH  FOR  AMAZING  NEW  R.  C. 
II  A.  PHOTOPHONE  MUSICAL  AND 
EFFECT  ACCOMPANIMENT  ON 
CERTAIN  FORTHCOMING  PATHE 
FEATURE  PRODUCTIONS  SEASON 
1928—1929 


Pathe 


©ve  \jyer 


^ 


with  JEANETTE  LOFF, 

/^    TOM  KENNEDY— MARY  CARR 

A  Hector  Turnbull  Production 

Original    story    and    adaptation    by 
George  Dromgold  &.  Sanford  Hewitt 

Directed  by  Edward  H.  Griffith 

Produced   by   Pathe   Studios,   Inc. 


r"* 


ii 


With  newcham|)ion$forthe 


HERE  THEYARE*^ 

Now  readyFirst  release  in  each 


\\ 


TIRED  BUSINESS  MAN  SERIES 


KITCHEN" 

Featuring 

BILLY  BEVAN 

the  barrel-shaped  beau  brummel  comedian 

■with 

Nalalic  Joyce,  Irving  Bacon  and  Alice  Ward 

Directed  by  Phil  Whilman 


HANDY  ANDY  SERIES 

'W  DliMB 
WAITER'^ 

Featuring 

JOHNNY  BURKE 

famous  vaudeville  star 

wilh 

Vernon  Dent,  Elhcl  Gray  Terry  and  Connie  Lamont 

Directed  by  Harry  Edwards 


il 


THEYLIBETHETALkOI 


■^s^BBm 


season's  laugh  marathon 


SHOWMEN/ 

scintiilaf  inq  series 


DAN  THE  TAXI  MAN  SERIES 

\TAXI/&aTWO 

Featuring 

JACK  COOPER 

creator  of  a  sensational  new  character  role 

-wilh 

An<ly  (llydc,  Virginia  Vance  and  Olio  Fries 

Directed  by  Del  Lord 


// 


Glamourous,  glittering 
two-reelers  fresh  from 
the  Capital  of  Comedy, 
the  new  and  up-to-the- 
minute  Mack  Sennett 
Studios.  18  fast  ones,  6 

each  — "THE  TIRED  BUSI- 
NESS MAN",  "DAN  THE  TAXI- 
MAN",     "HANDY     ANDY". 

Beauts  for  the  box-office. 
Laughs  and  lassies  in 
the  Sennett  style. 


P 


arne 

Comedies- 


THE  TOWN  OVERNIGHT 


) 


iby. 


/ 


(/ 


FBO's 


SECOND  TALKER 
WALLOP : 

*'HIT  OF  THE  SHOW 

Already  a  hit  in  silent  form  at  Roxy,  N.  Y. 

D ON'T  BE  PANICKED  BY  SO UND  ! 


"^oweriaq 


MONEY-GETTEK: 

THREE  SMASH  WEEKS 
AT  NEW  YORK  RIVOLI 


* 


New  House 
Record  in 
Los  Angeles 

i5arrymore  drew 
em  in  in  droves 
giving  United  Arti* 
Theatre  its  ^reate§t 


gross 


cy^H 


arieh 


£ 


7ts  n  WEEK 
run  at  the  Embassy 
New  Tork  was 
a  sensational 
success  from 
every  standpoint 


One  of  the  . 

GREAT  19 '         ^ 

-prom  A 

l^ITED  A 


proves  it's  a 

business  pid 
for  any  the.* 

As  straight  film  drama  it  has  few 
equals.  Its  performance  record  in 
New  York  and  Los  Angeles  prove 
that. 


Now  with  SOUND  effects  it  will  be 
a  new  sensation.  We  predict  New 
York  will  send  it  to  new  records 
when  it  opens  at  the  Rivoli — United 
Artists  August  25th. 


<f 


But— SILENT  or  with  SOUND 
You  Have  in  '^Tempest"  a  Positive 
Box-Office  Picture. 


iOh  N 

r^       SOUND  Prints 
I  /       Available  August 
25th— 

ISTS  for  your  best  l9 


OS 


at 


Joseph  M..Sc1iencK 

*^        '  presents 

Americals  most 
distinguished  actor 


-^witK 


Camilla  Horn 
Louis  WoUieim 


jk. 


SAM  TAX  LOR 

production 

Supervised  by 

Joliii  W.  Cdnsidine  Jr. 


X8-l9a9 


Already  Dated 
for  the  following: 

OLYMPIA— New  Haven 
SHEA'S— Buffalo 
HAMMONDS— Atlanta 
TENNESSEE— Knoxville 
TIVOLI— Chattanooga 
FLORIDA— Jacksonville 
STRAND— Birmingham 
GARDEN— Milwaukee 
RIVIERA— Omaha 
DES  MOINES— Des  Moines 
PALACE— Dallas 
ROYAL— Little  Rock 
METROPOLITAN— Houston 
TEXAS— San  Antonio 
CALIFORNIA— San  Francisco 
DENVER— Denver 
COLUMBIA— Portland 
STATE— Boston 
REGENT— Harrisburg 
COLONIAL— Reading 
NORV  A— Norfolk 
LOEWS— Richmond 
LOEWS— Minneapolis 
VENDOME— Nashville 
ALLEN— Cleveland 
LOEWS— Canton 
LOEWS— Toledo 
OHIO— Columbus 
LOEWS-U.  A.-PENN— Pittsburgh 
LOEWS— Indianapolis 
MIDLAND— Kansas  City 
STATE— St.  Louis 
CAPITOL— Cincinnati 
UNITED  ARTISTS— Detroit 
GARDEN— Milwaukee 


LOS  ANGELES 
critics  said^^ 

TIMES:  "'Tempest' 
quality  feature.  Barry- 
more  production  draws 
large  crowds.  His  per- 
formance is  one  of  the 
best  he  has  given.  Camilla 
Horn  has  the  type  of  at- 
tractiveness that  one  does 
not  easily  forget." 

RECORD:  '  Tempest' 
has  crowds  at  opening. 
Barrymore  is  going  to 
need  a  supplementary 
battalion  of  secretaries  to 
handle  the  fan  mail  that 
this  picture  is  sure  to 
bring.  The  line  that 
stretched  down  the  side- 
walk yesterday  went  in 
eager  and  came  out  sigh- 
ing and  starry-eyed.  To 
those  who  are  seeking  en- 
tertainment  'Tempest' 
will  be  one  of  the  picture 
events  of  the  year.  High 
school,  stenographers  and 
shoppers  will  besiege  it." 

EXAMINER:  "John 
Barrymore  scores  new 
triumph  in  'Tempest.' 
Remarkable  picture.  The 
story,  the  action  and  un- 
usual photographic  ef- 
fects all  contribute  to 
making  'Tempest'  one 
grand  movie." 

HERALD:  "Barry- 
more's  'Tempest'  a  hit.  It 
would  not  surprise  me  if 
it  proved  the  most  popu- 
lar he  has  ever  made." 

EXPRESS:" A  picture 
that  will  delight  his  ad- 
mirers. Remarkable  per- 
formance. Believable, 
moving,  dignified.  Ca- 
milla Horn  proves  a 
worthy  addition  to  the  list 
of  imported  players." 


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15 


LONG    RUN 

ENGAGENENTS 

already  bookedr 
includini*  — 

MADISON,  Detroit 

The  BUFFALO,  Buffalo 

STILLMAN,  Cleveland 

DES  MOINES, 

Des  Moines 

STANLEY,  Baltimore 

i     RIVIERA,  Omaha 

AZTEC,  San  Antonio 

EMPRESS, 

Oklahoma  City 

COLUMBIA,  Davenport 


national 
PicturGA 


FlkCIH  THE  irCKY  By— JAWC  COVl   AMD  J/%ME  IMUI^FIIV 

presenfof/hy   JOHN  Mi:4:illKMIi:i4 

aG[€RGI  HTZIHAURICE  .»^a«. 


Member  /  Motion  Picture  PMducets  tmd  Distributors  of  America  Ina'«» Will  H.Hays  J^utent 


DtGCEEt 
UOT  IN 
bCTROIT 


B  U  T  t  E  l^r 

AND    E€C    m^W 

"In  spite  of  extrcmcl >  ..v^  •.    -  -  L^.icr 
opened  at   Michigan  Theatre  to 
exceptional  business  considerably^ 
above  average." 

President  Qroup  Sped 


HEART  ro  HEAR' 


Played   Capitol  Theatre  to  best 
business  house  has  had  in  months. 


[THE    BARKE 


I 


Full  page  review  in  'Liberty 
Magazine'*  calls  this  President 
Group  Special  '*one  of  the  year's 
best  pictures... gorgeous  and  color 
ful  drama... excellent  acting." 


uet- 


I 


WHEEL  OF  CHANC 


Richard  Barthelmess  vehicle  by 
New  York  Daily  News  as  one  of 
the  six  best  on  Broadway  in  July. 

»      '    •     ^ 

"THE  NIGHT  WATCH" 

^ft  A  Billie  Dove  President  Group    1 
^  production  rated  "wonderful 
story— good  directing — profitable 
to  exhibitors"  by  H.  W.  Chotiner, 
pre-view  exhibitor. 


"THE     PATENT 
LEATHER    Kl 


Mopping  up  wherever  it  plays 
Five  thousand  bookings  to  date. 
Scores  of  return  diucs.    Ha 
YOU  played  it  again  .' 


I 

4 


DtLIVERtD 

AT 

Tilt 

MICHIGAN 
AND  Tilt 

CAPITOL 


1 


Membtr  ^  Motion  Picture  Producttt  ««<  DlstribuWri  of  America  Inc. -~ Will  H.Haye  Pmtdnt 


i 


v^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


Home 
Office: 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

Sb4  moving    picture  407So.De«rbcmSt. 

WORLD 


IN   THIS   ISSUE 


Sound  picture  movement  is  not  retarding  booking  for  1928-29  season,  investigators  for  "Herald-World" 
find ;  Actual  increase  in  buying  activity  is  reflected  from  both  coasts ;  Territories  where  signing  of  new 
product  has  been  slowing  up  attribute  fact  to  causes  other  than  advent  of  synchronized  pictures  and 
production  plans. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Williams  organizes  new  international  company  to  distribute  im- 
ported product  in  United  States  and  Canada;  Hammons  is  on 
directorate  of  World  Wide  Pictures. 

St.  Louis  musicians  offer  to  accept  wage  reduction  of  $4  a  week; 
Move  is  considered  first  break  in  fight  against  synchronism. 
Universal's  "Uncle  Tom's   Cabin"  is  barred  from  Atlanta  after 
conference  of  mayor   and   representative   of  review  board  after 
preview. 

Censors'  demands  for  last  word  on  sound  productions  may  prompt 
referendum  by  industry,  Pettijohn  warns  Portland,  Ore.,  Council. 


DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized  Pictures  36 

The  Studio   39 

Short  Features   43 

Presentation  Acts   44 

The  Theatre  50 

Classified  Advertising 59 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 61 

Chicago  Personalities  by  Whit 66 


FEATURES 

Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 53 

Los   Angeles   by   Douglas    Hodges 40 

Pictorial  Section 33 

Letters  from  Readers 60 

Quick  Reference  Picture  Chart 55 

Broadway '. .  28 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Robert  Mor- 
ton Organ  Company,  Paramount,  Universal,  Fox,  Pathe,  F  B  O, 
United  Artists,  First  National,  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  Jack 
Ford,  Wesley  Ruggles,  Charles  Clarke,  Nick  Musuraca,  Mark 
Sandrich,  United  Studios,  Automatic  Ticket  Register,  L.  V. 
Kuttnauer  (Phototone),  Irving  Hamlin  (Sound  Proof  Doors). 

PRESENTATION— Francis  X.  Bushman,  Jr.,  Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  Vale 
and  Stewart,  Billy  Pond,  Dean  Stevenson,  Ransley  Studios, 
Brooks  Costumes,  Cecil  Davidson,  George  Pantzer. 


; 
\ 


CBICACO 
407    South   Dearborn   St.  Telephones   Harrison    0036-S7-38 

Cable    Address :     Qnigpubco 
EDWIN     S.     CLIFFORD,     General     Manager 
JAY    M.    SHRECK,   Managing   Editor 
GEORGE    CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 
ERNEST  A.   ROVELSTAD,    iVeirs  Editor 
LOS  ANGELES 
5617   Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone   Gladstone   3754 

DOUGLAS    HODGES 
Wett  Coast  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


NEW    YORK 

565   Fifth  Avenue  Telephones   Vanderbilt   3612-3&1S 

JAMES  BEECROFT,  Netc  York  Advertising  Manager 

PETER    VISCHER,    Neu>    York    Editor 

LONDON 

THE  BIOSCOPE 

(J.  Caboum,  Editor} 

Faraday    House 

S-10  Charing  Cross  Rd.,  W.  C.   2 


SUBSCRIPTION   RATES: 


United    States    and    possessions — $3.00    per   year,    Canada — $4.50  per  year.      Other  points  of  the  world 86.00  per  year.     Single  copies,  25  eenU, 

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1"^ 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


arv 


d  MOVING  PICTURE 


WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    Publisher  ^>o  Editor 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  191S;  Moving  Pic- 

TURB  World,  founded  in  1907;  Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 
QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifforb,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing   motion    picture    trade    publications    published    as    supplements    to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  aijd 
The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  8     (Vol.  34,  No.  11)     August  25,  1928 


Selling  the  Public 

DESPITE  popular  belief,  and  in  face  of  the  fact  that 
they  are  drawing  vast  crowds  into  theatres  all  over 
the  country,  synchronized  pictures  have  not  yet  been  sold 
to  the  public. 

Interest  in  this  new  and  brilliant  development  of  the 
motion  picture  industry  has  been  intense.  Every  film 
conversation,  every  argument,  every  controversy,  concerns 
sound.  A  curiosity  quite  unparalleled  even  in  the  spec- 
tacular motion  picture  industry  has  been  aroused  by  these 
new  pictures  which  catch  the  ear  as  well  as  the  eye. 

Looking  at  the  situation  with  the  cold  view  of  an  ob- 
server, impartial  and  critical  rather  than  blindly  enthusi- 
astic, one  is  compelled  somewhat  reluctantly  to  the  opinion 
that  synchronized  pictures  have  by  no  means  been  sold 
to  the  public.  People  are  interested,  yes,  and  eager  to 
buy,  but  so  far  this  is  the  result  rather  of  curiosity  and 
hope  than  of  conviction. 

The  reason  is  not  hard  to  find.  The  public  has  not  yet 
been  sold  on  sound  pictures  because  the  public  has  not  yet 
seen  one  that  it  could  take  to  its  heart  without  reservation. 
The  possibilities  of  the  new  development  have  been  clearly 
shown.  Intensely  interesting  experiments  have  been  made 
with  success.  Good  pictures  have  been  made  with  sound, 
but  the  sound  has  been  an  afterthought  of  one  sort  or 
another. 

Let  us  consider  "The  Patriot,"  for  example.  Here  is  a 
superb  picture,  thoroughly  intelligent,  gripping  in  its 
drama,  magnificently  done.  Its  premiere  at  the  Rialto 
theatre  in  New  York  quite  lived  up  to  the  glowing  reports 
received  for  months  past  from  an  excited  West  Coast. 

"The  Patriot"  was  shown  in  New  York  with  a  synchro- 
nized score,  finished  only  a  few  days  before  the  showing  of 
the  picture  and  therefore  the  latest  thing  in  synchroniza- 
tion. When  the  picture  started,  the  Rialto's  symphony 
orchestra  filed  from  its  seats  into  the  wings. 

The  synchronized  music  of  "The  Patriot"  was  good. 
But  no  one  with  any  ear  for  music,  no  one  with  any  taste 
for  sound,  would  dare  say  that  it  was  as  good  as  the  Rialto's 


orchestra.  In  other  words,  for  a  house  as  big  and  affluent 
as  the  Rialto,  the  synchronized  score  was  nothing  more 
than  a  curiosity.  If  it  had  any  effect  upon  the  strength  of 
the  picture  at  all,  then  candor  compels  the  statement  that 
it  detracted  rather  than  added. 

The  same  is  true  of  all  synchronized  sound.  Bonelli,  the 
opera  singer,  is  supposed  to  have  made  perhaps  the  most 
perfect  of  all  sound  recordings  to  date — and  there  were 
moments  when  his  voice  in  some  parts  of  the  theatre  was 
far  from  natural.  Nearly  every  other  recording  of  voice 
or  instrument  (with  the  possible  exception  of  the  extra- 
ordinary George  Bernard  Shaw)  has,  quite  frankly, 
sounded  electrical,  or  scratchy,  or  tinny,  or  something  off 
the  normal. 

Undoubtedly,  synchronized  pictures  were  brought  to  the 
public  before  they  were  quite  ready,  or  let  us  say,  before 
they  had  achieved  the  state  of  perfection  that  will  some 
day  be  theirs.  This  is  in  itself  not  objectionable,  because 
all  things  have  to  start  sometime,  but  it  does  involve  a 
danger. 

It  is  by  no  means  impossible  that  the  public's  interest 
and  curiosity  may  turn  into  distaste  before  a  good  sound 
picture  is  made  and  shown.  Unquestionably,  the  future 
holds  synchronized  pictures  that  will  truly  deserve  the 
description  "great."  Undoubtedly,  the  day  will  come  when 
sound — music,  dialogue,  effects — will  advance  a  picture 
enormously,  rather  than  retard  it. 

But  it  is  also  true  that  making  experiments  in  public 
will  be  something  like  the  traditional  washing  of  linen. 
Wise  producers  wdll  not  allow  themselves  to  be  rushed 
into  making  sound  pictures  for  no  other  reason  than  to 
have  sound.  True,  there  is  money  available  today  in  sound 
pictures,  but  there  will  be  more  profit  in  the  long  run  if 
synchronization  is  made  in  such  a  manner  that  the  public 
will  really  like  it. 

In  this  connection,  the  film  companies  have  a  right  to 
expect  something  from  the  manufacturers  of  recording  and 
reproducing  equipment.  You  can  hear  on  all  sides  sly 
charges  to  the  effect  that  the  big  electrical  companies  have 
put  the  film  industry  in  their  pockets.  Nothing  could  be 
further  from  the  truth.  The  electrical  companies  are 
working  for  the  motion  picture  industry  and  the  industry 
has  a  right  to  expect  their  product  to  improve  until  it  be- 
comes an  asset  of  marketable  value,  not  merely  a  curiosity 
of  impenetrable  possibilities. 


Liaison 

10JJD  critics'  cries  and  lesser  grumbles  from  the  public 
^  indicate  that  strong  stories  are  not  a  glowing  factor 
in  the  popularity  of  the  talking  pictures.  Such  is  inevi- 
tably the  case  at  the  beginning.  Exhibitors  will  not  have  a 
worry  until  months  have  worn  off  the  novelty  of  voices; 
then  they  will  cash  in  on  the  product  of  far-sighted  pro- 
ducers. 

A  few  of  the  producers  are  looking  ahead.  They  realize 
that  experts  in  the  legitimate  theatre  have  forgotten  more 
than  the  film  industry  will  learn  in  the  next  year  about 
the  expression  of  dramatic  emotion  by  word  of  mouth. 
Certain  of  these  experts  are  being  added  to  the  studio 
payrolls. 

Even  truer  is  the  feeling  at  some  studios  that  more 
necessary  than  ever  before  is  close  contact  with  New  York 
and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  Europe.  New  York  is  the  center  of 
dramatic  and  literary  ideas  in  America.  The  producer 
who  puts  himself  in  immediate  touch  with  these  ideas 
either  by  travelling  himself  or  by  selecting  a  contact  man 
of  highest  intelligence  will  afford  the  greatest  profit  to  the 
exhibitor.  For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  pictures  he 
will  be  able  to  avail  himself  of  the  talent  of  playwrights 
and  directors  who  know  his  business  better  than  he  him- 
self can  possibly  know  it  for  at  least  a  year. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


Synchronism  Fails  to  Retard 

Booking  in  Country  As  Whole 

Actual  Increase  in  Film  Buying 
Is  Registered  on  Both  Coasts 


Marquise  Sign  Flashing 
at  3  a.m.  Calls  Police, 
Saves  $1,500  Receipts 

Lights  Accidentally  Turned  on.  Say 

the  Authorities — Pleads  Not 

Guilty 

DETROIT,  Aug.  21.— The  lights  of  a 
marquise  display  sign  over  the  Tuxedo  thea- 
tre, a  neighborhood  house  here,  flashed  at 
3  o'clock  one  morning  last  week,  and  neigh- 
bors called  police,  who,  according  to  the 
authorities,  found  William  C.  Fisher,  33 
years  old,  burning  a  hole  through  the  office 
safe  with  an  acetylene  torch  and  arrested 
him.  Fisher,  needing  light  for  his  work, 
had  switched  on  some  of  the  lights  inside 
the  theatre,  and  in  doing  so  accidentally 
pulled  the  switch  turning  on  the  sign,  police 
declare. 

About  $1,500  was  in  the  safe,  the  incident 
taking  place  on  a  Monday  morning,  when 
two  days'   receipts  were  on  hand. 

Fisher  pleaded  not  guilty  when  arraigned 
in  police  court  and  was  held  for  trial  under 
$6,000  bond.  He  told  police  he  came  here 
from  California  four  months  ago. 

The  house  is  owned  by  the  Munz  The- 
atrical Enterprises,  which  also  operates  the 
Grand,  Riviera  and  LaSalle  Gardens. 


British  Intn  Buys 
FN'Pathe  Control; 
Maxwell  Chairman 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LONDON,  Aug.  21.— (By  Cable.)— Brit- 
ish International  has  acquired  the  control- 
ling interest  in  First  National  Pathe  which 
was  formerly  held  by  Provincial  Cinemato- 
graph Theatres. 

John  Maxwell  has  been  named  successor 
to  Will  Evans  as  chairman  of  the  board. 
British  International,  it  is  announced,  will 
make   First   National's   quota  pictures. 


No  Sunday  Racing  Edict 
Revives  Blue  Law  Issue 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  21.— Whether 
Bedford,  Ind.,  and  the  county  surrounding 
is  to  have  closed  Sundays  is  an  issue  there 
for  the  second  time  within  six  months. 
The  sheriff  has  announced  that  there  will 
be  no  Sunday  racing.  The  Sunday  show 
question  was  in  court  there  some  time  ago 
when  an  affidavit  was  filed  against  the 
manager  of  the  Von  Ritz  theatre.  The  case 
was  permitted  to  die  out  and  shortly  after- 
ward the  other  theatre  there  started  show- 
ing on  Sundays. 

The  management  of  the  Bedford  motor 
speedway  says  that  if  he  can  not  operate 
on  Sunday,  he  will  see  that  the  blue  laws 
are  enforced  in  both  the  city  and  county. 
The  sheriff  holds  that  races  are  not  in  a  class 
with  Sunday  shows  and  shopping,  inasmuch 
as  injuries  might  occur  at  a  Sunday  race,  and 
he  personally  would  be  held  liable. 


Grainger  on  Coast 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— James  Grainger, 
Fox  sales  manager,  arrived  here  yesterday, 
occur  at  a  Sunday  race,  and  he  personally 
would  be  held  liable. 


Leaders  in  Sections  Where  Exhibitors  Hold  Off  Blame 
Condition  to  Other  Factors 

By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 

Synchronization  is  not  retarding  the  buying  of  product  for  the  1928-29  sea- 
son, in  the  country  as  a  whole.  This  fact,  contrary  to  reports  which  have  been 
current  in  the  trade,  is  established  by  surveys  by  Herald-World  investigators 
in  territories  as  widely  separated  as  New  York  State  and  San  Francisco. 

Bookings  Grow  on  Coasts 

Actual  advance  of  bookings  over  a  year  ago  is  announced  by  leading  ex- 
changes in  San  Francisco,  and  buying  activity  is  on  the  increase  at  Albany.  In 
districts  where  there  has  been  a  falling  off,  the  general  response  was  that  factors 
other  than  sound  pictures  are  the  cause.  In  only  one  instance  did  the  exchange 
manager  attribute  a  slowing  up  of  buying  to  synchronized  product,  and  that 
only  in  the  case  of  theatres  whose  patronage  is  being  attracted  by  other  houses 
that  have  synchronized  equipment. 


Following  is  the  status  in  various  sections: 

Film  Bookings  Grow, 
Say  Leading  Exchanges 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  21.— That  film 
bookings  in  this  territory  are  further  advanced 
than  was  the  case  a  year,  ago  is  the  report  of 
some  of  the  leading  exchanges.  Some  of  the 
independent  exchanges  report  exactly  the  re- 
verse and  admit  that  they  have  not  been  able 
to  book  their  product  far  in  advance  and  that 
ihey  have  been  just  about  breaking  even  for  a 
long  time. 

The  satisfactory  showing  of  the  larger  ex- 
changes is  attributed  to  the  fact  that  they  are, 
in  many  instances,  closely  allied  with  the  the- 
atre circuits,  which  are  steadily  expanding 
their  interests.  The  theatre  circuits  are  buy- 
ing less  than  ever  from  independent  producers 
and  distributors  and  the  film  they  do  buy  is 
largely  for  immediate  use. 

Doubt  Sound  Is  Factor 

Opinion,  seems  to  be  general  among  both 
exchange  and  theatre  interests  that  synchron- 
ization, although  causing  much  discussion  and 
uneasiness  in  the  industry,  is  having  little 
effect  on  the  buying  of  film. 

A   comparatively  small  number   of   theatres 


in  Northern  and  Central  California  have  been 
equipped  for  the  use  of  sound  films  and  this 
number  will  not  be  increased  materially  dur- 
ing the  next  nine  or  ten  months.  Orders  for 
equipment  placed  now  cannot  be  filled  before 
next  March  or  April,  and  exhibitors  are  shy- 
ing at  the  expense  and  at  the  heavy  advance 
payments  demanded. 

Bookings  as  Usual 

Rumors  regarding  sound  film  are  simply 
pouring  out  of  Hollywood  and  with  predic- 
tions rife  that  equipment  purchased  now  may 
easily  be  obsolete  by  the  time  it  is  installed, 
exhibitors  are  in  no  hurry  to  place  orders. 
One  of  the  large  circuits  has  made  arrange- 
ments for  installing  sound  film  equipment  in 
a  few  of  its  largest  houses,  but  the  first  of 
these  installations  will  not  be  in  readiness  for 
at  least  eight  months.  In  the  meantime,  silent 
films  must  be  used  and  these  are  being  con- 
tracted for,  as  usual. 

General  Conditions  at 
Kansas  City  Blamed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS    CITY,    Aug.    21.— Sound    films 
have  little  to  do  with  the  fact  that  the  buying 
of  film  in   Kansas   City  is   much  slower   than 

(Coniinued   on  page   60) 


Paramount  Named  in  $600,000  Damage 

Suit  Brought  by  Former  Theatre  Man 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  21. — Suit  for  $600,000  damages  was  Hied  here  last  week  against 
Paramount  by  Philip  Gleichman,  at  one  time  proprietor  of  the  Broadway-Strand 
here.  Gleichman  alleges  failure  on  the  part  of  Paramount  to  provide  him  with 
films. 

In  his  bill  of  complaint,  Gleichman  states  that  on  September  29,  1919,  he  became 
a  party  to  a  contract  with  the  film  company  in  which  the  producers  promised  to 
furnish  motion  pictures  sufficient  for  the  Broadway-Strand  programs.  The  con- 
tract was  for  one  year  and  was  renewable,  Gleichman  says.  The  promised  £lms 
were  not  forthcoming,  according  to  the  bill  of  complaint,  and  Gleichman  says  that 
in  consequence  he  was  deprived  of  large  profits.  The  theatre,  he  says,  was  forced 
to  operate  at  a  loss. 

The  Broadway-Strand  has  had  a  long  and  varied  history.  When  £rst  built,  it  was 
one  of  the  most  popular  of  the  downtown  theatres.  The  house,  however,  is  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  main  thoroughfare.  Woodward  Avenue,  and  its  popu- 
larity declined  as  the  present  theatre  district  farther  to  the  north  and  closer  to  the 
shopping  district  was  developed. 

The  most  recent  venture  in  the  house  was  a  combination  of  stock  burlesque, 
vaudeville  and  motion  pictures.  This  too,  proved  unprofitable  and  the  house  is 
now  dark  with  the  probability  that  it  will  not  be  reopened. 


imjm .  ,.,jjj 


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26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE   WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Williams  Organizes  World  Company 
To  Sell  Imported  Films  in  U.  S* 

Hammons  on  New  Directorate  of  World  Wide  Pictures — EducationaVs 
Sales  Policy  Remains  Unchanged 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21. — ^J.  D.  Williams,  long  a  forceful  and  vivid  person- 
ality in  the  film  industry,  has  just  completed  lengthy  negotiations  for 
the  distribution  of  World  Wide  Pictures.  After  several  trips  back  and 
forth  across  the  Atlantic,  he  announced  here  today  that  he  had  completed  the 
formation  of  an  international  company,  to  distribute  imported  pictures  of  the 
highest  quality  throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
\X7ILLIAMS  foresees  in  the  formation  of      no  wise  interfere  with  that  company's  short 


»»    the    new    company    a    new    source    of 
feature  film  supply  for  the  new  world  and 


J.     D.     WiUiams 


E.    W.    Hammons 


a      far-reaching     change      in      international 
motion  picture   commerce. 

The  new  officials  of  World  Wide  Pic- 
tures,  Inc.,  are: 

J.  Douglas  Watson,  president;  J.  D. 
Williams,  vicepresident ;  John  Maxwell  and 
E.  W.  Hammons,  directors.  Mr.  Watson  is 
chairman  of  United  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, Ltd.  of  London;  John  Maxwell  is 
internationally  known  as  the  head  of 
British  International  Pictures,  Ltd. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
industry  adequate  national  American  dis- 
tribution of  imported  productions  direct  to 
theatres  throughout  a  channel  devoted  ex- 
clusively to  their  sale  and  exploitation  is 
assured.  All  overseas  product  regardless 
of  country  or  origin  will  be  handled. 
Internationally  Financed 

"Our  company  is  internationally  financed; 
one  of  London's  strongest  groups  have  co- 
operated with  a  powerful  American  banking 
institution  to  obtain  the  capital,"  said 
Williams. 

"All  World  Wide  Pictures  will  be  sold 
on  merit  on  an  individual  basis.  We  pro- 
pose to  give  all  countries'  producers  an 
equal  chance.  World  Wide  Pictures,  Inc., 
our  importing  and  distributing  concern,  will 
function  as  the  sale  and  exploitation  agency. 
A  national  sales  staff  is  in  process  of 
formation. 

"Educational  Film  Exchanges  will  phys- 
ically distribute   our   product.      This  will   in 


subject  business. 

"While  this  new  source  of  film  supply 
will  most  benefit  American  exhibitors,  the 
proposition  as  a  whole  is  certain  to  favor- 
ably affect  the  entire  world  industry.  We 
will  bring  novelty  and  variety  of  entertain- 
ment from  the  lands  of  romance  overseas. 
We  will  provide  an  open  market  for  pro- 
ducers of  other  countries  so  they  can  no 
longer  complain  that  their  pictures  have  no 
chance  in  America.  Entertainment  value 
will  hereafter  gauge  the  salability  of  im- 
ported pictures  just  as  it  does  American 
films.  European  countries  are  energetically 
developing  their  own  film  industries  for 
national  reasons.  Some  fine,  novel  pictures 
are  sure  to  result.  We  shall  select  only 
those  which  promise  profit  to  American 
theatres.  We  expect  to  offer  30  to  40  im- 
ported pictures  a  year  from  the  outset." 

Educational  Keeps  Sale  Policy 

Arrangements  for  the  physical  distribu- 
tion of  World  Wide  Pictures'  feature  sub- 
jects through  Educational's  exchanges  will 
not  in  any  way  affect  the  sale  policy  of 
Educational  Film  Exchanges,  Inc.,  which 
always  has  been  and  will  continue  to  be  a 
specialist  in  short  subjects  exclusively,  ac- 
cording to  E.  W.  Hammons,  president  of 
Educational. 

Supplementing  the  statement  of  J.  D. 
Williams  that  World  Wide  Pictures'  ar- 
rangements with  Educational  for  physical 
distribution  would  "in  no  wise  interfere 
with  that  company's  short  subject  busi- 
ness," Hammons  said: 

"Educational  has  a  splendidly  organized 
system  of  exchanges,  including  thirty-six 
branches  in  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
which  have  the  room  and  physical  equip- 
ment necessary  for  the  handling  of  this  new 
line  of  feature  pictures. 

"The  executive  and  sales  staffs  of  the  two 
companies  have  nothing  to  do  with  each 
other.  World  Wide  will  sell  and  exploit  its 
own  product,  for  which  purpose  its  staff  is 
now  being  organized.  Outside  of  the  addi- 
tion of  such  inspectors,  shippers  and  others 
as  may  be  required  in  some  of  Educational's 
exchanges  to  take  care  of  the  increased 
amount  of  film  being  handled,  there  is  to  be 
no  change  in   Educational's   organization." 


Fire  Destroys  Famous  Resort's  Only 

Picture  House;  Estimated  Loss  $30,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LAKE  GEORGE,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  21. — The  Arcade  theatre,  owned  and  operated  by 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Carpenter  and  the  only  picture  house  here,  was  destroyed  in  a  £re  last 
week  that  consumed  a  business  block  and  which  for  a  time  threatened  to  sweep  a 
large  section  of  this  famous  summer  resort.  The  theatre  was  located  in  a  block 
owned  by  Mrs.  Carpenter  and  occupied  by  both  stores  and  apartments. 

The  fire  was  discovered  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  spread  with  such 
rapidity  that  a  call  was  sent  to  Glens  Falls  and  Warrensburg,  each  of  which  re- 
sponded with  a  pumper.  Mrs.  Carpenter  places  her  loss  at  about  $30,000,  with 
about  one-half  covered  by  insurance.  Hundreds  of  summer  visitors  assisted  in 
Bghting  the  blaze.  >     .  ,j  ■ 


Pathe  and  FB  O 
Sign  With  RCA  to 
Make  Sound  Films 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Pathe  and  F  B  O 
have  signed  up  with  the  Radio  Corporation  of 
America  for  the  production  of  their  extensive 
list  of  synchronized  pictures.  Details  were 
effected  by  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  before  he  sailed 
for  Europe,  putting  to  rest  irresponsible 
rumors  that  he  had  broken  off  relations  with 
David  Sarnoff,  head  of  RCA. 

Colvin  W.  Brown,  active  head  of  Pathe,  an- 
nounced his  organization  as  well  as  F  B  O 
would  have  its  own  recording  laboratory  in 
New  York  in  general  charge  of  Robert  T. 
Kane,  who  recently  has  been  active  as  Ken- 
nedy's representative  in  the  RCA  organization. 
Brown  is  now  conferring  with  William 
LeBaron  on  sound  features.  Mack  Sennett  is 
completing  a  deal  with  Photophone  which  will 
gave  Pathe  a  lineup  of  synchronized  comedies. 

"The  King  of  Kings,"  already  shown  with 
special  sound  and  synchronized  musical  effects 
at  the  Rivoli  theatre  in  New  York,  received 
considerable  attention.  "The  Godless  Girl" 
will  have  a  complete  musical  synchronization 
and  in  addition  there  will  be  certain  dialogue 
sequences.  Eight  special  features  also  have 
been  selected  for  sound  accompaniment. 

Editor  Ray  Hall  of  Pathe  News  is  very 
enthusiastic  over  the  use  of  sound  for  news 
films.  President  Amedee  J.  Van  Beuren  of 
the  Van  Beuren  Enterprises  has  announced 
that  "Aesop's  Film  Fables"  in  sound  will  be 
available  to  all  theatres  equipped  for  sound 
projection  and  that  "Dinner  Time,"  the  first 
fable    recorded,    has    exceeded    expectations. 


Harold  Lloyd  to  Start 
Shooting  September  4 
On  First  Sound  Picture 

Story    Is    Laid   in   San   Francisco' s 

Chinatown — Seeking  Feminine 

Lead 

(Special   to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.  — After  several 
months  of  preparation  Harold  Lloyd  is  slated 
to  start  shooting  September  4  at  the  Metro- 
politan studio  in  Hollywood  on  his  latest  pro- 
duction and  the  first  of  the  sound  era.  This 
will  be  exactly  five  years  to  a  day  since  Lloyd 
started  on  "Girl  Shy,"  his  first  feature  as  an 
independent  producer. 

Where  previously  the  bespectacled  comedian 
has  started  production  with  but  a  thread  of  a 
story,  on  the  current  production  he  has  spent 
much  more  than  the  usual  time  allotted  to 
"preparing"  in  outline  his  story  in  complete 
detail.  This  has  been  necessitated  by  the 
growth  of  the  sound  picture. 

While  purposely  avoiding  the  much  over- 
worked underworld  theme,  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  new  Lloyd  story  will  be  set  in 
San  Francisco's  Chinatown.  Much  stress  will 
be  laid  in  the  mystery  element.  Lloyd  is  to 
be  seen  as  the  son  of  a  famous  police  officer 
feared  yet  loved  by  the  Chinese  while  the  boy 
is  more  interested  in  flowers. 

The  gates  are  ajar  for  a  leading  woman  for 
Lloyd.  The  comedian  is  pursuing  a  policy  of 
selecting  a  new  feminine  lead  for  each  picture, 
and  John  L.  Murphy,  his  production  manager, 
is  preparing  to  make  tests.  Lloyd  faces  a 
doubly  hard  task  for  the  quality  of  her  voice 
will   have  to  be  considered. 

Lloyd  is  not  as  yet  prepared  to  make  a 
definite  statement  as  to  his  plans  regarding 
dialogue  in  his  films.  He  has  given  every 
angle  of  this  situation  most  careful  scrutiny. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


Kennedy  Rips  Up  F  N  Contract 
After  Clashing  Over  Control 

Abandons  Position  As  Advisor; 
Rossheim  Takes  Full  Charge 


Laemmle  Addresses 
U Berlin  Convention 
From  Beverly  Hills 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  21.— Carl  Laemmle, 
president  of  Universal,  sitting  in  his  Beverly 
Hills  home,  addressed  the  German  sales  man- 
agers and  salesmen  of  the  Universal  organ- 
ization, assembled  at  dinner  at  the  Hotel 
Kaiserhof  in  Berlin.  It  was  the  longest  talk 
ever  made,  although  it  lasted  only  a  few 
minutes.  Laemmle's  voice  was  routed  by  wire 
across  the  United  States,  from  New  York  by 
cable,  and  then  by  land  wire  to  Berlin.  Loud 
speakers  in  the  banquet  hall  made  his  talk 
heard  easily.  Laemmle  addressed  the  men  in 
their  native  tongue. 

This  was  the  first  time  a  convention  speech 
had  been  made  at  such  a  distance.  It  broke 
by  far  the  recent  record  of  a  sales  convention 
talk  between  London  and  Ohio.  Due  to  the 
difference  in  time  between  Los  Angeles  and 
Berlin,  Laemmle  had  to  make  his  speech  at 
10  a.  m.,  Los  Angeles  time,  in  order  to  catch 
the  salesmen  at  dinner  in  Berlin. 

Joe  Friedman,  Universal  general  manager 
in  Europe,  engineered  the  long  distance 
speech. 


$350, 


)flOO  Net  Profit  of 
Consolidated  Film  Equal 
To  50  Cents  on  Common 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— The  report  of 
ConsoHdated  Film  Industries,  Inc.,  for  the 
quarter  ended  June  30,  1928,  shows  a  consoli- 
dated net  profit  of  $350,032  after  deductions 
for  depreciation,  federal  taxes,  etc.  This  is 
the  equivalent,  after  dividend  requirements  on 
the  $2  participating  preferred  stock,  to  50 
cents  a  share  on  400,000  no-par  shares  of  com- 
mon stock,  comparing  with  $351,344  or  50 
cents  a  share  on  the  common  in  the  preceding 
quarter. 

For  the  six  months  ended  June  30,  the  net 
profit  totaled  $701,376,  after  deductions  for 
depreciation,  federal  taxes,  etc.,  or  $1  a  share 
on  the  common  stock. 


Boy  Dies  of  Burns  He 
Received  Trying  to  Put 
Out  Fire;  Theatre  Razed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OKLAHOMA  CITY,  Aug.  21.— Herman 
Mathis,  14-year-old  employe  of  the  Dow 
theatre  at  Dow,  Okla.,  was  mortally  burned 
while  attempting  to  put  out  a  fire  which 
started  in  the  theatre  just  as  he  entered  the 
building  with  films  for  the  evening  perform- 
ance. The  theatre  and  several  adjoining 
residences   were   destroyed. 


A  Bit  of  Fall  Weather 
Helps  Summer  Business 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  21.— Despite  the  hot 
weather  of  last  week,  motion  picture  thea- 
tres in  Albany  and  Troy  report  business 
as  being  satisfactory.  When  the  weather 
became  cooler  Friday  night,  there  was  an 
immediate  response  in  patronage  at  prac- 
tically every  theatre.  Exhibitors  declare 
■that  such  is  a  forerunner  of  what  may  be 
expected  this  fall. 


Decision  Follows  Long  Conference  with  Skouras,  Barney 
Balahan  and  Waddell  Catchings 

By  PETER  VISCHER 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2L — After  an  official  announcement  had  been  issued 
reporting  the  signing  of  a  five-year  contract  with  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  by  First 
National  Pictures,  Inc.,  all  negotiations  were  broken  off  between  the  two. 
Kennedy  sailed  for  Europe  on  the  He  De  France  on  Friday  and  let  it  be  known 
that  he  was  through  with  First  National. 

Had  Vast  Prestige,  Not  Free  Hand 

Kennedy  was  called  in  to  advise  First  National  some  weeks  ago,  after 
obtaining  control  of  Pathe,  F  B  O  and  the  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  Circuit.  His 
power  seemed  to  be  growing  enormously  and  it  was  said  freely  that  he  would 
bring  First  National,  Pathe  and  F  B  O  into  a  single  great  organization  to  rival 
the  existing  powers  of  the  film  industry. 
Those  in  the  know  were  skeptical  of  any       been    acting    in    an    advisory    capacity    for 


such  alignment,  particularly  when  it  became 
known  that  Kennedy  was  not  under  con- 
tract when  he  went  to  the  West  Coast  to 
inspect  First  National  facilities.  His  posi- 
tion was  that  of  an  "unofficial  advisor,"  not 
unlike  America's  representatives  at  the 
League  of  Nations.  He  had  vast  prestige 
and  some  power,  but  by  no  means  a  free 
hand. 

Contract  Tom  Up 

When  Kennedy  came  back  to  New  York, 
propositions  between  him  and  influential 
members  of  the  First  National  organization 
flew  back  and  forth.  A  five-year  contract 
was  drawn  up.  Apparently  things  were  so 
nearly  settled  and  signed  on  the  dotted  line 
that  an  announcement  was  broadcast  to  the 
effect  that  Kennedy  had  been  placed  under 
contract. 

The  final  meeting  was  set  for  Friday, 
just  before  he  was  to  be  off  to  Europe. 
After  hours  of  negotiations  he  went  into 
conference  with  the  powers  of  First  Na- 
tional, particularly  Spyros  Skouras,  Barney 
Balaban  and  Waddell  Catchings.  When  the 
conference  was  over,  Kennedy  left  the  room 
free  from  all  responsibility  to  First 
National.  The  contract  was  torn  up  and 
thrown  away. 

Split  on  Control 

The  disagreement  between  First  National 
and  Kennedy,  which  may  be  said  to  have 
concerned  matters  of  control  rather  than  of 
salary,  was  verified  by  Irving  D.  Rossheim, 
president  of  the  corporation.  He  announced 
today,  in  a  cryptic  typewritten  statement, 
that  "by  mutual  consent  the  board  of 
directors  of  First  National  Pictures  and 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy  had  terminated  an 
agreement   under  which    Mr.    Kennedy  had 


First  National  Pictures  for  several  months." 
It  is  understood  that  Rossheim  will  be  in 
control  of  First  National  affairs  for  the 
present.  Whether  some  advisor  other  than 
Kennedy  will  be  brought  into  the  company 
could  not  be  learned  yesterday.  Apparently 
the  company  will  continue  to  function  at 
top  speed  during  any  reorganization  that 
may  be  attempted. 


$100,000  Company  Being 
Formed  to  Stage  World 
Bathing  Beauty  Contest 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  21.— A  company 
is  being  organized  in  this  city  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $100,000,  of  which  the  major  por- 
tion has  already  been  subscribed,  for  the 
purpose  of  staging  an  international  bathing 
revue  during  the  summer  of  1930  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Pontchartrain.  The  levee 
board  is  spending  millions  of  dollars  to  im- 
prove the  shores  of  Lake  Pontchartrain, 
which  lies  a  short  distance  from  the  city, 
and  expects  to  complete  its  work  early  in 
the  spring  of   1930. 

Miss  Gladys  Moore  will  direct  the  revue, 
the  title  to  be  the  Gladys  Moore  Interna- 
tional  Bathing   Revue. 


UFA  Expedition  Returns 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— U  F  A's  expedition 
to  the  provinces  of  Bessarabia  and  Dodrucha 
of  the  Roumanian  government  has  just  re- 
turned to  Berlin  with  a  number  of  unusual 
pictures. 


Disgruntled  Employes  Blamed  in  Attack 

On  Theatre;  $1,200  Loot  from  Another 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  21. — Two  Indiana  theatres  were  broken  into  last  week, 
one  by  vandals  said  to  be  labor  malcontents,  the  other  by  thieves. 

Persons  of  unknown  identity  entered  the  Paramount  at  Kokomo  during  the  early 
morning  hours,  according  to  the  police,  and  hurled  stench  bombs  about,  slashed  the 
screen  to  shreds  and  otherwise  damaged  the  interior  to  the  extent  of  several  hun- 
dred dollars.  Trouble  between  the  management  and  former  employes,  particularly 
projectionists,  is  believed  to  be  the  primary  cause.  The  theatre  had  been  the  vic- 
tim of  burglars  just  a  few  days  previous. 

The  Pantheon  at  Vincennes  was  broken  into  by  thieves,  who  pried  off  the  com- 
bination-wheel of  the  safe  and  escaped  with  $1,200. 


—        --  '' ' 


..=.,jijsm 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


|]T  NEW  YORK.— Probably  the  biggest 
^  event  of  the  early  season  was  the  open- 
ing of  "The  Patriot,"  starring  Emil  Jannings, 
at  the  Rialto.  .  .  Why,  the  event  got  almost 
as  much  attention  as  the  doorman  at  the 
Paramount. 

1[No  theatre  ought  to  hire  a  doorman  now- 
adays unless  they  find  out  first  if  he  paints, 
or  sings,  or  something.  .  .  .  He  ought  to  be 
unmarried,  too,  leaving  all  sorts  of  oppor- 
tunities. 

Vohn  Spar  go  is  beginning  to  flutter  just  a 
bit  about  the  approaching  opening  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Club.  ...  It  promises  to  be 
quite    an    event. 

^Paula  Gould  is  off  on  her  vacation,  which 
makes  the  telephone  seem  just  a  dull  and 
drab  article  of  commerce.  .  .  .  She  had  the 
estimable  Joe  E.  Brown  entertaining  at  the 
Astor  just  before  going  away  for  the  big 
rest. 

IfParamount  is  making  a  picture  without 
a  single  extra.  .  .  .  What's  that.  .  .  .  The 
trick  nowadays  is  to  make  a  picture  without 
a  single  sound. 

HThe  Hippodrome  is  being  sold  again.  .  .  . 
They've  been  tearing  that  thing  down  ever 
since  I  crawled  under  the  seats  the  time  they 
showed  how  Grant  took  Richmond,  or  what 
have  you. 

1["White  Shadows"  seems  to  be  packing 
them  in,  which  accounts  somewhat  for  the 
smile    on    Howard    Dietz's   countenance. 

ilFan  mail  is  costing  Hollywood  $2,000,000 
a  year.  .  .  .  We  knew  there  must  be  some 
reason  for  the  big  salaries.  .  .  .  Fans  should 
be  answered  on  postcards.  .  .  .  No  charge 
for  that  idea. 

'^Wells  Root,  erstwhile  reporter  in  New  York, 
came  to  New  York  just  long  enough  to  get 
married  to  the  charming  and  beautiful  Lin 
Segal.  .  .  .  They'll  be  on  their  way  back  to 
the  Coast  soon,  provided  they  survive  the 
Great  Neck  weekend. 

HThe  South  is  barring  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin." 
.  .  .  Ho  hum,  I  thought  that  war  was  over 
anyway. 

^Harry  Warner  hasn't  sold  the  company 
yet.  .  .  .  Apparently  the  Frank  Munsey  of  the 
motion  picture  profession  hasn't  arrived  yet. 
.  .  .  Tell  that  to  Mr.  Joseph  P.  Kennedy. 

1[The  Roxy  seems  to  be  all  set  to  run  the 
big  Fox  pictures  for  the  rest  of  the  year.  .  .  . 
or  maybe  it's  forever.  .  .  .  The  crowd  just 
doesn't  seem  to  know  when  it's  all  over. 

'^John  S.  Robertson  and  his  wife  are  back 
in  New  York,  after  a  stop  in  Europe.  .  .  . 
Hunt  Stromberg,  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  pro- 
ducer, is  back  too. 

IfCuriously,  the  Shuberts  are  all  set  to  give 
the  boys  some  hot  competition  in  the  talking 
picture  field.  .  .  .  The  first  thing  they  did  was 
rent  the  hallowed  old  Winter  Garden  to  War- 
ners. ...  So  Al  Jolson  can  be  back  in  the 
old  place. 

1["Lilac  Time"  has  its  new  synchronization 
all  installed.  .  .  .  They  say  it's  great. 

'^Padere-djski  is  reported  to  have  been  offered 
$150,000  to  play  a  couple  of  pieces  for  the 
sound  screen.  .  .  .  George  Gershwin  is  turning 
his  nose  up  at  $100,000  (and  George  has  a 
nose)  for  a  musical  piece  written  especially 
for  sound. 

'^Martha  Wilchinski,  who  runs  the  Roxy 
more  or  less,  is  off  on  a  vacation. 

1[Jack  Dempsey,  the  well  known  thespian, 
has  been  around  quite  a  little.  .  .  .  Apparently 
he  never  heard  of  the  fight  business.  .  .  .  Ex- 
cept maybe  as  a  piece  of  publicity. 

^Bruce  Powell,  a  smart  young  feller  if  ever 
there  was  one,  has  been  snatched  by  Sam 
Katz  for  the  Publix  organization. 


PETER  VISCHER. 


1928-29  Melodrama  by  FB  O 


IN  three  pictures  now  being  completed 
for  the  1928-29  program,  F  F  O  offers 
melodrama  with  a  variety  of  theme  and 
locale.  "Singapore  Mutiny"  is  of  the  sea, 
"The  Perfect  Crime"  is  of  the  well-dressed 
and  felonious,  while  "Son  of  the  Golden 
West"  is  of  Tom  Mix — no  better  descrip- 
tion is  possible.  "Singapore  Mutiny"  stars 
Ralph  Ince,  with  Estelle  Taylor,  "The 
Perfect  Crime"  co-stars  Clive  Brook  and 
Irene  Rich. 


Above  and  at  right  are  three 

scenes       from       "Singapore 

Mutiny,"  showing  Ralph  Ince 

and  Estelle  Taylor. 


W—'^\ 

1'^ 

*''^ 

4                                                                     ^ 

{            { 

f^m 



Clive    Brook    is   shown   at   left   in   "The   Perfect 

Crime."    Below  is  pictured  the  filming  of  a  scene 

for    the    Mix    picture,    with    Tom    on    Tony    and 

Eugene  Forde  directing. 


A 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


St.  Louis  Musicians  Offer  to 
Accept  $4  a  Week  Cut  in  Pay 


Al  Christie  Weds  Film 

Player,  Shirley  Collins 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  2L— Al  Christie,  the 

noted  producer  of  short  comedies,  and  Shirley 

Collins,    Christie    comedienne,    were    married 

last     Wednesday     at 

Yuma,     Ariz.       Miss 

Collins'      real      name 

was  Fern  Crum. 
The     ceremony     is 

the  result  of  a  studio 

romance      which      is 

said     by     friends    to 

have    begun    a    year 

ago.      Mr.    and    Mrs. 

Christie    are   now    in 

the  East  on  a  honey- 
moon trip. 

Miss     Collins     has 

been      appearing      in 

featured  roles  in  the 

comedies  which 

Christie     makes     for 

the   Paramount    short   subjects   program,    and 

is  considered  one  of  the  most  beautiful  players 

in  a  field  that  goes  in  for  the  exploitation  of 

beauty  very  heavily. 


AI  Christlfl 


A.  5.  Davis  Resigns  as 

Director  for  Stanley 

(Special  to  the  Heraid-World) 

PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  21.— A.  S.  Davis, 
director  of  theatres  of  the  Stanley-Davis- 
Clark  Corporation,  has  resigned.  Al- 
though he  had  not  made  known  his  future 
plans,  he  intimated  to  a  Herald-World  rep- 
resentative that  he  would  soon  again  be 
connected  in  some  manner  with  either  the 
theatre  or  the  exchange  end  of  the  business. 
Davis  was  formerly  manager  of  the  First 
National  exchange  here,  later  becoming 
general  manager  of  the  Rowland  and  Clark 
theatres,  which  were  absorbed  a  year  ago 
by  the  Stanley  Company. 

Earl  L.  Crabb,  district  manager  for  Stan- 
ley in  Pittsburgh,  has  been  transferred  to 
Philadelphia  and  will  be  succeeded  here  by 
Frank  W.    Buhler. 


Governor  Recommends 
''Greater  Movie  Season" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  21.— Governor 
C.  C.  Young  of  California  has  called  upon 
the  people  of  the  state  to  support  the 
"Greater  Movie  Season"  inaugurated  this 
week  by  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc. 

"The  greater  the  public  demand  for  bet- 
ter motion  pictures,  the  more  pictures  of 
this  kind  we  will  have,"  he  said.  "Better 
motion  pictures  mean  an  influence  for 
greater  educational  good,  a  most  important 
feature  of  our  community  and   social  life." 


Dorothy  Devore  Loses 

Patience,  Gains  $1,750 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  21.— Dorothy  De- 
vore, Educational  featured  comedienne,  who 
has  been  waiting  a  long  time  to  play  a  part 
according  to  a  contract,  for  the  Krellberg 
Pictures  Corporation,  quit  waiting  last  week 
and  collected  her  pay.  The  court  in  which 
she  had  brought  suit  awarded  her  $1,750. 


Move  Seen  As  First  Break  in 
Fight  Against  Sound  Pictures 

Projectionists*  Demands   Threaten  Closing  of  Buffalo 
Downtown  Theatres — Get  Increase  at  Milwaulzee 

First  break  in  the  demands  of  organized  musicians'  fight  against  synchronized 
pictures  is  seen  in  the  offer  of  St.  Louis  union  pit  men  this  week  to  accept  a 
wage  reduction  of  $4  a  week.  The  offer  was  made  to  58  neighborhood  thea- 
tres, Fred  Wehrenberg  announced  for  the  exhibitors,  A  similar  proposal  was 
made  recently  to  three  large  theatres.  Five  of  the  large  houses  in  St.  Louis 
now  have  sound  equipment. 

Buffalo  Shutdown  Threatened 

At  the  same  time  that  the  St.  Louis  situation  seemed  on  the  way  to  clearing 
up,  the  wage  question  with  projectionists  was  springing  to  the  fore  in  several 
parts  of  the  country.  At  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  a  closing  of  downtown  theatres  was 
threatened  in  protest  against  their  demands.  Kansas  City  exhibitors  named  a 
committee  to  confer  with  the  booth  men.  The  Milwaukee  Theatre  Owners  As- 
sociation agreed  on  a  higher  scale. 


A  deadlock  has  been  reached  at  Buffalo, 
according  to  the  dispatches.  Projectionists 
are  demanding  $100  a  week  and  seven  men 
in  the  booths.  The  maximum  increase  would 
be  $45  a  week,  the  present  scale  being  $55, 
$65  and  $75.  The  exhibitors'  association, 
through  President  H.  M.  Addison,  has  offered 
a  flat  rate  of  $75  which  has  been  turned  down. 
Six  projectionists  now  are  being  employed 
whereas  the  exhibitors  say  they  could  operate 
efficiently  with  only  four. 

$20  Increase  Offer  Refused 

"I  feel  sure  that  there  isn't  a  theatre  in 
Buffalo  that  netted  a  single  dollar  last  year," 
s'aid  Addison,  who  operates  the  Great  Lakes. 
"On  the  verge  of  another  season  that  promises 
no  profits,  we  are  facing  staggering  demands 
of  union  organizations.  One  of  these  units 
demands  an  annual  increase  of  approximately 
$150,000  in  the  downtown  theatres. 

"In  an  effort  to  play  fair  with  the  union 
men,  the  managers  of  leading  downtown  the- 
atres have  come  to  the  front  with  an  offer 
of  a  $20  weekly  increase  in  the  operators' 
envelopes  but  the  proposal  promptly  was  re- 
jected. Sooner  or  later  the  public  will  have 
to  be  called  upon  to  meet  these  unfair  de- 
mands. Under  present  conditions,  and  I  am 
referring  to  all  the  prominent  downtown 
houses,  the  increases  simply  cannot  be  met 
with  any  degree  of  success." 

Booth  Costs  $270  Now 

W.    M.    Raynor    of    the    Lafayette    theatre 


pointed  out  that  it  now  costs  $270  weekly  to 
operate  the  Lafayette  booth  and  if  the  increase 
were  granted  this  particular  overhead  would 
soar  to  $500  each  week. 

Vincent  McFaul  of  Shea's  Buffalo  charac- 
terized the  salary  increase  of  $45  weekly 
sought   as   entirely  unfair. 

Higher  Wage  Scale 
Adopted  at  Milwaukee 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
MILWAUKEE,  Aug.  21.— Last  week 
marked  a  very  important  event  in  theatre 
circles  here  when  motion  picture  projectionists 
and  the  Milwaukee  Theatre  Owners  Associa- 
tion agreed  on  a  higher  wage  scale  for  opera- 
tors. For  some  time  the  operators  have  been 
stating  that  they  should  have  higher  pay,  due 
to  the  fact  that  sound  devices  mean  a  lot  more 
work  and  responsibility  for  them. 

Believe  K.  C.  Union 
Will  "Listen  to  Reason" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  21.— Kansas  City's 
annual  question — the  projectionists'  wage 
scale — has  come  up  again.  A  committee,  con- 
sisting of  R.  R.  Biechele,  president  of  the 
M.P.'T.O.  Kansas-Missouri;  Lee  Vaughn, 
Neptune  and  New  Centre  theatres;  E.  E. 
Weber,  Strand,  and  K.  S.  Duncan  of  the 
Alamo,  Roanoke  and  Broadmour,  has  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  exhibitors'  organization  to  con- 
(^Continued  on  page  60) 


Chicago  Electrical  Workers  Still  Refuse 

To  Work  on  Synchronization  Installations 

Electrical  workers  installing  synchronization  apparatus  in  Chicago  theatres  are 
still  persisting  in  their  walkout,  persisting  also  in  keeping  their  purpose,  beyond 
the  assertion  that  there  is  no  wage  controversy,  still  veiled  in  mystery,  despite  the 
completion  of  installation  at  B  &  K  houses. 

Paraphernalia  in  the  United  Artists  theatre,  partly  installed  when  the  walkout 
occurred  three  weeks  ago,  remains  as  it  was  then,  although  under  a  24-hour  agree- 
ment, as  reported  in  last  week's  issue,  the  men  completed  their  jobs  at  three 
Balaban  &  Katz  houses,  the  Chicago,  Uptown  and  Tivoli.  The  United  Artists 
theatre  had  planned  to  run  sound  pictures  by  this  time.  B  &  K  inaugurate  the 
policy  at  the  Chicago  on  Saturday,  with  Paramount's  "Warming  Up." 

That  the  electrical  union's  walkout  has  all  the  appearances  of  an  attempt  to 
discourage  mechanical  music  in  theatres,  in  accordance  with  the  attitude  of  union 
musicians,  is  admitted  by  the  executives  of  both  the  theatre  interests  which  have 
been  thus  far  most  affected.  James  C.  Petrillo,  head  of  the  Chicago  musicians, 
has  stated  that  he  is  in  no  position  to  discuss  the  walkout  as  regards  his  organiza- 
tion. Michael  Boyle,  business  agent  of  the  electrical  workers,  left  Chicago  last 
week  for  the  East,  expecting  to  be  gone  more  than  a  week. 


30 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  Is  Barred 
From  Exhibition  to  Atlantans 

Decision  Follows  Conferences  Between  Mayor  and  Secretary  of 

Review  Board  After  Three  Days  of  Speculation — 

Pohtical  Muddle  Called  One  Factor 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald- World] 
ATLANTA,  Aug.  21.— "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  will  not  play  in  Atlanta.    Defi- 
nite announcement  to  that  effect  was  made  Wednesday  following  conferences 
between  Mayor  L  N.  Ragsdale  and  Mrs.  Alonzo  Richardson,  secretary  of  the 
x\tlanta  Board  of  Review. 

Follows  Private  Showing  to  1,100 

The  decision  brought  to  an  end  three  days  of  speculation  wherein  strong  re- 
sentment against  the  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe  novel  was  revived.  The  whole 
thing  started  Sunday  afternoota  when  1,100  people  attended  a  private  showing 
of  the  picture  at  Loew's  Grand,  as  the  especially  invited  guests  of  Carl  Laemmle 
and  Universal  Pictures  Corporation. 


There  was  no  demonstration  during  or 
following  the  screening,  but  there  was 
plenty  of  discussion.  How  strong  the  feel- 
ing against  the  picture  mounted  is  indi- 
cated in  the  fact  that  a  group  of  women 
called  upon  the  mayor  Monday  morning 
and  asked  him  to  take  a  hand  in  the  matter. 
Call  Exhibition  Unwise 

As  secretary  of  the  local  Board  of  Re- 
view, Mrs.  Richardson  appealed  to  the 
mayor  to  aid  the  board  in  suppressing  the 
showing  of  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  in  Atlanta. 
Sentiment  generally  was  to  the  effect  that 
an  exhibition  of  the  picture  would  be 
unwise. 

It  was  pointed  out  that  the  story  itself 
is  not  only  highly  emotional,  but  that  it 
paints  a  false  and  exagp-erated  picture  of 
the  South  and  the  institution  of  slavery, 
making  an  isolated  case  of  brutality  appear 
as  typical,  and  that  there  could  be  no  ex- 
cuse for  perpetuating  the  story  that  had 
served  as  a  firebrand  to  plunge  this  country 
into  the  War  Between  the  States. 

Political   Situation  Held  Factor 

Many  who  saw  the  picture  declared  that 
there  could  never  be  any  excuse  for  pre- 
senting "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  but  they 
emphasized  the  point  that  the  already  high 
tension  existing  in  this  section  between 
white  Democrats  and  black  Republicans 
and  the  political  complications  incident  to 
the  pending  presidential  election  argued 
mightily  against  a  public  showing  of  the 
picture  at  this  time. 

Following  the  final  conferences  held  in 
the  mayor's  office  Wednesday  it  was  defi- 
nitely announced  that  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin" 
will  not  be  shown  in  Atlanta. 


United  Artists  Names 

Release  Dates  for  5 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— David  Wark 
Griffith's  "The  Battle  of  the  Sexes"  will  be 
released  nationally  October  13;  Norma  Tal- 
madge's  "The  Woman  Disputed"  will  be  dis- 
tributed October  20 ;  and  November  3rd  is  the 


M  G  M  to  Make  Film 
With  All-Negro  Cast 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  2L—King 
VidoT  announced  yesterday  that  he 
soon  will  direct  a  picture  for  M  G  M 
which  will  contain  an  all-negro  cast. 
It  will  be  made  in  Georgia.  Nothing 
official  has  been  said  about  sound,  but 
it  is  thought  a  great  opportunity  lies 
in  this  production  for  negro  folk 
songs. 


date  set  for  Dolores  del  Rio's  "Revenge."  All 
three  of  these  United  Artists  pictures,  which 
are  completed,  will  be  synchronized. 

John  Barrymore's  "Tempest"  is  set  for  na- 
tional release  August  25,  with  synchronized 
prints,  while  "Two  Lovers,"  the  final  Colman- 
Banky  picture,  goes  out  to  the  country  Sep- 
tember 7,  also  with  sound. 


Beauties  to  Be  Picked 
For  F  B  O'Macfadden 
Contest  Finals  Aug,  25 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Eliminations  in 
the  "American  Venus  Beauty  Contest" 
sponsored  by  F  B  O  and  conducted  in 
Physical  Culture  Magazine,  New  York  Eve- 
ning Graphic  and  the  Philadelphia  Daily 
News,  will  be  held  in  the  Loew  Houses 
August  25.  Over  5,000  girls  have  participated 
in  the  contest,  which  started  several  months 
ago.  The  winner  will  be  awarded  a  trip  to 
Hollywood  with  her  chaperone  and  a  ten 
week  contract  by  F  B  O  at  $150  a  week.  In 
the  event  that  she  makes  good,  she  will  be 
retained  permanently  on  the  F  B  0  lot,  it  is 
stated. 

The  contest  is  open  until  August  31.  Girls 
wishing  to  participate  must  send  their  photo- 
graphs taken  in  a  bathing  suit  to  Venus  Con- 
test Editor,  Macfadden  Publications,  1926 
Broadway,  New  York,  with  name,  address, 
coloring,  height,  weight,  neck,  bust,  arm,  leg, 
waist  and  wrist  rneasurements  noted  on  the 
back  of  the  photograph.  Age  restrictions  are 
between   16  and  25. 

The  judges  will  be  William  Le  Baron,  vice- 
president  of  F  B  O  in  charge  of  production ; 
Bernarr  Macfadden,  Major  Edward  Bowes, 
Florenz  Ziegfeld,  Ruth  Eastman  and  Brad- 
shaw  Crandell,  the  latter  two  artists. 


Signs  to  Write  for  M  G  M 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Bess  Mere- 
dyth,  screen  author  of  "Sea  Beast,"  "Don 
Juan"  and  other  notable  masterpieces,  this 
week  signed  with  M  G  M  to  write  scenarios 
for  a  period  of  years.  She  recently  com- 
pleted "A  Woman  of  Affairs"  for  the  com- 
pany. 


Clayton  Sheehan  Sails 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,   Aug.   21.— Clayton   Sheehan 
is  on  his  annual  tour  of  Europe  as  manager  of 
the  foreign   department  of  Fox.     He  returns 
the  middle  of  October. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

PARAMOUNT — "The  First  Kiss,"  a  Paramount  pro- 
duction featuring  Fay  Wray  and  Gary  Cooper, 
directed  by   Rowland  V.   Lee. 

HIPPODROME — "Beware  of  Blondes,"  featuring 
Matt  Moore,  Roy  D'Arcy  and  Dorothy  Revier. 

CAMEO^ — "Two  Brothers,"  a  U  F  A  picture  featur- 
ing  Conrad  Veidt. 

STRAND^"Out  of  the  Ruins,"  a  First  National  pro- 
duction starring  Richard  Barthelmess,  directed  by 
Francis   Dillon. 

CAPITOL — "Four  Walls,"  a  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
starring  John  Gilbert  and  Joan  Crawford,  directed 
by    William   Nigh. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

ROXY — "Four  Sons,"  a  Fox  production,  Movietone, 
revived   August   11th. 

CRITERION — "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
12,  1927. 

GLOBE — "The   Red    Dance,"    Fox,    opened   June   25. 

ASTOR — "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas,"  Merto- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,  opened  August  1. 

CENTRAL — "Lilac  Time,"  First  National,  opened 
August  3. 

RIVOLI— "The  Perfect  Crime,"  F  B  O,  opened  Au- 
gust 4. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "Crime  and  Pun- 
ishment,"  Moscow  Art  Theatre  players,  opened  Au- 
gust  11. 

EMBASSY — "The  Scarlet  Lady,"  Columbia,  opened 
August  14. 

WARNER— "The  Terror,"  Warner  Brothers  all  talk- 
ing picture,  opened  August  IS. 

RIALTO — "The  Patriot,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
17. 

GAIETY — "Lost  in  the  Arctic,"  Fox,  opened  July  25. 


Sunday  Shows  Lose  in 
Ohio  Town  Referendum 
By  1,539  to  2,059  Vote 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ASHLAND,  O.,  Aug.  21.— The  referen- 
dum held  in  this  city  August  14  on  the 
question  of  repealing  the  Sunday  closing 
law  as  it  applied  to  motion  oicture  theatres, 
resulted  in  defeat  for  Sunday  shows  by  a 
vote  of  1,539  to  2,059.  Only  three  of  the 
17  precincts  in  the  city  voted  in  favor  of 
repeal.  The  vote  was  exceptionally  large. 
The  Ashland  Theatre  Owners  Associa- 
tion, headed  by  Fred  Edwards,  chairman, 
and  Harry  Carl,  secretary,  pushed  the  cam- 
paign for  repeal. 

Valentino  Suit  Ends 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  21.— Private  settle- 
ment of  the  suit  of  Alberto  Gugglielmi  and 
Mary  Valentino  against  George  Ullman  is  be- 
lieved the  reason  for  the  withdrawing  of  the 
action  over  the  Valentino  estate  from  the 
superior  court  calendar. 


INCORPORATIONS 

ALBANY.— Six  companies  incorporated  in  New 
York  state  the  past  week.  These  companies  included: 

Wildhone  Productions,  Inc.,  capitalized  at  $50,000, 
with  Sidney  Kalfus,  Bertha  Safier,  Rae  Monsky,  of 
Brooklyn;  Hyman  Productions,  Inc.,  $20,000,  Hor- 
tensem  Florence  and  Lionel  Hyman,  New  York  City; 
Arden  Productions  Co.,  Inc.,  William  Edelson,  Louis 
Feldman,  Emma  Dresdner,  New  York  City;  E.  &  L. 
Theatrical  Corporation,  $25,000,  Lewis  and  Elies 
Moses,  Hanna  Graubord,  Stapleton,  L.  I.;  Kader 
Productions,  Inc.,  Merwin  F.  DeVine.  Albert  E. 
Marks,  Herman  Roth,  New  York  City;  Brown,  Pow- 
ell &  Deering,  Inc.,  $40,000,  Arthur  G.  Brown,  George 
T.   Powell,  Ralph  H.  Deering,  Lewiston,  N.   Y. 


Radin  Books  Stanley  House 

WASHINGTON.— Gotham's  "United  51.1165  Smith" 
has  been  booked  into  Stanley-Crandall's  Metropolitan 
by  Matty  Radin. 


"Felix  the  Cat"  Has  Now 
Become  Music  Record 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Paul 
Whiteman  and  his  band  have  made  a 
Columbia  record,  "Felix  The  Cat,"  a 
song  and  instrumental  number  in- 
spired by  the  "Felix  the  Cat"  ani- 
mated cartoon  comedies  released  by 
Educational. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Fox  Productions  Help 
Fete  25th  Birthday  by 
Ringing  Cash  Register 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— The  Silver  Anni- 
versary year  of  Fox,  which  officially  began 
August  19,  is  proving  to  be  one  more  than 
in  name,  according  to  that  company's  busi- 
ness reports.  Last  week  John  Ford's  "Four 
Sons"  did  the  greatest  business  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Roxy  theatre,  grossing  $143,906. 
A  four  weeks  run  of  "Street  Angel"  did 
more  than  $480,000. 

The  records  of  theatres  in  four  West 
Coast  states  were  broken  a  week  ago  by 
four  Fox  pictures,  "Street  Angel,"  "Fazil," 
"The  Red  Dance"  and  "Four  Sons."  "Sun- 
rise" played  to  $80,000  in  four  weeks  at  the 
Roosevelt,  Chicago. 

Two  more  specials  are  to  come,  "The  Air 
Circus"  and  "Mother  Knows  Best."  Both 
have  Movietone  synchronizations,  while 
"Mother  Knows  Best"  has  talking  se- 
quences. 


Paramount  Declares  $2 
On  Common;  to  Arrange 
Stock  Split-Up  Sept.  26 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— The  board  of  di- 
rectors of  Paramount  has  declared  the  regu- 
lar quarterly  dividend  of  $2  per  share  on 
the  common  stock,  payable  October  1,  1928, 
to  stockholders  of  record  at  the  close  of 
business  September  7,  1928.  The  books  will 
not  close,  it  is  stated. 

The  board  has  selected  September  26, 
1928,  as  the  date  for  concluding  arrange- 
ments for  the  proposed  split-up  of  the  com- 
mon stock  on  a  three-for-one  basis.  Cer- 
tificates may  be  surrendered  to  the  transfer 
agent  at  any  time  thereafter. 


1928  Shows  Increase  in 
Censorship  in  Germany 

(Washington  Bureau  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  21.--Censorship 
of  feature  films  in  Germany  during  the  first 
six  months  of  1928  showed  a  considerable 
increase  over  the  corresponding  period  of 
last  year,  according  to  a  report  to  the  de- 
partment of  commerce.  During  this  period, 
299  long  features  were  censored,  as  com- 
pared with  246  during  the  first  six  months 
of  1927,  or  an  increase  of  53  features. 

The  American  share  of  the  299  films  was 
140,  or  46.8  per  cent,  as  compared  with  42 
per  cent  during  the  first  half  of  1927.  The 
German  share,  on  the  other  hand,  was  160 
films,  or  38.8  per  cent,  as  compared  with 
40.5  per  cent  during  the  first  half  of  1927. 

On  the  other  hand,  foreign  feature  films 
other  than  American  censored  during  the 
1928  period,  totaled  14.3  per  cent,  as  com- 
pared with  17.5  per  cent  for  the  first  six 
months  of  1927,  a  decline  of  slightly  over 
3  per   cent. 


New  York's  Film  Center 
Begins  to  Look  Like  One 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— The  Film  Center 
Building  is  rapidly  assuming  its  identity  as  a 
film  building.  Each  day  as  the  structure  pro- 
ceeds towards  completion,  the  special  features 
which  take  it  out  of  the  class  of  ordinary 
buildings,  become  more  prominent.  The  net 
work  of  flues,  the  film  vaults,  projection 
rooms,  shipping  and  inspection  rooms,  imme- 
diately typify  it  as  a  made  to  order  building 
for  the  film  industry. 

Abe  N.  Adelson,  president  of  Film  Center, 
Inc.,  owners  of  the  building,  states  that  the 
building  will  be  completed  ahead  of  schedule. 


Censoring  Sound  May  Prompt 
Referendum,  Pettijohn  Warns 

Film  That  Will  Picture  and  Record  in  One  Is  Coming  Within  18 

Months,  Portland,  Ore.,  City  Council  Is  Told — K.  C. 

Censors  Demand  Dialogue  Be  Submitted 

[By  Special  Correspondeilt  of  the  Herald-World] 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  21.— Threat  that  the  motion  picture  industry  will 
undertake  a  referendum  on  the  entire  question  of  censorship,  if  Portland  and 
other  large  cities  in  the  Pacific  Northwest  try  to  censor  the  new  talking  pic- 
tures, was  made  before  the  city  council  by  C.  C.  Pettijohn  of  New  York,  gen- 
eral counsel  for  the  Film  Boards  of  Trade. 

"We  have  tried  that  in  two  or  three  places  and  have  not  lost  yet,"  Pettijohn 
declared.  "We  believe  that  the  motion  picture  industry  is  now  as  clean  as  any 
other  business,  and  cleaner  than  some.  We  do  not  believe  in  censorship  because 
we  do  not  believe  it  necessary.  Your  city  has  censorship,  and  of  course  that  is 
your  own  afifair 


"With  the  advent  of  the  new  talking  pic- 
tures, which  are  synchronized,  the  picture 
with  the  record,  we  believe  that  a  new 
problem  has  arisen.  Within  18  months  we 
will  have  a  film  that  will  picture  and  record 
in  one.  When  that  time  comes  we  will  take 
the  position  that  censorshin  on  such  pic- 
tures will  be  unnecessary  and  impossible, 
and  if  censorship  is  insisted  upon  it  may 
be  necessary  to  ask  a  referendum  on  the 
whole    question." 

Permission  was  granted  Pettijohn  to  out- 
line to  the  city  council  the  stand  of  the 
industry,  taken  because  of  the  revolution  in 
the  industry  that  new  pictures  will  bring 
about. 

K.  C.  Censors  Demand 
Copies  of  Spoken  Words 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  21.--Hollywood 
directors  might  as  well  be  notified  now  as 
later  that  they  should  be  careful  of  the 
words  thev  put  into  the  mouths  of  a  villain 
or  scoundrel  in  talking  motion  pictures. 
Yes,  the  Kansas  State  Censor  Board  must 
know  and  hear  all.  Copies  of  the  words  in 
talking  pictures  must  accompany  the  films 
when  they  are  sent  to  the  censor's  office, 
Miss  Emma  M.  Viets,  chairman  of  the  cen- 
sorship board,  has  announced. 


one  at  Bloomington,  one  at  Bedford,  two  at 
Greencastle  and  two  at  Crawfordsville.  He 
takes  possession  of  the  Crawfordsville 
theatres  September  1. 

Robert  Mellis,  who  has  been  manager  of 
the  Liberty  theatre  at  Washington,  Ind., 
will  go  to  Crawfordsville  as  assistant 
manager  of  the  enterprises  there. 

The  Liberty  theatre  in  Washington,  Ind., 
will  be  operated  under  lease  by  the  McCarrell 
enterprises,  owners  of  the  Indiana  theatre,  in 
the  future,  and  the  Granada  theatre  in  Green- 
castle, owned  by  the  same  company,  has  been 
leased  to  Vonderschmitt.  Under  the  new  sys- 
tem, Vonderschmitt  will  control  the  Green- 
castle theatres,  and  the  McCarrell  Enterprises 
will  have  charge  of  the  Washington  houses. 


Vonderschmitt  Adds  2 

To  His  Indiana  String 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS.  Aug.  21.— Two  thea- 
tres in  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  the  Strand  and 
Art,  have  been  added  to  the  string  of 
Indiana  playhouses  controlled  by  Harry  P. 
Vonderschmitt.  With  the  addition  of  these, 
Vonderschmitt  has  an  interest  in  six  houses. 


Texas  Guinan  to  Play 

Texas  Guinan  in  Talky 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Warner  Brothers 
has  signed  Texas  Guman,  this  town's  best 
idea  of  a  "clubwoman,"  to  a  contract  which 
calls  for  her  to  appear  in  a  Vitaphone  all- 
talking  picture. 

The  title  will  be  "Queen  of  the  Night 
Clubs,"  a  story  written  especially  for  her  by 
Addison  Burkhart  and  Murray  Roth.  The 
script,  from  which  Bryan  Foy  will  direct,  is 
now  in  preparation. 


Logan  Estate  $20,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— The  entire  estate 
of  "over  $20,000"  of  Thomas  F.  Logan,  of 
Lord,  Thomas  and  Logan,  was  willed  to  his 
wife. 


MP  TO  Offers  $1,000  Reward  to  Find 

Flinger  of  Stench  Bomb  in  Labor  Fight 

(Special  to  the  Herald-M^orld) 

PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  21.— -Payment  of  a  $1,000  reward  for  the  apprehension  of 
the  person  or  persons  who  threw  the  "stench  bomb"  in  the  Brentwood  theatre 
here,  August  9,  has  been  authorized  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  M  P  T  O  of  West- 
ern Pennsylvania.  The  bomb  was  thrown  during  the  evening  performance  and  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  result  of  a  dispute  in  connection  with  the  employment 
of  a  union  miner  as  projectionist,  instead  of  a  member  of  the  operators'  union. 
Four  hundred  persons  were  forced  to  leave  the  theatre. 

Shortly  after  the  incident,  Mrs.  John  E.  Snyder,  wife  of  the  proprietor  of  the 
theatre,  who  was  selling  tickets,  answered  a  telephone  call  and  was  informed  that 
the  theatre  would  be  bombed.  An  all-night  vigil  by  police  prevented  the  carrying 
out  of  this  threat. 

Snyder,  who  has  conducted  the  theatre  for  the  past  three  years,  was  approached 
recently  by  a  man  who  represented  himself  as  business  agent  of  the  operators' 
union.  He  ordered  Snyder  to  hire  a  member  of  the  local  operators  union.  The 
latter  refused. 

"Why  should  I  discharge  him?  He  does  his  work  and  had  been  here  before  I 
bought  the  place,"  Snyder  is  reported  to  have  said,  and  the  stench  bombing  is  be- 
lieved the  result. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Amateur  Cameraman  Qets  Break 
On  Flier^s  Midocean  Crash 

Aboard  Liner  When  SOS  from  Courtney  Is  Snatched  from  Air — Gets 

Complete  Pictures  of  Rescue 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21. — An  amateur  cameraman,  a  16-millimeter  ma- 
chine, a  disappointing  European  search  for  thrills — ^then  an  SOS. 
And  F.  A.  D.  Hancock  had  the  "break"  which  every  newspaper  man 
prays  for  but  has  no  hope  of  experiencing.  Hundreds  of  theatres  showed  the 
film  through  Pathe  News. 

HANCOCK   was    returning   from   overseas,      used  by  a  number  of  the  independent  houses 
aboard  the  S  S  Minnewaska,  when  Frank      in  the  state  of  Washington. 
Courtney    began    his    ill-fated    flight    toward  Exhibitors  who   have  joined  the  associa- 

American   shores.     There   was   no   connection       tion  during  the  past  week  are  Carlin  &  But- 
between  the  facts  at  that  time.     Hancock  had       ler,  operating  the  Senate   in   Portland;   and 
made  many  a  picture,  but  all  for  his  own  fun       L.  E.  Partridge,  who  operates  the  Coliseum 
and  that  of  his  friends.     He  had  developed      at  Tilamook,  Ore. 
his  own  technique  and  had  gone  to  Europe  to 
try   it   out   on    foreign    subjects.      Interesting, 
truly   enough,   were   the    shots   he   had   taken, 
but  that  was  all. 

On  Liner  as  S  O  S  Comes 

While  the  Minnewaska  was  in  midocean 
there  came  the  faint  call  for  help  from  the 
radio  of  the  British  flier  and  his  comrades, 
forced  down  with  their  plane  ablaze.  The 
liner  went  to  the  rescue,  but  it  was  eighteen 
hours  of  battling  with  the  waves  for  the  air- 
men before  the  steamer  reached  the  scene. 

It  was  Hancock's  chance,  and  how  he  did 
avail  himself  of  it!  He  was  cranking  his  Cine 
when  the  crew  lowered  the  lifeboat.  He  was 
still  at  it  when  the  craft  drew  up  beside  the 
plane.  He  was  grinding  while  the  fliers  were 
being  rescued  from  the  water-ridden  aircraft 
and  while  the  boat  was  being  hauled  to  the 
deck  of  the  steamship. 

Turns  Over  Films  to  Pathe  News 

Hancock  turned  over  the  films  to  Pathe 
News  on  his  arrival.  They  were  developed, 
raised  to  standard  size,  and  immediately  re- 
leased to  all  parts  of  the  world. 

Pathe  News  gave  the  amateur  cameraman 
full  credit,  in  the  newsreel,  in  its  publicity 
and  in  a  check.  But  the  thrill  is  what  Han- 
cock will  remember  long  after  the  check  has 
gone  the  way  of  all  checks. 


Six  Pictures  Assigned 
To   Pathe's  Bern   Unit; 
"Geraldine"  Initial  One 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Productions 
assigned  tentatively  to  the  unit  of  Paul 
Bern,  former  M  G  M  executive  who  recently 
joined  Pathe,  are  "Noisy  Neighbors," 
"Square  Shoulders,"  "The  Flying  Fool," 
"Listen,  Baby"  and  "The  Getaway."  "Ger- 
aldine"  has  been  definitely  assigned  as  the 
first  picture,  featuring  Eddie  Quillan  and 
Jeanette   Loff. 

The  other  productions  will  have  one  or 
more  of  these  players:  Junior  Coghlan,  Wil- 
liam Boyd,  Lina  Basquette,  George  Duryea 
and  Robert  Armstrong. 


Houses  Book  Clara  Bow, 
Pauline  Frederick  Films 
From  New  Owner  Group 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  21.— The 
Northwest  Independent  Exhibitors'  Asso- 
ciation, through  its  secretary,  J.  J.  Fleming, 
announces  that  "My  Lady  of  Whims,"  with 
Clara  Bow,  has  been  taken  for  first  run  by 
Pantages;  for  second  run,  by  The  Rivoli, 
and  for  a  later  run,  by  the  new  Capitol. 

It  is  also  announced  that  Pauline  Fred- 
erick in  "The  Nest"  will  be  shown  at  the 
Capitol  in  the  near  future,  and  later  will  be 


M  P  T  O  Commemorates 
Nathan  Friedherg  Death 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  21.— The  M  P  T  O  of 
Western  Pennsylvania,  commemorated  the 
passing  of  Nathan  Friedberg,  member  of  the 
organization's  board  of  directors  who  died 
recently,  with  a  resolution  sent  to  Friedberg's 
family  and  to  the  press.  The  statement  says 
in  part: 

"Be  it  resolved  that  we  make  public  ex- 
pression of  the  high  esteem  in  which  our 
fellow  member  was  held  and  attest  in  this 
permanent  form  our  recognition  of  those  fine 
qualities  of  personal  character  and  business 
integrity  which  endeared  him  to  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact." 


h 


Towns  Give  Free  Shows 
To  Attract  Shoppers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  21.— Many  of  the 
smaller  villages  in  New  York  state 
are  providing  free  shows  one  night 
each  week  and  attracting  thousands  of 
persons  from  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. The  merchants  keep  their  stores 
open  on  such  nights  and  they  report 
business  as  being  brisk.  One  night 
last  week  over  10,000  persons  flocked 
to  the  village  of  Schoharie  for  the 
free  pictures.  A  large  sheet  was 
erected  in  the  center  of  the  city  and 
on  this  the  pictures  were  thrown. 


Paramount  to  Release 
'*Soul  of  France"  in  U,  S. 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— "The  Soul  of 
France,"  produced  by  Jacques  Haik  on  the 
battlefields  of  the  Great  War  and  already 
distributed  as  "La  Grande  Epreuve"  in  France, 
and  England  as  well  as  in  Belgium,  Egypt  and 
Holland,  will  be  released  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada  by  Paramount. 


Biechele  Routs  Illness 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  21.— R.  R.  Bie- 
chele, president  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Kansas- 
Missouri,  who  has  been  confined  to  his 
home  because  of  illness,  is  back  on  the  job 
again — just  in  time  to  allow  Mrs.  June  Med- 
calf,  his  secretary,  to  go  on  her  vecation 
to   southern    Missouri. 


WiUiam  DeMiUe  Weds 
Scenarist  Aboard  Train 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

ALBUQUERQUE.  Aug.  21.— Wil- 
liam DeMiUe,  director  and  brother 
of  Cecil  DeMiUe,  and  Clara  Beran- 
ger,  scenarist,  were  married  aboard 
a  westbound  Santa  Fe  train  as  it 
stopped  here  last  Tuesday,  The  di- 
rector arrived  here  from  Los  An- 
geles to  meet  his  bride,  who  was 
returning  to  Hollywood  from  New 
York.  They  returned  to  the  Coast 
together. 


Fox  to  Start  Work 
Soon  on  $1,250,000 
Building  at  Camden 

Fox  will  start  work  within  a  few  weeks 
on  a  theatre  and  office  building  at  Hudson 
and  Federal  streets,  Camden,  N.  J.,  op- 
posite the  new  $6,000,000  city  hall  and  court- 
house. Lackey  &  Hettel,  Camden  archi- 
tects, have  drafted  plans  for  the  structure. 
The  building  and  equipment,  it  is  estimated, 
will  cost  about  $1,250,000. 

The  Royal  at  New  Castle,  Del.,  has  been  taken 
over  by  E.  F.  Goldhahn,  Inc.,  and  the  Rialto  at  Lew- 
iston.  Pa.,  by  Mrs.  Mary  Check.  The  Comerford 
circuit  opened  the  new  Parsons  at  Parsons,  Pa.,  last 
week,   after   closing   the   old   Parsons.     .     .     . 

S.  J.  Stebbins  has  been  appointed  managing  director 
of  the  new  Fox  theatre  at  Detroit,  W.  S.  Scott  house 
manager  and  treasurer,  and  Meyer  Davis  in  charge 
of  the  70-piece  orchestra.  Remodeling  of  the  Ashland 
at  Wellington,  Kan.,  is  to  be  completed  by  September 
1.  At  Ravenna,  Ohio,  the  Ravenna  Theatres,  Inc., 
has  been  incorporated  by  B.  D.  Gordon,  E.  L.  Mueller 
and    C.    R.    Berne.     .     .     . 

Harold  Evans  has  been  transferred  from  Kansas 
City  to  be  manager  of  Loew's  Grand  in  Atlanta. 
Otto  Lang  has  been  shifted  to  the  Riviera  at  Mil- 
waukee and  Leo  Ames  has  taken  Lang's  place  as 
manager  of  the  Venetian.  Contracts  have  beeti  com- 
pleted for  construction  of  a  Spanish  theatre  in  the 
new  Masonic  Temple  at  Henderson,  Ky.,  with  Princi- 
pal Theatres  Corporation  holding  the  theatre  lease. 
Vitaphone  will  be  installed.  The  Empress  and  the 
Bleich  at  Owensboro  are  to  be  remodeled.     .     .     . 

R.  N.  Smith's  Mission  at  Mission,  Tex.,  has  been 
remodeled,  as  are  the  Palace  at  Dallas  and  the  Lyric 
at  Greensville,  Tex.  Southland  Theatres  has  pur- 
chased the  Palace  at  Dilly,  Tex.  The  Palace  at 
Merkel,  Tex.,  opens  soon.  Frank  Jungemann  is  con- 
structing a  new  house  at  Falfurrias,  Tex.  The  Palace 
at  Royce  has  reopened  after  a  fire.  Marion  Amuse- 
ment Company  has  been  incorporated  at  Oklahoma 
City.     .     .     . 

Jules  B.  Reisman  is  to  be  manager  of  West  Coast's 
houses  at  Bremerton,  Wash.  Golden  State  Theatre 
and  Realty  Company  will  open  the  Parkside  in  San 
Francisco  early  next  month.  H.  A.  Stone  plans  a 
SOO-seat  house  at  McGill,  Nev.  Redwood  Theatres 
has  taken  over  the  Liberty  and  United  at  Fort  Bragg, 
Cal.  A  H  &  O  will  open  the  1, SOO-seat  Amazon  thea- 
tre in  San  Francisco  about  September  1,  while  at 
Pittsburg,  Cal.,  a  $100,000  theatre  is  to  be  con- 
structed. John  Hamrick  has  completed  negotiations 
for  the  Liberty  at  Portland,  Ore.  He  will  redecorate 
and  reopen  it  in  October  as  the  Music  Box,  with 
sound  equipment. 

Change  Two  Directors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Scott  R.  Dunlap 
is  directing  "One   Stolen  Night"   for  Warner 
Brothers   and   John   Adolfi   "Fancy  Baggage," 
a  reversal  from  original  assignment. 


Jannings  Signs  Again 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.  —  Paramount 
again  has  the  signature  of  Emil  Jannings, 
German  star  who  now  is  making  "Sins  of  the 
Fathers." 


FB  O  All  Set  in  Philippines 

NEW  YORK.— Acme  Films,  Inc.,  of  Manila  has 
signed  with  Ambrose  S.  Dowling,  manager  of  F  B  O 
Export  Corporation,  to  distribute  all  F  B  O  product 
in   the   Philippines. 


Warners  Sign  Shackelford 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Warner  Brothers 
has  signed  Floyd  Shackelford  to  appear  in  two 
pictures. 


August  25,  1928     . 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


V^ 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


Three  intimately  connected  with  the  success  of 
Colleen  Moore's  new  First  National  vehicle, 
"Lilac  Time,"  at  the  Carthay  Circle,  Los  An- 
geles. They  are  Roy  Miller,  advertising  man- 
ager; Fred  Miller,  managing  director;  and  John 
McCormick,  husband  of  the  star  and  producer. 


Meet  Billy,  maid  of  the  comedies — 
Educadonal's  Ideal  comedies,  to  be 
exact.  Her  last  name?  Lehman. 
And  now  Billy  Lohman,  not  these 
words,  deserves  your  attention. 


Chips  off  the  old  block?  Harry  Rapf,  MGM 
studio  executive,  is  shown  with  his  two  sons  in 
a  snap-shot  recently  taken  at  his  home.  Rapf  is 
now  in  New  York  making  screen  and  voice  tests 
for  prospective  MGM  sound  pictures,  of  both 
the  long  and  short  variety. 


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And  still  the  camera  brings  us  American  film  folks  abroad.  Hunt 
Stromberg,  MGM  supervisor,  is  this  one  overtaken  by  the  pho- 
tographer, as  he  paused  in  his  European  travels  to  observe  people 
and  affairs  at  the  UFA  studio  in  Neubabelsberg,  Germany.  Strom- 
berg is  shown  at  the  left,  with  Albert  Sander  of  UFA,  who  stands 
between  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sullivan  of  Australia. 


If  you  go  in  for  the  collection  of  "big  names,"  ^lere's  a  thrilling 
picture  for  you.  Pictured  on  M  G  M's  "War  in  the  Dark"  set,  are 
Fred  Niblo,  the  director;  Phoebe  Foster,  star  of  "The  Trial  of 
Mary  Dugan";  Guthrie  McClintic,  the  stage  director;  Kathryn  Cor- 
nell, celebrated  stage  actress;  Conrad  Nagel,  film  star;  and  Bayard 
Veiller,  famous  playwright  and  stage  producer. 


1 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE   WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Note  the  grace.  And  here's  why:  Louise  Brooks, 
Paramount  featured  player,  whom  we  present 
about  to  make  a  vigorous  return  at  tennis,  used 
to  be  a  dancer  on  the  stage.  And  the  result  in 
this  instance  is  action  as  the  "still"  camera  rarely 
catches  it. 


Above:  The  wonders  of 
the  little  disc  with  the  big 
voice  are  shown  in  the 
process  of  being  explained 
to  Virginia  Lee  Corbin. 
The  explainers  are  Mike 
Simmons,  Gotham's  min- 
nesinger; Arthur  E. 
Schwartz,  Miss  Corbin's 
attorney;  and  Alexander, 
WPCH  announcer.  Miss 
Corbin  has  started  a  tour 
with  Gotham's  "Bare 
Knees,"  in  which  she  stars, 
making    personal    appear- 


Left:  A  demonstration  of 
the  perils  of  great  phys- 
ical magnitude.  Also 
illustrating  the  classic  ob- 
servation, "It  never  rains 
but  it  pours."  Being 
somewhat  huge,  Oliver 
Hardy  thus  pays  the  price 
thereof,  with  Stan  Laurel, 
his  fellow  comedian  in 
Roach-M  G  M  shorts,  and 
their  sister  comedienne, 
Mary  Byron,  confirming 
the  alleged  fact  that  bur- 
dens   never    come    singly. 


The  title  of  this  one  is:  "The  Noble  Art  of  Make- 
up; or,  assistances  bestowed  on  one  featured  come- 
dienne by  another."  At  left  is  Muriel  Evans,  leading 
woman  in  Educational  Ideal  comedies;  at  right, 
Estelle  Bradley,  feminine  lead  in  Educational  comics 
of  the  Mermaid  brand. 


Two  scenes  from  Buck  Jones'  first  independent 
production,  "The  Big  Hop,"  an  air  thriller.  Buck 
is  shown  at  left  before  the  said  hop,  taking  leave 
of  Jobyna  Ralston,  his  leading  woman;  and  above, 
again  with  Miss  Ralston. 


^^mA. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE   WORLD 


35 


This,  we  suggest,  is  an  international  afiair.  For 
the  gentleman  is  the  great  German  actor  and 
Paramount  star,  Emil  Jannings,  at  his  American 
home,  with  his  four  chinese  pets,  (left  to  right) 
Wu  Pei-fu,  Chiang  Kai-shek,  Lady  Chang  and  Sun 
Yat  Sen. 


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What,  what?  Is  slap-srick  ceasing  to  be  low-comedy? 
And  yet,  with  everything  else  going  up  these  days, 
slap-sdck  dares  be  as  elevating  as  possible.  This  is  a 
case  in  point — Al  St.  John  atop  a  skyscraper  for  an 
Educational  comedy  scene,  with  Stephen  Roberts 
directing. 


Above:  Mary  Pickford 
points  to  the  spot  where 
for  many  years  the  Pick- 
ford  curls  resided.  And 
other  matters  of  impor- 
tance in  this  picture  are 
those  in  it,  three  super- 
celebrities  visiting  the  Par- 
amount studio,  and  Bebe 
Daniels,  Paramount  star. 
Though  it  must  be  un- 
necessary, we'll  name 
them  —  Marion  Davies, 
Constance  Talmadge,  Bebe 
and  "America's  Sweet- 
heart." 


Right:  Star  and  feminine 
lead  in  a  feature-length 
comedy  made  by  the 
Prince  Film  Producing 
Company.  Cassio,  Ital- 
ian comedian,  heads  the 
cast  of  "Whom  Am  I?" 
in  which  he  is  supported 
by  Natacha  Rambova, 
widow  of  Valentino,  who 
is  shown  with  Cassio  here. 
The  picture  is  the  first  of 
a  series  being  directed  by 
John  L.  McCutcheon. 


Two  scenes  from  a  new  Universal  vehicle  for 
Reginald  Denny.  The  picture  is  "The  Night 
Bird."  At  right  Denny  is  shown  in  the  midst  of 
battle  at  a  masquerade,  and  above  with  his  fem- 
inine lead,  Betsy  Lee. 


L 


J 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Tell  Public   How  Sound  Film  Clicks! 


Tell  your  public  how  the  apparatus  clicks  that  gives  them  the  marvel  of  synchronized  motion  pictures.  It 
should  create  additional  interest  and  should  build  up  new  patronage — and  that  means  increased  reve- 
nue. That  is  this  department's  answer  to  the  question  of  H.  D.  Barnes,  of  the  Rialto  theatre  at  Burlington, 
Iowa,  who  asks:     "Should  the  public  be  acquainted  with  the  mechanism?" 


Synchronism  has  brought  far  more  to 
the  motion  picture  theatre  than  a  new 
diversion  to  the  regular  theatregoer. 
To  him  it  is  true  that  the  sound  pro- 
duction is  another  thrill.  It  has  brought 
a  quickened  pulse  to  those  who  were 
satisfied  with  the  silent  picture,  and  has 
made  them  stronger-than-ever  enthu- 
siasts. 

Peps  Up  Appetite 
,  There  are  those  also — and  a  bit  of 
candidness  at  this  point  will  not  be 
amiss — whose  appetites  have  become  a 
trifle  jaded  by  the  week-by-week  dish 
of  productions.  Not  that  they  are  en- 
tirely justified  in  their  attitude,  for  it 
is  indeed  a  shortsighted  patron,  par- 
ticularly in  the  cities,  who  cannot  shop 
around  and  find  a  good  motion  picture 
whenever  he  starts  for  an  evening's 
screen  entertainment.  In  the  small 
towns,  however,  more  than  one  exhibi- 
tor in  the  past  season  has  complained 
at  the  comparative  mediocrity  of  week- 
l|»y-week  program  product.  These  ex- 
hibitors are  reflecting  the  opinions  of 
their  audiences. 

.  To  such  patrons,  then,  the  sound  pic- 
ture presents  immediately  the  avenue 
to  a  revived  interest  in  the  screen.  To 
them  the  sound  picture  means  truly 
sound  entertainment.  Of  course  the 
synchronized  production  has  yet  to 
reach  the  small  town  patrons,  but  they 
are  going  to  the  large  town  to  see 
them,  many  of  these  patrons,  and  they 
are  demanding  them  of  their  local  ex- 
hibitors, as  letters  to  this  department 
from  theatre  owners  abundantly  tes- 
tify. 

Their  Day  Coming 

Furthermore,  the  end  of  the  season 
of  1929-30  will  see  the  sound  equipment 
quite  well  established  in  small  theatres, 
if  the  predictions  of  both  producers  and 
makers  of  the  apparatus  are  borpe  out. 
What  such  patrons  have  not  seei^'-jn 
theatres  they  have  rqad  in  newspapers 
and  magazines,  a^d  the  entire  subjedt 
is  a  keen  and  imthediate  one  to  them. 
'■'  Hence  the  reawakened  interest  among 
1)hat  class. 

The  third  and  probably  most  impor- 


tant group  concerned  at  the  moment 
includes  those  who  rarely  attend  the 
motion  picture  theatre  and  those  who 
through  either  a  kink  in  their  own 
makeup  or  faulty  exploitation  have  de- 
liberately passed  by  the  screen  in  their 
search  for  entertainment.  The  name  of 
this  type  is  legion,  despite  the  fact  that 
the  motion  picture  has  crowded  both 
legitimate  stage  and  vaudeville  into  the 
background  of  popular  favor. 

This  class  at  once  represents  the 
greatest  objective  of  field  work  of  the 
industry  today,  and  by  that  same  token 
presents  the  greatest  problem  of  ex- 
ploitation. To  the  non-theatregoer  the 
synchronized  motion  picture  is  a  chal- 
lenge. Why  is  it  that  in  the  main  the 
sound  films  of  the  new  season's  prod- 
uct are  attracting  attendance  which  is 
setting  new  totals  on  the  books?  Is  it 
because  the  pictures  themselves  are  so 
much  better  than  their  predecessors? 
Granting  that  in  general  the  product 
is  better,  we  doubt  that  even  that  is  the 
complete  answer.  We  believe  that  the 
invention  itself  is  a  considerable  fac- 
tor. Furthermore,  we  believe  that  a 
sizeable  share  of  that  increased  attend- 
ance comes  from  the  non-theatregoing 
class. 

Hardest  to  Reach 

That  class  includes  socalled  high- 
brows who  until  the  advent  of  synchro- 
nization had  refused  to  follow  the 
progress  of  the  motion  picture  away 


West  Coast  Managers 
Get  Manual  on  Sound 

Detailed  and  complete  informa- 
tion regarding  installation  and  op- 
eration of  Movietone  and  Vita- 
phone  equipment  is  contained  in 
a  manual  which  is  distributed  by 
West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  to  each 
theatre  showing  synchronized  pic- 
tures. 

F.  H.  Richardson,  editor  of  the 
Better  Projection  department  of 
BETTER  THEATRES,  is  the 
author  of  an  article  on  "Cleaning 
Movietone  Film,"  which  appears  in 
the  manual. 


from  the  nickelodeon  days.  This  group 
wants  to  know  the  why  of  things,  has 
to  be  shown.  Will  such  a  patron  be 
kept  in  line  simply  by  the  fact  of  seeing 
and  hearing  a  picture  at  the  same  time? 
He  will  not.  He  will  demand  the  in- 
formation, and  if  his  own  theatre  does 
not  supply  it  he  will  go  to  the  theatre, 
newspaper  or  popular  magazine  that 
will.  And  as  in  any  other  matter  per- 
taining to  the  industry,  which  is  the 
better  source  of  correct  information, 
the  newspaper  or  the  theatre  itself? 

Romance  of  Sound 

At  the  same  time,  this  does  not  mean 
that  the  theatre  owner  must  become  an 
encyclopedia  of  sound.  No  one  be- 
lieves there  would  be  anything  accom- 
plished by  handing  out  manuals  of 
sound  equipment  and  installation  at 
the  door,  nothing  accomplished,  that  is, 
except  an  epidemic  of  trypanosomiasis, 
which  would  be  a  manual's  way  of  say- 
ing "sleeping  sickness." 

The  story  of  the  romance  of  sound 
equipment  is  yet  to  be  written,  and 
when  it  is  written  it  will  be  as  intri- 
guing as  the  story  of  the  motion  picture 
itself.  Flashes  of  that  romance,  how- 
ever, can  be  written  by  any  wideawake 
exhibitor  and  written  for  the  theatre- 
goer to  the  enhancepient  of  the  box 
office.  Who  would  not  be  interested 
in  the  fact  that  a  wavy  line  on  the  mar- 
gin of  a  motion  picture  film  determin- 
ing the  presentation  of  the  spoken 
word  at  the  exact  mdtneht  the  speaker's 
lips  open  on  the  screen?  Who  would 
not  be  interested  by  a  'Simple,  every- 
day-man's-language  description  of  how 
a  wave  of- sound  can  be  Houdini-ed  intO' 
a  wave  of  light,  and  then  switched  back 
into  sound  in  the  theatre,  a  change  that 
would  make  a  chameleon'ashamed  of 
himself?  ^; 

Illusion  Saved- 

And  we  are  taking  int6  full  con- 
sideration the  traditional  fact  that  the 
entire  life  of  the  screen  is  prefaced  by 
creating  an  illusion  and  maintaining- 
that  illusion.  Interesting  explanation 
of  the  operation  of  the  sound  equip- 

{Continued   on  page  38) 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


How  RCA  Photophone  Times  Synchronism 

Exact  timing  of  picture  and  sound  is  photographed  and  fixed  in  the  RCA  Photophone  system,  a  detailed  description 
of  the  synchronization  device  shotvs.  While  the  sound  accompaniment  may  be  musical,  such  as  the  recording  of  an  or- 
chestra or  band,  it  may  also  be  in  the  form  of  incidental  sound  effects.  Four  illustrations  of  the  descriptive  article 
appear  on  this  an  in  the  continuation  of  the  article,  on  Page  54.  ^ 


THE  component  elements  of  a  Photophone 
film  are  shown  in  Figure  1.  Examination 
will  show  that  this  picture  has  the  same  pro- 
portions of  height  to  width  as  the  standard 
motion  picture.  On  the  right  side  of  this  il- 
lustration is  shown  the  type  of  sound  record 
used  by  RCA  Photophone.  It  will  be  seen  that 
this  is  a  narrow  black  band,  the  inner  edge  of 
which  (that  nearest  to  the  picture)  has  a 
wavy  outline.  This  outline  constitutes  a  faith- 
ful record  of  the  air  vibrations  in  the  original 
music  or  speech.  Its  minute  and  complex  con- 
tours are  literally  the  permanent  and  accurate 
signature  of  the  original  sound  waves.  The 
combined  picture  and  sound  record  shown 
demonstrates  how  picture  and  sound  are 
bound  together  on  every  RCA  Photophone 
film. 

One  advantage  of  the  variable  width  sound 
track  is  the  comparative  independence  from 
extreme  precision  of  exposure  during  the 
recording  or  printing  of  the  film  and  from  ex- 
actness in  time  of  development  of  either  the 
negative   or  positive. 

The  exact  timing  of  picture  and  sound  is 
photographed  and  fixed  regardless  of  any  han- 
dling of  the  film  or  the  projector  and  irre- 
spective of  any  cutting  or  splicing  of  the  film. 
A  few  frames  of  film  can  be  lost  and  the  film 
be  spliced  without  any  noticeable  effect  on 
either  the  picture  or  the  sound  reproduction. 
In  brief,  RCA  Photophone  films  are  just  as 
flexibly  handled  and  as  simply  projected  a 
product  as  ordinary  "silent  films." 

Interchangeability 

RCA  Photophone  projectors  have  the  sound 
head  mounted  below  the  picture-projection 
head  and  as  the  sound  is  twenty  frames  ahead 
of  the  picture  it  is  interchangeable  with  other 
synchronous  sound-picture  systems  such  as 
Movietone. 

The  four  principal  types  of  RCA  Photo- 
phone equipment  for  theatres  have  the  follow- 
ing type  designations,  and  will  serve  audiences 
of  the  following  number  of  persons  in  any 
average  auditorium  or  theatre : 

Type  A  up  to  6,000  persons 

B  up  to  3,000  persons 

C  up  to  1,500  persons 

D  up  to     750  persons 

The  preceding  ratings  are  conservative  and 

may  be  exceeded  in  some  cases.     This  equip- 


J 


V 


V.  W   •V.f.'.g'-' 


k 


Figure  1. 


Invents  Device  to 
Adjust  Synchronism 

An  invention  for  compensating 
for  any  error  in  synchronization 
has  brought  a  provisional  patent 
to  Charles  Goreley  of  Canterbury. 
The  principle  is  explained  as  fol- 
lows : 

If  the  record  is,  say,  a  quarter 
of  a  turn  in  advance  of  the  posi- 
tion required  for  correct  synchro- 
nization, the  arm  carrying  the 
sound-box  could  be  moved  a 
quarter  of  a  turn  forward  by  the 
device,  the  current  being  tempo- 
rarily switched  off  while  the  ad- 
justment is  being  made.  Rotating 
the  arm  sufficiently  often  in  the 
required  direction  would  bring  ad- 
justment of  any  degree  of  error. 


r 


ment  is  designed  to  give  spectacular  effects 
when  such  are  called  for,  and  it  therefore  has 
a  considerable  over-load  capacity. 

The  projector  is  rugged  and  of  the  highest 
grade,  and  is  shown  in  Figure  2.  The  sound 
reproducing  head  plays  all  existing  types  of 
synchronized  sound  films.  The  entire  gear  sys- 
tem of  the  projector  runs  quietly  in  a  forced- 
feed  oil  bath,  thereby  insuring  long  life  for 
the  gears  and  quiet  operation,  together  with 
freedom  from  the  annoyances  incident  to  fre- 
quent overhauling  of  the  projector.  The  film 
is  carefully  shielded  from  oil  or  dust  in  this 
projector.  The  film  path  is  clearly  indicated 
by  conspicuous  guide  lines  within  the  machine, 
to  facilitate  rapid  and  accurate  threading.  The 
optical  system   is  of  the  highest  quality. 

Through  special  arrangements  of  the  optical 
system  and  position  of  the  shutter,  flickerless 
projection  is  obtained  without  overheating  of 
the  film.  An  important  advantage  claimed  for 
the  RCA  Photophone  projector  is  that  the 
heating  of  the  film  is  considerably  less  than 
in  most  other  projectors,  thereby  preventing 
buckling  of  the  film,  lack  of  registration  and 
blurring  of  the  image  on  the  screen,  and  in- 
jury to  the  quality  of  the  sound  produced. 

The  path  of  the  sound  light  beam  which  in 
the  j)rojector,  passes  through  the  slit  optical 
system  and  film  sound  track,  falls  on  the  pho- 
to-electric cell.  In  this  cell  the  varying  light 
gives  rise  to  the  electric  currents  which,  after 
being  greatly  magiiified  by  the  amplifiers  used 
in  this  system,  operate  the  loudspeakers  that 
reproduce  the  original  sound  on  the  stage.  The 
action  of  reproducing  the  sound  is  instan- 
taneous, and  the  sound  reproducing  system  is 
entirely  automatic  in  operation. 

The  lights  which  are  used  to  illuminate  the 
sound  track  are  provided  in  duplicate,  and  if 
one  burns  out  during  a  performance,  the  touch 
of  a  lever  brings  a  second  prefocused  lamp 
into  position  and  lights  it  on  automatically 
without  causing  interruption  in  the  perform- 
ance. 

Amplifiers 

The  initial  amplifier  is  connected  to  the  out- 
put of  the  photo-electric  cell,  and  amplifies 
this  output  electrically  through  a  series  of 
vacuum  tubes  until  sufficient  power  is  avail- 
able to  operate  the  final  or  power  amplifier. 
The  initial  amplifier  is  always  placed  in  the 
projection  room  in  a  convenient  location,  gen- 
erally at  a  porthole,  so  that  the  projectiojiisj. 


at  the  amplifier  control  board  may  view  the 
screen.  The  placing  of  the  equipment  will  be 
different  for  each  installation  because  of  locaB 
conditions.  A  typical  arrangement  of  equip- 
ment is  shown  in  Figures  3  and  4.  (Page  54), 
The  amplifier  shown  in  Figure  3  represents- 
a  product  developed  following  extensive  ex- 
perience in  the  construction  of  high  quality 
high  power  amplifiers.  In  all  sizes  of  RCA 
Photophone  equipment  larger  than  Type  D  the 
initial  amplifier  is  provided  in  duplicate.  These 
initial  amplifiers  are  handled  like  an  ordinary 
radio  receiver,  and  consequently  it  takes  very 
little  time  for  the  projectionist  to  master  the 
few  adjustments  of  such  equipment.  In  all 
forms  of  the  final  power  amplifier,  the  equip- 
ment is  open  and  accessible,  permitting  easy 
replacement  of  the  vacuum  tubes  when  neces- 
sary. 

An  important  point  in  these  equipments  is 
that  by  the  use  of  special  circuits  and  group- 
ing of  unit  parts,  the  burning  out  of  an  in- 
dividual tube  or  even  the  unusual  development 
of  a  fault  in  an  amplifier  unit  in  general  does 
not  stop  operation  but  merely  modifies  either 
the  quality  or  the  volume  of  the  sound  to  some 
extent,  thereby  directing  the  attention  of  the 
projectionist  to  the  need  for  a  tube  replace- 
ment or  other  change  in  operation  without, 
however,  totally  interrupting  the  performance. 
RCA  Radiotrons  are  used  in  all  Photophone 
equipment. 

Loud  Speakers 

The  final  or  power  amplifier  supplied  in  the 
RCA  Photophone  system  may  be  placed  either 
in  the  projection  room,  in  a  room  closely  ad- 
jacent to  the  projection  room,  or  back  stage, 
as  may  prove  most  convenient  and  desirable. 
This  feature  will  be  appreciated  in  the  thea- 
tres where  the  projection  rooms  are  of  limited 
dimensions  and  where  "every  inch  counts."  In 
such  cases,  the  flexible  RCA  Photophone  sys- 
tem permits  the  separate  power  amplifier  to  be 
installed  wherever  there  is  most  room  for  it. 

The  power  amplifier  is  connected  to  the 
loudspeakers  which  it  actuates.  These  consist 
of  electro-dynamic  loudspeaker  cone  units 
combined  in  banks,  or  groups,  as  required.  A 
bank  of  four  is  shown  in  Figure  4  (Page  54.) 

Each  loudspeaker  group  produces  a  wide, 
smooth  fan  of  sound,  instead  of  a  narrow 
beam.     In  addition,  in  larger  theatres,  several 


{Continued  on  page   54) 


J 


^ 


Figure  2. 


N 


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38 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Chain  Equips  l^SOO-Seat  Houses 
For  Sound;  Third  Is  Remodeled 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOUISVILLE,  Aug.  2L — That  sound  pictures  are  not  merely  a  proposition 
for  the  large  theatres  of  2,500  seats  and  up,  and  exclusively  for  downtown  thea- 
tres,   is   the   claim   of  the   Fourth   Avenue   Amusement    Company,    Louisville, 
which  has  sound  pictures  in  two  of  its  theatres  and  is  equipping  a  third. 
•    Third  Theatre  Being  Remodeled 

This  company  showed  the  first  sound  pictures  in  Louisville  at  its  Strand 
theatre,  which  has  a  seating  capacity  of  1,600,  exclusive  of  its  gallery.  When 
it  completed  its  new  Uptown  theatre,  a  suburban  house,  it  showed  sound  pic- 
tures there  also. 


Recently  its  Alamo  theatre,  on  Fourth 
Avenue,  less  than  two  blocks  from  the  Strand, 
was  closed  and  work  started  on  remodeling 
the  house  and  installing  Movietone  and  Vita- 
phone  equipment. 

Says  Sound  Has  Come  to  Stay 

C.  F.  Koch  stated  that  the  Alamo  was  being 
completely  redecorated  and  would  rank  in 
appointments  with  any  theatre  in  the  state. 
Contract  for  the  entire  job  has  been  placed 
with  the  American  Motion  Picture  Co.,  of 
Louisville.  New  projection  machines  also  are 
being  installed. 

Koch  stated  that  the  sound  pictures  had 
come  to  stay.  They  did  well  at  the  Strand, 
and  have  done  well  at  the  Uptown,  suburban 
house,  and  are  expected  to  do  well  at  the 
Alamo.  The  latter  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
1,000;  and  the  Uptown  has  1,340  seats. 

This  shows  that  sound  pictures  are  not 
merely  a  problem  for  the  big  theatres,  Koch 
says. 

The  Fourth  Avenue  Amusement  Company, 
and  allied  companies  operate  about  20  subur- 
ban and  downtown  theatres  in  Louisville,  and 
also  have  houses  in  Terre  Haute  and  Indian- 
apolis,  Ind.     President  Fred  Dolle  is  now  in 


Indiana  in  connection  with  pending  deals  for 
taking  over  six  more  Indiana  theatres,  located 
in  two  cities  of  that  state.  Sound  pictures 
are  being  used  in  the  Indianapolis  and  Terre 
Haute  houses,  which  are  not  classed  as  big 
theatres. 

The  Alamo  theatre  will  be  completed  and 
placed  in  operation  on  September  1,  showing 
"State  Street  Sadie,"  in  its  iirst  performance. 


Firm  Formed  to  Film, 
Sermons,  Bible  Stories 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— A  company 
called  the  Religious  Film  Trust  has  been 
organized  to  make  motion  pictures  on  re- 
ligious subjects  with  synchronization,  for 
use  in  churches.  Plans  call  for  sermons  by 
noted  clergymen  and  also  for  the  sending 
of  a  company  of  players  to  the  Holyland 
to  make  pictures  of  bible  stories  in  their 
historical  environment. 

Rev.  Dr.  L.  Eugene  Wettling  of  Chicago 
is  said  to  have  conceived  the  idea. 


Hamlin  Sound-Proof  Doors 

for  yiovie-T alkies 


More  and  more  studios  for  speech  and  music 
are  being  equipped  with  the  famous  Hamlin 
Sound'Proof  Doors.  For  years  universities, 
broadcasting  studios,  auditoriums,  modern  sky 
scrapers,  public  buildings,  schools,  colleges,  hos' 
pitals,  churches,  hotels  and  other  classes  of 
buildings  have  realized  the  necessity  for  "Ham- 
linized"  sound-proofing.  There  are  thousands  of 
these  doors  in  use,  in  hundreds  of  different 
buildings. 

Now  Come  the  "Movie-Talkies" 

The  Hamlin  Sound-Proof  Door  solves  the 
problem  of  sound  deadening.  It  is  a  sound- 
deadened  door,  plus  hermetical  sealing  of  the 
cracks  at  jamb  and  floor.  The  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  Corp.,  the  Famous  Players,  and  the  Radio- 
phone Corporation  have  been  equipped.  The 
National  Broadcasting  Corporation  studios  in 
New  York  and  Chicago  are  also  equipped,  like- 
wise the  Stewart-Warner  studio  in  Chicago. 
Leading  architects  recommend  the  Hamlin. 

Send  us  your  specifications 
or  write  for  catalog 

IRVING 

HAMLIN 

Manu/acturers  of  SOUXD-PROOF  DOORS  and 
FOLDIHG  PARTiriOHS 


One   of  the   Hamlin   doors   on   an  elevator 

machinery    room    in    the    Cleveland    Ter- 

minaU    Tower 


2406  Jackson  Ave. 


Evanston,  111. 


Tell  Your  Patrons 
How  Sound  Films 
Work  in  Theatre 

{Continued   from   page    36) 

ment  in  the  theatre  has  nothing  to  do 
with  the  matter  of  creation  of  mainte- 
nance of  illusion.  Rather,  that  illusion 
of  the  production  of  sound  pictures 
will  be  heightened  by  placing  before 
the  patron  what  takes  place  within  the 
theatre. 

As  well  to  say  that  the  sale  of  the 
phonograph  was  destroyed  when  the 
man  of  the  house  learned  how  to 
change  needles.  Just  as  that  would  be 
ridiculous  so  it  is  illogical  to  assert  that 
the  value  of  a  sound  picture  would  be 
impaired  by  acquainting  the  audience 
with  the  fact  of  the  presence  of  a  disc 
behind  the  stage.  As  well  to  state  that 
the  camera  became  a  total  loss  as  a 
sales  medium  when  individuals  learned 
how  to  snap  their  own  pictures,  and 
even  to  develop  and  print  them.  As 
well  to  charge  that  radio  sales  were 
doomed  the  moment  the  young  hope- 
ful in  the  family  learned  how  to  change 
tubes  or  charge  batteries. 

Just  as  Barnes  states  in  his  letter : 
"There  are  many  exhibitors  who  are 
now  planning  advertising  campaigns 
on  the  sound  pictures."  To  them  this 
department  believes  the  reply  is  this: 
You  will  build  a  greater  interest  and 
bigger  B.  O.  by  informing  your  pa- 
trons, in  interesting  language  that  they 
can  understand,  how  the  sound  produc- 
tion clicks. 


Movietone  News 
Twice  a  Week  Is 
Anniversary  Move 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Fox  Movietone 
News  will  be  issued  twice  a  week  beginning 
October  3.  This  was  announced  in  celebra- 
tion of  the  iirst  anniversary  of  the  sound 
reel.  Thirty  Movietone  news  crews  are  now 
operating  in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

On  October  1,  1927,  the  first  Fox  Movie- 
tone News  reel  was  issued.  This  release 
and  the  eight  following  were  used  only  in 
Fox  theatres.  William  Fox  desired  to  see 
first  whether  it  was  possible  to  issue  weekly 
a  Movietone  News,  and  second,  if  there  was 
a  field  for  it.  The  answer  to  both  these 
questions  being  emphatically  yes,  it  was  de- 
cided to  place  the  reel  on  the  market,  which 
was  done  Dec.  3,  1927.  Since  that  time 
additional  news  crews  with  Movietone 
equipment  have  been  sent  throughout  the 
world  to  gather  news  events  in  sight  and 
sound. 


Winter  Garden  to 

Show  Sound  Films 

I  (Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Vitaphone  pic- 
tures are  to  be  shown  at  the  Winter  Garden, 
starting  in  September  with  Al  Jolson's  "The 
Singing  Fool,"  President  H.  M.  Warner  of 
Warner  Brothers  announced  this  week. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


V^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

"Hollywood." 


Harry  J.  Brown 

Producer-Lawyer— 


HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Not  all  the 
scholars  are  pedagogs.  The  show  business 
claims  a  few. 

Harry  J.  Brown,  associated  with  Charles 
R.  Rogers  in  the  company  bearing  his  name, 
found  that  the  show  business  was  practical 
and  profitable  at  a  time  when  "profit"  meant 
tuition.  That  time  was  when  Harry  J. 
Brown  was  a  student  at  Ann  Harbor^ — ■ 
1913,  1914,  1915.  "Putting  on"  shows  for 
the  University  of  Michigan  provided  him 
with  the  cash  that  kept  him  in  school. 

It  was  obviously  practical,  because  he 
completed  his  "Lit"  course  and  straightway 
went  to  the  University  of  Syracuse,  where 
he  got  his   degrees   in  Law. 

But  lawyers  lead  an  uncertain  existence 
and  so  often  turn  out  real  estate  salesmen, 
thought  "Joe,"  that  he  continued  in  the 
stage  show  field  after  receiving  his  degree. 

He  staged  and  produced  plays  success- 
fully until  the  war  came.  That  subtracted 
him  from  his  work  long  enough  for  him  to 
make  a  lot  of  trouble  for  Germany.  But 
no  sooner  was  he  out  of  it  than  he  turned 
back  to  the  show  business.  Motion  pictures 
were  creating  a  stir  in  1919;  and  he  tried 
it.  His  first  cinema  work  was  at  the 
Rothacker  plant  in  Chicago.  He  acted,  later 
directed,  and  is  now  producing  pictures. 

It  is  Brown's  agile  mind  that  has  been 
responsible  for  many  of  the  finest  successes 
turned  out  by  Charles  R.  Rogers  Produc- 
tions. He  is  associate  producer  of  all  the 
Ken   Maynards. 

NOTE:  This  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  per- 
sonality sketches  that  will  appear  at  "regular 
or  irregular  intervals"  in  this  section  of  the 
Herald-World.  They  will  run  indefinitely,  or 
as  long  as  the  material  in  Hollywood  holds 
out.—D.  H. 


Berman  Is  Title  Editor 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Pandro  Ber- 
man was  appointed  film  and  title  editor  of 
Columbia,  according  to  announcement  made 
by  Harry  Cohn  preceding  his  departure  for 
the  East  and  for  Europe. 


14  New  Films  Begun;  Seven  at 
FBO;Neilan  on  "The  Last  Haul" 

Jack  Ford  Completes  Comedy  Drama,  "Riley  the  Cop";  George 

Sidney  in  Big  Role  of  Cohens  Picture  at  Universal; 

Expensive  Mix  Western  Started 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2L— FBO  went  into  action  last  vi^eek  with  five 
pictures  being  launched  in  production.     Two  others  are  in  shooting. 

Ford  Completes  Fox  Film 

Very  few  pictures  were  turned  out  last  week  however.  Jack  Ford  completed 
scenes  for  "Riley  the  Cop,"  for  Fox;  Howard  Higgin  finished  "Singapore  Sal" 
at  De  Mille-Pathe,  and  Hoot  Gibson  completed  "King  of  the  Rodeo"  at  Uni- 
versal. 


Marshall  Neilan's  current  picture  at  FBO, 
which  was  started  two  days  ago,  is  "The  Last 
Haul."  (Sounds  like  a  thieving  thing.)  Bob 
De  Lacy  began  one  starring  Tom  Mix  that  is 
declared  to  be  a  Western  with  a  proposed  ex- 
penditure running  into  six  figures.  Sally 
Blaine  is  the  fortunate  youngster  this  time 
who  plays  opposite  our  old  friend  Tom. 

Ben  Lyon  makes  his  first  FBO  appearance 
in  "The  Air  Legion." 

Antonio  Moreno  has  been  chosen  for  a  fea- 
tured part.  That  will  probably  be  welcome 
news  to  a  lot  of  theatres  who  haven't  had  a 
chance  to  "marquee"  Tony  for  sometime. 

Lyon  a  Licensed  Pilot 

Lyon  is  probably  given  this  air  picture  as 
a  result  of  his  excellent  experience  in  "Hell's 
Angels"  in  which  he  has  been  starring  for  11 
months  at  the  Metropolitan  lot.  It  is  a  fact 
that  he  has  become  a  licensed  pilot  and  that 
he  can  do  plenty  of  things  with  a  ship  and  a 
lot  of  air. 

The  other  two  new  ones  begun  at  FBO 
are  a  Bob  Steele  film  and  a?Buzz  Barton.  The 
Steele  picture  is  called  "Come  and  Get  It." 
Now  that  FBO  is  a  "Neilan  lot"  that  title 
reminds  one  of  that  old  picture  he  made  sev- 
eral years  back  called  "Go  and  Get  It."  A 
co-incidence  of  course. 

Ford's  latest  at  the  Fox  lot  is  the  copper 
story  that  stars  Farrell  MacDonald  and  Louise 
Fazenda.  The  picture  is  an  Irish-ly  colored 
comedy  drama  in  which,  among  other  things. 


MacDonald  is  sent  by  the  New  York  police 
board  to  Germany.  Louise  is  the  German 
maiden  who  charms  his  soul. 

Sam  Wood  began  the  Norma  Shearer  pic- 
ture called  "The  Little  Angel"  at  M  G  M. 
More  will  be  heard  of  this  in  the  near  future. 
Sidney  in  "Cohens  and  Kellys" 

Universal  began  what  is  regarded  as  a  big 
time  production  last  week  under  the  direction 
of  William  Craft.  It  is  "The  Cohens  and 
Kelleys  in  Atlantic  City."  George  Sidney  is 
in  the  main  comedy  role  with  a  cast  made  up 
of  Mack  Swain,  Kate  Price,  Cornelius  Keefe 
and  others.  Mr.  Sidney  has'  been  convalescing 
from  an  illness  in  the  East  where  he  had 
signed  for  a  vaudeville  tour.  It  is  reported 
that  he  is  again  in  good  trim  and  ready  to 
face  the  arcs  and  Mazdas. 

Paramount  began  only  one  picture  last 
week.  It  is  "Avalanche,"  under  the  direction 
of  Otto  Brower.  Jack  Holt  and  Doris  Hill 
are  in  the  leading  roles  of  the  picture. 


Mines  Will  Be  MC  at 

Smith  Booster  Show 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Johnny  Hines 
will  be  master  of  ceremonies  at  a  big  Al 
Smith  Boosters'  Show  to  be  held  in  the  Holly- 
wood Bowl  September  11.  Among  those  who 
will  contribute  to  the  program  are  Tom  Mix, 
Charlie  Murray,  Bebe  Daniels,  Sally  O'Neil, 
Molly  O'Day  and  Lois  Wilson. 


UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 


M.  C.  Levee,  President 


1(X),0CX)  square  feet  of  props,  garnered     Let  us  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  comers  of  the  globe.  your  next  production. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 


40 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


DeMille^s  Newest  Opus  Pronounced 
Worthy  Successor  to  ^^Kings^^ 

Prevost  and  Quillan  Do  Greatest  Work  of  Their  Career  in  "The  Godless 

Girl,"  Declares  Douglas  Hodges 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Cecil  B.  DeMille's  latest  million  dollar  pro- 
duction, "The  Godless  Girl,"  opened  last  night  at  the  Biltmore  thea- 
tre. The  world  premiere  of  the  picture  drew  a  large  crowd  of  motion 
picture  celebrities  and  theatre  people  who  pronounced  the  picture  a  worthy- 
piece  to  follow  "King  of  Kings."  The  acting  of  the  cast  throughout  the  pic- 
ture together  with  the  superb  DeMille  touches  proved  highlights  of 
the  production. 

TT  is  built  upon  the  theme  of  the  Atheism 
-'-  invading  the  pubhc  schools  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  the  idea  becomes  a  community  prob- 
lem of  huge  proportions.  In  Mr.  DeMille's 
picture  the  high  school  students  become  in- 
volved in  a  terrific  riot  that  results  in  the 
death  of  one  of  the  girls.  Following  this 
scene,  which  is  truly  a  remarkable  stroke  of 
direction,  come  the  many  sequences  devoted  to 
life  in  the  reformatory. 

Inmates  are  Lina  Basquette,  Marie  Prevost, 
Eddie  Quillan  and  George  Duryea.  Probably 
the  greatest  work  ever  done  by  either  of  them 
is  achieved  by  Prevost  and  Quillan.  Both  have 
roles  of  impish  youngsters  who  believe  in  God 
and  work  at  it. 

Prevost  has  a  thousand  talents  which  have 
never  been  revealed  until  her  work  in  "God- 
less Girl."  Quillan's  tricks  learned  on  the 
stage  and  in  two  reel  comedies  have  been  em- 
broidered with  new  turns  and  all  combined  in 
this  picture  to  relieve  it  of  its  somberness. 

Mr.  DeMille  gives  all  the  quartette  a  great 
opportunity  to  act  throughout  the  picture  and 
near   the    end    brings   the    story    to    a    highly 


dramatic  climax  with  his  own  ingenious  art  as 
a  director.  This  climax  is  the  scene  of  the 
reformatory  fire  which  outdoes  any  and  all  of 
the  other  fire  scenes  ever  done  by  anyone  in 
any  and  all  pictures  preceding  this  one.  Not 
only  in  this  but  in  several  preceding  scenes 
Noah  Beery  plays  the  role  of  the  menacing 
head  guard  with  amazing  skill. 

It  strikes  many  that  the  premise  of  the  story 
is  difficult  to  believe  and  that  high  school  chil- 
dren are  rarely  if  ever  given  the  severe  treat- 
ment that  these  receive  when  they  reach  the 
reformatory.  The  picture  holds  closely  to 
its  teachings  and  serves  to  lay  a  great  moral 
forcefully  before  its  audience. 

*    *     * 
Sid    Grauman    Tries   Mind  « 

Reading  on  Hollywood 

Sid  Grauman's  Marveltone  had  a  brief  but 
novel  stay  in  the  Chinese  theatre.  It  made 
its  first  appearance  at  the  opening  of  "The 
White  Shadows  of  the  South  Seas"  two  weeks 
ago.  A  few  mechanical  difficulties  arose 
which    caused    it   to    be    taken    from    the    bill. 

Marveltone  made  its  next  appearance  Tues- 


John  Ford 

Director 

Next  Release 

Made  for 
Fox  Film  Corp. 
"Riley,  The  Cop" 


day  night  when  several  newspapermen  at- 
tended a  private  midnight  showing. 

George  Lovett,  of  erstwhile  vaudeville 
fame,  introduced  the  number  with  a  few 
words  and  went  into  his  act.  The  screen 
showed  two  young  women  blindfold.  After 
Lovett  passed  cards  to  the  audience  he  col- 
lected them  one  by  one  and  instructed  the 
images  on  the  screen  to  not  only  speak  the 
questions  but   also  to   answer  them. 

It  was  eerie.  The  young  women  (images) 
addressed  the  audio-audience  in  clear  voices. 
When  songs  were  called  for  they  played  them. 
But  Lovett  spoke  no  words  except  the  word 
which  commanded  action. 

It's  the  same  old  "mind  reading"  racket 
except  that  the  screen  replaces  the  stage.  The 
actors  appear  only  as  projected  from  a  lens. 
Their  voices  are  heard  but  the  flesh  is  absent. 

What's  more  the  act  apparently  "worked." 
It  kept  everyone  awake. 

The  solution  that  everyone  agrees  is  logical 
is  something  of  the  following  order: 

There  is  no  Movietone  or  Vitaphone  ma- 
chine. The  effect  of  two  women  speaking 
from  the  screen  is  gained  by  a  backstage  ar- 
rangement. It  is  likely  that  the  performers 
stand  in  the  midst  of  a  complex  set  of  mir- 
rors behind  the  scrim.  Their  figures  are  re- 
flected to  the  scrim  from  backstage.  As  they 
speak  the  result  is  very  much  as  if  the  sound 
emerged  from  a  mechanical  record.  One  no- 
ticeable element  that  is  lacking  is  the  mechan- 
ical quality  in  the  tones  you  hear.  The  most 
perfect  sound  contrivances  have  never  elimi- 
nated that  artificiality. 

But  anyhow,  Sid  gave  it  a  good  trial. 

*  *    * 
Tryon-Crawford  Team  Is 
Good;  So  Is  Jacobson 

Glenn  Tryon  and  Kathryn  Crawford  did 
themselves  proud  Friday  night,  but  no  more 
so  than  did  Sam  B.  Jacobson.  Glenn  is  hero 
in  a  funny  comedy  previewed  at  the  Alex- 
ander theatre  in  Glendale.  (They  always  pre- 
view Glenn's  pictures  in  Glendale.)  Kathryn 
is  a  beauteous  young  woman,  recently  signed 
by  Universal  and  is  perfectly  suited  to  Tryon's 
histrionic  behavior.  (This  is  not  a  preview- 
review.)  Sam  Jacobson  is  the  author  of  a 
novelty  that  was  also  previewed.  He  does  not 
appear  in  the  picture.  It  is  one  reel  called 
"Prodigal  Pups."  (I  know  a  man  who  is  go- 
ing to  become  an  exhibitor  so  he  can  buy  that 
reel.) 

Mr.  Jacobson,  who  is  publicity  director  for 
Universal  about  23  hours  every  day,  spends 
the  other  hour  thinking  up  ways  to  make 
things  run  smoothly. 

A  forthcoming  issue  will  print  comments  on 
both  pictures  by  our  redoubtable  and  profes- 
sional "previewer." 

*  *    * 

Schneiderman  Gets  Head 
Post  on  Fox  Technical  Staff 

A  cameraman,  George  Schneiderman,  for  13 
years  with  Fox  Film  Corporation,  has  be- 
come head  of  the  technical  department  of 
Movietone.  He  has  been  on  Jack  Ford's  staff 
for  a  long  while,  having  shot  first  camera  on 
many  of  the  biggest  successes  Ford  has  made. 

*  *    * 

Rowland  V.  Lee  will  direct  "Wolf  of  Wall 
Street"  for  Paramount.  It  will  be  the  next 
picture  to  star  George  Bancroft.  The  an- 
nouncement was  made  today, 

Charles  (Chuck)  Reisner  has  been  selected 
by  Pathe  to  direct  "Noisy  Neighbors."  It  is 
one  of  the  first  pictures  to  be  produced  under 
the  supervision  of  Paul  Bern,  lately  come  to 
the  company  from  a  post  at  M  G  M. 

Bern  incidentally,  plans  to  go  to  New  York 
in  a  few  weeks  to  confer  with  Joseph  P. 
Kennedy  upon  the  latter's  return  from 
Europe. 


Anne  Nichols  111 

NEW  YORK. — Anne  Nichols,  writer  of  "Abie's 
Irish  Rose,"  returned  from  Europe  under  the  care  of 
two  physicians  and  two  nurses  following  a  nervous 
collapse. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Jackie's  a  Busy  Girl; 
One  ''Talkie''  and  Two 
Other  Films  Scheduled 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Jacqueline  Lo- 
gan has  signed  with  Warner  Brothers  to 
appear  in  "Stark  Mad,"  her  first  talking  pic- 
ture, in  which  she  will  be  co-featured  with 
H.  B.  Warner  and  Louise  Fazenda.  She 
has  also  been  signed  by  Columbia  to  star 
in  "Driftwood,"  which  Christy  Cabanne  will 
direct. 

Besides  these  two  pictures  Miss  Logan 
is  to  make  "The  Spieler"  for  Pathe-De  Mille, 
in  which  she  will  be  co-featured  with  Alan 
Hale.  This  picture  will  go  into  production 
within  a  day  or  two,  and  "Stark  Mad"  is 
planned  for  September  5.  "Driftwood"  will 
be  started  two  weeks  before  or  immediately 
following  "Stark  Mad." 


New  Burr-Hines  Film 
Will  Be  "A//  Talkie"; 
Sees  New  Distribution 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— C.  C.  Burr  has 
announced  that  Johnny  Hines  next  comedy, 
will  be  "all  talkie,"  a  screen  version  of  "A 
Pair  of  Sixes."  The  Western  Electric  system 
will  be  used  in  producing  the  picture. 

Mr.  Burr,  from  the  Tec-Art  studios,  states 
that  both  a  well  known  stage  director  and  a 
well  known  motion  picture  director  will  be 
used  in  making  the  attraction. 

It  is  probable  that  the  picture  will  be  road- 
showed,  and  in  this  connection  Mr.  Burr 
stated  that  he  is  now  working  on  a  plan  which 
he  believes  will  "revolutionize  motion  picture 
distribution." 


Lillie  Hay  ward  to  Adapt 
Columbia's  "Driftwood" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Lillie  Hay- 
ward,  who  has  completed  work  on  "Run- 
away Girl,"  has  been  assigned  to  adapt 
Richard  Harding  Davis'  story,  "Driftwood," 
for   production    by    Columbia. 

Jacqueline  Logan  will  have  the  leading 
feminine  role  in  this  story,  which  deals 
with  the  love  of  a  beachcomber  for  an  out- 
cast   daughter    of   his    own    race. 


Luther  Reed  Is  Given 

Supervision  by  Sheehan 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Luther  Reed  has 
been  signed  by  Winfield  Sheehan  to  supervise 
productions  for  Fox.  He  is  to  have  exclusive 
supervision  of  several  units,  from  the  pur- 
chase of  the  slory  to  the  editing  of  the  picture. 
Reed  was  chosen  for  this  job  because  of  his 
all-around  experience  in  motion  pictures  and 
his  knowledge  of  the  stage  and  dialogue. 


BHI 

pp^^ 

^Ak^-:i.A^aBi«l 

CH 

ARLES  G.  CLAE 

KE 

A.  S.  C. 

Photographer     of 
"RILEY,    THE    COP" 
"FOUR    SONS" 
"THE    RED    DANCE"             for    Fox 

ON  A   LOT  OF   THE  LOTS 


By  FRAZIER 


REGARDING 


W.    G.    Fairbanks 
Pell    Mitchell 
George    O'Brien 
F.    W.    Murnau 
Charlie    Farrell 
Mary   Duncan 
Jack    Pennick 
Dawn   O'Day 
Warren    Burke 
Bill    Keefe 


Russell    Coles 
Craig    Hutcheson 
Virginia    Roye 
Nita    Cavalier 
Al    Jolson 
Gary    Cooper 
Richard    Cooper 
Richard  Wallace 
Thelma   Todd 
Charlie   Chaplin 


Charles    Furthman 

WG.  FAIRBANKS,  the  genial  host  of  the 
,  Crescent  Bay  Yacht  Club,  at  Santa  Monica, 
is  preparing  for  a  heavy  rush  of  friends,  over  Labor 
day.  During  the  summer,  more  than  20,000  people 
have  visited  the  club.  The  club  has  been  a  gather- 
ing  place    for   studio    workers    since   its   inception. 

Pell  Mitchell,  business  manager  for  Darmour, 
F  B  O  productions,  with  eyes  always  on  money  mat- 
ters, remarked  a  few  days  ago  of  the  vyonderful 
opportunities  the  club  offered  for  the  making  of  a 
picture.  The  remark  was  prompted  by  the  fact  that 
stars,  leading  women  and  ingenues,  as  well  as  second 
people  and  juveniles  are  in  the  group.  Directors 
are  also  represented.  Mitchell  stated  that  he  has 
found  several  people  who  were  "just  the  t3^e," 
while  spending  a  few  hours  at  this  ocean  side  villa. 
* 

FOUND — the  most  difficult  person  in  the  world  to 
talk  to  on  any  studio  lot.  Same  being  George 
O'Brien,  Fox  star.  George  was  trying  to  tell  me 
how  he  injured  his  toe  while  making  "Noah's  Ark" 
for  Warner  Brothers.  Ordinarily  it  would  ha'se  taken 
five  minutes  to  tell  it.  But  he  spent  30  minutes  and 
to    this   day   I   don't   know  just   what   happened. 

The  conversation  was  so  often  interrupted  by  his 
friends  that  he  finally  let  the  matter  slide  and  I  was 
as  much  pleased  as  he  was  to  let  it  be.  Here's  the 
dope  anyway.  In  some  manner  his  big  toe  was  caught, 
and  hurt.  He  paid  little  attention  to  it,  until  the 
nail  began  to  pain  him.  He  went  to  a  chiropodist 
who  told  him  that  the  nail  had  grown  back  crooked. 
It  had  to  be  removed.  George  is  a  regular  fellow  and 
knows  everyone.  Naturally  they  are  all  interested  in 
his  welfare. 

He  can  call  more  people  by  first  name  than  Frank 
Roderick,  the  casting  director;  and  that  is  phenomenal. 


Even  before  leaving  the  hospital,  F.  W.  Murnau, 
Fox  director,  is  planning .  his  next  picture,  "Our 
Daily  Bread."  He  has  sent  19  of  the  group  of  65 
already  ahead  to  Pendleton,  Ore.,  where  they  vyill 
prepare  the  outdoor  setting  for  the  film.  The  crew 
will  build  sets  preparatory  to  the  arrival  of  the  cast, 
and  will  also  be  schooled  in  using  farm  implements. 
To  date  the  cast  includes  Charlie  Farrell.  Mary 
Duncan,  Jack  Pennick,  Dawn  O'Day,  and  Warren 
Burke.  The  principals  of  the  cast  will  leave  vnth 
the  director  about  August  24,  to  start  work  on  the 
picture. 


Bill  Keefe,  Eddie  Branstatter's  publicity  man  for 
the  Montmartre  Cafe  in  Hollywood,  was  injured  last 
week  by  a  woman  driving  an  automobile.  He  was 
talking  to  Eddie  near  the  place,  when  a  woman 
drove  over  the  curb,  bumping  Bill  on  the  knee. 
The  driver's  first  words  were,  "Oh,  I  believe  that 
I  hit  you."  Bill  said,  "I  know  damwell  you 
did."     Nothing  serious. 


Russell  Coles,  who  was  picked  from  the  extra 
ranks  a  few  months  ago,  is  making  fast  headway 
in  the  comedy  field.  _  He  has  recently  completed 
"Two  Youths"  in  which  he  played  the  lead  under 
the  direction  of  Craig  Hutcheson.  Virginia  Roye 
and  Nita  Cavalier  were  in  the  supporting  roles. 
Russell  has  also  appeared  in  Vitaphone  roles,  with 
speaking  parts,  for  Warner  Brothers,  the  latest 
being   "The   Singing   Fool"   starring   Al   Jolson. 


Gary  Cooper,  Paramount  star,  is  leaving  in  a  few 
days  for  his  ranch  in  Montana,  near  the  Yellow- 
stone Park.  This  is  to  be  in  a  form  of  a  short 
vacation  prior  to  his  starting  "The  Hard  Boiled 
Angel,"   which   Richard  Wallace  vnW  direct. 


Thelma  Todd,  First  National  star,  gave  Charlie 
Chaplin  and  Charles  Furthman  their  first  thrill  in 
several  months.  She  purchased  a  Kriss  Kraft  speed 
boat.  She  was  having  a  trial  spin,  in  company  with 
the  instructor,  and  after  getting  the  motor  up  to 
40,  attempted  to  turn.  The  boys  gave  a  gasp.  The 
boat  made  a  "U"  turn.  And  how!  They  are  no 
pikers  but  suggested,  in  a  forceful  way,  that  the  in- 
structor do   the  piloting   on  the  balance  of  the  ride. 


f  "'^  jgg^ 

j         ^■l^p 

DEAR  EXHIBITORS: 

i  m^9 

I  Think  I've  Found  A   New  Masculine 

h  r  Jg 

Star  for  You.    He's  in  My  Next  Picture. 

WESLEY  RUGGLES 

MARK  SANDRICH 


Has  Just 
Completed 


(( 


Runaway 
Girls" 

for  Columbia 


Starting 

"Nothing  to 

Wear" 


Nick 
Musuraca 

is    photographer 

of 

"When   the 
Law  Rides" 

"VaUey   of 
Superstition" 

"Terror 
Mountain" 

FBO  Studios 
A.   S.   C. 


42 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World 

Production  Directory 

[Number  immediately  following  title  denotes  production  number] 


STORY 

DIRECTOR                 CHIEF            BRAND 
PLAYERS           NAME 

STARTING 
DATE 

Christie  Studios 

"The  Carnation 
Kid" 

E.    Mason               Douglas   MacLean 
Hopper                 Frances   Lee 

Lorraine   Eddy 
Fiancis  McDonald 

July   31 

Columbia  Studios 

Street    of 

Earl   C.    Kenton 

Virginia    Valli 

Illusions" 

Ian    Keith 
Kenneth  Thomson 

Sinner's 

John  Adolfi 

Dorothy    Kevier 

Parade" 

Victor    Varconi 
John    Patrick 
Edna    Marion 

DeMille  Studios 


"Ned    McCobb's 
Daughter" 


William  J. 
Cowen 


Irene    Rich 
Robert  Armstrong 
Theodore    Roberts 
Carol    Lombard 


F  B  O  Studio 


' ine  Air 
Legion" 

"The    Last 

Haul" 
"Drum     of 

Araby" 
"Come   and 

Get  It" 
"The    Freckled 

Rascal" 
"Stolen    Love" 

"Tracked" 


Bert    Glennon 

Marshall 
Neilan 
Robert    DeLacy 

Wallace  Fox 

Louis   Kins 

Lynn   Shores 

Jerome    Storm 


Antonio     Moreno 
Ben    Lyon 
Martha    Sleeper 
Seena   Owen 
Toom   Moore 
Tom   Mix 
Sally    Blane 
Bob  Steele 
Mary    Mabery 
Buzz   Barton 

Marceline    Day 
Owen   Moore 
Ranger 
Sam   Nelson 
Caryl    Lincoln 


First  National  Studios 


'Do  Your   Duty" 


"The    Haunted 
House" 


"Cheyenne" 
"Outcast" 


William 
:     Beaudine 

Benjamin 
Christensen 


Albert  Rogell 
William   Seiter 


Charlee   Murray 
Doris    Dawson 
Charles   Delaney 
Flora   Finch 
Chester  Conklin 
Thelma  Todd 
Larry    Kent 
Ken  Maynard 
Gladys    McConnell 
Corinne   Griffith 
Edmund   Lowe 
Kathryn  Carver 
Gwen    I^e 
Huntly    Gordon 


Fox  Studios 


"The   Woman"        Irving  Mary   Astor 

Cummings  John    Boles 

Ben   Bard 
"The  River"  Frank  Borzage     Charles  Farrell 

Mary   Duncan 
"Riley,   the  John  Ford  Farrell   MacDonald 

Cop"  Nancy   Drexel 

David    Rollins 
"Fog"  Charles    Klein        George  O'Brien 

Lois   Moran 
"Homesick"  Henry   Lehrraan   Sammy   Cohen 

Harry    Sweet 


Gotham 


"Through    the 
Breakers" 


Joseph    Boyle 


Margaret  Livingston 
Holmes   Herbert 
Clyde  Cook 
'Natalie   Joyce 


Metropolitan  Studios 


"Hell's  Angels" 


"The    Isle    of 
Lost  Men" 


Howard  Hughes    Greta  Nissen 
James  Hall 


D»ke  Worne 


Ben    Lyon 
Tom  Santchi 
Patsy    O'Leary 
Maude    George 
Allen    Connors 
James  Marcus 


Caddo  Pro- 
ductions 


Trem   Carr 
Productions 


August  4 
August   6 


August   3 


August   13 

August  10 
August  10 
August  10 
August  10 
August  8 
August   8 


July  20 
July    26 

August  8 
August   2 


July   25 


July   6 

July  30 
July   21 


August  13 


November  4 
August   14 


STORY 


DIRECTOR 


CHIEF 
PLAYERS 


BRAND 
NAME 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


"A  Woman  of       Clarence  Brown     Greta  Garbo 


Affairs" 

John   Gilbert 

Gold   Braid" 

George   Hill 

Ramon   Novarro 
Anita    Page 

The    Little 

Sam  Wood 

Norma   Shearer 

Angel" 

Honeymoon" 

Herman 

Polly    Moran 

Raymaker 

Eddie    Gribix)n 
Flash 

Paramount  Studios 


"Avalanche" 

"Sins  of  the 

Fathers" 
"Moran  of  the 

Marines" 
"Interference" 


Untitled 


Otto  Brower 
Edward   Berger 
Frank    Strayer 
Lothar   Mendez 


Dorothy  Arzner 


Jack  Holt 
Doris  Hill 
Emil  Jannings 
Ruth   Chatterton 
Richard   Dix 
Ruth    Elder 
Clive  Brook 
Evelyn   Brent 
William  Powell 
Richard  Arlen 
Nancy   Carroll 


Tec-Art  Studios 


'Lief,    the 
Lucky" 


Roy  Neil! 


House  Peters 
Leroy  Mason 
Pauline  Starke 


Technicolor 


Tiffany-Stahl  Studios 


"The   Rainbow"     Reginald    Barker    Dorothy  Sebastian 

Lawrence   Gray 
Sam   Hardy 
Sally   O'Neil 
William  Collier,  Jr. 
Georgia   Hale 
Claire   Windsor 
Lawrence    Grey 
Roy     D'Arcy 
Patsy   Ruth   Miller 
Malcolm   McGregor 


"The    Floating 
College" 

"The    Family 
Row" 

Untitled 


George  Crone 


James    Flood 


Elmer    Clifton 


United  Artists  Studios 


"The    Rescue^' 


'The   Love 

Song" 


Herbert    Brennon  Ronald  Colman 
Lily   Damita 

D.   W.   Griffith       Bill  Boyd 

Jetta   Goudal 
Lupe  Velez 


Universal  Studios 


"The    Collegians" 
"Show   Boat" 


"The    Shake- 
down" 

"Eric,    the 
Great" 

"It    Can    Be 
Done" 

"Red    Hot 
Speed" 

"King   of   the 
Rodeo" 

"The  Cohensl  and 
Kelleys  in  At- 
lantic   City" 


Nat  Ross 
Harry    Pollard 

Willie    Wyler 
Paul   Fejos 

Fred  Nevraieyer 
Joseph    Henabery 
Henry  McRae 
William    Craft 


George   Lewis 
Dorothy  Gulliver 
Laura  La  Plante 
Joseph 

Schildkraut 
Barbara  Kent 
James  Murray 
Conrad  Veidt 
Mary  Philbin 
Leslie  Fenton 
Glen   Try  on 
Sue  Carol 
Reginald  Denny 
Alice   Day 
Hoot   Gibson 
Kathryn   Crawford 
George  Sidney 
Mack   Swain 
Kate    Price 
Cornelius  Keefe 


Warner  Brothers  Studio 


"Conquest" 


Roy   Del   Ruth 


"Stolen   Kisses"      Ray    Enright 


'HardboUed 
Rose" 


F.   Harmon 
Weight 


Monte  Blue 
H.   B.   Warner 
Lois  Moran 
TuUy   Marshall 
May  McAvoy 
Reed  Howes 
Helen    Cooley 
Claude  Gilling- 

water 
Myrna   Loy 
William   Collier,  Jr. 
John    Miljan 
Gladys  Brockwell 


STARTING 
DATE 


July  31 

August   5 

August    13 

August    11 


August  10 

July   7 

July    16 

July   19 

July  26 


July    18 


July   18 

August  10 
August  10 
August   10 


June  20 
August   6 


May 

14 

July 

16 

July 

16 

July  30 

.Tuly 

26 

August  1 

July 

25 

August 

10 

July  30 


August  6 


August  6 


Au^st  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


^^^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
''Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch,**  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK   OF   SEPTEMBER   2 

EDUCATIONAr^-"Hot  Luck,"  Big  Boy  Juvenile, 
two;   "Thrills  of  the  Sea,"  Our  World  Today,  one. 

PARAMOUNT — "Skating  Home,"  Confessions  of  a 
Chorus  Girl  series,   Christie,  two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  5,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "South  Sea  Saga,"  Sportlight, 
one;  "His  Royal  Slyness,"  Harold  Lloyd  (reissue), 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  36,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.    36,   one. 

UNIVERSAi:^"Sky  Scrapper,"  Snappy,  Oswald,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  4,  Adventure,  two;  "The 
Junior  Year,"  Collegians,  third  series,  two;  "Newly- 
weds'  Hard  Luck,"  two;  "Speed  and  Spurs,"  Bob 
Curwood,  Western,  two. 

WEEK  OF   SEPTEMBER   9 

EDUCATIONAL — "Pirates  Beware,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Girlies  Behave,"  Jerry  Drew,  Ideal,  two; 
"Cook,  Papa  Cook,"  Murdock-Hutton,  Cameo,  one; 
"On  the  Move"  Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  6,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Campus  Carmen,"  Sennett, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  37,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  37,  one. 

UNIVERSAL— "Hollywood  or  Bust,"  Arthur  Lake, 
Snappy,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  5,  Adven- 
ture, two;  "Rubber  Necks,"  Let  George  Do  It,  Stern 
Bros.,  two;  "Riders  of  the  Woods,"  Cobb  Western, 
two. 

WEEK  OF   SEPPTEMBER    16 

EDUCATIONAL— "Call  Your  Shots,'-  Al  St.  John, 
Mermaid,    two. 

UNIVERSAL — "Mississippi  Mud,"  Oswald,  Snappy, 
one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  6,  Adventure,  two; 
"Calford  vs.  Redskins,"  Collegians,  Junior  Jewel, 
two;  "Half  Back  Buster,"  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The 
Galloping    Ace,"    Hoxie,    Western,    two. 


40  More  Towns  Enter 

Our  Gang  Talent  Hunt  as 

Camera  Shoots  Winners 

Winning  doubles  of  Hal  Roach's  Rascals 
this  week  are  playing  their  first  motion  pic- 
ture roles  in  comedies  being  made  in  differ- 
ent towns  by  special  crews  in  the  national  Our 
Gang  talent  hunt,  under  supervision  of  Terry 
Turner,  Loew  publicity  director. 

Hal  Roach,  now  in  New  York,  will  make 
the  final  selection  there.  The  winner  of  the 
final  contest  will  get  a  contract  and  his  parents 
a  trip  to  Culver  City. 

Besides  the  25  cities  in  the  original  contest, 
4Q  more  are  to  stage  the  talent  hunt  as  a 
result  of  the  reception  of  the  contest. 


Joy  Week  Wins  at  El  Reno ; 

Spreads   to   Other   Towns 

Joy  Week,  an  M-G-M  variant  of  Laugh 
Month — and  by  the  way,  what  did  happen 
to  Laugh  Month? — went  over  so  well  at  the 
Criterion  theatre  in  El  Reno,  Okla.,  that  plans 
immediately  were  undertaken  for  similar  cam- 
paigns in  Kingfisher,  Pauls  Valley  and  Mays- 
ville,   Okla.,  the  company  reports. 

Three  days  were  set  aside  for  M-G-M  com- 
edies at  the  Criterion.  Trailers  at  the  Cri- 
terion and  the  Woods  prepared  the  way  for 
seven  days.  Slides  at  the  Empress  helped. 
Teasers  were  used  for  nine  days  in  two 
papers. 


Abundant,  Varied  Short  Product 
Available  Despite  Sound  Spread 

Several  New  Series  Going  Into  Release  Show  Producers  Are  Recognizing 

Exhibitors'  Needs — Eleven  Subjects  in  September 

Open  EducationaVs  Season 

Educational's  announcement  that  it  will  release  eleven  new  pictures  in  Sep- 
tember, virtually  launching  its  product  for  the  1928-29  season,  is  of  impor- 
tance in  view  of  the  developments  in  synchronizaion  and  the  consequent  un- 
certainty that  exhibitors  have  felt. 

Several  New  Series  Start 

The  fact  that  several  new  series  are  being  presented  for  the  first  time  in 
these  opening  releases  shows  that  an  abundance  of  short  product  will  be  avail- 
able for  theatres  not  yet  equipped  with  sound  apparatus,  and  that  the  produc- 
ers are  not  permitting  the  sound  development  to  interfere  with  availability  of 
silent  pictures.  It  shows  more  than  that.  It  shows  an  even  greater  variety  of 
pictures  produced. 

"Girlies,  Behave."  Drew,  who  was  featured 
in  Mermaid  Comedies,  continues  his  drol- 
leries in  this  first  Ideal  Comedy.  The  girls 
include  Muriel  Evans,  Ruby  McCoy  and 
Amber  Norman. 

Aviation  Series  Starts 

"The  Sky  Ranger,"  the  first  two-reel 
aviation  romance  in  the  series  of  "Russ 
Farrell,  Aviator"  pictures,  features  Reed 
Howes  in  one  of  the  Russ  Farrell  stories 
from  the  pen  of  Thomson  Burtis.  The 
aviation  sequences  were  made  at  the  Glen- 
dale  Airport  and  Dry  Lake,  Cal.  Other 
sequences  were  made  at  the  Universal 
Studios  by  Charles  R.  Rogers  and  Harry  J. 
Brown,  producers  of  the  series.  Marjorie 
Daw,  Tom  Santschi,  Roy  Stewart,  Lieut. 
Earl  Robinson,  Henry  Barrows  and  Buck 
Black  head  the  supporting  cast.  Al  St.  John 
is  back  in  the  initial  Mermaid  of  the  new 
season,  "Call  Your  Shots." 

Monty  Collins,  who  was  in  Mermaid  and 
Cameo  comedies  last  season,  is  featured  in 
"Polar  Perils,"  another  Mermaid.  Collins 
takes  a  flight  by  airplane  in  search  of  the 
North  Pole.  Stephen  Roberts  directed. 
New  Film  Magazine 

Two  Cameo  Comedies  are  scheduled  for 
the  month.  In  one,  "Cook,  Papa,  Cook," 
Henry  Murdock  and  Lucille  Hutton  appear 
in  a  farcical  story  of  a  young  married 
couple  and  a  hen-pecked  husband.  Robert 
Graves,  who  is  best  known  for  his  character 
roles,  branches  out  as  a  comedian  in  "Wife 
Trouble."  Muriel  Evans  is  seen  as  the  sales- 
woman, while  Amber  Norman  and  Adrienne 
Dore  head  the  supporting  cast. 

"Thrills  of  the  Sea,"  the  first  issue  of 
the  film  magazine,  "Our  World  Today," 
another  new  group,  supplies  entertainment 
through  unusual  shots  of  varying  moods 
of  the  sea,  pictures  of  Mrs.  Harry  Payne 
Whitney,  celebrated  sculptor,  and  shots  of 
a  huge  wild  horse  ranch. 

"On  the  Move"  is  the  new  Lyman  H. 
Howe's  Hodge-Podge. 


The  eleven  September  releases,  exclusive 
of  Kinograms,  include  six  two-reel  come- 
dies, one  two-reel  aviation  thriller,  twp 
one-reel  comedies  and  two  one-reel  novelty 
or  magazine  subjects. 

"Big  Boy's"  first  starring  vehicle  for 
1927-28,  "Hot  Luck,"  sees  him  in  the  role 
of  mascot  of  a  fire  station  house.  Charles 
Lamont,  who  has  directed  the  youngster  in 
all  of  his  successes,  again  was  at  the  mega- 
phone on  this  two-reel  Big  Boy-Juvenile 
production. 

Lupino  Lane  starts  the  new  season  with 
a  pirate  picture  titled  "Pirates,  Beware,"  in 
which  he  is  pictured  as  an  involuntary  pi- 
rate chief. 

Jerry  Drew,  starting  the  new  series  of 
Ideal  Comedies  in  which  he  is  to  be  the 
star,    has    a    sophisticated    comedy    treat    in 


Newspictures 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  93 — Italy  hails  Nobile,  saved  from 
Arctic — Atlantic  aerial  service  is  inaugurated  with 
French  steamer  launching  seaplane  from  mid- 
ocean  to  U.  S. — Chiropractors  select  most  beautiful 
back  in  Los  Angeles  contest. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5422— Hundred  girls  swim  two 
miles  in  river  race  at  Chicago — Motorcycles  speed 
through  dust  clouds  in  daredevil  contest  at  Palatine, 
111. — Chiropractors  hold  bareback  follies  at  Los 
Angeles.. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  1  (VOL.  2)— Girls  seek  crown 
for  perfect  back — Navy  oarsmen  race  for  Pacific 
fleet  title — Airplane  shot  from  French  ship  brings 
trans-Atlantic   mail    a   day    earlier. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  6— War  weary  Chinese 
gather  at  tomb  of  Dr.  Sun  Yat-sen  to  celebrate 
Nationalist  victory — Hurricane  from  West  Indies 
leaves  $5,000,000  destruction  along  Atlantic  sea- 
board— Nations  fight  it  out  in  windup  of  Olympiad. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  64— Pacific 
yacht  meet  brings  scenes  of  rich  beauty — Outboard 
motor  racers  are  sprayed  by  rough  seas  at  Long 
Beach,  Cal. — New  speed  record  is  set  at  opening 
of  harness   racing   season,    Goshen,   N.    Y. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  65— Plane 
shot  from  ship  reduces  trans-Atlantic  mail  time  by 
16  hours — Camp  goes  to  sea,  with  oceans  of  fun 
for  youngsters — -Vauitie  leads  way  home  at  Astor 
Cup    regatta. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


^^W 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Organists!  Do  Not  Fear  Talkies 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  August  18 

This  week's  stage  presentation  was  called  "Pacific 
Breezes."  but  in  reality  it  should  have  been  called 
"The  Hula-Hula  Girls."  Due  to  the  fact  that  this 
show  was  reported  a  few  weeks  ago  at  the  Oriental, 
we  cannot  go  into  details  except  to  state  that  most 
of  the  routines  offered  by  the  ballet  was  pretty  risque 
and  reminded  you  more  of  a  burlesque  lineup  rather 
than   a  neat  picture  house  ballet. 

Jack  "Peacock"  Kelly,  former  drummer  of  Mark 
Fisher's  band,  made  his  debut  this  week  as  band- 
leader of  the  Novelty  Syncopators  in  place  of  Al 
Belasco.  Hereafter,  Kelly  will  have  the  ceremonial 
duties  as  well  as  vrielding  the  baton  at  both  this 
house  and  the  Senate  in  alternation  with  Mark 
Fisher. 

The  new  leader  received  quite  a  reception  at  the 
opening  when  he  made  his  appearance  and  proved 
to  this  reiwrter  that  the  management  has  a  good  bet 
in  him  as  the  successor  of  the  last  leader.  In  addi- 
tion to  being  dynamic  in  personality,  he  is  a  capable 
artifit  on  the  xylophone  and  more  than  proved  this 
by  offering  the  "Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody,"  a 
not-too-easy  piece  for  anyone  to  play.  Kelly  also 
paid  a  great  tribute  to  his  former  master,  Mark 
Fisher,  and  for  this  the  audience  liked  him  better, 
for  Mark  is  still  the  idol  of  this  theatre. 

Reed  and  Duthers,  a  clever  pair  of  dancers ;  Ruth 
Darrell,  a  fine  soprano ;  and  Earl  and  Bell,  the  in- 
strumental harmonists,  were  the  artists  on  the  bill 
who   supplied   an   entertaining  program. 

The  band  numbers  offered  were  an  arrangement 
of  "Losing  the  Blues"  and  "My  Baby  Don't  Mean 
Maybe  Now,"   which   were  played   in   real   hot   style. 


St.  Louis  State 

Week  Ending  August   11 

"Gold  and  Black  Revue"  was  the  stage  offering  of 
the  week  under  the  clever  guidance  of  Nat  Nazarro, 
Jr.,   master  of  ceremonies. 

The  Five  Locust  Sisters  did  their  part  to  make 
Nazarro's  final  week  at  the  State  a  big  one.  Loew's 
plans  to  show  sound  pictures  in  the  future  and  to 
avoid  any  advance  in  admissions  is  eliminating  its 
stage  entertainment. 

Kirk  Frederick  directed  the  State  orchestra  in  the 
overture. 

Ernst  Hares  presided  at  the  organ. 


Nope!  you're  all  wrong  he  is  not  Dr.  Rockwell 
of  stage  fame  but  our  own  Edmund  C  Fitch,  one 
of  the  most  popular  young  organists  in  these  big 
United  States — friends  just  call  him  Eddie  and  mem- 
bers of  his  "Whoopee  Club"  address  him  as  "Dear 
Ed" — well  anyway  Fitch  has  been  featured  organist 
at  Ascher's  Sheridan  in  Chicago  since  the  house 
opened  and  is  a  very  big  favorite — you  have  our 
word  for  it  if  that  means  anything  and  it  should. 


Murtagh  at  Paramount 

Henry  B.  Murtagh,  formerly  featured  organist  of 
the  Chicago  Theatre,  Chicago,  a  Balaban  &  Katz 
house,  and  recently  a  guest  organist  for  the  Loew 
circuit,  is  now  taking  the  place  of  Jesse  Crawford, 
at  the  Paramount  Theatre,  New  York.  Mr.  Mur- 
tagh will  substitute  for  Crawford  until  he  returns 
from    his    annual    vacation. 


GEORGE  PANTZER 

PRESENTATIONS 

FOR  THE  INDEPENDENT  PICTURE  THEATRES 

Complete  Presentations — Scenery — Costumes — Talent — Deliv- 
ered Intact — and  Designed  to  Meet  the  Requirements  of  the 
Independent  Exhibitor. 
Three  Seasons  Production  Manager  for  Henry  Santrey  &  Co. 
Season   1925-26,  Production  Manager,  Rialto  Theatre,  Cri- 
terion Theatre,  Broadway,  New  York. 
Season     1927,     Production     Manager,     Breuiford     Theatre, 
Newark,  N.  J. 

New  York  Office:  1607  BROADWAY,  Room  217 

PHONE:    CHICKERING  4646 


Picture  Houses 
Always  Require 
Organ  Music 

Exhibitors   Should  Not  Neglect 

to  Feature  Orchestras 

and  Organists 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

In  the  July  7th  issue  of  "Better 
Theatres,"  we  carried  a  story  by  Al- 
bert F.  Brown  called  "Why  Be 
Alarmed."  Mr.  Brown,  who  is  one  of 
the  leading  featured  organists  of  the 
country,  tried  to  set  at  ease  the  many 
minds  who  are  fearing  the  growth  of 
talking  pictures.  It  is  natural  for 
people  to  talk  and  become  worried 
whenever  something  new  crops  up  in 
the  way  of  mechanical  entertainment, 
but  there  never  was  as  much  comment 
on  any  other  invention  as  there  is  on 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone.  The  big 
question  in  the  minds  of  many  organ- 
ists is  that  sooner  or  later  the  talking 
films  will  take  their  jobs  away. 
Although  it  is  never  wise  to  cross 
your  bridges  before  you  come  to 
them,  it  is  still  poor  business  for  al- 
lowing yourselves  to  even  think  that 
such  a  catastrophe  would  ever  hap- 
pen. 

We  will  go  Al  Brown  one  better.  Instead 
of  saying  "Why  be  alarmed,"  we  will  tell  you 
not  to  be  alarmed,  for  there  never  will  be 
the  day  when  any  deluxe  motion  picture  the- 
atre can  operate  without  organ  music  con- 
trolled by  human  hands.  Organs  in  theatres 
are  a  very  big  attraction  and  what  was  con- 
sidered at  one  time  an  extra  feature  and 
extravagant,  is  now  a  necessity  to  a  program. 

Another  good  feature  that  should  not  be 
overlooked  is  a  pit  orchestra  that  is  capable 
of  rendering  overtures.  Many  of  the  deluxe 
theatres  have  found  this  form  of  entertain- 
ment very  profitable  and  the  diversified  pro- 
gram keeps  a  steady  flow  of  patrons  always 
coming  in  to  them.  The  symphony  orchestras 
were  eliminated  a  few  years  ago  when  the 
sudden  craze  of  stagehand  shows  hit  the 
country.  However,  in  the  last  few  months 
exhibitors  as  well  as  theatre-owners  have 
found  out  that  too  much  of  one  thing  not 
only  tires  the  public  but  actually  keeps  them 
away  from  the  theatres. 

Pit  Orchestras  Returning 

Now  the  pit  orchestra  is  coming  back  into 
its  own  in  many  houses.  In  fact,  several  of 
them    are   running   both   a   stagehand   and   an 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


overture  conducted  from  the  pit.  This  is 
wise  not  only  from  the  point  of  standard  en- 
tertainment, but  because  for  the  varied  tastes 
attending  your  theatres,  as  one  group  may  Hke 
a  peppy,  jazz-like  show,  while  the  other  group 
may  want  good  music  in  more  of  the  classical 
manner,  and  so  by  offering  both  you  are  en- 
deavoring to  please  all. 

Coming  back  to  the  subject  of  organ,  let 
us  again  go  on  record  for  saying  that  there 
is  no  cause  for  alarm  now,  nor  will  there 
ever  be.  Organists  are  no  longer  in  the  back- 
ground as  mere  pieces  of  instruments  that 
serve  to  accompany  films.  They  are  a  fea- 
tured attraction  whose  solos  are  worthy  of 
exploitation  and  are  responsible  to  a  great 
extent  for  a  number  of  people  attending  your 
theatre.  The  style  of  solos  or  the  class  of 
music  offered  depends  entirely  upon  the  class 
of  people  you  cater  to  and  the  location  of 
your  theatre.  In  any  event,  now  more  than 
ever,  exhibitors  should  be  very  careful  in  not 
overlooking  the  fact  that  an  organ  in  their 
theatre  represents  quite  an  investment  and 
should  be  used  advantageously. 

All  Theatres  Installing  Organs 

Even  vaudeville  theatres,  that  have  been 
constructed  in  the  last  two  years,  have  pro- 
vided space  for  organs.  Does  this  not  signify 
that  the  men  behind  these  great  organizations 
foresee  a  great  development  in  the  field  of 
motion  picture  theatres  and  their  presenta- 
tions? 

Such  successful  screen  productions  as 
"What  Price  Glory,"  "Seventh  Heaven,"  "The 
Street  Angel,"  and  "Four  Sons,"  offer  un- 
usual possibilities  not  only  to  orchestras  and 
stagehands  but  to  organists  who  desire  to  give 
something  novel  and  outstanding  in  the  way 
of  organ  presentation.  The  theme  songs  of 
these  photoplays  have  sufficient  color  and 
music  to  comprise  a  miniature  production  or 
prologue  to  the  film.  It  is  these  types  of 
solos  that  will  establish  you  firmly  as  an 
organist  and  insure  your  future  in  the  deluxe 
motion  picture  theatre  field. 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  fonun  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discnss  important  matters  bearing 
npon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION     ACTS— To     the     Editor:       Say 

Eddie  just  went  back  to  see  Ruth  Etting  and  y'know 
she's  lookin'  prettier  n'ever.  She  had  on  a  pretty 
li'l  gringrham  dress  and — well  I  stared  so  hard  my  eyes 
are  etill  weak.  Went  out  for  a  ride  and  the  car 
stalled  four  or  five  times  stoppin'  traffic  n 'everything. 
Do  you  suppose  it  was  because  she  was  in  the  car — 
I  think  she   lost  weight. 

Sincerely   Esther  Rosenthal,  4557  N.   Hamlin   Ave., 
Chicago,  IL 


PRESENTATION     ACTS— To     the     Editor:       Mr. 

Fitzgerald,  our  production  manager,  asked  me  to 
write  you  and  see  if  you  could  get  us  some  informa- 
tion on  talking  pictures.  We  would  like  to  know 
how  much  the  studios  are  preparing  for  them  and 
also  the  theatres,  as  there  is  a  possibility  that  we 
might   go   in   for   sound   pictures   in    our    studio. 

Any  information  you  could  send  us  on  this  sub- 
ject would  be  greatly  appreciated. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  E.  Olson.  Alexander  Film  Co., 
Inc.,  Colorado  Springs,  Colo. 


PRESENTATION     ACTS— To     the     Editor:       We 

have  been  advised  by  one  of  the  organists  in  Vaca- 
ville,  California,  of  a  review  appearing  in  the  Ex- 
hibitors Herald  of  Victor  Schertzinger's  new  ballad 
"Chalita,"  a  copy  of  which  we  are  enclosing  here- 
with. We  would  be  very  pleased  to  have  you  favor 
us  with  a  copy  of  the  issue  containing  this  review. 
Yours  very  truly,  R.  Hall,  Chappell-Harms,  New 
York. 


A  Correction 


LOSAYS 

Soweihing 
about 

Every  one 


Listen,  Folks.  .  .  .  Especially  organists.  .  .  .  Don't 
get  panicky  over  the  "Talking  Films"  situation.  .  .  . 
No  matter  how  many  pictures  are  synchronized  short 
or  feature  lengths  there  will  always  be  a  large  de- 
mand for  organ  music  played  by  human  hands.  .  .  . 
That  also  goes  for  Orchestras  either  on  the  stage  or 
in  the  pit.  .  .  .  So,  Mr.  Theatre  Manager,  do  not 
make  the  sad  mistake  that  some  exhibitors  are  mak- 
ing in  overlooking  your  organ  and  orchestra  pit. 
...  Go  slow  in  your  moves  and  be  sure  you  don't 
step  too  far  in  the  novelty  field.  .  .  .  The  Milwaukee 
Journal  is  conducting  a  popularity  contest  for  the 
theatre  organists  in  the  city.  ...  A  tieup  over 
their  radio  station  WTMJ  enables  every  player  to 
show  his  stuff  every  Wednesday  for  one  hour.  .  .  . 
John  Hammond,  featured  organist  of  Saenger's  in 
New  Orleans  is  back  after  a  three  weeks  vacation 
near  the  Gulf.  .  .  .  Roy  McNamara  took  his  place 
for  the  three  weeks.  .  .  .  Frank  Manzo,  trumpeter 
of  the  United  Artists  theatre  orchestra  of  Chicago 
plays  a  fine  solo  at  each  performance  of  "King  of 
Kings."  .  .  .  The  solo  is  an  arrangement  of  "The 
Holy  City."  .  .  .  Bennie  Krueger  has  blossomed 
forth  again  as  a  song-writer,  and  we  don't  mind 
saying  he  has  several  hot  tunes  on  the  market.  .  .  . 
Ben  Bornstein  of  Ager-Yellen  &  Bornstein  paid  the 
Chicago  music  trade  a  visit  last  week.  ...  So  did 
Jack  Diamond  of  Spier  &  Coslow.  .  .  .  Marvin  Lee 
of  Milton  Weil's  office  has  taken  to  the  road  again 
for  another  long  trip.  .  .  .  Chick  Castle,  Chicago 
manager  for  Harms,  Inc.,  had  trouble  with  his 
tonsils  so  he  ordered  them  shot  at  sunrise.  .  .  . 
Joseph  Knecht,  director  of  the  Goodrich  Silvertown 
orchestra  replaced  Dan  Russo  at  the  Hotel  Schroeder 
in  Milwaukee.  .  .  .  E.  Lambert,  one  of  the  stage 
producers  for  Marks  Bros.,  has  been  staging  all  his 
ballet  routines  from  a  wheel  chair  since  an  auto 
accident  months  ago.  .  .  .  That's  pluck  for  you.  .  .  . 
It  proves  the  well  known  saying  "that  a  man  may 
be  down,  but  never  out."  .  .  .  Al  Kvale  has  never 
missed  a  sljow  since  becoming  a  band  leader  with 
B  &  K.  ...  He  opened  at  the  Norshore  a  year  ago 
this  month.  .  .  .  Miss  Flower,  working  under  the 
name  of  Kosloft's  Flower,  leads  the  Kosloff  Ballet  in 
Chicago  stageshows.  .  .  .  The  Darling  Twins  and 
their  mother  Mrs.  Anna  Darling  were  robbed  of  $500 
worth  of  jewelry  last  week  in  their  hotel  room.  .  .  . 
Paul  Small  was  married  to  Melba  Lou  Cordes,  a 
pretty  little  Abbott  dancer  from  Chicago.  .  .  .  The 
affair  took  place  in  New  York  on  July  17  with  Paul 
Ash  as  best  man.  .  .  .  Charles  Lenzen  has  joined  the 
staff  of  Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gamble,  Chicago  office, 
of  which  Willie  Horowitz  is  in  charge.  .  .  .  Lindsey 
Stephens,  formerly  of  Villa  Moret's  Chicago  office  is 
back  in  town  after  a  tour  of  the  west.  .  .  .  Fred 
Strause  and  Joe  Manne  are  looking  after  the  duties 
of  DeSylva-Brown  &  Henderson's  Chicago  office  while 
its  manager  Joie  Stool  is  recovering  from  a  recent 
illness.  .  .  .  Mike  Cozzie  former  musical  conductor 
of  the  American  theatre  in  Chicago,  an  Orpheum 
house,  is  now  completing  a  three  years  engagement 
at  the  Pathenon  in  Berwyn.  .  .  .  Walter  Hawley, 
manager  of  the  Chicago  N.  V.  A.  Club  is  away  on 
his  vacation.  .  .  .  Mrs.  Hawley  is  taking  care  of 
the  place  until  he  returns.  .  .  .  Dean  Stevenson 
closed  a  successful  two  year  engagement  at  the 
Marshall  Square  theatre  in  Chicago  as  musical  con- 
ductor and  has  joined  Armin  Hand's  orchestra  at 
the  Piccadilly.  .  .  .  George  Pantzer,  for  many  years 
production  manager  of  the  Rialto,  Criterion  and 
many  other  New  York  theatre  organizations  is  now 
offering  presentation  acts  from  his  own  office  to 
independent  exhibitors.  ...  Be  sure  to  read  his 
advertisement  on  page  44.  .  .  .  Raymond  Q.  Dalton, 
former  producer  for  Marks  Bros.,  is  now  in  the  in- 
surance business.  .  .  .  There  is  some  talk  that  Paul 
Ash  may  open  the  new  Paradise  theatre  in  Chicago. 
.  .  .  And  still  we  are  of  the  firm  belief  that  Mark 
Fisher  will  have  the  honor.  .  .  .  Jack  Lavin,  man- 
ager of  Villa,  Moret's  Chicago  office  is  offering  a 
prize  to  anyone  who  can  suggest  a  good  place  to 
spend  a  vacation.  .  .  .  Whoa  I  organists  and  band 
leaders,  don't  get  killed  in  the  rush.  .  .  .  Orville 
Rcnnie  has  been  put  on  the  staff  of  B  &  K  as  a  guest 
tenor.  .  .  .  With  the  new  policy  of  orchestral  pro- 
ductions tenors  and  sopranos  should  now  come  into 
their  own.  .  .  .  Teddy  Joyce,  M.  C.  of  Loew's  Penn 
in    Pittsburgh    has   renewed    his    contract. 


You  Can't  Co  Wixonc 
With  AnyFEIST Song' 

A  NEW  HIT^ 

VU'ke  Writers  oP'^Ramom'i^ 
r\N  _ 1  _   'r 


tHIQUITA' 


L.  WOLFE  GILBERT 

ayid 

MABEL 


r^AOU'RE  A 
REAL 
SWEETHEARTi 


Big  Smash/ 

iy    L.  WOLFE  GUBERT  <s- 

.^ MABEL 

^^vttT^S.  WAYNE 

The  Hit  Class  ^ 

HENINl 
STAR" 

^(PELPME  FIND  MY  MAN]/ 

^J-     ROY  TURK  6-  /      ^,.>r 
FRED  >^HLERTX^  iiflfiL^    ' 


In  the  last  issue  we  carried  an  advertisement  for 
Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumble,  Inc.,  and  gave  their 
Chicago  address  as  308  Woods  Theatre  Building.  It 
should  be  Room  908  instead.  Willie  Horowitz  is  in 
charge. 


JPoxTrot  

LONESOME  IN, 
bEMOONLIGH'T 

i>  BENEE  RUSSELL   //^jS 

j?urfABEL  BAER.  X  .^^  ,     , 

^avd  Catchyn 

LTooBusY^' 

ly  NED  MILLER,  and^ 
CHESTER  COHN^ 


LEO.  FEISTiNc 

23lw.40isT.  NEW  YORK 


-  Jg?-. -TWI'IUJ 


46 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


STAGE     SHOWS 


San  Francisco  Warfield 

Week  Ending  August  17 

Following  an  absence  from  San  Francisco  of  al- 
most two  years.  Eddie  Peabody  returned  this  week 
to  the  Warfield  theatre  in  a  vehicle  made  especially 
for  him  in  the  studios  of  Fanchon  and  Marco  and 
aptly  named  "Ban joy  Ideas."  He  is  the  same  old 
Eddie,  with  the  same  shock  of  unmanageable  hair, 
the  same  Jumping  Jack  whale-bone  activities,  the 
same  lot  of  funny  clothes,  the  same  mastery  of 
string  instruments  and  a  whole  bag  of  new  tricks. 

The  curtain  went  up  on  a  stage  setting  of  huge 
banjos  and  Eddie  slid  out  in  his  inimitable  way 
and  made  a  neat  speech,  telling  how  glad  he  was 
to  be  back,  where  he  made  his  Pacific  Coast  debut, 
and  almost  before  the  audience  knew  it  had  the 
orchestra  presenting  "S\veet   Sue." 

This  number  was  followed  by  the  Electric  Duo, 
Dorothy  and  Leona,  of  San  Francisco,  whose 
acrobatic  dancing  and  tumbling  was  a  revelation. 
Eddie  assisted  in  this  act  by  performing  on  the 
violin. 

Robert  Ziegler,  concert  pianist,  introduced  as  a 
protege  of  Queen  Wilhelmina,  of  Holland,  offered 
"Fantasy  Impromptu,"  and  this  was  followed  by  a 
violin  solo  by  Eddie  Peabody,  with  piano  accom- 
paniment. As  an  encore  Eddie  played  the  "Mocking 
Bird,"   with   novel   variations. 

Gloria  and  Walter,  introduced  as  the  Two  Rays  of 
Sunshine,  sang  "Maybe  It's  You,"  following  this 
with  a  classical  dancing  and  posing  act  that  was 
well  executed,  but  rather  out  of  place  for  a  girl  of 
eight  and  a  boy  of  ten  years. 

Jimmie  Maisel,  banjoist,  assisted  Eddie  in  playing 
a  duet,  the  offering  being  "Ready  for  the  River," 
which  was  also  sung.  This  was  followed  by  "I'm 
Crying  for  I  Know  I'm  Going  to  Lose  You"  and 
"Barcarolle  from  Love  Tales  of  Hoffman."  Eddie 
then  demonstrated  how  one  banjo  can  substitute  for 
a  whole  orchestra  in  the  "Rhapsody  in  Blue,"  an 
offering  which  brought  him  a  thunderous  round  of 
applause.  As  an  encore  he  played  numbers  called 
for  by  admirers,  weaving  these  into  a  sort  of  musical 
salad  rather  highly  spiced.  As  a  special  treat  he 
sang  and  played  "St.  Louis  Blues."  The  act  came 
to  an  end  with  him  and  Jimmie  Maisel  offering 
"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart."  each  doing  the  fingering 
on   the   banjo   played   by   the   other. 

The  show  was  rather  different  from  recent  offer- 
ings at  the  Warfield,  being  put  on  without  the  usual 
beauty  chorus,  and  consisting  of  specialty  acts.  But 
it  was  largely  a  one-man  show,  with  Eddie  Peabody 
here,  there  and  everywhere.  This  was  specially  in 
evidence  at  the  end  of  the  act.  The  stage  was  dark- 
ened for  a  moment  at  the  conclusion  of  the  banjo 
number  and  when  the  spot  came  on  again  there 
was  Eddie  off  near  the  wings  and  playing  away 
for   dear   life. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August   12 

This  week  marks  the  first  appearance  of  Nat  Na- 
zarro,  Jr.,  who  succeeds  Richy  Craig  at  the  Wisconsin 
as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  name  for  the  presenta- 
tion is  "Persian  Nights."  It  opens  with  a  scene 
representing  a  Persian  rug.  The  orchestra  then  plays 
"Persian  Rug"  and  Billy  Meyers  comes  out  and  sings 
it.  He  gets  a  good  hand.  Then  Nat  Nazarro  enters 
the  stage  and  is   given   a  big  reception. 

The  stage  setting  is  a  scene  in  a  Persian  garden, 
elephants  standing  by  and  all  that.  Bebe  Barri's 
Rockets  then  do  a  clever  dance.  Sanna  and  Wallace, 
dancers  who  are  different  then  perform  and  make  a 
hit.  They  are  small,  but  can  do  a  lot  of  graceful 
dancing. 

Next  on  the  scene  is  the  orchestra  playing  "You're 
Wonderful,"  and  Billy  Meyers  sings  the  chorus.  Then 
comes  Rose  Valyda,  double  voiced  songstress.  She 
sings  a  few  popular  numbers  and  does  them  well. 
The  crowd  gives  her  a  big  hand. 

Again  the  Barri  Girls,  dressed  in  red  and  in  boots, 
do  a  sort  of  clog  dance  that  has  snap  to  it.  The 
crowd  likes  it  very  much.     Evans  and  Perez,  a  couple 


of  high  class  acrobats,  do  their  thrilling  stuff  and 
have  the  crowd  gasping.  It's  very  good  and  the 
crowd  gives  them  a  big  hand.  Next  is  the  orchestra 
playing  "Will  You  Remember  Me."  Nat  Nazarro 
sings  this  and  then  dances  afterward.  The  boy  is 
clever   with    his    feet. 

Murray  and  Alan  singing  "3,000  Years  Ago,"  and 
dressed  in  Egyptian  costumes,  prance  around  and 
sing.  The  words  of  the  song  are  catchy.  They  get 
considerable  applause  and  add  a  few  more  verses 
to   it. 

Finale  consists  of  the  Barri  Girls  dancing  and 
Nat  Nazarro  being  lifted  on  an  elephant's  trunk. 
It's   a   well   balanced   program. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  25 

The  musical  comedy  revue,  entitled  "Wonderful 
Girl"  is  laid  in  four  scenes,  1.  Deck  of  the  S.  S. 
Berentania,  2.  On  the  Dook,  3.  Stage  of  the  Zieg- 
bert  theatre,  and  4.  In  front  of  a  church.  The 
story  deals  with  a  Broadway  show  troupe  on  the 
way  home  from  London,  whose  leading  lady  elopes 
in  a  "blimp"  with  her  aviator  friend,  leaving  the 
show  without  its  principal.  A  little  emigrant  girl, 
Rosetta,  begs  for  a  chance,  and  wins  the  favor  of 
the   producer   and   director. 

The  cast  includes  AI  and  Ray  Samuels,  George 
Riley,  Marie  Pauli,  WUlard  Hall,  Helene  Heller, 
C.  J.  Bloemker,  Frank  Ruhf,  Edward  Richardson, 
Flo   Stetler,   Edward   Hill,   and  the   Dave    Gould   Girls. 

The  revue  is  made  up  of  the  usual  singing-talking- 
dancing  comedy  specialties,  and  the  numbers  used 
are  "Sailin'  On"  by  the  Paragon  Quartette,  "We'll 
Explain  the  Plot"  by  the  Samuels  boys,  dancing  by 
the  Gould  Girls,  Helene  Heller,  and  George  Riley 
contributing  to   Scene   1. 

Scene  2  is  a  reprise  of  the  theme  song  "Wonder- 
ful Girl"  sung  by  Willard  Hall  (leading  man)  and 
the    quartette. 

Scene  3  opens  with  a  syncopated  hand  and  arm 
drill  by  the  Dave  Gould  Girls,  and  Paul  Ash  (an 
author)  is  introduced  with  the  stagehand,  which  was 
absent  during  the  first  two  scenes  which  used  the 
pit  orchestra,  and  plays  "If  You  Don't  Love  Me." 
Helene  Heller  and  George  Riley  (the  producer)  sing 
"Kiss  and  Make-Up."  The  Samuel  Brothers  offer 
a    military    tap    dance,    which    leads    on    to    Scene    4. 

The  Wedding  March,  in  which  the  little  emigrant 
and  the  leading  man  of  the  supposed  production  get 
married.  New  style  of  stageshow  at  the  Paramount, 
and   very   entertaining. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  August  18 

Howard's  presentation  this  week,  "Fast  Mail" 
proved  a  colorful  opus. 

Using  a  novelty  introduction  via  flashes  on  the 
screen  of  the  different  modes  of  transporting  mail, 
thence  to  the  engine  effect  through  lighting  arrange- 
ments on  lift  of  the  curtain,  the  bill  got  off  to  a 
good  start.  Everything  went  smooth  sailing  until 
the  very  last  when  an  unusually  abrupt  ending  left 
the  audience   waiting   for   more. 

Six  Foster  Girls  did  two  numbers  which  drew 
applause.  Their  costumes  conveyed  the  atmosphere 
nicely    and   brought    much    comment. 

Eddie  Hill,  funster  gathered  some  laughs  with  his 
his  nonsense  songs,  while  the  Luster  Brothers,  acro- 
bats, received  an  encore  for  their  skill.  They  were 
called   back. 

Eva  Thornton,  singer,  possessed  a  sweet  voice  and 
her   number  virent  over   well. 

Back  drops  and  stage  effects  representing  postage 
stamps  from  different  countries  were  highly  favored 
and   interesting. 

Al  Morey  and  the  Howard  stage  orchestra  did  their 
bit  well  and  received  a  good  hand.  Julia  Dawn, 
guest  organist  and  singer  assisted  them. 


Salt  Lake  City  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  11 

The  Capitol  theatre  of  Salt  Lake  City  offered  a 
stage  presentation  of  unusual  merit  and  distinction 
this  week  in  the  form  of  Fanchon  and  Marco's 
"Radio-Television  Idea,"  which  opens  with  musical 
numbers    being   broadcast    to   the   audience    by    means 


CECIL  DAVIDSON 

Master  of  Ceremonies 

Puttins;  Over  the 

NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

With  His  Gang 


of  a  loud  speaker,  and  high  in  the  background  of 
the    attractive    stage    setting    is    seen    the    performer. 

Francis  St.  George,  soloist,  thrills  his  audiences 
with  his  splendid  renditions  of  "blues  songs"  as 
does  Henry  Bnrman  in  his  incomparable  rendition 
of  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  which  he  sings  dressed 
in  the  original  clown  suit  and  cap  worn  by  Lon 
Chaney  when  impersonating  this  well  known  char- 
acter   in    the    picture    by   this    same    name. 

Other  noted  stars  of  radio  land  seen  and  heard 
in  this  unusual  act  include:  West,  Lake  and  Hane, 
mediums  of  eastern  fame  ;  The  Pearl  Twins,  in  dance 
and  song  numbers ;  Nat  Specter,  who  entertains  de- 
lightfully with  his  banjo  and  "fiddle"  ;  Ina  Mitchell 
Battler,  songster,  and  West  as  woman  impersonator 
and   comedian,   who   was   very   well   received. 

Alesander  Schreiner  at  the  organ,  and  Ralph  Pol- 
lock and  his  Capitol  band  complete  a  very  high  class 
bill.  Pollock  also  offers  a  song  number  very  suc- 
cessfully. 

The  feature  picture  shown  in  this  connection  was 
"See   You   in   Jail." 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  17 

They  named  the  Publix  stage  show  at  the  Capitol 
this  week  "Del's  Follies,"  in  honor  of  Del  Delbridge, 
Detroit's  own  good  looking  master  of  ceremonies. 
Del  presided  gracefully  over  the  show,  and  intro- 
duced  a  heap  of   talent. 

The  bill  was  headed  by  Chilton  and  Thomas,  that 
whirlwind  dancing  team  discovered  by  Paul  Ash 
when  he  was  at  the  McVicker's  theatre  in  Chicago. 
They  have  a  fine  dancing  act  and  their  agile  work 
is  something  to  marvel  at,  considering  they  knew 
comparatively  little  about  the  show  business  when 
Ash  first  booked  them  for  his  show  only  three  years 
ago. 

Anita  La  Pierre,  a  pretty  madamoiselle,  sang  some 
snappy  "blues"  numbers,  and  then  one  in  her  native 
French.  It  was  a  good  song,  even  if  99  per  cent  of 
her  audiences,  or  possibly  more,  couldn't  follow  the 
words   and  meaning. 

Kirk  and  Zion  had  an  acrobatic  novelty  and  Scotty 
Weston  did  some  exceptional  character  dancing.  Cole- 
man Goetz,  the  master  singing  comedian,  star  of 
more  than  one  musical  comedy,  was  well  liked  by 
the  audeinces  and  gave  generously  of  his  talents. 
The  Capitol  Girls   stepped  cleverly,  as  usual. 

A  Vitaphone  novelty  won  the  interest  and  approval 
of  the  audience.  It  was  a  comedy  titled  "Miss  In- 
formation," with  Edward  Everett  Horton  and  Lois 
Wilson,  stage  and  screen  stars  respectively,  in  the 
featured  roles.  Miss  Wilson's  voice  registered  well, 
and  she  should  prove  to  be  a  success  in  the  talking 
films.  

Kansas  City  Pantages 

Week  Ending  August  17 

Mario  and  Rosita,  the  former  a  South  American 
Indian,  and  their  Argentine  orchestra  occupied  a 
prominent  place  on  the  stage  program  at  the  Pan- 
tages. Mario  is  adept  at  the  tango  and  Rosita  is  a 
little  dancer  with  dramatic  ability.  Their  orchestra 
sings  in  a  wild  manner  that  gives  exotic  flavor  to 
music. 

Chase  and  Latour  have  a  1-act  sketch  with  more 
of  an  idea  to  it  than  one  expects  to  find  ordinarily. 
The  audience  missed  none  of  the  humor  and  irony. 
Roger  and  Edna  Hurst  have  some  effective,  rough 
knockabout  comedy  that  pleases  the  audiences. 

Eddie  White,  a  Semitic  comedian,  sings  well  and 
has  some  good  stories.  Paul  Kodak  and  his  sister, 
balancers,  have  an  act  which  combines  several  good 
stunts. 

The  Pantages  orchestra,  under  the  direction  of 
Louie  Charninsky,  director,  rendered  popular  selec- 
tions  as   an   overture. 


Indianapolis  Palace 

Week  Ending  August  10 

"The  Hoosier  Frolics"  is  a  happy  concoction  of 
mirth,  melody  and  dancing  with  Mr.  Fox  as  usual 
delighting  his  hearers  with  his  song  numbers.  Collins 
and  Peterson  are  comedians  with  a  sophisticated 
laugh-provoking  line  which  they  augment  with  a  bit 
of  song  and  a  cornet  solo. 

Vestoft  and  Vaughn  dance  expertly  and  entertain- 
ingly and  Eddie  Allen,  late  feature  of  "Hit  the  Deck" 
entertains  with  eccentric  dances,  songs  and  patter. 
Emil  Seidcl  and  his  band  are  heard  from  the  pit 
with  Dusty   Rhoades  as  soloist. 


Philadelphia  Fox 


Week  Ending  August  11 

This   was   rather   an   off  week   at  the  Fox  theatre. 
{Continued    on    next    page) 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'wmy 
N.  Y.  aty 


r 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


(_C(»ttinued  from  preceding  page) 

The  overture,  "High  Lights  From  the  Classics," 
with  a  colorful  stage  interpretation  of  the  finale, 
the  quartette  from  "Rigoletto,"  by  the  Milano  Con- 
cert Singers,  was  one  of  the  most  enjoyable  features 
of  th«  bill. 

The  Williams  Sisters,  in  striking  costumes  of 
orange  silk  and  rhinestones  stamped  and  pranced 
through  "Since  Somebody  Answered  Yes"  and  "It 
Won't  Be  Long  Now,"  in  a  manner  characterized 
chiefly  by  noise  and  ex^penditure  of  energy,  but  the 
audience  seemed  to  enjoy  it,  judging  from  the  ap- 
plause. 

Harland  Dixon,  creator  of  Five  Step  Rhythm,  and 
one  of  the  best  dancers  on  the  stage,  demonstrated 
his  particular  kind  of  gliding  dance  as  he  chatted 
genially  with  the  audience.  He  then  introduced  Theo 
Van  Tassel,  who  he  said  learned  to  be  his  partner 
for  the  five  step  in  four  days.  These  two  form  a 
remarkable  dancing  duo,  as  they  glide  through  a 
series  of  rapid  and  difficult  steps.  Miss  Van  Tassel 
is  a  dancer  of  real  ability. 

Frank  De  Voe,  assisted  by  James  Steiger,  accom- 
panist, proved  one  of  the  most  popular  of  the  en- 
tertainere,  with  his  amusing  songs  and  lively  con- 
versation. "You  Have  No  Idea"  and  "I'm  Looking 
at  the  World  Through  Rose  Colored  Glasses"  were 
favorably  received  but  he  won  his  most  enthusiastic 
response  for  "That's  My  Mammy."  The  audience 
gave  him  a  great  hand. 


New  Orleans  Saenger 

Week  Ending  August  16 

"Tick-Tock"  the  current  offering  of  the  Publix 
Shows  presented  an  innovation  this  week  startling  to 
thousands  who  visited  the  playhouse  in  search  of 
comfort  and  amusement.  The  members  of  the  chorus 
were  com.pleteIy  clothed,  in  stockings,  tights  and  all 
that  goes  to  hide  "the  sldn  you  love  to  touch" — the 
latter  phrase  swiped  from  a  soap  ad  sounds  good. 

"Tick-Tock"  probably  takes  its  title  from  two  im- 
mense clocks,  right  and  left,  with  pendulums  swing- 
ing gently  to  and  fro,  as  if  keeping  time  to  the 
music  of  the  stage  band  and  later  to  a  catchy  song 
sang  by   Sonia  Meroff  who   received  many  hands. 

The  bill  opens  with  the  stagehand,  this  time  di- 
rectly facing  the  audience,  directed  by  Jack  Stanley 
a  newcomer  who  has  to  overcome  the  tremendous 
lead  made  by  Ralph  Pollock  who  made  his  first  bow 
August  11,  one  year  ago  followed  by  Ben  Black  and 
later  by  Art  Landry.  Stanley  is  young,  good  looking, 
an  excellent  stage  presence  and  makes  his  announce- 
ments in  a  clear  tone  of  voice  which  can  be  heard 
at  the  extreme  end  of  the  house.  Scarce  two  weeks 
in  the  city  yet  an  enterprising  soda  fountain  man 
has  named  a  new  drink,  a  Jack  Stanley  Hi-ball  which 
is  in  great  demand  among  the  drug  store  cowboys 
and  ladies  of  the  lii>-stick.  It  looks  as  if  Stanley 
will  be  as  big  a  hit  as  any  of  hie  predecessors. 
There  is  one  thing  in  his  favor,  he  does  not  play 
the  saxophone,  though  he  dallies  a  trifle  with  the 
violin  and   coaxes  some  sweet  music  from   it. 

The  bill  opens  with  the  Albertina  Rasch  Girls  who 
are  prominent  throughout  the  entire  entertainment  in 
a  series  of  dances,  marches  and  drills  which  are 
marvelous  not  only  in  graceful  movements  but  from 
the  wealth  of  wardrobe  displayed,  and  which  the 
young   ladies  know   how   to  wear   to   advantage. 

An  interpretation  of  the  Argentine  Tango  with 
Bernard  and  Rich  proved  an  enjoyable  number  and 
showed  that  both  were  artists  of  the  first  rank. 

For  about  the  nuttiest  pair  of  comedians  seen  in 
New  Orleans  for  some  time  the  biscuit  must  be 
passed  to  Bayes  and  Speck  who  lived  up  to  their  bill- 
ing as  The  Assassins  of  Sorrow.  They  were  really 
good. 

Back  with  us  again  are  Steve  and  Mack,  members 
of  the  stage  band  who  find  time  to  entertain  with 
songs.  These  gentlemen,  have  returned  from  a  short 
trip  over  the  Saenger  circuit  and  have  met  with 
appreciation   in  all  houses  played. 

An  outstanding  feature  was  the  work  of  Vit 
Lubowski,  pianist  of  the  band  who  played  several 
exquisite  selections. 

Castro  Carazo  and  the  Saenger  Grand  Orchestra 
present  as  their  overture  "Voices  of  Spring,"  sup- 
plemented by  John  Hammond  at  the  organ  with  the 
"Venetian   Love  Song"   and  Berlin's  "Beloved." 

The  Vitaphone  had  as  its  feature  Anna  Chase  in  the 
Metropolitan  Opera  Chorus  Spanish  Fiesta,  while  the 
Movietone  presented  topics  of  the  day.  The  sound 
pictures  seem  to  be  going  over  good  in  New  Orleans. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  17 

If  Fred  Waring  brings  his  Pennsylvanians  to  your 
town  pack  up  your  work,  your  troubles  and  your 
cares  for  the  evening  and  go  to  see  and  hear  them. 
The  boys  are  there ! 

Fred  and  his  merry  bunch  made  their  syncopated 
debut  in  Detroit  six  years  ago  last  February  or 
March.  Waring  had  just  organized  the  band  and 
they  had  but  few  rehearsals  at  the  time  they  were 
booked  for  a  week  at  Kunsky's  Madison  theatre. 


"Plane"  Advertising 
for  Stageshow 

By  an  unusual  publicity  tie-up  arranged 
by  Dick  Powell,  master  of  ceremonies  of  the 
Circle  Theatre  in  Indianapolis,  it  was  pos- 
sible for  shoppers  of  that  city  to  see 
without  cost  the  new  stageshow  called  "Keep 
Cool."  This  attraction,  in  addition  to  the 
film  "Hot  News,"  appeared  at  the  Circle  The- 
atre last  week  and  the  theatre  staff,  in  con- 
junction with  Powell,  conceived  the  idea  of 
exploiting  the  program  by  releasing  balloons 
from  an  airplane  over  the  downtown  dis- 
trict. 

The  balloons  contained  passes  admitting  the 
bearers  to  the  theatre  during  the  entire  ap- 
pearance of  the  advertised  attractions.  The 
airplane  which  was  extensively  advertised  in 
the  dailies  was  distinguished  by  its  blue 
color. 


weeks  ago  with  "Wanning  Up,"  which  was  simply 
an  arrangement  of  music  and  sound  effects,  the 
Riviera  last  week  was  graduated  into  "The  Lion  and 
the  Mouse,"  with  a  more  realistic  sound  arrangement 
in  that  is  is  pai-t  talkie.  This  week  the  house 
will  show  "Lights  of  New  York,"  all  talkie. 


Radio  broadcasting  was  in  its  infancy  then,  and 
most  every  singer  or  orchestra  was  clamoring  to  play 
for  the  radio  audiences  to  get  the  publicity  accruing 
therefrom.  So  Fred  and  his  bunch  were  booked  by 
Station  WWJ,  The  Detroit  News  radio  station. 
Your  reporter  was  then  engaged  in  writing  radio 
news  for  The  News — putting  forth  articles  on  the 
gentle  art  of  making  a  radio  set  out  of  a  bed  spring 
and  a  hunk  of  crystal  rock — when  Fred  and  his 
musicians  brought  their  instruments  into  the  radio 
studio   for   their    final    rehearsal. 

The  Broadcasting  was  a  success.  Such  a  success, 
in  fact,  that  Fred  and  his  boys  stayed  at  one  or 
another  of  Kunsky's  theatres  for  10  weeks  or  more, 
before  going  on  to  other  fields.  Their  fame  eventu- 
ally carried  them  to  Paris  where  they  played  dur- 
ing the  Summer,  and  now  they  are  headed  for  a 
musical    revue. 

Well,  to  get  back  to  the  present  show.  Fred  and 
his  boys  are  dressed  in  white  flannels  and  white 
collegiate  sweaters.  Their  drop  curtain  is  a  gorgeous 
affair  of  black  with  flashing  squares  of  metal  plate 
which  reflect  the  light.  Most  of  the  original  band 
still  is  with  Fred,  but  Tom  Waring,  Fred's  brother, 
he  of  the  hot  piano  breaks  and  the  mournful  solos 
on    a   musical    saw,    is    in    Paris   studying   voice. 

Fred  carries  17  pieces  in  his  band,  including  two 
pianos,  and  the  boys  can  harmonize  vocally  as  well 
as  tease  foot  seducing  sounds  out  of  their  instru- 
ments. 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  August   10 

"Flapperettes"  was  the  title  of  Ed  Lowry's  stage 
show  for  the  week.  Prominent  in  its  cast  were 
Billie  Gcrber,  male  impersonator  ;  Ruth  Denice ;  Luley, 
Mealy  and  Crocker,  comedy  acrobatic  dancers ;  the 
Rio  Brothers,  collegiate  steppers,  and  the  12  Foster 
Girls. 

Dave  Silverman  orchestra  played  the  overture. 

A  Movietone  feature  "Warming  Up"  was  on  the 
screen  and  had   its  own  music  accompaniment. 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  August  16 

The  second  week  of  sound  pictures  at  the  Riviera 
brought  big  crowds,  which  not  only  enjoyed  the 
talkies,  but  also  the  presentation  acts  "Roman 
Nights."  The  feature  of  this  Publix  entertainment 
offered  by  Paul  Spor,  stage  master,  was  a  chorus  of 
roamin'  knights,  not  of  the  Appian  way,  but  of  the 
alleys.  The  hoboes  presented  comedy  stuff,  but  could 
dance  when  occasion  demanded. 

As  graceful  as  the  male  chorus  was  uncouth,  the 
Roman  girls  specialized  in  a  cymbal  dance.  A 
chariot  race  with  real  sure-enough  horses  was  a 
climax  of  the  days  of  gladiators. 

Acts  on  the  program  included  Mildred  La  Salle, 
"blues"  singer  and  Russell  and  Marconi,  accordion 
and  violin,  George  Johnson's  organ  selection  was 
"Write  Your  Own  Lyrics"  and  the  pit  orchestra 
number,  under  Spor,  was  "Southern  Melodies,"  which 
included  the   Kentucky   Jubilee   choir  in  Vitaphone. 

Opening  its  Vitaphone  and  Movietone  additions  two 


Chicago  North  Center 

Week  Ending  August  19 

This  theatre,  which  has  changed  hands  several 
times  in  the  past  two  years,  is  now  presenting  the 
policy  of  feature  pictures  and  stage  shows  Saturday 
and  Sunday.  Tommy  Sacco  is  the  producer  and  Cecil 
Davidson  is  the  master  of  ceremonies  and  bandleader. 

The  opening  band  number  was  a  very  good  ar- 
rangement of  "Down  Where  the  Sun  Goes  Down," 
a  popular  tune  that  is  fast  coming  up  to  the  front 
as  a  hit  song.  (And,  by  the  way,  Verne  Buck,  one 
of  our  most  popular  Chicago  bandleaders,  is  the 
composer.)  Davidson  directed  this  arrangement  in 
fine   style. 

Fox  and  Fox  and  two  children  followed  next  in 
an  eccentric  dancing  revue  which  seemed  to  please 
some.  Audrey  Carnes,  an  acrobatic  dancer,  was 
next.  She  also  got  her  share  of  the  meager  ap- 
plause. Another  band  arrangement  followed,  called 
"You're  Wonderful,"  with  die  Moe,  the  first  saxo- 
phone player,  singing  a  chorus.  This  chap  has  a 
fairly  good  voice  and  seems  to  be  popular  here. 

Jack,  Joe  and  Betty  were  the  next  speacialty 
artists  who  offered  a  comedy-playlet  with  a  lot  of 
hokum.  Four  Hi-Lo  Merrymakers,  a  quartet  in  a 
series  of  harmony  songs,  were  next  to  closing,  and 
they  appeared  to  be  the  best  specialty  on  the  bill, 
according  to  the  applause.  • 

The  finale  was  the  band  arrangement  of  "Down 
Where  the  Sun  Goes  Down"  with  the  entire  cast 
assembled  on  the  stage.  Davidson,  who  is  one  of  the 
youngest  leaders  in  this  town,  is  now  entering  his 
second  season  at  this  house  under  the  new  manage- 
ment. His  popularity  induced  the  new  management 
to  re-engage  him. 


Glendale  Alexander 

Week  Ending  August  11 

Sol  Lowe,  master  of  ceremonies  during  the  absence 
of  Ted  Mack,  sponsored  a  well  balanced  program, 
with  a  small  group,  but  fanciful  entertainei-s.  The 
show  started  with  a  band  number  "Fantasy  Oriental" 
which  was  followed  by  Ergatti  and  Herman,  in  a 
novelty  surprise,  the  man  being  small  appears  to 
come  out  of  a  hat  box  which  the  girl  carries.  He 
dances  and  wise  cracks  and  does  a  few  acrobatic 
stunts,  but  failed  to  register  with  the  masses.  He 
appeared  to  please  the  younger  set. 

Betty  and  Uhla,  two  girls  at  the  piano,  opened 
their  number  with  a  piano  and  song  number,  "Ain't 
She  Sweet."  Betty,  the  comedian,  sang  "The  Vulgar 
Boatmen"  in  character  (and  what  a  character).  She 
had  the  audience  laughing  constantly  with  the  funny 
gestures  and  her  original  style  of  comic.  She  and 
her  partner  were  very  deserving  of  the  heavy  hand 
of  applause. 

Walters  and  Russell,  two  fast  hoofers  and  a  pair 
of  chairs,  with  stairs  as  their  background,  pleased 
the  crowd.  Their  taps  on  the  steps,  leading  up  and 
down,  brought  out  the  audience  in  full.  They  took 
two  curtain   calls. 

The  finale  stai-ted  with  a  violin  solo  from  the 
master  of  ceremonies,  "Dream  Kisses,"  the  orchestra 
joining  in.  After  playing  several  bits  from  well 
known  hits,  Sol  finished  with  his  violin,  alone.  Tak- 
ing a  great  hand  for  the  entire  troup.  Sol  is  a 
master  at  the  violin,  but  his  announcements  were 
rather  weak,  and  not  clear  enough  for  this  large 
house.     His  gags  were  good  and  well  liked. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  25 

The  Boris  Petroff  production,  "Argentine  Nights," 
featuring  Dorothy  Berke,  and  with  the  inimitable 
Walt  Roesner  and  the  Capitolians,  is  this  week's 
title   for   the   stageshow   at   Major   Bowes'   theatre. 

Frank  Stever  opens  the  show  with  the  song 
"Chiquita"    sung    behind    a    scrim    drop. 

The  boys  in  the  orchestra  introduce  Walt  Roesner, 
who    leads    a   snappy   dance    number    for   the   Chester 
Hale    Girls,    who   offer   a    Spanish   tango   dance,    cos- 
tumed   in   beautiful    shawls   and   little  else. 
{Continued    on    next    page) 


BILLY   POND 

SOLO  ORGANIST 

STATE  THEATRE 

DETROIT,  MICHIGAN 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Triana  Sisters  do  a  Spanish  Castanet  dance  while 
the  Hale  Girls  remain  on  the  stage  for  the  finish. 

The  Capitolians  select  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under 
the  Moon"  for  their  next  feature,  vocal  accompani- 
ment  by   Frank   Stever. 

Wally  Jackson  and  his  comedy  dance  lends  a 
lighter  trend  to  the  atmosphere,  and  his  endeavor  to 
lead    the    orchestra    draws    many    hearty    laughs. 

Lonise  Bave  sings  a  light  Spanish,  or  rather 
Argentinish,  opera  number,  which  is  highly  appre- 
ciated and  calls  for  three  bows. 

Dorothy  Bcrke  and  Mario  Naldi  offer  the  original 
and  authentic  Argentine  Tango  which  does  not  seem 
difficult  until  the  final  steps.  They  go  over  for  a 
big   hand. 

The  Novella  Brothers,  well  known  everywhere,  offer 
their  acrobatic  clowning  violin  feature,  following 
with  their  big-time  imitation  of  two  love  birds. 
They  have  been  the  feature  on  vaudeville  stages  for 
yeai-s  and  are  as  good,   if  not  better,   than  before. 

Eight  of  the  orchestra  boys  sing  a  comedy  number 
with  tambourines,  followed  by  good  clowning  of  the 
tango   dance. 

A  chorus  dance  is  offered  by  the  Chester  Hale 
Girls,  and  is  followed  by  the  theme  song  sung  from 
a    stage-balcony,    "Chiquita." 


Philadelphia  Forum 

Week  Ending  August  11 

The  new  Forum  theatre,  the  first  modern  French 
theatre  in  America,  featured  Walter  Clinton  and 
Julia  Rooney  with  their  orchestra  in  the  stageshow. 
The  theatre  is  futuristic  in  design  and  decorative 
scheme  and  the  unique  futuristic  curtains  and  drops, 
illuminated  at  the  sides  and  with  light  shining 
through,  form  a  striking  setting  for  many  of  the 
acts.  The  slogan  of  the  theatre  is  "Something  Dif- 
ferent in  Entertainment  and  Fun."  The  program  is 
changed  twice  weekly  and  there  is  a  complete  stage 
show   and   organ    recital    at    each    performance. 

First  on  the  bill  was  a  Vitaphone  feature,  Gus 
Arnheim  and  his  Ambassadors.  Eddie  VoUmer's  Con- 
cert Orchestra  rendered  the  overture  "Down  South," 
by  Myddleton. 

This  was  followed  by  Hammer  and  Hammer,  who 
might  well  be  called  the  human  knots,  in  a  song 
and  dance  act.  The  girl  in  a  striking  brown  velvet 
costume  lined  with  orange  danced,  sang  and  tied 
herself  up  in  knots  in  a  sui-prising  manner.  But 
when  it  came  to  knots  the  man  had  her  beaten  a 
mile  for  there  seemed  to  be  no  position  into  which 
he  could  not  twist  himself,  with  his  arms  and  legs 
tied  in  actual  knots  that  made  one  ache  to  look 
at  him. 

Gorinne  Arbuckle  made  a  hit  with  her  songs 
"Happy  Go  Lucky  Days,"  "You  Have  No  Idea"  and 
"Laugh    Loud,    Laugh." 

Clinton  and  Rooncy's  ten  "Stepping  Tunesmiths" 
in  bright  green  coats  and  caps  and  gray  trousers, 
appeared  before  a  scrim  curtain  singing  "When  Good 
Fellows  Get  Together."  At  the  close  of  this  song 
the  boys  stepped  behind  the  curtain,  the  house  was 
darkened  and  lights  turned  on  back  of  the  scrim. 
Walter  Clinton  in  a  little  song  introduced  charming 
Julia  Rooney,  in  white  tulle.  Julia  did  a  clog  dance 
very  cleverly  and  the  orchestra  played  an  arrange- 
ment of  "Mary  Ann."  The  tenor  of  the  orchestra 
sang  "My  Bouquet  of  Memories"  and  as  a  request 
number,  "Ramona."  Several  members  of  the  orches- 
tra sang  stanzas  from  the  comedy  song  "Everybody 
Loves  My  Girl,"  representing  different  characters,  to 
the  great  amusement  of  the  audience.  Julia  Rooney, 
in  blue,  danced  another  clog  and  the  audience  gave 
her  a  good  hand. 

Alma  Soraerville,  guest  organist,  then  played 
Sousa's  "El  Capitan"  on  the  ascending  Kilgen  organ, 
a  very   popular   feature  of   the  bill. 


VALE  &  STEWART 


Just  Completed 

a  Second 
Tour  of.Publix 


Will  Soon  Open 

in  a 

New  York 

Production 


Direction 
Lyons  &  Lyons 


Delbridge  Scores  Big 
Hit  in  Detroit 

Del  Delbridge,  band  conductor  and  master 
of  ceremonies,  vjio  dropped  into  the  Michigan 
theatre,  Detroit,  a  little  less  than  a  year  ago 
and  made  himself  popular  in  a  short  time,  has 
signed  a  contract  which  will  keep  him  here 
for  the  next  year,  or  possibly  two. 

Del  stayed  seven  months  at  the  Michigan 
theatre  before  he  moved  over  to  the  Capitol, 
where  he  has  been  for  the  last  eight  weeks. 
If  Del  remains  there  to  complete  his  newly 
signed  contract,  he  will  set  a  record  in  a 
matter  of  sustained  popularity.  Fred  Stritt, 
his  nearest  rival,  stayed  nine  months  at  the 
State  theatre,  and  Delbridge  already  has 
equaled   that  record. 

Delbridge  was  born  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  the 
town  famous  for  its  State  Prison,  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  University  of  Michigan.  His 
first  job  in  the  entertainment  line  was  in 
Chicago  where  he  played  a  piano  in  a  music 
publishing  house.  Al  Short  discovered  him 
and  asked  him  to  play  with  his  pit  orchestra 
at  the  Tivoli  theatre. 

Short  took  Del  to  the  Capitol  theatre  with 
him,  and  Del  ended  a  three  year  association 
with  Short  when  he  struck  out  for  himself  to 
become  master  of  ceremonies  at  the  Stratford, 
a  Chicago  neighborhood  house.  Then  Del  took 
his  o>vn  orchestra  to  the  Capitol  theatre,  with 
a  result  that  he  shortly  was  booked  by 
Balaban  &  Katz  and  came  to  the  Michigan 
here. 

While  things  look  rosy  for  Del,  Frank 
Beaston  is  not  doing  so  well  as  master  of 
ceremonies  at  the  Michigan.  Frank  has  found 
that  being  master  of  ceremonies  is  not  kind 
on  the   general  health. 

He  has  suffered  a  nervous  breakdown  and 
is  temporarily  away  from  the  stage.  This  is 
the  second  time  that  the  young  man  of  the 
big  smile  has  been  overcome  by  the  demands 
of  his  work,  as  not  so  long  ago  he  was  com- 
pelled to  rest  for  a  week.  Arnold  Segall  is 
taking  Frank's  place  for  the  present,  but  if 
Frank's  illness  is  of  long  duration,  Paul  Leash 
will  be  called  in  to  fill  the  gap,  according 
to    the    Michigan    management. 


Film  Director-Composer 

Victor  Schertzinger,  prominent  motion-picture  di- 
rector and  composer  of  the  international  song  hit, 
"Marcheta,"  has  repeated  his  success  by  writing  the 
lyric  and  melody  in  a  new  composition  called 
"Chalita."  This  number  is  published  by  Chappell- 
Harms,  Inc.,  well-known  music  firm  of  New  York. 
It  is  a  very  pretty  tune  that  can  easily  be  used  as  a 
theme    for    motion-picture   accompaniment. 

Mr.  Schertzinger,  before  becoming  noted  in  the 
motion-picture  field,  was  a  renowned  musician  and 
owes  a  great  deal  of  his  directorial  success  to  his 
dramatic  and  musical  knowledge  gained  from  his 
musical  training. 


Still  at  It 


Charles  Kaley,  featured  band-leader  for  Marks 
Bros.,  operators  of  the  Granada  and  Marbro  the- 
atres of  Chicago,  announces  his  engagement  to 
Frances  Williams,  late  featured  artist  of  George 
White's  "Scandals."  If  this  purported  matrimony 
goes  through,  it  will  be  Kaley's  third  adventure. 
The  first  one  was  annulled,  and  the  second  is  going 
through  the  divorce  courts.  Immediately  upon'  the 
receipt  of  his  papers,  it  is  believed  that  Kaley  and 
Miss   Williams   will   be   married. 

It  has  been  learned  that  Frances  Williams  and 
Charles  Kaley  have  been  sweethearts  for  many  years, 
and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  was  married,  there 
was  always  a  strong  feeling  between'  the  two  which 
in  all  probability  has  led  them  to  eventually  come 
together. 


Going  Over? 


Word  comes  from  Dick  and  Edith  Barstow,  who 
are  playing  in'  France,  that  considerable  pi-esentation 
work  is  available  for  high  class  artists.  Dick  and 
Edith  have  just  concluded  their  Parisian  engage- 
ment and  are  on  their  way  to  Switzerland,  playing 
around  the  Kursaal  theatre  resort,  well-known  to 
tourists. 

In  the  past  few  months  there  have  been'  a  number 
of  American  acts  booked  for  Europe,  among  which 
Maxwell  and  Lee  and  Dick  and  Edith  Barstow  are 
only  two  of  the  well-known  standard  teams  who  are 
finding  favor  in  the  music  halls  across  the  foam. 


Andy  Gump  in  Person 

Joe  Murphy,  who  in  real  life  is  the  exact  image 
of  Andy  Gump,  the  Sidney  Smith  character  in  car- 
toons, is  now  making  personal  appearances  in  a 
number  of  picture  houses  in  and  around  the  suburbs 
of    Chicago. 

Mr.  Murphy  also  starred  in  a  series  of  short  films 
produced   by   Universal   from   the   cartoon   adaptation. 


Bushman,     Jr.,    on    Keith- 
Orpheum  Circuit 

Francis  X.  Bushman,  Jr.,  son  of  the  former  mati- 
nee idol  of  the  screen,  is  now  touring  Keith-Albee- 
Orpheum  Circuit  in  a  playlet  entitled  "The  Third 
Door,"    a   mystery-comedy   with    four    people. 

Mr.  Bushman,  Jr.,  recently  completed  the  role  of 
Franz,  the  oldest  son  in  "Four  Sons,"  reported  to 
be  one  of  the  most  successful  screen  productions 
ever  made. 


Leo  Feist  Publishes  Theme 
Song  to  "Lilac  Time" 

Nathaniel  Shilkret,  popular  recording  manager  of 
the  Victor  Phonograph  Company,  and  also  noted 
for  his  orchestra,  has  contributed  to  the  music  world 
a  tune  called  "Jeannine  I  Dream  of  Lilac  Time." 
L.  Wolfe  Gilbert,  one  of  the  writers  of  "Ramona" 
set  the  lyrics  to  this  song  which  is  being  published 
by  Leo  Feist,  Inc.,  as  the  theme  song  for  the  motion 
picture  called  "Lilac  Time." 

Judging  from  the  tremendous  success  of  other  film 
theme  songs  such  as  "Diane,"  "Ramona,"  and 
"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  it  is  quite  evident  that  this 
song  will  become  one  of  the  outstanding  hits  in  the 
popular    class. 


L  &  T  Theatres  Featuring 
Mystic  Artist 

Lubliner  &  Trinz  have  engaged  Marjah,  a  mystic 
artist  whose  offering  is  of  considerable  interest  to 
the  ladies  who  attend  matinee  i)erformances  in  pic- 
ture houses. 

Marjah,  who  is  called  the  "Apostle  of  Mental 
Science"  and  exix)nent  of  "Yogi  philosophy,"  answers 
various  questions  of  domestic  and  professional  af- 
fairs. Considering  the  amount  of  space  devoted  in 
the  advertising  pages,  it  seems  that  the  theatres  pre- 
senting this  attraction  are  really  cashing  in  at  the 
box   office. 


Ginger  Rogers  Held  Over 
at  Paramount 

Ginger  Rogers,  Texas  songstress  who  appeared  at 
the  Paramount  theatre  a  few  weeks  ago  with  Paul 
Ash  in  the  Publix  stage  show,  "Pow  Wow,"  scored 
such    a   success   she   has   been    held   over   indefinitely. 

Miss  Rogers,  a  seventeen  year  old  girl  who  first 
came  into  prominence  two  years  ago  as  the  Charles- 
ton champion  of  Texas,  is  making  her  first  appear- 
ance on  Broadway.  A  year  ago  she  gave  up  her 
dancing  act  and  turned  to  singing  in  a  vaudeville 
vehicle  billed  as  "Ginger  Rogers  and  Her  Redheads." 
Miss  Rogers  is  the  third  "Personality  Singer"  to  be 
held  over  at  the  Paramount  since  the  advent  there  of 
Paul   Ash  as  master  of  ceremonies. 


Publix  Starts  New 
Style  Stageshow 

The  Paramount  theatre  ■will  deviate  from  its  'usual 
policy  in  stage  shows  this  week  when  it  offers 
"Wonderful  Girl,"  a  Publix  production  conceived  and 
staged  by  Joseph  Santley,  former  star  of  the  legiti- 
mate stage  who  recently  joined  the  Publix  production 
staff. 

"Wonderful  Girl"  is  a  pocket  edition  of  a  legiti- 
mate musical  comedy  with  book,  lyrics  and  score  by 
Santley  in  collaboration  with  Harry  Ruskin,  author 
of  numerous  musical  comedy  song  hits. 

Paul  Ash  and  the  Paramount  stage  orchestra  will 
be  featured  and  others  in  the  cast  include  Helene 
Heller  and  George  Riley,  Al  and  Ray  Samuels,  the 
Paragon  Quartet,  popular  radio  artists  composed  of 
Eddie  Hill,  Fi-ank  Ruhf,  Edwai-d  Richardson  and 
Clarence  Blomaker ;  Willard  Hall,  Marie  Pauli  and  a 
Dave    Gould    ensemble   of    dancing    girls. 


New  Organ  School 

The  National  Organ  Studios,  Inc.,  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, has  been  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $200,000  by  Ralph  B.  Banderob,  Bertram  Hopps 
and  C.  Richard  Lange. 

The  plan  is  to  conduct  a  chain  of  studios  for 
the  training  of  organists  for  moving  picture  theatre 
work.      Banderob  has  been   conducting   a  studio. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


ORGAN     SOLOS 


From  a  jockey  on  one  of  Chicago's  race  tracks, 
to  one  of  the  biggest  and  most  powerful  executives 
in  the  music  business  has  been  the  rise  to  fame 
and   fortune   of   Bobby    Crawford. 

At  the  helm  of  DeSylva,  Brown  and  Henderson, 
Inc.,  Bobby  Crawford  gives  you  the  following  col- 
umn for  this  week. 

«     *     « 

"Bobby"   Crawford   "sub-ing"   for   Larry   Spier. 

A  "pinch-hitting  columnist"!!!  That's  what 
Larry  Spier  has  asked  me  to  be.  I  know  that  in 
baseball  a  "pinch-hitter"  is  supposed  to  have  a  bat- 
ting average  of  three  hundred  and  thirty-three, 
otherwise  he  has  not  made  good.  I  am  very  doubt- 
ful if  I  can  reach  that  high  average,  but  Larry  is 
such  a  nice  fellow,  and  this  column  has  always  been 
so  interesting  to  me  that  there  is  nothing  left  for 
me  to  do  except  to  step  up  to  the  plate  and  do  the 
beet  I  can.  Here  goes  Larry — and  if  I  strike  out 
you  will  at  least  have  to  say  that  I  tried  hard. 
#     *     « 

Being  a  music  publisher,  it  is  only  natural  that 
I  make  some  comment  about  the  eongs  that  DeSylva 
Brown  and  Henderson,  Inc.,  publish.  Just  to  be  a 
little  different  from  the  other  publishers,  I  won't 
rave  about  the  marvelous,  excellent,  phenomenal 
catalogue  that  we  have  at  the  present  time.  I  will 
only  state  that  we  have  the  best  catalogue  of  eongs 
in  the  counti-y.  Mind  you,  if  it  weren't  for  my 
overwhelming  modesty,  I'd  really  praise  our  songs. 
«     *     * 

To  me  about  the  most  interesting  thing  of  the 
moment  is  the  wonderful  progress  that  has  been 
made  by  the  new  publi£hing  firm  of  Walter  Douglas, 
Mose  Gumbic — and  one  of  the  greatest  song-writers 
that  ever  lived,  namely  Walter  Donaldson.  Their 
main  song,  "Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky," 
is  heard  wherever  music  is  played,  and  it  looks  like 
it  will  develop  into  as  great  a  hit  as  Donaldson's 
"Sundown"  song.  Some  of  their  other  numbers  such 
as  "Out  of  the  Dawn,"  "Anything  You  Say,"  "Be- 
cause My  Baby  Don't  Mean  Maybe"  also  look  like 
"ready   money." 

«     *     * 

Of  great  interest  to  all  motion  picture  exhibitors 
is  the  fact  that  so  many  of  our  greatest  films  have 
been  so  phenomenally  successful  because  of  their 
affiliation  with  great  songs.  "What  Price  Glory" 
was  assisted  in  its  grasp  on  public  fancy  by  the 
song  "Charmaine" ;  "Seventh  Heaven"  by  "Diane" ; 
"Ramona"  by  the  song  of  the  same  name ;  "Street 
Angel"  by  "Angela  Mia  (My  Angel)";  and  now  the 
"Red  Dance"  by  "Someday,  Somewhere."  In  the 
ca£e  of  "Ramona,"  the  song  was  already  a  hit  be- 
fore the  film  was  released.  Here  was  a  case  of  a 
picture  being  sold  to  a  public  before  they  had  even 
seen  it.  No  doubt,  it  was  a  film  worthy  of  suc- 
cess, but  there  is  no  denying  that  a  possibility  was 
turned  into  an  actuality  because  of  the  momentum 
created  by  the  song.  It  is  the  wise  exhibtior  who 
see  the  value  of  a  theme  song  to  his  film  attraction, 
and  takes  full  advantage  of  the  tie-ups  made  possi- 
ble by  the  publisher  of  that  song.  The  possibilities 
which  these  tie-ups  create  are  inestimable. 
«     *     « 

If  I  may,  I  would  like  to  place  a  nomination  be- 
fore Larry  Spier  of  Rocco  Vocco  for  "column  con- 
ductor" of  an  early  issue  of  this  magazine.  I  have 
known  Rocco  Vocco  for  many  years,  during  which 
time  I  have  seen  him  rise  to  one  of  the  foremost 
positions  in  the  music  business,  with  a  list  of  friends 
beyond  number.  I  am  sure  that  he  could  give  us 
some  very  interesting  slants  on  the  music  business, 
and  spin  a  few  yams  like  only  he  can. 
«     *     « 

Isn't  it  strange  how  many  things  a  person  can 
discuss  during  the  course  of  a  conversation,  and  yet 
run  out  of  conversation  when  he  has  "put  it  in 
writing"  ? 

Bobby   Crawford. 
•     •     » 

P.  S. :  And  there  now,  you  have  heard  from 
Bobby  Crawford 

«     «     * 

Now  that  my  colleague  Raymond  Gallo  has  gotten 
himself  married,  all  that  I  can  say  is  that  it  is  Mb 
own  fault,  and  he  will  have  to  suffer  the  conse- 
quences. I  hope  all  hie  children  grow  up  to  be  col- 
umists. 

LARRY  SPIKR. 


Marsh   McCurdy   Joins 
Bowes'  Staff 

Major  Edward  Bowes,  managing  director  of 
the  Capitol  theatre.  New  York,  has  selected 
Marsh  McCurdy,  well  known  organist  and 
president  of  the  New  York  Society  of  Theatre 
Organists,  as  one  of  the  feature  console 
artists. 

Mr.  McCurdy  owes  his  past  training  and 
success  entirely  to  American  methods  and  al- 
though still  a  young  man,  he  has  played 
organ  in  the  Marcus  Lowe  theatres  for  the 
past  ten  years.  He  studied  under  such  noted 
masters  as  T.  Tertius  Noble  and  Pietro  Yon 
of  the  Vatican  in  Rome. 

Mr.  McCurdy  is  under  exclusive  contract 
to  Columbia  Record  Company  and  is  also  fea- 
tured over  a  national  broadcasting  chain.  As 
a  composer,  McCurdy  has  such  well  known 
songs  to  his  credit  as  "High  Water,"  "You," 
and  "Sunset." 


Edward  House  (Chicago  Uptown)  offered  a  novel 
community  singing  stunt  last  week  that  started  off 
as  a  radio  broadcast  representing  the  national  po- 
litical chamber  in  which  House  informed  the  public 
that  Hoover  and  Smith  were  nominated,  and  that 
he  was  the  thii-d  party  and  would  be  thankful  for 
their  votes.  The  idea  was  very  clever  and  brought 
forth  many  laughs  as  well  as  a  well-deserved  ova- 
tion. The  songs  used  were  "Sidewalks  of  New 
York"  for  Smith,  "Over  There"  for  Hoover,  and 
"I  Still  Love  You"  for  House,  intermingled  with 
"My  Pet"  and  "If  You  Don't  Love  Me"  with  a 
vocal   chorus   by   House. 


Bill  Bennett  (Chicago  Belpark)  offered  for  a  com- 
munity solo  a  stunt  called  "Favorites  Old  and  New" 
which  consisted  of  "Some  of  These  Days,"  "An  Old 
Guitar  and  an  Old  Refrain,"  "Sweetheart,  I'm 
Sorry,"  "Angela  Mia,"  "Constantinople,"  and  "Too 
Busy."  Bennett's  popularity  compelled  him  to  take 
an  encore,  a  usual   occurrence  at  this  theatre. 


Eddie  Meikel  (Chicago  Harding)  presented  for  last 
week's  organ  solo  a  series  of  poular  songs  inter- 
mingled with  the  birthday  song  which  is  always 
sung  for  the  members  of  Eddie's  club.  As  usual, 
a  list  of  names  wias  flashed  on  the  screen  and  the 
audience  gave  them  the  club  cheer.  The  numbers 
used  were  "I  Wonder  What's  Become  of  Sally," 
and  the  new  Sally  song  called  "Don't  You  Remember 
Sally."  Parodies  on  "Too  Busy"  and  "Dolores"  were 
put  over  with  clever  cartoon  illustrations,  and 
"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart"  closed  the  bill.  For  an 
encore,  "Constantinople"  was  played  for  the  happy 
crowd. 


Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit  Michigan)  took  the  much 
played  overture  "Poet  and  Peasant"  for  his  organ 
solo  recently  and  showed  how  it  can  be  combined 
artistically  with  other  musical  compositions.  After 
playing  a  portion  of  the  overture,  Gutow  played 
"Chloe,"  this  number  being  illustrated  with  slides. 
Then  more  of  "Poet  and  Peasant,"  and  then  "King 
for  a  Day,"  the  words  of  the  latter  being  flashed  on 
the  screen.  More  of  the  "Poet"  was  used  to  close. 
The   combination   went  over   in   great  order. 


DEAN  STEVENSON 

Completing  His  Second  Year 
at  the 

Marshall  Squeure  Theatre 

Permanent  Address 

7415  N.  Robey  Street,  Chicago 


9tatc.59l8 


r/05 

Ddndolph  St 

Oliicato 

Art  you  (getting  RUMORS 

MoollV  Ttb&Kio  fer  tic.  a^ 


SqmC$ 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Ramona" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 

"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart" — (Leo 
Feist). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" — 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"Was  It  a  Dream" — (Harms). 

"Angela  Mia" — (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me"— (Leo  Feist). 

"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky" 
— (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gumhle). 

"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (Remick). 

"That's  My  Weakness  Now" — 
(Shapiro-Bernstein). 

"Constantinople" — (DeSylva-Brown  & 
Henderson). 

" Chiquita"—(Leo  Feist). 

"Down  Where  the  Sun  Goes  Down" — 
(Leo  Feist). 

"Jeanine,  I  Dream  of  Lilac  Time" — 
(Leo  Feist). 

"Too  Busy" — (Leo  Feist). 

"I  Can't  Do  Without  You"— (Berlin). 

I  CAN'T  GIVE  YOU  ANYTHING  BUT  LOVE— 
(Jack  Mills,  Inc.) — This  is  the  hit  song  of  the  New 
York  production  Blackbirds  of  1928.  From  Eastern 
reports,  the  music  is  excellent  and  the  show  is  a  big 
hit.  It  has  an  all  colored  cast.  Lyrics  by  Dorothy 
Fields,  music  by  Jimmy  McHugh. 

ffi         *         :;: 

A   CANOE    AND    YOU— (Forster   Music   Pub.    Co.) 

— A  pretty  idea  especially  for  this  time  of  the  year. 
In  case  of  an  argument  it  is  very  easy  to  topple 
over.  A  very  pretty  fox  trot  with  an  appropriate 
lyric.      Words    and    music    by    Stephen    Gaylord. 

i-f        «        ij: 

KING  FOR  A  DAY— (Remick  Music  Corp)— The 
follow  up  song  to  Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh.  Ted 
Fiorito  the  melody  writer  is  responsible  for  both 
these  eongs.  This  song  looks  like  a  real  hit.  Writ- 
ten as  a  waltz.     Lyric  by  Lewis  and  Young. 

*  «     * 

MY  TREASURES — (Harms,  Inc.) — A  high  class 
number  of  the  type  that  this  firm  is  famous  for. 
The  lyric  writer  is  the  well  known  cartoonist  Rube 
Goldberg.  Both  lyric  and  melody  are  excellent. 
Music  by  Lewis  E.   Gensler. 

*  *     « 

THE   FIRST   KISS— (Watcrson-Berlin  &  Snyder)— 

The  theme  song  of  the  picture  now  playing  at  the 
Chicago  theatre.  Well  written  by  two  writers  who 
need  no  introduction.  Their  past  songs  speak  for 
themselves.     By  Al   Dubin   and  J.   Russell   Robinson. 

*  *     « 

SINCERELY  I  DO— (Villa  Moret,  Inc.)— A  pretty 
fox  trot  and  also  lyric  by  two  well  known  writers. 
Should  be  commercial.  Lyric  by  Benny  Davis,  music 
by  Joe  Burke.  «     «     * 

I'D  RATHER  CRY  OVER  YOU  (Than  Smile  At 
Somebody  Else) — (Ager,  Y'ellen  &  Bornstein) — These 
writers,  all  well  known,  have  turned  out  a  sure  fire 
song  for  the  public  to  buy.  Written  as  a  fox  trot 
with  a  very  good  lyric.  Words  by  Jack  Yellen  and 
Phil   Ponce,   music   by   Dan   Dougherty. 

*  «     * 

TWELVE  O'CLOCaC  WALTZ— (Remick  Music 
Corp.)^ — A  very  pretty  waltz  that  reminds  one  of  the 
famous  Midnight  Waltz.  Should  get  a  big  radio  plug 
as  a  signing  off  number.  Words  by  Billy  Rose  and 
Mort  Dixon,  music  by  Harry  Warren. 
«     *     * 

OUT  OF  THE  DAWN — (Donaldson -Douglas  & 
Gumble) — The  theme  song  of  the  first  Paramount 
sound  picture  Warming  Up.  This  song  is  already 
selling  on  its  own  merit.  With  the  picture  opening 
at  the  Chicago  theatre  it  should  develop  into  the 
hit  class.  Words  and  music  by  Walter  Donaldson. 
«     *     * 

THAT  STOLEN  MELODY— (Empire  Music  Com- 
pany)— ^The  writer  of  Dardanella  is  resironsible  for 
this  song  which  is  different  and  on  that  account 
alone  it  hits  the  eye. 


j/^  /3. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


^^^ 


THE     THEATRE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmanship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public,*'  and  "Better  Business  Builders." 

Tying  Up  With  Press  Pays;  Here's  Proof! 

The  value  of  playing  along  with  your  newspaper,  emphasized  and  re-emphasized  so  many  times  in  this  department, 
gets  18-carat  confirmation  this  week  in  the  pages  of  the  Brillion  News,  published  by  Otto  J.  Zander  at  Brillion,  Wis. 
Joe  J.  Ecker,  manager  of  the  Auditorium  theatre,  wins  the  editorial  bouquet  from  the  newspaper  and  we  rise  from 
our  bootstraps  to  pin  our  own  ribbon  around  the  floral  contribution. 


We  have  mentioned  the  advisability 
of  staying  as  close  to  the  editor  of  your 
newspaper  as  the  proverbial  kitten 
does  to  a  hot  brick.  Now  there  are 
many  reasons  for  this,  and  we're  speak- 
ing now  of  course  from  the  experiences 
of  exhibitors  who  have  written  in  to 
this  department. 

First  of  all,  the  newspaper  represents  your 
town,  and  represents  it,  in  the  majority  of 
instances,  more  truly  than  any  other  single 
agency.  That  means  that  the  newspaper  is 
an  integral  part  of  the  community,  and  if  it 
represents  the  community,  certainly  your  the- 
atre as  a  definite  part  of  that  community  must 
be  represented  in  the  newspaper.  We  don't 
recall — and  don't  care,  either — whether  that 
falls  under  the  category  of  true  logic  accord- 
ing to  the  books  we  used  to  have  in  school. 
It's  a  fact,  regardless. 

Two  Sides  to  Any  Dispute 

Certainly  we  recall  instances — rare  though, 
praise  be ! — of  an  exhibitor  writing  in  that  he 
didn't  get  any  cooperation  from  the  paper,  the 
editor  didn't  treat  him  right,  and  anyway  his 
advertisements  in  the  paper  didn't  help  his 
gross  a  bit. 

Well,  mebbe  so,  though  the  chances  are 
that  'way  back  yonder  there  was  some  mis- 
understanding that  could  have  been  cleared 
up  to  the  benefit  of  both  parties.  That's  usu- 
ally the  way  such  things  happen. 

Generally  there  are  two  sides  to  a  question, 
as  the  Zouave  recruit  found  out  when  he 
shinnied  up  the  wall — and  tumbled  off.  There 
was  the  editor  of  a  newspaper  in  a  city  of 
about  30,000  who  told  us  he  was  getting  gray 
hair  over  his  dealings  with  the  theatre  folk. 
They  wanted  the  whole  paper — and  even  the 
margins — for  publicity,  and  it  was  all  straight 
"lift"  copy  that  the  editor  felt  he  could  not 
use  as  news.  And  they  wanted  their  adver- 
tising for  practically  nothing.     So  he  said. 

Well,  that  situation  has  been  cleared,  and 
we  modestly  add  that  we  may  have  had  some- 
thing to  do  with  the  settling  of  it. 

Something  for  Nothing? 

Expecting  something  for  nothing  may  or 
may  not  be  good  business.  Usually  not.  You 
get  proportionately  as  you  give,  but  the  better 
the  cooperation  you  give  the  better  your  re- 
turns. Translating  that  into  theatre  terms,  if 
you  play  along  with  your  newspaper  you'll 
get  a  far  better  break  when  a  special  cam- 
paign comes  along,  and  if  you  study  the  likes 
and  dislikes  of  the  editorial  department  of 
your  newspaper,  it's  surprising  how  much  ma- 
terial you  can  give  the  editor  that  he  really 
wants,  and  with  little  effort. 

There's  only  one  more  angle   we  want  to 


touch  upon  here,  before  we  get  back  to  Ecker 
and  the  Auditorium  theatre.  Institutional  ad- 
vertising and  exploitation  time  and  again  has 
proved  valuable  in  dollars  and  cents  at  the 
box  office.  Get  out  among  your  people,  talk 
about  the  things  they  talk  about,  do  the  things 
they  do,  offer  the  use  of  your  theatre  for 
worthwhile  events,  make  use  of  every  oppor- 
tunity that  comes  your  way  to  give  talks  be- 
fore different  groups  in  your  town.  In  other 
words,  let  your  town  know  who  you  are. 
Other  exhibitors  who  have  done  that  have 
found  a  mighty  gratifying  answer  on  the 
books. 

Newspaper  Helps  a  Lot 

Now  how  can  that  be  accomplished  without 
having  the  benefit  of  the  news  columns  of 
your  community  paper?  Well,  it  possibly  can, 
but  it's  foolish  to  pass  up  the  bet  of  letting 
the  newspaper  help  publicize  yourself  and 
your  theatre.  That's  obvious.  Exhibitors 
have  found  it  so,  and  experience  talks  best. 

Now  let's  return  to  Ecker.  The  Brillion 
News,  Friday,  carried  the  article  on  coopera- 
tion with  newspapers,  as  already  mentioned, 
and  then  stated,  on  the  first  page,  mind  you : 

"The  article  presents  an  interesting  and 
somewhat  new  viewpoint,  but,  as  a  piece  of 
advice,  is  wasted  on  Joe  J.  Ecker,  manager  of 
the  local  movie  house. 

Ecker  Rings  the  Bell 

"Joe  has  been  a  steady  advertiser  in  the 
News  for  years,  in  fact  ever  since  he  went 
into  the  business.  While  we  do  not  know  how 
much  he  loves  the  editor,  we  do  know  that 
our  relations  with  him  have  been  of  the  best. 

"We  especially  appreciate  his  cooperation  in 
meeting  our  shop  requirements  in  the  matter 
of  early  preparation  of  his  advertising  copy. 
We  often  envy  those  of  our  fellow  editors 
who  make  an  ironclad  rule  that  advertising 
copy  must  be  submitted  not  later  than  a  cer- 
tain hour  or  day,  and  actually  get  away 
with  it. 

Editor  Appreciates  It 

"We  haven't  enough  iron  in  our  soul  to 
carry  out  such  a  policy  as  strictly  as  we  ought, 
feeling  that,  after  all,  we  should  give  any 
local  enterprise  the  best  possible  service,  even 


Visiting  Sailors 
Taken  to  Theatre 


When  His  Majesty's  Australian  warship, 
the  Australia,  paid  a  visit  to  Montreal,  Que- 
bec, Manager  Harry  Dahn  of  the  Capitol 
theatre,  hustled  the  whole  crew  to  the  theatre 
to   see   "White   Shadows   in  the   South  Seas." 


at  a  sacrifice.  But  we  doubly  appreciate  an 
advertiser  who,  like  Mr.  Ecker  and  others,  is 
willing  to  cooperate  with  us  in  a  matter  such 
as  every  editor  has  to  contend  with,  involves 
no  sacrifice  or  inconvenience  on  the  part  of 
the  advertiser,  but  means  much  in  the  weekly 
routine  of  the  average  country  printshop." 

So  you  note  that  Ecker  cooperates  even  to 
the  extent  of  respecting  the  newspaper  dead- 
lines, and  the  editor  appreciates  that  fact. 
Patronizing  the  Paper 

The  article  which  prompted  these  compli- 
ments to  the  theatreman  read  as  follows,  with 
the  heading,  "might  hate  editor  but  would 
advertise" : 

"If  we  had  a  movie  house  in  a  small  town 
we  would  patronize  the  local  paper  even 
though  we  might  hold  the  editor  in  particular 
detestation.  We  should  feel  that  we  couldn't 
afford  to  be  left  out  of  the  representation. 
It  would  be  bad  enough  if  we  had  the  only 
picture  house  in  town,  but  with  an  opposition 
that  does  get  representation  we  should  get 
into  the  advertising  columns  if  we  had  to  use 
a  court  order  to  obtain  the  space. 

"It  would  not  matter  in  the  least  if  the 
advertising  did  not  sell  a  single  ticket  from 
one  New  Year's  to  the  next,  if  the  paper  was 
so  hopelessly  poor  that  it  would  not  influence 
the  sale  of  a  single  ticket,  we  still  would  want 
to  be  represented  if  for  no  other  reason  than 
as  a  matter  of  civic  pride.  We  should  not 
want  to  have  people  think  we  were  too  poor  or 
too  stingy  or  too  ignorant  to  advertise.  We 
would  advertise  in  the  local  paper,  for  the 
sake  of  our  own  self  respect. 

Helps  Make  the  Town  Better 

"The  local  paper  is  a  part  of  every  com- 
munity. Often  it  is  a  very  important  part. 
Sometimes,  through  lack  of  ability,  the  editor 
is  a  nonentity,  and  his  product  is  colorless, 
but  still,  it  is  a  part  of  the  town,  and  an 
exhibitor  should  be  a  part  of  every  local  en- 
terprise calling  for  support.  The  newspaper 
is  a  part  of  the  town  and  as  much  deserving 
of  recognition 

"When  the  town  is  large  enough  to  support 
only  a  weekly,  this  support  is  doubly  impor- 
tant. People  may  overlook  portions  of  a 
daily,  or  may  prefer  the  newspaper  from  the 
nearest  large  city,  but  the  weekly  sheet  is 
home  news  and  everyone  will  read  it.  And 
they  will  read  it  straight  through,  patent  medi- 
cine ads  and  all.  And  we  should  want  to  be 
among  the  advertisements  to  be  read.  We 
would  want  to  be  in  the  paper  whether  the 
editor  was  all  that  was  abhorrent  to  us.  We 
wouldn't  have  to  kiss  him.  The  more  you 
strive  to  become  a  part  of  the  life  of  your 
town,  the  more  important  your  enterprise  be- 
comes, whether  you  sell  shoe  strings  or  super- 
features." 


August  25,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


WANTED!  ^^^^*^^  P^y^  ^«^*  ^«^^  ^/ 

Patrons;  Builds  Goodwill^  B.  O. 


For     DISTURBING  THE  PEACE   ».» u.,^„ 
STEAUNG  *.-. 
CAUSING  A  RIOT  -.,f.„ 
KILLING  -c,«,„ 

REaNAlB  DENNY 

GOOD  MORNING,  JUDGE" 

Starting  Friday^  June  22nd 

Boulevard  Theatre 


Clever  ad  used  by  Monty  Salmon,  nunu 
ager  of  the  Boulevard  theatre,  Los  An- 
geles, for  the  Universal  picture,  "Good 
Morning,  Judge,"  starring  Reginald 
Denny.  Small  ads  as  clever  as  this  one 
often  have  more  value  than  an  ad  several, 
times  this  size.  It  pays  to  use  snappy  ads 
similar  to  this  one  occasionally. 


House  Organ 
Exchange 

R.  H.  Zerbel,  Delft  theatre,  Marquette, 
Mich. 

Albert  Sindlinger,  Majestic  theatre, 
Athens,  Ohio, 

L.  W.  Carroll,  Majestic  theatre,  Bur- 
lington, Vermont. 

Montague  Salmon,  Boulevard  theatre, 
Los  Angeles. 

Publix  News,  Riviera  theatre,  Omaha, 
Nebraska. 

H.  M.  Addison,  Great  Lakes  theatre, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

John  Goldstone,  Empire  Picture  House, 
Huddersfield,  Yorkshire,  England. 

Wener  &  Green,  Russell  theatre.  Glace 
Bay,  Nova  Scotia. 

Charles  P.  Gilmore,  Orpheum  theatre, 
Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Verner  Hicks,  Arcadia  theatre,  Olney, 
III. 

Kenneth  Tallmadge,  Temple  theatre, 
Saginaw,  Mich. 

Wally  Nordby,  Indiana  theatre,  Indi- 
ana, Pa. 

The  Lark  Tales,  Lark  theatre,  McMinn- 
ville.  Ore. 

L.  D.  Everett,  Saenger  theatre.  Mobile, 
Ala. 

Hal  D.  Neides,  Grauman's  Egyptian 
theatre,  Hollywood,  Cat. 

William  T.  Meeks,  Shorewood  theatre, 
1535  Oakland  Ave.,  Milwaukee,  JFis. 

Reinhold  Wallach,  Sheboygan  theatre, 
Sheboygan,  Wis. 

L.  O.  Gardner,  Neptune  theatre,  39th 
and  Bell,  Kansas  City. 

Vic  Walker,  West  Coast-Walker,  Santa 
Ana,  Cal. 

0.  M.  Linn,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Coatesville, 
Pa. 

1.  G.  L.  Drummond,  Hippodrome  thea- 
tre, BP.  Aukland,  County  Durham,  Eng- 
land. 

Ben  Mueller,  California  theatre,  Santa 
Rosa,  Cal. 

F.  M.  Boucher,  Empire-Colonial-Win 
Theatres,  Winchester,  Va. 


The  Rex  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  has  a  good  idea  to  induce  people 
to  come  to  the  shows  whether  the  weather  is  good  or  bad.  The  management 
of  the  theatre  runs  advertising  to  the  effect  that  it  will  offer  free  taxi  service 
to  its  patrons  who  desire  to  come  to  the  theatre  in  groups  of  five  or  six.  If 
five  or  six  patrons  assemble  at  one  spot  and  take  a  taxi  to  the  theatre,  they 
just  have  to  present  their  meter  receipt  to  the  box  office  and  the  theatre  will 
refund  the  amount  of  the  ticket. 

this.  A  simple  way  is  to  announce  the 
first  edition  of  the  house  organ  in  your  reg- 
ular newspaper  theatre  ad,  especially  if  you 
are  located  in  a  small  town,  and  to  include 
a  coupon  to  be  filled  in  by  all  those  want- 
ing to  be  put  on  the  list.  Have  printed 
forms  made  up  and  put  them  in  the  lobby 
of  your  theatre  so  that  people  can  sign 
them,  requesting  the  house  organ.  Also 
for  one  week  have  your  ushers  give  every 
patron  as  he  enters  the  theatre  one  of  the 
blanks.  Use  a  slide  or  trailer  announcing 
the  first  issue  and  state  that  those  not  on 
the  list  should  make  the  request. 

One  theatre  each  year  when  it  begins  its 
house  organ  sends  out  post  cards  to  be 
filled  by  all  those  wanting  to  receive  the 
house  organ  for  the  ensuing  year.  The 
list  is  made  up  of  those  who  return  the 
cards.  This  gives  a  good  selling  talk  to 
the  advertisers. 

Remember,  if  you  want  to  know  what 
the  other  fellow  is  doing,  and  if  you  want 
new  ideas,  you  can  accomnlish  this  by  join- 
ing "The  Theatre's"  House  Organ  Ex- 
change.    Sign  the  coupon  below. 


The  idea  has  already  boosted  attendance 
of  the  theatre  on  rainy  nights  and  on  nights 
when  people  are  holding  parties.  Many 
people  do  not  care  to  go  to  the  trouble 
of  taking  their  cars  down  town  and  look 
around  for  a  parking  station.  That's 
another  reason  why  the  taxi  service  of  the 
Rex   theatre   is   proving  popular. 

There's  food  for  thought  in  this  idea. 
The  plan  has  boosted  attendance  for  the 
Rex  on  rainy  nights.  What  would  it  do 
for  you?  It  might  pay  you  to  think  it  over. 
But  before  you  jump  into  anything  like 
this,  consider  it  carefully  from  all  angles. 
The  first  thing  to  consider  is,  can  you 
afford  it.  Go  to  your  taxi  company  in  town 
and  find  out  what  the  average  taxi  fare 
would  be.  The  taxi  company  might  even 
give  you  a  discount  on  all  bills  that  you 
pay. 

If  you  find  you  can  profitably  offer  this 
service,  be  sure  to  state  the  terms  of  your 
offer  definitely — number  of  people  in  party 
necessary — whether  just  on  rainy  nights  or 
at   any   time,   etc. 

Such  a  service  beside  the  box  office  in- 
fluence, is  a  definite  goodwill  builder,  so 
if  you  do  go  in  for  it,  play  it  up  from  that 
angle,  as  a  service  to  patrons,  etc. 


Have  You  Planned 
A  House  Organ  for 
The  Coming  Season 

Many  of  you  have  not  published  your 
regular  house  organs  during  the  hot,  sum- 
mer months,  but  it  is  now  time  to  begin 
planning  for  your  house  organ  this  season. 
Many  of  you  no  doubt  have  already  gone 
to  press  with  the  first  issue  of  this  season. 
Others  of  you  will  start  house  organs  for 
the  first  time  this  fall. 

One  of  the  best  ways  to  get  ideas  for 
your  house  organ  is  to  see  what  other  ex- 
hibitors are  doing.  For  this  reason  "The 
Theatre"  has  the  House  Orp-an  Exchange. 
Exhibitors  belonging  to  this  exchange  have 
found  that  exchanging  house  organs  is  one 
of  the  best  means  for  keeping  their  own 
house  organ  alive  and  fresh.  Below  you 
will  find  the  members  of  the  House  Organ 
Exchange  listed  and  also  a  coupon  for 
membership.  If  you  would  like  to  be  a 
member  just  sign  the  coupon  and  send  it 
to  "The  Theatre."  In  signing  the  coupon 
you  agree  to  exchange  house  organs  with 
any  other  member. 

Three  new  members  are  added  to  the  list 
this  week.  They  are:  I.  G.  L.  Drummond, 
Hippodrome  theatre,  BP.  Auckland,  County 
Durham,  England;  Ben  Mueller,  California 
theatre,  Santa  Rosa,  California,  and  F.  M. 
Boucher,  Empire-Colonial-Win  Theatres, 
Winchester,  Virginia. 

Those  of  you  who  are  renewing  your 
house  organs  again  this  fall  are  probably 
now  going  over  your  mailinsr  list.  It's  a 
good  idea.  There  are  probably  many  names 
on  the  list  that  have  become  out  of  date. 
Check  over  this  list  carefully  and  weed  out 
all  the  bad  names.  This  will  save  you  a 
lot    of   work,    postage   and    printing. 

You  perhaps  will  want  to  increase  the 
mailing  list.     There  are  many  ways   to   do 


Take-Chance  Week 

Staged  at  Ottawa 

The  first  time  in  Ottawa,  Ontario,  that  a 
"Take-A-Chance  Week"  has  been  presented 
by  a  combination  theatre  was  last  week  when 
a  mystery  program  was  offered  by  Manager 
J.  M.  Franklin  of  B.  F.  Keith's  Theatre.  Not 
one  announcement  gave  any  clue  as  to  the 
film  subjects  on  the  program  and,  on  top  of 
that,  there  was  no  identification  of  the  five 
vaudeville   acts    on    the    bill. 


9? 


Here 's  an  Idea  for 
"Freedom  of  Press 

When  the  Columbia  theatre,  Portland, 
Oregon,  played  the  Universal  newspaper 
picture,  "Freedom  of  the  Press,"  the  picture 
was  dedicated  to  the  Portland  Telegram  as 
a  "tribute  to  its  fearlessness  in  editorial 
policy."  In  connection  with  the  showing 
the  Telegram  and  Columbia  theatre  offered 
a  $50  prize  for  the  best  letter  descriptive 
of  the  picture. 

The  nature  of  this  picture  offers  an 
opportunity  for  many  good  tieups  with 
your  local  newspaper.  The  dedication 
angle  is  a  good  idea.  If  you  work  it  right 
with  your  local  paper,  it  should  result  in  a 
great  deal  of  free  publicity. 


Exhibitors    Herald 

and 

Moving 

Picture 

World, 

407  S.  Dearborn  St. 

Chicago,  III. 

"The  Theatre": 

Please  enroll  me 

as  a 

member 

of  The 

House  Organ  Exchange. 

I  will  exchange      1 

house  organs  with  other  members 

Name 

Theatre 

Address 

52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Just  a  big  fish  net  and  a  few  painted  lobby  and  marquee  signs,  and  look  what  a  marquee 

flash  you  can  have  for  "The  Dragnet"  Paramount  picture  with  George  Bancroft  and  Evelyn 

Brent.     The  dragnet  here,  100  feet  long  and  20  feet  wide,  was  used  at  the  Texan  theatre, 

Houston,  Tex.,  one  of  a  string  of  theatres  operated  in  Houston  by  Will  Horwitz. 


Dancing  Marathon 
Between  Theatres 
Draws  Large  Crowd 

Floyd  Maxwell,  now  manager  of  the 
Portland  theatre,  Portland,  Oregon,  has 
again  hit  the  bulls-eye  in  putting  over 
unique  advertising  for  this  popular  house  in 
staging  a  dance  Marathon  from  the  Holly- 
wood theatre,  in  the  suburbs  to  the  Port- 
land, a  distance  of  two  miles. 

Ten  couples  started  in  the  Collegiate 
Drag  Marathon,  the  only  one  ever  staged 
in  the  West,  and  they  were  followed  by  a 
cheering  crowd  of  thousands.  Refresh- 
ments of  various  kinds  were  offered  the 
contestants  by  enthusiastic  spectators  and 
proved  the  downfall  of  several  contestants. 

Three  couples  finished  and  first  prize 
went  to  Charlotte  Ashby  and  John  LaPorte, 
$75,  second  prize,  $25,  and  third  prize,  season 
pass  to  the  Portland.  Vic  Christensen, 
Portland  dance  instructor,  and  Earl  Sim- 
mons, Northwest  representative  for  Fan- 
chon  &  Marco,  acted  as  judges.  Music 
for  the  dancers  was  broadcast  by  West 
Coast  Theatres  station  KWJJ  and  received 
by  autos  fitted  with  loud  speakers  along 
the  course. 


Ad  Stunt  Produces 

Many  Good  Letters 

The  Fischer  Fond  du  Lac  theatre.  Fond  du 
Lac,  Wisconsin,  recently  gave  free  tickets  to 
all  the  readers  of  a  certain  advertisement  who 
could  successfully  give  the  meaning  of  certain 
underworld  terms  such  as  "rod,"  "rock,"  "dip," 
etc.  Thereby  testing  their  knowledge  of  read- 
ing underworld  plays  and  seeing  underworld 
pictures.  The  stunt  was  a  great  success  and 
the  manager  of  the  theatre  received  hundreds 
of  letters  from  theatre  patrons  giving  their 
definition  of  all  and  some  of  the  terms. 

Lobby  Football  Dummy 

Helps  Push  This  Film, 

Everyone  knows  what  a  football  dummy  is. 
The  Hill  Street  theatre  in  Los  Angeles  cap- 
italized on  that  fact  in  placing  in  the  lobby  a 
dummy  with  a  huge  head  and  appropriate 
football  togs,  for  the  playing  of  Pathe's  "Hold 
'Em  Yale." 


^^Built  Like  Skyscraper" 

Slogan  Brings  Good  Tieup 

Management  of  the  Regent  theatre  at 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  saw  an  opportunity 
when  Pathe's  "Skyscraper"  was  billed,  and 
hooked  up  with  a  steel  file  store,  the  Shaw- 
Walker  Company.  It  was  a  "natural,"  be- 
cause "Built  Like  a  Skyscraper"  is  the  slogan 
of  Shaw-Walker.  The  company  gave  a  good 
window  display. 


Uses  Auto  Stunt 


to  Pack  Theatre 


The  Fischer  Portage  theatre  at  Portage, 
Wisconsin,  recently  capitalized  on  a  news  event 
to  get  a  big  crowd  to  the  theatre.  Miss  Stella 
Southern  and  Daredevil  Frank  of  Detroit  were 
driving  a  car  in  a  200  hour  endurance  test  and 
ended  their  run  right  on  the  stage  of  the 
theatre.  Needless  to  say  everyone  came  to 
see  the  two. 


LIGHTS  OP  NEWYORK 


FBlkenbcts  DiamcHKli 


K-  FALKENBERC 


Hart  Schaffncr  & 


■Om  of  Hvm't  W«y 


UnoN  Bun  i  TtusT  (0. 


The  FIRST  ALL  TALKING  P/ctare 


LIGHTS  >/ NEW  YORK 

{  TtieniostsensatjonaJ  innovation  In  tJie  J 
t  entire  hlstoij  of  the  screen/        j 

^  ^  See  andJl^Eveiy  QiaractCT/^ 


POSITIVELY 

tZ'.t         FOR  FIVE  DAYS  ONLY 


SPECIAL  CLE  AN,  up  SALE 

OF  WOMEN'S  AND  GIKLS' 


FOOTWEAR 

q95 


t/£t/'cirr-&/<^  ti  *&o 


A  COOL  DR1NK7 
A  GOOD  SMOKE? 
SOMETHING  u>  READ? 
A  BOX  OF  CANDY? 


Book  Nook  Drugs 


"Ujhli  o(  Now  Yor 


Poll)rann»   Cafeteria 


Cooperative  page  ad  used  by  Frank  B. 
Hill  of  Inland  Theatres,  Inc.,  Walla 
Walla,  Wash.,  for  "Lights  of  New  York," 
Warner's  first  "all-talkie."  This  ad 
marked  the  culmination  of  an  advertising 
campaign  that  began  three  weeks  in  ad- 
vance of  the  opening. 


B  &  K  Returns  to 
House  Organ  Field 
With  New  Magazine 

Balaban  &  Katz,  Chicago,  has  returned  to 
the  house  organ  field.  The  first  issue  of  Vol- 
ume 3  of  the  Balaban  &  Katz  Magazine  has 
just  been  issued.  While  the  publication  is 
smaller  than  the  former  one,  it  reflects  much 
of  the  same  emphasis  in  its  articles  and  taste- 
ful art. 

The  eight  pages,  two  of  which  are  adver- 
tisements in  addition  to  three  pages  of  ads 
in  covers,  contain  a  lead  story  on  "The  Gods 
of  Luck  and  Philippe  DeLacey"  (By  Belle 
Bennett),  "Lucky  Little  'Scandals'  Girl" 
(Helene  Costello),  a  double  spread  of  art  on 
bathing  suit  fashions,  with  screen  stars  pos- 
ing, an  editorial  page,  and  "Kisses  Are  Most 
Difficult  to  Photograph"  (By  George  Fitz- 
maurice).  The  front  cover  is  of  Colleen 
Moore  in  "Lilac  Time." 

The  magazine,  as  stated  on  the  editorial 
page,  is  "planned  and  produced"  by  the  Max 
Lau  Colortype   Company. 


Texas  Chain  Uses 
36  Girls  to  Learn 
What  Public  Wants 

Because  the  life  of  show  world  is  that  con- 
tinual digging  in  for  business  with  new  ideas, 
stunts  and  appeals,  Jefiferson  Amusement 
Company  at  Beaumont,  Texas,  has  launched 
a  census  campaign,  employing  thirty-six  girls, 
to  go  into  homes  and  find  out  what  sort  of 
stories,  films  and  stars  are  preferred  by  fans 
and  potential  theatregoers. 

Information  as  it  is  collected  is  filed  for 
use  in  a  general  plan  which,  it  is  believed, 
will  control  future  buying  of  film  and  pro- 
grams as  they  are  presented  in  various  thea- 
tres dominated  by  Jefferson  Amusement 
Company 

The  girls,  who  are  trained  in  their  work, 
also  give  a  talk  on  the  problems  of  Beaumont 
theatres  and  their  vigilance  in  the  selection 
of  suitable  attractions.  A  list  of  Beaumont 
babies  is  also  taken  by  the  censors  in  con- 
templation of  a  baby  show  which  the  Jeffer- 
son theatre  will  soon  stage. 


Baby  Contest  Is 

Big  Hit  in  Theatre 

That  it  pays  to  cater  to  mothers  has  been 
proven  in  the  case  of  the  Rex  theatre,  Sheboy- 
gan, Wisconsin,  which  has  been  running  an 
excellent  baby  contest  recently.  For  every 
mother  who  wants  her  baby  to  enter  the  con- 
test the  theatre  management  has  arranged  to 
have  a  photographer  take  a  picture  of  the 
baby  and  will  present  one  to  the  mother  free 
of  charge.  The  contest  was  climaxed  by  judg- 
ing the  prettiest  baby  and  there  were  a  number 
of  awards  distributed  to  make  the  kids  happy. 
The  theatre  was  crowded  on  the  night  the 
winners  were  declared. 


Traffic  Drive  Tieup 
Helps  "The  Enemy'' 

A  traffic  drive  was  put  over  with  the 
Kiwanas  Club  and  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, when  the  Palace  theatre,  Lawton, 
Oklahoma,  played  "The  Enemy."  Four  hun- 
dred tack  cards  were  used,  with  this  caption, 
"Speed  is  your  worst  enemy.  Drive  slowly 
and  save  your  loved  ones."  The  bottom  of 
the   card   carried   the    ad   for   the   production. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Through 

the  Box  Office  Window." 


"THE  CARDBOARD  LOVER" 

J_JeAR  FOLKS: 

I  have  seen  Marion  Davies'  "The  Cardboard 
Lover"  and  confess  myself  uninformed  as  to 
whether  it  is  or  is  not,  or  ever  was,  the  play 
that  was  given  on  the  stage  as  "Her  Cardboard 
Lover."  I  am  of  the  impression,  however,  that 
it  is  not,  this  impression  emanating  from  hazy 
recollection  of  synopses  breathed  at  me  by 
people  who  go  to  plays  with  that  kind  of  titles 
and  insist  upon  telling  the  plots  to  their  ac- 
quaintances. It  does  not  matter,  however,  for 
Miss  Davies'  picture  is  not  at  all  like  I  thought 
it  would  be  when  I  read  the  title. 

Miss  Davies'  picture  is  another  of  those  in- 
creasingly merry  farces  in  which  she  has  come 
to  belong  so  completely.  In  it  she  is  a  nice 
girl  in  love  with  a  guy  who  employs  her  to 
keep  him  away  from  a  girl  who  is  not  so  nice 
but  with  whom  he  feels  sure  he  is  in  love. 
Jetta  Goudal  is  the  second  girl,  which  makes  at 
least  two  stars  for  the  cast. 

The  events  centering  about  this  arrangement 
are  swift,  gay,  pleasant  to  look  upon.  Some  of 
the  gag  captions  are  excellent,  and  one  of  them 
is  older  than  Mack  Sennett.  All  of  the  sets  are 
engagingly  designed.  It  is  all  quite  pleasant 
and  I  feel  sure  it  is  much  better  than  it  would 
have  been  had  they  tried  to  make  the  picture 
almost  anyone  would  have  tried  to  make  to  go 
under  the  title  of  the  stage  play. 


I 


THE  MATTER  OF  MUSIC 


SEE  no  reason  for  keeping  secret  the  fact 
that  I  am  typing  this  some  hundreds  of  miles 
away  from  the  accustomed  desk.  It  is  a  not 
unpardonable  leniency  on  the  part  of  this  paper 
to  send  its  eye-weary  reporter  out  of  town  for 
a  spell  each  year.  Indeed,  it  is  probably  very 
good  business,  for  I  am  notoriously  a  nuisance 
around  the  office  after  I  have  survived  the 
annual  351  days  in  and  about  the  cinemas.  If 
it  were  not  for  the  other  14  days,  I'm  sure 
they'd  be  more  inclined  to  oust  me  than  to 
rest  me. 

This  admission  of  corporeal  absence  made,  I 
can  now  go  into  a  subject  which  has  been  on 
my  mind  for  the  past  several  weeks.  This  is 
the  matter  of  musical  accompaniment  for  pic- 
tures and  the  probable  development  of  the 
same.  If  it  will  make  matters  any  simpler,  I 
will  add  the  hitherto  unpublished  information 
that  a  great  part  of  my  admittedly  ill-spent 
youth  was  given  over  to  the  business  of  making 


T.  O.  Service 


music  while  pictures  were  being  projected.  I 
have,  therefore,  perhaps  a  little  more  than  what 
might  be  termed  a  lay  interest  in  the  subject. 

Although  I  have  never  quite  felt  the  same 
toward  Balaban  &  Katz  since  they  permitted 
Mr.  Albert  Hay  Malotte  to  leave  their  employ 
— and  Chicago — I  have  gone  along  quite  com- 
fortably until  the  more  recent  departure  of 
Mr.  Jesse  Crawford,  who  got  to  be  a  pretty  good 
musician  as  well  as  showman  before  going  East 
to  the  Paramount  and  a  sort  of  fame.  When 
Crawford  had  left,  there  was  still — and  still  is 
— Milton  Charles.  There  are  several  others,  too, 
whose  manner  with  the  manuals  make  my  thea- 
tregoing  less  monotonous  than  it  would  be  if 
there  were  nothing  but  symphony  orchestras  to 
listen  to,  but  I  hear  Mr.  Charles  more  often 
than  the  others  by  reason  of  his  extremely 
central  location. 

My  concern  at  this  time,  however,  has  to  do 
with  the  future.  I  attended  McVickers  the 
other  night,  first  going  to  the  trouble  of  waiting 
in  line  for  half  an  hour,  and  in  the  150-minute 
performance  I  heard  no  single  note  from  the 
magnificent  organ  with  which  the  house  is 
equipped.  This,  too,  despite  the  fact  that  I 
had  given  the  courteous  (no  wonder!)  little 
lady  at  the  wicket  the  full  price,  75  cents,  in 
exchange  for  my  ticket.  I  felt,  when  I  left,  that 
I  might  have  been  justified  in  telling  the  gaudy 
gentleman  in  the  gold  lace  that  I've  been  used 
to  getting  more  for  my  money — ^but  that  would 
have  been  unprofessional,  not  to  say  futile. 

The  thing  that  worries  me  is  what  we'll  do 
for  music  if  all  the  showmen  do  what  Balaban 
&  Katz  did  in  this  case.  (They  do  not  do  it 
regularly,  I  should  add,  and  I  do  not  think 
they  will.)  I  have  heard  of  a  plan  to  manufac- 
ture organ  solos  for  the  reproducers — the  film 
showing  the  organist  at  work,  the  wax  emitting 
the  sounds — but  I  hope  the  idea  flops.  With 
the  possible  exception  of  the  Mr.  Malotte  men- 
tioned before,  who  probably  wouldn't  stand  for 
the  thing,  I  know  of  no  personality  so  for- 
tunately linked  with  musical  ability  as  to  make 
the  plan  a  success.  But,  anyway,  it  isn't  a  very 
human  idea. 

As  I  have  used  several  hundred  thousand 
words  to  declare  in  those  issues  of  this  paper 
which  were  being  published  when  the  great 
organs  of  the  present  time  were  being  devised, 
the  Monarch  of  Instruments  is  also,  plainly  and 


for  innumerable  reasons,  the  Monarch  of 
Motion  Picture  Accompaniments.  I  have  never 
heard  an  orchestra  do  for  a  picture  what  almost 
any  organ  can  do.  The  orchestra  is  not  facile, 
varied,  swift  enough  to  perform  the  admirable 
accompaniment.  Too,  there  are  the  directors, 
always  in  the  way  and  almost  always  ridiculous.' 
(Pardon  plain  speaking;  I  used  to  lead  an 
orchestra,  too.) 

It  would  be  a  sad  state  of  affairs,  indeed,  if 
the  exhibitors  now  faced  with  the  prospect  of 
various  rearrangements  were  to  suddenly  as- 
sume, as  exhibitors  have  a  way  of  sometimes 
doing,  that  this  is  a  great  chance  to  settle  this 
nmsician  thing  once  and  for  all.  I  am  not,  I 
am  happy  to  say,  a  musician  at  this  time;  but  it 
is  a  very  bad  musician  indeed  who  does  not 
know  more  about  music  than  even  a  very  good 
exhibitor.  (Mr.  Tragsdorf  of  Neillsville,  Wis., 
and  Mr.  S.  L.  Rothafel  are  specifically  excepted 
in  this  statement.) 

But  of  course  I  am  only  one.  There  may  be 
people  who  would  rather  hear  a  comet.  And 
there  may  be  people  who  would  rather  listen 
to  a  radio  than  a  Malotte.  There  may  even  be 
people  who  buy  gramophone  records  of  organ 
solos.  (I  doubt  this  latter,  but  I  do  see  ads 
for  the  things,  so  somebody  must  be  buying 
them.)  If  these  are  numerous  enough,  then  no 
doubt  the  thing  to  do  is  to  get  rid  of  the  organs 
and  their  operators  and  kick  out  of  the  cinemas 
the  few  million  of  us  old  mossbacks  who 
thoughtlessly  acquired  a  certain  amount  of 
musical  taste  and  appreciation  in  our  youth  and, 
so,  prefer  at  least  a  decent  portion  of  our  music 
first  hand. 


I 


SOUND  PICTURES  JOKES 


HAVE  had  a  letter  or  two,  and  several  com- 
ments, on  the  subject  of  jokes  brought  out  as 
pertaining  to  the  sound  pictures.  It  seems 
there  is  concern  in  some  quarters  as  to  the 
effect  these  will  have  upon  the  eventual  welfare 
of  the  reproducing  devices. 

I  think  there  need  be  no  such  concern.  Mr. 
Ford  has  made  a  good  many  million  dollars, 
depending  very  largely  upon  the  Ford  joke  for 
his  word-of-mouth  advertising.  Indeed,  I  con- 
tribute, at  no  cost,  the  suggestion  that  it  would 
be  a  very  good  idea  if  the  producing  companies 
were  to  detail  some  of  their  higher-powered 
press  agents — who  are  well  accustomed  to  writ- 
ing comic  stuff,  anyway — to  the  production  of 
some  really  funny  jokes  on  this  theme.  It  is 
very    good   advertising,   and   free. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


^ 


ure  3. 


RCA  PHOTOPHONE 


r 


(^Continued   from  page    37) 

groups  of  RCA  Photophone  loudspeakers  can 
be  utilized,  thereby  covering  the  theatre  with 
a  number  of  smooth  fans  of  sound.  The  loud- 
speaker system  used  by  RCA  Photophone  con- 
stitutes a  basic  and  fundamental  advance  in 
the  acoustic  art. 

For  the  theatre  owner  or  other  sound  motion 
picture  exhibitor  who  is  interested  in  details 
of  installation,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  in- 
stallation of  RCA  Photophone  loudspeakers 
on  the  stage  is  a  simple  and  flexible  matter. 
A  group  of  loudspeakers  may  be  placed  on 
each  side  of  the  screen.  The  groups  may  be 
mounted  permanently  on  the  side  of  the  screen 
and  flyed  with  the  screen  when  it  is  lifted, 
leaving  the  stage  clear  for  other  performances, 
or  presentations.  Or,  alternatively,  the  loud- 
speaker groups  can  be  mounted  on  either  or- 
namental, or  inconspicuous,  towers  and 
wheeled  onto  the  stage  from  the  wings.  The 
complete  loudspeaker  group  is  easily  handled 
and  practically  no  more  difficult  to  move  than 
a  section  of  an  ordinary  set.  The  outside  di- 
mensions are  75  in.  high  by  21  in.  wide  by  21 
in.  deep,  and  the  weight  of  a  group  is  250 
pounds. 

The  ordinary  wiring  of  the  arc  or  incandes- 
cent lamp  of  the  motion  picture  projector  is 
identical  with  that  used  in  any  projector. 
Only  the  additional  wiring  incidental  to  the 
sound  reproduction  in  the  RCA  Photophone 
system  need  be  considered.  The  wiring  of  the 
sound-reproducing  circuit  consists  of:  A  con- 
nection from  the  sound  head  of  the  projector 
to  the  initial  amplifier  in  the  projection  booth. 


thence  to  the  final  amplifier,  and  thence  to 
the  loud  speaker  groups  on  the  stage.  The 
wiring  can  readily  be  arranged  in  cable  form 
which  can  be  run  in  existing  theatres  in  al- 
most every  instance  by  a  local  electrician  un- 
der the  supervision  of  a  RCA  Photophone 
engineer. 

A  small  amount  of  additional  power  and 
battery  wiring  and  wires  to  the  driving  motor 
of  the  projector  and  its  starter  are  required. 
All  RCA  Photophone  equipment  and  wiring 
methods  are  of  types  approved  by  the  Under- 
writers'  Laboratories. 

For  reference  there  are  presented  in  the 
following  table  essential  data  on  the  number 
of  units  and  general  performance  of  the  sev- 
eral types  of  RCA  Photophone  reproducing 
outfits. 


J 


Watts  Output 

Number  of 

Minimum 

of  Power 

Loudspeaker 

Size  of 

Amplifier 

Cones 

Audience 

80 

16 

6,000 

40 

12 

3,000 

20 

8 

1,500 

10 

4 

750 

Number  of 

Number  of 

Initial 

Type 

Projectors 

Amplifiers 

A 

2 

2 

B 

2 

2 

C 

2 

2 

D 

2 

1 

During  the  projection  of  films,  an  absolute 
minimum  of  adjustment  is  required.  The  op- 
eration, in  fact,  is  almost  exactly  the  same  as 
that  of  an  ordinary  motion  picture  projector. 
A  moderate  and  reasonable  amount  of  super- 
vision of  the  equipment  to  keep  it  in  normally 
clean  and  efficient  condition  is  all  that  is  re- 
quired of  the  projectionist.  Changeover  from 
one  projector  to  another  at  the  end  of  a  reel, 
when  the  point  corresponding  to  changeover 
is  reached  as  indicated  on  the  cue  sheet,  is 
taken  care  of  by  the  mere  turning  of  an  ac- 
cessible handle. 

Attachment  for  Disc  Records 

In  addition  to  the  equipment  for  project- 
ing synchronized  sound  picture  film  there  is 
available  a  Photophone  disc  attachment  for 
the  projection  of  synchronized  sound  pictures 
which  have  the  sound  effects  on  disc  records. 
This  disc  attachment  is  a  part  of  the  projector 
and  it  is  thus  possible  for  the  owner  of  Photo- 
phone projection  equipment  to  take  advantage 
of  all  synchronized  sound  pictures  with  disc 
attachments  now  being  offered  in  the  market. 
The  music  or  sound  effects  contained  on  the 
disc  is  amplified  through  the  regular  Photo- 
phone amplifying  equipment  and  projected  into 
the  house  the  same  as  synchronized  sound 
film. 

Non-Synchronous  Phonograph 

Another  additional  piece  of  equipment  which 
is  part  of  the  RCA  Photophone  system  is  a 
double  turn-table  electric  pick-up  phonograph 
by  means  of  which  non-synchronized  music 
can  be  played  during  a  performance,  as  an 
overture  between  performances,  or  at  any 
other  time.  Music  from  non-synchronized 
phonograph  records  is  also  amplified  by  the 
regular  Photophone  amplifying  system  and 
projected  out  into  the  house  from  the  loud- 
speakers mounted  on  the  stage.  This  phono- 
graph will  also  have  a  means  whereby  an 
announcing  microphone  can  be  cut  into  the 
circuit  by  the  throw  of  the  switch  by  means 
of  which  announcements  can  be  made  to  the 
audience. 

Electrical   Power   Requirements 

Standard  Photophone  equipment  has  been 
designed  to  operate  on  115  volts  direct  cur- 
rent, on  220  volts  3  phase  alternating  current 
and  on  110  volt  single  phase  alternating  cur- 
rent. Where  direct  current  only  is  available 
as  a  source  of  power  supply  and  also  in  the 
case  of  Oasses  "A"  and  "B"  equipment,  a 
four  unit  motor  generator  will  be  required  in 
addition   to   the   standard   equipment    for   pro- 


V. 


m 


^ 


Figure  4. 


r 


jection  purposes.  The  motor  generator  can  be 
mounted  either  in  the  basement  or  in  some 
part  of  the  building  where  any  noise  made 
by  it  will  not  be  heard  in  the  auditorium  and 
connected  to  the  projection  system  by  means 
of  cables  run  through  conduits.  Equipment  of 
Classes  "C"  and  "D"  does  not  require  a  motor 
generator,  providing  220  volt  3  phase  alternat- 
ing current  and  also  110  volt  single  phase  al- 
ternating current  is  available. 

The  motor  generators  referred  to  are  for 
the  purpose  of  furnishing  voltage  for  the 
large  tubes  in  the  amplifier  section  of  the 
projection  equipment  and  are  not  to  be  con- 
fused with  the  power  supply  for  the  arc  for 
projecting  the  picture  part  of  the  film.  As 
outlined  previously  in  this  pamphlet,  the  light 
chamber  and  the  lens  now  in  use  in  any  mo- 
tion picture  theatre  are  retained  in  service 
and  merely  transferred  to  the  new  projectors 
which  are  furnished  as  a  part  of  Photophone 
equipment. 

Development  and  Research 

RCA  Photophone  is  the  result  of  many 
years  of  research  and  development  in  the 
laboratories  of  the  greatest  electrical  and  radio 
broadcasting  organizations  in  the  world — The 
Radio  Corporation  of  America,  the  General 
Electric  Company,  and  the  Westinghouse  Elec- 
tric &   Manufacturing  Company. 

All  RCA  Photophone  equipment  is  licensed 
under  the  patents  of  the  Radio  Corporation 
of  America,  the  General  Electric  Company, 
the  Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing 
Company,  the  American  Telephone  and  Tele- 
graph Company,  the  Western  Electric  Com- 
pany, and  RCA  Photophone,  Inc. 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Y^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 


The   key   to   abbreviationt    used   in   denoting    the   type    of   pictures 
C— Comedy  F — Farce 


O^-^Drama 
R — Romance 


M'^Melodram  a 
W— Western 


My      Mystery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-draina,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation will  be  printed. 


Length    Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


1928 

6400  Adorable  Cheat,  The,  LUa  Lee-McIntoBh_ 

S450  Below    the    Deadline 

6500  Campus    Knights    

6300  Circumstantial    Evidence 


Chesterfield 


1928 


(000 

<eoo 


House  of  Shame,  The 

Roaring   Forties,  The_ 


6900    South   of  Panama„ 


J>ine  1 

Feb.  28 

Aug.  15 

-Oct.  30 
-June  30 
-Apr.  15 
-Dec.  15 


Columbia 


1927 

5831     Alias  the  Lone  Wolf  (D),  Lytell-Wilson Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (IH),   Boswortli-Logaii Aug.  10 

By  Whose   Hand    (MyD),  Cortez-Gllbert Sept.  16 

College   Hero,   The    (CD),   Agnew-Garon Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes. _ Dec.  8 


1927 


6843 
5432 
6628 
5513 
5645 
5700 
6524 
5569 
5892 
1000 
5996 
6435 
6054 
6108 
6367 
6426 
5791 


Jan.  7         Oct.  1 
Dec.  3         July  23 
Dec.  31 


Isle  of  Forgotten  Women  (D),  Tearle-Sebastian_Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   Lytell-Wilson 

Opening    Night,   The    (D),    Wlndsor-J.   Bowera—Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-Allen Sept.  3 

Screen  Snapshots  _ 

Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Revier. Deo.  20 

Stage  Kisses  (D),  Harlan- Chadwlck. Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Eevier 

Sweet   Rosie  O'Grady   (CD),   Mason 

Tigress,   The    (M),  Holt-Kerier Oct.  21 


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 


....July  31 


Jan.  14 


-May  14 


Jan.  21 
Jan.  7 


..Aug.  28 
Jan.  21 


..52.72% 


Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Eevter-Agnew 

Warning.  The  (M),  Holt-Ttevier- - Nor.  26 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The  (MD),  Alice Day-Lenle 

1928 

5459    After    the   Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth 

Beware  of  Blondes   (MD),  Revier-Matt  Moore     ___ 

6537     Broadway    Daddies,   Jacqueline  Logan. 

5928     Desert  Bride,  The   (MD),  Betty  Compson. Mar.  26 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Eeynolds-Ford. 

_     Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew- 


Dec.  3 
.July  21 


1928 


-lujy  21 


..Jan.  25 


Matinee  Idol,  The  (MO),  Lore-Walker. Mar.  14 

Modern   Mothers   (CD),  Helene  C!hadwlck. June  S 

Name  the  Woman   (D),  Stewart-Gordon 

Say  It  With  Sables  (D),  Busbman-Cbadwlck. 

Se  This   Is  Love,  Mason-Collier Feb.  6 

Sporting    Age,    The,    Bennett -Herbert Mar.  2 

That  Certain  Thing,  Dana-Graves Jan.  1 


Apr.  14 
-May  26 
Feb.  25 
Apr.  7 


Wife's   Relations,  The.  Mason-Glass 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baiter-Llvlngston 


6440 
5464 
6047 
6350 
6472 

1927 

2000     Angelus,  The   (D).- 

2000     Real   Charleston,   Lesson  Novelty- 

Wooden  Shoes,  International 


-.June  19 
.  Aug.  4 
Feb.  25 


-Jan.  13 
-Feb.  18 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


1927 


May  15 

.-.Apr.  24 
-.May  8 


1927 

6250     Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannlngs.. 


Emblem  Films 


-Dec.  3 


1927 

5980 
6805 
5912 
6646 
6792, 


Excellent 


Back   to   Liberty    (D),   Walsh-Hal] Nov.  15 

Bowery  Cinderella,  .A  (D),  O'MaUey-Hulette. May  1 

Broadway   Drifter    (D),   Walsh-Hall Nov.  1 

Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith 

His   Rise  to    Fame   (D),   Walsb-Skaw Feb.  15 

Kick-off,   The   (D),  Hyams-Amann.. 


1927 


1927 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


TIekw 


1928 

6860  A   Bit  of  Heaven   (D),  Wasbbum-Lee May  15 

6600  Into  No  Man's  Land,  Tom  Santschl-J.  Norman 

6305  Making  the  Varsity,   Rex  Lease-Hulette July  15 

Manhattan    Knights,  Barbara  Bedford Aug  10 


1928 


6400 


6536 
6600 


Satan   and  the  Woman    (D),  Windsor-Keefe. Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic,  The,  Rex  Lease-MOdred  Harris._July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe. -..Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),   CHiadwiclc-Delaney. Mar.  30 


Feb.  25 


Feb.  25 


1927 


FBO 


1927 


4765 
4838 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 

6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

5872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 


Aflame  in  the  Sky   (M),  Luden-Lynn. Deo.  18 

Bandit's  Son,    The    (W),    Bob   Steele Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,    The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage    (D),   Banger...- — Aug.  7 

Cherokee  Kid,  The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn Oct.  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding  (CD),  Geo.  Sidney — Sept.  17 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter. -Aug.  21 

Desert    Pirate    (W),   Tom   Tyler. Dec.  25 

Flying   U    Ranch,   The   (W),   Tom  Tyler. — Sept.  4 

Gingham   Girl,   The   (C),  Lois  Wilson Oct.  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),  OrviUa  CaldweU Nov.  23 

Hook  and  Ladder  No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne. — Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-ValU..- _-Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (D),   FranWe  Darro —Dec.  27 

Mojave   Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele Sept.  25 

Moon   of  Israel    (0),  Maria  Corda. 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo   (D),  Red  Grange 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Ranger. 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince. 

Slingshot   Kid,  The  (M),  Buzz  Barton 


Dee.  10 
Deo.  10 
Dec.  3 

Nov.  26 


Oct  8 


.Sept.  10 
..Sept.  10 


Nov.  26 

Nov.  19 
Deo.  3 
Dec.  3 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  17 


July  30 
..July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 

Aug.  20 


64.S0% 


South  Sea  Love   (D),  Patsy  MtUer.. 
Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Ranger. 


-Oct.  9 

-Oct  19 

-Dec  4 

-Dec.  10 

..Dec.  11 


5144 

4769 
5771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 


4793 
4760 
6329 


Alex  the   Great   (M),   Skeets  Gallagher. May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton -...Aug.  12 

Beyond   London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway — Mar.  18 

Breed  of  the  Sunsets   (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago  After   Midnight  (M),  Ince-Mendez-.- Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson..... Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Ralph  Lewis May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve  (D),  Fairbanks.  Jr -Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,   The  (D),  BeUe  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger...- June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild  (D),  Ranger _ Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W),    Buzz  Barton. - July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox.  Jr.— Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD),  Bob  Steele 

Her  Summer   Hero    (CD).   Blane-Trevor..- Feb.  12 

Hit  of  the  Show,  The  (C),  Joe  Brown-Olmstead  

Law  of  Fear  (D),  Ranger. - Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   in   Paris  (C),   Cooke-Guard. Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buzz  Barton. Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  Orville  Caldwell. May  28 

Man  In  the  Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele - May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler. Apr.  22 

Pinto   Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Apr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  E.  Miller. Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele - Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love.— July  15 

Skinner's   Big   Idea    (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Stocks  and   Blondes   (CD),  Logan-Gallagher. 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Feb.  28 

Trail  of  Courage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele -..July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott - _ Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W),  Tom  Tyler. June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  Barton Jan.  22 


-.Dec  10 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  10 
Nov.  12 
Dec.  10 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Deo.  ir 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec.  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 

-Jime  19 
Jan.  21 

.-July  21 
Feb.  11 
Dec.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


..Aug.  6 
..July  » 
-.July  23 


Aug.  20 


1928 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


V 


Apr.  28 

Apr.  14 

_Ju]y  14 


Feb.  4 


1^ 


Comrades,    Costello-Hughes    

Death   Valley  (W),  CarroU  Nye. 

Eager  Lips,  Garon - 

Finnegan's   Ball    (C),   Mack  Swain... 


bv.  26 


-Apr.  14 


-Mar.  17 


7393  Nest,  The  (D),  Frederick-Herbert Aug.  1 

6337  Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Roberts. Jan.  15 

6760  Winning  Oar,  The  (D),  Walsb-HaU June  1 

5867  Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holmes. Sept  1 


1927 

5400 
5960 
5600 
5900 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5600 
5700 

1928 

5500  Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells 

Free  Lips  (MD),  June  Marlow 

6300  Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson 

6200  Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wella. 


First  Division 


1927 


-Jan.  1 
-..Sept.  1 
..-Oct  1 

.Sept.  16 


-Aug.  20 


Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short Nov.  15 

Ladybird,  Compson  Aug.  1 

Naughty,   Garon  Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the   Movies,  Short-Robards- Oct.  15 

Ragtime  (D),  De  La  Motte - - _ Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston   Blackie   (D),  Glenn-Palmer..-Aug.  1 

Say  It  with  Diamonds,  Betty  Compson Aug.  15 

Temptations   of   a   Shop    Girl,    Compson Nov.  1 

Apr.  1 


Jan.  7         

Oct  15 


Jan.  7 
Nov.  26 


Sept.  3 


1928 


-July  14 
.Mar.  1  Apr.  7 
-Mar.  16      Apr.  21 


^an 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Length    Title  and  Playen 


Released     New  Comment 

Pictures 


Ticker 


1927 

6300 
6333 
6433 
6222 
676S 
8730 
7724 
6386 
6588 
6802 
5282 
7133 
6288 
6118 
6190 
S524 
6400 
6720 
B718 
6550 
6255 
7388 
6621 
5542 
6434 
6520 
6040 
6431 
6734 


First  National 


All  Aboard   (C),  Hlnes-Murpby- 


..May  8 


American   Beauty   (CD),  Dove-Hughes. Oct.  9 

An  Aifair  of  the    Follies  (D),  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise  (CO),  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway   Nights    (D),  Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camilla  (D),  N.  Talmadge-Koland Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),   Sherman-MackalU Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,   The   (D),  MackaUl-Mulhal] Oct.  16 

Dance   Magic  (D),   Lyon-Starke June  12 

Drop    Kick.   The   (D),   Barthelmess-Eevier Sept.  26 

Framed    (D),    Sills-Kingston June  19 

Gorilla.  The  (My).  Murray  Kelsey -Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W).   Maynard-Faire. Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-Kent. Deo.  25 

High    Hat    (CD),  Lyon-Brlan. Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (C),  Hlnes-Daw _ - -Nov.  20 

Lady  in  Ermine,  The  (D),  C.  Grtfflth-Bushman_jaiL  9 

Life  of   Riley.   The   (C).  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladies    (CD),   Nllsson-Stone July  3 

Long    Pants    (C).   Langdon-Bonner. Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C).  Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  Dove-Eoland Dec.  18 

Lunatic  at   Large,  The    (C),   Errol-MackalD Jan.  2 

Man  Crazy  (CD).  Mackaill-Mulhall...- Nov.  27 

Masked  Women.  The  (D).  Nilsson-Blinn-H'nsen_jan.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice  (C).  Moore-Reed- June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No   Place  to  Go   (C).  Hughes-Astor Oct.  30 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-Mulhall Mar.  6 


Nov.  19 


Nov.  12 


...Apr.  2 

Oct.  22 

„MaT.  5 

Nov.  26 

...May  21 

.-May  2 

...May  21 

Oct.  29 

...Aug.  13 

"July  9 
...Jan.  7 


Dec.  17 
Dec  3 


...Mar.  19 
Oct.  29 
...Jan.  8 
...Oct.  1 
...Sept.  24 
...Apr.  9 
„.June  25 


1927 

"47!20% 

66.10% 

48.ij6% 
65.00% 
61.54% 


53.58% 


..J'eb.  6 


Nov.  26 


Nov.  12 


Perfect   Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke Jan.  16 

Poor  Nut.  The   (C),  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (D),  Stone-Tashman — _ 

Red    Raiders,   The    (W),  Maynard-Drew.— -...July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West  (D),  Astor-Boland. — Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  Sllls-Astor. Oct.  2 

See  You  in   Jail   (C),  Mulhall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile   (C),  Mulball-Mackail] Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-Dove Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-Collier — Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   Dove-Lyon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD).  Rogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three   Hours  (D).  Grlfflth-Bowers Dec.  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinkletoes.    Moore-Harlan  Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  Sills-Kenyon. Dec.  11 

Venus  of  Venice   (CD).  Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20      

White  PanU  Willie   (C),  Hines-Hyams July  24       

Barker,  The   (D),  Sills.  MaokallL July  14 

Big   Noise.  The   (CD).   ConMln-Whlte Mar.  25      

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sills-Kenyon. -Feb.  26       Mar.  10 


Dec.  24 


...Feb.  12 
...July  16 

May  14 
...Dec.  10 
...Apr.  9 
...Aug.  20 
....Jan.  22 
..-Sept.  10 
...July  23 
...Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 
-May  14 
._Apr.  23 
...Sept.  17 
.-Sept.  3 
...July  2 
...May  28 

Apr.  16 
...Jan.  1 
...Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 
.-Aug.  6 
...Apr.  16 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.86% 

45.80% 

1928 


■7641 
IS967 

?694 
6692 
6608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5486 
8188 


Butter  and    Egg   Man.  The,  Jack  Mulhall.. 

Canyon   of   Adventure    (W),   Maynard Apr.  29 

Chaser,  The  (C).  Langdon Feb.  12 

Chinatown   Charlie   (C).   Hlnes-Lorraine _ Apr.  15 

Code  of  the  Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Maynard 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Johnny  Burke-Sally  EUeri     _ 

Ffying   Romeos   (C),   Murray-Sidne.v _„ Feb.  26 

French   Dressing  (CD),  Warner-Wilson Jan.  15 

Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D).  Corlnne  Griffith 

Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleen-Moore-Lowe— June  30 

Hawk's  Nest,  The   (M),  Milton  Sills May  6 

Heart  to  Heart,  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd 

Heart  Trouble  (CD),  Harry  Langdon — 

Harold  Teen   (CD).  Lake-Brian Apr.  29 

Heart  of  a  Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 

Sbermsn  ..._ Mar.  18 

Helen    of  Trpy    (CD),  Stone-Corda-Cortez. Jan.  8 

Ladies  Night   (CD),  MackaUl-Mulhall Apr.  1 

Lady   Be   Good    (CD),  Mulhall-Mackaill —May  12 

Lilac   Time    (D),    Moore-Cooper Apr. 


Apr.  7 
-July  28 


Feb.  11 
Feb.  18 
.June  23 
..July? 
Apr.  7 
Deo.  10 

May  26 
May  26 

-July? 

_July21 
Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


22       June  2 


Dec.  17 

Aug.  4 

June  16 

Aug.  4 

Length    Title  and  Players 


New 
Piotures 


Comment 


Ticker 


648e     Rich  But  Honest  (CD),  Beebe May  22 

6870    Secret  Studio.  The  (CO),  Borden June  19 

10726  Seventh   Heaven.  The  (R),  Farrell-Gaynor Oa.  30 

5467     "Shame  (M),  John  Gilbert Nov.  27 

Silk  Legs  (CD).  Madge  Bellamy Dec  18 

Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix. Oct.  2 

Singed    (D),   Baiter-Sweet Aug.  21 

Slaves  of  Beauty  (0),  Herbert-Tell June  5 

Stage   Madness   (D),  Valll Jan.  9 

SL    Elmo  (M),  John  Gilbert Oct.  9 

Tumbling   River  (W),  Tom  Mli-Dawn Aug.  21 

Truxton    King,  Gilbert Oct.  30 

Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Janet  Gaynor Sept.  11 

Upstream   (0),  Foxe Jan.  30 


5446 
5009 
5792 
5412 
5620 
4943 
4675 
4299 
6293 
5510 
5620 
4953 


Dec  31 

Dec  17 


-June  25 
-May  28 

-Nov.  26 


TX.83% 


Oct.  29 
...July  18 
—June  11 
.-Jan.  29 


..Aug.  27 


Very   Confidential   (CD),  Madge  Bellamy Nov.  6 

War   Horse  (W),  Jones...- Feb.  6 

11109  What   Price    Glory    (CD),  MoLaglen-Lowe Aug.  28 

5783     Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones Mar.  20 

5629     Wizard,  The   (MyO),  Lowe-Hjams. Dec  11 

6531     Wolf   Fangs   (D),  Thunder   (Dog) Nov.  27 

1928 

4C12     Branded  Sombrero,  The  (W),  Buck  Jones Jan.  8 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mix Jan.  16 

Don't  Marry,  Moran-Hamilton June  3 

Dressed  to    Kill,  Lowe-Astor Mar.  18 

Escape.  The  (0).  KusseU-ValU Apr.  29 


..Jeb.  12 
..Jiov.  12 


— Feb.  19 


-Apr.  9 
Dec  3 


7LO0% 
EO.61% 


4987 
5708 
6566 
5109 
5038 
5882 
6430 
4618 
6188 
4399 
5782 
6679 
5071 

5260 

5380 
5629 
5355 


Gateway  of  the  Moon,  The   (D).  Del  Rio Jan.  1 

Girl  in   Every  Port,  A  (CD),  Victor  MoLaglen..„Jan.  29 

Hangman's   House,   MoLaglen-CoUyer. May  13 

Hello  Cheyenne,  Tom  Mix. May  13 

Honor  Bound,  O'Brien-Taylor- _ .May  13 

Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W),  Tom  Mix. Mar.  11 

Love   Hungry  (CD),  Moran-Gray Apr.  15 


Jan.  21 
...June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


1928 


June  30 


Apr.  14       

Jan.  21       


News   Parade,   Stuart-Phillips _ 

No  Other  Woman  (D).  Dolores  Del  Blo.~ 
Painted   Post   (W),  Tom  mit 


5937 
5O30 
4921 
5480 

1927 


Play  Girl.  The.  Madge  Bellamy _ Apr.  22 

Road    House   (MO),  Barrymore-Burke 

Sharp  Shooters    (CO),  O'Brien-Moran. 

Soft  Living    (CO).   BeUamy-Brown.- 
Square  Crooks.  Brown-Dvpan.. 

Street  Angel,  Gaynor 

Sunrise    (D).   George  O'Brien. 

Thief   In  the  Dark,   A,  Meeker-Hlll-Beebe. May 20 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong,  Phlpps-McNamara Mar.  25 

Wild   West   Romance    (W),  Bex  Bang June  10 

Woman  Wise  (C),  Bussell-Collyer. Jan.  8 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 

May  26 

-June  10      June  23 
JulyT 


-May  23 


May  19 


Feb.  i 


-Aug.  4 
Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


Feb.  18       


-JulyT 
_July21 


May  19      June  2 


Gotham 


Blondes  by  Choice   (C).  Claire  Windsor Oct.  1 

Cheer  Leader.  The  (CD).  Graves-Ohnstead Nov.  16 

Final   Extra  (M).  De  la  Motte 


1927 


5827 
6212 
6874 

5087 

T187 


Little   Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Come    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     - - Apr.  8 

Mad    Hour    (0),  O'Neil-Kent-Sherman Mar.  4 

Noose.   The   (D).  Barthelmess-Joyce Jan.  29 

Sailors'    Wives    (CD).  Hughes-Astor - Jan.  22 

Shepherd  of  the  Hills   (0).  Francls-O'Day -Jan.  1 

Strange    Case    of    Captain     Ramper,    The    (D), - - 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),  Hughes-Astor. May  27 

Wagon   Show,    The    (W),   Maynard Mar.  11 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (0),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip,    The    (0).   Forbes-Mackalll - - 

Whip  Woman.  The   (D).  Taylor-Moreno Feb.  5 

Wright  Idea.  The  (CO),  Johnny  Hlnes 

Yellow  Lily,  The  (0),  Dove-Brooks May  20 


Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Deo.  10 
Dec.  24 
Dec  8 

..July  21 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

..June  2 

.July  14 
Feb.  11 

.July  7 
Apr.  28 


Feb.  4 


May  12 


Jan.  21 


63.26% 
"78.23% 


July21 


'Frisco  Nights   (0),  Percy  Marmont J)ec.  1 

Girl  from    Rio.   The   (0).  Carmel  Myers . Sept.  1 

Heroes  of  the  Night  (M).  Landis-Niion 

Rose  of   Kildare,   The  (0),  Helene  Chadwlck. Aug.  16 

Satin  Woman,  The  (0),  Mrs.   Wallace  Held. Aug.  1 


5800 
6000 
6200 
6950 
6500 
6700 
6750 

1928 

5268  Bare    Knees    (D),    Corblne 

Branded    Man.   The    (0).  Delaney-Marlowe.™ 

6000  Chorus   Kid,  The    (D),  All   Star 

Danger    Patrol,    The    (D),    All  Star. 

Devil's  Tower.  The  (W) 

Hell  Ship  Bronson.  Mrs. 


Dec.  10 
Not.  26 


Sept.  24 
-Feb.  6 


...Feb.  1 
-.May 

Apr.  1 

-.Apr. 

Buddy  Roosevelt. May 

Wallace  Reld-Beery-...June  2 

Lightnin'  Shot.  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Midnight  Adventure.  A  (0),  I.andl3-Murpby May 

Mystery  Valley  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt July 

Trail   Riders  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Apr. 

Traiiin'   Back  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt .Mar. 

Turn  Back  the   Hours  (M),  Myma  loy. Mar.  1 


Nov.  19 
Nov.  19 


Jan.  7 


Aug.  13 


1928 


Krelbar  Productions 

Broadway   After   Midnight,   Betz Oct.  29 

Metro  -  Gold  wyn-May  er 

Adam  and  Evil  (CD),  Cody-Prlngle Aug.  27       iug.  13 

Adventurer,  The  (W).  Tim  McCoy Jan.  14 

After  Midnight  (0),  Shearer-Gray Aug.  20 

Annie   Laurie   (0),   LllUan  Glsh Sept.  17 

Becky   (CD).  Sally  O'NelL Nov.  12 


Nov.  20 

Sept.  25 

Blood   Will   Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones. Nov.  13 

Broncho  Twister  (W),  Mix. Mar.  13 

•Cameo    Kirby   (D).   John  Gilbert .Aug.  28 

Chain   Lightning   (W).  Buck  Jones. 

Circus  Ace,  The.  Mix _ 

Come  to  My  House  (CD),  Olive  Borden.... 

Cradle    Snatchers    (FC).   Fazenda — 

East  Side,  West  Side  (D),  O'Brien-Valll- 
Gay  Retreat.  The  (C).  Cohen-McNamara... 
Good    as    Gold    (W),    Jones - 


1927 

4665    Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  MU. 

4777     Blackjack  (W),  Buck  Jones — 

4556 
6425 
6078 
6333 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8164 
6524 
4645 
6617 
6515 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
6699 
6607 
8638 
6415 
6440 
6600 
7784 
T677 
6327 
«S98 
6876 
U93 


Fox 


1927 


-Not.  19 


Nov,  12 

-..-.......- 

..Apr.  ?, 

63.00% 

— June  18 

Jan.  7         


Jan.  7 


-.June  4 
Oct  22 


Heart  of  Salome   (My),  Rubens May  8 

High  School  Hero  (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  16 

Hills  of  Peril  (W).  Jones May  1 

•Henor  First  (D),  John  GUbert Sept.  18 

Is  Zat  SoT  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    GIri.   The    (CO),   OUve  Borden. Sept.  18 

Ladies   Must  Dress  (CO),  Virginia  Valli Nov.  20 

Love   Makes  'Em   Wild    (D),   Harron— Mar.  6 

Loves   of  Carmen   (0).  McLaglen-Del  Bio Sept.  4 

Madam  Wants  No  Children,  Cordla Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valll Feb.  20 

Monkey  Talks    (0),   I^emer Feb.  20 

Music  Master  (0),  A.  B.  Francis Jan.  23 

One    Increasing   Purpose   (0),   lowe— Jan.  2 

Outlaws  of   Red   River   (W),  Mix 

Paid  to   Love    (0),   0'Brien-V»! 
Paiamu    (CO),    Borden-Qrsy- 


June  11 

May  9 

Oct.  29 

_ ~— May  14 


40.70% 


-May  21 
-Sept.  24 


Nov.  19       Dec  17 


Publlolty  Madneu  (CO).  Moran-Lowe- 


-Ang.  14 
-Oct.  28 
-Oct.  a 


Oct.  8 

Apr.  16 

JTeb.  26 

.Mar.  5 

Jan.  22 

Jan.  15 

Apr.  23 

Aug.  6 

Dec.  10 


48.60% 
"61.68% 


5900 

1927 

6199 

1927 

6667 
4709 
6312 
8730 
6439 

12000  Ben  Hur  (M).  Ramon  Novarro - Oct.  8 

12550  Big    Parade.   The    (M).    Gilbert-Adoree. Sept.  10 

5902     Body  and  Soul  (0),  L.  Barrymore Oct.  1 

5821     Bugle  Call.  The  (0),  Jackie  Coogan Aug.  6 

6050     Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan— Dec  24 

6126     Callahans  and   Murphys  (CD),  Dressler-Moran Jime  18 

7395     Captain  Salvation   (M),  Hanson.- May  14 

6408     Fair  Co-ed,   The   (CO),   Marlon  Davles Oct.  IE 

4658     Foreign  Devils  (W),  Tim  McCoy Sept.  3 

6909     Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Nell Apr.  2 

8156     Garden  of  Allah,  The   (0),   Terry-Petrovltch. Nov.  6 

6646     In  Old  Kentucky   (D),  H.  CosteUo Oct.  29 

Little   Journey    (CD),   All   Star. Jan.  1 

London   After  Midnight  (0),  Lon  Chaney Dec  3 

Lovelorn,   The,    Sally  O'NeU Dec  17 

Lovers  (0),  Novarro-Terry Apr.  9 

Man,   Woman  and  Sin   (0),  John  Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 

Quality  Street,  Daries-Nagel Dec  31 

Red  Mill   (C),  Davles _ Jan.  29 

Road  to  Romance,  The  (0),  Novarro-Day Sept  24 

Rookies    (C).  Dane- Arthur Apr.  30 

Show,  The  (M),  Gilbert-Adoree...- Jan.  22 

Slide,    Kelly,  Slide   (CD),  Halnes-O'NeU. Mar.  12 


Feb.  11 


1927 
1927 

61.00% 


6088 
6687 
6110 
5291 
6280 
5957 
7603 
7627 
6337 
6581 
6640 
6309 
7865 
6280 
6705 
6273 
5252 
6160 
7899 
6657 
6517 

1928 

6998  Actress,    The,    Norma    Shearer-Forbea Apr.  28 

6805  Across  to  Singapore   (MD),  Novarro-Cravrford Apr.  T 

6010  Baby   Mine.  Arthur-Dane Jan.  21 

6838  Big   City,    The,    Chaney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

6344  Bringing  Up  Father,  FacieP-^'oran-Olnutead. Mar.  17 


Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw. Deo.  10 

Spring   Fever  (C),  William  Haines Oct.  22 

Tea  for  Three   (C).   Cody-Prlngle Dec  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (0),  Lionel  Barrymore. Nov.  26 

Tiille  the  Toiler   (C),   Davles May  21 


Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  GUbert-.. 
Understanding    Heart    (D),  Crawford... 
Unknown,   The   (M),   Chaney 


_  July  9 
_Feb.  26 
.June  4 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


LMigth    Titia  and  Playtn 


Fteltaied 


New 
Picture! 


Comment 


Ticker 


M8S 
HSl 

8S48 
6482 
605T 
7300 
8340 

4987 
7743 
7045 
•402 

B760 
1K95 
7365 
7289 
6014 
7745 
6476 
9566 
5901 
8134 


soil 

4435 


Certain  Young  Man,  A,  Norarro-Dar — 

Circus  Rookiet  (CO),  Dane-Arthur 

Couacki,  The,  Adoree-GUbert-Torrence.- 
Crowd,  The,  Boardman-ilurrsy-lloaoh — 

Detectives,   Dane-Arthur  _ — 

Diamond    Handcuffs, 


.Mar.  31 

May  12 

Mar.  3 

June  9 

Boardman-Nage] May  5 

Divine  Woman,  Garbo-Hanfon-Shennan Jan.  14 

Enemy,   The,   Glsh-Dsne-Forbei Feb.  18 

Excess  Baggage  (D),  William  Hatne* 

Forbidden   Hours   (D),  Novarro-Adoree June  16 

Latest  from  Paris,  The,  Shearer-Forbes Feb.  4 

Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murphy-HlsleL Apr.  14 

lUademoiselle  from    Armentleres,   Estelle  Brody- 

John  Stuart June  2 

Skirts,   Syd  Chaplin. 

Law  of  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford.. 
Love,  Oarbo-OUbert  . 


.May  1»       June  2        June  23 


Patsy,  The,  Davles-Caldwell-Gray. 

Riders  of  the  Dark 

Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray 

Smart   Set,    Hainei-Day-Holt-Boswortb. 


Jan.  21 

Jan.  2 

.Mar.  10 
.Apr.  2t 
.Feb.  11 
.Feb.  26 


Student  Prince,   The   (R),   Novarro-Shearer. Jan.  30 

Under  the  Black  Eagle,  Forbes-Do(  Flaib Mar.  24 

West  Point   (CD),  Haines-Crawford. Jan.  7 

White  Shadow*  of  the  South  Sea  (MD),  Honte 

Blue 

Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Prlntle. Jan.  28 

Wyoming,  McCoy-Sebaatlan Mar.  24 


1927 

6199 
eS51 
9879 
5697 
H78 
1175 
•040 
•536 
•662 
(408 
(447 
•387 
•296 
(399 
•376 
•017 
•889 
(415 
7091 
•862 
•452 
8656 
7656 
6439 
7080 
6940 
6052 
6007 
5617 
8039 
7180 
S258 
6877 
5798 
4561 
6599 
6187 
6680 
6306 
6247 
6952 
•443 
6614 
6368 
6634 
B209 
6170 
5515 
6015 
6179 
6838 
5524 
4934 
6200 
6124 
6006 
6497 
4926 
6319 
7643 
I486 
1869 
6936 
5866 

S960 

1928 

6897 
6636 


Paramount 


AfraU  to  Love  (C),  Vldor 

Barbed   Wire    (D),   Negrl-Brook. 


Beau  Qeste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery- 
Blind  Alleys  (M),  Meighan.. 
Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C),  MenJou_ 

Cabaret  (CD),  GUda  Gray Mar.  26 

Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.  Beery Mar.  5 

Chang   (D),  Special  cast Sept.  S 

Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow &.pr.  2 

City  Gone  Wild   (M),  Melgban-Mlllner Nov.  12 

'Covered  Wagon,  The  (M),  Kerrigan- Wilson ~Aa(.  6 

Evening   Clothes   (C),  Menjou Mar.  19 

Fashions  for  Women   (CD),  Balston Mar.  26 


Fireman  Save  My  Child    (C),  Beery-Hatton Aug.  1 

Gay  Defender,  The  (CD),  Blctaard  Dli. Dec.  10 

Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJou-O'Hara — Oct.  15 

Get  Your  Man    (CD),  Clara  Bow Dec.  10 

Honeymoon   Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vldor Dec  3 

Hotel  Imperial   (D),  Negri Feb.  26 

Hula    (CD),   Bow-Brook Aug.  27 

It   (C),   Clara  Bow — Feb.  19 

Jesse    James    (D).   Fred  Thomson. Oct.  22 

•Kid   Brother  (C),  Lloyd. Oct.  4 

Kiss  In   a  Taxi    (C),  Daniels. Feb.  26 

Knockout    Rellly    (CD),   Dlx...... Apr.  16 

Last  Walte,  The  (D),  Special  cast Nor.  26 

Let   It  Rain    (C).  MacLean Jan.  3 

Love's   Greatest    Mistake    (CD),  BrenL Feb.  13 

Man    Power   (D),   Dlx. July  9 

Metropolis    (D),    Special   cast Aug.  IS 

Mme.  Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Glsh Aug.  13 

Nevada  (W),  Cooper-Todd. Sept.  10 

New    York    (M),   Cortoz- Wilson. Feb.  5 

Now  We're  in  the  Air  (C),  Beery-Hatton. Got.  22 

One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Vldor-Shotwell...Sept.  24 

Open    Range   (W),  Lane-Chandler Not.  6 

Paradise  for  Two    (C),  Dlz-Bronson Jan.  17 

Potters   (CD),  W.  C.  Fields Jan.  31 

Ritjy   (CO),  Bronson Apr.  9 

Rolled  Stockings   (CO),  Hall-Brook June  18 

Rough   House    Rosie   (C),  Bow May  14 


Rough  Riders,  The  (D),  Astor-Farrell 

Rubber  Heels  (FC).  Ed.   Wynn. 

Running   Wild    (C),   Fields-Brian. 

Senorlta   (F),   Daniels.. 


-OoL  1 
-June  11 


Serenade    (D),    MenJou-Wray_ 

Service  for  Ladies  (C),  Menjou-Carrer.. 
Shanghai    Bound    (0),   Diz-Brian 


She's  a  Sheik   (C),  Bebe  Daniels. 

Shootin'   Irons  (W),  Luden-Blane. 

Soft    Cushions    (C),   MacLean-Carol 

Special   Delivery   (C).  Eddie  Cantor 

Spotlight   The   (CD),   Balston-Hamllton_ 


-Aug.  20 
-Aug.  SO 
-Deo.  24 
-Aug.  6 

-  Oct.  18 

-  Not.  12 
•  Oct.  8 

-  Aug.  27 

-  Apr.  1« 
-Not.  19 

Sept  17 
Sept  IT 


Stark  Love   (0),   Special  cast 

Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),   Danlels-HalL.- 

T(ll   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklln-Bancroft Sept  24 

Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  Balston. Jnlr  2 

Time  to  Love  (FC),  Raymond  Grilllth Jon*  18 


Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fltlds-ConMln.- 
Underworld   (M),  Bancroft-Brent- 


-Dea  IT 
-Oct.  2» 


Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (0),  Jannlngs-Bennett-Oct  1 

Wedding  Bills  (F),  Kaymond  Qrlfflth. May  T 

Were's  All  Gamblers  (0),  Melghan-MlUner Sept  S 

Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),  Lois  Moran Apr.  SO 

Wings    (M),    Charles  Eogers Oct  29 

Woman  on  Trial   (0),  Pola  Negri 


Adventure    Mad    (M),    TXFA.. 
Beau  Sabretir   (M),  Cooper-Brent. 


Beggars  sf   Life   (MD),  Wallace  Beery-Biooks- 
Arlen 


-Mar.  31 
-Jan.  T 


1930 
6665 
T866 
5364 
ltS9 

•4oi 

U52 

ml 

•MS 


Big   Killing  (CO),  Beery-Hatton. May  19 

Doomsday,    Vldor-Cooper Feb.  18 

Drag  Net,  The  (MO),  Bancroft-Brent-Powell 

Easy  Come,   Easy  Go,  Bichard  Dlx. Apr.  21 

Feel  My  Pulse,  Danlels-Arlen. ____-.Feb.  25 

First  Kiss,  The  (D),  Wray-Cooper. 

Fifty- Fifty   Girl,   The,  Daniels-Hall May  12 

Fools  tor -Lack   (CD).  Fields-Conklln. May  T 

Forgotten   Faces   (MD),  Brook,  Brian- 


Gsntlemen    Prefer   Blondes    (C),  Taylor- White— Jan.  28 

Half  a  Bride  (D),  Balston-Ck)oper June  16 

Hot   News,   Bebe  Danlels. 


(038  His  Tiger  Lady,  Uenjou-Brent 

Kit  Carson    (MO),   Fred  Hiomson- 

•T9a  Ladies  of  the  Mob,  CUra  Bow 

tSSi  Last  Coaawid,  Tba  (0).  BmU  Ja 


.June  9 


.June  30 


Mar.  10 
June  9 


-JolyT 

Apr.  28 


Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
.June  23 
Mar.  17 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 

May  26 
_Tune  2 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  6 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


—June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  6 


Jan.  21 

-JnUT 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  14 


Jan.  7 
Dec  31 


Not.  28 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  T 


-JulyT 


Jan.  21 

-May  26 

May  19 

Feb.  25 

-Aug.  4 

Mar.  31 

Apr.  T 

-Au(.  4 

Dea  10 


-June  9 
Mar.  31 

.lone  2S 
May  26 

J»M.U 


July  28 
Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  14 


Feb.  IS 
Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 


67.41% 


1927 


-Apr.  23 
-Aug.  3 


_Mar.  5 
-Jan.  15 
-May  9 
-Apr.  16 
-May  2 
-May  2 
-Dec.  10 


57.21% 
62.04% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

60.30% 
51.86% 
68.00% 


-Apr.  9         

-Apr.  9         -. — 

-Dec.  10  49.60% 

-Not.  12  62.63% 

-Oct  8  - 

67.83% 

Dec.  17        

-Jan.  8         - ~ 

-Sept  10  65.85% 

-Feb.  12  66.77% 

-Oct  22        - - 

-Jan.  29  65.91% 

-Apr.  2  38.61% 

-Apr.  23  65.61% 

-Not.  19       

-Mar.  12  56.69% 

-Feb.  28 

-Aug.  6  61.18% 

-Mar.  U      

Aug.  • 


-Feb.  6 
-Dec  17 
-Sept  24 


71.00% 
70.26% 


-Jan.  29 
-Jan.  22 
-June  25 
-July  SO 
.June  4 
-Mar.  19 
-July  16 
-June  IS 
.May  14 


Dec  31 
Jan.  21 


-Sept  3 
Not.  11 
Not.  26 


48.36% 


64.72% 
47.60% 


57.64% 


-Aug.  27 
-May  9 
-Dec.  3 
-Mar.  19 
-Sept  17 
Oct  22 
-July  2S 
-July  9 


44.08% 


66.27% 


-Sept  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


-June  11 

-Atu.  20 

Oct  1 


1928 


June  16 


Mar.  10 


Mar.  19 

Mar.  19 
Aug.  4 
Feb.lt 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


JoneK 


JnlyT 

Feb.  4 


7415 
6837 

5741 
7910 
6600 
6582 
6118 
7046 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
70«0 
5733 
5991 
5834 


Legion  of  the  Condemned,  Wray-Ck>oper_ 
Love  and  Learn,  Ralston-Chandler 


6509 
6435 


-Mar.  10 
-Jan.  14 

Loves  of  an   Actress   (0),  Pola  Negri 

Night   of    Mystery    (0),    Menjou. -..Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17 

Partners  In  Crime   (C),  Beery-Hatton Mar.  3 

PcEiks  of   Destiny Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Scout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson Jan.  21 

Racket,  The    (0),  Thomas  Slelghan June  30 

Red    Hair    (CD),  Bow-Chandler....- Mar.  10 

Sawdust  Paradise,    The,  Esther  Balston. Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (0),  Negri-Heisbolt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,   Bancroft „ Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Ralston-Hamilton....Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold   Lloyd Aiff.  7 

Sporting    Goods,   Dix-Olmstead _ Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (0),  Jannings-Wray May  26 

Sunset  Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners   (D),   Negri-Baxter...- Apr.  14 

Tiilie's   Punctured   Romance,   Flelds-Conklln. Feb.  18 

Under   the   Tonto    Rim,    Arlen-Brian Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  Jack  Holt June  23 

Varsity  (0),  Eogers-Brlan 

Water   Hole,  The   (W),   Jack  Holt 

Warming     Up,    Richard    Dii. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers   (C),  Beery-Hatton Jan.  7 


Jan.  21 
..June  23 

Feb.  18 
Feb.  26 
Jan-  7 
Dec.  10 


-Apr.  21 
Feb.  26 


Feb.  18 


Mar.  3 
June  9 


Mar.  17 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  3 
Apr.  28 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  28 


Apr.  21 
Feb.  18 
May  26 


Apr.  7 
Feb.  25 


May  5 


.-Aug.  4 

-July  21 

May  26 


Feb.  18 


..-    Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D),  Negri-Kerry 


1927 

5596 

6565 

4335 

6326 

4875 

4512 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

8586 

6599 

8002 

6403 

6568 

6859 

3303 

5867 

4968 

7913 

4750 

5990 

6035 

4620 

6788 

4890 

4076 

4864 

6324 

13500 

4131 

4752 

6472 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4575 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

5880 

4562 

4546 

4338 

6397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

5610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5927 
6589 
4833 
6408 
4550 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4165 
6650 
5888 
4600 
5659 
5954 
5494 
6626 

6902 
T040 
6423 


Pathe 


Almost    Human    (CD),   Reynolds - Dec  26 

Angel  of   Broadway,  The   (D),  Leatrice  Joy- Oct.  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  6 

Border  Blackbirds   (WO),  Maloney Aug.  28 

Born   to    Battle    (W),   BlU  Cody Sept  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19 

Combat    (D),  Walsh Oct  23 

Country   Doctor,  The    (0),  SchUdkraut Aug.  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The  (W),  Wally  Wales. Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,  The  (W),  Leo  Maloney Deo.  11 

Discord   (0),  DagOTcr-Ekman -...Nov,  20 

Dress   Parade   (0),    Boyd. Not.  11 

Fighting  Eagle,  The  (M),  La  RocQUe-Haver _.Aug.  29 

Flying  Luck  (C),  Monty  Banks - Dec.  4 

Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  Goudal Not.  7 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prevost _ - 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard- -Deo.  11 

Girl  in  the  Pullman.  The  (C),  Prevost Oct  31 

Gold  from  Weepah    (W),  BUI  Cody Nov.  20 

Golden    Clown,   The    (D),   Gosta-Ekman Dec.  18 

•Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd Dec.  U 

Harp  In   Hock,  A  (D),  Soklldkraut-Coghlan..._.„Oct  10 
Heart  Thief   (0),   Schlldkraut-De  Puttl.. 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison. Aug.  T 

His   Dog   (D),  Scitlldkraut July  21 

His    Foreign  Wife    (0),  MacDonald-Murphy Nov.  27 

Hoof  Marks  (W),  Jack  Donovan. _ Nov.  13 

Interferin'   Gent,  The   (W),  Buffalo  BlU,  Jr Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Falre 

King  of  Kings   (0),  AU  Star - — . 


..June  19 


Dec.  24 
Not.  19 


1927 


Not.  6 
-June  4 
-Sept  10 


-June  17 
-Oct  15 


Jan.  14 


TJ.70% 


-Dec  10 


Not.  19 


Not.  6 
-Sept.  17 


Not.  12 


Not.  5 
..Feb.  19 

-Not.  5 


60.40% 


Not.  19 

Not.  5 



Not.  12 

Not.  S 

~ 

-May  21 
-Sept.  3 
-July  24 


Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W),  Jack  Padjan. Dec.  26 

Little   Firebrand   (C),  Thornton - July  3 

Main   Event  The  (0),   Reynolds —..Not.  21 

Meddlln'    Stranger    (W),    Wales -...June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fatr. Deo.  19 

Night   Bride    (FC).   Prerost . 

Nobody's  Widow   (FC),  Joy-Bay-Harer. — 

No   Man's    Law   (W),  Rex _...May  1 

Obllgln'  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.....Oct.  16 

Pals  In   Peril    (W).  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr. June  26 

Phantom    Buster,  The  (W),  RooseTelt— Aug.  14 

Pieces    of    China    (Trarel)- Aug.  7 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M),  Hutchison. May  22 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary  (C),  Robson. 

Ride  'Em  High   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt Oct  9 

Roarin'  Bronot,  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr Not.  27 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Lore _ 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prerost Dec  12 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W),  Wales. July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  Wally  Wales Sept.  26 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hntoklson. June  12 

Turkish    Delight,    Schildkraut-Faye Not.  11 

Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),  Leo  Maloney July  17 

Vanity    (M).   Joy 

White   Gold   (D),  Goudal 

White  Pebbles  (WD),   WaUy  Walea.- 
Wiso  Wife,  The  (C>,  Harer— . 


Aug.  7 

Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M),  Bradford Oct  31 

Yankee  Clipper  (M),  Boyd 


Not.  10 


-May  14  61.72% 

192t 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney. 
Ballyhoo  Buster   (W),  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr. 
Blonde  for  a  Night,  Prerogt— 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Joy 

Boss  of   Rustlers   Roost,  The,   Don  Coleman Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Stamper,  The,  Don  Coleman 


Bullet   Mark,   The,   Jack  Donoran 

Chicago    (M),    Phyllis   Harer. 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosereli 

Crashing   Through,   Jack   Padjan 

Desperate  Courage  (W),  Wales-. 
Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocqnei 
Laddie  Be  Good  (W),  BlU  Cody. 
Leopard  Lady,  The  (M),  Logan 


Stand  and  Deliver,  Bod  La  BooQSa 
Tenth  Avenue,  Havar-Taroaol 


^ 


Let  'Er  Go,  Gallagher!  (M),  Junior  Coghlan Jan.  16 

Marlie,    the    Killer,    Klondike Mar.  4 

Midnight  Madness,  Logan May  28 

Night  Flyer,  The,  Wm.  Boyd Feb.  5 

On  to  Rene  (0),  Pr«TOit-I«ndls Jan.  S 

Perfect  Gentleman,   A   (C),  Monty  Banks Jan.  16 

Red  Mark,  The  (D),  Glass,  Qoartoar. 
Shl»   Cones   In,    A,   Bodolpli  Sehlldkrant 
Skysaraper,  Boyd. 


X 


hbi 


!' 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


Length     Title  and  Players 


Pictures 


Comment 


Ticlter 


1927  Ray  art 

6035  Walicing    Bacli    (M),   Sue  Carol May  20 

6089  Cruise  of  the    Helion    (D),   All  star _. _ 

6076  Heroes   in    Blue    (M),   Bowers-Rand _ Nov. 

5916  Law  and  the  Man,  The  (D),  Santsclii-Rockwell..Dec. 

6960  Light  in  the  Window,  A    (D),   Walthal 

6970  On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (IH),  D.  Torrence Nov. 

6502  Silent    Hero    (M),    Bonaparte _ - - 

4200  Wanderer  of  the  West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec. 

1928 

6089  Branded  Man,  The  (0),  Clias.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

6673  Casey   Jones    (CD),    Price-Lewis - Jan. 

6076  Danger  Patrol,  The   (D),  Russell-Fair Jan. 

4533  Devil's  Tower,  The  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt — June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera  Reynolds-HUllard.. July 

5976  Gypsy   of   the    North    (D),    Gordon-Hale -...Apr. 

5853  Heart    of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew Mar. 

4797  Lightning  Shot,  The   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt May 

Man  from   Headquarters,  Tha  (0),  ConieUas 

Keete-E.  Roberts  Aug. 

5262  Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landls-E.  Murphy _May 

4548  Mystery  Valley   (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt July 

5608  My    Home    Town     (D),    Brockwell-Glass _...Jan. 

4571  Painted    Trail,    The    (W).   Buddy   Roosevelt Mar. 

6906  Phantom  of   the  Turf,  The   (D),  Costello-Lease_Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster-OIstead Aug. 

4627  Trail   Rider*   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt April 

5490  Wild    Born    (W),   Tex   Maynard _ Mar. 

6260  You   Can't  Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe Jan. 


1927 


. — Sept.  24 


Nov. 

12 

— • 

_... 

...- 

— 

.M.Allg 

29 

.... 



1928 

- 

.._. 

-•• 

— 







..... 

..... 



Sterling 


1927 

6563  Closed    Gates   (M),  Harron-Novak. 

5400  Outcast  Souls    (D),  Lewis-Bonner. _ Dec.  15 

6500  Pretty   Clothes    (D),   J.   Ralston-Wallter. Oct.  IS 

Stranded    (D),   Mason. Aug.  15 

1928 


1927 


_-May  28 

Nov.  12 
Dec.  31 
Jan.  7         SepL  10 


Length     Title  and  Players 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Universal 


Marry  the    Girl    (CD).. 


1927 

6754 
5669 
7300 
4887 
6482 
5233 
4752 
6800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 


Tiffanv-Stahl 


1928 
1927 


Backstage     (CD),     Bedford 

Beauty   Shoppe    (CD),    Busch 

College    Days    (CD),    M.    Day 

Enchanted    Island    (D) 

Fools   of    Fashion    (CD),   Busch..._ 

Girl  from   Gay  Paree,   The    (F),   Sherman 

Haunted    Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.    Love.. 
Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederick— 


.Sept.  15 
.Dec  1 


....July  9 
...July  16 
....Nov.  6 
...June  25 
....Oct.  9 

-JJov.  27 


Sept  1 

Nov.  1 

Oct.  16 


...Dec.  15 


6448 
6614 

1928 

6147 


6209 


5297 
6553 


6102 
6735 


6662 
6361 


Lightning    (W),   J.   Ralston. _ _ 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron... 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Buth  Miller... 

Sin  Cargo    (D),   Mason 

Snowbound     (FC),    Blythe. 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),   Starke-Harlan..- 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) - 

Wild   Geese   (D),  BeUe  Bennett ...Nov.  15 

Women's  Wares   (D),   Brent-Lytell Oct.  1 


Applause  (D),  Sally  O'NeUl Sept  30 

Bachelor's    Paradise    (R).    Sally    O'Nell... Mar.  15 

Big   Top,   The    (CD),  Sally  O'Neill ...Oct.  30 

Cavalier,  The  (D),  Talmadge-Bedford Sept. 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman     (R),     Southem- 

Pldseon  - —  May  1 

Devil's  Apple  Tree,  The  (D),  Dorothy  SelJastlan..Sept  20 

Devil's  Skipper,  The,  Bennett Feb.  1 

George  Washington  Cohen    (CD),  Jessel-Palmer-Aug.20 

Geraldine  Latrd   (D),  Belle  Bennett Nov.  10 

Ghetto,  The   (CD),  Jessel-Gwen  Lee Aug.  1 

Grain   of    Dust,   The    (D),   Cortez-Windsor July  10 

Green   Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen. June  10 

House  of  Scandal    (D),   Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Cortez-Moran...May  15 

Lingerie   (CD),  White-McGregor July  1 

Nameless    Men,   Moreno _ Feb.  15 

Naughty  Duchess,  The  (D),  H.  B.  Warner.... Aug.  10 

Power  of  Silence,  The  (D),  Belle  Bennett ...Aug.  20 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea   (D),   Cortez-Myers.. .Tune  20 

Queen  of  Burlesque,  The  (CD),  Belle  Bennett..Sept  10 

Scarlet  Dove,   The  (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters    (D),    Southern-McGregor .....Time  1 

Squads   Right   (CD),  Gribbon-Stone Nov. 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron Mar.  1 

Tragedy    of    Youth,    Miller-Collier Tan.  15 

Twelve   Pound   Look,  The   (D),  Eve  Southern. Oct.  20 

Three  Keys  to  a  Door  (MD),  Rlcardo  Cortez. Oct.  10 

Toilers,  The,  Fairbanks,  Jr. -Ralston *"e 

Woman   Against  the  World,  A Ian.  1 


.Dec.  11 
..July  30 


Mar.  10       

Deo.  24       Dec.  10 


1928 


1927 

5751 

5777 

4427 

7190 

5(i23 

5503 

6929 

5711 

6958 

7713 

UOOO 

5862 

6135 

6159 

5918 

6170 

5416 

6045 

7015 

6166 

4393 

6218 

4251 

7173 

5598 

4136 

5192 

6459 

4167 

1928 

4259  Air    Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    Wilsoa Jan.  1 

6869  Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe Jan.  22 

4076  Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes May  6 

6171  Buck    Privates,    de    Puttl June  3 

4345  Call  of  the   Heart,  The   (W),  Dynamite Jan.  29 

4232  Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W),   WeUa. Feb.  12 

7481  Cohens  and    Kellys  in   Paris    (C),    Sidney Jan.  15 

6279  Count  of   Ten,    The,   Ray-Ralston-Gleason June  6 

4173  Fearless   Rider,  The   (W),   Fred  Humes Jan.  15 

6081  Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La  Plante. Feb.  6 

4426  Four    Footed    Rangers,   The    (W),  Dynamite. Mar.  26 

5645  Good    Morning   Judge Apr.  29 

4094  Greased   Lightning    (W) July  29 

6598  Grip    of  the    Yukon,    The,    AU  star Aug.  30 

5064  Hot  Heels,  Glen  Tryon May  13 

4095  Hound    of   Silver   Creek,    The    (W),    Dynamitc.May  20 
Lonesome    (CD),    Tryon-Kent 


Back   to    God's   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier. 

Beware  of    Widows    (FC),    La  Plante 

Border  Cavalier,   The    (W),   Humes-Pierce 

Cat  and   Canary,   The   (My),  La  Plante 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-Harlan. 

Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot   Gibson 

Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis 

Hero  for  the   Night,   A,  Tryon-MlUer. 

Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),    Kerry-Moran 

Les  Miserables   (M),  (Jabrio-Toulont 

Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long   Version) 

Lone  Eagle.  The,  Kent-Keane 

Man's    Past,    A    (D),    Yeidt-Keat 

Men    of    Daring    (W),    Hoiie 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny- Worth 

Out    All    Night    (C).    Denny-Nlxon. 

Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot   Gibson 

Painting   the    Town    (FC),    Tryon 

Sensation    Seekers    (D),   Dove. 

Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante 

Sky   High  Saunders,  Al  Wilson 

Small    Bachelor,   The    (C),   Beranger-Kent 

Straight  Shootin'    (W),    Wells 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton 

Thirteenth    Juror,   The   (D),  Bushman-NUsson.. 

Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),   Rex. 

Wrong   Mr.    Wright,   The    (F),   Hersholt 

Wolf's    Trail,    Dynamite,   the  dog. 


-.Sept  4 
..June  19 
...Sept.  18 
...Sept.  11 
...Oct.  9 
...Nov.  20 
..Apr.  10 
...Dec.  18 
-Dec.  4 
..Oct.  30 
..Oct.  30 
..Sept  18 
-Dec  2S 
...June  5 
...Nov.  27 
...Sept.  4 
...Sept.  25 
...Aug.  7 
..Mar.  20 
.Oct.  2 
...Nov.  6 
..Nov.  6 
.Oct  16 
-Apr.  24 
.Nov.  13 
-Sept.  4 
.Nov.  27 
-Feb.  27 
-Oct.  2 


Not.  12 


Aug.  6 

..May  9 


1927 

5L00% 
44.10% 


Dec  17 

Nov.  26 
Dec.  24 


May  14 


67.06% 


Jan.  14 
Dec.  17 


.Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 
Nov.  19 

.Aug.  27 


43.57% 


Nov.  13 
Dec  U 


Jan.  14 
Nov.  19 


Nov.  19 
Feb.  4 
Deo.  3 


Dec.  3 
Dec.  24 


Sept  9 

...Apr.  9 

..Oct.  1 

July  23 

-June  25 

..Jan.  29 

Aug.  20 


62.31% 


Feb.  19 

46  18% 

1928 


-June  25 


June  16 
Mar.  10 


Feb.  4 


.Apr.  21 


Jan.  28 


-Apr.  21 


Apr.  28 


United  Artists 


College  (C),  Keaton-ComwalL. 
General.  The   (C),  Keaton 


Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson. 

Magic   Flame,  The   (M),   Colman-Banky Sept.  24 

Resurrection     (M),    La    RocQue 

Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson Nov. 

Topsy    and    Eva    (C).    Duncan   Sisters 

Two   Arabian    Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolhelm. 
Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (0),  Banky-Colman_„ 


1927 

6000    College  (C),  Keaton-ComwalL Sept.   10 

7500 
7311 
8550 
9120 
9000 
7456 
8250 
8000 

1928 

6400  Circus,    The    (C),    Charlie    Chaplin. 

7000 — Devil    Dancer,   The,  Gllda  Gray _ .„ 

9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M) June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge Jan.  7 

8350  Drums  of   Love    (D).  Mary  PhUbln Mar.  31 

7300  Garden   of  Eden,  The  (D),  C.  Grifflth-Ray. Feb.  4 

Two    Lovers,   Banky-Colman Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D).    Del    Rio Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie    Thompson     (D).    Gloria    Swan.<ion Jan.  7 

Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,  Buster  Keaton 

Tempest    (M),   John   Barrymore. Aug.  11 


1927 


Sept.  17 

Feb.  12 

Mar.  19 

Sept.  24 

Apr.  15 

Nov.  19 

Aug.  13 

-Oct  29 
-Dec.  4 


45.90% 


73.65% 

1928 


-Mar.  3 

Apr.  28 

_ Nov.  26 

Jan.  7 

July  21 


June  16 

...May  26 
-July  7 


6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
5424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9151 
5254 


Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-Phllbin. Feb.  25 


..June  3 

June  3 

Feb.  26 

Feb.  26 

..Mar.  11 
-July  15 
..Jan.  29 
..Aug.  19 
..Feb.  19 
-July  8 

Stop  That   Man,  All  star Mar.  11 

Surrender,    Phllbin-Mosjukine..- ...Mar.  4 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon...  Apr.  1 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent - Feb.  5 

Thunder    Riders,    The,    Wells Apr.  8 

13   Washington  Square,   AU  star. Apr.  8 

Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Slbson Mar.  18 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. Apr.  22 

We   Americans,   All  star. May  16 

Wild   West  Show,   Hoot  Gibson May  20 


Jazz    Mad,    Hersholt-Nixon-Lewls 

Made-to-Order    Hero    (W),    WeUa 

Midnight    Rote,    de    Putti-Harlan 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson 

Put   'Em    Up    (W).   Humes.. 

Quick  Triggers   (W),   Humes 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot  Gibson.. 

Riding  for    Fame,   Hoot  Gibson 

Shield  of    Honor,   The,  AU  star 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson. 


Apr.  28 
May  26 
June  23 
-July  21 
Feb.  31 
May  19 
Au.g.  4 
Mar.  IT 
Mar.  17 


Jan.  28 
Feb.  26 


Jan.  14 
Apr.  28 


May  5 
Apr.  21 


1927 

5803 
6330 
6281 
5897 
6408 
5003 
6767 
6284 
5978 
6800 
6302 
5613 

6271 
5200 
6230 
5397 
5569 
6352 
6310 
6485 
7961 
6357 
5492 
6295 
5685 
6124 
6218 
6412 
7647 
5813 


Warner  Brothers 


..Dec.  3 
-Aug.  20 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue 

Brass    Knuckles    (D),   Blue-Bronson 

Bush    Leaguer,   The   (CD),   Monte   Blue.. 

Dearest    ( D),   Rich. - 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Rich. Aug.  27 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Rin-Tin-Tln Oct.  29 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Miller Sept.  18 

Gay  Old  Bird   (FC),  Fazenda. 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy. Nov.  5 

Gtorious   Betsy   (CD),   Dolores  Costello 

Good   Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.  CosteUo Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs   at   the    Front    (C),    Wllson-H. 

Conklin _ Dec  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),   Rin-Tin-Tln. 

Husbands  for  Rent,  AU  star Dec.  31 

If   I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel Dec  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy 


-July  23 


1927 

50.20% 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


Dec.  31 


Dec.  31 


-May  26 
Nov.  26 


68.94% 


Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Rin-Tin-Tln Sept.  17 

Matinee  Ladies   (C),    McAvoy 

Mill    Bid,    A    (M),   D.    Costello 


Missing  Link.  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin Aug.  7 

Old   San    Francisco    (M),  D.   Costello-Oland Sept.  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monta   Blue Sept  17 

Reno    Divorce,   A    (D),   May   AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor  Izzy   Murphy  (F),  George  JesselL Oct  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A    (C),  Fazenda-C.   Coot.Sept  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Rioh-Ferris.... Nov.  9 

Simple    Sis    (M),    Fazenda. 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel Sept  3 

Third    Degree   (M),   D.   CosteUo 


-Apr.  28 
-June  11 
-Oct  1 
-Apr.  23 
-June  4 
-May  14 
-June  26 
-Oct.  8 
-Oct.  29 
-Dec.  10 
-Oct.  15 

-June  11 


Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Rin-Tin-Tln.... 

1928 

6052     Across   the    Altantic,    Blue-Murphy .Feb.  25 

Beware  of   Married   Men,   Irene  Rich Jan.  14 

City  of  Sin,   The,  Loy-MiUan-Wong 

Domestic    Trouble    (CD),    Cook-Fazenda. Mar.  24 

Jazz  Singer,    The,  Al  Jolson Feb.  4 

Lion   and   the   Mouse,   The,  L.   Barrymore... 


.Jan.  8 
.May  21 


1928 


5380 


5164 
7077 


..... Feb.  18 

Feb.  11       


.-Apr.  14 


May  19 


5331  Little   Snob,   The,   May  McAvoy - Feb.  11        „ 

6185  Powder    My    Back    (C),    Rioh-Ferris. Mar.  10 

4777  Race  for  Life,  Rin-Tin-Tln. Jan.  28       Feb.  18 

4820  Rinty  of  the    Desert,  Rin-Tin-Tin. Apr.  21        May  19        

6531  Tenderloin,    Dolores   Costello Apr.  28 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


1 


The    Recognized    N  ational     C !  assiiied    Advertising    Medium 


Position  Wanted 


Projectionist  and  radio  technician  familiar  with 
sound  recording  amplification  and  experimental  work 
is  open  for  a  position.  Address  Box  297,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  407   S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

OPERATOR — Nine  years'  experience.  Wants  steady 
position.     Address  J.   T.  Kennedy,  Gilbertville,  Mass. 

THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407    S.    Dearborn    St.,   Chicago,   111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago,   111. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical  College,   61   E.   Van   Buren,   Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

ORGANIST — Ten  years  experience,  union,  married. 
Can  cue  pictures  just  right.  Was  broadcasting  organ- 
ist for  Station  WIBA  at  Madison,  Wis.  Can  give 
best  of  references.  Character  excellent.  Address  Box 
300,  Exhibitors  Herald-World,  407  S.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,  111. 

Experienced  Powers-Simplex  movie  operator  wants 
steady  position.  Age  28.  Married.  Methodist.  Sal> 
isfactory  references.  Address  Leslie  Grove,  Newark, 
O^ 

ORGANIST — Man  28  years  old  desires  position. 
Thoroughly  trained  at  American  Conservatory. 
Large  library.  Familiar  with  all  organs.  Address 
Box  301,  Exhibitors  Herald-World,  407  S.  Dearborn 
St.,  Chicago  111. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED — To  buy  or  lease  small  town  picture 
theatre,  Wisconsin  only.  Experienced  showman.  Ad- 
dress Edwin  Rogers,  Adler  Flats,  Marshfield,  Wis. 


Theatre  to  Lease 


Theatre  to  lease  or  trade,  1,000  feet,  modern,  fully 
equipped,  with  stage.  Population  18,000.  Great  oppor- 
tunity for  the  right  showman.  Or  will  sell  store,  office 
and  theatre  building  or  trade  for  other  improved 
property.  Address  Box  299,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407   S.   Dearborn   St.,   Chicago.  111. 

FOR  RENT — An  unusual  opportunity  to  rent  a 
new  1,600  seating  capacity  theatre,  located  in  Bethle- 
hem, Pa.  Population  68,000,  only  vaudeville  house  in 
the  city.  Fully  equipped.  Long  term  lease.  Address 
A.  Potruch,  94  W.  Broad  St.,  Bethlehem,  Pa. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


First    $2,000   cash    gets   completely    equipped,    going 
theatre  in  good  town.     Apopka  theatre,  Apopka,   Fla. 


FOR  SALE— For  $14,000,  CAPITOL  THEATRE, 
Montgomery,  Ala.  House  is  well  equipped  with  Super 
Junior  Reproduco  Organ,  Arctic  Nu-Air  System,  2 
Motiograph  DeLuxe  Machines,  etc.,  and  is  advan- 
tageously located  between  two  good  hotels,  with  new 
10-story  hotel,  to  open  September  1,  just  across  the 
street.  Lease  on  Capitol  is  worth  $18,000  and  thea- 
tre cost  me  $6,000  more  than  I  am  asking  for  it. 
Am  forced  to  sell  on  account  of  ill  health.  Address: 
J.  H.   Wheeler  Capitol  Theatre,  Montgomery,  Ala. 

Any  Real  Showman  desiring  to  invest  $25,000.00 
for  business  bonded  to  show  40  per  cent  return  for 
capable  attention.  Address  P.  O.  Box  1306,  Atlanta, 
Ga.  Note — -No  Competition,  showing  both  Colored- 
White,  Drawing  Population  25,000. 


Films  for  Sale 


"Sins  of  the  World"  (6);— Foolish  Virgin"  (6);— 
"In  Old  Kentucky"  (7); — "Lure  of  the  Orient"(6); 
— "Unchastened  Woman"  (7)  ; — ^also  other  Features, 
Westerns,  Serials,  Comedies,  Educational,  Travel,  etc. 
Address  GUARANTEED  PICTURES  COMPANY, 
729    Seventh   Ave.,   New   York   City. 


Managers  Schools 

Learn  Modern  Theatre  Management  at  home,  as  a 
business  or  vocation.  Catalog  H  shows  you  how. 
Moving  Picture  Theatre  Managers  Institute,  Inc., 
Elraira,  N.  Y. 


Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,    1018    Wabash   Ave.,    Chicago,    111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,  Chicago,  111. 

GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  _  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


LARGE  STOCK — Used  veneered  theatre  chairs  in 
5  and  7  ply  veneer  guaranteed  condition,  also  1600  up- 
holstered chairs  newly  recovered  in  brown  imitation 
Spanish  leather,  just  like  new.  500  portable  assembly 
chairs.  Chair  prices  very  reasonable.  Write  for  com- 
plete list  of  your  needs  and  prices.  No  obligation. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,   Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL:  250  each  business  letterheads — enve- 
lopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  process 
printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  Sollidays,  KH  124,  Knox,  Ind. 


For  Sale 


OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,  Scranton,  Pa. 

Fine  Theatre  lot  in  Pampa,  Texas.  Address  Mc- 
Manus,  Texan   Hotel,   Pampa,  Texas. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wurlitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.   B.   McFadden,  Havana,  111. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,   Inc.,   140  W.  21st  St.,  New  York. 


Projector  Repairing 

BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished 20  years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Equipment  Wanted 

BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  HI. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15. 
Address  501   Rockwood,  Dallas,  Texas. 


Bulldogs. 


Your  Classified  Ad  Will  Do  the  Work 

Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World  has  helped  hundreds  of  Theatre  owners  in  solving  many  a  problem.  The 
classified  advertising  department  has  placed  organists  all  over  the  country,  has  helped  in  obtaining  equipment,  in  selling 
equipment,  and  in  solving  many  another  problem  that  seemed  difficult.  The  rates  are  but  10c  per  word  payable  with 
order,  10%  discount  if  run  for  3  insertions.  See  this  week's  classified  pages.  Maybe  you  are  in  need  of  something  that  is 
being  advertised  this  week.     The  cost  is  small,  the  results  are  great. 


^■•"■"BS^^^KSSKSHSS^ 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


Bet   Jaysee   Challenges   Him 

LINCOLN,  KAN.— To  the  Editor:  I  sup- 
pose you  might  be  interested  to  know  that 
J.  C.  Jenkins  is  still  out  hustling  for  business 
and  was  here  Wednesday,  August  IS.  We 
had  a  very  enjoyable  visit  that  lasted  far  into 
the  night,  but  as  it  was  a  hot  night  we  might 
as  well  have  stuck  it  out  until  morning.  When 
he  left  here  he  had  his  mind  set  on  getting  to 
Goodland,  Kan.,  for  Sunday  and  I  suppose 
that  he  is  out  teUing  Grasshopper  Sprague  a 
lot  of   lies  about  that  convention. 

The  "old  man"  (Editor's  Note:  Whattaya 
mean,  Old  A'lan.  Be  careful  or  Jaysee  will 
put  on  the  gloves  with  you.)  was  all  put  out 
'cause  his  girl  was  out  of  town  when  he  was 
here  and,  of  course,  I  couldn't  go  and  get  her 
'cause  she  was  with  her  mother  on  a  visit. 
However,  she  is  starting  to  school  this  fall 
and  when  she  gets  so  she  can  write,  I  will 
have  her  tell  Grandpa  Jenkins  just  why  she 
wasn't  home  when  he  called. 

Anyway,  I  sure  enjoyed  his  visit,  renewed 
my  subscription,  promised  to  be  at  Detroit 
Lakes  next  summer,  and  signed  the  pledge 
again. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  the- 
atre, Lincoln,  Kan. 


Noted  Composer  to  Do 

Synchronization  Music 

(Special  to  the  Hcrald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Irving  Mills, 
president  of  the  World  Wide  Music  Cor- 
poration, announces  that  the  firm  has  se- 
cured Mortimer  Wils®n  to  write  a  series  of 
numbers  which  will  be  particularly  suitable 
for  motion  picture  synchronization  pur- 
poses. Wilson  was  winner  of  the  prize  of- 
fered for  the  best  American  overture  in  1921, 
with  his  "New  Orleans  Overture." 

Wilson  has  also  achieved  considerable 
fame  in  motion  picture  circles  as  the  com- 
poser of  the  symphonic  scores  for  the 
Douglas  Fairbanks  films,  "The  Thief  of 
Bagdad,"  "Don  Q"  and  "The  Black  Pirate." 
He  also  wrote  the  special  overture  and  most 
of  the  music  for  "The  Covered  Wagon." 
His  overture,  "My  Country,"  was  produced 
at  the  Capitol  theatre. 


Columbians  "Submarine" 

Is  to  Be  Road-Shown 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Columbia's 
"Submarine,"  starring  Jack  Holt,  Dorothy 
Revier  and  Ralph  Graves,  will  be  a  road- 
show. The  same  company's,  "The  Scarlet 
Lady"  with  Lya  de  Putti,  Don  Alvarado 
and  Warner  Oland,  is  now  at  the  Embassy 
theatre  here  for  an  indefinite  run. 

Columbia  has  another  picture  current  at 
Broadway  houses  this  week  "Beware  of 
"Blondes,"  a  George  B.  Seitz  production 
which  is  at  the  Hippodrome. 


Tiffany-Stahl  August 

Drive  Proving  Success 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  21.— Tiffany-Stahl, 
which  designated  August  as  a  month  in  which 
to  hold  a  collection  and  play  date  drive  in 
honor  of  E.  J.  Smith,  general  sales  manager, 
reports  that  the  testimonial  drive  already 
shows  excellent  results,  besides  much  splen- 
did energy,  spirit,  good  will,  and  faith  in  the 
product,  on  the  part  of  the  sales  force. 


Synchronism  Fails  to 
Retard  Bookings  Over 
U,  S.,  Survey  Reveals 

(^Continued  from  page  25) 

it  has  been  in  the  last  two  years.  That  is  the 
opinion  of  many  exhibitors  and  exchange 
representatives.  A  general  business  depression 
in  Kansas  City,  which  has  made  itself  felt  in 
golf  clubs,  baseball  parks  and  other  places,  is 
the  principal  cause  of  slow  buying  insofar  as 
the  Kansas  City  district  alone  is  concerned, 
it  is  said. 

There  is  no  question  but  that  most  theatre 
owners  are  looking  with  interest  at  the  result 
of  the  sound  pictures,  and  their  effect  upon  the 
public,  but  the  sound  picture  as  a  universal 
form  of  entertainment  in  theatres,  is  too  far 
away  yet  to  affect  any  present  bookings,  most 
exhibitors  and  exchange  men  agree. 

"The  sound  pictures  of  course  will  cause 
some  change  in  the  markets,"  said  R.  R.  Bie- 
chele,  president  of  the  M.P.T.O.  Kansas- 
Missouri,  "but  just  now  there  is  no  cause  for 
slow  buying  except  general  business  conditions 
in  the  Kansas  City  territory." 

Business  Picks  Up 
Along  Albany  Row 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  21.— Buying  of  the  new 
fall  product  is  beginning  to  manifest  itself 
at  the  Albany  film  exchanges,  although  some 
of  the  big  fellows  are  still  holding  off.  Ex- 
change managers  are  maintaining  silence  as 
to  exactly  who  is  buying  pictures,  although 
admitting  that  business  has  picked  up  during 
the  last  two  or  three  weeks. 

Slow  at  New  Orleans; 
Not  Due  to  Sound  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  21.— Buying  of 
films  in  the  New  Orleans  territory  is  slower 
than  two  years  ago  for  the  .following  reasons : 
There  are  fewer  houses  in  New  Orleans 
proper  than  two  years  ago ;  right  now  four 
houses  in  the  business  section  are  closed  for 
repairs ;  several  of  the  neighborhood  theatres 
are  also  closed;  country  theatres  that  ran, 
say,  five  nights  a  week  are  having  a  hard  time 
to  fill  the  houses  two  nights  because  of  a 
shortage  of  money  due  to  crop  failures  and 
the  flood. 

Oregon  Exhibitors 
Cautious  Buyers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  21.— J.  J.  Flem- 
ing, secretary  of  the  Northwest  Independent 
Exhibitors  Association,  declared  that  "our 
exhibitors  have  made  but  few  purchases  of 
the  synchronized  film,  as  their  houses  for  the 
most  part  are  not  equipped  to  exhibit  same; 
Oregon  exhibitors  are  not  buying  heavily  on 
futures,  and  for  the  most  part  will  hereafter, 
of  course,  buy  films  distributed  by  or  endorsed 
by  the  association  as  a  body." 

Theatres  With  Sound 
Draw  from  Other  Houses 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  ANTONIO,  Aug.  21.— In  the  south- 
west Texas  territory  sound  pictures  have 
slowed  up  general  purchase  of  product  for 
the  first  three  months  of  selling,  as  com- 
pared to  the  same  period  of  last  year,  ac- 
cording to  Harold  E.  Pickett,  Paramount 
branch   manager. 

"In  smaller  towns  exhibitors  are  holding 
up  buying  because  of  the  fact  that  adjacent 
large  cities  equipped  with  sound  devices,  in 
their  opinion,  are  draining  the  town  of  a 
large  percentage  of  theatre  patronage," 
Pickett  said.  "While  these  small  towns 
are  for  the  most  part  considering  the  pur- 
chase of  sound  installation,  they  are  at 
present  are  waiting  until  convinced  that 
sound  equipment  is  necessary  for  them. 
For  that  reason,  they  are  seeking  a  cheaper 
product    during   the   intermediate    period." 


Show  Color  Pictures 
Made  by  New  Process 

(Special  to   the  Herald- World) 

NEWARK,  Aug.  21. —Color  pic- 
tures made  by  a  new  process  were 
shown  for  the  £rst  time  by  Natural 
Color  Pictures,  Inc.,  in  this  city  last 
week.  The  process,  which  is  the 
creation  of  Frederick  T.  O'Grady  of 
Newark,  is  said  to  utilize  a  gelatin 
with  the  seven  colors  of  the  spec- 
trum. No  shutters  are  used  on  the 
cameras,  it  is  stated. 


Musicians  at  St.  Louis 
Offer  to  Accept  Cut  of 
$4  in  Fight  on  Sound 

(Continued  from  page  29) 

fer  with  the  projectionists.  With  business 
having  been  none  too  good  in  the  Kansas  City 
territory  of  late  it  is  believed  the  projection- 
ists will  "listen  to  reason"  at  the  meeting. 

Destroying  Musical 
Advance,  Says  Unionist 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  Aug.  21.— "The  movie 
business  has  done  much  to  foster  appreciation 
of  good  music ;  now  it  is  proposed  to  take  a 
step  that  would  destroy  this  musical  advance," 
an  official  of  Musicians  Union  No.  6  said  last 
week  in  commenting  on  the  possible  effects  of 
mechanical  musjc. 

"We  readily  admit  that  our  peculiar  interest 
in  opposing  such  substitution  is  that  it  might 
cost  us  our  positions. 

"From  a  community  point  of  view,  is  it  not 
preferable  to  have  resident  artists  drawing 
and  spending  their  salaries  here  to  having  the 
money  sent  out  of  town?" 


Westco  Signs  for  Prior 

Rights  to  FN  Product 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  21.— A  contract 
has  been  signed  by  West  Coast  and  First 
National  that  will  give  the  theatre  organiza- 
tion first  call  on  that  studio's  output  in 
important  keypoints,  such  as  Los  Angeles, 
San  Francisco,  Portland  and  Seattle.  The 
contract  also  gives  West  Coast  representa- 
tion of  all  other  First  National  product  in 
all  other  cities  in  which  West  Coast  theatres 
operate. 


She's  Champion  Swimmer 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  21. — Mrs.  James  Papaya- 
nakos,  wife  of  the  owner  of  the  Gralyn 
theatre  in  Gouverneur,  N.  Y.,  is  the  cham- 
pion woman  swimmer  of  northern  New 
York.  One  day  last  week  she  swam  two 
miles  at  Sylvia  lake  in  a  trifle  under  one 
and  one-half  hours. 


UFA  Opens  in  Philadelphia 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  21.— UFA  East- 
ern Division  Distribution,  Inc.,  has  just 
opened  a  branch  office  at  1220  Vine  street, 
in  charge  of  Jack  Meyers,  who  opened  the 
firm's   New  York   office  last  year. 


Chosen  Roundup  Queen 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PENDLETON,  ORE.,  Aug.  21.— Queen 
Mary  I  will  reign  at  the  1928  Pendleton 
Roundup  September  19  to  22.  "Queen 
Mary"  is  Mary  Duncan,  who  starred  in 
Fox's  "Four  Devils." 


August  25,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


Y^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copyrighi,   1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


Columbia 


THE  TIGRESS:  Special  cast— 39%.  August  8-9. 
Advertising  failed  to  draw  them  in.  Gypsies  are 
not  much  thought  of  in  this  country.  Jack  Holt 
disappointed  what  few  did  come.  No  story  for 
his  type.  Story  was  improbable  and  impossible. 
Acting  wae  fair  considering  what  they  had  to  do 
•with.  Photography  was  too  "artistic"  and  hazy 
though  well  rendered.  Did  not  draw  anything  second 
night,  so  consider  this  picture  not  extra  for  small 
town  material.  Six  reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joy- 
land    theatre,     Corning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

THE  MATINEE  IDOL :  Johnny  Walker—  10%. 
Good  show  for  your  off  night.  As  there  isn't  any- 
thing to  it  much,  the  less  people  you  get  in  the 
better  you'll  like  it.  Only  good  for  one  night, 
that's  all.  Not  a  Saturday  picture  for  small  towns. 
Ran  to  poorest  business  on  Saturday  in  four  years. 
Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 


F  B  0 


FRECKLES:  Special  cast— 60%.  July  30.  A 
very  fine  picture  much  better  than  "The  Harvester." 
Whole  cast  does  nice  work.  Watch  Gene  Stratton, 
she  is  good.  Seven  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond 
theatre,   Richmond,   Vt. — ^General    patronage. 

A  FLAME  IN  THE  SKY:  Special  cast— 40%. 
July  17.  Good  show  which  we  had  to  play  against 
tentshow  and  no  one  came  to  see  it.  Well,  that's 
the  way  it  goes.  Six  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,   Kimball,   S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  REDHEAD:  Buzz  Barton— 25%. 
August  3.  A  good  kid  Western.  Children  liked  it. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Faanily  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General    patronage. 

THE  CHEROKEE  KID:  Tom  Tyler— August  4. 
A  fair  enough  Tyler  picture,  but  they  gave  us  a  lot 
of  hooey  that  Frankie  Darra  was  going  to  be  in 
all  of  'Tom's  pictures  this  year.  Well,  he  sureinell 
wasn't  in  this  one  and  a  lot  of  the  kids  wanted  to 
know  why.  Five  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,    Neillsville,    Wis. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  HARVESTER:  Special  cast— August  7-8-9. 
The  best  program  picture  I  have  played  for  a  long, 
long  while.  A  family  picture  from  every  stand- 
IX)int.  This  pleased  as  near  to  109  per  cent  as 
any.  Print  and  photography  good.  Seven  reels. — 
P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General 
patronage. 


First  National 


THE  YELLOW  LILY:  Billie  Dove — 80%.  July 
27-28.  Drew  the  usual  Billie  Dove  crowd,  but  failed 
to  please  as  well  as  her  other  pictures.  Our  patrons 
are  "burned  out"  on  mythical  kingdom  stories,  and 
when  they  don't  like  Billie  Dove  in  anything  there 
is  something  wrong.  Oh !  for  some  relief  from 
underworld  and  mythical  kingdom  stories.  Eight 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  HAWK'S  NEST:  Milton  Sills— 60%.  August 
5-6.    This  picture  drew  good  for  a  hot  summer  night. 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  following 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report). 

Wh^i  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence  Picture  Chart." 


And  is  about  as  good  a  crook  stoi-y  as  we  have  had, 
suspense  and  thrill,  spiced  with  humor,  and  we're 
ready  to  take  on  another  Sills  picture. — ^C.  W.  Veseth, 
Palace   theatre,    Malta,    Mont. — General    patronage. 

VAMPING  VENUS:  Charlie  Murray— 35%. 
August  6-7.  Absolutely  rotten.  There  is  no  ex- 
cuse for  this  kind  of  trash,  and  your  patrons  will 
wonder  why  it  was  forced  down  their  throats.  I 
talked  against  it  before  second  day's  showing  and 
made  friends  by  so  doing.  Pay  for  it  and  leave  it. 
Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ash- 
land,  Ala. — Small   town   patronage. 

BROADWAY  NIGHTS:  Lois  Wilson— 10%.  July 
11.  All  who  saw  it  were  well  pleased  as  there  were 
no  walkouts  on  this  one.  We  call  this  a  dandy  pro- 
gram picture  and  is  good  for  Sunday  also.  Seven 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General    patronage. 

HAROLD  TEEN:  Arthur  Lake— Very  good.  High 
school  boys  and  girls  will  eat  this  up.  A  little  foot- 
ball in  it.  We  played  it  too  soon,  schools  being 
closed.  Best  time  to  play  this  picture  is  in  October. 
—J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal.— General 
patronage. 

THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLLIES  GIRL:     Billie  Dove 


— As  usual,  Billie  does  some  fine  acting  and  while 
there  are  some  shots  that  could  just  as  well  have 
been  eliminated,  or  at  least  they  could  have  put 
more  clothes  on  Billie,  the  picture  went  over  very 
good.  It  seems  that  the  producers  can't  get  away 
from  the  dance  hall  stuff,  or  the  nude  scene.  Seven 
reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara,  Community  theatre,  Elgin, 
Neb. — General   patronage. 

LITTLE      SHEPHERD      OF     KINGDOM     COME: 

Richard  Barthelmess — "Our  Dick"  has  come  back  to 
life.  This  is  the  first  picture  this  year  that  has 
moved  me  to  words.  There  have  been  many  at- 
tempts to  reach  the  so-called  heights,  but  they  simply 
soar  in  this  one.  Barthelmess  does  the  finest  work 
I  am  very  sure  since  "Tolable  David,"  and  he  has 
set  a  mark  that  will  be  hard  to  shoot  at.  Molly 
O'Day  is  admirable.  I  don't  believe  anyone  could 
have  done  as  well.  Gillingwater,  who  can  always 
be  relied  upon,  comes  up  to  his  part  in  a  wonderful 
way.  All  others  in  the  cast  were  right  up  to  ex- 
liectations.  I  say  again,  this  is  the  greatest  picture 
of  1928.  Seven  reels.— W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy  theatre, 
Winchester,    Ind. — ^General    patronage. 

THE  MAD  HOUR:  Sally  O'Neill— Good  picture, 
but  did  not  draw  an  extra  nickel  in  the  box  office. — 
J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— July  29.  A 
very  good  picture.  One  that  you  can  be  proud  to 
say,  "I  have  played  it."  Bight  reels. — ^Mrs.  C. 
Knox,  Star  theatre,  Villa  Grove,  III. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— Here  is  a 
wonderful  (picture  that  will  get  yovu-  goat.  After 
the  fourth  reel  you  could  hear  a  pin  drop  at  any 
time  during  the  rest  of  the  show.  And  say,  you  can 
talk  about  actresses,  but  there  is  not  one  who  could 
have  taken  the  place  of  Alice  Joyce  in  this  picture. 
Get  it  and  step  on  it.  Eight  reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara, 
Conamunity  theatre,  Elgin,  Neb. — General   patronage. 

THE  POOR  NUT:  Special  cast— Pregram  comedy 
drama. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General   patronage. 


Fox 


THE  GATEWAY  OF  THE  MOON:  Dolores  Del 
Rio — 85%.  July  26.  Just  a  jungle  railroad  con- 
struction melodrama,  but  particularly  well  staged 
and  proving  again  that  Dolores  is  an  actress.  Pic- 
ture was  well  liked  by  majority.  Six  reels. — C.  M. 
Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

A  GIRL  IN  EVERY  PORT:  Victor  McLaglen— 
70%.  August  1.  Victor  McLaglen  surrounded  by 
pretty  girls — it  couldn't  help  but  be  good.  Bob 
Armstrong  also  did  his  bit  very  creditably.  Six 
reels. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre,  Morenci, 
Ariz. — General    patronage. 

THE  GAY  RETREAT:  Cohen-McNamara— 60%. 
July  30-31.  One  of  the  funniest  comedies  we  have 
ever  played.  Far  ahead  of  "Rookies"  and  not  so 
vulgar.  The  finish  is  a  scream,  and  we  looked  over 
the  house  for  damage  after  the  final  fadeout  as  it 
was   rocked  with   laughter.     You   oan't   go  wrong  in 


62 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


playing  this  one.  Six  reels. — ^E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's 
theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

A  WILD  WEST  ROMANCE:  Rex  Bell— 40%. 
August  4.  Did  not  eee  this  new  star  for  Fox,  but 
everyone  said  good  and  compared  favorably  with 
Jones  and  Mix.  Did  not  pull  so  big,  but  of  course  is 
new  to  the  fans.  Five  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond 
theatre,    Richmond,    Vt. — General    patronage. 

SOFT  LIVING:  Madge  Bellamy— 25%.  August  2. 
A  good  program  picture.  Star  and  cast  fine. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General    patronage. 

FLEETWINGS:  Special  cast — Although  the  cast 
are  unknown  here  the  picture  seemed  to  please. 
There  was  some  very  good  acting  for  that  kind  of 
a  picture.  The  pictirre  is  jumbled  up  with  a  lot 
of  supposed  Arabs,  sand  dunes  and  an  old  white 
horse  who  could  hardly  run  in  the  deep  sand.  You 
may  get  by  with  it.  Seven  reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara, 
Community  theatre,   Elgin,   Neb. — General   patronage. 

THE  GAY  RETREAT:  McNamara-Cohn— August 
3-4.  Oh  boy,  this  sure  clicked  at  the  box  office. 
The  best  drawing  picture  I  have  played  since 
"Rookies."  Many  of  my  patrons  liked  it  better. 
From  a  comedy  standpoint  it  is  a  scream.  I  wish 
the  producers  would  make  more  comedy  like  this. 
If  any  of  you  exhibitors  have  not  played  this,  be 
sure  and  do  so.  Seven  reels.— P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

HORSEMAN  OF  THE  PLAINS:  Tom  Mix— Tom 
in  the  usual  hokum  but  I  have  failed  to  iind  any 
star  to  compete  with  him  at  the  box  office  on 
Saturday.  This  is  better  than  the  average  Mix. — 
A.  J.  Sass,  Star  theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

PUBLICITY  MADNESS:  Special  cast— Nothing  to 
complain  about,  nothing  to  shout  over  in  this 
picture.  Just  a  regular  program  offering.  Six  reels. 
— Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General    patronage. 

THE  SHARPSHOOTERS:  George  O'Brien^Just 
a  lot  of  celluloid  wasted.  Nothing  to  it,  George 
used  to  be  a  good  drawing  card  for  me,  but  they 
have  been  sticking  him  in  a  lot  of  this  class  of 
pictures  lately  and  his  name  don't  mean  anything 
to  me  at  the  box  office.  Better  let  it  alone.  Seven 
reels.— F.  J.  O'Hara.  Community  theatre,  Elgin, 
Neb. — General   patronage. 

VERY  CONFIDENTIAL:  Madge  Bellamy— Opened 
a  new  house  with  this  and  it  went  over  big.  One  of 
the  best  comedy  dram'as  we  have  played  in  a  long 
time.  Full  of  laughs  and  thrills  and  Miss  Bellamy 
was  fine.  Six  reels.— A.  J.  Sass,  Star  theatre.  Wil- 
low Springs,  Mo.— Small  town  patronage. 

Gotham 

BARE  KNEES:  Virginia  Lee  Corbin — 65%. 
AuETUst  6-7.  Good  advertising.  Good  picture.  An 
excellent  comedy  drama  with  a  well  balanced  cast. 
Miss  Corbin  got  over  fine  and  made  many  friends. 
Here  is  a  picture  that  will  stand  advertising  and 
will  "deliver  the  goods."  Snappy,  catchy  title.  Use 
the  photo  stills  and  llxl4s  on  this.  It's  a  box 
office  "sure  thing."  Six  reels. — John  W.  Crabtree, 
Joyland   theatre,    Coi-ning,    Ark. — General    patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  SMART  SET:  William  Haines— 85%.  July 
30.  The  action  and  wise-cracks  in  this  kept  the 
audience  laughing  almost  continuously.  Seven  reels. 
— C.  M.  Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz.- — • 
General  patronage. 

THE  ENEMY:  Lillian  Gish— 75%.  August  9. 
Previous  comment  made  us  doubtful  but  we  were 
agreeably  surprised.  Somewhat  sombre  but  most 
excellently  staged  and  directed  with  a  cast  that 
measured  up  to  the  job.  Audience  reaction  very 
good.  Nine  reels. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre, 
Morenci,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 

LAUGH,  CLOWN,  LAUGH:  Lon  Chaney— 75%. 
August  5-6.  A  very  fine  picture.  One  hundred  per 
cent  satisfaction.  Lon  Chaney  is  in  a  class  by  him- 
self. The  east  in  this  picture  extra  good. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

BRINGING  UP  FATHER:  J.  Farrell  MacDonald— 
60°/o,  July  24.  Good  comedy  in  spots,  but  generally 
disappointing.  There  have  been  so  many  comedies 
of  this  type  that  people  seem  to  have  tired  of  them. 
Seven  reels. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre,  Mor- 
enci,   Ariz. — General    patronage. 

THE  LATEST  FROM  PARIS:  Norma  Shearer— 
50%.  August  3.  A  sweet  little  picture.  Rather 
long  for  the  story,  but  keeps  them  interested  on  a 
hot  night.  Eight  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  the- 
atre,   Richmond,   Vt. — General   patronage. 

ACROSS  TO  SINGAPORE:  Special  cast— Good 
sea  drama,  nothing  big. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  the- 
atre,   Selma,    Cal. — General    patronage. 


THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— August  9.  A 
very  good  picture  but  not  the  type  for  Norma 
Shearer.  Business  only  fair.— E.  E.  Gailey,  Crystal 
theatre,    Wayne,    Neb. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  ADVENTURER:  Tim  McCoy— Fair  action 
picture. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General   patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— August  5-6.  A 
fair  program  picture  of  one  bunch  of  gyppers 
gypping  another  bunch  of  gyppers.  This  under- 
world stuff  may  be  entertainment  in  the  cities,  but 
it  is  the  unvarnished  hooey  out  in  the  thickets. 
Personally,  think  Chaney  is  the  most  over-rated  bird 
in  pictures.  Eight  reels. — Wm  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,    Neillsville,    Wis. — Small    town    patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane-Arthur— If  Metro  keeps 
being  successful  with  this  pair  as  comedians  they  will 
have  to  come  better  than  this  one.  It  is  slapstick 
and  a  lot  of  it.  All  right  as  a  two  reeler,  but  too 
much  buffoonery  for  a  feature  length  picture  and 
then  there  was  "Baby  Mine."  "Baby  Mine"  was 
just  plain  vulgarity  served  up  in  such  a  way  that  it 
offended.  At  least  we  received  more  adverse  com- 
ments on  this  particular  picture  than  anything  we 
ever  played. — Columbia  theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 
— General    patronage. 

THE  DETECTIVES:  Dane-Arthur— Not  so  good 
and  has  some  smut  in  it.  But  not  quite  as  smutty  as 
"Baby     Mine."       Business    fell     flat     second     night. — 

E.  E.    Gailey,    Crystal    theatre,    Wiayne,   Neb. — Small 
town    patronage. 

DIAMOND  HANDCUFFS:  Special  cast— One  of 
those  pictures  in  three  acts.  A  different  cast  in  each 
act.  Would  consider  it  a  good  progi-am  picture.  It 
travels  from  the  South  African  diamond  mines  to 
the  underworld  of  New  York  and  winds  up  with  a 
big  gun  battle.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  the- 
atre, Kansas  City,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

LAUGH,  CLOWN,  LAUGH:  Lon  Chaney— August 
5-6.  Very  good.  Chaney  a  favorite  star  here. 
Many  favorable  comments. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  the- 
atre.   Villa    Grove,    111. — Small    town    patronage. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— 
Here  is  a  picture  that  drew  well  and  interested  the 
audience  right  up  to  the  last  shot.  Seven  reels. — 
Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. 
— General    patronage. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— 
It's  a  peach  of  a  mystery  drama.  Clean  and  enter- 
taining. Business  good. — E.  E.  Gailey,  Crystal  the- 
atre,  Wayne,  Neb. — Small  town   patronage. 

ROSE  MARIE:  Special  cast — Sold  as  super 
special,  delivered  as  a  fair  program  and  didn't  get 
any  extra  money  in  the  box  office. — J.  L.  Seiter, 
Selma    theatre,    Selma,    Cal. — General    patronage. 

SPOILERS  OF  THE  WEST:  Tim  McCoy— Fairly 
entertaining  and  interesting  Indian-soldier  picture 
of  the  early  days.  Well  photographed  and  well 
staged.  McCoy  means  less  than  nothing  at  the 
box  office.  Wonder  why  Metro-Goldwyn  don't  get 
Fred  Thomson  or  Buck  Jones.  Wish  they  would. 
Five  reels. — ^P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

SPOILERS  OF  THE  WEST:  Tim  McCoy— This 
is  good.  While  it  is  built  on  history  it  is  enter- 
taining as  well.  Tim  does  his  stuff  to  iperfection  as 
well  as  the  rest  of  the  cast.  The  Indians  were  pretty 
well  trained  to  put  the  picture  over  in  the  shape 
they  did.  Tim  is  a  master  in  his  line  and  always 
pleases  the  crowd.  Seven  reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara,  Com- 
munity   theatre,     Elgin,    Neb. — General    patronage. 

TEA  FOR  THREE:  Cody-Pringle — A  fair  pro- 
gram picture  which  failed  to  draw  anyone  past  the 
wicket.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— August 
2-3.  Due  to  the  comic  strip  drevf  good  and  pleased. 
Seven  reels. — Wm.  B.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,    Wis. — Small    town    patronage. 

THE  THIRTEENTH  HOUR:  Rex  the  Dog- 
August  10-11.  A  dandy  comedy,  mystery  drama. 
Not  much  of  a  drawing  card,  but  pleased  those  who 
came.  Print  and  photography  good.  Six  reels.— 
P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General 
patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Hainei^-July  31-August  1. 
Good  program  picture,  about  the  best  Haines  has 
made.  I  played  the  Point  boys  in  conjunction  with 
this  and  had  a  fair  turn  out.  Print  and  photography 
good.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre, 
Griswold,   la. — General   patronage. 

WEST  POINT:  William  Haines— This  is  one 
sweet  picture.  Taken  at  West  Point.  I  had  several 
people  who  had  been  at  West  Point  and  they  said 
that  everything  was  true  to  life  there.  I  don't  re- 
member ever  having  more  good  comments  on  a 
picture  than  on  this  one.  Play  it,  please  them.  Not 
an    unclean     scene    in    this     picture.       Nine    reels. — 

F.  J.     O'Hara,     Community    theatre,     Elgin,     Neb. — 
General   patronage. 


Paramount 


EASY  COME,  EASY  GO:  Richard  Dix— 90%. 
August  4.  Pleased  everyone.  Six  reels. — C.  M. 
Staples,    Y.M.C.A.    theatre,    Morenci,    Ariz. — General 

patronage. 

THE  FIFTY-FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— 90%. 
July  28.  Bebe's  pictures  seldom  fail  to  entertain 
and  while  this  one  is  not  her  best  to  date,  it 
pleased  the  crowd. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  the- 
atre,   Morenci,    Ariz. — ^General    patronage. 

BARBED  WIRE:  Polo  Negri— 85%.  August  4. 
Don't  be  afraid  of  this  one.  I  have  held  off  of 
Negri's  pictures  because,  in  the  past,  she  has  had 
such  poor  roles.  This  is,  without  doubt,  one  of  the 
best  that  she  has  ever  made  and  it  is  one  of  the 
best  we  have  played  for  some  time  and  this  in- 
cludes specials.  My  only  regret  is  that  I  didn't 
make  a  special  out  of  this  one.  It  received  more 
favorable  comments  than  any  picture  that  we  have 
played  for  months.  Eight  reels.— Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan.-^Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  DRAG  NET:  George  Bancroft— 85%.  August 
2-3.  Another  underworld  picture,  but  a  good  one. 
Was  on  the  set  when  some  of  it  was  shot  and  en- 
joyed seeing  the  finished  product.  Do  not  consider 
it  as  good  as  "Underworld,"  although  some  said 
better.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  the- 
atre,   Ashland,    Ala. — Small    town    patronage. 

LADIES  OF  THE  MOB:  Clara  Bow— 75%.  July 
23-24.  Vei-y  poor  picture,  and  Clara  badly  out  of 
place  in  this  kind  of  story.  It  may  be  true  that 
she  wanted  to  prove  that  she  can  really  act,  but 
her  followers  don't  give  a  whoopee  about  it.  They 
want  her  in  the  peppy  stuff,  and  they  don't  mean 
maybe.  Had  several  of  her  most  loyal  boosters  say 
she  was  rotten  in  this.  Snap  out  of  it,  Clara,  and 
get  some  more  good  ones  like  "It"  and  "Red  Hair." 
Movie  fans  everywhere  are  "burned  out"  on  under- 
world or  crime  pictures  and  we  are  sorry  you  were 
cast  in  this.  Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's 
theatre,    Ashland,    Ala. — Small   town   patronage. 

SOMETHING  ALWAYS  HAPPENS:  E^sther  Ral- 
ston— 75%.  July  23.  An  entertaining  combination 
of  spooky  thrills  and  comedy.  Five  reels. — C.  M. 
Staples,  Y.M.C.A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— 70%.  Autrust  6. 
Usual  Lloyd  picture.  Not  so  many  laughs  as  "Kid 
Brother"  or  "The  Freshman,"  but  a  real  comedy 
at  that.  Eight  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  theatre, 
Richmond,   Vt.^ — General   patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  PIONEER:  Jack  Holt^-45%. 
August  8.  The  Holt-Grey  combination  did  not  draw 
as  I  thought  it  would  due  to  the  story  being  so  new. 
A  good  picture  and  pleased.  Six  reels. — G.  B.  Orne, 
Richmond  theatre,  Richmond,  Vt. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  WALTZ:  Special  cast — 42%.  August 
4.  Good  for  a  foreign  picture.  This  is  a  good 
comedy. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,    Utah. — General    patronage. 

SERVICE  FOR  LADIES:  Adolphe  Menjou— 39%. 
August  2.  Good  comedy  drama.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General   patronage. 

LADIES  OF  THE  MOB:  Clara  Bow— 30%.  Why 
don't  they  leave  underworld  stories  to  George  Ban- 
croft? This  is  the  wrong  type  of  picture  for  Clara 
Bow,  and  it  doesn't  take  a  genius  to  figure  that  out 
either.  At  the  present  time  the  underworld  picture 
proposition  is  being  over  done,  so  why  not  limit 
the  number  and  star  Clara  Bow  in  something  suitable 
to  her.  Every  patron  was  disappointed. — ^Wm  Fair- 
child,  America  theatre.  Fort  Collins,  Col. — General 
patronage. 

RUNNING  WILD:  W.  C.  Fields— 20%.  July  31. 
A  fair  program  picture.  The  star  is  funny.  Those 
who  understood  his  comedy  liked  it. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

CITY   GONE   WILD:      Thomas   Meighan-July   29- 

30.      Very    good    crook   drama,   but   no   drawing  card. 


^o  Losses  in  the  Box  Office 

ICICET  REGISTEI^ 

Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  5EVENTH  AVENeW  YoBK 

Tickets j^r  Every  PuKpose^f  LOWEST  Market  Prices 

«' "I"'""""""" ■" liwiiiiiiuimt^^p^'jiimiiiii m iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiii imn 


August  25,  1928 


eAiIBITORS  herald  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


63 


Meighan  pictures  mean  nothing  to  me.  Print  and 
photography  good.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,   Grdewold,   la. — General   patronage. 

DOOMSDAY:  Florence  Vidor— August  5-6.  A 
fine  little  program  picture.  Just  the  thing  for  Sun- 
day. Clean  and  entertaining.  Print  and  photog- 
raphy good.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre, 
Griswold,   la. — General  patronage. 

EASY  COME,  EASY  GO :  Richard  Dix— Not  much 
to  this.  About  as  light  as  Richard  Dix  has  been  in, 
according  to  our  way  of  thinking.  It  is  light  and 
feathery,  clean  and  musters  through  as  entertain- 
ment, but  would  not  stand  criticism  of  a  severe 
nature.  Just  one  glance  at  one  particular  abstu-dity. 
A  friend  of  the  president  of  the  railroad  gives  a 
note  to  him  to  hand  to  a  conductor  authorizing  the 
conductor  to  stop  at  a  certain  sjnall  stop  that  is 
not  regular  for  this  particular  train.  The  friend 
gets  on  the  train  and  hands  the  note  to  the  con- 
ductor who  reads  the  note  and  HANDS  IT  BACK 
to  the  friend  of  the  president.  Now  can  anyone 
imagine  that?  But  that's  not  all.  In  the  first 
place  that  little  thing  would  not  be  done  that  way 
on  ANY  RAILROAD  IN  THE  WORLD,  but  what's 
the  use  of  trying  to  get  directors  to  do  these  things 
right,  they  just  won't  and  that  is  what  increases 
the  number  of  punk  pictures.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

THE  GAY  DEFENDER:  Richard  Dix-^ust  a 
picture.  Dix  is  fading  fast  in  my  town.  Don't 
promise  too  much  on  this  one.  Seven  reels. — A.  J. 
Sass,  Star  theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

GENTLEMEN  PREFER  BLONDES:  Ruth  Taylor 
— Excellent  comedy  drama  which  would  have  been  a 
knockout  with  a  better  star.  Pleased  my  crowd. 
Seven  reels. — A.  J.  Saes,  Star  theatre.  Willow 
Springs,    Mo. — Small   town  patronage. 

JESSE  JAMES:  Fred  Thomson— From  a  pro- 
duction standpoint  and  as  to  entertainment  value  this 
picture  rates  high,  but  as  a  box  office  attraction  it 
has  proven  to  be  a  lemon  for  all  who  have  played 
it  here  in  K.  C.  that  I've  talked  to.  It  certainly 
died  for  me.  It  should  be  bought  reasonable  and 
played  one  night  only.  I  made  the  mistake  of 
playing  it  two  nights.  Women  will  like  it.  It 
is  not  a  blood  and  thunder  picture  like  you  would 
expect.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas    City,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

LOVE  AND  LEARN:  Esther  Ralston— Pretty 
good  little  program  picture.  Plenty  of  light  comedy 
and  considerable  action  all  the  way  through.  Wish 
they  were  all  as  good  as  this  one.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

OLD  IRONSIDES:  Special  cast— A  good  picture 
of  its  kind,  but  no  drawing  power.  Will  please  the 
better  class  if  you  can  get  themi  in.  I  couldn't. 
Splendid  to  tie  up  with  school.  Nine  reels. — A.  J. 
Sass,  Star  theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PARTNERS  IN  CRIME:  Beery-Hatton— It  is  a 
crime  to  put  this  kind  of  a  thing  out  and  bill  it  as 
a  comedy.  If  this  is  comedy  I  have  sure  forgot  my 
lines.  I  have  not  played  those  birds  before,  and 
thought  from  the  noise  that  Paramount  was  making 
that  this  was  a  wow.  But  I  have  shown  so  many 
better  pictures  that  were  not  boosted  so  high  that 
possibly    I    could    not    see    the    fine    points    in    this. 


Eight  reels. — F.  J.  O'Hara,  Community  theatre, 
Elgin,   Neb. — ^General   patronage. 

RUNNING  WILD:  Fields.^Conklin— A  fair  pro- 
gram picture.  Too  draggy  for  a  comedy  di-ama. 
Will  get  by,  that  is  all.  Seven  reels. — A.  J.  Sass, 
Star  theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SWIM,  GIRL,  SWIM:  Bebe  Daniels— A  real  good 
comedy  drama,  the  kind  that  appeals  to  all  classes. 
Bebe  gets  better  and  better  and  this  one  should 
please  any  audience.  Seven  reels. — A.  J.  Sass,  Star 
theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — Small  town  i>atronage. 

THREE  SINNERS:  Pola  Negri— Myself  and  pa- 
trons considered  this  the  best  Negri  picture  ever 
turned  out  by  Paramount.  Of  course,  it's  of  for- 
eign atmosphere,  but  it  held  their  attention  to  the 
very  last.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas    City,    Mo. — General   patronage. 

UNDER  THE  TONTO  RIM:  Special  cast — Very 
good  but  not  so  good  as  some  Zane  Grey's.  Business 
only  fair. — E.  E.  Galley,  Crystal  theatre,  Wayne, 
Neb. — ^Small  town  patronage. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


CHICAGO:  Phyllis  Haver— 25%.  August  1.  A 
good  picture  that  did  not  draw  here.  Not  as  dan- 
gerous as  some  report  it. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

ALMOST  HUMAN:  Vera  Reynolds— August  3. 
One  of  the  poorest  pictures  I  ever  played.  Too  much 
dog  in  it.  Took  in  just  $6  at  the  box  office  and 
had  many  walk  out  on  this.  Very  poor  and  I  don't 
mean  maybe.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre. 
Villa    Grove,    111. — ^Small   town    patronage. 


Rayart 


THE  DRIFTIN'  KID:  Tex  Maynard— 96%.  July 
28.  A  good  little  Western.  Five  reels. — E.  F.  In- 
gram, Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CASEY  JONES:  Ralph  Lewis^5%.  July  15. 
Best  show  we  ran  for  some  time.  It  has  everything, 
laughs,  tears  and  action  from  start  to  finish. 
Thanks  to  the  independent  producers  who  made  a 
good  picture  like  this.  You  have  a  good  show,  boys, 
and  don't  have  to  mortgage  your  theatre  to  play  it. 
Step  on  it  hard  and  play  it  two  nights  if  you  can 
becaruse  it  will  satisfy.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,   S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  WHEEL  OF  DESTINY:  Forest  Stanley— 
10%.  August  7.  Good  program  and  it  pleased  the 
ones  that  are  hard  to  satisfy  at  any  time  so  that  is 
saying  a  lot  for  us  as  we  already  thought  that 
there  isn't  any  picture  that  could  please  our  audi- 
ence, but  this  one  did,  only  business  was  poor — no 
fault  of  the  picture  however.  Six  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— General 
patronage. 


United  Artists 


RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio— 85%.  August  6-7-8-9. 
Grab  this  one.  A  sure  box  office  natural.  Held  it 
over  one  day  and  sure  did  the  business.  S.R.O.  sign 
out   every   night   but  one   and   in   the   hottest  days  of 


the  summer  at  that.  A  beautiful  Indian  love  lyric 
that  holds  them  spellbound.  But  be  sure  you  have 
good  music  as  it  is  half  the  show.  Don't  forget  to 
tie  up  with  your  Victor  dealer,  and  use  the  Ortho- 
phonic  ae  the  picture  starts.  You  can't  lose.  Eight 
reels. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CIRCUS:  Charles  Chaplin— 50%.  August 
7-8-9.  No  good  at  all  either  as  a  picture  for  Chaplin 
or  as  a  box  office  bet.  But  it's  a  safe  bet  you'll  lose 
jack  on  United  Artists  prices. — C.  W.  Veseth,  Palace 
theatre,  Malta,  Mont. — General  patronage. 

SORRELL  AND  SON:  Special  cast-^0%.  July 
30-31-August  1.  Adjectives  fail  to  describe  this 
wonderful  picture.  Drew  crowds  to  my  house,  some 
of  whom  I  have  not  seen  out  for  some  time.  H.  B. 
Warner  gives  an  exceptionally  fine  performance  as 
Sorrell  and  the  support  did  fine  work  also.  An 
interesting  story  from  start  to  finish.  Ten  reels.— 
S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man.— 
Small  town   patronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH:  Special 
cast— 30%.  August  2-3-4.  Not  nearly  as  interesting 
as  the  book  and  none  of  the  cast  do  any  work  that 
compares  with  previous  efforts.  The  photography  is 
the  poorest  I  have  had  this  year.  The  fact  that 
the  book  has  been  largely  read,  alone,  saved  the 
day  for  me.  Nine  reels.— S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central 
theatre,    Selkirk,    Man.— Small   town    patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  FLAME:  Ronald  Coleman-Vilma 
Banky— 25%.  August  IL  Ran  this  on  Saturday 
night  and  lost  $7.  People  looked  at  the  advertising 
and  stayed  away.  Nine  reels.— G.  E.  Wendel,  Opera 
House,     Smithland,    la.— Small    town    patronage. 

RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio— August  8-9.  One 
of  the  very  best  pictures  I  have  shown  for  a  long 
time.  Play  it  by  all  means.— Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star 
theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111.— Small  town  patronage. 


Universal 


THE  ARIZONA  CYCLONE:  Fred  Hume— 50%, 
August  4.  A  good  Western  for  Saturday.  The 
star  is  a  comer.— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

A  TRICK  OF  HEARTS:  Hoot  Gibson-48%. 
August  1.  About  the  usual  Gibson.  Some  fun,  some 
riding,  a  fight  and  everyone  went  away  pleased. 
Six  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  theatre,  Richmond, 
Vt. — ^General   patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  IN  PARIS:  George 
Sidney — 27%.  August  5-6.  The  best  comedy,  fea- 
ture or  special,  we  have  run  yet  and  they  don't  like 
comedies  here  so  much.  But  this  one  pleased  and  we 
got  some  business  on  Monday  that  we  never  had 
before  on  any  picture  except  "Ben  Hur."  Play 
this  one  and  make  yourself  some  money  if  you  buy 
it  right.  Eight  reels.— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D. — ^General   patronage. 

THE       RAWHIDE       KID:  Hoot       Gibson— 13%. 

August  1.  Good  Western  for  small  towns.  Hoot 
is  better  than  usual  and  he  fought  a  good  little 
fight  in  this  one  and  got  the  girl  too.  Six  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COUNT  OF  TEN:  Charles  Ray— 10%. 
August  10-11.     About  as  poor  a  feature  as  Universal 


FRANCIS  X.  BUSHMAN,  Jr. 

Appearing  in                                                           _ 

"FOUR  SONS" 

JH^ 

The  Picture  that  broke  WF.F,K-END  records  at  the 
ROXY  THEATRE,  NEW  YORK 

Now  Making  Limited  Tour  Over  KEITH-ORPHEUM  Circuit 
in  "The   Ihird  Door,"  a  Mystery  Comedy  Playlet 

AVAILABLE  FOR  TALKING  PICTURES 

Personal  Direction  of 

Harry  Weber — Palace  Theatre  Bldsf..  New  York  z 

#       %'    ■i'pr    ^ 

: . 

rmr  acv  ?^*ti  "j-BiJiaa 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


FALLS  CITY,  NEB.,  August  12,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD- WORLD : 

Did  you  hear  Herb's  speech  out  at  Palo  Alto,  Cal.,  last  night?  Boy,  but  wasn't  that  a 
ringer?  Betcha  Al  will  have  to  step  on  the  gas  now.  It  just  seemed  like  Herb  plowed 
up  the  whole  field  and  didn't  leave  a  mnllen  stalk  nor  Russian  thistle  in  sight. 

We  heard  James  G.  Blaine  make  a  campaign  speech  at  Lafayette,  Ind.,  back  in  the  days 
when  they  wore  bustles  and  bloomers,  and  when  they  didn't  turn  off  on  the  side  roads, 
and  we  have  always  considered  that  speech  a  masterpiece,  and  from  that  day  to  this  we 
have  never  heard  anything  that  could  measure  up  to  it  until  we  heard  Herb  last  night, 
and  all  during  his  speech  we  kept  thinking  of  Blaine. 

We  were  especially  pleased  with  his  pronouncement  against  "Nullification  of  the  Con- 
stitution" and  his  plea  for  "Religious  Tolerance"  and  if  Al  will  come  out  as  square-toed 
on  these,  and  other  issues,  as  did  Herb  (and  we  don't  doubt  but  that  he  will)  the  country 
will  be  safe  no  matter  which  way  it  goes.  We  would  like  to  vote  for  Herb  and  Al  both 
but  we  can't  do  it  under  the  Australian  ballot  system,  therefore,  after  Al  makes  his 
speech  we  will  pick  one  of  'em  and  trust  to  luck.  While  Herb  was  making  his  speech 
there  was  a  hayracker  turned  to  us  and  said,  "Who's  that  guy  and  what  is  he  talking  about 
anyway?"  and  we  replied,  "You  can  search  us  brother,  but  you  won't  find  much,  but  from 
what  we  can  gather  that's  a  chap  by  the  name  of  Hoover  and  he  has  just  been  notified 
that  he  was  nominated  by  some  party  at  Kansas  City  for  president  of  the  United  States," 
and  the  fellow  turned  around  and  started  away  and  said,  "Hell,  I  heard  about  that  two 
months  ago."  That  illustrates  how  far  a  campaign  speech  will  get  under  the  hide  of  some 
people. 

York,  Neb.,  needs  a  guardian.  By  making  a  close  count  of  noses  we  presume  York 
could  show  an  aggregate  of  something  like  5,000  exclusive  of  the  cemetery,  and  York  has 
two  theatres  in  operation.  O.  C.  Taylor  operates  the  Dean  which  has  a  capacity  of  600  and 
is  a  very  creditable  theatre,  and  with  Mr.  Taylor,  a  most  congenial  gentleman  as  its  manager 
and  his  esteemable  wife  in  the  box  office,  York  has  nothing  to  kick  about.  The  Dean, 
together  with  the  Opera  House,  has  all  the  capacity  necessary  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  the  town,  but  the  North  end  of  "Main  street"  wanted  to  put  one  over  on  the  South  end 
so  they  are  just  completing  a  new  theatre  at  a  cost  said  to  be  $75,000  and  the  South  end 
is  going  to  go  the  North  end  one  better  and  has  commenced  the  erection  of  one  that  it  is 
said  will  cost  $100,000,  and  the  asylum  is  located  at  Hastings  and  a  good  gravel  road  all 
the  way. 

Someday  somebody  will  have  an  opportunity  to  buy  a  theatre  in  York  awfully  cheap,  but 
it  would  have  to  be  cheap  before  anybody  with  horse  sense  would  buy  it,  that's  why  York 
needs  a  guardian.  Besides  that  York  is  a  town  of  retired  farmers,  and  you  know  what 
that  means  to  the  theatre  business.  Outside  of  that  it's  none  of  our  business  what  York 
does,  but  we  just  thought  we'd  tell  you  about  it. 

*  *     * 

We  are  going  to  remember  Nehawka  a  long  time,  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Palmer  and  her  dinner 
is  responsible  for  it.  Mrs.  Palmer  is  the  lady  who  tells  J.  M.  when  to  get  up  and  light 
the  fire  in  the  furnace  and  put  the  tea-kettle  on  and  J.  M.  is  the  man  who  furnishes  Nehawka 
with  highclass  amusement  at  the  city  Auditorium,  J.  M.  says  there  is  always  a  scrap  at 
the  Palmer  home  when  the  HERALD-WORLD  comes  in  to  see  who  will  get  to  read  our 
colyum  first,  that's  the  only  weakness  we  could  delect  in  the  Palmer  family.  We  hope  to 
go  back  someday  and  we  hope  Mrs.  Palmer  will  still  have  supervision  in  the  dining  room. 

*  *     • 

At  Perue  we  met  three  delightful  people,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  S.  Whitfield  who  operate  the 
Crystal  theatre,  and  Colonel  Tom  Majors.  We  stayed  up  at  Whit's  delightful  home  and  sat 
on  his  front  porch  and  visited  with  this  couple  until  1  a.  m.  before  we  had  sense  enough 
to  go  back  to  our  hotel  and  let  those  folks  go  to  bed. 

The  next  day  Whit  drove  us  down  to  Brownville.  We  wanted  to  go  to  Brownville 
because  that  was  the  first  town  organized  in  Nebraska. 

Brownville  isn't  what  it  used  to  be,  it  is  but  a  faint  shadow  of  its  former  greatness  and 
the  shadow  is  liable  to  grow  dimmer  as  time  goes  on.  This  historic  town  is  located  on 
the  banks  of  the  Missouri  river  and  there  has  been  built  on  its  once  main  street  a  stone 
monument  with  a  tablet  which  marks  the  spot  where  the  first  company  of  Nebraska 
soldiers  was  formed  for  the  Civil  War. 

Colonel  T.  J.  Majors  was  the  Colonel  of  Nebraska's  first  regiment,  as  we  understand  it, 
and  the  Brownville  company  was  a  part  of  his  regiment.  The  Colonel  has  long  since 
retired  and  is  spending  his  declining  days  in  his  delightful  residence  in  Perue.  We  met 
the  Colonel  at  a  Nebraska  picnic  at  Tucson,  Ariz.,  last  winter  and  were  most  delighted  to 
call  on  him  at  his  home  in  Perue.  The  Colonel  and  the  writer  occupied  seats  in  many  a 
state  convention  in  the  days  agone  when  we  thought  that  unless  our  parly  was  successful 
the  country  was  on  the  down  grade  to  ruin,  but  we  have  come  to  learn  that  the  old  Ship 
of  State  still  sails  on  no  matter  what  the  political  complexion  of  the  Skipper  on  the  bridge 
might  be.    Yes,  we  are  glad  we  went  to  Perue,  yes  we  are,  darned  if  we  ain't. 

*     *     * 

A  few  evenings  ago  we  saw  a  picture.  We  wouldn't  mention  the  fact  only  since  seeing 
it  we  have  been  in  hopes  that  somebody  would  start  another  war  and  that  some  actors  and 
actresses  and  a  director  or  two  might  be  drafted.    We  are  not  going  to  tell  you  what  picture 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — Small 
town  patronage. 

STOP  THAT  MAN:  Arthur  Lake— The  scenario 
department  didn't  have  to  stay  up  all  night  writing 
thifi  one.  Suitable  for  children  up  to  16.  Too  silly 
for  anyone  older  than  that.  However,  Universal 
always  did  make  pictures  sviitable  for  the  mentality 
of  a  10  year  old  child.  Guess  they  figure  we  never 
grow  up.  Six  reels. — ^P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun  theatre, 
Kansas   City,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BUGGY  RIDE:  X^ura  La 
Plante — ^August  7.  Not  much  to  this  picture.  No 
business  and  part  of  those  that  came  left  before 
the  picture  was  through.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  0.  Knox, 
Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

TRICK  OF  HEARTS:  Hoot  Gibson— August  4. 
Very  silly,  poor  picture,  but  it  got  the  Gibson  fans 
and  they  didn't  kick  so  why  should  I?  Six  reels. — 
Mrs.  C.  Knox,  Star  theatre.  Villa  Grove,  111.— 
Small  town  patronage. 


has  turned  out  for  some  time.  Guess  Uncle  Carl 
is  beginning  to  make  up  on  the  C.S.C.— C.  W. 
Veseth,  Palace  theatre.  Malta,  Mont. — General 
patronage. 

THE  CAT  AND  CANARY:  Laura  La  Plante— 
Played  this  late,  but  it  went  over  to  big  business. 
If  you  have  paseed  this  up  pick  it  up  as  it  is  a 
very  good  mystery  picture  and  much  better  than 
the  average  of  that  type.  Nine  reels. — A.  J.  Saes, 
Star  theatre.  Willow  Springs,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE   FLYIN'   COWBOY:      Hoot   Gibson— Good   for 


Saturdays. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre,  Selma,  Cal. — 
General    patronage. 

A  HERO  FOR  A  NIGHT;  Glenn  Tryon— Airplane 
comedy,  slapstick  style. — J.  L.  Seiter,  Selma  theatre, 
Selma,   Cal. — General   patronage. 

LOVE  ME  AND  THE  WORLD  IS  MINE:  Special 
cast — August  1-2.  I  bought  this  picture  for  a  special 
and  gave  just  three  times  more  than  I  pay  for 
program  pictures,  and  found  I  had  bought  just  a 
very  ordinary  program  picture.  I  sure  got  gypped  on 
this  one  as  the  salesman  sold  it  to  me  for  more 
money  than   I   sold   it  to  the  public.      Seven   reels. — 


Warner  Bros. 


ONE  ROUND  HOGAN:  Monte  Blue— 50%.  Au- 
gust 11.  Have  just  begun  to  use  Blue  this  sum- 
mer and  my  patrons  like  him  fine.  A  snappy  ring 
drama  with  a  good  story  and  enough  action  to 
please  a  Saturday  night  crowd.  Seven  reels. — G.  B. 
Orne,  Richmond  theatre,  Richmond,  Vt. — General 
patronage. 

FIVE  AND  TEN  CENT  ANNIE:  Pazenda-Cooke 
— 30%.  August  10.  Not  60  bad,  not  so  good.  Just 
an  ordinai-y  picture  that  got  by  fairly  well.  Five 
reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  theatre,  Richmond,  Vt. 
— General  patronaeg. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY;  Rin  "Hn  Tin— 21%. 
August  3-4.  Best  Rin  Tin  Tin  picture  we  have  run 
yet  and  they  are  always  good  so  don't  be  afraid  to 
run  this  one.  Little  late  to  run  it,  but  when  they 
are  good  we  should  always  play  them  if  we  get 
good  print.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre,  Kimball,   S.   D. — General  patronage. 


Miscellaneous 


DUGAN  OF  THE  DUGOUT;  Paulino  Garon— 
55%.  August  4.  Here  is  a  real  comedy  and  one 
that  will  please  to  the  utmost.  Unusual  comedy 
and  good  story.  Well  acted.  You  won't  go  wrong 
on  this.  Only  objection  is  war  angle.  Army  pic- 
tures are  okey  if  they  are  "unhooked"  from  war 
connection.  Six  reels. — John  W.  Crabtree,  Joyland 
theatre.    Corning,   Ark. — General   patronage. 

THE  OLD  CODE:  Special  cas1^50%.  Au^st  1-2. 
A  picture  taken  from  James  Oliver  Curwood's  story 
of  the  North.  Went  over  very  well  with  my  crowd. 
Story  fair,  photography  excellent,  acting  fair.  A 
good  program  picture  of  it's  kind.  Six  reels. — John 
W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

STACKED  CARDS:  Fred  Church— 40%.  August  3. 
Didn't  see  this  but  my  little  boy  said,  "Nothin'  to 
holler  over,"  so  I  presume  it  wasn't.  A  fellow  is 
wasting  time  and  money  playing  unknown  "off 
brand"  stars  and  productions  when  known  stars 
from  known  companies  cost  but  little  more. — John 
W.  Crabtree,  Joyland  theatre.  Corning,  Ark. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 


Serials 


BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Universal): 
Have  just  finished  this  serial.  It  proved  a  mighty 
good  box  office  attraction  during  all  twelve  weeks. 
Book  iti— Isabelle  M.  Arquette,  Town  Hall,  Parish- 
ville,  N.   Y.— Small  town  patronage. 

BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Universal): 
This  serial  seems  to  draw  the  kiddies  but  the  adult 
patronage  has  fallen  off  since  starting  this  one. — 
C.  W.  Veseth,  Palace  theatre,  Malta,  Mont. — (Jen- 
eral   patronage. 

THE  GOLDEN  STALLION  (Universal):  A  very 
good  serial  for  rural  communities.  Plenty  of  action, 
good  story  and  will  pull.  Two  reels. — G.  B.  Orne, 
Richmond  theatre,  Richmond,  Vt. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER  (Universal)  :  Opened  last 
week  to  a  very  nice  business.  This  serial  looks  like 
the  goods. — E.  W.  Greene,  Star  theatre,  Constable- 
ville,    N.    Y. — General    patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  CAMEO  (Pathe)  :  Allene  Ray- 
Starts  out  like  a  considerable  improvement  over  the 
last  two  or  three  Pathe  serials  which  we  have 
found  very  disappointing  as  to  audience  reaction. 
"The  Masked  Menace,"  "The  Man  Without  a  Face" 
and  "Mark  of  a  Frog"  all  seemed  to  be  cut  from 
the  same  pattern — the  dull  monotony  of  the  same 
kind  of  pursuits,  captures,  escapes  and  stereotyped 
thrill  episode  endings,  without  a  particle  of  comedy 
for  relief.  The  latter  has  seemed  to  us  to  be  one 
of  the  most  necessary  elements  to  make  a  serial  en- 
tertaining and  has  been  entirely  lacking.  What  is 
the    reaction    of    other    exhibitors? — C.     M.     Stades, 


August  25,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


Y.    M.    C.    A.    theatre,    Morenci,    Ariz. — General    pat- 
ronage. 


Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 


EASY  STREET:  Charles  Chaplin-^ust  another 
of  Chaplin's  comedies  that  did  not  look  funny  to  us 
only  in  one  spot  and  that's  all.  Two  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WORKING  WINNIE:  Perry  Winkle— An  honest 
to  goodiiess  two  reels  of  fun.  This  one  has  Chaplin's 
claeeics  beat  50  miles  and  that's  going  some.  I 
will  take  Perry  anytime  instead  of  Charley.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General   patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

LISTEN  SISTER:  Lupino  Lane— Fine  comedy 
that  made  them  laugh  till  they  couldn't  laugh  any 
more,  so  must  have  pleased  them  this  time.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General   patronage. 

QUEENS  WILD:  Jack  Miller— Fine  comedy  but 
not  so  very  many  laughs  so  it  passed  fair.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D.— 
General    patronage. 

RACING  MAD:  At  St.  John— Very  funny  and 
exciting  comedy.  Two  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughn,  Siun 
theatre,    Kansas    City,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

SCARED  SILLY:  Just  silly  all  the  way  through 
and  the  spooks  have  anything  beat  on  the  screen 
today.  Two  reels. — ^Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,    S.    D. — General   patronage. 

THREE  TOUGH  ONIONS:  Monte  Collins— A  good 
Oameo  comedy.  One  reel. — P.  G.  Vaughn,  Sun  thea- 
tre,   Kansas    City,    Mo. — General   (patronage. 

UP  IN  ARMS;  One  of  the  best  comedies  we  have 
played  in  a  year.  Two  reels.— Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

HEAVY  INFANTS:  Three  Fat  Men— Not  so  good 
as  some  of  their  others.  Guess  folks  are  tiring  of 
their  same  old  stuff.— G.  B.  Orne.  Richmond  theatre, 
Richmond,   Vt.— General   patronage. 

HELEN  OF  TROY.  N.  Y.:  Cooke-Guard— Oood 
two  reeler.  Plenty  of  fun  and  all  to  ourselves.  No 
business  against  tentshow.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,   Kimball,   S.   D.— General  patronage. 

FOX 

FOX  ANIMAL:  Run  very  good.  Better  than  av- 
erage. Two  reels. — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  theatre, 
Richmond,   Vt.— General    patronage. 

OLD  WIVES  WHO  KNEW:  Just  a  comedy.  Two 
reels.- Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre.  Greenville, 
Mich. — General   patronage. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

CRAZY  HOUSE:  Our  Gang— This  is  a  dandy  with 
a  whiz  bang  ending.  Play  it.  Two  reels. — S.  B. 
Kennedy,  General  theatre,  Selkirk,  Man. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  CZARINA'S  SECRET:  Photography  and 
staging  beautiful  as  are  all  the  "Great  Events,"  but 
this  one  seems  to  lack  the  sort  of  story  interest  that 
would  iplease  the  crowd.  Two  reels. — C.  M.  Staples, 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci,  Ariz. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  FAMILY  GROUP:  Charlie  Chase— Good. 
Two  reels.— C.  M.  Staples.  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre, 
Morenci,   Ariz. — General   patronage. 

THE  FAMILY  GROUP:  Charlie  Chase— A  weak 
sister,  conipared  to  the  rest  of  this  series.  Too  much 
of  the  same  thing  for  two  reels.  Two  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughn,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

LEAVE  'EM  LAUGHING:  A  knockout.  Two 
reels. — C.  M.  Staples,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Morenci, 
Ariz.— General   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

FIGHTING  FANNY:  A  very  fair  funny  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS:  The  finest  and  classiest 
news  out,  and  furnished  as  bought,  not  a  couple  of 
weeks  older.- — G.  B.  Orne,  Richmond  theatre,  Rich- 
mond,  Vt. — General   patronage. 

SHORT  SOCKS:  Bobby  Vernon — ^Another  good 
Paramount  comedy.  Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  pat- 
Tonage. 

PATHE 

A  BLONDE'S  REVENGE:  Ben  Turpin— Good. 
Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,    Utah. — General    patronage. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

it  was  nor  who  made  it  because  the  Branch  Manager  who  circulates  it  is  a  good  friend 
of  ours  and  might  get  sore  about  it,  but  they  are  all  good  friends  of  ours  and  therefore  you 
will  be  entitled  to  guess  what  picture  it  was. 

After  seeing  this  picture  if  we  could  be  arrested  and  convicted  for  what  we  think,  the 
Jailer's  grandchildren  would  be  asking  grandpa  what  they  were  keeping  that  old  man  in 
there  so  long  for.  It  is  said  that  the  world  hates  a  kicker,  and  we  are  not  .-strong  for  'em 
ourself,  but  you  remember  what  Patrick  Henry  did,  and  what  a  rumpus  he  kicked  up,  and 
you  no  doubt  recall  when  Mrs.  O'Leary's  cow  kicked  the  lamp  over  in  Chicago  and  started 
a  smudge  that  kiUed  every  mosquito  around  Lake  Michigan  and  ran  all  the  rats  out  of 
the  basement  at  407  South  Dearborn  street  (we  saw  that  fire,  and  it  was  a  himidinger)  and 
the  main  reason  for  mentioning  this  is  to  prove  to  you  that  Pat  and  Mrs.  O'Leary  were 
Irish,  and  whenever  you  want  something  started  just  call  on  the  Irish,  and  if 
you  don't  think  they  can  start  things  just  try  rubbing  the  fur  the  wrong  way  on 
Frank  O'Hara's  back  and  see  what  happens.  We  are  not  Irish,  but  we  are  Welsh,  and 
that's  probably  a  whole  lot  worse.  Anyhow,  we  want  you  to  know,  Gertie  dear,  that  nor- 
mally we  are  not  a  kicker,  that  we  have  the  sweetest  and  most  angelic  disposition  of  any 
guy  who  ever  allowed  you  to  steer  the  flivver  off  the  main  road  and  step  on  the  brake. 
Speaking  gastronomically  (as  Thomas  O.  Service  would  say)  we  are  very  fond  of  dill 
pickles,  and  occasionally  when  we  overindulge  in  those  delicacies  we  are  apt  to  have  a 
sour  stomach,  at  which  times  we  are  willing  to  admit  that  we  are  not  so  prone  to  try  to 
prove  to  you  that  you  are  the  first,  and  only,  girl  we  ever  loved,  and  this  will  probably 
convince  you,  Gertie,  that  we  have  been  eating  dill  pickles.  Our  only  excuse  for  writing 
about  this  picture  is  to  fill  space,  for  if  we  don't  fill  just  so  much  space  each  week  Jay 
will  put  us  on  a  diet  of  icicles  with  salt  and  pepper  on  'em.  But  getting  back  to  that 
picture.  We  sat  through  the  first  reel  and  then  bought  a  sack  of  popcorn,  after  the  second 
spool  we  went  out  and  bought  us  a  bromo  selzer,  but  when  they  unwound  the  third 
skein  and  the  Undertaker  started  carrying  'em  out  we  didn't  care  whether  the  ship  went 
down  or  not,  in  fact  we  were  rather  in  hopes  it  would.  We  won't  teU  you  what  picture 
it  was  but  if  you  can  guess  it  we  will  send  the  HERALD- WORLD  to  you  free  of  charge 
for  two  years,  and  so  that  you  may  have  something  to  base  your  guess  on  we  will  say 
that  it  was  that  picture  where  the  hero  had  the  shero  wrapped  in  his  arms  and  was  kissing 
her  for  the  last  400  feet  of  film  while  the  flappers  in  the  audience  held  their  breath  until 
two  of  'em  choked  to  death,  you  remember  the  picture,  don't  you  Gertie? 

«     *     • 

Auburn  has  two  theatres,  one  in  operation  and  the  other  in  process  of  construction.  Both 
wiU  be  operated  by  Mr.  Bennett  of  the  Bennett  Amusement  Company.  Auburn  might  be 
able  to  scratch  up  3000  people  but  it  is  doubtful,  possibly  3500  at  the  most,  and  yet  there 

is  to  be  the  third  theatre  built  in  the  to'wn.    Auburn  is  too  far  from  Hastings. 

«     *     « 

We  have  had  the  pleasure  of  another  visit  with  our  old  friend  J.  F.  Mullin  who  operates 
the  Electric  theatre.  We  assume  from  the  name  that  J.  F.  is  Irish,  and  we  assume  also,  from 
the  pleasant  way  he  greets  the  folks  that  he  is  one  of  Nebraska's  most  popular  theatre  men, 
his  business  shows  that,  and  we  assume  also  that  J.  F.  meant  it  when  he  urged  us  to  come 
and  see  him  everytime  we  were  in  this  neighborhood,  which  we  expect  to  do. 

«     *     « 

We  were  invited  out  to  dinner  this  evening  to  the  home  of  Arthur  J.  Weaver,  Republican 
candidate  for  Governor.  We  didn't  talk  politics  much,  in  fact  one  can't  talk  much  politics 
and  do  justice  to  Mrs.  Weaver's  dinner  at  the  same  time.  After  dinner  we  took  a  spin 
around  town  with  Mrs.  Weaver  at  the  wheel  and  during  the  drive  Art  brought  up  the  sub- 
ject of  politics.  We  told  Art  that  we  weren't  much  of  a  politician  but  since  our  grand- 
father, Mitchel  Robinson,  was  one  of  the  committee  that  met  under  the  Oaks  at  Jackson, 
Mich.,  and  helped  form  the  Republican  party  we  still  felt  qualified  to  mark  an  intelligent 
ballot  after  we  got  into  the  booth  and  that  we  hoped  to  be  in  the  state  on  election  day. 

We  don't  know  where  he  got  the  idea  but  he  accused  us  of  being  a  Republican. 

If     *     « 

When  they  put  Lionel  Barrymore,  May  McAvoy,  William  Collier  Jr.  and  Alec  Francis, 
four  well  known  stars,  in  an  old  classic  like  "The  Lion  and  the  Mouse"  there  is  just  one 
result,  a  full  house  with  a  lot  of  folks  standing  outside,  and  that's  what  happened  tonight 
at  the  Rivoli.  Possibly  the  popularity  of  Glen  Carver,  the  manager,  had  something  to  do 
with  it,  anyhow,  that  helped  some,  but  when  those  four  stars  don't  pull  'em  in  its  time 
to  call  the  Sexton  and  order  crepe. 

Tomorrow  we  are  going  to  bid  the  United  States  goodby  and  go  into  Kansas.  Kansas  is 
where  the  sunflowers  and  ragweeds  grow  and  we  will  bet  four  dollars  against  a  bull  pup 
that  we'll  get  the  hay  fever  within  the  next  10  days.    Wire  us  a  remedy  for  hay  fever. 

/.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  Man. 


DO  DETECTIVES  THINK:  A  good  slap  stick 
comedy.  Two  reels. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  thea- 
tre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General   patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ANY  OLD  COUNT:  Fair  comedy.  Two  reels.— 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General   patronage. 

BUSTER'S  WHIPPET  RACE:  Buster  Brown— A 
sad  attempt  by  Universal  to  make  a  Gang  comedy. 
We  need  soime  new  faces  and  different  types  of 
comedies  from  Universal  or  the  C.  S.  C.  is  going  to 
be  a  cataistrophe  with  the  same  old  line.  Give  us 
more  cartoons  in  place  of  this  two  reel  stuff  that 
isn't  funny.  Two  reels. — C.  W.  Veeeth,  Palace  thea^ 
tre,   Malta,  Mont. — General  patronage. 

A  FULL  HOUSE:  These  Jones'  are  the  bunk  in 
this  town.     Nothing  to  talk  about  at  all.     Two  reels. 


— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

HIGH  AND  MIGHTY:  Puffy— Very  ordinary  single 
reel.  One  reel. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  theatre, 
Selkirk,  Man. — Small  town  patronage. 

SOCIAL  LYONS:  Ben  Hall-^ust  a  thousand  feet 
of  nothing.  One  reel. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,   S.   D.- — ^General   patronage. 

THEY  CALL  IT  LOVE:  Edwards— Not  a  bad 
single  reel.  One  reel. — S.  B.  Kennedy,  Central  thea- 
tre,  Selkirk,  Man. — Small  town  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

LARRY  SEMON  COMEDIES:  These  old  Vitagraph 
comedies  pleased  my  patrons  and  they  can  be  bought 
right.  Good  prints  out  of  Albany. — G.  B.  Orne, 
Richmond  theatre,  Richmond,  Vt. — General  patron- 
age. 


66 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


August  25,  1928 


^^^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


THE  United  Artists  theatre  seems  to  be  the  principal  sufferer  from  the 
Movietone  installers'  aversion  to  this  newest  of  the  labor-saving  devices. 
Other  houses  are  not  putting  the  contraption  in,  of  course,  but  B.  &  K. 
succeeded  in  getting  the  men  to  finish  installations  in  the  Chicago,  Uptown, 
and  Tivoli,  under  a  24-hour  agreement  which  the  management  of  the  U.  A. 
house  knew  nothing  about. 

As  to  what  it's  all  about,  those  "in  the  know"  sum  the  walkout  up  as  a  mani- 
festation of  the  fact  that  labor  is  "agin"  the  thing.  The  results,  if  any,  will  be 
fully  given  in  some  forthcoming  issue,  if  at  all. 

CHICAGO  is  manifesting  interest  of  the 
record-breaking  variety  in  "Lights  of 
New  York."  This  fact  may  not  be  of  such 
tremendous  significance  to  the  industry  at 
large,  inasmuch  as  Chicago  is  merely  the 
third  or  fourth  city  of  the  world  and  has 
only  four  or  five  million  people  in  its  metro- 
politan territory.  However,  Midwestern 
money  is  legal  tender,  so  Warner  Brothers 
are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  success  of  the 
first  all-talking  picture  at  B  &  K's  compara- 
tively small  McVickers,  where  the  production 
grossed  $48,000  in  the  first  week  of  its  run, 
breaking  all  records  for  that  house,  which 
just  before  had  played  Fox's  "Street  Angel" 
to  enormous  business,  and  has  numbered 
among  its  attractions  the  departed  but  never- 
to-be-forgotten  Paul  Ash. 


Among  those  present  among  us  this  week 
is  "Our  Gang" — and  this  being  the  city  it  is, 
perhaps  one  should  add  that  the  gang  men- 
tioned is  Hal  Roach's  bunch  of  comedy  kids. 
M  G  M  staged  a  suitable  reception  for  them 
last  Friday,  when  they  arrived  for  an  engage- 
ment at  the  Chicago  theatre.  Max  Schzvartz, 
who  was  one  of  the  reception  committee,  re- 
ports that  Joe  Cobb  was  the  most  readily 
identified  by  the  Chicago  kids  who  came  to 
greet  the  gang,  while  Farina  was  at  once 
sought  out  by  the  representatives  of  the  Negro 
newspapers. 

*        :■(        H^ 

Jerry  Abrams  of  the  Gotham  exchange, 
who  has  the  local  territorial  distribution  rights 
to  the  Tunney-Heeney  fight  pictures,  reports 
that  according  to  bookings,  the  public  is  still 
refuting  the  government's  persistent  conten- 
tion that  it  is  not  interested  in  fight  pictures. 
Marks  Brothers  is  presenting  them  at  its 
two   deluxe  neighborhood   houses   this  week. 

i}c       :(!       ^ 

Mighty  glad  tidings  of  the  week  were  those 
concerning  Walter  Brown  of  F  B  O,  who  re- 
cently suffered  the  bursting  of  a  blood  vessel 
near  an  optic  nerve.  Physicians  at  first  be- 
lieved that  the  sight  of  the  affected  eye  would 
be  entirely  and  permanently  destroyed,  but 
Walt  states  that  the  vision  is  gradually  re- 
turning and  that  the  medicos  expect  it  to  be 
completely   restored. 

^        i{;       siJ 

E.  M.  Saunders,  M  G  M  Western  sales  man- 
ager, was  in  town  a  few  days  last  week,  ar- 
riving from  the  East. 

*    *    * 

An  old  theatrical  landmark  has  disappeared 


ORDER  YOUR 

PHOTOTONE 

NOW 
L.  V.  KUTTNAUER 

845  So.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III.  Harrison  0737 


as  a  result  of  the  construction  of  Paddy  Har- 
mon's huge  sports  arena.  It  is  Aaron  Saper- 
stein's  Lincoln  theatre,  located  at  1846  West 
Madison  Street  and  one  of  the  early  picture 
houses.  It  was  dark  for  about  a  year  prior 
to  its   recent  razing. 

*  *     * 

The  F  B  O  organization  had  an  outing  last 
Saturday,  going  to  Elgin  for  the  afternoon. 
Golf  was  on  the  schedule  for  the  men,  with 
bridge  and  swimming  slated  to  occupy  the 
feminine   constituency. 

H^     ^     ^ 

Many  along  the  Row  and  elsewhere,  will 
be  grieved  to  learn  that  John  Wideman,  aged 
father  of  Allan  Wideman,  proprietor  of  the 
Centennial  theatre  at  Warsaw,  Ind.,  died  last 
week. 

H^    ^    ^ 

Charles  Scribana,  who  has  been  operating 
the  Palais  Royal,  on  Madison  Street  near 
Ashland,  has  closed  the  house. 

*  *    * 

Peter  Kalleres  has  just  installed  Photo- 
tone  in  his  Cosmo  theatre  at  Gary,  Indiana, 
and  Arthur  Lugg  has  done  likewise  in  his 
Gem  theatre  at  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin. 
L.  V.  Kuttnauer,  who  distributes  Photo- 
tone  in  Illinois,  reports  that  more  than  200 
theatres  throughout  the  country  are  already 
equipped  with  this   new   musical   device. 

*  *     * 

Incidentally — though  importantly  for  Pathe 
— Fitzpatrick  &  McElroy  has  closed  for  the 
rooster  brand  of  product.  Butterfield,  which 
took  over  the  F  &  E  houses  in  Michigan,  has 
also  contracted  for  the  Pathe  1928-29  pro- 
gram. 

*  *    * 

Have  you  a  little  bathing  beauty  contest  in 
your  theatre?  Maybe  you  haven't  a  theatre. 
Nevertheless,  the  question  seems  to  be  inter- 
esting most  everybody  these  days — and  bathing 
suits  being  what  they  are,  why  shouldn't  it? 
But  what  we  started  out  to  say  is  that  the 
Northwest  Side  has  stepped  in  line,  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  that  section  having 
sponsored  a  popularity  and  bathing  beauty 
contest  in  the  business  places.  To  what  extent 
the  theatres  are  involved  is  not  definitely 
stated  in  our  information.  But  beauty  con- 
tests being,  according  to  one  successful  ex- 
ploitation expert,  the  best  theatrical  publicity 
stunt  yet   conceived,   their   logical  place  is   in 

the  theatre. 

*  *     * 

The  commuters — and  otherwise — of  Crystal 
Lake  will  be  able  to  view  the  not-so-silent 
drama  in  a  1,000-seat  theatre  costing  $165,000 
after  about  next  February,  we  learn.  Local 
business  men  have  formed  the  Crystal  Lake 
Theatre  Corporation,  which  will  begin  con- 
struction of  such  a  house  the  first  of  next 
month.  It  will  be  of  Spanish  Mission  archi- 
tecture and  decoration. 

— G.  S.  (Batting  for  Whit.) 


Talk  About  Talkies, 
Then  Mix  With  Mix 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  21.— Will 
Morrissey  and  his  wife  were  conEned 
in  the  county  jail  Sunday  night  as  a 
result  of  altercation  at  their  home 
which  is  said  to  have  resulted  from 
an  argument  with  Tom  Mix  regard- 
ing talking  pictures.  Mix  is  alleged 
to  have  struck  both  Morrisseys  when 
he  left  the  Morrissey  home  early 
Sunday  morning  following  a  quarrel. 
Morrissey  is  said  to  have  claimed 
that  talking  pictures  would  bring  an 
end  to  the  popularity  of  Westerns. 
Two  warrants  for  Mix  were  issued. 


Critic  Is  Dubious  About 
Stage  Producers  Filming 
Their  Plays  with  Sound 

"If  our  throats  must  be  cut,  let's  cut 
them  ourselves,"  are  the  words  Ashton 
Stevens,  dramatic  critic  of  the  Chicago 
Herald  and  Examiner,  puts  in  the  mouths  of 
the  stage  producers,  to  express  their  attitude 
toward  the  rise  of  synchronized  pictures.  The 
critic,  writing  in  Sunday's  issue,  referred  to 
the  statements  of  the  stage  men  that  they 
might  film  their  own  plays  with  sound.  And 
Stevens  is  dubious  about  it,  declaring: 

"Owning  and  leasing  theatres  is  a  business, 
ticket  speculation  is  a  business,  printing  the- 
atre programs  is  a  business,  acting  is  a  busi- 
ness, but  producing  plays  is  just  shooting 
craps  in  a  big  way. 

"I  say,  God  help  the  producing  manager 
with  his  hunches  and  his  hates  when  he  goes 
against  the  huge,  impersonal  and  almost  per- 
fect machine — Business." 


$5ft00  Sought  in  Suit 
Charging  Fall  on  Dark 
Stairs  Caused  Injury 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  21.— Charging 
that  she  was  injured  January  13  when  she 
fell  on  a  landing  in  the  Blue  Mouse  theatre, 
M.  L.  Smith  today  filed  suit  in  circuit  court 
seeking  damages  of  $5,478  from  John  Ham- 
rick,  operator  of  the  theatre.  The  plaintiff 
claimed  the  landing  was  not  lighted  and 
that  she  did  not  see  the  step  leading  to  it. 


Frank  Sells  at  Waterloo; 
Opening  York,  Neb,,  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
WATERLOO,  IOWA,  Aug.  21.— Alexander 
Frank  has  sold  his  interest  in  the  Plaza  and 
Rialto  theatres  here  to  the  Waterloo  Orpheum 
Building  Company.  Early  in  September  he 
will  open  the  $125,000  York  theatre  at  York, 
Neb.,  first  of  a  chain  of  four  to  be  built  this 
season  in  Nebraska  cities  of  6,000  to  15,000. 

The  1,000-seat  York  theatre  will  have  a  full 
stage  and  all  modern  improvements.  It  will 
be  wired  for  sound  and  will  offer  three  acts 
of  vaudeville  on  Fridays  and  Saturdays  and 
dramatic  stock  every  other  Monday. 


Actress  Wed  to  Author 

Efforts  of  Mrs.  Carol  Frink  MacArthur 
Chicago  screen  critic  and  former  wife  of 
Charles  G.  MacArthur,  playwright  and  author, 
failed  to  prevent  his  marriage  to  Helen  Hayes, 
actress,  in  New  York. 

Designer  in  M  G  M  Fold 
NEW    YORK. — Gilbert   Adrian,    style   creator,    has 
joined     the     M  G  M     organization     and     is     designing 
gowns  for  Greta  Garbo  in  "A  Woman  of  Affairs." 


Recognizing  the  fact  that  changes 
in  method  come  in  the  splendid 
advancement  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany continues  its  own  forward 
march  and  maintains  its  supremacy 
in  presenting  to  the  trade 

Eastman  Panchromatic 


Negative 

Type  2 


— a  perfected^  proven  product 
for    the    cinematographer 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


.    tJJJ"IL^_*;ii-*S4S! 


jv^dss^ 


Hoifvarcl  Haw^ks' 


FAZIL 

with 

Charles  Farrell 

and 

Greta  Nissen 

Knocked  'em  cold 

at 

LOEW^S 
WARFIELD 

to   the   tune   of  the   greatest   week's 
receipts  ever  obtained  in  any  theatre  in 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

RE-LIVE  THE  DAYS  OF  '49 
IN  YOUR  BOX-OFFICE 


has  the  box-office 
nuggets^get  yours  ▲ 


EXHIBITOM 


"\ — w     '\ 


LOUD  SPEAKER 


"Our 
Dancing  Daughters"^ 
with    ravishing    Joan 
Crawford  makes  b.o.  his- 
tory in  Syracuse,  Baltimore, 
etc.    Sound  or  silent  it's 
the    loud    speaker 
for    Septem- 
ber! 


in 


M-G-M 

Hal  Roach  comedies 

for  new  season  greater 

than   ever.     Plus   sound! 

M-G-M  Movietone  News 

in  preparation.  Laugh 

those  off! 


The 

industry  marvels  at 

M-G-M  sound  progress. 

Sound  studios  East   and 

West.  Broadway's   biggest 

acts  in  M-G-M  Movietone. 

Shorts  and  features 

in  sound  all  set 

to  go! 


M-G-M 
line-up  for  new 
season  is  talk  of  the  in- 
dustry. "Excess  Baggage," 
"Our  Dancing  Daughters" 
— and  Lon  Chaney  in 
"While  the  City  Sleeps" 
are  just  appe- 
tizers! 


The 
outstanding  business 
is  being  done  by  M-G-M. 
"Mysterious  Lady"(Garbo) 
"Four  Walls"  (Gilbert)  each 
held  over  2  weeks  at  Capitol. 
Marion  Davies  in  "Card- 
board Lover"  another 
riot!  Hot  damn! 


THE  LION  ROARS! 

ETRO-GOLDWYN-MAY 


50LDWY\^ 


^.    J^ 


Sole  Vol.  92   No   9<'Vol    ^4    Nn    1?"»    ^S^"^^^ r?\f-^i''^^''^^'^^u,  "'""/J:;  August  20,   1917,   at  the  Post  Office  at   Chicago.  III.,   under  the  act  of  March  J,     c      .        i         ,     ,noo 
wuie  TUi.  ;>£.,  i^v.  g  v^voi.  jn,  no.  IC)     is/9.     Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St..  Chicago.     Subscription  S^.OO  a  year_^    Sh<:^jopies._2i_cents\    aeptembcM^  1928 


BB 


tueTOILEWJ* 


/ 


I 


TIFF<lNy-</>Tfll-IL   PRODUCTION</>  IMC. 


1^40    BRO^lDV^y 


MEW  yoi^K  ciT.y 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  3 

Fm  proud 

to  lie  In  tlie 
wleture  bni^lnei^i^ 


^  I'm  proud  because  this  business,  and  this 
business  only,  can  produce  a  masterpiece  of 
entertainment  like  "THE  PATRIOT"  and  give 
it  to  the  millions  of  the  earth  for  their  delight. 

^  I'm  proud  because  my  industry  can  earn  words 
of  praise  like  this  for  one  of  its  products : 


"A  trio  of  geniuses  have  evolved  a  cinema 
masterpiece.  Jannings,  Lubitsch  and  Stone. 
I  It  is  the  perfect  film  of  1928.  Out  of  fairness 
to  the  cinema  industry  you  owe  it  to  yourself 
to  see  The  Patriot'  ".  —N.  Y.  Daily  News 


"You  who  make  it  a  point  to  keep  lists  of  the 
year's  greatest  pictures,  just  chalk  down  'The 
Patriot',  for  there'll  be  few  screen  plays  this 
season  which  will  surpass  it". — N.  Y.  Eve.  World 

\   ''One  of  the  finest  things  we  have  seen  on  the 


I 


n: 


screen  m  many  years  « 


-Brooklyn  Eagle 


"A  magnificent  motion  picture.  Nothing  can 
rob  The  Patriot'  of  its  place  in  the  all-too- 
limited  category  of  great  and  permanent  mo- 


tion pictures 


— Film  Daily 


"For  absorbing  acting  and  direction,  don't 
miss  seeing  The  Patriot'.— iV.  Y.  Eve.  Journal 

'^'The  Patriot'  should  be  remembered  when 
all  the  so-called  bonder-pictures'  are  forgot- 
ten.  It  is  magnificent". 

— Exhibitor^s  Daily  Review 


/ 


If- 


K 


?■«*' 


■^ 


Macker/'  etc. 


< 


life     ^r'.t.^^to 


'-^  ,  fe^iM- 


Stomng  H 
NATAUE  KINGSTON 
and  FRANK  MERRIXX 

Directed  by  Jack  NelsoR 


%. 


^iVSiMCCi 


J 


%\ 


>o 


^•<s.   J"  jT    ^ 


'*^  \ 


■^-.  -#^ 


UM^, 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


^y^fteT%p 


BIG  BOY 

in 

^'Hot  Luck 


ft 


What  a  kid!  And  what 
a  comedy!  It  will  set 
any  audience  oh  fire 
with  enthusiasm. 


TKe  stveetest  sound  of  all  to  tke  sKoivman's 
ears  is  tke  roof-raising  lau^k  of  a  crotvdled 
house.  Sygv^eet  sounds,  too,  are  tlie  "ol&s"  and 
"aks"  krou^kt  ky  a  kreatk-taking  tkrill. 

Tkousands  of  skoivnien  kave  keen  ^ettin^ 
tkese  sy^eet  sounds— and  sweet  profits— ^«vitk 

Educational  Pictures  for  more  tkan 

ei^kt  years.  Tkis  year  tkere  ivill  ke  anotker 


REED  HOWES 


"The  Sky  Ranger' 

The  first  of  the  new"  Russ 
Farrell,  Aviator"  group.  A 
half  hour  of  high  adven- 
ture and  romance. 


That  rare  asset,  a  beautiful  girl 
who  can  be  really  funny. 


(f^^dcuUxUcnaJ  U  uZuajU-^ 


■, <V 


-THE  SPICE  OFTHE  PROGRAM" 


'TROUBLES  GALORE" 
with  Monty  Collins  '' 

CAAIEO  COMEDIES 


These  Cameo  Comedies  have  been  unfailingly  hitting 
the  ball  for  many  seasons.  And  Collins  is  one  of  the 
most  promising  of  the  younger  comedians. 


Lyman  H.  Howe's 
HODGE-PODGE 

Boasts  more  ideas  to  the  foot  than 
any  other  release  on  the  market. 

MEMBER  ,  MOTION  PICTURE  PROPOCERS 


^*^-^-- 


1 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


"CALL 
YOUR 
SHOTS" 

with 

Al  St.  John 

JMERMAID 
COMEDIES 

Faster  and  funnier 
than  ever !  And 
MERMAIDS  have 
for  years  been  the 
most  consistent  of 
all  fast  action  com- 
edies. 


=C\3= 


KINOGRAMS 

Twice-a-week  NEWS 

Enthusiasm  in  the  young  and  vigorous 
Kinograms  staff  is  reflected  in  consis- 
tent service  and  ranking  quaHty. 

.AND  DISTRIBWTORS  OF  AME.RICA  .Inc.   WILL  H-HAYX.  ^/J^S'/^^'VTr 


GIRLIES  BEHAVE" 

with 

Jerry  Drew 

IDE/iL  COMEDIES 

Motion  Picture  News  says  of  Drew : 
"He  is  a  comer  . , .  and  he  gives  every 
assurance  that  his  new  series,  the 
Ideal  Comedies,  will  swing  the  laugh 
pendulum  vigorously." 


^^^a^ 


kii&d  of  soand  witkEDUCATIONAL  PICTURES. 

For  Educational,  of  course,  will  lead  tke 

-way  in  siync]ironi;Ked[  SKort  Features.  But, 

first  of  all.  Educational  Pictures  will  be 

tke  hest  pictures  in  tke  short  subject  field. 

Look  over  tkis  line-up  tkat  begins  tke  season. 
Tkey'U  krin^  to  your  ears  tine  sweetest  sound 
of  all! 


LUPINO  LANE 

in 

"Pirates  Beware" 

A  comedy  masterpiece  be- 
ginning another  group  of 
splendid  burlesques  by 
the  greatest  of  all  two  - 
reel  comedy  stars. 


J 


"WEDDED  BLISTERS" 

with  Wallace  Lupino 
TUXEDO  COMEDIES 

A  new  angle  on  the  old  mother-in- 
law  triangle  that  will  make'em 
howl  with  glee.  And  a  fine  new 
comedy  star  revealed! 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc. 


TfT 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Warning ! 


The  Name  Vitaphone  is  a  registered 
Trade  Mark  owned  exclusively  by  The 
Vitaphone  Corporation,  which  is  owned 
One  Hundred  per  cent  by  Warner  Bros. 
Pictures,  Inc. 

No  one  is  permitted  to  use  the  word 
"Vitaphone"  except  in  connection  with 
the  product  leased  from  The  Vitaphone 
Corporation  or  Warner  Bros.  Pictures, 
Inc. 

Anyone  using  the  name  Vitaphone  in 
any  other  connection  infringes  this  Trade 
Mark  and  will  be  proceeded  against  ac- 
cordingly. 

THE  VITAPHONE  CORPORATION. 


H.  M.  WARNER, 

President. 


i^ 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


CLASS  OF  SERVICE 

SYMBOL 

Day  Message 

Day  Letter 

Bhie 

Night  Meesage 

Ntte 

Night  Letter 

NL 

H  none  d  theee  three  eymtwls 
aopears  after  the  cheek  (number  of 
words)  this  la  a  day  mesaage.  Other- 
wise  Its  character  is  Indicated  l>y  the 
•ymiMl  appearing  after  the  check. 

WEST^iK.  UNION 


AM 


TVnnl201 


N8WOOMB  CARLTON.  nwsiocNT 


OeOROE  W.  E.  ATKINS.  nitBT  VICK-MtCSIOCMT 


CLASS  OF  SERVICE 


Day  Mastage 


Day  Letter 


WIQHt  W6mfl6 


SYMBOL 


Blue 


Nlla 


WlflhtLetter ^W  L 

If  nona  of  these  three  ayinbola 
appears  after  the  check  (numlMr  of 
words)  tttels  a  davmes8age.0thefw 
wise  tocharacter  ts!indiGaled  by  tha 
syrobol  appearing  after  tha  chadb 


RECEIVED  AT 


1928  AUG  9  PM  6  43 
NA  75  37  -  DETROIT,  MICH  9  608P 
GOLVIN  BROWN, 

PATHE  EXCHANGE,  INC.,  35  W.  45th  ST.  ^ 

DELIGHTED  TO  ADVISE  YOU  THAT  WILLIAM  BOYD  IN  THE  GOP  AT 
CAPITOL  THEATRE  PLAYED  TO  MJD  SEASON  BUSINESS  IN  HOTTEST 
WEATHER  OF  SUMMER  STOP  PICTURE  GREATLY  PLEASED  ALL  PATRONS 
STOP  HOPE  HIS  NEXT  PRODUCTION  IS  AS  GOOD. 

GEO  W.  TRENDLE 


WHEN  SHOWMEN  TURN 
PRESS  AGENTS 

IT  MUST  BE  PATHOS  YEAR 


s 


'''*ADe  M^** 


^mmFmmmmmm 


Pathe's 


PICTURES 

OF  MONTH 


James  R.  Quirk,  Editor  of  Photoplay,  gives  Pathe'  top 
honors  in  ^""The  Best  Pictures  of  the  Month."  6  Winners 
selected.  2  OuT  Of  Six,  Pathe'  Hits— 4  for  all  other  com- 
panies combined— "CraiG'S  Wife"  and  "POWER"  chosen 
from  hundreds  of  films  as  supreme  entertainment. 

Critics^  Editors^  Showmen  and  the  Public  are  all  in  favor 
of  the  Pathe^  Platform— Super  Pictures  plus  Super  Service. 


n\ 


I 


new  program  clicks 

Two  of  the  season's  big  ones  pass  critical 
test  and  walk  away  with  first  honors  on 
Photoplays' s  list  of  best  pictures  of  month. 

^WIILIAM  BOYD 


i 


IN 


POWER 


with  JAQUELINE  LOGAN  and  ALAN  HALE 

**'T^HIS  picture  is  classed  as  one  of  the  best  of  the  month  for  no  par- 
A    ticular  reason  except  that  it  keeps  you  laughing  throughout. 

Bill  Boyd  again  appears  as  a  humanly  humorous  smart  aleck, 
which  seems  to  be  the  type  the  public  demands  of  him.  This  time 
Boyd  and  Alan  Hale  are  teamed  as  'Hwo-fisted  workers  on  both  dams 
and  feminine  hearts."  They  swing  back  and  forth  over  the  highest 
dam  in  the  world  without  the  bat  of  an  eye,  but  when  the  girl  "look- 
ing for  'clucks'  with  loose  jack"  comes  to  town,  they  fall  like  weak- 
lings and  are  both  duped  by  the  same  gold-digger. 

Jaqueline  Logan  very  capably  plays  this  girl  of  "Quaker  mien  and 
crafty  heart."  There  are  thrilling  fights  and  near-accidents,  but  the 
picture  is  essentually  a  comedy."  Photoplay 

CRAIG S  WIFE 

with  IRENE  RICH 

and  WARNER  BAXTER 

*'^|7ILLIAM  DEMILLE  gives  a  brilliant  picturization  of  a  Broadway 
»»  success,  completely  avoiding  spectacular  melodrama  and  forced 
situations.  It  starts  quietly  enough,  but  with  a  sure,  smooth  tempo, 
builds  to  a  tensely  dramatic  finish.  The  director  has  surpassed  him- 
self in  his  unique  power  to  portray  the  intrinsic  drama  of  the  ordi- 
nary human  frailties. 

Irene  Rich,  as  a  woman  who  married  wisely,  but  too  well,  has  a 
rare  opportunity  to  show  her  gift  for  intimate  characterization. 

Warner  Baxter  plays  the  role  of  the  slightly  henpecked  gentleman 
with  marvelous  sympathy  and  restraint.  A  simple  story,  yet  its 
handling  makes  it  drama  of  the  highest  order."  Photoplay 


A  Ralph  Block  Production 

Story  and  continuity  by  Tay  Garnett 

Directed  by  Howard  Higgin 


A  WILLIAM  C.  DEMILLE 
Production 

Adapted  by  Clara  Beranger 
from  the  stage  play  by  George  Kelly 


Pathe  (#)  Pic  tu  re  s 


'■'MOE  M^*''" 


I 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


I 


WARNER  BROS. 
PICTURES,  Inc. 
NOT  FOR  SALE! 


Do  not  be  \ 

misled 

by    what 

sales- 

men    for 

other 

companies 

may 

tell    you! 

Our 

Product 

will 

only  be 

sold 

through  our  own 

sales     organiza- 

tion. 

W  E  HAVE  felt  greatly  flattered  by  the 
^     many  reports  that  have  filled  the  press 
regarding  the  sale  of  Warner  Bros,  and 
Vitaphone,  Inc.  to  other  organizations. 

All  this  has  emphasized  Warner  Bros,  out- 
standing leadership.  For  it  is  obvious  that 
people  do  not  seek  to  buy  failures. 

However  we  feel  that  this  institution  is 
much  more  than  a  personal  business.  You 
have  had  a  vital  part  in  creating  Warner 
Bros,  success.  And  this  we  recognize  as  an 
obligation  not  to  be  lightly  cast  aside. 

As  we  did  not  fail  you  in  the  days  of  strug- 
gle, we  WILL  NOT  fail  you  in  the  days  of 
success.  Therefore  to  all  who  are  in  any 
way  concerned,  we  wish  to  say  emphati- 
cally and  publicly — 

WARNER  BROS.  PICTURES,  Inc. 
and  VITAPHONE  CORPORA- 
TION ARE  NOT  FOR  SALE. 


August  24,  1928 


WARNER  BROS.  PICTURES,  Inc. 

By   H.  M.  WARNER,  President 


Why^*^"^^ 


flockingto 


LS  amuel 
Torgan 


L 


lUCL 


»"•», 


ro 


"e^v 


•^'xo 


"Ou„ 


"^  '•"  *.  Or  , 
''''m^,''"^^y""^^  for  . 

^  ^^«M959  ou7^**io«e  ,ri^"*^«ecj  ff  *^  to 


-""Ml, 


^^^^^ 


*^We  cannot  reconcile  ourselves  to  the  belief  that  'we 
could  further  our  interests  •  •  •  "without  the  aid  of  such 
box  office  stimulants  as  the  ne^w  FOX  productions*' 

Another  shreivd  sfao'winaii  books  FOX  100% — Another  sho^rman 
ivho  knows  iw^ho  has  the  jump  on  everybody  in  sight  and  sound 


has  €9  $2  Specials 

^^      Ready 
for  your  prosperity    M^ 


Ne» 


.▼ 


f 


^hese  SIX  Specials  with  the  Marvelous  Photophone 


'The  Perfect  Crime' 

Clive  Brook,  Irene  Rich 

Story  by  William  he  Baron 

Directed  by  Bert  Glennon 

'HIT  OF  the  show 

Ralph  Ince  Production 

with  Gertrude  Olmsted  and 

Joe  E.  Brown 


'GANGWAR' 

Olive  Borden,  Jack  Pickford 
Directed  by  Bert  Glennon 

"BLOCKADE" 

Starring  Anna   Q.  Nihson 
Directed  by  George  B.  Seitz 


'THE  CIRCUS  KID' 

Frankie  Darro,  Helene  Costello, 

Joe  E.  Brown,  Poodles  Hanneford, 

Directed  by  George  B.  Seitz 

Chester  CONKLIN 


"TAXI  13 

Marshall  Neilan   Production 


» 


I 


erne 


Six  great  Special  Attractions... 
two  of  which  are  ready  now.... 
will  comprise  FBO's  program  of 
sound  and  dialogue  productions 
for  1928-29. 

These  have  been  and  will  con- 
tinue to  be  synchronized  by  the 
miraculous  RCA  Photophone-— 
conceded  the  best  of  all  motion 
picture  sound  devices. 


TOPHONE 


W 


The  gigantic  linking  of  FBO  Master 
Showmanship  with  the  mighty  scientific 
and  industrial  organizations  that  stand 
behind  PHOTOPHONE  is  of  deepest 
significance  to  showmen  everywhere. 

Communicate  at  once  with  your  nearest  FBO 
Exchange  and  obtain  complete  details  of  the  FBO 
SYNCHRONIZED  PHOTOPHONE  pictures. 


V 


'e^Z^^>^ 


'^e  t'J^^^ 


^^3;;l5  ^e 


*fesss,. 


Ecnr  «ie  mst  tiine  (m  ai^  scteea - 


Colleen  as  a  switnmev 


CoUeen  as  a  Imiglar 


Colleen  as  a  paifbr  maid 


CdHeen  as  a^'lai- V 

cyVow,  while  the  country  is  ringing 
with  praise  of  her  performance  in 
"Lilac  Time",  you  can  give  them— 


Ifew  and  Di^^^eid^ 


1 


Scfnario  by 

A  R   E  Y 
in  L  S  O  N 

Directed  hv 

MERVYN 
L  E  R  O  Y 


COUXEM  HG9RE  S 


Presented  by  JOHN  NcCORNICK 

A  carnival  of  comedy  from  one 
of  the  biggest  musical  comedy 
successes  Broadway  has  ever  known 

Gut  it  today  frovn 

FIRST  NATIONIiL 


f 


\ 


With  Dorothy  Nac- 
kaillf  Ralph  Forbes^ 
Anna  Q.  Nilssonr 
Lowell  /herman.  A 
Charles  J.  Brabin 
Production.*  Pre- 
sented by  Richard 
A .    Rowland. 


All  the  thrills  of  horse  racing 
In  a  ding-dong  battle  down  the 


stretch!  1    *  U* 

separate  big  scenes  in. 

one  — ""^  "^^ 


special^ 


notional 
Pictures 


mm 


■MffMHHkktflM 


^ 


■T'5  GOT   EVERYTHING includinq  SOUND 

Whether  if  out-  theatre  is  Wired  or  not  -^— 


riQN  PICTURES 

are  a  bOUND  investment  / 


Y^ 


The 

Independent 

Film  Trade 

Paper 


Home 
Office: 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

^  MOVING    PICTURE  407So.DearbomSt. 

WORLD   ~" 


IN  THIS   ISSUE 


Musicians  at  Saenger  theatre  in  New  Orleans  strike  in  sympathy  with  organists  at  Tudor,  remodeled 
with  sound  equipment;  Stagehands  at  Loew's  State  quit  work;  Complete  tieup  September  1  is  pre- 
dicted ;  Installations  at  score  of  houses  in  Indiana  are  delayed  by  walkout  of  electrical  workers ;  Chi- 
cago union  demands  minimum  of  six  musicians  and  organists  in  addition  be  employed  in  non-deluxe 
theatres  showing  synchronized  pictures. 


COMPLETE  INDEX  TO  CONTENTS 


NEWS 


Law  barring  minors  from  theatres  in  Quebec  is  killed  as  exhib- 
itor is  granted  writ  preventing  prosecution — Toronto  showmen 
form  cooperative  buying  association. 

Exhibitor  rescues  Indian  tribe  from  extinction  and  is  made  agent 

for  red  men — Final  Fox-Poli  papers  are  signed. 

European  exhibitors  organize  to  contest  U.  S.  film  control — Simon 

Legree  is  transformed  into   Northerner  so  picture   can  show  in 

Dallas. 

Canadian  buying  is  not  affected  by  sound;   Slow  at  St.  Louis — 

Four    Gregory    &   Bernasek    theatres    in    Chicago    are    added    to 

chain  operated  by  receiver. 

DEPARTMENTS 

Synchronized  Pictures   37 

The  Studio    41 

Short  Features   45 

Presentation  Acts   46 

The  Theatre   53 

Classified  Advertising   59 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 61 

Chicago   Personalities    66 


FEATURES 


Service  Talks  by  T.  0.  Service 52 

Los  Angeles  by  Douglas  Hodges  42 

Pictorial  Section   31 

Letters  from  Readers 60 

Quick  Reference  Picture  Chart 55 

Broadway    26 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

FILM  AND  EQUIPMENT— M  G  M,  Tiffany-Stahl,  Paramount, 
Fox,  Universal,  Educational,  Columbia,  Pathe,  United  Artists, 
F  B  0,  Warner  Brothers,  First  National,  Charles  Lamont,  George 
Sidney,  John  Stone,  Victor  Schertzinger,  Alfred  E.  Green,  Auto- 
matic Ticket  Register,  Eastman  Kodak,  Vitaphone. 

PRESENTATIONS— Maxwell  and  Lee,  McNeil  Smith,  Ulderico 
Marcelli,  Milton  Slosser,  Bob  Billings,  Ramon  Berry,  Sunshine 
Sammy,  Henri  A.  Keates,  Brooks,  Costumes,  Ransley  Studios, 
Jack  Martin,  Lew  White. 


CBICACO 
407    South   Dearborn   St.  Telephones   Harrison   0036-S7-33 

Cable    Address :     Qnigpubco 
EDWIN     S.     CXIFFORD,     Genvral     Manager 
JAT    M.   SHRECK,    Maaaging   Editor 
CEOBCE    CLIFFORD,    Business    Manager 
E3U«B9T  A.   ROVELSTAD,   JVeics   Editor 
LOS  ANCELES 
'5617   Hollywood  Bird.  Telephone  Gladstone   S7S4 

DOUGLAS   BODGES 
ITest  Coast  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

AND 

ADVERTISING 

OFFICES 


NEW    YORK 

565   Fifth  Avenue  Telephones   Vanderbilt  3612-36<13 

JAMES  BEECROFT,  Nea  York  Advertising  Manager 

PKl'EU    VISCBESt,    New    York   Editor 

LONDON 

THE  BIOSCOPE 

(J.  Caboum,  Editor) 

Faraday    House 

8-10   Charing  Cross  Rd.,  W.  C.   2 


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22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS       , 

HERALD 


ali 


i  MOVING  PICTURE 


WORLD 

Martin  J.  Quigley,    PublishercS^Editoir 

Incorporating  Exhibitors  Herald,  founded  in  191S;  Moving  Pic- 

TUBi  World,  founded  in  1907;  Motography,  founded  in  1909;  and 

The  Film  Index,  founded  in  1909 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 
Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretory  Geobge  Clifforb,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulation* 
Copyright,  1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 
AH  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 
Other  Publications:     The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing  motion    picture   trade    publications   published    as   supplements   to    Exhibitors 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:     Better  Theatsxs,  every  fourth  weelc,  and 
The  Buyers  Index,  published  semi-annually. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  9   (Vol.  34,  No.  12)   September  1,  1928 


"Don't  Insist  on  Sounds' 

RECENTLY  we  were  present  at  a  conference  between 
the  head  of  an  important  theatre  circuit  and  a  group 
of  his  executives.  In  this  discussion  of  the  existing  situa- 
tion with  his  associates  this  theatre  owner  very  obviously 
aimed  primarily  to  still  the  apprehensions  of  his  executives 
and  get  them  out  of  the  somewhat  confused  state  of  mind 
which  seems  to  be  affecting  a  considerable  part  of  the 
trade.  The  position  assumed  by  this  owner  is  worth  noting 
carefully. 

In  taking  up  the  situation  lightly  he  first  assured  his 
men  that  there  is  certainly  no  cause  to  worry  now  that  the 
industry  has  at  last  attained  his  great  objective;  that  is, 
that  it  has  finally  gotten  on  a  sound  basis.  For  a  moment 
it  appeared  as  if  he  was  simply  going  to  join  with  Mr. 
Hays  in  asking  for  "confidence  and  cooperation"  but  he 
presently  turned  to  the  main  import  of  his  message,  which 
was  as  follows: 

DON'T  INSIST  UPON  SOUND  PICTURES. 

This  owner  frankly  and  fully  recognizes  the  advent  of 
the  sound  picture  and  further  recognizes  the  import  of 
this  development  as  far  as  the  future  of  motion  picture 
theatre  entertainment  is  concerned.  Rut  with  a  shrewd 
eye  to  the  season  at  hand  he — very  wisely,  we  think — in- 
sists that  during  the  transformation  in  product  which  is 
taking  place  the  standard  of  entertainment  which  the 
public  has  been  accustomed  to  must  be  maintained  and 
that  a  good  picture  without  sound  will  continue  to  hold  a 
most  important  position  in  the  industry,  at  least  during 
the  coming  season  if  not  indefinitely. 

We  think  that  no  better  or  more  timely  advice  could 
be  offered  to  buyers  than  not  to  insist  upon  sound  pic- 
tures. Novelty  always  has  been  and  probably  always  will 
be  a  great  factor  in  the  amusement  business,  but  sound 
pictures  do  not  mean  simply  the  introduction  of  a  novelty; 
they  mean  a  radical  transformation  of  the  business  from 
one  end  to  the  other.  This  transformation  cannot  be  ac- 
complished in  a  week  or  a  month  and  meanwhile  the 
public  must  be  served  and  served  in  keeping  with  its 
requirements. 

Of  course,  it  hardly  need  be  mentioned  that  sound  pic- 
tures will  be  great  attractions  during  the  coming  season. 


A  great  public  interest  in  these  pictures  is  being  created 
and  a  buying  public  for  them  will  be  at  hand.  But  sound 
pictures  cannot  maintain  attendance  on  novelty  alone; 
unless  they  amount  to  quality  entertainment  the  exhibi- 
tors' mad  dash  to  obtain  them  will  be  a  hollow  victory. 
And — it  may  be  noted — there  cannot  possibly  be  more 
than  a  limited  quantity  of  meritorious  sound  pictures 
available  or  showable  during  the  coming  season. 

The  point  which  we  think  should  be  most  strongly  em- 
phasized is  that  exhibitors  at  this  time  should  adopt  a 
policy  which  will  save  their  business  from  serious  dis- 
turbance during  the  coming  season.  And  such  a  policy  is 
contained  in  the  advice:  "Don't  insist  upon  sound  pic- 
tures." Let  them  be  used  where  facilities  are  available 
and  when  they  are  of  proper  quality,  but  remember  that 
there  will  be  plenty  of  unsynchronized  product  which  will 
maintain  and  build  attendance  and  which  must  be  used! 

*  -&      * 

Censors  and  Sound 

MR.  CHARLES  C.  PETTIJOHN,  general  counsel  of 
the  Hays  organization,  made  very  plain  in  an  ap- 
pearance last  week  before  the  city  council  of  Portland, 
Ore.,  that  the  industry  has  some  very  positive  ideas  on  the 
subject  of  protecting  itself  against  the  extension  of  censor- 
ship to  the  audible  part  of  synchronized  pictures. 

There  is  no  question  that  the  politically  entrenched 
proponents  of  censorship  will  seek  to  have  their  say  about 
the  spoken  parts  of  sound  pictures,  but  in  doing  this  the\ 
are  very  likely  to  create  a  situation  in  which,  if  the  in- 
dustry properly  handles  its  case,  a  widespread  and  per- 
manent triumph  over  the  whole  matter  of  the  censorship 
evil  may  be  realized. 

It  has  been  an  unfortunate  fact  that  throughout  the 
entire  history  of  the  censorship  fight  there  have  been  cer- 
tain elements  among  the  exhibitors  which  have  been  either 
lukewarm  or  plainly  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  fence.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  with  the  re-opening  of  the  censorship 
question,  which  is  certain  to  be  precipitated  by  the 
sound  picture,  the  entire  body  of  exhibitors  will  show 
an  united  front,  lining  up  with  whatever  other  efforts 
the  industry  may  be  able  to  put  forth  to  down  censorship 
once  and  for  all  time. 

Exhibitors  may  be  warned  that  as  bad  as  has  been  the 
censorship  annoyance  and  evil  with  the  silent  picture  it 
is  bound  to  be  many  times  worse  with  the  sound  picture 
— in  annoyance  and  in  actual  loss. 

IN  a  number  of  irresponsible  quarters  in  the  industry 
there  is  a  lot  of  ridiculous  talk  going  on  about  tele- 
vision and  the  new  evil  for  the  trade  that  it  is  supposed  to 
represent.  It  does  seem  that  in  practically  any  quarter  of 
the  industry  at  this  time  there  are  enough  grounds  for 
worry  about  real  and  existing  problems  to  leave  no  room 
for  this  type  of  ghosting. 

\  GRAPHIC  illustration  of  the  confused  state  of  mind 
l\  that  exists  here  and  there  in  the  trade  on  the  subject 
of  sound  pictures  may  be  seen  in  a  recent  advertisement 
of  one  of  the  film  companies  in  which,  on  a  single  page, 
the  company  both  announced  a  new  sound  picture  and 
warned  against  sound  pictures. 

*  «•      * 

MR.  JOSEPH  M.  SCHENCK  insists  upon  making  the 
record  clear  as  to  his  position  on  sound  pictures. 
Again,  upon  his  return  from  abroad,  he  re-stated  his  posi- 
tion that  dialogue  must  be  a  handicap  and  not  an  ad- 
vantage to  pictures.  It  may  be,  after  all,  that  Mr.  Schenck's 
position  is  really  similar  to  that  of  Mr.  Jesse  L.  Lasky  who 
remarked  his  regret  that  sound  had  not  awaited  the  com- 
ing of  the  next  generation  as  he  had  found  the  silent  pic- 
ture alone  quite  troublesome  enough  without  the  added 
complication  of  synchronization. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


New  Orleans  Musicians  Out; 

Stagehands  Also  Quit  Work 

Complete  Tieup  Threatened; 
Indiana  Installations  Halted 

Chicago  Union  Demands  Six  Musicians  in  Non-Deluxe 

Theatres  Using  Sound 


LABOR  SITUATION 
AT  A  GLANCE 

NEW  ORLEANS.— Musicians  at  Saen- 
ger  theatre  walk  out  in  sympathy  with 
organists  at  Tudor — Stagehands  strike  at 
Loew's  State.  Cityivide  tieup  September 
1  is  predicted,  with  projectionists  refus- 
ing to  work  open  shop. 

INDIANAPOLIS.— Sound  installations 
in  scores  of  Indiana  houses  are  delayed 
by  electrical  workers'  strike.  Musicians 
are  dissatisfied  but  contract  extends  until 
September,  1929. 

CHICAGO. — Installations  of  sound 
equipment  still  are  tied  up  by  electrical 
ivorkers'  strike.  Musicians  union  de- 
mands minimum  of  six  men,  exclusive  of 
organists,  be  employed  in  theatres  with 
sound  equipment,  and  organists  must  be 
retained.    Strike  at  "legit"  house. 

DETROIT.— Projectionists  demand  30 
per  cent  wage  increase  and  reject  exhibi- 
tors' counter  proposal. 


''VieW'With- Alarm  " 
Folk  Use  Television 
As  Latest  ''Menace'' 

Science  is  injecting  a  lot  of  controversy 
into  the  already  quite  controversial  motion 
picture  industry,  even  if  it  isn't  doing  any- 
thing else.  And  it  is.  First  came  radio, 
now  synchronization,  while  television  will 
— but  maybe  it  won't.  Lee  De  Forest  of 
Phonofilms  has  had  something  to  say  on 
television,  in  a  telegram  responding  to  a 
request  for  an  opinion  from  Popular  Me- 
chanics Magazine.  Forest  opined  as  fol- 
lows : 

"Satisfactory  television  in  the  home  is 
a  very  long  way  off.  For  the  next  few 
years  radio  fans  will  derive  much  interest 
from  unclear  silhouette  effects.  All  this 
talk  about  motion  pictures  by  radio  in  the 
home  as  being  just  around  the  corner  is 
the  veriest  bunk."  And  other  words  to 
that    end. 

Meanwhile,  television  and  synchronization 
companies  are  beginning  to  form.  Last 
week  in  New  York  State,  although  no  pro- 
ducing companies  were  formed  (an  unusual 
thing),  the  Photo-Television  Corporation, 
the  Perfection  Synchronizing  Service,  and 
the  Filmtone  Corporation,  all  of  New  York 
City,  took   out  papers. 

Moreover,  L.  Bamberger  &  Company,  op- 
erators of  station  WOR,  Newark,  last  week 
presented  a  drama  by  television.  The  re- 
sults, however,  are  said  to  be  such  as  to 
warrant  none  of  the  alarm  expressed  last 
week  by  Milwaukee  exhibitors  over  motion 
pictures   in   the   home. 


Joseph  A.  Wallace  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  28.— Joseph  A.  Wallace, 
who  one  time  conducted  a  chain  of  motion 
picture  theatres,  died  last  week  at  his  home. 
Ke  was  67  years  old. 


The  issue  between  labor  and  sound  pictures  is  rapidly  heading  toward  a 
climax — and  showdown.  At  New  Orleans  a  complete  closing-  up  of  theatres 
September  1  is  likely,  with  several  walkouts  already  in  effect,  starting  with  a 
controversy  over  employment  of  organists  in  theatres  using  synchronized 
music. 

In  Indiana,  scores  of  sound  installations  have  been  delayed  by  the  strike  of 
electrical  workers.  In  Chicago,  the  musicians  have  presented  demands  that 
in  all  Class  Six  houses,  which  do  not  include  the  deluxe  theatres,  a  minimum 
of  six  musicians,  exclusive  of  organists,  must  be  employed  in  any  theatre  using 
synchronization,  and  the  organists  must  be  retained.  The  audience  at  the  Illi- 
nois, Chicago  "legit,"  was  dismissed,  when  musicians  and  stagehands  struck 
after  a  demand  that  13  musicians  be  used  for  "Whispering  Friends,"  a  non- 
musical  play. 


Several  Strikes  at 
New  Orleans  Start 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Aug.  28.— Charging  that 
the  management  had  failed  to  live  up  to  a 
$1,400  contract  for  two  relief  organists  at  the 
Tudor  theatre,  twenty-three  musicians — pit, 
stage  and  organists — walked  out  of  the  new 
Saenger  theatre  Friday  night  after  the  last 
performance  in  a  sympathy  strike.  The  Tudor 
closed  July  28  for  repairs.  When  the  Tudor 
reopened,  the  organ  was  abolished  and  Movie- 
tone and  Vitaphone  substituted.  The  musicians 
declare  that  the  organists  should  be  paid 
under  iheir  contract  whether  working  or  not. 
Negotiations  were  futile.  Then  the  musicians 
issued  an  ultimatium  demanding  that  the  or- 
ganist salary  be  paid  by  Saturday  or  they 
would    quit. 

This  notice  then  was  posted  on  the  bulletin 
board : 

"We    accept   the   challenge.      Why   wait    till 

tomorrow?     Walk  out  tonight.     We  are  glad 

to   know   our   friends,    when   particularly   you 

had  recourse  through  civil  suit  or  arbitration." 

(Signed)   E.  V.  Richards,  Maurice  Barr. 

G.  Pipitone,  business  agent  of  Local  174, 
issued  the  call  for  a  walkout.  The  Saenger 
then  obtained  sound  films  and  synchronized 
presentations  by  airplane  from  Atlanta  and 
billed  the  program  as  a  100  per  cent  sound  per- 
formance. The  Saenger  theatre  features  its 
symphony  orchestra  and  organists.  That  the 
audience  were  disappointed  was  evidenced  by 
a  falling  off  of  business.  Nevertheless,  the 
Saengers  notified  the  organists  of  affiliated 
suburban  houses  not  to  report  Saturday. 

Friday  afternoon  a  controversy  between  the 
stagehands  of  Loew's  State  and  Rodney 
Toups,  resident  manager,  caused  a  walkout 
of    stagehands.     Later,    the   Loew's   musicians 

(Continued  on  page  60) 


Scores  of  Indiana 
Theatres  Affected 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  28.— Installation  of 
sound  picture  apparatus  in  scores  of  theatres 
throughout  Indiana  has  been  delayed  as  a 
result  of  the  walkout  of  union  electrical  work- 
ers which  began  to  take  on  national  sig- 
nificance several  weeks  ago  and  has  similarly 
delayed  installations  in  Chicago  and  elsewhere. 
Inauguration  of  sound  pictures  at  Loew's  State 
theatre  at  Indianapolis  will  be  postponed  a 
week  or  more,  according  to  Wallace  R.  Allen, 
manager. 

From  headquarters  of  the  musicians  union 
come  reports  of  dissatisfaction  over  the  pres- 
ent agreement  with  the  theatres  here,  com- 
plaints being  based  on  the  present  rise  of 
synchronization.  The  musicians  are  begin- 
ning to  blame  their  own  officials  for  making 
the  agreement,  which  does  not  expire  until 
September,   1929,   for  so  long  a  period. 

Meanwhile,  the  exhibitors  are  "sitting  tight," 
the  consensus  being  that  the  musicians  can 
do  nothing  about  the  situation  until  the  pres- 
ent contract  expires. 

Chicago  Issue  Rises ; 
Musicians  Make  Demands 

In  Chicago,  where  the  electrical  union 
struck  several  weeks  ago,  the  sound  pic- 
ture labor  situation  remains  the  same. 
The  houses  installing  or  intending  to  install 
synchronization  apparatus  are  still  unable  to 
tell  when  they  will  be  able  to  begin  sound 
pictures.  The  United  Artists  theatre  in  the 
Loop  is  using  the  synchronization  screen  which 
had  been  substituted  for  the  regular  screen 
when  the  walkout  took  place. 

No  comment  whatever  as  to  possibilities  of 
an  agreement  between  the  theatres  and  the 
(Continued  on  page  60) 


L.  W.  MacClintock  Marries 

DALLAS. — L.  W.  MacClintoc,  booker  of  the 
Dallas  Paramount  exchange,  married  Miss  Bemice 
Bacon   of   San   Antonio   last   week. 


Making  Simon  Legree  into  Northerner 

Passes  ''Uncle  Tom 's  Cabin ''  at  Dallas 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DALLAS,  Aug.  28. — Private  showing  of  Universal's  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin" — 
Delegation  from  United  Sons  and  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  protests — Simon 
Legree  becomes  Yankee — Presto!  Show  goes  on. 

Atlanta  barred  the  picture,  but  it's  O  K  in  Dallas  provided — the  North  is  made 
responsible  for  the  villain,  the  "cruelty"  footage  is  reduced,  a  prologue  is  added 
to  explain  that  some  of  the  occurrences  were  not  customary,  and  the  time  becomes 
during  the  "war  between  the  states"  instead  of  the  "Civil  War." 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


wtm 


0NEVV  YORK.— George  White  is  thinking 
jl  of  forgetting  all  about  his  "Scandals"  to 
take  up  the  production  of  sound  pictures.  .  .  . 
Comedies. . . .  This  is  an  age  of  mechanization, 
he  pronounces  with  considerable  dignity, 
which  is  more  than  some  people  can  just  pro- 
nounce. 

IJThey  finalh-  landed  Texas  Giiiiiaii.  .  .  . 
JVanier's  is  sending  her  to  the  West  to  record 
her  golden  voice.  .  .  .  She  got  quite  a  fare- 
well luncheon  at  Sardi's  but  who  wants  to 
wait  an  hour  even  for  Texas? 

IJThe  drama  complains  that  the  talking  pic- 
tures have  swiped  all  the  actors  and  actresses. 
.  .  .  Now  it  develops  that  the  screen  has,  on 
the  contrary,  given  the  drama  a  lot  of  actors 
and  actresses.  ...  It  seems  that  plenty  of 
picture  players  suddenly  out  of  jobs  are 
around  the  managers'  offices  looking  for  work 
and  the  big  opportunity  to  learn  how  to  use 
your  voice. 

IjTin  Pan  Alley  is  sitting  pretty  these  days. 
.  .  .  Anybody  who  ever  wrote  a  tune,  with  one 
finger  or  ten,  is  being  signed  up  for  the 
musical  pictures. 

1[The  Marx  Brothers  will  probably  make 
their  skits  into  sound  comedies  for  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer.  .  .  .  That  won't  cost  so  much. 

^Nat  Rothstein,  having  just  published  a 
thoroughly  informative  book  entitled  "How  to 
Make  Money  With  Serials,"  is  on  his  way  to 
Europe  for  a  vacation,  .  .  .  Isn't  going  to  miss 
a  thing. 

'^George  Abbott,  who  put  on  "Broadway" 
and  nearly  everj'thing  else  last  season,  is 
about  to  go  West  with  a  fat  contract  to  in- 
dulge his  whim  for  talking  pictures.  .  .  .  He 
just  staged  "Gentlemen  of  the  Press"  and 
probably  wants  to  get  as  far  away  as  possible. 

^The  new  Van  Vechten  book  is  all  about 
Hollywood.  ...  So  they  say. 

^The  Roxy  is  having  a  swell  time  with  the 
big  Fox  pictures.  They  finally  had  to  throw 
"Street  Angel'  out  of  the  place,  before  it  took 
over  the  house  for  a  roadshow  run,  and  now 
"Four  Sons"  is  in  its  third  week. 

^"The  Patriot"  seems  to  have  almost  unani- 
mous approval  from  everybody,  including  the 
critics.  .  .  .  That  was  almost  too  much  to  hope 
for. 

^The  sigh  of  relief  that  swept  to  sea  the 
other  night  like  a  tornado  was  nothing  more 
or  less  than  a  deep  breath  at  the  First  Na- 
tional studios Joseph  P.  Kennedy  hasn't 

signed  up  anybody  in   England  yet,   but  then 
as  this  is  \vritten  he  hasn't  landed  yet. 

^PJtil  Reisman,  genera)  sales  manager  of 
Pathe,  is  back  from  Canada  full  of  optimism. 

'^Jack  Co'ogan,  in  person  if  you  please,  is  to 
appear  at  the  Paramount  theatre  early  in 
September.  .  .  .  He  will  be  with  his  dad  in  a 
song  and   dance  routine. 

^Mrs.  Edgar  Lenjis  was  in  town.  .  .  .  On  a 
business  trip  for  her  husband,  the  w.  k.  di- 
rector of  Los  Angeles. 

^Gtendon  Allvine,  director  of  publicity  and 
exploitation  and  what  have  you  over  at  Fox, 
came  back  from  a  Western  trip,  reporting  all 
well. 

flThe  final  papers  have  just  been  signed  be- 
tween Fox  and  Poll.  .  .  .  Signing  on  the  dotted 
line  apparently  is  still  a  feature  of  some  busi- 
ness operations.  .  .  .  Even  if  all  announce- 
ments are  already  out. 

^Television  in  the  home  is  still  a  couple  of 
weeks  off,  so  Dr.  Lee  de  Forest  tells  us.  .  .  . 
That  certainly  is  a  relief.  .  .  .  The  way  people 
have  been  talking,  one  might  have  been 
pardoned  for  the  suspicion  that  it  was  coming 
in  next  week. 

PETER   VISCHER. 


Those  Who  Live  to  Amuse  Us 


''T^HE  heading  would  be  equally  true,  of  course,  if  stated  the  other  way  around.  It's 
•*-  about  stage  folks,  this  new  M  G  M  vehicle  for  William  Haines,  and  bears  the  same 
title,  "Excess  Baggage,"  as  its  prototype,  a  stage  farce  which  had  long  runs  in  New 
York  and  Chicago.     James  Cruze  directed. 


The  "movie"  star  gives  a  dinner — Josephine  Dunn  and  Ricardo  Cortez  (both  standing). 


William  Haines   and  Josephine   Dunn. 


Greta  Granstedt,  Kathleen  Clifford. 


Kane's  depression  comes  in  for  discussion — Kathleen  Clifford,  Neely  Edwards  and  Haines. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


$17,800,000  Ticket      Law  Barring  Minors  Is  Killed; 
Tax  in  1928  Under         Prosccution  of  Exhibitor  Fails 

Collections  in   1927     Quebec   Children   Are   Free   to   Attend   Any   Theatre   with  Aduh 


(Special   to    the   Hcrald-World) 

\\'ASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.— New  York, 
with  a  total  of  $7,646,068,  and  Illinois,  with 
$2,146,366,  contributed  more  than  50  per  cent 
of  the  total  admission  taxes  collected  by  the 
federal  government  during  the  fiscal  year 
of  1928,  according  to  figures  just  compiled  by 
the  bureau  of  internal  revenue.  The  total  col- 
lections from  this  source  during  the  year 
ended  June  30,  last,  were  $17,724,952,  a  reduc- 
tion of  $215,684  from  the  $17,940,636  collected 
in  1927.  These  collections  were  made  under 
the  old  exemption  of  50  cents,  the  increased 
exemption  provided  under  the  latest  revenue 
law  not  going  into  effect  until  the  end  of  the 
fiscal  }'ear. 

Other  leading  states  in  admission  tax  collec- 
tions were:  California,  $1,315,313;  Pennsyl- 
vania, $1,308,927;  Massachusetts,  $871,557; 
Ohio,  ^3,038;  Michigan,  $511,740;  New 
Jersey,  ^ill,?-!?,;  and  Alissouri,  $352,998. 


U.  S.  Films  Continue  to 
Draw  Well  in  Europe, 
Reports    U    Executive 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  28.— American 
films  are  playing  to  excellent  business  in 
Europe,  and  reports  that  they  are  being  boy- 
cotted on  the  other  side  are  erroneous,  de- 
clared Fred  A.  Flader,  general  manager  of 
Universal  Theatres  Corporation,  while  here 
inspecting  the  Alultnomah  chain,  a  sub-circuit. 
Flader  recently  returned  from  an  extended 
tour  of   Europe. 

"There  is  a  great  deal  of  speculation  about 
the  talkies,"  Flader  added,  but  they  are  wait- 
ing for  the  United  States  to  give  them  the 
goods.  All  we  need  over  here  is  not  to  get 
too  excited  over  talking  pictures,  for  after 
all,  the  talkie  is  simply  a  picture.  I  am  sure 
the  talking  picture  is  the  thing  and  is  here  to 
stay." 

According  to  Flader,  synchronization  equip- 
ment will  be  installed  in  the  twelve  houses  of 
the  Multnomah  circuit  in  Portland  and  A'icin- 
ity. 


Newspaper  Descriptions 
Aid  Amusement  Places 

(Special  to   the  Hcrald-U'orld) 

COLUMBUS,  Aug.  28.— Theatres  in  De's 
Moines  get  a  lot  of  publicity  from  the  Des 
Moines  Register,  according  to  T.  Stickles, 
manager  of  the  Retail  Merchant's  Association 
of  Columfcus,  who  has  made  a  study  of  con- 
ditions in  that  section. 

According  to  Stickles,  the  Des  Moines  Reg- 
ister has  a  Des  ^loines  Hospitality  Club,  which 
lists  all  the  entertainment  places  in  Des 
2\Ioines.  Every  week  the  newspaper  describes 
each  interesting  place.  This  practice  has 
brought  many  people  into  Des  Aloines  and  has 
practically  helped  every  retail  business  in  the 
city.    Stickles   says. 


Projectionist  Receives 

Burns  in  Booth  Blaze 


(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,    ORE.,     Aug.     28.- 


-Fire 


breaking  out  in  the  booth  of  the  Arco  the- 
atre last  week,  severely  burned  the  opera- 
torfi  Joe  McManus,  and  destroyed  a  print 
of  "The  Man  From  Oklahoma."  McManus 
was  a  relief  projectionist.  Damage  to  the 
theatre  was  slight,  and  the  small  audience 
remained  calm. 


Pending  British  Decision  at  Least 
Two  Years  Distant 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 
OTTAWA,  Aug.  28. — Enforcement  of  the  Quebec  Motion  Picture  Act,  pro- 
hibiting the  admission  of  children  under  16  years  of  age  from  motion  picture 
theatres,  was  suspended  Friday.  Proceedings  against  a  number  of  Montreal 
exhibitors  for  alleged  violations  of  the  act  were  dropped,  following  the  render- 
ing of  a  judg'ment  by  Justice  Weir  in  superior  court,  Montreal,  granting  a  writ 
of  prohibition  against  the  prosecution  of  Raoul  Rickner  of  the  St.  Denis  theatre 
on  the  charge  of  admitting  children  to  the  theatre. 

Act  Now  Inoperative 
As  a  result,  the  situation  is  largely  back  where  it  was  before  the  Quebec 
legislature  passed  the  measure  last  spring  barring  juveniles  from  the  moving 
picture  theatres.  The  act  is  now  entirely  inoperative  until  the  Quebec  Govern- 
ment obtains  a  decision  from  the  Privy  Council  at  London,  England,  as  to  the 
validity  of  the  statute.  Such  a  judgment  would  not  be  forthcoming  until  two 
years  hence  and,  in  the  meantime,  the  children  are  free  to  attend  any  theatre 
when  accompanied  by  an  adult. 

The   petition   for  a    writ   of   prohibition    on      under    16  years   and   students   under  20  years 


the  Rickner  case  in  the  criminal  court  was 
taken  by  the  exhibitors  largely  as  a  test  of 
the  proceedings.  The  application  was  vigor- 
ously opposed  by  Aime  Geoffrion,  K.  C,  rep- 
resenting the  attorney-general's  department  of 
Quebec,  on  the  ground  that  the  writ  would 
suspend  the  act.  Gustave  Monette,  repre- 
senting   the    exhibitors,    argued    that    the    la\ 


of  age  will  be  forbidden  to  attend  motion 
picture  theatres  in  Esthonia,  the  department  of 
commerce  is  advised.  The  article  states  that 
the  ministry  of  the  interior  and  the  ministry 
of  education  are  in  agreement  on  this  subject 
and  that  an  official  degree  will  soon  be  issued 
which  will  make  it  necessary  for  exhibitors 
of  motion  picture  films  to  secure  special  per- 


was  ultra  vires  in  that  the  Quebec  legislature      mission  to   exhibit  them  to  children  and  stu- 
had  trespassed  on  the  rights  of  the  Canadian      dents. 

Federal  Parliament.     The  decision  means  that  

the  constitutionality  of  the  new  law  under 
the  British  North  America  Act,  the  consti- 
tution of  Canada,  must  be  decided. 

Immediate  Appeal  Denied 

The  request  for  an  immediate  appeal  from 
the  present  judgment  was  dismissed  by  Jus- 
tice Weir,  with  the  result  that  the  wheels  of 
the  British  court  system  must  grind  their  full 
course  before  the  issue  is  settled.  In  the 
meantime,  exhibitors  are  legally  permitted  to 
admit   minors   to   theatres   without   restriction. 

Because  of  the  extreme  unpopularity  of  the 
new  Motion  Picture  Act,  there  is  just  a  possi- 
bility that  the  matter  may  never  be  pressed 
further  by  the  Quebec  Government. 


To  Bar  Picture  Shows 

to  Children,  Students 

(Washington   Bureau   of  the  Hcrald-U'orld) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.— Article  appear- 
ing   in    ReiHiler   Bote    indicates    that    children 


Theatres  Benefit  from 

Rain  at  Smith  Speech 

(Special  to   the  Hcrald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  28. — Instead  of  lessening 
patronage  at  the  motion  picture  theatres  here, 
the  notification  exercises  at  the  state  capitol 
last  Wednesday  evening,  at  which  Governor 
Alfred  E.  Smith  outlined  his  platform  as  the 
Democratic  presidential  candidate,  served  to 
pack    the    theatres. 

Rain  fell  continuously  throughout  the  day, 
preventing  the  exercises  from  being  held  on 
the  front  steps'  of  the  Capitol.  The  assembly 
chamber  in  which  the  notification  took  place, 
could  accomodate  only  about  1,500  persons, 
with  the  result  that  thousands  hurried  to  the 
motion  picture  theatres,  where  the  program 
was  received  by  radio.  Quite  a  number  of 
the  theatre  owners  had  been  farsighted 
enough  to  install  and  advertise  the  radio 
receivmg  apparatus  and  they  cashed  in 
hea\'ily. 


Exhibitors'  Cooperative  Film  Buying 

Organization  is  Formed  in  Toronto 

(Special  to  the  Herald-JVoiid) 

TORONTO,  Aug.  28. — An  exhibitors  cooperative  buying  organization,  the  Ex- 
hibitors Cooperative,  Ltd.,  has  been  formed,  with  headquarters  here,  under  a 
charter  for  the  "mutual  protection  and  benefit  of  exhibitors." 

According  to  an  official  statement,  the  corporation  is  "organized  on  a  basis  of 
collective  buying  of  films  and  supplies  in  order  to  obtain  the  strength  in  combined 
buying  power,  to  obtain  fair  treatment  and  to  maintain  fair  competition.  No  power 
whatsoever  will  be  taken  away  from  the  individual  exhibitor.  The  cooperative 
can  only  buy  for  him  what  he  specifies  and  desires  and  at  a  price  with  which  he 
is  satisfied." 

Following  a  general  meeting  of  the  company  here,  almost  50  out  of  the  104 
theatre  managers  in  Toronto  joined. 

W.  Adam  Baillie,  for  years  proprietor  of  the  Cumhac  theatre  here,  is  president, 
and  Nathan  Taylor,  formerly  proprietor  of  the  Monarch  theatre  here,  is  secretary 
and  treasurer.  J.  Earl  Lawson,  local  lawyer,  candidate  for  parliament,  is  chairman 
of  the  executive  board. 

Bud  Lennon  of  Toronto,  for  many  years  a  film  exchange  manager,  film  salesman 
and  exhibitor,  has  been  named  as  the  buying  agent. 


f 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTLTRE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Cletn  F.  Fain,:  Jr.     (left),  exhibitor  of  Livingston,  Texas,  and  friend  of  the  Alabama  Indian 

tribe  of  that  section,  is  a  fullfledged  chieftain,  second  in  power  to  Chief  Sun-Kee  (right)   as 

a  result  of  his  work  on  behalf  of  the  reservation  red  men. 

Exhibitor  Rescues  Tribe  of  Indians 
From  Extinction;  Made  Agent 

Clem  F.  Fain,  Jr.,  Wins  Appropriation  for  Poverty-Stricken  Texas  Red 
Men — Now  Makes  Plea  for  Church  Building 

[How  an  exhibitor  took  upon  himself  the  task  of  helping  an  Indian  Tribe  is  told  in  the 
following  interesting  article  by  Jack  Underwood,  salesman  of  the  Liberty  Special  Film 
Company  at  Dallas.    Clem  F.  Fain,  Jr.,  is  the  exhibitor.] 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DALLAS,  Aug'.  28. — Clem  F.  Fain,  Jr.,  exhibitor  in  Livingston,  Texas,  and 
owner  of  the  Happy  Hour  theatre,  one  of  the  oldest  picture  houses  in 
the  state,  having  been  in  operation  for  more  than  18  years,  is  an  exhib- 
itor who  has  demonstrated  his  worth  to  his  community  and  state  in  a  civic  and 
social  way. 


FAIN  has  long  realized  in  presenting  the 
best  of  motion  pictures  to  his  patrons  he  is 
rendering  a  valuable  service  to  his  community, 
but  he  has  not  been  satisfied  with  his  record 
as  such — he  believes  that  every  exhibitor 
should  forge  to  the  front  in  civic  activities 
because  they  are  in  a  position  to  render  a 
greater  service  than  the  average  business  in 
that  the  exhibitor  has  a  better  opportunity  of 
meeting  "all"  the  people — and  that  is  what 
Fain  has  done  with  reference  to  the  only  tribe 
of  Indians  in  the  state,  the  Alabama  Indians 
of  Polk  county,  who  have  been  in  a  state  of 
abject  poverty  for  over  half  a  century. 

Only  255  Left  in  Tribe 

The  Alabama  Indians  are  located  on  a 
meager  reservation  16  miles  east  of  Livingston 
on  the  Livingston-Woodville  road,  and  Fain 
has  known  the  members  of  the  tribe  all  of  his 
life.  These  Indians  are  known  as  the  "Lost 
Tribe''  as  they  are  so  few  in  number,  num- 
bering only  255,  and  as  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment had  never  recognized  them,  until  re- 
cently, as  members  of  the  great  family  of 
American  Indians.  About  two  years  ago. 
Fain  decided  that  if  the  citizens  of  Texas  ex- 
pected the  Government  to  do  anything  for 
these  people,  someone  would  have  to  put  a 
shoulder  to  the  wheel  and  push,  and  he  gave 
abundantly  of  his  time  and  means  to  inform 
the  people  of  the  state  and  nation  of  the  con- 
ditions existing  among  these  aboriginal  mon- 
archs. 

As  a  result  of  his  efforts  a  splendid  display 
of  Indian  handiwork  was  exhibited  in  a  booth 
at  the  1927  Dallas  State  Fair,  and  little  pam- 
phlets were  distributed  to  the  visitors  ex- 
plaining the  purpose  of  the  exhibit  and  urging 
the  citizenry  to  cooperate  in  every  way  to 
bring    these   people    to    the    attention    of    the 


federal  authorities.  Fain  collected  the  ex- 
hibit and  spent  ten  days  of  his  time  at  the 
booth  distributing  literature  and  discussing 
needs  and  plans  with  all  who  came  to  the 
exhibit.  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  200,000 
stopped  at  the  Alabama  Indian  Exhibit  booth. 

Made   Full   Fledged  Chieftain 

In  January  of  this  year  the  tribe  adopted 
Fain  into  the  tribe  and  made  him  a  full 
fledged  chieftain,  giving  him  the  office  next 
in  power  to  Chief  Sun-kee,  and  honoring  him 
with  the  title  of  Mikko-See,  or  Second  Chief. 
This  was  done  in  appreciation  of  what  he 
had  accomplished  for  the  Red  Men  of  Big 
Thicket. 

Fain  then  went  to  work  to  raise  the  funds 
to  take  a  delegation  to  Washington  to  see  the 
Great  White  Chief  in  the  interest  of  his 
"^brothers."  With  the  assistance  of  the  press 
of  the  state  he  raised  the  necessary  amount 
and     he     accompanied     Chief     Sun-Kee     and 


Free  Shows  on  Plantation 
Required  to  Keep  Workers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

THIBODAUX,  LA.,  Aug.  28.— A 
free  moving  picture  house  has  been 
opened  on  the  South  Coast  Georgia 
Plantation  for  the  white  and  negro 
laborers  on  the  place.  The  owners 
of  the  plantation  found  this  step  ne- 
cessary in  order  to  keep  the  Negroes, 
especially,  and  a  few  of  the  white 
help,  from  straying  to  other  sections 
for  employment  and  amusement. 


Chieftain  Mconico  Battiste  to  the  capital  city. 
This  delegation  appeared  before  the  Com- 
mittee on  Indian  Affairs,  the  commissioner  of 
Indian  Affairs  and  the  President  of  the 
United  States. 

As  a  result  of  this  mission  Congress  appro- 
priated $40,000  for  present  relief,  and  pledged 
that  the  Texas  Indians  would  be  honored  as 
American  Indians  and  be  granted  the  same 
considerations. 

Appoiiited   Indian  Agent 

In  May  of  this  year,  Governor  Dan  Moody 
appointed  Fain  as  Indian  agent,  the  only  office 
of  its  kind  under  the  chief  executive,  and  Fain 
has  carried  out  the  duties  faithfully  and  with- 
out pay. 

Fain  is  greatly  pleased  with  the  results  of 
his  work,  but  he  says  there  is  much  more  to 
be  done.  Recently  he  addressed  the  student 
body  and  faculty  of  the  Sam  Houston  State 
Teachers  College  at  Huntsville,  and  stressed 
the  fact  that  while  the  National  Government 
had  shown  a  disposition  to  assist  the  tribe, 
Texas  should  not  consider  she  had  been  re- 
leased from  her  obligation  to  the  Indians. 

At  present,  Fain  states  that  the  outstanding 
need  is  for  a  church  building.  The  old  church 
is  in  a  terrible  condition.  The  roof  is  leaking, 
floors  sagging,  windows  falling  out,  and  the 
entire  structure  on  the  verge  of  a  collapse. 
Sees  Parallel  in  Flood  Fund 

"Wouldn't  it  be  splendid  if  the  exhibitors 
of  the  state  would  take  an  interest  in  this 
matter  and  raise  the  funds  of  $4,000  for  the 
new  Indian  church,"  Fain  remarked  recently, 
"like  they  responded  to  the  flood  sufferers 
'Call.'  I  believe  that  Texas  exhibitors  raised 
$150,000  for  that  purpose,  and  I  know  they 
could  build  this  church  if  they  only  get  in- 
terested." 

Fain  states  that  he  will  be  glad  to  answer 
any  letters  concerning  the  Indians,  and  will 
be  happy  to  have  any  of  his  fellow  exhibitors 
visit"  f^f  Pi=spr\">t!on.  and  he  will  be  "hanoier" 
to  hear  from  a  hundred  or  more  exhibitors 
who  would  like  to  give  a  benefit  show  for 
the  church  fund  for  Texas'  onlv  Indian  tribe. 


Saenger  Sued  for  $75,000 
After  Stagehand's  Death 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

MERIDAN,  MISS.,  Aug.  28.— Charles  H. 
Mapp,  Jr.,  has  brought  suit  against  the 
Saenger  Amusement  Company,  Inc.,  Plaza 
Amusement  Company  and  Harry  W.  Rice  for 
$75,000  damages  following  the  death  of  his 
father,  Charles  H.  Mapp,  Sr.,  who  died  from 
injuries  suffered  when  he  fell  through  a  trap 
door  in  the  new  Temple  theatre  in  Hamasa 
Temple  Mosque,  June  18.  The  senior  Mapp 
was  employed  as  a  stagehand. 


Exchange  Cashier  Gives 

Bail  in  Fund  Shortage 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SEATTLE,  Aug.  28.— J.  M.  Allen,  cashier 
of  the  Universal  Film  Exchange  here,  who  re- 
cently was  charged  in  Justice  Chester  A. 
Bachelor's  court  with  grand  larceny,  sur- 
rendered to  deputy  sheriffs  and  was  released 
under  $2,500  bail. 

In  the  complaint  filed  by  Martin  Schiff, 
traveling  auditor  for  Universal  exchanges, 
Allen  is  said  to  have  admitted  there  was  a 
shortage  of  approximately  $1,500  in  his  books. 


Television  Catches  Face 
Of  Al  Smith  During  Talk 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  28.— Al  Smith's  features 
were  put  on  the  air  by  television  during  the 
delivery  of  his  acceptance  address  last 
Wednesday,  General  Electric  having  provided 
the  special  setup.  WGY  made  the  television 
broadcast. 

Theatres  opened  their  doors  at  8  a.  m.  the 
day  of  the  ceremonies  to  provide  shelter  for 
the   rain — refugees. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


Pictures  Are  Made  of 
Signing  of  "No  War"  Pact 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

PARIS,  Aug.  28. — Motion  pictures 
were  made  of  the  joint  conference 
yesterday  in  the  French  foreign 
office  on  the  Quai  D'Orsay  when 
diplomats  from  fifteen  nations  met 
to  sign  Secretary  Kellogg's  multi- 
lateral treaty  for  the  renunciation  of 
war.  The  event  also  was  broadcast 
on  the  radio. 


Old  "Uncle  Toms"  Come 
Out  of  Graves  As  U's 
Classic  Starts  in  Detroit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  Aug.  28.— Motion  picture  "pi- 
rates" are  reported  to  be  busy  throughout 
Michigan,  now  that  Carl  Laemmle  has  his  ex- 
pensive version  of  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  ready 
for  general  release.  There  are  at  least  three 
oldtime  screen  productions  of  the  Civil  War 
classic,  and  "slickers"  are  offering  them  to 
exhibitors  at  cheap  rates. 

Ray  Moon,  Michigan  representative  for 
Universal  has  issued  a  bulletin  to  exhibitors 
and  public,  calling  attention  to  this  unfair 
competition.  Laemmle  has  parted  company 
with  many  thousands  of  dollars  in  exploiting 
the  new  picture  and  now  the  10-year-old  re- 
issues shake  their  bones  out  of  the  closet  to 
reap  some  of  the  profits. 

Harold  Heffernan,  motion  picture  editor  of 
the  Detroit  News,  points  out  that  "exhibitors 
who  buy  the  old  material  with  the  idea  of 
tricking  the  public  into  believing  it  is  the  new 
version  are  merely  digging  their  own  box 
office  graves.  Recalling  some  of  the  oldtime 
movie  'Uncle  Tom's'  we  should  say  that  an 
exhibitor  should  be  liable  to  a  jail  sentence 
for  running  one." 


Chatkin  Made  Manager 
Of  Eastern  Division  for 
Publix  Theatres  Chain 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— D.  J.  Chatkin,  for- 
merly buyer  of  short  features  for  the  Publix 
circuit,  has  been  appointed  Eastern  Division 
manager,  with  supervision  over  the  Rivoli, 
Rialto,  Paramount,  Metropolitan  (Boston), 
Shea's  Buffalo  and  Shea's  Hippodrome,  both 
in  Buffalo,  the  Olympia  in  New  Haven  and 
the  new  Minnesota  in  Minneapolis.  He  will 
continue  to  deal  with  the  buying  of  short 
product. 


William  Rosenthal  New 
United  Artists  District 
Sales  Head  in  Midwest 

William  Rosenthal  has  been  appointed  by 
Al  Lichtman  of  United  Artists  as  ^  district 
manager  of  the  Middle  West,  embracing  Chi- 
cago, Indianapolis,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha 
exchanges. 


European  Exhibitors  Organize 
To  Contest  U.  S.  Film  Control 


Florence  Vidor  Wed  to 
Heifetz,  Noted  Violinist 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Marriage  of  Flor- 
ence Vidor,  screen  star,  to  Jascha  Heifetz, 
the  noted  violinist,  on  August  20,  was  made 
known  last  night  by  George  Engles,  Heifetz's 
manager. 


Delegates 


from    17    Nations    Form    International    Federation — 
America  Not  Invited — Convention  Votes  to 
Bar  "Hate"  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28. — A  newly  created  International  Federation  of  Exhibi- 
tors is  the  challenge  of  seventeen  European  countries,  including  Turkey  and 
India,  to  America's  supremacy  in  the  motion  picture  business. 
Aim  to  Protect  European  Interests 

The  International  Federation,  organized  at  the  European  film  congress,  which 
opened  in  Berlin  Wednesday,  was  formed  "to  protect  European  exhibitors  and 
European  film  interests  against  present  dangers,"  and  by  these  "dangers"  the 
delegates  meant  chiefly  American  domination.  The  advent  of  the  Federation 
reflects  the  decision  of  exhibitors  to  follow  the  lead  of  European  producers  and 
distributors  in  presenting  a  united  front  against  films  from  America. 


The  United  States  was  not  represented  at 
the  congress,  called  by  the  Association  of 
German  Exhibitors,  with  other  European  dele- 
gations invited  for  the  first  time.  Well-wishes 
were  sent  the  convention,  however,  by  a  num- 
ber of  American  stars  and  other  sources. 

English  and  French  delegations  were  very 
much  in  evidence,  in  the  movement  to  develop 
the  European  industry  as  a  competitive  factor. 

One  decision  of  the  convention  was  to 
pledge  the  exhibitors  of  the  Continent  against 
showing  socalled  "hate"  films,  such  as  "Dawn," 
which  delegates  declared  a  menace  to  the 
amity  of  nations. 

This  decision  was  championed  by  Leopold 
Gutmann,  president  of  the  German  exhibitors' 
organization,  as  one  of  the  outstanding  objec- 
tives of  the  meeting. 

Calls   Industry  Foremost 

Ludwig  Klitsch,  speaking  for  the  Berlin 
chamber  of  commerce  and  theatre  managers 
of  that  city,  said  the  motion  picture  industry 
now  is  foremost  from  both  the  cultural  and 
ethical  standpoints  as  well  as  the  financial. 

"European  films  must  be  safeguarded  now," 
said  H.  Victor  Davis,  representing  the  British 
exhibitors.  "Europe  has  richer  and  more  in- 
teresting stories  and  literature  on  which  to 
base  films,  and  Europe  can  use  money  as  well 
as  Hollywood,  which  takes  60  per  cent  of  the 
money  made  by  the  movies  in  England." 

The  motion  for  formation  of  the  Federa- 
tion was  presented  by  the  French  delegation. 
On  its  unanimous  passage,  a  committee  of 
three  was  formed  to  start  the  work  of  the 
organization.  The  committee  consists  of  ex- 
hibitor leaders  of  England,  France  and 
Germany. 


were  effective  as  of  August  20  and  were  an- 
nounced after  the  arrival  in  Atlanta  of  Gen- 
eral Sales  Manager  Paul  S.  Swift,  of  Vita- 
phone,  who  was  on  a  tour  of  the  company's 
branches. 

Fulton  will  have  supervision  over  the  At- 
lanta and  Dallas,  Texas,  branches  and  the 
Southwestern  and  Southeastern  territories. 
The  Atlanta  office  will  service  all  accounts  in 
North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida, 
Alabama,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisi- 
ana. C.  D.  Tuchon  has  been  named  manager 
of  the  Dallas  exchange. 


Vitaphone  Names  Fulton 
Southern  Division  Head 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  Aug.  28.— W.  B.  Fulton,  man- 
ager of  Vitaphone's  Atlanta  office  since  its 
establishment  the  early  part  of  June,  has  been 
appointed  Southern  division  manager  of  the 
company.  Following  his  promotion,  Fulton 
announced  appointment  of  H.  P.  Rhodes  as 
head  of  the  Atlanta  office.    Both  appointments 


Berlin  Will  Write 
Story  of  and  in 
Ragtime  for  U-A 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Irving  Berlin 
has  signed  a  contract  with  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  president  of  United  Artists,  to 
write  the  story,  lyrics  and  complete  musical 
score  of  a  talking  picture  to  be  called  "Say 
It  with  Music,"  to  star  Harry  Richman, 
musical  show  star.  Berlin  said  he  intends 
to  interpret  the  birth  and  evolution  of  the 
popular  song  as  a  part  of  America's  mod- 
ern  civilization. 

Schenck,  just  back  from  Europe,  has  an- 
nounced that  the  Soviet  Government  has 
loaned  S.  M.  Eisenstein,  director  of  "Po- 
temkin,"  to  United  Artists  for  one  picture. 
He  will  leave  for  Hollywood  in  October. 

Schenck  sold  Sovkino,  Soviet  picture  or- 
ganization, seven  United  Artists  pictures, 
"Tempest,"  "Little  Annie  Rooney,"  "The 
Gold  Rush,"  "The  Circus,"  "The  Beloved 
Rogue,"  "Don  Q"  and  "The  General."  He 
said  his  company  would  release  in  the 
United  States  any  Sovkino-made  picture 
with  a  subject  likely  to  appeal  to  the  Amer- 
ican  people. 

Commenting  on  conditions  in  Russia, 
Schenck  said  Russia's  working  people  are 
better  paid  and  better  fed  than  they  were 
under  the  regime  of  the  Czar. 


Joins  Paramount  Writers 

HOLLYWOOD. — Hugh  Herbert,  novelist  and  scen- 
arist, has  joined  the  writers  of  Paramount. 


Final  Papers  in  Fox-Poli  Deal  Are  Signed; 

Installation  of  Movietone  Is  Underway 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28. — Final  papers  have  been  signed  between  William  Fox 
and  Sylvester  Z.  Poli,  and  the  Poli  New  England  theatre  circuit  is  now  under 
the  complete  possession  of  the  Fox   Theatres   Corporation. 

The  Poli  properties  now  are  turned  over  to  the  Fox  circuit  free  of  any  encum- 
brance except  the  purchase  money  mortgage.  Fox  declared.  He  added  that  a  new 
policy  is  being  developed  for  the  newly  acquired  houses  for  September  and  work 
has  started  on  remodeling  and  on  installation   of  Movietone. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Aviation  Will  Thank  Film  Industry 
For  Aid  at  Dinner  Sept.  24 

Hays  Will  Deliver  Print  of  Feature  Length  Picture  of  Lindbergh  Flights 

at  Testimonial  Event 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28. — The  motion  picture  industry,  represented  by 
executives  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.,  will  be  the  official  guest  of  honor  of  the 
aviation  industry  at  a  testimonial  dinner  to  be  given  by  the  Aeronautical 
Chamber  of  Commerce  September  24  at  the  Waldorf  Astoria  hotel  in  recog- 
nition of  the  large  role  played  by  the  motion  picture  in  the  development  of 
aviation. 

aircraft  not  only  as  the  most  speedy  but 
also  as  a  thoroughly  reliable  and  safe 
means  for  transportation  for  the  benefit  of 
all  business  and  social  intercourse. 

"In  fact,  the  whole  course  of  business 
history  has  been  quickened  as  a  result  of 
the  camera's  worldwide  influence." 


MORE  than  a  thousand  men  and  women 
representing  the  governments  of  the 
world  and  captains  of  industry  are  expected 
to  attend  the  dinner,  at  which  for  the  first 
time  will  be  shown  a  special  feature  length 
film  of  the  trans-Atlantic  flight  made  by 
Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh  and  his  subse- 
quent   goodwill    hops. 

Hays  Will  Deliver  Film 

Will  H.  Hays  will  deliver  the  film,  com- 
piled by  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.,  to  Major 
Lester  D.  Gardner,  president  of  the  Aero- 
nautical Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  pic- 
ture later  will  be  presented  to  the  United 
States  Government  and  the  governments 
of  foreign  countries  visited  by  Lindbergh, 
as  a  permanent  record. 

Major  Gardner  is  to  sail  for  Europe  im- 
mediately after  the  dinner  on  a  special  mis- 
sion to  present  prints  to  the  Kings  of  Eng- 
land and  Belgium  and  the  president  of 
France.  Government  officials  are  expected 
to  receive  the  print  for  the  Washington 
archives  at  the  dinner,  while  the  copies  for 
Mexico,  Cuba  and  the  Central  American 
countries   are   to  be   delivered   later. 

Interest  in  Aviation  Aroused 
"For  many  years  we  have  been  con- 
scious of  the  benefits  derived  by  aviation 
and  other  industries  from  motion  pictures," 
said  Major  Gardner  in  announcing  plans  of 
the  dinner,  "but  only  with  the  filming  of 
Lindbergh's  Atlantic  flight  and  subsequent 
trips  were  these  benefits  to  aviation  defin- 
itely  fixed. 

"As  a  result  of  the  screenings  of  millions 
of  feet  of  Lindbergh  film,  the  entire  world 
has  been  made  acquainted  with  that  won- 
derful series  of  epochal  events  and  with 
the  young  American  who  executed  them. 
People  everywhere  have  had  their  interest 
in  aviation  aroused;  landing  fields  have 
sprung  up  overnight;  familiarity  with  fly- 
ing as  depicted  in  pictures  has   established 


H 


Branham  at  Detroit  to 
Pull  Oriental  Out  of  Red 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
DETROIT,  Aug.  28.— One  of  the 
pioneers  in  motion  picture  showman- 
ship returned  to  Detroit  this  week  in 
the  person  of  Charles  Branham,  who 
has  been  engaged  by  the  receivers 
of  the  Oriental  theatre  to  fan  this 
financially  sick  house  back  to  its  feet. 
The  Oriental  was  built  in  the  heart 
of  the  downtown  district  for  the 
showing  of  three-a-day  vaudeville 
and  pictures,  and  was  opened  last 
fall  amid  the  fanfare  of  trumpets  and 
the  drolleries  of  Joe  Cook.  The 
house  soon  went  into  a  decline,  and 
not  long  ago  into  the  hands  of  re- 
ceivers. 

Mr.  Branham  was  making  a  study 
of  motion  picture  presentation  at  the 
time  Roxy  was  coming  into  his  own 
at  the  Capitol,  New  York.  They  are 
much    the    same    type    of    showmen. 


Lilac  Time"  Brings  High 
Praise  to  Fitzmaurice 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BURBANK,  Aug.  28.— George  Fitzmaurice, 
director  of  "Lilac  Time,"  First  National  spe- 
cial starring  Colleen  Moore,  has  received 
many  wires  and  let- 
ters of  congratula- 
tions over  his  splendid 
direction  and  the  gen- 
eral quality  of  this 
production  from  lead- 
ing executives  and 
exhibitors  who  have 
seen  the  picture.  One 
of  the  most  interest- 
ing wires  is  the  fol- 
lowing from  Charles 
P.  Skouras,  of  St. 
Louis,  who  has  just 
opened  a  two  day  run 
of  the  picture  at  $1.50 
top,  at  the  Grand 
Central : 

"Heartiest  congratulations  on  the  direction 
and  showmanship  of  'Lilac  Time.'  I  believe 
you  have  contributed  what  will  prove  to  be 
outstanding  attraction  of  the  year.  Audience 
reaction  to  production  most  enthusiastic  we 
have  ever  encountered  and  Grand  Central  is 
breaking  records.  Picture  is  set  for  a  long 
and  profitable  run.  Just  wanted  to  congratu- 
late you  personally." 


George     Fitzmaurice 


Cassia's  Second  Prince 

Picture  to  Have  Sound 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Cassio,  Italian- 
American  stage  and  screen  comedian  and 
cousin  of  the  late  Rudolph  Valentino,  is  to 
star  in  "That's  Nothing,"  a  sound  picture  and 
the  second  feature  comedy  of  a  series  in  which 
he  is  now  being  starred  by  the  Prince  Film 
Producing  Company.  His  first  is  "Who 
Am  I?" 

Natacha  Rambova,  widow  of  Valentino, 
who  plays  opposite  Cassio  in  "Who  Am  I?," 
will  also  be  his  leading  lady  in  the  talkie, 
which  will  be  directed  by  John  L.  Mc- 
Cutcheon,  who  directed  "Who  Am  I?" 


Morrissey  Is  Convicted; 
Mix  Pleads  Not  Guilty 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  28,— Will  Morrissey 
was  found  guilty  on  a  charge  of  intoxication 
in  municipal  court  following  a  fistic  conversa- 
tion with  Tom  Mix  August  19.  Mix  pleaded 
not  guilty  to  two  complaints  of  assault  and 
battery. 


At  the  New  York 
Theatres 


NEW  FILMS 

PARAMOUNT— "The  Sawdust  Paradise,"  a  Para- 
mount production  starring  Esther  Ralston,  directed 
by    Luther   Reed,    synchronized   with   sound. 

HIPPODROME— "The  Butter  and  Egg  Man,"  a 
First  National  picture  featuring  Jack  Mulhall  and 
Greta  Nissen,   directed   by  Richard   Wallace. 

STRAND — "Oh  Kay,"  a  First  National  production 
starring  Colleen  Moore,  directed  by  Mervyn  Le- 
Roy. 

FIFTH  AVENUE  PLAYHOUSE— "The  Vortex," 
an  English  production  featuring  Willette  Kershaw 
and  Ivor  Novello. 

EMBASSY — -"Submarine,"  a  Columbia  special  featur- 
ing Jack  Holt  and  Dorothy  Revier,  directed  by 
Frank  Capra. 

HELD  OVER  AND  REVIVED 

CAMEO — "Dawn,"   revived  for   another  week. 

RIVOLI — "Tempest,"  United  Artists,  revived  for 
another    week. 

ROXY — "Four  Sons,"  a  Fox  production,  Movietone, 
revived  August  11. 

CAPITOL — "Four  walls,"  a  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 
opened  August  18. 

CRITERION — "Wings,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
12,    1927. 

GLOBE— "The  Red  Dance,"  Fox,  opened  June  25. 

ASTOR — "White  Shadows  in  the  South  Seas,"  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,    opened   August    1. 

CENTRAL — "Lilac  Time,"  First  National,  opened 
August   3. 

WARNER— "The  Terror,"  Warner  Brothers  all  talk- 
ing  picture,   opened   August   IS. 

RIALTO — "The  Patriot,"  Paramount,  opened  August 
17. 

GAIETY — "Lost  in  the  Arctic,"  Fox,  opened  July  25. 


Dave  Thompson  Named 
Movietone  Studio  Chief; 
New  Plant  Opens  Oct,  1 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Dave  Thomp- 
son, who  joined  Fox  last  week,  will  become 
studio  manager  of  Movietone,  according  to 
plans  learned  today.  Maitland  Rice  becomes 
casting  director  on  Movietone. 

All  members  of  Movietone  unit  will  remove 
their  offices  to  Foxj  Hills,  October  1,  when 
more  headway  will  have  been  made  with  con- 
struction  there. 


Judge  Warns  Rowdies 

in  Theatre  from  Stage 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

SAN  LEANDRO,  CAL.,  Aug.  28.— Theatre 
patrons  in  San  Leandro  will  enjoy  their  shows 
in  the  future  without  being  annoyed  by  the 
rowdies  who  have  been  disturbing  shows  for 
some  time.  Efforts  of  theatre  managers  to 
hold  the  rowdies  in  check  seemed  unavailing 
until  Judge  William  J.  Cannon  mounted  the 
stage  one  evening  and  issued  a  warning.  He 
declared  that  it  was  known  who  were  creating 
the  disturbances  and  warned  them  that  if 
they  were  brought  before  him  he  would  mete 
out  the  stiffest  sentences  under  the  law. 


Secretaries  of  Film 

Boards  in  New  Places 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  28.— Miss  Edna  Pfister,  of 
Cleveland,  O.,  who  has  been  secretary  of  the 
Albany  Film  Board  of  Trade  for  the  past 
year  or  so,  and  who  has  been  in  Montreal  for 
the  past  seven  weeks  conducting  the  affairs 
of  that  board,  returned  to  Albany  last  Satur- 
day. 

Mis's  Emmeline  Fineberg,  of  Pittsburgh, 
who  has  been  handling  the  Albany  office  dur- 
ing Miss  Pfister's  absence,  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  Winnipeg  board.  Miss  Ruth 
Doyle  of  Indianapolis,  is  now  in  Montreal,  in 
charge  of  the  board  there. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


^e^ 


Film  News 
in  Pictures 


PICTORIAL   SECTION 


Stories  Told 
by  the  Camera 


As  Secretary  of  War  Davis  visited  the  Paramount 
studio,  where  the  party  saw  portions  of  "Varsity," 
Paramount's  first  dialogue  picture.  Shown  are  Mrs. 
Fred  Bectson,  Davis,  Miss  Cynthia  Davis,  J.  H.  Hol- 
liday,  Mrs.  Burton  Fitts,  Fred  Beetson,  secretary  of 
producers'  group;  Miss  Alice  Davis  and  Beetson's  son. 


^"^p^j 

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^H 

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HI 

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Two  Als — but  with  different  thoughts.  The  Al  on 
the  right,  we  trust,  needs  no  special  identification 
more  than  that  he's  governor  of  New  York  and 
Democratic  candidate  for  President.  The  other  Al 
is  Al  Gold,  Fox  News  cameraman,  who  is  "cover- 
ing" the  nominee. 


Obviously,  something  in  this  section  of  town  that 
His  Majesty,  King  Public,  wants  to  see.  The  town 
is  New  York,  and  the  gathering — no,  it's  a  crowd, 
for  observe  the  policeman — is  "storming"  the  Em- 
bassy for  the  opening  of  "The  Scarlet  Lady,"  Colum- 
bia  special  starring  Lya  de  Putti. 


Leading  woman  in  the 
first  Buck  Jones  picture 
produced  by  Buck  Jones. 
Jobyna  Ralston  is  opposite 
the  star  in  "The  Big 
Hop." 


A  "talky"  gives  this  for- 
mer Ziegfeld  beauty,  Ag- 
nes Franey,  her  first  screen 
role,  in  Warner  Brothers' 
second  Al  Jolson  picture, 
"The  Singing  Fool." 


In  tribute  to  Carl  Laemmle.  Universal's  chief  ex- 
ecutive is  shown  at  the  dinner  in  his  honor  given 
by  the  foreign  correspondents  of  Los  Angeles,  at 
the  Hotel  Roosevelt.  With  the  veteran  producer 
above  are  his  daughter,  Rosabelle,  and  D.  W. 
Griffith,  one  of  the  many  film  notables  attending. 


1 

i 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


f 


k 


Engaging  studies  of  two  of  Paramount's 
younger  players.  Ruth  Taylor  is  shown  at 
left,  beneath  a  great  Spanish  arch  over  the 
walk  leading  to  the  Tower  of  Prayer  at  the 
Pacific  Southwest  Exposition  in  Long  Beach, 
Cal.  A  new  portrait  of  Mary  Brian  is 
presented  above. 


Reclaiming  the  waist-land.  In  D.  W.  Griffith's 
new  United  Artists  picture,  "The  Battle  of  the 
Sexes,"  Jean  Hersholt  needs  must  be  less  rotund 
than  usual.  Hence  the  war  on  fat — which,  it 
seems,  is  quite  a  battle  of  the  sexes  itself,  these 
days. 


Above:  A  hard  directorial 
task  assigned  to  Charles 
Lamont,  who,  as  you  see, 
is  coaching  a  bevy  of 
beauties  for  an  Education- 
al Ideal  comedy.  They 
are  Evelyn  McCoy,  Am- 
ber Norman,  B  e  r  n  i  c  e 
Snell,  Billy  Lohman,  Mu- 
riel Evans  and  Ruby  Mc- 
Coy. 

Right:  Two  new  Tiffany- 
Stahl  people  who  are  as- 
sociated in  a  forthcoming 
production  as  director  and 
star.  Norman  Taurog, 
former  Educational  direc- 
tor, is  he  at  left,  shown 
with  George  Jessel.  Tau- 
rog is  directing  Jessel  in 
"The  Ghetto." 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Two  scenes  are  presented  from  Colleen 
Moore's  new  First  National  production, 
"Oh,  Kay."  At  right,  the  comedienne,  hav- 
ing fainted  in  a  swimming  suit,  wakes  up  in 
pajamas,  with  Ford  Sterling  embarrassingly 
near.  Above,  Colleen  and  Lawrence  Gray 
"play"  bride  and  groom  to  avoid  a  "jam." 


Jt^mSH^    V     .^SSRr--'    ,■■--:  L_J 

^S^^^^^^^^j^^^^Kl^tmm  C^^^^^Kr  '^B^^   ■hjL^    w'    , ) ; 

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rfiv 

Above:  Drinking  up  the 
props  used  in  a  scene  for 
Warner  Brothers'  "The 
Singing  Fool,"  Al  Jolson 
"talky."  Pictured  are  Jack 
Warner,  Betty  Bronson, 
Darryl  Francis  Zanuck, 
production  chief;  Director 
Lloyd  Bacon,  Jolson  and 
William  Koenig,  studio 
manager. 

Left:  Ruth  Elder,  heroine 
of  the  air,  takes  her  ini- 
tial flight  in  histrionics. 
She  is  shown  with  Brooks 
Benedict,  playing  in  her 
first  scene  of  her  first  pic- 
ture, Paramount's  "Moran 
of  the  Marines,"  which 
stars   Richard   Dix. 


Elegance  to  furnish  a  fitting  setting  for  Claire 
Windsor.  Tiflany-Stahl  is  producing  one  of  the 
best  of  the  "best-sellers"  of  the  past,  "The  Grain 
of  Dust,"  and  it  is  thus  that  Miss  Windsor  ap- 
pears in  it.  She  and  Ricardo  Cortez  are  the  fea- 
tured  players. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Didnh  Know  What  Film  Looked  Like 
But  Made  First  Theatre  Pay 

J.  M.  Franklin,  K.  A.  O.'s  New  General  Manager  for  Canada,  Gave  Domin- 
ion Its  Initial  Feature  18  Years  Ago 

IWidespread  comment  on  the  "Pop"  Dibble  story  of  the  early  days  of  the  industry,  as 
was  told  in  the  columns  of  the  "Herald-W orld''  prompts  the  series  of  articles  on  "oldtimers" 
which  starts  herewith.    Other  articles  will  appear  from  time  to  time.] 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 

OTTAWA,  Aug.  28. — Joseph  Mitchell  Franklin  is  one  who  has  just  nat- 
ally  grown  up  with  the  motion  picture  theatre  business  in  Canada.  He 
was  20  years  of  age  when  he  bought  his  first  moving  picture  theatre 
and  when  he  signed  his  name  on  the  dotted  line  he  did  not  even  know  what  a 
projection  machine  or»  a  reel  of  film  looked  like.  But  he  made  a  success  of 
that  first  venture,  which  was  the  Gayety  theatre  in  Port  Arthur,  Ont.  That  was 
18  years  ago.  An  indication  of  his  immature  knowledge  of  the  amusement" 
business  is  seen  in  the  fact  that,  before  he  bought  the  Gayety  theatre,  he  had 
been  a  stenographer  and  secretary  with  a  business  firm  for  several  years  but 
he  immediately  became  a  successful  exhibitor.  At  that  time  one  reel  pictures 
were  the  only  thing. 

AFTER  a  few  years  at  Port  Arthur,  Joe 
■  Franklin,  as  he  is  popularly  known, 
decided  that  Halifax,  N.  S.,  had  a  big  future 
and  moved  there,  starting  the  Imperial 
theatre,  an  upstairs  hall,  in  1914,  just  before 
the  outbreak  of  the  war. 


War  Gave  Him  Break 

As  luck  would  have  it,  Halifax  became 
an  important  war  port  and  it  was  very 
much  occupied  with  the  debarkation  of 
troops  and  the  shipping  of  huge  quantities 
of  munitions.  When  he  opened  the  old 
Imperial,  the  people  of  the  Maritime 
Provinces  had  never  heard  of  Charlie 
Chaplin,  and  Joe  Franklin  soon  began  to 
popularize  the  early  pictures  of  the  screen 
comedian.  Early  Zukor  releases  were  also 
quite  the  rage  and  Franklin  well  remem- 
bers when  he  made  a  big  splash  with  a  pic- 
ture in  which  Sarah  Bernhardt  was  the  star. 
"Helen  of  Troy"  was  also  a  big  money- 
maker. 

Joe  Franklin  eventually  built  the  Strand 
theatre  at  Halifax  and  also  constructed  the 
Strand  at  Sydney,  Nova  Scotia,  both  of 
which  were  the  latest  word  in  picture  pal- 
aces. To  these  he  added  the  Opera  House 
at  St.  John,  N.  B.,  giving  him  a  chain  of 
three  houses.  Furthermore,  he  booked 
attractions    regularly    into    numerous    other 


Cultural  Value  to  Decide 
Amount  of  Picture  Tax 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.— A  new 
regulation  has  been  issued  by  the 
president  of  the  Polish  Republic  ac- 
cording to  which  the  amount  of  cin- 
ema entertainment  tax  is  to  be  fixed 
according  to  the  artistic,  moral  and 
educational  value  of  films,  declares  a 
report  to  the  department  of  com- 
merce. There  will  be  five  categories 
of  films,  and  it  will  be  for  the  censor 
bureau  to  decide  in  which  category 
a  picture  is  to  be  classi£ed.  The  cen- 
sorship organ  is  composed  of  repre- 
sentatives of  the  ministries  of  the 
interior,  finance  and  public  educa- 
tion. Up  to  now,  cinema  taxes  were 
fixed  arbitrarily  by  the  local  authori- 
ties in  each  city  or  village.  In  the 
future,  they  will  be  only  authorized 
to  apply  the  highest  rate  of  taxes  to 
the  fifth  category  of  films.  If  sev- 
eral films  are  exhibited  in  the  same 
show,  the  tax  will  be  calculated  by 
means  of  the  arithmetical  medium  of 
their  length. 


theatres  of  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick. Incidentally,  he  still  has  a  financial 
interest  in  the  Community  theatre,  Halifax, 
which  he  later  acquired. 

Then,  in  1923,  Joe  Franklin  cast  his  eyes 
over  the  Dominion  for  further  fields  to 
conquer  and  decided  that  there  was  an 
opening  in  Ottawa,  the  Canadian  capital, 
particularly  where  B.  F.  Keith  vaudeville 
could  be  presented  along  with  a  moving 
picture  program — in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
Ottawa  had  a  Loew  house  seating  2,600 
persons.  He  leased  the  Old  Family  theatre, 
a  downtown  theatre  with  1,100  seats,  that 
had  been  considered  a  "lemon"  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  operated  this  for  a  year 
with  first  run  features  and  Keith  vaude- 
ville and  then  what  happened?  He  was 
instrumental  in  the  acquisition  of  Loew's 
Ottawa  theatre  in  August,  1924,  and 
changed  its  name  to  B.  F.  Keith's,  becoming 
the  manager.  Some  months  later,  Keith- 
Albee  purchased  the  big  Ottawa  house 
outright. 

J.  M.  Franklin  is  believed  to  be  the  first 
to  run  a  two-reel  feature  in  a  regular  mov- 
ing picture  theatre  in  Canada;  the  first  to 
use  lithographed  paper  out  in  front  of  a 
theatre  in  the  Dominion;  first  to  have  a 
Canadian  theatre  with  two  projection  ma- 
chines. And  he  has  also  paved  the  way 
with  other  things. 

Golfer,  Art  Connoisseur 

Today  Mr.  Franklin  is  one  of  the  most 
popular  and  best-known  citizens  of  Ottawa. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Rotary  Club  of 
Ottawa;  a  director  of  the  Ottawa  Humane 
Society;  vice  president  of  the  Ottawa  Thea- 
tre Managers  Association,  which  is  affiliated 
with  the  Retail  Merchants  Association  of 
Canada,  and  is  identified  with  other  orders. 
He  takes  an  active  personal  interest  in 
community  life  and  is  a  devotee  of  .music. 
He  has  become  an  enthusiastic  golfer,  be- 
ing a  member  of  the  Chaudiere  Golf  Club, 
Ottawa.  He  is  an  art  connoisseur  and 
startled  the  art  world  by  his  discovery  of 
a  valuable  oil  painting  by  Erskine  Nicol, 
famous  Scottish  artist  whose  paintings  are 
hanging  in  the  big  galleries  of  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States. 

Joe  Franklin  is  the  proud  and  happy 
father  of  a  talented  daughter  and  son  while 
his  wife  is  a  splendid  little  woman.  The 
daughter  is  a  gifted  violinist,  a  gold- 
medalist,  and  first  violin  with  the  Ottawa 
Symphony  Orchestra.  His  young  son,  Mit- 
chell, gives  much  promise  as  a  pianist  and 
is  also  making  his  mark  as  a  youthful 
hockey  player. 

Franklin  was  recently  honored  by  his 
selection  as  general  manager  of  all  Keith- 
Albee-Orpheum   interests   in   the   Dominion. 


Writ  Against  Periodical 
Is  Another  Censor's  Drejun 

Another  outbreak  of  censorship 
rash  among  lawmakers,  this  time 
against  periodicals,  is  deplored  as 
"tyranny"  by  an  editorial  writer  of 
the  Chicago  Herald-Examiner  in  the 
following  words: 

"The  State  of  Minnesota  has 
passed  a  law  permitting  an  injunction 
against  future  issues  of  any  periodi- 
cal if  any  issue  is,  in  the  opinion  of 
a  judge,  'malicious,  scandalous  and 
defamatory.'  In  other  words,  any 
judge  who  disagrees  with  an  editor 
can  shut  him  up  and,  in  effect,  con- 
fiscate his  property.  The  law  will, 
of  course,  be  carried  to  the  supreme 
court.  A  periodical  which  is  scan- 
dalous and  defamatory  should,  of 
course,  be  punished.  There  are  plenty 
of  existing  laws  which  provide  for 
such  punishment ;  they  are  the  laws 
concerning  libel.  They  do  not  need 
to  be  supplemented  by  any  provision 
which  puts  property  and  personal 
freedom  at  the  mercy  of  a  judge's 
taste." 


European  Moves  to  End 
U,  S.  Film  Control  Are 
Doomed,  Orman  Declares 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Advancement  in 
public  appreciation  of  motion  pictures  was 
the  subject  of  the  third  of  a  series  of  radio 
talks  being  given  by  Felix  Orman  from  KFI 
on  Thursday  afternoons. 

In  his  talk  on  "The  World  Force  of  Ameri- 
can Motion  Pictures,"  the  second  of  the  series, 
Orman,  who  recently  returned  from  the  Euro- 
pean field,  declared  that  "motion  pictures  have 
become  the  democracy  of  entertainment  be- 
cause they  appeal  to  all  types  and  classes  of 
people  alike,  and  because  they  can  be  shown 
at  prices  that  make  them  accessible  to  even 
the  poorest  working   family." 

Orman  said  he  did  not  expect  the  various 
national  movements  overseas  to  combat  the 
world  dominance  of  the  screen  by  American 
pictures  would  ever  develop  into  a  serious 
menace. 


Society  Woman  Named 

to  Censorship  Board 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  28.— Mrs.  Pat 
Allen,  prominent  in  society  and  sports  and 
music,  and  Robert  M.  Mount,  manager  of 
the  Better  Business  Bureau,  were  named  as 
the  new  members  of  the  municipal  motion 
picture  censor  board.  Floyd  Maxwell, 
manager  of  the  Portland  theatre,  is  the 
third  member  of  the  board. 


Air  Mail  Takes  15  Reels 
Daily,  Declares  Writer 

"From  Hollywood  the  air  mail  carries  an 
average  of  fifteen  reels  of  film_  a  day,"  says 
an  editorial  writer  in  the  Chicago  Herald- 
Examiner.  "Air  mail,  which  means  speed, 
saves  large  sums  for  producers  who  use  it. 
The  picture  costs  anywhere  from  $100,000  to 
$1,000,000  and  earns  nothing  until  it  gets  into 
distribution.  Each  day  lost  represents  thou- 
sands of  dollars  in  box  office  receipts." 


Villa  Turned  Over  to  Film  Body 

WASHINGTON.— The  Villa  Falconieri  at  Fras- 
cati  (near  Rome)  has  been  turned  over  to  the  Inter- 
national Institute  for  Cinematoraphic  Education, 
according  to  a  ministerial  degree.  This  organization 
was  created  by  the  League  of  Nations. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


WeU,  What  Harm  Could 
They  Do?    We  Ask  You! 

A  woman  entering  one  of  the  lead- 
ing picture  theatres  at  Portland, 
Ore.,  was  stopped  by  the  usher. 

"Excuse  me,  madam,  but  you  can't 
take  your  dog  inside,"  he  told  her. 

"How  absurd!"  she  protested. 
"What  possible  harm  could  the 
'movies'  do  to  a  tiny  dog  like  this?" 


Cooperation  Makes 
1928  Greater  Movie 
Season  Best  of  All 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  28.— Not  since 
"Greater  Movie  Season"  became  an  annual 
movement  on  the  Pacific  Coast  has  there 
been  the  enthusiastic  response  from  the 
exhibitors,  the  studios  and  the  public  as 
this  year's  campaign  provoked.  Many  out- 
side exhibitors  joined  vi^ith  West  Coast  this 
year  to  make  the  season  a  success.  In  all 
cities  competing  exhibitors  buried  the 
hatchet  in  the  common  cause  of  bringing 
the  people  to  the  theatres.  The  movement 
was  led  by  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president 
of  West  Coast  Theatres,  with  Jeff  Lazarus, 
director  of  advertising  and  publicity  for 
West  Coast,  as  chairman  of  the  central 
committee. 

Mayor  George  Baker  of  Portland,  Ore., 
the  governor  of  California  and  other  execu- 
tives indorsed  the  movement. 


Gaumont-British 
Canadian  Concern 
Will  Distribute  24 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TORONTO,  Aug.  28.— Entry  of  British 
interests  into  the  American  field  is  seen  in 
the  granting  of  a  Canadian  federal  charter 
to  the  Gaumont-British  Corporation  of  Can- 
ada, Ltd.,  the  charter  being  for  production, 
distribution  and  exhibition.  Lieut. -Col.  A. 
C.  Bromhead,  C.B.E.,  chairman  of  the 
board  of  the  Gaumont-British  Pictures  Cor- 
poration of  London,  is  president  of  the  new 
concern.  Arthur  A.  Lee  is  vice-president, 
Reginald  C.  Bromhead  is  treasurer  and  Ed- 
ward Auger  is  managing  director. 

Branch  offices  will  be  established  in  St. 
John,  Montreal,  Winnipeg,  Calgary  and 
Vancouver.  The  company  will  release  24 
to  30  pictures  a  year. 


Alberta  Vaughn  Engaged 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Alberta 
Vaughn  has  announced  her  engagement  to 
William  Lait,  young  steel  man  of  Pasadena 
and  Pittsburgh. 


John  L,  Aldridge  Is  Dead 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  Aug.  28.— John  L. 
Aldridge,  veteran  exhibitor  of  Blair,  Okla- 
homa, died  at  his  home  on  July  26. 


Priscilla  Bonner  to  Wed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Priscilla  Bon- 
ner, actress,  will  be  married  September  1 
to  Dr.   E.   Bertrand  Woolfan. 


Canadian  Buying  Not  Affected 
By  Sound;  Slow  at  St.  Louis 

Synchronism  Will  Benefit  Box  Office,  Says  One  Toronto  Distribut- 
ing Executive — Unemployment  Factor  in 
Southern  Illinois 

Sound  films  have  had  very  little  effect  on  buying  by  exhibitors  in  Canada. 
In  the  St.  Louis  territory,  however,  there  has  been  a  decidedly  adverse  effect  in 
some  quarters.  At  the  same  time,  the  St.  Louis  buying  situation  is  due  to  many 
other  strictly  local  conditions.  Unemployment  has  been  a  big  factor  in  the 
large  cities,  while  in  Southern  Illinois  the  fact  that  the  working  of  the  coal 
mines  has  been  irregular  has  slowed  up  buying.  These  conclusions  regarding 
buying  status  in  Canada  and  the  St.  Louis  trade  zone  were  reached  by  Herald- 
World  investigators. 


Little  Effect  Noted 
On  Canadian  Buying 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OTTAWA,  Aug.  28.— Interesting  points 
have  been  brought  out  by  leading  film  dis- 
tributors of  Canada  with  regard  to  the  in- 
vasion of  the  Dominion  by  the  sound  pictures 
and  their  effect  upon  the  moving  picture  busi- 
ness of  the  country.  On  the  whole,  it  is 
pointed  out,  the  audible  films  have  made  very 
little  difference  thus  far  in  film  buying  by 
the  exhibitors,  and,  at  the  same  time,  there  is 
little  prospect  that  many  houses  will  be  wired 
during  1928-29. 

Little  Excitement,  Says  Hague 

Clair  Hague,  general  manager  of  the  Cana- 
dian Universal  Film  Co.,  Limited,  Toronto, 
declared : 

"On  account  of  the  very  few  theatres  being 
able  to  get  installations  for  sound  films,  they 
have  not  caused  any  great  amount  of  excite- 
ment as  far  as  the  buying  of  pictures  in 
Canada  is  concerned.  From  what  I  can  find 
out,  there  will  not  be  very  many  installations 
before  the  first  of  the  year.  I  understand 
that  the  circuit  houses  have  contracts  for  the 
equipment.  There  are  a  few  independent  ex- 
hibitors who  are  interested  but  nothing  has 
been  done  that  is  in  anyway  affecting  the  buy- 
ing to  any  great  extent. 

J.  P.  O'Loghlin,  Canadian  district  manager 
of  Fox  Film  Corp.,  Ltd.,  Toronto : 

"It  is  a  little  early  to  comment  on  the  effect 
of  sound  pictures  in  Canada.  The  first  in- 
stallation will  be  completed  for  the  Palace 
theatre,  Montreal,  September  1,  and  I  under- 
stand that  there  will  be  not  more  than  15  in- 
stallations in  the  whole  of  Canada  before  the 
first  of  the  year. 

Sees  Beneficial  Effect 

"Personally,  I  feel  that  the  introduction  of 
sound  pictures  in  Canada  is  going  to  have  a 
very  beneficial  effect  upon  the  box-office — not 
merely  from  the  point  of  view  of  novelty  but 
more  especially  because  this  class  of  entertain- 
ment is,  in  my  opinion,  far  superior  to  the 
silent  film.  Buying  activities  on  the  part  of 
(Continued  on  page  66) 


St.  Louis  Status  Blamed 
To  Sound,  Other  Factors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  28.— That  the  sound  pic- 
ture  has   had   a   decidedly   adverse   effect   on 
buying  in  some  quarters  must  not  be  denied — 
it  can't  be. 

In  playing  up  the  sound  variety  of  pictures 
the  producers  have  discounted  the  value  of 
the  old  style  of  pictures  and  the  exhibitors  are 
contending  that  they  should  not  be  called  upon 
to  pay  as  much  for  the  silent  film  dramas  and 
short  features  as  formerly.  On  the  other  hand, 
many  of  the  smaller  theatres  of  the  big  cities 
and  the  leading  houses  in  smaller  communities 
are  not  in  a  position  to  make  the  capital  out- 
lay required  to  install  sound  picture  devices. 
There  are,  of  course,  many  other  strictly 
local  situations  that  undoubtedly  have  had 
their   effect   on  buying   of   pictures   this   year. 

Closed  Mines  Hit  Buying 

In  the  Southern  Illinois  coal  fields  the  the- 
atre owners  have  been  taking  a  lot  of  real 
punishment  the  past  few  years  and  they  are 
not  in  a  position  to  pay  top  notch  prices  for 
either  sound  or  silent  pictures.  Here  and 
there  you  encounter  an  optimistic  note  from 
some  film  exchange  managers  and  salesmen, 
which  only  goes  to  prove  that  apple  sauce  is 
still  America's  greatest  product.  The  facts 
are  that  Southern  Illinois  is  not  buying  pic- 
tures as  early  or  as  well  as  it  did  when  the 
mines  were  working  regularly  and  the  motion 
picture  houses  were  doing  good  business. 

Unemployment  Is  Factor 

In  St.  Louis  and  other  large  cities  of  this 
trade  zone  the  unemployment  question  has 
been  a  very  decided  factor.  Business  is  bad, 
very  bad  for  most  of  the  neighborhood  shows 
here  and  in  all  the  industrial  towns  outside  of 
St.  Louis.  And  the  buying  of  motion  pictures 
has  been  affected. 

Most  exhibitors  are  buying  to  fill  their  pres- 
ent needs  and  shaving  prices  whenever  pos- 
sible. They  are  gauging  their  outlays  by  the 
box  office  returns,  which  are  small  for  most 
of  them  these  dog  days. 


Four  Gregory  &  Bemasek  Theatres 

Added  to  String  Operated  by  Receiver 

Four  more  theatres  were  added  last  week  to  the  string  of  over  40  Chicago 
houses  now  being  operated  under  a  receivership  by  the  Chicago  Title  &  Trust 
Company.  The  lour  are  the  La  Grange  in  that  suburb,  the  Parthenon,  Berwyn; 
the  Palace,  Cicero;  and  the  Milo,  Chicago,  owned  and  operated  by  Gregory  and 
Bernasek,  for  which  firm  the  trust  company  was  appointed  receiver  in  an  action 
brought  in  Circuit  court  by  stockholders  of  the  circuit. 

The  theatre  company  owns  a  half  interest  in  a  house  now  under  construction 
in  Gary  and  recently  sold  the  Illinois  and  Gayety  theatres  in  Ottawa.  Jack  Samp- 
son is  managing  the  houses  in  receivership. 

The  Austin  State  Bank  was  appointed  receiver  for  the  Ambassador  theatre,  an 
M  &  R  Amusement  Company  house,  against  which  foreclosure  action  was  brought. 
Only  the  building  is  involved.  The  house  is  dark,  but  the  receiver  expects  to 
open  it  within  two  weeks,  with  E.  L.  Klein  remaining  as  manager. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Premier  of  Canada  Is  Invited  to 
M  P  T  O  Toronto  Convention 

Outstanding   Representative    of    American    Government   Also    Likely   to 
Attend  and  Complete  Bond  of  Goodwill  Between  Nations 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28. — The  premier  of  Canada,  William  Lyon  Mackenzie 
King",  has  been  invited  to  attend  the  ninth  annual  convention  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  which  is  to  be  conducted  at  Toronto,  October  16,  17  and 
18.  The  premier  will  accept  the  invitation  in  all  probability,  according  to  a 
telegram  to  the  national  organization's  headquarters  from  J.  C.  Brady,  president 
of  the  Canadian  Division  of  the  theatres  owners'  association. 


THIS  will  be  an  outstanding  event  and 
the  first  time  the  first  man  of  Canada 
appeared  before  an  exhibitor  body  of  an 
international  character,  saj^s  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.   A.   announcement. 

"Because  of  the  fact  that  the  motion  pic- 
ture is  now  generally  recognized  as  one  of 
the  world's  greatest  mediums  of  expression, 
considerable  importance  attaches  to  Pre- 
mier King's  probable  presence  at  the  con- 
vention, as  it  cannot  but  have  a  most  fav- 
orable effect  on  the  relations  between  the 
United  States  and  Canada. 

Better  Relations  Seen 

"In  conjunction  with  this  Canadian  move, 
it  is  likely  that  an  outstanding  represen- 
tative of  the  American  Government  will 
also  attend  and  thus  complete  the  bond  of 
official  good  will. 

"This  convention  will  be  entirely  con- 
structive in  character  and  it  can  and  will 
be  made  of  definite  benefit  to  the  whole 
industry  and  also  open  the  way  to  wider 
and  more  advantageous  trade  and  other  re- 
lations between  both  countries." 


**Dawn"  Gets  Third  Airing 
Before    Ontario   Censors 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TORONTO,  Aug.  28.— Hon.  Dr.  J.  D. 
Monteith,  Ontario  provincial  treasurer,  has 
announced  that  the  Ontario  Board  of  Moving 
Picture  Censors  will  once  more  examine  the 
British  production,  "Dawn,"  for  a  reconsider- 
ation of  its  decision.  This  will  make  the  third 
time  that  the  feature  will  have  been  ofiicially 
viewed  in  Ontario.  It  was  seen  by  Ontario 
Government  officials  before  it  was  sent  on  to 


Fake  Fire  Alarm ;  Presto ! 
Saws  and  Hammers  Vanish 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  28.— If  the  work- 
men employed  on  the  new  Fox  the- 
atre here  ever  meet  up  with  the  per- 
son, or  persons,  who  have  been 
sending  in  false  fire  alarms  from  the 
theatre  building,  there  is  going  to  be 
trouble.     And  how! 

The  first  alarm  was  sent  in  one  day 
last  week,  shortly  after  the  day's 
work  had  begun.  The  workmen 
dropped  tools  and  hurried  over  to 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  building 
to  see  what  was  on  fire,  leaving  the 
north  section  unguarded.  When  they 
returned,  they  found  that  thieves, 
operating  under  cover  of  the  excite- 
ment, had  stolen  14  steel  tool  boxes. 

The  second  alarm  was  turned  in 
two  days  later,  and  the  workmen 
again  went  to  look  for  the  fire.  Some 
of  them  had  become  wise,  however, 
and  took  tool  boxes  with  them. 
Those  who  didn't,  lost  them  again. 
The  irate  workmen  announced  that 
the  thieves,  if  caught,  would  go  to 
the  hospital  before  they  were  booked 
at  police  headquarters. 


the  censor  board.  The  latter  rejected  it  in 
entirety  for  presentation  in  Ontario  theatres, 
despite  the  protests  of  many  branches  of  the 
Canadian  Legion. 


Shea's  Buffalo  Starts 

Radio  Symphonic  Hours 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BUFFALO,  Aug.  28.— The  inaugural  pro- 
gram of  the  new  Shea  Buffalo  Symphonic 
Hours,  sponsored  by  the  Evening  News  and 
to  be  broadcast  through  station  WGR,  Buf- 
falo, was  sent  into  the  ether  lanes  Thursday, 
at  midnight,  under  the  direction  of  Herbert 
Straub,  who,  for  this  initial  program,  had 
arranged  both  classical  numbers  and  popular 
selections,  played  b.v  the  stage  band,  under  his 
direction.  The  programs  will  be  chiefly  selec- 
tions by  the  orchestra,  and  will  be  introduced 
and  closed  each  week  by  the  playing  of  part 
of  Schubert's  "Unfinished  Symphony." 

The  program  Thursday  night  was  opened 
with  Elgar's  "Pomp  and  Circumstance" 
march,  followed  by  Brahm's  Valse  Suite, 
Opus  38.  Then  came  Rachmaninoff's  "Pre- 
lude in  G  Minor,"  Haendel's  "Largo,"  Bizet's 
"Suite  from  the  Opera,  'Carmen',"  and  Erwin 
Glucksman's  arrangement  of  "Poet  and  the 
Peasant."  Among  the  lighter  numbers  were 
"Salty,"  "Driftwood,"  and  "Jeannine." 


Maj 


ior  John  Zanft  Weds 
Hattie  Carnegie  in  East 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  28.— Major  John 
Zanft,  vice-president  and  general  manager  of 
the  Fox  theatre  chain,  married  Miss  Hattie 
Carnegie  here  last  week.  The  bride,  a  native 
of  Austria,  was  formerly  the  wife  of  Ferdi- 
nand Fleischmann. 


Irving  Briskin  Becomes 
Sterling   Vice-President 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Irving  J.  Briskin, 
with  Sterling  Pictures  since  its  inception,  has 
been  promoted  to  vice-president.  His  new  du- 
ties will  give  him  complete  handling  of  all 
matters  concerning  domestic  and  foreign 
sales. 


Race  Officials  Are  Held 
For  Violating  Blue  Law 

.\LTOONA,  PA.,  Aug.  28.— The  blue  laws 
of  1794  were  brought  into  play  when  five 
ofiicials  of  the  Speedway  here  were  cited  to 
appear  at  a  hearing  following  the  running  of 
the  International  Sweepstakes  on  Sunday. 


War  Film  Plays  Germany 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— "The  Battles  of 
Coronel  and  Faulkland  Islands,"  produced  in 
association  with  A.  E.  Bundy  of  London, 
which  played  a  four-week's  run  at  the  Cameo, 
has  had  its  initial  showing  in  Germany. 


Radio  Reports  Maggie, 
"Nanook"  Eskimo,  Dying 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

OTTAWA,  Aug.  28.— News  of  a 
tragedy  of  interest  to  the  film  world 
has  reached  the  civilized  world 
through  a  radio  message  from  Port 
Harrison,  on  Hudson's  Bay  in  North- 
ern Canada,  that  Maggie,  the  Eskimo 
woman  whose  personality  was  a  fea- 
ture of  M  C  M's  "Nanook  of  the 
North,"  was  dying  at  the  Eskimo 
camp  there  as  the  result  of  an  injury 
to  her  spine.  Her  condition  was  dis- 
covered when  an  exploration  schoon- 
er called  at  Port  Harrison  to  arrange 
for  a  base  for  an  expedition.  The 
medical  officer  attached  to  the  party 
gave  all  professional  assistance  pos- 
sible. 


Educational  Names  the 
Lane  Contest  Victors; 
Newman  Wins  1st  Prize 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  28.— Winners  are 
announced  by  Educational  in  the  contest  for 
the  six  best  examples  of  short  feature  adver- 
tising and  exploitation  on  behalf  of  a  Lupino 
Lane  comedy  during  a  sixteen-week  period, 
over  the  entire  West  Coast  circuit.  The  first 
prize  of  $125  goes  to  Frank  Newman,  West 
Coast  theatre,  Long  Beach,  Cal.,  and  the  five 
other  awards  of  $100,  $75,  $50,  and  two  of 
%2d  each,  go  to  the  following  managers : 

Second  prize,  Harry  W.  Woodin,  California 
theatre,  Anaheim,  Cal. ;  third  prize,  C.  L. 
Laws,  U.  C.  theatre,  Berkeley,  Cal.;  fourth 
prize,  Robert  Harvey  and  Phil  Phillips,  T  &  D 
theatre,  Oakland,  Cal;  fifth  prize,  George  F. 
Sharp,  Wilson  theatre,  Fresno,  Cal. ;  sixth 
prize,  H.  A.  Gillespie,  Liberty  theatre,  Yak- 
ima, Wash. 

Newman  _  made  an  especially  commendable 
showing  with  consistent  plugging  of  Lupino 
Lane  in  "Fandango,"  in  a  well  planned  series 
of  newspaper  and  program  ads  and  publicity 
copy.  _  He  succeeded  in  placing  much  pictorial 
publicity  as  well,  and  had  a  Lupino  Lane  cut- 
out, considerably  larger  than  life-size,  in  his 
lobby. 


Brandon  Withdraws  Suit 
Against  Board  at  Atlanta 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

ATLANTA,  Aug.  28.— Cancellation  by 
Thomas  A.  Branon,  head  of  the  Eltabran 
Film  Company,  with  headquarters  in  Atlanta, 
of  his  injunction  suit  against  the  Atlanta  Film 
Board  of  Trade  to  prevent  the  board  from 
expelling  him  from  membership,  this  week 
brought  to  an  end  the  differences  which  have 
existed  between  the  distributor  and  the  trade 
board.  The  suit  was  instituted  some  months 
ago  but  never  has  come  to  trial.  Shortly 
after  it  was  filed,  the  board  rescinded  its 
action  looking  to  expelling  Branon,  thereby 
restoring  him  to  membership.  The  board  had 
claimed  that  the  distributor  had  violated  cer- 
tain of  the  rules  of  the  organization. 

In  his  petition  to  the  court,  Brandon  de- 
clared that  the  action  of  the  board  was  illegal, 
claim  being  made  that  it  was  not  in  accord- 
ance with  certain  specifications  embraced  in 
the  bvlaw. 


Fairbanks  Cameraman 

Held  in  Slaying  Quiz 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
TUCUMCARI,  N.  M.,  Aug.  28.— Leroy 
James,  who  called  himself  a  cameraman  for 
Douglas  Fairbanks  and  Mary  Pickford,  was 
jailed  here  in  connection  with  the  slaj'ing  of 
\A'endt  Schmidt. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


''Lilac  Time" Show 
Aboard  Plane  Ends 
In  Plunge  in  Harbor 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Eleven  persons 
aboard  an  airplane  waved  their  handker- 
chiefs for  help  for  three  hours  and  were 
answered  only  with  return  waves  and  smiles 
from  ferry  boats. 

The  eleven  in  the  plane  did  not  see  and 
hear  "Lilac  Time"  in  synchronized  film,  as 
had  been  planned,  because  the  airplane 
burned  out  a  motor  and  skilful  piloting 
brought  it  to  rest  on  the  water  a  mile  out 
from  the  Statue  of  Liberty,  where  an  anchor 
was  thrown  out.  After  many  unheeded 
calls  for  help,  relief  came  from  a  passing 
motorboat  which  gave  the  plane  a  tow  to 
shore. 

First  National's  publicity  department  also 
had  arranged  with  WGBS  to  broadcast  the 
music  for  the  picture. 


Pathe  Buys  Full 
Hold  on  Producers 
International  Body 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.  — All  minority 
stockholders'  interests  in  Producers  Inter- 
national Corporation  have  been  purchased 
by  Pathe  and  the  Pathe  export  department 
will  be  merged  in  Pathe  International  Cor- 
poration, 100  per  cent  subsidiary  of  Pathe 
Exchange,  Inc.,  Colvin  W.  Brown,  executive 
vice-president,  announced  yesterday. 

William  Vogel  remains  with  the  company 
as  vice-president  and  general  manager. 
Arthur  Rousseau,  who  has  managed  the 
Pathe  export  department  for  12  years,  con- 
tinues with  the  company  as  vice-president. 


Hughes  Loans  Milestone 
To  Paramount  for  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Lewis  Mile- 
stone has  been  loaned  to  Paramount  by 
Howard  Hughes  to  direct  a  feature  produc- 
tion. Upon  completion  of  his  special  as- 
signment he  will  return  to  Caddo,  where  he 
is  scheduled  to  direct  a  million-dollar  ocean 
epic. 


Large  Australian  Chain 
Signs  to  Play  Pathe  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Hoyts  Theatre, 
with  90  houses  in  Australia  and  others  in 
New  Zealand,  will  play  Pathe  productions  as 
first  runs  in  all  key  cities  through  an  arrange- 
ment just  concluded  with  Producers  Interna- 
tional Corporation,  foreign  distributorsi  of 
Pathe. 


Firemen  Use  Fire  Escape 
To  Reach  Theatre  Blaze 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  28.— Damage  esti- 
mated at  $1,000  was  done  to  the  Granada  the- 
atre in  Anderson,  Ind.,  recently  by  a  fire 
which  started  on  the  roof  and  burned  its  way 
into  the  building.  Firemen  were  forced  to  use 
fire  escapes  to  get  at  the  blaze. 


Garsson  Sails  to  England 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Murray  W. 
Garsson,  president  of  the  Buck  Jones  cor- 
poration, will  sail  for  England,  where  he 
will  make  arrangements  for  a  production 
starring  Buck  Jones. 


St.  Louis  Exhibitors  Agree  to 
Musicians'  Offer,  Says  Agent 

Union  Concession  for  $4  a  Week  Reduction  Presented  to  Permit 

Smaller  Houses  to  Keep  Orchestras  and  Not 

Use  "Canned  Music" 

[By  Special  Correspondent  of  the  Herald-World] 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  28.  —  Steve  Butler,  business  agent  for  the  St.  Louis 
Musicians  Mutual  Benefit  Association,  in  a  report  submitted  to  the  St.  Louis 
Central  Trades  and  Labor  Unions  at  Unity  Hall,  Sunday  afternoon,  stated  the 
owners  of  59  theatres  controlled  by  members  of  the  Independent  Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  St.  Louis,  through  Fred  Wehrenberg,  president,  have 
declared  their  willingness  to  sign  a  new  contract  with  the  musicians  union 
effective  on  September  L 

700  Theatres  Affiliated 

Butler  pointed  out  that  there  are  in  Eastern  Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois 
more  than  700  theatres  affiiiated  with  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners 
association  of  which  Wehrenberg  is  the  president.  These  houses  principally 
charge  10,  15  and  20  cents  admissions. 


In  order  to  permit  many  of  these  smaller 
houses  to  retain  orchestras  composed  of 
union  players  and  to  refrain  from  installing 
various  "canned  music"  equipment,  Butler 
explained,  his  union  had  made  very  liberal 
concessions.  Not  only  did  the  musicians 
accept  a  $4  a  week  per  man  cut  in  the 
larger  houses,  such  as  the  Ambassador, 
Missouri  and  Loew's  State,  but  in  the  small 
houses  other  special  concessions  were  made 
such  as  the  extra  charge  when  musicians 
play  two  instruments  and  the  50  per  cent 
increase  when  on  occasions  the  musicians 
sang  on  the  stage. 

Work  Hours  Raised  30  Minutes 

The  hours  of  work  in  the  smaller  houses 
were  increased  by  thirty  minutes. 

Butler  pointed  out  that  the  musicians 
have  brought  about  conditions  which  will 
enable  the  theatres  and  other  amusement 
places  to  employ  more  musicians  and  many 
members  of  the  union  now  idle  will  get 
work. 

"Belief  in  certain  principles  of  unionism 
may  serve  a  purpose,  but  understanding  is 
better,  as  has  been  proved  in  our  fight 
against  'canned  music,'  "  Butler  said.  "Our 
fight  was  at  one  time  stopped  by  the  police. 
Police  Favor  Neutrality 

"But  following  our  suit  for  damages 
against  members  of  the  Board  of  Police 
Commissioners,  that  body  has  adopted  a 
declaration  in  favor  of  neutrality  in  con- 
troversies between  labor  and  employers, 
which  is  another  victory  of  which  we  should 
be  proud.  Park  concerts  in  the  future  will 
depend  on  organized  labor  and  a  special  tax 
of  a  fraction  of  a  mill  would  provide  a  fund 
of  $300,000,  sufficient  to  provide  concerts 
for  every  neighborhood  park,  where  they 
are  most  needed." 

Butler  also  announced  that  the  Musicians 
Union  will  arrange  a  special  benefit  concert 
program  to  help  offset  the  loss  experienced 
by  the  Municipal  Opera  Association  during 


It's  Hot,  So  Staff  Has 
Confab  and  Gets  Hotter! 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

CHATHAM,  ONT.,  Aug.  28.— A 
one-theatre  "convention"  was  held 
recently  during  a  hot  spell  when 
Manager  A.  P.  Drohan  of  Griffin's 
theatre,  called  the  whole  staff  to- 
gether for  a  round-table  discussion 
of  all  details  of  theatre  management, 
service  and  presentation.  Sugges- 
tions were  noted  and  a  "go-getter" 
spirit  was  instilled  into  all  em- 
ployees, Drohan  states. 


the  season  which  closed  on  Sunday,  August 
26.  It  was  the  first  time  since  its  initial 
season  that  the  opera  experienced  a  deficit. 

While  the  musicians  union  have  shown  a 
willingness  to  cooperate  with  the  St.  Louis 
theatre  owners  in  reducing  their  overhead 
costs,  the  motion  picture  projectionists  em- 
ployed in  the  58  neighborhood  theatres  in- 
dependently operated  in  St.  Louis  have 
declined  to  accept  a  10  per  cent  reduction  in 
wages.  The  proposition  was  put  to  a  vote 
of  members  of  Moving  Picture  Operators 
Local  Union  No.  143  and  defeated. 
Projectionists  Fight  Cut 

This  proposal  from  the  theatre  owners 
was  a  counteraction  to  the  demands  of  the 
operators  for  an  increase  September  1  in 
their  present  wage  scale  from  $54  to  $63 
a  week,  based  on  the  seating  capacity  of  the 
theatres. 

Fred  Wehrenberg,  representing  the  thea- 
tre owners,  addressed  the  projectionists  and 
told  them  that  many  theatres  in  the  city 
must  reduce  their  overhead  expenses  if  they 
hope  to  remain  open.  He  also  pointed  out 
the  concessions  made  by  the  musicians 
whereby  musicians  in  the  smaller  theatres 
voluntarily  accepted  a  cut  in  wages  from 
$48  to  $44  a  week,  and  also  reduced  the 
minimum  requirements  of  players  in  some 
instances. 

The  executive  committee  of  the  operators 
union  was  authorized  to  conduct  further 
negotiations  with  the  theatre  owners. 
Wehrenberg,  Oscar  Lehr,  treasurer,  and 
Clarence  Kaimann  and  Williams  Reeves, 
member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
motion  picture  theatre  owners,  have  met  the 
union  men. 


Tiffany-Stahl  to  Make 

Ten  Using  Photophone 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— R  C  A  Photo- 
phone  will  be  used  for  Tiffany-Stahl  sound 
pictures  which  are  to  be  known  as  Tiffany 
Tone  Productions,  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement today.  Ten  productions  are 
planned  with  sound. 

It  was  also  announced  that  Gloria 
Swanson's  new  picture,  "Queen  Kelly,"  to 
be  handled  by  United  Artists,  will  be  made 
with  Photophone. 


Soviet-German  Company 
In  Affiliated  Producers 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— The  newest  re- 
cruit of  the  Affiliated  European  Producers, 
Inc.,  is  Drussa,  Soviet  Government-German 
film  trust  combine.  This  is  the  fifteenth  com- 
pany to  enter  the  new  organization. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Y^ 


SYNCHRONIZED   PICTURES 


Kennedy  Organizes  Eastern  Sound  Studio 

Old  Pathe  Plant  Is  Acquired; 
Equipment  Also  Sent  to  Coast 


(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28. — Joseph  P.  Kennedy  takes  another  of  his  many  and 
rapid  strides  forward  in  the  industry  with  organization  of  Sound  Studios,  Inc., 
for  production  of  sound  pictures  in  the  East.  The  new  company  has  acquired 
the  Pathe  studios  at  124th  street  for  equipment  with  RCA  Photophone. 

Robert  Kane  will  be  president  of  Sound 
Studios',  Inc.,  and  the  vice  presidents  are  to  be 
Joseph  I.  Schnitzer,  vice  president  of  F  B  O, 
and  Colvin  W.  BrowTi,  executive  vice  president 
of  Pathe. 


Stage   Stars  to  Be  Signed 

"Located  in  the  heart  of  the  legitimate  pro- 
ducing field"  says  the  announcement,  "it  is 
planned  to  make  use  of  stars  whose  names 
are  outstanding  and  whose  screen  personality 
is  surefire.  The  productions  to  be  made  will 
be  filmed  from  outstanding  plays,  novels  or 
stories  which  lend  themselves  naturally  to 
dialogue  and  sound  effects  and  yet  will  con- 
tain those  pictorial  qualities  and  elements 
which  will  score  as  effectively  in  the  silent 
field  as  they  are  expected  to  store  in  the  talk- 
ing field." 

W'hile  this  development  was  being  made 
known,  four  RCA  engineers  were  leaving  for 
the  F  B  O  Hollywood  Studios  with  a  baggage 
car  full  of  paraphernalia  with  which  to  equip 
a  stage  for  Photophone.  The  engineers  were 
to  be  met  by  Lee  Clarke,  in  charge  of  the  tech- 
nical   sound    division. 

What    It    Takes    to    Equip    Stage 

Exhibitors  have  heard  much  about  the  cost 
of  equipment  for  production  of  sound  films, 
but  have  not  had  much  information  as  to 
just  what  apparatus  is  required.  The  cost  is 
easily  understood  when  one  knows  the  parts 
necessary.  Here  is  a  list  of  the  apparatus 
shipped  in  the  baggage  car  bound  for  the 
F  B  O  studio  on  the  Coast : 

2  recording  machines,  2  recording  tables,  8  1000 
ft.  magazines,  6  microphones,  6  michrophone  stands, 
6  michrophone  amplifiers,  2  power  amplifiers,  2  500 
V.  motor  generator  sets,  2  monitor  loudspeakers  com- 
plete with  amplifier,  6  complete  Breast  transmitters 
and  headphones  for  intercommunication,  4  camera 
markers,  4  Cine  motors  for  camera  operation,  2  mo-  ■ 
tor  generator  charging  outfits,   4   storage   batteries. 

Radiotrons  as  follows:  6  UX  240,  6  UX  201  A,  6 
PJ  8,  4  PJ  21,  4  UX  281,  2  UX  250,  2  indicating 
lamps,    2    photometer    lamps,    2    exposure    lamps. 

Spare  parts  as  follows:  2  vibrators,  1  tool  kit,  2 
rewind  belts  for  recorder,  4  sets  of  spare  fuses,  4 
sets  motor  generator  brushes  for  both  motor  generator 
sets,  Radiotrons  as  follows:  6UX  240,  6  UX  201  A, 
6  PJ  8,  4  PJ  21,  4  UX  281,  2  UX  250,  4  camera 
marker  lanps,  2  indicating  lamps,  4  exposure  lamps, 
2  photometer  lamps,  6  michrophone  amplifier  bridles 
and  fittings,  2  trunks  for  spare  parts,  4  loading  bags 
for  1000  ft.  magazines,  3  michrophones,  3  michrophone 
cables,   3   shielded   S-lead   cables. 

One  Phototone  reproducing  equipment  as  follows: 
2  sound  projectors  less  lamp  housing  and  lenses,  1 
complete  \'oltage  amplifier  and  power  amplifier  rack, 
8  loudspeaker  units,  1  monitoring  loudspeaker,  1  input 
control  panel,  1  visual  signaling  system,  1  motor 
generator  charging  equipment,  4  Exide  storage  bat- 
teries, 4  UX  281  Radiotrons,  4  UX  250  Radiotrons, 
12   UX   210    Radiotrons. 

Dry  batteries  as  required  for  initial  installation, 
spare    equipment   as   follows:    6   UX   210   Radiotrons, 


2  UX  281  Radiotrons,  2  UX  250  Radiotrons,  1  com- 
plete set  of  indicating  lamps,  2  spare  loudspeaker 
cones. 

Shooting  of  the  first  all-talker  is  to  start 
at  the  Hollywood  plant  within  three  weeks. 
It  is  to  be  a  melodrama  and  William  LeBaron, 
vice  president  in  charge  of  production,  is  re- 
ported to  have  signed  half  the  cast  after  hav- 
ing been  in  touch  with  stage  stars  before  he 
left  New  York  for  the   Coast. 

LeBaron  is  considering  organization  of  a 
permanent  company  of  stock  players  to  appear 
exclusively  in  F  B  O  synchronized  product, 
these  to  be  chosen  largely  from  stage  players. 


Hear  Smith  Address 
Before  He  Gives  It 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
BUFFALO,  Aug.  28.— Patrons  at  the 
Great  Lakes  theatre  heard  Governor  Al 
Smith  start  his  acceptance  address  even  be- 
fore the  candidate  began  speaking.  The  Fox 
Movietone  special  was  put  on  the  screen 
exactly  at  the  official  time  to  release,  whereas 
at  Albany  the  rain  had  necessitated  a  delay 
of  actual  delivery  while  rearrangement  was 
being  made  for  holding  the  ceremony  in- 
doors. Of  course  it  was  a  shorter  version 
on  the  Movietone,  but  it  was  quite  a  scoop 
for  Manager  H.   M.  Addison. 


This  Theatre  Not  Wired 
But  It  Had  Sound  Effects 

The  Blane  moving  picture  theatre 
in  Chicago  is  not  equipped  for  sound, 
but  the  other  night  it  was  wired  with 
vocal  chords  and  some  startling 
sound  effects  were  heard  issuing 
from  it.  There  were  plenty  of  talk- 
ing sequences  too,  with  a  great  deal 
of  yells  and  screams.  Volume  was 
perfect,  but  the  synchronization 
seemed  a  bit  off.  Neighbors  who  in- 
vestigated thought  the  theatre  must 
be  rehearsing  one  of  those  gang  pic- 
tures with  sound,  but  when  they  en- 
tered the  theatre  about  dawn,  they 
found  young  Robert  Andrew  who 
had  fallen  asleep  during  the  evening 
performance  and  had  slept  until  al- 
most dawn.  He  was  returned  to  his 
frantic  parents. 


Cheer  Up!    They'll 

All  Have  Their  Fling 

The  farm  editor  seems  to  be  about 
the  only  departmental  writer  on 
newspapers  who  has  not  been  called 
in  yet  to  act  as  critic  of  sound  pic- 
tures. The  reviewers  of  dramatics 
were  the  nrst  to  step  to  the  aid  of 
the  motion  picture  critic.  Then 
came  the  music  critic  to  add  his  dis- 
cussion and  now  we  have  even  the 
art  critic  getting  into  the  game,  as 
well  as  the  book  critic. 

When  Paramount's,  "The  Patriot" 
opened  at  the  Rialto  in  New  York, 
for  example,  music  critics  went  into 
serious  discussion  of  the  sound  ac- 
companiment. 


Sound  Pictures  Open 
Big  Despite  Lack  of 
Extensive  Advertising 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

SHREVEPORT,  LA.,  Aug.  28.— Without 
any  extravagant  outlay  of  money  for  ad- 
vance advertising,  Saenger's  Majestic  theatre 
here  began  showing  sound  pictures  last  Fri- 
day, and  drew  enormous  business  on  the  open- 
ing day.  Attendance  held  to  a  high  level  all 
week.  The  house  seats  932.  The  feature  was 
Warner   Brothers'   "Glorious   Betsy." 

Surrounding  the  feature  were  several  Vita- 
phone  acts — Will  Hays  in  his  speech  welcom- 
ing Vitaphone ;  Conrad  Nagel  in  the  general 
trailer ;  Mary  Lewis,  Metropolitan  Opera  star ; 
Waring's  Pennsylvanians  and  Van  and 
Schenck.  Another  short  subject  chosen  was  a 
Fox  Movietone  reel  of  Mayor  O'Keefe  of 
New  Orleans. 


"Warming  Up  ''Is  First 
Sound  Policy  Feature 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.,  Aug.  28.— Begin- 
ning Sunday,  sound  pictures  were  added  to 
the  attractions  of  the  Florida  theatre,  Jack- 
sonville's largest  playhouse.  The  feature  is 
Paramount's  first  picture  with  sound,  "Warm- 
ing Up,"  starring  Richard  Dix.  Movietone 
News  and  a  Movietone  act  are  added  attrac- 
tions. Other  pictures  scheduled,  include  Emil 
Jannings  in  "The  Patriot,"  Esther  Ralston  and 
Hobart  Bosworth  in  "The  Sawdust  Paradise" 
and  Pola  Negri  in  "Loves  of  an  Actress." 
Vitaphone  presentations  will  be  offered  from 
time  to  time.  Vitaphone  features  will  be  pre- 
sented only  at  the  Imperial. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Twenty-five  Houses 
In  Atlanta  Territory 
To  Be  Wired  Soon 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ATLANTA,  Aug.  28.— Twenty-five  addi- 
tional theatres  in  this  immediate  territory 
have  closed  contracts  for  Western  Electric 
equipment  and  are  soon  to  be  wired  for 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone.  Several  important 
installations  are  now  in  progress  and  others 
will  be  completed  just  as  rapidly  as  engineers 
can  handle  the  work. 

Fifteen  of  these  installations  are  scheduled 
for  theatres  in  Florida,  the  group  including 
every  town  where  E.  J.  Sparks  is  operating. 
That  seems  particularly  appropriate  since 
Sparks  pioneered  in  this  section  with  Vita- 
phone  and  made  a  great  success  of  it  before 
it  became  so  widely  and  favorably  established. 
Florida  houses  now  being  wired,  or  soon 
to  be  wired,  include  the  Republic,  Jackson- 
ville;  Rex,  St.  Petersburg;  Jefferson,  St. 
Augustine;  Star,  Arcadia;  Beacham,  Orlando; 
Milane,  Sanf  ord ;  Arcade,  Ft.  Myers ;  Palace, 
Bradentown;  Capitol,  Plant  City;  Florida, 
Gainesville;  Dreka,  Deland ;  Howell,  Palatka; 
Sunrise,  Ft.  Pierce;  Sarasota,  Sarasota;  Sun- 
set,  Ft.  Lauderdale. 


New  Canadian  House 
To  Show  Sound  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
OTTAWA,  Aug.  28.— p.  J.  Nolan,  propri- 
etor of  the  Rex  and  Columbia  theatres,  an- 
nounced this  week  that  his  handsome  new 
suburban  house,  the  Avalon,  scheduled  to  open 
in  September,  will  be  wired  for  the  presen- 
tation of  sound  track  films.  Nolan  claims 
that  the  Avalon  will  be  the  first  moving  pic- 
ture house  in  the  Dominion  to  offer  sound 
pictures  as  a  permanent  feature.  He  has  an- 
nounced that  the  installation  of  the  special 
equipment  is  costing  in  the  neighborhood  of 
$20,000. 


MGM  Production 

Opens  Next  Month 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Installation  of 
the  sound  stages,  recording  apparatus  and 
electrical  instruments  at  the  M  G  M  studios  is 
nearing  completion  and  production  of  talking 
pictures  will  start  in  September. 

Two  stages,  each  98  by  70  feet  give  a  total 
of  6,860  square  feet  of  floor  space,  besides 
their  monitor  rooms,  with  3,500  square  feet 
of  space  each.  The  recording  building  has 
12,000  feet  of  floor  space.  The  value  of  the 
sound  stages  will  approximate  half  a  million 
dollars,  according  to  the  engineers  in  charge. 


Gotham  Puts  Final 

Touches  on  Plans 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Negotiations  for 
synchronizing  Gotham  productions  have  been 
practically  completed.  President  Sam  Sax  de- 
clared just  before  leaving  for  the  Coast  fol- 
lowing a  month  of  conferences  with  Vice 
President  Budd  Rogers. 


Artclass  Heads  to  Meet 

On  Entering  Sound  Field 

(Special   to    the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Max  Weiss  of 
Artclass  Pictures  will  leave  for  an  extended 
sales  trip  in  Europe  following  a  conference 
with  Adolph  Weiss  and  Louis  Weiss  this 
week  to  consider  entering  the  sound  field. 


CAROLINA 

THEATRE 


An  example  of  how  exJiibitors  are  using  the  department  of  SYNCHRONIZED  PICTURES 
in  the  Herald-World  as  an  aid  in  preparing  advertising  on  the  sound  picture.  The  two  pages 
shown  above  are  part  of  a  special  newspaper  section  announcing  the  introduction  of  sound 
pictures  at  the  Carolina  theatre,  Greensboro,  N.  C.  The  right  hand  page  was  originally 
used  by  H.  E..  Jameyson  of  the  Palace  theatre,  Wichita,  Kan.,  and  later  reproduced  in  the 
Herald-World  as  shown  above.  At  that  time  Jameyson  offered  to  supply  readers  of  the 
Herald-World  with  jnats  of  the  page  at  cost. 


Stanley  Reopens  Regent 

With  Vitaphone  Installed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  28.— The  Stanley 
Company  reopened  the  Regent  theatre  in  East 
Liberty  for  the  new  season  recently.  Vita- 
phone was  installed  here  some  time  ago. 
Loew  will  reopen  the  Aldine  in  downtown 
Pittsburgh  on  Labor  Day.  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  are  being  installed,  and  it  is  likely 
that  the  sound  short  features  will  be  featured 
in  conjunction  with  vaudeville  bills. 

The  Harris  Theatres:  probably  will  install 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone  in  their  Sheridan 
Square  theatre.  East  Liberty  and  the  South 
Hills  theatre,   Dormont. 


''Jazz  Singer^ ^  Packs 
Tudor,  New  Orleans 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NE\V  ORLEANS,  Aug.  28.— "The  Jazz 
Singer,"  featuring  Al  Jolson,  is  packing  the 
Tudor  theatre  to  the  doors.  The  Vitaphone 
vaudeville  includes:  The  Ingenues,  Ziegfeld 
Follies  Stars  and  a  quartet  in  "A  Monastery 
Cellar." 


Sound  and  Color 
In  Same  Film  Is 
Tiffany-Stahl  Aim 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Tiffany-Stahl  is 
now  synchronizing  "The  Toilers"  and  "The 
Cavalier,"  to  be  ready  for  showing  September 
1.     Eight  others  also  will   be  synchronized. 

A  feature  of  Tiffany-Stahl's  plans  is  the 
release  of  color  pictures  with  synchronization. 
These  are  "In  a  Persian  Market,"  October  1 ; 
"The  Toy  Shop,"  November  1 ;  "The  Hawaiian 
Love  Call,"  December  15 ;  "A  Japanese  Car- 
nival," January  1  (picture  to  be  taken  in  nat- 
ural colors  in  Tokio,  during  the  coronation  of 
the  Emperor)  and  "In  A  Chinese  Temple 
Garden,"  February  15  (all  scenes  to  be  photo- 
graphed   in    China). 


1 5  Day  and  Date  Showings 
Arranged  for  "Tenderloin^' 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  28.— The 
Vitaphoned  "Tenderloin"  is  playing 
fifteen  Philadelphia  theatres  this 
week  as  well  as  four  surrounding 
towns,  through  bookings  of  Joseph 
Hebrew,  Warner  Brothers  branch 
manager. 

The  Rivoli  in  Baltimore  aban- 
doned a  one-week  policy  to  hold  over 
two  consecutive  pictures,  with  Vita- 
phone dialogue,  "State  Street  Sadie" 
and  "Women   They  Talk  About." 


Alamo  Closed  for 

Sound  Installing 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOUISVILLE,  Aug.  28.— Manager  Fred 
Dolle,  president  of  the  Fourth  Avenue  Amuse- 
ment Company,  announced  last  Saturday  that 
the  Alamo  theatre  would  be  closed  for  three 
weeks.  During  this:  time  both  Vitaphone  and 
Movietone  equipmenr  will  be  installed.  The 
theatre  will  have  new  lighting  fixtures,  new 
draperies,  and  new  wall  treatments  in  order 
to  perfect  the  reproduction  of  the  sounds  from 
Vitaphone  and  Movietone,  also  a  new  venti- 
lating system. 

The  lobby  will  be  redecorated  and  ampli- 
fiers will  be  placed  at  vantage  points  in  the 
auditorium. 


Write  Original  Songs 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
NEW     YORK,^    Aug.     28.— Two     original 
songs  by  Victor  Schertzinger  will  be  sung  by 
Nancy  Carroll   in  her  sound  picture  of   New 
York  stage  life. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Advance  poster  used  by  the  Carthay  Circle  theatre  in  Las  Angeles  for  the 

run  of  "Lilac  Time,"  the  First  National  picture  starring  Colleen  Moore,  and 

F  Ns'  first  sound  picture,  using  the  Photophone  system.     A  poster  such  as 

this  will  arouse  curiosity  concerning  both  the  picture  and  Photophone. 

"Lilac  Time ''  Gets  Big  Campaign 
at  Carthay  Circle^  Los  Angeles 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  28. — The  exploitation  campaign  used  for  the  world  pre- 
miere of  First  National's  special,  "Lilac  Time,"  starring  Colleen  Moore,  at  the 
Carthay  Circle  theatre,  Los  Angeles,  was  big-time  from  every  angle.  It  carried 
the  message  to  nearly  every  resident  of  Southern  California  that  "Lilac  Time" 
was  opening  at  the  Carthay  Circle  on  July  16.  Following  are  listed  some  of  the 
highlights  of  exploitation  employed  for  this  purpose. 


A  wrecked  airplane  was  placed  in  a  wire 
enclosure  in  the  forecourt  of  the  Carthay  Cir- 
cle theatre.  The  entire  plane  was  of  tan  color 
linen,  including  wings,  fuselage,  etc.  Letters 
and  numbers  were  in  black,  the  U.  S.  A.  in- 
signia in  red,  white  and  blue.  A  signboard 
explained  the  wrecked  airplane.  This  at- 
tracted tremendous  attention.  Theatres  hav- 
ing no  forecourt  can  use  the  wrecked  airplane 
on  the  marquee. 

A  de  luxe  teaser  28-sheet  billboard  with 
copy  reading,  "It  will  soon  be  LILAC  TIME 
in  Los  Angeles"  was  used  in  various  sections 
of  the  city.  The  poster  had  a  lilac  background, 
with  black  and  white  letters.  Later  a  narrow 
strip  was  posted  across  the  large  letters  of 
"Lilac  Time"  reading,  "And  then  you'll  hear 
Photophone."  The  stand  was  made  from 
block  fetters.  The  teaser  28's  were  covered 
with  local  24-sheet  stands  just  before  the  pic- 
ture opened.  A  similar  6-sheet  with  white  let- 
ters on  a  lilac  background  was  employed. 

Flock  of  Planes  Painted 

Eight  painted  de  luxe  boards,  hand  painted 
by  the  outdoor  advertising  company,  proved 
excellent  attention  arresters.  A  flock  of  air- 
planes and  a  large  head  of  Colleen  Moore 
were  painted  on  each. 

The  chain  of  80  Owl  Drug  Stores  in  Los 
Angeles  and  suburbs  gave  excellent  displays 
of  the  Colleen  Moore  toilet  articles  which  it 
merchandises,  together  with  stills,  photo  en- 
largements and  special  cards  on  the  "Lilac 
Time"  showing  at  the  Carthay  Circle.  Twenty 
of  these  displays  occupied  the  full  wifidow — 
the  best  for  advertising  purposes  in  the  city. 
The  20  big  window  displays  remained  up  for 
two  weeks.  The  Owl  Drug  Store  also  got  up 
a  special  Colleen  Moore  vial  of  perfume. 
These  vials  were  given  away  to  ladies  attend- 
ing the  matinee  performance.  A  special  sundae 


was  also  put  out  by  the  Owl  people.  A  photo- 
graph of  Colleen  Moore  eating  one  of  the 
sundaes,  with  a  description  of  how  the  sun- 
dae is  made,  was  pas:ted  on  the  windows  of 
all  80  Owl  drug  stores  as  well  as  on  the  mir- 
ror back  of  the  soda  fountains.  The  soda 
dispensers  also  wore  small  silk  badges  recom- 
mending the  sundae. 

Prior  to  the  opening,  the  theme  song,  "Jean- 
nine,  I  Dream  of  Lilac  Time,"  was  broadcast 
over  the  radio.  The  opening  itself  went  over 
the  radio  from  station  KNX.  The  first  500 
persons  who  wrote  into  the  station  regarding 
the  reception  of  the  song  received  a  photo- 
graph of  James  Montgomery  Flagg's  new 
sketch  of  Colleen 

Statuettes  of  her  as  Jeannine  in  "Lilac 
Time"  were  placed  in  the  ticket  booth  of  the 
theatre,  in  all  branch  ticket  offices  and  other 
advantageous  places. 

Klieg  Lights  Line   Blocks 

One  of  the  most  effective  stunts  that  was 
put  out  was  the  lining,  for  two  blocks,  of  the 
avenue  between  Wilshire  boulevard  and  the 
Carthay  Circle  theatre,  with  Klieg  lights,  using 
a  lilac  tinted  glass  which  gave  a  very  beauti- 
ful effect. 

A  small  enclosed  truck,  carrying  a  loud 
speaker  set  and  a  Brunswick  Panathrope  ma- 
chine which  played  music  as  the  truck  pro- 
ceeded about  town  was  an  effective  street 
ballyhoo.  A  second  truck  followed  the  loud- 
speaker wagon,  carrying  an  electric  sign,  with 
white  lights  on  a  lilac  background,  with  the 
title  "Lilac  Time."  This  ballyhoo  got  a  lot  of 
attention. 

Stickers,  about  the  size  of  the  Red  Cross 
seal,  with  white  letters  on  a  lilac  background, 
were  used  on  all  correspondence  going  out 
from  the  theatre  and  from  First  National's 
Burbank  studios.     The  copy  on  the   stickers 


read:  "It  will  soon  be  Lilac  Time,"  the  two 
latter  words  being  in  large  type.  These  were 
followed  by  another  sticker  after  the  opening 
of  the  picture  reading:     "It's  Lilac  Time." 

The  title  of  the  picture  was  placed  on  all 
the  sculptural  advertising  used  by  the  theatre 
along  the  highways  of  Los  Angeles  and  south- 
ern California.  A  small  model  of  the  Carthay 
Circle  theatre  is  mounted  on  a  cement  pedes- 
tal, the  whole  being  about  10  or  12  feet  high. 
The  name  of  the  theatre  and  "Now  Playing" 
were  lettered  on  the  base,  with  a  space  be- 
tween for  inserting  the  title  of  each  new  at- 
traction to  play  the  theatre. 

The  Western  Union  Telegraph  company 
placed  a  special  telegraph  office  just  outside 
the  theatre  to  handle  the  volume  of  telegraph 
messages  sent  by  guests  at  the  premiere  of 
the  picture.  "Telegraph  your  friends  what 
you  think  of  'Lilac  Time' "  was  the  sign 
painted  on  a  board  covering  the  front  of  the 
telegrapher's  desk.  Another  framed  sign 
read :  "Congratulatory  telegrams  may  be  filed 
here." 

Ten  special  Neon  light  signs  were  placed  at 
various  street  intersections.  An  arrow  pointed 
the  way  to  the  Carthay  Circle  theatre.  The 
name  of  the  theatre  appeared  in  a  large  circle 
at  the  top  of  the  lamp  post,  while  an  illumi- 
nated sign  attached  about  eight  feet  up  on  the 
post  carried  the  title  of  the  picture. 


Vitaphone^s  Debut 
In  Greensboro,  N.  C 
Is  Well  Heralded 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

GREENSBORO,  N.  C,  Aug.  28.— Vita- 
phone  made  its  debut  in  Greensboro  last  week 
at  the  Carolina  theatre,  owned  and  operated 
by  Publix-Saenger,  with  "Glorious  Betsy" 
offered  as  the  feature  picture. 

Keen  interest  was  manifested  by  the  public 
and  a  capacity  house  enthusiastically  ap- 
plauded the  "see  and  hear"  picture.  Large 
audiences  throughout  the  week  insure  Vita- 
phone's  success  at  the  Carolina. 

Effective  publicity  was  given  Vitaphone  by 
the  management  of  the  Carolina  several  weeks 
in  advance.  On  Sunday,  August  12,  the 
Greensboro  Daily  News  devoted  several 
columns  of  space  to  interesting  news  and  fea- 
ture stories  pertinent  to  sound  pictures,  be- 
sides carrying  a  full  page  announcement  by 
the  theatre  of  its  new  policy  and  an  addi- 
tional quarter-page  announcing  coming  Broad- 
way stars  and  attractions.  Messages  of  con- 
gratulations to  the  Carolina  were  carried  in 
all  local  ads,  ten  in  number,  appearing  in  the 
four-page  theatre  section  of  the  newspaper. 

The  opening  sound  program  consisted  of  an 
inaugural  address  by  Will  Hays,  short 
sketches  by  Eddie  Peabody,  Mary  Lewis  and 
Bert  Swor  and  the  feature  pictures. 


Eva  La  Gallienne  to 
Play  inMGM  Talkie 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Eva  Le  Gallienne, 
founder  and  director  of  the  Civic  Repertory 
theatre  here,  has  signed  a  contract  with 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  to  appear  in  talking 
motion  pictures.  Miss  Le  Gallienne's  arrange- 
ment is  in  line  with  her  recent  statement  that 
she  believes  firmly  in  the  future  of  the  talking 
motion  picture. 

Although  this  will  be  Miss  Le  Gallienne's 
first  appearance  before  the  moving  picture 
camera,  screen  tests  were  dispensed  with  in 
her  case.  She  has  appeared  in  "Not  So  Long 
Ago,"  "Liliom,"  "The  Swan,"  revivals  of 
Ibsen,  and  during  the  last  two  seasons,  reper- 
toire productions  at  the  Civic  Repertory  the- 
atre. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


British  Exhibitors 
Are  Skeptical  Yet 
Nervous  on  Sound 

{By    London     Correspondent    of    Herald-World) 

LONDON,  Aug.  28.— British  exhibitors 
are,  in  the  main,  very  skeptical  toward 
sound  pictures,  and  a  state  of  nervousness 
is  abroad.  Alany  of  them  remember  talk- 
ing pictures  of  20  years  ago,  and  the  effects 
these,  though  novelty  made  them  a  tem- 
porary success,  does  not  inspire  confidence. 

The  C.  E.  A.  has  set  a  special  committee 
to  examine  the  whole  situation  and  to  re- 
port, and  in  the  meantime  it  is  unlikely  that 
sound  film  projection  apparatus  will  mai'ce 
inroads  among  British  cinemas. 

Paramount  is  negotiating  with  Otterson 
of  Electrical  Research  Products  who  is 
here  on  a  short  visit,  and  has  already  de- 
cided to  put  in  Movietone  at  the  Plaza,  its 
West  End  key  theatre.  Jury  Metro  are 
also  to  install  this  system  in  their  new  Em- 
pire on  Leicester  Square  which  is  now 
nearly  completed.  It  is  also  on  the  cards 
that  Paramount  will  arrange  to  produce 
sound  films  in  this  country  within  a  few 
months  from  now,  and  these  will  probably 
be  on  Movietone. 

Deforest  Phonofilms  is  to  be  taken  over 
by  a  new  British  company  to  be  called 
British  Talking  Films,  Ltd.,  and  having  a 
capital  of  500,000  pounds,  which  is  already 
subscribed.  This  company  is  sitting  tight 
on  its  26  patents  and  is  awaiting  the  result 
of  the  Deforest-Movietone  action  in  the 
U.  S.  A.  before  proceeding  to  challenge  the 
position  here. 

It  is  highly  probable  if  Movietone  loses 
this  case,  that  immediate  action  will  be 
started  by  De  Forest  in  this  country  with 
a  view  to  restraining  Movietone.  British 
Acoustics  which  is  the  sound  device  spon- 
sored by  the  Gaumont  British  Corporation 
is  soon  to  be  demonstrated  to  the  trade. 
This  is  a  film  recording  system,  but  the 
sound  strip  is  separate  from  the  picture 
film.  It  is  also  reported  that  British  Acous- 
tic sound  devices  will  be  used  by  Gains- 
borough Pictures,  Ltd.,  of  London  in  its 
feature  "The  Wreckers,"  which  is  now  in 
production.  Anthony  Asquith's  picture  for 
British  Instruction  Films,  Ltd.,  of  London, 
of  which  he  is  both  author  and  director, 
will  have  Phototone  (a  British  device)  or- 
chestral  and    sound    effect   accompaniment. 


"Stark  Mad''  to  Be 

Vitaphone  Special 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— The  next  Vita- 
phone  special  to  be  started  at  the  War- 
ner Studio  will  be  "Stark  Mad"  by  Jerome 
Kingston.  H.  B.  Warner,  Louise  Fazenda, 
and  Jacqueline  Logan  will  head  the  lineup 
and  others  featured  will  be  Henry  B.  Wal- 
thall, Claude  Gillingwater,  Warner  Rich- 
mond, Andre  Beranger,  John  Miljan  and 
Lionel  Belmore.     Lloyd  Bacon  will  direct. 


M  G  M  Sign  Adrian 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Gilbert  Adrian, 
noted  style-creator,  was  signed  to  a  long 
term  contract  last  week  by  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer.  Before  going  to  the  West  Coast, 
Adrian  designed  costumes  for  many  New 
York  reviews.  According  to  the  terms  of 
his  agreement  with  M  G  M,  Adrian,  in  ad- 
dition to  his  work  as  a  costume  designer, 
will  probably  assist  in  the  presentation  and 
staging  of  reviews  and  spectacle  sequences 
for  forthcoming  sound  productions. 


Advertising  "Lights  of  New  York/^  the  first  "all  talkie,"  produced  by 

Warner  Brothers.     The  ads  shown  above  were  used  by  the  McVickers  theatre,  Chicago,  a 

Balaban  &  Katz  loop  house,  in  putting  over  die  picture.     Ads  used  three  days  in  advance 

of  the  opening  and  those  used  for  seven  consecutive  days  during  the  run  are  shown. 


Simple  Apparatus  for 

Synchronizing   Films 

Registered  in  England 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.— New  inven- 
tions recently  registered  at  the  British  Pat- 
ent Office  have  attracted  much  attention,  ac- 
cording to  Trade  Commissioner  George  R. 
Canty   of   Paris. 

The  first  application  defines  the  scope  of 
the  invention  by  explaining  that  the  mech- 
anism already  provided  in  musical  instru- 
ments or  film  machines  is  used  to  drive  and 
obtain  uniform  running  of  the  subsequent 
addition  of  supplementary  parts. 

The  second  application  applies  to  a  sys- 
tem by  which  the  amplifier  used  for  sound 
pictures  might  also  be  used  for  the  recep- 
tion  of  broadcasting. 


German  Producers 

Form  Association 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.  —  Germany's 
latest  cartel,  that  of  talking  motion  picture 
companies,  is  called  the  "Deutsches  Tonbild 
Film-Syndikat,"  Assistant  Trade  Commis- 
sioner Douglas  Miller,  Berlin,  writes. 

Nearly  all  the  German  producers  of  talk- 
ing picture  films  are  represented  in  the  new 
cartel,  which  has  a  capital  of  about  $2,500,- 
000.  Organizers  of  the  cartel  have  not  yet 
disclosed  how  it  proposes  to  work  in  the 
industry  or  what  patents  are  planned  for 
development.  However,  it  appears,  Berlin 
observers  declare,  that  its  organizers  are 
trying  to  get  together  on  the  basis  of  the 
best  available  system,  rather  than  develop 
competing  types. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Sound  Films  Add  Impetus  to 

Producer  Backing  of  "Season  ^^ 

By  BOB  FRAZIER 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28. — Greater  Movie  Season,  now  in  full  sway,  has  won 
extraordinary  support  among  production  people.  The  very  definite  though 
baffling  movement  towards  talking  pictures  fits  appropriately  into  the  plans  of 
'"Season"  promoters  on  the  Coast.  Sound  devices  provide  an  added  instrument 
for  demolishing  that  damning  phrase,  '"in  their  infancy." 


The  consensus  of  production  people  indi- 
cates that  synchronized  pictures  open  greater 
opportunities  for  the  motion  picture  industry, 
but  skepticism  regarding  a  headlong  rush  for 
all-talkie  pictures   is  manifest. 

Sound    Effects    to    Stay:    Bancroft 

"Twenty  years  ago  I  found  people  wanted 
talking  pictures,"  says  George  Bancroft,  Para- 
mount star.  "But  people  paid  for  them  only 
so  long  as  they  remained  a  novelty.  I  had 
heard  of  the  idea  and  thought  I  would  try  it 
out.  When  I  exhibited  a  picture  with  a  small 
cast  I  stood  in  the  pit  and  spoke  the  lines 
for  the  comic,  the  hero  or  the  villain.  A 
woman  spoke  for  the  heroine.  The  idea  went 
over  big.  I  worked  one  show  each  night  for 
some  time,  but  after  all  it  was  a  novelty  and 
died  out."  Bancroft  at  that  time  (1908)  was 
owner  of  two  houses  in  Cape  Aiay,  N.  J. 
Bancroft  says  the  talkies  cannot  last,  but 
sound  effects  will. 

Guy  Oliver  is  also  an  oldtimer.  He  traveled 
in  the  New  England  states,  and  "talked"  the 
pictures  on  the  stage.  The  idea  was  put  into 
action  by  Adolph  Zukor  and  Marcus  Loew, 
who  engaged  Oliver  and  Eleanor  Stone  (now 
Mrs.  Oliver)  to  talk  the  script  as  the  scenes 
were  shown.  Sometimes  they  would  be  in 
the  pit,  other  times  on  the  side  and  often  back 
of   the   curtain.     But   Oliver   is   not   very   en- 


thusiastic regarding  the  future  of  talking  pic- 
tures. 

Can't    Stop   'Em   Says   Neill 

R.  William  Neill,  Tec-Art,  who  is  directing 
the  first  sound  and  color  pictures  says,  "You 
cannot  stop  progress." 

Milton  Sills,  First  National  star,  says, 
"Talkies  will  be  permanent." 

Billy  Bevan,  comedian,  feels  that  sound  will 
add  materially  to  films,  will  be  great  for  his 
line  of  work,  but  will  never  be  able  to  induce 
talking  in  many  vehicles. 

John  Ford,  eminent  Fox  director,  likes 
sound  effects  but  says  talking  will  only  last 
for  a  short  while. 

Paul  Jones,  assistant  director.  Paramount, 
says  the  advent  of  talking  pictures  has  com- 
pletely torn  down  ideals  of  the  public  re- 
garding stars,  which  took  years  to  build  up. 
"Sound  will  last  possibly  five  years." 

Stage   Directors  "Making  Hay" ' 

Many  of  the  former  stage  directors  are 
making  hay  while  the  sun  shines  and  are 
capitalizing  on  this  new  turn  in  the  picture 
world.  Either  they  are  instructing  the  actors 
or  accepting  contracts  to  direct  sound  or  talk- 
ing films. 

So  with  producers,  directors,  and  assistants 
or  all  descriptions  doing  all  they  can,  Greater 
Movie  Season  has  never  had  such  cooperation. 


Hamlin  Sound'Proof  Doors 

for  Movie-^Talkies 


More  and  more  studios  for  speech  and  music 
are  being  equipped  with  the  famous  Hamlin 
Sound-Proof  Doors.  For  years  universities, 
broadcasting  studios,  auditoriums,  modern  sky- 
scrapers, public  buildings,  schools,  colleges,  hos' 
pitals,  churches,  hotels  and  other  classes  of 
buildings  have  realized  the  necessity  for  "Ham- 
linized"  sound'proofing.  There  are  thousands  of 
these  doors  in  use,  in  hundreds  of  different 
buildings. 

Now  Come  the  "Movie-Talkies" 

The  Hamlin  Sound-Proof  Door  solves  the 
problem  of  sound  deadening.  It  is  a  sound- 
deadened  door,  plus  hermetical  sealing  of  the 
cracks  at  jamb  and  floor.  The  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  Corp.,  the  Famous  Players,  and  the  Radio- 
phone Corporation  have  been  equipped.  The 
National  Broadcasting  Corporation  studios  in 
New  York  and  Chicago  are  also  equipped,  like- 
wise the  Stewart-Warner  studio  in  Chicago. 
Leading  architects  recommend  the  Hamlin. 

Send  us  your  specifications 
or  write  for  catalog 

IRVING 

HAMLIN 

Manufacturers  of  SOUHD-PROOF  DOORS  and 
FOLDIHG  PARTITIOKS 


2406  Jackson  Ave. 


Evanston,  111. 


One   of  the   Ha-mlin   doors   on   an   elevator 

machinery    room    in    the    Cleveland    Ter- 

minals    Tower 


Six  Sound  Service 
Stations     Started 
By  United  Artists 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— The  film  main- 
tenance department  of  United  Artists  has 
established  six  sound  service  stations  in  ex- 
changes in  New  York,  Chicago,  Atlanta,  Dal- 
las, Kansas'  City  and  San  Francisco,  and  all 
are  in  operation. 

New  York  is  servicing  Buffalo,  New  Haven, 
Boston,  Philadelphia,  Washington,  New  York 
and  Pittsburgh  territories.  Chicago  will  serv- 
ice Detroit,  Cleveland,  Indianapolis,  Cincin- 
nati, Minneapolis  and  Chicago  regions.  At- 
lanta will  cover  itself,  Charlotte  and  New 
Orleans  territories.  Kansas  City  will  service 
St.  Louis,  Omaha,  Kansas  City  and  Denver. 
Dallas  will  be  handled  by  Dallas.  San  Fran- 
cisco will  embrace  Los  Angeles,  San  Fran- 
cisco, Seattle  and  Salt  Lake  City. 

Certain  persons  in  the  service  stations  have 
been  trained  and  designated  to  handle  sound 
films  and  records  and  to  render  prompt  and 
expert  service  to  exhibitors  who  book  United 
Artists'  Pictures  synchronized  with  scores 
and  sound  effects  or  movietoned  with  voice 
and  songs. 

United  Artists  plan  to  open  up  other  sound 
stations  to  serve  exhibitors,  as  rapidly  as  wire 
equipment  is  installed  by  showmen  and  the 
volume  demand  for  sound  films  increases. 


Warners  Remodel 
Vitagraph  Studio 
At  $500,000  Cost 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— The  old  Vita- 
graph  studio  in  Brooklyn  has  "gone  Vita- 
phone."  After  remodeling  the  building  at 
a  cost  of  $500,000,  the  plant  will  be  reopened 
by  Warner  Brothers  for  the  production  of 
Vitaphone  talking  pictures.  The  improve- 
ments will  include  two  large  stages  with 
latest  apparatus,  soundproof  walls  and  in- 
candescent lights. 

The  resuming  of  activity  at  the  Vitagraph 
Studio  will  greatly  augment  Warner  Broth- 
ers' production  capacity  for  sound  pictures. 
The  Warner  organization  is  now  putting 
sound  effects,  dialogue  and  synchronizations 
into  the  Vitaphone  print  of  every  feature 
produced  by  them.  This,  in  addition  to  a 
steady  output  of  Vitaphone  shorts,  has  ne- 
cessitated increasing  their  studio  space,  and 
that  will  be  amply  provided  for  by  the 
future  use  of  the  Vitagraph  plant. 


Octavus  Roy  Cohen 
Negro  Stories    Will 
Get  Sound  Dialogue 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug  28.— Dapper  Florian 
Slappey  and  Sis  Callie  Fukers  are  going  to 
tell  about  it  in  synchronized  pictures  made 
lay  the  Christie  Company  for  release  by  Para- 
mount. 

The  contract  with  Octavus  Roy  Cohen,  au- 
thor of  the  famous  Saturday  Evening  Post 
stories  of  Birmingham  Negro  life,  gives  the 
Christies    exclusive    rights    with    synchronism. 


Sound  Cartoon  Shown 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
NEW    YORK,    Aug.    28.— Called   the    first 
animated  cartoon  subject  in  sound,  the  Pathe 
Aesop  Film  Fable  "Dinner  Time"  is  showing 
at  the  Mark  Strand. 


k  ^-.^ 


1 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


Y^ 


THE     STUDIO 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department, 

*' Hollywood.'* 


Hoover  Goes  East,  But 
Not  Without  His  "Movies" 

(Sfccial  to   the  Hcrald-World) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  28.— Her- 
bert Hoover  had  his  "movies"  all  the 
way  on  his  trip  East.  Having  ex- 
pressed a  desire  for  pictures,  the  Re- 
publican candidate  for  President  was 
able  to  see  Fox's  "Fazil"  and  "Four 
Sons,"  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's  "Her 
Cardboard  Lover,"  "Tell  It  to  the 
Marines,"  "The  Student  Prince"  and 
"The  Enemy";  and  Paramount's 
"Forgotten  Faces,"  while  Washing- 
ton-bound. Harold  B.  Franklin, 
president  of  West  Coast  Theatres, 
was  responsible  for  the  installation. 


Fred  Newmeyer  Now  a 

Free  Lance  Director 

(Special  to  the  Hcrald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Fred  Newmeyer 
has  joined  the  ranks  of  free  lance  directors. 
This  marks  the  first  time  in  six  years  that 
Newmeyer  has  not  been  under  long  term  con- 
tract to  an  organization.  During  that  time  he 
has  directed  Harold  Lloyd  in  many  box  office 
successes  and  has  been  loaned  to  Paramount 
on  various  occasions,  directing  Richard  Dix's 
two  biggest  box  office  successes,  "The  Quarter- 
back" and  "Warming  Up." 

Newmeyer  also  directed  Reginald  Denny  in 
"That's  My  Daddy,"  "On  Your  Toes"  and 
"The  Night  Bird"  for  Universal  and  only  re- 
cently completed  "It  Can  Be  Done,"  a  Glenn 
Tryon  production. 


Sheehan  of  Fox  Named 

Coast  Vice-President 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— At  a  quarterly 
meeting  of  the  Association  of  Motion  Picture 
Producers  last  week  Winfield  Sheehan  of  Fox 
was  elected  first  vice-president  and  Jack  L. 
Warner,  Warner  Brothers,  was  elected  sec- 
ond vice-president.  Henry  King  was  elected  a 
director  in  the  association  to  represent  In- 
spiration Pictures,  Inc.,  which  company  was 
^ected  to  membership.  Arthur  J.  Ball  was 
selected  to  head  the  technical  bureau  of  the 
association. 


Voices  in  Rogers,  Conklin 
Filmof  PF  L,  "Varsity" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— "Varsity," 
Buddy  Rogers'  first  starring  picture  for  Para- 
mount, will  have  dialogue  and  other  sound 
effects.  Dialogue  for  the  picture  was  written 
by  Wells  Root,  author  of  the  story.  The 
voices  of  Rogers,  Chester  Conklin,  Mary 
Brian  and  Phillips  R.  Holmes  as  well  as  at- 
mospheric effects  will  be  heard. 


Schertzinger  Begins  PFL  Film; 
Fitzmaurice  Directing  Mackaill 

"Redskin"  Is   Current  Dix   Opus   With   Seven  Weeks   Schedule; 

Warners  Launches  "On  Trial,"  All  Talking  Picture  With 

Pauline  Starke  in  Leading  Role 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug-.  28. — Paramount  began  production  today  on  the  big- 
Richard  Dix  piece,  "Redskin,"  under  the  direction  of  Victor  Schertzinger. 

Schertzinger  left  yesterday  with  the  complete  cast  for  the  Navajo  reserva- 
tion 90  miles  south  of  Gallup,  N.  M.,  where  he  will  remain  for  five  weeks 
working  on  exteriors.  Two  weeks  is  planned  for  inside  work  upon  the  return 
of  the  company  to  Hollywood. 


The  entire  picture  is  being  shot  in  color.  It 
is  also  planned  as  a  synchronized  film.  Talk- 
ing scenes  have  not  been  contemplated. 

Louise  Brooks,  who  accompanied  the  troupe 
on  location,  is  cast  in  the  leading  feminine 
role. 

George  Fitzmaurice  last  week  began  work 
on  "The  Changeling,"  featuring  Dorothy 
Mackaill.  It  was  originally  planned  to  team 
Mackaill  with  George  O'Brien  on  the  picture 
but  production  plans  at  Fox  prevented 
O'Brien's  loan  to  First  National  for  the  role. 
The  player  for  the  part  will  be  Milton  Sills. 
Leaves  for  Honolulu 

The  company  left  yesterday  for  Honolulu 
where  it  will  begin  shooting  South  Seas  shots 
at  once.  Scott  R.  Beall  accompanied  the  out- 
fit as  production  manager. 

Tay  Garnett  began  the  direction  of  "The 
Spieler,"  a  Pathe-DeMille  production  co-fea- 
turing Alan  Hale  and  Renee  Adoree  last  week. 

A  M  G  M  company  left  this  week  for  Gla- 
cier National  Park  where  John  Waters  will 
direct  two  Tim  McCoy  pictures.  Marian 
Douglas  is  cast  opposite  McCoy  in  "Sioux 
Blood"  and  Dorothy  Janis  has  the  leading 
feminine  role  in  "Humming  Wires." 

Archie  Mayo  is  directing  "On  Trial,"  a 
Warner  Brothers  Vitaphone  special  starring 
Pauline  Frederick.  The  cast  includes  Lois 
Wilson  Bert  Lytell,  Holmes  Herbert  and 
Jason  Robards. 

"A  Slice  of  Life"  went  into  production  at 
Fox  yesterday  with  Conrad  Nagel  in  the  star- 
ring role.     Ray  Cannon  is  directing. 

Christy  Cabanne  started  one  at  Columbia  a 
day  or  so  ago.  It  is  "Driftwood"  with  Jacque- 
line Logan  heading  the  cast. 

Columbia  Completes  Two 

Two  pictures  were  completed  at  Columbia 
during  the  week;  "Street  of  Illusions,"  which 


Earl  C.  Kenton  directed,  and  "Sinner's  Pa- 
rade" under  direction  of  John  Adolfi. 

On  the  F  B  O  lot,  Louis  King  completed  the 
Buzz  Barton  feature,  "The  Freckled  Rascal," 
and  Lynn  Shores  completed  "Stolen  Love" 
with  Marceline  Day  and  Owen  Moore. 

At  First  National,  William  Beaudine  has 
completed  the  Charles  Murray  vehicle,  "Do 
Your  Duty,"  and  Al  Rogell  has  finished  shoot- 
ing on  "Cheyenne,"  a  Ken  Maynard  picture. 

Joseph  Boyle  has  completed  "Through  the 
Breakers"  for  Gotham  Productions,  with 
Margaret  Livingston  and  Holmes  Herbert. 

Tram  Carr's  "Lost  Men" 

The  Trem  Carr  production  which  Duke 
Worne  was  directing  on  the  Metropolitan  lot 
was  completed  this  week.  The  cast  included 
Tom  Santchi,  Patsy  O'Leary  and  Maude 
George.     It  is  called  "The  Isle  of  Lost  Men." 

The  two  completed  at  Tiffany-Stahl  are 
"The  Rainbow"  with  Dorothy  Sebastian  and 
Lawrence  Gray;  and  "The  Floating  College," 
co-featuring  Sally  O'Neil  and  William  Col- 
lier, Jr. 

Henry  McRae  completed  the  shooting  of 
Hoot  Gibson's  "King  of  the  Rodeo"  at  Uni- 
versal. Two  other  pictures  completed  on  that 
lot  were  the  Glenn  Tryon  feature,  "It  Can  Be 
Done" ;  and  "The  Shakedown"  with  Willie 
Wyler  directing  Barbara  Kent  and  James 
Murray. 


Rice  in  "Big  Time"  Now 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Frank  Rice  has 
been  signed  by  M  G  M  to  play  a  comic  role 
in  "Humming  Wires,"  a  Tim  McCoy  picture', 
to  be  filmed  in  Glacier  National  Park  under 
the  direction  of  John  Waters. 


CHARLES  LAMONT 


Directing  the  First  of 
the  Dorothy  Devore  Series 


For  Educational 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


M  Q  M  Takes  Editors  to  San  Diego 
by  Air;  Courageous  Stunt 

Pete  Smith  Lauded  for  Most  Novel  Scheme  of  1928  in  California — Film 
Stars  Evade  Autograph  Hounds 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Pete  Smith  undertook  one  of  the  most  cour- 
ageous publicity  stunts  since  the  transcontinental  flight  of  Leo  when 
he  engaged  two  Maddux  airships  last  week  and  loaded  them  with 
Hollywood  scribblers.  It  was  the  most  novel  publicity  scheme  of  the  year 
in  California  film  circles.  And  it  was  handled  under  auspices  of  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer. 

chance  to  make  a  lot  of  dirty  cracks  and  get 
out  without  a  scratch. 

Among  the  guests  were  Wade  Werner  of 
Associated  Press,  George  Schaefer  of  Chicago 
Tribune,  Arthur  Ungar  of  Variety,  Louella 
Parsons  of  International  News  Service,  Wil- 
liam McCormack  of  the  News,  Dan  Thomas 
of  N.E.A.,  Jimmie  De  Tarr  of  the  Examiner, 
Dorothy  Herzog  of  King  Features,  and  sev- 
eral fan  writers  who  were  accused  as  afore- 
said of  putting  the  news  scribes  on  the  pan. 
Their  names  I  have  never  been  able  to  re- 
member now  nor  then. 

But  whether  Pete  knew  it  he  staged  one  of 
the  most  enjoyable  parties  for  the  press  of 
the  year.  It  was  courageous  but  it  was  exe- 
cuted thoroughly.  Some  of  us  are  still  won- 
dering how  much  of  it  was  planned  and  how 
much  was  the  real  thing. 

Before  I  forget  it  let  me  squeeze  this  in: 
The  party  was  given  in  the  interest  of  "Gold 
Braid"  which  stars  Ramon  Novarro,  sup- 
ported by  Anita  Page  and  Ralph  Graves  under 
the  direction  of  George  Hill  for  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  on  location  near  San  Diego, 
Gal.     (I  promised  Pete  we'd  use  this.) 


THE  ships  took  these  editors  and  corre- 
spondents towards  the  border — that  border 
famed  for  excitement  82  years  ago.  It  took 
them  between  90  and  190  miles  an  hour.  It 
took  them  3,500  feet  above  the  sea. 

Those  who  did  not  get  ill  slept  part  of  the 
way  to  San  Diego.  Pete  remained  wide  awake. 

The  purpose  of  the  trip  was  to  show  these 
e.  and  c.  how  pictures  are  made,  or,  particu- 
larly, how  "Gold  Braid"  is  being  made  at  the 
naval  air  station  on  North  Island.  During  the 
30  minutes  spent  on  North  Island  the  guests 
inspected  1,000  new  planes  lying  here  and 
there  about  the  hangars  and  took  a  close  look 
at  the  Admiral's  beard. 

There  was  still  time  to  shake  hands  with 
George  Hill,  the  director,  and  for  a  word  or 
two  about  "wheredja  get  all  'at  sunburn?" 
before  scampering  away  to  the  Coronado  for 
big  doings. 

These  newspaper  boys  and  girls  enjoy  a 
rumpus.  Things  livened  up  a  bit  when  one 
of  the  feminine  writers  said  she'd  love  noth- 
ing so  well  as  a  nice  game  of  cards  at  the 
hotel.  Pete  said,  "That's  easy,"  and  began 
arrangements.  But  the  writeress  declared 
that  one  of  the  men  in  the  party  was  an  aw- 
ful pest  and  couldn't  be  trusted  in  a  nice  game 
of  cards.  She  feared  he  would  spoil  every- 
thing in  his  next  issue  by  libelling  the  various 
guests  present. 

Whereupon  a  tiny  voice  cracked  wise  that : 
"He  ain't  the  only  egg  on  this  party  that  puts 
us  on  the  pan.  There's  three  others  in  the 
same  room  with  you,  dearie."  A  few  un- 
pleasant but  thoroughly  enjoyable  words  fol- 
lowed before  the  party  quieted  down. 

The  party  was  a  cinch.     Everybody  had   a 


While  in  San  Diego  the  papers  announced 
that  Jacqueline  Logan  had  been  married  to  a 
stock  broker  in  Agua  Caliente,  across  the  bor- 
der from  San  Diego.  Later  papers  reported 
she  would  be  charged  with  breaking  federal 
laws  because  her  interlocutory  decree  of  di- 
vorce does  not  become  effective  for  seven 
months.    Rumors  spread. 

A  statement  appeared  yesterday  however 
which  quieted  those  rumors.  The  district  at- 
torney's   office    declared :     "We    are    entirely 


Pathe  Immigrant  Fibn 
Gets  Expert  Praise 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.—Patbe's 
"A  Ship  Comes  In"  was  given  an  acid 
test  showing  at  the  N.  V.  A.  dinner 
tendered  Chief  Frederick  A.  Tuttle 
of  Ellis  Island,  when  this  story  of 
immigrant  life,  featuring  Rudolph 
Schildkraut,  was  shown  before  a  dis- 
tinguished audience  of  several  hun- 
dred officials  in  charge  of  the  han- 
dling of  immigrants,  as  well  as 
representatives  of  Porto  Rico  and 
several  South  American  countries 
and  executives  of  the  leading  steam- 
ship companies  engaged  in  the  trans- 
portation of  newscomers  to  the 
United  States.  The  concensus  was 
that  it  was  a  truthful  depiction  of 
immigrant  life. 


uninterested   in    the   private    affairs    of    Miss 
Logan." 

*  *    * 

In  Hollywood  many  film  players  cannot  be 
found  in  the  Los  Angeles  Telephone  Direc- 
tory. The  Evening  Herald  printed  an  inter- 
view this  week  with  one  of  the  Paramount 
players  who  explained  her  reason  for  having 
a  confidential  number.  "It  is  because  I  want 
to  escape  salesmen  and  curious  fans  who  want 
my  photographs,"  she  said. 

Very  few  players  endeavor  to  escape  ad- 
mirers. Many  of  them  endeavor  to  escape  bill 
collectors.  It  is  often  an  autograph  that  is 
wanted,  but  it  is  wanted  on  a  bank  check 
rather  than  on  a  portrait. 

*  *    * 

Al  Rockett,  in  charge  of  First  National 
Studios,  left  yesterday  for  New  York.  He 
will  discuss  the  company's  plans  for  talking 
pictures. 

*  *    * 

Carmel  Myers  who  has  been  posing  as  a 
black  haired  young  woman  since  her  entry  in 
pictures,  has  discontinued  the  application  of 
black  hair  dyes  and  is  now  appearing  on  the 
street  and  in  pictures  with  her  natural  red 
hair. 


Mrs.  Strauss'  Duties  Expand 

NEW  YORK.— Mrs.  Florence  Strauss,  head  of 
First  National's  scenario  department,  has  been  allotted 
the  added  duties  of  cooperating  with  Al  Rockett  in 
the   buying  of  story  material. 


VICTOR  SCHERTZINGER 

Is  Starting  Work  on  the  Big 

Richard  Dix  Picture,  "Redskin" 

for  Paramount  Release. 


His  Latest  Release  Is 
"Perfumed  Trap" 


THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— Plenty  of  action. 
Well  staged  and  well  directed.  Eight  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  Theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

THE  SHOWDOWN:  George  Bancroft— March  26-27. 
Very  good  picture,  that  will  stand  exploitation. — B.  V. 
McDougall,  Amuse-U  Theatre,  Monticello,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


Byrd  Takes  "Picture 
Theatre"  to  Antarctic 

NEW  YORK.  Aug.  28.— Comman- 
der Richard  E.  Byrd  has  determined 
that  his  forthcoming  expedition  to 
the  Antarctic  is  not  to  be  one  oi  "all 
work  and  no  play"  for  the  60  adven- 
turers who  are  to  accompany  him  on 
his  latest  scientiSc  exploit.  Com- 
mander Byrd  is  taking  with  him  a 
motion  picture  projection  machine 
and  a  well  stocked  £lm  library.  For 
several  weeks  the  National  Board  of 
Review  of  Motion  Pictures,  of  which 
Commander  Byrd  is  a  member,  has 
been  organizing  a  library  of  £lms. 
Pictures  included  in  the  library  are 
Chaplin,  Langdon  and  Hamilton 
comedies;  Fox's  "Lost  in  the  Artie," 
Universal's  "Hunting  Big  Game  in 
Africa,"  Paramount's  "Chang," 
"Grass"  and  "Moana" ;  United  Art- 
ists "Don  Q,"  Warner  Brothers' 
"Across  the  Atlantic"  and  many 
others. 


ON  A   LOT  OF   THE  LOTS 


Artclass  Sells  Comedy 

Rights  in  5  Districts 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Territorial  sales 
on  the  three  Artclass  comedy  series,  starring 
Ben  Turpin,  Poodles  Hanneford  and  Snub 
Pollard,  are  closing  rapidly,  according  to 
Louis  Weiss,  vice-president  of  Weiss 
Brothers'  Artclass  Pictures  Corporation.  Each 
series  will  consist  of  ten  two-reel  comedies, 
three  of  which  are  now  completed  and  ready 
for  delivery  to  exchanges,  with  a  full  line  of 
accessories.  Sales  for  the  current  week  are 
reported  as  follows : 

Michigan,  Favorite  Film  Company ;  Western 
Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia,  Columbia  Film 
Service,  Inc. ;  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Southern  New 
Jersey  and  Delaware,  Liberty  Film  Corporation ; 
Washington,  Oregon  and  Idaho,  Greater  Features, 
Inc. ;  California,  Arizona  and  Nevada,  Cooperative 
Film   Exchange. 

Ready  for  delivery  now  are  "She  Said  No," 
"Taking  the  Covint,"  and  "Why  Babies  Leave 
Home"  starring  Ben  Turpin ;  "Help  Wanted," 
"Fare  Enough"  and  "Circus  Daze,"  starring 
Poodles  Hanneford ;  and  "Thick  and  Thin," 
"Once  Over"  and  "The  Big  Shot,"  with  Snub 
Pollard. 


Stone,  B,  O,  Writer,  on 
Last  of  "Black  Gang" 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— John  Stone,  Fox 
scenarist,  will  complete  the  scenario  of  "Black 
Gang"  next  week.  At  that  time  it  will  go  into 
production  under  the  direction  of  J.  G.  Bly- 
stone. 

Victor  MacLaglen  has  been  selected  for  the 
male  s:tar.  In  other  roles  are  Claire  Windsor, 
Albert  Conti  and  Clyde  Cook.  Stone  has 
written  scenarios  of  many  of  the  biggest  box 
office  successes  of  the  past  two  years.  One 
of  his  early  releases  is  "Home  Sick"  in  which 
Sammy   Cohen  has  the   lead  comic  role. 


Three  Broadway  Theatres 
Play  Vitaphone  This  Fall 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Three  Broadway 
theatres,  at  least,  will  show  Vitaphone  produc- 
tions this  fall.  These  include  the  Winter  Gar- 
den, the  Mark  Strand  and  the  Warner  theatre. 
"The  Terror"  is  now  at  the  Warner,  "The 
Singing  Fool"  starts  at  the  Winter  Garden  in 
September,  and  "State  Street  Sadie"  opens 
September  1  at  the  Mark  Strand. 


By  FRAZIER 


Regarding : 


Victor   Schertzinger 
Richard    Dix 
Dorothy   Arzner 
Lou   Breslow 
Arthur   Stone 
Norman    Taurog 
Junior    Coghlan 
Spencer  Bennett 
Bill    Conselman 
Gladys    Lehman 


Reginald  Denny 
Earl   Snell 
Bill   Gibbs 
Murnau 
Baclanova 
Otto  B rower 
Jack    Holt 
Doris  Hill 
George  Bancroft 
Oscar   Smith 


T  N  an  after  lunch  discussion  at  Paramount 
•^  studio  last  week,  several  directors  and  offi- 
cials were  discussing  sound  and  talking  pic- 
tures. Among  the  group  was  Victor  Schertz- 
inger, director,  who  is  now  making  tests  for 
"Red  Skin,"  starring  Richard  Dix.  It  was 
suggested  that  inasmuch  as  he  has  written 
musical  scores  for  pictures,  prominent  among 
which  was  the  one  for  "Robin  Hood,"  that 
he  compose  the  score  for  his  forthcoming  pro- 
duction as  well  as  his  future  ones. 

This  would  be  a  good  idea,  as  he  has  several 
big  successes  to  his  credit.  "Civilization," 
which  is  now  being  featured  by  the  most 
prominent  symphony  orchestras,  would  make 
a  great  score,  and  "Just  an  Old  Love  Song." 
"Marcheta,"  an  outstanding  hit,  is  still  en- 
joying a  big  sale.  With  the  aid  of  his  new 
$17,000  pipe  organ  which  he  has  recently  in- 
stalled in  his  home,  he  composed  "Another 
Kiss"  and  "Gotta  Be  Good."  The  songs  will 
be  used  in  Dorothy  Arzner's  "Manhattan" 
which  will  have  sound  effects  being  sung,  in 
a  stage  sequence  by  the  star. 


Lou  Bres!ov/s  gags  are  funny  but  strenuous  at 
times  according  to  Arthur  Stone,  who  Is  starring  in 
"The  Farmer's  Daughter,"  which  Norman  Taurog 
is  directing  for   Fox.     The  last  scene  in  the  picture 


was  being  taken  when  something  slipped  and  Stone 
fell  several  feet  on  his  head.  He  was  stunned  for 
several  minutes,  but  when  he  recovered  he  started 
his  famous  grin  and  soon  was  up  and  going  again. 
* 
Junior  Coghlan,  Pathe-DeMille's  juvenile  star,  is 
taking  a  two  weeks'  rest  in  a  boy  scout  camp,  near 
Mount  Baldy.  He  has  just  completed  "Marked 
Money,"  appearing  in  a  featured  role.  Spencer 
Bennett  handled  the  megaphone. 

Bill  Conselman,  supervisor  at  Fox  studio,  will 
leave  September  1,  on  a  four  weeks'  vacation 
in  Canada.  Bill  also  told  me  in  his  own  mod- 
est way,  that  his  comic  strip,  "Ella  Cinders," 
is  now  running  in  190  papers  daily,  and  he  is 
making  preparations  to  market  his  "Ella  Cin- 
ders" doll,  which  is  being  prepared  for  the 
Christmas  trade. 

* 

Gladys  Lehman,  Universal  scenarist,  who  recently 
completed  "Red  Hot  Speed,"  is  working  on  the  screen 
play,  "When  the  Devil  Was  Sick,"  for  Reginald 
Denny.  Earl  Snell  is  assisting  Miss  Lehman.  The 
director  has  not  been  assigned, 
* 

Bill  Gibbs,   of   the   Fox  publicity   staff,   left 
this  week  for  Pendleton,   Oregon,   to  handle 
the  press  work  for  Murnau's  unit  while  they 
are  making  "Our  Daily  Bread." 
* 

Baclanova,  Paramount's  most  recent  acqui- 
sition, is  playing  a  featured  role  in  Otto 
Brower's  first  directorial  effort,  "Avalanche," 
starring  Jack  Holt  with  Doris  Hill.  She  has 
recently  completed  "Dock's  of  New  York" 
with  George  Bancroft.  Brower  also  added 
Oscar  Smith,  the  colored  comedian,  who  made 
such  a  hit  in  "Warming  Up,"  starring 
Richard  Dix. 


"Making  the  Grade" 

Just  Completed  for 
Fox  Film  Corporation 


Alfred  E.  Green  Productions 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


ffi 


Finis  Fox  Signs  Long  Term  Contract 
with  Carewe  Productions 

Now    Rated    Among    Highest    Paid    Scenarists    in    Industry;    Work    on 
"Raniona"  '^Resurrection"  and  "Revenge"  Rewarded 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28. — Finis   Fox  yesterday  signed  a  contract  with 
EdAvin  Carewe  Productions,  the  figures  of  which  make  him  one  of  the 
highest  paid  scenario  writers  in  the  industry.     It  was  his  work,  accord- 
ing to  reports,  on  "Ressurrection,"  "Ramona"  and  "Revenge,"  which  won  for 


him  the  long  term  contract. 

"LJE  has  directed  his  entire  attention  of  late 
■'--*■  to   themes,    settings    and    dramatic    forces 
that  will  serve  Dolores  Del  Rio  in  her  rising 
wave  towards  world- 
wide fame. 

The  star  herself 
declares  that  it  is  his 
ability  as  an  audi- 
ence psychologist  that 
has  contributed 
strongly  to  the  suc- 
cess of  the  three  big 
pictures  mentioned 
above.  She  adds  that 
he  has  studied  her  as 
an  analyst  would. 
"No  writer,"  she 
says,  "understands 
my  emotions  as  he 
does.    He  creates  dis-  Finis   Fox 

tinct     situations     and 

characterizations  that  will  bring  out  for  Edwin 
Carewe  the  finer  qualities  of  soul  that  the 
screen  reflects." 

It  is  all  true  and  it  is  also  true  that  Fox's 
work  on  these  three  pictures  has  been  en- 
hanced by  the  fact  that  he  is  thoroughly 
sincere  in  the  star  and  in  her  welfare. 

He  is  preparing  the  script  of  a  stage  play, 
"Revenge"  which  will  have  a  New  York  and 
Chicago  run.  ]\Iiss  Del  Rio  will  appear  in 
the  starring  role. 

He  has  also  begun  and  is  well  under  way 
with  the  scenario  of  Miss  Del  Rio's  next 
screen  attraction,  "Evangeline,"  which  will  be 
produced  for  United  Artists  release. 


Allen,       Grange 

Sears,      Liberty 

Liberty    Theatre, 


LOBBY  PHOTO  ALBUM 


Herewith    are    names    of    players    together    with 
exhibitors  requesting  their  autographed  photos. 

RENEE  ADOREE — John  E.  Allen,  Grange 
Theatre,     W.     Webster,     N.     Y. 

MARY    ASTOR — Alburn    Drace,    Kevtesville,    Mo. 

CLARA  BOW— A.  Barnett,  Loyola  Theatre,  5027 
Loyola  Ave.,   New   Orleans,   La. 

CLARA  BOW— John  E.  Allen,  Grange  Theatre, 
West    Webster,    N'.    Y. 

VILMA  BANKY— John  Allen,  Grange  Theatre, 
West   Webster,    N.    Y. 


MARY    BRIAN— John    E.    Allen,    Grange   Theatre, 
West    Webster,    N.    Y. 

MARY   BRIAN — Alburn  Drace,  Keytesville,  Mo. 

MADGE      BELLAMY — John      E.      Allen,      Grange 
Theatre,   West   Webster,   N.   Y. 

LOUISE      BROOKS— John      E. 
Theatre,   West   Webster,   N.   Y. 

EVELYN      BRENT— James      L. 
Theatre,   Hmnansville,   Mo. 

SUE    CAROL— James    L.    Sears 
Humansville,    Mo. 

JOAN      CRAWFORD— John      E.      Allen,      Grange 
Theatre,   W'est   Webster,   N.   Y. 

GARY     COOPER— J.    E.    Cunningham,    Waskanut 
Community    House,    Farnmnsville,    Mass. 

JACKIE    COOGAN — A.    Barnett,    Loyola   Theatre, 
5027    Loyola   Ave.,    New    Orleans,    La. 

CHARLIE   CHASE — A.    Barnett,   Loyola  Theatre, 
5027    Loyola   Ave.,    New    Orleans,    La. 

LON  CHANEY— A.  Barnett,  Loyola  Theatre,  5027 
Loyola   Ave.,    New   Orleans,   La. 

RICHARD   DIX— Robert   K.   Yancey,   Bonny  The- 
atre,   Mansfield,    Mo. 

RICHARD     DIX— John     Allen,     Grange     Theatre, 
West   Webster,   N.   Y. 

KARL    DANE    &    GEO.    K.    ARTHUR— A.    Bar- 
nett,  Loyola   Theatre,   New   Orleans,   La. 

DOLORES    DEL    RIO— John   Allen,    Grange   The- 
atre, West  Webster,  N.   Y. 

FRANKIE     DARRO— L.      L.     Netzer,     American 
Legion    Theatre,     Lena,    Wis. 

CHARLES     FARRELL — Alburn     Drace,     Keytes- 
ville,  Mo. 

DOUGLAS     FAIRBANKS— John     Allen,     Grange 
Theatre,  West  Webster,  N.  Y. 

JANET     GAYNOR— Alburn     Drace,     Keytesville, 
Mo. 

JANET    GAYNOR— John    E.    Allen,    Grange    The- 
atre,  West   Webster,   N.   Y. 

JANET   GAYNOR— James  L.    Sears,   Liberty   The- 
atre, Humansville,  Mo. 

JOHN     GILBERT— A.     Barnett,     Loyola    Theatre, 
5027    Loyola    Ave.,    New    Orleans,    La. 

WILLIAM     HAINES— John    Allen,     Grange    The- 
atre,   West    Webster,    N.    Y. 

WILLIAM    HAINES— E.    Ehrlick,    Fern    Theatre, 
New    Orleans,    La. 

PHYLLIS    HAVER— J.    E.    Cunningham,    Waska- 
nut  Communitv   House,   Farnumsville,   Mass. 

JAMES    HALL — Alburn    Drace,    Keytesville,    Mo. 

LLOYD     HUGHES— Alburn     Drace,     Keytesville, 
Mo. 

MADELINE    HURLOCK— James    L.    Sears,    Lib- 
ertv    Theatre,    Humansville,    Mo. 

LLOYD    HUGHES— A.    C.    Betts,    Heights    The- 
atre,   1650    Broadway,    New    York    City. 

JOHNNY     HINES— A.     C.     Betts,    Heights    The- 
atres,   1650    Broadway,    New    York    City. 

JACQUELINE       LOGAN— J.       E.       Cunningham, 
Waskanut     Community     House,     Farnumsville,    Mass. 

BERT    LYTELL— A.    C.    Betts,    Heights   Theatres, 
1650    Broadwav,    New   York   City. 

HAROLD    LLOYD— John   E.    Allen,    Grange   The- 
atre,   West    Webster,    N.    Y. 

PATSY   RUTH   MILLER— John  E.   Allen,   Grange 
Theatre,    West   Webster,    N.    Y. 

PATSY    RUTH    MILLER— A.    C.    Betts,    Heights 
Tlieatres,   1650  Broadway,  New  York  Citv. 


JOHN 
STONE 

No^v  Working  on 

Adaptation   and 

Scenario    of 

"The  Black 
Gang" 

for   Fox 


DOROTHY  MACKAILL— A.  Barnett,  Loyola 
Theatre,    5027    Loyola   Ave.,   New   Orleans,   La. 

DOROTHY  MACKAILL — Alburn  Drace,  Keytes- 
ville, Mo. 

JACK  MULHALL — A.  Barnett,  Loyola  Theatre, 
5027    Loyola    Ave.,    New    Orleans,    La. 

COLLEEN  MOORE — A.  Barnett,  Loyola  The- 
atre,  5027   Lovola  Ave.,  New   Orleans,   La. 

WALTER  '  MILLER — A.  Barnett,  Loyola  The- 
atre,   5027    Loyola   Ave.,   New   Orleans,   La. 

KEN  MAYNARD— John  Allen,  Grange  Theatre, 
West    Webster,    N.    Y. 

SHIRLEY  MASON — Alburn  Drace,  Keytesville, 
Mo. 

DOUGLAS  MAC  LEAN — Alburn  Drace,  Keytes- 
ville,   Mo. 

EDNA  MURPHY— Alburn  Drace,  Keytesville,, 
Mo. 

TOM  MOORE — A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  Theatres, 
1650    Broadwav,    New    York    City.    N.    Y. 

JAMES  MURRAY— James  L.  Sears,  Liberty,  The- 
atre,   Humansville,    Mo. 

BARRY  NORTON — H.  V.  Smoots,  Vine  Theatre, 
Mt.    Vernon,    Ohio. 

BARRY  NORTON — J.  E.  Cunningham,  Waska- 
nut    Community     House,     Farnumsville,     Mass. 

MARION  NIXON — John  Allen,  Grange  Theatre, 
West    Webster,    N.    Y. 

MOLLY    O'DAY — Alburn   Drace,   Keytesville,  Mo. 

ESTHER  RALSTON— J.  E.  Cunningham,  Waska- 
nut  Community   House,   Farnumsville,   Mass. 

GILBERT  'ROLAND — Alburn  Drace,  Keytes- 
ville,   Mo. 

DOROTHY  REVIER— Alburn  Drace,  Keytes- 
ville,  Mo. 

BUDDY  ROGERS — Alburn  Drace,  Keytesville, 
Mo, 

ALLENE  RAY — A.  Barnett,  Loyola  Theatre, 
5027    Lovola    Ave.,    New    Orleans,    La. 

NORMA  SHEARER— A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  The- 
atres,  1650  Broadwav,  New  York  City. 

GEORGE  SIDNEY— A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  The- 
atres, 1650  Broadway,  New  York  City. 

LEWIS  STONE — A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  The- 
atres,  1650  Broadway,  New  York  City. 

BLANCHE  SWEET--A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  The- 
atres,  1650  Broadwav,  New  York  City. 

GLORIA  SWANSON— James  L.  Sears,  Liberty 
Theatre,    Humansville,   Mo. 

RIN-TIN-TIN— Anna  Stecula,  101  Highland 
Ave.,   Chester,   P'a. 

RIN-TIN-TIN— A.  Barnett,  Loyola  Theatre, 
5027   Loyola  Ave.,   New   Orleans,  La. 

CONSTANCE  TALMADGE— A.  C.  Betts,  Heights 
Theatres,   1650   Broadway,  New  York  City. 

VIRGINIA  VALLI— A.  C.  Betts,  Heights  The- 
atres,   1650    Broadway,    New    York    City. 

FAY  WRAY— J.  E.  Cunningham,  Waskanut 
Commimity    House,     Farnumsville,     Mass. 

FAY    WRAY— Alburn    Drace,    Keytesville,    Mo. 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

'The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in 
Atlantic  City" 

In  Preparation 
for  Universal 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


W^ 


THE    SHORT   FEATURE 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald   is   the  Moving  Picture   World  department, 
'^Little  Pictures  with  the  Big  Punch"  which  has  presented  news,   reviews   and  exploitation  on 

short  features  and  serials. 


Releases 


WEEK   OF   SEPTEMBER   2 

EDUCATIONAI -"Hot    Luck,"    Big    Boy    Juvenile, 

two;   "Thrills  of  the  Sea,"  Our  World  Today,  one. 

PARAMOUNT — "Skating  Home,"  Confessions  of  a 
Chorus  Girl  series,  Christie,  two. 

PATHE — "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  5,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "South  Sea  Saga,"  Sportlight, 
one;  "His  Royal  Slyness,"  Harold  Lloyd  (reissue), 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  36,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.    36,   one. 

UNIVERSAL — "Sky  Scrapper,"  Snappy,  Oswald,  one; 
"Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  4,  Adventure,  two;  "The 
Junior  Year,"  Collegians,  third  series,  two;  "Newly- 
weds'  Hard  Luck,"  two;  "Speed  and  Spurs,"  Bob 
Curwood,  Western,  two. 

WEEK  OF   SEPTEMBER  9 

EDUCATIONAL — "Pirates  Beware,"  Lupino  Lane, 
two;  "Girlies  Behave,"  Jerry  Drew,  Ideal,  two; 
"Cook,  Papa,  Cook,"  Murdock-Hutton,  Cameo,  one; 
"On  the  Move"  Hodge-Podge,  one. 

PATHE— "The  Terrible  People,"  Chapter  6,  two; 
Aesop  Fable,  one;  "The  Campus  Carmen,"  Sennett, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  37,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  37,  one. 

UNIVERSAI^-"Hollywood  or  Bust,"  Arthur  Lake, 
Snappy,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  5,  Adven- 
ture, two;  "Rubber  Necks,"  Let  George  Do  It,  Stern 
Bros.,  two;  "Riders  of  the  Woods,"  Cobb  Western, 
two. 

WEEK    OF    SEPTEMBER    16 

EDUCATIONAL— "Call  Your  Shots,'-  Al  St.  John, 
Mermaid,   two. 

UNIVERSAL — "Mississippi  Mud,"  Oswald,  Snappy, 
one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty"  No.  6,  Adventure,  two; 
"Calford  vs.  Redskins,"  Collegians,  Junior  Jewel, 
two;  "Half  Back  Buster,"  Stern  Bros.,  two;  "The 
Galloping    Ace,"    Hoxie,    Western,    two. 

WEEK  OF   SEPTEMBER   23 

EDUCATIONAL— "The  Roundup  on  the  Rio 
Grande,"  Reed  Howes,  Russ  Farrell,  Aviator  series, 
two;    "Wife   Trouble,"   Robert   Graves,   Cameo,   one. 

PARAMOUNT  —  "The  Sock  Exchange,"  Vernon, 
Christie   ,   two. 

UNIVERSAL  — •  "Handicapped,"  Cameo,  Laemmle 
Novelty,  one;  "Tarzan  the  Mighty,"  No.  7,  Adven- 
ture, two;  "Just  Wait,"  Mike  and  Ike,  Stern  Bros., 
two;  Western, -Chandler,  Tenderfoot  Thriller  series, 
two. 


Newspictures 


PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  8— Kellogg  sails  for 
France  to  sign  "world  anti-war  pact." — "Cincin- 
nati" beats  "America"  in  match  for  Ohio  Race 
supremacy — Lindbergh's  flying  field  opened  in  San 
Diego,    California. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5424 — Gobel  spans  U.  S.  for 
new  non-stop  record — Prince  of  Wales  attends 
services  for  "Remembrance  Day"  at  Ypres — 
Planes  roar  welcome  to  Lindbergh  field. 

INTERNATIONAL  N^WSREEL  NO.  67— Helen 
Wills  conquers  man  who  beat  Tilden — Art  Gobel 
shatters  record,  flying  across  U.  S.  in  19  hours — 
250  planes  thrill  throngs  at  dedication  of  airfield 
named  for  Lindbergh. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  70— President  of  Ireland  at- 
tends horse  show  at  Dublin — Large  crowd  sees 
biggest  U.  S.  lines  take  to  water  at  Newport-- 
Prince  of  ,  Wales  attends  memorial  dedication  in 
France. 

M  G  M  NEWS  NO.  3 — Crowds  cheer  Hoover  as  he 
starts  on  trip  East — Art  Gobel  shatters  record, 
flies  around  U.  S.  in  19  days — Germany  celebrates 
birthday   of    Republic   with   martial   pomp. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  95— San  Diego  dedicates  Lind- 
bergh air  field — Neighbors  see  Curtis  notified  as 
nominee  for  vice-presidency — British  vets  honor 
their   dead   comrades   on   old   battlefield. 


Dangles  Head  Down  500  Feet  Up; 
Gets  Own  Thrill  to  Provide  Thrill 

Paramount  News  Cameraman  and  Machine  Are  Lashed  to  Ferris  Wheel 

For  Eight  Minutes  of  Steady  Grinding  During 

Complete  Revolution 

The  fact  that  a  cameraman  dangled  head  down  at  500  feet  above  the 
ground  in  order  to  make  some  special  shots  for  a  newsreel  may  be  "all  in  a 
lifetime"  in  the  experiences  of  a  motion  picture  photographer,  but  it  is  impor- 
tant to  the  theatre  owner. 

Opportunity  to  Inform  Public 

Too    often,    it    is    evident,    the    exhibitor    neglects    opportunities    to    tell    his 
patronage  just  what  is  being  dared  and  done  to  give  the  public  a  new  thrill, 
ignores  a  chance  to  help  the  people  to  appreciate  to  what  lengths  the  indus- 
try goes  to  provide  the  few  minutes'  entertainment  afforded  by  a  show. 
Any  newspaper  man   would   see   a  story  in       at   Blackpool,  near  Liverpool,  rising  500  feet 


the  feat  of  Tom  Cummins  of  the  London 
office  of  Paramount  News,  in  riding  around 
a  500-foot  ferris  wheel  while  lashed  upside 
down  to  its  rim,  and  the  exhibitor  who  played 
such  a  picture  and  did  not  get  the  story  of  it 
into  the  paper  would  scarcely  deserve  ranking 
as   a  showman. 

Cameramen  Conceive  Thrill 

Here's  what  Emanuel  Cohen,  editor  of  Para- 
mount News,  says  of  Cummins'  achievement : 

"Cummins  and  E.  Hawkins  of  our  London 
office,  had  received  word  that  the  ferris  wheel 


Tom  Cununins  of  Paramount  News  made 
his  own  original  circuit  of  a  ferris  wheel 
to  get  some  original  shots.     He  did. 


above  the  street,  was  to  be  overhauled  by 
steeplejacks.  They  at  once  started  out  to 
cover  the  story  and  on  the  way  conceived  the 
idea  of  developing  the  event  into  the  picture 
that  they  did. 

"The  pictures  that  Cummins'  made  on  his 
upside-down  swing  through  space  are  suffi- 
ciently weird  in  themselves  to  deserve  a  place 
in  any  newsreel,  and  give  the  impression  of 
having  been  made  from  a  stunting  airplane, 
which  had  done  a  combination  of  loop  the  loop 
and  falling  leaf. 

One  Photographs  the  Other 

"Equally  interesting  are  the  pictures  that 
Hawkins  made  of  Cummins  while  he  was 
cranking  upside  down.  Both  of  them  made 
general  views,  odd  angles  and  climbed  up  to 
the  top  of  the  500  foot  tower,  dragging  their 
cumbersome  cameras  after  them  to  take  the 
ordinary  run  of  thrill  picture.  Practically 
all  the  film  is  excellent  and  shows  the  steeple- 
jacks climbing  about  the  steel  work  at  dizzy 
heights,  Swinging  from  one  car  to  another, 
and  teetering  across  the  big  main  axle  of  the 
wheel  while  it  was   in  motion. 

"Then  the  two  cameramen  descended  from 
the  framework  and  the  wheel  was  stopped. 
Cummins'  camera  was  set  up  on  the  inside 
rim  of  the  wheel  near  the  ground  and 
securely  bound  to  one  of  the  upright  brace 
cables.  Then  Cummins  was  elaborately  bound 
to  another  of  the  cables  just  far  enough  away 
to  give  him  room  to  work  his  camera.  A  few 
extra  turns  were  taken  about  both  Cummins 
and  his  camera,  the  legs  of  both  being  particu- 
larly tightly  fastened  to  the  framework  of 
the  wheel,  and  the  wheel  was  started. 

Shoot    Wheel's    Complete    Circuit 

"The  complete  circuit  of  the  wheel  took 
eight  minutes  but  to  the  crowd  which  had 
gathered  below  it  seemed  more  like  eight; 
hours.  Slowly  Cummins  started  out  grinding 
away  at  his  camera  as  he  turned  from  a  per- 
pendicular position  to  one  parallel  to  the 
ground.  From  this  angle  he  finally  swung 
back  to  the  perpendicular,  but  this  time  com- 
pletely upside  down." 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


^e^ 


PRESENTATION  ACTS 


Chicago  Venus  Contest  a  Success 

Viola  Allin  Is 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  August  25 

Bennie  Krneger  and  his  band  gave  some  snappy 
musical  arrangements  tliis  week  in  a  Publix  unit 
called  "Flapperettes,"  MarccUi  conducted  his  fort- 
nightly orchestral  production  overture  called  "Neo- 
politana"  with  vocal  accompaniment  by  Miss  Frcitag. 
Judging  from  the  tremendous  applause,  it  is  quite 
evident  that  the  Uptowners  really  like  and  appre- 
ciate this  claes  of  music. 

The  unit  went  off  as  follows :  It  opened  with  a 
girl  singing  as  the  ballet  presented  a  novel  routine 
that  reminds  one  of  Tommy  Wonders  show-stopping 
dummy-dance  number.  In  fact,  the  ballet  was  split 
up  equally,  one-half  representing  boys  and  the  other 
girls,  each  carrying  a  dummy  partner  for  the  dance 
step. 

Gene  Shelton,  a  foolish  boy  with  a  banjo,  was  next 
and  proved  the  laugh  hit  of  the  bill  with  his  com- 
edy antics.  He  was  followed  by  the  Dean  Brothers 
who  gave  a  series  of  eccentric  and  novelty  steps  in 
first    class    shai)e.  These    boys    are    now    making 

their  second  appearance  in  deluxe  theatres  and  seem 
to   grow   more  popular   each  time. 

The  next  specialty  was  a  special  band  arrange- 
ment of  Victor  Herbert's  melodies  played  by  Bennie 
Krueger's  band,  and  right  here  and  now  we  wish  to 
say  that  Victor  Young,  the  arranger,  and  Bennie  de- 
serve a  great  deal  of  credit  for  the  wonderful  way 
it  was  put  over.  In  our  conception,  this  concert 
arrangement  was  one  of  the  best  ever  heard  in  any 
picture    house. 

BUlie  Gerber,  the  little  girl  who  insists  on  being  a 
boy,  was  next  in  a  brand  new  offering  of  song  and 
dance,  and  in  spite  of  her  fine  work,  received  a 
rather  lukewarm  hand. 

She  was  followed  by  Paul  Remos  Midgets  who 
really  had  a  clever  act  and  presented  the  best  en- 
tertainment of  the  bill.  The  next  ballet  routine 
was  unique  and  in  the  form  of  shields  with  each 
girl  bearing  one,  and  as  they  were  all  put  together  it 
spelled  out  the  word  "Flapperettes."  They  danced 
a  few  steps  to  the  tune  of  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under 
the  Moon"  as  a  girl  singer  pranced  up  and  down  for 
no  reason  at  all.  In  fact,  the  producers  could  have 
saved  her  salary  as  there  was  no  real  call  or  need 
for    her    being    in    the    show. 

The  best  part  of  this  show,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Herbert  arrangement  was  the  finale,  which  was 
really  picturesque  and  quite  effective  from  the  front. 
However,  they  will  have  to  make  thdm  better  if 
Publix  expects  picture  house  goers  to  patronize  them. 


"Doubles  in"—, 


Salt  Lake  City  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  18 

On  the  stage  at  the  Capitol  theatre  this  week  in 
addition  to  the  feature  picture,  is  being  offered  the 
Fanchon  and  Marco  "Great  White  Way  Idea,"  one 
of  the  most  sterling  innovations  in  lighting  and  make 
up  yet  to  be  introduced  by  Fanchon  and  Marco 
here. 

Verdi  and  Record  are  featured  in  this  gala  stage 
program,  and  are  assisted  by  Vina  ZoUe  and  Elmer 
Harling,  Betty  and  Marguerite  who  are  proteges  of 
Fanchon  and  Marco,  and  who  introduce  several  of 
their  acrobatic  creations. 

Ralph  Pollock  and  the  Capitol  Band  present  some 
beautiful  arrangements  of  popular  music  and  Alex- 
ander Scbreiner  at  the  organ  complete  this  musical 
offering. 

The  picture  production  being  shown  this  week  in 
conjunction  with  the  above  is  "The  Mating  Call" 
starring  Thomas  Meighan. 


Cecil  Davidson,  now  conducting  both  stage  and  pit 
orchestras  at  the  North  Center  theatre,  Chicago,  is 
one  of  the  youngest  musical  directors  in  the  windy 
city.  Before  joining  the  staff  of  the  North  Center, 
Cecil  was  wielding  the  baton  for  Lnbliner  &  Trinz 
at  their  Windsor  theatre,  also  a  Chicago  house. 
Every  Saturday  and  Sunday  this  young  leader  moves 
his  musicians  onto  the  stage  and  becomes  master  of 
ceremonies  and  stagehand  leader  for  the  weekend 
presentation  shows. 

Another  Chicago  House 
Goes  Burlesque 

Keith-AIbee-Orpheum  Circuit  and  Lubliner  & 
Trinz,  co-owners  and  operators  of  the  Diversey 
theatre,  Chicago,  have  leased  the  theatre  to  Jones, 
Linlck  &  Schaeffer  and  the  Anschell  Brothers.  The 
new  management  vidll  sponsor  a  policy  of  stock  bur- 
lesque and  photoplays. 

Since  the  house  opened,  the  operators  have  com- 
plained of  continuous  losses  due  to  the  great  amount 
of  competition  in  the  locality  of  this  theatre.  Pre- 
vious to  this  change,  it  was  offering  presentations 
and  films,  and  before  that  a  straight  vaudeville  bill 
with  pictui-es. 


Acts  Help  Film  Theatres 

The  Coston  Circuit,  operators  of  more  than  100 
neighborhood  picture  houses  in  Chicago,  have  secured 
the  Chicago  rights  for  the  personal  appearance 
of  Lone  Eagle,  the  movie  dog,  and  his  director,  Burt 
King,  and  his  pal  Teddy,  a  straggly  Airedale. 

Lone  Eagle,  who  was  named  in  honor  of  Col. 
Lindbergh,  has  appeared  in  a  number  of  motion 
pictures    and    is    quite    popular    among    the    children. 

Joe  Murphy,  the  original  Andy  Gump  of  the 
movies,  is  also  making  personal  appearances  over  the 
Coston  Circuit,  and  in  accordance  with  managers' 
reports,  both  these  attractions  have  helped  swell  the 
box  office  receipts  considerably. 


Final  Choice 
At  Oriental 

Thirty   Theatres   Took  Part   in 

the  Search  for  Chicago's 

American  Venus 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

The  American  Venus  beauty  con- 
test which  has  been  carried  on  in 
more  than  thirty  deluxe  theatres  in 
Chicago  operated  by  Lubliner  & 
Trinz,  Balaban  &  Katz  and  other  cir- 
cuits affiliated  with  Publix  came  to 
a  close  Saturday  evening,  August  25, 
at  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago.  The 
finals  were  held  at  this  house  with 
each  winner  of  the  semi-finals  of  the 
neighborhood  theatres  competing  for 
honors.  An  extensive  search  was 
made  by  the  managers  of  the  various 
theatres  in  the  preliminaries  in  order 
to  give  each  and  every  girl  in  their 
particular  neighborhood  an  equal  op- 
portunity to  enter  this  contest.' 

Twenty-six  girls  were  awarded  a  one  week's 
conducted  tour  to  Colorado  in  addition  to  the 
three  leading  prizes.  The  first  prize  consisting 
of  a  thirty-two  day  trip  to  Europe  with  an  es- 
cort was  won  by  Viola  Allin,  who  up  to  the 
time  of  the  last  selection  was  Miss  Norshore. 
The  judges  awarded  her  the  title  of  A'liss 
American  Venus. 

The  finals  were  conducted  in  a  very  fair 
and  square  manner  by  the  managerial  staff  of 
the  Oriental  who  invested  the  final  word  to 
their  Master  of  Ceremonies,  Al  Kvale,  who  in 
turn  merely  acted  upon  the  desires  of  the  au- 
dience and  was  prompted  by  their  applause. 
New  Group  Each  Day 

Each  day  a  group  of  new  girls  were  as- 
sembled on  the  stage  of  the  Oriental  and  the 
girl  winning  the  largest  amount  of  applause  at 
each  performance  for  the  entire  day  was  se- 
lected and  set  aside  as  Miss  Monday,  Miss 
Tuesday  and  so  en.  At  the  last  performance 
Saturday  evening  each  winner  of  the  day's 
honor  was  grouped  and  after  careful  scrutiny 
that  lasted  for  several  minutes  the  audience 
decided  that  the  most  qualified  in  every  way 
was  Miss  NoBshore.  The  young  lady  who 
won  this  great  honor  is  a  very  attractive  young 
blonde  who  seemed  to  possess  fine  spirits  all 
through  the  contest  from  the  time  of  the 
preliminaries  until  the  final  award. 

It  is  presumed  that  before  Miss  American 
Venus  starts  on  her  European  trip  that  she 
will  make  personal  appearances  under  her  new 
acquired  title  in  all  the  L.  &  T.  and  probably 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


B.  &  K.  deluxe  houses  in  Chicago.  The  rea- 
son for  this  behef  is  that  by  the  time  her  trip 
abroad  would  be  over  the  interest  and  publicity 
would  lose  its  value  upon  the  picturegoers. 

Contest  Made   Money  for  Theatres 

From  all  reports  received  so  far  from 
exhibitor's  and  disinterested  parties  the  bath- 
ing beauty  stunt  has  won  considerable  prestige 
for  the  theatres  and  has  increased  their  box 
office  receipts  any  way  from  twenty-five  to 
forty  per  cent  on  bad  days  as  well  as  nights. 
It  seems  that  everything  worked  out  fine  this 
year  inasmuch  as  the  national  beauty  pageant 
usually  held  in  Atlantic  City  was  for  some 
reason  or  other  dropped.  Therefore,  Publix 
decided  to  conduct  a  pageant  of  their  own  and 
were  well  compensated  for  their  efforts. 

Sam  Herman,  widely  known  novelty  contest 
man  and  a  popular  Chicago  showman,  per- 
sonally selected  each  girl  in  the  preliminaries 
and  supervised  the  contest  from  beginning  to 
end. 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in  presen- 
tation may  discuss  important  matters  bearing 
upon  this  phase  of  theatre  entertainment.  Only 
signed  letters  will  be  publbhed. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Last 
week  for  my  organ  solo  I  used  an  original  novelty 
which  I  called  "Fan  Mail,"  using  gag  slides  be- 
tween the  following  songs :  "My  Pet,"  "Sorry  for 
Me,"  "Beloved"  and  "Wonderful  You,"  that  last 
number  being  by  Milton  Charles  and  making  one 
of  the  greatest  hits  I  ever  had.  This  week  am  using 
a  straight  version  of  "Just  Like  a  Melody  From 
Out  of  the  Sky."  Using  it  with  a  singer,  and  owing 
to  this  number  being  so  good  we  had  to  give  encore 
on  it.  I  am  leaving  on  my  vacation  in  about  two 
weeks  and  expect  to  be  gone  a  little  over  a  month, 
making  a  big  tour  by  car,  through  Colorado  and 
then  east  to  Chicago.  Will  be  in  Chicago  the  latter 
part  of  September  and  will  come  around  and  get 
acquainted.  With  best  wishes  and  kindest  regards, 
I  am,  sincerely — Jce  Brite,  Organist,  Elks  Theatre, 
Rapid  City,  S.  D. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Thank 
you  very  much  for  reporting  my  organ  eolo.  In 
your  late  article  in  the  Herald  about  forming  an 
organ  club.  Mr.  Ed  Meikel  wrote  me  a  very  helpful 
letter  and  I  am  busy  ti-ying  to  get  the  club  started. 
In  one  of  my  programs  called  "Can  You  Guess  the 
Song  Title"  I  had  over  100  answers  sent  in  and  am 
going  to  use  these  names  as  a  starter  for  my  club. 
This  week  for  my  solo  I  used  Berlin's  slides  on  "The 
Straw  Vote."  Being  a  very  timely  novelty  even  the 
newspaper  commented  on  it.  Went  over  good. 
Sincerely — Mclvin  Peacock,  Sheboygan  theatre,  She- 
boygan, Wis. 


STAGE     SHOWS 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  24 

Baby  Peggy,  the  one  and  only  original  9-year-old 
child  wonder  of  the  films,  sang,  danced  and  clowned 
her  way  through  "Carnival  Nights,"  the  Publix  pres- 
entation that  came  to  the  Capitol  this  week. 

With  her  father,  J.  P.  Montgomery,  Baby  Peggy 
performed  charmingly.  And  the  young  lady  proved 
to  have  an  advantage  some  other  children  of  the  screen 
and  stage  lack.  She  was  perfectly  natural  and  had 
none  of  the   sophistication  of  the  "spoiled"   child. 

In  fact,  so  well  did  her  act  go  over  at  the  Capitol, 
that  the  Kunsky  interests  booked  her  for  an  extra 
week  to  tour  their  neighborhood  theatres. 

Peggy's  father,  in  a  little  talk  as  the  act  opens, 
explains  that  she  is  not  a  prodigy  but  just  a  bright 
little  girl  who  has  learned  how  to  obey  instructions. 
Which  is  nice  for  Dad  to  say,  but  it  is  evident  that 
Peggy  is  endowed  with  an  unusual  store  of  personality 
and  mentality. 

Del  Delbridge  and  his  Capitolians  behaved  in  their 
usual  engaging  fashion,  and  clever  acts  were  pre- 
sented by  Bee  Sarche,  a  blues  singer ;  Beehee  and 
Rubyatte,  acrobats ;  George  Boyce,  a  dancer ;  Trout 
and  Heff,  blackface  comedians,  and  the  lightly  step- 
ping Capitol  Girls. 


LOSAYS 

about 
Every  one 


Seems  like  every  film  producer  and  exhibitor  has 
gone  "talking  mad"  .  .  .  However  don't  lose  sight 
of  the  fact  that  organs  and  orchestras  were  the 
first  means  of  real  good  musical  entertainment  and 
without  the  slightest  doubt  shall  continue  to  be  the 
chief  source.  ...  Of  course  novelties  were  always 
a  fad  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  "Sound"  films 
have  helped  a  great  many  theatres,  they  will  never- 
theless be  just  a  part  of  any  program.  .  .  .  Balaban 
&  Katz  have  wired  their  Chicago  and  starting  this 
week  they  vrill  also  present  synchronized  pictures  in 
their  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres.  .  .  .  Just  like  the 
bandshow  craze  Exhibitors  will  kill  the  goose  that 
laid  the  golden  egg  by  giving  too  many  talking  pic- 
tures in  one  city  or  locality.  .  .  .  Marks  Bros.,  have 
secured  the  rights  to  Eddie  Cantor's  personal  appear- 
ance for  two  weeks  at  a  nice  fat  sum.  .  .  .  While 
on  the  subject  of  personal  appearances  let  us  also 
say  that  the  James  Coston  Circuit  are  playing  Joe 
Murphy,  the  original  Andy  Gump  of  the  movies  and 
Lone  Eagle  the  movie  dog  as  the  extra  added  at- 
tractions for  their  theatres  and  we  don't  mind  saying 
that  B.  O.  receipts  are  swelling  on  account  of  their 
draw.  .  .  .  Marjah,  known  in  vaudeville  circles  as 
the  mystic  marvel  is  making  a  tour  of  Lubliner  & 
Trinz  theatres  in  Chicago.  .  .  .  The  New  Regent 
theatre  on  Chicago's  South  Side  is  sponsoring  a  new 
device  called  "Dramaphone,"  which  features  Dolores 
del  Rio's  voice  in  the  film  "Ramona"  singing  the 
song  of  the  same  name.  .  .  .  Not  a  bad  stunt.  Ex- 
hibitors, look  into  this.  .  .  .  The  Diversey,  formerly 
an  Orpheum  theatre  in  Chicago  has  been  turned  into 
Burlesque  and  pictures  starting  this  week.  .  .  . 
Frank  Fay  the  well  known  stage  comedian,  now 
acting  as  master  of  ceremonies  at  the  Missouri  the- 
atre in  St.  Louis,  was  married  last  week  to  Barbara 
Stanwick,  also  a  stage  star.  .  .  .  Joseph  Brite,  or- 
ganist from  Rapid  City,  S.  D.,  is  now  on  a  month's 
rest  tour  and  is  driving  through  the  beautiful  moun- 
tain lands  of  Colorado.  .  .  .  Jack  Martin  is  now 
playing  organ  solos  at  the  Uptown  theatre  in  Mil- 
waukee, a  Midwesoo  house.  .  .  .  Jack  Benny  is  be- 
ing held  over  at  the  Chicago  Palace  this  week  as 
master  of  ceremonies.  .  .  .  Word  comes  from  Harry 
Lenetska  of  the  William  Morris  Agency,  that  the 
firm  has  established  a  department  to  book  and  repre- 
sent anything  and  anyone  for  talking  pictures.  .  .  . 
Amelia  Earhardt,  the  girl  "Lindy,"  has  been  put  on 
the  editorial  staff  of  the  Cosmopolitan  Magazine. 
.  .  .  Florence  Vidor,  ex-wife  of  King  Vidor,  just 
married  Jascha  Heitetz  the  famous  violinist.  .  .  . 
Sam  Baum,  drummer  in  Bennie  Krueger's  band  is 
the  proud  daddy  of  a  baby  girl.  .  .  .  Milton  Herth 
writes  that  he  is  now  pushing  pedals  at  the  Empress 
theatre  in  Decatur,  the  Lincoln  Square  his  former 
hangout  has  changed  policy.  .  .  .  Here's  a  good  idea, 
fellows.  .  .  .  When  you  show  the  film  "Ramona," 
run  a  Kiddie  contest  and  offer  prizes  to  anyone  who 
can  either  sing,  play  or  dance  to  the  tune  of  "Ra- 
mona." .  .  .  Clever  isn't  it?  .  .  .  Well  Uncle  Wickkie 
of  the  Adelphi,  Chicago,  is  responsible  for  it.  .  .  . 
Speaking  of  stunts  Joseph  McKcown,  manager  of  the 
Broadway-Strand,  one  of  Marks  Bros.,  neighborhood 
houses  in  Chicago,  is  offering  Free  Air  Rides  to  his 
patrons.  .  .  .  That's  a  novel  way  to  sight-see  your 
city.  .  .  .  Bob  Billings,  featured  organist  of  the 
Crystal,  a  Chicago  community  theatre  belonging  to 
the  SchaefEer  Bros.,  was  a  HERALD-WORLD  visitor 
this  week.  .  .  .  Bob  says  that  talking  films  don't 
bother  him  "atall."  .  .  .  That's  the  way  all  organists 
should  feel.  .  .  .  Ben  Green  is  now  conducting  the 
orchestra  at  the  Chicago  Embassy,  formerly  a  Marks 
Bros.,  theatre.  .  .  .  Abe  Olman,  "the  grand  old  man" 
of  the  music  business  is  in  New  York  looking  after 
the  new  interests  of  his  firm.  .  .  .  William  Adler, 
a  P.  A.  recently  with  L  &  T  is  now  with  Marks 
Bros.,  as  an  associate  of  J.  J.  Hess,  Publicity  and 
Advertising  Director.  .  .  .  Well,  boys.  Viola  Allin, 
Miss  Norshore  won  the  title  of  Miss  American  Venus 
in  the  recent  Publix  Bathing  Beauty  Contest.  .  .  . 
Harry  Robinson,  formerly  with  Remick  is  now  with 
Berlin's  Chicago  office  in  the  organ  solo  department. 
.  B  &  K  are  conducting  a  Miss  Paradise  contest 
for  the  opening  of  the  new  theatre.  .  .  .  And  by  the 
way  another  B  &  K  house  opens  next  week  at 
Chicago's  South  Side.  .  .  .  It's  called  the  Maryland 
and    is    on    the    site    of    the    old    Woodlawn    theatre. 


Chicago  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  25 

The  Capitol  theatre  presented  a  very  fine  show 
to  its  patrons  this  week  called  "Kiddies  Jazz  Town 
Frolics."  The  entire  stage  show  consisted  of  juven- 
iles that  ranked  high  in  their  talents.  Roy  Detrich, 
the  popular  band  leader  helped  put  the  show  over 
in  a  fine  manner. 

The  presentation  opened  with  the  Kiddies  Ballet 
doing  an  interesting  dance  that  was  very  tricky.  They 
earned  themselves  a  bursting  applause.  It  must  be 
said  about  this  ballet  that  they  don't  just  dance  but, 
do  clever  tricks  that  are  noticeable. 

Roy  Detrich  appeared  on  the  stage  and  led  the  or- 
chestra through  "Missouri  Swamp."  The  number 
went  over. 

Then  the  Lotte  Sisters,  two  charming  girls  put 
their  dance  over  in  a  fine  style.  The  girls  had  the 
people  sitting  up  in  their  seats  all  through  the  act. 

Another  kiddie,  Norman  Perry,  something  on  the 
George  Givot  style  sang  "I  Ain't  Saying  a  Word." 
He  also  showed   dancing  ability. 

Once  morel  the  Kiddies  Ballet  stepped  upon  the 
stage  and  again  they  stopped  the  show  with  the 
clever   steps. 

Then  to  give  the  people  a  good  measure  Roy 
Detrich  sang  "My  Kid."  In  this  particular  number 
Roy  had  most  of  the  people  in  tears.  An  encore 
was  necessary  and  Roy  sang  the  chorus  again. 
Detrich  is  the  big  hit  at  this  show  and  that's  easy  to 
see. 

Irene  Walton,  another  kiddie,  sang  "Someone  Is 
Sweet  on  Me."  and  then  went  into  a  dance  that  got 
herself  a  nice  hand. 

Next  came  Donald  Henry,  who  sang  "My  Angel." 
The  boy  has  a  pleasing  voice  that  is  easy  to  listen 
to.  We  could  have  sat  through  three  more  numbers 
like  this.     He  also  took  an  encore. 

Detrich  introduced  a  very  young  girl,  this  one  on. 
the  Peggy  Bernier  style.  She  sang  "Cause  My  Baby 
Don't  Mean  Maybe."  The  little  tot  was  very  atract- 
ing   and    a  big   applause   was   given   to  her. 

Tommy  Wonder,  the  boy  wonder,  danced  himself 
to  bursting  applause  as  like  he  always  does.  Tommy 
took  three  encores  and  still  they  wanted  more. 
He's  good. 

Then  the  entire  cast  of  kiddies  came  upon  the 
stage  each  doing  their  bit  to  close  the  number  in 
a  fine  manner.  The  people  seemed  to  be  well 
pleased  with  the  Kiddie  show  and  this  one  was  ex- 
ceptionally good.     They  are  a  big  drawing  power. 


HENRI  A.  KEATES 

'The  Organist  Who  Put  Community 

Singing  on    .,^s^^^.      the  Map" 


Oriental  Theatre,  Chicago 


SUNSHINE 

SAMMY 

Star  of 
"OUR  GANG" 

Signed  for 

Talking 

Short  M-G-M 

Films 

After 
Completion  of 

LOEW  TOUR 

Direction — Abe  I.   Felnberg 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


STAGE     SHOWS 

Los  Angeles  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  24 

John  Murray  Anderson's  "Knick  Knacks,"  proved 
to  be  one  of  merit,  with  so  many  features,  it  is  hard 
to  say  vnth  sincerity  which  is  outstanding'.  The 
lighting  effects  and  the  designing  of  the  Get,  was 
equal  to  that  of  the  most  famous  producers. 

The  show  opened  with  the  band  number,  "What  are 
you  waiting  for  Mary."  The  girls,  in  line  singing 
the  number,  six  of  whom  were  covered  as  chairs,  and 
doing  a   dance  in  harmony   with  the  line. 

The  Lee  Sisters  followed,  Mildred  and  Muriel, 
dressed  in  "Bell  Hop"  suits.  Their  tap  dancing  did 
credit  to  the  bit  and  took  a  good  hand.  Many  kind 
comments  were  spread  regarding  Laura  HoSman, 
the  colorature  soprano,  who  followed.  Her  number 
"Je  Vous  Aime"  called  for  an  encore.  She  is  of 
pleasing  appearance  and  put  over  her  songs  in  an 
excellent  manner. 

PhU  Lampkin,  the  master  of  ceremonies,  who  has 
one  of  the  most  wonderful  ways  of  selling  his 
people,  came  in  with  a  band  number,  "That's  My 
Weakness  Now,"  Phil  singing  and  making  wise 
cracks.  He  is  a  very  good  announcer,  but  could  im- 
prove with   a   closer  attention  to  clearness. 

Klravavaeft,  a  tap  dancer,  gave  the  audience  much 
above  the  average.  He  is  one  of  the  fastest  and  most 
original  I  have  ever  seen.  He  has  been  bringing 
other  hoofers  all  week,  to  the  theatre  who  are  in- 
terested in  new  steps.  He  returned  twice,  and  after- 
wards took   a   curtain   bow. 

Winfred  and  Mill,  two  colored  boys,  made  up  as  a 
Chinaman  and  blackface,  followed,  doing  a  skit  be- 
fore a  "drop."  The  blackface  dressed  as  a  sailor, 
was  being  towed  over  the  city  in  a  "Chinese  taxi," 
and  their  line  of  hokum  regarding  the  fare  was 
comical.  The  boys  each  did  some  dancing  and  ended 
with  a  good  hand  from  the  house. 

The  Lee  Sisters  returned  and  did  a  dance  to  "The 
Man  I  Love"  which  opened  the  finale.  The  line 
girls  entered  from  the  sides  dressed  as  Roman 
gladiators  with  spears  and  helmets.  After  doing  a 
dance  to  "The  Grand  Processional  March"  they 
paraded  to  staire  on  the  side,  marching  to  the  rear 
of  the  stage  where  the  curtain  was  raised  back  of 
the  orchestra  showing  large  shields  with  the  girls. 
The  hearty  applause  of  the  house  was  equal  to  the 
reception  given  Eddie  McGill,  the  phenomenal  tenor, 
who  has  been  at  the  "Met"  15  weeks.  This  Publix 
revue  did  credit  to  Greater  Movie  Season. 


William  Morris  Agency 
to  Book  Talkies 

Talking  motion  pictures  have  caused  the 
William  Morris  Agency  to  establish  a  de- 
partment in  their  world-wide  booking  institu- 
tion which  will  specialize  in  the  field  of 
synchronized    films. 

This  department  is  under  the  personal  di- 
rection of  Harry  Lenetska,  who  makes  his 
headquarters  in  New  York.  The  Los  Angeles 
office  as  well  as  the  Chicago  office  will  co- 
operate in  every  way  with  the  head  of  this 
department. 

At  present  the  William  Morris  Agency  is 
specializing  in  the  personal  representation  of 
picture  house  artists  and  seem  to  be  the 
official  agency  for  Publix  and  their  affiliated 
circuits.  Nearly  every  worthwhile  act,  whether 
it  be  from  vaudeville,  musical  comedy,  or  any 
other  branch  of  the  shov,-  business,  has  either 
an  exclusive  or  limited  contract  with  the 
William  Morris  Agency.  Recently  a  European 
office  was  established  with  Arnaud  and  Lar- 
tigue   as  the  managing  directors. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  large  de- 
mand for  artists  possessing  speaking  voices, 
as  well  as  ability  in  performing  certain  par- 
ticular routines  that  have  become  recognized 
on  the  stage  as  standard  attractions,  the  talk- 
ing field  should  offer  unlimited  possibilities 
and  considerable  revenues  to  the  thousands 
now  making  personal  appearances  in  presenta- 
tion  theatres. 


Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  August  26 

This   south   side   deluxe   picture   house   is   still   offer- 
ing a  policy  of  pictures  and  orchestra  accompaniment 


during  the  week,  and  a  stagehand  show  on  Sunday 
only. 

Armin  Hand,  well  known  in  Chicago  for  his  ball- 
room and  hotel  orchestras,  is  the  musical  conductor 
here  who  also  acts  as  master  of  ceremonies  for  the 
stageshow. 

This  Sunday's  bill  opened  with  a  band  arrangement 
of  "Do  You  Don't  You  Love  Me"  and  followed  with 
a  Spanish  dance  routine  portrayed  by  Dotzell  and 
Fuller.  Next  a  cornet  player  sang  a  chonis  of 
"You're  a  Real  Sweetheart"  while  the  band  played 
a  soft  arrangement  of  same. 

This  was  followed  by  Idrena,  a  young  lady  con- 
tortionist who  offered  a  series  of  Oriental  twists  and 
turns.  Dotzell  and  Fuller  came  on  again,  this  time 
doing  their   own   version   of   the   "Varsity   Drag." 

This  was  followed  by  a  violin  solo  called  "Rosette" 
and  played  by  Arthur  Hand.  Arthur,  when  the 
opera  season  sets  in,  is  a  soloist  with  the  Chicago 
Symphony  Orchestra  and  proved  himself  worthy  of 
holding  such  a  position  by  his  fine,  masterful  way 
on  this  arrangement.  Idrena  came  on  again,  this 
time   with   a    comedy    dance    routine. 

Dean  Stevenson,  the  newly-acquired  drummer,  sang 
a    comedy-parody    of    "There    Ought    to    Be    a    Law 


McNEIL    SMITH 

Featured  Orgeuiist 

MARQUETTE  Theatre,  CHICAGO 

Photoplay  and  Solo  SpecieJties 


ULDERICO  MARCELLI 

MUSICAL  CONDUCTOR 

BALABAN&KATZ 
Uptown  and  Tivoli  Theatres,  Chicago 


Solos  and  Community  Sings 

BOB    BILLINGS 

Solo  Organist 
CRYSTAL  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


Against    That"    and    was    assisted    with    considerable 
horseplay   by    the   saxophonist    and   cornet    player 

The  next  specialty  on  the  bill  was  two  young 
men  called  Miller  and  Peterson  who  gave  a  very 
clever  comedy  interpretation  of  tap  dancing  This 
seemed  to  be  the  best-liked  act  on  the  bill,  judging 
from   the   applause. 

_    The  finale  coni5isted  of  a  fine  band  arrangement  of 
bweet  Sue     which  was  snappily  conducted  by  Armin 
Hand    who    is    quite    a    favorite    of    this    house    with 
nis  weekly  musical  selections. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  August  25 

An  all-round  strong  program  of  exceptional  merit 
registered  unmistakably  at  the  Howard  this  week 
Backing  up  the  feature  picture,  "Glorious  Bet=y  " 
which  with  its  Vitaphone  talking  sequences,  came 
m  tor  a  full  share  of  praise,  was  the  Publix 
unit  show,  "Snap  Shots,"  which  Al  Morey,  the  en- 
gaging  bandmaster,    put    over    with    speed    and    skill. 

J'lrst  honors  go  to  Lillian  Bernard  and  Flo  Henri 
a  clever  team  of  girls  who  made  a  big  hit  in  their 
songs  done  according  to  the  best  Van  and  Schenck 
traditions.  Next  in  favor  were  Mills  and  Shea  with 
their  amusing  dances  and  comic  pantomime.  The 
boys  were  something  of  a  riot  in  amazing  red- 
plaid    suits   of   exaggerated   collegiate   variety 

T  ?,""c'^.[^'"'"'  '"''"'^'^  ^"  t^^  cigarette  song  while 
Lolly  Selba,  who  is  easy  to  look  upon  in  her  sequin 
and  tulle  ballet  costume,  turned  out  a  graceful  toe 
dance. 

At  pleasing  intervals  the  chorus  of  eight  Gould 
Girls  executed  some  new  dance  routines  which  struck 
the  fancy  of  cash  customers.  The  finale  brought  a 
gorgeous  tableau  with  the  aforesaid  Gould  girls 
costumed  to  suggest  the  three  brands  of  cigarettes 
Don  Trailkill  eulogized  in  his  song— Egyptians,  Rus- 
sian, and  Virginia. 

The  special  Vitaphone  presentation  introduced 
Karj-1   Norman,   the  Creole  Fashion  Plate. 


Portland  Portland 

Week  Ending  August  23 

The  second  big  attraction  during  Greater  Movie 
Season  brought  the  Fanchon  and  Marco's  "Spangles" 
idea,  which  included  a  company  of  16  spicy  and 
talented  girls  in  a  French  revue,  which  captivated 
record   houses   at  every   performance. 

Don  Wilkin  was  master  of  ceremonies,  and  hie 
band    rendered    many    entertaining    numbers. 

On  the  screen  Colleen  Moore  in  "Oh  Kay,"  a  racy 
rhapsody  of  love  and  comedy,  which  also  went  over 
with   a   big    "O.    K." 


San  Francisco  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  24 

"Rio  Romance,"  a  Publix  stage  revue  arranged  by 
Frank  Cambria,  was  the  stage  offering  this  week  at 
the  Granada  theatre,  with  Frank  Jenks  as  band  con- 
ductor and  master  of  ceremonies.  The  stage  setting, 
act  and  costumes  were  typical  of  South  America 
and  the  offering  was  well   received. 

Following  the  opening  number,  a  lively  Spanish 
air,  ten  girls  in  costumes  of  the  wide  pampas,  of- 
fered a  tango,  and  the  Cansinos,  Elisa  and  Edouardo, 
already  popular  here,  danced  with  the  fire  and  aban- 
don which  has  won  them  fame,  the  dance  being  punc- 
tuated with  some  lively  snapping  of  a  cattle  whip. 

Frank  Jenks  came  forward  to  announce  that  the 
band  would  offer  the  new  waltz  "Chiquita,"  but  be- 
fore he  could  complete  the  announcement  had  to 
answer  the  questions  of  Joe  Penner,  a  personality 
comedian,    who   wished   to   sell   a   duck. 

Johnny  Dunn,  a  prepossessing  ukulele  player, 
strummed  out  the  "Stars  and  Stripes  Forever"  and 
"Let  Me  Call  You  Sweetheart,"  following  these  with 
a  novelty  number  in  which  he  played  and  danced 
at  the  same  time,  with  the  dancing  effort  the  best 
of  the  two. 

Joe  Penner,  former  vaudeville  star,  and  chiro- 
practic singer,  or  one  who  "sings  in  all  the  joints," 
offered  a  number  which  won  him  a  goodly  measure 
of  applause. 

Frank  Jenks  and  his  band  offered  a  red  hot  inter- 
pretation of  "You  Have  No  Idea,"  with  the  popular 
conductor  enlivening  the  XJ^rformance  with  a  trom- 
bone solo,  as  well  as  singing  the  words  to  which 
some    up-to-date    additions    have    been    made. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Cecil  Lean  and  Cleo  Mayfield,  those  popular  stage 
stars,  need  no  introduction  to  Philadelphia  audiences 
and  their  popularity  was  demonstrated  by  the  attend- 


UNIFORMS 


FOR  HOUSE 
ATTACHES 


COSTUMES 


FOR  STAGE 
PRESENTATIONS 


BROOKS 


1437  B'way 
N.  Y.  City 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


ance  at  the  Stanley  this  week.  An  unusually  lonsj 
film  stole  some  time  from  the  presentation  acts.  Al- 
though the  time  allotted  to  Cecil  Lean  and  Cleo  May- 
field  was  short,  they  presented  five  numbers,  "Hello, 
Everybody,"  "Buck  &  Wing  Patter,"  "Happy-Go- 
Lucky  Lane,"  "William  Tell"  and  "Society  Gossip," 
all  in  the  short  space  of  thirteen  minutes.  They 
recited  and  sang  these  clever  poems  in  unison  at  a 
rapid  rate  of  speed  in  their  own  inimitable  manner 
and  their  act  was  all  too  short  to  suit  the  enthusias- 
tic audience.  Miss  Mayfleld  is  as  graceful  and  charm- 
ing as  ever  and  Mr.  Lean  was  obliged  to  make  a 
cui'tain  speech  of  appreciation. 

Conrad  Nagrel  in  a  Vitaphone  number  spoke  of  the 
rapid  advance  made  in  motion  pictures  and  advertised 
the  first  all-talking  picture,  "Lights  of  New  York," 
to  be  shown  at  the  Stanley  next  week.  He  is  ims- 
sessed  of  a  clear,  resonant  voice  and  is  one  of  the 
best  talkers   among  screen   artists. 

Wiring  has  recently  been  completed  at  the  Stanley 
and  sound  as  well  as  silent  films  will  be  shown  there 
from    now    on. 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  17 

Gene  Rodemich's  revue,  "Rosette,"  with  Heller  and 
Riley,  AJ  and  Ray  Samuels,  the  Gould  Girls,  and  the 
Paramount  Quartet,  offered  a  light,  pleasing  presen- 
tation. The  program  was  handled  in  musical  comedy 
style   with    Gene   Rodemich   as    master   of    ceremonies. 

The  show  opened  with  the  Paramount  Quartet  sing- 
ing from  the  bridge  of  a  ship,  while  on  the  lower 
deck  Heller  and  Riley  sang  a  song  introducing  the 
members  of  the  cast.  They  omitted  the  chorus  of 
12  dancing  girls  who  came  forward  to  sing  a  song 
and  dance  which  introduced  themselves.  Babs,  as 
"Rosette,"  then  appeared  to  sing  and  dance,  featur- 
ing the  song  "Rosette."  While  singing,  "Flo  Ziegfeld" 
discovers  her  and  asks  her  to  join  his  chorus.  She 
assents. 

The  scene  shifts  to  the  dock  in  New  York  City. 
Heller  and  Riley  present  a  clever  dance  specialty 
which  is  accorded  an  ovation  by  the  patrons,  neces- 
sitating two  encores.  At  the  dock,  "Flo  Ziegfeld's" 
leading  lady  announces  she  is  leaving  to  be  married. 
Without  a  leading  lady  for  his  show,  he  turns  to 
Babs,  who  does  a  singing  and  dancing  act,  supported 
by  the  leading  man  and  the  Paramaunt  Quartet. 
The  chorus,  di'essed  in  colors  going  from  red  to  blue, 
like  the  rainbow,  staged  a  clever  exhibition  of  dance 
steps. 

The  scene  shifts  to  a  theatre.  Gene  Rodemich 
and  Publix  Playboys  favor  with  a  hot,  jazz  number, 
after  which  the  chorus  of  12  beauties  put  on  the  hit 
of  the  evening,  a  set  of  gymnastics  and  hand  mo- 
tions performed  simultaneously.  Throughout  the  re- 
vue, byplays  on  words  is  used  in  conversation  be- 
tween Samuels  and  Rodemich.  The  revue  closes  with 
the  announcement  by  Rosette  that  she  is  to  miarry 
the  leading  man  and  quit  the  show.  The  chorus  ap- 
pea.T  in  snowy  white  bridal  costumes  to  stage  the 
grand   finale. 

Pola  Negri  in  "Loves  of  an  Actress"  was  the  fea- 
ture   picture. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  August  25 

The  Mainstreet's  stage  program  was  made  up  of 
interesting"  acts  which  stood  out  individually.  Joe 
Cody  and  his  brother  throw  hats  at  the  audiences 
in  an  entertaining  comedy  skit.  Ada  Brown  proves 
she  still  is  up  to  her  usual  standard  in  singing 
"Blues"  songs,  "Real  Estate  Papa,  Don't  You  Try  to 
Sub-divide   Me"    being   one   of   her   best   hits. 

The  Pierson  Brothers  do  some  remarkable  tap  danc- 
ing and  are  worthy  of  the  many  encores  they  re- 
ceived. Edgar  Bregen  and  Co.,  have  a  comedy  ven- 
triloquist number  to  offer,  while  Hatcher  and  Moran 
have    a   unique    little   sketch   titled   "Studies    in    Art." 

Davidson's  Louisville  Loons,  the  theatre's  stage  or- 
chestral attraction,  offer  a  musical  program  titled 
"Follies  of  1928,"  in  which  Harlan  Christie  is  fea- 
tured as  master  of  ceremonies  and  several  vocal 
numbers. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  24 

"Ocean  Blues,"  the  Publix  presentation  at  the 
Michigan  this  week,  turned  out  to  be  a  good  hot 
weather  show  ;  singing  and  dancing  acts  being  promi- 
nently displayed  before  a  back  drop  of  dancing  blue 
waves. 

Moss  and  Fryc,  billed  as  the  "Original  Black- 
birds," were  capable  comedians  in  burned  cork,  of- 
fering their  well  known  vaudeville  line  about  "How 
high  is  up?"  Mabel  Hollis  was  a  hotsy-totsy  blues 
singer  with  some  good  numbers  and  Scanlon,  Denno 
Brothers  and  Scanlon  were  tap  dancers  extraordi- 
nary, garbed,  as  was  fitting  in  such  an  oceanic  pro- 
duction,  as  "gobs." 


Musical  Marriages  Are 

Happiest,  Says 

Organist 

DETROIT,  MICH.:  This  city  is  the  home  of 
one  woman  who  believes  it  possible  for  a 
woman  to  have  both  a  husband  and  a  career 
and  to  make  a  success  of  life. 

The  woman  is  Mrs.  Marguerite  Werner, 
organist  at  the  United  Artists  Theatre.  Her 
husband,  Eduard  Werner,  is  conducter  of  the 
symphony   orchestra    at    the    Michigan    theatre. 

"I  think  it  is  absurd  for  any  woman  to  get 
the  idea  that  marriage  will  interfere  with  the 
work  she  likes  best  to  do,"  Mrs.  Werner  says. 
"On  the  contrary,  1  have  proved  that  the 
husband  finds  a  wife  all  the  more  attractive 
if  she  is  not  entirely  occupied  with  the  home 
or    with    him. 

"Anybody  who  could  see  Eduard  and  me 
rehearsing  our  favorite  modern  piece,  'All 
That  She  Is  and  Old  Fashioned  Girl,'  would 
realize  how  close  to  each  other  our  music 
draws  us.  Besides  it  seems  to  me  that  musical 
marriages  should  be  the  happiest  of  all,  for 
music  is  the  gentlest  of  the  arts." 


Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  August  25 

Charlie  Davis,  master  of  ceremonies  returned  this 
week  from  a  pseudo  trip  to  New  York,  where  his 
enthusiastic  press  agents  declared  he  went  for  two 
weeks  to  make  talking  machine  records.  He  returned 
amid  a  lot  of  manufactured  acclaim  with  the  mayor 
and  chief  of  police  heading  the  reception  commit- 
tee. He  descended  majestically  from  the  elevated 
ramps  of  the  Union  Station  and  was  rather  a  guest 
of  honor.  However,  these  same  pulicity  enthusiasts 
admit  now  that  he  never  had  been  in  New  York, 
had  been  on  a  vacation  at  some  little  lake  in  Indiana, 
returned  the  day  before  the  parade  instead  of  step- 
ping off  the  train  ignorant  of  the  reception  that  had 
been   promoted   for   him. 

Th©  stage  show,  however,  was  all  to  the  good, 
some  excellent  entertainment  being  on  the  program. 
Chester  Fredricks  is  one  of  the  wild  careless  fel- 
lows who  dances  all  over  the  stage  and  for  sheer 
vitality   and   rhythm  in  motion,   he   is  a   master. 

Prosper  and  Moret  have  another  splendid  act  in 
their  athletic  work.  Seemingly  impossible  things  are 
done  by  these  two  men.  Evans  and  Mayer  are  a 
couple  of  eccentrics,  who  freely  admit  that  one 
couldn't  guess  what  they  were  by  looking  at  them. 
They  have  some  fair  comic  songs.  A  dozen  xylo- 
phones played  in  a  symphonic  arrangement  make  a 
novel    finale   for    the    stage   show. 


The  program  was  dominated  by  a  smai-tly- 
schooled  troupe  of  Foster  Girls.  They  were  billed 
as  direct  from  Earl  Carroll's  Vanities,  and  there 
were  21,  count  'em  boys,  21  in  a  dancing,  prancing 
line. 

The  stage  band  now  is  known  as  the  Michiganers. 
Which  only  goes  to  prove  the  paraphrase  of  the  old 
line  about  "sounding  as  sweet  under  any  other 
name." 

Maestra  Eduard  Werner  offered  an  operatic 
pot-pourri,  built  around  "The  Barber  of  Seville"  as 
the  opening  overture,  and  he  was  assisted  by  two 
splendid  soloists,  Eusiblo  Concialdi  and  Fanny  Coles 
Sample. 


Philadelphia  Carman 

Week  Ending  August  18 

The  Girls'  Band  Revue,  this  week's  stage  show 
at  the  Carman,  was  a  breezy  and  enjoyable  act. 
Bert  Earle  and  his  Melody  Girls,  featuring  Meredith 
Thatcher,  form  an  instrumental  ensemble  which  com- 
pares very  favorably  with  other  similar  acts.  Their 
selections  ranged  from  jazz  to  popular  melodies  and 
each  number  was  well  received.  Bert  Earle  makes 
his  banjo  seem  almost  human  and  Meredith  Thatcher 
in  her  comedy  dance  proved  to  be  a  popular  enter- 
tainer. 

Mary  Goodwin  and  Edmund  Fitzpatrick  sang  paro- 
dies and   choruses  of   current  popular  melodies. 

The  Three  Slate  Brothers,  eccentric  dancers,  con- 
tributed   several    original    dances. 

Marjorie  White  and  Eddie  Tierney  won  many 
laughs    with    their    "Classic    Bits    of    Nonsense." 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending   August  25 

"Yesterday,  Today,  and  Tomorrow"  was  the  title 
of  Verne  Buck's  show  at  this  theatre.  Though  the 
management  does  not  give  Buck  any  exploitation 
whatsoever.  He  still  continues  to  be  main  drawing 
card   here. 

Orchestra  behind  scrim  opens  with  "Way  Back 
When,"  as  Verne  and  Maurice,  one  of  the  perform- 
ers enter  on  a  tandem  bicycle  starting  the  show 
with  a  lot  of  laughs.  S'crim  raises  to  full  stage  as 
Alice  Gilray  offers  a  clever  acrobatic  tap,  earning 
two  encores  of  a  stomp  and  tap.  Her  work  was  very 
well  done  and  her  two  encores  were  perfectly  justi- 
fied. 

A  clever  arrangement  of  "Sweet  Sue,"  played  by 
the  orchestra  and  sung  by  Verne  Buck  was  well  re- 
ceived.     Verne    earned    two    encores. 

Maurice  and  Vincent,  comedy  acrobats  were  next 
on  the  bill.  They  pleased  some  of  the  audience 
with   their   funny   antics. 

Bartell  and  Gould  follow  with  an  act  somewhat 
different  than  the  average  inasmuch  as  they  included 
xylophone  playing.  As  they  played  popular  tunes 
on  the  xylophone  they  both  do  a  good  tap.  They 
next  offer  a  good  eccentric  tap  dance  that  was  well 
received  and  which  earned  Miss  Gould  an  encore 
of   a  very   well   done  Varsity   Drag. 

"Chicquita,"  next  played  by  the  orchestra  won  a 
very  fine  hand.  Frank  Wilson  sang  a  chorus  of 
this    number    and    as    usual    was    forced    to   take   two 


Dick 


Marjorie 


MAXWELL  and  LEE 

"T/ie  Most  Versatile  Dance  Team  of  the  Age" 

HELLO  AMERICA! 

We  are  now  playing  the  best  in  Europe  under  the  fine  di- 
rection of  Arnaud  &  Lartique,  of  Paris,  France,  and  the 
Foster  Agency,  of  London,  England.  With  many  thanks  to 
all  members  of  the  William  Morris  Agency. 


MILTON  SLOSSER 

Solo  Organist 

Fifth  Year  at  the 

MISSOURI  THEATRE,  ST.  LOUIS 

E 

50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


In  the  finale  Buck  and  the  orchestra  offered  their 
conception  of  music  twenty-five  years  ago.  From 
now  on  while  the  band  played  Bix  Beiderbach's  "In 
a  Mist,"  a  panorama  scene  of  Chicago  in  1950  was 
shown.  This  number  really  did  not  get  the  hand  it 
deserved  because  it  was  so  modern. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  31 

Frank  Cambria  devised  and  staged  the  current 
week's  attraction  at  the  Paramount,  entitled  "Teeing 
Off." 

The  show  opens  with  a  set  of  Gamby-Hale  Girls 
in  golf  outfits,  in  a  dance  called  "Fore" — each  girl 
putting  eight  fluffy  golf  balls  out  into  the  audience. 

The  program  does  not  follow  schedule,  the  fol- 
lowing number  being  "You  Have  No  Idea"  played  by 
Paul  Ash  and  the  stage  orchestra.  Introduced  at  this 
theatre  by  Helen  Kane,  it  is  an  old  favorite. 

Daffin  and  Draper  offer  a  contortion  doll  dance, 
boy  and  girl,  who  put  over  some  very  good  acro- 
batic work.     Very  pleasing  act. 

Alice  Wellman  and  the  Gamby-Hale  Girls  con- 
tribute a  dancing  number  entitled  "Rose  of  My 
Heart." 

Earl  LaVere  offers  the  comedy  for  the  revue,  with 
a  rapid-fire  dialogue  with  Paul  Ash,  then  after  a  few 
Scotch  joke  interruptions,  gives  his  accordion  si)e- 
cialty.  He  pulls  some  fast  ones  and  gets  a  lot  of 
laughs. 

Slavonic  Rhapsody  is  presented  by  the  stagehand, 
as  a  classical  selection,  and  they  play  the  number 
very  well. 

Rome  and  Dunn,  Broadway  songsters,  offer  a  few 
appropriate  selections  including  "When  You  and  I 
Were  Young  Maggie  Blues"  and  the  latest  hit  by 
the  author  of  "Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,"  entitled  "King 
for  a  Day." 

The  finale,  by  the  entire  company,  is  based  around 
the  musical  theme  of  "King  for  a  Day"  and  has  a 
big  flash  close. 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  31 

"Kiddie  Jazz  Revue"  is  the  name  of  one  of  the 
best  kids'  shows  ever  seen.  It  opened  with  two  little 
girls  singing,  they  then  joined  the  kiddie  dancing 
chorus  to  do  a  tap  routine.  Charles  Kaley  then 
entered  and  his  orchestra  played,  "Just  a  Night  to 
Meditate."     This   was  well   done. 

Orville  Detrich  sang  next.  The  young  Tochman 
Sisters  did  some  of  the  best  team  work  ever  seen. 
They  received  much  deserving  applause.  Reinhardt 
Elester  next  on  the  bill  played  a  couple  of  numbers 
on  the  xylophone,  he  is  a  fairly  good  little  player, 
and    received    a    good    hand. 

The  Abbott  Dancers  then  did  a  pretty  ballet  num- 
ber. 

Kaley's  Band  played  a  symphonic  arrangement  of 
"I'd  Rather  Cry  Over  You,"  with  Charley  singing  the 
chorus.  He  sang  this  better  than  he  has  done  in  a 
long  time.  Beverley  Allen  sang  a  Dutch  song  and 
did  a  very  clever  tap  Dutch  dance.  Received  much 
applause. 

Donald  Henry,  one  of  the  hits  of  the  show.  He 
sang  "Angela  Mia."  This  boy  has  a  wonderful 
sweet  tenor  voice.  For  his  encore  he  sang  "Somebody 
Like  You,"  ably  assisted  by  one  of  the  young  Ab- 
botts. 

Darlene  Walden  sang  "That's  My  Weakness  Now" 
in  a  cute  little  blues  voice.  Her  encore  was  the 
"Varsity  Drag."     She's  some  little  stepper  too. 

Bobby  Boyd,  the  baby  of  the  show  played  the  Sax 
— And  How!  She  did  a  Spanish  dance  too.  She 
sure  made  a  hit. 


Uncle  Wickkie  Runs 

"Ramona"  Contest 

with  Film 

Ludwig  Sussman,  owner  and  manager  of  the 
Adelphi  theatre  of  Chicago,  a  neighborhood 
picture  house,  is  staging  a  novel  contest  dnr- 
img  the   showing  of  the  photoplay  "Ramona." 

Mr.  Sussman,  who  is  known  on  the  radio 
as  "Uncle  Wickkie,"  and  very  popular  with 
the  children  in  the  neighborhood,  is  offering 
valuable  prizes  to  any  child  that  can  show  its 
wares  either  by  singing,  dancing  or  playing  an 
instrument,  or  in  fact  any  type  of  entertain- 
ment that  can  be  offered  to  the  tune  of 
"Ramona" — thereby  making  it  exclusively  a 
"Kiddie   Ramona  Contest." 

During  the  showing  of  this  picture,  the 
orchestra  and  organist  will  play  the  theme 
song  also  called  "Ramona,"  and  published  by 
Leo  Feist,  the  publishers  of  "Jcannine,  I 
Dream   of   Lilac  Time." 

While  on  the  same  subject,  we  wish  to  state 
that  the  Regent  theatre,  a  neighborhood  pic- 
ture house  also  located  on  Chicago's  south 
side,  is  offering  this  week  in  conjunction  with 
the  film  "Ramona"  an  arrangement  that  en- 
ables Dolores  Del  Rio's  own  recording  of  the 
song  to  be  transmitted  in  a  reproducing  horn. 
The  amplifier  works  along  the  lines  of  a 
phonograph  reproducing  machine  and  is  being 
exploited  by  the  management  as  the  "Drama- 
phone." 


The  two  girls  who  sang  in  oi)ening  of  show  sAng 
again,  this  time,  "Happy  Go  Lucky."  The  ballet 
then  did  an  acrobatic  routine  with  the  entire  cast 
coming  out  for  a  beautiful   Finale. 

This  week's  show  was  one  of  the  best  shows  the 
Granada    has    had. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  31 

Nat  Nazarro,  Jr.,  and  the  Gang  present  "Behind 
the  Scenes"  this  week.  It  shows  just  how  back  stage 
looks  with  stars  rehearsing  their  parts.  The  affair 
opens  with  the  Barri  Girls  in  their  dressing  room, 
talking  about  beaus,  movies,  etc.  They  are  leaving 
this  week  and  tha  Carla  Tornay  Girls  take  their 
place. 

Then  Nat  raps  at  the  door,  enters  and  the  girls 
get  ready  for  their  day's  performance.  The  scenes 
go  up  and  we  see  a  sort  of  high  boy  affair.  You've 
got  to  run  up  the  steps  to  get  to  the  orchestra. 
Looks  like  back  stage  all  right. 

The  Patterson  Twins,  two  excellent  dancers  dressed 

in  short  red  gowns,  come  on  the  stage.     They  dance 

well  and  put  lots  of  snap  into  it.     Next  the  orchestra 

plays   "Angela  Mia,"  theme  song  of   "Street  Angel." 

The   crowd   likes  it  real  well   and  applauds. 

Ad  Nordlund,  Milwaukee  personality  night  dis- 
covery, is  next  and  sings  a  lot  of  ditties  while  play- 
ing his  banjo.  The  boy  is  good,  though  a  little  nerv- 
ous. He  smiles  a  lot,  an  infectious  smile  and  the 
crowd   applauds.     The  boy  has   the  makings. 

Bert  Nagcl  and  Omar,  the  catnips,  dressed  as  cats, 
cut  a  lot  of  caters.  They're  good,  because  they're 
different.     The  crowd  likes  them. 

Next  we  hear  Jerome,  a  juvenile  who  plays  the 
xylophone  and  does  it  nobly.     The  boy  is  fast  with 


JACK    MARTIN 

Featured  Organist 

MID-WES-CO'S  UPTOWN  THEATRE,  MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 
Solo  Presentations —  — Photoplay  SjTichronizing 


RAMON  BERRY 

Solo  Organist 
Second  Successful  Season 

ALAMO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


his  fingers  and  makes  the  sticks  hum.  The  crowd 
applauds   a  lot. 

Harold  Morova,  tenor,  then  comes  on  and  sings  the 
chorus  to  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart."  The  crowd 
likes  it  real  well.  Then  Nat  Nazarro  and  the  Barri 
Girls  do  a  dance.  Nat  tries  to  stump  them  but 
can't. 

Finale  is  all  the  crowd  on  the  stage,  Barri  Girls 
dancing  and  the  two  cats  hopping  about.  The  show 
was  snappy  and  the  crowd  liked  it. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  25 

Louis  McDermott,  the  old  standby,  gave  the  Ori- 
entallites  a  little  touch  of  Frisco's  Chinatown  last 
week  when  he  staged  an  entire  musical  comedy  show 
around  the  Honorable  Mr.   Wn. 

In  addition  to  Mr.  Wu,  our  good  friend  Al  Kvale 
and  Frank  Melina  &  Company  were  also  quite  con- 
spicuous. The  stage  show  is  too  long  to  go  into 
detail,  but  we  will  say  that  each  and  every  part  of 
it,  vpith  the  exception  of  a  few  spots,  ran  very 
smoothly  and  seemed  to  entertain. 

The  novelty  part  of  the  bill  is  the  fact  that  every 
player  with  the  exception  of  Al  and  Melina  were 
Chinese.  Picture  yourself  in  a  theatre  witnessing  a 
I)erformance  of  a  jiopular  musical  comedy  with  some 
of  your  favorites  in  the  leading  roles,  and  then 
just  visualize  this  same  pantomime  and  music  be- 
ing enacted  by  an  entirely  Oriental  cast,  that  is, 
Chinese,  of   course. 

One  good  feature  about  this  show  is  that  Al  Kvale 
conceived  a  new  way  of  keeping  himself  out  of  the 
show  and  yet  in  it  enough  so  that  the  continuity 
of  the  story  was  always  there.  In  the  plot  he  was 
an  American  tourist  visiting  Chinatown,  and  in  be- 
tween specialties  acted  as  master  of  ceremonies. 

We  must  say  that  his  clever  introductions  and 
witty  remarks  were  a  considerable  help  to  the  show. 
One  of  the  outstanding  band  arrangements  was 
"Shanghai  Dream  Man,"  in  which  Al  gave  a  solo  on 
a  long  brass  instrument  resembling  a  cornet,  wliile  a 
man  sang  a  chorus  as  a  background  transformed  into 
a   Chinese  den. 

Mr.  Wu  in  his  many  impersonations  and  his  troupe 
of  clever  artists  were  enjoyed  very  much,  as  were 
also  Frank  Melina  and  his  company  of  tumblers  and 
wisecraekers. 


Mayor  and  Officials 
Greet  Davis*  Return 

Mayor  L.  Ert  Slack,  of  Indianapolis,  other  civic 
and  municipal  officials  took  part  in  a  welcome  home 
parade  for  Charlie  Davis,  master  of  ceremonies  at 
the  Indiana  theatre  when  he  returned  to  Indianapolis 
Aug.  18  after  a  two  weeks  vacation.  Police  Chief 
Worley  authorized  the  use  of  a  squadron  of  motor- 
cycle police  and  a  detail  of  mounted  i)olice  led  the 
parade.  High  iK>lice  officials  also  took  part  in  the 
parade. 

The  Indianapolis  Chamber  of  Commerce  took  an 
important  and  welcoming  committees  were  selected 
by  the  Kiwanis  and  Optimists  clubs.  The  Indian- 
apolis Boy  Scout  executive  arranged  a  color  guard 
and  a  guard  of  honor  and  85  young  seamen  who  are 
attending  the  Junior  Naval  Reserve  encampment 
were  in  the  parade.  Dick  Powell,  master  of  cere- 
monies at  the  Circle  theatre,  the  dancing  ensemble 
and  a  20  piece  military  band  also  was  seen. 


Anniversary  Cast 

The  National  Playhouses,  Inc.,  of  Chicago,  are 
celebrating  this  week  the  first  anniversary  of  the 
Avalon,   their    south   side   deluxe   house. 

The  stageehow  featuring  Roy  Dietrich  and  his  band 
has  a  cast  of  wellknown  artists  headed  by  Bob  Nelson, 
Lang  and  Voelck,  George  Boyce,  and  Al  and  Gussie 
Bloom. 

Billy  Mills,  associate  producer  for  the  organization, 
is  responsible  for  the  musical  arrangements  and 
part  of  the  staging. 


Service  for  Exhibitors 

After  several  years  as  production  manager,  George 
Pantzer  has  finally  decided  to  produce  stage  unite 
for  the  independent  motion  theatres.  Mr.  Pantzer 
held  the  position  of  production  manager  with  Henry 
Santrey  for  three  years ;  he  also  held  a  similar  posi- 
tion at  the  Rialto  and  Ci'iterion  theatres  in  New 
York    as    well    as    the    Branford   theatre    of   Newark. 

With  thg  ever-increasing  popularity  of  stageshows 
in  picture  houses,  the  new  service  inaugurated  by 
Mr.  Pantzer  will  no  doubt  meet  with  the  many 
demands  of  the  independent  gxh^bitor. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


Congratulations  are  in  order,  to  the  Victor  Talking 
Machine  Company.  They  have  secured  the  services 
of  my  partner,  Sam  Coslow,  to  make  vocal  lecords 
exclusively  for  them.  Coelow's  first  two  releases  are 
"A  King  for  a  Day"  and  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart," 
both  tunes  being  back  to  back.  Coslow  has  a  dis- 
tinctive style,  insofar  as  recording  is  concerned,  and 
the  Victor  Conipany  are  enthused  to  such  an  extent 
that  they  are  getting  behind  all  his  releases  100 
per  cent. 

And  talking  about  the  Victor  Company,  it  will  no 
doubt  interest  hundreds  of  Joe  Higgins'  friends  to 
know  that  his  responsibilities  at  the  Victor  Company 
have  been  doubled,  since  Nathaniel  Shilkret's  entrance 
into  the  Movietone  field,  which  is  also  a  big  factor 
in  the  recording  field  today.  Incidentally,  it  was 
Joe  Higgins  who  first  "discovered"  "My  Blue 
Heaven,"  and  is  indirectly  responsible  for  the  tre- 
mendous  hit  that   that   song  was. 

«      «      4 

I  doubt  very  much  whether  there  is  another 
organist  in  the  United  States  today  who  does  as 
much  bi'oadcasting  as  Emil  Velazco,  who  is  featured, 
sometimes  as  often  as  twice  in  one  day,  on  that 
powerful  radio  station  W  O  R.  His  programs  are 
decidedly  interesting,  and  they  come  over  the  air 
in  a  very  beautiful  style.  Radio  Station  W  0  R 
verifies  the  fact  that  Velazco  has  many  ardent  ad- 
mirers due  to  his  progi-ams. 
»     *     * 

From  a  very  authentic  source,  I  understand  that 
Feist's  next  plug  ballad  is  entitled :  "Wild  Oats  Are 
Watered  With  Tears,"  which,  incidentally,  was  writ- 
ten by  another  good  organist,  Jesse  Crawford,  and 
George  Little.  The  song  is  a  great  song,  and  Feist 
should  have  no  trouble  whatsoever  in  putting  it  over 
for  a  big  hit. 

*  *     * 

Johnny  Marvin  was  in  town  last  week  and  it 
was  quite  an  event  in  his  life,  for  he  made  his  first 
Movietone.  Statistics  show  that  at  the  present  time 
Mai-vin  is  the  second  best  selling  vocal  artist  the 
Victor  Talking  Machine  Company  has  on  their  pay- 
roll, and  justly  so,  because  his  voice  is  as  clear 
as  a  bell,  and  his  consistent  traveling  in  vaudeville 
throughout  the  country  has  gained  him  a  million 
friends. 

«     *     # 

Irving  Berlin  (a  song  writer)  has  been  induced, 
for  a  tremendous  amount  of  money,  to  write  the 
musical  score  for  a  Movietone  production,  which 
will  feature  the  well-known  Harry  Richman.  This 
is  the  second  production  of  this  kind  on  record  to 
date.  The  first  being  a  musical  production,  the 
score  being  written  by  George  Gershwin,  who  it  is 
understood  received  ?50,000  in  real  honest-to-goodness 
cash  for  his  compositions. 

«     «     * 

Judging  from  the  above,  the  talking  pictures  are 
evidently  here  to  stay,  and  have  ceased  to  become 
a  question  insofar  as  their  appeal  to  the  public  is 
concerned.  One  of  the  leading  Broadway  theatres 
reports  the  fact  that  during  a  certain  day  at  their 
theatre,  no  less  than  355  people  inquired  at  the  box- 
office  whether  there  was  a  talking  picture  within  the 
theatre  that  day,  and  being  informed  in  the  nega- 
tive, they  turned  away  and  went  elsewhere. 
«     *     « 

Frank  Helton's  many  friends  out  at  the  Pacific 
Coast  will  be  glad  to  know  that  he  is  on  his  way 
there  again  after  an  absence  of  four  years.  He  is 
representing  Spier  &  Coslow,  Inc.,  and  should  have 
an  easy  time  putting  over  their  catalogue  at  this 
time,  for  they  consist  of  two  very  big  songs,  en- 
titled: "My  Window  of  Dreams"  and  "Heartbroken 
and  Lonely." 

*  *     * 

Next  week  I  will  have  the  column  written  by 
another  elite  of  the  music  world,  which  I  am  sure 
you  will  find  as  interesting  as  those  you  have  read 
belonging  to  Bobby  Crawford,  Al  Beilin,  Lester 
Santley,   Martha   Wilchinsky,   etc. 


ORGAN     SOLOS 


Henri  A.  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  gave  a  wed- 
ding bell  solo  this  week  in  which  he  played  a  number 
of  popular  tunes  for  the  benefit  of  the  married  and 
unmarried  folks  out  front.  Some  of  his  tunes  were 
"Beloved,"  "Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon," 
"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky,"  and  several 
others  which  were  coupled  with  very  clever  comedy 
lyrics   illustrated  by   funny  slides. 


Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit,  Mich.,  Michigan)  popular 
organist  here  brought  his  wife,  Doris,  along  with 
him  for  this  week's  presentation  in  which  they 
offered  cadenzas  and  sweet  melody  on  a  two  console 
organ. 


Mclvin  Peacock  (Sheboygan,  Wis.,  Sheboygan)  re- 
ports that  his  radio  program  called  "Can  You  Guess 
the  Song  Title"  furnished  the  necessary  names  for  a 
proposed  organ  club.  His  solo  called  "The  Straw 
Vote"  a  Berlin  specialty  was  very  timely  and  unique 
and    secured    him    considerable    newspaper    comment. 


Joseph  Britc  (Rapid  City,  S.  D.,  Elks)  reports  that 
for  last  week's  solo  he  used  an  original  novelty 
called  "Fan  Mail"  utilizing  comedy  slides  between  the 
songsr  "My  Pet,"  "Sorry  for  Me,"  "Beloved,"  and 
Milton  Charles'  "Wonderful  One."  For  the  latter 
part  of  the  week  he  used  a  straight  version  of 
"Just  Like  a  Melody  Out  of  the  Sky"  with  a  singer 
and  was  compelled  to  repeat  the  number. 


Julia  Dawn  (Atlanta,  Ga.,  Howard)  the  golden 
voiced  organist,  whose  popularity  has  increased  dur- 
ing the  several  weeks  of  her  engagement,  contributed 
a  charming  organ  slide  singing  number  finishing 
with  "Rain  or  Shine"  taken  from  the  show  of  the 
same  name. 


Earl  Abel  (San  Antonio,  Tex.,  Texas)  is  still 
continuing!  his  Saturday  Noon  Club  and  has  more 
than  tripled  the  patronage  since  it  has  been  function- 
ing. One  good  thing  about  Abel  is  that  his  presen- 
tations are  always  new  and  interesting  and  full  of 
gags.  He  also  awards  anyone  who  has  sufficient 
nerve  to  go  up  to  the  organ  and  sing  while  he 
renders  the  tune.  This  stunt  is  delighting  the  com- 
munity singers. 


Lcs  Hoadley  (Milwaukee  Wisconsin)  at  the  organ 
this  week  played  "You're  a  Real  Sweetheart,"  but 
interspersed  the  love  melody  with  a  lot  of  good  paro- 
dies on  the  Republicans  and  Democrats.  It  was 
funny  stuff  and   got  lots  of   laughs  from  the  crowd. 


VITAPHONE   and  MOVIETONE 

Will    Not    Eliminate 

THE  SPOTLIGHT  ORGANIST 

TjT  THp      The    Average    or    Mediocre    Organist's 
XjLJ  X  I  Future    Is    Not     Assured 

ARE  YOU  PREPARED? 

A    Master    Theatre    Course    Under    the 
Supervision    of 

LEW  WHITE 

Will    Prepare     You     for    Future    Demands 

THREE  MONSTER  KIMBALL 
ORGANS 

Students  have   enrolled   from   all  sections   of  the 
country 

AT  THE 

White  Institute  of  Organ 

1680  Broadway  New  York  City 


CSI     jSr        54W.DdndolphSt 


al>oat 

BEST  SELLERS 

"Rdmona" — (Leo  Feist). 

"Girl  of  My  Dreams" — (Jack  Mills). 

"You're  a  Real  Szveetheart" — (Leo 
Feist). 

"Angela  Mia" — (DeSylva-Brozvn  & 
Henderson). 

"Get  Out  and  Get  Under  the  Moon" — 
(Irving  Berlin). 

"That's  My  Weakness  Now"— 
(Shapiro-Bernstein). 

".leanine  I  Dream  of  Lilac  Time" — • 
(Leo  Feist). 

"Last  Night  I  Dreamed  You  Kissed 
Me"— (Leo  Feist). 

".Just  Like  a  Melody  From  Out  of  the 
Sky" — (Donaldson-Douglas  &  Gmnble). 

"Beloved"' — (Irving  Berlin). 

"Was  It  a  Dream"- — (Harms). 

"Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh" — (Remick). 

JUANITA— (Villa  Moret,  Inc.) —A  Spanish  love 
song  that  is  written  as  a  waltz  and  very  pretty. 
This  is  not  a  theme  song  and  will  be  strictly  on  its 
merit.  By  Ben  Black,  Paul  Corbell  and  Walter 
Smith. 


GIRL    OF   MY    DREAMS— (.Tack    Mills,    Inc.)— The 

mystery  song  of  the  music  business.  Credit  for  this 
song  must  go  to  the  radio.  It  is  one  of  the  out- 
standing hits  of  the  business,  proving  again  that  if 
the  song  is  there  it  will  find  its  way  into  the  best 
sellers.      Lyric    and    melody    by    Sunny    Clapp. 

FOREVER— (Agcr,  Yellen  and  Bornslein)— A  high 
class  song  by  these  two  hit  writers.  The  lyrics  are 
beautiful  and  are  in  a  class  with  "Waiting  for  Shii)s 
That  Never  Come  in"  by  the  same  writer.  Jack 
Yellen.  The  music  also  to  be  praised  is  written  as  a 
waltz   by    Milton   Ager. 

*  *     * 

SOME     NIGHT     WHEN    YOU'RE     LONELY— (Joe 

Morris  Co.) — These  two  writers  will  be  remembered 
for  "Oh  How  I  Miss  You  Tonight,"  Benny  Davis 
and  Joe  Burke.  A  Fox  trot  with  a  lyric  that  is 
not  outstanding  and  yet  is  of  thei  type  that  will 
surely  sell. 

JUST  KIDS— (Remick  Music  Corp.)— A  song  that 
brings  back  memories.  Our  childhood  is  always  a 
bright  thought  in  our  minds.  Well  written  both  as 
to  words  and  music.  Words  by  Sidney  Clare  and 
Charles   Tobias,   music   by   Jimmie   Monaco. 

*  *     * 

YASCHA  MICHAELOFFSKY'S  MELODY— (Irving 
Berlin,  Inc.) — When  Irving  Berlin  writes  a  song  it 
must  get  attention.  This  writer  who  is  in  a  class 
by  himself  has  written  a  song  that  is  far  away  from 
the  type  he  has  been  writing  in  the  past  few  years 
but  reminds  one  of  the  older  Berlin  songs  such  as 
"Mysterious  Rag"  and  "On  Your  Violin."  The  mel- 
ody has  a  Russian  strain  running  all  through  it. 
Can't  help  but  sell. 

»     »     » 

SUNBEAMS  BRING  DREAMS  OF  YOU— (Shapiro- 
Bernstein  &  Co.) — The  theme  song  of  "Loves  of  an 
Actress"  starring  Pola  Negri.  How  long  these  theme 
songs  will  be  big  sellers  no  one  knows  but  at  present 
they  seem  to  be  leading  the  list  of  big  hits.  Lyrics 
by  J.  Keirn  Brennan,  music  by  Karl  Hajos. 

LADY  FINGERS— (Al  Piantadosi)— A  piano  solo 
that  is  very  interesting  and  quite  tricky.  It's  about 
time  we  had  another  big  solo  like  "Kitten  on  the 
Keys"  and  this  might  be  it.  By  Jack  Glogau  and 
Joe  Zimmerman. 

*  «     * 

THE  BUM  SONG— (Villa  Moret,  Inc.)— The  Bum 
songs  are  beginning  to  flood  the  market.  This  is 
supposed  to  be  the  original  and  the  one  that  is  re- 
corded and  that  should  make  it  the  best  seller  among 
all  of  these  songs.  Words  and  music  by  Harry 
McClintoek. 


j/^  /3. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Y^ 


SERVICE    TALKS 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  is  a  department  containing  news,  in- 
formation and  gossip  on  current  productions,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  '^Through 

the  Box  Office  Window.*' 


I 


'TEMPEST" 


CONTINUE,  as  no  doubt  I  shall  indefinitely, 
in  the  belief  that  Mr.  John  Barrymore  is  the 
best  screen  actor.  I  go  to  each  new  picture  of 
him  in  high  anticipation.  Very  infrequently 
(in  fact  this  is  the  first  time  it  has  happened,  if 
memory  plays  me  no  tricks)  I  am  disappointed. 
"Tempest,"  in  other  words,  isn't  picture  enough 
for  Barrymore. 

I  think  that  last  sentence  tells  all  about  it. 
The  scene  is  Russia  before,  during  and  after 
the  break.  It  is  pictured  at  great  expense  and 
picturesquely.  It  is  acted  well,  too.  But  the 
story  isn't  big  enough  for  the  setting  (if  you 
get  what  I  mean)  and  so  it  doesn't  hit.  The 
drama  of  Russia's  crumbling  is  so  much  greater 
drama  than  the  drama  of  Barrymore's  pictured 
experiences  therein  that  the  latter  become  in- 
significant. Too  bad,  too,  for  Barrymore  makes 
far  too  few  pictures  at  best. 

Camilla  Horn  is  the  young  woman  in  the 
picture  and  I  hear  people  saying  she  is  great, 
beautiful,  an  actress  of  immense  ability,  an 
eminent  addition  to  the  screen  and  things  like 
that.  I  have  even  heard  that  she  is  a  greater 
asset  to  "Tempest"  than  Barrymore.  Of  course 
this  is  ridiculous,  but  it  is  quite  true  that  tlie 
lady  looks  well  and  gets  around  in  practiced 
and  competent  manner.  No  doubt  my  failure 
to  become  ecstatic  about  her  is  due  to  the  same 
fundamental  weakness  of  the  picture  which 
makes  even  Barrymore  seem  unnecessary. 


"WARMING  UP' 

J[  HAVE  seen  and  heard  the  first  Paramount 
picture  with  built-in  sound  equipment  and  I 
again  declare  that  persons  who  have  final  say 
about  Paramount  pictures  are,  generally  speak- 
ing, just  a  little  smarter  than  other  persons. 
Which  is  another  way  of  saying  that  "Warming 
Up"  is  the  best  example  of  sound  application  I 
have  seen,  save  in  one  or  two  pictures  where 
the  principal  characters  speak.  They  do  not, 
in  this  one,  but  it  is  fully  equipped,  neverthe- 
less, with  words  and  music. 

Richard  Dix  is  the  raw  recruit  who  pitches 
the  Yankees  to  a  world  championship  in 
"Warming  Up."  I  have  an  idea  that  the  picture 
would  be  good  (it's  one  of  those  ninth-inning 
things)  without  the  records,  but  it's  better  with 
'em.  They  are  used  to  providing  music  all  the 
way  and  to  providing  mob  rumbles,  containing 
many  a  wisecrack  good  for  laughs,  at  the  ball 


T.  O.  Service 

park    and   at   a    carnival    which    is    one   of   the 
important  sets. 

I  admire  Paramount's  judgment  in  selecting 
a  straight  hokum  picture  for  their  first  break 
into  audibility,  for  making  the  picture  in  such 
manner  that  the  audibility  adds  something  to 
it,  and  for  the  general  good  sense  displayed  in 
the  whole  undertaking.  I  hadn't  thought  of  it, 
but  if  I  had,  I'd  have  expected  Paramount  to 
show  just  this  kind  of  good  sense,  just  as  it 
always  has. 


things  like  that.     The  gags  and  the  acting  car- 
ries it  over. 


I 


'THE  FIRST  KISS" 


HAVE  heard  a  gentle  rapping,  betokening 
disapproval  of  "The  First  Kiss"  by  persons  who 
read  a  story  it  is  said  to  be  based  upon,  which 
appeared  in  a  nickel  weekly  of  famous  circula- 
tion. Unwarped  by  any  such  acquaintance  with 
the  picture's  antecedents — for  I  am  not  one  of 
the  alleged  two  million — I  enjoyed  it  all  the 
way  through  and  I  believe  it  is  a  pretty  good 
picture. 

The  scene  is  Maryland  and  the  players  are 
good,  as  is  direction  and  general  production. 
I'm  sure  Gary  Cooper's  better  in  it  than  he's 
been  in  anything  else.  In  fact,  I'm  sure  it's  a 
very  good  picture,  the  above  mentioned  rapping 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  (People  who 
go  to  movies  shouldn't  read,  anyway,  and  vice 
versa.) 


I 


"JUST  MARRIED" 


'D  have  said  there  were  no  complications  left 
unused  by  the  makers  of  plots  wherein  unmar- 
ried people  are  made  to  profess  matrimony  and 
get  themselves  involved  thereby.  Yet  there  are 
complications  in  "Just  Married"  which  I  do  not 
remember  witnessing  previously.  And  they 
make  a  quite  engaging  comedy. 

James  Hall  and  Harrison  Ford  are  the  two 
young  men  to  whom  the  mishaps  happen.  Lila 
Lee  is  one  of  several  young  women  involved. 
I  don't  remember  who  the  others  are,  but  I  do 
remember  that  Lila  shouldn't  be  doing  the  sort 
of  roles  this  one  is.    Beside  the  point,  of  course. 

The  action  occurs  on  board  ship,  for  the  most 
part,  although  a  drunk  enjoyed  by  Messrs.  Ford 
and  Hall  prior  to  getting  aboard  is  one  of  the 
funniest  and  therefore  most  important  inci- 
dents. After  that  it's  a  case  of  running  around 
without    pants,    sleeping    in    wrong    beds,    and 


I 


"OUT  OF  THE  RUINS" 


F  I  have  not  previously  stated  my  admiration 
for  Richard  Barthelmess,  particular  as  a  dough- 
boy, let  me  do  it  now.  With  this  stated,  and 
very  sincerely,  I  can  inquire,  without  fear  of 
misinterpretation,  why  Mr.  Barthelmess  should 
permit  his  good  time  to  be  devoted  to  anything 
so  futile  as  "Out  of  the  Ruins."  Futile,  I  think, 
is  the  correct  word  to  describe  it. 

"Out  of  the  Ruins"  is  a  story  about  a  French 
soldier  who  deserts  to  spend  a  few  days  with 
the  girl  he'd  marry  if  circumstances  would  per- 
mit— as,  of  course,  they  ultimately  do — and 
then  goes  back  to  face  a  firing  squad  which 
shoots  but  doesn't  kill  him  "because  they  were 
my  comrades  and  didn't  shoot  very  straight." 
After  one  sits  through  Mr.  Barthelmess'  serious 
enunciation  of  that  subtitle,  there  is  nothing  left 
to  do  but  wonder  how  come.  I  am  so  engaged 
at  this  time. 

Aside  from  the  fundamental  absurdity  of  the 
story,  the  picture  is  admirably  constituted.  It 
has  good  settings,  acting  and  things  like  that. 
But  they  don't  mean  anything. 

"THE  MIDNIGHT  TAXI" 

1  HE  MIDNIGHT  TAXI"  is  a  different 
sort  of  crime  picture.  In  it  Antonio  Moreno 
and  William  Russell  are  engaged  in  the  booze 
racket,  Moreno  virtuously,  Russell  villainously 
— if  you  can  draw  a  distinction.  More  plainly, 
Mr.  Moreno  is  an  honest  beer  runner  and  Mr. 
Russell  is  a  dishonest  one.  Mr.  Russell  at- 
tempts to  frame  Mr.  Moreno  and  get  him  con- 
victed of  a  burglary  which  Mr.  Russell  has 
committed.  Miss  Helene  Costello  is  Mr. 
Moreno's  girl,  although  he  doesn't  know  it 
until  the  finish,  and  Miss  Myrna  Loy  is  Mr. 
Russell's.  Another  actor  who  stammers  is 
responsible  for  a  great  portion  of  the  enter- 
tainment. 

This  stammering  fellow,  who-  does  it  so  well 
that  I — an  expert  in  these  matters — cannot  be- 
lieve it  is  not  a  natural  talent,  provides  im- 
mense humor.  So  far  as  I  know,  this  is  the 
first  really  important  attempt  to  use  the  vocal 
aspect  of  the  sound  picture  for  laugh-getting 
purposes.  I  yell,  shout  and  in  other  stentorian 
ways  proclaim  that  it  is  a  great  idea,  done, 
this   time,   splendidly. 

"The  Midnight  Taxi"  is  a  hit  picture. 


V 


September  1,  1928 


^.^ 


EXHIBIro2>=   HER>LD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  practical  showmnnship  of  Exhibitors  Herald  are  the  Moving 
Picture  World  departments,  "Selling  the  picture  to  the  Public,'*  and  "Better  Business  Builders.** 

Cut  Yourself  Some  Big  Birthday  Receipts! 

Are  you  overlooking;  the  exploitation  possibilities  of  the  anniversaries  of  your  theatre?  If  so,  not  so  good,  because  if 
there  ever  was  an  opportunity  to  get  in  solidly  with  your  community  and  your  newspaper  a  theatre  birthday  is  IT.  It's  a 
"natural"  for  publicity  and  you  can  go  just  as  far  as  you  like  in  putting  it  over. 


One  merit  that  the  anniversary  cam- 
paign has  of  itself  is  the  fact  of  dignified 
news.  After  all,  exploitation  divides  into 
two  general  classifications,  institutional 
and  the  flash  variety  for  particular  pic- 
tures. Anniversary  campaigns  essen- 
tially are  institutional  advertising,  and 
well  that  they  are. 

Your  theatre  is  a  definite  part  of  community 
life  and  therefore  deserves  a  definite  place  in 
the  reporting  of  the  activities  of  the  com- 
munity. Your  newspaper  recognizes  that  fact 
and  will  co-operate  if  you  go  only  a  third  of 
the  way. 

Reaching  All  Classes 

Furthermore,  there  is  a  group  in  any  com- 
munity that  will  consider  throwaways,  hand- 
bills and  the  like  as  just  so  much  more  waste- 
paper  to  sweep  off  the  porch.  To  them  a 
dignified  emphasizing  of  what  the  theatre  has 
done  for  the  public  in  the  past  year  and  what 
it  means  to  the  town  is  a  method  of  approach 
that  reaches  home. 

And  while  we  think  of  it,  it's  not  such  a 
bad  idea  for  the  theatre  owner  at  anniversary 
times  to  check  up  on  himself  on  the  same 
basis  of  service  to  community  and  how  that 
has  reflected  on  the  box  office  figures.  We 
firmly  believe  that  in  direct  proportion  as  he 
has  served  his  town  well,  so  the  town  uncon- 
sciously shows  its  appreciation  by  attendance. 

Get  Special  Program 

The  first  thing  in  planning  for  an  anniver- 
sary celebration  is,  of  course,  to  get  the  right 
kind  of  program,  and  that  means  an  espe- 
cially good  show.  If  you  don't  have  some- 
thing special  to  offer  you're  not  only  wasting 
time  by  mentioning  the  birthday  but  you  ac- 
tually are  hitting  yourself  kerplunk  at  the 
nape  of  the  neck,  because  it's  become  the 
natural  thing  to  expect  something  for  nothing 
from  the  celebrant.  You  pass  cigars  on  your 
birthday  or  you  don't  tell  the  world  you  have 
one. 

There's  a  natural  reaction  in  favor  of  that, 
too.  Yes,  we  have  a  "third  floor  back"  in 
which  are  reposing  a  number  of  neckties  and 
galluses  and  sleevebands  and  the  like  that  have 
accumulated  as  fast  as  the  birthdays.  We  may 
cuss  them  openly,  but  at  heart  we're  thankful 
we  were  remembered.  That's  perhaps  why 
they  haven't  been  thrown  out. 


By  that  same  token  it's  well  to  give  them 
something  for  nothing  in  the  way  of  oppor- 
tunities to  obtain  free  tickets.  Even  the  old 
method  of  mailing  or  handing  out  letters  with 
"You  are  invited  to  my  birthday  party"  and 
so  on,  with  the  infinite  twists  apparent  for 
originality,  can  be  dragged  in  and  put  to 
work. 

The  newspapers  will  be  good  for  at  least 
one  extensive  story,  and  in  that  connection 
don't  forget  the  value  of  photos  for  that  pur- 
pose. Then  in  the  matter  of  advertising,  the 
theatre  anniversary  will  suggest  itself — with 
or  without  coaxing — to  the  newspaper  ad- 
vertising department  as  a  basis  for  a  page 
or  two-page  ad  taking  in  other  business  units 
that  have  just  passed  another  milestone. 

Scoring  at  Montgomery 

These  are  only  the  beginnings  of  the  cam- 
paign, but  they  click.  Witness  the  space  al- 
lotted the  Empire  theatre  at  Montgomery  Ala., 
in  the  Advertiser  a  week  or  two  ago,  when 
the  theatre   feted  its  eleventh  year. 


This   three-column   advertisement   in    the 

Montgom,ery    Advertiser    announced    the 

Anniversary  Week  at  the  Empire  theatre. 

A  dignified  and  tasteful  ad  it  is. 


Signalizing  the  birthday  anniversary,  the 
Advertiser  published  in  its  Sunday  edition, 
a  long  and  interesting  story  of  the  Empire 
and  its  contribution  to  the  city.  Three  full 
columns  were  given  to  the  story  and  the  at- 
tractive layout,  made  up  of  photographs'  of 
major  Publix  officials,  with  the  photo  of 
Hoxey  C.  Farley,  manager,  occupying  the 
center    position. 

Institutional  Ad  Run 

In  the  same  issue  of  the  newspaper  the 
Empire  theatre  carried  a  special  three-column 
ten-inch  institutional  ad  thanking  its  thousands 
of  patrons  and  friends  for  their  patronage  and 
goodwill.  Particularly  attractive  was  the  bor- 
der, showing  parted  stage  curtains ;  and  the 
huge  birthday  cake,  at  the  bottom,  with  eleven 
lighted  candles'.  The  message  closed  with  the 
words,  "We  pledge  our  sincere  efforts  to 
more  than  please  you  in  the  years  to  come." 

While  the  event  marked  the  eleventh  an- 
niversary of  the  present  Empire,  and  the 
seventh  year  of  Publix  ownership,  the  theatre 
has  been  a  Montgomery  institution  for  twenty 
years.  The  first  Empire  theatre  stood  upon 
the  site  on  Commerce  street  now  occupied 
by  the  Morrison  Cafeteria;  the  second  Em- 
pire stood  on  Bibb  street.  The  third  and 
present  Empire  was  built  eleven  years  ago. 
At  that  time  it  was  considered  the  last  word 
in  theatre  construction,  and  though  many  im- 
provements have  come  about,  the  Empire  has 
kept  pace.  Before  the  elaborate  and  expen- 
sive refrigeration  systems  came  into  general 
use  the  Empire  built  its'  own  cooling  plant 
on   that  principle. 

Farley  Outstanding  Showman 

The  history  of  the  Empire  is  inseparable 
from  the  record  of  one  man  whose  leader- 
ship and  showmanship  are  responsible  for  its 
success — Hoxey  C.  Farley.  Long  before  the 
South  became  the  center  of  chain  theatre  de- 
velopment, Farley  was  the  outstanding  show- 
man of  this'  city  and  was  recognized  not  only 
throughout  the  state  but  throughout  the  South 
as  a  pioneer  and  leader. 

When  the  Empire  passed  to  the  ownership 
of  the  Publix  Theatres  Corporation,  Farley 
was  given  the  post  of  city  manager,  with 
supervision  over  that  house  and  three  other 
Publix-owned  theatres.  A  native  of  Mont- 
gomery, he  is  as  much  a  Montgomery  in- 
stitution as  is  the  Empire  theatre. 

So  are  you,  Mr.  Theatre  Owner,  an  insti- 
tution of  your  community  and  your  com- 
munity should  know  it. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVINgI'  ^^^JLWE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


W  ho  wouldn't  feel  like  going  inside  to  keep  cool  and  comfortable 
uith  an  inviting,  summery  front  like  this  on  the  theatre?  This 
is  the  way  the  Strand  at  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  was  togged  out  dur- 
ing the  showing  of  M  G  M's  "The  Cossacks."  Note  the  plants  on 
the  pillars  of  the  porch  railing. 


Extensive  use  of  lobby  fronts  and  displays  is  one  of  the  keynotes 
of  the  success  of  W.  Ebinger,  manager  of  the  Strand,  Orpheum 
and  Columbia  theatres  at  Fort  Madison.  Here  is  the  futuristic 
front  of  the  Strand  for  the  exhibition  of  Paramount's  "Ladies  of 
the  Mob,''  starring  Clara  Bow.    It's  odd  and  attractive. 


You  Don  ^t  Have  to  Have  Big  City 
Theatre  to  Be  Real  Showman 

When  a  theatre  manager  has  the  fullest  cooperation  of  every  member  of  his 
staff  there  must  be  a  reason — and  a  good  reason.  One  way  to  obtain  that 
cooperation  is  to  show  that  you  are  on  your  toes  every  minute,  awake  to  every 
possibility  for  bettering  both  program  and  patronage.  Apparently  that  is  just 
what  is  being  done  by  W.  Ebinger,  manager  of  the  Strand,  Orpheum  and 
Columbia  theatres  at  Fort  Madison,  la. 


Three  illustrations  on  this  page  show  how 
Ebinger  carries  out  his  up-to-the-minute 
policy  of  boosting  both  his  theatre  and  his 
community. 

For  one  thing,  there  is  the  effect  of  making 
a  real,  comfortable  vacation  out  of  a  visit 
to  the  show,  accomplished  by  placing  a  sum- 
mery front  on  the  theatre.  Then  there  is  the 
trick  of  calling  attention  to  the  coolness  of 
the  house  by  painting  huge  signs  on  sheds 
and  other  available  places  on  all  the  roads 
leading  into  the  town.  And  a  third  angle  is 
changing  the  theatre  front  to  fit  the  atmosphere 
of   the   particular  picture   showing. 

Knows  Community  Cooperation 

On  the  matter  of  community  cooperation, 
also,  Ebinger  has  his  head  working.  Slides 
advise  the  townfolks  to  trade  at  home.  Other 
slides  carry  the  message  to  the  people  that 
they  should  go  to  church  Sundays.  These 
ideas  bear  fruit.  Fred  H.  Decker,  chief  pro- 
jectionist of  the  three  theatres,  says  in  a 
letter  to  this  department  that  "The  Fort 
Madison  theatres  have  the  indorsement  of  the 
clergy,  to  say  the  least."  Let's  read  Decker's 
letter  together: 

"I  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  a  small 
city  of  ten  thousand  and  its  progressive  the- 
atres. 

Summer  Slump?     No 

"The  summer  slump  means  little  other  than 
extra  added  efforts.  The  accompanying  photo- 
graph (shown  at  the  bottom  of  the  page)  is 
a  replica   of   those   found  on   all   main   roads 


leading  into  the  city,  for  a  radius  of  ten 
miles. 

"New  forms  of  exploitation  are  used  every 
week.  Good  Will  matinees.  Neighbor  nights. 
Family  nights.  Labor  nights,  Legion  nights, 
and  Father  and  Son  nights.  Private  screen- 
ings are  held  one  night  a  week,  to  which  we 
invite  representative  citizens,  the  clergy,  and 
one  or  two  people  from  some  of  the  city's 
various   industries. 

"Many  booster  slides  are  run,  asking  the 
people  of  the  community  to  trade  at  home, 
thereby  reducing  taxes.  Slides  are  also  run 
asking  people  to  go  to  church  on  Sundays, 
which  actually  brings  the  various  denomina- 
tions of  the  local  clergy  in  our  theatres  to 
see  the  shows.  Much  can  be  accomplished  in 
this  manner.  The  Fort  Madison  theatres 
have  the  indorsement  of  the  clergy  to  say 
the  least. 

Attracts  Attention  to  Ads 

"Attention  is  constantly  attracted  to  the 
newspaper  ads  by  inserting  girls'  names  in 
the  Strand  ads,  and  family  telephone  numbers 
in  the  Orpheum  ads.  This  creates  an  interest 
beyond  expectation,  as  many  people  call  the 
theatres,   oft'ering  favorable  comments. 

"Our  bookings  are  always  up  to  standard, 
as  we  play  pictures  occasionally  before  they 
are  shown  in  some  of  the  key  cities.  All 
pictures  are  given  proper  exploitation  through 
the  extensive  use  of  lobby  displays  and; 
fronts.  The  accompanying  photograph  with 
the  futuristic  front  was  used  on  'Ladies  of 
the  Mob.' 


"The  theatres  are  kept  scrupulously  clean 
and  cool.  We  carry  out  a  green  cool  lighting 
effect  in  and  out  of  the  theatres.  The  sum- 
mer efforts  also  help  the  theatres  in  the  fall, 
when  going  after  capacity  business,  as  much 
goodwill  has  been  obtained  throughout  the 
summer. 

"W.  Ebinger,  who  is  manager  of  the  Strand, 
Orpheum  and  Columbia  theatres,  has  a  well 
trained  crew  of  technicians  and  courteous  em- 
ployes, who  are  always  in  a  cooperative  mood 
and  willing  to  assist  in  his  daily  problems." 


How  Do  You  Like 
These  Slogans  to 
Bring   Customers  ? 

Press  agents  of  various  theatres  at  New 
Orleans  are  vying  with  one  another  in  catchy 
slogans  to  lure  patrons  to  their  houses. 

The  publicity  department  of  the  Saenger 
Amusement  Company  started  the  ball  rolling 
with  "Cool  as  a  Cave"  for  the  Saenger. 
"Every  Seat  a  Cool  Retreat"  nowi  features  all 
advertisements  for  the  Tudor. 

Not  to  be  outdone,  Roy  Aymond  of  Loew's 
State  coined,  "Where  Winter  Spends  the  Sum- 
mer." 

Victor  Meyers,  manager  of  the  Orphetun 
theatre,  is  now  wearing  out  paper  and  pencil 
and  midnight  oil  in  an  effort  to  outdo  his 
competitors. 

Hot  weather  still  continues  in  that  district, 
but  business  has  been  uniformly  good  in  the 
few  houses  remaining  open  in  the  downtown 
section — the  Saenger,  Tudor,  Loew's  State, 
Orpheum  and  the  Lyceum — and  the  population 
of  New  Orleans  is  460,000. 


Keeping  a  theatre  cool  and  comfortable  is  a  great  thing  in  itself.     Acquainting  the  public 

with  that  fact,  as  a  part  of  the  attraction,  is  another  problem.     The  Strand  at  Fort  Madison 

doesn't  miss  any  bets  on  that  point.     All  main  roads  leading  into  town  from  a  radius  of 

ten  miles  are  posted  with  signs  like  the  one  herewith. 


45-43  Puzzle  Does 
the  Trick  Again  at 
Garrick  at  Duluth 

The  45-45  puzzle,  printed  in  this  department 
in  the  issue  of  July  14,  not  only  has  brought 
several  requests  from  exhibitors  for  details 
but  also  has  been  put  to  use  with  success. 

One  of  the  several  exhibitors  who  have  put 
the  puzzle  to  work  for  the  box  office  is  P.  F. 
Schwie,  manager  of  the  Garrick  at  Duluth, 
Minn. 

The  Duluth  Herald  reported  receiving  650 
replies  to  the  puzzle,  presented  in  connection 
with  the  showing  of  M  G  M's  "The  Mysterious 
Lady."  One  hundred  tickets  were  given  to 
100  patrons  solving  the  problem.  A  double- 
truck  ad  was  obtained  by  the  newspaper,  the 
theatre  having  the  center  position.  Ten  thou- 
sand envelopes  were  distributed  by  Schwie. 


September  1,  1928 


EXfflBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


^^^ 


QUICK  REFERENCE  PICTURE  CHART 


Length    Title  and  Playeri 


Released 


New 
Picture* 


Comment 


1928 

6860 
6600 
6305 


Incorporated  in  this  department  of  Moving  Picture  World  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald  department, 

"Available  Attractions." 

The   key   to   abbreviations   used  in  denoting   the   type   of  pieturet 
C — Comedy  F — Force 

U— Drama  M-^^-Melo  drama 

R— Romance  W^Weatern 

My^—Mytery 

Where  the  picture  is  a  comedy-drama,  comedy  melodrama,  etc., 
there  is  a  combination  of  these  abbreviations.  Stars  denote 
reissues. 

That  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "Comment" 
column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  Moving  Picture  World  in  which 
the  pictures  were  reported.  The  January  7  and  subsequent  dates 
are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOV- 
ING PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  "Service  Talks"  have  been 
published  on  pictures. 

The  dates  prior  to  January  7  published  under  the  "New  Pic- 
tures" column  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
in  which  "New  Pictures"  information  was  printed.  The  January 
7  and  subsequent  dates  are  those  of  the  issues  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD  in  which  this  in- 
formation  will  be  printed. 

Length    Title  and  Playen 


Releated 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1928 

6400  Adorable  Cheat,   Tha,  LUa  Lee-Mclnt08h 

6450  Below    the    Deadline 

6500  Campus    Knights    ...„ _, 

6300  Circumitantial    Evidence 


Chesterfield 


1928 


8000 
6000 
69»0     South    of   Panama _ _.... 


House  of  Shame,  The.... 
Roaring    Forties,   The.. 


—June  1 

Feb.  28 

-Aug.  15 

Oct.  30 

June  30 

Apr.  15 

Deo.  16 


June  9 


1927 

6831 
6843 
5432 
6628 
6513 
6645 
6750 
6524 
6569 
6892 
1000 
6996 
6435 
6054 
6108 
6357 
6426 
6791 


Columbia 


Alias  the  Lone  Wolf  (D),  Lytell-Wilson Aug.  22 

Blood   Ship,   The   (M),   Bosworth-IiOgan Aug.  10 

By  Whose  Hand    (MyD),   Cortez-Gilbert Sept.  16 

College   Hero,    The    (CD),   Agnew-Qaron. Oct.  9 

Fashion   Madness,  Windsor-Howes _ Dec.  8 

isle  of  Forgotten  Women  (D).  Tearle-Sebastlan_Sept.  27 

Lone  Wolf    Returns   (M),   Ljtell-WUson 

Opening    Night,   The    (D),   Wlndsor-J.   Bowerfl....Nov.  14 

Pleasure  Before  Business   (F),  Davidson _ 

Sally  in  Our  Alley  (M),  Mason-Allen Sept.  S 

Screen  Snapshots  _ 

Siren,  The,  T.  Moore-Revier. „_ Dec  20 

Stage  Kisses  (D),  Harlan-Chadwlct..- Nov.  2 

Stolen  Pleasures  (CD),  Revler _ 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady   (CD),   Mason _ 

Tigress,   The    (iVl),  Holt-Revler _ Oct  21 

Wandering   Girls   (CD),  Revler-Agnew 

Warning,  The  (M),  Holt-Revler _ Not. 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The  (ItID),  Alice  Day-Lewis 


1927 


Jan.  7         Oct.  I 
Dec.  3         July  23 
Dec.  31       


Jan.  14 
Dec.  3 


Jan.  14 


..July  31 


May  14 

Jan.  14        

Aug.  28 

Jan.  21  Jan.  21 
Jan.  7         


..Oct.  2 


...52.72% 


Tldur 


6400 


6536 
6600 


1927 


Dec.  3 
-July  21 


1928 

6459    After   the    Storm,    Hobart-Bosworth.. 


1928 


6537 
6928 


6925 


Beware  of  Blondes  (IHD),  Revler-Matt  Moore 

Broadway    Daddies.   Jacqueline  Logan. 

Desert  Bride,  The   (MD),  Betty  Compson 

Golf   Widows    (CD),   Reynolds-Ford 

Lady  Raffles,  Taylor-Drew 

Matinee  Idol,  The  (MD),  Love-Walker. 

Modern  Mothers   (CD),  Helene  Cbadwlck. 

Name  the  Woman   (D),  Stewart-Gordon.. 

Say  it  With  Sables  (D),  Bushman-Chadwlck..- 

So  This   Is  Love,  Mason-Collier. _ _ 

Sporting    Age,    The,    Bennett-Herbert 

That  Certain  Thing,  Dana-Graves 

Virgin  Lips   (D),   Olive  Bordea.. 


.Iuly21 


.Mar.  26 


6440 
6464 
6047 

6350 
6472 

1927 

2000     Angelus,  The   (D) _. 

2000     Real   Charleston,   Lesson  Novelty.. 
Wooden  Shoes,  International 


Wife's   Relations,  The,  Mason-Glass 

Woman's  Way,  A,  Baiter-Llvingston 


.Jan.  25 
.Mar.  14 
.June  9 


.Feb.  6 
-Mar.  2 
.Jan.  1 
.Aug.  18 
.Jan.  13 
-Feb.  18 


Apr.  14 

.-May  26 

Feb.  25 

Apr.  7 

—June  19 
.Aug.  4 
Feb.  25 


Feb.  11 
Mar.  31 


Cranfield  &  Clarke,  Inc. 


..May  15 
..Apr.  24 
-May  8 


1927 
6250    Husbands  or  Lovers,  Jannings 


Emblem  Films 


1927 


1927 


..Dec.  3 


Excellent 


1927 

5980  Back  to   Liberty    (D),   Walsh-Hall Nov.  16 

6805  Bowery  Cinderella,  A  (D),  O'Malley-Hulette May  1 

6912  Broadway   Drifter    (D),  Walsh-Hall Nov.  1 

6645  Broadway  Madness  (D),  De  la  Motte-Keith 


1927 


-Nov.  26 


6792 


His   Rise  to    Fame   (D),   Walah-Skaw- 
Kick-off,  The   (D),  Hyama-Atnann.. 


-Apr.  14 


-Feb.  15 


_Mar.  17 


7393     Nest,  The  (D),  Frederick-Herbert.. 
6337    Striving  for  Fortune  (D),  Walsh-Robei 
6760    Winning  Oar,  The  (D),  Walsh-HalL. 


6867    Your  Wife  and   Mine    (F),  Haver-Holmea.- 


Aug.  1 

Jan.  16 

__June 1 
Sept.  1 


Mar.  3 


4765 
4858 
4910 
4837 
5701 
5093 
4754 
4913 
6300 
6507 
7014 
5240 
5186 
6481 
6515 
4924 
6680 
6140 

4941 
6004 
4886 
6388 
4892 

1928 

6872 
4893 
5583 
4869 
6267 
6375 
6320 
5511 
5984 
5063 
4770 
4804 
4758 
6148 

iiii 

4769 
5771 
4801 
6424 
4785 
4781 
4884 
6419 
4729 
6059 
5967 

4793 
4760 
6329 


A   Bit  of  Heaven    (D),  Washburn-Lee May  15 

into  No  IVlan's  Land,  Tom  Santschi-J.  Norman. _ 

IWaking  the  Varsity,   Rex  Lease-Hulette July  15 

Manhattan    Knights,  Barbara  Bedford Aug  10 

Satan   and  the  Woman    (D),  Windsor-Keefe Jan.  20 

Speed  Classic,  The,  Rex  Lease-Mildred  Harris—July  25 

Stronger  Will,  The   (D),  Marmont-Carewe Feb.  20 

Women    Who    Dare    (D),   Cbadwick-Delaney Mar.  30 

FBO 

Aflame  In  the  Sky    (M),  Luden-Lynn _...Dec.  18 

Bandit's  Son,    The    (W),    Bob   Steele — Nov.  20 

Boy   Rider,    The   (W),  Buzz  Barton Oct.  23 

Breed   of  Courage    (D),   Ranger Aug.  7 

Cherokee  Kid,  The   (W),  Tyler-Lynn. —Oct  30 

Clancy's  Kosher  Wedding   (CD),  Geo.   Sidney — Sept  IT 

Coward,  The  (D),  Warner  Baxter -Aug.  21 

Desert   Pirate    (W),   Tom   Tyler Deo.  26 

Flying   U    Ranch,   The   (W),   Tom  Tyler Sept.  4 

Gingham    Girl,   The  (C),  Lois  Wilson — —Oct  2 

Great  Mail  Robbery,  The  (M),  Von  Eltz-Nelson..Aug.  15 

Harvester,   The    (D),   OrviUe  Caldwea Nov.  23 

Hook  and   Ladder  No.  9   (D),  Ed  Hearne Nov.  13 

Jake  the  Plumber  (C),  Jesse  De  Vorska Oct.  16 

Judgment  of  the  Hills  (D),  Darro-Talli Nov.  6 

Little   Mickey   Grogan    (D),   FranWe  Darro Dec.  27 

Mojave  Kid,  The  (W),  Bob  Steele _ -Sept.  25 

Moon   of   Israel    (D),  Maria  Corda _ 

Not  for  Publication    (M),  Ralph  Ince Aug.  31 

Racing   Romeo    (D),  Red  Grange -... 

Ranger  of  the  North  (D),  Banger Oct.  9 

Shanghaied    (M),  Ralph  Ince Oct  19 

Slingshot   Kid,  The  (M),  Buzz  Barton -Deo.  4 

South  Sea  Love    (D),  Patsy  Miller Dec.  10 

Swift  Shadow,  The   (D),  Banger. Dec.  11 


1928 


Feb.  26 


1927 


Dec.  10 

Dec  10 

Dec.  3         Oct  8 


Nov.  26       ...- 

Sept.  10 

Sept.  10 

Dec  24 


Nov.  26 


Nov. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Nov. 
Deo. 


.Dec 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec 

Nov. 
Dec. 


July  30 
...July  2 
Nov.  19 
Nov.  26 

Aug.  20 

lug.  6 

...July  9 
-July  23 


64.60% 


Aug.  20 


1928 


Alex  the   Great   (M),   Skeets  Gallagher May  13 

Bantam   Cowboy   (W),  Buzz  Barton - ....Aug.  12 

Beyond    London's  Lights   (M),  Lee  Shumway — Mar.  18 

Breed   of  the  Sunsets   (W),  Bob  Steele Apr.  1 

Chicago  After  Midnight  (M),  Ince-Mendcz...- Mar.  4 

Coney   Island    (D),  Lois  Wilson...- Jan.  13 

Crooks  Can't  Win    (D),  Balpk  Lewis May  11 

Dead   Man's  Curve  (D),  Fairbanks,  Jr -Jan.  15 

Devil's  Trademark,   The  (D),  Belle  Bennett Apr.  7 

Dog  Justice   (M),  Ranger— June  10 

Driftin'  Sands  (W),  Bob  Steele Jan.  1 

Fangs  of  the  Wild  (D),  Ranger - Feb.  5 

Fightin'    Redhead    (W),    Buzz  Barton July  1 

Freckles  (D),  Stratton-Fox.  Jr Mar.  21 

Headin'  for   Danger  (MD),  Bob  Steele 

Her  Summer   Hero    (CD),  Blane-Trevor Feb.  12 

Hit  of  the  Show,  The  (C),  Joe  Brown-Olmstead 

Law  of  Fear  (D),  Banger. — - Apr.  8 

Legionnaires   In   Paris   (C),   Cooke-Quard Jan.  31 

Little  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buzz  Bartoru Mar.  11 

Little  Yellow  House,  The  (D),  Orvllle  CaldweU_May  28 

Man  In  the   Rough    (W),  Bob  Steele May  20 

Phantom  of  the  Range  (W),  Tom  Tyler .Apr.  22 

Pinto    Kid,   The   (W),  Buzz  Barton 4pr.  29 

Red   Riders  of  Canada  (M),  P.  R.  Miller. Apr.  15 

Riding    Renegade   (W),  Bob  Steele _ Feb.  19 

Sally  of  the  Scandals  (M),  Bessie  Love-.. July  15 

Skinner's  Big    Idea   (M),   Bryant  Washburn Apr.  24 

Stocks  and  Blondes   (CD),  Logan-Gallagher 

Texas  Tornado,  The   (W),  Tom  Tyler Feb.  26 

Trail  of  Courage,  The   (W),  Bob  Steele July  8 

Wallflowers  (D),  Trevor-Scott _ Feb.  16 

When  the  Law   Rides  (W),  Tom  Tyler. June  24 

Wizard  of  the  Saddle  (W),  Buzz  Barton Jan.  22 


Feb.  11 
May  5 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Dec.  17 
Feb.  11 
Deo.  17 
Mar.  3 
June  16 
Dec  17 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  11 
Feb.  4 

-June  19 
Jan.  21 

-July  21 
Feb.  11 
Dec.  10 
Jan.  14 
June  2 
Feb.  11 
Jan.  21 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  21 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  17 


Apr.  28 

Apr.  14 

July  14 


First  Division 


—  Jan.  1 

—  Sept  1 
....Oct  1 


Mar.  17 


1927 

5400 
5960 
5600 
5900 
5800 
5700 
5750 
6700 
6700 
5700 
5600 
5700 

1928 

5500  Fagasa,    Raymond    Wells 

Free  Lips  (MD),  June  ^nrlnw 

6300  Masked  Angel,  Betty  Compson Mar.  1 

6200  Souls  Aflame,  Raymond  Wells.... Mar.  15 


Comrades,    Costello-Hughes   

Death   Valley  (W),  CarroU  Nye 

Eager  Lips,  Garon — 

Finnegan's   Ball    (C),   Mack  Swain Sept.  15 

Ladies  at  Ease  (CD),  Garon-Short -..Nov.  15 

Ladybird,  Compson Aug.  1 

Naughty,  Garon  Nov.  1 

Polly  of  the   Movies,  Short-Robards. Oct  15 

Ragtime  (D),  De  La  Motte - Sept.  1 

Return   of  Boston    Blackie   (D),  Glenn-Palmer..„Aug.  1 

Say  It  with   Diamonds,  Betty  Compson Aug.  15 

Temptations   of   a   Shop    Girl,    Compson Nov.  1 

Apr.  1 


Dec  24 


..Aug.  20 


1927 


-..Oct  15 


Jan.  7 
Nov.  26 


Sept.  3 


1928 


July  14 
Apr.  7 
Apr.  21 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Length       Title   and    Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


1927 

8300 
6333 
6433 
6223 
6766 
1730 
7724 
6386 
6588 
680e 
6282 
I1S3 
6288 
6118 
6190 
6824 
S400 
6730 
6718 
6550 
6265 
T388 
6621 
6642 
6434 
6520 
6040 
6431 
6734 


First  National 


All  Aboard   (C),  Hlnes-Murphy May  8 

American   Beauty   (CD),  Dove-Hughes. Oct.  9 

An  Affair  of  the    Follies  (D),  Dove-Hughes Feb.  13 

Breakfast  at  Sunrise   (CD),  C.  Talmadge Oct.  23 

Broadway   Nights    (D),   Wilson-Hardy May  15 

Camille  (D),  N.  Talmadge-Roland Sept.  4 

Convoy    (D),   Sherman-MaclialU Apr.  24 

Crystal  Cup,  The   (D),  MackalU-MulhaU Oct.  16 

Dance  Magic  (D),   Lyon-Starfee June  12 

Drop    Kicic,    The   (D),   Barthelmess-Berler Sept.  26 

Framed    (D),    Sills-KJngston June  19 

Gorilla.  The  (My),  Murray  Kelsey Nov.  13 

Gun    Gospel    (W),   Maynard-Falre Nov.  6 

Her  Wild  Oat  (C),  Moore-KenL Dea  25 

Hioh    Hat    (CD),   Lyon-Brlan Mar.  13 

Home  Made  (C),  Hlnes-Daw _ Nov.  20 

Lady  In  Ermine.  The  (D),  C.  Grifllth-Bushnian_jan.  9 

Life  of   Riley,   The   (C).  Murray-Sidney Sept.  18 

Lonesome    Ladles    (CD),    Nllsson-Stone July  3 

Long    Pants    (C),    Langdon-Bonner Apr.  10 

Lost   at   the   Front    (C),  Murray-Sidney May  29 

Love  Mart,  The   (D),  Dove-Boland. Dec  18 

Lunatic  at   Large,  The   (C),   Errel-MackaiU jan.  2 

Man  Craiy  (CD),  Mackalll-Mulhall Nov.  27 

Maslced  Women,  The  (D).  Nllsson-BIinn-H"nsen_..ian.  23 

Naughty  But  Nice  (C),  Moore-Beed June  26 

Notorious  Lady,  The  (D),  Bedford-Stone Mar.  27 

No  Place  to  Go   (C),  Hughes-Astor Oct.  SO 

Orchids  and  Ermine,  Moore-MulhaU Mar.  6 


Nov.  19 
Nov.  12 


Nov.  12 


..Apr.  2 
Oct.  22 
..iUr.  5 
Nov.  26 
..May  21 
-May  2 
..May  21 
Oct.  29 
Aug.  13 


56.10% 

48.00% 
65.00% 
61.64% 


63.68% 


Nov.  26 


Nov.  12 


..Feb.  5 


11414  Patent  Leather  Kid,  The  (D),  Barflmeas-O'Day.. 


6982 
6897 
6400 
6210 
6477 
6606 
6800 
6648 
7179 
6000 
7400 
7419 
6774 
6668 
7833 
6336 
6324 
6409 

1928 

7404 
6500 


.'Jan.  16 


Perfect  Sap,    The    (CD),   Lyon-Starke 

Poor  Nut,  The    (C),  Murray-Mulhall Aug.  7 

Prince  of  Head  Waiters  (0),  Stone-Tashman. _ _ 

Red    Raiders,   The    (W),  Maynard-Drew..._ July  17 

Rose  of  the   Golden  West   (D),  Astor-Boland Sept.  4 

Sea  Tiger,  The  (D),  Sills- Astor Oct.  2 

See  You  in  Jail   (C),  Mulhall-Day Feb.  27 

Smile,   Brother,  Smile  (C),  MulhaU-MackalU Apr.  17 

Stolen  Bride,  The  (D),  Hughes-Dove Sept.  11 

Sunset  Derby  (D),  Astor-CcUler Aug.  14 

Tender   Hour,   The   (D),   Dove-Lyon June  5 

Texas  Steer,  A  (CD),  Rogers-Fazenda May  1 

Three  Hours  (D),  Qrlfflth-Bowers Dec  4 

Three's  a  Crowd   (C),  Langdon-McConnell Apr.  3 

Twinltletoes,    Moore-Harlan   _ Aug.  28 

Valley  of  the  Giants   (D),  SiUs-Kenyon Dec.  11 

Venus  of  Venice    (CD),  Talmadge-Moreno Mar.  20 

White  Pants  Willie  (C),  Hlnes-Hyams July  24 

Barker,  The   (D),  Sills,  MaokallL 


Dec.  3 


„..Feb.  12 
...July  18 

May  14 
...Dec.  10 
....Apr.  9 
....Aug.  20 
„..JaiL  22 
_.S8pt.  10 
_..July  23 
....Oct.  16 

Oct.  8 
„May  14 
...Apr.  23 
__SepL  17 
_Sept.  3 
....July  2 
...May  28 

Apr.  16 
....Jan.  1 
...Dec.  3 

Jan.  7 
....Aug.  6 
....Apr.  16 


67.90% 
70.47% 


61.88% 


6800 
6744 
6374 

mo 

6172 
6344 

7100 
7433 


7641 
6967 

7694 
6692 
6608 
8967 
7700 

6625 
7129 
5486 
8188 


Big    Noise,   The   (CD),   Conklln-Whlte Mar.  25 

Burning   Daylight  (M),  Sllls-Kenyon. -Feb.  26 

Butter  and    Egg    Man,   The,  Jack  MulhaU 

Canyon   of   Adventure    (W),   Maynard Apr.  29 

Chaser,  The   (C),  Langdon _ Feb.  12 

Chinatown    Charlie   (C),   Hines-Lorraine Apr.  15 

Code  of  the   Scarlet   (W),  Ken  Maynard _ 

Goodbye  Kiss,  The,  Johnny  Burke-SaUy  EUers     

Fkying    Romeos    (C).    Murray-Sidney Feb.  26 

French   Dressing   (CD),  Wamer-Wllson Jan.  15 

Garden  of  Eden,  The  (D),  Corlnne  Grlfflth 

Happiness   Ahead    (D),    Colleen-Moore-Lowe June  30 

Hawk's  Nest,  The   (M),  Milton  Sills May  6 

Heart  to  Heart,  Lloyd  Hughes-Todd- 


-July  14 


47.00% 
38.90% 


47.72% 


69.92% 
68.86% 

45.80% 

1928 


Apr.  7 
..July  28 


Feb.  11 
Feb.  18 
.June  23 
.July  7 
Apr.  7 
Dea  10 


Dec.  17 
-Aug.  4 


5827 
6212 
6874 


Heart  Trouble   (CD),  Harry  Langdon 

Harold  Teen   (CD),  Lake-Brian Apr.  29 

Heart  of  a  Follies  Girl   (D),  Dove-Kent- 
Sherman  Mar.  18 

Helen   of   Troy    (CD),   Stone-Corda-Cortei. Jan.  8 

Ladies  Night   (CD),  MackaUl-Mulhall _ Apr.  1 

Lady   Be  Good    (CD),  MulhaU-Mackaill May  12 

Lilac   Time    (D),    Moore-Cooper. _ _ Apr.  22 

Little    Shepherd    of    Kingdom    Come    (D),    Bar- 

thelmess-O'Day     _ Apr.  8 

Mad    Hour    (D),   O'Neil-Kent-Sherman Mar.  4 

Noose,   The   (D),  Barthelmess-Joyce Jan.  29 

Sailors'    Wives    (CD),   Hughes-Astor Jan.  22 

Shepherd  of  the  Hills   (D),  Francis-O'Day Jan.  1 

Strange    Case    of    Captain     Hamper,    The    (D) 

Three    Ring    Marriage    (M),  Hughes-Astor May  27 

Wagon   Show,    The    (W),   Maynard -....Mar.  11 

Wheel  of  Chance,  The  (D),  Richard  Barthelmess 

Whip,    The    (D),    Forbes-MackaUl - _ 

Whip  Woman.   The  (D),  Taylor-Moreno - Feb.  5 

Wright  Idea,  The  (CD),  Johnny  Blnes- 


May  26 
May  26 
-July  7 
.July21 
Apr.  21 

Mar.  10 
Dec.  24 


June  16 
Aug.  4 


June  2        Aug.  18 


7187     Yellow  Lily,  The  (D),  Dove-Brooks.. 


..May  20 


Apr.  7 
Mar.  17 
Deo.  10 
Dec  24 
Dec  8 

.July  21 
Apr.  28 
Mar.  17 

...Tune  2 

.July  14 
Feb.  11 

-July  7 
Apr.  28 


May  12 


Jan.  21 


63.25% 
78.^% 


July21 


1927 

4665 
1777 
4556 
5425 
6078 
63S3 
4810 
4300 
6381 
8164 
6524 
4645 
6617 
6516 
4983 
4851 
6940 
6162 
6699 
8607 
8838 
6416 
8440 
6600 
77S4 
78T7 
6327 
<8»8 
6876 
U9S 
S4M 


Fox 


Arizona  Wildcat,  The  (W),  Tom  Mix- 

Blackjack  (W),  Buck  Jones. 

Blood  Will   Tell    (W),  Buck  Jones.- 

Bronoho  Twister  (W),  Mix.... 

Cameo    Kirby   (D),  John  GUbert- 


1927 


-Nov.  20 
-Sept.  25 
-Nov.  13 
..Mar.  13 
-Aug.  28 
-Aug.  14 
_.lune  26 
.Dec.  26 
..June  6 
..Oct.  9 


-Not.  19 


-Nov.  12       


-Apr.  2 


63.00% 


Chain   Lightning   (W),  Buck  Jones 

Circus  Ace,  The,  Mix. -. 

Come  to  My  House  (CD),  Olive  Borden 

Cradle   Snatchers    (FC),    Fazenda 

East  Side,  West  Side    (D),   O'Brlen-VaUi.. 

Gay    Retreat   The    (C),   (Johen-McNamara Sept.  25 

Good   as    G»ld    (W),   Jones June  12 

Heart  of  Salome   (My),  Rubens May  8 

High  School  Hero  (C),  Phlpps-Stuart Oct.  18 

Hills  of  Peril  (W),  Jones May  1 

•Honor  First  (D),  John  Gilbert Sept.  18 

Is  Zat  So?  (CD),  O'Brien-Lowe May  15 

Joy    Girl,    The    (CD),   OUve  Borden. Sept.  18 

Ladles   Must  Dress  (CD),  Virginia  Valll Nov.  20 

Love    Makes  'Em   Wild    (D),   Harron Mar.  6 

Loves  of  Carmen   (D).  McLaglen-Del  Elo Sept.  4 

Madam  Wants  No  Children,  Cordii Apr.  3 

Marriage    (D),    Valll Feb.  20 

Feb.  20 

Jan.  23 

Jan.  2 


— June  4 

Jan.  7         Oct  22 


Tune  11 

May  9 


40.70% 


Nov.  16 


-May  21 

-Sept  24 

Dec.  17 


Monkey  Talks    (D),   Lemer 

Muslo  Master  (D),  A.  B.  Franofa 

One   Increasing   Purpose    (D),  Lowe- 
0(rtla«r*  of  Red  River   (W),  mit 

Paid  to   Love    (D),   O'Erlen-ValU 

Pajanu    (CD),   Borden-Oray. 


Publlelty  Madness  (CO),  Uoran-Lone_ 
Rich  But  Honest  (CD),  Beebe 


-Aug.  14 
..Oct.  23 
-Oct.  2 
-May  22 


...Oct.  8 
_.Apr.  16 
_  JTeb.  26 
...Mar.  5 
_Jan.  22 

Jan.  15 

Apr.  23 

_Atig.  6 


48.60% 
61.68% 


-June  4 


Length       Title  and    Players 


New 
Pictures 


10726  Seventh  Heaven,   The  (R),  FarreU-Gaynor- 

6467     'Shame  (M),  John  GLtben 

5446    Silk   Legs  (CD),  Madge  Bellamy 

5009    Silver  Valley  (W),  Tom  Mix 

5792    Singed    (D),   Baxter-Sweet 

5412    Slaves  of   Beauty   (D),  Herbert-Tell 

4943     St.    Ehno  (M),  John  Gilbert. 

4675     Tumbling   River  (W),  Tom  Mix-Dawn 

4299    Truxton    King,  Gilbert 

6293 


Oct  30 

Nov.  27 

Dec  18 

— Oct  2 

Aug.  21 

June  5 

Oct  9 

Aug.  21 

Oct.  30 

Sept.  11 

— Aug.  28 
-.-Mar.  20 


Deo.  31 
Dec.  17 


-May  28 
-Nov.  28 


n.ss« 


Oct  29 
-July  16 
-June  11 


-Aug.  27 


Two  Girls  Wanted  (CD),  Janet  Gaynor. 

11109  What    Price    Glory    (CD),  MoLaglen-Lowe.. 

5783     Whispering  Sage  (W),  Jones 

5629     Wizard,  The   (MyD),  Lowe-Hyams Dec  11 

5531     Wolf   Fangs   (D),  Thunder   (Dog) Nov.  27 

1928 

4612     Branded  Sombrero,  The  (W),  Buck  Jones. Jan.  8 

Chicken  a  la  King  (CD),  Carrol-Francis  Lee 

Daredevil's   Reward    (W),  Tom  Mil. Jan.  15 

Don't  Marry,  Moran-Hamllton June  3 

Dressed  to    Kill,  Lowe-Astor Mar.  18 

Escape,  The  (D),  Russell- VaUl .     Apr.  29 


-Apr.  9 
Dec  i 


4987 
5708 
6566 
5109 
5038 
5882 
6430 
4618 
6188 
4399 
5782 
6679 
5071 


5380 
5629 
5355 


6937 
5030 
4921 
5480 


Gateway  ot  the  Moon,  The   (D),  Del  Rio Jan.  1 

Girl  in   Every  Port,  A  (CD),  Victor  McLaglen.-.Jan.  29 

Hangman's   House,   McLaglen-OUyer May  IS 

Hello  Cheyenne,   Tom  Mix May  13 

Honor  Beund,  O'Brien-Taylor May  13 

Horseman  of  the  Plains  (W),  Tom  Mix Mar.  11 

Love   Hungry  (CD),  Moran-Gray Apr.  15 

News   Parade,   Stuart-Phillips. 

No  Other  Woman  (0),  Dolores  Del  Rio June  in 

None    But  the   Brave   (C),   Morton-Phlpps Aug.  18 

Painted   Post  (W),  Tom  iOx . 


Jan.  21 
-June  23 
Feb.  11 
June  9 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  14 
Jan.  28 


June  30 


Apr.  14 
Jan.  21 


-l^y2e 


May  12 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  7 
Mar.  10 
.May  26 
June  23 


May  19 
Feb.  4 


June  23 


-JulyT 


-Apr.  22 


-Jan.  16 
-Feb.  5 
-Mar.  4 


Play  Girl,  The,  Madge  Bellamy. 

Road    House   (MD),   Barrymore- Burke 

Sharp  Shooters   (CD),  O'Brlen-Moran 

Soft   Living    (CD),   Bellamy-Brown 

Square  Crooks,  Brown-Dwan ; 

Street  Angel,  Gaynor 

Sunrise    (D),   George  O'Brien 

Thief   In  the  Dark,   A,  Meeker-HiU-Beebe. May 20 

Why  Sailors  Go  Wrong.  Phlpps-McNamara Mar.  25 

Wild   West    Romance    (W),  Rex   King. June  10 

Woman  Wise  (C),  RusseU-CoUyer. Jan.  8 


-Aug.  4 
Feb.  4 
Feb.  18 


May  19 


-July  I 

-July21 

June  2 


1927 


Gotham 


C500 

1928 

526S 
G9Sr 
5SU0 
6000 
5950 


6700 
6200 
6750 


5900' 

1929 


Catch    as    Catch    Can,    William   Fairbanks Sept. 

Down    Grade,  The,  William  Fa.irbanks Oct. 

Silent   Avenger.    The,    "Tliuuder"   Delaney Nov.  1 

Sinews    of   Steel.    Alberta  Vaughn. Oct.  1 

When    Dajiger  Calls,   William  Fairbanks  Nov. 

Woman  Who  Didn't  Care,  The,  Tashman-Rankin  Dec.  1 
Hero's  of  the   Night,  Marion  NLxon-Landls Jime  1 

Bare    Knees,   Virginia  Lee  Corbin June 

Blondes    by    Choice,    Claire  Windsor. March 

Cheer    Leader,    The,    Graves-Olmstead April 

Chorus    Kid,    The,    Faire-Washbum .Tune 

Girl   from    Rio.    The.   il.vers-Pidgeon Feb. 

Head  of  the   Family.  The,  A^rginia  Ijee  Corbin_Oct. 

Hell  ship    Bronson,  Ben'y-Reid May 

Midnight    Life,    Francis   X.    Bushman. Aug. 

Rose   of   Kildare.   The,   Chadwick-C'Malley  Jan. 

San    Francisco    Nights,  Percy  Marmont .May 

Satin   Woman.    The.   Mrs.  WaUace  Beid. Jan. 

Through   the    Breakers,    Livingston-Herbert Sept. 

Turn    Back  the    Hours,   Myrna  Ley .Tuly 

United    States   Smith,    Gribbou  Iiee July 


Father  and   Son,  Noah  Berry-Noah  Berry.  Jr 

Knee    High,    Virginia    3>e    Corbin Oct. 

IModern    Sappho,    A,    Betty   Bronson Sept. 

River  Woman,   The,  Logan-L.   Barrjmore Aug. 

Times  Square,  Alice  Day-Lubin_ —  Sept. 


1927 

6199     Broadway    After   Midnight,   Betz- 


Krelbar  Productions 


...Oct.  29 


Adam  and  Evil  (CD),  Cody-PringleL- 
Adventurer,  The  (W),  Tim  MoCoy.. 
After  Midnight  (D),  Shearer-Gray- 
Annie   Laurie   (D),   LUllan  Glsh 

Becky    (CD),   SaUy  O'NelL 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


.Aug.  27 


-Aug.  20 
.Sept  17 
.Nov.  12 


1927 

6667 

4709 

6312 

8730 

6439 

12000  Ben  Hur  (M),  Ramon  Novarro Oct.  8 

12556  Big    Parade,    The    (M),    GUbert-Adoree. Sept  10 

5821     Bugle  Call,  The  (D),  Jackie  Coogan Aug.  6 

Buttons  (CD),  Jackie  Coogan Dec  24 

Callahans  and  Murphys  (CD),  Dressler-Moran — June  13 

Captain  Salvation   (M),  Hanson May  14 

Fair  Co-ed,   The    (CD),   Marion  Davies Oct  16 

Foreign  Devils  (W),  Tim  McCoy Sept.  3 

Frisco  Sally  Levy  (C),  O'Neil Apr.  2 

Garden  of  Allah,  The   (D),   Terry-Petrovltch Nov.  5 

In  Old   Kentucky   (0).  H.  (3osteUo Oct  29 

London   After  Midnight  (D),  Lon  Chaney Dec  3 

Lovelorn,    The,    Sally  O'NeU Deo.  17 

Lovers   (D),  Novarro-Terry Apr.  9 

Man,   Woman  and  Sin   (D),  John  Gilbert Nov.  19 

Mockery    (M),    Lon    Chaney Aug.  13 

Mr.  Wu  (M),  Lon  Chaney Mar.  26 


-Jan.  14 


-Aug.  13 


-Aug.  27 
-May  31 


Not.  2« 


Quality  Street,  Davles-NagcL- 
Red  Mill   (C),  Davies. — 


Road  to  Romance,  The  (D),  Novarro-Day.... 

Rookies    (C),  Dane- Arthur 

Slide,    Kelly,   Slide  (CD),   Haines-O'NeU 

Spoilers  of  the  West   (W),  McCoy-Daw _ 

Spring  Fever  (C),  William  Haines 

Tea  for  Three   (C),   Cody-Prtngle 


-Dec  31 
-Jaa  29 
_Sept  24 


6050 
6126 
7395 
6408 
4658 
6909 
8158 
6646 
6687 
6110 
6291 
6280 
5957 
7603 
7627 
6337 
6581 
6640 
7865 
6280 
6705 
6273 
5252 
6160 
7899 
6657 
6517 

1928 

6998  Actress, 

6805  Across  to  Singapore   (MD),  Novarro-Crawford — Apr.  T 

6010  Baby   Mine,  Arthur-Dane Jan.  21 

Beyond    the    Sierras    (W),    Tim    McCoy.... Aug.  25 

6838  Big    CUy,   The,    Chaney-Compson-Day Feb.  18 

6344  Bringing  Op  Father,  PaiTeV-»*^oran-01mstead — Mar.  IT 


Dec  31 


July  18 

July  2 

Nov.  10       Oct  29 


Nov.  19 
Not.  28 
Deo.  17 
Dec.  31 


-Apr.  23 
Sept.  10 
Dec  3 
Dec  17 


Dec.  3 


-.May  2 

Dec  17 

-Sept  19 

-June  4 


JaiL  7 
Not.  19 


-Feb.  19 


.-Apr.  30 
_Mar.  12 
-..Dec  10 
...Oct.  22 
—Dec  10 

Thirteenth  Hour,  The  (D),  Lionel  Barrymore — Nov.  26 
Tillie  the  Toiler   (C),   Davies May  21 


-May  9 
-Apr.  2 
-Dec  24 


Twelve  Miles  Out  (M),  GUbert- 


Understanding   Heart    (D),  Crawford... 
Unknown,   The   (M),   (Chaney 


The,    Norma    Shearer-Forbes- 


-July  9 
-Feb.  26 
.June  4 

-Apr.  28 


Nov.  12  Dec  10 
Dec  24  Not.  12 
Dec  3         Dec  3 

June  II 

July  30 

May  14 

Jim«  13 


Apr.  28 
Jan.  28 


.ilvSB 


Feb.  11 


Feb.  28 
Mar.  31 


Ata.l 


71.00% 

eo.61% 


1928 


1927 


1928 


1929 


1927 


1927 

81.00% 


50.31% 
48.83% 


96. »% 
SO.20% 
81. 57% 
SS.00% 

«-09% 
88.70% 
81.60% 
60.00% 

80.90% 
80.80% 


39.20% 
S9.S0% 


66.83% 


84.81% 


«S.S9% 
61.31% 


43.61% 


88.18% 
88.16% 
60.93% 
5»T8% 

1928 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


Ltngtli    Title  and  Player* 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Tidier 


548J  Certain  Yeunj  Man.  A.  NOT»rro-D»y May  19 

5661  Clrous  Rooldes  (CD).  Dane-Arthur Mar.  31 

Co»acI(i,  The.  Adoree-Qilbert-Torrence May  12 

8548  Crowd.  The,  Boardman-Murray-Boacli Mar.  S 

6482  Detectives.   Dane-Arthur  June  9 

6057  Diamond    Handcuffs,    Boardman-Nagel May  6 

7300  Divine   Woman,   Garbo-Hanson-Sherman Jan.  14 

8340  Enemy,   The,   Glsh-Dane-Forijes. Feb.  18 

Excess  Bageags   (D),  WUUam  Hatnei 

4987  Forbidden   Hours   (D),  Norarro-Adoree June  16 

Four    Walls    (MD),    Gilbert-Crawford. Aug  IS 

_ Her    Cardboard    Lover.   Marion   Davies Aug.    18 

7743  Latest  from  Paris.  The,  Shearer-Forbes Feb.  4 

7045  Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,  Chaney-Murpliy-Hisla. Apr.  14 

9402  Mademoiselle  from    Armentleres,   Estelle  Brody- 

John  Stuart Juno  2 

5760  Skirts,    Syd  Chaplin 

11895  Law  ot  the  Range,  McCoy-Crawford Jan.  21 

tS65  Love,  Garbo-GUbert —Jan.  2 

7289  Patsy,  The,  Davles-Caldwell-Gray Mar.  19 

6014  Riders  of  the  Darli Apr.  28 

7745  Rose    Marie,    Crawford-Murray Feb.  11 

6476  Smart   Set.    Halne«-Day-Holt-BoiwortIi Feb.  25 

9566  Student  Prince,  The   (R),  Novarro-Sliearer Jan.  30 

5901  Under  the  Black  Eagle.  Forbe*-Dog  Flaab Mar.  24 

8134  West  Point   (CD),  Haines-Crawford Jan.  7 

Whits  Shadows  of  the  South  Sea  (MD),  Ubnte 

Blue • 

8011  Wickedness  Preferred    (CD),  Cody-Prlnfle. Jan.  28 

4435  Wyoming.  McCoy-Sebastian Mar.  24 

1927  Paramount 

ei99  Afraid  to  Love  (C).  Vldor Apr.  I 

6951  Barbed   Wire    (D),  Negrl-Brook. Sept.  It 

9879  Beau  fleste  (M),  Colman-N.  Beery Aug.  1 

6697  Blind  Alleys  (M),  Melghan. Mar.  11 

C878  Blonde  or  Brunette?  (C),  Menjou Jan.  24 

fl75  Cabaret  (CD),  GUda  Gray_ -Mar.  28 

•040  Casey  at  the   Bat   (C),  W.  Beery Mar.  5 

•636  Chang   (D),  Special  cast Sept.  S- 

•662  Children  of  Divorce  (D),  Bow ipr.  t 

•408  City  Gone  Wild   (M),  Melghan-MlUner Nov.  12 

»447  'Covered   Wagon,  The  (M),  Cerrtian-WUson 4.u«.  6 

•287  Evening  Clothes   (C),  Menjou Mar.  19 

•296  Fashions  for  Women   (CD),  Ralston Mar.  26 

•399  Fireman  Save  My  Child    (C),  Beery-Hatton Aug.  1 

•376  Gay  Defender,  The  (CD),  Richard  Dlx. Deo.  10 

•017  Gentleman  of  Paris,  A  (CD),  MenJon-0'Hara__Oct.  15 

•889  Get  Your   Man    (CD),  Clara  Bow Deo.  10 

6415  Honeymoon   Hate   (CD),  Florence  Vldor. Dea  3 

rooi  Hotel  Imperial   (D),  Negri Feb.  26 

1862  Hula    (CD).    Bow-Brook Aug.  27 

•452  It   (C),  Clara  Bow Feb.  19 

8656  Jesse    James    (D),   Fred  Thomson Oct.  22 

7656  *Kld   Brother   (C),   Lloyd. Oct.  4 

6439  Kiss   In   a  Taxi    (C),  Daniels. Feb.  26 

7080  Knockout    Reilly    (CD),   Dix. Apr.  16 

6940  Last  Waltz,  The  (D),  Special  cast. Nor.  26 

6052  Let   It  Rain    (C),  MacLean..._ Jan.  3 

6007  Love's   Greatest    Mistake   (CD),  Brent Feb.  IS 

5617  Man    Power    (D),   Dlx. July  9 

8039  Metropolis    (D),    Special   cast Aug.  IS 

7180  Mme.   Pompadour  (D),  Moreno-D.  Glsh Aug.  13 

6258  Nevada   (W),  Cooper- Todd _..- Sept.  10 

6877  New    York    (M),    Cortez-Wllson Feb.  5 

5798  Now  We're  In  the  Air  (C),  Beery-Hatton. Oct.  22 

4551  One  Woman  to  Another  (CD),  Tidor-ShotwelL..Sept.  24 

6599  Open    Range   (W),  Lane-CHiandler Not.  5 

6187  Paradise  for  Two    (C),  Dli-Bronson Jan.  17 

6680  Potters    (CD),  W.   C.  Fields Jan.  31 

6306  Ritzy    (CD).  Bronson Apr.  9 

6247  Rolled  Stockings    (CD),  HaU-Brool: June  18 

6952  Rough    House    Rosie    (C),  Bow May  14 

9443  Rough   Riders,  The  (D),  Astor-FarrelL...^ Oct.  1 

5614  Rubber  Heels  (FC),  Ed.   Wynn. June  11 

6368  Running    Wild    (C).   Fields-Brian -Aug.  20 

6634  Senorita    (F),   Daniels Aug.  30 

8209  Serenade    (D),    Menjou-Wray Deo.  24 

6170  Servieo  for  Ladies  (C),  Mcnjou-Carrer Aug.  6 

5515  Shanghai    Bound    (D),    Dlx-Brian. Got.  16 

6015  She's  a  Sheik   (C),  Bebe  Daniels. Nor.  12 

6179  Shootin'   Irons  (W),  Luden-Blane. Oct.  8 

6838  Soft    Cushions    (C),   MacLean-CaroI Aug.  27 

6524  Special   Delivery   (C),  Eddie  Cantor Apr.  18 

4934  Spotlight,  The   (CD),   Balston-HamUton. Nor.  19 

6200  Stark  Love   (D),  Special  cast _ Sept.  17 

6124  Swim,    Girl,    Swim    (CM),   Danlels-HaU Sept.  17 

6006  Tell   It  to  Sweeney   (C),  Conklln-Bancroft Sept  24 

6497  Ten   Modern  Commandments  (CD),  EaMon. July  2 

4928  Time  to  Love  (FC),  Raymond  GrllBth June  18 

6319  Two   Flaming  Youths   (C),  Fields-Conklln Dea  17 

7643  Underworld  (M),  Bancroft-Brent _Oct.  29 

•486  Way  of  All  Flesh,  The  (D),  Jannlngs-Bensett_Oct  1 

5869  Wedding  Bills   (F),  Raymond  GrUflth ^May  7 

6936  Were's  All  Gamblers  (D),  Meigtian-MUlner Sept.  S 

6866  Whirlwind  of  Youth    (D),  Lois  Moran Apr.  30 

Wings    (M),    Charles   Rogers Oct.  29 

B960  Woman  on  Trial    (D),  Pol*  Negri. 

1928 

5897  Adventure    Mad    (M),    UFA Mar.  31 

•536  Beau  Sabreur   (M),  Cooper-Brent Jan.  7 

Beggar*  at   Lift   (MD),  Wallace  Beery-Biooks- 

Arlen 

5930  Big   Killing   (CD),  Beery-Hatton May  19 

5665  Doomsday,    Vldor-Ojoper Feb.  IS 

7866     Drag  Net,  The  (MD),  Bancroft-Brent-Powell 

6364     Easy  Come,    Easy  Go,  Richard  Dlx Apr.  21 

6889     Feel  My  Pulse,  Daniels-Arlen Feb.  25 

First  Kiss,  The  (D),  Wray-Cooper. 

«40J     Fifty-Flfty  Girl,   The,  Danlels-Hall May  IJ 

5852     Fools  for  Laok  (CD),  Fieldg-ConkliiL May  7 

Forgotten   Faces   (MD),  Brook,  Brian 

6871     Gentlemen    Prefer   Blondes    (C),  Taylor- White— Jan.  28 
•S6S     Half  a  Bride  (D),  Balston-C^ooper June  16 

Hot   News.   Bel)e  Daniels 

5038     His  Tiger  Lady,  Uenjou-Brent June  9 

Just  Married    (CD),  Hall-Taylor-Ford. Aug.  18 

Kit  Carson   (MO).  Fred  Tbomaon 


Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 

May  26 
June  2 
Feb.  4 
Jan.  7 
Apr.  7 
May  S 
Feb.  18 
Mar.  10 
Feb.  25 


Jan.  21 

.JnlyT 
Feb.  11 
Apr.  14 


Not.  26 


Jan.  14 


Jan.  14 
Jan.  7 


.July  7 


June  23 


Mar.  10 
June  9 


-July  7 
Apr.  28 


Jan.  21 
Mar.  10 
.June  23 
Mar.  17 


-June  2 
Jan.  21 
May  6 


July  28 


Mar.  10 
May  12 


Jan.  14 
Anr  '* 

Feb.  18 
Apr.  21 
Mar.  3 


67.11% 


1927 


-Apr.  23 
.Aug.  3 


.Mar.  6 
.Jan.  IS 
-May  9 
-Apr.  16 
-May  2 
-May  2 
-Dec  10 


67.21% 
62.04% 
50.84% 
41.30% 

60.30% 
51.86% 
08.00% 


Apr.  9         

Apr.  9         

Dec  10  49.60% 

Not.  12  62.63% 

Oct.  8  

Jan.  7  67.83% 

Dec  31       Dec  17 

Jan.  8  - 

Sept.  10  65.85% 

Feb.  12  66.77% 

Oct.  22 

Jan.  29 


-Apr.  2 
-Apr.  23 
-Not.  19 
-Mar.  12 
-Feb.  26 
-Aug.  6 
-Mar.  12 
Aug.  6 


-Feb.  6 
-Dec  17 
-Sept.  24 


65.91% 
38.61% 
55.61% 

56.69% 

61.18% 


71.00% 
70.25% 


-Jan.  29 
-Jan.  22 
-June  25 
-July  30 
-June  4 
-Mar.  19 
-July  16 
-June  18 
-May  14 


Dec  31 
Ian.  21 


-Sept.  3 
Not.  12 
Not.  28 


48.36% 


54.72% 
47.60% 


67.64% 


-Aug.  27 
-Mays 
-Dec  3 
-Mar.  19 
-SepL  17 
Oct  22 
-July  23 
-July  9 


44.08% 


66.27% 


-SepL  3 
-July  2 
-July  23 


-June  11 

-Aug.  20 

Oct  1 


62.83% 
69.78% 
67.46% 
47.36% 
45.90% 


1928 


Length    Title  and  Players 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


TIeka 


(791 
•234 

7415 
6837 

5741 
7910 
6600 
65S2 
6118 
7646 
6631 

7194 
7616 
4720 
7960 
5951 
6218 
6763 
7060 
5733 
5991 
5834 


6509 
6435 


Jan.  21 
-May  26 
May  19 
Feb.  2S 
.Aug.  4 
Mar.  31 
Apr.  7 
.Aug.  4 
Dec  10 


June  16 


Mar.  10 


Mar.  19 
Mar.  19 
Aug.  4 
Feb.  18 


-June  9 
Mar.  31 


June  16 


Ladies  of  the   Mob,  Clara  Bow June  30 

Last  Command,   The    (0).  Emll  Jannlngs. —Jan.  11 

Legion  of  the  Cendemned,  Wray-Cooper Mar.  10 

Love  and   Learn,  Ralston-Chandler Jan.  14 

Loves  of  an   Actress   (D),  Pola  Negri. 

Night    of    Mystery    (D),    MenJou- Apr.  7 

Old    Ironsides    (D),    Beery-Bancroft Mar.  17 

Partners  in  Crime   (C),  Beery-Hatton Mar.  3 

Peaks  of   Destiny Jan.  28 

Pioneer  Soout,  The  (W),  Fred  Thomson Jan.  21 

Racket.  The    (D),  Thomas  Meighan June  30 

Red    Hair    (CD),  Bow-Chandler Mar.  10 

Sawdust  Paradise,    The,  Esther  Ralston Aug.  25 

Secret  Hour,  The  (D),  Nogri-Heraliolt Feb.  4 

Showdown,    The,   Bancroft Feb.  25 

Something  Always  Happens,  Balston-HamUton Mar.  24 

Speedy    (C),    Harold   Lloyd.- Aiw.  7 

Sporting    Goods,   Dix-Olmstead Feb.  11 

Street  of  Sin    (D),  Jannings-Wray May  26 

Sunset  Legion    (W),   Fred  Thomson. Apr.  21 

Three   Sinners    (D),   Negri-Baiter 4pr.  14 

Tillie's   Punctured    Romance,   Fields- Conklln. JFeb.  18 

.Under   the   Tonto    Rim,    Arlen-Brian Feb.  4 

Vanishing  Pioneer,  The  (W),  Jack  Holt June  23 

Varsity  (D),  Rogers-Brian 

Water   Hole,   The   (W),   Jack  Holt 

Warming    Up,    Richard    Dix. Aug.  11 

Wife  Savers   (C),  Beery-Hatton. Jan.  7 

Woman  From  Moscow,  The  (D),  Negri-Kerry 


May  26 
Jan.  28 

Jan.  21 
.June  23 

Feb.  18 
Feb.  26 
Jan.  7 
Dec  10 


JnlyT 

Feb.  4 

-Apr.  21 

Feb.  25 


Feb.  18 


Mar.  3 
June  9 


Mar.  17 


Feb.  18 
Mar.  3 
Apr.  28 
Feb.  18 
Apr.  28 

Apr.  7 
Feb.  25 


Apr.  21 
Feb.  18 
May  26 


May  5 


-Aug.  4 
July  21 
May  26 


1927 

5596 

6565 

4335 

6326 

4875 

4512 

5100 

7500 

4933 

5478 

8586 

6599 

8002 

6403 

6568 

6859 

3303 

5867 

4968 

7913 

4750 

5990 

6035 

4620 

6788 

4890 

4076 

4864 

5324 

13500 

4131 

4752 

6472 

4576 

5750 

5736 

6421 

6903 

4575 

4692 

4497 

6000 

4828 

5844 

4542 

4375 

6303 

5880 

4562 

4546 

4338 

5397 

5670 

5921 

6198 

4485 

5610 

6447 

7820 

1928 

3996 
5755 
4805 
5927 
6589 
4833 
5408 
4550 
7996 
4526 
4480 
5398 
7056 
4155 
6650 
5888 
4600 
5659 
5954 
6494 
6626 


Pathe 


Almost   Human    (CD),   Reynolds Dec  26 

Angel  of   Broadway,  The   (D),  Ijeatrice  Joy Oct.  3 

Avenging  Fangs  (M) June  5 

Border  Blackbirds   (WD),  Maloney Aug.  28 

Born   to    Battle    (W),   BlU  Cody Sept  11 

Code  of  the  Cow  Country   (W),  Roosevelt June  19 

Combat    (D),   Walsh. Oct  23 

Country   Doctor,  The    (D),  Schildkraut Aug.  22 

Desert  of  the  Lost,   The   (W),  WaUy  Wales. Dec.  18 

Devil's  Twin,   The   (W),  Leo  Maloney Deo.  11 

Discord    (D),   Dagover-EkmaiL _...No».  20 

Dress   Parade   (D),    Boyd. -...Not.  11 

Fighting  Eagle,  The  (M),  La  Rocque-HaTer -.Aug.  29 

Flying   Luck   (C),  Monty  Banks _ Dec.  4 

Forbidden  Woman,  The   (M),  Jetta  GoudaL Not.  7 

Getting  Gertie's  Garter  (F),  Prerost — 

Girl   from    Everywhere    (C),   Pollard Dec  11 

Girl  in  the  Pullman,  The  (C),  Prevost Oct  31 

Gold  from   Weepah    (W),  Bill  Cody Nov.  20 

Golden    Clown,   The    (D),   Gosta-Ekman. - Dec.  18 

•Grandma's  Boy  (C),  Harold  Lloyd.— ....Dec  11 

Harp  in   Hock,  A   (D),  ScUldkraut-Coghlan. Oct  10 

Heart  Thief   (D),   Schlldltraut-De  Puttl 

Hidden    Aces    (M),    Hutchison. Aug.  7 

His   Dog   (D),  SchUdkraut ..- July  21 

His    Foreign    Wife    (D),  MacDonald-Murphy- Nov.  27 

Hoof  Marks   (W),  Jack  Donovan. - Nov.  13 

Interferin'   Gent,  The   (W),   Buffalo  Bill.  Jr Aug.  21 

Jim,  the  Conqueror  (W),  Boyd-Faire. 

King  of  Kings   (D),  All  Star - - 

Land  of  the  Lawless,  The  (W),  Jack  PadJan.„...I>ec.  25 

Little   Firebrand    (C),   Thornton .Julys 

Main   Event,  The   (D),   Reynolds Not.  21 

Meddlin'    Stranger    (W),    Wales -...June  12 

My  Friend  from  India  (F),  Pangbom-Fair. Dec  19 

Night   Bride    (FC),   Prevost-. - 

Nobody's  Widow  (FC),  Joy-Eay-Haver. 

No   Man's    Law   (W),  Rex _ May  1 

Obligin'  Buckaroo,  The  (W),  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr.— Oct.  16 
Pan  In    Peril    (W),  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr -..June  26 


Dec.  24 
Not.  19 


-Feb.  18 


Not.  5 
-Jtine  4 
-Sept  10 


-Jime  17 
-Oct  15 


Jan.  14 


-Deo.  10 


Not.  19 


Not.  5 
-Sept.  17 


Not.  12 


Not.  6 
..Feb.  19 
-Not.  6 


-May  21 
-Sept.  3 
-July  24 


Jan.  14 


-Aug.  27 
-Jan.  1 
-Mar.  10 


Not.  19 
Dee.  24 


-Jnlyl 

Not.  6 

-June  12 


Phantom    Buster,  The  (W),  RooseTelt 

Pieces    of    China    (Trarel)- _ 

Pirates  of  the  Sky   (M),  Hutchison 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary   (C),  Robson... 

Ride  'Em  High   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt 

Roarin'  Bronos,  Buffalo  BUI,  Jr 

Rubber  Tires  (C),  Ford-Lore 

Rush    Hour,    The    (C),    Prevost 

Skeedaddle  Gold   (W).  Wales 


....Aug.  14 

Aug.  7 

May  22 


-May  9 
-Jan.  15 
..May  2 
-Oot  8 
..June  26 
-Aug.  20 


..-Oct  9 

—Not.  27 


-May  21 
-Aug.  e 
-Oct  8 


.Dec  12 
.July  31 

Soda-Water  Cowboy,  The  (W),  WaUy  Wales Sept  25 

Trunk  Mystery  (M),  Hutchison. June  12 

Turkish    Delight,   Schlldkraut-Faye Not.  11 


Jan.  7 


-Apr.  9 


-Ang.  a 
-Oot  1 
-Jnna  11 


Two-Gun  of  Tumbleweed    (W),   Leo  Maloney- 

Vanity    (M),   Joy _ 

White   Gold    (D),   Goudal 


-July  17 


White  Pebbles   (WD),   WaUy  Wales. Aug.  7 

Wise  Wife,  The  (C),  HiTer Oct.  24 

Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,  The  (M),  Bradford. Oct  31 

Yankee  Clipper   (M),  Boyd 


Not.  10 


-July  17 
-Jons  IS 
-Apr.  9 
-Ang.  20 
Not.  5 


-May  14 


Alice  Through  a  Looking  Glass...- 

Apache   Raider,   The,  Leo  Maloney 

Ballyhoo   Buster   (W),  Buffalo  BlU,  Jr.. 
Blonde  for  a  Night,  PreTost 


-.Feb.  12 
-Feb.  12 
—Jan.  8 
—  Feb.  27 

Blue  Danube,  Leatrice  Joy Mar.  12 

Boss  of   Rustlers   Roost,   The,   Don  Coleman Jan.  22 

Bronc'  Storaper,  The,  Don  Coleman Feb.  26 


Bullet   Mark,   The,   Jat*  DonoTan 

Chicago    (M),    Phyllis   Haver 

Cowboy  Cavalier  (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt- 
Crashing   Through,   Jack  Padjan 

Desperate  Courage    (W),   Wales 


Hold  'Em  Yale,  Rod  La  Rocque. 

Laddie   Be   Good   (W),  BlU  Cody 

Leopard  Lady.  The  (M),  Logan 

Let  'Er  Go,  Gallagherl  (M),  Junior  Ck>ghlan- 
Marlie,    the    Killer,    Klondike- 
Midnight  Madness,  Logan.. 


-Mar.  25 
-Mar.  6 
-Jan.  29 
-Feb.  5 
-Jan.  15 
-May  15 


May  11 

Mar.  3 
Feb.  18 
May  12 

Mar.  17 
May  19 
Dec  14 
Feb  4 


Night  Flyer,  The,  Wm.  Boyd- 


6902 
7040 
6423 


On  to  Reno  (D),  Prerost-Landla 

Pertect   Gentleman,   A    (C),  Monty  Banki- 

Red   Mark,  The   (D),  Qlasa,  Quartoar 

Ship   Comes    In.    A,    Endolph  Sohildkraat- 
Skyierapsr,  Boyd 


■  Jan.  1 
-Jan.  23 
-Jan.  18 
-Mar.  4 
-May  28 
-Feb.  5 
-Jan.  1 
-Jan.  15 


Stand  and   Deliver,  Rod  La  RooqneL. 
Tenth  Avenue,  Ham-Vannfil 


-Jun*  4 
-Apr.  • 


-July  14 
June  It 


May  U 

.JuIyU 


-Janel 


1927 


73.70% 


60.40% 


Not.  19 

Not.  6 



Not.  12 

Not.  6 

u.«o% 


61.72% 

1921 


May  19 

M.y  M 

Jan.  IS 

Jan.  n 

Mar.  17 

—                  _ 

Jan.  IS 

~ 

58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Length    Title  and  Playert 


Releaied 


Kew 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


1927 

6035 
6089 
5076 
5916 
6960 
6970 


Rayart 


1927 


Wall(ing   Back   (M),   Sue  CsroL. 


Cruise  of  the   Helion    (D),  All  star 

IHeroes   in    Blue    (M),   Bowers-Rand Nov. 

Law  and  the  Man,  The  (D),  Santschi-Rockwell..Dec. 

Light  in   the  Window,  A    (D).   WalthaU _ 

On  the  Stroke  of  Twelve   (M),  D.  Torrence Nov. 


.Mar  20       Jan.  38 


-.Sept.  24 


6502    Silent    Hero    (M),    Bonaparte _. 

4200     Wanderer  of  the  West,  A   (W),  Tex  Maynard....Dec 


-..Nov.  12 

Aug.  29 


1928 

60S9 
6673 
6076 
4533 

6976 
5853 
4797 


5262 
454S 
5608 
4571 
6906 


4627 
5490 
6260 


Branded  Man,  The  (D),  Chaa.  Delaney-MarloweMay 

Casey  Jones   (CD),   Price-Lewis _ Jan. 

Danger  Patrol,  The   (D),  Bussell-Faii Jan. 

Devil's  Tower,  The   (W),  Buddy  EoosevelL June 

Divine  Sinner,  The  (D),  Vera  Eeynolds-HUllard.. July 

Gypsy  of   the   North    (D),    Gordon-Hale —.Apr. 

Heart    of    Broadway,    The    (D),    Garon-Agnew....:\Iar. 

Lightning  ShoL  The  (W).  Buddy  Roosevelt. May 

Man  from   Headquarters,  Tha  (D),  Comelltu 

Keefe-E.   Roberts  Aug. 

Midnight  Adventure,  A   (D),  Landls-E.  Murphy  .-May 

Mystery  Valley   (W),   Buddy  Roosevelt July 

My    Home    Town    (D),    BrockweU-Glass _...Jan. 

Painted    Trail,    The    CW),    Buddy   Roosevelt Mar. 

Phantom  of  the  Turf.   The   (D),  Costello-Lease_Feb. 

Sisters  of  Eve  (D),  Mae  Busch Sept. 

Sweet  Sixteen   (D),  Helen  Foster-Olstead Aug. 

Trail   Riders   (W),  Buddy  Roosevelt _. April 

Wild    Born    (W),   Tex  Maynard..._ Mar. 

You   Can't   Beat  the   Law,   Lee  Keefe _ -Ian. 


1928 


5 


Length    Title  and  Playeri 


Released 


New 
Pictures 


Comment 


Ticker 


Sterling 


1927 

5563  Closed    Gates   (M),  Harron-Novak. _ _ 

5400  Outcast  Souls   (D),  Lewis-Bonner Dec.  15 

5500  Pretty   Clothes    (D),    J.   Ralston-Walker Oct.  16 

Stranded    (D),    Mason Aug.  15 

1928 

Marry  the    Girl    (CD) _.. _ _ 


1927 


1927 

6754 
6669 
7300 
4887 
6482 
5233 
4752 
6800 
6049 
6235 
5629 
6100 
5182 
5276 


Ti£fanv-Stahl 


6448 
6614 

1928 

6147 


6209 
6510 


6297 
6553 


6102 
6735 


6652 
5361 


6283 


Backstage     (CD),     Bedford _ ____. 

Beauty   Shoppe    (CD),    Busch „ _ 

College    Days    (CD),    M.    Day _ 

Enchanted    Island    (D) _ 

Fools   of    Fashion    (CD),   Busch. _ _ 

Girl   from   Gay  Paree,  The    (F),   Sherman Sept.  15 

Haunted   Ship,    The    (M),    Sebastian-M.   Love....Deo.  1 

Josselyn's   Wife    (D),   Frederick _ 

Lightning    (W),   J.   Ralston. Sept.  1 

Night    Life    (CD),    Day-Harron _ Nov.  1 

Once  and   Forever  (D),  Patsy  Ruth  Miller Oct.  15 

Sin   Cargo    (D),   Mason. _ 

Snowbound     ( FC) ,    Ely  the _ _ 

Streets  of  Shanghai    (RD),   Starke-Harlan.... Dec.  15 

Tired  Business  Man   (C) - 

Wild   Geese    (D),  Belle  Bennett „ -...Nov.  15 

Women's  Wares  (D),   Brent-LyteU - Oct.  1 

Applause  (D),  Sally  O'NeUl Sept.  SO 

Bachelor's    Paradise    (R).    Sally   O'Neil Mar.  15 

Big  Top,   The    (CD),   Sally  O'Neill Oct.  30 

Cavalier,  The  (D),  Talmadge-Bedford Sept. 

Clothes     Make     the     Woman      (R),     Southem- 

Pldgeon  _ May  1 

Devil's  Apple  Tree,  The  (D),  Dorothy  Sebastlan..Sept.  20 

Devil's  Skipper,  The,  Bennett _..  Feb.  1 

George  Washington  Cohen    (CD),  Jessel-Palmer..Aug.20 

Geraldine  Laird   (D),  Belle  Bennett _ Nov.  10 

Ghetto,  The  (CD),  Jessel-Gwen  Lee Aug.  1 

Grain   of   Dust.   The    (0),   Cortez-Windsor— July  10 

Green   Grass  Widows  (CD),  Walter  Hagen. June  10 

House  of  Scandal    (D),  Sebastian-O'Malley Apr.  1 

Ladies  of  the  Night  Club  (CD),  Cortez-Moran....May  15 

Lingerie  (CD),  White-McGregor July  1 

Nameless    Men,   Moreno _ Feb.  16 

Naughty  Duchess,  The  (D),  H.  B.  Warner...- Aug.  10 

Power  of  Silence,  The   (D),  Belle  Bennett..- Aug.  20 

Prowlers  of  the  Sea   (D),   Cortez-Myers Tune  20 

Queen  of  Burlesque,  The  (CD),  Belle  Bennett-.Sept.  10 

Scarlet  Dove,  The  (D),  Margaret  Livingston Apr.  15 

Stormy    Waters    (D),    Southern-McGregor. —  Jtme  1 

Squads   Right    (CD),   Gribbon-Stone - Nov. 

Their    Hour    (D),    Sebastian-Harron MaT.  1 

Tragedy    of    Youth,    MUler-ColIier Jan.  16 

Twelve   Pound    Look,   The    (D),  Eve  Soutliem. Oct.  20 

Three  Keys  to  a  Door  (MD),  Ricardo  Cortez Oct.  10 

Toilers,  The,  Fairbanks,  Jr. -Ralston Aug. 

Woman  Against  the  World,   A Jan.  1 


May  28 

Nov.  12       

Dec.  31       - 

Jan.  7         Sept.  10 

Feb.  4 


July  9 

July  16 

—Nov.  6 

June  25 

Oct.  9 


1928 
1927 


1927 

6751 

6777 

4427 

7190 

6623 

6503 

6929 

5711 

6958 

7713 

UOOO 

5862 

6135 

6159 

5918 

6170 

5416 

6045 

7015 

6166 

4393 

6218 

4251 

7173 

5598 

4136 

5192 

6459 

4167 

1928 

4259 
6869 
4076 
6171 
4345 
4232 
7481 
6279 
4173 
6081 
4426 


Universal 


Back  to    Ged's   Country    (D),    Adoree-Frazier. 

Beware  of    Widows    (FC),    La  Plante 

Border  Cavalier,  The   (W),  Humes-Pierce 

Cat  and  Canary,  The  (My),  La  Plante 

Cheating    Cheaters    (C),    Compson-Harlan 

Galloping    Fury    (W),    Hoot  Gibson 

Held  by  the  Law   (M),  Lewis 

Hero  for  the   Night,   A,   Tryon-MlUer. 

Irresistible    Lover,    The    (CD),   Kerry-Moran 

Les  Miserables  (M),  Gabrio-Toulont 

Les    Miserables    (M),    (Long  Version) 

Lone  Eagle,  The,  Kent-Keane 

Man's    Past,    A    (0),    Veidt-Kent 

Men    of    Daring    (W),    Hoxie...- 

On    Your    Toes    (C),    Denny-Worth 

Out    All    Night    (C),    Denny-NUon. 

Painted    Ponies    (W),    Hoot    Gibson 

Painting   the    Town    (FC),    Tryon 

Sensation   Seekers    (D),    Dove 


Silk  Stockings,  Laura  La  Plante 

Sky   High  Saunders,   Al  Wilson 

Small    Bachelor,   The    (C),   Beranger-Kent 

Straight  Shootin'    (W),    Wells - - 

Taxi!    Taxi!    (FC),    Horton 

Thirteenth    Juror,   The    (D),  Bushman-Nllsson. 

Three  Miles  Up,  Al  Wilson 

Wild    Beauty    (CD),   Rei. _ 

Wrong    Mr.    Wright,   The    (F),    Hersholt 

Wolf's    Trail,    Dynamite,    the  dog 


-Sept.  4 
-.June  19 
.-Sept.  18 
...Sept.  11 
-Oct.  9 
...Nov.  20 
-Apr.  10 
-Dec.  18 
-.Dec.  4 
...Oct.  30 
...Oct.  30 
...Sept.  18 
Dec  25 
...June  5 
...Nov.  27 
...Sept.  4 
...Sept.  25 
-.Aug.  7 
...Mar.  20 
...Oct.  2 
...Nov.  6 
...Nov.  6 
..Oct.  16 
...Apr.  24 
..Nov.  13 
..  Sept.  4 
-Nov.  27 
-Feb.  27 
-Oct.  2 


Not.  12 


Aug.  6 
-May  t 


1927 

6L00% 
44.10% 


Dec.  17 

Nov.  26 
Dec.  24 

Jan.  14 
Dec.  17 


May  14 


67.05% 


-Apr.  2 
Nov.  26 
Not.  19 

-Aug.  27 


«.5T% 


Not.  U 
Dec.  ir 


Jan.  14 
Not.  19 


Nov.  19 
Feb.  4 
Deo.  3 


Sept  a 
-Apr.  9 

.-Oct.  1 

July  23 

...June  25 

-.Jan.  29 

Aug.  20 


62.31% 


Air    Patrol,    The    (W),    Al    Wilson. 

Alias   the    Deacon    (CD),    Hersholt-Marlowe- 

Arizona  Cyclone  (W),  Humes 

Buck    Privates,    de   Puttl 

Call  of  the   Heart,  The   (W),  Dynamite 

Clean-Up    Man,    The    (W),    Wells. 

Cohens  and    Kellys  in    Paris   (C),    Sidney. — 

Count  of   Ten,    The,   Ray-Ralston-Gleason 

Fearless    Rider,  The    (W),   Fred  Humes- 


..Dec.  11 
..July  30 


Mar.  10       

Dec.  24       Dec.  10 


1928 


Mar.  31 


r 


1927 

6000     College  (C).  Keaton- Cornwall 

7500     General,  The    (C),  Keaton 

7311     Loves  of  Sonya  (D),  Swanson... 


United  Artists 


—..Sept.  10 


8550     Magic   Flame,  The    (M),   Colman-Banky Sept.  24      _. 

9120     Resurrection     (M),    La    Rocque 

9000     Sorrell    and    Son     (D),    Wamer-Nilsson Not. 

7456     Topsy   and    Eva    (C).    Duncan   Sisters 

8250     Two  Arabian   Knights   (CD),  Boyd-Wolhelm 

8000     Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (D),  Banky-Colman _____.._ 

1928 

6400    Circus,    The    (C),    Cltarlle    Cbaplin.. 
7000 — Devil    Dancer,  The,  Gilda  Qray.. 


_Sept.  17 

Feb.  12 

'. Mar.  19 

-..5ept.  24 
...Apr.  16 
__Nov.  19 
—Aug.  13 
—Oct.  29 
Dec.  4 


9358  Douglas    Fairbanks    as    the    Gaucho    (M) June  1 

9100  Dove,    The    (M),    Norma   Talmadge . Jan.  7 

8350  Drums  of   Love    (D),  Mary  PbUbln . Mar.  31 

7300  Garden   of  Eden,  The  (D),  C.  Grlfflth-Ray Feb.  4 

Two   Lovers,  Banky-Colman Aug. 

7650  Ramona    (D),   Del  Bio - Feb.  1 

8600  Sadie   Thompson    (D),    Gloria    Swanson Jan.  T 


-Mar.  3        

Apr.  28 

Nov.  26 

Jan.  7 

July  21 


1927 


45.90% 


73.65% 

1928 


Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,  Butter  Keaton- 
Tempest   (M),   John   Barrymore 


-Aug.  11 


—June  16 
-..May  26 
-July  7 


5645 
4094 
6598 
5064 
4095 

6813 
6832 
4120 
5689 
4253 
4200 
4472 
5382 
6424 
6172 
5109 
5389 
8249 
6179 
6073 
4353 
6274 
5495 
4348 
9161 
5254 

1927 

5803 
6330 
6281 
5897 
6408 
5003 
6767 
6284 
6978 
6302 
5613 

6271 
5200 
6230 
5397 
5569 
6352 
6310 
6485 
7961 
6357 
5492 
6295 
5685 
6124 
6218 
6412 
7647 
5813 

1928 

6052 
5380 

5164 
7077 


Finders    Keepers    (CD),   Laura  La   Plante - 

Four    Footed    Rangers,    The    (W),  Dynamite 

Flyin'   Cowboy,   The   (W),  Hoot  Gibson. 

Good    Morning    Judge 

Greased   Lightning   (W) _ — — 

Grip    of   the    Yukon,    The,    AH  star 

Hot  Heels,  Glen  Tryon 

Hound    of  Sliver   Creek,    The   (W),    Dynamite. 

Lonesome    (CD),    Tryon-Kent 

Love  Me  and  the  World  Is  Mine,  Kerry-Philbin. 

Jazz    Mad,    Hersholt-NLxon-Lewis 

Made-lo-Order    Hero    (W),    Wells. 

Midnight    Rose,    de    Putti-Harlan 

Phantom  Flyer,  The  (W),  Wilson. 

Put    'Em    Up    (W),   Humes 

Quick  Triggers    (W),  Humes. 

Rawhide    Kid    (W),    Hoot  Gibson- 
Riding  for    Fame,   Hoot  Gibson 

Shield  of    Honor,  The,  AH  star 

Society   Cowboy,   A,   Hoot  Gibson... 
Stop  That   Man,  AU  star. 


Surrender,    Pliilbin-Mosjuklne...- 

Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,  La  Plante-Tryon.. 

That's  My  Daddy  (C),  Denny-Kent 

Thunder    Riders,    The,    Wells-.. 

13   Washington  Square,   All  star 

Trick  of   Hearts,   A,  Hoot  Sibson 

Won  in  the  Clouds,   (W),  Wilson. 

We   Americans,   AU  star 

Wild   West  Show,   Hoot   Gibson 


.Jan.  1 
.Jan.  22 
.May  6 
-June  3 
-Jan.  29 
.Feb.  12 
.Jan.  15 
.June  6 
.Jan.  15 
.Feb.  6 
.Mar.  26 
..Aug.  18 
.Apr.  29 
-July  29 
.Aug.  30 
.May  13 
May  20 

Feb.  25 
June  3 
June  3 
Feb.  26 
Feb.  28 
Mar.  11 
July  15 
•Jan.  29 
..Aug.  19 
..Feb.  19 
..Julys 
.Mar.  11 
..Mar.  4 
Apr.  1 
.Feb.  5 
Apr.  8 
.Apr.  8 
Mar.  18 
.Apr.  22 
.May  16 
.May  20 


Feb.  19 

45  18% 

Dec.  3 

Dec.  24 

—Mar.  6 

1928 

—June  25 

Mar.  10 

Feb.  4 

—Apr.  21 

June  30 

Jan.  28 

Apr.  21 

Apr.  28 

Apr.  28 

May  26 

June  23 

.July  21 

Feb.  31 

May  19 

Aug.  4 
Mar.  17 

Mar.  17 

.Tan.  58                                 

Fph  9j; 

.Tan    14 

Apr.  9Ji 

Mar.  17 



May  5 
Apr.  21 


Warner  Brothers 


Black    Diamond    Express    (M),    Blue- 
Brass    Knuckles    (D),  Blue-BronsorL. 


-July  23 


-Dec.  3 
..Aug.  20 


1927 

50.20% 


-Aug.  27 
-Oct.  29 
•  Sept.  18 


Bush    Leaguer,   The    (CD),   Monte  Blue 

Dearest    (D),   Rich 

Desired   Woman,  The   (M),  Irene  Rich. 

Dog  of  the   Regiment,   A    (M),  Rln-Tin-Tln.„ 

First  Auto,  The,  Oldfleld-Mlller 

Gay  Old  Bird   (FC),  Fazenda. 

Girl  from  Chicago,  The  (M),  Nagel-Loy Nov.  5 

Good   Time  Charley  (D),  Oland-H.  Costello Nov.  12 

Ham    and    Eggs   at   the    Front   (C),    WUson-H. 

Conklin  Dec  24 

Hills  of    Kentucky    (M),   Rin-Tin-Tiu 

Husbands  for  Rent,  All  star Dec.  31 

If   I    Were  Single,   McAvoy-Nagel Dec  17 

Irish    Hearts    (CD),    McAvoy 

Jaws  of  Steel   (D),  Bin-Tin-Tin Sept  17 

Matinee  Ladies   (C),    McAvoy 

Mill    Bid,    A    (M),    D.    Costello 

Missing  Link,  The  (C),  Syd  Chaplin...- Aug.  7 

Old   San    Francisco    (M),  D.   Costello-Oland Sept.  4 

One   Round    Hogan    (M),  Monte   Blue Sept.  17 

Reno    Divorce,   A    (D),   May  AcAvoy Oct.  22 

Sailor   Izzy   Murphy   (F),  George  JesselL. — Oct.  8 

Sailor's  Sweetheart,  A    (C),  Fazenda-C.   Cook.-5ept  24 

Silver  Slave,  The  (D),  Rioh-Ferris Nov.  9 

Simple    Sis     (M),    Fazenda. - 

Slightly    Used,   McAvoy-Nagel - -...Sept  3 

Third    Degree   (M),   D.   Costello _ 


-June  18 


-July  9 
-Mar.  12 


Dec.  31 
Dec.  31 


Nov.  26 


-Feb.  26 

-Apr.  28 
-June  11 
-Oct  1 
-Apr.  23 


68.94% 


5 


-June  4 
-May  14 


-Jime  26 
-Oct.  8 
-Oct.  29 
-Dec.  10 
-Oct.  15 


-June  11 


Tracked  by  the  Police  (M),  Rin-Tin-Ttn.- 


5331 
6185 
4777 
4820 
6531 


Across  the   Altantic,   Blue-Murphy - -Feb.  26 

Beware  of   Married   Men,  Irene  Rich Jan.  14 

City  of  Sin,  The,  Loy-Miljan-Wong 

Domestic    Trouble    (CD),    Cook-Fazenda. Mar.  24 

Jazz  Singer.    The.  Al  Jolson Feb.  4 

Lion   and   the  Mouse,   The,  L.  Barrymore — . 

Little  Snob,  The,  May  McAvoy — Feb.  11 

Powder   My   Back    (C),   Rich-Ferris Mar.  10 

Race  for  Life,  Rin-Tin-Tln...- - Jan.  28 

Rinty  of  the    Desert,  Bin-Tin-Tin Apr.  21 

Tenderloin,    Dolores   Costello 


-Jan.  8 
.May  21 


-Feb.  18 


1928 


-Apr.  14 


Feb.  18 
May  19 


-May  19 


—Apr.  28 


SPECIAL   COMBINATION   OFFER 

''EVERY   SHOWMAN'S   WORKING   LIBRARY" 


.rt^^ 


^>mmtL   , 


fCTlON 


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QAVr  <!1  nn  MsH^ii^?  handbook  of  projection 

O/WLi   <pi.UU  and  BUILDING  THEATRE  PATRONAGE 

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Please  send  me  "Every  Showman's  Working  Library**  consisting  of  BUILDING  THEATRE 
PATRONAGE  and  the  5th  Edition  HANDBOOK  of  PROJECTION.  Enclosed  find  (check) 
(money  order)  for  ^10.20. 

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Address . 


.-J 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Ten  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  407  So. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The    Recognized    National    C  lassiiied    Advertising    Medium 


Position  Wanted 


THEATRE  ORGANIST— Experienced  on  all  makes, 
has  a  large  library,  will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
289,  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World, 
407    S.    Dearborn    St.,    Chicago,   111. 

Attention,  Theatre  Managers!  Are  you  looking  for 
an  organist,  male  or  female?  If  you  are,  why  not  let 
Exhibitors  Herald- World  find  just  the  kind  you  want? 
Address  George  Schmidt,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407   S.    Dearborn    St.,   Chicago,   III. 

ORGANISTS  thoroughly  trained  and  experienced  in 
theatre  work.  Men  and  women  now  ready  for  good 
positions.  Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address 
Chicago  Musical   College,   61   E.   Van  Buren,   Chicago. 

ORGANIST — Experts  thoroughly  trained  in  show- 
manship available  at  all  times  for  first-class  positions. 
Men  and  women.  No  service  Charge.  Write  full  in- 
formation concerning  salary,  organ,  hours,  etc.  Ad- 
dress Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  210  N.   7th   St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 


Theatre  Wanted 


We  are  interested  in  acquiring  theatres  of  900  seats 
or  over  in  western  Pennsylvania,  West  Virginia  and 
Ohio.  Will  buy  or  lease  for  long  term.  Address 
Box  283,  Exhibitors  Herald-World,  407  S.  Dearborn 
St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Theatre  for  Sale 


First    $2,000   cash    gets   completely    equipped,    going 
theatre  in  good  town.     Apopka  theatre,  Apopka,   Fla. 


Films  for  Sale 


"Sins  of  the  World"  (6); — "Foolish  Virgin"  (6); — 
"In  Old  Kentucky"  (7):— "Lure  of  the  Orient"  (6); 
— "Unchastened  Woman"  (7); — also  other  Features, 
Westerns,  Serials,  Comedies,  Educational,  Travel,  etc. 
Address  GUARANTEED  PICTURES  COMPANY, 
729   Seventh  Ave.,  New   York  City. 

Equipment  for  Sale 

FOR  SALE — Motion  Picture  Projectors,  parts  and 
supplies  for  all  type  machines.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,    1018    Wabash   Ave.,    Chicago,    111. 

FOR  SALE — Strong  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  and  ac- 
cessories, also  guaranteed  rebuilt  Powers  6-A  and  6-B 
and  Simplex  Heads.  Best  Prices.  Write  Joseph 
Spratler,   12-14  E.   Ninth   St.,  Chicago,  111. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE— Our  bargain  list 
on  rebuilt  Projectors,  Powers  6-A  Motor  driven  ma- 
chines, including  12  rebuilt  Simplex  motor  driven 
machines  with  latest  Simplex  type  S  lamp  houses. 
Prices  ranging  from  $175.00  and  up.  Peerless  arc 
controls  $35.00  per  pair.  Compensarcs  all  makes, 
$20.00  and  up.  Rebuilt  Generators  at  reasonable 
prices.  AC  and  DC  Electric  fans  rebuilt,  just  like 
new.  Write  for  complete  list  of  your  needs  and 
prices.  No  obligation.  Address  Illinois  Theatre 
Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


GET  OUR  PRICES  first  on  complete  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Pipe  Organ  before  buying  elsewhere. 
You  save,  we  satisfy.  Address  Southern  Theatre 
Service,  643  Carondelet  Street,  New  Orleans,  La. 

FOR  SALE — 400  Opera  Chairs.  1  Film  Cabinet, 
1  Enclosed  Motor  Rewind,  2  Late  Type  Simplex  Pro- 
jectors with  2  Standeford  Low  Intensity  Lamps,  1 
Roth  25-25  3-Phase  Generator,  etc..  Curtain,  Ticket 
Chopper,  2  Imported  Lenses.  All  in  perfect  condition 
and  worth  just  double  what  we  are  asking.  Our  price 
$3,000.  Address  Box  302,  Exhibitors  Herald-World, 
407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Chairs  for  Sale 


Just  received  4,000  highest  grade  spring  constructed 
upholstered  Theatre  Chairs,  less  than  2  years  old,  at 
very  reasonable  prices.  Also  several  other  lots  of  up- 
holstered and  veneered  Theatre  Chairs,  as  well  as  500 
Portable  Assembly  Chairs.  Write  for  complete  list 
and  description  of  all  equipment.  You  are  under  no 
obligation.  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Co.,  12-14  E. 
Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Stationery 


SPECIAL:  250  each  business  letterheads — enve- 
lopes $3.75  (cash  postpaid).  "Neargravure"  process 
printed.  Samples,  see  difference.  Stamp  appre- 
ciated.    Address  Sollidays,  KH  124,  Knox,  Ind. 


For  Sale 


OPERA  CHAIRS,  seats  and  backs  for  all  makes, 
five  ply,  at  prices  that  save  you  half.  Address 
Redington  &  Co.,   Scranton,  Pa. 

1  NATIONAL  CASH  REGISTER  MACHINE  in 
perfect  order.  This  machine  has  been  used  but  18 
months  and  is  completely  overhauled  and  in  good 
running  order.  Price  $50.00.  Address  M.  Fitzer, 
Manager,   Rivoli  Theatre,   Syracuse,  N.   Y. 

PORTABLE  PROJECTOR  —  American  Projecto- 
scope,  mazda  lamp,  110  volt  Universal  motor,  com- 
plete. First  $75.00  takes  it.  Address  Box  564, 
Greenwood,   Mississippi. 

Chair  backs  and  seats  made  to  order,  any  shape, 
big  saving.  Address  Preddey,  188  Golden  Gate  Ave., 
San    Francisco,    Cal. 


Organs  for  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wuriitzer 
Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable.  Cremona 
Pipe  Organ,  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe  Organs. 
Address  S.   B.   McFadden,  Havana,  111. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300  fine 
novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine  whole- 
sale prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation.  Address 
Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,   140  W.   21st   St.,  New  York. 


Miscellaneous 


BEAUTIFUL  registered  Bull  Pups,  $15. 
Address  501  Rockwood,  Dallas,  Texas. 


Bulldogs. 


Projector  Repairing 


BEST  GRADE  repair  work.  Prices  right.  Free 
relief  heads.  Prompt  service.  Address  Guercio  & 
Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Our  Twentieth  Century  Repair  Shop,  with  skilled 
expert  mechanics,  specialized  tools,  precision  machin- 
ery, assure  the  very  best  REPAIR  JOBS.  Relief 
Equipment  furnished  FREE.  Prompt  service.  Rea- 
sonable prices.  Progressive  Exhibitors  over  entire 
country  send  their  work  to  "THE  OLD  RELIABLE." 
Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Estab- 
lished 20  years. 

SKILLED  MECHANICS,  specialized  tools,  and  a 
shop  equipped  for  but  one  purpose  can  offer  you 
nothing  but  the  best  in  repair  work.  That  is  what  I 
have,  and  I  can  offer  you  the  best  in  the  overhauling 
of  your  motion  picture  machinery  equipment.  One 
of  the  oldest  repair  men  in  the  territory,  and  serving 
some  of  the  largest  houses.  Relief  equipment  fur- 
nished free.  For  results  bring  your  work  to  Joseph 
Spratler,  12-14  E.  Ninth  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Projector  repairing  by  experts.  Work  guaranteed. 
Largest  shop  in  West,  rebuilt  projectors  and  equip- 
ment. Low  prices.  Address  Preddey,  188  Golden  Gate 
Ave.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 


Equipment  Wanted 

BEST  PRICES  paid  for  projection  machines,  all 
types.  Address  Guercio  &  Barthel,  1018  Wabash  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 

WANT     SEVERAL     MERCURY     RECTIFIERS, 

good,    bad    or    incomplete,    cheap.      Address    Preddey, 
188   Golden   Gate  Ave.,   San   Francisco,    Cal. 

Professional  Services 

PUBLIC  ACCOUNTANT — Many  years  experience 
as  auditor  in  all  branches  of  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try, including  leading  theatres,  large  exchanges,  pro- 
ducers' and  distributors'  home  office,  can  give  his 
personal  attention  to  several  more  clients.  Consulta- 
tion free.  Address  Auditor  c/o  Box  1,000,  Exhibitors 
Herald-World,  565  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


State  Rights  for  Sale 


LOOK!  READ!  ACT!  —  ROAD 

Showmen,  State  rights  for  sale.  The  true  life  of 
"The  Younger  Brothers,"  featuring  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim 
Younger  and  the  James  Boys,  in  five  reels,  and 
Younger's  Historical  Events,  in  one  reel.  This  pic- 
ture as  a  popular-priced  road  show  is  no  experiment. 
It  has  been  tried  and  true,  has  played  against  all 
kinds  of  competition  under  all  conditions.  Has  always- 
gotten  the  money.  With  each  State  or  sale  we_  fur- 
nish free  one  new  complete  Lobby  Display,  consisting 
of  new  Prints  of  Film,  three  new  Wax  Figures,  stand- 
ing, life  size,  of  Cole,  Bob  and  Jim  Younger,  true  to 
life,  dressed  in  cowboy  style,  big  boots,  etc.;  500  One- 
Sheets,  100  Slides,  10  Photo  Lobb^  Boards,  extra  100 
small  Photos,  6  Banners,  lettered  in  flashy  oil  colors, 
enough  to  fit  any  theatre  front.  Everything  ready  to 
go.  Hurry.  It  will  pay  you  to  buy  the  king  of  all 
road  shows.     Address  E.  L.  Humphrey,  Miami,  Okla. 


Your  Classified  Ad  Will  Do  the  Work 

Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World  has  helped  hundreds  of  Theatre  owners  in  solving  many  a  problem.  The 
classified  advertising  department  has  placed  organists  all  over  the  country,  has  helped  in  obtaining  equipment,  in  selling 
equipment,  and  in  solving  many  another  problem  that  seemed  difficult.  The  rates  are  but  10c  per  word  payable  with 
order,  10%  discount  if  run  for  3  insertions.  See  this  week's  classified  pages.  Maybe  you  are  in  need  of  something  that  is 
being  advertised  this  week.     The  cost  is  small,  the  results  are  great. 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A  forum  at  which  the  exhibitor  is 
invited  to  express  his  opinion  on 
matters  of  current  interest.  Brevity 
adds  forcefulness  to  any  statement. 
Unsigned  letters  will  not  be  printed. 


SCOTTSBLUFF,  NEB.— To  the  Editor: 
We  certainly  appreciate  the  writeup  you  gave 
us  in  your  "Better  Theatre  Section"  on  our 
Egyptian  Theatre.  We  beheve  that  Mr.  Jen- 
kins covered  about  everything.  We  would, 
however,  appreciate  it,  if  you  would  send  us 
a  half  a  dozen  copies  and  also  send  us  the 
cuts  you  used  or  the  mats  which  ever  the  case 
may  be. 

Since  your  writeup  appeared  we  have  had 
numerous  requests  for  estimates  and  costs  and 
also  many  nice  comments  on  the  same  which 
goes  to  show  that  your  publication  attracts  a 
great  deal  of  attention  all  over  the  country. 
Many  of  our  ideas  were  taken  from  your 
"Better  Theatre  Sections"  and  we  believe  that 
your  paper  is  by  far  the  outstanding  paper  in 
the  theatrical  field  today. 

Whatever  the  charge  may  be  for  the  extra 
editions,  please  advise  us  and  we  will  be  glad 
to  send  you  a  check. — W.  H.  Ostenberg,  Jr., 
Midwest  Amusement  and  Realty  Company, 
Scottsville,  Neb. 


7^070  operators  Needed 
For  Sound,  Says  Unionist 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

BIRMINGHAM,  Aug.  28.— Ralph  A.  Root, 
vice-president  of  the  Alabama  State  Federa- 
tion of  Labor,  in  an  article  appearing  in  "The 
Labor  Advocate,"  declares  that  "two  opera- 
tors are  absolutely  necessary  to  give  a  proper 
performance,"  of  sound  pictures. 

"Two  machines  are  in  service  in  the  operat- 
ing room  and  when  one  reel  is  nearly  over, 
the  other  machine  is  started,  and  the  fader  is 
changed  from  one  to  another.  It  is  important 
that  all  the  work  be  done  at  the  exact  time, 
so  that  there  will  be  no  break  in  either  the 
picture  or  the  music.  The  fader  is  on  the  wall 
in  front  of  both  machines  and  changes  the 
sound  from  one  machine  to  the  other.  It  also 
regulates  the  volume  of  sound  and  has  to  be 
lowered,  or  raised,  at  certain  parts  of  the 
picture  to  obtain  the  desired  effects.  So  it  can 
well  be  seen  that  two  operators  are  absolutely 
necessary,  to  give  a  proper  performance." 


UFA  in  Austrian  Council 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— The  Austrian 
Minister  of  Commerce  and  Traffic  has  ap- 
pointed W.  Karol,  UFA  representative,  as 
a  member  of  the  new  Austrian  advisory 
board  of  motion  pictures. 


Hergesheimer  Signs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Joseph  Herges- 
heimer, novelist  and  short  story  writer,  has 
signed  a  contract  with  Samuel  Goldwyn  to 
write  a  story  for  Ronald  Colman. 


Isidore  Wolfe  Marries 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
SAN     FRANCISCO,     Aug.     28.— Isidore 
Wolfe   of  the  Universal   Exchange  married 
Miss    Nina    Medley,   also    of   the    exchange, 
last  week. 


Chicago  Musicians 
Ask  Sound  Houses 
Keep  Six  on  Payroll 

(Continued  from  page  23) 

Striking  electrical  workers  would  be  made  at 
union  headquarters. 

Theatres  Planning  for  Sound 

Other  theatres  in  the  Chicago  territory 
which  have  announced  the  presentation  of 
sound  pictures  as  soon  as  the  apparatus  is 
available,  are : 

Oriental,  Loop  house ;  Harding,  Howard, 
Norshore,  Senate,  Buckingham,  Lexington, 
Broadway  Strand,  Oakland  Square,  Piccadilly, 
Regal,  Rosewood,  State  and  20th  Century,  all 
in  Chicago;  Varsity,  Evanston ;  Majestic,  La 
Salle;  Palace,  Peoria;  Rialto,  Aurora;  Ter- 
race, Danville ;  New  Bucklen,  Elkhart,  Ind. ; 
Indiana,  Indiana  Harbor ;  Lincoln,  Lincoln ; 
and  Jefferson,  Goshen,  Ind. 

Demand    Six    Musicians 

The  new  demands  of  the  musicians'  union 
in  Chicago,  which  raise  no  question  of  wages, 
are  the  direct  result  of  synchronization.  The 
proposals  do  not  concern  the  deluxe  houses, 
the  contract  with  which  does  not  expire  for 
another  year. 

The  theatres  now  affected,  designated  as 
"Class  6"  houses,  are  called  upon  by  the  new 
demands  to  employ  six  musicians  exclusive  of 
organists  in  the  event  that  synchronization 
is  used.  This  is  two  more  musicians  than 
need  be  employed  by  theatres  not  having  the 
device. 

The  proposals  also  declare  that  theatres 
which  have  been  employing  organists  during 
1927-28  and  which  install  synchronization,  must 
retain  the   organists. 

Conference  Called  Wednesday 

No  statement  would  be  made  by  Jack  Mil- 
ler, president  of  the  Chicago  Exhibitors'  Asso- 
ciation, pending  a  conference  over  the  de- 
mands this  Wednesday.  The  new  proposals 
were  presented  by  James  C.  Petrillo,  head  of 
the  musicians'  local,  to  Aliller  and  the  ex- 
hibitors' executive  board  last  Friday. 

The  other  demands  are  as  follows : 

The  50  theatres  involved  must  employ 
for  periods  varying  from  44  to  35  weeks, 
a  minimum  of  four  musicians  exclusive 
of   organists. 

Any  new  theatre  having  over  800  seats 
must  employ  four  men,  exclusive  of  or- 
ganists,   for    a   period   to    be    agreed    upon. 

Notice  of  dismissal  must  be  four  weeks 
in    advance,    instead    of    two. 

Musicians  who  are  dismissed  within  the 
period  named  by  the  contract  must  re- 
ceive two  dollars  a  day  as  back  salary. 

Musicians  in  "Class  6"  theatres  are  receiv- 
ing a  minimum  of  $53.90  for  Z2  hours. 


Vancouver  Shows  **Dawn" 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

VANCOUVER,    Aug.    28.— "Dawn"    was 
opened  at  the  Dominion  theatre  last  week. 


Let  Your  Physician  Tell 
You  !f  You  Like  the  Show 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

CINCINNATI,  Aug.  28.— Does 
your  pulse  remain  normal  while  you 
watch  a  motion  picture  you  like? 
Then  you  don't  like  it.  At  least, 
that  is  what  physicians  conducting  a 
test  here  would  tell  you.  The  Misses 
Florence  Haw  and  Bernice  Ahi  were 
used  as  subjects  in  an  experiment 
conducted  at  the  Lyric  theatre,  dur- 
ing the  showing  of  United  Artists' 
"Drums  of  Love."  Florence  said  she 
liked  the  D.  W.  Griffith  production. 
She  was  wrong,  said  the  physicians. 
For  her  pulse  remained  normal. 
Bernice,  on  the  other  hand,  liked  the 
picture — really,  officially,  scientific- 
ally and  how!  For  her  pulse  shot  up 
from  normal  72  to  108! 


William  James  Injured 
When  Struck  by  Golf  Ball 

(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

COLUMBUS,  Aug.  28.— William 
M.  James,  president  of  the  M  P  TO 
of  Ohio,  and  formerly  head  of  the 
James  theatre  interests  of  Columbus, 
was  severely  injured  when  struck  by 
a  golf  ball  while  playing  in  a  four- 
some at  the  Columbus  Country  Club. 
He  was  unconscious  for  an  hour  and 
later  removed  to  his  home.  He  has 
fully  recovered. 


New  Orleans  Faces 
Complete  Tieup  at 
Theatres  Sept.  1st. 

(Continued  from  page  23) 

went  out  in  sympathy.  As  a  result  the  vaude- 
ville and  "musical  acts"  were  presented  with- 
out music.  Actors  shoved  their  own  "sets." 
The  performance  was  a  flop. 

Contracts  with  the  Allied  Stage  Crafts  will 
expire  at  midnight  August  31.  The  town  will 
be  tied  up  September  1,  as  the  projectionists 
will  not  work  open  shop.  It  looks  like  a  fight 
to  the  finish. 

Maurice  F.  Barr,  managing  supervisor  of 
Saenger's,  had  "nothing  to  say."  Neither  did 
Toups. 

The  Orpheum,  with  music,  is  packing  them 
in. 

Attorneys  say  that  the  musicians  acted 
hastilj'  and  without  asking  them  to  pass  on 
the  contract.  They  also  say  that  the  stage- 
hands and  musicians  are  the  aggressors  in 
the  walkout  inasmuch  as  they  did  not  ask 
for  arbitration. 

Projectionists  Strike 
In  Offing  at  Detroit 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

DE'TROIT,  Aug.  28.— Detroit  faces  the 
possibility,  however  remote  it  may  be,  of  its 
motion  picture  houses  being  dark  because  of 
a  strike  of  projectionists. 

Contracts  of  operators  here  expire  on  Sep- 
tember 1,  and  the  men  have  demanded  a  30 
per  cent  increase  in  their  salaries.  The  thea- 
tre owners,  particularly  the  owners  of  neigh- 
borhood houses,  have  stated  flatly  that  they 
cannot  pay  such  an  advance.  A  counter  pro- 
posal by  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  for  a  reasonable 
increase  was  refused.  At  the  offices  of  the 
owners'  association  it  was  said  the  projec- 
tionists' probably  would  accede,  but  others 
said  there  is  a  possibility  of  a  general  strike 
of  operators  here. 

"The  projectionists  have  not  definitely  said 
they  will  walk  out  unless  their  demands  are 
met,  but  they  indicated  that  such  would  he 
their  procedure,"  was  the  comment  of  H.  M. 
Richey,  manager  of  the  association. 

The  controversy  is  not  entirely  over  the 
rise  of  sound  pictures,  Richey  said,  but  rather 
a  decision  to  demand  a  wage  increase. 


Theatre  Manager  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
PORTLAND,     Aug.    28.— F.     M.     Ham- 
burger, manager  of  the  Circle  theatre,  died 
at  St.  Vincent's  hospital.     He  was  54  years 
old. 


Henry  Sturche  Dead 

'(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
CONCORD,   CAL.,   Aug.   28.— Henry   A. 
M.  Sturche,  owner  of  the  Majestic  theatre, 
died  last  week. 


Dan  Totheroh  With  Paramount 

IvTEW  YORK. — Dan  Totheroh  has  been  added  to 
the  writing  department  of  the  Faramount  studios  in 
Hollywood,  according  toi  announcement  from  B.  P. 
Schulberg. 


r 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


61 


^e^ 


WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 

Verdicts  on  Films  in  Language  of  Exhibitor 


Copjright,    1928 


Incorporated  in  this  original  exhibitors  report  department  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  which  was  estab- 
lished October  14,  1916,  is  the  Moving  Picture  World  department,  "Straight  from  the  Shoulder 

Reports." 


FBO 


CROOKS  CAN'T  WIN:  Special  cast— 40%.  July 
27.  Just  another  crook  story  below  the  averag-e. — 
E.  C.  Arehart,  Auditorium  theatre.  Laurel,  Neb. — 
General    patronage. 

THE  HARVESTER:  Special  cast— 75%.  Very  good 
picture. — Walter  C.  Schultz,  Walt's  theatre,  Keneeaw, 
Neb. — General    patronage. 

THE  FLYING  U  RANCH:  Tom  Tyler— August  1. 
Quite  a  good  Western.  Drew  well. — Frank  Sabin, 
Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  BANDIT'S  SON:  Bob  Steele— August  11. 
Good  little  Western  for  Saturday  night.  Five  reels. 
— Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 


First  National 


HAROLD  TEEN:  Arthur  Lake— 80%.  August  5-6. 
A  comic  strip  comedy.  Just  another  one  of  those 
things.  Seven  reels. — George  Cohen,  Princess  theatre. 
West  Union,  la. — Mixed  patronage. 

FLYING  ROMEOS:  Murray-Sidney— 30%.  August 
8.  Another  good  comedy  by  these  popular  comedians. 
Satisfied. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville,   Mich. — General   patronage. 

CODE  OF  THE  SCARLET:  Ken  Maynard— 95%. 
August  18.  Another  good  one  from  Ken.  It  seems 
he  will  never  make  a  poor  one.  Everybody  liked  this 
one  for  a  change  from  the  usual  Western.  Was  on 
the  set  with  Ken  when  some  of  the  scenes  were  shot 
in  this  one  and,  of  course,  enjoyed  seeing  it  myself. 
Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala.      Small   town   patronage. 

THE  WHIP  WOMAN:  Special  cast— 60%.  August 
13-14.  A  fair  program  picture.  Six  reels. — E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CHINATOWN  CHARLIE:  Johnny  Hines— 45%. 
August  8-9.  This  picture  pleased  a  fair  crowd,  and 
Johnny  Hines  gets  me  about  as  much  business  as  the 
others.  There  are  a  number  of  laughs  in  this  picture, 
and  I  would  class  it  as  good  entertainment.  Seven 
reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln, 
Kan. — Small   town   patronage. 

BURNING  DAYLIGHT:  Milton  Sills— 60%.  Au- 
gust 10-11.  Good  story,  good  acting.  Fast  moving. 
Excellent  Friday  and  Saturday  picture  for  smaller 
towns.  Seven  reels. — George  Cohen,  Princess  theatre. 
West  Union,   la. — Mixed   patronage. 

THE  LIFE  OF  RILEY:  Sidney-Murray— 55%.  Au- 
gust 13-14.  A  comedy-drama  that  will  more  than 
please,  and  all  comments  were  very  favorable.  There 
are  not  many  laughs  in  this  one.  It  is  just  one  big, 
loud  laugh  from  start  to  finish.  Sure  wish  that  this 
pair  could  be  kept  together,  as  they  are  a  good  bet 
in  this  town.  Seven  reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman, 
Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small  town  patix>n- 
age. 

THE  LIFE  OF  RILEY:  Murray-Sidney— Satisfac- 
tory comedy  feature. — ^W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre, 
Huntsville,    Mo. — Small    town   patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen'  Moore— 60%. 
July   30-31.     Very   good   and  much   better  than   "Her 


Editor's  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by  ex- 
hibitors in  reports  to  this  depart- 
ment are  obtained  in  the  follcwing 
manner:  Average  daily  gross  of 
picture  reported  is  divided  by 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  hold- 
ing house  record  to  determine 
relative  box  office  value  in  terms 
of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  reported)  divided 
by  $100  (average  daily  gross  of 
picture  holding  house  record) 
equals  .75  (percentage  rating  given 
picture  in  report) . 

When  a  picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports  it 
is  entered  in  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
TICKER  column  of  "Quick  Ref- 
erence Picture  Chart." 


Wild  Oat."  Glad  she  got  it  sowed  and  out  of  her 
system.  "Orchids  and  Ermine"  a  much  better  picture, 
and  it  satisfied  my  patrons.  It  is  old,  but  I  believe 
that  some  of  the  older  pictures  are  by  far  the  best, 
and  you  won't  be  any  loser  by  showing  this  one. 
Eight  reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre, 
Lincoln,    Kan. — Small    town    patronage. 

VALLEY  OF  THE  GIANTS:  Milton  Sills— August 
12-13.  Good  small  town  entertainment.  Scenery  of 
the  big  redwoods  very  fine.  Only  thing  against  it  is 
the  long  drawn  scrap  at  the  end  of  the  picture.  Why 
do  they  put  so  much  eye  gouging  and  other  uncalled 
for  blood  curdling  stuff  in  a  picture?  Seven  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — 
Small   town   patronage. 

CANYON  OF  ADVENTURE:  Ken  Maynard— Au- 
gust 9-10.  Ken'ri  pictures  are  all  good,  and  they  are 
better  than  that  if  he  stays  in  straight  Westerns  and 
away  from  the  Mexican  stuff.  Put  on  a  couple 
Dutchmen  playing  accordians  and  concertinas  along 
with  Ken  and  knocked  everybody  loose  from  their 
back  teeth.  Boys,  if  you  want  to  hear  some  real 
music  and  have  a  good  drawing  card,  put  on  this 
pair  of  sourkrauts  and  they  will  break  your  house 
record.  They  are  hitting  northern  Wisconsin,  Min- 
nesota and  Michigan.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf, Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 


THE  NOOSE:  Richard  Barthelmess— Consider  this 
very  good.  Barthelmess  at  his  best. — W.  O.  Doyle, 
Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

FOR  THE  LOVE  OF  MIKE:  Ben  Lyon— July  28. 
An  extra  good  picture.  Has  a  good  moral  and  is 
very  entertaining.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey, 
Bonny   theatre,    Mansfield,   Mo. — General   patronage. 

THE  SHEPHERD  OF  THE  HILLS:  Special  cast 
— ^Has  been  overdone.  Played  it  too  cold.  A  good 
bet  if  you  buy  it  right.  I  bought  it  too  high,  and 
that's  that!  Eight  reels.— Abe  Shafer,  Jr.,  Shafer's 
Airdome,    Edgerton,    Mo. — General    patronage. 

SYNCOPATING  SUE:  Corinne  Griffith— July  21. 
A  dandy  little  picture.  FXiU  of  entertainment  and 
pleased  our  crowd.  Had  a  good,  bright  print  from 
First  National.  Thank  you.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K. 
Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO:  Constance  Tal- 
madge — August  4.  Dandy  good  picture,  which  seemed 
to  please.  Had  a  storm  just  before  show  time,  but 
had  a  pretty  good  crowd  anyway.  Good  print.  Seven 
reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield, 
Mo. — General   patronage. 


Fox 


THE  NEWS  PARADE:  Sally  Phipps— 75%.  Not 
so  much. — Walter  C.  Schultz,  Walt's  theatre,  Kene- 
saw.  Neb. — General  patronage. 

DRESSED  TO  KILL:  Special  cast— 40%.  August 
1.  Good  crook  story  and  holds  attention,  yet  a  flop 
as  to  quarters  rolling  in.  The  stars  don't  draw 
here.  Most  all  scenes  supposed  to  be  at  night,  and 
film  dark. — E.  C.  Arehart,  Auditorium  theatre.  Lau- 
rel,  Neb. — General   patronage. 

CHAIN  LIGHTNING:  Buck  Jones— 65%.  August 
3-4.  Good.  Buck  usually  rings  the  bell  for  me,  and 
I  consider  him  one  of  my  best  Western  stars  because 
he  is  not  superhuman.  Can  figure  on  him  getting 
one  good  man  to  contest  him  in  his  fights,  not  ten 
or  twelve.  This  picture  has  a  veiy  good  story,  with 
enough  comedy  to  make  it  go  over.  Six  reels. — Ray 
W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — 
Small   town   patronage. 

ARIZONA  WILDCAT:  Tom  Mix— 90%.  August 
18.  A  good  Saturday  picture.  Pleased  the  Mix  fans. 
Five  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram',3  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — Small   town    patronage. 

ANKLES  PREFERRED:  Madge  Bellamy— Rather 
old,  but  worth  running.  Madge  Bellamy  dees  very 
good  acting,  and  my  i>eople  found  no  objections  to 
the  entertainment. — W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre, 
Huntsville,   Mo. — Small   town    patronage. 

THE  BRANDED  SOMBRERO:  Buck  Jones— Au- 
gust 11.  Fair.  Five  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas 
theatre.    Grand   Prairie,   Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 


Gotham 


HELL  SHIP  BRONSON:  Noah  Beery— They  have 
raved  about  Wallace  Beery,  and  now  it  is  time  to 
rave  about  Noah.  In  this  picture  he  does  a  big  part 
and  does  it  more  than  well.  "Hell  Ship  Bronson"  is 
a  picture,   and  if  you   are  casting  about  for   immedi- 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


LINCOLN,  KAN.,  August  15,  1928. 
DEAR  HERALD-WORLD: 

There,  what  did  we  tell  you  last  week?  We  knew  we'd  get  that  darned  hayfever,  and  now 
you  owe  us  that  bull  pup  and  you  can  send  him  by  express  prepaid. 

August  15  is  "Hayfever  Day"  here  in  the  Sunflower  state  and  it  is  more  important  than 
the  Fourth  of  July,  for  when  a  Jayhawker  wakes  up  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  and  finds 
that  he  has  the  hayfever  he  knows  that  everything  is  regular  and  the  state  is  running  on 
schedule  and  he  immediately  starts  celebrating  by  blowing  his  horn. 

Kansas  is  noted  for  four  things,  tall  corn,  the  home  of  the  next  vice  president,  hayfever 

and  Grasshopper  Sprague,  either  one  of  which  would  make  any  state  famous.    As  we  have 

been  driving  over  the  state  we  have  noticed  the  "Maud  MuUers"  out  raking  hay,  pulling 

the  weeds  out  of  the  turnip  patch,  digging  potatoes  for  the  threshers,  dinner  and  otherwise 

proving  that  this  is  no  state  for  flappers,  and  we  are  reminded  of  what  Doc  Bixby  said 

when  he  wrote  this  poem: 

*     *     * 

Maud  Muller,  on  a  summer's  morn 
Jerked  the  suckers  from  the  corn. 
And  walloped  the  striped  bugs  that  flew 
From  the  melon  vines  in  the  morning  dew. 
While  her  father,  an  honest  and  kind  old  jay. 
Was  out  in  the  meadow  raking  hay, 
And  trying  to  lift   with  his    brawny  arm 
The  Mortgage  that  covered  the  dear  old  farm. 

Doc  wrote  some  more  verses  about  the  kind-hearted  old  judge  that  fell  for  Maud  which 
have  slipped  our  mind  for  the  time  being,  but  if  we  had  been  writing  that  poem  we  would 
have  finished  it  up  something  like  this  (and  of  course  spoiled  it): 
Now  Maud,  dearest  Maud,  we  dislike  to  see  you 
Get  your  tootsies  all  wet  in   this  cool  morning  dew. 
And  you  go  tell  your  Daddie  that  it's  likely  he  may 
Catch  a  dose  of  hayfever  from  raking  the  hay. 
Before  you  get  the  ha>'fever  everything  seems  rosy.     The  sky  is  blue,  the  bees  are  hum- 
ming in  the  clover,  the  air  is  scented  with  the  perfume  of  ragweed  and  dogfennel  and  you 
feel  like  you  want  to  kiss  the  hired   girl   every  morning  before  breakfast,   but  after  that 
malady  grabs  you  your  wife  need  have  no  worries  about  you  while  you  are  away  from  home, 
for  you  are  as  safe  as  a  grass  widow  in  Hollywood.  We  know  what  we  are  talking  about  for — 
We've  got  the  hayfever  b'gosh 
And  it  makes  our  head  feel  like  a  squash, 
Our  eyes  are  all  red,  we're  run  down  at  the  heel. 
Our  digestion  is  shot,  we  can't  eat  a  square  meal, 
But  it's  nobody's  business  how  damnedornery  we  feel 
For  ive've  got  the  hayfever  b'gosh. 
Well  that's  that,  and  that's  all  there  is  to  it,  and,  as  that  red-headed  girl  in  Chicago  said 
to  Eagle  Eye  Joe  when  he  kissed  her  that  time,  "That's  aplenty  of  it  such  as  it  is." 

Ray  Musselman  who  operates  the  theatre  here  in  Lincoln  says  he  is  ashamed  of  himself 
for  not  attending  that  convention  at  Alexandria,  Minnesota,  last  June.  He  and  his  wife  took 
a  vacation  but  went  to  Arkansas  instead  of  Minnesota  and  he  has  been  kicking  about  it 
ever  since.  He  says  he  wiU  be  there  next  year  and,  since  Sam  Blair  of  Belleville  will  be 
busy  building  his  new  theatre  and  will  be  unable  to  attend,  we  will  suggest  to  Andy  Ander- 
son that  he  put  Ray  on  the  list  as  committeeman  from  Kansas  instead  of  Blair. 

SMITH  CENTER,  August  17. 

Smith  Center  is  the  county  seat  of  Smith  county  and  is  located  in  the  exact  geographical 
center  of  the  United  States.  Smith  county  was  discovered  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Smith, 
but  we  didn't  learn  whether  it  was  Al  or  Bill,  but  it  must  have  been  Bill  for  Smith  Center 
always  goes  Republican.  Fatty  Arbuckle  was  born  here  but  that  wasn't  Fatty's  fault,  he 
didn't  have  much  to  say  about  it,  and  Smith  Center  takes  to  herself  some  litde  credit  on 
that  account  although  there  were  but  few  of  the  citizens  that  had  anything  to  do  with  it. 

Kansas  is  the  mother  of  several  noted  celebrities,  to  wit:  Fatty  Arbuckle,  Clara  Windsor, 
Phylis  Haver,  Buddie  Rogers,  Ben  Turpin,  Sockless  Jerry  Simpson  and  Carrie  Nation,  and 
still  Kansas  holds  her  position  as  one  of  the  foremost  states  of  the  union,  although  Nebraska 
on  one  side  and  Oklahoma  on  the  other  have  helped  her  over  many  a  mudhole,  influence 
is  a  great  help.  Wherever  one  goes  he  sees  this  sign  "Ladies  rest  room."  Must  be  the 
women  do  all  the  work  out  here. 

We  had  dinner  today  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  V.  Pennington  who  operate  the  People's 
theatre  and  it  was  one  of  those  typical  Kansas  dinners,  just  like  we  used  to  get  when  we 
went  over  to  grandma's  for  Thanksgiving  dinner  and  she  had  roast  turkey,  pumpkin  pie, 
doughnuts,  fresh  cider,  apple  dumplings,  custard  and  ice  cream  and  we  hated  to  go  home 
before  supper.    That's  the  way  they  feed  you  out  here  in  Kansas  and  that's  the  reason  why 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


ate  relief  from  rotten  pictures,  book  in  "Hell  Ship 
BronBon."  Seven  reels. — ^W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy  thea- 
tre, Wincheeter,  Ind. — General   patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

DETECTIVES:     Dane-Arthur— 48%.     August   12-13. 

Compare  the  percentage  with  what  we  got  on  "The 
Crowd."  Theee  boys  draw  for  us  second  only  to  Lon 
Chaney.  Probably  because  we've  been  lucky  in  hav- 
ing only  their  best  efforta.  Thie  one  went  across 
good,  and  our  crowd  was  hugely  entertained.  Some- 
thing different — comedy  with  a  mystery  angle.  While 
some   of   the   scenee   were   a   little  too   dark   for   our 


projection,  the  general  iilm  condition  was  excellent 
as  usual  with  Metro.  Seven  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe, 
Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  towTi  patron- 
age. 

MADAMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERE :  Special 
ca6t-^0%.  August  27-28.  First  of  all,  this  did  draw, 
and  those  who  saw  it  the  first  night  helped  keep  the 
regular  Saturday  crowd  away. — ^J.  A.  D.  Engesather, 
Movies  theatre.   Brocket,   N.   D. — Rural   patronage. 

THE  COSSACKS:  Gilbert-Adoree— 40%.  August 
15-lG.  It  was  much  too  long,  and  patrons  were 
tired  of  it  before  the  story  got  started  ;  excess  foot- 
ing detracted  from  the  interest.  There  were  three 
real    stars    and   their   work   was    fine,    and   those   who 


stayed  until  the  finish  were  rewarded,  because  the 
last  few  reels  were  very  good  and  pleased  the  fol- 
lowing of  this  star.  Will  probably  get  a  report  from 
J.  C.  on  this,  as  he  was  among  those  present.  Ten 
reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln, 
Kan. — Small   town   patronage. 

TELLING  THE  WORLD:  William  Haine&— 50%. 
August  9.  This  is  an  extra  good  entertainment.  Star 
great  and  story  good. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,    Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

THE  CROWD:  Special  cast— 26%.  August  5-6. 
Look  at  that  percentage !  Wouldn't  it  make  you 
rave  ?  Good  weather,  no  competition,  extra  advertis- 
ing, and  still  they  would  not  come.  Positively  no 
drawing  power  for  this  small  town.  Very  good  show 
aside  from  a  couple  of  minor  inconsistencies  and 
apparently  liked  by  those  that  saw  it.  Barely  made 
the  distributor's  end  on  this,  and  overhead  found  an 
empty  till.  We're  about  done  with  these  confounded 
alleged  specials.  Too  good  for  our  crowd.  Nine 
reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada, 
O. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CROWD:  Boardman-Murray— Pleased  gen- 
erally.— W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BIG  CITY:  Lon  Chaney— 60%.  August  17- 
18.  A  very  good  crook  story,  but  it  did  not  do  the 
business  nor  get  the  comments  that  "London  After 
Midnight"  received. — J.  A.  D.  Engesather,  Movies 
theatre.  Brocket,  N.  D. — Rural  patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane-Arthur— 65%.  August 
10-11.  This  picture  is  not  in  the  class  of  "Baby 
Mine"  or  "Rookies,"  and  while  it  does  contain  a 
few  laughs  it  will  not  please  generally.  Six  reels. — 
Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

CIRCUS  ROOKIES:  Dane-Arthur- 25%.  August 
7.  A  good  comedy  circus  picture.  If  you  like  them, 
this  will  satisfy. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,   Mich. — General  patronage. 

WYOMING:  Tim  McCoy-U5%.  August  7.  The 
kids  ate  this  up,  but  the  rest  of  the  crowd  had  very 
little  to  say  for  it. — J.  A.  D.  Engesather,  Movies 
theatre.   Brocket,   N.    D. — R'ural   patronage. 

THE  SMART  SET:  William  Haines— A  dandy 
program  picture.  Good  anywhere.  More  like  Mr. 
Haines  and  company. — G.  Carey,  Strand  theatre,  Paris, 
Ark. — General  patronage. 

BABY  MINE:  Dane-Arther — Some  of  the  crowd 
seemed  to  think  it  was  pretty  good,  but  to  me  it 
seemed  too  silly.  I  hope  the  next  one  will  be  better. 
Six  reels. — J.  B.  Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning. 
Mo. — Small  town'  patronage. 

THE  ACTRESS:  Norma  Shearer— August  14-15. 
This  is  an  A-1  picture  for  the  class  of  people  who 
care  for  that  sort  of  stuff.  However,  it  is  custom 
peiriod  stuff  and  as  such  has  a  tendency  to  keep 
people  away  from  the  box  office.  Why  do  they  have 
to  resurrect  some  old  stage  play  filled  with  custom 
bunk?  The  few  you  can  get  in  to  see  it  will  say 
it  is  a  very  good  picture.  I  try  to  give  my  people 
entertainment,  and  this  is  not  entertainment ;  and 
you  can  paste  that  in'  your  hat.  Eight  reels.— Wm. 
E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MAN,  WOMAN  AND  SIN:  John  Gilbert— August 
17.  Not  the  type  of  feature  for  small  to'wns.  Some 
good  acting,  some  praise,  but  failed,  we  feel,  to 
please  the  majority.  Would  not  class  this  as  a  fam- 
ily picture.  Six  reels. — W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre, 
Huntsville,   Mo. — Small   to-wn  patronage. 

LOVELORN:  Special  cast — ^A  good  regular  pro- 
gram picture.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

BUTTONS:  Jackie  Coogan — Jackie  Coogan  is  a 
safe  bet.  Many  may  not  praise  highly,  but  few,  if 
any,  will  criticise.  This  feature  was  good  and  will 
please  all  the  little  folks  much  and  will  pass  with 
older. — W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BUTTONS:  Jackie  Coogan— August  11.  Good 
program  picture,  which  drew  a  good  crowd.  Good 
print  and  photography.  Seven  reels. — ^Robert  K.  Yan- 
cey, Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — General  patron- 
age. 

LONDON  AFTER  MIDNIGHT:  Lon  Chaney— 
Fine  mystery  drama.  Lon'  Chaney  in  somewhat  dif- 
ferent role.  Better  than  usual  program  featiu'e. — 
W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. — Small 
town  patronage. 

QUALITY  STREET:  Marion  Davies— Sold  to  me 
as  a  special.  No.  Use  it  as  a  program  only. — G. 
Carey,  Strand  theatre,  Paris,  Ark. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  GARDEN  OF  ALLAH:  Alice  Terry- Shown 
two  nights,  but  they  all  came  first  night.  This  kind 
no  good  in  small  Southern'  towns. — G.  Carey,  Strand 
theatre,   Paris,  Ark. — General  patronage. 


ri  fe 


r 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Paramount 


SPEEDY:  Harold  Lloyd— 75%.  August  18.  The 
greatest  comedy  we  have  ever  played.  Failed  to 
draw  as  it  should,  and  we  did  not  make  any  money. 
If  you  can  buy  it  right,  play  it.  It  will  please  all 
clasees.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  thea- 
tre, Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town   patronage. 

SOMETHING  ALWAYS  HAPPENS:  Esther  Ral- 
ston— 25%.  August  10.  A  fine  mystery  story.  A 
satisfactory  program  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  BIG  KILLING:  Wallace  Beery— 90%.  Our 
patrons  just  love  Wallace  Beery.  As  long  as  Beery 
stays  in  the  kind  of  pictures  that  he  has  made  this 
season  he  is  getting  along  okay. — Walter  C.  Schultz, 
Walt's  theatre,   Kenesaw,   Neb. — General  patronage. 

OPEN  RANGE:  Chandler-Broneon- 50%.  August 
18.  Dandy  Western.  It  has  a  little  of  everything, 
Indians,  cattle  rustling,  rodeo,  cattle  stampede,  fights, 
comedy  and,  above  all,  clear  photography,  as  do 
most  of  Pararaountfi.  Film  good.  However,  when 
it  is  all  said  and  done  it's  a  Western,  and  they  get 
too  much  money  for  them.  Six  reels. — -E.  C.  Arehart, 
Auditorium  theatre.  Laurel,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

OPEN  RANGE:  Special  cast — A  good,  snappy 
Western  that  went  over  in  good  shape  to  a  good 
Saturday  crowd.  In  fact,  the  only  good  house  for 
some  time,  as  the  hot  weather  has  killed  business. 
This  Western  has  plenty  of  thrills  and  about  the 
right  amount  of  comedy.  EveiT  Western  picture 
should  have  enough  comedy  to  brighten  it  up  and 
keep  the  audience  in  good  humor.  Six  reels. — J.  B. 
Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  FIFTY-FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— 75%. 
Sure  is  a  dandy  picture.  This  star  always  goes 
good  here. — Walter  C.  Schultz,  Walt's  theatre,  Kene- 
saw, Neb. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIFTY-FIFTY  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— This 
seemed  to  satisfy.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros., 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  OUTLAW:  Special  cast— 55%.  Au- 
gust 10-11.  The  title  drew  a  fair  crowd,  and  they 
seemed  to  enjoy  it. — J.  A.  D.  Engesather,  Movies 
theatre.   Brocket,  N.   D. — Rural   patronage. 

THE  DRAG  NET:  George  Bancroft— August  6-7. 
One  of  the  very  best. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre. 
Grand  Prairie,   Tex. — Small  town   patronage. 

WARMING  UP:  Richard  Dix— August  15-16.  First 
of  new  Paramount  contract,  and  if  they  would  all 
be  as  good  we  could  retire  after  a  year.  Baseball 
theme,  but  good  all  through.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T. 
theatre,    Parker,    S.    D. — Small    town    patronage. 

HONEYMOON  HATE:  Florence  Vidor— August  14. 
Very  good  and  interesting,  but  didn't  draw.  Didn't 
even  make  expenses.  Can't  get  them  out  on  Tuesday 
except  on  a  Western  or  special.  Good  print.  Six 
reels. — -Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Mansfield, 
Mo. — General  patronage. 

NOW  WE'RE  IN  THE  AIR:  Berry-Hatton— A  fair 
comedy,  but  no  business  on  account  of  hot  weather. 
Paramount  should  get  the  prices  down  on  the  Berry- 
Hatton,  as  they  are  no  better  than  the  average  run 
of  good  program  pictures.  Six  reels. — J.  B.  Carter, 
Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  SUNSET  LEGION:  Fred  Thomson— A  real 
good  Western  off  the  beaten  path.  One  of  the  best 
ones  that  Fred  and  Silver  ever  made.  Seven  reels. — 
J.  B.  Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. — Small 
town  patronage. 

GENTLEMEN  PREFER  BLONDES;  Ruth  Taylor 
— ^August  6-7.  Just  an  ordinary  program  picture. 
No  special  at  all.  Just  drew  the  young  r>eople,  and 
not  so  many  of  them.  Paid  such  a  big  price  I  had 
to  raise  admission.  Good  print.  Seven  reels. — Rob- 
ert K.  Yancey,  Bonliy  theatre,  Mansfield,  Mo. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

THE  PIONEER  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— July  31. 
Good  Western  and  drew  a  good  crowd.  Don't  see 
anjrthing  the  matter  with  Silver  King,  as  some  ex- 
hibitors say.  Seems  to  me  he  did  plenty  of  wonderful 
tricks.  Seven  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  thea- 
tre,  Mansfield,    Mo. — General   patronage. 

HULA;  Clara  Bow— July  23-24.  A  good  picture, 
but  wasn't  worth  what  we  paid  for  it  and  it  didn't 
draw  for  us.  Colleen  Moore  is  the  best  drawing 
card  we  have  and  her  pictures  don't  cost  so  much. 
Six  reels. — Robert  K.  Yancey,  Bonny  theatre,  Manfi- 
field.  Mo.- — General  patronage. 

FORLORN   RIVER,   A    MAN    OF   THE   DESERT: 

Jack  Holt — ^Usual  Zane  Grey  stories,  with  Jack  Holt 
doing  his  part  well.  Will  please  all  who  like  this 
type  of  picture. — W.  O.  Doyle,  Capitol  theatre,  Hunts- 
ville.  Mo. — Small  town  patronage. 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

we  want  to  stay  here.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pennington  are  the  popular  people  of  the  town,  which 
is  evidenced  by  the  receipts  at  the  box  office.  We  were  invited  back  there  when  in  Kansas 
which  makes  them  very  popular  with  us. 

OBERLIN,  KAN.,  August  19. 

This  is  the  town  where  we  were  caught  in  a  hotel  fire  two  years  ago  which  occurred 
about  3  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  we  saw  more  kinds  of  pajamas  than  we  supposed  were  ever 
made.  Some  were  blue,  some  striped,  and  a  few  flesh  colored  ones.  We  are  carrying 
green  goggles  now  for  just  such  emergencies. 

Messrs.  Beardsley  &  Stephenson  operate  Oberlin's  two  theatres  and  they  are  just  like  all 
these  other  Kansas  theatre  men,  they  are  chock  full  of  optimism.  It  is  a  common  saying 
out  here,  "No,  business  is  not  the  best,  as  we  haven't  raised  a  crop  here  for  three  years  but 
we  are  going  to  have  a  good  crop  next  year  and  things  will  come  out  all  right."  When  we 
hear  these  Kansas  boys  talk  about  business  we  are  reminded  of  what  a  theatre  manager  told 
us  about  business  in  Akron,  Ohio,  last  fall.  Akron  has  a  population  of  225,000  and  one 
manager  told  us  business  had  fallen  off  something  terrible  because  one  of  the  rubber  com- 
panies had  laid  off  2,000  men.  Think  of  it,  business  closing  up  like  a  clam  when  2,000 
men  out  of  a  population  of  225,000  had  been  laid  off.  Out  here  if  a  theatre  man  sees  a 
rain  cloud  coming  up  from  the  Northwest  he  goes  and  signs  up  for  another  group  of  pic- 
tures. That's  one  of  a  thousand  reasons  why  we  like  Kansas.  They  can't  whip  these  Jay- 
hawkers  out  anyway  they  can  fix  it. 

We  have  been  asked  a  thousand  times  by  theatre  men — well,  maybe  not  a  thousand 
times,  but  998  times — what  effect  the  sound  pictures  would  have  on  the  small  theatres  and 
in  998  times  we  have  replied  that  we  didn't  know  a  thing  about  it,  that  it  was  anybody's 
guess  and  one  guess  was  as  good  as  another,  but  if  we  were  operating  a  small  town  theatre 
we'd  just  be  bullheaded  enough  to  go  ahead  showing  good  pictures  and  let  the  other  fellow 
experiment.  To  us,  from  the  standpoint  of  entertainment,  talking  pictures  are  like  trying 
to  improve  huckleberry  pic,  it  can't  be  done  except  by  more  pie.  If  they  will  put  a  couple 
of  good  stars  in  a  sensible  story  under  the  direction  of  a  director  of  ability  and  then  some- 
one will  brain  the  bat  who  tries  to  tune  in  on  a  jazz  selection,  we  will  go  home  thinking 
we  had  cheated  the  box  office  out  of  50  per  cent  of  what  was  due,  no  matter  what  the  price. 

If  they  can  synchronize  jazz  music  to  pictures  and  make  the  public  like  it,  then  we  can 
learn  to  eat  chop  suey  and  lobster  salad  and  call  it  good.  Our  belief  is  that  synchronization 
of  good  music  to  good  pictures  will  be  a  wonderful  advancement  in  entertainment,  but  we 
balk  at  tin-pan  dialogue.  Our  views  on  the  subject  aren't  worth  a  nickel  and  we  are  not 
charging  anything  for  them.     We  are  simply  trying  to  start  an  argument. 

Whenever  you  find  two  people  who  can  run  a  theatre  and  operate  a  railroad  at  the  same 
time  you  will  have  to  come  out  to  Kansas  to  find  them.  We  found  two  such  at  Almena, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  S.  Rabourn.  We  found  Mr.  Rabourn  at  the  Rock  Island  depot  and  when 
we  introduced  ourself  he  grabbed  up  the  telephone  and  called  his  wife  and  told  her  to 
come  down,  that  there  was  a  guy  he  wanted  her  to  meet.  She  came  down  and  we  met  her, 
and  we  are  glad  we  did,  and  we  noticed  that  she  could  report  trains  as  well  as  A.  S.  could. 
The  Rabourns  and  Charley  Curtis  are  two  more  reasons  why  Kansas  is  a  great  state,  and, 
as  we  said  before,  you  can't  beat  her  no  way  you  can  frame  it  up. 

We  noticed  a  squib  in  the  Kansas  City  Star  today  saying  that  one  of  the  movie  stars  in 
Hollywood  had  been  found  weeping,  and  on  being  asked  what  the  trouble  was,  replied  that 
she  had  to  divorce  her  husband.  When  asked  if  she  didn't  love  him  she  replied,  "Yes  I  do, 
but  my  business  manager  demands  it."  They  have  been  divorced  out  there  for  a  darnsight 
less  reason  than  that. 

It  looks  now  like  this  presidential  campaign  is  going  to  settle  down  to  a  fight  between  the 
wets  and  the  drys.  If  the  drys  should  win  it  will  make  it  mighty  tough  for  those  Southern 
mint  julep  colonels  around  the  capitol  building.  Of  course,  it  won't  affect  Chicago,  no 
matter  which  way  it  goes,  they  never  heard  of  the  Eighteenth  Amendment  down  there. 
Ask  Gallo,  he  knows. 

Why  don't  somebody  make  a  picture  along  the  lines  of  "Over  the  Hill"  and  "The  Old 
Nest?"  You  remember  what  those  pictures  did  at  the  box  offices  all  over  the  country. 
If  they  will  make  a  few  pictures  of  "Home  Life"  instead  of  "Bawdy  Life"  the  public  will 
have  more  respect  for  the  industry.  When  did  they  make  a  picture  like  "Womanhood"  or 
"Madame  X?"  Why  not  bring  "Josh  Whitcomb"  back  in  "The  Old  Homestead?"  Haven't 
we  anyone  who  could  play  "Rip  Van  Winkle?"  Doggone  if  we  wouldn't  like  to  see  "Uncle 
Josh  Spruceby"  in  the  "Old  SawmiU"  scene  again.  We  played  these  oldtimers  years  ago  on 
the  stage  and  had  'em  hanging  on  the  rafters,  and  they  would  do  it  again  in  pictures.  We'd 
walk  a  mile  to  see  Aunt  Samantha  running  a  spinning-wheel  and  the  slicker  trying  to  get 
Uncle  Josh  to  sign  a  mortgage  on  the  old  homestead.  A  little  love  stuff  between  the  neigh- 
bor's boy  and  Susy  wouldn't  be  bad,  and  a  picture  of  the  old  sow  and  her  litter  of  pigs 
would  add  a  touch  of  realism  that  would  be  refreshing.  Cut  out  this  big  town  flapper  stuff 
and  give  us  something  with  a  cornfield  flavor  and  business  will  pick  up.  Think  it  over, 
but  don't  think  too  hard,  it  might  go  to  your  heads. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 
The  HERALD-WORLD  man. 


Pathe-P  D  C 


J.  B.   Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,   Mo. — Small 
town  patronage. 


THE  WRECK  OF  THE  HESPERUS:  Special  cast 
— August  4.  Fine  storm  scenes.  The  old  gray  mare 
in  the  rescue  scene  got  a  laugh.  It  was  rather  far 
fetched. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre,  Eureka, 
Mont. — ^Small   town   patronage. 

GOLD  FROM  WEEPAH:  Bill  Cody— A  good,  en- 
tertaining little  Western.  I  have  found  these  Pathe 
Westerns  with  Bill  Cody,  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.,  and  Buddy 
Roosevelt  to  be  about  the  best  Westerns  on  the  mar- 
ket. They  have  plenty  of  action  and  comedy  to 
please   and   are   just  the  right   length.     Five  reels. — 


Tiffany 


LIGHTNING;  Special  cast — Not  much  to  complain 
of  in  this  picture  for  a  Western.  Seven  reels. — Gia- 
coma Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — Gen- 
eral  patronage. 

BROKEN  GATE:  Special  cast — Good.  Several 
said  so.  The  three  or  four  features  that  I  have  used 
from  Tiffany  have  proven  satisfactory. — W.  O.  Doyle, 
Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


United  Artists 


^/i 


RAMONA:  Dolores  Del  Rio — July  14-15.  Bought 
right,  it  is  a  money-maker  for  a  small  town.  It  will 
please  100  per  cent.  Feist  will  send  you  music  free, 
and  if  you  have  an  orchestra  that  can  play,  don't 
overlook  this  bet.  Nine  reels. — Abe  Shafer,  Jr., 
Shafer's  Airdome,   Edgerton,  Mo. — General   patronage. 


Universal 


FLYING  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— 50%.  August 
11.  A  fine  action  picture.  Played  Saturday  and 
gave  satisfaction. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — General    patronage. 

GOOD  MORNING,  JUDGE:  Reginald  Denny— 75%. 
August  12-13.  Good  Sunday  film.  Otis  Harlan  steals 
the  picture.  Six  reels. — George  Cohen,  Princess  thea- 
tre.  West   Union,    la. — Mixed   patronage. 

THE  SILENT  RIDER:  Hoot  Gibson— 44%.  August 
10-11.  Good  show  as  Gibsons  go.  Personally  thought 
it  very  good  and  most  of  our  older  patrons  like 
Hoot's  pictures,  but  it  seems  there  is  too  much  com- 
edy and  not  enough  blood-and-thunder  action  in  these 
to  suit  our  genuine-dyed-in-the-wool  Western  fans.  In 
other  words,  Gibsons  are  mighty  nice,  but  don't  quite 
hit  the  spot  as  Westerns.  Print  and  photography 
both  satisfactory  on  this  one.  Six  reels. — Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  CHINESE  PARROT:  Marion  Nixon— 47%. 
August  3-4.  We  had  this  one  set  in  in  place  of 
"Michael  Strogoff,"  but  don't  think  we  helped  matters 
any  by  doing  so.  A  very  mysterious  mystery  and, 
like  most  of  these  mysteries,  a  little  dark  for  us. 
Might  very  well  have  been  one  of  Universal's  serials 
compressed  into  seven  reels.  Not  a  bad  picture  if 
you  like  this  kind.  Good  work  by  Sojin.  Free  china 
to  the  ladies  boosted  our  percentage,  not  the  picture. 
Seven  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre, 
Nevada,   O. — Small  town  patronage. 

PAINTED  PONIES:  Hoot  Gibson— 70%.  August 
11.  A  very  good  Western  with  some  of  the  best 
rodeo  scenes  that  you  will  ever  get  in  pictures.  Boy, 
the  steers  in  this  were  wild  ;  also  the  broncs.  It  is 
real  Western  entertainment,  and  as  I  had  to  drive  50 
miles  to  get  it  on  account  of  the  flood  I  felt  repaid 
and  was  sure  glad  to  have  a  picture  and  save  a  dark 
house.  Six  reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  thea- 
tre,   Lincoln,    Kan. — Small   town   patronage. 

SILK  STOCKINGS:  Laura  LaPlante— 20%.  Au- 
gust 8-9.  Laura  had  better  return  to  stenography. 
The  few  customers  who  come  in  are  still  wondering 
who  told  her  she  could  act.  We  agree  with  'em. 
Six  reels. — George  Cohen,  Princess  theatre.  West 
Union,   la. — Mixed  patronage. 

HOW  TO  HANDLE  WOMEN:  Glenn  Tryon— Au- 
gust 10-11.  Clean  and  has  a  few  laughs,  but  Glenn 
Tryon  and  Marion  Nixon  should  have  better  material. 
Six  reels.— P.  G.  Estee.  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 
— Small  town   patronage. 

HOT  HEELS:  Glenn  Tryon— August  10.  Nice  lit- 
tle picture.  Six  reels. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas  theatre. 
Grand   Prairie,   Tex. — Small   town   patronage. 

ON  YOUR  TOES:  Reginald  Denny— August  11. 
Good  prize  fight  feature.  Denny  and  his  gang  of 
pugs  get  several  laughs  in  the  dance  scene.  Not  as 
much  comedy  as  Denny  usually  pulls. — Frank  Sabin, 
Majestic  theatre.  Eureka,  Mont. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

HOME,  JAMES:  Laura  LaPlante — August  12. 
Splendid    comedy    drama,    with    the    charming    Laura 


Soviet  and  German 

producing    combine 
has    joined    with 

Affiliated 

European  Producers 

Inc. 

729  Seventh  Avenue 

New  York   City 


at  her  best.  Charles  Delaney  good  in  support.  Seven 
reels.- P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. — 
Small   town   patronage. 

13  WASHINGTON  SQUARE:  Hersholt-Joyce^Au- 
gust  8-9.  If  anyone  ever  figures  out  the  reason  for 
making  this,  please  write  me. — J.  S.  Walker,  Texas 
theatre,    Grand   Prairie,   Tex. — Small   towTi   patronage. 


to  get  it  the  same  week.  It  would  be  a  good  iserial 
to  buy  and  will  please  serial  fans.  Ten  episodes. — 
Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. 
— Small    town    patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 


OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO:  Dolores  Costello— 50%. 
August  12-13.  This  is  a  good  big  picture.  Star  and 
cast  fine.  Story  good,  but  not  a  box  office  success 
for  me.  Second  night  terrible  flop. — Bert  Silver,  Sil- 
ver Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

A  RACE  FOR  LIFE:  Rin-Tin-Tin— August  8. 
Rinty  gets  'em  in,  especially  the  kids.  Just  a  fair 
dog  picture. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eureka, 
Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 


State  Rights 


HAZARDOUS  VALLEY:  David  Torrence— Con- 
sider this  a  meritorious  production  of  the  logging 
camp  type.  Pleased  a  nice  crowd.  Six  reels. — W.  O. 
Doyle.  Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  ROAD  TO  RUIN:  Special  cast— August  2. 
Public  did  not  take  kindly  to  it.  Roadshows  seem 
to  hurt  business  for  days  after.  Consider  "Road  to 
Ruin"  an  educational  picture. — S.  R.  Cook,  Althea 
theatre,    Dunseith,    N.    D. — ^General    patronage. 

THE  ROAD  TO  RUIN:  Special  cast^JuIy  25-26- 
27.  A  washout.  Pulled  them  in  for  miles.  Stood 
them  up  three  days  in'  a  town  of  537.  Consider  it 
a  dangerous  picture  to  play  unless  it  is  advertised 
right.  Nothing  really  objectionable  in  the  picture. 
It's  a  box  office  attraction,  but  have  a  comedy  with 
it.  Six  reels. — Abe  Shafer,  Jr.,  Shafer's  Airdome, 
Edgerton,    Mo. — General   patronage. 

WOMEN  MEN  LOVE:  Alice  Lake— This  feature 
will  compare  very  favorably  with  the  regular  run 
of  program  features.  Alice  Lake's  work  good.  I 
believe  it  will  please  most  picture  show  fans. — W.  O. 
Doyle,  Capitol  theatre,  Huntsville,  Mo. — Small  town 
patronage. 


Serials 


BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Universal):  Hay- 
den  Stevenson — No.  2.  Interest  is  still  sustained, 
but  it  won't  be  long  until  it's  dead  if  we  get  another 
print  like  this.  Quite  dilapidated.  Believe  us,  small 
towners  don't  like  a  black  screen  any  more  than  city 
slickers.  Don't  let  it  happen  any  more,  Universal, 
or  we'll  love  you  not !  Twelve  chapters. — Tivenan  & 
Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town 
patronage. 

BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Universal)  :  Hay- 
den  Stevenson — No.  3.  Well,  this  time  we  drew  a 
print  in  decent  condition,  the  chapter  was  pretty 
good,  and  a  good  crowd  was  on  hand,  so  everything 
is  lovely  yet.  Thanks,  Universal,  for  your  attention. 
Twelve  chapters. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  thea- 
tre,  Nevada,   O. — Small   town   patronage. 

HEROES  OF  THE  WILD  (Universal)  :  Jack  Ho.xie 
— Just  about  like  the  average  run  of  serials.  In 
my  estimation,  there  hasn't  been  a  real,  good  serial 
(that  is  a  money-maker)  on  the  market  since  "The 
Green  Archer."  The  plots  are  too  much  alike  and 
too  impossible.  The  hei'o  and  heroine  don't  more  than 
get  out  of  one  thing  until  they  get  into  something 
else.  Of  course,  that's  to  be  expected  to  some  extent, 
but  why  can't  they  be  a  little  "smoother"  with  it. 
Keep  the  audience  guessing.  You  can't  pull  the  same 
gags  all  of  the  time  and  get  by  with  it.  Ten  chap- 
ters.— J.  B.  Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. — 
Small   town   patronage. 

THE  MAN  WITHOUT  A  FACE  (Pathe)  :  Walter 
Miller — This  serial  was  similar  to  the  "Green  Archer" 
as  to  story,  but  it  was  a  business  getter  for  me,  and 
they  stayed  with  it  until  the  end.  Nearly  missed 
out  on   last  episode  because  of  the  flood,  but  managed 


^o  Losses  in  ihe  Box  Office 

ICKET  REGISTEI^ 


Automatic  Ticket 
Register    Corp. 

723  Seventh  Ave.New  York 

TuCRETS^r  Every  Purpose^  tOWtST  Market  Prices 


^airmii 


Short  Features 


EDUCATIONAL 
FANDANGO :       Lupino     Lane — These    comedies    of 
this  comedian  are  in  a  class  by  themselves.     All  extra 
good.     Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,   Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

FOX 
CAPTAIN  KID'S  KITTENS:  This  is  one  of  the 
best  comedies  that  I  ever  ran.  It's  on  the  order  of 
the  Gang  comedies  and  went  over  fine.  It's  different 
and  will  please  any  audience.  Two  reel  comedy  (ani- 
mal).— J.  B.  Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. 
— ^Small  town   patronage. 

DAISY  WON'T  TELL:  Just  a  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— ^General   patronage. 

TWENTY  LEGS  UNDER  THE  SEA;  It  is  just 
another  comedy  and  has  a  few  laughs.  Lots  of 
pretty  girls  and  lower  extremities  exposed  to  view. 
Two  reels. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre, 
Lincoln,    Kan. — Small    town   patronage. 

METRO-GOLD  WYN-MAYER 
THE  FINISHING  TOUCH:  Hooray!  Cheers  and 
thanksgiving !  An  A-No.  1  comedy  by  gum.  Lots  of 
good,  clean  fun  for  our  lovely  patrons.  Give  us  more 
like  this.  Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland 
theatre,   Nevada,   O. — Small  town  patronage. 

HEEBIE  JEEBIES:  Our  Gang— This  one  clicked 
with  both  the  old  and  young.  They  laughed  plenty. 
Our  Gang  comedies  all  seem  to  be  natural.  Two 
reels. — J.  B.  Carter,  Electric  theatre.  Browning,  Mo. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

RAINY  DAYS:  Our  Gang— Zowie!  She  registered! 
Another  good  one  from  the  Gang.  Keep  it  up.  Kids. 
Two  reels. — Tivenan  &  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre, 
Nevada,   O. — Small  town  patronage. 

TOKENS  OF  MANHOOD:  Oddities— "Tokens  of 
Manhood"  was  just  another  1,000  feet  of  colored 
anatomy.  We  played  some  at  the  beginning  of  our 
contract  that  was  very  good,  but  have  had  a  bunch 
now  lately  that  are  just  n.  g. — J.  A.  D.  Engesather, 
Movies    theatre.    Brocket,    N.    D. — ^Rural    patronage. 

WHAT  EVERY  ICEMAN  KNOWS:  Max  David- 
son— A  good  comedy,  as  are  most  of  Metros.  Two 
reels. — E.  C.  Arehart,  Auditorium  theatre.  Laurel, 
Neb. — General   patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 
NIFTY  NAGS:     A  good  comedy.     Two  reels.— Bert 
Silver,   Silver   Family  theatre,   Greenville,   Mich. — Gen- 
eral   patronage. 

PATHE 
BROKE  IN  CHINA:  Ben  Turpin— The  worst  com- 
edy ever  made.  Not  a  grin  in  two  reels.  Even  the 
kids  walked  out,  and  that's  a  calamity  when  a  com- 
edy is  running.  If  you  have  this  old  wreck  booked, 
pay  for  it  and  rebook.  Two  reels. — E.  C.  Arehart, 
Auditorium  theatre.   Laurel,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

CRAZY  TO  ACT:  Not  so  good.  Just  another 
filler.  Two  reels. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre. 
Eureka,   Mont. — Small   town   patronage. 

LOVE  IN  A  POLICE  STATION:  A  very  funny 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  thea- 
tre,   Greenville,    Mich. — General   patronage. 

SHOULD  A  MASON  TELL:  Just  fair.  Not 
enough  slapstick  for  this  town.  Might  be  comedy, 
but  sure  is  deep  stufE.  Two  reels. — Ray  W.  Mussel- 
man, Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SMITH'S  VISITOR:  The  Smith  comedies  are  good 
bets.  Two  reels. — Frank  Sabin,  Majestic  theatre.  Eu- 
reka,  Mont. — Small   town   patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

A  BIG  BLUFF:  Fair  comedy.  Two  reels.— Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — Gen- 
eral   patronage. 

CASE  OF  SCOTCH:  The  Gumps— Good  Gump  com- 
edy. Better  than  most  of  them.  Two  reels. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O. — Small  town' 
patronage. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWS:  About  as  good  as  any 
and  a  lot  better  than  some.  It  has  a  following 
here,  and  as  I  get  a  real  spot  on  it  believe  I  will 
stay  with  it. — Ray  W.  Musselman,  Princess  theatre, 
Lincoln,    Kan. — Small   town    patronage. 

OH,  TEACHER:  Oswald  the  Rabbit— Wonder  how 
they  title  these?  Or  why?  Couldn't  see  the  con- 
nection. Okay,  but  too  short.  Half  reel. — Tivenan 
&  Wolfe,  Screenland  theatre,  Nevada,  O.^ — Small  town 
patronage. 


^        -«>' 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


65 


Y^ 


NEW    PICTURES 


In  "New  Pictures"  the  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE 
WORLD  presents  in  concise  form  infor- 
mation on  current  and  forthcoming  attrac- 
tions. 

The  facts  as  presented  will  serve  exhib- 
itors in  booking  and  in  the  preparation  of 
their  advertising  campaign. 

ANYBODY  HERE  SEEN  KELLY?:  Universal  comedy 
with  Tom  Moore,  Bessie  Love,  Tom  O'Brien,  Kate 
Price     and     Alfred     Allen.       Directed     by     William 

Wyler.     Released  Length  

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Pat  Kelly  (Tom  Moore) 
has  a  great  line  for  the  girls  overseas  during  the 
war  and  invites  all  and  sundry  to  come  over  to 
America  and  marry  him.  Jeanette  (Miss  Dove) 
does,  and  arrives  in  New  York  as  ste^ixirdess  on  a 
ship.  She  is  denied  shore  leave  and  tries  to  escape. 
But  she's  seen  by  Buck  Johnson  (O'Brien),  who 
was  Pat's  rival  in  France.  Buck  is  an  immigration 
officer.  She  escapes  and  finally  finds  Pat  is  a 
traffic  cop.  She  goes  to  his  apartment^  where  Buck 
discovers  her  and  tries  to  arrest  her.  Pat  beats 
him  in  a  fight  but  is  arrested.  He  by  now  has 
found  that  he  really  loves  her  while  Jeanette  be- 
lieves him  a  trifier  and  returns  to  the  ship.  Buck 
sees  that  and  tells  Sergt.  Malloy,  who  had  placed 
Pat  in  jail.  Malloy  lets  Pat  go  free  and  he  reaches 
Jeanette  just  in  time. 

*  *     * 

GIRI^SHY  COWBOY,  THE:  Fox  Western  with  Rex 
Bell,  Patsy  O'Leary,  George  Meeker,  Donald  Stuart, 
Margaret  Coburn,  Betty  Caldwell,  Joan  Lyons, 
Ottola  Nesmith.  Directed  by  R.  Lee  Hough.  Re- 
leased       Length  

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Joe  (Bell)  and  Harry 
(Meeker),  pals,  fall  apart  when  a  bevy  of  girls, 
including  Patsy  O'Leary,  enciages  them  as  guides, 
and  Harry  becomes  jealous  of  Bell.  Joe  saves  Patsy 
from  death  twice.  Joe  sees  Harry  talking  with 
Pete,  a  mysterious  stranger.  Pete  later  orders  Pete 
to  loot  the  camp.  Anticipating  a  doublecross  the 
gang  ties  up  the  school  teacher  and  one  of  the 
girls.  Joe  rushes  in,  and  the  gang  beats  up  both, 
Joe  and  Harry,  and  rides  off  with  the  loot.  The 
tivo  set  off  in  pursuit.  Harry  is  wounded  but  Joe 
bulldogs  Pete  and  forces  him  to  confess.  It  de- 
velops that  Harry  at  one  time  joined  the  gang  but 
did  nothing  serious.  Pete  had  only  that  much  on 
him,.  The  loot  is  recovered,  and  Harry  sends  Joe 
to  Patsy. 

*  *     * 

HOME,  JAMES:  Universal  comedy  with  Laura  La- 
Plante,  Charles  Delaney,  Aileen  Manning,  Joan 
Standing,  George  Pearce,  Arthur  Hoyt  and  Sidney 
Bracy.      Directed    by    William    Beaudine.      Released 

Length  

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Laura  Elliott  (Laura 
LaPlante)  can't  put  over  her  a>-tistry  in  New  York 
so  becomes  a  salesgirl.  She  meets  James  Lacey, 
Jr.  (Delaney)  in  a  storm,  mistaking  him  for  a 
chauffeur.  Jim  goes  to  ivork  in  the  store  while  his 
father  is  out  of  toiun.  Laura's  stepmother  and 
stepsister  come  to  town  and  Laura  tries  in  vain 
to  dodge  them.  They  see  Jim  starting  to  take  her 
home  and  get  into  the  auto  with  her,  thinking 
the    car   is   hers.     Jim   drives    them    to   his   father's 


A  scene  from  Richard  Barthelmess'  latest 
First  National  vehicle,  "Out  of  the  Ruins," 
an  unusual  tale  of  a  French  soldier  who 
is  court-martialed  and  shot  but  who  lives, 
though  "officially  dead,"  to  rejoin  his 
sweetheart.  Barthelmess  is  shown  above 
with  his  feminine  lead,  Marian  Nixon. 
John  Francis  Dillon  directed. 


hcrme,  where  she  pretends  to  be  owner  in  order  to 
impress  the  relatives.  Jim's  father  arrives  in  the 
midst  of  a  party  Jim  is  giving  and  is  arrested  for 
snooping  about  the  place.  He  has  Laura's  rela- 
tives arrested  the  next  day  but  when  he  finds  that 
Laura  has  inspired  Jim  to  go  to  work  he  has  them 
released  and  supervises  plans  for  the  wedding. 
*  *  * 
MICHIGAN  KID,  THE:  Universal  comedy-drama, 
with  Conrad  Nagel,  Renee  Adoree.  Lloyd  Whitlock, 
Fred  Eemelton,  Adolph  Milar,  Maurice  Murphy, 
Virginia   Grey   and   Dick   Palm.      Directed  by   Irwin 

Willat.      Released   Length    _ 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Story  of  the  gold  rush  in 
Alaska  from  the  Rex  Beach  novel.  Jimmy  Rowan 
(Nagel),  gambler  known  as  The  Michigan  Kid,  still 
loves  his  childhood  sweetheart.  Rose  Morris  (Renee 
Adoree).  Hcbyivard,  claiming  to  be  Rose's  fiamce, 
is  caught  cheating  by  Jimmy.  On  the  way  to  the 
mine  Jimmy  and  Rose  are  forced  to  seek  shelter 
in  a  storm.  There  Rose  discovers  his  identity  and 
her  love  is  revived.  In  a.  forest  fire  Hayward 
knocks  Jimmy  unconscious,  awakes  Rose  and  they 
prepare    to    escape     in    a    canoe.       Hayward    says 


Jimmy  has  escaped  but  when  she  returns  for  her 
coat  she  finds  Jimmy.  Hayward  attacks  Jimmy, 
who  wins  the  fight  and  throws  Hayivard  into  the 
canoe  and  the  three  start  away  together.  When 
the  canoe  goes  over  a  falls,  Jimmy  rescues  the 
two.  After  the  fire  has  passed,  Jimmy  and  Rose 
paddle  away  together,  leaving  Hayward  on  the 
bank. 

«      *     * 
MYSTERIOUS    LADY,    THE:       M-G-M    drama    with 
Greta  Garbo,  Conrad  Nagel,   Gustav  von   Seyflfertitz, 
Edward     Connelly,     Albert     Pollet,     Richard     Alex- 
ander.    Directed  by  Fred  Niblo.     Released  

Length 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Spies,  betrayals,  and  uni- 
forms. Greta  Garbo,  as  Tania,  a  Russian  spy,  is 
sent  to  get  certain  important  military  papers  from 
Nagel,  Austrian  officer.  He  finds  that  he  has  been 
betrayed  and  follows  her  into  Russia  to  exact  re- 
venge. When  he  is  about  to  be  put  to  death  as  a 
spy,  she  rescues  him  and  he  learns  that  her  love 
for   him    is    true. 

*     *     * 

LILAC  TIME:  First  National  comedy-drama  with 
Colleen  Moore,  Gary  Cooper,  Burr  Mcintosh,  George 
Cooper,  Cleve  Moore,  Kathryn  McGuire,  Eugenie 
Beseerer,  Emile  Chautard,  Jack  Stone,  Edward 
Dillon. 

TYPE  AND  THEME:  War  aviation  romance, 
which  starts  with  Captain  Philip  Blythe  (Gary 
Cooper)  giving  Jeannine  (Miss  Moore)  a  scolding 
ivhen,  arriving  to  join  the  Royal  Flying  Corps, 
he  smashes  his  plane  to  avoid  hitting  her.  Later, 
while  site's  hiding  in  the  cockpit  of  his  plane,  a 
mechanic  spins  the  propeller,  she  opens  the  throttle 
by  mistake  and  the  craft  smashes  into  some  trees. 
He  rescues  her  and  starts  to  tell  her  of  his  dawn- 
ing love  when  his  father  and  his  fiancee  arrive. 
The  order  for  an  offensive  comes  and  Philip  rushes 
to  Jeannine  to  tell  her  all.  She  says  she'll  wait  for 
him  in  the  lilac  garden,  but  she  is  compelled  to 
join  the  group  evacuating  the  village.  She  escapes 
and  gets  back  to  the  village  just  as  two  planes  in 
combat  fall  to  earth.  She  lifts  Philip's  head  but  an 
ambulance  picks  him  up  and  disappears.  At  last 
she  finds  him  in  hospital.  His  father  tells  her  he 
is  dead,  in  order  to  part  them,  but  she  sends  some 
lilacs  to  Philip  and  when  he  breathes  their  per- 
fume he   calls  her  back. 


PERFECT    CRIME,    THE: 

Clive    Brook,    Irene    Rich, 


F  B  O    melodrama,    with 
Gladys    MeConnell,    Ed- 


mund   Breese,    James    Farley,    Phil    Gastrock,    TuUy 
Marshall,    Jane    LaVerne.      Directed    by    Bert    Glen- 

non.      Released    Length    

TYPE  AND  THEME:  Benson  (Brook),  cynical 
man-hunter  but  leading  criminologist  of  the  world, 
retires  from  detective  work,  his  heart  broken  by 
Stella  (Irene  Rich),  his  sweetheart,  who  disap- 
proves of  his  merciless  existence.  He  plans  a 
perfect  murder,  slaying-  Frisbie,  a  worthless  tenant. 
The  police  are  baffled.  Stella  comes  back  into  his 
life,  but  in  the  midst  of  their  happiness  he  is  told 
that  Trevor,  a  young  married  man  and  former 
lodger  with  the  Frisbies,  is  accused  of  the  crime. 
His  wife  turns  to  Benson  for  help.  He  fears  the 
loss  of  Stella  and  refuses,  until  Stella  unwittingly 
gets  him  to  jpromise  to  ferret  out  the  slayer.  He 
sends  for  the  detectives,  and  with  Stella  present  he 
tells  all  and  marches  doivn  the  street  to  his  doom. 
But  the  scene  fades  out  and  shores  Benson  was  only 
dreaming  over   a  volume   on   crime. 


This  Week^s  Press  Sheet 


LILAC  TIME  (First  National  melodrama):  This  picture 
features  air  warfare,  hence  a  toy  airplane  contest  for  boys  could 
be  held,  the  object  being  to  see  what  boy  can  make  the  best 
one.  Display  the  best  planes  in  your  lobby  or  in  the  window 
of  some  store,  with  a  card  tying  up  the  contest  with  the  show- 
ing. 

Another  stunt  is  "Lilac  Time  Week."  Arrange  with  a  de- 
partment store  to  conduct  such  a  "week,"  offering  a  special 
sale  of  articles  of  lilac  odor  or  color.  The  store  could  have 
a  special  window  display  of  such  articles,  containing  also  a 
card  tying  up  the  sale  with  the  showing. 

A  tie-up  with  a  newspaper  could  put  an  essay  contest  behind 
the  exploitation.  The  picture  contains  a  spectacular  airplane 
fight.  Have  the  young  people  of  your  community  write  essays 
describing  it.  Or  they  might  write  essays  on  what  the  use  of 
airplanes  in  war  means  to  aviation  in  times  of  peace.     You 


might  make  us  of  the  sentimental  character  of  the  airplane 
scenes  and  have  your  young  people  write  of  them  in  verse. 

The  story  has  been  novelized,  hence  a  tie-up  could  be  ar- 
ranged with  a  bookstore  or  with  the  library,  cards  being 
prominently  displayed  in  the  store  window  or  in  the  library, 
announcing   the   showing. 

The  picture  has  a  theme  song  entitled,  "Jeannine,  I  Dream 
of  Lilac  Time."  A  tie-up  with  a  music  dealer  could  be  em- 
ployed. 

A  part  of  the  publicity  given  you  by  the  newspapers,  in 
conjunction  with  your  advertising,  could  be  a  series  of  pic- 
torial strips  composed  of  stills,  so  chosen  and  so  placed  in 
sequence,  that  each  group  gives  a  synopis  of  part  of  the  story. 

The    title,    "Lilac    Time,"    lends    itself    readily    to    a    teaser 

campaign.  An  example  is,  "Believe  it  or  not, (Date) 

is  'Lilac  Time.'  " 


1 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


September  1,  1928 


Y^ 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 


THE  Chicago  Federation  of  Musicians  has  submitted  its  demands  for  the 
ensuing  year  to  the  executive  board  of  the  Exhibitors  Association  of 
Chicago,  and  as  was  expected,  are  designed  to  cope  with  the  situation 
created  by  synchronization. 


Outstanding  in  that  respect  among  the 
^-^  demands,  are  those  that  insist  on  the  re- 
tention of  organists  in  houses  previously  hav- 
ing them  but  inaugurating  a  sound  picture 
policy,  and  increasing  the  minimum  number 
of  musicians  in  theatres  with  sound  pictures 
to  six,  though  "silent  theatres"  need  have 
only  four.  All  of  the  demands  are  presented 
in  the  general  news  section  of  this  issue. 

Only  "Class  6"  theatres  are  involved,  the 
contract  for  the  deluxe  houses  not  expiring 
until  September,  1929.  The  "Class  6"  con- 
tract expires  Saturday.  Theatres  in  which 
there  must  be  orchestras  of  a  minimum  of 
four  musicians  are  as  follows,  classified  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  weeks  in  which 
such   orchestras   must   be    employed : 

For  44  weeks — Norshore,  Marshall  Square, 
Piccadilly,  Peoples,  Stratford,  Palace  in 
Cicero,  Roseland-State,  Tiffin,  Manor,  Chelten, 
Lawndale,  Symphony,  Shore,  Pickwick  and 
Lincoln-Dixie  in  Chicago  Heights. 

For  40  weeks — Terminal,  Midwest,  Grove, 
Lido,  Broadwa}'  Strand,  Ritz,  Embassy,  Com- 
mercial, West  Englewood,  Ambassador,  Oak- 
land Square,  Alamo,  Thalia,  20th  Century, 
Crown,  Highland,  Biltmore,  Lane  Court, 
Drake,  Portage  Park,  Jeffrey,  Crystal,  Atlan- 
tic, Patio,  Central  Park  and  seven  L  &  T 
houses  to  be  named. 

For  35  weeks — Colony,  Jackson  Park,  Mil- 
ford,  Marquette  and  the  Commodore  (or 
Banner  or  DeLuxe). 

Many  of  these  theatres  have  already  an- 
nounced their  intention  of  presenting  sound 
pictures  as  soon  as  apparatus  can  be  installed, 
in  which  event  they  would  not  only  need  to 
have  also  orchestras,  according  to  the  de- 
mands, but  orchestras  of  six  men. 

The  executive  board,  headed  by  Jack  Miller, 
and  representatives  of  the  union,  headed  by 
James  C.  Petrillo,  are  to  meet  Wednesday  at 
the  Hotel  Sherman. 

H:       ^       ^ 

Oscar  Florine  was  host  to  eleven  prominent 
film  men  Wednesday,  at  the  Crystal  Lake 
Country  Club,  Florine's  home  course.  His 
guests  were  Neil  Agnew,  Clayt  Bond,  Grad 
Sears,  Floyd  Brock  ell.  Herb  Washburn,  Harry 
Graham,  Harry  Lorch,  Dave  Dubin,  Simon 
Simansky,  Jack  Miller  and  George  Miller. 
*    *    * 

Viola  Allen  is  the  winner  of  the  "American 
Beauty"  contest  finals  at  the  Oriental  theatre 
and  is  now  officially  (or  will  be  when  she's 
crowned)    "Miss    America,"    "Miss    Chicago," 


Nearby  Exhibitors  Get 
Show  Rights  at  Fairs 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
ALBANY,  Aug.  28.— Many  ot  the 
county  fairs  now  being  held  in  New 
York  State  and  which  are  open  eve- 
nings, are  featuring  outdoor  motion 
picture  shows  this  season  with  gen- 
erally satisfactory  results.  These 
outdoor  shows  are  being  staged  by 
exhibitors  from  nearby  places  who 
have  brought  the  necessary  conces- 
sion. 


"Venus"  or  what  have  you?  But  does  it 
matter?  For  she  is  to  be  featured  in  L  &  T 
theatres  for  a  while,  then  take  a  32-day  trip 
to  Europe  at  Publix  expense.  Sixty  girls 
competed,  26  of  them  winning  trips  to  Colo- 
rado and  others  getting  radio  sets  and  other 
knick-knacks. 

*  *    * 

William  Adler  has  left  the  publicity  depart- 
ment of  L  &  T  and  joined  that  of  Marks 
Brothers. 

*  *    * 

Frank  Schaefer,  who  has  been  confined  to 
his  home  by  illness,  is  reported  to  be  recover- 
ing. He  expects  to  be  back  at  his  desk  in 
two  weeks. 

Tom  North,  Midwest  representative  of  Van 
Beuren  Enterprises,  is  all  smiles.  Reason? 
"Dinner-Time,"  the  first  synchronized  Aesop's 
Fable,  is  a  great  big  hit.  This  Fable  is  the 
first  animated  cartoon  to  be  synchronized. 
North  is  making  the  high  spots  in  his  terri- 
tory, Detroit,  Milwaukee,  Minneapolis,  Kansas 
City,  St.  Louis,  Omaha,  Des  Moines,  with  a 
print  of  "Dinner  Time."  The  reel  is  the  first 
novelty  that  has  hit  the  screen  in  synchroniza- 
tion. Paul  Terry  has  done  it  again.  The 
RCA  Photophone  is  the  process  used.  All 
the  big  circuits  have  signed  for  this  Fable 
and  Harry  Lorch  is  running  North  a  tough 
race  for  the  big  wide  smiles. 

*  *    * 

Clyde  W.  Ecklmrdt  was  elected  head  of  the 
Film  Board  of  Trade,  for  the  coming  year. 
Neil  Agnew  was  chosen  vice-president;  Irving 
Mandel.  secretary;  and  Earl  Silverman,  treas- 
urer. Members  of  the  board  of  directors  are 
Eckhardt,  Harry  Lorch,  Mandel,  C.  Harthill, 
Agnew,  Felix  Mendelssohn  and  Silverman. 

The  Roach-M  G  M  "Our  Gang,"  including 
Pete,  the  pup  with  the  halo  around  his  eye, 
assisted  our  local  fire  eaters  in  raising  money 
for  their  benefit  fund  by  appearing  last  week, 
during  their  engagement  at  the  Chicago  thea- 
tre, at  a  firemen's  entertainment  on  the  Great 
West  Side. 

^      sK      H: 

_  The  newspapers  last  week  carried  a  few 
lines  saying  that  W.  F.  Engeloch,  proprietor 
of  a  theatre  at  Galena,  111.,  and  brother-in-law 
of  Miss  Louise  Weiser,  a  nurse  who  was 
killed  in  an  automobile  accident  more  than  a 
week  ago,  has  reported  the  theft  of  a  brief 
case  containing  Miss  Weiser's  will. 

*  *    * 

Without  further  explanation,  we  submit  the 
fact  that  Fox's  "Sunrise"  is  playing  this  week 
at  both  Marks  Brothers'  Granada  and  Marbo 
and  at  the  Sheridan,  which  is  booked  by 
B  &  K. 

An  1,150-seat  theatre  is  being  built  at  3508 
Halsted  Street  by  Jacob  Maskoliumas.  The 
building  will  also  contain  stores.  The  theatre 
is  to  be  called  the  Roxee.  (And  we  wonder 
where  Mr.  Maskoliumas  got  that!) 

*  *    * 

First  National  is  the  beneficiary  of  a  suc- 
cessful exploitation  stunt  -put  over  by  the  Eve- 
ning American  for  Colleen  Moore's  "Lilac 
Time"  Nothing  new  about  the  stunt — it  was 
an  essay  contest.   But  returns  were  large. 


"Give  the  Li'l  Girl  a 
Great  Big  Hand!" 

Texas  Guinan,  New  York's  most 
popular  clubwoman,  arrived  Tuesday 
in  Chicago  (which  has  a  few  pad- 
locked night  clubs  also),  on  her  way 
to  the  West  Coast,  Hollywood  and 
Synchronization.  Immediately  upon 
the  arrival  of  the  erstwhile  Texas 
cowgirl,  who  has  more  recently  gone 
in  for  breaking  the  bronchos  of 
Broadway,  the  Herald-World  tele- 
phone sounded  as  shrill  as  a  dry 
agent's  whistle.  Was  it  Tex  herself.^ 
It  was  not.  It  was  Dan  Roche  him- 
self. And  he  wanted  someone  to  go 
down  to  the  station  and  give  the  li'l 
girl  a  big  hand.  So  much  for  Texas 
in  Chicago,  which  is  only  an  incident 
in  this  great  woman's  young  life. 
Far  more  important.  Miss  Guinan 
is  on  her  way  to  make  an  epic  of  the 
night  clubs  for  Warner  Brothers — 
with  sound,  as  it  were,  and  plenty 
of  it.  And  radio  dispatches  from  Los 
Angeles  declare  that  the  Sim  capital 
is  prepared  to  contribute  more  large 
hands  to  the  li'l  girl  than  she  and  her 
cohorts  ever  got  on  Broadway. 

So  why  not  Chi?  So  altogether 
now — "Give  the  li'l  girl  a  big  hand!" 


Buying  Not  Affected 
By  Sound  in  Canada; 
Is  Slow  at  St.  Louis 

{Continued  from  page  33) 

Canadian  exhibitors  have,  in  no  way,  been 
affected  as  yet  by  the  introduction  of  sound 
film  but,  as'  the  sound  pictures  will  get  the 
greatest  publicity,  it  is  natural  to  anticipate 
that  these  same  pictures  will  be  in  the  biggest 
demand  in  silent  form  by  exhibitors  who  do 
not  have  sound  installations." 

Sales  Called  About  Normal 

H.  L.  Nathanson,  general  manager  of  sales 
for  Regal  Films,  Limited,  Toronto,  made  the 
following  statement : 

"Sound  films  have  had  very  little  effect  on 
the  sale  of  our  product  so  far  this  season  in 
Canada.  There  has,  of  course,  been  some  dis- 
cussion by  the  more  important  exhibitors  gen- 
erally on  sound  films  but,  because  of  the  high 
price  of  the  equipment,  very  few  of  them 
figure  that  it  would  be  profitable  for  them 
to  install  it  at  least  this  season.  The  probable 
exception  will  be  the  Famous  Players  Cana- 
dian Corporation  who  are  wiring  their  thea- 
tres in  some  of  the  more  important  key  points. 

"Sales  are  about  normal  as  compared  with 
last  year  during  the  same  period.  We  believe 
there  will  be  few,  if  any,  theatres  in  Canada, 
with  the  exception  of  the  more  important 
Famous  Players  Canadian  Theatres,  that  will 
install  sound  equipment  during  the  season 
1928-29." 


Censors  Pass  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— -"The  House  of 
Shame,"  the  second  Chesterfield  production, 
has  been  passed  by  the  National  Board  of 
Review  and  the  New  York  State  Board. 


May  McAvoy  Settles  Tax 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,    Aug.   28.— May   McAvoy, 
film  star,  has  settled  with  the  United  States 
Government  on  a  claim  of  $1,'554  due  on  her 
1923  income  tax. 


! 


Olga  Baklanova  to  Be  Wed 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Olga  Bakla- 
nova, Russian  screen  star,  is  to  wed  Nicho- 
las Soussanin,  Russian  stage  star. 


J 


Recognizing  the  fact  that  changes 
in  method  come  in  the  splendid 
advancement  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany continues  its  own  forward 
march  and  maintains  its  supremacy 
in  presenting  to  the  trade 

Rastman  Panchromatic 


emttve 


2 


Type 


— a  perfected^  proven  product 
for    the    cinematographer 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXiniuroRS  herald  and  moving  pictire  world 


#^-^1^55 


» 


v^« 


eV. 


FOX  MOVIETONEWS 


1 


eginning  Wednesday,  October 
3f  1928,  there  'will  be  tw^o  re- 
leases each  "week  instead  of  one 
as  heretofore. 

CL  Thirty  cre'ws  in  the  field  on 
that  date  makes  possible  this 
tremendous  for'ward  step. 

Ct  Thirty  more  in  the  field  by 
January  1st  "will  give  a  ^wealth 
Of  material  from  all  corners  of 
the  Dvorld. 


FOX 

MOVIETONEWS 

^'It  Speaks  for  Itself'* 
and  it  foUoivs  no  one. 


rikdk 


i^Ai^^Wk^^^^^^^^^kAnAaa^kArfkadk 


■  ■    ■    I    ■ 


-■—"—■—*-   »------"--     Tiji 


I 


EXHIBETOR 


tf^Ai 


■iiiAi 


■    I  Jli 


a  t  I  1  I  f  1 


*~i  ~«  i  ~ii  "a  i"  a  j^ 


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»     »     «> 


As  Originators  of  pre-selective 
remote  control  for  theatre  lighting 

We  know  exactly  the  requirements  of  stage  and  auditorium  lighting  control.  For 
ten  years  we  have  made  a  great  many  installations  that  have  taught  us  from  every 
practical  angle,  the  right  design  and  construction  down  to  the  last  screw.  No  other 
system  can  approach  the  ®   Major  System  and  we  can  prove  it. 

We  are  years  ahead 

— in  creative  thought 

— in  experience 

— in  standardization 

— in  number  of  installations 

— in  service 

— in  known  results 

Get  the  facts — free.   Don't  experiment* 

^anki^dam 

ELECTRIC   COMPANY 

ST.  LOUIS 


Atlanta,    Ga. 
Baltimore,     Md. 
Boston,    Mass. 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Chicago,   111. 
Cincinnati,     Ohio 


Dallas,  Texas 
Denver,  Colorado 
Detroit,  Michigan 
Jacksonville,  Fla. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles,    Calif. 


—  District  Offices  - 

Memphis,   Tenn. 
Minneapolis,    Minn. 
Newr   Orleans,    La. 
New  York   City 
Omaha,   Nebraska 
Philadelphia,     Pa. 


Pittsburgh,   Pa. 
Richmond,   Va. 
San   Francisco,    Calif. 
Seattle,    Washington 
Tampa,    Fla. 
Tulsa,   Okla. 


Montreal,    Que. 
Toronto,    Ontario 
Vancouver,    B.    C. 
Walkerville,    Ontario 
Winnipeg,    Man. 


■_■_!_■  K    ■   ■   ■_*    t    ■    I    I    t    1    1    ■ 


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Vhole  Vol.  92,  No.  9  (Vol.  34,  No.  12) 


September  1,  1928 


^r, 


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U- 


lis. 


uilt  up  to 
an  ideal  and 
not  down  to 

a  price 


BUFFALO 
CHICAGO 
CINCINNATI 


V/URLlTzER 

^^        REG    U  S  PAT, OFF,  ^r 

ORGANS 

Factories,  North  Tonawanda,  New  York 


CLEVELAND 
DETROIT 

KANSAS  CITY 


LOS  ANGELES 
NEW  YORK 
PHILADELPHIA 


PITTSBURGH 
SAN  FRANCISCO 
ST.  LOUIS 


'Mliliiiiiniuu. iiiininll'' 

jjiUUJMiiiiiiniiiiiiijijjj_[j_^' 


WITBLITZER  KACTOUY 

N.  Tonuwanda.  N.  Y.      . 

IIHIIII' r..iilHlli| 


J 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


•{A  Photograph  of  Sound  Waves  taken  by  Johns-Manville  Acoustical  Experts}* 


K^ 

^^^ 

^^^1 

1 

■ 

1 

^^H 

h 

*- 

w 

9 

fi 

^  -  c-^ 

H 

Ik 

fcte|^^^^w^  ^' 

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^^_ 

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^^^^^^^^^ 

Longitudinal  section  of  a  model  of  a  theatre.  Photograph  of  the  direct  sound  WW  and  of  the  reflected  waves  Ci,  Cz  and  Ca  from  the  ceiling 
and  stage  and  reflected  waves  Fi  and  Fa  from  the  floor  and  stage  all  originating  from  a  shoit,  sharp  sound  produced  at  S.  Note  the  lack  of 
intensity  in  reflected  waves  from  the  floor.   Acoustic  felt  was  laid  on  the  floor  of  the  model  to  simulate  the  absorbing  power  of  the  audience. 


Is  your 

theatre  ready 

for  talking 

pictures  ? 

Unless  the  acoustics  are  correct,  sound  films 
will  be  worse  than  unsatisfactory 


MASTER        -mo/M-  ASBESTOS    ,  1 -| 

ns-iVlanviUe 

ACOUSTICAL  AND  SOUND 
CONTROL  TREATMENT 


We  are  also  working  with  leading  producers  in  providing  the 
acoustically  correct  studios  essential  to  the  making  oj  sound  films 


TALKING  pictures,  sound  films,  call  them 
what  you  will,  are  here  to  stay.  Theatre 
owners  everywhere  are  preparing  to  exhibit 
them,  or  are  already  doing  so. 

Yet  the  installation  of  the  projection  equip- 
ment does  not  mean  that  sound  films  will  be  a 
success  in  your  theatre.  Very  few  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  were  planned  with  much  attention 
to  acoustics.  Organ  and  orchestra  may  sound 
reasonably  well  in  your  theatre,  but  how  about 
voices,  and  other  sounds."* 

Johns-Manville  has  for  years  been  the  world 
leader  in  the  science  of  acoustics,  in  the  cor- 
rection and  banishing  of  echoes  and  reverber- 
ations from  auditoriums  of  all  types. 

The  trained  acoustical  engineers  of  Johns- 
Manville  can  make  your  theatre  acoustically 
perfect,  and  can  do  so  at  reasonable  cost  for 
the  service  rendered. 

The  control  of  sound  is  a  science.  Haphazard 
selection  and  use  of  materials  mean  money 
wasted  and  mediocre  results.  Before  you  do 
anything  about  acoustics,  consult  a  Johns-Man- 
ville expert.    There  is  no  obligation  incurred. 

We  welcome  inquiries  from  theatre  owners, 
and  attach  a  coupon  for  your  convenience. 


/T 


JOHNS-MANVILLE  CORPORATION 

New  York,  Chicago,  Cleveland,  San  Francisco 

Branches  in  all  large  cities 

Canadian  Johns-Manville  Co.,  Ltd.,  Toronto 

I  am  interested  in  acoustical  correction  of  my  theatre. 


Name 

Address 

City 

VL.    Seating  Capacity  of  theatre . 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


Illustrating  the  interior  of  Rabb  &"  Rowley^s  Rit^  Theatre,  San  Angela,  Texas 
— Ray  E.  Lam,  architect.  A  good  example  of  the  attractive,  modest  sized  shou-- 
bouse  and  the  adaptability  of  "American"  chairs  to  a  limited  seating  expendi- 
ture. Chair  No.  6if},  of  ichicb  ij6  were  installed,  600  with  upholstered  seats 
and  2j6  with  veneer  seats,  is  a  very  popular  mcdel  with  the  smaller  operators. 
Wood  parts  of  hirch  and  maple,  finished  brown  mahogony  . .  .  with  brown  Spanish 
moroccoline  upholstered  seat,  this  chair  combines  beauty  with  tconomical  cost. 

Values  are  not 

Determined  by 

Comparison  of  Prices 

SEATING  a  theatre,  what  you  get  for  your  dollar  beyond  visible 
angible  substance  should  guide  your  selection.  Comparison  of  price 
is  always  a  poor  basis  for  determining  a  purchase.  Likewise  the  p; 
of ' '  American ' '  chairs  is  never  the  criterion  of  their  values .  For  whether 
you  buy  a  stock  or  special-order  chair  ...  a  low  priced  or  a  high 
priced  chair  .  .  .  there  is  but  one  standard  of  quality  in  material  and 
workmanship  .  .  .  one  measure  of  worth  for  all.  Price  varies  only  in 
proportion  to  the  greater  or  less  amount  of  material  and  time  involved 
in  the  manufacture  of  a  diversity' of  designs,  styles  and  models. 

American  Seating  Company 

Theatre  Chair  Builders  to  the  American  Public  for  Over  50  Years 
12  E.  Jackson  Blvd.,  Chicago,  Illinois 


65-D  CannI  St.,  Boston 


121 1-H  Chestnut  St.,  Philadelphia 


: 


Architects  Speak  on  Sound  Theatres 


CHARLES  B.  O'NEILL 

Adv«rtMng    Managmr 


BeU&fkmtm 

A  monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Pictnre  World,  pub- 
lished for  information  and  guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre 
construction,  operation  and  equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  finer  theatres 


HARRY    E.    HOLQUIST 
Eottarn   R«pra««nCat<*« 


BETTER  THEATRES 

EDITORIAL  AND 

ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407     So.     Dearborn     St.     Telephone 

Harrison   0036.      Cable   Address: 

Quigpubco. 

Jay    M.    Shreck,    Managing    Editor 
Charles     B.     O'Neill,     Advertising 

Manager 
George   Clifford,   Business   Manager 

NEW  YORK 

565    Fifth   Ave.    Telephone   Vander- 
bilt   3612-3613 

Harry  E.  Holquist 
Eastern  Kepresentadve 

LOS   ANGELES 

5617    Hollywood    Blvd.      Telephone 
Gladstone    3754 

Douglas    Hodges 
West   Coast    Manager 

LONDON 

The   Bioscope   (J.   Cabourn,   Editor) 

Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 

Rd.,  W.   C.   2 


The  successful  theatre  today  is  the 
one  that  pays  strictest  attention  to 
its  physical  features.  Cinema  pa- 
trons demand  more  than  pictures. 
They  must  be  given  every  degree  of 
comfort,  convenience  and  atmos- 
phere. 

To  the  enterprising  exhibitor  Better 
Theatres  each  issue  presents  numer- 
ous ideas  and  suggestions  for  in- 
creasing profit  through  better  pub- 
lic service  and  management. 


SUBSCRIPTION    RATES 

United   State  and   possessions — 

$3  per  year 

Canada — $4.50  per  year 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$9  per  year 

Single  copies,  25  cents 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 

WITH  SYNCHRONIZED  pictures  the  new  development  in  motion 
pictures,  the  theatre  builder  must  give  thought  to  any  plans  he 
may  have  for  the  erection  of  a  new  house;  "Better  Theatres,"  in 
this  issue  gives  the  opinions  of  noted  architects  on  that  important 
subject. 

WILLIAM  FOX  is  opening  in  Detroit  what  is  said  to  be  the  first 
theatre  ever  erected  for  sjTichronized  pictures;  The  story  of  this 
house,  in  story  and  in  picture,  is  presented  on  the  following  pages; 
A  more  complete  pictorial  display  will  be  presented  in  the  next 
issue. 

AGAIN  IN  this  issue  appear  the  articles  and  sketches  on  interior 
decoration  of  theatres;  Many  Exhibitors  are  finding  this  series  of 
inestimable  value  in  the  decoration  and  the  redecoration  of  their 
houses;  And  don't  overlook  the  Seventh  Street  theatre  at 
Hoquiam,  Wash. 

THE  HEATING  euid  ventilating  of  a  motion  picture  theatre  is  pre- 
sented graphically;  The  house  chosen  is  one  in  Brookl)^!,  N.  Y.; 
Leo  Parker  continues  in  this  issue  his  resume  of  important  legal 
decisions  afFecting  the  motion  picture  theatre;  Concluding,  "I 
Leam  About  Organs." 


i 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Leadership! 


— by  right  of  service 

— to  readers 

— to  advertisers 

— to  the  whole  industry 

"rpxHiBiTORS  Herald  and  Moving 
^-^  Picture  World  stands  in  the 
position  of  preeminent  leadership 
among  the  trade  publications  of  the 
motion  picture  field. 

This  enviable  position  has  not  been 
won  by  accident. 

It  has  been  gained 

— by  right  of  service 

— to  readers 

— to  advertisers 

— to  the  whole  industry 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


/^ 


The  Kenosha  Theater,  Kenosha,  }Vis. 
— a  recent  addition  to  the  Midwesco 
Theater  Circuit  —  is  equipped  with 
C-H  Simplicity  Lighting  Dimmers. 
Architects— United  Studios,  Chicago. 
A  Mesco  switchboard  is  used. 


^^nother 


"^Ij"""*  im 


chain  theater  equipped  with 

C-H  Simplicity  Dimmers 


Wide  experience  is  a  guide  of  acknowl 
edged  reliability  in  selecting  equipment. 

Thus  it  is  significant  that  "well  known 
theater  chains  equip  their  theaters 
with  C-H  Simplicity  Lighting  Dim- 
mers. Their  experience  has  con- 
vinced them  that  C-H  Dimimers  can 
be  depended  on  to  give  the  smooth, 
flickerless  control  and  color  blend- 
ing essential  for  artistic  presentations; 
that  C-H  Dimmers  are  remarkably 


low  in  maintenance  costs — economical  to 
operate — easy  to  install — and  conveniently 
adapted  to  all  needs  both  present  and  future. 
Ask  your  architect  or  electrical  con- 
tractor about  the  advantages  of  C-H 
Dimmers — how  easily  your  theater 
can  be  equipped  regardless  of  its  seat- 
ing capacity  or  decorative  scheme. 
In  the  meantime,  write  for  a  copy  of 
the  instructive  booklet  "Illumination 
Control  for  the  Modern  Theater". 


The  CUTLER-HAMMER  Mfg,  Co, 

Pioneer  'Manufacturers  of  Electric  Control  Apparatus 
1254  St.  Paul  Avenue 
MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 


CUTLER  jy  AM  MER 


Perfect  Illumination  Cornrol  for  the  Modern  Theater 

^  •/  (3188) 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


"Tbr  ^  New 

FISHER 

Theatre  / 


TKe  seven  Fisher  brothers  personallxj 
selected  the  unusual  chair,  shown  to 
the  right,  for  the  magnificent  new 
Fisher  Theatre  now  being  erected  at 
Detroit,  Michigan.  These  capable 
men,  at  the  head  of  the  largest  and 
finest  body  building  corporation  in  the 
world,  are  in  an  excellent  position  to 
judge  the  upholstering  details,  con- 
struction advantages,  and  comfort  of 
any  type  of  seating.  That  they  selected 
Heywood -Wakefield  chairs  for  their 
beautiful  new  theatre  is  a  convincing 
recommendation  of  quality — the  kind 
of  quality  that  has  influenced  Publix, 
Roxy,  Orpheum  Circuit,  and  a  host  of 
others  to  install  this  well-made  theatre 
seating  during  the  past  few  years. 


Seats  h 


5' 


Twenty-seven  hundred  and  eleven  of  this  unusual 
chair  will  he  installed  in  the  new  Fisher  Theatre 
at  Detroit.  The  aisle  light  standard  harmonizes 
with  the  special  Maygar  Indian  pattern  upholstery 
used  on  the  back.  The  seat  is  of  an  unusually 
comfortable,   double-thick  spring   construction. 


HEY1X)D¥AKEFIELD 

Theatre  Seating  Division 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


A. 


the  topics  for  discussion 


1.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pictures  have  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future  ? 

2.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pictures  have  on  theatre  design  and 
construction  in  general? 

3.  With  inauguration  of  synchronized  pictures  will  there  be  a  tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of  the  more  intimate  type? 

4.  Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day  theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to 
provide  for  the  proper  acoustical  properties  in  the  auditoriums? 


-V 


Building  the  Synchronized  Pictures 
Theatre — a  Survey 


By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 


WHEREVER  the  synchronized  picture  is 
discussed  there  always  seeps  into  the 
discussion  the  word,  Problem. 

Production  problem,  exhibition  problem, 
distribution  problem  and  so  on  indefinitely. 

There  is  one  very  definite  and  important 
problem,  however,  which  seems  to  have  been 
overlooked  in  the  rush  to  make  and  obtain 
synchronized  product.  It  is  a  problem  to 
which  the  architect,  the  construction  engineer 
and  the  theatre  owner  must  turn  their  at- 
tention if  the  synchronized  picture  is  to  be- 
come and  remain  an  integral  part  of  motion 
picture  entertainment. 

This  all-important  problem  is  theatre  con- 
struction ! 

The  majority — great  majority — of  motion 
picture  theatres  standing  today  were  built  for 
silence.  They  were  the  Palaces  of  the  Silent 
Drama.  To  break  this  silence  there  was 
nothing  but  the  organ  or  the  orchestral  ac- 
companiment. 

As  the  home  of  the  silent  drama,  a  theatre 
could  be  designed  with  little  or  no  regard  for 
the  requirements  of  speech.  The  interiors 
were  constructed  with  volume  in  mind,  and 
with  a  thought  to  the  novel  and  beautiful, 
and  to  the  bizarre.  The  decorative  scheme 
was  of  paramount  consideration. 

This,  of  course,  was  not  true  in  all  in- 
stances. Presentation  and  vaudeville,  which 
have  become  part  of  motion  picture  enter- 
tainment, made  additional  structural  require- 
ments necessary.  Because  of  the  variety  in 
program,  the  newer  theatres  have  taken  these 
requirements  into  consideration. 

Therefore,  the  synchronized  picture  has 
brought  with  it  the  problem  of  acoustics,  the 
problem  of  auditorium  size,  the  problem  of 
loud  speaker  placement,  the  problem  of  pro- 
jection   room    size,    etc. 

Better  Theatres  has  presented  these  prob- 
lems to  noted  theatre  architects  for  solution. 
It  will  be  found  in  reading  this  symposium 
that  the  architects,  generally,  agree  on  each 
subject  on  which  comment  was  asked. 

THEY  ALL  AGREE  THAT— 

Acoustics  will  be  an  important  item  of 
construction,   and 

Corrective  work  will  be  necessary  in 
houses  where  no  acoustical  properties  now 
exist. 

However,  there  is  a  wide  divergence  of 
views  on  the  question  of  theatre  size.  Some 
believe  that  the  synchronized  picture  will  bring 
a  more  intimate  type  of  theatre,  while  others 
contend  that  only  the  large  house  is  commer- 
cially sound. 

It    is    not  generally   believed    by   the   archi- 


tects that  synchronized  pictures  will  alter  to 
any  great  extent  the  design  in  theatre  con- 
struction, other  than  noted  above. 

Following   are  the   architects'   contributions 
to  this  important  survey : 


HENRY  NEW  HOUSE 
Chicago,  111. 

1.  Use  of  materials  to  eliminate  echo  and 
sound  reverberation.  Proportioning  house 
and  surfaces  to  accommodate  sound  waves 

2.  Reduce  size  of  auditorium  areas. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  For  the  past  15  years  I  have  taken 
this  into  account  so  acoustics  have  played 
an  important  part  in  designing. 
GENERAL  COMMENT— Sound  volume 
properly  distributed  will  necessitate 
smaller  auditoriums.  Have  you  ever  con- 
sidered how  the  difference  in  location  in 
the  large  houses  affects  a  picture?  Can 
you  imagine  the  din  in  the  front  of  house 
to  carry  audible  sound  in  the  rear? 

THOMAS  W.  WILLIAMSON 
Topeka,  Kan. 

1.  Will  probably  require  the  use  of  loud 
speaker  equipment. 

2.  The  larger  theatres  will  need  to  give 
more  attention  to  acoustical  properties  as 
well  as  to  a  means  of  carrying  the  sound. 

3.  I   do  not  believe  so. 

^4.  Yes,  the  larger  theatres  built  with  the 
idea  of  picture  only  will  have  to  be  re- 
vamped as  stated  above. 

LEROY  B.  ROTHSCHILD 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1.  They  will  be  as  important  as  in  pres- 
ent "speaking"  theatres. 

2.  None. 

3.  Small  house  and  smaller  stage  as  even 
the    presentations    will    be    screened. 

4.  Some,  but  corrective  work  can  easily 
be  done. 

OPPENHAMER  &  OBEL 

Green  Bay,  Wis. 

1.  More  thought  and  study  will  be  given 
to  the  auditorium  in  the  way  of  acoustics 
and  acoustical  properties. 
3.  We    believe    there    will    be    a    tendency 
toward  houses  of  the  more  intimate  type 


for  better  results  with  this  class  of  pic- 
ture. 

4.  We  believe  so. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— In  designing 
our  recent  theatres  we  have  taken  care 
of  the  acoustical  properties  and  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  the  future  installa- 
tion of  apparatus  for  synchronized  pic- 
tures. We  believe  that  all  new  buildings 
contemplated,  that  is,  buildings  of  this 
nature,  will  give  due  consideration  to  this 
equipment  as  no  doubt  it  shall  prove  very 
popular  in  the  smaller  towns. 

DAVID  AND  WILSON 
Lincoln,  Neb. 

1.  Will  require  adequate  absorbing  ma- 
terial to  stop  reverberation. 

2.  Very    little. 

3.  Smaller  houses  not  commercially  fea- 
sible. 

4.  Some  additional  padding  may  be  neces- 
sary. 

L.  A.  DESJARDINS 
Denver,  Col. 

1.  Improvements  will   be  necessary. 

2.  None,  otherwise  than  above  stated. 

3.  Possibly. 

4.  In  many,  yes. 

A.  M.STRAUSS 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

1.  A  greater  study  and  more  thorough 
installation  of  acoustical  treatments  and 
corrections  will  be  required. 

2.  Will  probably  have  a  tendency  to  elimi- 
nate the  present  day  4,000  to  5,000  seat 
houses,  and  make  theatres  more  of  the 
intimate  type. 

3.  Answered  above. 

4.  Only  where  present  acoustical  condi- 
tions are  seriously  defective. 
GENERAL  COMMENT  —  The  above 
changes  in  my  opinion,  will  only  come 
about  when  the  eventual  success  of  the 
synchronized  picture  has  been  estab- 
lished, which  is  still  a  matter  of  some 
question. 

FRANK  B.  CARPENTER 
Rockford,  111. 

\.  Theatres  must  be  made  so  that  people 
can  hear  well. 

2.  Acoustics  must  be  of  prime  importance. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  Yes.    We  have  one  here  in  town  which 


10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Accoustics  in  the  Fox  Theatre,  Detroit 


y. 


% 


the  topics  for  discussion  "V        ^-  H.  KING 


\. 


1.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future? 

2.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  theatre  design  and 
construction  in  general? 

3.  With  inauguration  of  synchronized 
pictures  will  there  he  a  tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of 
the  more  intimate  type? 

4.  Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day 
theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to  proy 
vide  for  the  proper  acoustical  prop 
erties  in  the  audiiorimns? 


J^ 


should  be  changed  to  be  of  service  as  a 
modem  theatre. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— I  am  wonder- 
ing if  amplifiers  can  be  used  to  good  ad- 
vantage. 

G.  R.  CALLIS 
Baltimore,  Md. 

1.  None  other  than  adding  one  more  de- 
tail to  be  properly  covered. 

2.  None. 

3.  I  don't  think  it  will  have  any  particular 
effect  on  either.  The  small  or  intimate 
type  is  established  by  other  agencies, 
principally  of   a  local  nature. 

4.  In  some  cases,  yes.  Each  house  will 
require  special  study. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— With  the  per- 
fection of  synchronized  pictures  and  the 
announcement  by  Eastman  of  the  perfec- 
tion in  color,  the  picture  theatre  has  com- 
pleted the  stages  of  evolution,  and  will 
develop  beyond  all  expectations. 

WETMORE  CRANDALL 
Glens  Falls,  N.  Y. 

1.  The  best  houses  will  be  those  with  the 
best  acoustics. 

2.  Can't  see  that  it  will  make  a  great  dif- 
ference. 

3.  I  shouldn't  think  so  as  the  large  houses 
can  be  operated  at  a  saving  over  a  number 
of  small  ones  of  same  total  seating  capac- 
ity. 

4.  They  may  not  need  to  reconstruct  only 
to  the  extent  of  the  breaking  up  of  smooth 
surfaces  and  hard  wall  surfaces. 
GENERAL  COMMENT— Like  every- 
thing else,  the  theatre  will  change  in  ap- 
pearance from  year  to  year  and  will 
accommodate  itself  to  all  new  features 
introduced. 


Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

1.  Should  have  none. 

2.  Should  have  none. 

3.  There  need  not  be,  as  loud  speakers 
(amplifiers)  may  be  placed  throughout  the 
house. 

4.  No. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— Good  acoustics 
are  dependent  on  shape  of  the  room.  The 
human  voice  will  be  easily  heard  at  a 
distance    of    80    feet. 

BUILDING  SERVICE  BUREAU 
E.  C.  Thulin 
Detroit,  Mich. 

1.  Yes.  We  have  submitted  just  such  a 
proposition  for  the  first  theatre  of  this 
kind  in  Massachusetts. 

2.  Interior  less  decorative.  Seats  in 
wider   auditorium,    closer   to    screen. 

3.  Yes.  If  pictures  will  run  in  colors, 
the  interior  will  have  plainer  walls. 

4.  No,  because  every  up-to-date  city  will 
build  special  houses  for  this  kind  of  pic- 
ture. Many  present  theatres  would  be 
impossible  to  remodel  for  best  acoustic 
effects. 

RUBUSH  &  HUNTER 
Indianapolis,  Ind. 

1.  Theatres  should  not  be  erected  without 
considering  acoustics. 

2.  — . 

3.  — . 

4.  — . 

GENERAL  COMMENT— We  don't  be- 
lieve the  remainder  of  the  questions  can 
be  answered  with  any  degree  of  intelli- 
gence. 

GRAVEN  &  MAYGER 
Chicago,  111. 

1.  More  attention  will  necessarily  be  given 
to  the  acoustical  properties. 

2.  Believe  none  lin  particular  except  that 
the  proper  mechanical  provisions  be  made 
to    accommodate    special    equipment. 

3.  Believe  there  is  a  strong  possibility  of 
this. 

4.  Do  not  believe  so,  at  least  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 

HARRY  C.  HOLBROOK 
Columbus,  O. 

1.  Good  acoustics  will  be  mandatory  if 
the  theatre  is  to  be  a  success. 

2.  Location  of  the  amplifying  horns  will 
have  to  be  carefully  studied  so  that  the 
sound  cannot  be  pocketed.  Some  organ 
chambers  are  failures  for  that  reason. 

3.  In    my    city,    the    talking    pictures    will 


j/^  .   .    .   the  topics  for  discussion  "N  . 


1. 


2. 


3. 


What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future? 

What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  theatre  design  and 
construction  in  general? 

With  inauguration  of  synchronized 
pictures  will  there  he  a  tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of 
the  more  intimate  type? 

4.    Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day 
theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to  pro^ 
i_  vide  for  the  proper  acoustical  prop- 

>>»        erties  in  the  auditoriums?  %/ 


be  in  all  houses  seating  1,000  or  more. 
This  applies  to  the  neighborhood  houses. 
4.  Yes,  some  of  them  now  are  very  bad 
even   for  vaudeville. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— Every  new  in- 
novation calls  for  new  solutions  that  the 
theatre  architect  has  to  solve.  Next 
thing  will  be  television,  the  actual  view 
of  an  event  in  a  distant  city  being  thrown 
on  a  screen  at  the  actual  moment  of  its 
occurrence.  Wait  five  years  and  see  if 
I  am   right. 

W.  SCOTT  DUNNE 
Dallas,  Tex. 

\.  More   careful   study  of   sounding. 

2.  Will  cause  better  formed  houses. 

3.  Not  particularly.  In  time,  loud  speak- 
ers will  be  stationed  throughout  the 
houses. 

4.  Yes,  where  this  has  not  been  consid- 
ered,  sounds   and   tones  are   more   sharp. 

OLIVER  RANDOLPH  PARRY 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1.  Will  depend  entirely  upon  acoustical 
properties  and  possible  treatment  of  each 
individual   structure. 

2.  I  believe  the  design  will  be  affected 
advantageously,  eliminating  gaudy  treat- 
ment and  return  to  the  incentive  of  the 
former  legitimate  playhouse.  Construc- 
tion will  entail  less  material  having  sound 
recording  properties. 

3.  Yes,  though  it  will  be  possible  to  de- 
liver the  human  voice  throughout  the  the- 
atre, and  remove  limit  as  to  size  of  audi- 
ence other  than  as  regulated  by  vision. 

4.  Make  imperative  truly  scientific  acous- 
tical   treatment    including    sound    absorb- 
ment  of  noise  in  adjacent  foyers,  etc. 
GENERAL  COMMENT— The  synchron- 
ized picture  will  educate  the  present  mov- 

{Contintied  on  page  42) 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


11 


One  of  the  Country^s  Finest 
I  — and  a  synchronized  house  I 


By  MARGE  HALL 


ii    AMERICAN  architecture  is  a  subject  fit  for  the  brush 

_/^of  a  Turner,"  but  lacking  a  brush  I  shall  write,  and 
only  of  that  part  of  American  architecture  designed  by 
one  group  of  Detroiters,  C.  Howard  Crane  and  associates. 

There  are,  throughout  the  world,  more  than  325  theatres 
that  have  been  Crane-designed,  his  latest,  and  largest,  the  new 
Fox,  opening  in  Detroit  next  month. 

Entering  the  Crane  studios,  offices,  consulting  and  drafting 
rooms,  on  the  top  two  floors  of  the  Michigan  theatre  building, 
is  like  going  into  an  old  Spanish  castle,  remote  from  the  spirit 
of  commerce.  Waiting  there  in  the  gray  light  one  senses  the 
atmosphere  of  thoughtfulness,  study,  serious  purpose,  love  of 
color  and  design. 

C.  Howard  Crane  himself,  grayed  though  only  43,  full  of 
confident  personality  plus  a  sufficience  of  retiring  modesty,  be- 


gan his  career  as  an  architectural  designer  and  draftsman  at 
the  early  age  of  18,  and  has  had  25  years  of  continuous  suc- 
cess, working  on  all  classes  of  architecture  but  specializing  on 
theatre  work  since  the  infancy  of  the  industry  when  only 
stores  were  remodeled  for  film  showings. 

Elmer  George  Kiehler,  associated  with  Mr.  Crane  for  more 
than  20  years,  is  one  of  the  "pleasantest"  men  in  the  world,  an 
enthusiast  for  water  sports  of  all  kinds,  and  interested  per- 
haps even  more  in  designing  modern  factories  than  theatres. 
Olympia  sports  arena  in  Detroit  was  one  of  Mr.  Kiehler's 
pet  contracts;  so  was  the  unusual  Film  Exchange  building  in 
Detroit,  said  to  be  the  first  multiple  floor  structure  of  its  kind 
in  the  world.  Now  New  York  is  building  a  similar  Film  Ex- 
change building. 

Ben  A.  Dore,  as  chief  architectural  designer  for  Crane  and 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


associates  for  nine  years,  has  shown  extreme 
versatility  in  unearthing  new  ideas  for  adapta- 
tion in  every  new  theatre  that  has  been  Crane- 
designed. 

Tired  of  the  classical  styles,  in  the  new  Fox 
theatre  in  Detroit,  one  of  the  most  pretentious 
theatres  ever  built,  yet  subdued  and  artistic, 
the  Crane-Dore  genius  has  achieved  some- 
thing distinctly  magnificent.  Designed  in  the 
colorful  and  elaborate  art  of  the  ancient 
temples  of  old  India,  thoroughly  modernized, 
Detroit's  largest  theatre,  seating  5,047,  will  be 
a  marvel  of  engineering,  architecture  and  the- 
atrical skill. 

Rich  in  pastel  colorings,  even  the  ticket 
lobby  in  the  Detroit  Fox  will  give  some  hint 
of  the  air  of  culture  and  comfort,  old-world 
greatness  with  new-world  luxury,  that  will 
characterize  the  theatre,  second  only  to  the 
Roxy  in  New  York  for  size  and  second  to 
none  in  beauty. 

The  mammoth  lobby,  lovely  in  blazing 
pastel  colors,  soars  six  stories  high,  and  is 
half  the  block  long.  Exotic  bands  of  Hindoo 
and  Indian  ornaments  circle  the  lower  third 
of  the  huge  ox-blood  red  marble  columns  that 
span  the  Grand  Lobby  on  both  sides,  crowned 
with  gigantic  jewelled  figured  capitals  in  in- 
tricate design.  The  frieze  above  the  columns 
is  broken  up  by  niches  and  shrines  containing 
symbolic  figures  of  various  of  the  gods  of  Asia, 
stretching  majestically  the  length  of  the 
Grand  Lobby.   Elaborate  mirrors  between  the 


columns  quadruple  the  vast  sea  of  space  so 
filled  with  richness  and  glowing  color. 

Along  the  grand  promenade  of  the  main 
auditorium  the  walls  are  richly  painted  like 
brocaded  silks,  and  occasional  niches  set  in 
the  paneling  reveal  huge  and  intricately  de- 
signed jewelled  Hindoo  incense  burners,  radi- 
ating a  soft  glow  of  light  from  their  interior. 
Carved  old-ivory  paneling,  and  soffit  effects, 
predominate. 

Richness  of  beauty  and  outline  rather  than 
abstract  heauty  of  form,  contrasting  strongly 
with  Grecian  architecture,  identify  this  Ori- 
ental adaptation,  never  before,  it  is  said,  used 
in  theatre  construction.  A  great  deal  of  sym- 
bolism pervades  the  whole  atmosphere. 
Temple  buildings  of  old  India  were  centers 
for  all  the  learning  of  the  ages,  the  great 
Buddhist  monastery  of  Yolanda  accommodated 
10,000  priests,  votaries  of  the  beauties  of  pure 
learning.  The  building  of  temples  was  re- 
garded as  a  social  virtue,  leading  to  a  happy 
future  state.  With  the  passing  of  Buddhism, 
monastic  life  ceased,  and  the  temples  became 
shrines  and  shelters  for  pilgrims.  All  of  this 
rich  background  of  meaning  has  its  influence 
on  the  conception  of  this  architectural  depar- 
ture, and  on  the  uses  to  which  the  theatre  will 
aim,  culturally  and  educationally. 

Arabian  Nights  are  brought  directly  to  De- 
troit. Fantasy  is  everywhere.  One  wanders 
in  a  dreamland  full  of  the  richness  one  might 
have  hoped  to  find  at  the  end,  and  along  the 
way,  of  riding  10,000  miles  on  a  magic  carpet. 


A  month  from  the  aliening,  unfin- 
ished hut  startling  in  its  stark  love- 
liness. Vermillion  red  columns 
sentinel  the  side  tualls,  handed 
hrightly  with  hrilliant  hlack  and 
gold  creative  designs.  Jade  green 
hrocaded  walls  gleam  out  from  in 
hack  of  these  huge  columns. 
JVote  the  dolphins  in  side  halcony 
treatment. 


Detroit  claims  to  have  the  distinction  of  be- 
ing the  first  city  in  the  world  to  have  this 
unusual  and  distinctive  architectural  develop- 
ment, so  particularly  appropriate  for  a  theatre. 
There  are  elaborate  rooms  for  smoking, 
lounging,  rest  and  comfort,  and  powder  and 
puffing,  off  the  grand  foyer,  downstairs  below 
the  main  auditorium,  and  at  two  of  the  bal- 
cony levels,  but  they  are  nothing  in  the  lives 
of  the  awe-inspired  guests  as  they  stroll  past 
the  richly-decorated  Arabesqued  walls  of  the 
promenades  and  gaze  up  at  the  richly- 
moulded  and  ornamented  cornices  and  painted 
ceilings  supported  by  these  Arabesques.  Rest 
rooms,  however,  have  every  luxury  of  the 
richest  private  mansions,  and  are  perfect  in 
every  appointment.  Grays,  blues,  and  golds 
predominate  in  the  color  treatment  for  ladies 
lounges.  French  patterns  prevail.  Fireplaces 
heighten  a  sense  of  intimacy  and  friendliness. 
Patterned  after  Spanish  styles,  large  square 
rooms  with  stucco  walls,  wainscot  of  tur- 
quoise blue  hand-made  tile,  and  Spanish 
wood-beamed  ceiling,  are  furnished  with  large 
comfortable  leather  chairs,  lounges,  tables  and 
smoking  equipment  for  men.  Window  open- 
ings, with  heavy  shutters,  give  the  effect  of 
big  living  rooms. 

*  *    * 

Through  the  open  arches  from  the  grand 
foyer  and  promenade,  numerous  aisles  stretch 
for  almost  a  city  block  past  endless  rows  of 
super-comfortable  velour-backed  chairs.  The 
floor  is  ramped  for  easy  walking  down  the 
incline,  and  the  aisles  at  the  floor  are  lighted 
by  soft  glowing  lights  from  behind  orna- 
mental grilles  in  the  chair  ends  of  aisle  seats. 
Fresh  air  is  bound  to  be  abundantly  supplied, 
for  under  every  seat  is  the  mushroom  type 
of  ventilator,  connected  with  the  600- ton  re- 
frigerating and  heating  plant. 

Seats  have  been  set  to  give  at  least  two 
inches  more  leg  room,  and  allow  incoming 
guests  to  pass  in  front  of  those  seated  without 
unnecessary  inconvenience. 

An  over-all  design  in  brocaded  silks  and 
other  rich  fabrics  is  intricately  painted  on  the 
walls  of  the  auditorium  above  and  between 
the  arches.  And  far  above  the  columns, 
arches,  and  walls  is  the  cornice,  superbly  done 
in  ornamental  plaster  and  jewels  from  one  to 
four  inches  in  diameter,  set  in  clusters  and 
with  unique  jewel-eyed  masks  grinning  out. 
Back  of  the  cornice  are  concealed  lights, 
which  change  with  the  theatre  program  and 
the  music  moods,  casting  dull  vari-colored 
softness  over  the  huge  canopied  ceiling. 

Like  the  richest  Indian  fabrics,  draped  cir- 
cularly and  Arabian  tent-like  from  the  center 
to  the  sides,  and  richly-jewelled  throughout, 
is  the  main  canopied  dome  of  the  auditorium. 
Tassels,  fringes,  and  filigree  work,  all  of 
super-size  as  well  as  super-beauty  hang  from 
the  fabricked  ceiling,  and  apparently  support- 
ing this  canopy  are  gigantic  spears,  extremely 
ornamental  in  character. 

*  *    * 

Ornamental  Hindoo  poles,  in  the  Burmese 
style,  more  elaborate  and  artistic  than  the 
North  American  Indian  totem  poles,  stand 
back  of  the  arches  and  columns,  and  between 
the  Hindoo  poles  are  rich  mirrors  with 
elaborate  frames  in  ornamental  plaster  and 
decorated  in  warm  colors  and  gold. 

Side  walls  apparently  run  behind  a  huge 
shell-like  proscenium  arch,  ninety  feet  wide 
and  sixty  feet  high,  around  which  opening  is 
{Continued  on  page  59) 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


13 


and  now  for  the  acoustics  I 


IF  you're  going  to  ride  on  the  crest  of  the 
wave  of  sound  pictures  popularity,  look 
closely  to  the  acoustics  of  your  theatre. 
Organ  music  is  adapted  for  use  in  a  reverb- 
erant theatre,  and  motion  picture  theatres  on 
the  whole  have  not  needed  to  be  perfect  acous- 
tically as  have  the  stage  theatres.  But  with 
the  craze  for  talking  pictures  full  upon  us, 
care  must  be  taken  to  see  that  everything  is 
okay  acoustically,  or  the  scientific  exhibitor 
that  takes  all  his  facts  into  consideration  is 
going  to  get  the  jump  on  those  who  think 
they'll  "wait  and  see." 

If  voices  from  the  stage  blur  and  are  not 
as  distinct  as  from  the  front  row  or  center 
auditorium  points  in  your  theatre,  when  heard 
from  the  last  row  in  your  gallery,  you  can 
be  sure  something  is  wrong,  and  you  may  as 
well  get  out  your  pencil  and  figure  a  little. 

You'll  be  interested  in  how  the  acoustical 
treatment  has  been  handled  for  the  new  Fox 
theatre  in  Detroit,  which  is  to  open  about 
September  15.  It's  the  first  theatre  in  the 
country,  I  believe,  to  be  built  primarily  for 
sound  pictures,  with  very  special  attention 
paid  to  acoustics  so  that  perfect  results  would 
be  guaranteed  for  every  variety  of  program. 

With  an  eight-story  dome  to  the  auditorium, 
and  with  atmospheric  columns  in  the  Hindoo 
tempo  sentineling  the  side  walls  and  carved- 
ivory  Burnese  shrine  effects  numerous  as 
exits,  a  large  amount  of  acoustical  treatment 
was  necessary  to  counteract  the  huge  volume 
and    consequent    reverberation    of    the    audi- 


torium in  its  gaunt  shape  immediately  fol- 
lowing plaster  work  over  the  steel  frame. 

As  soon  as  the  plastering  and  browning  had 
been  finished  from  the  huge  swinging  scaffold 
that  extended  under  the  dome,  acoustical  work- 
ers came  along  with  their  brushes  and  cement 
glue  to  go  over  the  whole  dome  before  roll- 
ing on  the  "asbestos  akoustikos  sound-absorb- 
ing felt,"  a  combination  of  nonmatting  goats' 
hair  (70  per  cent)  and  asbestos  knitted  to 
make  a  homogeneous  mass  with  a  fireproof 
center. 

The  surface  of  this  acoustical  felt  was 
sized,  then  covered  with  a  sheer  batiste  mem- 
brane and  decorated  with  special  acoustical 
paints  stencil-applied  to  give  the  effect  of 
rich  brocades.  Sound,  you  know,  is  absorbed 
by  porosity  and  flexibility. 

Ordinary  plaster  reflects  instead  of  absorb- 
ing sound,  so  treatment  is  necessary  where 
reverberation  is  terrific  in  a  theatre.  Goat's 
hair,  on  the  contrary,  is  very  flexible,  or 
rubbery,  springy,  and  it  doesn't  mat  like  the 
hair  of  other  animals.  It  is  combined  with 
asbestos  in  the  acoustical  felt,  as  asbestos  is 
fireproof,  and  besides  serves  to  separate  the 

Above:  This  proscenium  arch,  nearly 
completed,  is  said  to  be  highest,  widest, 
and  most  intricately  beautiful  proscenium, 
arch  ever  designed.  Arthur  Buttner, 
sculptor  under  William  Lavernz,  for  C. 
Howard  Crane,  architect,  is  now  in 
Europe  pursuing  further  art  studies. 


hairs  and  give  greater  porosity  to  the  mass, 
the  porousness  being  very  essential.  The 
mass  changes  shape  readily  under  the  impact 
of  sound  waves,  and  is  resilient,  springing 
back  into  its  original  shape  instantaneously. 

Sound  waves  may  be  invisible,  but  they're 
powerful  and  penetrating.  They  travel  far 
and  fearlessly.  When  they  come  upon  hard 
walls  they  bound  back  to  the  floor,  from  there 
to  the  walls,  depending  on  the  direction  they 
originated  from,  and  keep  up  the  game  until 
their  energy  is  dissipated.  This  makes  what 
we  call  reverberation  in  a  room.  When  ma- 
terials are  present  on  the  floor  or  ceiling  or 
walls,  however,  to  absorb  the  sound,  like 
falling  into  a  feather  bed,  the  sound  waves 
are  content  without  repetition.  This  is  the 
function  of  acoustical  felt,  and  its  thickness 
and  placement  mean  everything.  Acoustical 
felt  is,  in  fact,  the  only  material  made  so  far 
that  is  capable  of  manipulation  in  thickness, 
density,  and  finish.  Increasing  the  thickness 
increases  the  absorption  of  lower  sounds  in 
the  musical  scale.  Paints  and  pigments  may 
be  used  to  affect  the  absorbing  power  of  the 
felt  in  the  upper  register, — for  high-pitched 
sounds. 

Acoustical  paints  used  in  decoration  of  the 
new  Fox  theatre  in  Detroit,  for  example,  had 
a  lithaphone  base,  with  linseed  oil  as  the  ve- 
hicle, and  no  lead,  no  varnish,  no  glue.  It 
remains  permanently  soft,  and  preserves  the 
porosity  of  the  goat's  hair  and  asbestos  com- 
{Continued  on  page  62) 


14 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


SeUmbmtm 

Published  Every  Fourth  Week  by 

QuiGLEY  Publishing  Company 
Publication  office:     407  So.  Dearborn  St,  CHICAGO,  U.   S.  A. 

Mabtin  J.  QuiGLEY,  President 
EowiK  S.  CuFTOBD,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulation! 
Copyright,   1928,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All    editorial    and    business    correspondence 
should   be   addressed   to   the   Chicago    office 

Other  publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the  follow- 
ing motion  picture  trade  publication  in  addition  to  Better  Theatres,  published 
as  a  supplement  to  Exhibitors  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World:  The 
BuvERS  Index,  Semiannual. 

Whole  Vol.  92,  No.  9   (Vol.  34,  No.  12)   September  1,  1928 

They're  Developed 
Hand  in  Hand 

A  SIMILE    might    well    be    used    in    introducing    this 
editorial : 

The  family  circle  develops  when  a  child  is  born. 
With  each  succeeding  year,  and  as  the  years  begin  to  pile 
upon  those  youthful  shoulders,  the  family  ties  become 
more  closely  knit.  The  years  roll  by,  youth  grows  into 
manhood,  yet  that  bond  of  kinship  is  an  invisible  force 
that  continues  to  hold  the  family  circle  intact. 

One  might  expand  on  that  thought,  but  that  is  sufficient 
for  the  present  comparison,  and  to  illustrate  the  thought 
we  have  in  mind. 

When  the  motion  picture  had  its  inception,  it  was  har- 
bored in  vacant  stores  which,  in  the  light  of  present  day 
developments,  did  not  warrant  the  name.  Theatre.  With- 
out those  pioneering  days,  however,  and  without  the  fore- 
sight of  those  men  who  pioneered,  the  motion  picture 
would  not  today  have  reached  the  point  of  commercial 
and  artistic  success. 

As  the  motion  picture  advanced,  and  as  great  cinema 
palaces  were  erected,  shrewd  showmen  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  the  question  of  suitable  music,  music  which  would 
be  expressive  of  the  romance  of  the  theatre  interior.  Their 
search  was  not  a  protracted  one,  for  in  the  organ  they 
found  an  instrument  with  almost  human  attributes. 

To  this  day  the  organ  is  one  of  the  theatre's  greatest 
assets.  It,  too,  has  developed,  and  its  development  has 
been  hand  in  hand  with  the  motion  picture.  It  is  of  the 
family  circle.   It  belongs  in  the  motion  picture  theatre. 

Even  with  the  advent  of  synchronized  pictures  you  find 
the  organ  remaining  as  a  feature  of  the  program.  That 
is  as  it  should  be.  Exhibitors  who  today  are  building  new 
theatres  are  making  provisions  for  organ  installations. 

The  organ  %vill  always  remain  an  adjunct  to  the  motion 
picture,  and  the  wise  showman  will  recognize  it  as  such. 

»      -x-      * 

The  Architect  and 

Sound  Pictures 

EVERY  new  development  in  pictures  brings,  accord- 
ingly, new  developments  in  theatre  construction. 
It  is  a  far  cry  from  the  store  show  of  some  years 
ago  to  the  elaborate  theatre  of  today.    And  likewise  a  far 


cry  from  the  "flickers"  of  20  years  ago  to  the  specials  of 
today. 

Today  there  is  the  question  of  sound  pictures.  What 
effect  on  theatre  architecture  will  they  have?  Don't  over- 
look the  fact  that  that  question  must  be  considered,  both 
by  the  exhibitor  who  is  building  and  by  the  exhibitor 
who  plans  to  install  the  synchronized  mechanism  in  a  thea- 
tre now  standing. 

Because  of  the  importance  of  this  subject.  Better 
Theatres  has  taken  the  question  to  experts.  Men  who  have 
devoted  years  of  study  to  motion  picture  theatre  require- 
ments tell  in  this  issue  the  changes  in  theatre  construction 
which  must  be  taken  into  consideration  through  the  intro- 
duction of  synchronized  pictures. 

Noted  theatre  architects  who  have  contributed  to  this 
symposium  vary  but  little  in  their  opinions  regarding  the 
necessity  of  incorporating  the  right  acoustical  properties 
in  the  motion  picture  theatre  of  the  future.  Many  also  see 
the  need  for  slight  alteration  in  some  of  the  theatres  now 
standing  so  as  to  make  them  acoustically  perfect. 

This  is  a  subject  of  vast  importance,  and  is  in  line  with 
the  other  developments  in  the  motion  picture  and  the 
theatre.  In  this  issue  also  is  presented  the  new  Fox 
theatre  in  Detroit,  both  in  story  and  in  picture.  This 
house,  which  will  be  opened  soon,  is  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  first,  to  be  built  with  synchronized  pictures  in 
mind. 


Some  Questions  You 
Might  Consider 

IS  your  emergency  lighting  system  functioning  properly? 
Be  sure  that  it  is,  for  a  faulty  emergency  system  may 
cost  you  your  evening's  receipts.     That  would  be  un- 
fortunate. 

Are  you  reading  F.  R.  Richardson's  articles  on  syn- 
chronization? 

You  should,  even  though  you  have  no  immediate  plans 
for  installing  sound  equipment.  Each  article  gives  you 
fundamentals  with  which  exhibitors  and  projectionists 
should  be  familiar. 

Have  you  made  a  recent  examination  of  your  heating 
system? 

Remember  that  winter  is  not  far  distant.  A  survey  of 
your  plant  is  a  precaution  that  is  wise  and  not  costly. 


Better  Theatres  Welcomes 

These  New  Advertisers 

Adswin  Corporation,  729  Seventh  avenue.  New  York. 

Manufacturers  of  gorgeous  easels  with  illuminated 
display  signs.  Attractive  appeal  for  lobby  or  front 
of  theatre. 

H.  Dryfhout,  734  Wabash  avenue,  Chicago. 

Producers  of  every  kind  of  paper  and  cloth  ban- 
ners, signs,  announcements,  etc.,  for  theatre  use. 

Lit- War  Company,  Wellston,  0. 

Manufacturers  of  the  "Sunbeam"  line  of  reflecting 
arc  lamp  and  a  complete  line  of  illumination 
equipment  for  theatres.  ' 

Johns-Manville  Company,  292  Madison  avenue.  New  York. 
Manufacturers  and  installers  of  sound  proofing 
equipment  for  motion  picture  theatres  and  studios. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


IS 


At  right  are  illustrated 
three  sections  of  the 
sets  built  by  the  Com- 
munity house  at  Ar- 
lington Heights.  In- 
numerable exteriors 
and  interiors  may  be 
pitched  with  these  sets. 


\ 

A 

/ 

M 

0       N         71 


s                ^          l\l         •      \A 

/               \l         M              M 

\l             1/1 

/               \l         M             N 

At  bottom  of  page  are 
four  panels,  one  a 
window,  and  the  other 
three  decorative 
panels  produced  with 
wall  paper.  These 
panels  are  interchange- 
able in  the  section  at 
the  left  above. 


An  Ideal  Stage 

(^  — for  a  small  theatre  j 

By  JOHN  Y.  BEATY 

Director,  Community  theatre,  Arlington  Heights,  111. 


I  SUPPOSE  that  an  amateur  is  always 
likely  to  think  that  he  knows  more  than 
a  professional.  There  is  one  advantage 
a  small  theatre  owner  has,  however,  and  that 
is  he  is  confronted  with  the  necessity  of  keep- 
ing costs  down,  and  so  is  more  inclined  to  dis- 
cover the  cheaper  way  than  the  architect. 

I  am  still  an  amateur,  but  I  have  learned 
some  things  that  you  are  not  likely  to  get 
from  your  architect,  and  I  think  it  may  pay 
to  pass  these  on  to  small  theatre  owners 
through  Better  Theatres. 

My  first  discovery  was  that  the  scene  loft 
above  the  stage  should  be  one  and  a  half 
times  as  high  as  the  proscenium  height.  On 
this  space  is  based  all  the  rest  I  have  to  say. 
My  proscenium  is  12  feet  high  and  this  re- 
quires 18  feet  in  the  loft. 

On  a  small  stage  such  as  this,  you  can  get 
along  without  a  gridiron  and  without  counter- 
weights. That  saves  a  big  chunk  of  money. 
Our  ropes  are  three  eights  inch  (three  to  the 
batten)  and  are  run  through  small  pulleys 
screwed  to  the  ceiling  with  heavy  screw  hooks. 

The  battens  are  made  of  one 
by  three-inch  lumber  (white 
pine)  with  two  strips  screwed 
together  and  three  two-inch 
harness  rings  pinched  between 
them  at  the  proper  positions  to 
receive  the  lines.  Bolts  are  run 
through  the  battens  and  rings 
to  make  them  solid. 

The  lines  are  attached  to  the 
battens  with  harness  snaps. 
Half-pound  sash  weights  are 
slipped  onto  the  rope  before 
the  snap  is  tied  on,  one  on  the 
first  line,  two  on  the  second, 
and    three    on    the    long    line. 


J.  ^  Editor's  J^ote:  This  interesting  and  "N 
informative  article  is  for  the  small 
town  theatre — the  theatre  which 
ma\es  no  appropriation,  or  a  very 
small  one,  for  stage  scenery.  Every 
theatre,  however,  which  can  budget 
its  expenditures  accordingly,  should 
X.  consult  scenic  artists. 


This  brings  the  line  to  the  floor  when  the  bat- 
ten is  off  of  it. 

There  are  25  lines  like  this.  There  might 
just  as  well  have  been  more,  for  I  know  now 
that  lines  can  be  placed  as  close  as  4^  or  5 
inches.  And  there  is  a  big  advantage  in  hav- 
ing all  the  lines  possible. 

You  will  understand,  that  this  type  of  hang-  ~ 
ing    equipment    makes    it    easy    and    quick    tT/ 


\ 

change  a  curtain  from  one  line  to  another. 
This  changing  of  curtains  from  one  position 
to  another  in  the  course  of  a  show  is  probably 
never  attempted  in  a  big  theatre,  but  in  the 
small  house  it  gives  you  far  more  use  from 
a  few  curtains  and  thus  cuts  down  the  num- 
ber of  curtains  needed. 

When  a  curtain  is  to  be  changed,  it  is  let 
down  to  the  floor,  the  three  snaps  are  un- 
hooked, and  the  rings  hooked  onto  the  three 
snaps  on  the  other  line.  This  is  a  matter  of 
seconds  and  can  easily  be  done  by  one  man, 
although  it  is  better  to  have  help  so  that  the 
curtain  will  not  be  dragged  on  the  floor. 

I  set  out  to  select  a  curtain  equipment  that 
would  provide  for  a  brand  new  setting  every 
time  I  used  it,  and  I  think  I  succeeded.  At 
any  rate,  I  still  have  several  hundred  settings 
in  my  idea  book  that  I  have  not  yet  used. 

The  first  principle  that  seemed  necessary 
to  get  a  big  variety  of  effects  was  to  have 
curtains  without  any  paint  or  fringe  of  any 
sort.  The  reason  for  that  is  this :  To  make 
the  curtain  look  new,  I  can  attach  something 
to  it — something  different  each 
time  it  is  used.  For  example, 
one  of  my  friends  painted  a 
large  parrot  on  wall  board. 
This  was  cut  out  and  suspend- 
ed from  the  batten  and  became 
a  part  of  a  sateen  curtain. 

On  another  occasion,  sun- 
flowers cut  from  yellow  paper 
were  pinned  to  the  black  cur- 
tain for  a  minstrel  act.  Bal- 
loons, tinsel,  flowers,  colored 
card  boards  in  endless  variety 
of  colors  and  shapes,  pieces  of 
variously  figured  fabrics, 
(^Continued  on  page  28) 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Selecting  Your  Rugs  and  Carpets 


I 


ONE  of  the)  basic  problems'  in  the  opera- 
tion of  a  motion  picture  theatre  is  the 
selection  of  the  right  rugs  and  carpets 
for  the  different  parts  of  the  building.  This 
subject  has  assumed  particular  importance 
with  the  sudden  increase  in  popularity  of  the 
talking  picture,  which  brings  with  it  new  dif- 
ficulties regarding  the  elimination  of  distract- 
ing noises  and  the  achievement  of  better 
acoustics. 

To  begin  with,  floor  coverings  for  the  thea- 
tre cannot  be  selected  in  the  same  way  as 
those  for  hotels  and  other  similar  institutions, 
because  the  greater  part  of  the  areas  to  be 
covered  in  the  motion  picture  houses  are 
spaces  which  are  not  level.  Ramps,  aisles, 
and  stairways — these  slanting  areas  make  up  a 
theatre  to  the  almost  complete  exclusion  of 
any  level  floors  except  in  the  lobby  and  pos- 
sibly the  mezzanine.  Consequently  rugs  and 
carpets  must  be  chosen  which  are  made  espe- 
cially to  stand  up  under  uneven  wear  on 
graded  surfaces. 

Another  characteristic  of  buying  carpeting 
for  a  motion  picture  theatre  is  the  fact  that 
in  addition  to  supplying  color,  beauty,  and 
harmony  to  the  interior  of  the  building,  the 
floor  coverings  must  be  such  as  will  deaden 
the  noise  of  hundreds  of  feet  during  a  per- 
formance, and  will  also  minimize  the  danger 
to  patrons  in  case  of  a  fall.  This  means  that 
the  theatre  auditorium  must  be  covered  from 
wall  to  wall,  and  every  inch  of  stair  and  ramp 
must  be  protected  with  sound-absorbing  carpict 

In  theatres  where  sound-pictures  are  shown 
regularly,  the  quesrtion  of  acoustics  is  as  essen- 
tial as  the  deadening  of  sound.  A  series  of 
exhaustive  experiments  conducted  by  theatre 
owners  in  all  parts  of  the  country  has  shown 
that  wall-to-wall  carpeting  in  the  auditorium 
tends  to  improve  the  clearness  with  which 
music  and  dialogue  may  be  heard  by  the  audi- 
ence.    Carpet  also  prevents  reverberation  and 


Wiih  the  rise  cf  tin  mzd2rnislic 
school  of  decoration  and  design,  such 
examples  of  the  new  manner  as  those 
above  are  extremely  interesting.  These 
are  rugs  planned,  with  certain  reser- 
vations, along  the  lines  of  modernistic 
art,  and  are  offered  by  the  Bigelow- 
Hartford  Carpet  Company  as  floor 
coverings  particularly  suitable  to  the 
motion  picture  theatre,  if  its  general 
design  permits. 


— with  a  thought 
to  synchronized 
pictures 

By  ALEXANDER  N.  COOK* 


to  a  large  extent  does  away  with  overtones. 
In  order  to  obtain  the  most  satisfactory  re- 
sults, the  playhouse  owner  should  seek  the 
advice  of  a  most  competent  rug  and  carpet 
merchant.  A  skilled  and  experienced  dealer 
is  in  a  position  to  make  worthwhile  sugges- 
tions about  the  three  major  problems  of  se- 
lecting and  installing  floor,  coverings  in  thea- 
tres. These  problems  are:  First,  the  selection 
of  durable  and  efficient  fabrics  at  a  price 
that  meets  the  theatre's  budget ;  second,  the 
choice  of  correct  colors  and  designs  to  blend 
with  the  desired  decorative  scheme;  and  third, 
the  actual  installation. 

The  first  of  these  important  considerations 
involves  choosing  the  highest  quality  floor 
covering  that  the  theatre  management's  allow- 


'Sales  Promotion  Malinger,  Bigelow-Hartford 
Carpet   Company 


ance  for  furnishings  will  permit.  Due  con- 
sideration must  also  be  given  to  the  selection 
of  the  proper  linings,  or  cus'hionings,  for  the 
lining  does  much  to  determine  the  life  of  the 
■carpet,  and  an  inferior  lining  can  actually 
damage  the  carpet  and  cause  it  to  wear  out 
sooner  than  it  would  by  itself.  Reputable 
floor  covering  merchants  are  always  in  a  posi- 
tion to  supply  a  standard  lining  of  established 
reputation  to  go  underneath  the  carpeting 
which  they  sell. 

The  carpet  construction  known  as  "Hart- 
ford-Saxony," a  special  distinctive  weave  cre- 
ated by  the  Bigelow-Hartford  Carpet  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  has  proved  to  be  a  floor 
covering  suited  to  theatre  requirement.  From 
this  long-wearing  fabric,  special  grades  of 
carpet  have  been  developed  to  meet  the  needs 
of  hundreds  of  new  cinema  theatres  that  have 
sprung  up  all  over  the  country. 

One  of  the  finest  of  these  new  fabrics  is 
Paramount  Wilton,  so  named  fOr  the  Para- 
mount theatres,  which  use  it  extensively.  This 
carpet  is  so  constructed  as  to  withstand  heavy 
traffic  over  staircases,   aisles,   and   ramps. 

Other  carpets  of  similar  utility  are  Bigelow 
Belasco  Wilton,  Moss  Wilton,  Bigelow  Alba 
Wilton,  and  Bigelow  Lancaster  Wilton,  all 
of  them  hard-service  fabrics.  The  noticeably 
solid  back  of  these  wool-faced  materials  gives 
them  the  necessary  strength  for  use  on  stairs 
and  aisles. 

Next  to  fabrics  of  "Hartford-Saxony"  type, 
standard  grades  of  worsted  willton  carpet 
are  most  desirable  for  use  in  theatres.  These 
materials  are  hard-backed  and  have  an  ex- 
ceptionally sturdy  surface. 

Plain  fabrics  are  sometimes  employed,  but 
not  frequently  because  a  plain  fabric  shows 
the  effects  of  wear  faster  than  a  figured. 

After  quality  and  price  have  been  deter- 
mined,   the    second    problem    presents    itself : 

{Continued  on  page  33) 


^••<«M*«a 


September  1,  1928  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 

BETTEC    PROJECTION 


tim0mmmmm^^t>m»mm 


y 


The 
Condenser 

In 

Synchronism 

By  F.  H.  RICHARDSON 


THE  third  of  this  series  of  instruction 
in  sound  reproduction  and  amplification 
apparatus  deals  with  the  condenser.  It 
is  prompted  by  several  inquiries  from  pro- 
jectionists, one  of  which  I  reproduce.  It  is 
both  amusing  and  informative.  It  comes 
from  a  Vitaphone  projectionist,  by  the  way. 
His  inquiry  is  couched  in  these  words : 

"Say,  Rich,  there  seems  to  be  condensers 
stuck  all  over  the  darned  thing.  Even  the 
manager  phoned  up  last  night  and  told  me  to 
condense  the  sound,  which  he  thought  was 
too  loud.  It  was  his  first  squawk  of  the 
kind.      Usually   he's    yelping    for   more    noise. 

"But  what  in  hell  is  a  condenser  and  what 
does  it  do  anyhow?  I  bought  one  at  a  radio 
store,  took  its  liver  and  gizzard  out  and 
couldn't  see  any  sense  to  it." 

So  to  satisfy  this  man's  curiosity  and  the 
curiosity  of  many  others,  as  well  as  to  try  to 
give  you  a  competent  understanding  of  this 
important  element  of  the  reproduction  appara- 
tus,  here  goes. 

Broadly  speaking  condensers  are  used  to 
act  as  a  check  valve  to  permit  alternating 
current  to  pass,  but  "strain  out"  and  stop 
direct  current;  to  offer  high  resistance  to 
currents  of  all  frequencies  except  the  fre- 
quency the  condenser  is  made  to  work  with, 
and  to  act  as  a  sort  of  electrical  "shock  ab- 
sorber." 

*     *     * 

Understanding  of  the  important  things  with 
relation  to  electrical  condensers  will  be  sim- 
plified if  we  realize  at  the  outset  that  such 
condensers  are  nothing  more  or  less  than  the 
electrical  equivalent  of  a  spring.  Put  an- 
other way,  they  are  the  electrical  equivulent 
of  elasticity.  They  absorb  electrical  shocks 
just  as  the  springs  under  your  car  absorb 
mechanical  shocks.  In  still  other  words,  they 
represent  electrical  elasticity. 

There  are  various  types  of  electrical  con- 
densers, each  one  of  which  is  made  use  of  by 
the  electrical  engineer  for  a  particular  pur- 
pose, just  as  the  mechanical  engineer  makes 
use  of  tension  springs,  compression  springs, 
pneumatic  spring  et  cetera,  or  upon  occasion, 
even  rubber  bands.  Moreover,  each  of  the 
many  different  purposes  for  which  electrical 
condensers  are  used  may  be  compared  quite 
closely  with  some  well  known  application  of 


'N. 


IMPORTANT  NOTE:  W.  R.  Gwynn,  projectionist,  Estes  Park,  Col.,  directs  my 
attention  to  the  fact  that  in  the  Bluebook  chapter  dealing  with  electrical  action  it  is 
set  forth  that  current  flows  from  POSITIVE  TO  NEGATIVE,  whereas  in  these  articles 
I  have  said  that  the  electrons,  which  constitute  the  "current,"  flow  from  NEGATIVE 
TO  POSITIVE.  He  very  rightly  thinks  some  may  be  confused  by  this  direct  contror 
diction. 

Gentlemen,  the  explanation  is  simple — perhaps.  For  a  long  while  there  has  been 
a  difference  of  opinion  even  among  our  highest  authorities  on  electrical  action  as  to 
which  way  the  current  flows,  or  in  which  direction  the  electrical  action  is,  but  with 
that  particular  thing  I  believe  you  have  small  interest. 

In  the  Bluebook  I  expressed  the  then  prevailing  opinion  that  the  action  was  from 
positive  to  negative.  In  this  series  I  express  what  seem.s  to  be  the  later  prevailing 
opinion  that  the  action  is  from  negative  to  positive. 

Don't  let  that  confuse  you,  however,  because  so  far  as  I  am  able  to  see  the  net 
results  would  be  in  no  manner  altered  were  the  action,  whatever  it  really  is,  reversed. 

We  live  to  learn,  and  I  believe  it  is  likely  that  the  later  negative>-to-positive  theory 
is  correct,  but  after  all  when  we  pin  the  engineer  right  down  so  he  can't  squirm,  he 
is  obliged  to  admit  that  he  is  not  altogether  certain  which  way  the  action  is.  So  why 
worry?  Writing  these  articles  is  no  cinch  for  the  one  whose  chief  interest  is  to  be 
and  keep  right,  what  with  the  changing  theories  and  more  or  less  uncertainty  even 
among  our  highest  authorities. 


"V 


y^ 


elasticity  in  the  mechanical  engineering  field, 
such  as,  for  example,  the  springs  which  ab- 
sorb the  jolts  as  you  ride  in  your  car,  the 
hair  spring  of   your  watch,   etc. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  were  electricity  visible 
to  the  eye,  we  would,  in  very  many  cases,  find 
the  action  of  the  electrical  condenser  to  be 
just  as  simple  and  obvious  as  that  of  the 
mechanical  devices  named. 

Daily  experience  teaches  all  of  us  just  what 
the  action  of  a  spring  is  and  what  it  means. 
We  know  that  it  provides  elasticity,  absorbs 
shocks,  et  cetera.  The  most  simple,  possible  ex- 
ample illustrates  the  matter  perfectly.  I  refer 
to  a  piece  of  a  rubber  band  such  as  is  used 
to  hold  papers  and  other  things  together  in 
a  bundle.  This  bit  of  rubber  has  the  two 
fundamental    characteristics    of    elasticity. 


First,  it  stretches  when  we  apply  force  by 
pulling  upon  its  ends.  Did  we  accurately 
measure  the  pull  in  pounds  applied  to  the  ends 
of  the  rubber  and  the  amount  of  stretch 
measured  in  inches,  we  would  find  that  at  any 
given  point  in  the  stretch  the  power  applied 
and  the  stretch  in  inches  would  be  exactly 
proportional. 

Secondly,  when  the  pull  is  released  the 
rubber  returns  immediately  to  its  original 
length.  These  two  properties  are  found  in 
all  true  elastic  substances  or  bodies  and  fur- 
ther along  we  shall  see  that  electrical  con- 
densers have  exactly  corresponding  proper- 
ties. 

A  very  simple  form  of  electrical  condenser, 
which  is  comparable  with  the  rubber  band  in 
mechanics,  insofar  as  concerns  simplicity,  con- 
sists of  two  plates  of  metal,  with  a  sheet 
of  insulating  material  between.  For  example, 
say  two  pieces  of  sheet  aluminum,  each  a  foot 
square,  separated  by  a  sheet  of  insulating 
material  of  somewhat  greater  dimensions,  the 
protruding  edges  of  the  insulating  material 
providing  insulation  around  the  edges  of  the 
metal  to  prevent  current  "leaking"  or  "jump- 
ing" across. 

One  of  these  plates  is  connected  to  one 
terminal  of  a  battery,  or  other  source  of 
electrical  power,  the  other  plate  to  the  other 
terminal.    With  this  arrangement  it  is  readily 


seen  that  instead  of  applying  mechanical 
force  (pull)  to  opposite  ends  of  a  rubber 
band,  we  are  applying  or  setting  up  a  condi- 
tion of  electrical  pressure,  commonly  meas- 
ured in  voltage,  to  or  between  the  two  plates 
of  the  condenser,  the  force  of  which  is  con- 
centrated upon  and  is  born  by  the  insulating 
sheet. 

Under  this  condition  the  condenser  is  said 
to  be  "charged"  and  the  insulating  material 
between  the  plates  is  in  a  state  of  strain, 
just  exactly  as  the  rubber  band  is  when  it  is 
stretched.  The  voltage  of  the  charged  con- 
denser, produced  by  the  strain  the  insulating 
material  is  under,  will  be  equal  to  the  force 
(voltage)  applied  to  the  condenser,  just  as 
the  rubber  band  stretches  until  its  pulling 
force  (tension)  is  equal  to  the  force  applied 
to  its  ends. 

When  we  release  our  stretched  rubber  band, 
it  instantly  snaps  back  to  its  original  form 
and  length.  Similarly,  if  we  disconnect  a 
charged  condenser  from  the  source  of  power 
and  short  circuit  the  plates  by  means  of  a 
wire,  the  condenser  will  discharge  itself  and 
return  to  its  original  uncharged  condition. 
If  the  condenser  be  large  enough,  and  charged 
with  from  100  to  200  volts,  a  visible  spark 
will  result  when  we  short  the  plates. 


Just  as  the  amount  of  stretching  in  the 
rubber  band  is  proportional  to  the  force  ap- 
plied, so  the  charge  produced  or  set  up  in  an 
electrical  condenser  is  proportional  to  the 
voltage  applied.  What  is  termed  the  "capa- 
city" of  a  condenser  is  the  amout  of  charge 
it  takes  for  each  volt  applied  to  it.  Similarly, 
the  elasticity  of  a  rubber  band  may  be  ex- 
pressed as  the  number  of  inches  it  will 
stretch  for  each  pound  of  force  applied.  If 
the  rubber  be  pulled  too  hard  it  will  break. 
If  we  apply  too  much  voltage  to  a  condenser, 
the  insulating  material  will  be  punctured, 
whereupon  the  condenser  is  said  to  be  "leaky" 
or  to  have  "broken  down." 

The  very  simple  form  of  condenser  we 
have  taken  for  an  illustrative  example  is  sel- 
dom met  with  in  actual  practice,  just  as  rub- 
ber bands  are  seldom  met  with  in  mechanical 
engineering,  but  it  was  from  these  simple  be- 


Corres^ondence  for  F.  H.  Richardson,  editor  of  this  depart- 
ment, should  he  addressed  to  South  Lyme,  Conn.,  Box  100. 


18 


ginnings  that  the  devices  now  in  use  were  de- 
veloped, or  from  lessons  they  taught  rather. 

In  the  type  of  electrical  condenser  now 
most  commonly  in  use  we  still  find  the  metal 
plates  and  insulating  material,  but  in  order 
to  secure  adequate  capacity  in  a  reasonably 
small  space,  instead  of  rigid  metal  plates  we 
find  as  their  equivalent  sheets  of  tinfoil  only 
about  two-thousandths  of  an  inch  thick,  with 
insulating  paper  between  having  only  slightly 
greater  thickness.  Both  tinfoil  and  paper  are 
in  the  form  of  long  strips,  which  are  wound 
into  a  roll  for  the  sake  of  compactness. 

W'hen  the  strips  of  tinfoil  with  insulating 
paper  between  (the  paper  is  somewhat  wider 
than  the  foil)  have  been  wound  up  into  rolls, 
they  are  placed  in  a  metal  contamer,  which 
latter  is  filled  with  an  insulating  compound 
and  sealed.  This  is  the  metal  case  type  of 
condenser  now  in  use  in  radio  sets.  Where 
high  voltage  condensers  are  used,  the  usual 
practice  is  to  dispense  with  insulation  in  sheet 
form  and  secure  it  bj'  immersing  the  metal  in 
oil,  which  acts  as  an  effective  insulator  and 
is  very  difficult  to  "puncture",   electrically. 

As  we  shall  see  later  on,  it  is  often  desir- 
able that  the  capacity  of  a  condenser  be 
readily  succeptible  of  alteration  or  change,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  variable  condensers  wi  li 
which  radio  sets  have  familiarized  most  of 
us  at   least  to   some  extent. 

The  difference  between  such  condensers  and 
those  alrfeady  described  is  that  instead  of  a 
single  pair  of  metal  plates,  a  large  number  of 
pairs  are  employed,  separated  (insulated) 
from  each  other  by  air.  In  such  condensers  all 
the  positive  plates  are  joined  together  electri- 
cally and  connected  to  one  side  of  the  cir- 
cuit. Likewise  all  negative  plates  are  con- 
nected together  electrically  and  are  connected 
to  the  other  side  of  the  circuit.  One  set  of 
the   plates   are   mounted    on   a   rigid   support ; 


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BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 

the   other   set   is  mounted   on  a   spindle   which 
may  be  rotated. 

When  such  a  condenser  has  the  moving  set 
of  plates  turned  fully  within  the  other  set, 
the  condenser  then  has  its  maximum  capacity, 
because  the  full  surface  of  each  set  of  plates 
will  be  eft'ective.  Conversely,  when  the  mov- 
able plates  are  rotated  so  as  to  be  entirely 
removed  from  between  the  fixed  set,  then 
the  condenser  will  have  practically  no  capacity 
at  all.  It  is  this  type  of  condenser  which  is 
used  to  "tune  in"  your  radio  se..  It  does 
that  because  at  a  certain  value  or  "capacity' 
it  causes  the  receiving  circuit  to  be  "in  tune" 
with  the  radio  frequency  you  seek,  and  will 
then  permit  that  frequency  to  pass  with  but 
very  slight  resistance,  at  the  same  time 
though,  if  it  be  a  good  and  sufficient  con- 
denser, it  will  offer  high  resistance  to  all  other 
frequencies. 

Insulation  materials  vary  in  their  value  for 
condenser  construction.  Some  will  proNidc 
more  capacity  than  others.  For  example,  a 
condenser  in  which  mica  is  the  insulation  me- 
dium, will  provide  from  three  to  five  times 
the  amount  of  capacity  the  same  condenser 
would  have  were  the  insulation  medium  air. 
The  closer  together  we  place  the  metal  plates 
of  a  condenser,  and  the  greater  the  area  of  the 
plates,  the  greater  will  be  the  capacity  of  the 
condenser. 

Only  one  thing  remains  to  complete  our 
broad  survey  of  the  subject  of  condensers, 
and  that  is  to  point  out  some  typical  applica- 
tions, which  we  will  therefore  now  proceed 
to  do. 

One  highly  valuable  property  of  a  condenser 
is  that  while  it  will  to  some  extent  permit  pass- 
age of  alternating  current,  it  will  not  permit 
the  passage  of  direct  current  at  all.  The  lat- 
ter fact  is  obvious,  of  course,  because  of  the 
insulation  which  separates  the  plates  of  every 
condenser — some  current  goes  into  one  plate 
and  out  of  the  other  while  the  charge  is  taking 
place,  but  once  the  charge  is  completed  no 
more  current  can  pass  around  the  circuit. 
Similarly,  once  a  spring  has  stretched,  its 
movement  ceases. 

^     ^     ^' 

To  get  a  clear  conception  of  how  a  con- 
denser allows  A  C  to  pass,  let  us  consider 
spring  action  in  another  form.  Suppose  we 
had  a  pipe  filled  with  water,  with  a  pump 
plunger  at  one  end  and  a  turbine  at  the  other 
end.  By  pushing  in  the  plunger,  we  could 
make  water  flow  through  the  pipe  and  operate 
the  turbine.  That  is  like  a  straight  DC  cir- 
cuit. But  if  we  closed  off  the  pipe  in  the 
middle  by  putting  a  rubber  diaphragm  across 
it,  we  couldn't  get  a  steady  flow  any  more — 
the  most  we  could  do  would  be  to  press  on 
the  plunger,  thereby  bulging  the  diaphragm. 
Putting  electricity  instead  of  water,  a  conden- 


Make'em^ 


Electrio      Signs      in      motion 
compel     attention.       Reco 
Flashers    provide    motion    in 
its    most    reliable    and    eco- 
nomical form.     They  are  mo- 
tor driven  and  have  been  the 
standard   over  20  years.  BuUt 
for   low   upkeep   and 
long      service.       Pay 
for      themselves     in 
cuiTent  saving. 


Write 

for 

Bulletin 


2651    W.    Congress   St.,    Chicago 

JIakers  also  of 
Motors,  Color 
Hoods.  Traffic  Con- 
t  r  o  1  s.  Signboard 
Reflectors,  Food 
Mixers.  Vegetable 
Peelers,   etc. 


September  1,  1928 

ser  instead  of  the  diaphragm,  and  a  battery 
for  the  pump,  this  is  like  a  DC  circuit  with  a 
condenser  in  it.  But  in  spite  of  the  conden- 
ser, we  can  still  transmit  power  by  a  different 
stunt.  Here's  the  catch — not  that  although  we 
do  not  get  any  steady  flow  of  water  through 
the  pipe,  still  when  we  press  the  plunger  a 
little  water  will  flow,  owing  to  the  bulging  of 
the  diaphragm ;  this  bulge  will  push  some 
wa.er  along  the  pipe  beyond  the  diaphragm, 
and  so  cause  the  turbine  to  turn  o  little. 
Then  by  pulling  the  plunger  back  the  dia- 
phragm can  be  made  to  bulge  the  opposite 
way,  there  will  be  some  backward  flow  after, 
and  the  turbine  will  move  a  little  in  the  oppo- 
site direction.  So  by  moving  the  plunger  back 
and  forth  we  cause  a  corresponding  recipro- 
cating motion  of  the  turbine  or  other  device, 
and  thereby  we  can  transmit  energy  despite 
the  diaphragm  preventing  any  steady  flow.  In 
just  the  same  way,  AC  power  can  get  past  a 
condenser  without  much  difficulty — the  AC 
keeps  flowing  back  and  forth,  in  and  out,  of 
the  condenser,  charging  it  first  in  one  direction 
and  then  in  the  other,  like  the  water  pressure 
which  bulges  the  diaphragm  each  way  alter- 
nately. 

*     *     ^ 

This  property  of  condensers  was  early  made 
use  of  in  connection  with  the  telephone.  The 
subscriber's  telephone  must  always  be  con- 
nected to  the  exchange  in  order  that  the  sub- 
scriber may  be  rung  up  by  the  operator. 
However,  to  avoid  battery  waste  this  connec- 
tion must  not  permit  direct  current  to  pass, 
except  when  the  subscriber  is  actually  using 
the  phone.  A  condenser  is  therefore  inserted 
in  the  subscribers  circuit,  which,  since  it  per- 
mits the  passage  of  AC,  enables  the  operator 
to  ring  him  up  with  a  bell  using  alternating 
current.  On  the  other  hand,  however,  direct 
current  from  the  exchange  batteries  cannot 
flow  through  the  condenser,  hence  does  not 
flow  until  another  circuit  which  has  no  con- 
denser is  established  by  lifting  the  receiver 
from  the  hook. 

There  are  many  other  examples  in  tele- 
phone, radio  and  voice  amplification  work 
where  condensers  are  used  to  permit  the  pass- 
age of  audio-frequency  or  radio-frequency 
current,  while  at  the  same  time  blocking  the 
flow  of  DC  from  the  batteries. 

Another  highly  valuable  application  of  the 
condenser  is  that  it  may  be  used  in  the  form 
of  an  electrical  shock  absorber.  When  some 
types  of  circuits  are  disconnected  by  the 
action  of  pulling  a  switch,  a  very  high  voltage 
is  generated  at  the  terminals  of  the  switch 
and  objectionable  burning  of  the  contacts  may 
occur,  or  the  insulation  may  even  be  broken 
dowTi.  Just  as  springs  or  other  elastic  bodies 
are  used  to  break  the  force  of,  or  absorb 
blows  and  concussions,  in  your  car  for  ex- 
ample, so  a  condenser  placed  "across"  a  switch 
under  the  condition  before  described  will  ab- 
sorb the  high  voltage  shock  caused  by  break- 
ing the  circuit,  because  the  surplus  energy  is 
used  in  charging  the  condenser  above  the  nor- 
mal charge  it  carries  by  reason  of  the  regular 
line  voltage.  This  charge  is  of  course  then 
discharged  again,  just  as  the  depressed  spring 
under  ^-our  car  resumes  its  normal  positoin 
when  the  cause  for  its  depression  has  passed. 

If  am'  have  felt  there  is  some  deep  mystery 
about  such  things  as  "tuned  circuits"  and 
"resonance,"  which  are  so  frequently  heard  of 
in  connection  with  radio  work,  let  us  remem- 
ber that  fundamentally  they  are  no  more 
strange  than  is  the  action  of  your  watch,  in 
which  there  is  a  hair  spring  connected  with 
a  balance  wheel  and  a  propert}'  of  such  com- 
binations is  that  they  always  continue  to  vi- 
brate at  exactly  the  same  rate  of  speea^ 
same  number  per  minute. 

For  example,  returning  to  our  rubber  band, 
were  we  to  suspend  some  object  having  weight 
to  one  end  of  it,  we  shall  find  that  the  weight 
will  bob  up  and  do\\Ti  for  a  time,  and  regard- 
less as  to  whether  the  movements  be  large 
or   small,   thej'  will   always  be  at   exactly  the 


I      September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


Bigger  Crowds,  Better  Profits 


19 


WHY  do  the  biggest  and  best  thea- 
tres   have   the    biggest    and   best 
electric  signs? 


BECAUSE  the  wide-awake  men  who 
run  these  big  shows  have  learned  by 
experience  that  a  good  electric  theatre 
sign  is  the  essential  of  their  advertising. 

A  Flexlume  theatre-electric  impresses 
the  public.     By  strength  of  brilUance, 


color  and  action,  it  literally  pulls  the 
crowd  to  your  box-office. 

You'll  find  very  helpful  "Theatre 
Electric  Displays",  a  new  book  full  of 
pictures  of  latest  sign  installations.  Let 
us  send  a  free  copy ;  and  submit,  with- 
out obligation,  color  sketch  of  an  elec- 
tric suitable  for  your  theatre. 

Flexlume  Corporation 
1836  Military  Road,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


jli^'-'^-^mi 


'mmm'i^hl: 


*»»**»*»«*«*W*«i|*l 


Sales  and  Service 

Offices  in  chief  cities 

of  U.  S.  and  Can. 


'      Factories   also    at 
Detroit,   Los  Angeles, 
Oakland  &  Toronto 


FLEXLUME 

ELECTRIC    DISPLAYS 


same  rate — the  same  number  per  minute. 
Substituting  a  hair  spring  for  the  rubber  band 
and  a  balance  wheel  for  the  weight,  that  is 
how  and  why  a  watch  keeps  time. 

Similarly  in  tuned  circuits,  or  resonant  cir- 
cuits, (they  mean  essentially  the  same  thing) 
oscillators,  etc.,  condensers  are  used  as  the 
elastic  members  of  an  electrical  combination 
which  permits  of  electrical  vibration  or  oscil- 
lation at  a  certain  frequency.  That  is  to  say, 
the  condenser  will  permit  only  current  to  pass 
which  is  exactly  "in  time"  with  the  condenser 
capacity  as  to  frequency. 

The  variable  air-insulated  condenser  used 
in  radio  work  is  an  outstanding  example  of 
this  type  of  condenser  application.  As  already 
explained,  changing  its  capacity  by  altering  the 
position  of  its  plates  with  relation  to  each 
other,  alters  the  "capacity"  of  the  condenser, 
and  changes  the  frequency  to  which  the  circuit 
it  controls  will  respond.  That  is  all  there  is 
to  "tuning"  and  "resonance" — though  until  it 
is  understood  I'll  agree  that  in  the  language 
of  the  streets,  it  is  "plenty." 

Some  of  our  readers,  recalling  the  fact  that 
springs  may  be  used  to  store  up  power  or 
mechanical  energy,  as  in  winding  the  watch 
or  clock,  may  wonder  if  this  is  possible  of 
accomplishment  with  a  condenser.  The  answer 
is  an  unequivocal  no.  As  we  all  know,  to 
store  up  any  large  amount  of  energy  by  means 
of  springs  involves  bolh  great  weight  and  ex- 
pense. Exactly  the  same  thing  is  even  more 
true  of  electrical  condensers,  A  condenser 
having  sufficient  capacity  to  operate  an  ordi- 
nary incandescent  lamp  for  a  few  hours  would 
have  to  be  as  large  as  a  good  sized  house,  and 
would  cost  thousands  upon  thousands  of  dol- 
lars to  construct.  Hence  there  are  but  a  few 
special  applications  of  condensers  for  power 
storage,  and  those  only  for  storing  a  tiny 
amount  for  the  fraction  of  a  second. 


After  reading  the  foregoing,  some  people 
may  wonder  why  condensers  bear  that  name 
because  no  reference  has  been  made  here  to 
anything  being  condensed.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  name  isn't  a  very  good  one ;  it  was 
applied  in  the  early  days  of  electrical  science 
over  100  years  ago,  the  idea  then  being  that 
the  electricity  used  for  charging  had  been 
"condensed"  on  the  surfaces  of  the  plates,  like 
moisture.  Other  names  have  been  suggested 
and  used,  but  so  far  none  seems  to  have 
proven  popular,  and  therefore  the  old  one 
continues  to  stick. 

There,  gentlemen,  if  there  is  anything  more 
you  want  to  know,  or  anything  not  made  clear 
to  you  in  this  article  on  electrical  condensers, 
kindly  set  yourself  down  and  address  the  edi- 
tor concerning  the  matter,  and  if  it  can  be 
done  the  thing  will  be  cleared  up  for  you. 
Getting  this  sort  of  an  article  into  acceptable 
shape  is  no  mean  task,  believe  you  me.  It's 
adding  a  few  worries  to  the  editorial  brain, 
and  that's  no  idle  fabrication. 

The  Powers  That  Be  were  at  first  very 
much  disinclined  to  approve  the  publication  of 
much  articles,  much  less  lend  any  assistance 
to  their  preparation.  And  in  that  their  atti- 
tude was  a  perfectly  honest  one,  in  that  they 
believed  it  would  do  more  harm  than  good. 
It  was  only  after  a  long,  and  at  points  rather 
warm  argument,  I  succeeded  in  convincing 
them  that  not  only  was  the  projectionist  justly 
entitled  to  know  these  things,  but  that  it  was 
best  they  should  know. 

Their  idea — a  not  at  all  strange  one — was 
that  knowledge  would  only  serve  to  increase 
the  tendency  to  experiment  with  the  appara- 
tus, and  experimentation  almost  invariably 
led  to  trouble.  The  apparatus  is,  as  I  have 
told  you,  handling  enormously  delicate  forces. 
It  must  be  EXACTLY  right  if  you  are  to  get 
the  best  results.    DON'T,  DON'T,  D-O-N-'T, 


£)**o**N**'T  experiment  with  it.  I  would 
print  that  in  letters  a  foot  high  were  it  pos- 
sible to  do  so. 

However,  without  experimentation,  added 
knowledge  will  often  enable  the  projectionist 
to  not  only  get  the  best  possible  results,  but 
also  to  solve  minor  difficulties  when  the  serv- 
ice engineer  is  not  quickly  available. 


Editor 

Soundly  Spanked 

Only  verbally,  however.  From  George 
Truex  (as  nearly  as  I  am  able  to  decipher  the 
last  name),  who  carefully  signs  himself,  "Op- 
erator 1902-1928,"  Pleasantville,  N.  J.,  comes 
this  flock  of  brickbats,  which,  carefully  note, 
he  himself  demands  be  published. 

That  li'l  thing  I  will  do,  as  per  his  own  re- 
quest.    Here  it  is : 

Editor,  Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  C'li- 
cago,  111. — Dear  Sir:  Will  you  kindly  publish  the 
contents  of  this  letter  in  your  next  edition  of  Better 
Theatres.  Reading  over  your  latest  edition  of  the 
Herald  and  Moving  Picture  World,  June  9,  on 
Better  Projection  a  brother  operator  asked  a  civil 
question,  "If  he  could  use  the  same  size  lens  in  any 
other  make  projector?"  Then  along  come  Mr. 
Richardson  with  his  funny  remarks  saying  that  this 
operator    was    going    into    very    deep    stuff. 

Yes,  the  lens  could  be  used  in  any  other  projector 
provided  the  lens  jackets  were  the  same  size.  There's 
no  deep  stuff  about  it.  This  has  been  going  on  for 
several  years  now  and  has  been  the  same  story  about 
an  operator  asking  a  simple  question  and  getting  back 
a    funny   reply   which   makes   him   feel   like   an   ass. 

Now,  Mr.  Editor,  have  this  Mr.  Richardson  print 
all  the  questions  that  are  asked  him  and  let  othei' 
brother  operators  answer  his  questions  in  a  good 
manner  without  any  kidding  by  somebody  who  don't 
know   and   sometimes  admits   it. 

Also  inform  Mr.  Richardson  that  in  New  Jersey 
here  when  a  fellow  passes  an  operator's  test  he  re- 
ceives a  license  saying  MOTION  PICTURE  OPERA- 
TOR and  not  a  PROJECTIONIST  as  he  likes  to 
use  that  word  quite  a  few  times  along  with  PRO- 
JECTION  ROOM   or  in  this   part  of  Jersey  BOOTH, 


r 


20 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


SUPERIOR  TYPE  "S"  PROJECTOR 

Adapted  to 

MOVIETONE  AND  VITAPHONE 


The  peculiar  de- 
sign and  rugged 
construction  al- 
lowing a  mini- 
mum of  vibration 
in  operation, 
makes  the 
SUPERIOR  par- 
ticularly adapt- 
able to  SOUND 
PROJECTION. 

The  new  "REAR 
SHUTTER" 
cuts  over  half  the 
heat  from  the 
film. 

Either  tw^o  or 
three  w^ing  shut- 
ter can  be  used. 


DISTRIBUTORS 


Oliver  Moving  Picture  Supply  Co. 

Film   Building 

Cleveland,  Ohio 

Carolina  Theatre  Supply  Co. 

United  Film   Building 

Charlotte,  N.  C. 

McArthur  Equipment  Co. 

2301    Cass  Ave. 

Detroit,  Mich. 

Superior  Motion  Picture 
Supply  Co. 

1026  Forbes  St. 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

King  Scenic  &  Theatre  Supply  Co. 

309   S.    Harwood   St. 

Dallas,  Texas 

Queen  Feature  Service,  Inc. 

1912 13    Morris    Ave. 

Birmingham,  Ala. 

Amusement  Supply  Co. 

709   Twiggs   St. 

Tampa,  Fla. 

A.  A.  Electric  Machinery  Co.,  Inc. 

1117   Cherry  St. 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

United  Projector  &  Film  Corp. 

228  Franklin  St. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Movie  Supply  Co. 

844   Wabash   Ave. 
Chicago,  111. 

Manufactured  by 

Coxsackie  Holding  Corporation 

Coxsackie,  N.  Y.,  U.  S.  A. 


September  1,  1928 

which  Mr.  Richardson  will  see  if  he  takes  time  to 
look  it  up  when  operating  was  in  its  infancy  and 
not  nowadays  when  every  one  is  trying  to  make 
themselves    look    like    something. 

I  wonder  if  this  "DEEP  STUFF"  of  Richardson's 
is  as  deep  as  he  tries  to  make  people  think  it  is? 
How  high  is  Up????? 

From  all  of  which,  strange  as  it  may  seem 
to  you,  I  gather  that  the  Pleasantville  "Op- 
erator" doesn't  like  Richardson  or  any  of  his 
works ;  also  and  moreover  he  wants  the 
whole  wide  world  and  my  "boss"  to  know  he 
doesn't.  So  in  accordance  with  his  request- 
demand  I  have  informed  you — I  will  now  re- 
tire into  the  depths  of  my  closet,  maybe,  and 
get  the  clothes  therein  all  mussed  up  with 
tears. 

However,  after  all  maybe  I  won't,  because 
after  careful  examination  of  the  June  9  issue 
I  am  unable  to  find  any  article  which  seems 
to  fit  his  criticism  at  all.  Nor  is  there  any- 
thing in  the  issue  before  or  after  that  one. 
The  only  thing  even  suggestive  of  changing 
lenses  on  projectors  is  the  article,  "Study, 
Man,  Study,"  Tune  9  issue,  but  that  deals  with 
condensers,  which  same  have  no  "lens  jack- 
ets." So  what  in  Gehenna  is  the  Pleasantville 
"Operator"  all  het  up  about  anyhow?  Seems 
to  be  a  bit  damp  on  his  data,  or  forgot  to  use 
his  specks  when  he  read  the  article. 

Another  thing,  if  that  is  the  article  he  ob- 
jects to,  I  did  not  publish  either  the  name  or 
address  of  the  projectionist,  so  how  could  he 
possibly  have  been  made  to  "feel  like  an  ass," 
publicly  at  least? 

No,  Pleasantville,  my  "stuff"  is  not  "deep" 
in  the  least.  I've  really  rather  claimed  the 
specialty  of  making  it  undeep.  Rather  pride 
myself  on  ability  to  make  things  clear,  usually 
at  least.  Of  course,  however,  I  really  have 
to  be  a  bit  "deep"  once  in  a  while,  so  the 
boss  will  think  I  really  do  know  something 
and  will  let  me  hold  my  job.  You  know 
how  it  is,  Pleasantville.  But  after  all  I'm  an 
accommodating  cuss  and  whenever  you  have 
anything  more  you'd  like  published,  just  send 
it  along.     Always  glad  to  help  a  friend. 

P.  S. :  Oh,  by  the  way,  Pleasantville  hopes 
to  answer  some  of  those  questions  I  don't 
really  know  anything  about,  or  so  it  seems. 
Well  here's  one  that  came  in  this  morning's 
mail.  I'll  let  him  help  me  out  on  it.  It 
comes  from  a  small  town  exhibitor  in  New 
Brunswick.  I'd  give  you  his  name  but  his 
letter  is  marked  "personal"  so  I  can't.  He 
says: 

"Dear  Mr.  Richardson,  will  you  help  me  out.  This 
town  is  a  small  one.  Has  about  1,000,  with  con- 
siderable farming  territory  to  draw  from,  however. 
I  have  concluded  to  install  current  rectifying  appara- 
tus. Find  I  can  install  a  mercury  arc  rectifier  at 
$300  less  than  a  Hertner  Transverter  will  cost  me. 
Current  is  11  cents  per  kw.  Supply  is  a.c,  110 
volts,  60  cycle.  Which  would  you  advise  me  to  get? 
Please  advise  just  on  what  grounds  you  base  your 
recommendation,  if  you  will  be  so  kind. 

"Another  thing,  your  Bluebook  advises  36  inches 
between  projector  lens  centers.  Will  this  give  enough 
room?  What  harm  would  48  inch  snacingdo?  I  at- 
tach drawing  showing  auditorium  dimensions.  Pro- 
jection distance  48  feet.  Would  you  consider  Mazda 
as  better  than  reflector  arcs?" 

There,  Pleasantville,  get  thyself  busily  busy. 
Send  in  your  answer  and  I'll  pubHsh  it,  but 
remember  this  man  wants  DETAILS  as  to 
just  WHY  each  recommendation  is  made. 
Please  be  a  good  sport  and  help  me  out  on 
this  one.  Sorry  no  really  hard  ones  happen 
to  be  before  me  just  now. 

Oh,  yes,  by  the  way,  before  closing,  if  Pleas- 
antville happens  to  cross  the  Delaware  river 
into  Pennsylvania,  he  will  be  licensed  as  a 
Motion  Picture  Projectionist  or  he  won't  be 
licensed  at  all,  which  same  is  true  of  several 
other  states  and  most  provinces  of  Canada. 
Why  advertise  New  Jersey's  backwardness??? 


Sell 
Projection 

Recently  I  heard  something  in  the  morning, 
"Cheerio"  radio  program  which  seemed  so 
wonderfully  illustrative  of  the  attitude  of 
men  to  their  work  that  I  shall  change  it  to  fit 
projection.     The  idea  is  not  mine,  but  merely 


September  1,  192tJ 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


21 


an  adaptation  of  another  man's  idea  to  projec- 
tion. 

In  a  small  city  three  motion  picture  thea- 
tres held  forth  nightly  for  the  amusement  and 
entertainment  of  the  citizens.  A  visitor  hav- 
ing interest  in  knowing  what  lay  in  the  mys- 
terious dark  room  from  whence  the  light 
beam  came,  first  having  secured  permission, 
visited  the  three  theatres  and  their  projection 
rooms   in   turn. 

In  the  first  he  found  a  dull,  shaky  picture, 
with  occasional  rainbow  effects  at  its  bottom. 
He  mounted  aloft,  entered  the  projection 
room  and,  to  start  conversation,  said  to  the 
presiding  genius :  "Hello  there,  old  man,  what 
are  you  doing?"  To  which  instant  reply  came 
in  unenthusiastic  tones :  "I'm  workin'  for 
$40  a  week!" 

*     *     * 

In  the  next  theatre  he  found  a  fair  picture 
upon  the  screen.  The  lighting  was  good  but 
many  other  things  were  not  so  good.  For 
example,  the  picture  was  gray  because  the 
screen  was  light  struck.  Mounting  again  to 
the  upper  regions,  just  to  see  what  this  chap 
would  say,  he  repeated  his  first  question,  to 
which  the  answer  came :  "I'm  runnin'  a  ma- 
chine." 

In  the  third  theatre  he  found  the  projection 
good  in  all  its  details.  It  was  well  lighted. 
There  were  no  glare  spots.  The  screen  was 
not  light  struck.  The  speed  of  projection  was 
correct. 

Mounting  he  repeated  the  twice  asked  ques- 
tion. The  answer  was:  "I'm  projecting  ac- 
tors to  the  screen  and  trying  to  do  both  them 
and  our  audience  justice." 

Gentlemen,  you  may  say  all  that  is  a  bit 
far  fetched,  but  I  say  to  you  that  while  the 
incident  may  be,  the  principle  involved  most 
emphatically  is  not. 

THE  ATTITUDE.  OF  A  PROJECTION- 
IST TOWARD  HIS  WORK,  AS  INDI- 
CATED BY  THE  FOREGOING,  HAS 
FULLY  AS  MUCH  TO  DO  WITH  THE 
BEAUTY  OF  WHAT  THE  AUDIENCE 
WILL  SEE,  AND  WITH  THE  EFFI- 
CIENCY OF  PROJECTION,  AS  DOES  A 
GOOD  PRODUCTION  AND  HIGH  CLASS 
EQUIPMENT. 

The  man  who  regards  himself  as  merely 
working  for  so  much  a  week,  is  more  than 
likely  to  do  only  as  much  as  he  feels  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  do  to  hold  his  job. 
He  is  not  going  to  exert  himself  much  to  get 
the  very  best  results  he  can  with  what  is  pro- 
\ided.  When  he  has  attended  to  the  neces- 
sary details  of  projection — the  work  that 
MUST  be  done — and  has  maintained  a  rea- 
sonably good  screen  illumination,  he  is 
through.     Why  do  more?  is  his  attitude. 

The  chap  who  merely  "runs  a  machine"  has 
much  the  same  attitude.  To  him  projection 
consists  in  that  and  little  else.  He  may  not 
be  actually  too  lazy  to  do  more,  but  he  does 
not  sense  the  necessity  for  it.  Running  the 
machine  he  regards  as  his  job,  and  the  whole 
of  his  job.  He  has  no  ambition  beyond  run- 
ning the  machine  and  drawing  down  the  best 
wages  he  can  secure  or  the  union  can  secure 
for  him. 

^     *     ^ 

The  real  motion  picture  projectionist,  how- 
ever, looks  upon  his  wage  as  merely  one  neces- 
sity detail.  He  believes  he  should  have  a 
good  wage  because  he  regards  his  work  as 
high  grade,  and  worth  not  only  what  the 
union  can  set  for  him,  but  considerably  more. 
If  he  belongs  to  the  union  he  wants  to  do 
credit  to  the  union  by  having  his  work  be- 
yond criticism.  He  wants  to  be  able  to  look 
both  friend  boss  and  his  union  in  the  eye  and 
say:  "I'm  delivering  the  goods  and  am  proud 
of  that  fact." 

"Running  the  machine"  he  also  regards  as 
one  of  the  necessary  details  of  projection, 
but  he  also  regards  any  and  everything  which 
in  any  manner  affects  what  he  is  placing  on 
the  screen  as  HIS  BUSINESS;  therefore,  if 
the  screen  is  light  struck,  or  if  there  are  glare 
spots  he  goes  after  the  manager  about  it.  and 
KEEPS  AFTER  HIM  UNTIL  THE  CON- 


DITION IS  REMEDIED,  or  at  least  until 
he  feels  that  further  argument  is  useless, 
whereupon  usually  he  leaves  the  theatre 
which  insists  upon  outraging  his  work  by  re- 
fusing to  correct  a  remedial  fault.  He  won't 
work  very  long  for  such  an  unreasonable, 
dumbbell   manager. 

He  likes  to  have  appreciation  shown  for 
what  he  knows  is  high  grade  work,  but  if  it  is 
not  shown  he  is  not  discouraged,  because  HE 
AT  LEAST  HAS  THE  SELF  SATISFAC- 
TION OF  ACCOMPLISHMENT,  WHICH 
TO  HIM  IS  MUCH.  He  just  continues 
striving  for  excellence,  meanwhile  keeping  a 
weather  eye  open  for  an  employer  who  will 
have  at  least  some  degree  of  appreciation. 

And  right  at  this  point  I  place  my  finger  on 
the  one  huge  error  of  the  past.  ONE  REA- 
SON SO  FEW  EXHIBITORS  AND  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  HAVE  SHOWN  DIS- 
POSITION TO  PLACE  HIGH  VALUE 
UPON  HIGH  GRADE,  EFFICIENT  PRO- 
JECTION, IS  BECAUSE  VERY  FEW  PRO- 
JECTIONISTS HAVE,  IN  THE  PAST, 
A'lADE  ANY  REAL,  SUSTAINED  EFFORT 
TO  SELL  PROJECTION  TO  THEM. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  projectionist  of 
the  past  has  made  an  unintentional  but  vigor- 
ous effort  to  belittle  projection  and  make  it 
seem  as  of  small  importance  in  the  eyes  of 
the  manager.  He  has,  for  one  thing,  insisted 
in  declaring  it  to  be  merely  the  matter  of 
"running  or  operating  a  machine,"  which  I 
know,  you  know,  and  the  manager  and  ex- 
hibitor knows  almost  anyone  can  do,  with  a 
reasonable  amount  of  practice. 

Projectionists  have,  taken  as  a  whole  (there 
are,  of  course,  notable  exceptions),  been  per- 
fectly content  to  be  considered  as  and  treated 
as  mere  unimportant  employes,  instead  of  de- 
manding recognition  as  an  important  and 
vital   item   in   the   theatre   ensemble. 


The  orchestra  leader  is  treated  with  respect 
and  is  consulted  as  to  the  procedure  in  the 
musical  program.  He  is  that  or  he  doesn't 
stay  in  that  theatre  long.  The  stage  manager 
is  consulted.  Matters  of  stage  setting  and 
equipment  are  discussed  with  him.  He  is 
treated  with  at  least  some  degree  of  respect. 
His  opinions  regarding  stage  matters  are 
heeded. 

The  projectionist,  however,  is  just  told 
what  to  do  and  HE  DOES  IT  WITHOUT 
MUCH  ARGUMENT  OR  QUESTION, 
though  the  manager  may  know  little  or  nothing 
about  the  effect  of  what  he  is  ordering. 

DO'  YOU  GET  THE  POINT??? 

Of  course  when  a  line  of  procedure  has 
been  built  up  through  a  series  of  years  it  is 
very  hard  to  change  it,  however  wrong  the 
procedure  may  be,  and  taken  as  a  whole, 
PROJECTIONISTS  HAVE  MADE  LITTLE 
OR  NO  EFFORT  TO  EFFECT  A  CHANGE 
IN  THIS  PROCEDURE.  They  have  placed 
their  "job"  over  and  above  anything  and  every- 
thing else.  I  well  remember  how  in  far  gone 
years,  the  men  in  Chicago  thought  I  was 
crazy  because  I  told  a  theatre  manager  to 
go  chase  himself,  and  quit  because  he  insisted 
upon  telling  me  how  fast  to  project  a  picture 
when  the  speed  he  ORDERED  would  utterly 
ruin  all  artistry  in  projection  and  in  the  pro- 
duction, make  an  ass  of  the  shadow  actors 
and  thus  in  effect  outrage  them,  and  IN  MY 
VIEW,  MAKE  AN  ASS  OF  THE  PRO- 
JECTIONIST   (MYSELF),  TOO. 

I  wanted  that  job  and  needed  it,  too,  all 
right,  but  no  job  in  all  Chicago,  or  elsewhere 
for  that  matter,  was  important  enough  to  in- 
duce me  to  do  that  sort  of  thing.  My  view 
was  that  I  was  hired  as  the  projectionist, 
miscalled  "operator"  in  those  days.  My  view 
was  that  there  was  and  could  be  but  one 
rule  for  projection  speed,  and  that  was  the 
speed  which  would  produce  approximate 
naturalness  of  action.  It  was  my  business 
and  not  the  business  of  the  manager  to  say 
what  that  speed  should  be,  though  it  of 
course  was  right   and  proper  to  discuss  such 


7he 


Uniform 
Column 


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for  your  ushers,  director, 
or   for    the   orchestra. 


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Orpheum  Circuit 

Uses  Maier^Lavaty 

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THE  Orpheum  Circuit,  in  a  position  to  select 
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to  show  you  how  Maier-Lavaty  Uniforms  will 
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FREE  CATALOG— SAMPLES 


Write  for  our  new  illustrated  cata- 
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and  winter  uniforms  for  the  theatre 
personnel.  May  we  tell  you  how 
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ft 


22 


things  with  him,  and  perhaps  concede  some- 
thing at  times.  But  to  have  him  deUberately 
and  without  even  consulting  the  projectionist, 
order  a  projection  speed  which  would  outrage 
actors,  the  producer  and  audience  and  myself 
— well,  that  was  something  else  again.  Nothing 
doing ! 

SELL  PROJECTIO^f,  gentlemen.  Be  mo- 
tion picture  projectionists  in  all  that  term 
means  (and  believe  you  me,  it  means  a  LOT), 
and  then  sell  the  proposition  to  exhibitors 
and  managers.  It  will  take  time  and  effort, 
but  it  can  be  done,  PROVIDED  YOU  HAVE 
THE  RIGHT  ATTITUDE  TOWARD 
YOUR  WORK. 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 

How  can  you  spend  that  amount  of  time 
watching  a  rewinder,  do  you  ask?  Why,  man, 
unless  you  have  an  inspection  or  repairs  to 
make,  in  which  case  a  hand  rewinder  should 
always  be  used,  there  is  no  earthly  necessity 
for  watching  the  process  of  rewinding  if  it 
be  done  at  say  six  to  eight  minutes  to  1,000 
feet. 

Just  place  the  reel  in  position,  start  the 
motor  and  let  it  roll  along  slowly  until  the 
end  comes,  when  an  easily  made  automatic 
switch  will  stop  the  motor  and  that  is  that. 

In  hand  rewinding  we  can,  of  course,  hardly 
expect  the  projectionist  to  stand  there  six  or 
eight  minutes,   but  just   the   same  there  is  no 


f/iM£DC£        ^ 


September  1,  1928 

and  the  bend  will  come  right  through  the 
sprocket  holes,  where  the  film  is  weakest  and 
also  where  it  must  be  almost  perfectly  ac- 
curate in  order  to  function  properly  and  pro- 
duce a  steady  picture  on  the  screen. 

Then,  too,  if  the  reel  side  be  crooked,  it 
will  strike  the  film  what  amounts  to  a  scrap- 
ing blow  every  time  it  revolves.  Not  so  good, 
do  you  think?  Then,  too,  if  it  be  Movietone, 
what  do  you  suppose  that  rewinder  would 
do  to  the  sound  band  if  the  bend  was  in  the 
direction  which  would  bring  the  emulsion 
side  next  the  reel  side? 

Gentlemen,  without  further  argument  on 
such  an  obviously  bad  condition,  test  out  your 
rewinder  by  mounting  two  perfect  reels  on 
it  and  stretching  a  length  of  film  through. 
If  the  film  touches  the  reel  sides  at  any  point, 
then  the  rewinder  is  out  of  line  and  it  is  up 
to  you  to  get  busy,  line  it  uo  and  then  BOLT 
IT  DOWN  SOLIDLY,  drilling  holes  in  the 
holding  feet  if  necessary. 


Is  Your  Rewinder 
in  Line? 

Do  j'OU  remember  what  I  told  you  about 
the  rewinder  not  long  ago,  and  many,  many 
times  through  the  past  years?  Do  you  re- 
member what  I  have  told  you  about  rapid 
rewinding? 

Rapid  rewinding  is  the  easy  way — the  lazy 
man's  way — but  it  also  is  very  much  the 
wrong  way;  also  it  is  so  entirely  unnecessary 
if  you  do  things  the  right  way.  See  page 
22,2  and  333,  Vol.  1,  of  the  Bluebook  of  Pro- 
jection. One  thousand  feet  of  film  should 
never,  under  any  circumstances,  be  rewound 
in  less  than  five  minutes,  and  six  to  eight 
minutes  is  very  much  better. 


excuse  for  turning  it  into  a  near  buzz  saw. 

Rewinding  at  high  speed  is  bad  in  any  event, 
but  when,  as  is  the  case  in  an  astonishing 
number  of  instances,  the  rewinder  is  out  of 
line,  it  becomes  a  near  crime.  In  the  draw- 
ing the  broken  lines  show  the  natural  path 
of  the  film  and  "A,"  the  solid  lines,  repre- 
sent two  reels  mounted  on  a  rewinder,  the 
elements  of  which  are  out  of  line  with  each 
other.  The  out-of-line  effect  is,  of  course, 
exaggerated,  though  I  have  actually  seen  them 
almost  as  bad. 

It  requires  no  stretch  of  imagination  to 
visualize  the  effect  when  the  rewinder  is 
started,  especially  if  the  reels  themselves  be 
crooked.  The  edge  of  the  film  will  be  bent 
upward   or    downward,    as    the    case    may    be. 


Progressive 
Officials 


Chief  theatre  inspector  G.  P.  Barber,  bureau 
of  labor,  Edmonton,  Alberta,  has  been  kind 
enough  to  forward  copies  of  application  for 
apprentice  projectionist  license  for  the  prov- 
ince of  Alberta ;  also  copies  of  regulations 
governing  theatres,  etc.,  and  regulations  gov- 
erning the  operation  of  motion  picture  the- 
atres, motion  picture  equipment  and  the  licens- 
ing of  projectionists. 

I  want  to  compliment  our  Canadian  brothers 
in  the  matter  of  progressiveness.  I  am  not 
so  well  acquainted  with  the  conditions  in 
Saskatchewan,  Manitoba,  and  the  other  prov- 
inces as  with  those  in  Alberta  and  British 
Columbia.  The  latter  have  been  very  dis- 
tinctly progressive — very,  very  much  more  so 
than    the    great   majority   of   our   own    states. 


NEW 


action 


NEW 


effects 


NEW 

NEW 


Sensations,  new  High 
Lighting,  new  silhouettes, 
new  scenery,  new^  decora- 
tions, new^  life  for  the  the- 
atre w^ith 

THE  NEW  BRENKERT 
F-7 

MASTER 
BRENOGRAPH 


mm 


variety 


Write  for  special  information 

and 

illustrated  literature 


^7'1'V' 


±'v. 


"/'I'V 


BRENKERT  LIGHT  PROJECTION  CO. 

St.  Aubin  at  E.  Grand  Blvd.,  Detroit,  Michigan 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


23 


I  This,    I   believe,   is   very  largely  due  to  the 

\  calibre  of  men  appointed  to  the  office  of  chief 
j  theatre  inspector.  I  personally  know  that 
Chief  Inspector  Barber  and  the  chief  inspector 
of  British  Columbia,  whose  name  at  the  mo- 
ment I  cannot  recall,  are  able,  energetic,  pro- 
gressive officials.  They  should  be  acquainted 
with  the  chief  inspector  for  Pennsylvania.  I 
regard  those  three  as  standing  head  and 
shoulders  above  any  other  officials  in  similar 
positions,  with  the  notation  that  I  know  little 
about  Saskatchewan  and  Manitoba. 

Their  methods  are  not  antiquated,  but  up- 
to-date.  They  have  had  up-to-date  nomencla- 
ture adopted  into  the  laws  of  their  provinces. 
They  give  a  sure  enough,  honest-to-god  exam- 
ination, which  must  be  honestly  passed  before 
a  projectionist  license  is  issued.  They  have 
legalized  a  projectionist  apprenticeship,  which 
is  just  plain  horse  sense.  It  is  to  be  de- 
plored that  so  few  cities  in  this  country  have 
not  done  so  and  no  states  at  all,  I  believe. 


A  Sample 
Letter 

Here  is  a  letter  taken  almost  at  random 
from  the  great  mass  received  since  the  pub- 
lication in  the  Her.'\ld-\Vorld  of  the  first 
article  on  sound  synchronization.  A  second 
flood  is  beginning  to  arrive  now  from  Amer- 
ican Projectionist  readers,  in  which  puljlica- 
tion  the  same  series  appears.  The  letter  is 
from  Clinton  R.  Farr,  No.  9  Pond  street,  Bev- 
erly, Mass.    It  reads : 

Have  just  finished  reading  your  first  article  on  fun- 
damental principles  of  sound  pictures,  in  July  7,  Ex- 
HiniTORS  Herald- World.  For  that  article  I  thank  you 
from   the   bottom   of   my   heart. 

It  is  very  hard  for  men  of  my  apje  who  received 
only  a  limited  education  in  early  manhood  to  under- 
stand articles  on  such  subjects  when  stated  iu'engi- 
neering  terms. 

Your  article,  however  is  so  thorough,  and  your  ex- 
planation so  plain,  that  I  had  no  difficulty  in  under- 
standing it. 

I  have  been  criticized  by  one  or  two,  one 
of  them  a  government  official  in  Canada,  for 
not  adhering  strictly  to  engineering  terms,  and 
thus  forcing  the  men  to  learn  to  understand 
and  use  them.  The  views  of  the  critics  were 
perfectly  honest  and  well  meant,  but  I  am 
unable  to  agree.  Under  all  the  conditions  I 
feel  that  it  would  not  only  not  be  good  pol- 
icy, but  also  that  it  would  be  unfair  to  adopt 
that  attitude. 

Projectionists  have  not,  up  to  this  time, 
been  largely  recruited  from  college  men.  Far 
from  it,  the  great  majority  have  been  the  sons 
of  working  men  who  received  only  what  we 
call  a  common  school  education,  which,  ex- 
cellent as  it  is,  is  not  calculated  to  fit  them 
to  understand  technical  terms  any  too  well. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  is  very  difficult  for 
many  of  the  men — good,  deserving  men,  too, 
mark  you  well — to  grasp  such  things  as  we 
now  are  dealing  with  when  couched  in  even 
the  most  simple  terms.  To  ask  them  to  grasp 
it  when  expressed  in  technical  terms  would 
be  asking  what  amounts,  I  think,  to  the 
impossible. 

I  do  hope  and  believe,  however,  that  what 
I  am  doing  will  lead  eventually  to  a  greater 
ability  to  understand  and  use  technical  terms 
at  least  insofar  as  applies  to  sound  synchro- 
nization. Meanwhile,  my  one  desire  is  to 
enable  projectionists  to  have  an  adequate  un- 
derstanding of  the  forces  they  are  now  or 
soon  must  handle,  and  of  the  equipment  which 
will  be  placed  in  their  charge. 

A  mere  ability  to  make  a  routine  of  move- 
ments, with  little  or  no  real  understanding  of 
what  those  movements  mean  except  that  if 
everything  is  in  order  certain  results  will 
follow  them,  does  NOT  constitute  intelligent 
work.  It  is  like  the  beautiful  flapper  auto 
driver  who  sails  gaily  along  so  long  as  every- 
thing functions  perfectly.  When  it  doesn't 
she  stops,  raises  a  dainty  unsoiled  hand  and 
the   next   car   stops.     She    simpers   with   her 


red-gash-for-a-mouth,  and  the  poor  fish  comes 
obediently  and  fixes  it  for  her. 

But  when  something  goes  wrong  and  she 
is  on  a  lonely  road,  far  from  a  garage  and 
no  cars  following,  gosh !  She's  just  plain 
sunk  and  those  li'l  veil  covered  laigs  will  be 
likely  to  get  pretty  tired  and  dusty.  Just 
apply  that  latter  to  the  projectionist  who  lacks 
understanding  except  how  to  "start  and  stop 
it"  and  do  the  usual  routine.  Something  goes 
wrong.  Service  man  far  away.  House  full. 
He's  sunk!  The  manager  just  dotes  on  giv- 
ing the  money  back  to  patrons  because  the 
projectionist  can't  handle  the  apparatus. 
Li  Kelly  does. 

I  hold  that  the  better  understanding  the 
projectionist  has  of  the  basic  principles  upon 
which  the  apparatus  operates,  the  more  likely 
is  he  to  be  able  to  handle  situations  when 
things  go  wrong,  just  as  the  driver  who  knows 
his  car  can  fix  anj'  ordinary  trouble  well 
enough  to  "get  by,"  anyhow.     And  I  propose, 


so    far    as    is   possible,    to    supply    the    "know 
how"  brand  of  knowledge. 


A  Real 
Examination 

UNITED     STATES     OFFICIALS     TAKE 
NOTE 

Up  in  Canada,  notably  in  the  province  of 
Alberta,  government  officials  really  believe  in 
giving  a  competent  examination  to  those  ap- 
plying for  motion  picture  projectionist  license. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  some  of  our 
United  States  officials,  they  apparently  believe 
it  to  be  part  and  parcel  of  their  duty  to 
ascertain  just  what  the  aspirant  for  license 
does  or  does  not  know  about  motion  picture 
projection. 

Here  in  the  U.  S.  of  A.,  most  projectionist 
examinations  of  which  I  have  knowledge  con- 
sist either  wholly  or  in  goodly  part  of  a  de- 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


^'Efficient  Service" 


"Just  a  few  lines  of  appreciation  for  the  efficient  service  we  are  receiving  from  our  Kokler  Electric  Plant. 
Since  installing  it,  it  has  responded  whenever  the  emergency  arose.  As  temporary  failures  of  local  power  are 
quite  frequent  it  certainly  is  a  consolation  to  know  that  our  'Kohler'  is  on  the  job." 

Columbia  Amusement  Co. 
Columbia  Theatre 
(Signed)  D.  M.  Parker.  Mgr. 


Columbia  Theatre,  Warren,  Pa.,  equipped  with  Kohler  Electric  Plant  for  emergency  lighting 

What  do  you  do  when 
the  lights  go  out? 


Do  you  clear  your  throat  and  .  say, 
"Ladies  and  gentlemen,  please  file  out 
quietly  and  get  your  money  at  the  box- 
:office"?  Do  you  turn  away  the  crowds 
that  are  waiting  outside,  anxious  to 
hand  you  money?  Do  shivers  chase 
•down  your  spine  as  you  wonder  whether 
some  idiot  is  going  to  start  a  panic? 
What  do  you  do  when  the  lights  go  out? 

We  know  many  men  who  remain  calm 
and  collected— and  keep  right  on  col- 
lecting the  coin.   Among  them  is  D.  M. 
Parker,  manager  of  the  Col- 
umbia Theatre  at  Warren, 
Pa.  His  theatre,  as  the  let- 
ter above  states,  has  sensibly 
installed  a  Kohler  Electric 
Plant  for  emergency  lighting. 

This  intelligent  machine 
"cuts  in"  automatically  the 
moment  the  regular  cur- 
rent fails.  City  lights  out 
—  Kohler  lights  on!  The 
110-volt  Kohler  current, 
city  standard,  takes  care 


KOHLER  ELECTRIC  PLANT 


Model  541— 5  K.  W.; 
Other  models:  IV2,  2 


of  projector,  aisle,  lobby,  and  exit  lights 
—everything.  The  show  goes  right  on 
just  as  though  nothing  had  happened. 

It  is  a  very  dependable,  trouble-free 
sort  of  service.  There  are  no  large  stor- 
age batteries  to  care  for — just  a  small 
starting  battery  to  provide  for  fully 
automatic  operation  without  visiting 
the  plant.  It's  a  safe  service,  too— the 
National  Fire  Underwriters'  Labora- 
tories have  approved  Kohler  Electric 
Plants  as  "standard." 

„  Don't    lock     the    barn 

after  the  horse  is  stolen. 
Investigate  beforehand, 
now.  Prevent  the  loss  of 
money  that  failure  of  city 
current  is  bound  to  cause 
you  sooner  or  later.  There 
are  Kohler  Electric  Plants 
for  large  theatres  or  small, 
including  rural  theatres 
that  have  no  city  service. 
Let  the  coupon  bring  you 
full  information. 


110  Volt  D.  C. 
and  10  K.  W. 


Kohler  Co.,  Founded  1873,  Kohler,  Wis.  Shipping  Point,  Sheboygan,  Wis. 

BRANCHES  IN  PRINCIPAL  CITIES 

KOHLER  OF  KOHLER 

Electric  Plants 

Automatic— 110  Volt  D.  C— No  Storage  Batteries 

__  _  .  3X^-1-28 

Kohler  Co.,  Kohler,  Wis.  —  Please  send  me  information  about  the  Kohler  Electric  Plant. 

Name Street 

City,  State Use  in  ivhich  interested _ 


cidedly  sketchy  examination  in  electrics,  plus 
the  collection  of  an  examination  fee. 

In  one  of  our  great  cities,  for  example,  the 
examiners  would  really  like  to  give  a  com- 
petent examination,  but  are  not  permitted  to 
do  so.  An  examination  in  projection  optics 
is  taboo,  or  very  nearly  so.  They  are  only 
permitted  to  ascertain  whether  or  no  the  ap- 
plicant is  likely  to  burn  the  theatre  down. 
If  there  is  goodh'  chance  that  he  won't,  well, 
he  is  competent.    License  him. 

And  if  the  said  applicant  is  fortunate  enough 
to  be  on  fairly  friendlj'  terms  with  some 
local  politician,  or  has  speaking  acquaintance 
with  a  friend  of  an  alderman's  first,  second 
or  even  third  cousin — well,  license  him,  that's 
all !  A  "school"  stufifs  him  with  a  lot  of 
answers  to  probable  questions.  The  exam- 
iner knows  he  doesn't  know  what  the  answers 
he  gives  really  mean,  but  rejection  means  a 
losing  fight,  so  what  would  you  do? 

Pennsylvania,  I  believe,  has  a  fairh-  compe- 
tent examination.  I  am  not  now  acquainted 
with  the  Alassachusetts  examination.  The 
last  I  knew  it  was  nothing  particular  to  shout 
about,  though  much  better  than  some. 

Here   are   the   subjects    for   examination   of 
applicants   seeking  a  first  class  license  in  Al- 
berta.    Read  paragraph  "c"  carefully. 
*     *     * 

Examinations 

Section  4. — (1)  The  following  shall  be  the  subjects 
of  examination: 

First    Class — 

(a)  Electrical — Systems  of  transmission,  size  of 
insulation  of  wires  and  cables,  theatre  wiring  systems. 

General  knowledge  of  generating,  transforming  and 
rectifying  devices,  transformers  and  rheostats  and  the 
care  of  same. 

Testing  and  tracing  circuits  for  phase  relationship, 
voltage,  opens,  shorts,  grounds,  etc.,  connection  lamp- 
circuits  from  source  of  supply  through  line  resist- 
ance, motor-generator,  rectifier,  etc.  The  lamp-house, 
arc  lamps,   connections  faults  and  their  remedy. 

(6)  Mechanical — Specific  knowledge  of  the  machine 
parts,  their  uses,  care,  adjustment  and  renewal  of 
parts. 

Various  types  of  intermittent  movements,  their 
quality,    care    and    adjustment. 

The  machine  safety  devices,  their  action,  care  and 
adjustment. 

.  The    revolving   shutter,    its   principle   and   the   appli- 
cation. 

(c)  Optical — Condensers,  types  mountings,  adjust- 
ments,  focusing,   mating,   care,   etc. 

Projection-lenses,  construction,  selection,  use,  ad- 
justment and  care. 

Ability  to  secure  and  maintain  clear  field  on  the 
screen,  ability  to  secure  correct  definition,  to  prop- 
erly mate  and  secure  best  results  on  screen  at  a  mini- 
mum  expense. 

(d)  Safety — Knowledge  of  safetj'  appliances  con- 
nected with  projection  machine  apparatus,  auxiliary 
safety  appliances,  their  use  and  care.  Construction 
of  projection  rooms,  installation  of  electrical  and 
projection    equipment   therein,    ventilation,    etc. 

And  now,  gentlemen,  when  you're  all 
through  reading  and  considering  the  foregoing, 
take  a  good  long  slant  at  this : 

"Applications." — Section.3. — (1)  All  applicants  for 
certificates  shall  furnish  satisfactory  evidence  or  sworn 
affidavits  of  practical  experience  under  the  following 
heads: 

(a)  First  Class  License. — Applicants  must  have 
held  a  second  class  license  or  its  equivalent  in  Alberta 
or  elsewhere  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  one  year 
prior  to    application. 

(&)  Second  Class  License. — Applicants  must  have 
held  a  third  class  license  or  its  equivalent  in  Alberta 
or  elsewhere  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  one  year 
prior    to    application. 

(r)  Third  Class  ■  License. — Applicants  must  have 
served  some  form  of  apprenticeship,  of  at  least  six 
months,  either  as  holder  of  an  apprentice  license  in 
Alberta  or  elsewhere  as  assistant  to  a  projectionist. 


Gentlemen,  it  is  evident  that  up  in  Alberta 
they  have  some  respect  for  motion  picture 
projection.  They  do  not  believe  a  man  should 
be  permitted  to  take  up  such  work  after  hav- 
ing attended  a  "stuffing  school"  for  maybe  as 
much  as  a  month  and  been  permitted  by  a 
kind-hearted  janitor  to  peek  into  a  theatre 
projection  room  some  night  after  the  show 
has  closed. 

In  Alberta  seemingly  they  believe  that  while 
politicianing  may  be  all  ver\-  well  in  its  way, 
it  does  NOT  carr^^  with  it  the  privilege  of,  to 
all  intents  and  purposes,  ordering  the  issuing 
of  licenses  regardless  of  ability.  They  appar- 
ently believe  that  in  order  to  be  permitted  to 
take  charge  of  projection  in  a  theatre  having 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


25 


a  first  class  projection  installation,  the  man 
shall  have  served  at  least  a  six  months  appren- 
ticeship, or  worked  at  least  that  long  as  assist- 
ant to  a  motion  picture  projectionist  in  some 
other  province  or  countrj',  served  thereafter 
one  year  as  a  third  class  projectionist  and 
also  one  full  year  as  second  class  projectionist. 

Heaven  knows  unions  ought  to  welcome  and 
sponsor  such  procedure  everywhere.  The  laws 
quoted  cover  the  entire  province  of  Alberta. 
With  a  similar  law  covering  our  various  states 
here,  it  would  be  impossible  for  the  so-called 
"school"  to  grind  out  continual  grists  of  in- 
competents equipped  with  just  sufficient  knowl- 
edge to  be  dangerous,  and  to  constitute  a 
constant  menace.  Small  town  exhibitors  could 
not  employ  any  schoolboy  who  came  along 
willing  to  work  for  next  to  nothing,  and  the 
profession  soon  would  take  on  a  healthy  tone. 

The  objection  of  the  exhibitor  that  it  would 
curtail  the  supply  is  fully  met  by  the  state- 
ment that  it  would  merely  curtail  the  supply 
of  incompetents,  and  goodness  knows  it  is 
about  time  that  supply  be  not  only  curtailed, 
but  shut  off  entirelj'. 

I  make  the  flat  assertion  that  the  exhibitor 
would,  in  the  end,  be  largely  the  gainer.  It 
might  well  be  true  that  it  would  result  in  an 
increase  in  pay  in  some  places,  but  certainly 
in  the  end  the  resultant  improvement  would 
far,  far  more  than  return  that  overhead  gain 
by  income  gain,  and  by  longer  useful  life  for 
projection  equipment. 

In  the  most  friendly  way  I  am  warning  you, 
Mr.  Exhibitor,  big  and  little,  that  the  day  of 
inefficiency  is  passing.  Upon  the  efficiency  of 
your  projection  staff  largely  depends  the  suc- 
cess of  your  show.  You  need  men  of  real 
ability  and  brains  to  put  over  the  silent  pic- 
ture in  the  best  possible  way — at  its  highest 
possible  entertainment  value.  With  sound 
added  YOU  HAVE  GOT  TO  HAVE  THEM. 
I  have  said  to  you  before  and  I  now  say 
again  that  it  is  utter  foolishness  to  "save"  $25 
a  week,  or  any  other  reasonable  sum  in  projec- 
tion room  wages,  and  LOSE  A  HUNDRED 
AT  THE  BOX  OFFICE  and  in  electrical  and 
mechanical  waste  because  your  projectionist 
is  lacking  in  high  grade  ability  and  SUF- 
FICIENT ENERGY  TO  APPLY  HIS 
KNOWT^EDGE. 


Projector 
Trouble 


The  following  letter  comes,  with  request 
that  it  be  treated  as  confidential.  I  therefore 
am  printing  it  without  divulging  either  name 
or  location. 

Dear  Mr.  Richardson:  We  have  two  Holmes  port- 
able projectors  in  this  small  theatre,  of  which  we 
are  both  proprietors  and  projectionists.  The  pro- 
jectors were  equipped  with  Mazda  at  the  factory  and 
we  have  been  unable  to  secure  satisfactory  screen 
illumination. 

Upon  complaint  to  the  Holmes  people,  with  an 
inquiry  as  to  whether  or  no  we  could  use  30-30 
lamps  in  the  lamphouses,  they  advised  that  they 
were  developing  a  new  lamphouse  which  would  give 
20  to  25  per  cent  more  light. 

These  were  shipped  to  us  in  due  time  and  were 
attached  today.  We  find  that  with  the  best  pos- 
sible adjustment  we  cannot  get  even  as  much  light 
as  with  the  lamps   previously   used. 

This  assembly  has  a  5i/2-in.  reflector  and  a  254x6^4 
prismatic  condenser.  We  are  using  a  4^-in.  pro- 
jection lens,  the  same  we  used  with  the  old  lamp- 
houses  which  had  smaller  reflectors  and  condensers. 
Do  you  think  this  size  is  incorrect  for  the  prismatic 
condenser? 

I  know  very  little  about  the  projector  in 
question.  You  say  it  is  a  portable  projector 
and  that  is  why  I  am  printing  the  letter. 
Such  a  projector  is  most  emphatically  NOT 
fit  for  theatre  use.  Portable  projectors,  or 
most  of  them  anyhow,  give  excellent  results 
up  to  a  six  or  eight-foot  picture.  Modern 
theatre  practice,  however,  not  only  calls  for 
but  demands  a  brilliantly  illuminated  picture 
not  less  than  10  feet  wide  and  usually  much 
larger. 

I  have  myself  never  yet  looked  at  a  port- 
able projector  which  can  be  made  to  project 

(Continued  on  page  48) 


Remote  control  stage  switchboard  furnished 
and  installed  by  us  for  Universals  new 
"Venetian"     Theatre     at     Racine,     Wis:onsin 


^*  ^    o 


Theatre 


Lighting  Equipment 


MESCO  Equipment 
in  your  theatre  means 
added  satisfaction  in 
your  illuminating  ef- 
fects. 

Our  equipment  covers 
every  possible  phase 
of  modern  and  up-to- 
date  theatre  lighting. 


MESCO  Products: 

Switchboards 
Panelboards 
Powerboards 
Cove  Lighting 
Border  Lights 
Spot  Lights 
Foot  Lights 
Flood  Lights 


Our  No.  12  Catalogue  upon  request. 


MILWAUKEE  ELECTRIC 
SWITCHBOARD  COMPANY 

160  Clinton  Street  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin 


26 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


X:r 


,^^ 


J%..-v 


K 


^uilt  to  individual  needs 


Window  display  of  console 
causing  sensation.  Forced  to 
use  police  to  keep  crowds 
moving.  —  Wm.  Hissner, 
Strand  Amusement  Co.,  Leb- 
anon, Pa. 

We  buy  Page  Units  exclu- 
sively, having  purchased  the 
fourth.  Refer  any  theatre 
owner  to  us  at  any  time. — 
Morris  Sussman,  Cohen  Cir- 
cuit, New  York. 


The  Page  Organ  at  each 
show  received  four  times 
more  applause  than  the 
orchestra,  one  of  the  best  in 
the  state. — W.  C.  Quimby, 
Emboyd  Theatre,  Fort 
Wayne,  Ind. 


I  know  the  Page  Organ  is  a 
good  organ  and  have  an 
idea  it  is  possibly  the  best. 
— Wm.  Wrigley,  Jr. 


Lyric  Theatre  Wooster  Ohio 


Keyboard  of  organ  purchased  by  the  Santa  Calalina 
Island  Co.  for  new  theatre  at  Avalon,  Santa  Catal.na 
sland.       Owner,    William     Wrigley,    Jr. 

YOU  will  revel  in  the 
marvelous  perform- 
ance of  the  Page!  Touch 
it  and  it  responds — in- 
stantly —  powerfully  — 
gloriously — with  a  tonal 
quality  that  has  been 
judged  superb  by  those 
who  are  in  a  position 
to    know. 


It  will  be  well  worth 
your  while  to  consult 
Page  architects  as  soon 
as  you  can  reasonably 
do  so. 


b 


THE  PAGE  ORGAN  COMPANY 

523  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio 


\\\ 


rxmn 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


27 


AiU-flC  IN  THE  THEATRE 


IX   e\ery  theatrical  magazine  and  paper  to- 
day,  the   reader  will   find   page   after  page 
given    over    to   the    subject   of    sound    pic- 
tures. 

Some  articles  deal  with  the  effect  of  sound 
pictures  upon  the  public ;  others:  deal  with 
the  effect  of  synchronization  upon  the  the- 
atrical profession. 

In  this  article  I  wish  to  deal  with  the  result 
of    synchronization,    not    so    much    upon    the 
musical  profession  as  a  whole,  but  principally 
upon  the  theatre   organist. 
^     ^     4= 

First,  bear  in  mind  that  synchronization  is 
not  a  myth ;  it  is  a  reality,  and  directly  re- 
sponsible for  the  greatest  upheaval  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry  has  ever  experienced. 

Let  us  therefore  face  the  situation  in  its 
true  light.  A  large  per  cent  of  exhibitors  see 
a  solution  to  their  worries  in  synchronized 
pictures.  They  feel  that  at  last  the  problem 
of  labor  trouble  has  been  solved,  particularly 
the  musical  phase  of  the  problem ;  hence  the 
rush,  the   desire  to   equip   for   sound  pictures. 

Despite  the  rush  and  clamor  for  synchro- 
nization, however,  there  is  still  the  question  of 
the  novelty  of  this  new  development  of 
science.  Can  it  stand  the  test  of  time?  Can 
it  eventually  replace  the  art  of  real  human 
music — an  art  as  old  as  time  itself? 

Since  the  perfection  of  the  unified  theatre 
organ,  its  use  as  the  accompaniment  to  the 
silent  drama  has  been  practically  universal. 
In  the  smaller  theatres  (by  that  I  mean  houses 
not  in  the  de  luxe  class),  the  organ  has 
been  the  principal  source  from  which  the 
manager   has   built   up    the    musical   phase   of 

his  program. 

*     *     * 

A  unified  organ  in  the  hands  of  a  competent 
player  has  been  and  always  will  be,  an  asset 
from  a  box  office  standpoint.  I  know  of  many 
instances  where  patrons  frequent  certain  the- 
atres for  the  music  alone.  The  appeal  of 
real  music  is  universal,  though  individual 
tastes  may  differ. 

Remember,  Mr  Organist,  theatre  managers 
are  fully  aware  of  these  facts.  Furthermore, 
the  din  of  synchronization  will  not  deafen 
them  to  the  extent  of  risking  all  on  the  merits 
of  "canned"  music  and  talking  pictures.  An 
interesting  test  was  conducted  recently  by  the 
Inquiring   Reporter    of    the    Chicago   Tribune. 


The 

Organist 

Versus 

Sound 


By 
HAROLD  DANIELS 

Feature   Organist, 

Buckingham  theatre, 

Chicago 

Five   persons    picked    at    random    were    asked 
whether  they  preferred  orchestral  and  organ 


accompaniment  to  a  silent  picture  or  "canned" 
music  and  "talkies."  Four  stated  a  decided 
preference  for  a  silent  picture  with  real  music. 
One  preferred  the  "talkies'."  If  this  test  may 
be  called  a  criterion  of  public  opinion,  no 
musician  need  be  alarmed  or  have  any  doubt 
as  to  the  ultimate  fate  of  the  "talkies." 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  modern  theatre  or- 
ganist should  not  rely  entirely  upon  public 
opinion  as  a  deciding  factor  relative  to  the 
fate  of  synchronization.  Rather  he  should 
rise  to  meet  this  new  situation  with  a  few 
trump    cards    of    his    own. 

*  *     * 

Most  of  the  theatres  in  Chicago  are  equip- 
ping for  sound.  I  believe  the  coming  season 
will  see  practically  all  feature  pictures  mechan- 
ically accompanied.  The  organist  whose 
principal  job,  heretofore,  has  been  accompany- 
ing feature  pictures,  will  find  himself  called 
upon  to  do  solo  work  and  in  short,  to  do  as 
much  as  possible  to  offset  too  much  mechan- 
ical music.  Community  sing  solos  will  be 
more  popular,  straight  solos  with  slides  will 
be  more  welcome  than  ever  this  season  to  the 
theatre  patron ;  organ  clubs,  kiddie  glee  clubs 
with  the  organist  as  "Master  of  Ceremonies" 
will  all  be  assets  of  great  value  to  the  man 
who  can  put  them  across.  Do  not  entertain 
a  doubt  as  to  your  standing,  Mr  Organist, 
if  your  work  is  reckoned  with  at  the  box 
office  of  your  theatre.  Remember,  there  is 
always  a  place  for  the  man  who  can  produce. 

The  season  of  1928-1929  will,  in  a  large 
measure,  determine  the  success  or  failure  of 
synchronization.  What  better  means  can  the 
musician  employ  in  his  behalf  than  to  strive 
to  outdo  synchronization  at  every  turn? 

*  H=     * 

The  art  of  music  is  as  old  as  the  world. 
The  average  theatre  patron  appreciates  good 
music;  the  younger  patrons  enjoy  good  jazz 
music  and  snappy  organ  solos.  These  are 
facts  that  have  stood  the  test  of  time. 

Synchronization  on  the  present  large  scale 
is  a  novelty ;  as  a  novelty  only,  it  has  played 
to  packed  houses.  Strive  then  to  make  the 
most  of  the  opportunity  at  hand :  To  educate 
your  audience  to  the  realization  that  good 
music  plus  the  personal  contact  can  never  be 
replaced  by  the  most  perfected  mechanical 
substitute. 


Here  is  a  great  piece 
of  exploitation.  It  is 
a  reproduction  in  min- 
iature of  the  cooling 
plant  at  Loew's  State 
theatre    in    St.    Louis. 


It  was  built  by  the 
house  ventilating  engi- 
neer, Gus  Schumann. 
It  is  a  source  of  great 
curiosity,  and  has  been 
given  news  display  in 
the  dailies. 


28 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


SENTRY 
S A  BETY 
CONTROl 


PREVEiNTS 
FILM 
FIRES 


SENTRY 

S  AFETY 
CONTROl 


PREVENTS 
FILM 
F  t   R   E  i 


SENTRY 
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CONTROL 


PREVENTS 
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,>sf   IRES 


Put  a  SENTRY  SAFETY  CONTROL  on 

your  projectors 

It  means  positive  protection  from  film-fires  and  from  panic,  which 
may  so  easily  accompany,  the  flash  of  fire  on  the  screen. 

Safeguard  your  patrons,  your  investment,  your  peace-of-mind 
with  the  industry's  greatest  safety  device — SENTRY  SAFETY 
CONTROL. 


li^iT[^V 


The  positive  fire  presenter     Can  he  attached  to  any  projector-     Costi  only  a  feiv  cents  a  day. 


SENTRY 
S A  FETY 
CONTROL 


PREVENTS 
FILM 
FIRES 


SENTRY 
S  AFETY 
CONTROL 


PREVENTS 
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SENTRY 
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CONTROl. 


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rO 


Sentry  Safety  Control  Corporation.  13th  and  Cherry  Sts.,  Philadelphia.  1560  Broadway,  New  York 

And  All  Branches  of  National  Thcatrc  Supply  Company 

e^-^ ^^O 

An  Ideal  Small  Stage  ♦  ♦ Continued  from  page  15 


plaques  of  various  colors  of  oil  cloth — these 
are  just  a  few  suggestions  for  decorating  the 
black  curtain.     There  really  is  no  end. 

Our  curtain  equipment  consists  of  two 
velour  curtain  sets,  including  a  drop,  valance, 
and  two  tormentors ;  six  black  sateen  curtains, 
any  one  or  two  of  which  can  be  used  as 
drops  on  a  single  line,  with  the  six  combined 
for  a  full  stage  cyclorama ;  six  sky-blue  sateen 
curtains  for  out-door  settings,  used  as  drops 
or  the  six  together  as  a  eye;  and  a  gauze 
curtain. 

The  sateen  curtains  each  have  three  sets 
of  borders  and  legs  which  we  use  in  place  of 
wings  because  they  are  less  expensive  and 
easier  to  handle,  and  they  take  up  no  space 
on  the  stage  floor  when  not  in  use. 

Our  velour  curtains  are  made  with  the  full- 
ness (about  40  per  cent)  sewed  in  with  square 
pleats  and  are  very  beautiful.  One  is  a  thea- 
tre red  and  is  suitable  for  a  front  drop  or 
for  a  rich  background  for  a  high-class  act,  or 
for  a  drop  in  one. 

The  other  velour  curtain  is  a  light  gray  and 
may  be  used  in  the  same  way  as  the  red  cur- 
tain. It  has  the  additional  value  of  reflecting 
any  color  of  light,  and  we  use  more  lighting 
effects  with  this  curtain  than  with  any  of  the 
others.  Being  a  neutral  color,  any  color  of 
decoration  will  harmonize  with  it. 

This  is  also  true  of  the  black  curtains,  any 
color  may  be  combined  with  them. 

The  sky  blue  curtains  tor  outdoor  settings 
are  not  so  good  from  this  standpoint.  There 
are  a  numbr  of  colors  jth^t  do  not  harmonize 
well  with  them,  but  thp  colors  usually  found 
out  of  doors,  all  fit  i^  well.  We  find  that 
blue  lights  from  the  bordersjRor  flood  lights 
greatly  aid  a  setting  made  with  the  blue  sateen 
curtains. 

To    go    with    these    blue    curtains,    we    have 


several  sets  pieces  and  two  trees  hanging 
from  battens.  One  of  these  hanging  trees  is 
a  summer  tree  with  green  leaves,  and  the 
other  is  a  winter  tree  with  the  dark  trunk 
showing  only.  This  tree  is  so  made,  however, 
that  the  audience  does  not  see  the  limbs  where 
the  leaves  would  normally  be,  and  so  it  may 
be  used  in  a  summer  scene  if  desired.  These 
trees  are  made  of  wall  board  reinforced  vnth 
three-inch  lumber  and  are  hung  to  the  battens 
the  same  way  as  the  curtains  are  hung — with 
mason's  cord.  Thus  the  trees  may  be  shifted 
in  their  position  on  the  batten,  and  may  be 
quickly  moved  from  one  batten  to  another. 
In  this  way,  there  are  probably  100  different 
positions  for  each  tree. 

There  are  two  set  trees  about  the  height  of 
a  man.  These  are  evergreens  in  pyramid 
shape  and  have  no  trunks.  They  set  on  the 
floor  and  provide  a  place  for  concealing  lights 
or  actors.  They  are  held  upright  with  scenery 
props. 

There  are  two  narrow  evergreens  nearly 
twelve  feet  high  with  trunks,  and  two  similar 
trees  of  a  shorter  length.  We  have  two  oil 
jars  that  go  well  in  different  positions  in  a 
great    variety    of    settings.      These    are    made 


City  Establishes 
Library  of  Films 


(Special   to    the   Herald-World) 

OAKLAND,  CAL.,  Aug.  28.— The 
city  of  Oakland  has  instituted  a 
municipal  moving  picture  library,  the 
first  film  to  be  placed  in  the  archives 
being  the  gift  of  the  Vitaphone  thea- 
tre. 


of    wallboard    reinforced    as    are    all    of    our 
set  pieces. 

For  a  formal  garden,  we  use  one  or  both 
of  our  marble  balustrades.  These  are  made 
with  detachable  vases  of  flowers  on  the  end 
posts  so  several  variations  are  possible  with 
them. 

Our  wide  variation  in  outdoor  sets  is  pos- 
sible because  of  the  fact  that  there  are  several 
combinations  and  positions  for  our  blue  cur- 
tains, there  are  many  combinations  and  posi- 
tions with  our  hanging  trees  and  set  pieces, 
and  there  are  several  combinations  of  light- 
ing effects  to  be  used. 

*     *     * 

To  illustrate,  I  will  mention  two  settings 
that  have  delighted  our  audiences  most.  One 
was  the  second  act  of  a  patriotic  play  depict- 
ing a  soldier  camp  at  midnight.  W'e  used  the 
blue  eye,  placing  it  about  half  way  up  on  the 
stage.  A  pup  tent  was  set  up  at  one  side 
near  the  back  and  at  the  other  side  of  the 
stage  was  a  camp  fire  made  of  kindling  wood 
heaped  over  a  red  light  globe.  The  only  other 
lights  used  were  the  blue  borders  that  hang 
just  above  the  campfire,  and  these  were  only 
half  way  up  on  the  dimmers.  The  setting  was 
beautiful  because  of  its  mellow  tone,  its  one 
spot  of  red  (in  the  campfire),  and  its  sim- 
plicity. The  soldiers  who  were  first  sitting 
on  a  bench  in  front  of  the  campfire  and  who 
later  walked  here  and  there  on  the  stage  were 
fascinating  silhouettes. 

The  other  setting  was  made  with  the  blue 
drop  about  12  feet  back  from  the  footlights. 
Two  feet  in  front  of  this  was  a  tree  drop. 
In  front  of  that  was  our  gauze  curtain.  The 
other  tree  drop  was  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  stage  and  about  four  feet  in  front  of  the 
gauze.  Thei'.-blue  legs  and  borders  completed 
the   setting. 

The    lighting    consisted    of    all    blue    lights 


^narvn 


nsBB 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


29 


about  three  quarters  up  on  the  dimmers,  and  a 
spot  light  shining  through  the  back  drop  to 
make   a   moon. 

The  real  feature  of  the  setting  proved  to 
he  the  two  tlood  lights  which  were  covered 
with  a  dark  blue  gelatine  and  placed  on  the 
tloor  in  front  of  the  back  drop,  one  on  each 
end. 

We  have  frequent  occasion  to  use  a  box  set, 
and  we  wanted  to  have  box  scenery  that 
would  be  different  every  time  it  was  used.  At 
first  that  seemed  hard  to  get,  but  the  shortage 
of  money  to  pay  for  it  forced  me  to  invent 
a  tvpe  of  scenery  (not  patented)  that  can 
actually  be  fresh  and  new  and  different  every 
time  it  is  used. 

In  fact,  it  can  be  different  for  as  many  as 
three  or  four  dift'erent  settings  in  the  course 
of  one  show,  and  the  cost  need  not  be  more 
than  $1   for  each  change. 

This  is  made  possible  by  having  a  large 
panel  in  each  piece  that  gives  the  character  to 
the  set.  This  panel  is  removable.  The  rest 
of  the  set  is  painted  a  neutral  color  so  that 
any  panel  design  will  harmonize.  The  panels 
are  covered  with  wall  paper,  and  by  repaper- 
ing  the  panels,  you  have  a  net  set  at  the  cost 
of  one  or  two  "rolls  of  wall  paper.  We  have 
three  of  these  panels  made  of  blackboard  for 
use  in  such  scenes  as  restaurants,  schools,  and 
railroad  stations. 

These  panels  are  held  in  place  by  small 
turns  and  are  quickly  changed.  In  fact,  it 
would  be  possible  to  make  a  change  during 
a  black  out. 

The  box  scenery  consists  of  six  large  pieces 
with  18  panels,  two  small  sections  with  6 
panels  for  making  bends,  two  small  doors, 
and  one  double  door  with  solid  and  french 
doors  interchangeable.  The  windows  are  in- 
terchangeable with  the  panels  and  so  may  be 
used  in  any  of  the  larger  sections.  We  also 
have  a  set  fireplace. 

I  don't  suppose  that  any  reader  will  believe 
me  when  I  say  that  all  this  equipment  cost 
less  than  $500.  The  reason  it  costs  so  little 
is  that  some  friends  interested  in  the  theatre 
helped  me  make  it,  and  our  wives  made  the 
curtains.  Our  only  cost,  therefore,  was  for 
materials.  One  of  my  associates  is  an  archi- 
tect and  designed  the  box  scenery  for  us. 

Our  lighting  equipment  consists  of  a  foot 
light  trough  with  three  circuits,  two  border 
lights  with  three  circuits,  two  l,000-\vatt  flood 
lights,  and  two  400-watt  pin  spot  lights,  and 
four  strip  lights.  This  was  all  installed  for 
us  by  the  Chicago  Stage  Lighting  Co.,  and 
has  an  endless  number  of  combinations  pos- 
silile  so  that  we  can  have  new  lighting  com- 
binations  for  every  show. 


Warner  Product  Signed 

For  Fox,  Loew  Houses 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Contracts  for  the 
use  of  Warner  Brothers  product  by  the  Loew 
and  Fox  circuits  were  signed  last  week  by 
Herbert  Kaufman,  New  York  branch  manager 
of  Warner  Brothers.  The  contract  is  for  the 
Warner  roadshows  and  Winners  in  the  Fox 
and  Loew  houses  in  New  York,  Brooklyn  and 
Greater  New  York. 


U  A  Files  in  Indianapolis 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  28.— The  United 
Artists  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation, 
has  filed  affidavits  with  the  secretary  of  state 
here  permitting  the  company  to  do  business 
in  Indiana. 


Hamlin  Returns  to  Work 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Thomas  Hamlin, 
publisher  of  Fibn  Curb,  returned  to  work 
after  a  three  months'  absence.  He  went 
under  two   serious   operations. 


Theatre  Decorating 
Specialists 

New  Theatres  made  More  Beautiful 
Old  Theatres  made  More  ProAtable 

Continental  Studios,  Inc. 

100  East  Ohio  Si.  Chicago 

Write  for  Details   and  Estimates   without  obligation. 


Gentlemen!  Here  is  your 

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Paul  Whiteman  and  his  band  will  play 
in  your  theatre  any  performance  you 
wish — or  any  other  great  artist  or  group 
of  artists.  They  will  play  cue  music  for 
the  screen  or  overtures — you  do  the  se- 
lecting. And  it  will  be  the  finest  ampli- 
fied music  you  ever  heard,  all  done  with 


For  $500.00 

The  Phototone  is  furnished  complete 
with  one  amplifying  console,  wUli 
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unit,  a  cabinet  with  cue  rartt  of 
eighty-four  record  capacity,  and  flfly 
special  selected  records  included. 
Phototone  is  built  for  years  or  .sen- 
ire  and  will  always  T)e  a,s  up  to  date 
as  the  newest  records.  Where  condi- 
tions require  more  than  one  horn, 
they  may  be  added  at  cost  of  twenty- 
five  dollars  each  up  to  sixty  dollars. 
The  price  is  f.o.b.  factory  and  if  in- 
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owner  desires   to   install  it  himself. 


Sweet  clear  music,  no  noise  or  grating. 
The  Phototone  is  all  electric,  with  in- 
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combination,  double  motors,  double 
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The  Phototone  Company 
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City State i 


30 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928        i 


Above:     The  Lobero   as  it  a^ears  from 

the    street.     The    architecture    is    of    the 

J^editerranean   tyj>e   conspicuous  among 

the  structures  of  Santa  Barbara. 


Left:  The  entrance.  Passing  through  it, 
one  reaches  the  lobby,  a  vaulted  cham- 
ber undecorated  except  for  Spanish 
lam^s,  carrying  out  further  the  general 
adobe  design. 


A  ^^egit^^  Theatre 
Full  of  Ideas  for 
the  Picture  House 


The  Lohero  in  Santa  Barbara,  Cah, 
Is  Presented  for  Its  Suggestion 
to   Designers   of  Screen   Theatres 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


31 


Above:     A    lounge,    striking    not    for    the 

usual  theatre  luxury,   hut  for  its  simple, 

home-like  charm.    Incidentally,  coffee  is 

sometimes  served  here  between  acts. 


Right:      A     section     of     the     auditorium. 

Notable    from    the    exhibitor  s    {>oint    of 

view  is   the  absence   of  decoration.     The 

general  design  did  not  permit  it. 


The  Lobero  Design 
Would  Be  Suitable 
In  Many  a  Suburb 


Arch.7tects  Seekrng  New  Ideas  for 

the     Community     Picture     House 

?day  Find  Stimulation  Here. 


32 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


The    Lobero    as    it    a^^^ears    to    Santa    Barbara's  pleasure-bound   at    night. 

A  Theatre  That  Suggests  a  New  Field  for 
the  Picture  House  Architect 

The  Lobero  ;n  Santa  Barbara,  Cah,   a  stage  theatre,   raises  the  question,  "Why  not  a 

Screen  theatre   of  hke  character?  ' 


OXE  of  the  most  unique  and  original  the- 
atres in  the  country  is  the  Lobero  the- 
atre in  Santa  Barbara,  Cal.,  which  was 
erected  and  is  operated  by  the  Community 
Arts  Association,  a  semi-civic  enterprise. 

The  Lobero  is  used  exclusively  for  stage 
productions  and  was  built  for  this  purpose. 
But  its  quite  charm,  which  is  doubtless  of  the 
more  durable  sort,  would  seem  to  recommend 
it  to  the  designer  of  the  screen  theatre — not 
necessarily  as  the  thing  it  is,  but  as  a  sign- 
post on  the  road  to  better  photoplay  theatres. 

It  appears  obvious  that  motion  picture  the- 
atres of  this  character  are  most  suitable  to 
the  finer  residential  sections'  of  cities  and  to 
suburbs.  The  Lobero  itself,  for  example,  in 
such  a  location,  would  lend  to  the  photo- 
dramatic  art  that  special  dignity  which  appeals 
to  the  citizen  proud  of  his  culture,  who  now, 
perhaps,  judges  all  motion  pictures  according 
to  what  he  calls  the  blatant,  garish  type  of 
theatre. 

In  a  number  of  places,  it  has  been  deemed 
wise  to  appeal  to  this  citizen — in  Shorewood, 
a  fine  suburb  of  Milwaukee;  between  Wil- 
mette  and  Winnetka,  suburbs  of  Chicago;  and 
els  where. 

And  now,  let  us  have  a  look  at  the  Lobero — 
remembering  that  it  is  not  only  a  theatre, 
but  for  our  purpose  here,   especially  an   idea. 

The    Lobero    has    background,    in    the    first 


place,  for  it  was  built  in  1873  as  the  largest 
secular  a'dobe  building  in  California.  It  stood 
on  the  property  occupied  by  the  present  the- 
atre until  1922,  when  it  was  demolished  to 
make   room    for   the   new  Lobero. 

Santa  Barbara  is  noted  far  and  wide  for 
its'  architectural  originality,  the  majority  of  its 
business  structures  being  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean type  which  was  transplanted  to  this  coun- 
try when  the  Spanish  occupied  California. 

The  Lobero  is  perhaps  one  of  the  finest 
examples  of  this  type  of  architecture.  Only 
the  high  flies  give  it  away  as  a  theatre,  for 
the  structure,  viewed  from  Canon  Perdido 
street,  rises  in  three  steps.  The  first  houses 
the  small  but  comfortable  lobby,  and  the  offices 
of  the  theatre;  the  second  the  theatre  proper; 
and  the  third  the  stage. 

Entering  the  theatre  from  the  stone-flagged 
foyer,  a  lobby,  reaching  in  a  semi-circle  first 
attracts  the  eye.  It  is  tastefully  furnished 
with  no  decorations  other  than  the  Spanish 
type    lamps. 

The  auditorium  contains  631  seats,  finished 
in  Spanish  leather.  Thirty-two  are  situated 
in  six  boxes,  three  on  each  side  of  the  house. 
The  compact  arrangement  of  the  seats  made 
it  possible  to  hold  the  dimensions  of  the  house 
down  to  the  minimum,  with  the  result  that 
those  even  in  the  last  row  can  hear  as  easily 
as  those  in  front. 


The  orchestra  pit,  instead  of  being  placed 
directly  in  front  of  the  stage,  is  situated  in 
the  back  of  the  audience,  in  an  alcove  12  feet 
above  the  floor.  Steps  lead  down  from  the 
circle  apron,  but  these  can  be  removed  if  a 
pit  is  necessary  to  the  production. 

The  stage  measures  70  feet  -wide  and  35 
feet  deep,  with  a  68  foot  clearance.  The 
proscenium  arch  is  37  feet  wide  and  27  feet 
high.  The  entire  stage  is  trapped,  another 
unusual  feature. 

To  the  left  of  the  stage,  with  entrances 
from  both  the  theatre  and  outside,  is  the  Green 
Room,  where  members  of  the  productions 
can  gather  during  the  course  of  the  show. 
A  compact  kitchen  adjoins,  for  not  only  is 
a  midnight  luncheon  served  to  members  of 
the  Community  Arts  casts,  but  at  many  shows, 
coffee  is  served  to  the  patrons  between  acts. 

From  the  Green  room  radiates  the  dressing 
rooms.  Eight  star  rooms  adjoin  the  Green 
room,  while  two  enormous  rooms  are  located 
in  the  basement  below  the  stage.  In  addition, 
a  property  room  is  also  below  the  stage. 

George  Washington  Smith,  internationally 
known  for  his  adaptation  of  Spanish  archi- 
tecture to  modern  demands,  designed  the 
Lobero  theatre.  When  completed,  the  building 
had  cost  $133,000  with  an  additional  $32,000 
(Continued  on  page  46) 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


33 


The  Selection  of 
Carpets 

(Continued  from  page  16) 
That    of    selecting    patterns?   and    colors    that 
shall   harmonize   with   the   interior   decorative 
scheme  of  the  theatre  in  question. 

The  best  theatre  carpets  are  designed  in 
such  a  way  that  their  colors  are  luminous  and 
pleasing  under  artificial  light.  The  modern 
tendency  in  motion  picture  theatres  is  to  use 
bright  color  effects,  which  bring  to  the  audi- 
torium an  air  of  beauty,  richness'  and  gaiety 
especially  appropriate  in  a  place  of  entertain- 
ment and  amusement.  Large  and  small  pic- 
ture houses  all  over  the  country  are  showing 
marked  preference  for  modern  art  patterns, 
which  have  the  strong  colors  and  effective 
motifs  that  produce  the  desired  effects. 

The  Ziegfeld  theatre  in  New  York  has  a 
carpet  installation  that  reveals  excellent  judg- 
ment in  the  selection  of  colors  and  designs 
best  suited  to  give  luxury  to  the  appearance  of 
a  high-class  theatre  interior.  Here  a  self- 
color  gold  Bigelow  Lowell  Wilton  carpet  with 
small  foliage  patterns  is  used  in  combination 
with  modernistic  decorations.  The  carpet  is 
particularly  noteworthy  because  of  its  harmony 
with  the  ceiling,  which  is  painted  on  canvas, 
in  the  new  German  manner,  blue,  green,  pur- 
ple,  and  red. 

*  *     * 

When  colors,  designs,  and  grades  have  been 
selected,  there  still  remains  the  actual  instal- 
lation, the  most  trying  and  difficult  part  of 
the  whole  transaction,  from  the  standpoint 
both  of  the  theatre  owner  and  of  the  mer- 
chant. It  is  essential  that  only  the  most  skil- 
ful layers  be  permitted  to  put  down  the  car- 
pet, for  it  has  to  be  laid  on  staircases  and 
ramps  and  be  fitted  around  pillars,  rail- 
ings, seats,  and  the  like.  When  the  theatre  is 
of  modern  fireproof  construction,  the  concrete 
floors  have  to  be  drilled  to  secure  the  carpet — 
a  difficult  operation. 

The  seats  are  usually  installed  after  the 
carpet  has  been  put  down,  being  fastened  to 
wooden  blocks  inserted  in  the  concrete.  When 
there  are  ventilating  outlets  under  each  seat, 
the  carpet  must  be  carefully  fitted  around 
each  one. 

Despite  the  difficulty  of  doing  this  success- 
fully, it  is  absolutely  essential  that  all-over 
floor  covering  be  used  and  not  strips  of  carpet 
laid  between  the  rows  of  seats.  When  this 
procedure  is  followed  it  is  found  that  patrons 
shuffle  their  feet  on  the  bare  concrete  under- 
neath the  seats  in  front,  and  produce  highly 
undesirable  noise.  Lender  this  system,  too, 
the  acoustic  properties  of  the  theatre  are  not 
as  good  as  when  the  auditorium  is  carpeted 
entirely. 

*  *     * 

One  of  the  factors  that  makes  a  theatre 
installation  difficult  is  the  fact  that  almost 
always  the  carpet  has  to  be  put  down  in  a 
hurry.  Especially  when  an  old  theatre  is 
being  recarpeted,  all  the  work  has  to  be  done 
between  the  close  of  the  evening  performance 
and  the  opening  of  the  matinee.  Whenever 
possible,  the  theatre  management  should  so 
adjust  its  program  as  to  allow  the  carpet 
layers  a  maximum  of  time  to  do  their  work. 

Once  the  carpet  is  down,  and  the  theatre 
in  actual  operation,  there  still  remains  the 
question  of  keeping  the  carpet  clean.  Super- 
ficial dirt  and  lint  may  be  removed  by  hard 
sweeping  and  picking,  but  deeper  deposits 
brought  in  on  shoes  from  the  street  and 
stamped  into  the  fabric  can  only  be  removed 
by  vacuum  cleaner.  After  rainy  days,  the 
carpet  should  be  allowed  to  dry  before  clean- 
ing, and  whenever  possible  should  be  taken 
up  and  cleaned  more  thoroughly  than  is  pos- 
sible when  they  are  on  the  floor. 

Nearly  all  important  motion  picture  theatres 
today  use  large  quantities  of  rugs  and  carpets. 
Among  the  many  notable  houses  in  New  York 


File 

All 

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of 

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Combination    System 


PATENTED 


Cooling 


V 


The  SUPREME  Cooling  Blower— 

a  pan  of  the  comhination  system.  The 

most  powerful  ar\d  effective  unit  of  its 

'  type  on  the  market.  Note  the  variable  ( 

speed  feature. 

Quick,  uniform  heating,  no 
drafts,  no  aisle  space  occu' 
pied,  no  danger  of  freeze-up, 
perfect  Winter  Ventilation, 
positive  Summer  Cooling 
and  economy  in  both  oper' 
ation  and  maintenance. 
These  features  are  found 
only  in  the  Supreme  System. 

Use  Your  Present 
Cooling  System 

If  you  have  a  Cooling  Sys' 
tern,  Supreme  Heating  can 
be  combined  with  your  pre- 
sent  Cooling  Blower  easily 
and  inexpensively.  In  writ' 
ingfor  details,  specify  make 
of  your  Cooling  Blower  and 
send  sketch  showing  loca^ 
tion.  State  also,  if  your  prc' 
sent  Cooling  Blower  has 
variable  speed  control. 


Heating 

NOW  any  Theatre- 
New  or  Old  —  can  have 
the  advantages  of  Supreme 
Cooling  and  Heating. 

One  moderate  investment 
in  a  Supreme  System, 
makes  you  independent  of 
weather  conditions  —  as' 
sures  positive  summef 
cooling  and  equally  posi' 
tive  Winter  Heating  and 
Ventilation. 

Consider  the  advantages 
of  having  your  Theatre  de' 
lightfully  Cool  in  Summer 
and  co2;y  and  comfortable 
in  Winter — then  get  the 
full  details  on  the  Su' 
PREME  System. 


The  SUPREME  Boiler  Plate 
Steel  Heater — gas  tight  and 
unconditionally  guaranteed. 
»  AnimportantpartoftheSU'  t 
PREME  combination  system. 
Bums  all  fuels  economically. 


(MAIL     TODAY      SURE) 


Supreme  Heater  &.  Ventilating  Corp. 

Saint  Louis,  Missouri 

Send  complete  information  about  your  Heating 
and  Cooling  System. 

(Name) 


(Address) 


(City) 


(State) 


IL 


Size  Theatre_ 
Capacity   


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What  make 


Ji 


34 
1^ 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


Are  gou 


Advertising  your  attractions 
to  the  public — or  merely 
announcing  them? 

In  these  days  of  keen  competition  it  takes  more  thzin  the 
name  of  a  star  and  title  to  get  the  public  into  your  theatre. 

Selling  your  attractions  to  the  public 
means  that  your  advertising  must  ■ 

1  -  get  them  interested 

2  -  arouse  their  curiosity 

3  -  create  a  desire  to  see  the 

attractions  you  are  advertising 

This  is  what  National  Programs  do — the  cuts 
and  copy  we  use  SELL  your  attractions. 


Hcuid  them  out  at  the  door.  Mail  them  to  those  on  your 
mailing  list.  Have  them  distributed  from  door  to  door. 
Plant  them  in  stores.    They  are  100  per  cent  advertising. 


SEND  FOR  SAMPLES  AND  PRICES  TO  OUR  NEAREST  PLANT 


National  Program  &  Printing  Co. 


729  South  Wabash  Avenne 
CHICAGO 


320  West  46th  Street 
NEW  YORK 


PAINE  EXPANSION  SHELLS 

For  Anchoring  Opera  Chairs  to  Concrete  Floors 

Will  not  come  loose  when  properly  set 


Furnished  with  bolts  and  washers  ready 
to  install.  1/4"  size  shell  most  gen- 
erally used  for  repair  work  as  well  as 
originaJ  installations.  The  most  satis- 
factory yfay  to  permanently  anchor  a 
chair  to  concrete. 

Send  for  samples  and  prices 

THE  PAINE  COMPANY 


Type  No.  1 


2951  Carroll  Av«. 
Chicago,  DI. 


79  Barclay  St. 
New  York,  N.  Y. 


&^^^./i.:::Sr\-ii-^-^S'::^f.'-if^1 


Type  No.  2 


September  1,  1928 

City  which  use  the  Bigelow-Hartford  fabrics 
are  the  Brooklyn  Academy  of  Music,  the  Met- 
ropolitan theatre,  the  Capitol,  the  Hippodrome, 
the  Ziegfeld  theatre,  the  new  Shubert  theatre, 
and  the  Moss  and  Keith-Albee  houses. 

In  Chicago,  the  Balaban  &  Katz  theatres 
use  Bigelow-Hartford  products  exclusively, 
and  they  are  found  in  such  houses  as  the 
Chicago  theatre  and  the  Illinois  theatre.  The 
Publix  theatres,  the  Paramount  theatres,  the 
Universal  theatres,  and  the  Stanley  theatres 
are  among  the  national  chains  which  are  con- 
sistent users  of   these   fabrics. 


Meeting  'em  on 
Broadway 

By  HARRY  E.  HOLQUIST 

RF.  WINEGAR,  assistant  general  man- 
,  ager  of  the  Steel  Furniture  Company 
of  Grand  Rapids,  Alich.,  is  in  New 
York,  making  his  headquarters  at  the  offices 
of  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Company, 
1560  Broadway.  Mr.  Winegar  is  promoting 
the  Steel  line  of  theatre  chairs  among  Eastern 
houses. 

*  ^  i(t 

J.  E.  McAuLEY  of  the  McAuley  Manufac- 
turing company  was  another  Broadway  visi- 
tor last  week.  Mr.  McAuley  reports  a  grow- 
ing list  of  installations  of  his  new  high  in- 
tensity  lamp. 

*  *     * 

Ed  Wolk  of  the  Chicago  Cinema  Equipment 
Company  was  in  New  York  accompanied  by 
Mrs.  Wolk. 

*  *    * 

O.  F.  Spahr,  head  of  the  Enterprise  Optical 
Manufacturing  Company  was  hi  New  York 
last  week  for  his  third  visit  within  a  month. 
The  active  interest  in  the  new  Motiograph 
model  is  keeping  O.  F.  on  the  jump.  Spahr 
declared  that  the  machine  is  meeting  with  en- 
thusiastic reception   everywhere. 

*  *    * 

Alvin  Seiler,  head  of  the  engineering  de- 
partment of  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  is  making  his  headquarters  in  New 
York,  where  he  and  his  staff  are  busy  work- 
ing on  jobs  in  connection  with  the  National 
one-contract  plan. 

*  *     * 

We  were  unable  to  catch  up  with  Oscar 
OldknoWj  Southern  district  manager  of  Na- 
tional and  Arthur  D.  Steffano,  manager  of 
the  Memphis  branch,  both  of  whom  were  in 
town  last  week. 

*  *     * 

We're  in  on  a  little  secret  that  is  responsible 
for  the  very  illuminating  smile  on  the  face  of 
C.  J.  Frank  of  the  Voigt  Company  these  days. 
Perhaps  in  the  next  issue  we'll  tell  you  about 
it. 


Morton  Among  First 
of  Projectionists  to 
Attend  Sound  School 

H.  S.  Alorton,  chief  motion  picture  projec- 
tionist of  the  United  Artists  theatre  here,  in 
Detroit,  has  the  distinction  of  being  one  of 
the  first  members  of  his  craft  to  take  a  course 
in    Movietone   and    Vitaphone   projection. 

Morton  ha3  just  returned  from  the  Elec- 
trical Research  Laboratories  of  New  York, 
where  he  was  sent  by  the  management  of  the 
United  Artists  theatres  to  perfect  himself  in 
the  new  art  of  sound  picture  projection. 

Morton  also  is  a  pioneer  motion  picture  pro- 
jectionist, having  been  engaged  in  the  work 
for  the  last  20  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engi- 
neers, and  the  American  Projection  Society. 
He  has  held  the  last  office  for  seven  years. 


<mem 


amar 


Book  Thes^e  Attractions 

forybur  TheiUre 


SYMPHONY  and  stage  orchestras,  pipe  organs, 
soloists — the  greatest  of  opera  stars  and  the 
funniest  clowns — will  bring  their  music  to  your 
patrons  through  Orchestraphone. 

Every  type  and  kind  of  music  at  the  touch  of  a 
finger — perfectly  reproduced  and  cued  to  your 
picture  or  stage  presentation  with  an  excellence 
that  could  scarcely  be  exceeded  were  these  world 
renowned  artists  to  enter  your  theatre  in  person. 

The  world's  Master  Musicians  will  bring  you 
musical  independence  and  increased  patronage. 
Book  them  permanently  with  Orchestraphone! 


When  you've  heard  Orchestra* 
phone  for  yourself,  you'll  know 
why  it  is  incomparable  to  any 
other  reproducing  theatre  instru- 
ment now  on  the  market . .  .Why  it 
leads  its  field  in  bringing  the  ex- 
hibitor better  music  at  less  cost . . . 
Arrange  for  a  demonstration  or 
send  for  Orchestraphone  Book. 
It's  Free!  Address  your  nearest 
National  Branch,  or  624  South 
Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago. 


^tional  ^Iheatre  SupptylSon^^any 


Arrange  today  to  hear  Orchestraphone  yourself 


IG  SALES 


OF 


MODEL 

M 


Have  Justified  Our  Faith 

That  the  American  Exhibitor 

Would  Welcome 

This  Great  Advance  In 

MOTION  PICTURE  PROJECTORS 

We  Urge  Exhibitors  to  Avoid  Delay  By  Anticipating  Their  Requirements 
Descriptive  Circulars  Sent  Upon  Request 

International  Projector  Corporation 

90  GOLD  street,  NEW  YORK 


.rS.-i  JS^tZS^^-r'  ^  — L»^--»»r  . 


In  the  ALAMO  =^0/  Chicago 

as  in  hundreds  of  other  splendid  theatres  where  quaHty,  not 
price,  is  the  object — where  Art  is  supreme — where  perfec- 
tion in  musical  expression  is  appraised  at  true  value — there  you  w^ill  find  the 
Kilgen.  >-   /   /  In  your  theatre,  too — great  or  small — a  Kilgen  would  be  a 

dividend-paying  investment Not  only  in  its  ability  to  dramatize 

the  photoplay  as  none  other  can;  but  in  the  rugged  integrity 

of  a  construction  which  speaks  in  years  of  care-free  service.     ^^UlCP 

-         ^       f 
Send  for  Catalog,  or  write  National  Theatre  Supply  Company,  Distributors  «iW**' **w 

GEO.  KILGEN  &  SON,  Inc.,  4020  N.  Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  U.  S.  A.      (Jt^SB^ 


18  TRANSVERTERS 

SOLD  IN  18  STATES 
IN  18  DAYS 


THE  NATION-WIDE 
DEMAND  FOR 

TRANSVERTERS 


is  best  evidenced  by  the  con- 
stant flow  of  orders  for  them 
from  every  state  in  the  Union 
— in  fact — every  nation  in  the 
World— 
"wherever  Pictures  are  shown." 

Good    Projection    is,    and   will 
remain,   the   first   essential   for 
success  in  the  Motion  Picture 
business. 


The  C.  P.  Transverter 

operates  with  a  minimum 
of  attention  by  the  pro- 
jectionist because  it  de- 
livers within  3%  of  its 
rated  voltage  without 
adjustment. 

It  is  quiet,   efficient  and 
economical  on  current. 
Built  to  last  for  years  of 
continuous  service. 

Distributed  in   the   V.  S.  A.  by 

The  National  Theatre  Supply 

Company 

Canadian  Distributor 

Perkins  Electric  Ltd. 


Manufactured  exclusively  by 


THE  HERTNER  ELECTRIC  COMPANY 


1900  W.   114TH  STREET 


CLEVELAND,  O.,  U.  S.  A. 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


35 


Kohler  Pledges  to 
Relieve  Wisconsin 
Of  Its  Tax  Burden 

The  equipment  and  manufacturing  field  of 
the  motion  picture  industry  has  among  its 
prominent  members  a  man  who  is  now  candi- 
date for  governor  of  Wisconsin. 

Walter  J.  Kohler,  president  of  The  Kohler 
Company,  manufacturers  of  theatre  lighting 
plants,  is  a  candidate  on  the  Republican  slate 
and  in  his  keynot  speech  he  declared  that 
"good  government  is  good  business." 

One  of  the  principles  upon  which  he  is  con- 
ducting his  campaign  is  to  relieve  Wisconsin 
of  burdensome  taxes.  In  this  connection,  the 
Chicago  Tribune   editorially  said: 

WISCONSIN'S  OPPORTUNITY 

The  platform  upon  which  Walter  Kohler 
is  running  for  the  Republican  nomination  for 
governor  in  Wisconsin  is  an  invitation  to 
Wisconsin  to  shake  itself  free  of  the  rule  of 
demagogues  and  doctrinaires.  Mr.  Kohler  is 
a  successful  business  man  and  proud  of  it. 
He  finds  that  the  people  of  his  state  are  need- 
lessly burdened  with  taxes  and  he  proposes  a 
program   which   will   ease   the   load. 

Contrary  to  the  theories  of  the  La  Follette 
school,  Mr.  Kohler  proposes  to  make  Wiscon- 
sin attractive  to  industry.  He  knows  that  in- 
dustry will  create  wealth  and  attract  popula- 
tion. The  tax  burden  can  then  be  distributed 
among  more  people  and  there  will  be  added 
wealth  to  levy  upon.  For  both  reasons,  the 
burden  upon  the  individual  taxpayer  will  be 
lightened.  In  addition,  there  will  be  a  larger 
home  market  for  the  products  of  Wisconsin's 
farms  and  dairies. 

The  candidacy  of  Kohler  is  a  test  of  the 
political  and  economic  good  sense  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Wisconsin.  For  a  generation  they  have 
been  following  politcal  quacks  who  sought  by 
every  means  at  their  command  to  impress  a 
sense  of  inferiority  upon  the  consciousness  of 
the  people  of  Wisconsin.  Kohler  would  make 
an  end  of  all  this  snapping  and  snarling  at  the 
strong  and  the  constructive. 

It  is  characteristic  of  the  man  that  he  went 
by  airplane  to  Fond  du  Lac  to  make  his 
speech.  He  lives  in  the  present.  He  and  his 
business  are  alive.  If  he  is  nominated  and 
elected  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  he  will 
invigorate  his  state. 


The 

THEATRE 

SWITCHBOARD 

FOR  YOU 

USED   IN  THE   LARGEST  AND  FINEST 
THEATRES  IN  AMERICA 

Footlights  Spot  lights 

Borderlights  Service  boards 

Stage  pockets  Panel  boards 

Cove  lighting  Usher  signals 

Exit  and  Directional  Signs 


Complete 

Theatre  Lighting 

and  Control 

Equipment 


Write  for  details  and  estimates 

Factory  and  General  Offices 
-25    West   Grand   Ave. 
Chicago 

Phone  Seeley  6440-1-2 


DOWN  TOWN  CHICAGO 

SALES    OFFICES 

Suite  323 — 155  N.  Clark  St. 

Phone  State  7966 
NEW  YORK   CITY 

1457  Broadway 
Phone  Wisconsin  4843 


TOLEDO,   OHIO 
1220  Madison  Ave. 

Phone  Adams  S5I8 

MILWAUKEE,   WIS. 

123  Second  St. 

Phone  Grand  1533 


HUB  PRODUCTS  FROM  SERVICE  TO  SOCKET 


The  BETTER  Popcorn  Machine 

For  the  BETTER  Theatre 

SIMPLE  AND  ATTRACTIVE 
ELECTRIC  POWER  AND  HEAT 

70c  of  Every  Dollar  Is  Profit 

The  "Heights  theatre,"  Muskegon,  Mich.,  say : 

An  attractive  machine  that  certainly  does  the 
work.  Corn  is  deHcious,  building  a  splendid  busi- 
ness from  former  waste  space. 

C.  CRETORS  &  CO. 

Easy    Terms ^Write    for    Catalog 

612  W.  22ncl  St.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Fig.  1.     Basement  showing  equipment  rooms  and  heating  tunnel  to  stage  end  of  theatre. 


Fig.  2.     Mezzanine  floor  plan  of  Walker  theatre  in  Brooklyn. 


Fig.  3.     Balcony  plan  showing  arrangement  for  ventilation. 


Y         :/ 


r 


1 


n 


Tzr 


Fig.  4.    Projection  room  and  attic  plan. 


'r 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


37 


Air  Conditioning 

— in  the  theatre 


AIR  conditioning  for  the  smaller-sized  the- 
atre— one  that  has  been  built  in  a  grow- 
ls ing  locality  where  the  future  can  only 
be  predicted — involves  not  only  a  design  to 
fulfill  the  physical  requirements,  but  operating 
costs  as  well,  which  should  be  within  the 
financial  scale  justified  by  the  revenue  of  the 
house,  and  so  planned  to  add  further  comforts 
for  its  patrons  as  the  growing  community 
warrants.  In  the  Walker  theatre,  Brooklyn, 
these  conditions  have  well  been  met. 

For  ventilation  five  separate  fans  have  been 
installed,  three  serving  to  supply  fresh  air, 
and  two  for  exhausts.  The  main  supply  fan 
takes  air  either  from  the  fresh-air  intake,  the 
re-circulation  flue,  or  both,  through  air  heat- 
ers, and  discharges  this  air  into  the  galvan- 
izer  iron  ducts,  located  in  the  attic  space  and 
in  the  balcony  plenum,  from  which  the  air 
enters  the  theatre  through  the  various  plaster 
grilles  located  throughout  the  building. 

To  serve  for  summer  cooling  until  refrig- 
eration is  installed,  two  typhoon  supply  fans, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  theatre,  take  air  from 
out  of  doors  and  discharge  it  through  plaster 
grilles  to  the  front  of  the  orchestra,  the  air 
finding  its  way  out  through  the  open  doors  and 
elsewhere. 


One  exhaust  fan  serves  the  toilets  and  smok- 
ing rooms,  while  the  second  exhausts  from 
the  projection  or  moving  picture  booth. 

Air  temperature  is  automatically  regulated 
with  provision  for  the  future  when  a  refrig- 
erated cooling  system  is  installed. 

A  single  boiler  furnishes  steam  to  the  grav- 
ity two-pipe  heating  system  with  the  supply 
and  return  piping  arranged  to  run  in  pipe 
tunnels,  serving  five  classes  of  radiation  and 
valved  independently  at  the  boiler  header  con- 
sisting of : 

(a)  Direct  radiators  for  theatre,  stage  and 
dressing  rooms. 

(b)  Direct  radiators  for  offices  and  stores. 

(c)  Indirect  heaters  for  the  ventilating  sys- 
tem. 

(d)  Coils  in  the  service-ivater  tanks  above 
roof. 

(e)  Domestic  hot  water  tank  in  boiler  room. 
Steam    risers    in    general   are    one-pipe    and 


Editor's  Note:  The  attacherl 
article,  with  sketches,  is  pub- 
lished through  the  courtesy  of 
The  Heating  and  Ventilating 
Magazine.  It  describes  the  sys- 
tem used  in  a  Brooklyn  theatre. 


are  concealed  in  the  principal  rooms.  Runouts 
to  the  first  floor  radiators  are  taken  direct 
from  the  steam  main. 

The  boiler  is  a  Fitzgibbons  portable-type, 
with  a  capacity  of  12,500  square  feet  of  radia- 
tion, burning  anthracite  coal,  and  is  equipped 
with  a  Syphon  balanced  vapor  damper  regu- 
lator. 

Check  valves  are  placed  in  the  return  con- 
nection from  each  heating  coil,  in  each  row  of 
the  air  heaters,  in  the  return  from  each  sec- 
tion of  the  heating  system,  and  in  the  return 
connection  to  the  boiler. 

Each  radiator  has,  on  its  supply  connection, 
a  globe  radiator  valve  with  union  nipple  con- 
nection and  a  ^  inch  automatic  air-valve. 
Quick  vent  valves  are  installed  on  the  return 
mains  and  on  branches  where  the  return  con- 
nects to  each  row  of  air  heaters,  where  the 
return  drops  below  the  water-line,  as  well  as 
on  the  steam  main  at  the  extreme  ends. 

A  3-inch  equalizer  pipe  is  run  from  the 
steam  pipe  down  to  the  return  pipe  on  the 
boiler  side  of  all  valves. 

For  the  air  heaters,  each  stack  is  provided 
with  a  control  gate-valve  on  both  supply  and 
return,  and,  in  addition  an  air  valve  with 
check  is  placed  on  the  return  branch.  The  re- 
turn from  each  stack  is  the  full  size  of  the 
heater  tapping  and  terminates  in  a  top-outlet 
reducing  elbow,  the  bottom  opening  of  which 
is  connected  to  the  return  line.  The  top 
opening  has  a  1-inch  pipe  extended  up,  on  top 
of  which  the  air  valve  is  set,  with  a  pet  cock 
for  hand  operation,  if  desired.  Diaphragm 
valves  also  are  placed  on  the  steam  branches 
automatically  to  control  the  steam  supply  to 
the  heaters. 

Dampers  of  heavy  construction  control  not 


only  the  flow  of  air  to  each  branch  from  the 
ducts,  but  also  the  quantity  of  air  to  each  out- 
let. _  Aisle  hoods,  mushroom  and  riser  vents 
set  in  galvanized-iron  sleeves  and  arranged  to 
conform  with  the  seating  plan,  are  used  as 
outlets  for  exhaust  and  recirculation. 

On  the  discharge  from  the  toilet  exhaust 
fan,  above  the  roof,  a  ventilator  top  is  placed, 
while  in  the  discharge  from  the  moving  pic- 
ture booth  an  automatic  louvre  is  installed. 

Automatic  temperature-control  is  provided 
for  the  air  supply  to  the  auditorium  and  con- 
sists of  a  thermostat,  located  in  the  intake 
chamber  and  controlling  the  fresh  air  intake 
damper  as  well  as  the  recirculation  damper. 
A  two-point  thermostat  is  located  at  the  front 
of  the  balcony  and  controls  the  air  heaters 
and  mixing  damper  under  the  heaters,  all 
thermostats  being  of  the  intermediate-acting 
type. 

*     *     * 

Motors  for  operating  these  dampers  are  of 
the  pneumatic-diaphragm-lever  type  and  the 
dampers  themselves  are  of  louvre  pattern. 
Blades  of  the  dampers  are  constructed  with 
overlapping  edges,  making  a  tight  fit  when 
closed,  and  are  made  to  act  in  unison  by 
means  of  connecting  levers. 

To  furnish  the  necessary  motive  power  for 
the  damper  motors,  an  electric-driven  air  com- 
pressor with  the  usual  storage  tank  is  used, 
the  compressor  being  equipped  with  an  auto- 
matic governor. 

The  main  ventilating  fan  is  single-width, 
single-inlet  fan,  with  two  vertical  discharge, 
having  a  capacity  of  60,000  C.F.M.  operating 
against  a  static  pressure  oi  1%  inches  when 
run  at  212  R.P.M.  This  fan  is  belt-connected 
to  a  25  H.P.  motor,  as  shown  in  Fig.  4. 
The  projection-room  fan,  handling  2,000 
C.F.M.,  is  set  on  the  floor,  also  shown  in 
Fig.  4,  with  top  vertical  discharge  14  inch  x 
16  inches  which  is  carried  through  the  roof, 
with  a  gooseneck  terminal  above  the  roof. 
The  toilet  exhaust-fan  is  located  in  the  main 
room  and  is  not  shown  on  the  drawings ;  it 
is  a  fan  similar  to  the  one  just  described, 
{Coiitinned  on  page  39) 


38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Keep 
Them 
Coming  I 

Every  season  of  the  year  the 
movie  man's  fancy  turns  to* 
thoughts  of  fishing — fishing  for 
the  shekels  that  He  snugly  in  the 
pockets  of  the  movie  star's  "dear 
public." 

But  to  get  the  shekels  you  must 
get  the  public. 

According  to  all  reports,  the  com- 
ing pictures  will  make  good  bait 
but  how  about  the  line?  For  no 
matter  how  enticing  the  lure,  you 
can't  keep  them  coming  unless  the 
line  will  hold. 

The  CINEPHOR  LENS,  with  its 
definition,  flatness  of  field,  maxi- 
mum illumination,  and  black  and 
white  contrast,  is  the  line  that  will 
haul  'em  in  and  make  'em  like  it. 

The  open  season  lasts  all  year 
long.  So  let's  reel  up  a  Cinephor 
line  and  make  a  new  cast.  They'll 
rise  to  the  lure  in  schools  and 
you'll  need  a  good  net  to  gather  up 
the  shekels.  You  will  make  a  rec- 
ord haul  night  after  night  with  a 
Cinephor. 


Send  for  our  CINEPHOR  booklet 
and    learn    more   about    the    sport. 


Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co. 

652  St.  Paul  St. 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 


The  Coleman  theatre,  to  seat  1,650  and  now  under  construction  in  Jyliami,  Okla. 
It  was  designed  for  George  L.  Coleman  by  Boiler  Brothers,  theatre  architects 
of  Kansas  City  and  Los  Angeles,  and  will  be  modern  in  every  resjiect.  7*Iiami 
has  long  been  hnown  as  a  good  show  town,  and  this  u^to-date  theatre  will 
be  an  added  attraction  to  the  ^oj^ulation  of  the  surrounding  towns  and  this 
mining  community.  The  S-^anish  Colonial  exterior  will  be  in  texture  stucco 
and  terra  cotta,  with  the  domes  finished  in  bright  colored  tiles.  The  front 
portion  of  the  building  is  designed  for  eight  sho^s,  with  offices  above,  the 
theatre  covering  the  rear  portion  of  the  ■^ro'^erty. 


Emergency  Light 
Unit  Uses  Water 
To  Supply  Power 

A  new  emergenci'  lighting  plant  which  draws 
its  power  from  water  supply  has  recently  been 
placed  on  the  market  for  use  in  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  by  the  Enslen  Hydro-Electric 
Company,  1600  Broadway,  New  York  City.  A 
number  of  theatres  in  the  Comerford  chain 
in  Pennsylvania  have  already  installed  the  new 
equipment,  which  is  known  as  the  Enslen 
Hydro-Electric  Emergency  Lighting  Unit. 

Describing  the  plant,  J.  C.  Enslen,  head  of 
the  concern,  says : 

"The     Enslen     Hydro-Electric     Emergency 


The  Enslen  Emergency  Unit 

Lighting  Unit  was  developed  to  meet  the  re- 
quirements of  the  regulations  set  forth  by 
various  states.  It  is  essentially  an  automat- 
ically self-starting  small  hydro-electric  plant 
consisting  of  a  direct  current  generator  driven 
by  a  water  wheel  which  is  mounted  on  the 
same  shaft.  The  entire  equipment  is  a  com- 
pact and  self-contained  unit. 

"It  will  generate  sufficient  electricity  to  keep 
exit  lights  and  other  electrical  equipment  in 
continuous  service  throughout  any  interruption 
of  the  regular  supply  of  electric  current. 

"The  automatic  starting  feature  comprises 
a  solenoid,  which  is  so  connected  across  the 
line  of  the  outside  source  of  power  that  fail- 
ure of  this  ctirrent  will  de-energize  it  and 
cause   it    to   instantly   open   the   needle   nozzle 


valve,  admitting  water  pressure  of  the  water 
wheel.  The  automatic  switch  for  transferring 
the  Hghting  circuit  from  the  outside  supply 
to  the  generator  of  the  unit  is  connected  to 
the  nozzle  mechanism,  causing  the  nozzle  and 
the  switch  to  operate  at  the  same  time. 

"Two  types  are  built,  one  of  which  is  ar- 
ranged to  also  stop  the  unit  automatically 
when  the  outside  electrical  service  is  restored, 
whereas  the  other  type  will  continue  in  service 
until  stopped  manually. 

"Another  feature  of  the  Enslen  Hydro-Elec- 
tric Emergency  Lighting  Unit  is  the  fact  that 
it  can  be  connected  directly  into  the  existing 
wiring  system,  because  it  generates  current  at 
the  same  voltage. 

"Simplicity  is  the  keynote  of  both  the  me- 
chanical and  the  electrical  design  of  the  unit. 
The  w'iring  runs  from  the  main  distributing 
panel  in  the  building  to  the  automatic  switch  of 
the  direct  ciirrent  generator. 

"When  the  unit  is  installed,  a  pilot  or  indi- 
cating light  connected  directly  across  the  cur- 
rent generator  terminals  serves  as  a  guide  in 
making  the  initial  voltage  adjustment  and  also 
for  illumination  of  the  unit  for  inspection  pur- 
poses. 

"The  direct  current  generator  is  a  special 
compound  wound  type,  which  gives  constant 
voltage  from  no  load  and  runaway  speed  to 
full  load  and  normal  speed.  The  speed  of 
the  water  wheel  varies  approximately  in  in- 
verse proportion  to  the  load.  This  feature 
enables  the  machine  to  operate  at  any  load 
between  zero  and  full  output  with  normal  volt- 
age and  eliminates  the  need  of  a  speed  gov- 
ernor. 

"The  water  wheel  is  of  the  Pelton  type. 
The  housing  is  closed  on  one  side  by  a  cover. 
Shaft  leakage  on  the  opposite  side  is  prevented 
by  a  frictionless  centrifugal  device  which  does 
not  make  contact  between  the  stationary  hous- 
ing and  the  revolving  shaft. 

"It  is  interesting  to  note  that  recent  tests 
on  one  of  the  15  watt  units  in  the  manufac- 
turer's laboratory  indicated  an  overall  effi- 
ciency of  64  per  cent  from  the  water  delivered 
to  the  nozzle  to  the  electrical  power  delivered 
to  the  lighting  circuit.  The  electrical  energy 
consumed  by  the  automatic  starting  solenoid 
is  about  10  watts  while  the  unit  is  in  standby 
service.  At  other  times  there  is  no  consump- 
tion of   either  electricity  or  water. 

"In  addition  to  the  advantages  given  by  the 
Enslen  hydro-electric  emergency  lighting  unit 
is  the  fact  that  it  can  be  operated  in  connec- 
tion with  the  modern  cooling  systems  with 
which  many  theatres  are  now  equipped." 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


39 


Southern  Chief  of 
Health  Commission 
Upholds  Theatres 

W.  H.  Robin,  superintendent  of  public 
health  in  New  Orleans  has  been  making  a 
survey  of  theatre  cooling  and  in  a  report 
just  issued  says: 

"The  health  department  has  received  nu- 
merous complaints  from  patrons  of  some 
theatres  who  complain  that  a  temperature 
of  70  or  72  degrees  was  too  low  for  com- 
fort and  safety.  We  cannot  insist  that  a 
definite  temperature  be  maintained  in  these 
theatres  because  the  management  must  be 
governd  by  outside  conditions  as  to  rela- 
tive humidity. 

"A  temperature  of  76  degrees  inside,  with 
an  outside  temperature  of  94  degrees,  and 
an  average  relative  humidity  of  60  would 
be  correct  at  certain  times,  but  there  are 
times  during  the  summer  seasons  that  such 
conditions    would    not    be    proper. 

"Rainy  days  in  New  Orleans  with  an  out- 
side temperature  of  74  will  produce  a  relatix'C 
humidity  98  per  cent.  If  a  fixed  temperature 
of  75  or  76  degrees  were  to  be  maintained  at 
such  times  the  patrons  would  become  very 
uncomfortable,  as  the  human  body  would 
exclude  a  great  amount  of  heat  under  such 
conditions. 

"As  the  temperature  on  a  dry  bulb 
thermometer  decreases,  the  relative  humid- 
ity increases,  and  theatrical  authorities  are 
forced  to  lower  inside  temperatures  to 
maintain  a  dry  and  healthy  air,  as  the 
greater  the  moisture,  the  greater  the 
chances  of  contracting  colds,  aches  and 
pains." 


Air  Conditioning 
the  Theatre 

{Continued  from  page  37) 
except  that  it  is  double  the  capacity. 

Both  fans  and  motors  are  set  on  wood 
copings  with  cork  deadeners ;  there  is  a  can- 
vas connection  inserted  between  the  fan  and 
the  galvanized  ducts. 

All  of  the  air  heaters  are  operated  at  4 
lbs.  boiler  pressure.  They  are  set  in  a  vertical 
position,  and  the  air  passes  through  them  in 
a  horizontal  direction. 

In  each  roof  tank  is  installed  a  lj4  inch 
pipe  coil  connected  separately  and  directly  to 
the  steam  header.  The  valves  for  controlling 
these  coils  are  located  in  the  boiler  room. 

While  no  cooling  equipment!  has  been  in- 
cluded in  the  initial  installation,  provisions  have 
been  made  and  space  has  been  provided  for  an 
air  washer  as  well  as  for  the  necessary  re- 
frigeration machinery  which  would  be  located 
in  the  basement.  Cold  water  lines  from  the 
basement  to  the  fan  location  in  the  attic  have 
been  installed  for  the  future  cooling  system. 

From  the  main-supply  fan  the  air  passes 
through  a  system  of  ducts,  the  major  portion 
going  to  the  openings  in  the  ceiling  of  the 
auditorium,  from  which  it  passes  down  to  the 
floor  and  out  through  the  floor  outlets  lo- 
cated in  the  main  and  balcony  floors.  The 
remainder  of  the  air  enters  through  the  ceil- 
ing under  the  balcony.  A  portion  of  all  the 
air  may  be  returned  for  recirculation ;  the 
rest  is  lost  through  outward  leakage. 

The  architect  for  this  building  is  C.  A. 
Sandblom,  New  York. 


Chandler  Signed  for  Series 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— George  Chandler, 
former   vaudeville    star,    has    been    signed    by 
Universal    to    make    a    series    of    12    two-reel 
pictures. 


DARK  CORNERS  IN  YOUR  BUSINESS 

are  caused  by  OVERHEAD 

DARK  CORNERS  ON  YOUR  SCREEN 

are  caused  by  INEFFICIENT  ILLUMINATION 

SUNBEAMS  will  bring  light  to  these  CORNERS 
BECAUSE  SUNBEAMS  GIVE: 

1.  MORE  LIGHT 

2.  BETTER  LIGHT 

3.  PERFECT   DEFINITION 

4.  BEST  LAMP  VALUE  PER 
DOLLAR 

And  Sunbeams 

5.  REDUCE  YOUR  OPERAT- 
ING COSTS 

6.  HAVE  FEWER  WORKING 
PARTS  THAN  ANY 
OTHER  LAMPS 

Sunbeam  Reflecting  Arc  Lamp 

SUNBEIAMS  are  as  new  as  the  "TALKIES"  and  yet  they  are 
proven,  possessing  quaHties  "which  ehminate  all  objectionable  fea- 
tures common  to  arc  lamps. 

GUARANTEED  against  REPLACEMENT  COSTS  for  TWO 
YEARS 

THE  LIT-WAR  COMPANY 

200  West  Second  Street 
WELLSTON,  OHIO,  U.  S.  A. 


SOUND! 


The  Blizzard  fan  was  designed  nearly  20  years 
ago — The  Blizzard  Fan  as  of  1912  is  still  superior 
to  any  fan  on  the  market  today.  The  Blizzard  Fan 
today  is  a  fan  designed  for  today  and  for  years  to 
come;  because  the  BLIZZARD  FAN  is 


THE    BLIZZARD    FAN="The  voice  of  ventilation' = 


Sound 


Sound-less 


IN  PRINCIPLE 
IN  CONSTRUCTION 
IN  SATISFACTION 
IN  ECONOMY 
IN  SERVICE 
IN  RESULTS 

ABSOLUTELY  QUIET 
IN  OPERATION 


A 

REAL 

SYNCHRONIZED 

TALKIE 

THAT 

SPEAKS  FOR  ITSELF 


SOUND 


IS  a 


Investment  for  You 


If  ventilation  could  talk,  it  would  highly 
recommend  the  BLIZZARD  system  of  ven- 
tilation, for  it  synchronizes  so  thoroughly 
with  your  box  office  and  your  particular  re- 
quirements. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO.,  or 

BLIZZARD  SALES  CO. 
I    OMAHA,  NEBR. 

I  Tune    us    in    on    your  SOUND    Investment — Send 

I  information    at    once    on  Blizzard    Fan    and    Oilectric 

I  speed   change   pulley. 
I 


Theatre   - _ Place   .... 


40 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Stage  setting  by  G.  Reising, 

An  Atmospheric 

Former    Trade    Paj^er    J^lan 


Uj>j>er  ■picture:  The  foyer.  This  is  a 
gay  corridor,  creating  in  the  'patron  the 
feeling  of  softness — of  comfort.  Treat- 
ment of  the  walls  is  in  the  Sjianish  man- 
ner, with  a  ceiling  of  wooden  beams.  At 
each  end  is  a  ram-^  which  leads  to  the 
auditorium. 


Lower  picture:  The  fountain  in  the 
foyer,  an  added  touch  of  splendor.  Out 
of  it  jiours  a  tenuous  stream  of  water, 
radiant  with  the  colors  of  deftly  con- 
cealed lights.  On  one  side  is  a  lounge 
for   women,    on    the    other,    one   for    men. 


HOQUIAM,  WASHINGTON,  has  re- 
cently opened  its  new  Seventh  Street 
theatre,  which  was  built  by  Hoquiam 
Amusement  Company  and  D.  &  R.  Theatres 
Company  at  a  cost  of  $175,000.  O.  T.  Taylor, 
formerly  of  Moving  Picture  World,  was  the 
man  who  conceived  the  "Theatre  Beautiful" 
for  this  far  Pacific  Northwest  theatre,  and 
to  Ed.  Dolan,  president  of  the  company,  goes 
the  credit  for  the  financing  of   the  project. 

Spanish  architecture  was  chosen  as  the 
most  suitable.  The  walls  are  constructed  of 
reinforced  concrete  covered  with  waterproof 
stucco  and  enriched  with  cast  stone  and  deco- 
rated wood  beam  ends. 

The  theatre  lobbj'  was  carefully  studied  both 
in  regard  to  architecture  and  color  treatment. 
The  ceiling  is  broken  by  a  series  of  larger 
wood   beams   which  has   been  burned   to   give 


an  old  Spanish  feeling.  The  ceiling  panels 
between  are  highly  decorated  with  colored 
stencils  on  a  gold  background.  The  side  walls 
are  likewise  tinted  with  gold  and  blend  with 
the  ceiling.  The  floor  is  colored  marble  terazzo 
divided  into  squares  by  brass  strips.  The 
entrance  doors  on  either  side  of  the  ticket 
booth  are  of  Spanish  design,  also  burnt  and 
enriched  with  studded  nails,  and  at  top  and 
bottom  with  perforated  lead  sheets. 

Between  these  doors  stands  the  ticket  booth 
with  sides  encased'  in  moorish  tile  up  to 
counter  height.  Above  this  is  a  glass  en- 
closure set  in  a  twisted  wrought  iron  frame 
and  capped  with  a  frieze  and  cornice  treat- 
ment of  pierced  sheet  lead  and  cast  iron. 

Qn  entering  the  foyer  of  the  theatre  one 
is  immediately  impressed  with  a  sense  of  rich- 
ness and  warmth.     Directlv   in   front   of  vou 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


41 


O.  T.  Taylor,  the  designer. 

Houseat$175,000 

Conceives    Notable    Theatre 


is  an  alcove,  the  floor  of  which  is  three  steps 
lower  than  the  main  foyer.  Against  the  wall 
of  this  alcove  is  a  beautiful  tile  fountain,  out 
of  which  a  tiny  stream  of  water  is  constantly 
pouring  and  over  which  concealed  spotlights 
throw  their  colored  rays. 

On  either  side  of  this  little  fountain  alcove 
are  rest  rooms  for  the  ladies  and  a  smoking 
room  for  the  gentlemen.  A  manager's  office 
and  ushers'  room  has  been  provided  at  the 
far  ends  of  the  foyer. 

The  entire  wall  treatment  of  the  foyer  is 
Spanish,  both  in  texture  and  color,  and  the 
ceiling,  as  in  the  lobby,  is  broken  by  wooden 
beams.  These  likewise  have  been  burnt  and 
scraped  with  wire  brushes  but  have  been 
given  a  softer  effect  by  ageing  with  rottenstone. 
The  ceiling  is  overhung  with  a  conventional 
grapevine,  out  of  which  comes  a  warm  autumn 


color.  Along  the  side  walls,  between  the  beam 
ends,  a  stenciled  band  has  been  painted  and 
conventionalized  figures  introduced. 

At  the  extreme  ends  of  the  foyer  are  gentle 
ramps  which  lead  up  into  the  main  auditorium 
with  seating  for  approximately  1,100  patrons. 
Here  one  is  impressed  with  the  spaciousness 
of  the  room.  The  side  wall  treatment  is  un- 
usual and  one  finds  himself  literally  in  an 
outside  court  with  walls  and  towns,  all  of 
Spanish  architecture.  Behind  these  walls  are 
hidden  the  lights  of  the  theatre  which  shed 
a  warm  glow  of  reflected  lights  over  the  audi- 
torium. Beyond  the  garden  wall  are  trees 
and  shrubbery  and  a  blue  sky  overhead,  and 
upon  careful  scrutiny  tiny  stars  are  seen  to 
twinkle,  making  in  all  an  exquisite  picture. 

Off    of    the    auditorium    lead    three    ample 

(Continued  on  page  46) 


U;^^er  picture:  The  auditorium,  looking 
toward  the  ibooth.  The  ^hotogra^h 
shows  how  the  architect  achieved  a  bal- 
cony without  a  balcony — that  is,  the  en- 
trance to  all  seats  is  from  a  common 
level.  The  auditorium  is  decorated  ac- 
cording to  Spanish  ideas.  The  seating 
capacity  is   1,100. 


Lower  -picture:  The  auditorium,  facing 
the  stage.  Here  the  moderate  a^^'^lica- 
tion  of  Spanish  themes  is  well  shown. 
The  wall  decorations  are  m  relief,  be- 
hind which  are  lighting  fixtures.  The 
ceiling      re'^resents      the      blue      heaven. 


42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Music 

That's 
good 
and 
Helps  the 
Profit 
Sheet 


The  Famous 

Selector-  Duplex 
Organ 

Nelson-Wiggen    Piano    Co. 

1731-45  Belmont  Ave.,  Chicago 


No 


w 


that  theatres  compete  so 
savagely  with  each  other  the 
small  house  suffers  without 
good  music.  You  can  have 
a  flexible  wide  range  of  the 
best  and  latest  music  at 
small  cost  with  a  Selector 
Duplex. 


Plays  a  ten  tune  roll  continuously 
without  rewind.  Classic  on  one 
side.  Jazz  on  tlie  other  if  desiredL 
Compact  in  size — low  in  cost. 
Get   details  now. 


NOT  A  BATTERY 
CHARGER 


Strong  full  wave  rectifiers 

Built  solely  for  motion  picture 
arcs.  Not  adapted  to  the  applica- 
tion. The  lasting  results  are 
proven. 

Over  500  in  DaUy  Use 

Made  and  guaranteed  by 


The  Strong  Electric  Company 


2501  Lagrange  Street 


Toledo,  Ohio 


it 


You  can't  go  wrong  with  a  Strong 


f> 


y 


A. 


.    .   the  topics  for  discussion 

What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future? 
What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have    on   theatre   design  and 
construction  in  general? 
With  inauguration  cf  synchronized 
pictures   will   there  he  a   tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of 
the  more  intimate  type? 
Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day 
theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to  pro- 
vide for  the  proper  acoustical  prop- 
erties  in  the  auditorium? 


•V 


y^ 


Building  the  Sound 

Theatre  ^ 

{Continued  from  page  10)  II 

ing  picture  attendant  to  more  that  is  real 
life,  and  in  my  opinion  with  the  coming  of 
visualized  radio  reception  prove  a  boom 
to  the  legitimate  stage. 

EDWARD  A.  JUUL 
Sheboygan,  Wis. 

1.  Interior  treatment  and  proper  propor- 
tions must  be  adapted  to  synchronized 
pictures. 

2.  Construction  of  buildings  will  have  to 
be  taken  into  account  in  new  theatres. 

3.  Smaller  houses  and  depending  on  over- 
head of  showing  pictures. 

4.  Yes. 

SWAN  A.  CLAUSEN 
Decatur,  111. 

1.  No  additional  effect  if  acoustics  have 
been  properly  taken  into  account. 

2.  More  formal  types  of  buildings. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  Reconstruct,  no.  Acoustical  treatment, 
yes. 

FRED  W.  ELLIOTT 
Columbus,  O. 

1.  It  will  become  a  very  important  factor 
and  must  be  given  proper  consideration 
as  good  acoustics  in  the  present  day  the- 
atres seems  to  have  been  gravely  over- 
looked. 

2.  Theatres  must  be  designed  and  con- 
structed so  as  to  produce  good  acoustics. 

3.  It  will  eliminate  the  very  large  theatres 
on  account  of  the  acoustics,  and  the  small 
theatres  on  account  of  the  expense  of  in- 
srtallation  and  operation. 

4.  I  believe  that  SO  per  cent  of  the  new 
theatres  will  develop  defective  acoustics 
and  that  many  auditoriums  will  have  to 
be  re-designed  and  re-constructed. 

VICTOR  A.  RIGAUMONT 
New  York  City 

1.  If  proper  sound  distribution  is  ar- 
ranged by  means  of  sound  stations 
throughout  the  auditorium,  the  problem 
of  acoustics  is  eliminated.  The  sound 
picture  with  proper  sound  distribution 
will  solve  the  acoustics  problem  in  many 
of   today's   theatres. 

2.  They  will  compel  the  erection  of  large 
theatres  sufficiently  ample  to  hold  maxi- 
mum capacity  audiences  to  permit  a  re- 
duction in  admission  prices  throughout 
volume  of  business  and  cut  down  over- 
head and  cost. 

3.  No,  indeed.  Larger  houses  will  be 
the  rule.    Why  speak  of  smaller  houses. 


kL 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


43 


y* 


•V 


.   the  topics  for  discussion 

1.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future? 

2.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  theatre  design  and 
construction  in  general? 

3.  With  inauguration  of  synchronized 
pictures  will  there  he  a  tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of 
the  more  intimate  type? 

4.  Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day 
theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to  pro- 
vide for  the  proper  acoustical  prop- 
erties in  the  auditoriums? 


J" 


when  every  theatre  owner  wants  more 
seats.  There  are  enough  small  theatres 
now  to  meet  any  demand. 
4.  If  proper  sound  distribution  stations 
are  used,  only  slight  alterations  will  be 
required  to  accommodate  concealed  sound 
horns.  No  other  alteration  or  reconstruc- 
tion will  be  necessary. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— Sound  pictures 
are  a  boon  to  the  business  but  they  must 
be  "humanized"  as  nearly  as  possible 
through  proper  and  pleasant  distribution 
of  sound. 

BESECKE  &  DE  FOE 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 

1.  Should  not  have  any  if  building  is 
built  correctly.  Otherwise  it  will  force 
more  study  and  care  for  acoustical  re- 
sults. 

2.  Will  have  a  tendency  to  have  better 
architects  and  builders  do  this  very  im- 
portant  work. 

3.  — . 

4.  Cannot  answer  this. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— This  is  very 
fine  and  necessary  development  and  in 
line  with  progress  which  we  all  must  con- 
form to.     I  am  for  it  100  per  cent. 

FRED  A.  BISHOP 
Richmond,  Va. 

1.  It  is  my  opinion  that  acoustics  must 
be  perfect   for  best   results. 

2.  Nobody  knows. 

3.  Larger  houses. 

4.  Yes. 

GENERAL  COMMENT— It  is  my  opin- 
ion that  synchronized  pictures  will  save 
the  day  for  the  moving  picture  industry 
and  it  will  be  necessary  for  all  theatres  to 
be  designed  and  altered  to  properly  get 
the  best  results  without  reverberation. 

ELMER  F.  BEHRNS 
Chicago,  111. 

1.  There  will  be  no  effect  other  than  acous- 
tical design  for  present  theatre  with 
speaking  stage. 

2.  Design  will  probably  change  in  order 
to  build  in  the  speakers. 

3.  I  believe  there  will  continue  to  be  a 
demand  for  houses  of  1,000  or  2,000  seats. 

4.  If  the  acoustical  properties  in  the  pres- 
ent auditoriums  are  good,  they  will  not 
need  reconstruction.  Otherwise  acoustical 
treatment  will  be  necessary. 

W.  H.  LEE 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1.  None,  unless  a  theatre  is  constructed 
for  an  exclusive  synchronized  picture  pol- 
icy when  corrective  acoustics  treatment 
would  be  applied  for  perfect  reception  of 
synchronization. 

2.  Would  affect  stage  and  projection 
booth  only  the  theatre  design   for  exclu- 


Signs  That  Sell! 


n^  HE  brilliantly  lighted  Milne  Made 
-■-  Electric  Signs  are  the  signs  that  sell. 
They  shout  your  show  message  to  the 
crowds  that  fill  your  theatre.  They  attract 
attention  for  they  are  built  by  men  who 
know  and  understand  "showmanship." 

The  best  Theatres  in  the  country  are 
using  MILNE  Signs  because  they  are  con- 
vinced that  this  "showmanship"  is  built 
right  in. 

Send  U9  the  name  #/  your  theatre  and  let 
us  submit  a  colored  sketch  to  you^—no  ob- 
ligation   on   your  part, 

MILNE  ELECTRIC  SIGN  COMPANY 


614-618  Cherry  St. 


Milwaukee,  Wis. 


The  Palace  Or- 
phemn,  Milwaukee, 
the  brightest  spot 
on    "The    White 

Way." 


Long  Distance  Phone  Grand  7666 

Chicago  Branch:    4352  Broadway 
Graeeland   4289 

MILNE 

SIGNS 

Changeable  Letter  Marqalse  or  Canopies 


THE 


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HIGH  INTENSITY 
REFLECTOR  ARC 

For  Motion  Picture  Projection 


The  laiest  and  greatest  step  forward  in  the  development  of  High  Intensity 
projection. 

Snow  White  High  Intensity  Light.  60  Amperes  equal  in  screen  illumination  to 
120  amperes  with  the  older  High  Intensity  Lamps.  Gives  more  and  better  light  for 
current  expended. 

HALL  &  CONNOLLY,  INC. 

129  Grand  Street  New  York  City 


44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


The  New 


CLOSED 


i  .1 
SHOWING    INTERIOR 


EASY 

ELECTRIC 

HEATER 


Automatic  Temperature 
Controlled 


Designed  especially  for 
Theatre  Organ  Chambers, 
Box  Offices,  etc.,  but  will 
prove  useful  in  many 
other  places. 


Write  for  particulars 

O 

Made  in  500, 1000, 1500 
and  2000  watt  capacity 


KAUSALITE 
MFG.  CO 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


Patented 


The  New 


FLUSH  WALL 
AISLE  LIGHT 


for 


Ramps,  Stairways  and 
Corridors  in  Theatres, 
Hotels  and  Hospitals 


Made  in  two  sizes  —  standard^ 
and  junior  for  use  over  tables 
in  hospital  patients*  rooms. 


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OUR    STANDARD    CHAIR   TYPE 


Decoration  and  Ekjuipment 

To 

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A  Scientific  Service  Harmonizing  the  Work  of  Architect — Engineer — 
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Ornamental  plaster — Painting — Draperies — Rugs — Lighting  Effects — 
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y 


x 


.    .   the  topics  for  discussion 

1.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures lutve  on  the  acoustics  in  build- 
ing the  theatre  of  the  future? 

2.  What  effect  will  synchronized  pic- 
tures have  on  theatre  design  and 
construction  in  general? 

3.  With  inauguration  of  synchronized 
pictures  will  there  he  a  tendency 
toward  smaller  houses,  or  houses  of 
the  more  intimate  type? 

4.  Will  it  be  necessary  for  present  day 
theatres  to  reconstruct  so  as  to  pro- 
vide for  the  proper  acoustical  prop- 
erties in  the  auditoriums? 

V  J" 

sive   use    of    sound   pictures. 

3.  If  sound  in  pictures  increases  the 
patronage  the  theatre  should  be  larger. 

4.  Not    in    my    opinion. 

HODGENS  &  HILL 
A.  D.  Hill 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

1.  We  don't  know. 

2.  The  machine  rooms  become  larger  and 
a  very  important  part  of  the  design.  Stage 
must  be   five   feet   deeper  than  before. 

3.  Why  should  the  house  become  smaller. 
The  tendency  is  toward  larger  houses  on 
account  of  competition  in  film  rentals  and 
operation. 

4.  No. 

GENER.AL  COAIAIENT— The  next  step 
will  be  to  have  horns  in  the  auditorium 
as  well  as  on  the  stage,  so  that  the  sound 
is   clear  under  balconies   in  large  houses. 

LEE,  SMITH  &  VAN  DERVOORT 
Horace  L.  Smith,  Jr. 
Richmond,  Va. 

1.  It  will  demand  more  careful  analysis 
of  the  acoustical  properties  from  the 
plans,  and  the  application  of  acoustical 
treatment  when  the  auditorium  is  con- 
structed. 

2.  No  change,  except  in  minor  details. 

3.  Unknown  at  present. 

4.  In  a  large  number  of  cases  it  will  re- 
quire the  addition  of  sound  absorbing  ma- 
terials. 

DICK  BAUER 
Milwaukee,  Wis. 

3.  The  smaller  of  the  theatres  will  be  pref- 
erable. 

4.  I   am  not  of   that   opinion.     Most   the- 
atres are  properly  designed. 
GENERAL     COAfMENT— Synchronized 
pictures  will  assist  materially  in  creating  a 
revival  in  the  motion  picture  industr}-. 

ROYAL  L.  SIMMONS 
Elkhart,  Ind. 

1.  Will  necessitate  more  attention  given 
acoustics  in  the  designs  than  has  been 
given  in  most  of  the  movie  houses. 

2.  Answered  by  the  above. 

3.  Can  make  no  prophecy. 

4.  In   some  cases   interior   remodeling;   in 
others,   the  use   of   different  materials. 
GENERAL    COMMENT— Personally    do 
not  see  the   advantage,   something  left  to 
imagination  is  desirable. 

C.  A.  SANDBLOM 
New  York  City 

1.  Must  have  good  acoustics,  in  fact,  bet- 
ter than  ever  before.  The  sound  will 
come  from  one  point  only  and  this  may 
be  the  point  a  singer  would  select. 

2.  Projecting  boxes  near  stage  may  be  ob- 
jectionable. Larger  projection  room  and 
more  space  on  stage  or  platform  will  be 
needed. 

3.  Larger  houses  when  sound  is  perfected. 

4.  Some  walls  may  need  to  be  faced  with 
acoustic  material. 


September  1.  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


45 


Design  for  a  {>anel,  an 
examj>le  of  wall  ■paint- 
ing suitable  to  the 
theatre  lounge.  The 
entire  decoration  is 
in  two  colors.  To  in- 
dicate a  possible  use 
of  the  panel,  a  seat 
has  been  sketched  in. 


Considerations  for 
the  Decorating  of  the 
Theatre  Lounge  in  Paint 

By  HAWLEY  M.  LASHER 

Instructor    in  Illinois   College    of  Painting   and  Decorating. 


PROBABLY  no  part  of  the  theatre  pro- 
vides the  decorator  with  more  of  a 
chance  to  give  wing  to  whatever  artistic 
aspirations  he  may  have,  than  the  lounges, 
rest  rooms  or  smoking  rooms.  This  depart- 
ment is  the  subject  for  our  consideration  this 
time.  Thoughtful  care  should  be  exercised 
in  selecting  a  suitable  decorative  scheme  for 
the  particular  purposes  of  the  room  in  mind. 
Should  it  be  the  men's  lounge,  for  instance, 
the  decorations  should  be  in  the  plainer  and 
sturdier  style.  By  that,  however,  I  do  not 
mean  a  heavy  or  clumsy  decoration,  nor 
blatant,  strident  shades,  which  would  give  one 
a  sense  of  the  barbaric,  repelling,  rather  than 
appealing. 

Occasionally,  when  one  visits  a  room  deco- 
rated in  a  heavy,  gaudy  design,  in  which  colors 
have  been  lavishly  used  without  proper  re- 
gard to  harmony  or  tone,  one  is  conscious  of 
an  acute  sense  of  ugliness,  provoked  by  a 
chaotic  assembling  of  bewildering  colors  and 
shades,  to  the  more  sensitive  person,  utterly 
stupefying  in  their  combined  effect  and  vio- 
lently negative  in  their  welcome.  Fortunately, 
the  lounges  in  the  average  theatre  of  today  are 
being  given  more  and  more  careful  study 
and   consideration,   and    I    think   the   observer 


will   find   that   all    the   efforts    along   this  line 
are  being  appreciated  by  the  patrons. 

At  any  and  all  times  the  decorator  should 
take  into  immediate  consideration  the  lighting 
arrangement,  noting  whether  it  is  subdued  or 
bright,  direct  or  indirect.  He  should  also 
know  what  the  woodwork,  furniture,  dra- 
peries, etc.,  are  to  be  like.  The  color  selected 
for  the  background  in  the  decorations  should 
be  the  predominating  shade  of  the  room,  one 
that  will  be  complementary  to  associated  dec- 
orations and  furnishings. 

The  decoration  itself,  of  course,  depends 
upon  the  ability  of  the  decorator,  not  only 
to  work  with  skill,  for  that  is  to  be  taken  for 
granted  here,  but  upon  his  talent  for  selecting 
lints  and  shades  so  as  to  produce  the  exact 
tones  required  by  the  room.  The  decorator 
should  prepare  and  have  ready  for  use  all 
of  his  finishing  tints  and  colors,  in  order 
that  the  work,  once  begun,  may  be  completed 
without  delay. 

Vandewalker  says,  "Art  in  decorating  is 
based  upon  the  ability  of  a  craftsman  to  mix 
colors,  hues,  tints  and  shades  from  principal 
tinting  colors  exactly  to  suit  the  needs  of  his 
problem,"  and   further,   that  nothing  short   of 


Detail  of  the  floral  decoration  appearing  in  the  panel  shown  at  the  top  of  the 
page.     This  hkewise  is  in  two  colors,  the  flowers  being  shaped  by  the  Lasher 

wipe-out  methods. 


study,  diligent  pursuit  of  the  subject  and  ex- 
perience will  develop  masterful  skill  in  color 
mixing.  And  also,  that  after  acquiring  such 
skill,  the  craftsman  must  then  forget  the  mere 
technicalities  of  the  process,  and  having  made 
them  a  second  nature  to  himself,  apply  his 
knowledge  without  thought  of  the  mechanics 
of  the  process,  to  the  expression  of  beauty 
in  color. 

A  few  suggestions  concerning  the  mixing  of 
desired  tints,  with  color  harmony  our  object, 
I  shall  now  endeavor  to  present.  We  shall 
assume  our  object  is  to  complete  a  room  in 
tones  of  light  gray,  with  a  Tiffany  effect,  using 
but  two  colors  to  get  our  different  tones. 
Cobalt  blue  being  a  beautiful  color  pigment, 
assuring  the  decorator  delicate  azure  tints, 
may  serve  for  illustrative  purposes  here.  To 
the  same  end,  let  us  select  Venetian  red  (the 
best  grade  of  Venetian  red  produces  delicate 
pink  tones),  using  zinc  oxide  as  the  supporting 
material. 

The  ceiling  and  walls  may  be  coated,  stip- 
pled and  finished  in  a  light  ivory  background, 
which  is  glazed  over.  Mix  the  colors  sepa- 
rately with  the  zinc  oxide,  then  add  the  Vene- 
tian tints  to  the  blue  and  the  blue  to  the  Vene- 
tian tint,  until  the  desired  gray  tone  is 
obtained,  one  a  cool  blue-gray,  the  other  a 
warm  gray.  Glaze  the  space  on  the  ceiling 
with  clear  glazing  liquid,  then  apply  the  colors 
in  large  alternate  spots.  When  the  surface  is 
thus  spotted  in,  blend  them,  mingling  them 
so  that  the  spot  effect  is  no  longer  discernible. 
Then  the  whole  is  mottled  with  rags,  paper, 
sponge  or  other  suitable  material.  The  re- 
sult should  be  a  pleasing  light  cloud  effect. 

The  walls,  to  continue  our  example,  are 
treated  in  the  same  manner,  only  slightly 
stronger  colors  are  used  than  were  used  for 
the  ceiling.  Should  a  stencil  border  be  de- 
sired, the  same  colors,  carefully  blended,  will 
give  the  stencil  the  desired  harmony  with 
the  background.  In  this  connection,  however, 
I  he  decorator  should  be  warned  that  a  great 
deal  of  care  must  be  exercised  in  the  spotting 
in  of  the  colors  and  in  the  rubbing  out  of  the 
highlights.  But  this  should  not  be  difficult 
for  a  decorator  who  has  learned  his  business 
well,  and  the  result  will  be  a  room  harmoni- 
ously decorated — and  what  is  important  also, 
a  room  swiftly  decorated  with  but  the  use  of 
two   brushes. 

A  beautiful  two-tone  effect  may  be  ob- 
tained by  selecting  a  suitable  shade  of  glaze 
and  applying  over  it  a  lighter  background, 
mottling  it  according  to  the  final  eft'ect  desired. 


46 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


Stage  Equipment 


Orchestra  - "  Organ  -  -  Stage  Lifts 

Steel  and  Asbestos  Fire  Curtain  and 
Counterweight   Rigging   installed   in 

The  Fox  Theatre 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

C.  Howard  Crane,  Architect 


PETER  CLARK 

INC. 
544  West  30th  Street,  New  York 


Orchestra  •  Console  ■  Stage  Elevators 
Counterweight  Systems  ■  Fire  Curtains 


Theatres  that  have  eHminated 
Orchestras  on  Account  of  In- 
stallation of  Movietone  and 
Vitaphone,  decorate  their 
Orchestra  Pit  with 

REISINQ'S 

True  to  Nature 

Artificial  Flowers 
and  Plants 


There  Are  None  Better 

G.  Reising  &  Co^ 

227  West  Austin  Avenue 
Chicago,  111. 

Write  for  Our  Catalogue 


September  1,  1928 

An  Atmospheric 
Theatre  at 

$175,000 

(Co7itmued  from  page  41) 

exits  exclusive  of  the  ramp  exits  which  pro- 
vide adequate  fire  protection.  Behind  the 
grilles  which  form  the  towers  over  the  garden 
entrance  are  the  large  organ  chambers,  where 
are  placed  the  maze  of  pipes  and  the  many 
other  instruments  which  make  up  the  modern 
Wurlitzer  organ.  Just  below  the  organ  grilles 
and  over  either  gate  of  this  miniature  garden 
are  electrically  operated  clocks  with  luminous 
dials. 

The  proscenium  carries  out  to  the  last  de- 
tail the  general  design  of  the  theatre.  The 
seats,  by  Haywood- Wakefield,  were  designed 
and  built  especially  for  the  theatre.  Just  in 
front  of  the  stage  the  large  orchestra  pit  pro- 
vides ample  space  for  the  orchestra,  which 
will  occupy  the  pit  on  vaudeville  nights. 

Soft  carpets  cover  the  gently  sloping  aisles. 
There  are  no  stairways,  for  the  house  con- 
tains no  balcony.  From  the  upper  ends  of 
the  ramps  a  broad  aisle  extends  the  full  width 
of  the  auditorium  and  a  light  rail  seems  to 
divide  the  auditorium  into  two  floors  without 
in  fact  doing  so.  Ramps  and  aisles  are  car- 
peted so  luxuriously  that  no  sound  is  heard 
and  no  performance  is  marred  by  jarring 
noises. 

The  heating  and  ventilating  of  the  theatre 
has  also  been  carefully  studied  and  has  been 
installed  to  satisfactorily  care  for  patrons. 
For  fire  protection  the  boiler  room  has  been 
placed  with  entrance  off  the  alley  only.  The 
boilers,  which  are  two  in  number,  are  oil 
burners,   thermostatically  controlled. 

The  artificial  trees  and  flowers  used  in  the 
decorative  scheme  were  supplied  by  G.  Reising 
&  Company  of  Chicago. 


The  New  Lobero 
Theatre 

{Continued  from  page  32) 

expended  on  the  stage  and  the  house  furnish- 
ings. 

The  spirit  of  Jose  Lobero,  builder  of  the 
first  Lobero  theatre,  permeates  the  atmosphere 
of  the  new  structure,  for  a  colorful  and  fitting 
decoration  was  added  to  the  loggia  of  the 
theatre  in  the  form  of  a  tablet  commemorat- 
ing the  fact  that  the  old  playhouse  of  Jose 
Lobero  stood  on  the  ground  occupied. 

The  clipper  ship  was  chosen  as  a  manner  of 
heraldic  bearing,  since  it  is  the  device  which 
must  always  be  associated  with  Lobero  as  a 
theatre-owner.  The  old  "Ship  Curtain"  was 
brought  to  Santa  Barbara  from  the  Maguire 
Opera  House  in  San  Francisco  in  1875,  to 
grace  the  proscenium  of  Lobero's  theatre, 
where  it  rose  and  fell  on  all  the  variety  of 
entertainment  which  played  to  Santa  Barbara. 
The  curtain  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
present  Lobero  theatre. 


Theatres  Changed  Hands 

HUCKERMAN,  ARK.— Charles  Lawrence  has  wo\A 
the  Star  theatre  to  W.  L.  Johnson. 

COLLINSVILLE,  ALA.— M.  G.  Weaver  has  sold 
the  Ck)met  theatre  to  C.  C.  Siniard. 

BRIDGEPORT.  CONN. — The  Strand  Amusement 
Company  has  leased  the  Barnum  theatre  for  a  term 
of  five  years. 

TAMPA,  FLA. — The  new  Hyde  Park  theatre,  under 
construction,  has  been  acquired  by  the  Southern  The- 
atres, Inc.  The  structure  will  have  seating  capacity 
of  2,500  and  represent  an  investment  of  approxi- 
mately $400,000.  Pictures  and  vaudeville  will  be  fea- 
tured. 

DAYTONA  BEACH,  FLA.— The  Kingston  theatre 
has  been  leased  by  George  A.  Clifford,  of  Tampa. 
Fla.,  for  a  period  of  five  years. 


i\L 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


47 


Modem 
Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres,  both 
large  and  small  throughout  the 
country  is  to  modernize.  Evidence 
of  this  encouraging  situation  is 
found  m  the  many  installations 
of  equipment  reported  by  leading 
manufacturers. 


J.  H.  Channon  Corporation 

Stage  Rigging  Hardware 

Cleveland,  O.,  equipping  its  Civic  Audi- 
torium with  two  steel  curtains  both  for  fire- 
proofing  and  acoustics.  This  will  make 
three  curtains  it  has  in  its  auditorium.  The 
original  curtain  was  installed  some  five  years 
ago  b.v  the  Channon  Corporation.  Since  that 
time,  the  Civic  Auditorium  at  Minneapolis  had 
a  steel  curtain  installed  by  the  same  company. 

G.  Raising  8C  Company 
Artificial  Flowers  and  Plants 

Mishawaka  theatre,  Mishawaka,  Ind. 
Loew's  theatre,  Louisville,  Kj-. 
Palace  theatre,   Marion,  O. 
Paradise  theatre,  Chicago. 

Richard  R.  Bruckner 
Stage  Rigging  Hardware 

Forum  theatre,   Philadelphia,   Pa. 
Nixon  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Commodore  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Eighth  and  South  Streets,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  Marr  8C  Colton  Company 

Organs 

Smalley  theatre,  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  three 
manual. 

Capitol  theatre.  Wheeling.  W.  Va.,  four 
manual  with  push  button  control  elevator. 

Rialto  theatre,  Beaver  Falls,  Pa.,  three  man- 
ual  with   push   button   control   elevator. 

Emer  theatre,  Duquesne,  Pa,  three  manual. 

Palace  theatre,  Danbury,  Conn.,  three  man- 
ual. 

Princess  theatre.  South  Norwalk,  Conn., 
three  manual. 

Princess  theatre,  Ambridge,  Pa.,  three  man- 
ual. 

Sherman  theatre.  East  Stroudsburg,  Pa., 
four   manual. 

Imperial  theatre,  Kulpmont,  Pa.  three  man- 
ual. 

Wallace  theatre,  Connellsville,  Pa.,  three 
manual. 

Ermo  theatre.  South  Bend,  Ind.,  three  man- 
ual. 

Brighton  theatre,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  three 
manual. 

Wayland  theatre,  Wayland,  N.  Y.,  two  man- 
ual. 

Brighton  theatre,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  three 
manual. 

New  theatre,  Bethesda,  Md.,  two  manual. 


99 


Alden  in  ** Salvage 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Mary  Alden  has 
been  added  to  the  cast  of  "Salvage,"  the  Uni- 
versal production  being  directed  by  Wesley 
Ruggles.  Mary  Philbin,  Otis  Harlan  and 
Fred   MacKaye  head  the   cast. 


Rogers  Assists  Stone 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
NEW  YORK,  Aug.  28.— Will  Rogers  will 
return    to    the    stage    to    take    the    place    of 
Fred  Stone,  who  was  injured  in  an  airplane 
accident  on  August  3. 


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The  problems  of  providing  an  efficient  reflective  sur- 
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48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1.  1928       | 


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describes    and    illustrates    the    many    advantages    and 

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controlled  from  a  distant  point.  The 
spotlights  may  be  located  wherever  re- 
quirements dictate  —  frequently  in  con- 
cealed and  inaccessible  places  —  and  yet 
they  may  be  controlled  and  operated 
without    the    least    difficulty,    from    the 


switchboard  or  some  other  convenient 
location.  One  spotlight  or  a  group  of 
spotlights  can  be  controlled  with  the  same 
ease;  and  they  may  be  wired  to  a  control 
board  for  individual  and  selective-group 
preset  control  —  permitting  an  endless 
variety  of  changing  color  effects  —  all 
controUedfroma  central  point.  One  group 
of  these  ne^v  spotlights  \vill  do  the  same 
work  that  required  several  groups  hereto- 
fore —  and  will  give  more  light  at  a  lower 
cost;  rendering  a  greater  and  better  service. 


IJNivERSAL  Electric  Stage  Lighting  Co.jno 
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PREY    for  every  hold-up   man.   burglar    and 
bandit,  motion  picture  theatres  need  the  best 
protection  obtainable  for  their  cash. 

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York,  Pa. 


Camera  That  Takes  Timed 
Sequences  of  Portraits 


1,671,644.  AUTOMATIC  CAMERA  FOR  TAKING 
TIMED  SEQUENCES  OF  PORTRAITS.  Anatol  M. 
Josepho,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  assignor  to  Photomaton, 
Inc.,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  a  Corporation  of  New  York. 
Filed  Sept.  15,  1923.  Serial  No.  662,921.  6  Claims. 
(CI.    88—17.) 


1.  In  photographic  apparatus  for  taking  a  series 
of  pictures  in  sequence  upon  a  unitary  strip,  a 
camera  having  an  exposure  field,  means  for  moving 
a  flexible  sensitized  strip  through  the  exposure  field 
step  by  step,  means  for  severing  the  exposed  portion 
of  said  strip,  driving  apparatus  for  said  two  means, 
and  an  automatic  control  for  said  driving  apparatus 
effective  to  limit  the  film  moving  steps  to  sequences 
each  of  a  predetermined  number  of  steps  only,  and 
to  cause  actuation  of  said  severing  means  apon  the 
completion  of  each   sequence  of  exposures. 


Better 
Projection 

(Continued  from  page  25) 

a  satisfactory  picture  of  that  size  in  a  theatre. 
In  a  home,  a  lodge  hall,  etc.,  we  will  declare 
a  picture  to  be  just  "fine"  which  we  would 
instantly  "thumbs  down"  in  a  theatre. 

I  could  not  advise  you  as  to  the  projection 
lens  without  knowing  the  free  diameter  of 
your  protection  lens  and  the  distance  from 
film  to  its  rear  surface. 

I  can  advise  you,  however,  that  3'ou  will 
do  well  to  install  a  regular  standard  projec- 
tor. In  the  end  you  will  find  it  will  pay, 
even  if  j^ou  have  to  borrow  the  money  to  do 
it.  The  improvement  in  results  w-ill  be  more 
than  sufficient  to  justify  the  expenditure,  be- 
cause it  will  inevitably  increase  your  box 
oflice  income. 


Best  Kind 

of  Light  Source 


I  am  receiving  so  many  inquiries  from 
projectionists,  mostly  from  the  smaller  towns 
and  cities,  as  to  which  is  the  best  Hght  source 
to  use  under  varying  conditions  that  some  dis- 
cussion of  the  subject  seems  to  be  in  order. 

There  are  now  six  available  sources  of  light 
for  motion  picture  projection,  namely  the 
straight  DC  arc.  the  AC  arc,  the  Mazda  lamp, 
the  high  intensity  arc,  the  reflector  arc  and 
the  high  intensity  reflector  arc.  Of  these  we 
may  immediately  disregard  two,  viz :  the  AC 
arc  and  the  straight  DC  arc.  The  former 
should  not  be  used  for  projection  at  all.  It  is 
inefficient — highly    so.      It    does    not    produce 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


49 


a  good  projection  light,  the  tone  being  harsh. 
It  is  difficult  to  handle  and  in  every  way 
bad  for  projection  purposes. 

Next  comes  the  straight  DC  arc,  which  was 
for  many  years  the  standby.  It  was,  in  fact, 
considered  a  very  wonderful  projection  light 
source  before  the  advent  of  high  intensity 
and  the  reflector  arc.  Very  excellent  results 
may  be  had  with  it,  but  only  at  the  expense 
of  a  high  degree  of  inefficiency  as  compared 
with  the  reflector  arc,  which  can  duplicate  its 
best  performance,  and  do  it  at  about  one- 
third  or  even  one-fourth  the  current  cost. 

The  high  intensity  arc  is  expensive  in  opera- 
tion, but  gives  a  very  brilliant,  though  harsh, 
screen  illumination,  whereas  the  Mazda  pro- 
duces a  very  soft,  yellow-tone  light,  limited 
in  available  quantity,  but  sufficient  for  a  not- 
to-large  picture.  The  high  intensity  reflector 
type  lamp  still  is  somewhat  in  the  experi- 
mental stage,  but  it  now  looks  as  though  it 
and  the  straight  reflector  arc  would  pretty 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  fill  all  projection  needs. 

*  *     * 

All  this  every  well  posted  projectionist  al- 
readj'  knows,  of  course,  but  what  is  not  so 
generally  known  is  just  which  one  of  the 
various  available  light  sources  is  best  adapted 
for  use  in  anj'  particular  set  of  conditions, 
and  it  is  that  question  I  propose  to  discuss 
with  you  now. 

First  of  all  let  us  consider  the  weskest 
of  all  the  four  sources  which  we  may  consider 
as  available,  the  Mazda. 

Mazda,  as  I  have  said,  produces  a  very 
soft,  mild  tone,  yellowish  light,  which  may 
appear  perfectly  white  until  put  into  com- 
petition with  the  light  from  an  arc.  Its  prin- 
cipal object  is  the  divergence  of  the  beam 
between  the  aperture  and  the  projection  lens, 
which  is  largely  overcome  by  the  more  modern 
Mazda  projector  optical  train,  and  the  fact 
that  it  is  not  in  any  degree  flexible. 

By  that  last  I  mean  that  the  volume  of 
light  produced  cannot  be  altered  at  will  with- 
in fairly  wide  ranges,  as  is  the  case  with  any 
of  the  other  available  sources.  This  means 
that  when  a  very  dense  subject  must  be  pro- 
jected it  is  likely  to  appear  as  a  very  dim 
screen  image,  because  there  is  no  surplus 
light  available.  With  an  arc  and  a  proper 
control,  it  is  always  possible  to  increase  or 
decrease  the  light  within  a  considerable  range, 
though,  of  course,  that  may  only  be  done  at 
some  sacrifice  in  efficiency  because  the  optical 
train,  if  operating  efficiently,  is  adjusted  to  a 
light  source  of  a  certain  diameter  or  area, 
and  will  not  operate  efficiently  with  a  source 
either  larger  or  smaller.  However,  it  is  worth 
some  temporary  waste  to  be  able  to  com- 
petently illuminate  a  dense  film. 

*  *     * 

We  may  then,  I  think,  conclude  that  Mazda 
is  only  suitable  for  use  in  theatres  where  the 
viewing  distance  is  short,  hence  there  is  no 
real  need  for  high  illumination.  It  is  eco- 
nomical in  operation,  but  real  knowledge  and 
skill  is  required  for  its  efficient  handling.  It 
is  very  sensative  and  must  be  adjusted  in 
precisely  the  right  manner.  A  wrong  adjust- 
ment of  the  lamp  of  so  little  as  1/32  of  an 
inch  is  a  serious  matter  indeed,  and  unintelli- 
gent handling  may  entail  a  constant  high 
expense  in  the  matter  of   lamp  replacements. 

As  to  the  regular  reflector  arcs,  I  cannot 
too  strongly  warn  you  not  to  purchase  un- 
known, unvouched  for  equipment  merely  be- 
cause its  cost  price  is  low.  There  are  sev- 
eral really  high  class  reflector  arc  lamps  on 
the  market.  Some  of  them  are  advertised 
in  this  paper.  DON'T  let  a  smooth  talking 
salesman  persuade  you  into  buying  any  other 
than  one  of  these  well  known  makes,  or  you 
may  be  very  sorry.  This  department  will, 
upon  request,  by  the  manufacturer,  examine 
into  the  merits  of  reflector  arc  lamp  equip- 
ment and,  after  each  such  examination,  will 
publish  the  fact  if  it  is  found  to  be  good, 
dependable  apparatus. 

High  grade  reflector  arc  lamps  are  suit- 
able for  use  in  any  theatre  where  the  view- 
ing distance  is  not  such,  or  the  required  pic- 
ture   size    such,    that    a    very    powerful    light 


source  is  required.  In  other  words,  the  ordi- 
nary reflector  arc  lamp  is  suitable  for  any 
theatre  in  which  a  high  intensity  light  source 
is  not  required.  In  small  theatres  it  may  be 
a    choice    between    Mazda    and    the    reflector. 


That  must  be  decided  by  the  individual  and 
by  what  he   wants. 

The  reflector  arc  operates  efficiently. 
Twenty-five  amperes  should  be  the  extreme 
limit  of  amperage,  though  some  foolishly  use 


Type  "C" 


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REFLECTOR  LAMPS 

Consult  Your  Dealer  or  Us 

RAVEN  SCREEN  CORPORATION 

1476  Broadway  New  York,  N.  Y. 


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50 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Lighting  the  Minds 

of  Your  Patrons! 

Your  patrons  notice  the  house 
lighting.  They  may  not  say  any- 
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react  to  its  effect  I  Decorative 
lighting  is  largely  responsible  for 
the  illusion  of  the  theatre.  The 
restful  atmosphere . . .  soft  lights  . . . 
blending  colors .  .the  Land  of  Forget! 

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thirty.  At  25  amperes,  if  it  is  in  the  hands 
of  a  competent  projectionist,  it  can  be  made 
to  produce  fully  as  much  screen  illumination 
as  could  be  had  from  an  80-ampere  straight 
DC  arc.  Carefully  and  properly  handled, 
using  only  12  amperes,  it  will  give  all  the 
light  really  needed  on  a  16-foot  picture,  ex- 
cept with  very  dense  films.  The  light  is  a 
very  pure  white.     It  is  rather  soft  in  tone. 

As  to  the  reflector  high  intensity  arc,  I  do 
not  yet  care  to  express  an  opinion,  but  ap- 
parently it  will  pretty  nearly,  if  not  quite, 
equal  the  straight  high  intensity,  and  the 
light  tone  is   distinctly  better. 

The  high  intensity  should  only  be  consid- 
ered where  the  viewing  distance  is  very  long 
— say  in  excess  of  125  feet,  and  the  conditions 
such  that  a  screen  of  pretty  heavy  diffusive 
power  must  be  used.  Such  a  condition  calls 
for  a  large  picture  and  high  screen  illumina- 
tion. In  fact  it  calls  for  all  the  light  it  is 
possible  to  get  through  a  projector  optical 
train,  and  that  means,  of  course,  high  inten- 
sity, qualified  by  what  I  have  remarked  con- 
cerning the  high  intensity  reflector  lamp. 

There,  gentlemen,  I  think  that  covers  the 
matter  as  well  as  I  know  how  to  cover  it. 
I  will  welcome  criticism  or  comments  by 
our  readers.  The  matter  is  an  important  one. 
This  last  week  I  have  had  answered  nine 
inquiries  concerning  the  proper  light  source 
for  different  theatres,  ranging  from  Saskat- 
chewan to  Jacksonville,  Florida.  That  is  un- 
usual, but  they  come  in  steadily. 


Kind  of  Light 
Source  Required 


G.  T.  Baldy,  projectionist,  Kindersley,  Sas- 
katchewan, asks : 

What  kind  of  light  source  would  be  most  suitable 
for  the  following  condition:  Auditorium  110x32  feet, 
projection  distance  95  feet,  maximum  viewing  dis- 
tance (screen  to  rear  seats)  95  feet,  front  row  20 
feet    from    screen,    picture    size    12x9    feet? 

The  above  is  the  only  dope  I  have.  The  theatre 
is  now  under  construction  in  another  town.  They 
propose  to  install  reflector  type  arcs.  I  claim  that 
the  latest  Mazda  equipment,  including  the  latest  lens 
for   Mazda,    would    give    excellent    results. 

They  want  me  to  take  charge  of  projection  and 
I   would  like  to  have   a   reply  at   once. 

Sorry,  brother,  but  things  have  conspired 
to  throw  me  behind  with  my  correspondence, 
and  your  letter  was  just  reached  this  morn- 
ing.    I  am  catching  up  a  bit  now,  thanks  be. 

They,  in  my  opinion,  have  the  right  dope. 
In  this  I  am  sure  vou  will  agree  when  vou 
get  hold  of  the  reflector  lamps,  PROVIDED 
they  get  first  class  equipment.  But  there  is 
a  real  danger.  There  are  several  very  high 
grade  reflector  lamps  on  the  market.  Also 
there  are  some  which  lack  a  lot  of  being 
"excellent,"  so  they  should  watch  their  step 
carefully.  Those  advertised  in  our  columns 
are  high  grade,  you  may  depend  upon  that. 

Yes,  Mazda  will  give  good  results,  if  ex- 
pertly handled,  but  it  has  not  the  flexibility 
of  the  reflector  type.  No  matter  how  dense 
a  film,  3'ou  ha^•e  just  so  much  light  available, 
and  that's  that. 

The  reflector  type  lamp  can  be  operated  very 
economically.  As  low  as  12  amperes  gives  ex- 
cellent results  on  a  12-foot  picture  with  ordi- 
nary film  density,  provided  the  screen  is  what 
it  should  be.  Then  if  an  especially  dense 
film  comes  along,  you  can  shoot  up  your  light 
and  still  get  good  results.  If  there  is  any- 
thing especially  new  in  Mazda  equipment  it 
has  not  as  yet  been  "brung"  to  our  attention. 
I  will  have  Messrs.  Hall  &  Connolly  send  the 
builders  of  the  theatre  data  concerning  their 
equipment. 


What  Do 
You  Think? 

G.  W.  Bennewitz,  projectionist,  Egyptian 
theatre,  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  has  woke  himself 
up  again  and  comes  in  with  a  bit  of  a  roast 
because  I  am  running  the  same  sound  syn- 
chronization    articles     in     both     the     Better 

(Continued  on  page  53) 


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The  Proper  Control  of  Light 
On  Your  Screen 

Picture  films  vary  ai  well  as  current  eonditionfl. 
Your  projectionist  can  adjust  his  arc  current  to 
always  give  you  a  clear,  bright  picture  if  you 
equip  with  PERFECTION.  Current  savlmg  •bo  Is 
a  result  of  PERFECTION  equipment,  for  ha  aaad 
not  use  full  current  till  the  actual  projection  Is 
started. 


perfPction 

SV^^ 

REMOTE  CONTROL  RHEOSTATS 

An  Ever  Grotcing  List  of  Satisfied  VBerwt 

Eoiy     Theatre — New     Yorlt  Proctor's      86tli      Su—Sev 

City  York  City 

Paramount       Theatre — New  Cohan    Theatre — New    York 

York    City  City 

Bialto    Theatre — New    York  Publii        Theatre — Buffalo. 

City  N.   Y. 

Blroli    Theatre — New    Yori  New    Capitol — Binghamton. 

City  N.   Y. 

Loew's  State  Theatre — New  Keith's    Theatre — Phllartcl- 

York  City  phia 

Loew's  State  Theatre — New-  Carman   Theatre — I'biladel- 

ark,   N.    J.  phia 

Loew's      Texas      Theatre —  Proctor's  Throire — New 

Houston,    Texas  EocheUe.   N     Y 

Loew's  86th  St. — Brooklyn,  Proctor's  Theatr. —  w  h  I  t  e 

N.    Y.  Plains.   N.    T 

Loew's  State — Columbus.  O.  Fox's     Wastiingtmi— Wash- 

Astor    Tlieatre — New    York  ington.    D.    C. 

City  —and   m€uiy   athert 

Sold    by    Theatre    Supply    Dealers 

HOFFMANN  &  SOONS 

Mfg.  Division 
387  First  Avenue  New  York  City 

Contracting    Electrical    Engineers — Movinp    P\c- 
ture    Theatre    Electrical    Sf'enalisis 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


51 


I  Learn  About 
ORQANS 

By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 


y 


•v 


This  article  on  tone  qualities  and  organ  buying 
concludes  the  author's  visit  to  the  Kilgen  plant  in 
St.  Louis.  The  purpose  of  this  series  has  been  to 
give  the  exhibitor  a  clearer  conception  of  the 
organ  as  an  instrument  for  motion  picture  accom- 
paniment. Organ  music  today  has  a  secure  place 
in   the   motion  picture   theatre! 


X 


^ 


BY  this  time  I   felt  that  I   could  materially  assist  in   the 
building  of  a  Kilgen  organ,  but  I  was  soon  to  find  out 
that  I  hadn't  gotten  all  of  the  information  as  yet,  for 
my  host  informed  me  that  in  this  interview  they  were  to  tell 
me  about  how  necessary  it  was  to  properly  design  a  theatre 
organ  tonally  so  that  it  would  be  successful  for  theatre  work. 

It  was  explained  to  me  that  a  long  time  ago  the  organs 
were  designed  primarily  for  the  physical  properties  of  the 
building,  i.  e.,  the  size  of  the  auditorium,  the  acoustics,  hard 
or  soft  plaster,  and  the  general  shape  of  the  auditorium  itself. 

However,  in  recent  years,  instead  of  simply  following  out  a 
design  taking  into  consideration  the  physical  properties  of  the 
building,  the  advanced  organ  companies  also  design  the  organ 
tonally  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  work  in  which  it  is  to  be  used. 

Primarily,  the  theatre  organ  must  be  colorful  in  tone,  and 
the  only  way  this  color  is  accomplished  in  an  organ  is  by  hav- 
ing a  wide  variety  of  instruments,  voiced  very  distinctly,  and 
accurately  so  there  is  a  great  contrast  between  them.  In  other 
words,  this  is  identical  with  the  way  color  is  obtained  in  an 
orchestra.  In  an  orchestra,  you  have  your  string  section, 
violins,  violas,  cellos,  and  your  wood  winds, 
flute,  etc.,  your  brasses,  or  reeds,  and  percus- 
sions, all  of  distinctly  different  tone  quali- 
ties. It  is  only  through  having  this  tone  color 
that  the  organist  may  interpret  and  cue  prop- 
erly the  picture. 

If  an  organ  does  not  possess  this  color  of 
tone,  it  becomes  dull  and  uninteresting,  for 
there  is  not  enough  contrast  between  the  dif- 
ferent qualities  of  tone.  Possibly  the  first  time 
an  audience  hears  such  an  organ  it  sounds  all 
right  to  them,  but  after  the  show  progresses, 
and  when  they  come  back  a  second  time,  the 
instrument  always  sounds  the  same,  due  to 
this  lack  of  contrast  between  the  different  in- 
struments. 


Above:    Art7st  voicing  a  tuba   in  the  K.ilgren  {>lant. 
Belotu:  Four  manual  Kilgen  showing  the  control  tablets. 


Now  there  is  only  one  way  to  obtain  tone 
color  in  an  organ,  and  it  is  not  nearly  as 
complicated  as  it  may  appear.  It  simply 
means  that  voicers  must  be  employed  by  the 
organ  company  who  specialize  in  voicing  cer- 
tain instruments,  such  as  flute,  reeds,  and 
other  voicers  who  specialize  in  the  voicing  of 
flutes,  etc.,  until  you  have  specialists  in  the 
whole  ensemble  of  the  organ.  A  violin  made 
by  Amati  or  Stradivarius  is  considered  tre- 
mendously more  valuable  than  one  made  by 
some  ordinary  workman,  and  so  it  is  in  the 
organ.  If  the  instruments  are  voiced  by 
world  renowned  specialists  the  resulting  prod- 
uct is  superior. 

My  host  explained  to  me  that  they  had  liter- 


ally combed  the  civilized  countries  of  the 
world  in  building  up  their  voicing  staff  so 
that  at  present  there  were  at  least  eight  inter- 
nationally known  specialists  voicing  these  in- 
struments. 

Further,  it  was  explained  to  me  that  in  order 
to  allow  these  expert  voicers  to  work  at  their 
greatest  efficiency,  that  the  actual  pipes  must 
be  made  up  to  a  remarkable  standard,  that  the 
scales  or  diameters  had  to  be  arranged  with 
the  greatest  care,  drawing  upon  a  large  vari- 
ety of  experience,  and  that  the  thickness  of 
the  pipe  walls  and  also  whether  they  were 
made  of  wood  or  metal,  and  many  other 
things  had  a  tremendous  bearing  on  the  tone 
of  the  true  orchestral  organ. 

A  question  was  asked  me.  "Did  you  know 
that  action  had  a  direct  bearing  on  tone?" 
I  thought  this  over  and  said  that  I  knew  that 
the  action  had  to  be  responsive  and  had  to 
be  reliable  and  quick  in  speech,  and  shouldn't 
get  out  of  order,  but  I  didn't  see  what  it  had 
to  do  with  tone.  It  was  then  explained  to  me 
that  if  the  action  was  simply  quick  in  re- 
sponse when  an  individual  instrument  was 
played,  and  not  when  the  full  organ  or  the 
majority  of  instruments  were  played,  that  it 
would  give  the  whole  organ  that  groaning  ef- 
fect which  is  hard  to  describe  but  really  drives 
an  audience  to  distraction  after  a  while.  So 
I  learned  that  special  valves  for  feeding  the 
chests   with    air   had    been    perfected    by   this 


company  so  that  the  response  was  instantane- 
ous not  only  on  a  single  note  or  instrument 
but  that  when  full  organ  was  played,  and  that 
on  very  large  instruments  it  was  possible  to 
give  what  orchestra  leaders  call  "orchestral 
attack"  because  of  this  remarkable  response 
of  the  full  organ. 

The  successful  organ  of  today  in  the  the- 
atre is  built  upon  the  unified  system  which 
makes  it  possible  for  each  set  of  pipes  in  the 
organ  to  be  used  for  solo  playing,  and  to  be 
played  from  various  positions  bringing  out 
the  true  orchestral  timbre  of  the  instrument. 

A  very  important  factor,  also,  is  the  pres- 
sure of  wind  at  which  these  pipes  are  blown 
when  they  speak.  In  the  theatre  organ,  in 
order  to  get  this  true  orchestral  color  and  re- 
sponse it  must  be  at  a  greater  pressure  than 
in  the  average  organ.  I  inquired  just  what 
the  exhibitor  is  to  do  about  all  of  this.  But 
as  I  asked  this  question  the  answer  came  to 
my  mind  before  it  was  answered,  for  it  was 
very  evident  to  me  that  the  exhibitor  who  de- 
sired to  get  the  most  for  his  money  in  the 
purchase  of  an  organ,  that  is,  an  organ  that 
would  really  amuse  and  entertain  his  audience 
day  after  day — should  go  to  the  builder  of 
established  reputation,  one  who  specialized  in 
the  building  of  fine  organs  only,  one  who  has 
a  reputation  for  honesty  and  sincerity  in  their 
recommendations    and   business    dealings,    one 


52 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Right: 

The 

Exterior 

Decoration 

of 

Organ 

Chambers, 

Piccadilly 

Theatre, 

Chicago 


Below: 

The 

Exterior 

Decoration 

of 

Organ 

Chambers, 

Lido 

Theatre, 

Chicago 


who  has  a  reputation  for  really  designing  and 
building  artistic  organs  and  place  his  prob- 
lem with  them,  and  undoubtedly  the  result 
will  be  a  perfect  tonally  designed  organ,  for 
such  a  company  will  have  had  a  vast  experi- 
ence in  the  tonal  design  of  organs.  Such  a 
company,  I  learned,  has  the  consulting  advice 
of  the  leading  theatre  organists,  and  certainly 
they  are  in  a  position  far  better  then  any  in- 
dividual to  know  just  what  should  be  built  to 
give  the  best  results,  and  to  draw  up  the  most 
logical  tonal  design  for  an  organ. 
_  I  had  heard  so  much  about  organs  by  this 
time  that  the  thought  kept  runnmg  through 
my  mind  as  to  just  how  I  should  buy  an  organ 
in  order  to  be  sure  to  embody  all  these  things 
explained  as  being  so  necessary. 

I  put  this  question  in  words,  and  they  ex- 
plained that  it  is  a  very  diffcult  thing  to  lay 
down  any  set  rule  to  follow  in  selecting  the 
proper  theatre  organ,  but  that  they  could  give 
me  certain  conclusions  reached  from  the  ex- 
perience of  exhibitors  in  buying  theatre  or- 
gans during  the  past  20  years,  for  it  was 
explained  to  me  that  it  was  just  23  years 
since  they  had  installed  the  first  theatre  or- 
gan in  St.  Louis. 

It  seems  essential  that  the  exhibitor  have 
a  working  knowledge  of  the  plans  of  his  the- 
atre, with  particular  views  to  the  organ 
chambers  and  the  size  of  the  auditorium  and 
the  seating  capacity,  as  well  as  an  approxi- 
mate estimate  of  the  funds  available  for  the 
purchase  of  the  organ.  This  much  should  be 
completed  before  the  final  plans  of  the  archi- 
tect are  accepted.  The  exhibitor  should  then 
make  a  careful  investigation  of  the  reputation, 
standards  of  workmanship,  financial  standing, 
building  equipment,  and  amount  of  experience 
possessed  by  the  various  organ  companies. 
When  this  has  been  completed  he  can  select 
a  number  of  those  organ  builders  that  seem  to 
meet  these  requirements.  He  should  then  fur- 
nish the  builder  with  data  regarding  the  size 
of  the  auditorium,  seating  capacity,  etc.,  and 
arrange  for  an  interview  with  the  representa- 
tive of  the  company  selected.  The  experi- 
enced organ  company  will  send  out  a  trained 
representative  to  go  over  this  in  detail,  and 
make  a  survey  of  the  actual  conditions,  and, 
from  this  information  compiled,  will  he  able 
to  submit  a  proper  design,  embodying  all  those 
features  explained  in  the  previous  interviews. 


such  as  a  colorful  organ,  responsive  one — 
and  also  arrange  to  see  that  the  architect  and 
organ  builder  are  in  touch  toward  the  proper 
placing  of  the  organ. 

The  experience  of  an  organ  builder  cannot 
be  emphasized  too  strongly  for  it  is  only  by 
building  countless  organs  over  a  period  of 
years  for  many  different  uses  that  the  builder 
is  able  to  accumulate  that  experience  which  is 
so  necessary  in  the  building  of  a  theatre  or- 
gan that  is  really  orchestral  and  really  has 
those  effects  necessary  for  the  proper  cueing 
of  pictures. 

The  modern  theatre  organ  is  not  an  inven- 
tion, but  is  a  result  of  slow  development 
through  the  ages,  the  exhibitor  will  find  it 
more  than  worth  his  while  to  make  a  thor- 
ough investigation  before  he  buys;  to  inspect 
the  type  of  action  of  instruments  under  con- 
sideration, limiting  his  choice  to  the  firms  that 
use  only  the  best  leather  and  pure  silver  elec- 
trical contacts,  and  magnets  preferably  of 
brass  with  the  cores  of  finest  Norwegian  iron. 
He  should  take  the  time  to  investigate  certain 
of   the  finished  products  of  the  builders  se- 


lected, so  that  he  may  find  whether  or  not  the 
organ  has  that  true  orchestral  tone,  that  im- 
mediate response,  and  that  variety  and  color 
in  voicing  that  are  so  necessary. 

The  time  spent  by  the  exhibitor  in  making 
such  an  investigation  is  anything  but  lost,  for 
he  takes  himself  out  of  the  position  of  buy- 
ing "paper  descriptions"  and  instead  chooses 
his  organ  from  what  has  actually  been  shown 
him  and  demonstrated. 

The  wise  exhibitor,  they  told  me,  will  never 
himself,  nor  will  not  allow  his  purchasing 
agent  to  divide  the  total  number  of  pipes  in 
the  organ  into  the  price,  as  a  means  of  arriv- 
ing at  a  competitive  cost.  In  modern  organ 
building  the  number  of  pipes  in  an  organ  is 
a  secondary  consideration.  The  construction 
of  the  pipes,  their  scales,  and  the  way  they 
are  voiced,  and  the  perfection  of  action — all 
this  determines  whether  or  not  the  organ  you 
have  bought  will  "click" — and  not  how  many 
pipes  in  your  organ.  An  organ  of  seven  sets 
of  pipes,  artistically  voiced  with  true  orches- 
tral tone,  they  told  me,  might  be  far  more 
satisfactory  an  instrument  than  one  with  twice 
as  many  pipes,  cheaply  made  and  poorly 
voiced,  for  the  low  priced  organ  is  cheap  also 
in  quality  and  standard  of  workmanship  and 
tone,  and  an  organ  of  this  kind,  like  anything 
else,  will  only  produce  for  you  what  you  have 
put  into  it,  and  it  will  never  sound  like  any- 
thing else  but  a  cheap,  harsh,  mediocre  in- 
strument. 

^    ^    ^ 

It  was  explained  to  me  that  the  most  suc- 
cessful organs  have  been  bought  by  the  ex- 
hibitor making  a  really  careful  investigation, 
as  suggested  above,  and  then  placing  his  con- 
fidence, both  in  the  design  and  in  construction, 
with  an  organ  builder  that  is  known  to  have 
the  necessary  experience. 

When  I  entered  the  Kilgen  plant  I  had  no 
idea  there  was  so  much  to  this  subject  of 
"organs,"  and  in  leaving  I  thanked  them  for 
the  information  which  they  had  given  me  on 
this  vast  subject,  and  I  am  passing  it  on  to 
you  exhibitors  in  the  hope  that  it  may  be  of 
some  benefit  to  those  of  vou  who  are  contem- 
plating the  purchase  of  an  organ,  and  I  my- 
self will  feel  more  than  doubly  repaid  if  it 
may  result  in  the  purchase  of  more  satisfac- 
tory organs.  ■    '  i   j 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


53 


Better 
Projection 

{Continued  from  page  SO) 
Theatres  section  of  Exhibitors  Herald- 
World  and  in  the  American  Projectionist. 
Then  he  winds  up  with  this:  "I  am  not  going 
to  write  anything  about  .sound  projection  at 
this  time,  other  than  this:  Sound  projection 
will  be  no  more  efficient  than  is  the  manager 
or  whoever  he  places  in  charge  of  the  ob- 
server's telephone  in  the  theatre  auditorium. 

With  this  I  am  unable  to  agree  m  any 
degree  even  in  those  cases  where  the  projec- 
tionist is  so  far  removed  from  the  screen 
that  it  is  difficult  if  not  impossible  for  him 
to  hear  the  sound  as  the  audience  does.  1 
respect  brother  Bennewitz  and  his  opinions  on 
most  projectional  subjects,  but  this  is  some- 
thing relatively  new  to  him.  .   ,.,u:„„ 

My  own  view  is  that  the  careful,  painstaking 
projectionist  can  and  will  soon  learn  to  judge 
correctly  of  sound  effect  without  any  prompt- 
ing from  any  one,  and  for  the  following  rea- 

^°The  editor  has  already  advised  you  to  make 
a  cue  sheet  for  every  Movietone  production, 
INCLUDING  topical  subjects  or  news  reels. 
The  method  is  to  have  the  manager,  or  such 
one  as  he  may  designate  for  the  duty,  take 
his  station  in  what  seems,  everything  consid- 
ered, the  best  position  to  judge  sound  from 
for  the  entire  auditorium,  usually  about  its 
center,  in  a  pre-showing  of  .'he  subject  and 
there  by  means  of  smtable  signals,  direct  the 
raising  or  lowering  of  the  sound  accompanying 
scene  to  its  most  efficient  volume,  the  pro- 
jectionist then  cuing  the  fader  in  accordance^ 
Of  course  at  first  it  must  be  expected  that 
some  mistakes  will  be  made  by  the  observer 
doing  the  directing,  but  in  a  very  sjort  ^ime 
if  he  is  fit  for  the  job,  he  will  be  able  to  get 
maximum  results  every  time,  ^nd  after  the 
cue  sheet  is  made  it  only  remains  o  follow 
it  religiously  during  the   run  of  that  produc- 

^'°That  last  is  of  course  subject  to  some  un- 
forseen  change  taking  place  in  the  apparatus 
itself,  such  as  a  lamp  or  vacuum  tube  experi- 
encing a   drop   in   efficiency,   but   tha     is   un- 
likely   and  if  it  occurs   it  is  up  to  the  pro- 
jectionist to  locate  the  fault  and  remedy  it. 
But  how  will  he  know  it,  you  ask." 
In  my  opinion  a  projectionist  will,  within  a 
very  short  while,  when  running  to  a  cue  sheet 
made   as   directed,   be   able   to    recognize  any 
Sge  in  the  sound,  regardless  of  project^n 
room  location  or  the  difficulty  m  hearing     He 
may  not  hear  the  sound  just  as  the  audienc 
does    but  just  the  same  he  comes  to  hear  it 
fn  a  certain  manner,  and  will  recogmze  any 
departure  therefrom  just  as  readily  as  would 
an  observer   seated  at  the  auditorium  center 
and  £  able  to  bring  back  the  sound  to  what 
is  to  him  normal. 

Possibly  I  have  not  stated  all  that  very 
clearly  but  I  think  those  who  are  projecting 
Movi^Jtone  will  know  what  I  mean.  I  would 
like  to  hear  from  some  ot  you  as  to  just 
what  your  experience  has  been  with  regard  to 
Tound  regulation  and  the  ability  to  know  when 
iV  is  what  it  should  be.  Also  with  relation  to 
your  methods  of  making  a  cue  sheet. 

Sue  Carol  on  Fox  List 

(Special  to  the  Herald-World) 
HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  28.— Sue  Carol, 
Wampas  star,  has  been  signed  to  appear  m 
several  Fox  films,  her  first  assignment  under 
the  new  contract  being  the  feminine  lead  in 
"Chasing  Through  Europe,"  which  David 
Butler  is  directing. 

Hold  Doorman  for  Thefts 

(Special  to   the  Herald-World) 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  28.— C.  R.  Noble,  door- 
man at  the  Columbia  theatre,  is  held  in  the 
city  jail  on  open  charge  pending  police  in- 
vestigation, following  a  series  of  thefts. 


CHROMIUM 
PLATING 

is  furnished,  if  desired,  on  reflectors, 
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and  othet  equipment 


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Belson  lights  embody  important  improvements  in  design,  ma- 
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Let  us  quote  on  all  your  requirements. 


Representatives 
All    Over    the    Country 


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54 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


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"BEST" 

HEAT 

Shield 

Your    dealer 

has  them 
Price    $3.00 

Sest  Devices 

Co. 

Film  Bldg. 

Cleveland 

Ohio 

1^1 

The  names  go  on  the  dotted  hue, 
and  four  more  theatres  are  assured 
Robert  Tdorton  organs.  Elmer  C. 
Rhoden,  president  of  J^idwest  The- 
atres, Inc.,  of  Kansas  City,  is 
shown  signing  contracts  with 
Arsene  Pernetti,  assistant  manager 
of   the   7y[orton   Chicago    office. 

1928  Figures  Show 
Business  of  Nation 
Good,  Report  Says 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald-World) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  28.— The  nation's 
business  during  the  first  half  of  1928  exhib- 
ited a  continuance  of  activity  and  progress, 
according  to  the  department  of  commerce. 
The  indices  show  that  important  industries 
lagging  behind  the  national  pace  are  tex- 
tiles in  the  manufacturing  group,  and  agri- 
culture and  coal  among  the  basic  raw  ma- 
terial industries. 

The  index  of  factory  employment,  which, 
however,  does  not  include  some  of  the 
newer  industries,  Vv'as  slightly  smaller  dur- 
ing the  first  half  of  1928  than  during  the 
corresponding  period  of  1927.  There  was, 
however,  some  stability  from  month  to 
month.  For  the  first  time  since  1923  em- 
ployment in  June  was  higher  than  in  May. 
The  general  downward  tendency  in  factory 
employment  reflects  the  increasing  effi- 
ciency of  industry  by  which  larger  quanti- 
ties of  goods  can  be  produced  per  worker, 
the  report  declares. 

Foreign  trade  of  the  United  States  con- 
tinued in  a  satisfactory  position  during  the 
first  half  of  1928. 

Theatres  Changed  Hands 

THOMASTON,  GA.— W.  A.  Odum  and  J.  A.  Hardy 
have  purchased  the  Ritz  theatre. 

WASHTA,  lA.— C.  Valkert  has  sold  the  Legion  the- 
atre  to   M.    R.    Robertson. 

WATERLOO,  lA. — S.  A.  Davidson  has  taken  over 
active  management  of  the  Crystal  theatre. 

FORT  DODGE,  lA.— H.  W.  Sehultz  has  purchased 
the  Plaza  theatre,  and  future  policy,  it  is  said,  will 
be  vaudeville  and  pictures. 

RED  OAK,  lA.— C.  L.  West  of  Perry,  la.  has  pur- 
chased the  Beardsley  theatre,  and  will  operate  it  as  a 
moving  picture  house. 

ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL.— The  Orion  theatre  has  been 
purchased  by  Fred  Russell  of  Matherville,  111. 

MOLINE,  ILL.— The  Palace  theatre  has  been  taken 
over  by  M.  W.  Madison,  who  will  reopen  it  with  pic- 
tuies. 

BELLEVILLE,  ILL. — Joseph  Desberger  has  pur- 
chased the  Washington  theatre  from  Mrs.  Iva  Ludwig, 

KOKOMO,  IND.— The  Hoosier  Theatre  Company, 
operating  the  Isis  theatre,  has  acquired  the  property 
and  leases  of  the  Grand  and  Paramount  theatres,  and 
will  continue  to  conduct  all  three. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND.— Reported  that  Publix  the- 
atre interests  have  purchased  the  Indiana,  Ohio  and 
Circle  theatres. 

LAPORTE,  IND.— Indiana  Theatre  Company  has 
acquired  the  Madison  theatre  from  A.  J.  Stahl.  Price 
paid  reported  at  $60,000. 


To  protect  your  organ  from 
weather  conditions,  and  to 
ward  off  deterioration  caused 
by  summer  dampness  and 
winter  coldness  install 

EVENHEETERS 


Cramblet  Engineering  Corp. 

286  Milwaukee  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 


Designing — Painting — Draperies 
Creators  of  Scenic  Effects 

SCENIC 


STUDIOS 

Serving  representative  presentation 
houses     throughout     the     country 


307  West  47th  St. 


New  York  City 


LOU  SAMMS 

Radium  Effects  and  Novelties 
Samples   on  Request 

177  North  State  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


JHEATKOiU 


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Q>/v\PLETt 

Send  for 

J.KX:lancy,i« 


Catalogue 
Syracuse  N.Y 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


55 


Approved 
Method 

of 

Installing 

Motion 

Picture 

Projection 

Machine 

and 

Booth 


Note  that  the  door  to  the  projection  booth  should  be  self-closing  and  that  the  floor  of  the  booth  should  rest  on  an  angle. 
The  minimum  size  of  the  ventilator  inlets  should  be  not  less  than  3x16  inches,  the  outlet  diameter  12  inches.  Fusible  links  pro- 
vide for  automatic  closing  of  the  windows.  Minimum  size  of  angles  and  tees  is  lyzxlYz^Vt  inches,  minimum  thickness  of  as- 
bestos walls  and  ceiling,   V4  inch,  maximum  distance  of  bolts  fastening  asbestos  to  steel,  6  inches. 


Would  You  Like 

♦ 

to  cut  your  insurance  costs  in  half 

Rating  authorities  show  owners  of  small  theatres  how  it  can  he  done 
By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 


COST  of  insuring  your  theatre  prop- 
erty against  fire  can  be  cut  in  half 
by  exercise  of  a  little  foresight  in 
making  installations  and  by  ordinary  care 
in  maintenance.  How  this  can  be  accom- 
plished is  presented  herewith  to  the  trade 
for  the  first  time  by  Better  Theatres. 

Rating  of  insurance  charges  is  based  uni- 
formly upon  a  plan  called  the  Dean  system. 
Under  this  method  a  certain  standard  condi- 
tion is  taken  as  the  basis  for  computing  all 
rates.  For  each  phase  in  which  the  theatre 
building  or  contents  is  better  safeguarded 
than  that  standard  specifies,  the  owner  is 
given  a  certain  percentage  of  credit.  In 
each  phase  in  which  the  property  is  not  as 
well  safeguarded  as  the  standard  requires,  a 
certain  percentage  of  demerit,  or  charge,  is 
assessed.  These  percentages  are  totaled 
and  balanced  and  the  following  percentage 
reduced  to  dollars  and  cents.  It  is  im- 
portant to  note,  however,  that  all  the  steps 
of  arriving  at  the  insurance  rate  are  com- 
puted in  points  or  percentages. 
'¥     ^    ^ 

To  the  insurer  that  system  is  simple  and 
the  only  workable  arrangement  to  decide 
all   cases.       To    the    insured,   however,   per- 


centages mean  little.  It  was  to  place  the 
whole  problem  on  a  dollars  and  cents  basis 
that  outstanding  authorities  in  insurance 
rating  prepared  the  following  information, 
at  the  request  of  Better  Theatres. 

The  typical  small  motion  picture  theatre 
of  the  neighborhood  variety,  with  a  small 
stage  and  a  limited  amount  of  fixed  scenery, 
is  the  subject  of  this  article.  The  building 
in  question  has  brick  exterior  walls,  with 
floors  and  roof  of  ordinary  wood  joisted 
construction.  The  theatre  occupies  the 
ground  floor  with  offices  and  apartments  on 
the   second  floor. 

At  the  outset  it  is  important  to  fix  in 
mind  the  conditions  assumed  in  the  preced- 
ing paragraph,  as  each  has  a  very  important 
part  to  play  in  determination  of  insurance 
costs.  Then,  too,  it  is  well  to  emphasize 
that  the  insurance  rate  for  theatres  is  de- 
termined according  to  the  conditions  found 
in  each  individual  risk.  Thus  there  is  no 
assurance  that  the  rates  nuoted  or  any  of 
the  credits  outlined  in  this  article  would 
apply   to   a   particular   theatre. 

Insurance  rating  authorities  are  prepared 
to  supply  property  owners  with  complete 
information    relating    to    possible    improve- 


ments which  will  tend  to  reduce  the  fire 
insurance  rate.  This  information  will  be 
provided  without  cost  to  the  property 
owner.  A  local  agent  or  broker  can  tell 
the  exhibitor  where  to  get  in  touch  with 
rating  authorities. 

Despite  the  importance  of  recognizing  the 
individual  case,  however,  the  fact  remains 
that  in  the  average  small  motion  picture 
theatre,  insurance  charges  can  be  reduced 
one-half  at  little   cost   and   as   little   effort. 

Fire  insurance  is  divided  into  building 
insurance  and  contents  insurance.  While 
the  two  can  be  grouped  in  one  policy,  at 
a  higher  charge,  the  companies  and  rating 
authorities  disapprove  of  this  method.  The 
case  at  hand  is  considered  on  the  basis  of 
separate   writing   of   building   and   contents. 

On  a  theatre  of  the  type  outlined,  build- 
ing insurance  costs  the  owner  $10.50  a  year 
for  each  $1,000  of  insurance. 
*     *     * 

Credits  obtainable  by  compliance  with  un- 
derwriters' requirements  are  as  follows  on 
outstanding  phases  of  construction  and  in- 
stallation: 

1.  Properly    installing    approved 
projection  machine  $1.09 


56 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


Quiet  Electric  Ventilator 
Good  ventilation  makes  business  good.  Venti- 
lators   for   all    your    fresh    air   requirements. 
Write  for  catalog. 


Lakeside  Company         223  Main  St. 

Hermansville,    Mich. 


EVERYTHING  FOR 
THE  STAGE 


IFPI 

cenic 

XITPDi 


ESTABLISHED    190S 


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SEF^ICE 


CIRCUS  H(RDL05 

P/?OGft9Wf 

ORT6J'PO$T^R5 


EXHIBITORS 

Printing  Service 

711  South  Dearborn  Street 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


<«h 


Protect  Your 
ORGAN 

against  deterioration,  by  maintain' 
ing  an  even  temperature  in  the  or- 
gan chambers — with  the  famous 


Electric  Organ  Heater.  Write  for 
further  details  and  prices.  .  .  . 
PROMETHEUS  ELECTRIC 
CORP.,  354  West  13th  Street, 
New  York. 


2.  Installing  projection  booth 
complying  with  iinderwriters' 
requirements    - - 1.36 

3.  Approved  cabinets  for  storing 
extra  film  _ _.     .55 

4.  Correcting  electric  effects  to 
National  Electric  Code 75 

5.  Proper  protection  of  boiler 
and  smokepipe  _ 75 

6.  Removal  of  rubbish,  unused 
stage  properties  and  general 
housecleaning    _ 1.50 

7.  Installing  approved  chemical 
extingmshers  _ 20 

Total  - ..$6.20 

Subtracting  the  $6.20  from  the  original 
$10.50  of  average  cost  leaves  a  charge  of 
only  $4.30  a  thousand.  More  than  half  the 
original  amount  is   saved. 

Contents  insurance  for  the  same  theatre 
costs  $14.70  a  thousand.  Following  are  the 
credits  obtainable  on  the  same  seven  items 
by  compliance  with  the  underwriters'  re- 
quirements: 

For   compliance   with   item    1    of 
the  building  insurance  case  in 

the  foregoing  table $1.25 

For  compliance  with  item  2 1.55 

For  compliance  with  item  3 60 

For  compliance  with  item  4 85 

For  compUance  with  item  5 85 

For  compliance  with  item  6. 1.70 

For  compliance  with  item  7 25 

Total  _ _ _.$7.05 

Thus  the  contents  insurance  will  be  cut 
down  from  $14.70  to  $7.65,  practically  one- 
half.  And  it  should  be  noted  that  the  great- 
est single  saving  here — more  than  10  per 
cent — is  in  a  matter  that  calls  for  no  ex- 
pense whatever,  simply  the  ordinary  care 
of  removing  rubbish  and  unused  stage 
scenery  and  of  keeping  the  place  clean. 

*      4:      ^ 

Next  in  importance,  though  popularly 
thought  first,  are  the  projection  booth  and 
machine.  Authorities  stated  that  compara- 
tively few  obsolete  projection  machines 
now  are  seen,  but  in  cases  where  they  do 
appear  the  exhibitor  is  passing  up  an  op- 
portunity to  save  one-tenth  of  his  insurance 
bill,  to  say  nothing  of  the  effects  of  faulty 
projection  on  the  box  office.  The  Under- 
writers' Laboratories,  maintained  by  the 
underwriters,  tests  material  and  equipment, 
and  the  Laboratories'  stamp  of  approval 
automatically  entitles  the  exhibitor  to  lower 
charges  on  the  particular  item.  Proper  in- 
stallation of  the  booth  is  considered  by  the 
insurance  companies  to  be  even  more  im- 
portant than  the  newness  of  the  machine. 
Rating  experts  say  that  projection  booths 
frequently  are  classed  as  non-standard  be- 
cause of  failure  to  observe  requirements  re- 
lating to  ventilation  and  the  protection  of 
openings  into  the  booth.  Many  such  booths 
can  be  made  standard  at  slieht  expense.  A 
$5  outlay  in  many  instances  would  be  all 
that  is  necessary. 

Outstanding  faults  in  booth  installation 
and  maintenance  include  the  blocking  of 
doors  or  failure  to  keen  them  closed 
tightly,  and  the  opening  of  vents  into  the 
attic,  where,  in  case  of  fire,  the  flames 
would  settle  in  a  location  difficult  for  the 
firemen   to   reach. 

*     *     * 

Rules    for    installation    approved    by    the 
underwriters    include    the    following    mini- 
mum requirements: 
Size:     Booth  should  be  not  less  than  6x8 

feet  in  size  and  7  feet  high. 
Walls:  Walls  should  be  constructed  of  one 
of  the  following  or  equivalent  materials: 
Masonry  not  less  than  8  inches  thick, 
4  inches  if  reinforced  concrete;  gypsum 
blocks  plastered  on  both  sides;  metal  lath 
and  cement  plaster,  not  less  than  2  inches  • 
thick,  supported  by  incombustible  mem- 
bers; or 

A    metal    framing    of    li^xl^xj^    inch 


angle  and  tee  irons,  securely  braced  and 
riveted,  with  panels  of  asbestos  board  at 
least  %  inch  thick  fastened  to  frame  with 
bolts  spaced  not  more  than  6  inches  on 
centers,  or  of  No.  20  gauge  sheet  metal 
fastened  to  frame  with  bolts  or  rivets 
spaced  not  more  than  3  inches  on  centers. 
Inner  face  of  angles  and  tees  should  pre- 
sent a  smooth  surface  at  joints.  Asbestos 
or  metal  panels  should  be  continuous  be- 
tween angles  and  tees  and  have  no  open 
seams. 

Ceiling:  Ceiling  or  top  should  be  similar 
in  construction  to  walls. 

Floors:  Floors,  if  not  fireproof  or  incom- 
bustible, should  be  of  matched  lumber  not 
less  than  7/s  inch  thick  with  an  overlay 
of  asbestos  board  or  equivalent  materia 
not  less  than  ^  inch  thick.  If  booth  is 
constructed  of  a  metal  framing,  floor 
shotxld  rest  on  bottom  flange  of  base 
angles. 

Door:  Door  should  be  of  at  least  2x5  feet 
constructed  of  materials  similar  or 
equivalent  to  those  of  the  walls. 

Openings:  Openings  for  operators  view  or 
through  which  picture  is  shown  should 
not  be  larger  than  6x12  inches.  Each 
opening  should  be  provided  with  a  grav- 
ity door  constructed  of  No.  12  gauge 
metal  overlapping  opening  1  inch  on  all 
sides,  when  closed,  and  arranged  to  slide 
in  grooves.  Door  should  be  held  open  by 
fusible  links  placed  in  series  with  fine 
cords  so  arranged  so  that  one  link  will 
be  over  each  machine. 


Ventilation:  Inlets,  not  less  than  3x16 
inches,  should  be  placed  on  all  but  front 
sides  of  booth  and  not  more  than  3  inches 
above  the  floor.  Openings  should  be 
covered  on  the  outside  by  wire  screen  of 
not  more  than  J/^  mesh  and  on  the  inside 
by  gravity  doors  similar  to  those  de- 
scribed for  Openings. 

Outlet  should  not  be  less  than  12  inches 
in   diameter  leading   from   the   center   of 
ceiling  and  vented  to  the  outside.     Clear- 
ance between  the  vent  pipe  and  unpro- 
tected combustible  material  should  be  not 
less  than  6  inches. 
Shelves:     Shelves,    furniture    and    fixtures 
should  be  of  incombustible  construction. 
Wiring:     Electrical    wiring    shotdd    be    in 
accord    with   the   rules    embodied   in   the 
National  Electrical  Code. 
No  better  example  of  the  hazard  in  lack 
of  adequate  booth  facilities  is  needed  than 
the    case    of    the    fire    at    the    state    prison 
farm    near    Hobby,    Tex.,    reported    in    the 
last    issue    of    the    Herald-World.      Several 
inmates  were  so  severely  burned  that  their 
lives  hung  in  the  balance.     Prison  authori- 
ties are  reported  to  have  admitted  that  they 
had   failed   to    provide   the   facilities   which 
are  demanded  of  any  motion  picture  theatre. 


Use  of  approved  containers  for  the  stor- 
age of  extra  films,  not  kept  in  the  cans 
recommended  by  the  interstate  commerce 
commission,  is  urged  by  rating  authorities. 

Advisability  of  this  procedure  is  pro- 
nounced in  view  of  a  fire  at  the  Memorial 
hospital  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  as  described  in 
the  July  issue  of  the  Quarterly  of  the 
National   Fire   Protection   Association. 

Possibility  of  spontaneous  combustion 
having  started  the  fire  in  exposed  films 
stored  in  cardboard  boxes  is  offered  as  one 
explanation  of  the  tragedy,  as  no  one  had 
been  in  the  room  for  half  an  hour  before 
the  fire  was  noticed,  and  there  had  been 
no  smoking. 

Employes,  after  a  vain  fipht  to  put  out 
the  flames  in  the  room,  fled  without  closing 
the  doors,  and  the  fumes  spread  up  the 
stairs  through  the  open  corridors.  Nurses 
removed  patients  by  fire  escape  and  ele- 
vator, but  some  refused  to  leave.  In  those 
cases   the   doors' were   closed   and   windows 

(Continued   on   page   60) 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


57 


1.676,596.  SPRING  MOTOR.  Otto  Wittel, 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  assigrior  to  Eastman  Kodak 
Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  a  Corporation  of 
New  York.  Filed  May  13,  1926.  Serial  No. 
108,797.      9   Claims.      (CI.    185—37.) 


1,676,299.  DEVICE  FOR  CLEANING  AND 
SMOOTHING  FILMS  AND  THE  LIKE. 
Johann  Jacob  Friedrich  Stock,  Munich,  Ger- 
many. Filed  June  17,  1926.  Serial  No.  116,- 
677,  and  in  Germany  Mar.  30,  1926.  4  Claims. 
(CI.  15—100.) 


1,676,595.  OPTICAL  UNIT  FOR  CAMERAS. 
Otto  Wittel,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  assignor  to 
Eastman  Kodak  Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
a  Corporation  of  New  York.  Filed  May  13, 
1926.  Serial  No.  108,796.  16  Claims.  (CL 
95—45.) 


1.  In  a  motion  picture  camera,  a  spring  mo- 
tor comprising:  a  continuous  coiled  spring  band 
and  an  antifriction  band  interwound  therewith 


1.  A  device  for  cleaning  and  smoothing  worn 
films  and  the  like,  comprising  a  machine 
stand,  a  metallic  wire  brush  rotatably  ar- 
ranged upon  the  miachine  stand,  means  to 
move  the  film  past  and  in  contact  with  the 
said  wire  brush,  and  means  to  exert  a  con- 
stant co-operative  pressure,  between  the  film 
and    the    said    brush 


1.  In  an  optical  unit  for  cameras,  the  com- 
bination with  an  objective  including  two  lens 
cells,  of  a  barrel  for  supporting  the  lens  cells 
at  a  fixed  separation,  connections  between  one 
lens  cell  and  the  barrel  through  which  one 
lens  cell  may  turn  therein,  and  a  plurality  of 
diaphragm  leaves  operatively  connected  to  the 
movable  and  fixed  lens  cells  whereby  the 
light  opening  may  be  altered  by  moving  the 
movable  lens  cell 


Are  You  Liable  for  the  Acts 
of  Your  Manager? 

{  THINK  "^ 
{^  AGAIN  ) 

A  review  of  high  court  decisions 
By  LEO  T.  PARKER 


IT  is  admitted  by  all  experts  of  law  that  the 
majority  of   litigations   may  be   eliminated 
if  the  principals  are  informed  of  their  legal 
rights  and  liabilities. 

This  is  especially  true  with  respect  to  the 
acts  of  theatre  managers,  because  the  presently 
estabUshed  law  clearly  defines  the  kind  and 
character  of  business  transactions  in  which  the 
manager  may  legally  bind  his  employer. 

Therefore,  the  purpose  of  this  article  is  to 
carefully  review  the  leading  and  most  recent 
higher  court  decisions  involving  the  acts  of 
theatre  managers  which  commonly  result  in 
litigation.  Also,  I  shall  endeavor  to  explain 
the  facts  and  outcome  of  each  controversy,  so 
that  readers  may  readily  determine  when  and 
how  to  prevent  liability  under  similar  common 
occurrences. 

*    *    * 

First,  it  is  important  to  know  that  the  law 
recognized  two  classes  of  agents,  namely,  gen- 
eral and  special.  A  theatre  manager  is  a  gen- 
eral agent,  because  he  is  employed  by  his  em- 
ployer to  perform  all  acts  necessary  to  the 
successful  conduction  of  the  theatre  business. 
A  special  agent,  as  any  common  employe,  is 
one  whose  authority  is  Umited  to  perform  a 
single  act  or  kind  of  service  for  his  employer. 
However,  the  accompHshment  of  this  service 
may  necessitate  the  performance  of  many  acts. 
The  employer  is  liable  only  for  such  acts  of 
a  special  agent  that  are  performed  within  the 
scope  of  the  authority  given  him  by  his  em- 
ployer. Moreover,  when  the  specific  service  is 
rendered,  the  special  agent's  authority  is  auto- 
matically ended,  and  his  employer  is  not  re- 
sponsible for  subsequent  acts. 

For  example,  in  Lippincot  v.  East  River 
141  N.  Y.  S.  220,  it  was  disclosed  that  after  a 
special  agent  had  performed  the  service  for 
which  he  had   been   employed,   he   proceeded 


without  authority  to  bind  his  employer  in  an- 
other transaction. 

In  holding  the  employer  not  liable,  the  court 
explained  the  law  relating  to  special  agents, 
as  follows : 

"One  who  deals  with  a  special  agent  specially 
authorized  for  that  transaction  is  put  upon  inquiry 
as  to  the  extent  of  the  agent's  authority,  and  deals 
with  him  at  the  risk  of  his  authority  being  ex- 
ceeded »  *  •  Authority  of  an  assumed  agent  to  make 
a  purchase  will  be  implied  where  the  alleged  princi- 
pal has  repeatedly  recognized  and  approved  of  simi- 
lar acts;  still  a  single  act  done  under  express 
authority  is  insufficient  to  justify  the  inference  that 
the  assumed  agent  has  the  apparent  authority  to 
subject  the  alleged  principal  to  liability  upon  subse- 
quent purchases  made  without  actual  authority." 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  well  established  that 
a  theatre  manager  may  bind  his  employer  by 
all  the  acts  within  the  scope  of  his  employ- 
ment. Moreover,  a  general  authority  cannot 
be  limited  by  any  private  order  or  direction 
not  known  to  the  party  dealing  with  the  agent. 
Therefore,  the  employer  is  liable  under  all  cir- 
cumstances where  a  manager  is  acting  within 
the  scope  of  his  usual  employment,  or  is  held 
out  by  the  employer  as  having  proper 
authority,  although  he  has  exceeded  or  vio- 
lated his  instructions. 

For  illustration,  a  leading  case,  Bridge- 
Forbes  Co.  V.  St.  Louis  Co.,  115  S.  W.  333, 
the  court  explained  the  law  in  the  following 
language : 

"Any  agent  empowered  to  act  with  respect  to  the 
conduct  of  that  particular  business  is  the  represen- 
tative of  the  company  in  that  behalf,  and  his  acts 
done  within  the  scope  of  the  power  conferred  upon 
him  or  within  scope  of  his  apparent  authority  was 
binding  upon  the  company.  Such  act  was  in  legal 
effect  the  act  of  the  principal.  Again,  every  delega- 
tion of  power,  unless  expressly  limited  by  some 
instrument,  carries  with  it  as  incident,  the  authority 
to  do  whatever  is  reasonably  necessary  and  proper  to 
effectuate  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  created.  Third 
persons  in  dealing  with  such  an  agent  have  the  right 
to  conclude  that  the  principal  intended  that  he  should 
have  and  exercise  those  powers  which  properly  and 
legitimately  belong  to  the  character  in  which  he  holds 


him  out.  Having  by  the  creation  of  the  agency  be- 
stowed upon  the  agent  a  certain  character,  the  prin- 
ciapl  will  not  be  heard  to  assert,  as  against  third 
persons  who  have  relied  thereupon  in  good  faith, 
that  he  did  not  intend  to  impose  so  much  authority." 
Meaning  of  Within 
Scope  of  Employment 

The  legal  term  "during  the  period  of  the 
employment"  legally  means  the  actual  period 
each  day  the  employe  is  paid  to  perform  his 
regular  duties.  However,  an  employe  need 
not  be  in  the  act  of  rendering  services  to  his 
employer  to  be  legally  within  the  scope  of  the 
employment. 

For  instance,  it  has  been  held  that  an  em- 
ployer is  liable  for  acts  accomplished  by  a 
theatre  manager  when  he  becomes  involved  in 
a  fistual  encounter  with  a  salesman  during  an 
interview  at  which  the  sales  representative  was 
endeavoring  to  obtain  an  order  for  theatre 
equipment.  In  this  instance,  of  course,  the 
manager  did  not  inflict  the  injury,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  rendering  a  service  to  his  employer, 
but  the  act  was  accomplished  within  the  scope 
of  the  manager's  employment,  because  the  per- 
sonal encounter  between  the  two  parties  was 
directly  the  result  of  the  manager  transacting 
business  for  which  he  was  employed. 
*    *    * 

On  the  other  hand,  a  theatre  owner  is  not 
liable  for  the  acts  of  a  manager  who  departs 
from  the  scope  of  his  regular  duties.  How- 
ever, the  employer  may  enlarge  or  decrease  the 
scope  of  the  authority  by  any  act  which  leads 
a  reasonably  prudent  person  to  believe  that 
the  manager's  acts,  resulting  in  the  contro- 
versy, was  within  the  authorized  scope  of  the 
employment. 

A  very  dependable  rule,  recognized  by  alt 
courts,  for  determining  the  liability  of  a  the- 
atre manager  in  controversies  of  this  kind  is 
when  one  of  two  innocent  parties  suffers  loss 
by  reason  of  the  wrongful  act  or  acts  of  a 


58 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  1,  1928 


third  party,  the  party  must  bear  the  loss  who 
has  made  it  possible  by  reason  of  his  negli- 
gence for  the  third  party  to  commit  the  wrong. 

Manager's  Authority 
To  Borrow  Money 

It  is  a  well  recognized  law  that  a  theatre 
manager  does  not  act  within  the  scope  of  the 
ordinarj-  employment  when  he  borrows  money 
for  use  of  the  theatre,  unless  he  is  given  full 
control  and  operation  of  the  business  by  its 
owner.  And  then,  the  employer  is  not  liable 
if  the  manager  borrows  the  money  for  pur- 
poses other  than  for  conduction  of  the  theatre 
business. 

For  illustration,  in  the  case  of  Swindoll  v. 
Latham,  58  S.  E.  1010,  it  was  disclosed  that 
proprietor  hired  a  man  named  Smith  to  con- 
duct the  business.  Smith,  without  authority 
of  his  employer,  borrowed  $3,365,  which  was 
not  used  in  the  conduction  of  the  business,  but 
for  the  purpose  of  speculation. 

The  owner  refused  to  repay  the  amount  to 
the  borrower,  and  it  is  interesting  to  observe 
that  the  lower  court  held  the  employer  liable 
for  pa>Tnent,  but  the  higher  court  reversed 
this  decision,  saying: 

"An  agent  cannot,  in  law,  represent  himself  and 
his  principal,  where  their  interests  conflict,  and  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  the  latter.  An  agent  cannot 
thus  well  serve  in  two  capacities,  for  himself  and 
his  principal,  because  the  latter's  interests  may  be 
prejudiced  even  by  an  unconscious  and  unintentional 
desire   to    advance   his   own." 


Liability  for  Injuries 
Inflicted  on  Patrons 

As  may  readily  be  determined  by  reference 
to  the  above  explanations,  a  person  who  is 
employed  by  a  theatre  owner  to  manage  the 
theatre  is  a  "general  agent"  and  therefore,  the 
owner  is  responsible  for  all  acts  done  by  the 
manager  in  the  conduction  of  the  business 
which  cause  injury  to  patrons  of  the  theatre. 
However,  an  ordinary  employe,  as  a  ticket 
seller,  ticket  taker,  cleaner,  etc.,  being  a  "spe- 
cial agent,"  the  theatre  owner  is  caused  lia- 
bility only  by  acts  which  are  done  within  the 
scope  of  the  special  employment. 

For  example,  in  a  recent  litigation  a  patron 
sued  a  theatre  proprietor  for  damages  as  a 
result  of  severe  injuries  inflicted  by  a  door- 
man. It  was  proved  that  the  doorman  and 
patron  became  engaged  in  an  argument  over 
the  acceptance  of  a  ticket.  However,  the  in- 
juries were  not  received  at  this  time.  In  order 
to  settle  the  argument,  the  two  persons  agreed 
to  meet  at  a  later  time  when  the  doorman  was 
off  duty.  At  this  meeting  the  fight  occurred 
which  resulted  in  the  injury.  The  injured 
Datron  sued  the  proprietor  for  damages  con- 
tending that  the  owner  was  liable  for  the  in- 
juries sustained  because  the  quarrel  actually 
began  on  the  theatre  premises.  However,  the 
court  held  the  owner  not  liable  and  in  effect 
said  that  where  an  employe  effects  injuries 
while  off  duty,  his  employer  is  not  liable. 


In  still  another  recently  decided  case,  it  was 
disclosed  that  a  person,  whose  duty  was  to 
clean  the  theatre,  was  standing  on  a  step- 
ladder  and  washing  the  walls  of  the  building. 
He  became  engaged  in  an  argument  with  an- 
other person  who  walked  against  the  ladder. 
The  employe  descended  from  the  ladder  and 
severely  injured  the  individual.  The  latter 
sued  the  theatre  proprietor  for  damages,  but 
the  court  held  the  owner  not  liable  and  ex- 
plained that  an  employer  is  liable  for  the  acts 
of  an  employe  only  while  the  latter  is  acting 
actually  within  the  scope  of  the  employment. 
When  the  employe  descended  from  the  ladder 
to  engage  in  a  personal  encounter,  he  was  not 
acting  within  the  scope  of  his  employment. 

In  still  another  quite  recently  decided  case 
the  theatre  proprietor  was  held  liable  in  dam- 
ages. The  litigation  involved  an  injury  in- 
flicted a  theatre  patron  by  an  usher.  Here,  it 
was  shown  that  an  argument  arose  and  a 
fight  ensued  between  the  patron  and  the  usher 
while  the  latter  was  directing  the  patron  to 
his  seat.  However,  if  the  trouble  had  started 
while  the  usher  had  i)cen  performing  a  differ- 


Oul  of  the  Dawn 


ton^i^n^.ij  ^^ 


^^ 


MT 


W 


^m: 


'  CkuplOKt  t.  V  Km.  Tr^M 


Paramount  s  first  synchronized  {>ic- 
ture  brings  forth  this  initial  "theme 
song  from  the  publishing  house  of 
Donaldson,  Douglas  &  Gumble. 
Out  of  the  Dawn"  a  dual  ^iano 
and  organ  arrangement  of  which  is 
shown  above,  is  by  that  eminently 
successful  ^o^ular  song  writer, 
waiter  Donaldson,  and  it  serves  to 
interpret  the  love  sequences  of 
"Warming  f/jS,"  baseball  yarn  star- 
ring Richard  Dix. 

ent  duty  from  that  for  which  he  was  employed, 
the  owner  would  not  have  been  liable. 

Also,  it  is  important  to  know  that  if  a 
manager  of  a  theatre  meets  a  patron  outside 
the  theatre  and  directs  insulting  language  to 
him  in  connection  with  the  theatre  business, 
or  inflicts  personal  injury  under  the  same  cir- 
cumstances, the  owner  is  liable  for  damages 
because  any  part  of  the  theatre  business 
legally  is  within  the  scope  of  the  manager's 
employment.  This  is  true  because  he  is  a 
general  agent. 

Contract  Signed  by  Employes 
Prevent  Litigations 

Therefore,  all  ordinary  employes  should  be 
thoroughly  informed  of  the  employer's  liabili- 
ties for  their  acts.  In  fact  it  would  be  a 
profitable  plan  for  theatre  owners  to  provide 
agreements  for  the  signature  of  the  employes 
in  which  the  latter  are  informed  of  their  legal 
responsibilities,  with  further  provisions  by 
which  each  employe  agrees  to  bear  a  portion 
of  the  unnecessary  or  preventable  legal  ex- 
penses caused  the  owner  through  carelessness, 
negligence,  or  recklessness  on  the  part  of  the 
signer.  Such  responsibility  being  placed  on 
the  employes  would  tend  to  prevent  them  from 
engaging  in  arguments  or  personal  encounters 
with  patrons.  Furthermore,  such  an  obliga- 
tion would  tend  to  cause  the  employe  to  ex- 
ercise a  higher  degree  of  care  in  maintaining 
the  premises  in  good  order  to  reduce  the  lia- 
bility  from  this  source. 

The  law  expects  a  theatre  manager  to  com- 
pel the  employes  of  the  theatre  to  exercise  or- 
dinary care  in  maintaining  the  theatre  prem- 
ises in  proper  repair  and  safe  condition. 

However,    neither    the    proprietor    nor    the 


manager  is  legally  required  to  exercise  more 
than  "ordinary  care"  to  safeguard  patrons 
against  injury.  This  latter  statement  is  veri- 
fied by  the  records  of  numerous  quite  re- 
cently decided  cases.  For  example,  in  one 
case,  an  injury  was  caused  by  a  lamp  be- 
coming loosened  and  falling  on  the  patron's 
head.  It  was  proved  that  one  of  the  fasten- 
ings which  held  the  lamp  in  its  position  be- 
came loosened  and  permitted  it  to  fall. 

It  was  proved  that  the  owner  or  the  man- 
ager, or  the  employes  had  exercised  ordinary 
care  in  maintaining  the  premises  in  safe  con- 
dition. Therefore,  the  court  held  the  owner 
not  liable  for  damages  as  a  result  of  the  in- 
juries sustained  by  the  patron. 

Recently  a  court  in  effect  explained  that  the 
true  meaning  of  the  term  "ordinary  care"  is 
that  degree  of  care  which  would  have  been 
exercised  by  a  reasonably  prudent  theatre 
owner,  or  his  employes,  under  exactly  the  same 
circumstances  of  the  happening  of  the  ac- 
cident. 

*  *    * 

Another  way  of  expressing  the  law  relating 
to  the  liabilities  of  a  theatre  owner  for  in- 
juries or  insults  to  patrons  is  that  a  theatre 
owner  is  liable  for  an  injury  caused  by  means 
within  his  control.  Furthermore,  although 
the  cause  of  the  injury  is  not  within  the  own- 
er's or  manager's  control,  the  owner  is  liable 
if  he  knowingly  permits  instrumentalities  to 
exist  which  he  should  have  known  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  ordinary  care  would  result  in  the 
injury.  And,  of  course,  if  the  cause  of  the 
injury  is  within  the  manager's  control  to  elimi- 
nate, the  owner  is  liable,  because  legally  the 
owner's   duty  is  the  manager's. 

On  the  other  hand,  a  theatre  owner  is  not 
responsible  for  negligent  acts  of  a  person  in 
the  theatre  not  in  his  employment. 

The  case  of  Block  v.  Opera  Holding  Co., 
154  N.  M.  761,  decided  within  the  past  few 
weeks,  is  important  to  illustrate  the  latter 
statement.  Here  injuries  and  humiliation  of  a 
patron  occured  as  a  result  of  negligent  acts 
of  a  person  who  had  a  concession  to  sell  things 
to  patrons  in  the  theatre.  However,  he  was 
not  employed  by  the  theatre  owner  but  by  a 
third  party  who  had  the  concession. 

This  court  held  the  theatre  proprietor  not 
liable  and   said: 

"While  the  mere  occurrence  of  an  injury  sometimes 
raises  a  presumption  of  liability  on  the  part  of  a 
defendant  (theatre  owner)  yet  in  such  cases  it  must 
appear  that  the  instrumentality  causing  the  injury 
was   in    his   control." 

Therefore,  the  law  is  well  established  that 
if  a  theatre  proprietor  leases  or  rents  a  space 
in  the  theatre  to  another  person,  and  the  na- 
ture of  the  latter's  business  is  not  dangerous, 
the  theatre  owner  is  not  liable. 

*  *    * 
Contracts  Made 

By  Managers 

Generally  speaking,  a  verbal  contract  made 
by  a  theatre  manager  is  equally  as  enforce- 
able as  a  written  one.  Of  course,  testimony 
must  be  introduced  to  prove  the  contents  of  an 
oral  contract,  whereas,  the  contents  of  a  writ- 
ten contract  speaks  for  itself,  and  no  verbal 
testimony  is  permitted  by  the  courts  to  vary 
the  terms  of  a  written  agreement. 

Moreover,  under  certain  circumstances,  a 
contract  may  be  implied  by  the  court.  In 
other  words,  although  no  actual  verbal  or 
written  agreement  exists  between  two  persons 
yet  the  acts  of  both  and  the  circumstances 
surrounding  the  business  relations  of  the  two 
parties  may  be  such  that  the  court  will  decide 
that  contractual  obligations  were  assumed. 

In  Jones  v.  Tucker,  84  Atl.  1012,  it  is  in- 
teresting to  observe  that  the  court  defined  a 
contract  as  follows : 

"A  contract  is  defined  to  be  an  agreement  be- 
tween two  or  more  persons,  for  a  good  and  sufficient 
consideration  to  do  or  not  to  do  a  thing.  It  is  not 
necessary  that  a  contract  be  in  writing  and  may  be 
either  expressed  or  implied.  An  express  contract  is 
one  where  the  terms  of  the  agreement  are  stated  in 
so  many  words;  and  an  implied  contract  is  where  the 
law  presumed  a  promise  on  the  part  of  the  party 
benefited." 

The  owner  of  a  theatre  is  liable  for  any 
and  all  contracts  made  by  a  theatre  manager, 

{Continued  on  page  61) 


September  1,  1928 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  and  MOVING  PICTURE  WORLD 


59 


y 


Authorities  in  music,  until  recently,  believed 
built  that  would  have  effective  audition.  Elimina 
theatre  was  considered  impossible. 

Now,  in  Detroit,  to  open  in  September,  is  the 
out  an  echo,"  perfect  in  its  acoustics. 

"The  softest  whisperings  of  orchestra  jnusic, 
be  heard  perfectly  from  the  highest  seat,"  accord 
signed  the  acoustical  treatment  of  the  house  in  coo 
tical  engineer  of  international  reputation. 

Upper  walls  and  ceilings  of  the  new  Fox  hous 
plaster,  have  been  finished  with  an  acoustical  fel 
semblance  of  rich  brocaded  silks,  perfectly  adapte 
architectural  effect. 


that  no  auditorium  seating  over  2,200  could  be 
ting  reverberations  of  sound,  or  echoes,  in  a  larger 

new  Fox,  seating  5,047,  "the  cinema  house  with- 

the  most  delicate  and  exquisite  of  pianissimos,  can 
ing  to  C.  Howard  Crane,  the  Fox  architect  who  de- 
peration  with  R.  V.  Parsons,  Johns-Manville  acous- 


e,  which  in  ordinary  theatres  would  be  finished  in 
t  treatment  that  takes  marvelous  color  effects  in 
d  to  the  Hindoo  Temple  character  of  the  whole 


•v 


The  New  Fox,  a  Sound  Theatre   ♦♦♦♦♦♦    Continued  from  page  12 


a  decorative  canopy  resting  against  two  huge 
Burmese  shrine-like  pylons. 

Oriental  beauty,  combined  with  ultra- 
modern comfort  and  culture,  will  make  this 
new  Detroit  Fox  unique  in  the  annals  of  the- 
atre architecture. 

Crane's  design  for  the  Fox  Brooklyn  the- 
atre (to  open  also  in  September)  at  Flatbush 
and  Nevins  streets,  was  inspired  from  the 
Barocque,  perhaps  Spanish  in  period.  Beyond 
the  bronze  screen  entrance  is  the  semi-ellipti- 
cal vestibule  with  its  warm  polished  Sienna 
travartine  marble  walls  capped  by  a  decora- 
tive moulding  that  frames  mural  paintings 
above  doors  to  the  inner  lobby.  Starting  from 
a  de^  surelian  blue  the  dome  of  the  vestibule 
rises  into  a  pale  cobalt.  Curved  walls  of  the 
inner  lobby  are  also  marble-lined,  and  at  the 
far  end  is  a  feature  fountain  specially  de- 
signed as  a  cascade,  the  water  issuing  from  a 
conventional  dolphin  down  over  the  tile  steps 
into  the  huge  bowl  below.  Walls  of  this 
fountain  niche  are  of  blue  and  gold  tiles. 
Steps  are  a  brilliant  black  with  a  red  and 
gold  pattern,  modelled  like  lotus  leaves.  Hid- 
den lights  from  behind  the  curious  console 
fountain  opening  make  the  water  gleam  and 
glow  with  mystery. 


Like  entering  an  East  Indian  potentate's 
audience  hall,  one  steps  into  the  lofty  grand 
foyer.  Lower  walls  are  of  Verde  Antique 
marble  with  teakwood,  with  a  metallic  lacquer 
decoration.  Main  pilasters  from  which  spring 
the  decorative  corbel  brackets  are  also  of 
Verde  Antique.  Soft  golden-apricot  silk 
walls,  with  henna  velvet  overdrapes,  blend 
into  the  double-octagonal  domed  ceiling  which 
is   softly   flooded   by  hidden   lights. 

The  foyer  opens  up  the  entire  rear  of  the 
theatre,  and  there  are  three  distinctive  cross- 
over levels  from  which  one  can  get  the  un- 
usual effect  of  this  treatment.  Verde  Antique, 
that  richest  and  fullest  in  tone  of  all  imported 
marbles,  forms  all  stairways  in  the  theatre. 
On  the  first  stair  landing  is  a  large  decorative 
bronze   fountain   niche. 

Pale  peach  stucco,  and  lattice  supported  on 
delicate  cartides,  give  the  ladies'  smoking 
rooms  the  effect  of  a  terrace  with  open  sky 
above.  Their  large  lounge  rooms  are  Louis 
XV  in  period.  Silk  walls  grace  the  elliptical 
cosmetics  rooms,  and  around  the  walls  are 
specially  draped  niches  into  which  are  set  the 
individual   dressing  tables. 

Large  square  rooms  in  the  Spanish  style, 
with  stucco  walls,  wainscote  of  turquoise  blue 
hand    made    tile,    and    Spanish    wood-beamed 


ceiling,  are  furnished  with  large  comfort- 
able leather  chairs,  lounges,  tables,  and  smok- 
ing equipment  for  the  men  at  the  far  end  of 
the  grand  foyer  downstairs  and  on  the  lower 
balcony  level. 

Furniture  pieces  in  the  theatre  are  all  made 
from  Crane  designs,  in  the  modern  spirit  to 
harmonize  with  their  special  placing  through- 
out the   theatre. 

New  in  theatre  conceptions,  the  entire  audi- 
torium is  treated  as  one  huge  room  with  a 
color  scheme  of  gold  tones  ranging  from  deep 
bronze  through  red  to  pale  yellow,  and  en- 
hanced by  henna  velvet  drapes  heavily  fringed 
and  valanced  with  rich  brocading.  This  sym- 
phony  of   golds    and    hennas    springs    from    a 


y 


V 


The  New  Fox 

Jade    green    walls 

Like    brocaded    silks 

From    the    rich     Orient;     and 

Miniature    carved    temples 

in   old   ivory 

Studded   with    jewels 

Grace    those    green    walls, 

Points    for    the    voorskip 

Of    quiet    beauty 

Huge  Vermillion    red 

Marble    columns 

Four    stories    high 

And   each   as    big   around 

As    a    dozen    men 

Sentinel    the   main    temple. 

My    eyes    pluck    out 

The    rich    jewels 

That    circle    the    huge    columns. 

Royal  purple   drapes 

Guard    entrance    to    the 

Cool,    jade-green^    brocaded   walls. 

Royal    purple    frames 

The    huge    stage    too. 

And  guarding   the  cornice^   benignly^ 

Is    Dai-Nichi    Nyorai, 

Duplicated  like  a  persistent   thought 

*Round    and    *round    the    temple. 

Silvered    is    the 
Eight'Story    dome 
And    embroidered 
With    bands    of   gold. 
Like    a    rich    canopy 
Woven    from,    star-things 
Over   a   Mohammedan   garden. 
It   protects    the   people 
From   thoughts   less  lovely. 

And  etched   on   celluloid. 

Breath-taking  in   their  loveliness. 

Masterpieces    of   camera    art    unfold 

Poignant    beauty 

And    perfect   acting, 

Patterns    for    high    human    living. 

Parade   the    silver   screen* 

Dancing    delights    the    senses 

And    m.usic   speaks   calm,    to    the    soul. 


"V 


base  of  Verde  Antique  marble,  the  richest  and 
fullest  in  tone  of  all  imported  marbles. 

From  the  modern  baroque  proscenium  arch, 
with  its  framed  mural,  the  walls  spring  gradu- 
ally forward  and  cove  to  the  rich  outer  ring 
of  the  double  dome  from  which  a  huge  crystal 
pendant  hangs.  Side  walls  are  decidedly 
modern  in  conception,  terminating  toward  the 
front  of  the  house  with  one  huge  niche  or 
state  box  motiff  where  a  crystal  organ  screen 
framed  in  henna  velvet  drapes  serves  as  back- 
ground for  a  delicate  ornamental  bronze  foun- 
tain. 

Half-domed  penetrations  pierce  the  cove  at 
the  rear  of  the  auditorium,  and  in  the  center 
is  the  projection  room  screened  to  resemble 
an  old  Galleon  riding  forth  on  the  crest  of 
a  wave. 

To  house  the  organ  required  four  loft 
chambers  back  of  the  side  auditorium  walls 
and  a  large  space  above  the  main  ceiling. 
Loud  speakers  or  intensifiers  are  arranged 
throughout  the  theatre  to  amplify  stage 
sounds. 

New  York's  Theatre  Guild  house,  Crane- 
designed,  has  an  undeniably  European  facade, 
distinctive  among  New  York  buildings.  Out- 
side facade  walls  are  of  blue  stucco,  as  often 
used  in  Italian  villa  architecture,  somewhat 
wavy  to  indicate  age  and  craftsmanship. 
Doors  have  heavy  stone  quoins.  Windows  are 
heavily  framed  and  penthouse  topped.  Bal- 
conies are  irongrilled.  Triplearched  loggia 
conceal  firetower  exits.  A  decorated  cor- 
nice overhangs.  The  roof  is  of  tile.  Interior 
effects  are  even  richer  in  unique  features.  By 
pitching  the  auditorium  floor  in  from  the  street 
level  at  the  stage  to  almost  the  second  story 
at  the  street,  the  space  underneath  was  ar- 
ranged for  an  unsually  commodious  foyer 
with  spacious  lounges  and  smoking  rooms  for 
the  public.  Wrought  plaster  in  warm  tones 
covers  the  inside  walls.  Under  the  balcony 
the  space  is  panelled  in  a  dark  wood.  There 
is  tapestry  above  exit  doors.  Curtains  are 
bold  in  reds  and  browns.  There  are  no 
boxes,  and  there  is  no  proscenium  arch.  Back 
stage  equipment  is  the  last  word  in  mechanics 
of  the  theatre,  and  the  stage  itself  is  said  to 
be  the  most  ingenious  and  most  practical  in 
New  York.  "Wagon  stages,"